Good news: As promised I'll be updating in chunks. I'm uploading like three chapters today, the third one will be a bit longer than the first two, and hopefully depending on my schedule this week I may be able to update again later in the week! These next few chapters are just so you know the characters a bit better. I tried to kept it as close to S1 and Captain America the movie! Enjoy :)
Chapter 21: In Honor of Steve Rogers
Peggy sipped her tea which was accompanied by her breakfast.
There was something calming about drinking tea, and she needed it dearly. For the past hour she had been replaying different scenarios in her head of the outcome to telling Howard about her dating Jack. Out of the twenty different scenarios they all ended with:
"Peggy, I expected better from you, imagine what Steve would think!"
Her pink lips pursed, Jack had a point yesterday, whether she liked to admit it or not, she deeply did care about Howard's opinion. After all, the last man she cared for was Captain America, and in Howard's eyes, one can't really get any better than that.
Peggy didn't mention it to Jack yesterday but perhaps that's also an additional reason she was so hesitant about Howard knowing.
Steve.
She sighed, she always wondered if a day would go by without her thinking about her star-bangled crusader. She was getting better at it, especially when she was around Jack. In all honesty she wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or bad?
She remembered back when it was two months after Steve's death, she'd wake up every morning in tears. Awoken from losing Steve, over and over again…
Peggy was in her bed. Fetal position, drapes drawn to block the morning's light, her door shut so that her roommate didn't bother her. She hated the questions, the awkward stares, the polite smiles of sympathy—Peggy almost felt like a widow.
Knock Knock Knock
Peggy shifted in her bed so she was on her back before staring at the door to her left. What did Colleen want now? She could hear there was another person with Colleen…the person sound familiar.
"She's probably sleeping, I should go."
"No, stay Mr. Stark, its so nice that you've been stopping by these past weeks."
"How is she holding up? Any better than before?"
"She doesn't eat, she barely sleeps, it worries me Mr. Stark."
"She lost the love of her life. One doesn't come back from that easily."
Peggy let out a sigh and sat up in her bed, there it was again, the pity, the worry. On her beside was a picture of Steve Rogers. She held it close to her, the black and white picture didn't do him justice, it didn't show his warm blue eyes, his dazzling smile that could melt you where you stood.
"Maybe you should talk to her Mr. Stark."
"I just came to see if she was ok. I didn't come to actually see her."
"I haven't known her as long as you and she needs to start eating properly again. If theres anyone who will listen, maybe its you."
"Fine, I'll try."
Knock knock knock.
She wasn't sure what was worse, mourning or having to deal with the aftermath of people not knowing what to do with her. No one could see her like this. Steve wouldn't have wanted her moping around like a sad reject.
Peggy set the picture of Steve down, wiping the tears from her eyes before going to open the door.
Knock knock knock.
She took a deep breath, and opened the door, to see Howard and Colleen.
Colleen sent her a nervous smile, "I'll leave for you two to talk."
"Morning beautiful." Howard greeted with a wide smile.
Peggy frowned, "Howard. The fact you're trying flirt with me still is simply tasteless."
"I was making a joke." He replied with a harmless shrug.
"You should stick to being a scientist, you aren't funny enough to be a comedian." She replied dryly.
Howard whistled, "Tough crowd."
She stepped aside to let Howard into her room knowing he wouldn't leave unless she physically forced him out.She had noticed Howard observing her bedroom, silently nodding as though he were her doctor searching for symptoms of a disease.
"Impressed?" She asked in a sardonic tone.
"You miss him, I get it but does everything have to be doom and gloom with you? You just keep yourself shut in your room in the dark, not talking to your friends, not eating, it's almost like you're the one thats dead."
She ignored his remark and sat on her bed, hoping he'd get the message and leave. Instead he started to undraw the curtains and swing the windows open. She shielded her eyes with her hand from the light pouring into the room. Howard took a cigarette pack from his pocket before taking out a gold plated lighter.
She scoffed, of course his lighter was pure gold, the man had too much money on his hands. She watched as he balanced the cigarette nimbly between his lips before lighting the cigarette.
"Want one?"
"No thank you." She said primly.
Steve was never a fan of smoking.
He let out a laugh, "Remember how Steve would always talked everyone's ear off about the hazardous dangers of smoking."
"Why else do you think I stopped?" Peggy muttered.
Howard shook his head before letting a puff out the window, "He hated seeing us take our smoke breaks."
Why did Howard keep talking about Steve? Didn't it hurt him? Remembering? Dwelling on what was?
