Chapter 15
AN: Thank you for the support. I really hope you like this chapter. PLEASE, LEAVE A REVIEW.
Not long after she was knocked out Dottie wakes up in Howard's personnel lab, tied to a chair, with Peggy, Howard, Jarvis and Ana standing around her. While Peggy, Howard and Jarvis are closer to her, Ana is further away.
"I saw this coming, you're getting predictable Peggy," Dottie comments. "And if it isn't the husband," She says, smirking at Howard. "You know I was a little hurt that I didn't get an invitation to the wedding; it was because I slept with your husband, wasn't it?" Dottie asks, trying to rile Peggy up even though she wants her help, as she just can't help it.
"You are far from the only person to do that," Peggy comments, the comment not bothering her at all, as she came to terms with Howard's promiscuous history a long time ago because that's not who he is anymore. "And you weren't invited because we didn't want people who tried to kill us more than once at our wedding," Peggy explains.
"Wasn't your brother there?" Dottie asks, revealing that she knows all about what Michael has done.
"As enjoyable as it is to watch you two verbally spar, can we move onto the point of this visit. I would very much like to head to bed sometime soon," Howard comments.
"Who are the little girls you mentioned?" Peggy asks, as she knows that is the most important part of what Dottie mentioned.
"Girls just like me," Dottie reveals. "Girls who have been taken from their families before they can even remember them. Girls who spent their days learning to kill and their nights chained to their beds," Dottie explains.
"You're talking about the place that trained you," Jarvis realises.
"It's called The Red Room," Dottie answers.
"Leviathan is gone, this Red Room would be gone too," Peggy comments, knowing that if Dottie is about to tell her that Leviathan is back then she is going to be extremely pissed.
"The KGB took over control of the Red Room in fifty-four," Dottie explains, and Peggy realises she shouldn't be surprised.
"So, there are more highly trained female operatives," Howard says.
"Many more," Dottie explains.
"Why now? It's been six years," Peggy comments.
"Because I found out they are not just training them," Dottie reveals. "The girls are being experimented on. They want to make a weapon even more perfect than the ones they already make," Dottie explains, and Peggy is surprised to realises that Dottie is actually bothered by this.
"That's horrible," Ana says horrified saying what they are all thinking.
"You're bothered by this. I didn't think that was possible," Peggy comments, trying to figure out just what Dottie's angle is.
"Becoming a warrior to protect Russia is something to be proud of," Dottie says. "Being experimented on isn't," Dottie explains. "I know where the facility is, and I'm going to dismantle it, get the girls out of there, but I cannot do it alone. Peggy, I need your help," Dottie says, looking directly at Peggy, in a way almost like she isn't seeing anyone else in the room.
About an hour later while Dottie is locked in a room which Peggy is sure she can't get out of, a room which Howard and Peggy figured they'd need one day, Peggy, Howard, Jarvis, Ana, are up in Peggy's home office, having been joined by Jack, Daniel, Michael, Rose, who is carrying MJ, Dugan and Gabe, who have been told what has happened.
"Do you seriously believe her? After everything she's done?" Daniel asks shocked, as he would have thought that Peggy would know better than that.
"I am the first to admit that Dottie can't be trusted, but I do not believe she is lying about this," Peggy admits.
"I had interactions with the Red Room when I was in Leviathan," Michael reveals, causing everyone to look at him as they all know that he doesn't talk about his time with Leviathan much. "Experimenting on children to turn them into even more perfect weapons sounds like just the kind of thing they would do," Michael admits.
"That's horrible," Rose says, as she looks down at MJ who is asleep in her arms, and Michael puts his arm around his wife and son.
"The last time we went to a facility like this we didn't all come home," Dugan points out. "if we do this we need to remember that."
"We will," Peggy says, a sad edge to her voice. "But if there really are little girls being experimented on then we have to do something," Peggy says, knowing that this is something that she cannot just sit by and let slide, no matter what anyone says, or the consequences.
