Frank Martin rubbed the bridge of his nose and glanced at the next name on the list.

"Not again," he grumbled.

"Pardon?" Peggy asked.

"Angela Martinelli."

She tapped her pencil against the table. "I don't believe I've heard of her."

He scoffed. "That's because she hasn't done anything. At least, not anything of substance. A chorus girl here, background noise there," his voice trailed off.

"I see. Well, perhaps she simply hasn't found the right role?"

"Well, this certainly isn't going to be her break," he muttered before looking over at her in alarm. "No offense intended, Captain Carter."

Captain Peggy Carter, super soldier extraordinaire, lifted an eyebrow.

"What I mean," he tried again, as he stumbled over his words, "is that she's not the right fit. Petite, blue eyes, bubbly. The hair color isn't too far off, but other than that, she's a night and day difference from you."

"I hardly think that matters for radio," Peggy dryly remarked.

"Oh yeah? Stan, send in Angie Martinelli." He gave her a pointed look. "You'll see what I mean."

Peggy wondered if she would. They'd been doing this for three hours - girl after girl reading for the role of Peggy Carter, SSR agent turned super-soldier. Only two had managed a passable British accent, and even then, Peggy wasn't convinced they did it justice. Surely Angela Martinelli couldn't be any worse than what had come before.

The door opened, and Peggy looked up to see precisely who Frank had described. A young woman with light brown hair that had been arranged into the most lovely curls, bright blue eyes, and a petite figure that made Peggy slightly envious. She'd always been blessed up top, but all of her clothes had to be specially ordered since her transformation. She missed being able to buy a dress from a store.

Frank shuffled his notes, pulling Peggy from her thoughts. Remembering her manners, she once again focused on the woman in front of her.

"Always a pleasure to see you, Ms. Martinelli," Frank said in a strained tone, but if Angela Martinelli noticed, she hid it well.

"You, too, Mr. Martin," she responded.

"And what have you prepared for us today?"

She smiled brightly. "I'm going to do a scene from Immortal Sergeant."

"Wonderful," he said in a tone that indicated it was anything but that. He waved a hand. "Whenever you're ready."

Angela turned to Peggy and hurriedly spoke. "Captain Carter, before I begin, I just wanted to tell you that I think it's terrific what you've done over there. I've seen all the newsreels, and I read all the articles I can find about you. I think you might be the bravest person on the planet."

Peggy's stomach tightened inexorably at the undeniable Brooklyn accent that slipped through as Angela Martinelli sang her praises. It had been some time since she'd heard that.

She cleared her throat. "I, ah, appreciate the kind words, Ms. Martinelli."

"You can call me Angie," the actress beamed. "Everyone does."

A smile tugged at the corner of Peggy's "Well then, Angie. Shall we begin?"

As Angie recited her piece, Peggy realized Frank had been right. Although she was a fine actress, Peggy couldn't picture Angie in the role of Captain Carter. But that didn't stop Peggy from picturing Angie Martinelli smiling at her over a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Peggy nibbled on her lower lip. Would it be too forward to invite a total stranger to lunch?

The room grew silent, and Peggy abruptly realized Angie had finished and was looking expectantly at them. She glanced over at Frank, who didn't even bother to look up from his papers.

"We'll be in touch," he said.

Peggy could hear the lie in the statement, and obviously, Angie did, too, given the way her eyes dimmed and shoulders fell. Without a word, she turned and exited the room.

"See what I mean?" Frank said, finally looking up.

But Peggy was too busy scrambling out of her chair to reply. She bolted through the door after Angie Martinelli, who was already halfway down the hall.

"Miss Martinelli!"

Angie whirled around in surprise. "Captain Carter?"

Peggy closed the distance between them in a few short strides. "Miss Martinelli," she said again.

Angie's confusion faded into amusement as she looked up at her. "I thought I told you to call me Angie," she reminded her, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Peggy smiled back. "You did."

"And?"

Peggy laughed. "Angie."

"See? That wasn't so hard," Angie beamed.

Peggy stepped closer. "I must apologize for Mr. Martin's indifference back there," she murmured.

Angie's eyes momentarily widened before crinkling at the corners. "That's awfully sweet of you, Cap, but trust me, I'm used to it." She glanced at Peggy. "Besides, I didn't really think I had a chance. I mean, there's all of you," she waved a hand at Peggy, "and then there's me." She touched a finger to the corner of her mouth. "I'm good, but even I know I can't come close to that perfect accent."

Peggy stared at her. "But if you knew you wouldn't be cast, why even bother?"

The impish grin returned. "And miss out on a chance to meet Captain Carter?"

Peggy felt that odd sensation in her stomach again. Angie auditioned simply to meet her? Perhaps asking her to lunch wasn't so strange, after all.

"You wouldn't be hungry, by chance?" Peggy ventured.

Angie tilted her head. "Excuse me?"

"I've sat through auditions since 8 am, and I'm famished," Peggy clarified. She felt a warm heat crawl up the back of her neck and prayed it wouldn't spread to her cheeks. "I thought, perhaps, you might care to join me?"

"You want to eat lunch with me?" Angie asked in disbelief.

"That's the idea," Peggy nodded. She watched as disbelief morphed into amazement until, finally, a beautiful smile broke across Angie's face.

"Of course I'll join you for lunch!"

Relief coursed through Peggy. "Excellent. Shall we, then?" She motioned for Angie to lead the way, and a lightness settled over Peggy as she followed her out the door. This might not have been Angie Martinelli's lucky day, but Peggy had a sneaking suspicion it might be hers.