Hello! I'm back with something new. If you haven't already seen it on AO3, here it is. This is a completely separate story from my last two: Under Carter and Carter Would, and it is a modern AU. So, Dottie and Peggy may seem different, out of character, or just softer in general, because they haven't gone through literal wars and haven't been subjected to the things 1940's Dottie and Peggy were. I'm hoping it'll receive the same enthusiasm as they did though. Enjoy! :)
(I posted it on AO3 first as part of a challenge on Tumblr, where you can find me under the same username - I didn't forget you all!)
Dottie Underwood, whose name was not truly hers, stood in front of a mirror in her apartment one June Friday night. She was a woman whose feet barely touched the ground, and whose place of origin was Russia. She came to America seeking a life away from her dirt-poor family. Once she was no longer able to spend every spare hour alone she could studying languages, she got together every penny she had and headed West. France was her first choice, but why stop there? She mastered the art of changing her entire person to match each situation and worked for a year, successfully blending into the French crowd. Her next stop was England, where she worked on her English tirelessly, having studied the language already. Once able to differentiate between accents and use them herself, she began working with a man who showed her how to get things easier in life. She took his advice, and robbed him blind, pinning the blame on someone else before heading further West, to America. Set with a pretty penny in her pocket, she bought herself an apartment in New York City and began working the nightlife there. She made a living out of flirting her way into men and women's wallets, pickpocketing, and tricking. She was only twenty five.
Tonight she was going to use her blonde hair and pretty face to her advantage. Many were quick to put her down as some ditsy young thing from the middle of nowhere here in the exciting city to make it big. Though blonde and beautiful, she was anything but stupid. She had been passing through Brooklyn when she saw a bar called SHIELD. She also saw them advertising a Shield Snooker Night. She smiled at her reflection, applying a dark pink lipstick. If England taught her anything, it was how to win a game of snooker. Perfume applied, keys, phone, lipstick, and purse in bag, she headed out.
"Howard, you can't spend every night out there flirting with everything with a pulse." Said Margaret Carter, her forehead resting in her palm as she scanned the finances. Howard raised an eyebrow, "Now that was just rude. You're handling it, Peg. Besides, who came up with this Snooker night? I have to go out and make sure it's running smoothly. It's SHIELD's first event night!" Peggy glared at him, before standing up, "I'm going out for once!" She said firmly. "I bloody well deserve a night off." Howard slapped her on the back, "Right you do! Glad you're joinin' us." She rolled her eyes at him and walked downstairs where the music could be heard. She pushed open the staff only door and was out in the club itself. People were inside already drinking and dancing, a number of guys playing snooker in the next room. She caught the eye of a pretty blonde wearing a light pink figure hugging dress, bent over the table, giggling and struggling to use her cue. There was plenty to see, and Peggy had to tear her eyes away, not that any of the men in there were bothering. All eyes were on her. Bets were being placed and Peggy felt sorry for her. She surely didn't stand a chance. She walked away, satisfied Snooker Night was working out and almost walked into Angie, their fiery American-Italian waitress. She wore a navy blue pair of trousers, and a fitted white shirt. Her honey brown hair was long and curled, pinned back a little out of her face, and her large lips were ruby red. "Oh hey English! Wasn't expectin' to see you down here." She said casually, carrying a tray of empty glasses to be cleaned. Peggy smiled, "Thought I deserved a night off for once." Angie grinned, "Good. It'd sure be nice to see you here more often!" the waitress threw her a wink before heading into the kitchen. Peggy headed over to the bar, "How are things over here, Mister Jarvis?" Edwin Jarvis straightened up from where he was putting away clean glasses. "Excellent, Miss Carter." They both sniggered a little.
Because they were both English, it was sort of an inside joke to be formal with each other and refer to each other using their titles, rather than first names. He wore a navy blue waistcoat and white shirt rolled up at the sleeves, a long slim navy blue tie, and navy blue trousers. Howard and Peggy both agreed to a blue uniform. Peggy herself was wearing an open blue jacket, white shirt, and fitted blue trousers. Like Angie, her lips were painted a classic shade of red. Her chestnut hair rested just below her shoulders and was styled straight and sleek. When a large group came in, she helped Jarvis keep up with the drinks. Howard came downstairs, dressed to the nines as always. A fitted black shirt, white pants and a white jacket. He smiled and winked at the first woman he saw before getting himself a drink and heading to the snooker room, answering his ringing phone and talking in a very animated fashion. Jarvis and Peggy threw each other a look before continuing mixing drinks.
Dottie jumped, upon getting her last ball in the pocket. "Oh my gosh!" She gasped, as though she had no idea what she had been doing the whole time. The guy she was against threw his hands up in confusion before giving her the money he had bet. "Beginner's luck." He grunted before leaving. She caught the eye of a man in a white suit, who seemed to freeze upon seeing her. A smirk grew on his moustached face and he hung up on whoever he was calling before slipping his phone into his inside pocket and approaching her. Dottie held his gaze confident as ever, slowly smiling at him, twirling a loose blonde curl around her finger.
