AN: Thank you so much for all the love that this story and this series has gotten. I also would like to thank you for your patience. Since I'm essentially writing 4 fics at once on top of my other stand alone fics things can move a little slow since I like to update this series all at the same time. I hope you enjoy this next chapter and I can't wait to hear what you think!
She waited about a month before she made an appearance out in the world. Her hair now dyed blonde and curled in ringlets. During that time she learned all she could about the senator she hoped she could get under with. Not only was he a member of the Arena Club but he also had a silver tie pin. Howard knew him and had gotten her a job with his staff.
She went by Libbie Carver and was the secretary for the senator and his staff. Every time she entered the parking garage she took a few deep breaths and reminded herself that she was doing this to save the world. The men she worked with at the SSR and then later SHIELD still had their moments where they treated her differently because she was a woman, especially when she started out at the SSR after the war. The senator and his chief of staff, however, were pigs and well Libbie ate up all of the attention and flirted back. Peggy so desperately wanted to just punch them in their faces.
Things were working, though. She had been able to confirm some members of the Arena Club. In those meetings, she was told to keep anyone and everyone away. With her desk right outside of his office and with the help of a gadget from Howard, she was able to hear everything. They were planning something and even though she scoped out each location they mentioned, she still wasn't sure what that something was.
She fully planned on going into the senator's office while he went to lunch. She couldn't wait anymore and if she had to hear 'you're looking mighty pretty today, you get all dolled up for me?' one more time she might scream. But then she heard the senator's exchange with the CEO of one of the big oil companies. It made her blood run cold despite the anger that rose at hearing those two words.
Hail Hydra.
Well, she now knew her new mark. The senator seemed more like a pawn taking directions and orders from this CEO. She'd need to lay low for a couple of weeks. Long enough to get a new disguise and alias. It would also allow her to go back over her list. She knew it was long but she'd just need to wheedle it down to those who just had the tie pin. That seemed to be the connection since both men were wearing it.
At lunch, Peggy snuck into the senator's office, camera pen in hand. There had to be something in his office. As she scanned the items left behind on his desk, she had to laugh. He seemed to make it easy this time. There laid out plain as day were two sheets of paper. One had a list of bills and amendments with how the senator should vote for each item. The other had a list of names. Most she recognized as important people, powerful people. And why on earth was the late President John F. Kennedy on it?
She snapped pictures of each sheet and then quickly wrote a note.
So sorry to quit this way. It's been so lovely to work with you but my father has grown very ill and I have to go back home to take care of him. God bless America. Libbie
Peggy cleaned up her desk, picked up her bag, and walked out without looking back.
A small amused smirk tugged at the corner of her lips when Jarvis looked up from his meal preparations and startled at the sight of her. "A warning might have been nice, Miss Carter." He gave her a pointed look but she knew he was happy to see her.
"There was no time. I needed to act like I was in a hurry."
"Are you being followed?"
Peggy shook her head. "No, but I have new intel and I'll need a few things before I act on it."
"Do you need for me to arrange a meeting with Mr. Stark?"
"That'd be much appreciated. Is there space somewhere I could set up a dark room?"
Jarvis' eyes widened slightly. Really by now, he should be used to requests like this, especially from her. He cleared out the number that he was dialing to get Howard and then dialed the in-house number to reach his wife. "Ana will help clean out a guest room." He explained as he brought the phone to his ear.
Howard came home, much to Peggy's surprise. She fully expected to be smuggled into Stark Industries or even SHIELD. Instead, Ana brought her into the main house through the side entrance that she and her husband used after Jarvis arrived with Mr. Stark.
"Now what's this all about, Jarvis? You wouldn't tell me anything in the car and you know I don't even have a sister, let alone a sick one. If Maria drops me after I worked so hard to even get one date with her…"
"Hello, Howard," Peggy said, cutting him off.
Howard looked over to where Peggy stood in the doorway to his study and then back to Jarvis. "Do I know this woman?"
Peggy rolled her eyes. They went through this every time she showed up after she dyed her hair.
"It's Miss Carter, sir," Jarvis told him as if he was speaking to a child.
His eyes then lit up in recognition. "Well, why didn't you say so earlier." He smacked Jarvis on the arm before walking over to Peggy with a wide grin and equally wide open arms before pulling her in for a hug. "Heya Pegs, long time no see. You figure out if blondes have more fun yet?"
"I swear you've blown yourself up far too many times." She quipped as she hugged him back before they fully entered into his study.
"Now what's so important?" He asked once the doors were closed.
"Hydra's back," Peggy said, cutting straight to the chase.
Howard scoffed, going over to pour himself a drink. It wasn't that he didn't believe her, he didn't want to. He wanted to believe they cut off all the heads back during the war. "Peggy, you and the others finished off what was left of Hydra."
