In celebration of Agent Carter being renewed, I am posting this little fanfic I wrote. Every Wednesday there will be a new chapter and it takes place right after the last episode of Season 1. I hope you like it. Feel free to comment, favorite or follow.

Chapter 1

Despite the normally busy hours of a Wednesday afternoon, time seemed to have stopped for the agents of the SSR. There was a still and somber moment lingering in the air, as memorial services usually were. With the overcast skies, clouds threatening rain and Agent Jack Thompson giving the eulogy to a crowd of onlookers, it was downright dreary but it was all standard procedure. Mrs. Dooley stood quietly with her children, her hands holding the flag and a medal.

It was quite impressive really. The Medal of Honor was only handed out to a few agents but Roger Dooley was given it on account of his heroic sacrifice. Despite his death, the honor was still meant all the same and the award was given to Mrs. Dooley. The widow didn't know why her husband was dead, having been told a false story but she and her children wept all the same.

Jack Thompson awkwardly glanced at the woman, bothered by her tears but he continued on with the service. "The Chief was a good man." He went on sadly. "He was brave, kind to his fellow employees, a credit to his profession, a tireless worker and for many of us, a loyal friend. I know that I can speak for everyone when I say that Roger Dooley will be missed and that we will never forget him."

Enthusiastic applause came from the crowd of onlookers. The Vice President, who had flown in from Washington DC was smiling proudly, clapping Thompson on the back. More words of praise and some members of Dooley's family began to leave some flowers and candles on the sidewalk in front of the Phone Company. It now looked like a small shrine, Agent Carter mused.

Standing near the back of the crowd, Peggy Carter did her best to listen politely. She clapped and nodded when appropriate but it did not prevent the guilt and bitterness that seeped into her heart when she saw Mrs. Dooley cry. This seemed all too familiar and it made her sick to her stomach.

A whole day off for a memorial service was such a waste. Dottie Underwood was probably long gone by now and people over here were weeping. Weeping for dead men was pointless! Their tears would not bring back Chief Dooley and it sure as hell would not bring back Steve Rogers from the grave. Some frustrated tears of her own welled up but she quickly wiped them away. Impatient with her own emotions, Peggy glanced at the other agents to see how they were holding up.

The men were listening intently but Daniel Sousa noticed her looking. He saw her sad expression and when their eyes briefly met, he shot her a sympathetic smile. Peggy looked down sheepishly and smiled a little too. Perhaps she was overreacting but it did not make her frustration go away.

Deciding it was best to keep her eyes down, Peggy waited for the memorial service to be over.

It seemed to take forever but soon there was another loud round of applause and people were beginning to leave. Thunder was rumbling in the distance now and the agents eventually disappeared into the crowded New York streets. Daniel was about to leave too but he noticed Peggy had not moved from her spot. Her expression was unreadable, but Daniel knew it too well.

He smiled sadly, recalling the way she looked whenever Steve Rogers was mentioned in her company. That lost look, the one where she was one step away from breaking down but…she never did. Peggy buried her emotions inside. Hesitatingly, he went over and patted her shoulder.

"We'll stop her eventually, Carter. I promise, no matter what it takes."

"Yes, I know we will." Peggy agreed, her eyes piercing his. "But I almost caught her, Daniel! If I hadn't turned my back none of this would have happened. I should have known what Dottie was up to! She lived in my building, she was my next door neighbor and I never once suspected a thing! I'm a fool for not spotting her disguise sooner and now seeing Dooley's wife up there? It's my fault. Leviathan is a much bigger threat then I thought. How many more will die because of me?"

Her sharp tone and angry words did not make Agent Sousa flinch. He merely sighed, looking at her with warm, affectionate eyes. "It's not your fault. You suspected Leviathan right away."

Peggy glanced at him surprised, but Sousa went on. "We're the fat-heads who gave you that bum rap. We should have trusted you…I should have trusted you. If we went after the real bad guys sooner, well maybe this outcome would have been different. Maybe…maybe the Chief would be still alive. We underestimated many people, Dr. Fennhoff, Leviathan and especially you Peggy."

Rain started falling as they spoke. First there was only a light drizzle but it soon became a torrential downpour falling on their heads. Water dripped off Peggy's hat and umbrellas went up one by one. Remaining people started to run for cover but Sousa didn't move. His eyes were on Peggy and he offered her his own umbrella. "Do you want to take it? My apartment is not far."

His chivalry did not go unnoticed but Peggy looked away.

"No, I plan on going to the diner and the umbrella would only get in my way."

Her words were stiff but after seeing Daniel's hurt expression, Peggy smiled softly. "I won't melt, Daniel! I will be fine. I just need some time to think but… thank you. I honestly don't know what I did to inspire your affections but I've been meaning to apologize for my actions. Before Dottie, I never realized how much it hurt to misjudge someone. I reacted poorly with the whole Stark situation. We may have our secrets but I promise to include you in the loop next time. You are a good man."

