Peggy dreamt of Dottie that night, and Steve. At the same time. It was very questionable, and she woke up just as questionably turned on. She thought about it all day the next day, unable to shake it from her mind. Not that she was really complaining, it hadn't been awful, quite the opposite. Just maybe a little wrong, morally speaking.
"Hey, Peg, what're you starin' at?" Asked Howard, following Peggy's line of vision to a blank wall and noting her slight red smile. Peggy shook her head, blinking, coming out of her trance, and blushing, "S-sorry, I was-" she choked, and coughed a little bit, "I was miles away, what were you saying?" She asked, shifting in her seat slightly, her pretty face red as a tomato. Howard nodded, "Uh-huh. I was asking if you wouldn't mind depositing some of our profit at the bank for me today. I would do it myself but I gotta make myself look good for a meeting about an investment. Lady on the phone sounded real smooth." Peggy nodded, "Yeah sure." Then she frowned, "What investment?" Howard looked excited, "They wanna see about turning SHIELD into a franchise." He said, his eyes lit up. Peggy's jaw dropped, "What? Howard, weren't you going to tell me? What if I don't want to be franchised? Do I get a say in this?" Howard took her hands, "Peggy, think of all the things we could do! This could be great!" The Englishwoman stared in disbelief, "Bloody hell."
Now Dottie Underwood wasn't just a hustler of sorts. She liked to dip into bigger things too. Once she had a large number to her name, she tried her hand at investment. It was a gamble; but she had spent years amongst gamblers, as well as taking it on herself. So really, this wasn't much different to her. She had last invested in a new hotel-build, and it flourished. She received regular payments and sent some money home to her family anonymously - though they probably knew it was their eldest daughter who had left Russia. She was looking for a new place to improve, and she spoke to a few businesses here and there. None caught her attention properly. And that was when her thoughts turned to SHIELD. She had been there, she knew what the staff and the patrons were like. They were all happy to be there, and it was generally doing very well. Why not open more SHIELD bars around the rest of the city and produce the same result? She spoke to Howard over the phone after finding the contact number for the bar. He seemed very enthusiastic and would tell his partner as soon as she got back. Peggy Carter. Dottie firmly reminded herself that this had nothing to do with Peggy Carter, who only saw her as some lowlife thief. She did not want to do this help Peggy, she was doing this for herself. Thankfully, Howard alone would be attending the meeting, though maybe that wasn't the greatest thing either, given his affinity to women...oh and last night.
She brushed her blonde hair into smooth, soft waves and styled it accordingly before putting on a black pantsuit and picking up her bag and the briefcase containing last night's winnings. She would deposit it before attending her meeting.
"Deposit or withdrawal?" Asked the bank teller. "Deposit please." Said a familiar voice. Peggy's eyes widened slightly and she looked around, spotting the woman a few spaces down. Her eyelids lowered slightly in displeasure. Of course. Her ears seemed to be fine-tuned that that woman's voice. Dottie, sensing someone was looking at her, turned and stared at Peggy, whose face flushed red upon remembering her dream. She quickly looked away and finished what she was doing, and went to walk out quickly. Dottie followed, having, too, finished what she was doing. "Peggy." Dottie said, in way of greeting. Though it wasn't her usual excited breathy tone, it was more reserved today. Peggy wasn't entirely surprised, she had been rude last night. "You look smart." Said Peggy, not looking at her. "I'm meeting a man about an investment." She replied.
Peggy narrowed her eyes, was everyone attending meetings about investments today? She remembered what Howard said about the woman on the phone and she stopped in her tracks, Dottie nearly walking into the back of her. "It's you." Concluded Peggy, spinning to face her. She took a slight step back, having been unaware of how close Dottie was. She looked the blonde up and down properly. She looked very good in that suit. Dottie nodded, her demeanour cool, professional. "It's me." She responded, pretending not to notice the way Peggy was eyeing her up. She must have a thing for well dressed women, she thought. She looked at Peggy properly, "Why?" Peggy asked, meeting Dottie's gaze. "Why not? Your bar does well. I want it to do even better, in return for regular payment. That's how it works. Open more SHIELD bars around New York, franchise it, and-," Dottie clicked her fingers, "there we go." Peggy blinked, Dottie made it sound so easy. "What makes you think I want your money?" Peggy asked. "Listen, Peg, sweetie, this isn't about you." Dottie said, checking the time on her phone, "Anyway, I have somewhere to be. If you'll excuse me..." she said, making her way past Peggy, who watched her confident stride until she turned the corner. Peggy clenched and unclenched her fists, sometimes she wasn't sure if she wanted to punch Dottie, or kiss her, despite how wrong it was.
