A very small part, Daniel amended to himself later. Peggy was all business as they planned how they were going to break Dottie Underwood out of her cell. The two of them spent all morning and into the afternoon crouched low over sketches and maps of the jail, bickering constantly. Daniel had reserved the right as Chief to veto any plan that he thought was too reckless, and reckless was all Peggy seemed able to think of.
"We can't let Dottie have access to a weapon, which means if you're the one to go in there-"
"Not IF Daniel, I'm the only one who she will listen to."
"Fine, WHEN you go in, you can't be armed."
Peggy bristled, "I can't believe you think she will disarm me!"
Daniel blatantly rolled his eyes and leaned forward pointedly, "So you're telling me that if Dottie decides, 'Hey, I think I'll kick Peggy in that suspicious looking red spot on her blouse.' That you'll be completely capable of resisting being disarmed and whatever else Dottie has in store for you?"
Peggy looked down at her shirt to find that there was indeed a bloodstain blooming slowly across her blouse. Drat. Another outfit ruined.
Just then Jarvis poked his head into the lab. "I don't mean to interrupt a good row between friends," he began pointedly, "But I would highly recommend taking a break for a late lunch." He eyed Chief Sousa's rumpled clothing with a hint of judgment, "and perhaps a bath…"
Daniel flattened his hair self consciously, glaring at Jarvis. "Lunch sounds good, I'm suddenly starving."
Peggy nodded and reluctantly stacked the papers in a neat pile before following Jarvis slowly into the large kitchen. Daniel walked next to her, for once not struggling to keep up.
"Jarvis, have you seen Jason today?" Peggy asked as she lowered herself to a chair at the kitchen table. On it lay a plate of sandwiches cut into neat triangles, a crystal jug of iced tea, and a cake. Jarvis had been busy.
"I have actually; he and Ana have been working on his containment device sketches since early this morning. They are making real progress I must say."
Peggy shifted in her chair gingerly, "I should stop by after this and update him on the plan."
Daniel sat down next to her and grabbed a sandwich, "The plan which is not yet finalized," he said pointedly.
Peggy rolled her eyes, nibbling on her food without much appetite. The pain eating caused her made the pleasure of it hardly worth doing. Daniel noticed but didn't say anything. He had lectured her enough for one day already.
Peggy stared out at the sun filled yard through the window seeming lost in thought.
"What if my weapon isn't a gun?"
Daniel stared at her with his mouth stuffed with sandwich, "Seriuffly? Can't you jufft take a break?"
"Hear me out Daniel, I have this tool that I've used before, it's… well, it's a lipstick."
Daniel swallowed, "Are you messing with me or what? It may work on men Peg, but Dottie won't care about your lipstick."
Peggy rewarded him with a withering look. "No," she began in a tone that suggested his idiocy, "this is special, when it contacts the mouth of my, well victim I suppose, it causes them to pass out for a few minutes."
Daniel snorted. Pretty sure it's not the lipstick Peg
"I assure you it's quite effective," Jarvis said pouring Peggy some iced tea. Daniel's smirk fell off his face.
"Wait, you used it on-"
"Oh for heaven's sake no!" Peggy exclaimed as Jarvis ducked his head and retreated to the sink, suddenly fighting a catch in his throat that only a coughing fit could clear. Daniel breathed a little easier. Seeing she was serious he propped his elbows on the table, silently inviting her to continue.
She adopted a matter-of-fact tone to cover her embarrassment, "It's simple, I go in disguised as we discussed, convince her to break out using the magnets and then use Sweet Dreams to… convince the guards to let me confiscate their weapons so Dottie doesn't take them."
Daniel noted the flush on her cheeks with amusement, so this is how she had been able to obtain so much information before, through the use of her powers of feminine persuasion. Daniel tucked his chin behind his hand, trying to hold back a laugh that was building. This was a side of "Ms. Always Proper Peggy" that he had never seen before, although if he were honest, it didn't really surprise him.
"Oh come off it Daniel!"
"I'm sorry I'm just trying to imagine this! Peggy Carter kissing prison guards," his laugh was full and genuine.
