Who: Peggy & Zemo. Where: The gym. When: Backdated, before the plot. What: Sparring and chatting. Status: Completed. Warnings: Dark subject discussion.
On the surface, Zemo may not have seemed like the sort of person who would frequent the gym. He always dressed nice. His hair was always styled, he always appeared put together. One might have assumed that breaking a sweat may not be his cup of tea.
But it was. And he counted on people underestimating him and believing he was unskilled in the art of combat.
Since his arrival at the Crown Plaza, only two events had managed to shake Zemo's cool, collected demeanor: nearly getting strangled in New York by a super soldier and failing to break into the Danger Room. Today would mark event number three.
The baron had been finishing up on a treadmill when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar face entering the gym: Agent Peggy Carter. Zemo knew exactly who she was. It was difficult not to know who she was after thoroughly researching the life of Steve Rogers. And for a moment, there was a flicker of uneasiness in his brown eyes.
Zemo wasn't afraid to cause trouble. He kind of thrived at it. But he was also vaguely aware of the building tension stemming from Rogers. Zemo knew when it was fine to stir the pot and when it wasn't. And right now was very much the latter.
So when he saw Peggy making her way into the gym, Zemo picked up his water bottle and subtly tried to weave his way around her so that he could leave. Little did he know, she was well aware of who he was, too --
After her emotional conversation with Steve, followed by another one soon after with Bucky, Peggy thought she was all set for emotional rollercoasters for a bit. Of course she couldn't blame either of them for the inner turmoil she experienced. In some ways, that felt even worse. There was no release for the pent up feelings. So Peggy resorted to the only surefire outlet she knew she would have at her disposal.
She had seen the post on the network a while back about a fight club. Although she was not particularly interested in engaging in something like that, she thought she had the right idea in terms of burning off excess energy. She felt sure that the lot of them were used to more active lifestyles than they were enjoying here.
Peggy, for one, had let herself go off her fitness regimen that she kept to back home. Up early for a jog or hitting the heavy bag. She liked to keep her body fit and strong for her work. She was slacking here at Crown Plaza. As such, after the week she just had, she returned to her routine.
This morning, she made her way down to the gym on the first floor. It was early enough that there was only one other person using the space. At first, when she initially entered, she didn't take notice of the other occupant. She was perfectly content to find her own little corner of the gym and get started on her workout. However, when she noticed the movement of someone trying to slip away, she happened to look up and notice the other occupant's efforts in the large mirrored panels on the wall. They've never formally met, but Steve had pointed out his romantic rival for Bucky's affections to Peggy.
Without turning around, she said, "You must be Zemo."
The baron stopped in this tracks.
For a split second, he debated walking away. He didn't want conflict. Not with Peggy. Starting something with her would not benefit him in any way -- very much the opposite. So maybe, it was best to avoid conversation altogether.
Then again, she had initiated the interaction. More than likely for a reason. And some part of Zemo was very curious to know what that reason was. If he had to guess, it had to do with Bucky and Steve. He had no idea what she knew. Or didn't know. Or how she felt on these matters, if anything at all. Perhaps, it would be smarter to stick around and find out..
"And you are Agent Peggy Carter," he spoke, turning in order to face her, "I'm sorry, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you in person. You'll have to forgive me; I assumed an introduction was not something you would be interested in." Understandably so, in his opinion.
Peggy was not usually one for gossip, but she could tell herself this could be considered reconnoissance work. Intelligence gathering for the sake of threat assessment. Because from the way Steve tells it, Zemo is very much a threat, in more ways than one.
Steve might have pointed him out to Peggy, but Peggy hadn't imagined that Zemo would know her. She didn't think he and Bucky would have discussed her. Yet here he was well-informed.
Now she, in turn, turned around to face him as well. "Do you know me?" she asked, seconds before he spoke to not having met her before in person. No, they wouldn't have known each other in her future. He was from Steve and Bucky's future. And one of them would have surely informed her had they crossed paths. "Why would you assume that?" she asked, keeping her tone even. Neutral.
