So, it's been a while. I actually just reread this whole story myself so here's a recap of where people are at (If you're reading this story for the first time, feel free to skip the rest of this author's note, thank you for reading!)
Peggy's brother Michael showed up at the SSR with the Howling Commandos
Colonel Phillips demoted Jack Thomspon and Daniel is now Chief, Phillips has "big plans" for Peggy
Howard has been abducted by the Doctors with the help of their Black Widow, Lucy; Howard, Ivchenko, and Lucy are currently in Russia
Angie is training to be an agent of the SSR after accepting Daniel's job offer
Recently, a body was found in front of the SSR with a message 'Hail Hydra' written on the body; Peggy and Daniel went to speak to his wife and Daniel was shot, the wife was shot in the head. The daughter, Grace, is with Kat at one of Howard's houses where Peggy and Angie are also staying.
That should be everything you need to know! Thanks for reading :)
Peggy still couldn't believe her eyes. Michael was here, he was alive. Dugan and the hOwling Commandos dished out the bourbon as the group drew chairs around Peggy's desk.
"What happened, Michael," Peggy asked, "how are you alive?"
"Truthfully, I don't know. In 1943, I woke up in a village in Yugoslavia, Filip-" Michael indicated his friend with a wave of his hand, "and his mother took me in. I knew nothing but my first name, no one even knew how I got there. The village woke to find me unconscious in the middle of the road," began Michael, Peggy interrupted him.
"Soldiers came to the house one morning, told our parents that while officially you were missing in action, you were presumed dead as your entire regiment was found slaughtered, your body was not the only one they never recovered. Mum collapsed when she heard the news," said Peggy.
"Where are our parents?" asked Michael.
"Still in England. I joined the SOE after you died, broke off my engagement, and was eventually stationed here. After the war, I decided to stay," said Peggy.
"And now you work here at the SSR," said Michael, a proud smile on his face, Peggy smiled back.
"Yes, you were right, as usual. I was never cut out to be a proper lady and a housewife," said Peggy.
There was a chorus of "hear hears" that went around the Howling Commandos and the agents.
"So you finished out the war in Yugoslavia?" Daniel asked Michael.
"Yes, helping out where I could in the village, mostly with farm work but I knew it wasn't what I was used to, that my life had been different. But I truly didn't remember anything about my life until very recently," said Michael
"What prompted the memory?" asked Peggy.
"I'm not sure, I was taking a break and I saw these two children play fighting with swords. Suddenly, in my head, I saw two different children. A little girl named Peggy and a boy she called Michael,"
"Playing their favorite game," said Peggy, smiling at the memory.
"Yes," said Michael softly, he cleared his throat before continuing.
"A few nights later, I had a dream. We were sitting at a table, at a party, with a man you called Fred," the smile faded off of Peggy's face, as the one on Michael's turned sad.
"My engagement party, Michael I am so sorry," she said
"I am as well," Michael responded, taking Peggy's hand and squeezing it.
"What happened?" asked Dugan.
"We argued. When I was offered the SOE job, Michael had recommended me. I had just gotten engaged and was becoming the lady our mother always wanted me to be. At the advice, no, at the insistence of my fiance, I turned down the SOE job. I thought he was what I wanted, that I was in love with him," Peggy explained.
"And I was upset with her, because the woman I came home to was not the sister that I knew. I knew that the life shoe would have led with Fred, though undoubtedly she would have been very comfortable, she was meant for more. She was begging me to be nice to Fred, asking me if I liked him when he left the table momentarily. I started the argument," said Michael.
"I grew upset with him, because I knew deep down that Michael was right, but I was too afraid to admit it. I refused to listen and stormed off. That was the last time we spoke, I was trying on my wedding gown when we were told you had died. I kept playing our last conversation over in my head, devastated that that would be the last time I ever spoke to my big brother, and it was in anger. I realized you were right and so within a week, I had broken my engagement with Fred and accepted the SOE job. It was the best decision of my life," said Peggy.
"I'm glad," said Michael.
"But how did you know I was here in New York?" asked Peggy
"I told Filip about my returning memories and he managed to hunt down a newspaper article about you and Captain America. It had your picture, which I recognized, and we decided to try our luck and come here,"
"We found them trying to purchase passage," interjected Dugan.
"They offered to help, I fell and hit my head while on the plane. When I woke up an hour later, I remembered everything," said Michael.
