Peggysous Collection

If Things Were Different

A/n: Tumblr sentence prompt asking for "I think I'm in love with you and I'm terrified". I went really angsty with this and it's basically a role reversal of a season two episode but with my own little twist. Hope you like it!

"Violet!"

Peggy smashed her fist repeatedly against the door, not giving the person inside any chance to take their time. Daniel let out a groan at her side, and Peggy began to pound even harder. Just before her fist came in contact with the door for probably the hundredth time, it swung open revealing a young women in a dressing gown, her blonde hair pinned up in curls and a frightened look on her face. That look quickly turned to horror as she took in their state. Without a word she ushered them into her home. Peggy and Jarvis half-carried, half-dragged an only semi-conscious Daniel into the living room.

"Put him on the couch," Violet instructed hastily, and the two silently complied. Violet rushed to Daniel's side, immediately going into nursing mode. "What happened?" She shook her head quickly, as if realizing that was a pointless and unnecessary question. She knew what Daniel did, she knew it would be classified. "Never mind, we need to get him to a hospital."

"No! N-no hospital. Too-too open," Daniel suddenly grunted from the couch. Peggy dropped to her knees at his side, and took his hand.

"Of course, Daniel. No hospitals. Violet will take care of you, right Violet?" She turned to the blonde women with a pleading look, and Violet nodded grimly.

"Of course." She turned to Jarvis. "Mr. Jarvis, I need hot water and rubbing alcohol." Jarvis quickly rushed to the kitchen to get what she needed, and Violet turned to Peggy. "Peggy, I need linens," she told her, but there was no answer. Peggy's eyes held a far away look, and she was absentmindedly rubbing circles into Daniel's hand as he moaned in pain. She was shook from her stupor as Violet called her name louder. She turned to other woman, startled, and forced herself to listen. "I need linens!" It was as if her brain was slowing down. It took a few seconds before her mind registered the words, and even more before it began to tell her body what to do. She stood numbly and headed to the linen closet, as Jarvis passed her with the rubbing alcohol. She heard Violet say something would hurt pretty badly before she entered the hall, and a few seconds later an agonized scream ripped through the house. Peggy knew it was Daniel as the scream was identical to the one he made when they pulled him off the rebar. She nearly stumbled into the wall at the sound, and had to force her limbs to act. She didn't even know if she was grabbing the right things, as all that was playing in her mind was that horrible moment of seeing Daniel fall, hearing the thud as he hit the ground, seeing the piece of rebar poking through his side when she rounded the boxes blocking her view. She closed her eyes tight and ripped her mind away from those thoughts, instead focusing on what he needed now. She had to be strong, for his sake. She finished grabbing the cloths and rushed back to the living room, handing them to Violet and then standing back, watching in fear and anxiety as Violet took care of him. She felt a brief pang in her heart at the thought that she wasn't the one helping him, but quickly brushed it aside. Violet was his fiancé and medically trained, this was her area.

Peggy had no idea how much time had passed when Violet finished. Jarvis had left as soon as he was assured that Daniel was fine and that Peggy was welcome to stay with Violet for the night. When Violet finished wrapping his wound, Daniel pushed himself into a sitting position, and Violet stood to head to the kitchen and put everything away. Peggy rushed to the couch and knelt in from of him, taking in the pained look in his eyes. She took a deep breath and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You scared me half to death, Daniel," she said in a hush. "Please, don't ever do anything like that again." Daniel chuckled wryly, wincing at the motion.

"Yes, Chief," he muttered, and Peggy cracked a small smile. She kept her hand on his shoulder, reveling in the warmth that reassured her he was still alive. Violet watched them from the kitchen, a lump in her throat and a sad look in her eyes. She took a deep breath.

"Peggy?" Peggy started at the sound, and turned to face the woman. "Can you come help me with this?" Violet continued, and Peggy nodded and stood. As she made her way to the kitchen, she felt a little worried. Something in Violet's tone didn't seem completely friendly, and as Peggy entered the kitchen and faced the smaller woman, the image of her hand on Daniel's shoulder flashed in her mind and she felt guilt bubble in her stomach. She forced a pleasant smile on her face and opened her mouth to speak. But before she could get any words out, Violet spoke quickly, effectively stunning her.

"You're in love with him, aren't you?" Peggy's mouth shut with a snap, and she stood frozen in place. Violet's jaw was set, and there were tears in her eyes. Peggy opened her mouth, and closed it again in confusion. Was she? It was as if Violet's words awoke hidden feelings, and suddenly Peggy didn't think that accusation sounded too far-fetched.

"Violet, I-" She stopped, not sure how to continue. "I don't know, honestly. I've never-I've never known how I really feel about him. I'm sorry, I just-" Violet cut her off quickly.

"Don't be sorry. I love him, and I know he loves me. But, I think he still loves you. I think he always has. I just don't know who he loves more." Peggy was shocked. How could Daniel still love her? How could Violet be taking this so calmly? Violet took a shaky breath and continued. "I think it's only fair you tell him, Peggy. He needs to be able to decide. All I want is for him to be happy. And if he's only with me because he thinks you don't love him back, I couldn't live with myself. So please, talk to him. I just want him to be happy," she nearly whispered, and Peggy nodded slowly.

"I'll-I'll try," she stuttered, and Violet nodded briskly.

"You can stay in the spare bedroom tonight, it's all ready for guests. It's the second door on the right." Her tone had changed, it was brisk, forced, and business-like. Peggy smiled gratefully.

"Thank you." She headed back to the living room and slowly approached Daniel. He looked up at her and smiled as she neared him, and Peggy knelt in front of him again. She struggled to get her thoughts composed, and Daniel frowned slightly.

"Peg? You alright?" Peggy smiled briefly at the irony of his question, and nodded.

"I'm fine, I just-" She took a deep breath and took the plunge. "I think I'm in love with you and I'm terrified," she whispered hastily, and then held her breath, her heart racing at a million beats a minute. Daniel froze. Never in a million years did he think he'd ever hear her say those words. He was on the verge of nearly shouting his return of her feelings, when he remembered just whose house he was in, who had his ring on her finger at that very moment. He shut his eyes and spoke.

"Peggy, I-I don't know what to say. Violet-"

"Wants you to be happy." Daniel's head shot up at the words, and saw Violet standing in the kitchen doorway with mixed expressions on her face. She made her way towards them. "I love you, Daniel, you know I do. But that means that I want you to be happy. And if you'd be happier with her than with me, I can't stand in your way," she told him softly. "I told her to tell you, she never would've on her own. I just want you to be happy, Daniel." She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his forehead before leaving for her room. Daniel turned to Peggy in shock. She quickly stood up and smoothed out her skirt, not looking him in the eye.

"I'd better get to bed," she said matter-of-factly, and Daniel just nodded numbly. He watched her walk away, and as she reached the hallway he called out to her. She turned to face him, and he smiled.

"Thank you." Peggy smiled briefly and headed to her room. As she laid down on the bed and closed her eyes, her mind wandered to all the possibilities that had opened up today. Maybe good things could come from this, after all.