"I know of you. I spent some time researching the life of Steve Rogers, as well as SHIELD's history. You are present in both." Though Zemo wouldn't explain why he had done a deep dive on Captain America or SHIELD. But maybe, if Peggy wanted to question him, she already knew.
Zemo also knew that Steve Rogers was, in fact, not on the moon (in their reality) and had stayed behind in the past with her. Zemo didn't know details. Bucky hadn't elaborated. But if she was worth giving up the shield over, the pair must have been more than just casual buddies.
Zemo also knew better than to bring this particular detail up. For multiple reasons.
"Since you are someone who is close with Steve Rogers, I thought it might be best to give you space. He and I are not exactly on speaking terms. I would presume he would not like me chatting with you." Even so, Zemo took a step closer to Peggy. The baron rarely spoke very loud; his tone was forever low and even. It would be easier for her to hear him if he wasn't several feet away. And, oddly enough, nothing thus far conveyed that this was meant to be an antagonistic exchange. So, in turn, Zemo's body language was relaxed.
"How do you know who I am? Did James tell you?"
Although he didn't directly say so, Peggy was aware of his efforts looking into the Avengers. Or rather the conflict that resulted from his research, prodding for weak spots, turning the Avengers against one another from the inside out. War, strife, destruction. All leading to Steve and Tony's mano a mano and subsequent split.
She didn't move a step as he stepped towards her. Although Steve had warned her about him, Peggy very much doubted he would move against her. Like anyone else here at Crown Plaza, whatever villainy he got up to prior to coming here, it didn't seem likely that he would attack her.
"You may be well-informed about my connections to Steve and SHIELD, Mr. Zemo," she said. "But I think you'll find that I don't make it a habit of letting anyone dictate whom I can and cannot have a chat with." She crossed her arms. "James mentioned you. As did Steve."
Peggy studied him as he drew nearer. He was more soft-spoken than she would have expected. Although she hadn't known what to expect, really. In his voice, she detected the hint of an accent. Eastern European. Judging by his carriage, she would hazard a guess that he spent some time in the military.
Playing the hunch, she asked, "How long did you serve?"
I don't make it a habit of letting anyone dictate whom I can and cannot have a chat with.
Oh. Zemo liked that. Zemo liked that a lot. And it showed on his face. It implied that even if Peggy was close with Rogers, his opinions would not sway her own. She was here to form her own judgement, surely. Perhaps that's what this was about.
The baron was smiling at the mention of Bucky. And smiled wider at Peggy's question. "Eleven years. I probably would have served longer if Sokovia hadn't been destroyed." There was a hint of bitterness in his voice, but Zemo was quick to move on. He wasn't about to start trash talking Rogers or his little hero group in front of Peggy, even if Zemo felt slightly justified on this particular subject. "It might seem strange for a baron to spend so long in the military, but my father encouraged it. He wanted me to have a respectable career. And in his eyes, the Sokovian Armed Forces was exactly that."
Zemo gave a nonchalant shrug. "But I'm sure you're not incredibly curious about my background, Agent Carter. What is it you really want to know?"
Direct and to the point. It wasn't that Zemo wasn't a fan of small talk. He actually kind of enjoyed it. It was more that he suspected that Peggy hadn't stopped him purely for the sake of shooting the breeze. Maybe she didn't have an agenda, but he doubted she wanted to hear about his past.
His face lit up at the mention of Bucky. Peggy noted that, but she didn't quite know what to make of it. Bucky himself kept saying, half jokingly, that Zemo was merely interested in him for the physical. She didn't think he honestly believed that. Now being here, talking to the man himself, she wasn't sure she believed it either.
Her eyes widened a fraction almost imperceptibly at the casual mention of his title. A nobleman who considered the military a respectable career. Not so unlike the British royal family's sentiments.
