Their usual morning commute was marred by the hoards of tourists flocking to the city to get a glimpse of the Frozen Man. Street merchants chanted about t-shirts, hats and various tacky memorabilia while giggling and overly zealous girls with stars in their eyes hurried about whispering and gossiping about the great Captain America. News helicopters zoomed over head while news crews were stationed at every corner waiting for updates. "Unbelievable" Peggy muttered as she clutched Daniel's arm watching a trio of scantily clad women in USO army uniforms brush past. "You can say that again..." Daniel agreed as his eyes followed the beauties over his shoulder. It was met by a sharp jab to his rib cage from his none too impressed wife. "Owww" he scoffed clutching his side. "Mr Sousa, can I remind you, you are a married gentleman?" she raised an eyebrow as her mouth contorted into a disapproving pout. "HAPPILY married gentleman" he cooed back. She couldn't help herself and try as hard as she did, she gave in and chuckled. "Yes well, I could be a widow if you are not careful" she warned playfully. They stood at the corner waiting to cross, Peggy's arm clutching Daniels.
It was then they spotted the huge billboard in front of them. It was an advertisement for the radio stories of the Great Captain America and his blushing damsel in distress Nurse Nancy Carter. A character known to be based loosely on Peggy. "Good God" she grimaced seeing her alter ego wearing a tight short nurses uniform that enhanced her voluptuous curves, being dipped backwards by the heroic Captain who bore the cheesiest grin and cartoon enhanced muscular frame. Her blonde curls cascading down while her left slender leg was raised high. "Have they no shame?" she huffed scathingly, hand on her hip. "It's just the corporate wheel turning. Cashing in on the hot topic today" Daniel tried to ease his wife's angst but he himself was feeling the weight of this day. "I mean, really? As if I would ever truly be that brain dead, waiting to be saved by a man" she flung her hand up in the air and dropped it again in disgust. She began to rant at the audacity for the radio broadcasters to take her name and personality in vein and create a helpless lead female with no ambition or self respect.
Daniel didn't dare interject. It was hard watching Peggy get so worked up about something from her past which connected her to Steve. And there it was. The thoughts of her and Steve reunited and that sinking feeling returned. As much as he knew Peggy loved him, Captain Rogers return was still a hard pill to swallow. "Oh Daniel, I'm sorry" she apologized becoming of aware of her husbands discomfort. "I didn't mean to go on. Forgive me" she bit her bottom lip. "It's ok. I know this is hard for you" he replied with a sigh "And for you" she added quietly, gently squeezing his arm. "What we talked about last night. I meant it. You have absolutely nothing to worry about my darling" she beamed at him, placing a tender kiss on his cheek. "I know" he beamed back at her, wrapping his arm over her shoulder "Come on Nancy" Daniel teased as the lights turned green for them to walk.
Daniel could feel his pulse in his clenched hand as he followed Peggy through the long corridor of the top secret SSR hospital. There was a buzz among the doctors and nurses. Daniel knew exactly what the sheltered conversations and hand over mouth whispers were about. Captain America's girl was here to see him. The star crossed lovers reunited. They stopped at the end of the corridor where a senior doctor greeted them. "Ah good morning Agent Carter" he glowed as he peered up from his flip-board chart in his hand. "Good morning Dr Schenkler. This is Agent Sousa, SSR chief New York division" she introduced him as she normally did. They never highlighted the fact they were married while they were at work. People tended to judge Peggy thinking she slept her way to the top. Far from it. In fact she had been a higher ranking agent than Daniel whilst they served in the army. "How is the patient?" She asked cheerily. "Excellent. In fact better than excellent. His stats are phenomenal. Physically his DNA has excelled to fully recover from his ordeal. No muscle loss, no nerve damage and no organ failures. A remarkable specimen really" he chuffed unable to comprehend the test results on the page. Daniel's jaw clenched. He didn't need to be hit with how fantastic his wife's former love was.
"Can we see him?" she asked diligently. "By all means. He has been asking for you" Dr Schenkler winked. It was times like this Daniel wish she had divulged she was in fact married to him. "I will give you time to speak with him" the doctor smiled as he moved past them and walked down the hall writing feverishly on his clipboard. "Daniel?" Peggy said softly, turning to him. "Do you mind if I have a few minutes to….to speak to him on my own first?" she nervously tugged on her fingers clasped in front of her. Daniel didn't know what to say. He was nodding but inside his head he was screaming no. But how could he tell her he didn't want her to meet him alone? She would accuse him of not trusting her. She knew he was finding this unbearable and she loved that he was not making this more difficult than it already was. She took his hand in hers and gazed into his brown eyes that were tinged with sadness. "Thank you Daniel. You have been so wonderful. How about when this is all done we will go out for dinner tonight, just us?" she smiled. He returned the gesture and smiled back but it didn't reach his eyes. It was tangled with hurt and fear. She turned and disappeared through the double doors leading down the empty corridor to Steve's room.