The last chapter had me tearing up at the end. It's a problem that hits close to home for me, and I couldn't not add the visit with Peggy. It is important to Steve's story in the films, so it's a touching moment for Steve and Dalla in this one. It shows how much things had changed while Dalla grieved on Asgard and Steve was in the ice. While not much went into the story for Peggy and Steve in the MCU, I will try to put more into it here with some more flashbacks for Dalla and Steve that are purely my own design so that when the funeral does happen, the impact will be felt more.
So, this chapter will be a flashback. I have made it all up, so if it's not the best, please bare with me. I wanted to show the moment Dalla and Steve became good friends with Peggy.
Differences in this chapter: All of it.
* FLASHBACK*
Dalla stood watch as the Howling Commandos rested at the base camp. Their first mission was done and they all worked well together, all things together. Phillips was throwing another fit about possible targets and missions. Yet, it was she, a woman, making sure the big strong men didn't get caught unawares. How did it make sense for her to watch over everyone when they wouldn't let women join the army freely?
"I see you are thrilled about this assignment," came Peggy's voice.
Dalla turned towards her and said, "I am doing my duty as a warrior, Lady Peggy."
"Just Peggy, please."
"Very well." She turned back out into the night. "No sign of enemies thus far. It appears it will be another quiet night."
"That's not why I came here, Dalla."
"What?" Dalla looked at the other woman, confused. "Other than assignments or passing information on to Captain Rogers, we hardly speak."
"That is something I wish to change. I see how he looks at you, and I have tried to hint at you liking him at times but-"
"Why would you help me?" Dalla once more looked at Peggy. "I too have noticed you looking at Captain Rogers with desire."
"Well, he did have a drastic change-"
"He was handsome before that. How could you not see it?"
"Dalla, he was a recruit. That is all he could ever be when we met. Yes, he looks… well…" A blush crept up Peggy's cheeks. "You are right, I like how handsome the serum made him, but I know there is more to him than that, too. And while I do… like him… I-"
"Just say what you wish to say, Peggy."
"You remember the bar after Steve rescued you and the others?"
"Yes."
"I let you borrow my dress so that you didn't have to use your God powers and enjoy the night of celebration. The look he gave you… no one else existed until I spoke again. You are his personal flame, Dalla, one that lights up the world. So, yes, I do desire him, but he only has eyes for you."
"And how does this equate to us becoming friends?"
"You and Captain Rogers have a rare day off together tomorrow. Colonel Phillips has already agreed to it. Sargent Barnes has even helped set it up, along with the other Howling Commandos. I have a dress ready for you and Barnes may have procured a uniform for a night on the town."
"I don't know what to say." Dalla was in shock and tears began to form, though she refused to let them fall. "I still don't understand why, but thank you."
Peggy took Dalla's hands. "I know when a man looks at a woman the way Steve looks at you, no other stands a chance. You gaze at him with the same look. I won't lie, it hurts, but if you both can find that kind of love, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, then I have hope that I can too. So, you and Steve will have a night off to remember."
"Does he know?"
"No, but that shouldn't stop you both from finding your right partner."
Bucky came up and gave a smirk, one that would normally make all the ladies swoon. However, he wasn't trying to woo either woman. He knew what they were talking about.
"Hey, princess," he said, "Agent Carter. We found a dance hall in the nearby town. The locals could do with cheering up too, so the others thought they would open it to the public. I hope that's alright."
"I don't mind. How long will the celebration last?"
Peggy and Bucky looked at each other. "Um, princess, what do you mean? You only have the one night."
Dalla was shocked. "You mean, you only celebrate a victory for one day?"
"To be fair, Dalla," said Peggy, "we don't usually celebrate victories when we still have a war to fight."
"Back home, we would celebrate every victory, sometimes for weeks. Big or small, every victory was enjoyed because we never knew when we would get to do so again."
"Sounds difficult."
"It's not like the battles here, though. So many loud noises and the fighting lasts so long… I've never been in a war like this one."
