The car was large with two rows of three seats behind the driver and passenger and it hummed quietly as its headlights cut through the starless night. The silence was stifling and it was Jarvis who broke it with a question. "Where to Miss Carter?"

"The Griffith."

"The Griffith?" The shocked question came from Howard who had been relegated to the middle row much to his dismay as Peggy sat up front with Jarvis.

"Did I stutter Howard?" Her temper had become shorter than usual, her fuse was burning and it was only a matter of time before she blew.

"Well I like being there as much as the next man but how are upstanding young women going to help us?"

She shook her head at that, hadn't he realized by now that upstanding young women had the ability to change the world? He should have known better than most. "I have a feeling about one of them."

"What kind of feeling?"

"A Russian spy sort of feeling." It came out casually while the thought was anything but. Although the Griffith had been her home she was never off duty and she had come to observe that it was humanly impossible for any person to be as upstanding and spirited as Dottie Underwood. In fact that sort of attitude had to be instilled through specific and thorough training.

"Who just casually has a feeling like that?" Howard leaned forward to stare at Peggy in a wild sort of disbelief as he wondered if the stress was already getting to her.

"I suppose an American spy."

"Why would a Russian spy want to help us, help you?"

It was a reasonable question, one she had asked herself before and not been able to adequately answer. However in order to attain great rewards risks would have to be taken. Peggy simply saw Dottie Underwood as a risk that was absolutely necessary.

"I've been monitoring her. If she is indeed a spy she's not exactly with the Russians at the moment."

"She's defected?"

"She seems tired of government orders so perhaps she's open to other offers." She offered a shrug at his unconvinced glances, it would have to be enough for now.

"And if she's not a spy at all?"

She turned and gave him a startling smile in the dark, her voice heavy with the realization that should they fail she wouldn't have much else to lose. "I suppose it will be quite awkward then."

All he could do was nod and sit back in confusion. How she could so casually assume someone was a spy was beyond him, but then again she was the expert. It wasn't long before they pulled up to the Griffith, still glowing as a beacon of hope in the night.

Howard began to jump out of the car with far too much gusto before Peggy pushed him right back in closing the door tight. "You stay here. I'll handle this myself."

He had to frown at that; he was never one to miss out on possible female opportunity even in the face of adversity. Nonetheless he sat back down and began to badger Jarvis. It took a painstakingly long time but Peggy was able to sneak up through the back of the building and make her way to Dottie's door before knocking quietly.

"Peggy?" She had made no noise coming walking to, or opening the door and she looked far too awake to have been sleeping, far too alert for so late at night.

"You can drop the act Dottie." She said it frankly, she had no time for small talk nor did she enjoy it. She brushed past Dottie and into her room standing with arms crossed.

But Dottie was a professional, and she kept her positive demeanor. Her smile only grew painstakingly large, and that was her tell. "What do you mean by that?"

"I know you're a spy, most likely Russian, perhaps a trained assassin also. I've been watching you."

"Like what you see Agent Carter? I heard you were good, but I figured it was all talk. Guess not." Just like that she changed entirely. Her shoulders dropped as a sinful glint made its way into her eyes and her voice was biting. She looked relaxed, almost relieved at her cover being blown.

Peggy had to shrug at that, the Russians had her name and respected her abilities but the men in her own office still couldn't, unbelievable. "I have my moments."

Dottie pulled out a package of cigarettes lighting one quickly before leaning against the wall, staring right through the woman in front of her. "Are you here to arrest me, take me in for interrogation?"

"Well that depends."

That answer wasn't one she expected and she stood a little straighter, one eyebrow raised, interest piqued. "On what"

"I have a mission and I need assistance. Should you choose to accept it, you will remain free, albeit monitored." Although she needed the help and needed to tread lightly it was plain to see Dottie was the type that needed to be dominated, and from the start she would have to know Peggy was in charge.

"You're just going to trust little old me?" As the words came out her smile slowly but surely widened and her unbridled glee was anxiety inducing.