"I miss him too you know." He said softly, tapping the ashes out the window.
"If you're done making my room smell like ashes, you should leave." She warned with a poignant glare. Steve was the only reason she could only tolerate Howard for so long. After all, the reality of it was that during the war, Howard and her were nothing more than co workers.
"I'm not leaving."
"Why so you can get into my pants?"
"That wouldn't be the end of the world you know," Howard said with a smirk.
Peggy frowned in disgust.
Howard sat next to her, "I'm joking again, if we're going to be friends you're going to have to get used to that."
Peggy scoffed, "That was a terrible joke."
"Ah!" Howard said with a triumphant smirk, "That scoff counts as a laugh, see, I'm not as bad as you think."
She rolled her eyes, "Why do you bother to check up on me? I overheard you and Collen, you've been visiting for weeks."
"Steve made me to promise to take care of you, so thats what I'm doing."
"I don't need a man, a irresponsible, flirtatious billionaire for that matter, taking care of me. I can do fine just on my own."
"Agreed. But I think you need a friend. Someone to talk to. Someone that understands what you're going through."
"You're just saying that so I can sleep with you."
"Look, I need a friend too." Howard said holding up his cigarette, "I only smoke when I'm stressed. And I haven't stopped since…"
"He died." Peggy finished before a tear dropped from her eyes.
Howard put a hand on her shoulder, "He wouldn't want to see you like this, locked up, not eating, avoiding everything."
She wiped the stray tear from her eyes and sniffled. As annoying as Howard was, he was right.
She opened her palm, "Hand me your lighter."
He furrowed his brows, "Why?"
"Just like you said, Steve wouldn't want to see you like this." She said with a small smile, "Since we're friends now, its my job to make sure you're well too. I'll start eating, if you stop smoking. Deal?"
Howard laughed, "Thats not fair."
"Steve died, that wasn't fair. We owe that to him."
"So what you're saying is, we'll be like accountability buddies. If I ever have the urge to smoke, or if I ever want to talk I have you to talk to and if you ever want to talk about Steve, love, or anything…you'll come talk to me?"
Peggy nodded with one hand up, "Maiden's honor."
Howard handed her his gold plated lighter, "Damn you Steve Rogers."
Peggy smiled, even in death Steve still had an effect on them.
"Random question, can accountability buddies date?" Howard asked tapping his chin.
And for the first time in a while she let out a genuine laugh, "The key word is buddies Howard."
"Ms Carter? Ms Carter?"
Peggy blinked, it was Mr. Jarvis, "I'm sorry what?"
"I was asking if you wanted more tea." Jarvis held up a teapot.
"Yes please." Peggy said holding her tea cup. While she hated it when Jarvis served her, she knew stopping him was no use. I'm not being paid generously for nothing, he'd always tell her. She looked at the clock at the far side of the room, it was 9 o clock and Howard still hadn't come to the table for breakfast.
"Where's Angie? We usually eat breakfast together." She asked before taking a sip from the hot batch that Jarvis had just poured for her.
Jarvis cleared his throat, "I believe Ms. Martinelli already ate breakfast, she had a last minute rehearsal she had to attend to."
"What about Howard?"
"He's been really busy these past few days, perhaps he's just forgotten to eat." Jarvis replied, but there was an odd quality to his voice. It was a tone he used whenever he wasn't being entirely truthful.
What truth would Jarvis be hiding from her, Peggy thought, Howard never skipped breakfast…unless…
He's with his mystery woman.
"Of course." Peggy said aloud, "Howard told you not to tell me about his mystery woman. Didn't he?"
"Perhaps." Jarvis uttered with purse lips, starting to take the plates away from the table.
She set her teacup down, "Well. On with it, who is she?"
"I'm not permitted to say Ms. Carter."
"I'm surprised he hasn't moved on to someone else." She said, skeptically, Howard was known for his rendezvous with women, the man had the emotional attention span of a butterfly.
Jarvis lowered his voice, "Don't fret Ms. Carter, this one's a special one."
"Fine." Peggy replied with a slight grin before finishing her tea. As long as Howard was happy she didn't care who the woman was.
Jarvis started to pack the plates around her, carefully placing each plate on top of one another.
"After packing this table I'll be off for the rest of the day and spending it with my beloved wife."
"How sweet." Peggy complimented, standing up to help Jarvis pack the table.
"What do you plan to do for the rest of today Ms. Carter?" Jarvis asked.
"Brilliant question Mr. Jarvis. As I am sure you know, I've been busy at work trying to find the rest of our agents that have gone missing." She explained before holding up a Don Quixote, "This might be the key to finding our third agent."
