Chapter 5: When You Wish Upon A Star
Peggy was just hanging up the phone and writing down some final notes when Angie entered through the cabinet door.
"Mornin', Sarah." the petite woman said with a sleepy voice. She slowly made her way to the sofa in the back, letting herself fall on it like a dead weight. She wasn't the usual vigorous girl and a tired face had taken place instead.
"I'd say good morning but you look like you hadn't any sleep last night, am I wrong?" As she asked that, Peggy lifted from the chair and proceeded to fill a cup with lemon tea for the other woman. It had passed two weeks since Peggy started working as Angie's assistant and gradually their routines were getting into sync. By morning, Peggy would always make hot lemon tea for the actress, to prevent vocal chord damages.
"I spent the whole night practicin' some notes," Angie said, " since Nolan wasn't very satisfied by my voice yesterday."
Nolan again. He was the infamous director of the play, always overburdening Angie due to his freakish obsession with perfection. Peggy was certainly getting tired of all his particularities, and she wasn't the only one; it was a common feeling among the staff and crew, including Elizabeth, although she never admitted. The actors, those were the real victims, spending countless hours practicing the same lines and verses.
"I understand you want to impress him and do your best," Peggy started, handing over the tea, "but you can't let that overcome you."
Angie took a sip from the tea and closed her eyes, resting against the couch. "Maybe you're right, English. I just don't like him screamin' at my ears."
"Just promise next time you'll get some sleep," a concerned Peggy asked.
"Alright," Angie said. She smiled when she spotted Peggy's disquiet. "You're a good friend, ya know?"
"Only for those who deserve it."
The random compliments Angie gave her always got Peggy and this wasn't an exception. She grew fond of the woman and truly cared about her well-being.
"What do we got for today?" Angie asked after a while.
"It's interviews day."
Angie abruptly sat straight on the sofa. "Shi-, I can't believe I had forgotten it," she said, mildly distressed.
Peggy grabbed the notebook she had been previously noting down and gave it to Angie. The latter made a whining face as she looked down at the long list of journalists that would be present at the session. To Peggy, there was something adorable about those childish reactions.
"Even the New York Times!" the agent teased.
"Where are we doin' this?" Angie asked.
"At the apartment upstairs. Some interviews you'll do alone, others with Ralph."
"Ralph, my lovely partner. Can't wait to say that I love him to the papers," Angie sarcastically said. Peggy snorted.
Angie wasn't very fond of her acting companion, not because he wasn't a good actor but due to his insufferable self. Being the younger half-brother of the famous Walter Huston created some sense of superiority in him when among his peers and Angie couldn't stand it. Being a woman, it was doubly unfavourable for her since he acted on his sexism quite often. Peggy learned to loathe the man as her friend told her about her experience, even though the agent never had much chance to interact with him.
"By the way, I just spoke to the radio fellow. They want you there tomorrow morning." Peggy slid her hand through the agenda and indicated a small note at the bottom of the page. She also took the empty cup of tea that was lying beside the actress.
"10am. Hmm, they want me to sing 'When You Wish Upon A Star'. Good, I like this one. I remember listening to it the first time during one of those Captain America movies."
To the mention of Captain America, Peggy unintentionally let the cup fall on the ground, breaking the piece of china.
"Dammit!" Peggy cursed as she rapidly stood down to pick the broken pieces, hands trembling.
The theatre's crockery certainly wasn't safe around her.
The sound of breaking porcelain alerted Angie, who took her eyes from the agenda and was quick to join Peggy. Noticing Peggy's uneasiness, she tightly held the brunette's hands with her own.
"Sarah, are you alright? You're shakin'!"
"It's ok, I'm fine," Peggy lied. "I'm just so clumsy!" she said, breaking off from Angie's hands and briskly catching all the pieces to deceive the unwanted moment.
"Are you sure?" Angie insisted.
Peggy made all efforts to calm herself down and look at the actress, wearing the most convincing face she could. "Yes, Angie. Thank you." She then got up and excused herself to leave, so she could clean all the mess from the room.
A confused and unconvinced Angie watched as the other woman left the cabinet at full tilt.
[the next day]
That morning Peggy received another emergency call from the SSR, demanding her presence at the office. Before leaving the penthouse, she checked the hours and felt guilty.
