Am I updating too fast? Lemme know. I'm just kinda pumping it out as it comes, and sure, it might not be all of your cup of tea, but if I'm writing it cause I'm Cartson trash, there's no waaaaay in this universe I'm alone. Inbox me with story suggestions or plot ideas if there's something you reeaaally wanna see, and I'll do my best to squish em in somewhere. Mostly, yes, it's from Jack's point of view. Everytime I try to write completely from Peggy's it sounds like some horrific buck fifty romance from a newsstand.

cravinghoneydukes THANKYOU! Someone else is as depraved as me, thank goodness ;)

lira I'll take it on board, but personally I can't stand reading fics that are just full of white spaces. It's like reading a stop and start script, and none of my work is ever published that way cause of that. Hope you can still enjoy my fic the way I write it!

guest thanks! Everytime I aaaaaalmost get to the juicy parts, I get interrupted by work, or study, or the darn dog who likes to think she's people. I'm literally about to lock myself away for an hour so I can try and write some good stuff. Xx

See end for more notes.

^*()_4^&*()#^()_ $%^ ^^*&&*^ *&^&*^*^ *&^*^*&^&* %^%^%^%&% &*^*&^*^ &^*^&^

Jack couldn't count his blessings enough as Peggy caught sight of him from across the street, her bright red smile standing out in the snowy evening. His chest felt warm; in fact, he felt warm all over, something he never really expected to feel after Japan. It was a nice surprise.

"Hello sweetheart." He kissed her gently, and she hugged him close, tucking her head under his chin. "Hello darling. I've had such a day." He kissed the soft curls near her temple, "It's alright Marge. Let's get dinner." He knew it was the anniversary of Steve's plane going down, and while he knew they were the only two physically in this relationship, he was acutely aware, that twice a year, that there would always be a third, a ghost, just hovering over his shoulder. He understood it now, knew she wasn't any less in love with him. It had been hard in the beginning, only recently had Howard confided about the tears when she thought she was alone, the moping about silently when she thought nobody would notice.

They were no secret in the office now; even Daniel had wished him well one afternoon when he'd busted him looking at a ring catalogue, "She's a spy Jack….you better keep that well hidden." "I've got a safe place for it." "If it's as safe as your hidden whiskey stash, she already knows about it." Jack had smiled, said nothing, but he knew he was safe. The catalogue was hidden on the top of Sousa's locker, under a pile of girly mags someone had dumped there as a gag once. Peggy knew they were there, but he also knew she'd never touch them; she'd told him once the thought of them made her stomach turn.

Daniel stopped at Jack's desk now, "You ask her yet?" Jack shook his head, "I wanted to ask…hell…I dunno. Is Howard the right guy? She's got no family really…." "I think Stark is an okay choice. Not….premium, but…in a pinch." "Who do you suggest then? You? The dead guy she's still in love with? I'm running outta meaningful options here." Jack's words were bitter, and Daniel shook his head, "You know it's not like that…" "I know…I know. I just…those are big shoes to fill." "She loves you, jerk. Forget about why, or how, and just accept that she does." "Just accept that who does what gentlemen?" Peggy's heels click clacked across the floor, stopping in front of them both, "Daniel…good afternoon." She smiled at Jack, "Darling." He melted, he only had eyes for her, "Margaret." "Sorry to interrupt you two, but Jack….I've got to finish off some paperwork before I can go anywhere. Can I meet you later instead?" Jack took a breath, and Daniel excused himself, "I've got..uh…er…filing…to…uh…yeah."

"I'll wait….I'll drive you." "Jack…I'm a perfectly capable…." Jack rolled his eyes good naturedly, "Sweetheart….nobody's saying you can't be independent. Can't a guy just wanna drive his best girl home?" "About this home….Jack…I know you've said I can sleep in the guest room, and really, I don't mind where I sleep….but…I've not bought anything with me. I'll still need to collect some things…." "Are you packed?" "Yes but I…." Jack smiled, standing up, "You go finish your paperwork. I'll call past the house, Jarvis can let me in. He'll know which is the bag, right Peg?" She smiled, exasperated but happy, "Alright. Thankyou."

Before he left, he stood behind her at the break counter, reaching over her as an excuse to lean against her, taking delight in the way she shivered against him and leant back, "Jack Thompson….this sort of harassment…." "Would be better if we were alone." His words were warm on her neck, and he kissed behind her ear, "I'm going to get your things. If you decide you'd rather go home tonight, I'll even take you. You don't have to be afraid to feel vulnerable or uncomfortable Marge…..you know I love you, as you are." He stepped back, macho bravado front back in place as he slipped his hat on his head, "Be ready. Six, sharp." He winked at her, and she smiled, "Bye Jack."

Jack led her up the stairs to his apartment; she'd been there before, but only for short periods. Lunch on a weekend, the occaisional take out dinner and review of some files on a weeknight. She'd always retreated to her safehaven afterwards though, despite their best efforts on his sofa, and the counter in the kitchen, and, Peggy recalled with a blush, a particularly steamy, passionate kissing bout against the door before they'd even entered one evening. He smiled, leaning over and kissing her as he unlocked the door, looking her in the eye, "We're okay. Yeah?" She nodded, following him in, happy to see her things were sitting on the side table, "I didn't put this away yet. I thought I'd let you put it wherever you like, but I'll tell you now darling, there's room in my closet."

