Peggy had walked into the SSR the morning after talking Howard down from launching all of New York into a homicidal rage, expecting just another day at the office. What she wasn't expecting was a standing ovation from everyone. She couldn't help but smile because she finally felt like she was getting the respect that she had wanted for so long.
It was short-lived when Walt Cooper from the United States Senate had come to congratulate Thompson and give him all of the credit. Nothing new though.
Jack smiled politely as he relished him with praise for all of the "work" that him and his men had done. He knew that it was all Peggy and knew that she knew it too. He was torn being self-serving and taking the credit as he normally would because he knew that there was no way in hell that this guy would believe that a woman did the work of an entire office full of men...and giving her the credit she so rightfully deserved because he knew that she had been working so damn hard to earn the respect of even half of the men in that office.
He would've just taken the credit if he hadn't turned around to glance at Peggy. The look on her face indicated acceptance that yet again, her efforts would go un-noticed.
Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "With all due respect sir, I have to give absolutely all of the credit to Agent Carter." He gestured to her, who looked flabbergasted.
Walt scoffed. "Carter? Just what has she done to earn so much credit?"
Jack took a deep breath and put on his most professional look. "Sir, Agent Peggy Carter has had a very impressive track record while working with us at the SSR, especially given that she worked as a double agents to help clear Stark's name. Prior to our mission in Belarus, she successfully contacted the 107th Infantry, or the Howling Commandoes, to help us in our mission. She worked with them during the war and alongside Captain Steve Rogers, who as you may or may not have known was the only Allied Super Soldier under Project Rebirth, which she oversaw. She discovered a cache of Stark's stolen weapons and prevented their detonation from within city limits. She also gave us the anonymous tip to ALL of Stark's stolen weapons so we could secure them before they got into the wrong hands. SHE was the one who figured out that it was Dottie Underwood and that doctor who were behind the deaths of Chief Dooley and the people at the theater. AND she was the one who stopped Stark from dropping the homicidal gas in Times Square, preventing mass murder."
"And HOW was it that she do 'this' unnoticed?"
"Because I know that unless I have their reports, their coffee, or their lunch, I'm invisible," Peggy interjected, unable to stay silent.
Everyone's head swiveled towards her at that remark. Jack and Sousa had heard it before and were pleased to see the guilty looks that crossed all of their faces.
"Excuse me?"
"Do I need to repeat myself, or should I have Agent Thompson repeat what I said seeing as you won't take anything seriously that comes out of a woman's mouth?"
Sousa had to cough to cover up his guffaw because he always knew that Peggy had a sharp tongue, but she didn't think that she would use it with someone from higher up, especially someone like a U.S. Senator. Damned if he didn't think that she was one of the bravest agents at the SSR, he thought as a grin crept up on his face.
"Thompson, do you think that you could learn how to control your agents?" Walt looked indignant, being spoken to in such a disrespectful manner, especially by a woman
He chuckled. "Sir, if my agents know what they're doing, then I don't have to. They are more than capable of handling themselves."
Peggy raised an eyebrow at Jack and focused her attention on the man in front of them, putting her hands on her hips. She tipped her chin up half an inch, challenging him to say something more.
No one in the office dared to breathe. They looked back and forth between them like they were watching tennis match, waiting for one person to deliver the final blow.
"Well," Walt said sheepishly, "I must say, excellent job Agent Carter. You play your cards right, and you could get a Congressional Medal of Honor out of this situation. Walk with me," he gestured. She followed him, that unapologetic swagger in her stride.
The buzz of the office resumed as everyone went back to work.
Sousa walked over to Jack and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "That was pretty nice of you, Jack."
"It's about damn time that she gets recognized for all of the work that she's done.."
Jack glanced over at Peggy, who was in the conference room with the men. She looked back at him and smiled, her gratitude evident. He winked at her and headed back into his office, ready for whatever was in store for them next.