Note: I still haven't seen 'Daredevil', 'Agent Carter', or the first episode of season three of 'Agents of SHIELD' yet, so NO SPOILERS, please.

"Outside the Pub"

"It's reconnaissance," Peggy said, touching the door handle. "Don't leave me waiting outside the pub for too long. It will look suspicious after, say, fifteen minutes. If I'm fortunate enough to get inside, give me half an hour unless I send for help sooner."

"Careful," Jarvis said.

"You too," she said, and she slipped out of the car. She used the night-darkened window to check her hair and makeup, adjusted the tilt of her hat, and walked across the road towards the public house. There were groups of people outside, and it seemed an innocent enough cover. Too innocent, and according to her contacts known ex-HYDRA agents frequented the place. The problem was that it could be quite exclusive, and it looked as though people were being turned away tonight. She pursed her lips as she paused by a lamp-post, before telling herself that she was being ridiculous. Single people weren't being turned away, only couples and groups.

Peggy skipped neatly out of the path of those being rejected, and joined the queue. It was moving quickly, she noted. The clump of men ahead of her kicked up a fuss when they were refused entry, and slunk off to the side. Good thing, too; if she'd helped 'encourage' them to leave, it might blow her cover. She could pass for an American if necessary, but in a fight her accent had been known to slip.

"Well, hello, there," she said, batting her eyelashes at the men guarding the door and smiling. "What does a lady have to do to get inside?"

"If you wanna drop the lady part, we can give ya a much better time," one of the sore losers said, leering at Peggy.

"Leave the lady alone," a stranger said, appearing at Peggy's side. "Get lost before someone calls the cops on you."

Irritated, Peggy barely retained her false accent.

"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself," she said, slowly and stiffly. "I don't need your help."

The man snorted. "I don't doubt that, but some guys have no respect for women."

That was terribly unexpected.

"Are you one of those guys?" she said, nearly slipping and saying 'men'.

"Nope." In the uneven light, she noticed the bright teeth of a wide smile, and indeterminately-coloured eyes. She clutched her handbag.

"Did I say your soulmate words?" she asked.

"…Oh my God." He moved nearer, and she saw that his eyes were a shade of blue-grey. "I didn't think… I'd almost given…" His gaze swept over her. "This is really bad light, but I can tell you're stunning. Wow. Uh, hi." He offered his hand. "I'm… Phil. Phillip, but call me Phil. And yes, you said my words. Did I say yours?"

"Yes," Peggy said. Her heart raced, and she shook his hand. There was a beep nearby, and they both looked over at the men standing guard, who were holding an unfamiliar device, a wand pointing their way.

"They've really just met," one of them said, sounding astonished. "Jesus Christ, get them inside! Mickey, get `em drinks on the house!"

Peggy laughed shortly, grabbing Phil's wrist as they were ushered into the pub, his skin warm and tingling beneath her palm. She didn't risk looking back, her emotions in a complete jumble. She'd successfully gained entrance to a possible HYDRA meeting place, apparently thanks to meeting her soulmate outside. By chance.

Fate was clearly on her side.

"This was the last thing I imagined would happen when I came here," Phil said, twisting his hand so their fingers were entwined. Mickey left them at the bar with instructions to the bartender to give them free drinks.

"Surely you're not complaining?" Peggy said while they waited for their order.

"Far from it," he said. "What's your name?"

It was on her lips before she could stop. "Peggy."

"Peggy?"

"We have the same initials, unless you spell your name with an 'f' instead of 'p-h'," she said, hoping he didn't notice her slip, nor her nervousness. At least that could be explained away by their surprise meeting.

"Definitely 'p-h', like the prince," he said.

"Prince?"

His eyes widened briefly, and Peggy realised she hadn't studied him properly yet, nor seen his soulmark. She'd thought perhaps the darkness outside had made his eyes seem darker than they were, but under the pub lights they were plenty dark. There were faint lines at the corners, and she wondered how old he was. But there was youth there, she could see that, and kindness, the same kindness in his voice.

