Peggy didn't know what had come over Jack last night, but by morning it was gone. It was better that way, she figured. Everything was complicated enough without her having to worry about why Thompson was being nice to her. Besides, Daniel was here too and she didn't want him getting confused about their relationship.
She tried to sleep, but the pain racking her body was too much to be able to shut her eyes for more than a few minutes. She had been more than her fair share of time, but there was something about getting punched square in the jaw that left her reeling. Her face felt puffy and she knew she would be a bruised mess by morning. She didn't want to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her hurt though. For most of the night, she focused on getting used to the ever present pain. It wasn't east, but by morning she had grown accustomed to the constant throbbing.
And at the same time as yesterday, Antakov came back in with the same agent as yesterday.
"Thompson," she said, just loud enough that he should be able to heal him, "Jack, wake up."
She felt him stir and in a moment he was fully awake, "They're taking me again."
She felt him stiffen against his restraints and she prayed he wouldn't make a scene. Whatever they would do to her was nothing compared to how they could hurt him and Sousa. When he didn't say anything, Peggy realized that he knew that. He wasn't happy, but saying anything would only make it worse for all of them.
"Come back alive, Carter," was all he said.
Peggy gave a weak smile as she was uncuffed from the chair.
She was led down the same path that she had been yesterday, and again Peggy couldn't keep track of all the twists and turns. She felt confident that given time, she would eventually begin to memorize it. The only problem with taking the time to learn it was that every time she w0ould get the chance to practice, she would be led to pain and possible death. Not the best conditions to test her memorization skills.
She knew today would be worse. She had given Antakov all the basic information that was practically harmless. Now they would get into the questions she actually couldn't answer. Peggy Carter was a strong woman, but she knew she could only take so much. She wouldn't give up any of the SSR's secrets, but she might die in the process. The prospect of dying didn't really scare her as much as it should have. She'd been captured more times than she could count and she'd been tortured every time, but what would happen to her loved one without her? She didn't even want to think about what they'd do to Daniel and Thompson when she was dead.
"You seem distracted, Miss Carter," Antakov commented when her blindfold was removed.
"Do I?" she replied.
"Those agents in there," he said slowly, "They are your friends?"
"Coworkers," she corrected, "I don't have many friends."
"I don't expect you can in your line of work."
"No," she agreed, "Just a few."
"I can't imagine you get a lot of respect either," he continued. Peggy narrowed her eyes. Where was he going with this?
"Do women in any line of work?"
"They do here," he said, "All of our agents are women. Powerful women."
"Yes, I've experienced that power first hand," Peggy said.
"Our girls grew up learning the art of killing, but that doesn't mean it can't be taught later in life."
"You aren't-"
"Though I suppose you know how to kill very well on you own," he said mostly to himself, "Would you ever consider taking a position here."
"No," she replied.
"You would be treated well," he said, "A mentor to the younger girls."
"I have no interest in spending any more nights in handcuffs than is absolutely necessary," she commented dryly.
Antakov gave a small laugh, "I knew you'd be a hard sell," he said, "But you would have a position of leadership here."
"It will be the very coldest day in hell before I betray my country," Peggy said resolutely.
"Let's see what you say after a few more days," he said.
Hours later, Peggy was led back into her cell. She was right in thinking that today would be worse than yesterday. It had pretty much been the same line of questioning, but the consequences for not answering had been worse. A kick here, a slap there, harder and more painful. By the time she reached the door, her ankle was throbbing from were Olga had slammed her heel against it.
Along with that, she was still reeling from Antakov's offer. She knew deep down it must have been an attempt to confuse her, and it had worked. Peggy Carter was a lot of things, but she wasn't a traitor. Antakov had to have known that, but he asked her again when he had decided they were done for the day. Again, she had refused with just as much anger as she had before.
"Peggy?" Daniel asked as he tilted his head back, "You okay?"
"I've been better," she replied.
"I can imagine," Jack replied dryly, "Did they hurt your ankle."
"I think it's just a sprain," she said as she was cuffed back to the chair.
They remained silent until their captors left for the time being, "Be honest, Peggy," Daniel said slowly, "How much more of this can you take?"
"I don't know," she replied honestly, "But I feel like it is only just beginning."
"She won't break easily," Olga said after she had returned the captive to her cell.
"She is strong," Antakov replied, "As strong as any of you are."
"Would you really offer her a place here?" Olga asked as she tied her long brown hair back. This building had been her home for most of her life. The Black Widow program was elite, not just anyone was accepted. If he would offer the Brit a chance to become like her, she must be even better than Olga thought.
"Is she would accept it," Antakov said, "But I doubt she will."
"Then what do we do."
"Her 'coworkers," he said, "They mean more to her than she is letting on."
"I kill them?"
"No, not yet." He replied, "Not before we get what we need."
A.N. Not the best chapter, I know, but it was supposed to be a bit of a filler. I really appreciate all the feedback I've gotten on the last chapter. It's so much easier to write when I know there are people actually reading. I'll try and update again before the weekend is over, but no promises. Thanks!