STRIKE Team Omega

February 2002, Washington, D.C. The snow had melted, but the cold still lingered on the streets of the American capital. John walked the streets of Georgetown. His figure was striking: a taller, more muscular man than before, his face covered by a well-trimmed beard, and his skin tanned from months of conducting operations in the Middle Eastern desert. He wore a worn leather jacket and sunglasses to protect himself from the sun that glinted off the city's historic buildings.

Hawke was on his way to visit Peggy Carter, something he did whenever he was off duty. Each visit was a kind of ritual for him, a way to reconnect with someone who represented a heroic past that he so admired. John had fought side by side with great men and women, but to him, Peggy Carter was a living reminder of an era when the world truly believed in heroes.

When he arrived at the private clinic, he knocked lightly on her door before entering. A smile spread across his face as he saw Peggy sitting by the window, wrapped in a blanket, her eyes scanning the trees outside. She looked frail, but her presence still carried an unshakable inner strength.

"Miss Carter, I hope I'm not interrupting," John said, taking off his sunglasses and putting them in his pocket.

Peggy turned her head slowly and smiled as she recognized him.

"John, dear, of course not. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me," she replied with a twinkle in her eye, though her voice was weaker than he remembered.

"Never," he said, coming to sit beside her. "Things have been a little hectic. Non-stop operations in Afghanistan."

She watched him more closely now, her eyes curious.

"You look different, John. More… bearded. And tanned, you look like you've been living in the blazing sun." She laughed lightly, remembering her own days in the field.

John touched his beard and shrugged, smiling.

"Yeah, the desert does that to us. Lots of sand and sun. But I'm fine. What about you, Peggy? How are you feeling?"

Peggy paused before answering, her gaze seemingly lost for a moment.

"Oh, you know… the days are long here, but I get visits from Sharon every now and then. She's a good girl, determined like I was. And you, John, how are things with you? Any more stories of bravery to share?"

John looked at her, knowing she still remembered him fondly, but also aware that his memory sometimes failed him.

"Well, it's been interesting. The Middle East isn't exactly the easiest place to work, but we've been doing what we can. You know, keeping on going, keeping the men alive and the mission accomplished."

He paused, looking at Peggy in a way that indicated something else was going on in his life. Peggy, even with her dementia, noticed his hesitation.

"What else, John? I know that look." She smiled, curious.

John took a deep breath. Even though he had told her about the serum before, he wasn't sure how to broach the subject again, especially since she might not remember.

"Well, I mentioned it before, but you might not remember. Something changed in me. I was… enhanced, so to speak. They developed a new version of the super soldier serum. I was the only one chosen to receive it."

Peggy raised her eyebrows, as if she was slowly processing the information.

"The serum… the same serum as Steve?"

"Yeah, something similar. It's not exactly the same, but it was enough to change a lot of things about me. Strength, speed, reflexes…" He gestured to himself. "Everything enhanced. I've been doing things I can't even explain properly."

Peggy nodded, taking a moment to fully comprehend.

"Are you saying that you're… like Steve now?"

John looked at her with a shy smile.

"Something like that. But I'm not the Captain. I'll never be him. But I try to follow his example." Doing the best I can, leading my men, and trying to keep everyone safe. That's what I live for, Peggy."

She watched John for a long moment, her eyes shifting from curiosity to admiration.

"You know, Steve didn't want to be Captain America at first either. He just wanted to do what was right. And from what you've told me, John, you're doing just that."

John felt a weight lift from his shoulders at Peggy's words. The world had changed drastically for him since the serum had been injected into his veins, but hearing that validation from someone like Peggy Carter made everything seem clearer, simpler.

"I just do what I can. I don't know if I'll ever live up to Steve's legacy, but I'll keep trying."

John ran a hand through his hair, staring out the window, his thoughts far away.

Peggy smiled, her hand resting on his.

"You have more in common with him than you think, John. Steve was someone who believed in people, and I see the same in you. You're a leader because you care. And believe me, that's rare."

Time passed as they chatted, sharing stories of the past, of heroes and sacrifices. John updated Peggy on operations in the Middle East, without going into too much detail, but giving her a general overview of how the world was changing. Peggy, in turn, told John stories of her own time in the SSR, the challenges they faced during World War II, and of course, her work with Steve.

"I remember the first time I saw Steve," Peggy said, her eyes lighting up for a brief moment. "He was so determined, even though he was so small back then. I've never met anyone with so much courage in such a frail body. But he had a huge heart, like yours, John."

John smiled, listening intently. It was rare to see Peggy so lucid, and he enjoyed every second of that moment.

As the afternoon began to fall and the sky turned orange outside, John knew it was time to leave.

"I have to get back to base, Peggy. But I'll be back soon, I promise."

Peggy took his hand, squeezing it lightly.

"I'd love that, John. You know, there aren't many young people who understand what it's like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders like you and Steve do. But you're not alone. Remember that."

John smiled, feeling the strength behind her words.

"I'll never forget that. And whenever you need me, I'll be here."

As he stood to leave, John took one last look at Peggy, feeling grateful for having her as a friend and mentor, even from afar. She was one of the few ties that connected him to something bigger than himself, something heroic and inspiring.

"Goodbye, Peggy," he said with a soft smile.

"See you later, John. Don't take too long to come back, okay?" she said with a weak but affectionate wink.

John left the room, his heart lighter, ready to return to his missions, but with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that in some way he was honoring the legacy of Steve Rogers and all those who came before him.

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