"Au contraire, baron." She made sure to give acknowledgement of his nobility this time. Give the man his due. Like his straightforwardness, which Peggy could appreciate. "I am most curious about your background. I want to understand exactly what kind of man you are. Your motives. Your aspirations. Your interest and intentions with regards to James Buchanan Barnes."
Zemo fell silent, studying Peggy for a second; her face, her posture. It was possible that he was being too trusting of Peggy in this moment. He didn't know her. She could use everything that came out of his mouth against him at a later point if she wanted to. However, Zemo would give Peggy the same courtesy that he would have given Steve Rogers himself.
To be clear, Zemo was a private man. He didn't normally speak of his personal affairs, especially over the Network. He wouldn't have opened up to just anyone who asked. But Peggy was part of this. Not directly, but the baron was very much aware that Steve wasn't the only one who was friends with Peggy. Bucky was as well.
Peggy wasn't asking because she was being nosy. She was asking because she cared about Steve and Bucky (or at least, this was the conclusion that Zemo drew). There was a deeply-rooted, very personal reason for her interest. And Zemo certainly knew a thing or two about that. And honestly, he respected Peggy for being able to treat him like a human being rather than something that deserved to be scorned and kicked.
He gave her a nod. "I have nothing to hide. You can ask me anything, Agent Carter, and I will answer. I would be careful about what you ask, though. I'm not too sure you'll want to hear some of the things I have to say." Zemo paused, glancing around the gym. "Would you like to come to my room for tea?" Probably a strange thing to offer, given that they had just met, but Zemo wasn't sure if some of their subject matter was appropriate for the walls to hear.
Peggy's usual automatic response for someone who claimed to have nothing to hide was that remains to be seen. People can often claim whatever they like. However, the truth of the matter laid in their actions, not the potential empty words of paying lip service.
Peggy herself was not one to bandy words and twist what people say. She would rather take things at face value unless someone gives her a good reason not to. She wasn't sure what kind of person Zemo was yet.
"I'm afraid I don't tend to follow anywhere or take tea with just anyone," said Peggy politely. Not necessarily to mean that she doesn't trust Zemo, though she didn't, but she made it a general rule not to follow strange men into private spaces. "Although I should like a cup of tea after my workout. Do you spar at all, baron? Beyond verbally, I mean."
Ah, well. She had come to the gym, hadn't she? Certainly not because she wanted to socialize or have tea. Zemo set his water bottle aside, trailing over to the padded mats. "That's fair," he continued, "And I do spar, yes. I can't say I'm very good, though. You might have to go easy on me."
Funnily enough, he meant that. Zemo was an excellent marksman, but his hand-to-hand combat was okay at best. The baron knew this would likely end with him face-down on the floor, but the thought of a little pain wasn't enough to scare him into saying 'no'. After allowing himself a minute to stretch, he nodded towards Peggy.
"Shall we begin?" With both the questioning and the sparring, of course.
"I'll try to remember that," said Peggy and tried to be genuine in her promise. Thus far, he hasn't given her reason to take out her frustrations on him with physical aggression, no matter how poorly Steve painted him. "I'm a bit out of practice, being here for several months, anyway."
Setting aside the hand towel she brought along in case of a need to dab away sweat out of her eyes or wipe down any equipment, Peggy kicked off her slip-ons. She distinctly noted that not wearing shoes would hopefully hurt less. "Should we agree on certain rules of conduct first?"
In an effort to lessen the blow of what might have otherwise sounded like suspicion that Zemo might be unsportsmanlike, Peggy added, "And in an effort to keep the questioning on fair grounds as well, I'll allow tit for tat. If you endeavor to answer my inquiries honestly, I'll return the favor in kind." It was an acknowledgement that it was indeed a favor since Zemo was under no obligation to answer her at all.