"Isn't… isn't there a prince named Phillip?" he said. "Or was? I'm sorry. European history was never my strong point."

Peggy smiled, and took a small sip, admiring the blush on his cheeks as he drank a third of his moonshine.

"I'm surprised," she said. "I was unaware that American schools studied European history."

"My father was a history teacher," he said. "Different school, though. I had enough of that at home."

"He doesn't teach anymore?"

He laughed shortly. "No. He, uh, died when I was…" He trailed off, and Peggy knew she couldn't press the subject.

"Thank you for speaking up for me at the door," she said, leaning closer to him to be heard over the noise. "In my job I'm so used to men looking down on me, and it never hurts any less. I just take it on the chin and give as good as I can get… without getting the sack."

"I'm sorry," Phil said, and he rested his hand over her arm. He studied her intently, and Peggy wanted to duck her head. But she held her head high, aware that he wasn't trying to intimidate, just get the measure of her. "You're even more beautiful than I thought. I'm having trouble taking this in."

"Oh." Peggy was also accustomed to getting the wrong kind of looks, but Phil's honest appreciation caused a flush high on her cheeks. She glanced away, and was jolted out of it when she recognised an agent of HYDRA at a small table by the back wall. She straightened up when he looked in their direction, and blocked his view by reaching up and touching Phil's cheek. His lips parted in obvious shock, and she wanted to giggle. Giggle. She refrained. "I think you're a bit of alright as well, Phil No-Last-Name."

He grinned, although his cheeks grew redder. "As long as you don't mind being Peggy No-Last-Name."

His words sunk in, and Peggy gaped.

"Was… was that a proposal?" she said.

"What…? Oh! Oh, no. No, it wasn't. I mean, not that I don't want to, because you're my soulmate, and I'd love to… but we've only just met."

"I see." Focus, she told herself. "The reason I came here tonight… is for work. I can't tell you who I work for—"

"Wait." He tensed, and experience taught her that he was trying not to look as though his world had been turned up on its head. "I've seen you before. Peggy… you're Peggy Carter?" He whispered the last part, thankfully.

"I… I don't know what you—"

"That explains the accent," he said. "I thought transatlantic like Cary Grant—"

"Cary Grant?" she said. This night had turned from promising to marvellous to horrifying in a short amount of time.

"…Oh God, please tell me he was around in the forties," Phil muttered.

"In the f…" Peggy tried to catch her breath, and checked around them. Everyone else was still in conversation, apparently not paying them any mind. "Perhaps we should take this elsewhere?"

"Yeah," he said. He downed the rest of his drink, and Peggy only managed half of hers, grateful that at least they were on the house. Better than wasting money. Phil raised his voice. "I should show you my soulmark." He leaned on the bar, catching the barkeep's attention. "Is there somewhere private for us to check…?" He gestured between them, and the bartender nodded towards a hallway.

"Rooms have been put aside tonight especially for people who've met their soulmates here," he said. "Only curtains for cover, so keep it clean, and leave the curtains open when you're done so other people know the space is unoccupied."

"Got it," Phil said. This time, his hand was around Peggy's wrist, and it felt far less reassuring. They found an empty cubicle, and Phil pulled the curtain across, before sitting beside Peggy on the loveseat. It kept them close together, probably just as well considering how quiet they had to be.

"An interesting set-up," she remarked softly.

"So this is when soulmate single's nights began," he said. "In the forties. I didn't think it was until…"

She cleared her throat. "Who do you work for?"

"An organisation that isn't… exactly around. It came from the Strategic Scientific Reserve, however."

"Which explains why you know my name, if you work for a branch of the SSR," she said. There was no point in maintaining the American accent, not in private with her soulmate. "What is your surname?"

"Coulson," he said. "I come from… I've just come from the twenty-first century. I'd given up hope of finding my soulmate there, and I honestly didn't anticipate finding them here, let alone it being you. I came here because I was following up a lead. One of my agents is missing, and I tried to follow her. Everything pointed to this place."

