As Dottie had expected, Maria was awake, sitting up in bed. Her face lit up at the sight of Dottie bringing her in breakfast. "Good morning." Dottie said, smiling, though she felt like she had cheated the woman. As she bent to put the tray down next to Maria, Maria leaned close, and kissed her, "Good morning, Dottie." She said once it broke. She began spreading butter on some toast, "How is Ana?" she asked, having read the note. Dottie smiled at the memory of only a few hours ago, "She's well. Her baby girl is healthy too." Maria nodded, biting into the toast, "Good, I'm glad. Ana is a nice woman; she spoke to me quite a bit on Christmas Day." Dottie swallowed a mouthful of coffee, "I noticed."
"So, Julien is in custody?" Maria asked. Dottie looked at her, suddenly remembering the reason they were here in the first place, and her face fell slightly before she nodded, "Yeah, he's in custody." She replied. Maria looked pained,
"Well, it looks like Peggy got what she wanted after all. Golden will kill my mother when he finds out Julien isn't dead."
"He won't find out. As far as he knows, you've done your job exceedingly well. The party went undisturbed, we were quite a few floors up, and the music was loud. You've managed to kill Julien and take away his body. At least for now, that's how it appears. We have to use the small window of time we have to get rid of Golden too." Dottie said. Maria nodded, "You're right, thank you for putting my mind at ease." She took Dottie's hand and gave it a quick squeeze. Dottie gently detached her hand and smiled, before looking into her cup.
"You must be tired." Maria said putting aside the tray, having eaten her toast. Dottie nodded, taking the tray and putting it down on the bedside table, "I am, actually." She admitted, stifling a yawn. Maria watched her affectionately, it wasn't often Dottie actually yawned and Maria thought it served as a gentle reminder that she was human. She pulled aside the blankets on the other side of the bed, "Then rest your head." She said. Dottie's eyes moved between the space made for her and Maria before she shook her head, "It's tempting, but I have some things to do before I can go to sleep." The dark haired woman frowned, "Don't be stubborn and at least take a break Dottie. You've had a long night." Dottie rolled her blue eyes, "I have endured much worse, Maria. Save yourself the breath. I'll be fine."
"Have it your way, then." Maria huffed, looking away. Dottie scoffed playfully, "Honestly, woman." A green pair of eyes settled on her and narrowed, "I'm just trying to take care of you!" She exclaimed. Dottie nodded towards her shoulder, "You should start by taking care of yourself first." She stood up and collected the tray before heading towards the door, "Oh and Dottie?" Maria said. Dottie spun around, "What?" The corners of Maria's eyes crinkled in false amusement as she pointed to her cheek, "You have lipstick on your cheek, dear." Dottie flushed bright red and darted out of the room.
She headed into the kitchen and began cleaning up, Peggy entered, smiling rather shyly. Dottie noticed her and turned to face her immediately, "Do I have lipstick on my cheek?" Peggy giggled, nodding, "Yes, sorry love, my fault." She took a towel and wet it before taking it to Dottie's face and wiping away her mark gently.
"Maria wasn't very happy to see it." Dottie commented as Peggy did so. For some reason, this amused Peggy further, "Well, that's a shame." The brunette said, grinning. Dottie tutted and shook her head, "Honestly." She mumbled.
"Dottie, something has been bothering me for a while now. Does the name Hank Reynolds mean anything to you?" Peggy said once they were seated at the dining table. Dottie shook her head, "I can't say it does." Peggy performed, yet again, the trick where she produced her file seemingly out of nowhere. She opened it up on the page containing information on him, as well as a picture. Dottie studied it and shook her head, "No, I don't recognise him." She narrowed her eyes just before Peggy sighed and went to take back the file, "Wait." She said, holding the file down in place. Peggy raised her eyebrows, "What, is something wrong?" Dottie tapped her finger on his picture, "Now, I didn't get a great view or anything but I swear to you, this man has the same eyes as Golden." Peggy leaned back in her seat, "You're sure?" Dottie nodded, mimicking her action, "Though your best bet would be to ask Maria, she knows him better than I do." Peggy nodded and stood up, Dottie with her, and they both walked to Maria's room.
"Yeah that's him." Maria confirmed, though she was frowning at Dottie. The blonde nodded, "I thought so. This is Hollywood after all, plastic surgery isn't exactly uncommon practice out here." She said. Peggy let out an "Ahhh."
"I'm sorry, Dottie, are we working with her now? I mean I can tell you were thinking about what was inside your pants last night, but-," Maria began, before Dottie stopped her, "I'll have you know that I was not! And yes, it looks like we're working with her." She said, glaring at the girl with black hair, who glared right back, her green eyes hot. "I'm right here." Peggy said, unamused. Maria turned her gaze to Peggy and nodded, "Yes, unfortunately you are." She said just as unamused as Peggy was.