"Peg, you wouldn't believe who it was I spoke to on the phone. You know, I thought that cool tone was familiar." Said Howard, walking into their office above SHIELD looking a little flustered. Peggy looked up from the computer she had just been typing on, "Let me guess, that blonde hellhound Dottie Underwood?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. That gorgeous blonde hellhound Dottie Underwood, who had not escaped her thoughts all day. He paused, and nodded, "Uh, yeah actually." Peggy looked him up and down with slight distaste, as Howard straightened up his tie and tidied his hair, "And did you both get what you wanted?" Peggy asked bitterly, turning her attention back to her work. "Oh hey Peg, cmon, you don't like the woman anyway. I didn't think you'd be mad." Howard said apologetically. "You're a dog." Peggy replied simply, not looking at him. He approached her, "Peg...", he began. "Oh Howard will you just leave it alone! I don't give a damn." She snapped, glaring at him. He backed off with a nod, and Peggy felt bad. It wasn't as though she liked Dottie. Sure, she was insanely attractive and incredibly charming, but Peggy didn't like her. And she definitely was not jealous.
Dottie was quite satisfied with how the meeting went. Men were so easy to manipulate, she found. She would talk to realtors in the morning and see where she could open more bars, and get into contact with contractors to draw up building plans and so on. She checked her watch, time to go to her safe bar. She took off her jacket and hung it up in her wardrobe, before loosening a few buttons on her white shirt and rolling up the sleeves. She looked in mirror and fingered through her hair, ruffling it up at the top a little for volume. She liked to appear less business-like when going out. Her black heels were fine and were comfortable enough, so she kept those on, as well as the fitted pair of black trousers. Checking she had everything with her and that she looked fine, she headed out.
When she got there, she ordered drinks and sat down, observing the girls tonight. None took her fancy, so it would be a fairly quiet night for her unless she was approached. In that case she could have a little fun. "I hear the meeting went well." Said a southern English voice in her ear. Peggy moved around to the other side of the table and sat down opposite. Dottie looked down at her drink, and back at Peggy before nodding, because it had, she got what she wanted. "He would have said yes without the extra special treatment." Peggy told her, the statement cutting into Dottie slightly. "Well, it doesn't hurt to make sure." She replied, taking a drink, studying Peggy over the rim of the glass. Peggy pressed her lips together for a moment, which tonight were painted their usual red. Dottie thought they looked just tempting. "Does it matter?" Dottie asked her. Peggy looked her straight in the eye, "As it happens, it does. Howard is my friend, and I don't think you should screw him around for your own gain." She said matter-of-factly. "Well, that's one way of putting it, Peg. Howard didn't seem to mind one bit." Dottie retorted, interested by the conversation. Peggy was visibly frustrated, "Yes, well, he wouldn't. Obviously. But I'm asking you not to." Dottie's expression grew amused, which annoyed Peggy further, it seemed. "Is this still about Howard's feelings?" Dottie asked. Peggy stood up suddenly and walked out. Dottie drained her glass and got up, walking after the Englishwoman. Once out, she saw Peggy a few meters ahead, "Peggy?" Dottie called, frowning. Peggy ignored her and continued before turning off. Dottie followed her to where she had turned and her wrist was grabbed, pulling her into an alley.