"Ah," Jarvis said with an affirmative nod, "If my memory serves me right from my past readings of the book, the main character is a bumbling fool chasing imaginary villains, falling into easily avoidable situations, and the forced hilarity that would ensue seemed to be of the same kind in farcical skits performed by twats."
Peggy raised her brows, "Don Quixote is highly intelligent, highly perceptive and observant in spite of his delusions of being a knight errant."
Jarvis set the plates he had carefully piled on a tray, "And I presume you're stuck trying to look for clues?"
"Precisely."
"Whenever Mr. Stark is in a fiddle trying to make new innovations, he takes his materials to a different space. Somewhere open, serene. A change of scenery sometimes jogs his brain."
"You're right." She admitted, picking up the book. Howard's estate had plenty of areas for her to use.
"Perhaps the pool area? The golf course?" Jarvis suggested before adding, "Just anywhere but the garden."
Peggy arched her brow, "…and why is that?"
"No particular reason," He squeaked.
She noticed Jarvis tug on his ear, he was hiding something… again…
"Well." She put her hands on her hips, "It's decided, I'll go read in the garden."
"Ms. Carter!" Jarvis called after Peggy, "I highly suggest taking stroll near the pond. I'm sure that will be a perfect quiet spot."
"I haven't been to the garden in a while so I'll go there myself, thank you very much." Peggy said walking outside.
"Ms. Carter But—!"
"Have a wonderful rest of the morning Mr. Jarvis!" She chirped before she entered the pathway to the garden. What was all that fuss about? She didn't think too much of it, after all Jarvis was always so fastidious about everything.
The garden as expected, was serene in every way. Bird chirped in the trees they were perched in, bright flowers perfectly watered, circling a large fountain. She passed by two young gardeners attending to shrubs on each side. Working to make them look identical, even though they were both already immaculately shaped. Well, Howard always did expect the best of his workers.
"Morning Ms Carter." The two gardeners greeted.
"Hello gentlemen!" She replied with a polite smile, "Is there a reason why you two are working on those shrubs. They look perfect from where I'm standing."
One of the gardeners rubbed the nape of his neck nervously, "Mr. Stark is meeting with company on the other side of the garden. Er…He… instructed us to work on this side."
"Ah, I see." Peggy replied with a nod, "Well I certainly won't be going to that side. Wouldn't want to disturb his meeting."
The young men chuckled before returning to their tasks. Peggy started to look through the book, remembering the riddle that Daisy had given her:
"El Curioso Impertinente con el dragón venenoso"
What could it mean and how would it lead her to the third missing agent, Agent Hernandez?
A sound of a woman whistling something that sounded like an old southern tune caught Peggy's attention. She looked up to see Daisy walking in her direction with a basket of freshly cut flowers.
"Mornin' Peggy." Daisy drawled in her southern accent with a sweet smile, "Wasn't expectin' to see you here."
"Likewise." Peggy replied, "I just came because it's quiet here, what about you?"
"I have a meetin' with Howard. This garden's my favorite place." Daisy said picking a flower from her basket, she closed her eyes before smelling it.
"I see." Peggy said. She remembered when she last had breakfast with Howard, she had an inkling that perhaps Daisy was the mystery woman. After all why else would Daisy be in the garden right after Jarvis warned Peggy to avoid it.
Daisy spoke again interrupting her thoughts.
"He always did tell me flowers are the only thing that naturally smell as beautiful as they look."
Well if they really were dating… that meant Daisy was cheating on her husband as well…and that made Howard an accomplice. Before she said she was happy no matter the woman Howard was seeing, but if it was true, that certainly changed things. Maybe Howard didn't want her to know because Daisy was married? But Howard wouldn't do that…would he?
"Wrap this up for me would you?" Daisy instructed, handing the basket of flowers to one of the gardeners, "And find a vase to put in it while you're at it, wouldn't want these to be wilted before I leave. Two cups of water, nothin' more, nothin' less."
The gardener obediantly nodded and left with the basket. The other spoke up, "I'll let Mr. Stark know you're waiting for him."
"That'd be appreciated." Daisy replied, she still had a flower in one hand. It was bell shaped, purple in color with vibrant yellow seeds. She held it up for Peggy to smell.
"Thank dear but I should probably leave as well," Peggy said apologetically, standing up with the book in her hand. Howard would be here any moment now, she should have listened to Jarvis.
"It won't hurt ya darlin,'" Daisy said while holding up the flower.
Seeing that Daisy was insistent and not wanting to seem rude, she accepted it and took a whiff.