"Can we focus, please?" Dottie asked, pinching the bridge of her nose. Maria tilted her head, "I don't know, can you, Dottie? We agreed we wouldn't work with them." Maria sassed, referring to the whole of the SSR, though she especially meant Peggy Carter. Dottie gave her a firm stare, "Yes we did, and I'm sorry Maria, but look where it got us. You got yourself shot, and we had guns to our heads. It's only because of them that we're still here even debating this." Maria looked down, Dottie had a point and she knew it. She was mostly just bitter over her own actions and how useless she had been, Dottie could have died and it would've been entirely her fault. She heard the blonde sigh and turn to Peggy, "Could you give us a moment, Peg?" The Englishwoman looked a little apprehensive, but she nodded, "Alright." She said cautiously, before exiting the room.
Dottie moved across the room and sat down on the edge of the bed beside Maria, who looked back up at her. "I'm sorry about this, but it's our best choice if we want to help your mother without getting ourselves killed first." Dottie said gently. Maria nodded wordlessly, causing Dottie to put a hand on the side of Maria's dark head, using her thumb to stroke her temple, "And I'm sorry about going back to Peggy so quickly." Dottie said, dropping her gaze. She felt truly bad for it. When she felt Maria's hand on her own, she looked up, and straight at Maria's mouth which was curved upwards at the corners, "I expected this, Dottie. I went ahead with it because I wanted to make the most of the time I had with you, but I knew you would eventually drift back to Peggy." She replied. Dottie shook her head, "Stop saying that. It doesn't mean it's okay for me to do."
Maria pressed her lips together, "I wish you wouldn't beat yourself up so much. It's not your fault, you don't have control over your heart, and neither do I." She paused before speaking again, "Could you maybe do me a little favour though Dottie?" Dottie met eyes with her and nodded, eager to make her feel better, "Anything." Maria cleared her throat and averted her gaze for a moment, "Um, could you...," she blushed, "Maybe just stay with me, until I go?" Dottie considered her words for a moment, "Go where?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. Maria smiled softly, looking back at her, "You're worried? Bless your heart, Dottie. Don't worry, not like that. I mean, when I get my mother back, we're leaving. Starting again. Maybe we'll head South, she enjoys not having to wear heavy coats everywhere nowadays." Dottie looked relieved, she may not be in love with Maria, but she would still care greatly if she were to die, "Anyway, I-I understand if you don't want to." Maria said hurriedly, "It would just be nice-," she was clearly embarrassed and it was endearing in a way. Dottie nodded, "I'll stay." She said. It wouldn't be for long, and the look on Maria's face was kind of worth it. She wasn't looking forward to having to explain to Peggy, though.
"I love you, Dottie Underwood." Maria said leaning forward and taking her lips onto hers. Dottie smiled at her when the kiss broke, though she wished Maria wouldn't say those words, especially when she couldn't say them back.
"You're doing what?" Peggy demanded to know, once in the lounge. Maybe it wasn't as worth it as Dottie originally thought. Maria was still in the bedroom. Dottie cleared her throat awkwardly, "It's just until she leaves, Peggy." She explained. Peggy was glaring at her though, "She has had you for two months." She Englishwoman hissed.
"Look, it's the least she deserves. She has been beyond good to me, and I couldn't even return it. Think of it as acting?" Dottie tried to reason. Peggy folded her arms, "Actors don't sleep with their co-stars." Dottie was about to argue that she had no plans to actually bed the woman before Angie entered the room, eating a bagel, "Actually, it depends what kinda actors they are." She informed Peggy. Peggy sighed and continued, "You're only doing this because you feel guilty, then?" she asked Dottie, who nodded, "To tell the truth, yes. Look, she's not asking me to marry her; she would just like me to stay with her until she's gone. She hasn't asked anything else of me." Peggy unfolded her arms and gave up, "Fine, do as you bloody wish. Just stay away from me until it's over." She said, exiting the room. Angie raised her eyebrows, "What was that about?" Dottie placed a hand on her forehead, "Maria." She answered. Angie looked somewhat amused, "So which one are you two timin'?" The question seemed to confuse Dottie further and she furrowed her brows, "Nobod-, Oh, I don't even know anymore."
She entered Peggy's room, to find Peggy putting away pictures. She approached her, "Hold on, I haven't even seen these yet." Dottie said. Peggy handed her the box, wordlessly. Dottie sat down beside her and began looking through them, a smile on her face, "This is a good one." She said, pointing to the picture of her, Angie, and Peggy laughing together about something Howard had said before he took the picture for them. Peggy nodded, "I think so too." She said quietly. She looked at Dottie who was already staring at her with those damn blue eyes of hers, "She's not you, Peg." Dottie said. Peggy felt a hot rush to her lips and she nodded, "Believe me, I know."
"So what are you worried about?" Dottie asked, watching her lips. Peggy's breath hitched and she frowned, "Her. She's no good. She's beautiful, and she's good at dancing, and she's tall, and she has that big heart you were talking about, and-," Dottie put a finger on Peggy's lips, "And yet, I haven't fallen in love with her." Peggy looked away, moving from Dottie's hand, "That doesn't mean you won't. Lines are easily blurred." Dottie sighed, "You forget that I have been doing this for years before we met, Peg. I'm not going to sleep with her, not like that." Peggy still wasn't convinced, "All your targets have been men though, you said that yourself. You never had to with a woman." Dottie grinned at her, "So I'll pretend she's a man." Peggy gave her a little shove, "You'd better." She said, unable to hide her smile, Dottie's grin was infectious. She gave the brunette a peck on the cheek, "Trust me, Peg." Peggy turned to face her and studied her for a moment, it was a big ask, but she had promised herself she would trust Dottie in the future. Now was the time to do so.