"You think she's here?" Peggy asked, leaning closer to Phil. Only to make sure they could keep their voices down and still be heard clearly by each other. That was all. It had nothing to do with his arm around her shoulders or how warm he was against her side. "Where?"

"If not her, the key to getting her back… or getting home, with or without her." He grimaced. "I don't want to leave her behind. But I had no idea I'd end up going back in time. She could be in a completely different era, or home already. I have no way of contacting my team." She saw moisture building in his eyes, and her heart ached.

"I can help you look for her," she said.

"I can't ask that of you. If you're here for official business… damn it, I wish I could tell you more, but I can't risk changing the future."

"I understand."

"And I wish I could take you with me, to a time and place where you'd be appreciated, but it's impossible."

"If you can't go home, you could stay here?"

"That's the thing about the future," he whispered, and he looked down at her. "I know I won't."

"Will I go with you?"

Phil shook his head. "Not unless you leave a Life Model Decoy of yourself behind."

"What's that?"

"Never mind. I don't think the technology even exists where I come from."

Peggy swallowed as she nodded, regretting that she'd come here tonight, but knowing she would always cherish meeting her soulmate, even under these circumstances. She tried to memorise his features; if he wasn't meant to stay then any moment could be her last chance. And God knows she hated missing her chances.

"Can I kiss you, Peggy?" Phil murmured. Peggy's breath caught in her throat, but she nodded, and met him halfway.

The first press of lips was soft, and she barely had time to wonder whether he was being gentle with her before he ran his tongue along her lower lip. She gasped, parting her lips like this was second nature, and soon realised exactly why so many soulmates waited until they were married before kissing for the first time. Peggy wound her arms around his shoulders and he hauled her close, one arm around her waist and the other hand rubbing up and down her side. It was overwhelming, and she couldn't pull herself away, not even slap his hand as it swept down her side, under her rear, and along her thighs. He lifted her onto his lap with surprising strength, and Peggy knew she was not behaving like a lady. Nor, at this particular moment, did she care. It wasn't until she registered his calloused hand on the skin of her back that she shook herself out of it.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry, I got carried away," Phil said, placing her beside him.

"No, not at all," Peggy said, picking up her hat from where it had fallen when he knocked it off. "Perhaps… may I see your soulmark?"

He coughed, looking bashful, and then stood up and unbuttoned his jacket. Peggy questioned the wisdom of her request when it occurred to her that he would likely ask for reciprocation, although curiosity won out as he opened his shirt and flipped his tie out of the way. She stood and went to him, tracing the words in her writing. They ended beside a long scar over his heart.

"What happened?" she said.

"An alien god stabbed me with a magical sceptre," he said. Peggy took that to mean that it was classified. While she was peeved about the obvious lie, she understood that questions about the future were dangerous.

"Of course," she murmured.

"I… I won't ask to see your mark. I can only guess where it is…"

Peggy summoned confidence, and met Phil's eyes as she shrugged off her coat. Then she slowly unbuttoned and peeled off her blouse, and turned so that he could read her soulmark. She shivered when he ran his finger over the letters, and he kissed the back of her neck.

"I wish…" He trailed off again.

"What do you wish, Phil?" she said, turning her head slightly.

"That this moment could last forever."

Bowing her head, Peggy whispered, "So do I."

In the distance, there was music playing. Peggy slipped her clothes back on while Phil tidied himself up. There was work to be done, and they'd wasted enough time as it was. (Not that Peggy could ever think of it as a waste, but she had a job to do, and getting cosy with her soulmate was not part of the plan.)

"I need to find the rock," Phil said.

"Rock?"

"The one that swallowed s… my agent. I let it take me so I could find her, and ended up a few miles away. As far as I can work out, it was moved here. If only I'd brought the kind of equipment I'd need to track it. If she's in her right mind, she'll have followed the trail here as well."

"I can keep an eye out for her," Peggy said. "At least let me do that much for you."

