This Prompt is from Noelanikitty, LONG overdue! Thank you for your patience and your ideas!

"My idea would be that in a kind of "alternate universe" Peggy and Daniel met before the first Captain America movie and also got engaged or married. And it just shows Peggy's reaction when Captain America returns with the soldiers he freed and Daniel is among them and they reunite. Also Cap doesn't know about them and still has a crush on Peggy."

Prologue

Peggy Carter stormed out of the officer's tent, once again unsuccessful at her attempt to convince them to go after the missing men of the 107th regiment. She kicked at the dusty road angrily, feeling utterly helpless to do anything to help them. Peggy sat herself down on the chair outside her tent, staring angrily at the ground. Carefully she pulled out a small diamond ring that hung on the end of a chain she kept hidden with her dog tags. She turned it back and forth so that it caught the light. Her chest tightened, and tears threatened, but she forced them away. Daniel, how will I ever save you now?

Looking up she caught sight of Captain Steve Rogers, sitting under a canopy looking as desolate as she felt. A spark of an idea lit behind her eyes. Putting her ring safely away, she went over to him. He was sketching in his notebook, a monkey wearing the Captain America uniform.

"Charming," Peggy said drily. Steve jumped and then blushed, looking at his work.

"Agent Carter. Didn't see you there."

"Is that supposed to be a self portrait?"

Steve held the drawing up next to his face, "You tell me. I think it's a pretty good likeness." He tossed the notebook onto the ground dejectedly and looked around the camp at the soldiers at work.

"I had hoped I would be doing more than this." Peggy looked at him thoughtfully.

"You were certainly created for more than this Captain. It's a crime the way they overlook you."

Steve looked up at her, her lips red against army green. His stomach flipped, "You think so?" Peggy smiled a small smile that only made Steve's butterflies worse, " I know so. The men of the 107th division need a super soldier. And that is exactly what you are. Tell me Steve, are you ready to serve your country?" As Steve looked at her he knew he would do anything she asked of him.

Peggy Carter paced back and forth along the edge of the woods at the edge of the camp. The General sat on the edge of his truck watching her with a severe expression.

"You are aware that you will be court martialed for this aren't you Agent Carter."

Peggy stared hard into the darkness of the forest, "Only if my plan fails sir."

"He isn't coming. We've been waiting for hours. Face it Carter, your military days are over."

Peggy was starting to feel sick. Not only had she lost her fiance to the Germans, but she had sent the country's most valuable asset to his death. Maybe she wasn't fit for service after all. She spoke forcefully into her walkie, "Captain Rogers come in!" She was met with static silence.

The General stood, "Look, this is a waste of my time. Come with me Carter, we need to make arrangements for your trip back to the states." He looked at her, but Peggy was still looking into the woods, "That's an order!"

"Sir… Look."

He strained his eyes to see what she was looking at. There, coming towards them, were the men of the 107th division. Leading the way was Captain Steve Rogers. Peggy's heart leapt at the sight of him. Steve saw her there waiting and grinned, running ahead to meet her. Catching sight of the General Steve stopped and snapped into a salute.

"Sir, I am prepared to take full responsibility for my actions. I made my decision alone, and I alone should pay for them. Sir, we have wounded that need tending."

The General eyed him, "At ease soldier." He pursed his lips, "And good work. We will see to the wounded." He turned to make the necessary preparations.

Peggy frantically eyed the soldiers coming up behind Steve, searching for Daniel. Feeling Steve's gaze on her she looked at him and gave him a strained smile, "See I told you. You were meant for more." Steve just nodded, taking in the sight of her.

"Captain, do you have First Lieutenant Sousa among your men?"

Steve looked at her strangely, taking in her white face and clenched hands, "I do." Peggy exhaled heavily and her eyes watered as she failed to hold back tears of relief.

"Where is he?" Peggy pushed past Steve looking about frantically. Steve caught up to her and stopped her, his hands on her shoulders, "Agent Carter wait. There's something you should know. He's in a bad way." Peggy stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

"Who is he to you?"

"What has happened Captain?!" Steve hesitated, "He took some lead in his leg, it doesn't look good."

Peggy seized Steve's hands, "Steve." Steve's heart did a flip, she had never used his first name before. "Please, will you take me to him? Discreetly? We've kept things quiet so they would let us be stationed here together. I need to see him." A single tear trailed down her cheek, and Steve felt his heart begin to break. He steeled himself, never the one to let a lady cry when he could help it.

"Of course. This way."

Steve led her her to the medical tent and down the rows of the injured. He stopped a medic, "Where can I find First Lieutenant Sousa?" The doctor motioned to a space at the end of the tent that was curtained off. Steve walked toward it, forcing Peggy to keep her pace even. It felt like years before they reached it, and Peggy slowly pulled aside the curtain. Daniel lay on the table being prepped for immediate surgery, his face as white as his pillow. He clenched the sheets of his bed in pain, tossing his head as he struggled to remain still for his doctors. One of them turned and saw her there, "Agent you cannot be in here right now."

Daniel looked up and saw her, his pale lips spreading into a brief smile before twisting into a grimace. "Peggy! Wait don't make her leave, please."

Peggy pushed past the doctors and went to him, Steve watching just behind her. She took his hand in hers, tears rolling freely down her face. Daniel reached up weakly and brushed them away, "I'm alright Peg. Just a small complication." Peggy smoothed his hair gently shaking her head, "Daniel you've been shot."

Daniel shrugged, "They say they have to take the leg, but I figure it's alright. I've got two." He tried to laugh, but both Peggy and Steve saw the fear in his eyes. Peggy took his face in her hands, "Daniel Sousa, we haven't come this far for nothing. When you wake I will be here." She kissed him, long and slow, her love for him clear. Steve's heart sank. Peggy spoke again, "I will always be here. We will get through this." Daniel nodded grimly as the doctors injected him with the drugs that would put him under. His eyelids drooped heavily, "Peg?"

"Yes Daniel?"

"I love you." Tenderly she kissed his forehead, "I love you too. Always." His head fell towards the pillow and Peggy put her hand over her mouth. The doctor put his hand on her shoulder, "Ma'am you really can't be in here. We need to work quickly." Peggy nodded, eyes wide, and turned to leave. She started when she saw Steve, all but forgotten in the doorway. She looked at him, her eyes welling with tears. He took her in his arms awkwardly.

"They're going to take his leg," she cried into Steve's chest. "I know Peggy. I know."

Embarrassed, Peggy pulled away. "I'm so sorry Captain, I assure you I don't often-"

"It's not a problem, I promise."

Peggy looked up at him meeting his eyes in a way that felt like torture to Steve, "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for everything you have done. How can I ever repay you?"

He thought about kissing her then, her eyes so bright and beautiful, luring him in. Instead he gave her a small smile. "No payment necessary ma'am. You helped me see my true calling as a soldier. I should be thanking you." In a surge of courage, he bent and quickly kissed her on the cheek, then turned and walked away.