She has thick skin; she has to in her line of work. When you strip it down to its basic parts investigative journalism is prying by nature and tabloid journalism all the more so.

She hadn't pictured this line of work for herself, but people don't get to walk into their dream jobs, they work their way up, picking up the grunt work and spend their days in shitty jobs until they move up the ladder and into a better one. Only she's still stuck in the bottom rung.

And after a disastrous phone interview in which the interviewer called her current paper "gutter press," she feels certain she won't be climbing the ranks anytime soon. Ground-breaking journalism is not in her horizons.

Dismayed and feeling a little down on herself, she commits to spending the rest of the day on the couch, numbing her brain with terrible television until she's distracted enough to forget. But nothing shakes the incessant thoughts that she's stagnant in life, and her mood doesn't go unnoticed.

The minute Iris gets home from work and sees Peggy slumped on the couch with a pitiful expression, she knows something's gotten to her. Iris takes a seat next to her and pulls Peggy into a cuddle and allows her to unload. Iris quietly listens as Peggy bemoans her job, today's interview, how she's feeling at a standstill in life, and every little thing that's been quietly niggling away at her.

Iris takes her time to process all of Peggy's complaints and worries before responding but eventually decides reassuring her is the best option. "He insulted the paper, but did he say anything about you as a journalist?"

"He gave me a backhanded compliment," Peggy huffs, "said I was debasing myself by working at such an 'irreputable establishment'"

Iris begins to absentmindedly twirl Peggy's curls around her fingers as she hums encouragements. "Well that wasn't a very nice way to put it, but it must mean he thinks you're a good journalist, too good to work for them."

"You're only saying that because you're my wife."

Iris' fingers stop twirling and she adjusts her posture, sitting up straight. "Peggy you're smart and determined, everyone sees that. You wouldn't have gotten an interview if he didn't think so too. You're an incredible person"

Peggy laughs but her smile indicates Iris has gotten through to her. "I don't exactly feel incredible right now, wallowing on the couch."

Iris shakes her head gently, the fact that Peggy, so strong and independent, is willing to be vulnerable around her is a testament to the strength of their relationship. Peggy cuddles against her again and they switch on something worth watching, something that's not purely a distraction.

Peggy is too content in Iris' arms to notice her phone beep with an incoming email, one that invites her for a second-round interview.