Oh, You guysssss! My writing was barely up for an hour and I had two reviews! I forgot how awkward the writing shows up on FF, so I'll endeavour to break it up in future, Duly noted Ghosts! kitsykatsy, IKR? It just keeps coming, so I'll try and keep the chapters reasonable, but update often (hopefully that works out haha!) Like before, I don't own nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. OH, but Squee! I wish Thompson would tuck me into bed!
Peggy was shivering when he returned, her teeth chattering so loudly he could hear them from the hallway, "Jesus, Carter, it's not even winter." She looked up at him, her eyes wide, her face pale, "Sssoo…ssorry to….be a bbbbotherrr….Ageeennnttt Thompson." She clipped back in stammering speech, and damnit! Was that an eyeroll she'd thrown in for good measure there? He dropped the cup in front of her, "English Breakfast, no sugar. Milk. Am I redeemed?" She nodded, impatiently reaching for the cup and sipping at the scalding contents, "Ow!"
"Let me see." Jack reached for her chin, his thumb ghosting over her bee-stung bottom lip, "It's a little raw, you'll be okay. Give me the cup." She handed it to him, almost dropping it, and he sighed, "Jesus, Carter, I hafta do all the work around here?" Pouring some cold water into the cup from the pitcher nearby, he smiled, "You should get home. You're gonna feel like hell tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure you don't want anyone thinking you're a weak little girl if you take sick."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth he groaned inwardly, that had NOT been how it was supposed to sound. He was trying to offer support. He slapped himself mentally, 'Damnit Thompson! You're trying to get her to like you, not plan your funeral pyre.' She frowned, then drank the tea; when she finished, she spoke softly, "Th-thanks Jjjjack." She wrapped her arms around herself, chafing with her hands, trying to warm up, and he felt…well. He didn't know what he felt, but he wanted to rescue her, that part was for sure.
"Carter, can I drop you somewhere? I won't even come inside, I swear, but you really outta get home and in bed." "I do feel a little….under the weather." She sighed, "I can catch a ccccab. Nnno need to spoil your dddday doing favors." She tried to paint on a bright smile, but it collapsed as soon as she'd made the effort. "Marge….didn't you have plans today? What happened, get washed out?" She sighed, "If only. Angie was ccccalled in to work, so I thought I mmmmight try and get sommmme done as well. I wasn't ccccounting on the downpour though, that'll ttttteach me. Always be ppprepared, and all that nnnonsense, eh?"
He took off his suit jacket, wrapping it around her, then tugged her up to stand, "Come on Carter, you need to go home." For once, Peggy was silent, simply nodding and letting him wrap his arm around her as he led her to his car. He couldn't help but think how nice it would be under different circumstances, to be there, like this, arm around her, head against his side, her little hand resting lightly on his chest.
He glanced across at her, dozing gently in the passenger seat, and ran a hand through his hair. God, as if she didn't look like a good kissing might color her up a little. He felt guilty to wake her, but he couldn't recall if Howard's was this block or the next, and he knew he was right to assume she'd rather die than end up in his bed, even if it wasn't in the context he'd been dreaming about. He pulled over, ready to gently nudge her awake, when he door opened and Jarvis stuck his head in, an umbrella overhead, "Hello Agent Thompson. Miss Carter's gotten herself rained upon, has she?" He muttered something about 'not a nursemaid', and moved to wake her.
Jack held up his hand, shaking his head, "Don't….I'll come round." "You'll get wet I'm afraid Agent Thompson." Jack was already on his way around the car however, so Jarvis stepped back, doing his best to keep the umbrella over him as he reached into the car, backing up with Peggy in his arms, "Where's she going?" "Well, I assume she'll need a hot bath and a good strong cup of tea, but since it's you holding her, and she isn't under her own steam…." "Just point me where I need to go." Jack was exasperated, but also struggling to keep his attention on reality, and not the way her lips had barely parted, still red despite their lipstick being worn away, and the almost angelic, relaxed look on her face. The way she felt in his arms, the soft and delicate but toned feel of her body against his. He gently pressed his lips to her still damp hair, and Jarvis raised an eyebrow.
"Everything okay?" Jack asked frustratedly. He hadn't meant to be here, not with her in his arms, driving him crazy. A part of him felt disgusted with himself; here she was, practically passed out, and he was thinking about getting better acquainted. Jarvis led him along the hall, speaking softly, "Of course Agent Thompson. I was just surprised….I didn't realise you and Miss Carter were….on those sorts of terms."
Jack put her down on the bed; noting the covers had already been turned down and there was heat coming from somewhere. He started to pull the covers up over her, surprised at the smile on her lips. Was she aware of what was happening? She looked so small, and beautiful, laying there in the big four poster bed, he couldn't help himself; he leant down and kissed her forehead. "You're an okay girl, Carter." She smiled again, shifting in her sleep, and whispered softly, "Thank you Agent Thompson."