Steve can't seem to bring himself to smile back at his best friend, and Sharon can't blame him. They knew what they were getting into – or thought they did – but to have the potential end come so quickly and without warning is a shock to her system, too.

"We'll concoct something and give you the details presently, Sergeant," Aunt Peggy tells him. She looks nearly unaffected, but Sharon can see the glimmer of hurt that's tucked behind her eyes. "Perhaps another mission with the Resistance cell, deep undercover."