Peggy threw her back against a wall, pinning her against it. Dottie was in awe, "Peg-?" Peggy interrupted her with a hard kiss, "You don't need to convince Howard anymore." She whispered when their lips parted. Dottie blinked, her blue eyes still surprisingly vibrant in the dark, "But I'm a good for nothing thief. Maybe I do." Dottie said. She heard a low growl escape from Peggy's throat and Peggy kissed her again with more ferocity in way of reply. Peggy had been jealous, Dottie felt it, and she was flattered. The blonde responded and they kept it up, hands wandering, lips grinding and tongues meeting, cheeks flushed and hearts racing. They quickly separated when they heard a whistle somewhere further from inside the alley, and two men stalked up to them. The women made faces of disgust at the same time. "What do we have here?" One asked.
Peggy rolled her eyes; cliché was an understatement. "Can we help you?" She asked, her tone annoyed, having been interrupted. "Sure can." Said one, brandishing a tire iron, looking them up and down. She heard Dottie sigh from beside her.
The men jumped at them and they both took on one each, Peggy throwing hers into the brick wall and punching him as hard as her fists would let her. Peggy had learned a lot from self defence classes about using her natural strength and using the objects around her to take her opponent down. Peggy heard Dottie disarm her guy when the tire iron hit the floor, and she looked over for a second before being punched in the face, momentarily pushing her back. But the man Peggy was fighting was already injured. Peggy was not, so she grabbed a nearby trash can lid and used it like a shield, bashing him with it before hitting him over the head and knocking him out cold. She spun around to see Dottie kicking hers, stretching out one leg and hooking her opponent in the jaw with the side of her heel before punching him and sending him to the ground. Peggy frisbied the trashcan lid to her and Dottie caught it happily, the pair of them listening to the crash as it hit his head. Another one down for the count. She tossed it aside, looking like she hadn't broken a sweat, though she was breathing hard, "Well that was fun." She concluded, somewhat pleased with herself. Peggy nodded, her breathing also somewhat erratic. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" They both asked in unison before pausing and laughing.
"Do you want some coffee or something?" Dottie asked once they were at Dottie's apartment. Peggy raised her eyebrows, "Coffee? That seems fairly innocent." Dottie shrugged, "I'm not all evil and sex appeal. A girl needs a break sometimes." Peggy smiled slightly, "Tea, please." Dottie nodded, she should have known, "Let me guess, you're one of those Earl Grey English girls." The blonde said, strolling into the kitchen area. "Are you surprised?" Peggy called, looking around the lounge as she sat down on the sofa. She heard Dottie chuckle a little before answering, "No." There seemed to be no photographs, or anything personal at all, really. She felt some sympathy towards Dottie, guessing it might be something to do with why she was the way she was. Dottie came in with a cup of tea for Peggy and none for herself, "Didn't you want anything?" Peggy asked. Dottie paused, seeming slightly embarrassed for a moment, something which came scarcely for her, "I only own one cup actually." Peggy's jaw dropped, "Dottie, why on earth-? Here!" She tried to give Dottie the cup so that she could have the tea instead. Dottie held up her hands, laughing a little, "It's alright, it's alright! I know to buy more kitchenware for the next time." Peggy set down her cup so that her drink had a chance to cool, "Right you do! I'll be checking to make sure." She said, looking at Dottie, whose expression had softened slightly at the indication Peggy would like to visit her more often. Dottie blinked and seemed to pay attention properly, "You're bruising." Said Dottie. Peggy touched her own face subconsciously, "Not surprised, I got socked in the face getting distracted by your martial arts!" She exclaimed, causing Dottie to smile again. Peggy was slightly scared by how it lit up the room the way it did, Dottie Underwood genuinely smiling was magnificent.
She averted her gaze, "So, do you have any family?" Peggy asked her, looking around again, "You don't seem to keep any photographs on display." Dottie stayed quiet, and Peggy turned her attention back to the other woman, who was staring at her feet. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me. You don't have to tell me." Said Peggy quickly, and apologetically. "I have two sisters, I'm the oldest." Offered Dottie, looking back up. Peggy smiled, "Ah, how old are they?" Dottie thought for a moment, "By now I think Kseniya is twenty-one, and Sofia is sixteen." She said. "Lovely names. Do you see them often?" Asked Peggy gently, guessing by the way Dottie had to think of their ages, that the answer was no. Dottie shook her head, "No. Not for years now. I send them money every month, though." She replied, her tone becoming rather sombre. Peggy nodded and decided it was time to change the subject. "What are your plans for SHIELD, anyway?" She asked. She felt better about Dottie, having learned she wasn't just conning people out of their money for her own benefit.
