Angie Martinelli took in a deep breath as she stood outside the bedroom door where Peggy Carter was currently residing. It had been three weeks since Peggy had been stabbed. Three weeks since Angie received the heart-wrenching phone call from Jarvis informing her to meet him at the hospital. Angie had dropped everything and rushed to be by Peggy's side, spending each day at Peggy's bed, hand clenched firmly around the unconscious woman's hand, talking to her, telling her she was sure to get better soon, reminding her that no one could best the great Peggy Carter, and amazingly enough, Peggy seemed to listen. Within three days, she'd opened her eyes and by the fifth day, she was able to haltingly tell Angie what she remembered letting Angie fill in the blanks that she couldn't recall.
Angie had been ecstatic when the doctor finally informed them Peggy could come home, but her excitement quickly wore thin when Peggy began to grow restless by the end of the first week. Angie, usually patient as hell when it came to all things Peggy Carter, was seriously considering returning to work and asking Jarvis to step in, lest she strangle her roommate out of frustration. Last night had been particularly trying, and Angie wasn't sure she had enough patience left in her for a second round this morning.
Placing her fingers on the doorknob, she lifted her eyes heavenward and muttered, "Blessed Mother give me patience," before opening the door, hoping she wouldn't find Peggy in the cross mood that had pervaded her usually kind demeanor.
Surprisingly enough, she was greeted by her smiling roommate, propped up against the headboard, a book draped across her lap.
"Good morning," Peggy beamed, closing the book as Angie stepped inside.
Angie glanced around uncertainly before offering back a cautious, "Uh, good morning?"
"I was wondering when you would pop in," Peggy told her.
"You were?"
Peggy nodded.
"And you're actually happy to see me?"
Peggy laughed. "Of course, I am. You are my Florence Nightingale, after all," she informed her with a wink.
Angie frowned. She was going to have to call the doctor. Peggy had gone and lost her mind. "You feelin' okay, Pegs?" she asked, coming over to place her hand against the British woman's forehead. "'Cause you're acting kinda' funny."
"Other than the gaping wound in my side, I'm right as rain," Peggy assured her.
Angie bit her lip. "You going to need any help with that today?" she asked, fully expecting her friend to revert back to her usual proud behavior and brush her off with a curt "I'm fine."
Instead, what she got was Peggy suddenly growing quiet before hesitantly responding, "Actually, I could use some help changing these bandages."
"Really? You want my help?" Angie blurted, failing to hide her surprise at Peggy's admission.
"I do," her friend nodded, before quickly adding, "But, only if it's not a bother to you."
Angie's face lit up with happiness. "No trouble at all, English! Let me just pop in the bathroom and get what we need. I'll be right back," she promised, rushing across the room, barely hearing Peggy's murmured thanks. She bounded back a moment later, bandages and peroxide in hand and set them on the bedside table before turning to assess Peggy with a mischievous grin.
"So, how do you suggest we go about this?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
Angie was delighted when a slow blush bloomed across Peggy's cheeks and she couldn't help the cheeky words that next tumbled from her lips. "I mean, I don't know about you, Pegs, but it's been a while since I've seen a little bedroom action."
"Good Lord, Angie!"
Angie smirked. "You too, huh?"
Peggy glared at her. "Maybe I should do this myself."
"Aw, I'm only teasing you," Angie promised. "Now, do you need a minute to make yourself decent?"
"Yes, please."
Angie turned around and folded her arms around her waist. "All right, get to it then, English." She tapped her foot as she listened to the sounds of Peggy moving about the bed, sheets rustling. She heard Peggy lightly clear her throat.
"You may turn around now."
Angie twisted around to find Peggy sitting primly in the middle of the bed, sheets nestled around her waist to maintain her modesty. Her nightgown was somewhat bunched atop the bedclothes. Angie settled down next to her and nodded at the hem of her friend's gown uncertainly.
"Is it all right if I…"
Peggy blushed ever so slightly. "I suppose it will have to be."
Angie gave her a disarming smile. "It's not like you got anything I haven't seen before, Pegs," she teased as she gently raised the hem of the older woman's nightgown.
"Unless you've taken to peeping through keyholes, I'm almost certain you've never seen anything of mine before, Miss Martinelli," Peggy wryly retorted, arching an eyebrow.
Angie's face flushed crimson. "Geez, Peggy, that's bold – even for you!" She lifted the gown higher which afforded her a rather generous flash of pale skin (she definitely wasn't complaining).
