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Angie stayed true to her word. She spent a few moments bickering with the customer, whom Peggy observed certainly did fancy her, before clocking out. Together they braved the dark streets of the city, making their way to the 'safe haven' known as the Griffith Hotel, all the while Angie forced to endure the merciless teasing of an amused, and possibly jealous Peggy Carter.
As was the custom, upon entering the Griffith, they received a chilling death stare from Mrs. Fry which escalated to an entirely new level as she spotted the rose in Angie's hand, the rose she hadn't put down the whole night.
"A new suitor Ms. Martinelli?"
Peggy coughed or squeaked, Angie couldn't really tell which, so loud it might have woken up the whole city. Mrs. Fry's eyes darted to her, startled, and confused while Angie gave her a pointed smile.
"Well Mrs. Fry, you could say that."
The old woman glared harder than before, harder than usual if that was even humanly possible. "Well be sure that this gentleman of yours treats you, and the Griffith with respect."
Her smile widened and she barely got the words out, enjoying the light pink that washed over Peggy. "Oh, there's no need to worry about that, he's a real sweetheart."
Mrs. Fry gave one last disapproving glance before walking away grumbling about young men, young women, and human existence in general. It was then that Angie laughed so hard she almost cried because Peggy still hadn't moved a muscle.
"You alright English, thought you might have had a heart attack or something."
"I'm quite fine, thank you." She let out an indignant sigh, straightened her jacket and made her way up the stairs trying to ignore the raucous laughter that followed her.
"You gotta admit that was pretty funny." Angie had caught up to her and she gave her the tiniest bump of the shoulder as they walked down the hallway.
Still recovering from the near fatal embarrassment she had just endured Peggy could only glare. "I will admit no such thing."
She shrugged, a smile still playing at her lips. "Suit yourself. I'll be in your room in a minute, I gotta get something special I saved for the occasion."
"You saved something for the moment I would tell you about my day?"
Angie frowned because it was obvious this momentous occasion deserved to be acknowledged. "We're finally bondin' Peg, course I had to save something.
Although I was afraid it might go bad before you decided to open up."
Just like that she was gone and back in a flash with a bottle of peach Schnapps and half of a rhubarb pie. She took glasses out of the cupboard, along with plates and cut them each a generous slice of pie. She filled the glasses with what she figured was enough to pull them both through the conversation to follow and then presented it to Peggy, smiling at the execution of it all.
"I do wonder how you manage to sneak these things up to your room at such a surprising frequency." Still she took the plate and drink without further questioning, sometimes it was better not to ask.
"Ya live and ya learn, but we're not here to talk about my stealth. The suspense is killin' me English, I've been waitin' a lifetime to hear about a day of yours."
Peggy laughed because it was truly amazing how sincere Angie could make something so absolutely absurd sound and she laughed because it was thrilling to have a friend like her.
"It's really more than just a day Angie. It's just, during the war I had a sense of purpose. Now, at the end of each day, I feel as if I'm no real use at all."
Angie nodded, sympathetic, she understood because after the war a lot of women seemed to be feeling that exact way. "The men came back and forgot we were able to run the place without 'em."
"Yes, exactly. Now that things are back to the way they were I feel like a chess piece of sorts, always being pushed here and there whether I want to be or not."
"A woman like you is worth more than that Peg." She pushed what remained of her pie away because the thought of Peggy being toyed with like that made her nauseous.
"But who's doin' the pushin?"
Peggy gave a sly smile at her undying quest to acquire the truth. It may get them both into trouble, but it certainly was admirable. "I'm afraid that information is classified."
"I didn't know things at the phone company got so top secret."
She chuckled at that, how strange it was that Angie was so close to being correct, so close to a truth she would never even know. "Oh it can be quite the scandalous operation."
Angie left her interrogating demeanor behind giving Peggy a little nudge "All I'm sayin' is, how can I help take care of you Miss Carter when I don't even know where to begin?"
Her smile faded as she hesitantly took Angie's hands in her own. "Angie, I saw people die in the war, people who tried to take care of me. In fact, the special people in my life have a way of getting hurt once they know the whole truth, that's why you can't."
"Well geez English, who woulda thought a gal like you would find someone like me special." She was biting down on her lip, hard. She meant it as a joke, but there was something to the way she said it that was too real.
Peggy didn't smile at the playful attempt, her eyes were sharp and her voice was firm. "I believe you are one of the most special young women I have ever met."
Angie took her hands back, folding them in her lap, watching as Peggy's eyes followed her curiously. Peggy Carter thought she was special and that certainly wasn't nothin'.
"That means a lot comin' from you Peg."
Angie's eyes betrayed her; they showed Peggy extreme listlessness, insecurity, and Peggy had to push. "Angie?"
She gave her a smile, one of those weak ones that have to fight to stay. "I got told a lot, well I still do, that I ain't worth much. I'm just happy someone disagrees."
It was almost animalistic the way Peggy came to attention, her whole body tensing, perfectly still, humming with the beginnings of rage.
"Who had said that to you?"
It almost scared Angie, almost gave her a glance at the other side of Peggy Carter, the way her demeanor changed so quickly. She laughed uneasily in a feeble attempt to break up the tension. "Easy there English, I'm a big girl. I can handle it."
Peggy did not relax, she leaned in then her head cocked to the side and she looked like a very determined, very anxious and very stricken puppy. "But you shouldn't have to handle it Angie."
Her confusion was endearing and her loyalty was admirable so Angie leaned in also, speaking softly, trying to explain. "There will always be things I have to handle Peg, but I understand. The way I am, well I'm just not everyone's cup of tea."
"What do you mean?" Peggy recognized Angie's tone, it was that undeniable desperation of trying to tell someone a deep, dark secret without really saying it, and Peggy cursed herself for not being able to put it all together.
"You're not the only one with things you aren't proud of English. Guess we both got secrets, huh?" She winked then, perhaps in camaraderie, perhaps to divert Peggy' attention. And then she stood, on seemingly shaky legs. "Look Peg, I'm real tired, but thank you, for talking to me and everything."
Peggy stood; she inspected the girl in front of her closely and then gave in and walked her to the door. How could she evade all of Angie's questions then attempt to force the truth out of her? Standing in the doorway, watching Angie begin to leave Peggy called out.
"Perhaps one day you'll tell me though Angie, I'd love to understand."
Angie looked back, her smile wide. It was the type of smile that struggles to hide a hand full of secrets and a history stained with pain, but is somehow still enjoying the ride.
"Wouldn't we all English, wouldn't we all?"