Dottie mentally clawed her way back to reality. Her mind had wandered off to her sisters. She forced a smile she was not quite ready to give and perked up her voice, "Well, Peg-" her voice cracked and she stopped. Oh god. She got up and excused herself, heading to the en-suite, Peggy looking on in shock. There, she let herself fall apart quietly. Something she hadn't done in months. Her parents, she did not care for, they had done nothing for her. But her sisters had been her whole life, aside from the constant studying and working to provide for them. And the fact that she had left them and had never returned haunted her each day and night. Dottie had sent no letters along with the money, and had given no phone calls. She couldn't do it. The blonde wiped her eyes and nose, letting out a shaky sigh. She felt guilty. And even now she wasn't doing things right, but perhaps beginning to put money towards legitimate small businesses was a start in the right direction. She had thought about building a girl's school in her hometown too, one which was free for families who could not afford other schools. Dottie did want to be good; the path she had taken had just not been the greatest. The Russian fixed up her appearance and walked out, bumping into Peggy who paused for a moment before a little awkwardly wrapping her arms around Dottie, shocking her slightly. Dottie chuckled weakly to herself, Peggy wasn't good at this either, but she found her effort endearing. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Said Peggy. Dottie relaxed and slowly hugged her back, "Don't be. It's just not something I ever get to talk about." She felt Peggy's arms tighten in response to this.
Peggy's phone began to ring in the other room and they reluctantly pulled away from each other as Peggy gave Dottie an apologetic look. Dottie acknowledged it, and watched Peggy dash off to go answer her phone. She let out another sigh, placing a neatly manicured hand on her forehead. She suddenly felt stupid for acting so soft. The last thing she needed was for Peggy to become some shoulder to cry on. She was Dottie Underwood for God's sake. She pulled herself together and headed into the lounge to hear Peggy say, "No, I'm not coming back tonight." Peggy turned around and found Dottie's cool blue eyes, and searched for some kind of approval. Dottie gave it to her with a confident smirk. "Yes well, I'm sure you can find it on your own. Goodnight Howard." Said Peggy, before tossing her mobile into her bag, having hung up. "I didn't have sex with him, you know." Dottie told her, grinning. Peggy's eyes widened for a moment before she smiled, "I just ruffled his feathers a little. He probably wasn't going to correct you though." Dottie said. Peggy approached her, "Well that certainly helps." She said, toying with the collar of Dottie's crisp white shirt. Dottie felt her heart begin to pound involuntarily, she was almost certain Peggy could hear it. "And you're not totally selfish with your earnings." She said, grinning. Dottie ran a knuckle down the side of Peggy's face which was bruised, watching the brunette wince ever so slightly, "Oh darling, you have no idea." She exhaled watching the way Peggy's breathing deepened.
They were taking the clothes off of each other in seconds flat, Dottie pushing Peggy down onto the sofa and pulling off the Engliswoman's pants. Peggy leaned forward and began unbuttoning Dottie's pants, kissing her stomach and moving further down as she unzipped them and slid them off, feeling Dottie's hand in her hair. Once she stepped out of her pants, she took back her hand and pressed it to Peggy's throat, pushing her toward the back of the sofa as she straddled her, both of them successfully stripped to their underwear. Dottie felt an arm around her waist, and Peggy flipped them so that Dottie was lying on the sofa, Peggy settled between her legs, kissing the blonde's long neck. Dottie let her head fall back, granting Peggy better access, and sighing as the other woman's hands drew further south, massaging and spreading her thighs. A pleasant sound escaped Dottie's lips when Peggy's hot tongue made it's way across her jaw line. She arched her back when it ran down her body.