"No, I'm going to watch you and should you attempt to deceive me I will kill you." She said it and it was cold, emotionless, it was just business, and she meant it to stay that way.

It only took a moment of thought before Dottie had her jacket in hand and a cat like smile on her face. "Sounds like a fun weekend."

The answer caught Peggy off guard and with furrowed brows she tried to figure out the assassin's play. "That's it, that's all the convincing you needed?"

She shrugged quickly before brushing past Peggy to gather a few of her belongings. "All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl after all."

The way she said it made Peggy want to forget she needed her help entirely and just strangle her right then and there on the spot. But she couldn't, she had to be smart. Instead she opted for a shake of the head before opening the door.

"So what exactly is this mission?" It was a hushed whisper as they made their way through the darkened halls.

"A rescue."

"Of what?" The way Peggy flinched at the question, the locking of her jaw, the sparks in her eyes were the only tells Dottie needed. "Or who?"

"Does it matter?" It came out tightly, clipped, Peggy had given more of herself than she intended and she hated herself for it.

"Does to me." When silence was all that met her Dottie stopped in place arms crossed and waiting. Peggy rolled her eyes at what was essentially the female Howard Stark.

"Angie Martinelli, Apartment 3C, she's been taken, along with some of Howard Stark's inventions." She tried to say it mechanically, like she would with any other covert mission. She almost did it, it was almost completely professional except for the crack in her voice at the very end.

"Ah so we're rescuing you're girlfriend?" It rolled right off her tongue as she began to walk again, a sly grin on her face.

"How-?"

"You're not exactly subtle, English." She hissed it and the nickname had none of its usual adoration or spirit and Peggy wanted to smack her right then and there but instead she grabbed the railing hard and walked down the stairs to the front of the building.

"What are you doing?"

"There's someone else here who can help us."

Once they made their way to the lobby they found Mrs. Fry standing on watch, papers strew on her desk and even Dottie was surprised by this move, one she certainly hadn't predicted. "You're recruiting the warden for your little team of avengers?"

Peggy refused to even dignify her with an answer before proceeding forward and Dottie let out a quiet sigh trailing after her, arms folded as they approached the desk just in time to see Mrs. Fry look up, reprimanding.

"Miss Carter if you are here to beg for another chance to reside at the Griffith I am sorry to inform you that my decision was absolutely final."

Dottie slapped a hand down on the desk. "Don't get your panties in a twist grandma she's not here for that." Mrs. Fry was taken aback at the young woman's change of demeanor and Peggy shot her a disapproving glare but she just smiled back, delighted.

Peggy stood tall, hands clasped in front of her just like she had during her initial interview to live at the Griffith. It seemed like ages ago. "You have keen observational skills, far superior to the average person. Your interrogation and interpretational skills are impeccable, you've had agents in the family?"

The statement as a whole seemed to shock Mrs. Fry further and also made her wary but she answered nonetheless, with a quiet gravity. "Yes my father was an agent, he taught me what I know now but-"

The admission was all Peggy needed to be sure, her wild hunch had been right and she could move ahead to the pleading stage. "I need your help Mrs. Fry."

"What in the world have you gotten yourself into Miss Carter?" Her plea was just genuine, just desperate enough to truly worry the older woman.

"It will take time to explain, but Angie's been kidnapped, along with inventions that could harm many people." Peggy cursed herself for the way her voice wavered when she said Angie's name and the pause she had to take.

"Angie Martinelli's been taken?" The care Mrs. Fry held for every woman who had ever resided at the Griffith, especially one as spirited as Angie was etched onto her face. "How can I help?"

Despite the situation Peggy had to smile. It was the middle of the night, the woman was caught off guard by people she didn't even truly know, but she cared, she truly did. "I need the greatest minds in the city to help track her down, and you're one of the best I know."

Dottie's impish grin returned and she laid a hand over her heart. "I never knew I was so special."

Peggy and Mrs. Fry simultaneously shot her a glare before the determined young woman looked to her elder with one last plea. "Please."