"No, Peggy. You do what you came here to do. And in case I don't see you again… take care." He squeezed her hand, but seemed to think better of kissing her. With a final, sad smile, he parted the curtains, looked both ways, and stepped out of the recess. Peggy followed him, holding back from catching his hand.

"Sir?"

"Simmons?" Phil glanced back at Peggy once, before heading towards a lost-looking young woman, whose jaw dropped when she saw Peggy. "Thank God. We thought we'd lost you. Fitz didn't give up hope—"

"Sir, isn't that—?"

"Yes, now be quiet."

Simmons gave Peggy a small wave over Phil's shoulder, and Peggy couldn't help the surge of jealousy she felt as he grasped the woman's elbow. She jumped when she heard shouting and banging from the bar, including some familiar voices. She thought she heard Simmons mention HYDRA, and chose to pursue her soulmate and his agent. If she'd seen former members of HYDRA then… well, Peggy needed something to show for her evening.

Had it really been more than half an hour?

"Here it is!" Simmons said, pulling Phil into a large room. There were other people milling around a glass case with a large rock inside. As she watched, it turned to liquid, beating against the walls…

The rock. This was the one Phil had referred to.

"It's the SSR!" someone called from the next room, and Peggy bit her lip, torn between guarding the rock and helping her colleagues.

"This must be how shield got it," Phil said. "Come on, Simmons."

"Sir…"

"Look, we have to do this if we want a chance of getting home. Are you with me or aren't you?"

"…Yes, director."

Director? Peggy's soulmate would become director of something? Well, well. She smiled bitterly, wishing she could see it for herself. Would she lose her mark after he left, and possibly gain a new one? Generally people received a soulmark for life, but anything could happen.

"Goodbye."

She looked over her shoulder, meeting Phil's eyes for the last time.

"Goodbye," she said. He nodded, and opened the door of the cage.

"Make sure it closes behind us," he said.

"I will."

Peggy watched in horror as the rock became liquid again and sucked in Phil and Simmons. But, as per his request, she leapt forward while it was still solid and latched the door of the cage firmly shut. Then the room was being overrun by her co-workers, and she stood beside the glass case, waiting to be acknowledged.

She hoped Phil would find his way home.

"You've given up on the flying car?" Peggy asked Howard. He shrugged.

"It was more of a cover and a stunt than a real dream," he said. "The future is in weapons, so that's what I'm working on."

"Howard… would it be possible to create a… a copy of someone, like a clone?"

He eyed her. "Is this academic?"

"Remember the raid last week?"

"Yeah."

"I only gained admittance because I met my soulmate."

Howard straightened up with a beaming smile.

"Congratulations, Peggy!" he said. "Bring the guy round sometime so I can meet him. Make sure he's good enough for you."

She rolled her eyes. "The problem is that… he went home."

"Then he's an idiot not to take you with him."

"He couldn't," she said. "He was from the future. He came through the rock, and went back the same way."

His smile fell. "Ah."

"Yes. He flippantly mentioned a Life Model Decoy. I can only presume that it acts as a convincing clone. He said that I stayed behind. But if I left a double in my place, perhaps I could find him? My soulmark is still there, Howard."

He hummed. "A double, huh?"

"Do you know if anyone is designing them?"

"Not that I've heard." He put down his tools. "Well, someone's going to start now, and that someone is me."

"No, Howard, I'm sure you have better things to be doing—"

"If it makes you feel better, I'll develop it on the side. Like I just told you, I've given up on making cars fly. Any idea what I should do with the plans?"

Peggy smiled, hope giving her a spark of mischief. "Leave them with the SSR in a file only to be opened by Phil Coulson."

"That's the name of your soulmate?" he asked.

"…Yes."

"I'll keep it a secret, I promise. Anyway, Life Model Decoy. Sounds like a good name for a rainy day project."

Peggy hugged him on impulse. "Thank you, Howard."