"Well don't imagine it. It works, that's all you need to know."
"Oh I'm sure it does. They probably never see you coming," he shook his head, still smiling, "Devastating."
Peggy had assumed a haughty stare that was meant to display her indifference to his amusement, but Daniel saw cracks in her armor.
"On the upside," Daniel began with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "At least we know Dottie won't be able to use it on you." He chuckled and took a drink of his iced tea.
"Didn't stop her before," Peggy said archly into her glass.
To Mr. Jarvis's immense displeasure, Daniel's tea was suddenly sprayed explosively across the table. It was Peggy's turn to laugh.
After lunch, Daniel left to collect the tools they would need from Dr. Samberly. "Take Rose with you!" Peggy called after him. They would meet up to go over the plan once more before heading out. Peggy headed to where Dr. Wilkes and Ana were working.
She poked her head into the room, Jason was looking over Ana's shoulder, directing her as best he could on how the sketch should look. Ana's hand moved furiously over the page in short strokes, capturing his words perfectly on paper.
"Hello! How is it going in here?"
Jason looked up and seeing her, broke into a luminous smile.
Ana finished her sketch and looked up, "Ms. Carter! We are doing well, Dr. Wilkes has quite the mind for design." She smiled up at him.
Jason ducked his head at the praise, "Ana has been invaluable to me. She gets everything just right."
"I'm so glad to hear it," Peggy said warmly, "I just stopped by to update you on the plan."
"Is Mr. Jarvis in the kitchen now?" Ana inquired.
"Yes he was when I left."
"I just remembered, I need to speak with him. Dr. Wilkes will you be alright for a few minutes? I'll be back to help in just a little while."
"Of course! We could both use a break I think." Ana smiled and headed out the door.
Peggy came and sat down on a chair near Jason.
"How are you feeling today?" he asked her with concern.
"Oh a little worse for wear, but nothing too bad. And you? How are you faring after last night?"
"I'm a little rattled, I'll be honest, but the work takes my mind off it. Peggy, I'm sorry about how I spoke to you last night. I know you were just trying to help me."
"There's no need Jason, my behavior wasn't of the highest caliber either. It had been a trying day for both of us."
He smiled at her, "So we're ok?"
"Of course we are," she replied kindly, his concern warming her. They smiled at each other for a moment, neither knowing what to say.
"Yes, well, the plan. Chief Sousa and I have come to an agreement on how we should proceed to procure some Zero Matter for you. It's a bit tricky I'm afraid, but we have but precautions in place. The first part of the plan is to take place," she checked her watch, "in about an hour."
As Peggy filled him in on what they intended to do, Jason's face became grave. He listened silently until she was finished and for a few seconds after he stared at his sketches, not saying a word.
"Well?" Peggy asked, trying to make him look at her, "What do you think?
Jason began cautiously, "I just want you to consider one thing."
Peggy frowned, trying to understand the reason for his silence, "Alright. What is it?"
"You are taking a huge risk. You are risking your life potentially, and the lives of other people should Dottie escape. Our friendship aside, is my life really worth that possibility?" Jason met her eyes steadfastly.
Peggy shifted in her chair before answering. "Jason, you are an integral part to the solving of this case. We can't afford to have you disappear to who knows where. We need you here."
Jason shook his head, "You will find another way to solve the case, I'm just not comfortable with-"
"Well I'm not comfortable leaving you to face whatever force is behind Zero Matter alone. I'm not comfortable with you disappearing without a trace into the darkness and pain of Zero Matter. I have no choice Jason, I have to take this risk. I know Dottie better than anyone, I can handle her."
Jason looked at her, his eyes soulful, "Are you certain about this?"
Peggy nodded, "Jason, I couldn't forgive myself if I let you die without even trying to help you. I just couldn't do it."
Jason saw her distress and moved closer, feeling once again frustrated that he couldn't take her hand. Instead, he lay his hand over where hers rested on the table. Peggy looked at their hands, his disappearing through hers, and smiled sadly.
"We will get you taken care of Jason."
"I have faith in you Peggy."
I had way too much fun with this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
DC