"I'll do all I can." She said it with conviction and she truly meant it. It took a moment for her to call someone to watch over the Griffith, because she wouldn't let those women down either, and then they were off into the night.

Mrs. Fry sat up front conversing with Jarvis about tea, linens, and what in the world was going on. Howard sat in the far back with Dottie laying his 'charm' on thick. That was her punishment for being so exuberant about the whole ordeal. She played him like a fiddle and manipulated his advances; Howard Stark was a good ally to have after all. Peggy sat in the middle row cursing the people behind her and admiring those in front.

"Anywhere else?" Jarvis asked and they all looked to Peggy for the answer, as they would for the rest of their time together.

"One more stop."

Using Peggy's directions they pulled up to a tiny apartment and Peggy left them all to bicker in the car, wondering if shackles would have been more appropriate for Dottie as she walked up the steps to the door.

It was late and the knock must have been loud because Agent Sousa opened the door roughly with gun in hand, looking disheveled and tired as ever.

"Agent Carter?" He lowered his gun slowly and stared at her in his signature endearing yet admirable confusion.

"I'll be brief Agent Sousa. It's late, I know, but I need your assistance. It is of the utmost importance."

He rubbed at his eyes trying to brush away exhaustion that seemed to run in his blood before looking to the car in the driveway. Seeing the motley crew Peggy had acquired only troubled him further.

"What's wrong?"

His honest and loving concern made her heart heavy, it made her want to cry and laugh all at once. He was such a tender man. "Someone has broken into Howard Stark's personal vault, stolen his inventions, and kidnapped a young woman."

As soon as she said Howard's name his eyes light up and he made the connection immediately. "It must be-"

"Connected with the recent murders, yes."

He opened the door wider inviting her into his cramped living quarters. He brought his work home that was plain to see in the papers on the walls and tables, all open case files being worked on. "We should bring this to the SSR Peggy"

She knew he would want to, he liked to play things by the book. She put a steadying hand on his shoulder and looked him right in the eye because he had to understand. "There's no time for that Daniel, we need to act, and I need your help."

Her hand sent a fire burning throughout his shoulder and down his arm. He stared at her for what could have been five minutes and he had never seen such anxiety, such anguish in those heartwarming eyes.

Then he smiled, he smiled at her and she thought things might just be all right. "Just give me a minute."

He got dressed in record time, one of the many skills a soldier keeps for life. He gathered his belongings in his briefcase before grabbing his crutch and following Peggy to the car. Sousa and Peggy sat together in the middle row with Howard and Dottie behind wreaking havoc and Mrs. Fry and Jarvis in front fretting together.

Dottie gave a swift kick to the back of Peggy's seat to grab her attention and aggravate her further. "How come he gets to sit in the front with you?"

Sousa took a moment to adjust to his surroundings, turning to first glare at Howard before his eyes landed on the one who had asked the question. "Who's she?"

"Dottie, a somewhat former Russian spy and assassin. You know Howard. Up front is Jarvis his assistant and Mrs. Fry, you may know her as the keeper of the Griffith. They are here to help."

Dottie's gaze almost devoured the man whole and she stuck out an eager hand "Nice to meet you."

He looked at Peggy doubtful to say the least and all she could do was offer a reassuring nod. He would have to trust her for now, they all would. The drive from then on was silent until they had to get out of the car during which toes were stepped on, insults exchanged and punches almost thrown.

Peggy herded them all into a meeting room supplying each of them with case files on the murders, background on Stark and his inventions and Angie's slim file.

Peggy sat at the head of the table with one of Angie's picture in her hand and she traced over every curve of her face with a shaky finger, curves she had once been able to kiss. Jarvis brought in coffee that would be needed to keep them awake through the night.

She put the photo down gently and turned it over, she couldn't stand Angie's whirlwind eyes staring back at her. "First thing's first Howard, what exactly has been stolen?"

"I had so many different things in there I couldn't really tell you, but it's nothing good."