Zemo noted that Peggy had removed her shoes and did so as well. He was just as on board with keeping this entire exchange as even as possible as Peggy was. The tit for tat part, though -- Zemo was extremely caught off guard by this. He was used to being interrogated. He hadn't found Peggy's need for questioning surprising in the slightest. Not even a little.
But this.. This was new. And a touch confusing. But Zemo wouldn't question it. He had already been curious, but now, he was extremely curious. Especially now that he was allowed to ask questions in return. Fascinating.
"Perhaps, standard sparring rules - no aiming for the chest or below the belt. No headbutts or hair pulling.. Sweeping and throwing, though? I'd say that's fair game. As for the questions.. I agree to your terms." Though he still wouldn't push his luck. He wouldn't initiate either the questions or the sparring first. This was Peggy's game. He was simply here to play it.
It was a calculated risk, offering a question for a question. Peggy knew she was potentially opening herself to deep emotional probing. She might have to face answering questions she didn't even want to contemplate, let alone sharing with a stranger deemed untrustworthy. However, she understood the nature of compromise. She needed to lose a little to gain a little sometimes. It would also be telling what kind of Zemo really was based on what he asked her, if he were to take advantage of her offer.
"All of those sound perfectly respectable and fair."
Of course, all of this was dependent on the honesty of all parties involved. A game's rules were only reliable if all players could be counted on to abide by them. That was the basic premise of any game.
Peggy readied herself for sparring, dropping into an alert defensive stance. She was wearing loose-fitting, wide-legged bottoms. Her workout attire was likely unusual, far from what most modern women would wear, which tended to be tight and stretchy. She wasn't so comfortable with that fit. Her hair was smartly pinned back and up off her shoulders, out of the way, even before Zemo's rule of no hair pulling.
As they circled one another, trading short little feinting movements, watching for openings, Peggy started in with the questions. "What are your thoughts on Steve Rogers?"
"Steve Rogers," Zemo began, finally taking that first move. He swiped at Peggy and missed. "I don't hate him, if that's what you are wondering. But I do hate what he is."
He paused, carefully watching Peggy and trying to maneuver his way around any attacks she might have tried to deliver. "He is a symbol. Someone with infinite power and influence. Steve Rogers himself may be a good man, but I do not believe that he fully considers the repercussions of his actions, or those of his team."
What did Zemo mean by that? He paused a second time as he reached for Peggy, once again missing. "The Avengers came to Sokovia to stop a threat. In the process, my city, Novi Grad, was torn to pieces. I lost my home. I lost my wife and my son. I had to pull their bodies from the rubble myself. And I understand, casualties happen. It's unavoidable. But that threat - that thing that killed my family - was born because of the Avengers. They created him. Ultron. So yes, I blame Steve Rogers for my loss. I blame all of the Avengers. But I do not hate him personally."
Zemo let his guard down. Talking about his family always managed to shake him. If Peggy were to strike now, she would absolutely land a blow. Maybe it would help the baron pull himself together. "I'll tell you the same thing I told James: there will never be another Steve Rogers. I firmly believe that. Someone that good, that pure, could never be duplicated. And in some regards, even if I'm bitter, I do respect him." Feeling that he had given a satisfactory enough answer, he added, "What do you think of their relationship, Agent Carter? Between Steve and James?"
The first move he made against her wasn't too difficult to dodge. Peggy had a feeling he was going about things cautiously. They were both still feeling each other out.
"You mean, a super soldier?" she asked, remembering what Bucky had said of Zemo's feelings towards their existence. The man's explanation was slightly different, but it made a certain degree of sense. "He is indeed. A symbol of hope and liberty. A bastion of light during very dark times. He represented what was just, virtuous, and worth fighting for, for the Allied Forces. Nay, I daresay the world."
The days of the war were a different time, though Peggy chose not to point that out. For one, because she did not think the world had likely so greatly changed on certain issues, despite advancements in other ways across the subsequent decades. For another, she had no desire to come off sounding like an out-of-touch old lady lecturing about the good old days.