She nodded, "Alright, I'll trust you." She said in way of a sigh. "What?" Dottie asked, smiling, "You'll what?" Peggy rolled her eyes and pushed her again, "I'll trust you, Dottie." Dottie still pretended not to hear her, "Huh? You'll what?" Peggy growled and kissed her on the lips, "I said," a kiss, "I'll" another kiss, "trust you." Another kiss. Dottie nodded, grinning triumphantly, "Ohh, that's what you said!" she giggled and gave Peggy another kiss before getting up, Peggy shaking her head at her, smirking, "Honestly Dottie, sometimes I don't know whether to hit you or kiss you harder." Dottie opened the door and turned back to wink at her, "You know I'll take either from you Agent Carter." She told her in a breathy voice, causing Peggy's cheeks to flush red as she shut the door.
"So, back to business." Maria said, holding a notepad and pen later that day. All three of them were sitting at the dining table making a plan whilst Angie cooked, singing along to the radio in the kitchen. Naturally she had Dottie sit next to her and Peggy opposite them. "If we're going to be working with the SSR, I need to know what you were thinking of doing. I can work something out from there." Maria said. Peggy looked at her suspiciously, "Well, now that Golden has been positively identified as Hank Reynolds, we would have gone in and taken him in. We would've gotten fingerprints and a blood sample to confirm it, and we would have had him trialled. With his record, I imagine Death Row would be in order." Maria took notes, nodding.
"You make it sound so easy." She commented as she wrote. Thankfully, she was left handed, so her right shoulder didn't stop her from writing. Dottie watched her with interest, raising her eyebrows, "You're writing in Russian?" she asked. Maria looked at her, "Its habit. I didn't do much writing outside of working for Leviathan." She told her. Dottie nodded, she had written in English, but it must have just been a personal preference based on how well you spoke other languages. They continued to devise a plan until Angie called Peggy to give her a hand with the plates.
Maria shut her notebook and leant on Dottie, shutting her eyes for a moment. "Not tired already are you?" Dottie asked, putting her arm around the girl, careful not to hurt her right shoulder. Maria shook her head, "No, I'm fine." When Peggy returned with Angie, Dottie fought down the urge to jump up and push Maria away. Although they had sort of agreed on it, it still felt like she was doing something horribly wrong.
Peggy trained her features to remain unreadable when Maria looked at her. She didn't want the Russian knowing that it was bothering her, though she probably already knew it would. Why wouldn't it? She would have her hands all over her woman. Maria sat up properly again though and thanked them both. Dottie withdrew her arm and did the same, taking a drink of wine. Angie didn't make them say grace before they started eating. She didn't quite believe in the God her family did, he was the same God who apparently hated her despite making her the way she was. It's not like she had any control over liking girls, so it must have been his fault, and now she was damned because of it. Angie didn't understand, so she preferred to leave religion alone, unless her family were around.
The meal was pleasant and conversation came easily to the women who discussed things other than the current events which would have usually separated them slightly. The flowing red wine also helped.
"Dot, I didn't even tell you, I've been filming!" Angie said suddenly. Dottie's face lit up for her friend, "Really? Oh congratulations, Angie. You deserve it." She said happily, her cheeks hot from the alcohol. Angie grinned, "I think those shoes you got me helped." Dottie looked pleased, "I knew they would." She said, though she didn't really believe that were the case. Still, it was sweet that Angie thought her own success was Dottie's doing, "I think the wearer helped even more though." She added with a sly wink. The actress waved her hand, "Oh shut up, Iowa, you talk too much." She said, though she was visibly flattered.
Once everyone was finished, Dottie volunteered to clean up. Maria joined her in the kitchen soon after, "Will you come to bed tonight?" Maria asked her, moving her blonde hair out of the way so that she could plant kisses on the back of her neck. Dottie dried off the last plate and swallowed hard, before nodding and putting away the plates. She would have a long bath first though, in hopes that Maria would fall asleep before she got out. She felt Maria smile against her skin, "Good." She mumbled.
They bid goodnight to Angie and Peggy before heading to their room.
Once the door was shut, Maria pinned Dottie against it, kissing and sucking lightly her neck, eliciting sighs from the blonde. "I need to take a bath." Dottie sighed, her eyes shut. She felt like a bride who was avoiding consummating her marriage with the groom on her wedding night. Maria nodded, "Alright, go ahead." She released Dottie, who headed straight to the en-suite. Once the bath was filled, she got in, groaning at the welcoming embrace of hot water all around her body. She had only been having showers for the past two months, so having a bath again felt like a luxury.
Dottie took as long as possible, and when she got out, she smiled to find Maria fast asleep. Dottie set her damp hair in curls ready for the next day before she went to bed.