Peggy entered the snooker room and watched a confused Howard actually lose against the pretty blonde. She raised a pair of neat dark eyebrows, she too, was shocked. Though, unable to keep her eyes from wandering to the blonde's rather perk chest, she could see why Howard would have been distracted. She stood up straight, smiling pleasantly at Howard, as she collected her money. She managed to find Peggy across the room, and they locked eyes for a moment. She looked like she was ready to take off, leaving some disgruntled patrons behind. The way she smirked and suddenly seemed to pull herself together was admirable, she appeared smarter within seconds. Peggy's mouth opened slightly, "Ah." She said, grinning. She knew exactly what was going on here.
Dottie was about to tuck the money she just won into her purse and make a run for it, when there was a cheer. She almost rolled her eyes she had just wrapped an elastic band around the wad of cash. The brunette she spotted earlier made her way towards Dottie, and Dottie braced herself. "You ready for another round?" She asked, rolling her shirt sleeves up. Dottie raised her eyebrows, this woman was English. Dottie smiled brightly, "Oh wow, England, right? I've never met anyone from there!" She chirped, placing a hand on her chest. The brunette raised an eyebrow, before counting out some money, "No need for the act around me." She placed fifty dollars on the table, "I know exactly what you're doing." She said, looking back at Dottie. Dottie smirked, looking the admittedly attractive brunette up and down. How fun. "Alright. Let's go." Dottie said, her blue eyes meeting the other woman's brown. "Hey, Peggy, you sure? This one doesn't play around." Howard said, looking over at Dottie, unable to resist smiling at her. He frowned and quickly shook himself out of it. Dottie looked over at the brunette, so this was Peggy Carter. She had read up on the owners of the establishment. Howard had no problem plastering his pictures all over the website, but Peggy on the other hand had remained quite incognito. Peggy rolled her eyes at him, and Dottie watched, she watched her every move. "Howard I know what I'm doing. Don't worry." Dottie's eyes landed on Peggy's full red lips and she watched them move as she talked. She tilted her head slightly, silently mimicking certain words Peggy said. She wasn't entirely sure what the sudden fascination was about, this was just another mark. She realised Peggy had stopped talking and was watching her expectantly, "Well?" She asked.
Peggy had caught the blonde staring at her mouth with such interest that she would have blushed, were she not so focused on the matter at hand. Winning back her patron's money. The mysery conwoman let Peggy take the first go, and Peggy immediately knew why. She was going to watch her with the same intensity as before and learn how Peggy handled herself, and learn her strengths and weaknesses. Peggy decided to play the blonde at her own game. She was smart about it though, subtle, too obvious and the other woman would see right through her. It was tense, the men watching them both interact. There was a strange amount of prolonged eye contact; the two couldn't seem to help themselves from watching the other's reaction. Peggy didn't think she had ever played a game so much like her life depended on winning. She played it slowly at first, letting the blonde gain confidence, before swiping the rug from under her feet and taking over completely. The room erupted into cheers and celebration when Peggy smiled and placed the cue down on the table. She had just won. The genuine look of surprise and wide blue eyes was almost too much for her to handle.
The woman approached her, her surprise seeming to turn into admiration. "Well, I must say, I'm impressed Peggy. There you are. Fair and square." She said, passing her the cash back. Peggy took it, her mind scrambling slightly at the way she said her name. "What's your name?" She asked. The blonde sucked in her cheeks very slightly for a moment as she stared right into Peggy's soul, "That doesn't really matter." She responded. God those cheekbones were to die for. Peggy cleared her throat, "I want to know whose arse I just kicked, that's all." She said, raising her head slightly, as if trying to meet the other woman's height. The taller woman smirked and averted her gaze before looking back at Peggy, "I'm Dottie Underwood." Said Dottie. Peggy nodded and watched Dottie collect her bag and exit the room in quick long strides.
She looked down at the wad of cash Dottie had given her and she flicked through it, her jaw dropping. After the first note, it was all filler. She dropped it and ran out to the street, looking around, "Dottie?" She called, clenching her fists. A cab drove past and she caught the person in the back seat, whose window was rolled right down purposefully. Dottie gave Peggy little salute and wink before disappearing off into the summer night. Peggy swore and kicked a can on the pavement. She would find this Dottie Underwood again.
Dottie unlocked the door to her apartment, what a fun night! She headed inside, closing the door behind her taking out the cash and dropping her bag on the rather unused couch. She headed to her safe and deposited the money into it. Inside of the safe were also fake IDs and other fake documents containing the names of other aliases. She closed it, listening to the lock click into place before sauntering to the glossy kitchen. She selected the single glass she owned and cleaned it thoroughly before filling it with water and leaning back against the counter. Dottie Underwood was not one for possessions despite all the money she had collected over the years. Perhaps some red roses would look good on that black table though, she thought, tilting her head. Speaking of the colour red, her thoughts flew to Peggy Carter. She lowered the glass from her lips, it was a shame she wouldn't see her again. She couldn't recall having ever met someone like Peggy, she had managed to outsmart Dottie, not that Dottie would ever admit to it. She was impressive, really. And she didn't seem to underestimate Dottie like every single person before her. The blonde drained her glass and cleaned it, before leaving it on the draining board, which also held one plate and a single knife, fork and spoon set. It was an ode to Dottie's solitude.
She headed into her bedroom, slipped off her dress and stripped herself of underwear, changing into a short black satin nightgown. She cleaned off her makeup and washed her face in the en-suite before switching off all lights, getting into bed and lying awake, only finally falling asleep after another hour.
It was another month before she saw Peggy Carter again.