"That is one hell of a story, and it brings us to today, the SSR has two major cases going on," said Daniel.
"I want to hear about you, your job, your life now," Michael said to Peggy, she smiled.
"I'm afraid Daniel's right, that will all have to wait, at least a little while," said Peggy.
"Alright then Agent Sousa-" started Dugan, but Peggy interrupted him
"That's Chief Sousa now," she said with a bright smile on her face.
"Really? What happened to Jackie boy?" asked Dugan.
"Colonel Phillips demoted him when he came to check up on things and tell me that he had plans for me, whatever that means," she said.
"Alright then, Chief, fill us in," said Pinky.
"Drs. Ivchenko and Zola have escaped from prison, they are working with at least a part of a network of female Russian spies. It is possible that Hydra might be returning, and that may or may not be connected to Zola breaking out of prison," started Daniel.
"Also, Howard Stark has been abducted because he attempted to ransom himself for my life," said Peggy.
"Does that explain your arm?" asked Pinky, gesturing to the still visible bandage on her arm.
"Yes, it was broken, or at least badly sprained," answered Peggy.
"What happened to you?" Michael asked.
"A Russian spy, Dottie, we had been tracking her for a while as she was responsible for an attempted attack on New York along with Dr. Ivchenko. She kidnapped me for the Doctors, and tortured me for information on Howard Stark and Captain America," Peggy explained quickly.
"Tortured you?" asked Michael, wanting clarification.
"I escaped with minor injuries," deflected Peggy.
"Minor?!" exclaimed Daniel, remembering simultaneously how Peggy walked into the SSR the day she escaped, and the room he found at the factory she was held which was covered in blood, "you were a bloody mess, literally, when you got back here; bruised ribs, a sprained ankle, broken arm, and I put stitches in your head! Not to mention the other cuts and bruises," said Daniel.
"Yes, and the other day you got shot and I stitched up your arm, we're even," retorted Peggy
"Why did he put stitches in your head and not a doctor?" asked Michael
"Because she wouldn't go to a doctor, she didn't see a doctor until I got shot and she wanted me to, I told her I would if she would," explained Daniel.
"So, we know who hurt Peggy and has Howard, but who shot you?" Dugan asked..
"Presumably Hydra, we were investigating the body quite literally left on our doorstep, we went to speak with the victim's wife when she and Daniel were shot by an unknown sniper. We suspect Hydra because of a message left on the victim's body in his blood, 'Hail Hydra,'" said Peggy.
"And you're sure it wasn't the Russians?"
"No, the girls are trained assassins, they work efficiently, quickly, and quietly. Very highly trained from a young age, the girl we met in Russia was training to become one of those women. You saw what she was capable of at such a young age. They kill and follow orders without emotion, this body with the painted message was sadistic," said Peggy.
"And they are currently taking orders from the Doctors, which means Hydra, and Ivchenko has his own agenda. Agent Carter's life has been threatened, the assassins have been ordered to kill her, and since you have been at the center of this with the Howling Commandoes and Captain America, I would like you to take the lead on this," said Daniel.
"Thank you," said Peggy.
"So I take it you have one hell of a story to tell," Michael said to Peggy.
"It is certainly a long one," said Peggy.
"I'd love to help, if I may," said Michael, looking between Daniel and Peggy.
"We could always use more manpower," Daniel agreed readily.
"Speaking of, someone should probably collect Angie, she deserves to be in the know, especially since she's training," said Peggy.
"Why did we leave her at the gun range?" asked Daniel.
"So she can get some practice in, she fired a gun for the first time today, remember," said Peggy.
"Right. Wallis, would you mind? And locate Thompson while you're at it," said Daniel.
"Sure thing, Chief,' said Wallis, draining his bourbon and getting up from the table.
"Did you encounter anything more on your end that may be related?" Peggy asked the Howling Commandos.
"No, nothing, sorry Peggy. We looked," said Johnson.
"What can I do?" asked Michael.
"What was your role in the army?" asked Daniel.
"Just your average foot soldier I'm afraid, I did have some sniper training though," Michael answered.
"You can come with me then, I want to go back to the neighborhood Peggy, I mean Agent Carter, and I were shot at and look around. Maybe you and I can figure where the shots were coming from," said Daniel.