"You've gotten close to people here," said Bucky. "There's no shame in that, princess."
Dalla smiled, a tear falling. "It just makes losing people hurt worse. Back home, all that rang through the air during battle was clashing metal, the wiz of arrows, and the occasional sound of a club striking a helmet or the ground. Here, it never seems to end. The gunfire, the tanks, explosives… I've started hearing them in my sleep."
Bucky hugged her. "Me too. That's why you need this day off with Steve. Now, it's my turn to stand watch. You try to get some rest."
Peggy took Dalla to the fire. Dalla noticed that Steve was still absent, which meant Phillips wanted a detailed plan. With a sigh, she sat next to the embers and warmed herself by drawing on what little heat they still provided before lighting the small amount of wood left for a small, inconspicuous fire.
Peggy sat with her, not able to feel the fire's warmth, but she wasn't about to let it show when the enemy could be looking for any sign of encampment. There was barely enough light to see each other, but it was enough. Dalla sighed and put Peggy to her back, the goddess sharing her natural heat. The mortal woman was grateful.
"Does Steve know how to dance?" Dalla finally asked.
"I'm not sure," Peggy admitted. "But everyone knows how to hold someone close and sway to slow music."
"This is true. However, I meant something like the waltz. My mother insisted that a princess should know how to dance the classics."
"It's mostly Swing these days, princess," said Bucky. "DumDum took over, said I have planning to do. Look, I can't teach it to you in a few hours, but it's a lot of fun. I've never seen anyone hear Swing music and not smile. Hell, I don't know how anyone can stay sitting down!"
"Perhaps we will have time later for me to learn." Dalla smiled up at him. "I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you." She reached back and took Peggy's hand. "Both of you."
It wasn't long before Dalla fell asleep. Bucky carried her to her cot. When Dalla woke up, she was confused for a moment, not knowing where she was. When she did recognize it, she smiled, knowing Bucky probably didn't want her sleeping on the ground. She was about to leave the tent when Peggy came in.
"Today, you will be coming with me," she announced. "Bucky is taking care of Steve. Let's find someplace for you to get cleaned up. I can do your hair and makeup for you."
Dalla hugged Peggy, saying, "Thank you." She pulled back. "Will I see you and Bucky there?"
"All of the Howling Commandos will be there, but I am afraid I have some work I need to do. So, after helping you, you won't see me until tomorrow."
"I'm sorry that you won't be with us, but I can't thank you enough for this. To be honest, other than royal balls and victory celebrations, I've never been out like this."
"Then, you should join me at the Stork Club when this is all over. I'm sure you will enjoy it. You can bring Steve as your partner as well. Perhaps as your fiance or husband?"
Dalla giggled and a blush colored her cheeks. "I do not know about that. He is such a gentleman, he would want to ask my father." Her face fell. "My father will not give it. I am a goddess and Steve is a mortal."
"I believe Steve would marry you even without your family's approval."
Dala smiled. "Or I could just have Bucky do it. He is like a brother to me after everything we have been through together. It would upset my real brothers, but still."
Peggy chuckled. "You would have to stay here for his blessing to count."
"Well, he will not be asking for my hand today, so it is a moot point. Should he, however, ask for it in the near future, I would happily marry him, blessing or no." Dalla walked into a partially destroyed hotel. "So, what are we doing first?"
"I found this building still has access to hot water and you will bath here. Then, I will help you get ready."
"Wait… what time is it?"
"You slept until almost noon. We designed it that way, so don't worry." She laid the outfit on the arm of a sofa that was missing its other half while pulling a curtain across the room to allow some privacy. "Take your time. I'll be looking over some paperwork. Relax and enjoy the bath. It will be the last one for some time for you."
Dalla began to undress. "It's not the first time I've battled for a long period. I am familiar with the lack of bathing." She stepped into the water, using her abilities to heat it up as she cleaned herself. "I do appreciate this, Peggy. You could have had this for yourself, but you chose to allow me the chance." She chuckled. "Of course, I am the Goddess of Fire. You could be getting me to warm up the water for you."
