Chapter 50 "Waking Up"

In a room with retro decor.

The room is furnished as it would have been during World War II, and the radio is playing the top tunes of the era. A hospital bed in the middle of the room is occupied by a muscular, attractive man.

Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is this person. Steve Rogers opened his eyes gradually a little while later. Unconsciously, he kept a sharp eye out.

This nursing home just has one room. He can see the nurses rushing outside with first aid packs through the open door. A woman is also helping the elderly man go slowly while several little children are fighting in the hallway.

There were even a couple of individuals peeking their heads into the room who appeared to be high school pupils.

After glancing at Captain America, one of the little boys exclaimed enthusiastically toward the corridor's exterior, "Rorschach, the doctor, he's awake! The Avenger is awake!"

Nearly everyone in the area turned to listen to this voice, and people gathered at the entrance. Everyone in the room, including nurses, elderly people, and kids, observed Steve Rogers with interest.

Steve, who was wearing a confused state, rolled over and got out of the hospital bed. Although being surrounded by so many people made him feel a little uncomfortable, these people appeared to be a regular bunch of people.

Steve can tell from the look in their eyes that they are enjoying the novelty of seeing superstars as regular people rather than harboring any animosity toward him.

"Who can tell me my current location?" Steve asked everyone as he made his way to the door while looking perplexed.

"Captain, we won. To all of us, you are a hero!"

A charming young nurse excitedly walked up to Steve and even couldn't resist reaching out to touch his chest.

Steve felt a little powerless as the young nurse mopped up, and he even thought that this conduct seemed familiar. When Steve had an important notion, he turned around and quickly scanned the room.

He seeks out a clock, a newspaper, or anything else that will provide him with the current time. But as he looked about, he discovered nothing.

"How long have I been asleep and what time is it?" Steve regarded the young nurse in front of him uneasily.

A person pushed its way in from outside the door before the young nurse could respond. "You have been asleep for a while, Mr. Rogers."

Rorschach made his way through the throng and approached Captain America. He used his X-ray vision to scan him. Captain America has recovered entirely.

When Steve heard Rorschach speak, he glanced over to him unconsciously and questioned, "A long time, how long is it?"

"So long that you've missed a dance." Rorschach answered.

"How did you know? Peggy... where is Peggy? where am I right now?" Steve suddenly got emotional and was on his way out the door.

Rorschach took the adversary to the ground. "Mr. Rogers, you are currently in New York, and your Peggy is also there. She's been awaiting your arrival for a very, very long time. I'll allow you to visit her as long as you do a few things and pay attention to what I say." Captain America was gently told by Rorschach.

Steve was being restrained by the other person as he turned to face Rorschach. But out of desperation, Steve didn't give a damn about them and muttered something grave. "Tell me, and I'll listen."

Rorschach first let everyone to leave, then he shut the door and allowed Steve to take a seat.

"You ought to be able to recall what happened just before you went to sleep. We took you back for resuscitation after discovering you in the Arctic glaciers. You and your numerous military mates worked tirelessly to end World War II and bring peace to the entire planet. You've also earned everyone's admiration..."

"Mr. Rogers, I hope you will first be mentally ready as to how long you have been asleep." Calmly, Rorschach said.

Steve made some educated guesses in his heart, such as the possibility that he had been dozing off in the glacier for some time. How long was it? ten or twenty years?

After a moment of remaining silent, Steve inhaled deeply and forcefully commanded Rorschach, "I'm mentally prepared. Please tell me everything."

"Captain, you have been asleep for seventy years."

When Steve heard the response, "Seventy years?" his heart was filled with uncertainty and hopelessness.

He immediately thought of Peggy Carter. He was seventy years late for his meeting with Peggy.

Steve finally turned to face Rorschach and asked, "You just said that we won the war?"

"Correct."

"Since we have already won, why do you revive me? why don't you let me just sleep like this?"

Steve Rogers found himself suddenly unsure about how to deal with Peggy and the modern age. Seventy years means that everything he once knew has changed drastically. The infant he held in his arms just before drifting off to sleep is now an elderly person, not to mention the beloved Agent Carter.

Steve would much rather spend his final moments dozing off in the glacier.

"Those who hold wages for everyone should not leave people outside in the cold and snow to freeze to death. A chilly glacier shouldn't be your final stop... In addition, do you really have the compassion to allow Peggy Carter to pass away in her old age while lying in a hospital bed?" Rorschach kept going.

He checked out Peggy Carter. There is no Captain America from the future who went back to the dance with Peggy in this planet. Peggy Carter has never been married and has lived alone her entire life in this world.

When Steve heard Peggy Carter, his eyes filled with regret. He muttered as he bowed his head. "How is Peggy doing these days?"

"She's doing well, by which I mean she's in high spirits for a woman in her nineties. However, as far as I am aware, she has never been married and appears to have had trouble letting you go. She can only live the rest of her life alone in a nursing facility because she is elderly and has no offspring to care for her."

"I'm sorry for her." Steve perceived this as being stabbed by a knife after hearing it.

Rorschach shifted the conversation "It so happens that I have accomplished a great deal in the area of genes. I have two specific treatments for you and Peggy Carter's circumstances. Are you interested?"

"What options are available for us?" Steve queried.

"The first is to hasten your aging, making you an elderly man in your nineties just in time for a passionate nighttime romance with Peggy. The second is to rejuvenate Peggy. Although it could be a little trickier than the first alternative, I have created numerous workable blueprints specifically for it."

Allowing Peggy Carter to restore her youth is unquestionably possible in this Marvel universe where the dead can be raised from the dead. The most scientific approach to regaining her youth is genetic medicine, but other options include cloning bodies, transferring awareness to new bodies, and so on.

The Time Stone can also be used to turn back time on Peggy Carter and take her back to the situation she was in 70 years ago. Obviously, the Ancient One must first be consulted regarding this idea.

Instead of making a decision right now, Steve turned to face Rorschach and pondered, "Who are you? and what price do I have to pay for it?"

"Let me once again introduce myself. My name is Rorschach, I'm a scientist, and as for the price you must pay…"

Rorschach took a brief pause before saying, "There is no security at the nursing home where Peggy is staying. The remuneration is good and includes lodging and food. Are you interested?"