"You don't keep records of your most dangerous inventions?" Mrs. Fry was giving him her most potent death stare and judging him to hell and back with a final verdict of disapproval. She had heard of his playboy ways, which certainly didn't help his case.

"Men are such fools." Dottie leaned back in her chair laying her feet on the table as she lightly flipped through the case files, all the while Mrs. Fry nodded in agreement, putting on her glasses to read over the papers herself.

Howard had a venomous retort ready but it wasn't the time or the place so he settled for a sigh and crossing of the arms, he was a mad genius after all, organization was not to always be expected.

Peggy turned to the young Russian and watched as her scathing eyes roamed over the picture of Angie, seeming to stop on every feature. The way Dottie looked at that picture made Peggy weary and so she interrupted with a question.

"The murders, Dottie, do you know anything about them?"

"Sanctioned by a secret subdivision of the Russian government. Code name Leviathan. I was recruited for the missions, but I was busy those weekends and decided to opt out." She recited it almost mechanically never looking up from the files in front of her as she scrutinized the subpar investigative work.

The night continued to amaze Sousa and he looked simply astounded at how casually she admitted it all, Peggy must have promised her safety, which was far too much. "Well what do they want?"

She set the files down and laid her hands flat on the wooden table, cutting eyes staring right through him. "What do they want? They want to make America pay. I imagine Stark's big bad inventions can help with that."

"Jesus Christ." Sousa dropped the papers he was holding and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes, wondering what he had gotten himself into.

"How much do you know about the group?" The questions was foolish. Peggy knew it couldn't be much, but she was desperate, and she was prepared to cling to any straw of hope.

She shrugged with a genuine detachment. "Not much. Once I denied the request I wasn't exactly a favorite. I had to lay low, that's what brought me to the Griffith." She shot an playful grin to Mrs. Fry who only scowled at allowing herself to be deceived.

"But why take Angie? She wouldn't have known they were here. It didn't seem as if she interfered. Why specifically take her." She didn't want to ask it because the answer, the answer she already found and buried deep inside her was terrifying. She didn't want to hear it said out loud, because then it was a reality she would have to accept.

Sousa's face twisted as he thought over the question and then he looked down right disturbed. He turned to Howard and his question was urgent. "Were your inventions, serums, were they labeled at all?"

Howard took a moment to furrow his brows and think it over but really he knew the answer right away, labels and organization were never his strong suits. "Well ah, no, not exactly."

"Oh no." Mrs. Fry must have known exactly what Sousa had in mind because the answer forced her lips into a thin line and her eyes closed for a painful moment.

Of course Dottie understood and her eyes lit up with unprecedented mirth as if Christmas morning had come early, her words danced around the room like wildfire, taunting. "She's a test subject."

"No." There it was. She had thought of it before, deep down she knew it was reasonable but hearing it made it real and it cut through her like a knife. Her stomach flipped and she was nauseous.

"Of course. You can't wreak havoc if you don't know your tools." Sousa said it mechanically, fitting the pieces together but as he watched Peggy practically turn green he gave her an apologetic smile.

Howard could only slink deeper down in his chair wishing to disappear as Dottie shook her head grabbing one of the muffins Jarvis had set down in the middle of the table.

She took a rather large bite of the muffin and followed it with a swig of coffee before talking around the food in her mouth. "Have to admit, Russians think of everything. A test subject and a way to torture our little Peggy, make her reckless, it's ingenious."

Peggy wanted to smother her right then and there because she was probably right, and it was ingenious, it was sick and twisted and clever. The picture of Angie looked back up at her bright eyes suddenly begging, pleading to be saved and she had to shudder at the thought of all the things they could be doing to her, the torture.

"We'll find her Peggy." It was Sousa who broke the silence and put a cautious, reassuring hand on her arm. As she looked around the table Howard, Jarvis, and Mrs. Fry were all nodding in agreement. The weight of Angie's world had been distributed on all of their shoulders and they felt it.

Dottie glanced around not necessarily sharing the somber sentiment. Her laugh was almost manic and she looked far too excited. "Oh we'll find her or we'll all die trying."