~2 years ago~

Peggy was lying on the couch at Daniel's. She checked her watch and sighed. It wasn't even five yet. She'd pulled her shoulder on the last mission and was on injury leave, but she could not remain at the Griffith. I would raise too many questions. First, how had she pulled her shoulder? And secondly, how did a shoulder injury stop her from connecting lines at the telephone company?

Neither of those she could answer honestly. She'd pulled her shoulder doing a rather mundane task, but it seems muscles never heal as strong as they'd once been, just as there are two bullet-sized scars on her. Even the most venerable organ could not heal right if the damage was too great. And she could mover her arm up and down, barely. Her second was still fully operational, but she couldn't fire a gun with the same accuracy nor do any heavy lifting. Thus she was a danger on the job.

It wasn't all that bad though. She got to see Daniel every day. Just the thought sent butterflies riveting through her stomach. He'd be back in just over an hour. She'd already done the harder parts of supper. In a half-hour, she would add in a few more quick-to-cook things then leave it all on keep warm. She hoped he would like it. No, she wanted him to love it. Else all the trouble would not have been worth it.

Peggy walked over to the radio and turned the black knob, filling the room with a static that slowly morphed into noise as she turned the second dial and found a station. No music played, instead, it was Garry, the newsman, going over the weeks' top stories. Peggy sighed and did a half frown. She knew the majority of it anyways. Papers still had a funny way of passing by her desk and since no one seemed to care very much what she did with them, she read them before filing them away.

Agent Carter did not deal with boredom well. While she could sit vigil and watch a door or a suspect for hours on end, past her legs going numb and the sound of her breath becoming overwhelmingly prominent in the often very small spaces she confined herself too, she could not, for the life of God, sit still at home and wait for someone. How do housewives do it? She asked herself as she paced around the room, flexing her arm just enough that she got some relief without irritating her shoulder. In some ways, Peggy was sure those women were stronger than her, or at least more patient.

Daniel was an hour late when Peggy finally heard the bustling noise of someone entering the house. She sprung up, a smile growing naturally to her face. "Daniel," she exclaimed giddily as she practically skipped to the door, ready for him to save her from this ever dark hole of boredom. She helped him with his coat, then ran her hands under his shirt. He was cold.

"How was your day?" She asked, string up into his brown eyes.

"Can't I get in my own house first?" He asked teasingly as he nuzzled her nose with his own.

Peggy crumpled up her face in mock thought. "No," she said after a moment, drawing him closer. "Tell me how your day was."

Daniel chuckled. He wrapped his hand around her waist. "Golly!" Peggy jumped. It must have been cold out for she could feel it through her clothes. It felt like he had just placed ice on her bare skin. Daniel chuckled again. "It was fine. Uneventful, actually."

Peggy nodded and led him into the kitchen. "It might be a bit cold," she warned as she presented him with supper, then took a seat across from him.

"I'm sure it'll be fine." He said as he took a bite. Peggy relaxed as his face did not twist up in surprise, shock, or disgust and suddenly became aware of just how hungry she was. She grabbed her fork. Her cooking was not as bad as she had imagined.

"How is your shoulder, Peg?" He asked as they washed the dishes. Daniel scrubbing and Peggy drying. It was only way Daniel would have it done under his roof, especially because Peggy had gone through the trouble of making supper in the first place and it was not fair to punish her with the task of cleaning up as well.

"Better but-"

"It could be better?"

"It could be perfect," she lamented.

"You'll be back out there in no time." He said reassuringly. Peggy gave him a sad smile. He could not be a sure as he sounded.

When they were finished, Daniel turned the radio back on and that sat, listening to it, with their arms wrapped around each other. Peggy looked up at Daniel and kissed his jawbone before laying her head back down on his chest and feeling it rise and fall as he breathed. He rubbed circles on her arm with his thumb.

The phone rang, breaking the trance. Peggy bolted up to get it, giving Daniel a sly smile as she did so.

"Maybe I should take it, Peg," he said, making her stop inches before the phone. It rang for the second time.

"Yeah, I guess your right," she said.No one should know she was here. It would start uncomfortable rumours and ruin the reputations they had spent years building up. She lowered her head and let Daniel get the phone.

"Hello?" He asked into the receiver mounted on the wall as he held the corded bit to his ear. "Sir! Hi, yes, no you're not disturbing me. Yes, of course, I'd be interested. Agent Carter? Yes, what about her? I see. Okay, bye."

"What?" Peggy demanded just as the conversation ended. He looked at her for a moment, then down at her feet.

"I, um, I'm not supposed to say..." he began.

Peggy could feel her irritation rising. "There's been an incident," Daniel continued. "A... um, strange one. That's how he put it. They want me to investigate."

"Alone?"

"Alone."

"But we do our best work together."

He hugged her. "I know Peg." His hand drifted down to hers and he fingered the engagement ring around her finger. "I know, but I can't pass this up. It would have substantial benefits-"

"For the widow." She interjected.

"We're not married yet."

"You know what I mean Daniel. I don't want to lose you too."

"You won't lose me."

"How can you say that?"

He pulled her closer, his breath tickling her scalp. "I won't let it happen." But he did not sound confided. "But Peg." He pulled back to look her in the eyes. "I take this, we could be done with the SSR. Get married, have a family. If, of course, that's what you want."

"Married yes, and you retired, yes. I'll still work for the SSR. We need some sort of income. Then, maybe, we'll talk family. But you have to stay with me first. We can make it work without this crazy mystery job."

"We might not-"

"We will."

"Peg, I have to take this." Her face crumpled in confusion as he said this. "I have to. I know you don't fully get it, but I need to be able to provide for you." He wiped a tear from her face. "It's just, it's that silly thing called being a man. I'm not worthy enough for you. You shouldn't have to work with those guys at the office to support me, a crippled war vet."

"You're not-"

"I am." A pause. "Margaret, I have t take this job, but I swear on everything true that we'll get married as soon as it's over and I'll do whatever you want forever."

"Forever?"

"Yes, forever."

"Swear it," she challenged, holding out her pinkie finger. Daniel stiffed a laugh and they locked figures.

"I swear it." He said.

That night Daniel let her have the bed. Whenever Peggy stayed over, she always took the couch, said she felt more comfortable, but the eerie feeling in his stomach wouldn't go away and she felt better knowing that Peggy had a nice place to sleep. But with the mysterious job looming over them, neither of them slept instantly, and when they did drift off, it was fitful and unpleasant.

The next morning was a Saturday. They made breakfast in silence and left at the same time. They walked the first few roads together until Daniel had to break off for the SSR and Peggy continued alone to the Griffith, trying to make up explanations for her sudden absence the night before. But she didn't worry too much. Angie always had her back, if Peggy ever needed it, which happened less and less as she found herself gaining more knowledge and control over the situation. She could handle anything, she told herself as she walked. Absolutely anything, because Daniel would be with her always.