1963-08-28 - Home, Sweet Home
Summary: After the daring rescue of the missing SHIELD team, the Carter-Sousas have a chance to catch up as husband and wife.
Related: All of the Nuclear plot.
Theme Song: None
sousa peggy 


Even though he just wanted to go home once they landed back in New York, Sousa knew that it was protocol to be checked over by medical. It's not a bad thing, really - he's a little malnourished from having too little food to eat and his leg is going to need to rest from having the prosthetic on for that long. There is currently an argument going on between the medic checking him out and Sousa himself as the medic wants him to go home without the leg on and he's insisting that he can manage a few more hours.

No doubt Peggy was notified that they were rescued and arriving home, even though he would rather her try to get some rest. His concern, while he was captured, was, of course for her and her health as well as Mickey's well-being.

*

The MOMENT Peggy heard they'd been found, she wanted to fly out there. She wanted to be on the team, on the front lines, to help them out of the mess, but that wasn't her place any more. Her place was here, with paperwork, running a global organization. Which means she's been processing paperwork since, pretty much, the moment they heard. That also means she's not been able to get down to medical until this very moment. But she's now told the state department to shove it, they'll have a full report in the morning, and that she's taking her husband HOME.

So, halfway into that argument with the doctor, Peggy storms straight into the room and up to her husband. She looks like she hasn't slept in a week, which is probably close to the truth. Hollow cheeks and eyes, her hair not even curled but pulled back in a tie, but she doesn't seem to care either. She marches right up to him and pulls him into a kiss that rivals the first one in his office out in LA. It lasts uncomfortably long, to the point of the doctor clearing his throat, but she doesn't care. She kisses him a bit longer.

*

"Peg," Daniel starts when he sees his wife storm into the room. He starts to shift to get off of the examinatin table, but then he's being kissed. And kissed. And kissed. He really isn't even surprised as he just holds her close, no doubt adding to the prolonged length of the kiss. Unlike that first kiss in LA, however, he's not shocked. A hand is held up towards the doctor as if telling him to just wait a moment as the kiss continues. Once they both come up for breath, he whispers, "I'm all right. I promise."

*

Slightly breathless indeed from the end of the kiss, it was still everything she needed to convince herself that he was alive and in tact, if not in perfect health. She pulls back just enough to look him over, up and down, trying to inspect any noticeable injuries and fortunately not finding any. He's thinner in the cheeks but, honestly, so is she. It's been a rough week and change. Her fingertips linger on the side of his cheeks. "You aren't. You're exhausted.. probably half starved… and I can't imagine the ordeal you all went through. But if you're not actively bleeding, I'm taking you home. Come." She looks over to the doctor, that glare just DARING him to protest. "He's not actively dying, is he?"

*

"You neglected to mention in need of a shave and about three or four showers," Sousa offers with a wry twist of his mouth. He then glances to the doctor, his eyebrows lifting as if daring him to say that he can't go home. This is, after all, the Director.

The doctor clears his throat, "Uh, no, he's not actively dying," no more than the rest of them. "But I highly recommend bedrest and staying off the prosthetic leg. Eat broth and simple foods for a little bit to get your stomach back in shape." But he doesn't look confident that they're going to listen to him.

Sousa reaches for his crutch, "I'm fine and please, please take me home. Is Mickey all right? What did you tell her?"

*

"…Understood, doctor. I'll take proper care of him, I promise." Peggy assures flatly. Then, she's looking back to her husband and while he might be able to read the immediate need in her face to slip her arm beneath his shoulders and let him lean on her up out of the room, she also understands pride and independence. She wouldn't take that from him. She'd let him walk out of here on his own devices, even if she'll help him out of the car later.

"Home, come on." She reassures him, walking slow, but that's the only accommodation she makes in front of any of the other agents. She waits until they are in the hall to explain gently, "…I told her that you were handling some things with very dangerous men, and I had to work a lot to make certain they didn't do anything bad. She… she seemed to take it as well as you'd expect. I couldn't lie to her." Peggy admits quietly, even if a saner story would have been to tell the girl that dad went on vacation, or a conference, or something like that. It still wouldn't explain the double time hours Peggy worked at the office. A slice of guilt can be seen behind her eyes, "I…I tried so damn hard to find you, Daniel…"

*

Sousa appreciates the independence, even if he doesn't even realize that she's granting him all that. There is certainly something to walking out on his own, even with Peggy at his side. He may not ever admit that he's in pain or needs help…at least, not to anyone but Peggy. He will, however, reach out to take her hand in his free hand and just hold it as they walk to the car.

