Peggy froze as the waves rocked her back and forth. What should she do? Sousa was on that boat, she could feel it. It made her heart leap in her chest and her palms turned clammy. she imagined what she would do when she finally saw him. first, she would ask about her lost time, then she would embrace him, maybe even kiss him. In front of everyone if she had to.  She no longer cared about custom and properness. If being trapped on this island had taught her anything, it was that she was more powerful than she had ever imagined and just how silly she sometimes was, acting as if she did not matter in the slightest.

She pushed her vision from her mind and continued to paddle towards the boat. She tore a white strip of cloth from her dress and hung it from the mast, praying they would not shoot her down. This is going to work, she told herself, over and over again until she almost believed it. 

As she got closer, she pulled out her knife. They needed to see her first. Using the brilliant sun as a signal, she reflected the rays at the ship, trying to catch someone's eye. 

Come one! Come on, she pleased as her little raft began to drift close to the moving boa.  How embarrassing it would be to get squashed before she could even speak to them. The bells on the boat sounded and Peggy called out, waving her hands above her head. They'd seen her! 

A small boat got lowered down and paddled up to her. 

"Hi," Peggy said, extending her hand. The man, a stranger seemed not to know her. Peggy paid it no heed as she climbed onto his boat and allowed the stranger to row her to the ship. Then they were hoisted aboard.

"I've captured an Amazon!" the lad exclaimed as he trusts Peggy to the floor.

"No, wait, no!" She cried out. "I'm Agent Carter. Agent Margaret Carter." She stood up and faced the man who seemed to be in charge. "Agent Carter of the S.S.R. I will not put up with this foolishness. If you do not believe me, radio either the New York Headquarters or the Los Angeles one. They will be able to confirm my identity.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you doing here?"

"Unfortunately, I cannot disclose that information to a subordinate," she snapped. She could not tell him she had no idea, that would be a dumb move. Instead, she had to hang her importance over him. Besides, if this was a mission she wouldn't have told him anyway. 

Peggy straightens her spine and looks him right in his cold blue eyes. "I want you to call off the attack on this island then radio headquarters and let them know I am alive and well."

"Now why would we do that little missy?"

Peggy squinted. She wasn't expecting that. "They did not kidnap me."

"Never thought they did. Take her to the brig and call in the others. We have our proof, now blow this place to bits!"

"No! You can't!" Peggy hollered as two buff men grabbed her and started dragging her towards the stairwell. She took a calming breath and her training took over. She was smaller and faster than her restrainers, and they were underestimating their captive. 

She twisted herself, loosening their grip on her. Once the agent was facing the two men, she pulled one over her knee and knocked him out with a swift blow to the back of the head. More men jumped on her, this time not satisfied with pushing her in the general direction of the stairs. They fought for dominance, trying to get her to the ground. Peggy threw punches and kicked out, but even her months of training could not have prepared her for fighting these brutish men. There was no finesse to their style, no tactical strategy. They attacked all at once, from all angles with fists double the size of hers. If she had her sword, then maybe she could have kept them off, but she had left that ashore, not wanting to appear threatening. 

She soon gave up, the struggle was futile. Even if she did break out, where would she go? The ship was covered with goons and jumping off the edge was no option. Water from 12 feet up was similar to cement. She'd go splat, and that would be the end of her.

They threw her into a cell and slammed the door behind. Peggy coughed up blood, her arms trembling as she tried to support herself on the cold metal floor. Her arms gave out and she coughed and sputtered some more, spit and blood getting all over her face.

"Peggy?" a voice in the corner asked.

She coughed again, trying to get out words. Instead, she wailed.

"Peggy!" The speaker shuffled towards her. Cold hands grasped her shoulders and pulled her into a lap. "Oh Peg," the man said with such tenderness. 

She opened her eyes as much as could, blinking as they adjusted to the dark. The figure above her was... familiar. "Daniel?" she croaked.

The figure nodded, sobbing. "Oh Peg I thought I'd lost you," he said quietly, pulling her close to him. She resited for a moment, trying to sit up. She succeeded slightly, pulling her legs under herself, but still had to lean against his chest.

He kissed her hair and his hands found hers. "Where's your ring?" he asked, feeling her fingers.

"What ring?" She replied.

"Your's, the one I..." he trailed off. "You don't remember?"

"The last thing I remember was kissing you in the Los Angeles headquarters."

"Oh," he said disappointedly. "It's been, it's been almost three years since then, and you've been gone two of them."

"We got engaged in less than a year?" She asked. "How did you convince me of that?"

"I didn't, you asked me." He kissed her hair again. 

Peggy snorted, but then her face turned solemn. "You said I've been gone two years? I've barely been on this island one. I don't know where I've been since then."

He held her close, resting his head on her shoulder and gave her neck a faint kiss. "I'm sorry I went on that mission Peg, I should have just retired. If I had, none of this would have ever happened."

"You can't say that." She squeezed his hands and brought one to her lips. She could not deny how overwhelmingly comfortable and safe she felt in his arms.

"Yes, I can. If I had not gone, you would not have come after me. We would be safe somewhere, watching the television, and someone else would be in this stinkin' mess." She could feel his tears through her dress. "I'm so sorry Margaret."

"Daniel," she turned to him. She cupped his face in her hands. "Daniel, look at me. This is not your fault. We got into this together, and we will get out of this together."

"That's the problem, I don't think we can."