Peggy cleared her throat and when Angie's eyes met hers, she saw laughter dancing in the other woman's gaze. "Angie, if you raise my gown any higher, I'm afraid I might have to slap you."
Angie masked her embarrassment with a scowl. She'd been caught. No doubt about it. But Peggy didn't appear upset. If anything, she seemed almost… well, flirty. This wasn't the first time her roommate had made a passing comment that could be considered slightly more than friendly, but it was the first time since Peggy had been injured.
"Very funny, Peggy. Here," she shoved the hem towards Peggy hand. "You're gonna' have to hold this so I can change your bandage."
Peggy did as she was asked, and Angie began to carefully unwrap the bandage that encased Peggy's abdomen. She tried to ignore the feeling of Peggy's breath against her cheek as she reached her arms around the older woman, the bandage passing from one hand to the other. When the bandage was finally removed, Angie tenderly applied peroxide to the wound and waited until the bubbles died away. She retrieved a new bandage and began the slow process of rewrapping Peggy's wound, until it was tightly bound once more. Her fingers ghosted across Peggy's bare skin as she tucked the fabric beneath the wrapping, and Angie heard Peggy inhale sharply at the contact. Glancing up, their eyes met, Peggy's dark brown gaze trained on her. Self-conscious, Angie looked away, silently cursing the warm blush she felt creeping across her cheeks.
She lowered the gown back down and cleared her throat. "There you go, English. Good as new."
Peggy rewarded her with a small smile. "Thank you, Angie."
"Sure thing." She stood and collected the old bandage and bottle of disinfectant. "I'm gonna' go put this up."
"Angie, wait," Peggy said, reaching for hand. Angie stopped and turned, blushing again when she felt Peggy's fingers curl around her own. She chanced a glance at her.
"Would you mind sitting with me for a little while?"
"Of course," she replied, settling down beside her roommate. It didn't escape her attention that Peggy hadn't let go of her hand, not that she minded, but it wasn't like her friend and that worried her. "Something bothering you, English?"
She watched as Peggy pondered the question and waited, allowing her to collect her thoughts. After a few moments, she finally spoke. "This is quite difficult for me."
Angie nodded knowingly. "Being injured?"
Peggy bit her lip. "Appearing weak."
Angie was surprised by the frank admission, but tried not to show it. "You're only human, Peg."
Peggy snorted. "Yes, but it's galling to acknowledge that."
Angie laughed at this honest admission.
"I owe you an apology," Peggy began, but Angie held up a hand, interrupting her before she could finish.
"You don't owe me a thing."
"I do," Peggy insisted. "You've been by my side since this happened. You've responded to my needs. You've been there for me taking care of me and I've been rather–"
"Petulant?" Angie offered.
Peggy smiled.
"Bloody stubborn?"
At that, Peggy laughed.
"Pain in the ass?"
"Yes, yes," Peggy admitted with a roll of her eyes. "All of those and more. I freely admit it."
Angie giggled for a moment but then grew quiet. She stroked her thumb across the back of Peggy's hand, and when she spoke, her voice was low. "You really scared me, Peggy."
"My job is fraught with danger, Angie. You know that," she reminded her, squeezing Angie's hand. "That's why I tend to not allow myself to get close to people. It's easier that way."
"Easier for who, English?" Angie asked, peering intently at the woman beside her. "Them or you?"
Peggy stared at her.
"You know, as hard as it was to see you laying there in the hospital bed, all banged up, it'd be a thousand times harder to lose you without having any memories to fall back on during the sad times." Angie glanced away, desperate to look at anything besides Peggy, but when she heard Peggy's breath hitch in what sounded like a strangled sob, she turned back, finding the older woman watching her with stricken eyes.
"I'm sorry," Peggy whispered.
Angie leaned forward and tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair away from Peggy's face, tucking it behind her ear. "I know you sometimes wish you were invincible, Peggy Carter, but there are people in your life who care about you." She paused and swallowed before plunging ahead. "People who love you."
Peggy's fingers tightened around hers and Angie continued, emboldened by the silent gesture. "All they're asking is that you let them in."
Peggy tore her gaze from Angie and regarded at their joined hands. A tear trickled down her cheek. "I don't know if I can do that," she whispered. "I've already lost so many people I've cared about. I don't know if I can go through that pain again."
"That's an awfully lonely way to live life, Pegs," Angie sighed.
Peggy just nodded.