"But with Underwood? Danny's right. She's betrayed us every chance she has gotten," Jack points out.
"You don't need to remind me," Peggy admits, as that is something she never needs a reminder about. "And I am not suggesting we blindly listen to what she has said, and I'm certainly not saying that we don't have a contingency plan for when she undoubtably betrays us," Peggy says. "But even just the suspicion of little girls being experimented on means we have to do something," Peggy explains, saying what everyone in the room know.
"And you called us because, with Underwood being the one supplying the intel, we're the only ones you can trust," Gabe realises.
"I couldn't even call Lian because she would be obligated to pass it on to the CIA," Peggy explains, as while she trusts Lian she wouldn't put her in that position.
"Can I just point out that when you and Howard were framed for Treason they used your history with Underwood against you. This will give them future ammunition if needed," Daniel says, knowing that that would be against all of them.
"It is a risk Howard and I are willing to take," Peggy says, knowing that. "But I am not going to ask that of the rest of you," Peggy explains. "Using Dottie's intel will be voluntary, and no ill feeling for anyone who refuses," Peggy explains, looking around at her friends as she knows that with the potential consequences then she cannot give orders on this, they have to be willing.
"Peggy, we're a team, you don't even have to ask. We're with you," Dugan says, without hesitation.
"Definitely," Gabe says, with a nod.
"Of course," Michael says, and Rose nods.
"We've got your back, Boss," Daniel says.
"Always will," Jack says, as everyone knows it's a big deal, and Peggy and Howard exchange looks, both feeling grateful for their friends; their family.
"Let's talk about how we are going to handle this," Peggy says, and that is exactly what they do.
January 6th 1961
Over the next three weeks Peggy and Howard, with the help of their friends, work to figure out how much truth Dottie is telling them, as well as working on their contingency, while also keeping what they are doing from everyone else; including their own agents.
As enough of what Dottie said could be verified Peggy, Michael, Jack, Dugan, Gabe and Dottie have headed to Russia. While no one trusts Dottie is has become clear that it is necessary to work with her.
"Are you sure this will actually be a safe place?" Peggy asks her brother, the two of them walking ahead of the others, heading towards a building.
"I was the only one to know about it," Michael explains. "I hid out here when I was being controlled by Leviathan," Michael tells his sister. "It's not a perfect choice, but a better one than making a camp in a Russian winter," Michel says.
"Good point," Peggy admits, as they get to the building. "Jack, Dugan, do a perimeter check," Peggy instructs, as everyone else heads inside.
"We should keep going," Dottie objects.
"We wouldn't survive and you know it," Peggy tells her. "It's best we hunker down for a few hours, get some rest, and then continue on," Peggy comments.
"We've waisted enough time already," Dottie says annoyed, as Jack and Dugan walk in.
"All clear Carter," Jack assures her.
"Good," Peggy says relieved. "As I said we'll hunker down for the next couple of hours then continue on," Peggy says, looking at the others, and while Dottie looks disappointed everyone else seems relieved.
An hour or so late most of the team are asleep, but Peggy is wide awake when Michael walks over and sits down next to her.
"I can take watch if you want to get some rest," Michael tells his sister.
"I'm not resting when Dottie is around," Peggy informs her brother, as she knows she can't risk that.
"You're right, what was I thinking?" Michael asks in a borderline sarcastic tone, clearly not expecting an answer.
"You should have stayed home," Peggy tells her brother.
"What?" Michael asks shocked.
"This is going to be dangerous," Peggy tells her brother.
"Well yes, our jobs tend to be dangerous, what else is new?" Michel asks his sister, feeling confused.
"Michael you have a son at home," Peggy tells her brother, as while he has done dangerous missions since he became a father he hasn't done a mission like this.
"Yeah, I noticed," Michael comments. "Peggy, this job is a part of who I am. Rose and I talked back before MJ was born and we agreed that neither of us are going to stop doing our job because of our son, in fact part of the reason we do the job is for him; to make sure his world is safe. He gives us something to fight for, another reason to come home," Michael tells his sister. "There is no universe where I sit this mission out," Michael explains.
