I've been meaning to post this story for awhile but better late then never. It takes place after Season 1. Because I wrote it before Season 2 started, some things are no longer cannon. IE, I didn't realize that both Jack Thompson and Daniel Sousa would be made Chiefs or that it would take place in LA. However regardless of some small technicalities, I hope you enjoy my little Fanfiction.

Chapter 1

Nobody seemed to pay much mind to Peggy Carter when she walked quietly down the street.

It was late in the afternoon, July 4th 1947. The Second World War was over, peace was returning to the United States and people were back to celebrating. Every person in New York was out in the streets, parades were marching and people were shouting. A whole three day weekend off!

In every window an American flag was flying proudly. Children were laughing and playing. Watching them, Peggy felt a little envious. She wanted to be part of the fun…but she couldn't. Her heart just wasn't in it today. She could barely convince herself to get out of bed this morning, much less partake in any of the festivities. How could she begin to explain how the approaching nighttime made her anxious or how she felt depressed or that tinge of bitterness?

Normally her work would keep her mind off her troubles but she did not have that option today.

So now she found herself walking to the L&L Automat, trying to keep her mind off her troubles. Angie was working today and the little diner was very busy. Being the only place open in town, the bell was ringing nonstop as people came in and out. A line was already forming at the door but Peggy did not mind. Unbothered by the crowds, she sat at her seat and waited patiently for her friend to come by and take her order. It took even longer for the waitress to pause in her duties for a quick chat. So she waited, deciding that being here was better than the alternative.

Peggy was sipping her tea and reading a book when Angie came by, looking cheerful but tired.

"What's with the long face, English?" Angie asked teasingly. "Did you get to the part where Nigel proposed to Evelyn? It's okay to cry, you know. I'll be the first to admit that I teared up too when I read that book! You know I've always been a sucker for romances. If only this was real life, am I right?"

Self-consciously wiping the tears that were misting her eyes, Peggy shook her head. "I was not crying. I was…I just go some dust in my eye. Anyway, what about you? Why are you still at work Angie? It's your Independence Day! Surely you don't have to work for too much longer?"

Angie shrugged indifferently, "Well, you know how it goes. They passed the buck to me, so I have to work today but it's not a big deal. The Automat closes early! Only a few more minutes and then I'm out of here. Hey, here's an idea! Why don't we go out on the town tonight? There's going to be a band in Central Park and a lot of fireworks! It will be a swell time, I just know it!"

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Peggy looked away. "That does sound wonderful Angie but I don't think I would make great company. I am not feeling very well today. You understand? Perhaps we could some other time? Next weekend, maybe? I feel really tired. I think I just want to sleep."

Scrunching up her face, Angie studied Peggy for a moment and nodded. "Hmm…well, you are looking a little green. If you're feeling under the weather, we don't have to go out. I could keep you company, maybe watch some late night television? We don't have to go out on the town."

"No, you go out and have fun." Peggy said, shaking her head. "I'll probably go to bed early."

Angie sighed reluctantly. "Alright English, if that's what you want. I swear, you would think today was not a holiday! What with me working, you looking depressed and that fella over there. He's so drunk; I don't think he knows left from right. Sure, he's pretty good looking but he's not even the happy kind of drunk. He's the miserable; tell me his whole life story kind of drunk."

Curious, Peggy leaned over to see where Angie was pointing. A man was sitting at the bar all right, but unlike the others who were celebrating, this man looked hunched over with his head between his hands. Spying a familiar sweater vest and crutch, she recognized instantly who he was. Putting down her cup of tea, Peggy felt drawn to him. "Perhaps I'll go see if he's okay…"

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she realized she had spoken them but Angie didn't notice her sudden interest. Already the waitress was heading back in to the kitchen. "Make sure you tell him that the Automat is closing in ten minutes!" She called to Peggy over her shoulder.

Peggy wasted no time. Walking over and sitting on the stool next to him, she tried to meet his gaze. "Daniel, are you okay?" She asked but he was unresponsive. "Agent Sousa, wake up!"

Shaking his head, Daniel blearily looked around and saw Peggy staring at him. "Carter?" He mumbled. "Wha-What's going on? What are you doing here? Did I fall asleep at work again?"

Frowning, Peggy touched his shoulder while he blinked up at her. "You're not at work Daniel." She explained patiently. "You're at the L&L Automat. Do you remember coming here at all?"

It took Daniel a moment; he looked around the room in confusion. As if he was seeing the Automat for the very first time, he blinked and struggled to get up. "I should be getting home." He muttered to himself as he groped around for his crutch. "I should not be here…not today."

Upon over reaching for his crutch, Daniel missed and lost his balance. Peggy instinctively caught him in her arms before he fell. Pulling him up, she tried to get him to stand but he was having trouble and leaned heavily on her. Grunting with the effort, Peggy guided him towards the door, carefully helping him along but feeling her cheeks burn as he held onto her particularly tightly.

"How far is your home?" Peggy asked, trying to stay focused. "Did you take a taxi to get here?"

Daniel didn't respond, he just held onto her, his eyes blinking sleepily.

"Bloody hell!" She exasperated. "Daniel, you're not being very helpful. You obviously can't even get across the sidewalk, much less find your way back home. Now come on, do you know what street you live on? Perhaps that will jog your memory."

"It's North…North something or other." He trailed off, waving his free hand that wasn't holding onto Peggy. "It's near a gas station and…oh yeah...a Piggly Wiggly grocery store."

Peggy frowned. "Do you realize how incredibly vague that is?! We can't just take a cab to find every Piggly Wiggly in the whole of New York that is near a gas station and a street that starts with North. I don't want to be out all night! The traffic is bad enough as it is without all these people milling about with their flags and sparklers. That could take ages!"

For a moment she stood on the curb outside of the Automat looking conflicted.

She couldn't just leave Daniel alone here, waiting until he was sober enough to find his way home but she did not want to stay. It was growing late and the fireworks and crowds were making her feel anxious, she noticed that Daniel was not looking any better. Sighing, she considered her options, a bit relieved to know that at least Angie would be out most of the night.

"Alright Daniel," Peggy sighed reluctantly "How about this? We will both go to my home at Stark's Penthouse and you can spend the night there. Then when you're feeling better in the morning, you can go home and we can forget this entire event ever happened. Is that okay?"

Even if it was necessary, saying the words out loud made her blush but Daniel did not seem notice or care. He just nodded his head and they both stumbled towards Main Street to catch a cab. It was slow moving but at least Daniel was now cooperating better. After a quick whistle, Peggy hailed one of the cabs and got inside it. Remembering to grab Daniel's crutch, she carefully helped the man inside and did her best to ignore the cab driver's amused expression.

"So where is it that you and your boyfriend want to go?" The elderly man asked after a minute.

"The big penthouse on 50th street" Peggy said. "And he's not my boyfriend, he's my coworker."

Not seeming to hear the last part, the elderly man slowly drove the taxi through the growing crowds. The roads were filled with traffic and there were horns going off every five minutes as the cars tried to get around one another. Leaning against the window of the door, Peggy noticed some fireworks in the distance. With the telltale sound of explosions going off and the sun just beginning to set, Peggy could just make out the colors becoming visible against the lavender sky.