Six years later

"What if he's moved on?" Peggy asked, staring at the doppelganger wearing her clothes. She'd given Howard any biological samples he had asked for, and he created another LMD, one who was Blank, for Peggy's clone to marry one day. Her LMD was Blank as well, because no one but Fate could create a soul.

"From you, his soulmate?" Howard said. "If you've got your mark, he's probably still got his. Trust me, he'll be waiting."

"I hope you're right." She had a bag with only the essentials. No doubt fashions had changed, which meant that most of her wardrobe was out of the question. But she was taking anything which held sentimental value.

"I'm a Stark. I'm always right."

"Don't pass that hubris of yours onto any of your offspring," Peggy said.

"Please. Can you see me as a father?"

"I'll try not to."

"But…" His hands hovered over the controls for her LMD. "If I have any kids? If you see them, make sure they're doing okay, will you?"

"Of course." Peggy gave him a one-armed hug, and stood nearby. "Fire her up."

He activated the Life Model Decoy, and Peggy interrogated it until she was satisfied that the clone could pass for her.

"She won't last forever," Howard said. "Her mind will eventually deteriorate if I'm not there to perform regular maintenance, and the same with the other one. That includes any spark or conscience."

"I have faith in you."

"You're taking a huge risk," he warned her.

"Fate gave me a soulmate," she said, and she touched the door to the glass case. It was in Howard's lab between bases, the official excuse being that he was improving the locking mechanism. "So I'm going to find him. I refuse to believe that the sole purpose of our soulmateship was to infiltrate a HYDRA base and retrieve this."

"If I'm still alive then, look me up, not just my kids," Howard said.

"You can count on that," Peggy said. She kissed him on the cheek, and then opened the door of the case. Howard stood on the other side, and Peggy closed her eyes as the black rocky waves pulled her in.

Barely any time passed before she was being thrown head-first into light, bumping against something hard on the way past, and would have hit the ground if someone hadn't caught her around the waist. She tried to steady herself, grateful for the helping hand.

"And who're you?" a deep voice asked. Peggy looked up, startled, and took in the tall, dark-skinned man glaring down at her with clear suspicion.

"Peggy?"

She turned around. "Phil!"

"You followed us?"

It was wonderful to see him again after so long. And he looked no different from when she had last seen him.

"It took awhile, but yes," she said. "I had some help."

"Help?" Phil looked around, and Peggy noticed the agent – Simmons, if she recalled correctly – being embraced by a young man.

"Howard Stark."

Phil cupped her cheeks, and Peggy hoped he ignored the tears she felt forming.

"You look different," he said softly.

"I should hope so. It's been six years, Phil." She laughed warmly. "You haven't changed a bit, though."

"No," he said. "I wouldn't have. Peggy, it's… it's only been… less than a minute since I saw you."

"…That's impossible," she said.

"Oh my God, it's such an honour to meet you, Miss Carter," Simmons said, shaking Peggy's hand enthusiastically from the side.

"Not at all," Peggy said, barely noticing anything else now that she was so close to her soulmate again. Honestly, six years had felt like six decades. "I hope you're not disappointed, Phil."

"Disappointed?"

"I've aged six years—"

"And you're still physically younger than me. I'm not getting the short end of the stick here." He kissed her on the cheek, far more sedate than the last time they'd kissed. "I haven't even gotten a chance to miss you yet, and it's been six years for you. Come on." He linked their arms together. "The three of us should probably get to medical. Then maybe later I can show you to a guest room?"

"That would be lovely," Peggy said.

I don't know what made me come up with this pairing, but then I say that about so many of the crack ships I write. Part of the way through this I remembered the Dub Smash War, and giggled at the thought of Coulson and Peggy being soulmates while all that nonsense is going on. Team Carter-Coulson. With Howard thrown in for good measure, and brief Jarvis appearance. Still haven't watched 'Agent Carter', but I saw a preview, and Howard was in 'Cap 1'.

…Yeah.

Please review! I hope you enjoyed it. I know, I'm utterly crazy, but then we all already knew that.