Just a one shot, a notion I had after For Immediate Release. Reviews are welcomed. I own nothing.
Peggy wasn't sure how long she sat in her office staring out the window. The press release was written, resting on top of her trusted typewriter. After everything that had happened in the last decade the merger really shouldn't have surprised her. But walking into Ted's office, so keen to see him, so hoping that they might find a reason to kiss again… and instead being met by a smug Don Draper…
But Ted looked so proud, so changed from his mood a few nights earlier. The account was won and that was the most important thing. Not her distrust of this new agency.
"Something catch your interest out there?" His voice startles her, the tumbler in her hands falling to the floor. "Sorry."
Ted moves quicker than Peggy can, reaching for the glass and hesitating at her feet. When his fingers brush against her ankle her breath catches.
"I didn't mean to startle you."
"That's… that's all right…" She manages, forcing her lungs to take in air again as his fingers find her knees, easing her legs apart.
"You know, this is all I've been able to think about for days now. You are all I've been thinking about, Peggy." He smiled, pushing her dress up so that he could touch her thighs.
"Really?" He nodded, searching for the top of her tights and pulling them down.
"Really. Then when I ran into Don and he would get that cocky smirk, all I could think was how smart can he be, he let you out of his office."
"You won't let me leave the agency?" She asked breathlessly.
"Office, agency, bed… I want to please you, Peggy." With that he closed the space between them and kissed her, harder than the night in his office. This was all she wanted to focus on right now, this was all…
"Peggy… Peggy?"
With a start, Peggy snapped out of her thoughts, her glass falling to the floor. As in her fantasy, Ted reached for it but simply stood again and returned the tumbler to the desk.
"There's an interesting notion." He mused, leaning against the wall near her window.
"What is?" She asked, passing him the typed page.
"What does Peggy Olson day dream about?" His smile stirred feelings in her.
"I wasn't day dreaming… I was thinking about work."
"I saw that dreamy look on your face, you weren't thinking about work."
"You were watching me?" She ventured with a small smile.
"I've never seen you look so peaceful and happy before." She just shrugged, turning away from the window. "You aren't excited about the merger."
"I will be. It's just a lot of change coming very quickly. I thought I was done with Don, with that office."
"You weren't treated well there?" He asked with a concern that still managed to throw her for a loop. That he should care so much about her and encourage her so constantly was an adjustment for Peggy.
"I wasn't treated like a co-worker. Don still saw me as his eager little secretary wanting to help out, everyone followed suit. Some were coming around but there wasn't… it's not like how you treat me."
"How do I treat you?" Ted asked with an interested grin, crossing his arms in front of him.
"I know you detest the word, but you're nice to me. You're kind and encouraging and positive. You treat me like a co-worker, not a little girl. I'm worried about losing that by going back there."
"Nothing between us will change, Peggy. You'll retain your position and continue to be seen as the bright, capable young woman I know you are." He turned his attention to the release. "This is fantastic."
"Really?"
"Really. Trust me, Peggy. You keep doing what you're good at and there will be no doubt that you are in the position you're supposed to be."
She nodded, reaching for the empty glass again.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Sure, why don't you come back to my office? We can see if the TV is working any better tonight."
"I'll be along in a moment."
Alone in the office again, Peggy pulled the cover over her typewriter, collected her things and turned the light off. Change was coming, which unsettled her, but Ted would be there. A fact that caused a warmth to spread inside of her. They would weather this merger just fine.