"You believe Steve Rogers created Ultron?" While she didn't know all the specifics of that conflict, Peggy had a hard time believing Steve had a hand in creating any technology. The Steve she remembered had a very simple, hands on approach to things. Between him and Bucky, she recalled the latter being more taken with the ingenuity of technological advancements. "If memory serves, the Stark name is more attached to invention."
And if Tony was anything like his father, Peggy had to imagine his genius could have run rampant, resulting in inventions nations and organizations the world over would fight for. Howard may have helped realize Dr. Abraham Erskine's original formula of the Super Soldier Serum in Project Rebirth, but from the depths of his mind also came Nitramene and Midnight Oil. Items that Howard himself called his 'bad babies' and acknowledged were utterly dangerous if fallen into the wrong hands.
Peggy noticed the dropping of his guard, but she chose not to take the opening just then. More circling and feinting. So Zemo blamed Steve and his Avenger friends. That wasn't entirely unexpected. The baron also admitted that he did not hate the man personally. That was something, at least. All things considered, he was rather complimentary of Steve.
Then he asked about what she thought of Steve and Bucky's relationship. Peggy's mouth thinned to a tightly pressed line. She was tempted for a moment to dodge that, too. Perhaps offer a bland polite answer. But then, she would not be playing by her own rules. If she expected Zemo to respond in kind, she needed to uphold her end of the bargain.
"I think... it is both a surprise and not a surprise," Peggy said. "They were the closest of friends back in our day, but there was also a hint of... perhaps something I hadn't wanted to see. When they informed me of their relationship here, it confirmed something hadn't wanted to admit was there." She was quiet for a moment, before adding, "I won't pretend it didn't hurt. Still hurts."
"Stark created Ultron, yes. But Rogers is still guilty by association. The Avengers are a team, and what one member does reflects upon the others, does it not?" And maybe Zemo's placement of blame was unfair here. Steve couldn't control the actions of Tony Stark or anyone on that team. But that was sort of Zemo's point. As a result, it certainly made the Avengers awfully disjointed, didn't it? They never seemed to be completely on the same page. Hence why they were, in Zemo's opinion, a chaotic group with too much power.
"It would be different if they were some small, insignificant group. But they're the Avengers. The entire world looks to them to keep them safe. One would think they'd be a little more careful than to allow a deathbot to escape Stark's lab."
That harsh tone in Zemo's voice faded when he listened to Peggy speak of Steve and Bucky's relationship, though. He hadn't asked in some attempt to be cruel. He simply wanted to know. And now that he saw that he had somewhat emotionally wounded her, he felt guilty.
"It hurts me too."
Peggy probably didn't want to relate to him. From her perspective, he was Zemo: the one trying to drive a wedge between Rogers and Barnes. Zemo the troublemaker. And while he was a troublemaker, he'd never really seen himself as a home wrecker. His morals were questionable, but he still had a code that he adhered to. And fooling around with someone who was taken wasn't something that he normally would have done.
But Bucky wasn't taken where they came from. Not that it made this situation any better. "I'm sorry, if that question was below the belt."
Guilty by association. Peggy wasn't sure that was fair, but she could understand his sentiments about teams and organizations. All for one, and one for all. Still, if she knew anything else about a Stark, she would venture a guess that Tony was strong-willed and difficult to rein in. Moved by his own brilliance, perhaps. Or driven by his own convictions. Which had to match Steve's in strength or else they probably wouldn't have butted heads so much. Or prompted Steve to fall in love with him, as he'd said he had.
Peggy had a theory, though it felt like a self-flattering one, that Steve found bold, independent people compelling. And because he was human, no matter how superior his physical attributes became once injected with Dr. Erskine's serum, he had his blind spots. His blind spots happened to be the people he was compelled by.