"Thank you," Peggy says, though she is still worried about her brother, and the two of them drift into silence.
A few hours later everyone is awake, and Peggy, Michael, Dottie, Dugan, Jack, and Gabe are all sounding outside a facility.
"Is this the place?" Peggy asks, as while her intel indicated that it is, she wants to see what Dottie will say about that.
"Yes," Dottie confirms, staring at the building. As while it is not the same building as where she was trained, the inside is the same, what the girls are going through is.
"Okay," Peggy says, turning to face the others. "We split up. Michael, Dottie and I will enter from the front. Dugan, Jack, Gabe, you take the back," Peggy instructs.
"Be careful, watch out for her," Dugan says, gesturing to Dottie. "Come on boys," Dugan says, and he, Jack and Gabe start to head towards the back of the building.
"Do I get a weapon now?" Dottie asks curious, and as she does Michael shakes his head. "Come on Peggy, you know you're going to need my help," Dottie explains.
"Don't shoot us," Peggy says, as, to her brothers horror, she hands Dottie a gun.
"Of course not," Dottie says, with a smirk.
"Let's move," Peggy says, being able to feel the disapproving look her brother is giving her, as they start to walk.
Over the next few minutes Peggy, Dottie and Michael start to make their way through the facility together.
"I wasn't expecting it to be this quiet," Michael says to Peggy and Dottie, and as he does Peggy sees the look on Dottie's face.
"Dottie?" Peggy asks, and in response Dottie just walks straight into a room. Feeling concerned Peggy and Michael follow her and as soon as they do they realises they wish they haven't, as it is a morgue, with dead girls, none looking older than about fourteen, lying all area. "Oh dear lord," Peggy says horrified, looking around.
"The ones who lost," Dottie says, even though no one asked.
"We have to keep moving," Michael says, as he doesn't want to stay in this particular room any longer than he has to.
"Michael's right," Peggy says. "Come on, Dottie," Peggy says and she gently encourages her out of the room, a room that Peggy knows is going to give her nightmares for a long time.
Over the next minute or so Peggy, Dottie and Michael continue to make their way through the facility until they suddenly hear what sounds like a little girl screaming in pain. The second they hear the scream the trio start to run, but Dottie runs faster than Peggy and Michael as she knows that for a Red Room trainee to scream then things are beyond bad.
After following the scream Peggy, Michael and Dottie get to a room where there is a little red-haired girl, who cannot be any older than seven, strapped to a table, tears running down her face, as she screams in Russian, with various iv's connected and a man standing over her. Before Peggy or Michael can react Dottie acts and shoots the man through the forehead, and as his body falls to the ground, Dottie runs over to the little girl, as does Peggy.
"Michael, get samples. Howard will need to test them," Peggy says, as she and Dottie start to detach the little girl from the various things. "We're here to help you," Peggy says to the girl in perfect Russian.
"We have no place in the world," Dottie says, also in Russian, causing the girl to look at her with a wide eye look. "I am Dottie, this is Peggy. No man will hurt you again," Dottie tells the girl, as she and Peggy work to detach her from the various things, while Michael collects samples of what was being used on the girl.
"What's your name Sweetheart?" Peggy asks, again in Russian.
"Natasha," Natasha answers as Peggy and Dottie help her to sit up. "Natalia Alianovna Romanoff," Natasha answers, and while she has a slight accent it is not as thick as would be expected.
"Natasha, we're going to get you out of here, if that's okay?" Peggy asks, still using Russian as she isn't sure how much English Natasha knows.
"Yes, I want to leave," Natasha answers, honestly not sure what to think, or feel about everything that has happened.
Having got Natasha's okay Dottie picks her up and gently places her on the ground,
"Stay close," Dottie tells Natasha.
