Final chapter! Thanks for reading. I hope you liked my little story.


Chapter 3

When he finally awoke the next morning, Daniel Sousa had no idea where he was. For a guy who rarely spent the night on the town, this particular experience was very alarming. His memory was fuzzy, his head was aching something fierce and he was in a room that was too richly furnished to be his apartment. Was he dreaming? He blinked and slowly rubbed his eyes. Sitting up on the couch, he pulled off the quilt and tried to remember what exactly happened.

There were fireworks…a lot of them going off outside of his apartment. Just the thought alone made him uneasy. Then he remembered taking a taxi and looking for open restaurants, finally settling on the L&L Automat. Then there was drinking…a lot of drinking. Then somehow he remembered seeing Peggy Carter and that was it. Perhaps he had imagined all this but why was he here? He even imagined himself holding onto Peggy but that must have been a dream too.

Looking for his crutch, he tried to stand up. Using the couch as support, he hobbled around the room looking for anything to keep him up. Luckily, the crutch was leaning against the wall and Daniel carefully went to retrieve it. It was slow going but he managed to keep his balance, that is until a knock on the door and Peggy's face peering inside cautiously. "Daniel? Are you awake?"

Hearing her voice, he tripped and fell. Cursing to himself, he looked up and saw Peggy rushing to his side with concern in her eyes. "Oh! I didn't mean to startle you! I hope you are not hurt."

Daniel met her eyes and felt his cheeks heating up with embarrassment. "P-P-Peggy!" He stuttered out nervously. "What's going on? What are you doing here? Did we…I mean…did something happen last night? Where am I? I don't remember coming here."

"Stark's Penthouse." Peggy supplied, helping him up and handing him his crutch. "This is my home. I brought you here last night because you were incapacitated. The Automat was closing early for the holiday and you needed help, so I brought you home with me. I hope that's alright."

Slowly sitting back on the couch, Daniel rubbed his temples wearily. "I was drunk, you mean."

"Yes, but you were also not feeling very good last night." Peggy said, smiling softly. "It was no trouble. I just wanted to make sure you were safe. You seemed to feel better once we left the main part of the city. The farther away Central Park was, the more you seemed like yourself."

Daniel sighed. "Well, at least I didn't end up in the gutter this time. That's where I ended up last year when I wanted to drink to forget. Those damn fireworks…I don't know why I feel so vulnerable this time of year. I'm usually able to go on with my life. You must think I am an idiot for how I behaved. I feel like an idiot! I swear that I am normally better company to be around!"

Amused, Peggy handed him a glass of water and some Aspirin. "You're hardly an idiot Daniel."

"You're right," Daniel moaned. "I'm also a clumsy fool who can't hold his liquor whenever I want to forget something. I don't even want to imagine what I might have said to you last night!"

Peggy suppressed a giggle, watching as Daniel put his hands over his head in embarrassment. "What you said last night did not offend me Daniel. If anything, you were really sweet. I believe the words beautiful and smart crossed your lips. Now really, how could I be angry about that?"

Looking a bit hopeful, Daniel looked up and met her eyes. He smiled too.

"Well that's a relief. I don't know what to say other than…thanks? Thank you for saving my hide and putting up with the ravings of a drunken lunatic, who may or may not have embarrassed himself publicly once again. If Thompson found out about this fiasco…I doubt I would be working for the SSR for much longer. Can't have our good name tarnished so horrendously!"

"Oh, don't be ridiculous." Peggy snorted impatiently. "You are not the first soldier to suffer from Combat Fatigue. Now stop being so hard on yourself. If Chief Thompson even thinks about sacking you, he can have words with me. He may never admit it but I know he is a bit intimidated by me!"

Daniel chuckled. "Well, knocking him out cold is a good way to do that but honestly, Thompson had it coming. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face!"

At that, the two laughed even harder. Suddenly there was a knock and Angie stuck her head out and watched them with a knowing smile, "Well, aren't you two just adorable! Like something out of a fairytale!" She said sweetly. "How are you Danny boy? Feeling a bit better, I hope?"

Startled, Daniel looked from Peggy to Angie and looked confused. "Um yes…but who are you?"

Angie rushed right over and stuck her hand out, grinning broadly. "My name's Angie Martinelli, also known as English's best friend and roommate. You might remember me from that one night at the Griffith? I was her roommate then too! This is our new home. It sure is swanky, isn't it?"

Daniel paled, "No…wait…you're that crying girl? The one in Peggy's room…oh…no…I remember. That was you? I am so sorry. That whole fiasco got out of hand. I didn't realize that I cost you your home at the Griffith. Oh…Peggy, I'm so sorry and you've been so kind to me."