"Do you still have a copy of my file?" Peggy asked Daniel.
"Yeah, I haven't gotten around to putting it back yet. It's in my car," said Daniel.
"Good, Michael can read it, you can ask me whatever you want later, but that file will give you the basics. I'll fill Angie in when she gets here, the two of us will work on the Russian spies, after all we spent the most time with Dottie while she was undercover," said Peggy.
"Sounds good, keep a radio near you, in case we need to get in touch," said Daniel.
"Be careful you two, I just got you back, Michael," said Peggy
"We will," said Michael.
"I think I will get out of your way. I'll try and get passage home, we never did use that money the village gave us. I'm glad you found your family, Michael," said Filip.
"Thank you, my friend," Michael and Filip shook hands.
Michael and Daniel left the SSR together, heading for Daniel's car.
"What happened to your leg?"
"Blown off in the war, I was honorably discharged and starting working at the SSR soon after the war ended, around the same time as Carter," answered Daniel.
"And you're her superior?" Michael asked.
"It's a recent promotion, yes, I am Chief of the New York SSR office," said Daniel.
The two men got to the car, Daniel reached into the back seat and grabbed Peggy's file, handing it to Michael.
"Why did you have her file?"
"That is the end of a long story, which starts in there. I better let Peggy tell you all about it," said Daniel.
"Thank you, and thank you for your patience with my questions," said Michael.
"It's no problem, you can start reading that now it will take us a while to get to the crime scene," said Daniel.
Angie was on her fifth target, she finally felt like she was getting comfortable with the gun in her hand. After firing off the last round in the chamber, Angie put the gun down and took out her earbuds. Sighing, she decided a break was in order, at least for a little while.
"You're not a bad shot," came a voice from behind her. Angie picked the gun back up and whirled around, pointing it at the man.
"Woah, easy Martinelli. It's just me," he said, his hands in the air.
"Agent Wallis," Angie lowered the gun, blushing slightly at her mistake, "I'm so sorry!"
"It's alright, I shouldn't have sneaked up behind ya. Chief sent me to get you, Carter needs help on an assignment," said Wallis.
"Oh, ok. Kind of thought I would be training for a while,"
"Under normal circumstances, you would be, but these cases aren't normal. A little tip though, next time you point your gun at an adversary, make sure it's loaded. I watched you empty that chamber," said Wallis, smirking at Angie.
"Thanks for the tip," Angie replied in kind.
"We've got one stop to make first, I've been tasked with locating Thompson in addition to collecting you," said Wallis.
"Sounds good,"
"He doesn't live far from here, it won't take long,"
They arrived a few minutes later.
"Do you wanna come up?" Wallis asked Angie.
"Yeah,"
They walked into the apartment building, upstairs and knocked on Jack's door.
"Thompson! You in there?" Wallis shouted through the door.
"It's my day off!" Came a shout from inside.
"We've got shit going on! Chief sent me to get you...Sorry," the last he said to Angie, apologizing for the language.
"Don't worry about it," Angie said as the door opened. Jack was angry until he saw Angie, and then he was confused.
"What's the dame doing here?" he addressed Wallis.
"Chief hired her, she's training. She was my first stop,"
"Sousa won't last long then,"
"Excuse me?" asked Angie.
"Look, Carter was only hired because of her history with Captain America, nobody actually respects her as an agent. And no one will respect you," said Jack.
Wallis was just opening his mouth to tell Thompson to back off, shut up, when Angie surprised them both. Without saying a word, Angie punched Jack in the right eye, Jack stumbled backwards into the room, clutching his eye.
"Didn't realize Carter taught you that one," Wallis said in awe.
"She didn't, you learn some stage fighting as an actress, I just made sure to hit my mark. How'd I do?"
"Not bad, you kept your thumb on the outside right? Your stance could use a little work though, if you stand right you can use the momentum from your hips when you punch, get more power behind it. You ready yet Thomspon?" Wallis said.
"Chief at the office?"
"Nah, he's at the crime scene where he and Carter got shot at," said Wallis.
"I'll catch up with him there, need to have a word,"
"Alright, let's go Martinelli,"
Alright, I'm gonna leave it there for now because I want to get this up. I forgot how much I genuinely enjoy writing fanfiction, this was a lot of fun! I hope you all are staying healthy and safe at this time, please leave a review if you want.
Thank you for reading!