"Peggy, you there?" Dugan's voice asks through the radio.
"Yeah. We're here," Peggy says, through the radio.
"All we're finding are bodies," Dugan informs Peggy.
"They were not strong enough to handle it," Natasha says, in near perfect English.
"Handle what Honey?" Peggy asks, in a gentle tone as Dottie gives her a look which says 'don't ask that'.
"That," Natasha says, pointing to the samples of the various serums that Michael is taking. "Other girls got it, they weren't as strong as I am," Natasha explains, clearly quoting someone else rather than using her own words.
"Do a check and meet outside. We've got a survivor," Peggy instructs, and as she does several men with guns hurry into the room, and Dottie just shoots them too; killing them both. "Michael, you got everything?" Peggy asks her brother.
"Yep," Michael confirms.
"Then let's move. Natasha, like Dottie said, stay close," Peggy instructs, and once she does the four of them start to make their way through the facility, both Peggy and Dottie making sure that Natasha is close between them, it being clear that both will do whatever they have to do to protect the little girl.
Over the next few minutes Peggy, Dottie, Michael and Natasha make their way through the facility heading towards the exit. As they move around the corridor Dottie sees something out of the corner of her eyes, and reacting quickly she pushes Natasha and Peggy, who she is closes too, out of the way, down a corridor, and starts to fire back at the group of about six men who are firing at them.
"Stay behind me," Peggy tells Natasha, knowing she has to focus on keeping her safe, before getting to her feet and firing back, using the corridor corner wall for cover. "Dugan, Jack, Gabe," Peggy says, through the radio. "We could use some backup. South side, first floor," Peggy tells her friends through the radio.
"We'll be right there," Dugan responds.
After responding to Dugan Peggy, along with Michael and Dottie who are a few feet away, continue to fire back at the people who are attacking them. As they fire back Peggy notices that Dottie is seemingly struggling, something which Peggy knows isn't good.
"Dottie? Are you okay?" Peggy asks worried, and Dottie fires one more shot before collapsing. "DOTTIE!" Peggy yells as she continues to shoot, and suddenly shots come from behind the men, curtesy of Dugan, Jack and Gabe, causing those who were still alive to no longer be.
As they are no longer being fired upon Peggy hurries over to Dottie, who is bleeding out from several wounds, that her vest was unable to protect her from.
"Dottie, just hold on. You'll be okay," Peggy tells the woman who was once her friend but has been her enemy a lot longer, as she moves Dottie, so her head is in Peggy's lap.
"You're a horrible liar," Dottie tells Peggy, looking up at her, as she struggles to breathe. "Natasha… protect her….. make sure she has a chance… please, Peggy," Dottie begs, as unknown to her Natasha walks over.
"I will," Peggy promises, her voice breaking. "But you're going to protect her too. Just like you already have," Peggy tells her. "You saved her, saved us both," Peggy tells Dottie, feeling a little amazed as this was a selfless act that she wasn't sure Dottie had in her. "You did good," Peggy assures Dottie, giving her a sad smile, fighting back her own tears.
"Dottie?" Natasha asks, as she crouches down next to Peggy. "Thank you," Natasha says sincerely, as tears come to her eyes, and with a smile on her face Dottie takes her last breath and closes her eyes for the last time.
"Peggy, we can't stay," Michael says, crouching down next to his sister. "We've got to go," Michael says, putting a hand on his sister's shoulder.
Even though she doesn't want to leave Dottie's body in this place of all places Peggy knows what she has to do and so she gently moves Dottie's head off her lap and stands up.
"We can't leave her here," Natasha objects. "We can't leave any of them here," Natasha says, looking at Peggy, her voice breaking.
"We don't have another option right now," Peggy says, as she picks up Natasha, feeling surprised about how light she is. "Let's go," Peggy says, forcing herself to be put together.
"Where are we going?" Natasha asks, as she moves closer to Peggy, feeling safe for the first time in her memory.
"Home," Peggy answers.
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