Angie had asked Peggy to join her at the radio station. The Englishwoman had been avoiding talks since the small mishap the previous morning but Angie felt it'd be good for her to a have a friend nearby and Peggy welcomed the idea. However, it was near 10am and for all Angie knew, Peggy was nowhere to be seen.
I'm so sorry Angie, Peggy lamented, but this is for everyone's good, including your own.
It was a recurrent thought everytime Peggy traded people she cared about for work. And God knows how many times it had backfired on her; though, she couldn't blame anyone but herself – she was the one who kept lying about her life.
[…]
10am. A few blocks from the radio, Peggy was finally within the SSR building.
Angie is probably entering the studio right now and I'm going to miss it. Maybe if I rush this I'll be there in time to see something.
Peggy went straight to the Chief's office and knocked on the door. A voice promptly invited her to come in.
Dooley and Sousa were inside and the first started speaking before Peggy could greet any of them.
"Carter! We've been digging in the Dottie Underwood clue, as you are aware. Thompson and a couple of agents were sent to check another apartment in hopes of finding her. Nothing of the woman, but a long-distance communication device was found."
"What kind of device?" Peggy asked.
"We still don't know exactly how it works, but our technicians are taking a look at it in our lab. We know it received a message in Russian Morse code."
"This pretty much confirms our suspicions on the Soviet Union," Sousa mentioned.
"And the content of the message?" a curious Peggy inquired.
"Since I informed the Government about a possible interference from Moscow, they've been helping with anything they can. I guess things aren't going easy in Europe…" Dooley grabbed a paper that was lying on the desk and handed it to Peggy. "They've got us a translator."
Peggy took a look at what was written in the paper.
'THE WINTER SOLDIER PROGRAMM. ITEM ELEVEN. ITEM THIRTEEN. LYCEUM THEATRE. 22ND MAY.'
The message was simple, but uncertain.
"I remember Howard mentioning his inventions being numbered. Did anyone contact him about this already?" Peggy asked.
"The information just came in. And we're not allowed to spit everything we know to him," Dooley said with little disdain in his voice.
"I understand you don't trust Howard Stark but if you want to figure out something regarding these items, he's your best shot. I can reach for him if you want to," Peggy suggested.
"There won't be need for that," Dooley said. "Sousa, get that playboy on the line and take him in."
Given the order, Sousa left, leaving Dooley and Peggy behind. At the same time, Thompson made his way into the room.
"Chief. Carter." he cordially greeted, before landing the original message paper on Dooley's desk. Sensing he would not be invited to leave, he made himself comfortable beside the two.
"There's a possibility the date in the message indicates the day of the attack," the chief commented.
"And not any day," Peggy added on a serious tone, "It's the premiere for the next play and hundreds of people will be there. Whoever planned this wants a big audience".
"Or a dead audience," Thompson returned.
Even though most of the message was of good value, there was still something unclear to Peggy.
"Any information on what's 'The Winter Soldier Program'?" she asked.
"As far as I'm concerned, no. But leave it to us, we're digging it." Dooley guaranteed. "Carter, this is the delicate part of the mission. We need a plan. You know the place; you know the people; our team needs to infiltrate the theatre that day and prevent whatever catastrophe it's on sight."
Peggy felt the responsibility in Dooley's words and for the first time she saw more than contempt in Thompson's eyes.
She looked at the clock on the wall. It had passed ten minutes since she got to the SSR.
If I leave now maybe I'll get in time to see Angie.
She had just learned major advancements on her mission but all she could think about was Angie. Angie that was the main actress on the play, Angie that was in danger. Angie that hopelessly waited for her at the radio station.
"If that is all, I'll leave now," she said. When Dooley nodded, Peggy turned around and got out, not before being interrupted by the chief.
"What's all the rush?"
"Ironically, I'm just late for work," Peggy answered, finally leaving.
[…]
As soon as Peggy stepped outside the telephone company, she started running. It wasn't an easy task due to her current outfit, but it was something she was used to.
She took ten minutes to reach the radio station's front door. When she got in and finally stopped, she realized how the fast run had left her breathless.
Peggy was looking at her reflection on a glass-fronted billboard and adjusting her figure when a young man addressed her and put himself available to help the brunette. The agent promptly informed about being Angie's assistant and her wish to see the actress.
"You're Miss Butler, aren't you? I believe it was you I talked on the phone yesterday," the man pointed.
"Yes, it was I."
"I'm afraid Miss Martinelli is already inside the studio and on air," he lamented. "The interview is going nicely."
