Are We All We Are?

Chapter 4

A/n: Five years later, Ida Emke and Katherine Wexford have left the UK and live in Melbourne, Australia. They have assumed the identities of a ballet dancer named Dottie Underwood and a secretary named Peggy Carter.

2008

•••••

Peggy hadn't seen Dottie all morning, which was somewhat unusual. Admittedly, Dottie tended to get up later than her, but never this late in the day. Normally she'd either be in her studio, or if not there, then in the kitchen attempting to cook. With invariably mixed results.

After thinking about it for a moment, she realized that Dottie had been rather quiet last night, which was odd. If there's one thing Dottie wasn't, it's quiet. And she'd gone to bed early. Peggy mentally kicked herself for not figuring out something was wrong earlier. Honestly, she needed to get better at being a friend. Dottie deserved better. Dottie deserved the world.

Ascending the stairs, she knocked gently at her best friend's bedroom door.

"Dottie? Dottie, are you okay?" Peggy called out softly.

About a minute later, a minute that felt almost like an eternity for Peggy, an exceptionally dishevelled Dottie opened the door slowly.

Rubbing her eyes sleepily Dottie looked at Peggy through half opened eyes.

"Hi," she said without any of her typical enthusiasm. "What do you want?" she asked, beginning to focus, Dottie stepped back and raised her arm slightly, gesturing to her best friend to enter.

Still unsure of how worried she should be feeling right then, Peggy pinched the bridge of her nose and took a few steps inside as she collected her thoughts.

The idea that Dottie could be ill didn't sit well with Peggy at all.

"Well...." Peggy paused, "you didn't come down for breakfast, and that's not like you. It's almost noon and I hadn't seen you." Peggy paused again, took a deep breathe, then virtually whispered, "I got worried."

Who knew Peggy would ever admit such a thing?!

Peggy could see the tears beginning to well up in Dottie's eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Dottie, it's fine, I just wanted to make sure you are okay." Peggy interrupted, her voice kind and soft, as the worry continued to build up in her. This was not the Dottie she knew, and yes, had come to love. Not that she'd ever admit that! Or so she thought.

Dottie raised a hand to her head and gently rubbed her forehead before mumbling, "I'm sorry Peggy, really, I'm just not feeling very well today."

By that point Dottie had sunk back into bed. Peggy sighed gently and held her tongue, wisely deciding that now was not the time to reprimand her friend for not telling her. That could be done once Dottie was better. Instead, she quietly walked over to the bed and sat down next to her as gently as she could.

Seeing the pained look on her best friend's face, she, almost without realizing it, starting brushing the hair back out of Dottie's face, Peggy then said, "So, what is wrong? Do you need anything?"

Dottie knew that Peggy needed something to do, she needed to feel useful, so after a moment, Dottie answered.

"I could feel a migraine coming on last night and when I woke up this morning it was even worse." She sighed and flopped back into the pillows. Peering up at Peggy she asked, "Can you make me some tea please?"

Peggy looked over at her friend and those motherly instincts took over.

"Of course." She replied, gently kissing Dottie on the forehead before heading down to the kitchen, she glanced back before she stepped out of Dottie bedroom, noticing Dottie was already half asleep again, and stopped to pull the duvet up over her Dottie. Then she tiptoed away.