He looked so guilty, Peggy honestly felt sorry for him. She could see him beating himself up inside and looked to Angie for help. "Angie…Do you think you could whip us up some breakfast? I think we all need a little pick me up this morning. Yesterday was very eventful."

"I don't think I could eat…" Daniel groaned.

"Well, it will do you a load of good." Peggy said firmly, in her best no nonsense voice. "We have got just the thing for hangovers and right now, you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Honestly, we aren't cross at you. We're just ready to start the day right. Now come on, up and at 'em. Got your crutch? Alright, the kitchen's this way. Mr. Jarvis always keeps it well stocked."

Ushering him forward, the girls marched him to the kitchen where he was handed a cup of coffee and sitting down at the kitchen table. He took the steaming cup and watched them bemused as they ushered about their normal morning routine. Peggy fixed her tea and Angie started frying something in the pan. Soon the smell of bacon and eggs started wafting through the whole room. It felt like something out of a dream for Daniel.

How his horrible nightmare turned into this little fantasy was beyond his reasoning but before he knew it, he was having breakfast with Peggy Carter and her friend. He tried to stomach his food but he still felt sick to his stomach. Partially it was the hangover but it was also a bit of nerves. This setting felt very…domestic and he wasn't sure what to think. This was all becoming surreal. Especially, since he could tell that Peggy was watching him from across the table.

He wasn't a hundred percent sure she was watching him but every time he glanced in her direction, she quickly looked away or said something to Angie. Frowning in confusion, he picked at his breakfast, not noticing that they were talking to him. "Hmm…What? What was the question?"

"Are you doing something later today?" Angie repeated. "If you're not busy, you should stay. I know that Peggy doesn't have any plans. She was a real wet blanket yesterday and I think that both of you need to ease up and have some fun. Maybe you could take her to the Stork Club."

"Angie!" Peggy spluttered indignantly.

"Well you weren't going to ask him," Angie said slyly. "So I took initiative and asked for you."

"I don't need you to ask him for me!" Peggy shot back angrily. "I can perfectly well ask him out myself but Daniel is obviously recovering from a hangover and a rough night. Now you only made things more uncomfortable and I certainly don't need you taking charge of my social life!"

Daniel looked at the women in surprise. Unsure of how to respond, they were so busy arguing amongst themselves that Peggy actually forgot that Daniel was in the room for a moment. It was not until he coughed purposely that they looked up at him, startled out of their conversation.

"I-I wouldn't object to going out," Daniel said shyly "but…not tonight. I think I need a shower and few good hours sleep. I don't think I would make great company smelling like I do now."

Angie brightened immediately, "Alright, next Saturday then. Come by here at 8 pm and I will make sure English is all ready to go. In fact, I insist that you both go out and have a good time!"

Peggy looked down awkwardly and Daniel just smiled. They ate their breakfast quietly but after a taxi cab was called, Peggy decided to walk Daniel down the pathway, looking to make sure Angie didn't follow. They walked quietly but comfortably, enjoying the other's company. "I'm sorry about Angie," Peggy began. "She can be pushy. If you would prefer, we could just pretend that the whole hullabaloo never happened."

Daniel sighed, glancing at the cab that was waiting in the driveway. "This time yesterday I would have wanted to forget but honestly, these last few hours have been one of the best I've had in a long time. I…I care about you Pegs. My drinks offer still stands, that is… if you want to take it."

Peggy looked at him in surprise. "Really? I just thought...well you never brought it up again. I thought that maybe you had lost interest in me and that you changed your mind about going out. Do you really want to go?"

"Of course," Daniel said with a flirty wink "but perhaps I should stay far away from the liquor!"

Smiling, Peggy looked down shyly. "So it's a date then? That's good. I mean, after all that's happened…after all we've been through, I think we deserve this. We deserve to have a good time and to stop letting our pasts define our future. I really like you Daniel. Maybe it did come from waiting for the right partner but I think…I think Steve would have wanted me to move on with you."

The taxi was waiting for Daniel and the driver was honking impatiently but the he didn't notice. Daniel met her eyes for a moment, first giving her a hug that she responded to willingly but was surprised when he gave her a feather soft kiss. The kiss happened so quickly, Peggy was speechless but Daniel gave her a cheeky grin and was already climbing into the waiting cab. "So long Peggy!" He gave a wave and the taxi cab took off towards the distance.

Bemused and more than a little pleased Peggy began walking back into the house with a big smile on her face. At the door, Angie was waiting for her expectantly. "Alright, tell me everything!" She demanded. "Did you kiss him? Did he kiss you? Any plans to elope together?"

The young woman was bouncing on her toes excitedly. Peggy rolled her eyes, trying to look exasperated but she smiled a secret smile and shrugged, neither confirming nor denying her friend's inquiries. After all, she was a SSR agent and there were some things better left unsaid.