"Perhaps you're right," said Peggy, starting in with careful little jabs now. Nothing that couldn't be blocked. "There's something to be said for power and responsibility."
She almost stopped short in her surprise when Zemo admitted his own hurt by the situation. That and his apology to her. Both sounded genuine. It left enough of an opening for Zemo to land a strike. Peggy let it roll off her shoulder, far easier than the response she gave did.
"It's fine. You asked me a question, I offered my truth," she said, a little more stiffly than before. "My turn... What are your intentions when it comes to James? With him, and with his and Steve's relationship?"
"My intentions?" Zemo let out a laugh. Peggy made it sound like some grand, evil scheme. And maybe that description was appropriate from Steve Rogers' point of view. Just Zemo existing was enough to irk him, surely. "What I want and what is going to happen are two very different things, Agent Carter. I can't say that I am exceptionally pleased with the reality of my situation, but I'm not in a position to protest."
The baron's movement were slowly becoming more confident. He was becoming more and more familiar with her sparring style and, in turn, he was allowing himself to be more bold with his actions. He was never aggressive, just calculated.
"If Steve Rogers was not at the Crown Plaza, my relationship with James would be much more than what it is now. I'm not sure if 'boyfriend' is the right word. But I would want his companionship, and if I had my way, he would be mine and no one else's."
If only. And maybe, once he managed to escape the RAFT in the future, that's exactly what would happen. Until then, he was stuck tolerating.. whatever the hell was going on between them. "But I cannot compete with Steve Rogers. I know that. It would be stupid to try. I can't take James away from him. Why would I even attempt that? Causing tension between them would only upset James. He's been through enough. He doesn't need me adding stress to his life."
Zemo realized how soft he sounded right now. Oddly enough, he was confessing more to Peggy than he had with Bucky himself. "I never expected James to try and make things work between us. Not here at the hotel, at least. So when he told me that he had asked permission from Rogers to see me - and Rogers said yes - I thought I might die of shock. It's selfish of me, accepting this agreement. I'm sure a good man would have told James 'no'. But I take what James gives me and nothing more, as much as I wish I could have him entirely to myself."
The baron snuck in a weak jab - which he nodded an apology for - and continued. "What would you do? If you were in my position?"
Of all the possible reactions Peggy would have expected Zemo to have in response to her protective question, laughter wasn't one of them. Although her automatic urge was to bristle, she realized he wasn't perhaps laughing at her, but merely the absurdity of any outside forces being able to truly impact the relationship of Steve and Bucky. No amount of scheming on Zemo's part could shake their bond, if they didn't allow it to.
It was strangely refreshing to hear someone admit defeat so nonchalantly. Zemo spoke as if it was a defined truth. An inevitability. But I cannot compete with Steve Rogers. I know that. It would be stupid to try. What was more, he understood how that would hurt Bucky if he even tried, so he wasn't inclined to do so. It spoke to how deeply he did seem to care.
"You don't think you're a good man?" Peggy asked, a little surprised. Most evil geniuses thought they were brilliant, perfect, the chosen one to carry out the greatest cause. They thought they were right and noble. Zemo didn't seem to think that of himself. He seemed to understand the art of compromise. "Does self-sacrificing always equate with goodness?"
Then there was his question in return. Peggy was distracted enough that the jab connected, but she shrugged it off easily enough. Wasn't that the question of the century? What would she do if she found herself in his position? In some ways, she was in his position. In some ways, his position was more coveted than her own.
"Honestly?" she asked, stepping up the quick succession of jabs. "I think I would do exactly as you have done. I would take what was given to me and feel thankful for it." Perhaps that sounded desperate and selfish and unfeminist and a thousand other things, but like he'd asked, it would be what she would do, too.
"I suppose that depends on one's interpretation of a 'good man'," he shrugged, "I might have been, once. But by my own definition, I am not anymore."
