Abduction

Why us? Better yet... why me?

Totally and rudely ignoring Rose's polite welcome, she ran to Daniel's office.

Daniel, surprised by her sudden appearance, looked up and was immediately worried. Peggy didn't make eye contact with her husband as she reached for the maps and splayed them across the desk. "Peggy?"

Peggy was too focused on the map looking for the said ranch. "Peggy!"

That time it caught her attention. She looked up at the Chief with glossy eyes. "What are you doing here?"

She didn't answer.

"Where's Elizabeth?"

Peggy looked down at the map, as tears eye threatening to spill. In all rights, she should be balling and shaking with sobs but she just... Felt she couldn't.

"Peggy? Where's Elizabeth?" Daniel pushed.

"With... D-Dottie Underwood." She said shakily.

Daniel sighed and Peggy took a fountain pen and traced from their office to the ranch she spotted. Daniel looked at what she was doing. "Is she there?"

Peggy shrugged. "That's the last thing she said, 'Red Oak Ranch, Peggy'."

Daniel looked around the office. "Alright... Let's go."

"Right there!" Peggy pointed to the faded sign that read the familiar words.

Peggy jumped out as quickly as Daniel stopped the car, running to the building. "Peggy!" Daniel whisper yelled.

But she didn't stop. There was a small cottage style house in the center of all the greenery. Peggy had her gun drawn and she stealthy secured the perimeter. She signaled to Daniel the all clear for around the building. She whispered to Daniel and Rose to stay and guard. Peggy moved to the door and opened it quietly. She entered the building gun first. Pointing out in all directions. Nothing was in the mud room. Nothing in the kitchen. Her search didn't last long as she found a small white bassinet in the living room. Peggy peered over it and saw Baby Elizabeth sleeping peacefully inside. Too peacefully, for Peggy's taste.

This was too easy, though. She could just take her baby and leave but something wouldn't be right. Peggy searched the room.

"You know," The familiar girly voice spoke. Peggy stood protectively in front of the bassinet. "You could've just taken her and left."

"We both now that's not how it would've ended." said Peggy. She was trying desperately to keep her cool and not shoot her.

Dottie came out from the shadows and laughed.

"What do you want?" Peggy asked. "Why did you want to bring me out here?"

"Just to chat."

"You could've called." Peggy said mimicking Dottie's childish voice. "Instead of taking one's baby to lure her out into the middle of nowhere."

Dottie was silent as she just sat and watched Peggy. "What do you want Dorothy?"

Dottie sighed. "An exchange. I finally," She put emphasis on 'finally' as she sat down on the couch in front her nemesis. "Got back in touch with Leviathan. After all these years. Turns out they were just watching and planning."

"What?"

"You want your precious little girl back, do you not?"

Peggy stayed silent. Dottie knew the answer. "I'm kicking myself for not realizing it sooner. Leviathan wants... You."

"Me? For what?"

"Well, your an excellent agent. Greatly skilled in many areas; combat, code breaking, et cetera, et cetera."

"And what makes you think I'm going to do that?"

"For your dear baby girl's life... I'm almost positive you'll do anything to save."

Peggy narrowed her eyes.

"So you will take dear Elizabeth out to dear Daniel, and come back here."

Peggy's fists clench.

"If you refuse, I will not hesitate to end the girl's life and then take you by force," Dottie shrugged as if it were no problem at all. "Leviathan will do anything to get the SSR's -- oh excuse me, SHIELD's -- best agent."

Peggy sighed. She would rather Elizabeth live and risk her never seeing her mother, than to die and then Peggy have to go with Leviathan. That would be too much for Daniel. And too much for Peggy. "Fine."

Dottie's face lit up in her childish way as she clapped her hands. "Splendid. You have three minutes."

Peggy glared at Dottie then turned to pickup the little girl. She carefully carried Elizabeth out of the house. Daniel's face showed pure relief to see they eye both unharmed. Which made Peggy want to cry. A tear might've already slipped down her face.

Peggy handed Daniel the baby and kissed him. "What are you doing?" Daniel asked confused.

"It was Leviathan." Peggy answered.

Dottie came to the doorway, "Ticktock, love birds."

"They wanted me. They cleverly took one thing they knew would get me to fold."

"Peggy, you're not--"

Peggy gave Daniel a small smile. "I'll get out of it -- I always do."

Daniel gulped. "And if you don't? If they kill you first?"

"I won't let that happen. And if it does... I know you'll take good care of Elizabeth."

"Peggy don't. We can just shoot her right now."

"You know that's not going to work." Peggy have him another kiss. "I'll get out of it. I promise."

"Times up." Dottie called.

"I love you." Peggy said as she stared walking away.

"I love you, too." Daniel said quietly. But Peggy heard.