Peggy took her time getting ready, she didn't know where they were heading, but both Howard and Daniel had tried to casually mention she should wear something pretty. Jack wasn't really the hearts and flowers type; he'd certainly given her flowers, and the worst of his drinking days were behind him, but the romance was all behind closed doors if she didn't count the occaisional kiss as they walked somewhere. If other men were around, he got possessive and wrapped his arm around her, his eyes silently threatening anyone who took a second look. Peggy kind of liked that, liked feeling like she was his prized belonging. She's never admit it though, that was certain.

"Jack? Has the power gone out? It's quite dark and I…..ungh." She walked headfirst into his chest, and giggled, "If you'd like to kiss me, you don't need to turn the lights out." He leant down, dipping her a little as he kissed her, "Not to kiss you….but to surprise you…I do." "Surprise?" He took her hand, leading her into the dining area, where his neat, usually bare table had been dressed with a crisp tablecloth, candlesticks and what she thought were new dinner plates. "Did you cook?" He smiled at her, and she kissed his cheek, "No….that was foolish of me wasn't it. It looks lovely darling." There was a long, slim box on the table already, "Jack? My birthday isn't for another few months….." "I can't give you something? This one isn't anything big. I promise." She sat down, reaching for the box, "I've not gotten you anything…..I've forgotten our anniversary, haven't I? I'm sorry." She looked up at him as she lifted the lid from the box, "Jack?" She tugged out the fine gold chain; dangling from the end was a pretty pearl, but it was the other pendant that had her puzzled.

A Key.

A door key.

HIS door key.

Peggy took a deep breath and tried to stay calm as she suspected what else Jack might have planned for their evening.

As they ate, Peggy glanced sideways at Jack, "Darling? Jack? What is it? If you're having second thoughts about giving me a key, I understand." He shook his head, "No…no. It's….never mind." As soon as they'd finished eating, he cleared their dishes, "Would you turn the player on Marge?" She did, and the soft sounds of Bing Crosby filled the room.

Jack joined her, taking her in his arms and swirling her around the room gently as Peggy listened to the lyrics. She loved this one, she really did.

"I make such pretty speeches….Whenever we're apart…But when you're near….The words I choose….Refuse to leave my heart…."

Jack kissed her, holding her closer as he slowed, and the song continued, "So take the sweetest phrases, the world has ever known, and make believe I've said them all to you." Resting his head against hers, he touched her chin, before kissing her nose, "Close your eyes." "It's already quite dark…." "Humor me Carter." She smirked a little, closing her eyes, feeling him let go of her, "Jack?" "I'm right here. Just…give me a second." She tried to be patient, she really did, but when she couldn't stand it any longer, she opened her eyes, letting out a small gasp as she saw him on one knee before her, "Jesus, Peg, a guy can't catch a break. Do you ever listen?" She was speechless, reality still setting in, and he smiled, "Margaret Carter…..will you marry me?" She nodded wordlessly, shaking ever so slightly, her eyes filling with tears as he slid the ring on her finger. "Jack…..it's…beautiful." She held her hand out, her other reaching for her throat, coming to rest softly, "Oh Jack…." She let him pull her into his arms gently, holding her as she leant against his chest, crying silently.

She was happy, they both knew that. Ecstatic, really, if she were honest, but it was a bittersweet happiness. It had been a big year of letting go; of her hesitations about men, of her abrupt arrogance which had set the men on edge instead of proving her worth, of Steve. That had been the biggest hurdle, and now, this was the final step. Marrying Jack really, truly solidified the fact he was never coming back. Peggy turned her head up to her fiancée, kissing him deeply. She felt him grow hard against her stomach, and her cheeks flushed as she spoke softly, her voice seductive and falsely confident, "Jack Thompson…I believe you should take me to bed."

Jack scanned her face, trying to decide if she was genuine, and saw she meant it. He took her face in his hands, kissing her hard, before drinking her in as she stood, waiting.

Those lips.

Those red lips.

Deep, Seductive, Red.

Framing crisp white, just like in the dreams that had haunted him for so long.

The deep, seductive red lips which were parted, softly, trembling slightly as her eyes betrayed her arousal, and she spoke, softly, saying the words he'd always imagined but never expected to hear,

"I'm yours. Kiss me Jack."

%*&%&*%*&%&%%%#^%^&*^(*&(&*(*&(*&*&*(^*&%&^%^%$%^#%#$%#%&^*^&(*&

Like I said before, this was originally a couple pages of drabble ideas, and I'm only now trying to stitch them together, kinda like a Frankenstein (bucky-stein?) of work that was never really designed to be made quite perfect. I don't claim to write canon, or to be amazeballs, but if you don't like what you're reading, it's totally fine. Go find another fic, maybe unfollow my story. I'm cool with that. World would be soooooo boring if we were all identical. Ick.

The full lyrics for "I can't begin to tell you" by Bing Crosby, can be found here

.