Which was, in itself, complicated. But Zemo knew what he was and had long since come to terms with it. He wasn't going to fool himself into thinking he belonged in the heavens with the likes of Steve Rogers. "Maybe it comes down to the fact that I have no interest in being a good man. Good men are limited by their morals, their strict codes. Meanwhile I have no problems with taking what I want. I don't care who it hurts, or what I have to do to achieve my goal, so long as I reach it. The exception, of course, being James, for reasons we already discussed."
Peggy was able to get into his space just enough to throw off his balance, causing him to tumble to the mat with a faint oh! He rolled down onto his back, letting out another little laugh. All that talk of being motivated and driven and now he was staring at the ceiling in defeat. A second or two passed and he moved to pull himself back to a standing position.
"I know we are not friends, Agent Carter, but I would like to keep what has been spoken between us private, if you don't mind. To my knowledge, James is not aware of how much I pine for him. I would like to keep it that way."
Of all the difficult, emotionally draining conversations she's had lately, this one with this man wasn't one Peggy anticipated on having. Yet somehow it was rounding things out to be the most important one of all. She hadn't expected to find kinship, in any shape or form, in someone like Zemo.
But she had. It took her entirely by surprise. Now she could imagine how Bucky could have been equally taken aback. Although he quite clearly stated that he was comfortable with amorality, he was also being straightforward about it. She could respect that. Peggy always appreciated those who were upfront, especially men. She couldn't abide by liars. The slimy types who those who would smile to your face only to stab you in the back.
Peggy finished off their sparring matching with a well-timed hip throw, successfully sweeping him off his feet and onto his back on the mat. She stood back to allow him breathing room and time to get back up onto his feet of his own accord. With Steve or Bucky or someone else she knew and trusted, she might have offered a helping hand, but she felt confident that she hadn't hurt him enough to need her aid.
She nodded curtly in agreement to Zemo's request. "Very well, baron. Your feelings are your business. I'll not interfere with the sharing of certain truths if you won't."
After all, she had revealed something of herself to him as well. Seeming as if she were done and about to walk away, Peggy reached up to take down her hair, where she had pinned it back and out of her face in anticipation of her workout.
"Oh, but Baron Zemo?"
She spun back around swiftly on her heel, stepped inside Zemo's space once again, and executed another hip throw. This time, she brought him down to the floor, her knees bracketing his torso. Her long metal hairpin was pressed against his brachial artery, pressing even through the thin layers of his own workout attire. Like the time she threatened the lewd man at the diner who had been bothering her waitress friend Angie. She felt she didn't need to talk him through the details as she had with that gentleman. The 15 seconds it would take to lose consciousness if she pierce this artery. Or the 90 seconds before he died if he received no immediate medical attention.
"If you should ever do anything to hurt Steve... Or James, for that matter... We'll be having an altogether different sort of sparring session. Do we understand each other?"
As quickly as she'd stepped forward, she got up and stepped back again.
"I had no intentions of sharing this information with anyone, I can assure you." Not even with Bucky. Zemo was already keeping a secret or two from his not-boyfriend. Certainly not because he enjoyed keeping things from Bucky. It was more that Zemo's business outside their 'relationship' was his own, and Zemo having feelings for Bucky wasn't going to change that.
Zemo hadn't anticipated another attack, so he was very much caught off guard when Peggy came back at him. He was on the floor before he even knew what was happening, his brown eyes gazing up at her. Ah, threats. Of course. He should have guessed that something had been missing from their exchange. He didn't move his arm - he didn't move at all - absolutely taking her words seriously.
"Of course, Agent Carter." He would have said, 'the feeling is mutual', but honestly, Zemo didn't give a crap about happened to Steve. He also presumed that if she was this protective of Bucky, she wouldn't go around trying to cause trouble with him. The baron raised his palms as a sign of surrender. "I hope this means you'll come by sometime for tea."
Doubtful. But Zemo wouldn't say no to another round of personal questions.. Maybe without the hairpin next time.