The Choice

Reality Check

The rest of the evening had gone by swiftly. Instead on dwelling on the unspoken, the old companions have struck up conversation about stories and experiences in the war. The conversation was nostalgic, lively, and safe. Steve can hardly believe it was all real being able to talk to her again, see her laugh, smile, and retort at his stupidity. But all to soon it ended and she had to retire to bed. Rogers may be back but Peggy Carter has a life she still needs to live. Her career is the most important thing to her, so she goes to bed in preparation for working the next day.

Peggy wakes early and gets ready. By the time Rogers wakes, shes long gone. Her heels click against the stairs and floor of the LA SSR office. She sets down her bag and takes a deep breath. Just like any other day. Focus, Carter. Focus. Peggy sits down at her desk and looks through several files of information to help her with an open case. As she does so, a door to her right opens revealing the chief, and suddenly her heart pounds in her chest. Daniel. 

It was in this moment as she looked at her beloved that the memories of the previous day flooded her mind, a sinking feeling overwhelming her entire body. She tenses and tries to push the current events away. Surely Steve being back can't interfere with everything she has?  Daniel makes her happy, at work and at home. He always has.

Quickly she shakes her head and tries to refocus her thoughts, but the familiar sound of a thunk keeps her from doing so.

"Morning, Peg. How's the case going so far? Any idea what this scum bag's real agenda is?" He smirks as he stops by her desk. They're so close she can feel the heat from him, radiating beneath his clothes. It doesn't bother her but, she can't help the sinking feeling in her chest. 

"Erm.. no. Not yet at least." Her words, though true, contradict her tone. Shes distracted and slightly on edge from what Daniel observes. 

"You okay?" He asks taking a step back to observe her. Shes sitting at her desk but her posture is stiff and somewhat hunched. This isn't like her to do. 

Peggy looks up and nods, saying shes fine, and yet he doesn't believe her. Something is bothering her and for the lie of him he can't fathom what. But he doesn't pry, not wanting to overstep on the matter. 

"Okay, uh.. well are we still on for tonight? If not then that's fine. You should catch up on some rest if you need it." He smiles at her, taking her breath away before the panic sets in.

She had plans to go out with Daniel tonight, but Steve was at her house. Daniel was supposed to take Peggy out to dinner after going to the beach, and yet... oh bloody hell! She says to herself, though not so in her head as she thought. 

"You sure you're okay?" Bravely, Daniel reaches out and places a hand on her shoulder. Although they have agreed to keep their relationship and work life separate, in circumstances such as this, he can't help but worry and want to comfort her.

"Yes, yes of course. Uhm.." She glances away, her lips still parted as she thinks of what to say next. She didn't want to miss out on tonight, not when they had planned this date for over a week. Tonight was the first night they had off at the same time in over a week, and yet she wasn't sure she could go. Not with an unresolved issue now staying in her home at the moment. "Could we possibly have a rain-check on tonight? I have a few thing to, erm, settle and..." Gesturing to her work in front of her, Daniel takes the hint, though not fully convinced she was alright. 

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you need, Peg." he squeezes her shoulder and grins before walking away, leaving her to release the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She loves Daniel, truly she does, she's been in love with him for over 2 years, but with Rogers back everything in her life seems to have been flipped upside down.