This is a prompt given to me by "Crazy for Carter." Thank you for your support and your patience! The season finale sort of gave us a picture of Peggy's reaction to a threat against Daniel's life, but Peggy in my opinion is more complicated than what we can see on screen. Enjoy!

Daniels crutch is so very symbolic of him; what if he disappeared and the only thing Peggy found of him was his crutch? We have seen Daniel seriously scared for Peggy's life but not really the other way around. (I love angst, but am also a sucker for happy endings! Hint hint!) thanks!

Something to Fight For

"I appreciate you dropping me off Mr. Jarvis," Peggy said stepping out of the car, "Daniel will take me home after dinner."

"A pleasure as always Ms. Carter," he paused, clearing his throat before speaking again, "and may I just say how pleased I am that you two have… come to an agreement?"

Peggy tucked her hair behind her ear, resisting her first impulse to brush off Jarvis's comment. Neither of them were very good at expressing emotion, but she was glad to know Jarvis approved of her and Daniel beginning to see more of each other outside of work.

"Yes, I'm fairly pleased myself," she managed self consciously.

Jarvis smiled, "Good day Ms. Carter." Peggy watched as he pulled cautiously away from the curb. She walked slowly up to the apartment, adjusting her skirt and toying with her hair. She wasn't really sure how to do this sort of thing anymore. She paused before turning the final corner to calm her suddenly spiking nerves. This is Daniel we're talking about. There isn't a kinder or easier person to be around. She squared her shoulders resolutely and turned the corner to face Daniel's front door.

It had been kicked in, the doorknob splintered into sharp fragments, the door swinging softly in the California breeze.

Peggy felt as if her blood had turned to ice. She drew her weapon, always on her, stashed away in the garter holster Ana had made for her. Stealthily she entered his apartment, gun first, her head on swivel as she anticipated the enemy.

Daniel's living room showed signs of a struggle. Though sparse in decoration, Peggy's sharp eye noted the disarray of the couch cushions, the broken leg of Daniel's kitchen chair. Suddenly smelling smoke, Peggy turned to examine the kitchen. In the oven was a roast chicken, thoroughly burned. He was making me dinner, she realized with a start. I had no idea he could cook. She turned off the stove.

Turning the corner, Peggy's eyes came to rest on an object that filled her with dread. Daniel's crutch. It was strewn in a corner, as though it had been thrown. Her eyes darted around and she suddenly noticed specks of blood in the carpet.

"Daniel?!" She yelled throwing caution to the wind, her weapon still raised. So what if they were still here. Let them come. She heard a slight rustling coming from Daniel's bedroom. She ran, throwing open the door with her gun ready to fire. There, eyes blazing and gun trained on her, was Daniel. He was bruised and beaten, standing propped up against the wall. An image of a wounded wild animal driven into a corner popped into Peggy's head. When he saw her he dropped his weapon immediately, the fire going out of his eyes in relief.

"Peggy…" he managed as he slid down the wall to a seated position, his breathing heavy.

He put his face in his hands briefly, trying to breathe through the heightened adrenaline that made his hands tremble. When he looked up, Peggy was kneeling next to him, she stared silently at him. He looked at her face, trying to make sense of what he saw there. She was expressionless, her eyes taking in every bruise, every bloodstain on his white tank top. She saw his split lip, and the cut over his eyebrow that still bled down the side of his face. It was only after he noticed her trembling that he realized what he was seeing. Rage. Peggy was murderous.

"Peggy, I'm alright, just a little roughed up," he said to her softly. Despite the gravity of the situation, Daniel's heart lifted to see how deeply Peggy valued his life.

Peggy didn't look at him, her fists twisted into her skirt, "Who?" She choked through gritted teeth as she fought back the prickle of angry tears as they threatened to spill.

"I don't know, I had never seen them before, they broke in, roughed me up and left. I think it was a warning not to pursue the Whittaker case." he reached tentatively for her hand but she jerked it away from him, her head snapping up, eyes flashing dangerously.

She stood and glared at him blinking rapidly to hold back her tears. "What the HELL were you thinking letting them do this to you in your own home?!"

Daniel smarted at her words, incredulously rising to meet her anger, "LET them? Peggy you honestly think I stood there and LET them beat me to a pulp? Have you lost your mind?" He braced himself against the wall and stood up defensively. He seethed,"I may be a cripple but I'm not helpless!"

"Where was your GUN?" She yelled back, tears falling rapidly now, "They could have KILLED you. How do you think this feels for me? Finally meeting you for our first date after ages of waiting. And I would have walked in here to find…to find..." She shook visibly, unable to finish, her face suddenly showing a heartbreaking display of anguish.

Daniel's anger drained out of him, his heart pierced by her display of emotion.

"Peggy.." He whispered.

She ran to him and threw her arms around him, burying her face into his neck. He squeezed her tightly, curling his fingers into her hair. "I'm here, I'm alright," he whispered to her softly. She shuddered and choked back a sob muffled against his shoulder, "It would have been just like Steve…"

Suddenly it all clicked into place for Daniel. Her rage, her reaction, this had been a horrible case of deja vu for a woman who had already lost so much. For as strong as she was, she was vulnerable too. He felt a burning sense of resolve settling inside him. There weren't many areas in which Peggy Carter needed protection, but this was one of them.

He pulled away, forcing her to look at his face. "This wasn't like Steve. I'm alive, mostly in tact. You should see the other guys," he grinned, eliciting a laugh from Peggy that sounded more like a sob. He brushed tears from her face and smoothed her hair, hardly believing that he was allowed to.

"I can't promise you that nothing will ever happen to me. Our line of work is dangerous, and sometimes sacrifices have to be made." Peggy looked at him, her brown eyes completely unguarded and honest. Daniel felt like he was seeing into her soul, like he was holding something sacred. "But," he continued, "I promise that anyone who wants to take me out of this world will have a hell of a fight on their hands. Especially now." He looked down briefly, his expression resolved.

"Why especially now?" She asked, looking at him quizzically.

Daniel met her gaze, "Because now I have something to fight for."