Peggy, noting the slight surprised look on Dottie's face when she began to tug down her panties and pull them over and off her legs, Peggy smiled, "What can I say? I'm a giver." Dottie's eyelids fluttered shut and her head fell back against the arm of the chair, "I'm getting that." She sighed, her mouth falling open a little. Her hand found it's way back to Peggy's head and she pushed down, moving against Peggy's mouth a little.
Peggy shut her own eyes, her focus entirely on pleasuring the squirming woman beneath her. She felt Dottie jolt slightly when Peggy's tongue entered her before being followed by a pair of skilled fingers. "Oh...Peg...gy." Dottie moaned quietly, still moving with her. Peggy smiled a little, increasing pressure and speed; she definitely planned to turn up the volume as she went along.
The pair found themselves in the bedroom by the end of the night and were left a heated, tangled mess in the morning. Peggy woke up slowly, the side of Dottie's sleeping face resting on top of her rising and falling chest. Peggy took a deep breath as she came around and studied Dottie with a little smile before leaning back and shutting her eyes again. She heard a small noise escape the other woman as she shifted slightly in her sleep, and it caused a bigger smile to spread on Peggy's face. She moved her head a little so she could see Dottie better and she stroked her blonde hair. Dottie's breathing changed and she too came around slowly, moaning a little. Peggy felt arousal build again just feeling Dottie's naked body move against hers, but she tried to push it aside because she had never seen the other woman look so tranquil.
Dottie sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "You're still here?" She asked, her voice deep, having just woken up. Peggy frowned, "Of course." Dottie looked at her, sensing the offense she had caused and quickly held up a hand, "No no, sorry I didn't mean that. I'm just surprised is all. People are usually gone before I'm awake." Peggy got up and immediately began getting dressed. "Peg? Hey are you okay?" Dottie asked, her tone sounding a lot more concerned than she would have liked. She listened to the other woman brush her teeth and clean her face in the en-suite. She emerged looking fresh and just as desirable to Dottie. Peggy nodded, "I won't be long, stay put." She said, grabbing her bag and heading out. Dottie wrapped the blankets around herself, frowning, unsure of what had just happened. She fell back onto the bed, both arms over her eyes, a sigh passing her lips. Peggy Carter was a puzzle to work out sometimes.
Soon she heard Peggy come back in, plastic rustling, and some clattering in the kitchen. Dottie sat up again, she had fallen asleep. She headed into the en-suite and had a shower before cleaning her own teeth and drying off. She pulled on a silk robe and tied it up, leaving her hair damp and very curled due to it's getting wet. The smell of cooking hit her nose as she headed through the bedroom and into the kitchen. Dottie raised her eyebrows, genuinely surprised, Peggy was making them breakfast. "I bought some plates and things." Said Peggy over her shoulder as she plated up omelettes. Dottie didn't know what to say, it was incredibly kind of her. "Peggy...you didn't have to-," she began helplessly.
Peggy turned around, plates in her hand and took them over to the black dinning table, "Well I did. Sit down." Replied Peggy. "Tea? Coffee?" She asked. Dottie did as she said and took a seat, "Coffee, please." Peggy nodded and poured them both a drink, before bringing over sugar, a teaspoon and milk. Dottie added what she liked in her coffee and watched Peggy add hers before they both tucked in. "I like your hair like that." Said Peggy fondly, taking Dottie by surprise. "Thanks." She replied with a shy smile. They shared a short moment before continuing.
"Plans for today?" Asked Peggy. Dottie shrugged, "I was probably going to come bother you, but I guess I don't need to right now." She said, smirking. Peggy chuckled, "Well I have work tonight. Come visit the bar. Meet the staff. They should know what's going on with SHIELD." Dottie nodded, "I'll do that." They finished their breakfast and talked a while longer before Peggy got ready to leave, "Well I'm going home to go have a shower and change. I'll see you later. Stay out of trouble." She said, heading out of the door, Dottie holding it open for her. Dottie paused, "Thank you, Peg." She said eventually. Peggy's face lit up, "It was nothing. Bye-bye, lovely." She headed off and Dottie watched her, shaking her head with a small smile. It was much more than nothing.