She knew he wanted to live in denial. She didn't believe it herself but with it now staring her in her face, she couldn't ignore it. "Then why did I just hear Senator Jones and Richard Wallace whisper Hail Hydra to each other after a meeting? A meeting that involved these two documents."
She handed over the two pictures she and Ana developed earlier. "They told him how to vote and I haven't been able to take a closer look at the list of names but it worries me that Kennedy's on there. On top of all that they have the tie pin. The council must be Hydra and the club is a front."
Letting out a heavy sigh, he looked up at Peggy from where he was looking over the photos. "I knew I never liked that guy."
"You know Wallace?"
"Unfortunately it seems."
"I'm starting to worry about the circle you keep."
"What's the saying? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer?"
"Maybe don't keep them too close. If I'm found out…"
"I'll be fine, Peg. I don't know him that well. We just happen to be invited to the same parties. I can maybe give you an introduction in a few weeks."
Peggy nodded. "A few weeks should be just fine. It'll give me plenty of time to lay low and gather all that I need for a new alias."
"What do you need?"
"A place to lay low most importantly. Had to leave my last place rather quickly. Then I'll need a wig from SHIELD's disguise department." She hated the hassle of dying her hair was and would much rather wear a wig than damage her hair even more. "And depending on the dress code to this party, I'll need to go shopping."
"You got it, pal. You can stay here until I find a better place for you. I'll have Jarvis make up a room."
Three weeks later Peggy Carter reemerged in society as Margot Carlisle. Margot was Howard's sister because, after his rescheduled date with Maria, he forgot that he was supposed to be taking Peggy to the latest social event. Peggy supposed it was the best cover since to her surprise Howard seemed rather taken by Maria. Margot was also a widow which explained why she didn't share Howard's last name. Her husband died in Korea.
Peggy liked Maria. The fact that Howard even suggested that they all go together was far different than what the former SHIELD director was used to. Matter of fact, Maria was the only woman Howard had formally introduced her to, well sort of. Maria didn't know her true identity after all.
The woman was a great conversationalist and looked at Howard with a skeptic optimism that Peggy mentally applauded her for. A woman not so caught up in the glitz and glamour of being wooed by Howard Stark was just the type of woman Howard needed.
She excused herself when the dancing started, ignoring the saddened glance Howard sent her way. Maria, bless her soul, insisted that Margot and Howard shared the first dance. She could tell dancing seemed to be a touchy subject and she wondered if it was because of Margot's late husband. Besides her mother always told her that she could tell a fella's nature by how he treats his own mother. While Maria was sure she wouldn't be meeting Howard Stark's mother anytime soon, the best next thing was to see how he treated his sister and so far he treated her exceptionally well. She certainly didn't expect it from the infamous playboy.
"No, I couldn't possibly. I'll go mingle or go indulge in some of those truffles that look divine." Peggy nudged them both towards the dancefloor before going over to the dessert table.
With a sigh, she popped a chocolate-covered cherry into her mouth. That look she had gotten from Howard reminded her of the night he and the Howlies showed up to dance with her at the Stork Club. She had despised it then too.
"Stark must be saving the best for last." A male voice said as he came to stand next to Peggy.
She fought the urge to roll her eyes as she got back into character. As she turned to face the man, she hoped that the black wig she wore kept him from recognizing her for the man was none other than Richard Wallace. "Oh, he's not saving anything." She said, doing her best to mimic Howard's accent. Her own American accent was pretty standard but she needed to add some flourishes to make it seem like she was trying to hide a midwestern accent instead of her British one. "I'm his sister."
Peggy laughed at the shock that briefly covered his face. "I'm the best-kept secret in the world it seems."
"Then he won't mind if we share a dance then?" Wallace finally asked once he shook his shock away.
"Not at all." She held out her hand and he took it, twirling her out onto the dance floor.
He didn't talk much except to ask questions about her. She answered them all, of course, but she found it odd that he barely gave any information about himself. Men like Wallace usually wouldn't stop boasting about themselves. Instead, when the song ended, he kissed the back of her hand and left her alone for the rest of the night.
The second time they met, Peggy showed up at the event without Howard. He hadn't wanted to go and she needed to try to seal the deal with Wallace. He stole her away from another conversation she was having and this time while they danced, he told her about him. She fawned and looked starry-eyed when necessary but she also sprinkled in hints that she was business savvy. After all, she needed to get into the inner workings so she could get to see the Hydra connection. He didn't let her stray too far that night but still by the end of the event, he let her leave on her own.
She was about to look for someone else that could get her in when Wallace surprised her. During lunch with Maria, he asked Peggy to join him for the next event, and then when she agreed, he left them to their lunch. Come to find out he had paid for it. By the end of the event, she was in.