Taking a deep breath, Angie placed a gentle hand under Peggy's chin and tilted her face so she could look into Peggy's eyes. She gave her a shaky smile. "You know you mean an awful lot to me."
A hint of a smile graced Peggy's features. "And you are vital to me."
Angie leaned in closer. "You're real special, Peggy. I've never met anyone like you."
"My mother always said to be grateful for life's small blessings," Peggy tittered nervously.
Angie grinned and shook her head. "Always deflecting, Peggy Carter."
Peggy didn't have a response for that.
"You know I care."
A nod.
Angie scooted closer. "Will you let me show you?" she breathed.
A moment passed and then, almost imperceptibly, Peggy nodded.
That was all Angie needed. Tilting her head, she moved closer until her lips gently brushed against the ones she'd been fantasizing about for so long. They were warm and soft and full, and Angie was pretty sure she'd died and gone to heaven. When she finally pulled away, Peggy released a long sigh, and Angie could swear it sounded as if a weight had been lifted from her.
Peggy immediately slipped a hand behind Angie's neck, pulling her back for a far more intimate kiss, her tongue immediately seeking permission. Angie was only too happy to comply, eagerly giving Peggy everything she demanded. They stayed that way for several minutes, lips sliding over each other as soft sighs echoed throughout the room.
Wanting more, Angie eventually broke the kiss and began trailing heated kisses along Peggy's neck, suckling her skin. She brushed the fabric of Peggy's nightgown to the side, exposing a pale bare shoulder and brought her lips down hard, teeth gently digging into the soft flesh. This earned Angie a ragged moan followed by a strangled,
"Oh god, Angie…"
Eager to hear more of that intoxicating voice, Angie reached up and palmed Peggy's breast through the thin fabric of her gown as her tongue traced heated patterns across her skin. Peggy cried out and buried her fingers in Angie's hair, pulling her closer while Angie's other hand found its way to Peggy's waist and gave a gentle squeeze, forgetting the bandage there.
Peggy immediately pulled away with a sharp yelp.
"Oh God, Peggy, I'm sorry!" Angie winced, jumping back, her hands reaching out to assess the damage she'd inadvertently caused. "I got caught up in the moment and forgot!"
Peggy waved away her concern with a weak smile, but Angie peered at her, worry etched across her features.
"I should leave," she murmured. "You're hurt, and as much as I'm enjoying this, we shouldn't," she told her. "I mean, we shouldn't right now. We absolutely should later," she continued. "But not now. I don't want to cause you any more pain."
Peggy laughed and pulled her back to her side. "Angie, I want you to stay," she assured her. She released a frustrated sigh. "Bloody hell, this is the absolute worst timing. There are so many things I want to tell you," she said and then grinned saucily, "and not necessarily with words."
Angie blushed and bit her lower lip, eyes bright with longing. She let her gaze rove over Peggy's body. "I sure do like the way you think, English."
Peggy flashed her an apologetic smile. "Angie, as much as the spirit is willing, my body simply can't right now."
"I know."
"But, it would mean the world to me if you'd stay here with me tonight. Sleep beside me. The other things will have to wait, but I would really like you to stay," she dropped her eyes self-consciously. "That is, if it's not asking too much of you."
Angie smirked. "Yeah, because sleeping next to the most beautiful gal in the world is such a chore." She stood and quickly removed her dressing gown, flushing with delight when she caught Peggy eyeing her. Thank God she went with the floral print tonight and not the stripes!
Lifting the blanket, Angie settled down against the cool sheet. Peggy immediately stretched her arm out across the pillow, and Angie smiled, snuggling against her warm shoulder. They remained that for a while, simply soaking in the other's presence, enjoying this new aspect of their relationship in silence.
It wasn't until Peggy tried, unsuccessfully, to turn off the bedroom lamp that Angie reluctantly moved.
"Let me get it, Pegs," she murmured and leaned over, hand reaching out to pull the metal chain. She felt her breasts brush Peggy's just as the room was plunged into darkness, the action punctuated by Peggy's surprised gasp. Grinning, Angie leaned down and captured her soft red lips for a long kiss before finally settling back on her side of the bed, head nestled against Peggy's neck. She felt warm fingers gently glide back and forth along her arm, and she sighed.
"In case I wasn't clear enough earlier, I love you, Peggy Carter."
Peggy pressed a loving kiss against Angie's forehead and pulled her closer. "I love you, too, darling, and I can't wait until I'm well enough to show you just how much."