Peggy gave a small laugh. "I won't lie, the thought had crossed my mind."
"Then, next time, ask me." Dalla peaked around the curtain with a smile.
The two women talked for a bit more, switching out so that Peggy could get a bath as well. Dalla didn't want to hog it all. Both women felt better and it allowed them both to get into a better mood for the day. Soon, it was time for Dalla to head to the dance hall. Her blue dress helped her to stand out.
Some of the Howling Commandos were drinking in the corner, talking about past ladies. A couple of the men were dancing with some local women, one of them being Bucky. There were two nursing drinks, thinking of their best girls back home. However, Dalla spotted Steve as soon as she walked into the room. He looked tense, almost out of place. She walked up to him.
"This is a dance, Captain," she said. "Why so tense?"
He turned towards her. He was shocked when he looked at her. She was a vision. Everything around him disappeared until there were only Steve and Dalla. Words escaped him, something that had never happened before.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"You look…," he said, his eyes moving up and down her body. "Wow. There aren't any words good enough to describe how beautiful you are."
She blushed. "Thank you, Captain."
"I know I'm not the best dancer, but would you do me the honor?"
"I would be happy to dance with you."
He twirled her into him. "Please, call me Steve the rest of the night. We are on leave, Dalla."
She smiled up at him as they swayed to the slow music. Steve stepped on her toes a couple of times. She reassured him it was alright, but he felt so awkward that halfway through the song, he pulled her to a table and sat her on the bench next to him, her legs in his lap.
"I don't want to hurt you any more than I have already," he said, embarrassed.
"Steve, it was not all that bad," she explained with a chuckle. "I once had a man dance with me only to try and make me look like a fool. Another time, a man purposefully stepped on my feet because I embarrassed him in the last training session. Trust me, Steve, this was a pleasant dance."
"Well, I'm glad I didn't ruin your night."
Dalla laid her head on his shoulder. "You could never."
As the night wore on, Steve and Dalla had a wonderful night. Bucky watched as they tried to dance once more, only for it to end the same as their first dance. Dalla kept reassuring him but he insisted he wasn't going to hurt her and mess up their evening.
When the dancing had ended and many of the partygoers stubbled home in a drunken stupor, Steve walked Dalla back to the encampment. They stopped at Dalla's tent and looked at each.
"Perhaps we should find more time to spend together," said Steve, running his thumb over her cheek with one hand and pulling her close with the other.
She blushed and said breathlessly, "I… would like that very much."
Their lips met briefly before he pulled back. "The middle of the war is not the place to court you, Dalla. I want to do this properly. I have no right to ask you to wait for me, but-"
"Steve, I would wait eternity if it meant having even just one more moment with you."
He couldn't help himself. He had to kiss her again. However, Dalla pulled back this time, much to both of their dismay. They touched their foreheads together, trying to catch their breaths.
"You are a real gentleman, Steve," she said. "If you wish to do this properly-"
"I do," he replied.
She smiled. "Then, we must stop here. Another kiss like that and I cannot promise I will allow us to stop again."
"Then, I will take my leave. Goodnight, my Dalla."
"Goodnight, my Steve."
She smiled at him before turning in for the night. He had a goofy smile on his face back to his own tent. Bucky tried to get details, but Steve refused to say anything. The following day, Bucky and Peggy tried to get Dalla to tell them what happened, but she also refused.
"Just know," she did eventually say, "our two best friends gave us a magical night."
"Best friends?" Peggy asked.
"Yes. The first woman to be a real friend to me and Bucky is like my brother. And without both of you, Steve and I would have missed such a perfect moment."
"I couldn't agree more," said Steve, getting the three of them to turn toward him. "Now, sweetheart, don't go telling them anything. Somethings should stay between us."
She blushed. It was the start of Steve and Dalla, and the start of friendships that would span decades.