"Wow, that smells amazing." Peggy said in awe, taking the flower from Daisy before smelling it again.
"It's called a Jacob's ladder, they have wonderful adaptability powers. I'm almost envious. They have resistance capacity and can be grown under shade and sun too."
"You really know your plants," Peggy noted. There was something about the way that Daisy's eyes shone while explaining the flower to Peggy.
"Well, I didn't get two Masters and a Phd for nothin'" Daisy said with a small laugh, "My brother used to always make fun of me for tending to flowers as a young girl. He changed his mind once he eventually saw the versatility of botany."
Peggy could see why Howard would take a liking to Daisy. Unlike the other airheads he usually dated, Daisy was smart, determined.
"Howard mentioned you two met at a Botany Fair," Peggy recalled.
With a sad smile, Daisy nodded, "Yes. We did. My goal was to become a scientist and join the National Botanical Research Institute. But they didn't accept women."
Peggy shook her head, knowing that feeling of annoyance, simply being clipped from success because due to gender.
"I'm extremely sorry about that Daisy, I really hope things change in the future."
Daisy put a hand on Peggy's shoulder, "Don't feel sorry for me darlin', one day, the tables will be turned, I'm sure of it."
Peggy noticed Daisy's eyes gleam with determined aspiration, as though she was confirming something.
"Okay babe, so we're playing hide and seek now aren't we? I'll find you… and when I'll—"
They both turned to see Howard in his signature silk robe, flustered, as though he didn't expect to see them there.
"Hmm, nice choice of clothing." Daisy teased, seeing that his face was redder than a tomato.
Peggy's eyes flitted between Howard and Daisy, now it was obvious that Daisy was Howard's mystery lady.
"Alright, I think I really should leave now." She said aloud, wanting to leave before things got more awkward.
"Oh heavens, you don't have to leave, its not like that Peggy." Daisy said with a dismissive wave.
Howard cleared his throat, "Yeah, what she said."
Peggy arched her brow at Howard, he looked jumpy, like he was hiding something. He was horrid at lying.
"You know what. I'll leave you two to it and head to my room." She said with a fake smile plastered on her face, "Ta Ta!"
As she left she could already hear Jarvis singing, "I warned you Ms. Carter. But you just didn't listen."
"""""""""
Jack woke up that morning from a nightmare, sweat beaded his forehead and chest. He felt Sally jump onto his bed and lick him, as though she could sense the quickened beating of his heart.
"Stupid dog." He muttered, she replied with a woof before licking his cheek again.
He sat up on his bed and rubbed his tired eyes. For the first time years, he dreamed about his mother. She came back for him, and hugged him, holding him close. But when he looked up, she was bloody, her face swollen, blood running run her left arm. He blinked and she was gone, he tried looking and looking for her to no avail. He felt cold, alone, hurt. She left him, like she always did.
Sally's barks disrupted his thoughts, he frowned.
"Would you cut it out already? I'm awake," He rebuked.
Why on earth did he offer to Gam Gam that he'd take care of her little mutt when he knew he hated dogs, or anything that moved, peed, pooped and chewed on his shoes for that matter.
His frown softened, Peggy would have found some excuse for Sally.
Maybe she's hungry? She doesn't know better. She's probably worried about you Jack.
"It was just a damn dream." He said aloud as he patted Sally who had now settled in his lap as though she owned him. She had calmed down now, but he was hungry.
"Come on, up you go, lets go get some food." Jack chided, gently carrying Sally and placing her on the ground.
He watched her race to the kitchen, she must have been really hungry. After giving Sally her food and making his breakfast Jack set his plates in the sink. The nightmare might not have been real, but the emotions were still valid. When his mom left him as a kid, he eventually learned to stop thinking about her.
Don't let your emotions get to you, Gam Gam would always tell him. He nodded to himself as though Gam Gam was next to him, he wasn't going to let some dream have him in his feelings.
Brrinnng Brrinnng Brinnnnnnngggg Brrinnng Brrinnng
Jack set the plate down that he was washing and dried his hands. Who would be calling him on a Sunday morning. He leaned on the wall in his living room before picking the receiver for the telephone.
"Jack Thompson speaking."
"Hi Jack."
Jack raised his brow in surprise, "Pegs?"
"Yes, er…it's me."
"Something pop up about work?"
"No. I simply—" He could hear her clear her throat before continuing, "Called to say hi, thats all."
Jack let out a laugh cocking his head to the side though she couldn't see him, "Uh huh…You miss me dontcha"
"Oh bullocks, I'm calling you because I'm bored."