"May I get in and watch the remaining?" Peggy hopefully asked.
"Yes, indeed. Please follow me."
And Peggy did. They climbed the stairs and got to a wide hall. Two wooden doors were set in front of them. The larger had a backlighted red sign above saying 'ON AIR', but it was through the other door they made their way.
The next room was small. An old man was sitting in front of a control board that reminded Peggy of some devices used during the war. A wide glass window allowed them to see what was happening in the other room – and there was Angie, looking lovely as always.
A good-looking man in a suit, who Peggy imagined to be the radio presenter, accompanied the star.
The agent thought their interview was over since they were lifting from their chairs, but when Angie was guided to a microphone stand, Peggy realized it was just time for the other woman to sing.
The old man at the control panel looked at Peggy.
"She looks nice, doesn't she?" he said, his eyes avidly looking back at the Italian girl.
Peggy felt slightly annoyed by his remark, perceiving how superficial and ill-mannered he was being.
"And out of reach for a brute," Peggy answered.
If the man noticed the sulky reply, he didn't act on it. Instead, he invited Peggy to sit and watch the performance, which she did. A couple of speakers allowed them in the room to hear everything that was being broadcasted.
And Angie started singing.
Again, just like the first time she had laid eyes on Angie, Peggy was petrified. Angie's voice was one of the best she had ever heard.
Even though there was only a glass separating the two rooms, Angie hadn't noticed Peggy's presence. Right now, she was fully concentrated in her performance and Peggy didn't want to ruin that.
Peggy remembered the song too. She remembered the Captain America movie just like Angie said. She had watched it with Colonel Philips and other members of the army one night in London, when Steve was away, trying to break in an HYDRA facility in East Poland. At the time, the song had been used while Captain America was talking about the mysterious Englishwoman he fancied.
She felt tears in her eyes. Angie's sweet voice wasn't helping either, her expression sinking in Peggy and going through all the deep places in her heart.
At the end of the performance, the speaker announced the new play Angie was starring and greeted her for her talent.
Peggy wiped out any trace of tears and left the room so she could meet the other woman at the hall.
The sign above the larger door was now unlit and soon the door opened, both Angie and the interviewer coming out of it. The man was now informally greeting Angie and thanking her for accepting the invitation.
Angie spotted Peggy and a stern look appeared on her face, but she was quick to cut their eye contact and look back at the man, trying hard to smile at him. She thanked the invitation and handshake him goodbye.
Great, she's mad at me. Peggy felt guilty once again.
The man returned to the room and Angie started crossing the hall, meeting Peggy halfway through it. She made no intentions of stop walking so Peggy just followed her along the way. The agent didn't wait for Angie to speak first.
"Hello, Angie."
"Hi."
The actress didn't turn around. The sapless reply was unusual to Angie, but Peggy didn't give up in trying to talk.
"I watched you singing, you were excellent."
"Didn't see ya there, but thanks."
It was yet another passive-aggressive response and Peggy felt it was time to address the fact she failed her commitment.
"Angie, I'm sorry I was late, bu-"
Angie abruptly stopped walking midway the stairs, looking back and up at Peggy.
"Look, English, you don't need to come see me off work if you don't want to. Heck, you don't need to talk to me either if ya don't feel like it. You're my assistant but if ya don't want to be more than that, it's your choice and I can't force you to do anythin'." Angie's tone was a mix of anger and disappointment. "Just don't say you're my friend and then ignore me. I've had my fair share of brush offs to handle and I really don't need that in my life right now."
As she said the last words, Angie looked like she was about to cry.
Peggy was taken aback by the sudden tirade. When she opened her mouth to talk, Angie turned around and resumed walking, getting down the stairs and leaving a speechless Peggy behind.
The agent thought it was better to give some space to Angie and didn't follow her. If it was her, she'd have appreciated the gesture. There would be time to talk later on.
[…]
Later at the theatre, Elizabeth informed Peggy that Angie chose not to have any personal assistance that day, so Peggy returned to her old tasks.
During the day the agent tried not to think too much about her quarrel with Angie, since the thought would increase the empty feeling that had taken over her. She felt guilty, no doubt about that, but she was mostly worried about Angie. The girl had sounded heartbroken and Peggy couldn't do much about it.