When she tells him what she told Mickey, he nods, "Good. I don't know that we should be lying to her, but we also can't have her talking to friends and teachers about what we do." That's going to be a concern very soon. "You didn't promise her any animals this time, did you?" His attempt at some levity is short-lived as he gives her hand a tight squeeze, "I know you did. I don't know how you eventually did it. I tried sending a signal over the radio but we were…I don't even know where we were, to be honest. Peggy, it was so strange…" Although she's probably heard what they reported in on the trip over. That work will just have to be done by others working over night or it will have to wait until morning.

*

The hand is happily taken, a small breath catching in her throat, the sort that says there's a part of her on the edge of tears and Peggy Carter hasn't really cried since the birth of their daughter, so this is ridiculous and she's fighting it but it's hard. She keeps walking forward, not quite looking at him as she blinks against that sudden glassiness in her eyes. She squeezes his hand all the tighter as they walk down the hall towards the little, hidden garage on their lower floors.

"N-no… no animals. Not this time. I think she… she knew it was bad." Just looking at Peggy would be enough to give it away. Probably best that she didn't try to lie to their too-intelligent daughter. She pushes the door open into the garage and grabs the key of her Aston Martin out of her pocket with her free hand. Her other palm isn't leaving his. "I…I read the report. It wasn't me. I…I'm just glad it's done. And… I think I'm done with work tonight. Just… let's go home, Daniel… please… "

*

"Peg," Daniel pauses at the car, not getting in yet, "Are you all right to drive? We can get a cab or have someone drive us home." He can read that tension in her, he can see that she's just barely holding it together. He doesn't move to the passenger side yet, instead waiting for an answer. "I'm glad it's done as well," even though it means more work almost immediately. But he does need to go home, see his daughter, and spend time with his wife.

*

She lets him stop her. He's probably one of the only people in the world that can manage to stop her without a protest. Peggy looks back to him as they stand there, outside her elegant car, unspent moisture still making her eyes glassy. Her fingertips stretch up, cupping across his unshaven cheek again, her thumb tracing along his jaw. It really is as if part of her cannot believe he's real. "I-I'm…fine. I've held it together his long, another thirty minutes can'tbe that hard. I… I'm just glad you're home. God, Daniel… I… I was so scared." She confesses, voice barely above a whisper. Those are not words she easily says.

*

Sousa reaches out a hand to place over her's, even as she touches his face, "I was too. If you saw what I did…" it's all in the report, surely…not only the map and the information about the nukes, but also about MODOK. "All I could think of was getting back home to you and Mickey. It was the -only- option." And they made it. Or were allowed out. He's still not entirely sure which. "But I'm all right. I'm home. I won't be going far for a long, long time."

He then leans in for another long kiss as if to try and prove that.

*

The press of his hand only helps to drive home the point, the promise that he is alive and mostly well. Peggy closes her eyes against tears for a moment, fingertips pressing just a touch harder. "I love you. God, Daniel, do I love you…" Peggy whispers, those words suddenly very, very important to get out. They become the most important words in the world when one thinks they are never going to get to say them again. She takes that other kiss eagerily, hungrily, in something that is all about connection and not in the least lust. She lets it linger long again before drawing back just a bit.

"…I can drive us home. It's not far. Kiss… kiss Mickey goodnight, then bed. WEll, shower, maybe…" She states with a weak laugh, realizing he probably desperately needs one, "But then bed."

*

"I love you too, Peggy. So much." It's also whispered, his own voice filled with emotion. Daniel just holds Peggy close until she draws back. It's only then that he moves, albeit slowly, to the other side of the car. "That's the other kiss I'm missing and yes, a shower is definitely needed." He may even wait to shave until the morning, just so that he can get back to his family all the faster.

At least tonight, there won't be any need to put money into the Pickle Jar to discuss work.

*

No work tonight at all. For once, Peggy almost feels drive away by it. She wants the things that matter — husband, daughter, family, home. She lets him go almost relcutantly and then steps around to her side of the car, settling into the driver's seat. The engine purrs like it doesn't have a care in the world just a moment later and Peggy is pulling out ofher spot. As soon as they are on the road at a decent speed, so she needn't shift all that often, her hand reaches for his thigh. All she wants to do is touch him. "…to be fair, you have smelled worse. That heat wave in LA… after the stake out. I mean… I'm just saying." She offers with a too-weak laugh, but she's trying.

