1963-07-28 - Health Problems
Summary: Peggy asks Steve for some advice.
Related: If there are no related logs, put 'None', — please don't leave blank!
Theme Song: None
steve peggy 


It's fairly late into the evening. Peggy hasn't been working the most insane of hours as she used to, but at least once or twice a week she's here until 9 pm — well after Daniel leaves to relief the nanny and get their daughter some dinner. This is one of those nights. She's got a pot of tea steeping already, the hot water having come out of that weird metal plug in kettle that Howard made her ages ago — it still heats water and hasn't exploded yet (a victory, considering the maker.) The scent of ginger fills the room, not her normal tea, but exactly what she needs tonight. She's left a note on the little desk that is claimed as his for him to stop in when or if he has a few free minutes. Not an important note. Something she debated not even writing. But it's there. Some things are only able to be cleared up by an old friend, not husband or colleague. This is one of those things. So, she pages through the next bit of her file and takes a small sip of tea. She almost looks ready to fall asleep at her desk, but she is working.

*

"Peg?" Steve says as he enters the door quietly. He's been working on a few minor cases, but most of his attention has gone to recruitment for the Avengers Initiative. "Got your message." He steps in and awaits her comment, not knowing if it's something quick or needs to take more time, so he doesn't bother to take a seat yet.

*

Well, that will wake her up. She didn't even hear the door open, which probably tells her just how much work she's ACTUALLY getting done, verses staring at a page, but Peg tries to blink some of the exhaustion from her eyes and put on a professional smile even if some of it slips and, beneath, there is a lot of the old Peg sitting on an gas drum in the underground tunnels of the SSR facility so many years ago. "Come in…sit… Sit. Do you want tea? It's ginger, a bit weird, but… tastes good."

*

Steve smiles and shakes his head, "No that's okay, thank you." He takes a seat and takes another look around the room for a bit, giving her a plain smile. "So what's up?"

*

The woman looks across his tall shoulder, double checking to see that the door is shut. Not that many others are left this late at night, but she really doesn't want the conversation to go beyond them. Dark eyes then settle upon his perfect, still ever-young features again. "First…how are you doing? Any more settled in? Is…is there anything else I can *do* for you? I feel like I've hardly seen you. I suppose much of that is my fault but…I worry."

*

"Things are going fine, Peg," Steve says giving her a grin. "I think every day I'm getting a little bit better at adjusting. I appreciate your concern, but you don't really need to worry about me. You have enough to worry about with this place and at home."

*

"I always worry. You know me." Peggy studies him a bit deeper for a few heartbeats, those eyes the sort that can still look through someone within a few words. At least she seems to trust that he means he is adjusting, that he's not just hiding and being strong for her. That allows her to relax a bit more. She exhales a quiet breath. "…I… I need some advice…if you are up to being a friend and not Captain America for a bit. I know it's been a long time since we've… well, for me, it's been a long time since we've been friends. I still miss it. Miss you."

*

"I'm not sure I'd be one to really be in the best position to give you advice, Peg, but I can do what I can," Steve says with a quick shake of his head. "What's going on?"

*

"You're good at leading a team… That's part of the advice I need." Peggy sighs, dragging one hand across her face and sitting a bit straighter. She then takes a good sip of her ginger tea, letting it's strange, herbal scent sooth whatever rustles within her, and then she begins quietly. "I do not know if you read how the meeting with the mutants went. If you didn't, well..It did not go well. One of the mutants has very strong mental powers and read Agent Sousa's mind like a book. Threats were made, most likely in efforts to ensure secrecy is kept on both sides, but Agent Sousa is resigning from the Agengers project. We are going to fully let Fury take over both in-office command and mission set ups. You and Fury get along, yes? This might go smoother anyway. But… Daniel is beating himself up violently over this. He'd discussing resigning from SHIELD entirely, when it would have happened to ANY of us who walked in there."

*

"That's too bad," Steve says making a bit of a sour face. "Agent Sousa, from everything that I've seen, is a stand up Agent who puts the safety of others in front of everyone else. I get along well with Fury and will look forward to working with him, but I'm sad to see Agent Sousa go. I hope he doesn't leave SHIELD."

*

"At this moment, I may simply order him to stay. It might be the only way he does not fully resign. He is an excellent agent and, short of myself, is the most reliable, competent and experienced person we have in this entire operation. He's been here almost since the beginning. But, he feels without that project… the department has no real need of him." Peggy frowns, leaning back in her chair a bit deeper, "Whether I need him or not… He's not seeing another place in SHIELD for him."

*

"I can't really say I know him well, or anyone for that matter given how new I am, but I sure do hope he stays," Steve says with a shrug. "How can I help?"

*

"…I'm considering promoting him to assistant director. I… I have a feeling I'm going to be taking a lot more of a step back in the coming time. I need someone in this seat I can trust. But… considering our relationship, I don't know if it just looks like blatant favoristism or not. I still need someone in that position…" Peggy Carter? Taking a step back? That alone might be concerning, but right now she's got her serious, thoughtful expression on and doesn't look like she's going to be easily swayed from the current topic.

*

"I think you probably will get some heat for that. Regardless of the truth, people will assume nepotism. That being said, if the right decision is the right decision, you have to make it and to hell with the consequences." Steve tilts his head, "Are you moving to another job or taking some time off?"

*

"I…" Shit, Peggy Carter rarely lied, but she straight up *couldn't* lie to Steve. Anyone but him. She still doesn't entirely meet his eyes as she tells a vague half truth instead, opting to look down into the half drank cup of tea on her desk, "No, no… probably time off. I'm having some… health issues. It happens." She states, almost dismissively, as if she were talking about a flat tire on the car. "If I could find someone else near as good — and figure a good other place to put him — I'd do that… but… I don't know who else could step into the position. Fury, but then we're back without office guidance of your team."

*

"Well, that's why they pay you the big bucks," Steve says in reference to the comment about Fury. "I'm sorry to hear about your health troubles and I hope you get back to full commission as soon as possible. I know we'll miss you while you're gone."

*

A deep smirk crosses her lips as he comments about her being paid the big bucks. "Come now. You know how to put together and lead a team. I generally do also, but… damned if my head isn't in the game right now. Just when it needs to be. From what you've seen of the people around here — Will they follow Sousa if I say, or will I create an uprising because of assumptions alone?"

*

"Not sure, but I don't know that you can worry about that. I mean you have to make the right decision because it's the right decision. The consequences are the consequences."

*

The answer is one she should have seen coming, but perhaps she just needed to hear it out of someone else's mouth. Peggy breathes out slowly, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs quietly. "I know. People can scream and yell but when they've got someone else in this office they know when I'm not here any more, it'll be a hell of a sight better than promoting Conners or someone whose only been here a year or two."

*

Steve nods as he repositions in his chair, "It sort of already sounds like you know what the right answer is."

*

"I do…" Peg confirms quietly, pushing her hand back through her hair, pulling those few stray curls off her forehead. She gives him a half smile, apologetic but gentle. A smile that holds a whole lot of memories she's worked on boxing away a long time. "Sorry to have bothered you with this. I just needed to talk it out loud, I suppose… And I certainly couldn't ask Daniel."

*

"Understood," Steve says with a nod as he starts to rise. "It was no problem. Good luck with everything. And good luck with your health problems."

*

"…Thanks. It'll work out…one way or another. I'm just… actually trying to listen to a doctor for once. It's annoying." Peggy states with a good, half teasing smirk. She doesn't stop him from rising, though. It is late, people should go home.

*

"Good to see you, Peg," Steve says as he reaches for the door and lets himself out. Tonight it's TV dinners and Bonanza.

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