Peggy wished she could just tell Angie everything that happened or was happening in her life. Explain why she got sad over Captain America or why she got late at the radio early in the morning. Peggy hated her life for that. Peggy hated the fact Angie didn't even know her real name.
Maybe Angie was better without her.
…Or maybe that was just a selfish thought.
She had grown fond of the girl and the same had probably happened with Angie. It'd be cruel to just leave. Still, it was what Peggy always did and facing a different reality scared the agent beyond words.
But she wouldn't run away this time. Angie deserved better.
[…]
That evening Elizabeth had asked Peggy to stay an extra hour and clean the apartment. Feeling it would help distracting herself, the agent accepted.
Peggy was walking on the corridor to the apartment when she heard a man shouting from inside the room. She couldn't catch everything he was saying but he seemed to be screaming at a woman. Peggy held firmly the broom she was carrying and walked faster to the door.
"Stop it, please!" a feminine voice begged out loud.
Peggy recognized the voice - it was Angie! Without thinking it through, Peggy sharply opened the door, revealing what was taking place in the room.
Ralph and Angie were inside, the man roughly holding the woman's arms and keeping her close to him. Angie was trying to fight him off but she could barely move due to his superior strength.
When Peggy opened the door, both looked at her, Ralph never letting go of Angie.
"Leave her alone!" Peggy shouted, walking towards them.
"And what are you going to do?" Ralph said, smirking.
He didn't have much time to finish his sentence since in seconds a furious Peggy had stroke him with the broomstick on his back, at the level of his kidneys. The attack made him release Angie, who fell backwards.
He took his hands to cling his back and Peggy hit him a second time, now on his chest. He fell on the ground, writhing in pain.
When Peggy saw he would be no threat, her attention fell on Angie. The brunette squatted to be at her level, softly grabbing the woman's forearm.
"Angie, are you alright?" Peggy asked, gasping.
Angie just nodded. She had tears in her eyes and was clearly in shock.
In the meantime, Ralph had found a way to get up. Peggy glanced at him, still holding the broom in a defensive position.
"You whore, who do you think you are?" a disgusted and angry Ralph said. He seemed threatened by Peggy since he didn't make a move towards the two women. "I'm gonna get you fired!"
"I don't think you want to address with anyone what just happened here." Peggy simply told him. "Unless you want to ruin the play and everything that comes with it."
He considered Peggy's words and started walking backwards, intending to leave the room. "You'll regret this. Both of you."
When Ralph left the room, Peggy focused her attention on Angie once again, letting go of the broom at the same time. She sat on the ground, holding Angie's hands.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Peggy asked.
Angie looked at Peggy and slowly started speaking.
"Nolan…he wanted us to practice a duet…and…"
Peggy unhanded her right hand and tucked a lock of Angie's hair behind her ear, caressing her face afterwards.
"Here, darling, you don't have to talk if you don't want to."
They got silent for a few minutes, Peggy always holding Angie's hands.
"He tried to kiss me." Angie finally said. "There's a kiss in the end of the duet. I said we could skip that…but he tried to kiss me anyway."
Peggy moved on the ground, sitting behind Angie and spreading her legs so Angie could fit between them. She held the other woman tightly.
"I'm sorry to hear that, love."
The word 'love' had unexpectedly come out of her mouth and Peggy held her breath for a moment, uncertain of Angie's reaction.
"I don't know what could've happened if ya didn't get here." Angie said. She then snuggled against Peggy's chest, her head under Peggy's chin. The agent felt relieved.
Peggy kissed the top of Angie's head, holding her close.
They stayed like that for a moment. When Peggy felt Angie was calmer, she thought about their fight during the morning.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you. I'm sorry for getting late at the radio station. One day I promise I'll tell you about what saddened me yesterday. But I'm not ready right now."
"It's alright." Angie murmured against Peggy's chest. "I'm just afraid you'll go away like others did," she said.
Peggy felt the girl had struggled to say those words. Words that touched Peggy. It was the first time she felt Angie vulnerable like that.
"I'm not going anywhere. And I want you here too," she assured.
The sunset was gone and the full moon's light was invading the room, illuminating the two women. On the ground, Angie Martinelli smiled while an unaware Peggy Carter played with her hair, not feeling empty for once.
Notes: Took a long time for this update again, sorry! This chapter turned out way longer than expected. Today's song is "When You Wish Upon A Star" by Glenn Miller (watch?v=kTP7ujLyhrQ) - it's the song Angie sings on the radio.