Agent Sousa ducked down embarrassingly, a dopey smile playing on his lips.

"We both have a lot to learn from each other." Daniel said shyly. "But you are a good woman too Peggy and I'll see you tomorrow. Let's all hope Thompson won't let this promotion go to his head! You'd think from all his bragging that he caught Dr. Fennhoff by himself single handily."

He made a face and Peggy laughed softly.

Peggy watched Sousa disappear into the crowd. The last she could see, was Thompson running up to meet with him and the two men talking before she finally began her brisk walk towards the restaurant. It was really raining hard now and she could barely make out the neon sign blinking in the darkness. Luckily, the L & L Automat was only three blocks from the SSR headquarters.

The little diner was busy tonight. People were coming in from the rain and the little bell went off every five minutes. Waitresses were scurrying all over the place, this way and that, trying to keep up with the customers coming in but Peggy knew the routine. Grabbing a menu, she sat down at her favorite booth and met Angie's eyes when she was taking the orders of another customer.

Angie spotted her and grinned cheerfully at her. "I'll be over there as soon as I can!" the young waitress called out loudly over the busy noise of the Automat. "Just give me one second, okay?"

Peggy waved her off. "Don't worry, take your time. I'll be sitting over here."

Looking out the window, the rain seemed to match her mood. She thought about what Agent Sousa said earlier and she mused about the ethics of lying and espionage. In her line of work, it was much easier to tell a lie or to use elaborate disguises to get what they wanted in a particular situation. But what happened when she herself became the very person who was deceived? They were supposed to be the good guys, but agents, herself included, often had to toe that fine line. Was there really a big difference between Dottie's actions and her own when it came to personal vendettas and lying to hide it from others?

Had she done the right thing? Was a lie still a bad thing, even if it was to protect another person?

Suddenly there was a loud noise. Startled out of her thoughts and jumping on reflex, Peggy became more alert and tense as if she expected to see an enemy in the ordinary little diner. Her fists clenched and she was prepared to run or fight for her life. This tense feeling did not last long though, especially when she saw that it was only Angie. Her friend had plopped down on the opposite side of the booth and had a cup of tea in her hand. Peggy gave a quiet sigh of relief.

"Whoa, you sure are edgy tonight! What's wrong English? More trouble with the boys at work?"

Her friend looked at her with deep concern and Peggy, feeling embarrassed by her reaction, tried to relax. She took a deep breath and forced her lips into a smile. "No, it's not that. There was a death at the office. My boss, he died in a horrible accident yesterday and I can't help but think I could have done something to prevent it. I guess I'm still a bit shaken up by what happened."

Angie's eyes widened "Another death? That Phone Company of yours must be a dangerous place to work! This is what, the second death in two months? Have you ever thought about quitting?"

Peggy gave her an irritated glare.

"Alright, alright I'll take that as a no!" Angie said quickly. "But seriously English, every time I see you, you seem to be upset. Why would you work at a place where the boys treat you so horribly? It's not like you need the money for a place to sleep! Mr. Megabucks is giving us a home for free! I don't know about you, but I plan on making acting a full time career real soon!"

"Well, I have considered it once or twice." Peggy admitted, giving a short laugh. "Between the lack of respect, working under false pretenses with Howard Stark and that whole hullabaloo that happened two weeks ago, it was something easy to consider. But things are different now. Most of the adolescents are behaving themselves and there's this one man, he's not so bad at all really."

Leaning in, Angie gave Peggy an inquiring look. "Oh, tell me more about this not so bad man?"

Peggy Carter shifted uncomfortably in her seat, what with Angie giving her that inquisitive look. She was bearing down hard, hoping to hear every detail. "Well…um…where to begin?" She stammered awkwardly. "He is kind to me and funny too. He tries to defend my honor, even when I don't need it. He's different than the others but he also reminds me of someone I once knew."

Angie grinned. "So are you going to tell me his name? The guy you're carrying a torch for? Or do I already know him? Wait…it's not Moneybags himself is it? Is your guy Howard Stark?"

Peggy scrunched her nose up in disgust causing Angie to laugh.

"Well, alright! Again with the no! Go on, keep your secrets. I will find out someday. Just make sure you let me know before you two get hitched. I would really love to be your Maid of Honor!"

For the first time in the longest time, Peggy Carter blushed red. It only made Angie laugh harder.

Shaking her head, the young waitress got up and went back to work. Food had to be delivered and one woman was waiting irritably with an empty cup. "I could use a fresh cup of coffee!" She demanded. "I have been waiting for you to come by my table for the last twenty minutes!"

"Sorry about that, ma'am! Just ran into an old friend, is all." Angie said breezily. "I'll be right there with a fresh cup in a jiffy!" The woman huffed and muttered something under her breath.

"Just think about what I said." Angie said to Peggy with a wink. "We'll continue this discussion later. I'll see you back home sometime around midnight when I get off! So hang in there, girly!"