It took a special kind of woman to reject the advances of Captain Jack Harkness.

In all honesty, Jack was thrilled. He tried to hide his excitement - "tried" did not mean he tried very hard- as she interrogated him. (Perhaps "interviewed" would be a better term; he hadn't been captured or anything. Yet.)

The brunette beauty looked at him through narrowed eyes, her hands splayed across his open file. He was amusedly surprised it was only half an inch thick. "So… Captain Jack Harkness."

"Agent Margaret Carter," he replied with a smile. Well, it wasn't like he hadn't done his homework either.

Agent Carter's eyebrow raised in a challenge. "It's Agent Carter to you."

"Of course it is."

She met his gaze evenly. "You're from Torchwood."

He didn't flinch. "His Majesty and the Prime Minister both agreed that someone with more… experience with unnatural endeavors should be on hand for some of the Allies' more sensitive projects."

"Is that an insult?" She asked sharply, cutting off the tail end of his statement.

"Absolutely not. Agent Carter, as your title so kindly points out, you are here as a member of the SSR. I am here as a consultant lent by the British government from Torchwood. Seeing as both countries are equally invested." Jack was a bit worried that she didn't believe him, until he saw the victorious smirk she wore. "Well played."

She hummed in agreement. "Now that we're done comparing our sizes-" Jack barked out a laugh "-perhaps you can explain some of the abnormalities in your documents." Agent Carter crossed her arms. "How was your visit to Ellis Island?"

He laughed again; so this was her way of letting him know she was informed about his "unique" situation- or at least one of them. Jack liked this woman. "Which one?"

She smiled. "Just so we understand each other." The brunette gestured for him to follow her. "Welcome to the SSR, Captain."

The underground bunker put Torchwood Three's to shame. Jack wasn't shocked by the amount of people hustling about the space, but it was clear that this "SSR" was more than just a semi-independent unit. As a trio of high-ranking officers (he could tell by the bars on their suits) approached them, he raised his hand to give a casual yet correct salute. Agent Carter's was far more professional but much stiffer than his. The two generals nodded and excused themselves; the colonel remained and surveyed him with a resting glare.

"Colonel Phillips," Agent Carter greeted him.

"Agent Carter," he replied. "Captain Harkness."

Jack clasped his hands behind his back. "It's an honor."

"Yeah, I'm sure it is," the colonel said dryly. "Captain, I have two tasks for you, until the situation changes."

"Yes sir."

Phillips huffed in irritation; with what, Jack wasn't sure. "Officially, I'd like you in the lab to assist two of our top scientists, Dr. Erskine and Mr. Howard Stark. You come highly recommended for your knowledge in advanced areas of the subject." It was a side effect of being a man from the future with so much free-time on his hands. "Unofficially, you are to be their bodyguard until further notice."

Jack's eyebrows rose in true surprise this time. "I had a feeling I wasn't here for my good looks."

The colonel snorted. "Nobody here has the time for your 'looks,' Captain. Now get to it. Agent Carter will show you the way."

"Leaving the lady to escort me?"

"No," Phillips called over his shoulder as he walked off. "I'm leaving the agent to make sure you don't touch anything you're not supposed to."

"How kind of you," Jack teased Agent Carter as she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Follow me." She made sure he didn't fall behind as they passed bustling workers, most carrying files or maps from the look of it. He marveled silently at her no-nonsense demeanor. "I would typically warn you about Stark's behavior, but I think he may have finally met his match."

He gave a mock gasp, though switching back to a blinding grin as he passed a secretary and caused her to turn pink and giggle. "Agent Carter, I've no clue what would've led you to such an idea." He followed her through a set of heavy metal doors, taking great care to ensure his trench coat didn't get caught. They were met by a joyful voice calling out "Peggy!" as several lab assistants stared at the newcomers.

"Hello, Howard," she replied in exasperation. Even without introduction, Jack was able to identify the man in the tie and suspenders next to a wicked-looking device as Howard Stark; the mustache was his trademark. "This is Captain Jack Harkness."

The men shook hands. "Call me Jack," he said cheerfully. "Nice suspenders."

"Oh, don't start," Carter groaned.

"I only said hello!"

Howard smiled victoriously. "It's Howard, and it's always a pleasure to meet others with the same respect for practical fashion."

Both men turned to look at the agent as she unsuccessfully hid a laugh with a polite cough. "If you two are acquainted, I believe I'll be making my exit…"

"Don't be a stranger, Peggy!" Howard called after her as she left.