Ok kids. I go to sleep and get extra reviews and follows and stuff, and it's still not even at what I think will be the good parts! Thankyou!I've changed the rating, just in case my mind wanders off and things get a little steamier than intended. Just a little reminder, feedback is always welcome, but try and make it constructive yeah?
cravinghoneydukes , thanks! Me too! It's a bit of a surprise to see what I'll end up with, because I get on a roll and suddenly we're veering left where we should have maybe run screaming.
michaellaD thanks for letting me know! These days, yes, Chesterfield is more commonly recognized as just the sofa, but it can actually be an entire suite or simply an easychair as well. I like to paint a picture, and sometimes I like to use the words that feel right to me as the author. ;) Nope, I'm not from Canada. Just like my profile says, I'm in Australia.
Anyway kids, onwards and upwards….right?
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"Peggy….he would have wanted you to be happy. You can't continue to punish yourself for eternity, don't play the tortured spinster card. It's wasted on you. Steve loved you. You loved him. You can't just sit up there in your little tower, telling yourself you can't have feelings anymore because he isn't coming back." Howard paused, giving her time, and then followed on, "Jack's a handsome guy….sounds like he really likes ya. You oughta bring him over when I'm back." Peggy was listening to Howard's raving down the phone, but she wasn't in the mood, "Howard….Howard…the line's not good. You'll have to call back. Goodbye." She hung up, sighing as she lay back against the pillows.
It had been nice kissing Jack. More than nice. She realized the brief, passionate kiss she'd shared with Steve seemed chaste in comparison to her previous evening's behavior, but was she being foolish to think they'd work? She'd spent so long holding onto the memory of Steve, of what they might have had…..was Howard right? Was that really what was upsetting her? Knowing she'd have to let go of her dreams, even if she kept him in her heart, always?
The phone rang again, and she picked it up, saying nothing. Howard's voice was softer now, warmer, "Pegs….listen…you know I only say this stuff because…." "I get it Howard. I do." "Great….that's great. I'm happy for ya, I am. Happy for me too, I don't hafta look at the depressing face you make. Listen….I gotta go, runway's mine in a minute, but I'll see ya when I'm lookin' at ya, ok kid?" "Yes, goodbye Howard. Safe flight."
As she hung up again, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, and cast a glance at the untouched, barely rumpled covers of the opposite side. She certainly wasn't going to become one of 'those' girls overnight, but she knew the curiosity about how Jack would look laying over there would get the better of her eventually. She flushed as desire pooled in her belly at the thought of his hard, strong chest bared to her, his arms maybe even wrapped around her as she slept. She sighed. That was enough funny business for one day. "Margaret Carter…..get your mind out of the gutter", she reprimanded herself as she wandered into the ensuite.
In his apartment, Jack was almost regretting finishing the bottle of whiskey when sleep didn't come.
Almost.
He wondered if the restless exhaustion he'd be feeling might win out over the seedy headache and gritty eyes the booze had left in him as he slowly lurched towards the medicine cabinet for aspirin.
Glancing at himself in the mirror, he frowned at the stubble on his chin, and at the state of his hair. No way was Peggy going to give him the time of day, let alone anything else while he looked like this. He needed a haircut, a shave and something solid for breakfast. There was a diner near the barbershop, he'd make a quick stop, kill em all with one stone. He couldn't help but be tempted to call and check on Peggy, but didn't, figuring she might still be sleeping. He smiled, she was a girl after his own heart; knew how to hold her own in a bar, or in a fight.
At the barber shop, old Gino welcomed him in, grinning as he looked at his face, "A woman. Is always a woman if you look like this…but this time…more serious. Oh dear." Jack smiled, shrugging as he sat down, Gino draping the cape across him, "She a nice girl? You need a nice girl Jack….a good girl. A wife. She Italian?" Gino eyed him hopefully, and Jack shook his head, "British." Gino raised his eyebrows, "She's too nice for you then. They all good girls, don't you break her heart." "I'm not sure I even have it." "Aha. This is the problem, no?" Gino began to tidy up Jack's hair, dispensing advice along the way.
Jack wiped his face with the hot towel after his shave, "Gino….I'm an okay guy, and I'm smart right?" "You're okay, si, si. Likes to have a little too much drinking maybe…but you're a good guy. Smart, yes." "So why can't I figure her out?" Gino shrugged, smiling, patting Jack on the shoulder as he slipped his hat back on his head, "Jack, you listen to Gino. You like her so much, you need to be honest. Women, they no like it if you hiding things from them." Gino winked, accepting Jack's tip with a smile, tucking it into his pocket, "And you know, Jack…my daughter Maria…she's a good girl. If this one no work, I introduce you." Jack chuckled and stepped out into the street. He needed more aspirin, and some food.
"Well hello Handsome. I'd recognize those arms anywhere." A sassy voice greeted him warmly and Jack looked up into the face of the waitress, wishing the floor would swallow him whole. Peggy's friend…Annie? Amy? the one who'd taken him for a ride while Peggy was right outside, stood before him, holding a pot of coffee, "Coffee?" She was pouring before he could say no, and kept talking, "Peggy hasn't come in yet, you two got some work or something? Haven't seen you in here all that much." He started to speak, "Look…Annie….Amy….." She rolled her eyes at him, pointing to her nametag, "Angie" before walking away murmuring, "Hope she doesn't entertain you as a good idea for too long, jerk."
She returned a few minutes later, with a dull, "You ready to order?", the jovial face and voice long gone now he'd made the mistake. He snapped the menu shut, two could play that game, "Eggs, Bacon, pancakes." He smiled overly-sweetly at her, "Please sweetheart." "Peggy know you talk to other women like that, Agent Thompson?" He didn't miss the acid emphasis on his name, but he was saved by someone else's arrival.
"Oh! Peggy! I was just taking Agent Jensen's order." She eyeballed him as she turned to face her friend, "Usual for you?" Peggy nodded, looking a little tired, but immaculate. She slipped in opposite Jack, taking him in, "Continued the party then?" He thought he'd find regret, or anger in her eyes, but he only found softness. She knew. She knew he was a washed up drunk, living with a lie, and she liked him anyway. He reached for her hand across the table, "Couldn't sleep. You either?" She smiled softly, "I had some things to think about. Decided to say farewell to."
Jack felt his heart drop through his stomach when she said that, was she about to tell him it'd never work? They were interrupted by the unceremonious delivery of their meals, and he didn't miss the eyeroll Angie shot Peggy as she mouthed 'jackass' to her before walking away. "Jack? Jack…it's not that I mind awfully but…you're crushing my hand." He looked down, smiling when she didn't let him tug his hand completely free, "I never said you had to let go Jack." She smiled softly, "Do you think so little of me?" Jack didn't even know how to answer that, so simply shook his head, eyes transfixed on her pretty, painted mouth, mind on the prospect he might get to kiss her again, and soon.