"In other words you miss me."
"You caught me."
His laugh had now settled into a content smirk at her sardonic comment sprinkled with truth. That seemed to be their relationship dynamic, never fully admitting their true feelings even both they both knew they cared about each other more than they liked to admit.
"So hows your day been?"
He blinked, he wasn't expecting her to ask about him, actually he never thought past how a conversation would go past hi and hello. What do people who are dating talk about anyway? The weather?
"Not really eventful. The most I have to do today is take Sally for her check up at the vet's office," He said while scanning his apartment to make sure Sally wasn't doing anything reckless.
"What about you?"
"Nothing really eventfully either."
"Really? I would have thought life was exciting living in Stark's playboy mansion."
"Very funny Jack. Well, Jarvis is currently occupied with his wife, and Howard is busy flirting with his new lover."
"Leaving poor Pegs all by herself."
"Must you say that like I'm a spinster with no life?"
"Well, since we're dating now you can cross being a spinster off your list."
Knowing her, Peggy was probably now rolling her eyes, battling a grin while fiddling with her necklace. It almost made Jack shiver how well he was getting to know Peggy right down to her body movements. While on the phone with her, he wondered if she was doing the same, guessing his facial expressions, predicting his next snarky comment.
"And hows Angie? I'm guessing you two haven't hung out in a while."
"She's busy rehearsing. But you're right, and I probably sound like a horrid friend, but I've been so busy with work, and she's been really busy with her acting…"
"There isn't time to spend with each other." He said with a nod, "I get that, I don't see my grandmother a lot because of work."
"Sometimes I wonder if it's possible that we're too caught up in our work to live our actual lives."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, for example, if I were to think about things I enjoy… it's all work related."
"Come on, besides work, there has to be something else you do with your life."
"Reading I guess?"
"Fascinating," He teased.
"Wanker." He heard her mutter before continuing, "And what about you Jack? What do you enjoy?"
"Great question. Does talking to a stubborn red head who curses like a sailor count?"
"Can you be serious for one blasted minute?"
"Fine, I try new dinner recipes every weekend."
"And they're different every time?"
"Yup," He responded before hearing her chuckle.
"How adventurous."
"I'm making shrimp linguine tonight…you could come over to try some—" He suggested before adding, "Thats if you'd like to I mean."
"Is that an invitation darling?"
"If you're not allergic to shrimp.. Maybe." He replied cooly, knowing she probably sensed the eagerness in his offer.
"And in other words you miss me too."
"What can I say Pegs, I actually enjoy spending time with you."
"Likewise."
His lips lifted, he could tell she was probably smiling as well.
"I'll come by around 7, is that alright with you?"
"I'll be done with Sally's vet appointment and have the food ready by then, so that works."
"Perfect."
There was an awkward silence.
"So… am I hanging up or you?"
"I mean I assumed you were."
"I didn't want to be rude."
"Me either."
They bother laughed.
Jack switched the receiver to his other hand, "It's still kind of feels weird we're doing this right?"
"A smidgen, but I'm sure we'll get used to it."
His heard skipped, them conversing like a couple, not bickering, actually agreeing on something, them genuinely being nice to each other, all of it was different, in a good way.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Jack glanced down at Sally who was looking up at him, oblivious to the nice conversation she had just interrupted. His face hardened when he realized Sally had one of his slippers in her mouth and had dropped it at his feet while he was on the phone. She barked excitedly again, as though expecting a belly rub.
"Damn it Sally!" Jack complained he bent down and yanked the shoe away.
"Pegs, I gotta go, this dog is getting restless."
"Alright, I understand, give her a kiss for me."
"How about you save kissing for me when you get here," He said in a suggestive tone while examining the shoe.
He heard her chuckle before saying, "Now I'm hanging up, bye darling."
"Bye." He responded before hearing the phone line end. He let out a sigh and pointed his shoe at Sally.
"You gotta stop doing this Sally, I'm tired of buying new shoes because of you don't know how to control yourself."
Sally barked, letting her tongue roll out, as though she was teasing him. His mouth twitched, it was almost adorable. Then again, maybe he was thinking that because he just talked to Peggy.
He picked her up and stared at her, "When Peg comes, I'm telling her what a bad girl you've been."
Sally excitedly licked his face before letting out a soft woof. Jack let out a short chuckle. Sally was probably just as excited to see Peggy as he was.
As usual let me know your thoughts and comments! This chapter is a bit shorter than usual but its just a bit of a refresher for those who may not remember what happened in the past chapters.