*

Sousa climbs into the car wearily and, when Peggy's hand touches his thigh, he places his own over it. He echoes her weak laugh, "Well, you weren't smelling like a rose yourself." There's a brief glance over before he closes his eyes for just a moment. Really, he's only going to rest them. It's been a long ten days and sleep has been scarce. His eyes are tired, that's all.

He might not wake up until they pull up to the house.

*

"You told me I smelled *exactly* like like a rose in the English Countryside…" Peggy protests with a half laugh, about to teasingly glare at him, but when she looks over again she realizes he's fallen dead asleep. Her smile softens a bit and, if she didn't have to shift, her hand would never leave his leg the whole trip. The next thing he might know is the familiar sound of the garage going up, Peggy pulling the large, elegant vehicle inside. She doesn't speak, though, trying to handle everything as hushed and gentle as possible. If she can manage to not wake him and half sleep-walk him up to bed, that is exactly what she will do. Quiet as a mouse, she creeps out of her side of the car and moves around to his door, pulling it open and trying to gingerly wrap his arm around her shoulders. "…home, dearest…don't open your eyes. Just come with me…" She whispers ever so faintly.

*

Sousa does give a start awake at some point and manages something between a grimace and a grin as Peggy moves to wrap his arm around her shoulder, "I'm awake. I got this, thanks…" now, once he's in bed he won't be moving much, but he can almost count the steps until he gets there. Besides, he absolutely -needs- to see Mickey, even if it means waking her up. He will, however, accept her help to get out of the car until he's got his crutch and very sore leg under him. "You're not supposed to be lifting heavy things, remember?" is quipped softly as he moves with her to the door of the house.

The more he allows himself to feel safe, the more weariness that creeps into his body.

*

A look up and down is given to his body, a slight smirk crossing her lips, "I love you, dear, but I don't know that you could be considered a heavy thing right now. You're all skin and bones. But yes, yes… come on." She lingers near to him, just in case his leg would give out, hovering and worried now though she is trying quite hard not to show it. As they step into the house, she shuts all doors behind them, but then her hand immediately returns to the base of his back. It's like he has a body guard right now and she's quite not willing to move more than a few feet away from him at any time.

*

Sousa gives a snort of…something. "Ten days without much to eat isn't going to waste me away." That said, he -is- hungry although the doctors said to start him on simple foods. Normally, he might say something about the hovering, but it's actually not entirely unwelcome right now. There's a brief thought about how she might think he can't handle himself, but it's quickly stifled by more reassuring, positive thoughts.

His leg won't give out yet…he can still walk a bit on it before that might happen. The prosthetic, however, is chafing and is going to need a good, long 'time out'.

Even though he needs a shower and a shave and even though he desperately needs rest, Daniel's first stop is Mickey's bedroom. He knows he shouldn't wake her, but he steps in anyhow and moves to sit on the edge of her bed. A hand reaches out to brush some of her curly hair from her face before he leans down to give her a kiss on her forehead.

*

As they manage up the stairs, it's like Peggy knows exactly where he's going. She doesn't stop him at all, but gives a more gentle squeeze to the base of his back. Before they enter the door, she stops and whispers, "I'm going to get you something light to eat, toast or the like. I'll meet you in the bedroom, my love." And she dares steal one last kiss, even if it's quick, and then she does trust him enough to handle himself, as she disappears back down the hallway to the kitchen for a bit of food (for both of them, in truth.)

Mickey is deep enough asleep, and it's late enough, that she doesn't stir at the opening of her bedroom door. She's in her pink nightgown and her hair needs a cut, messy dark curls that look so much like Daniel's sister's hair utterly wild across her pillow. But the moment he sits on her bed, she's awake. Little dark eyes open, staring up to him and immediately tearing up, "…Daddy?" She crackles out, like she's almost scared it's a dream. Then she's abruptly sitting up, wrapping her arms so tight around his torso as she clings to hi as hard as a five year old can cling. "…You're home?"

*

Sousa nods to Peggy when she mentions the food. When he hears Mickey's little voice he smiles and opens his arms so that he isn't blocking the hug in any way, shape or form. He might be holding on to her just as tight…or as tightly as he can without hurting her. "Yeah, I am, baby. I'm fine." Of a little scraggly and smelly at the moment. He just holds her for a long moment, pressing his lips into her curly hair before he finally extricates himself from her grip. "Now go back to bed, ok? I'll see you in the morning." Because the child still needs her sleep and he doesn't have the energy to deal with a wide-awake five year old at the moment.

*

It's not going to be quite that easy, alas, to extract Mickey from his side. While he might be smelly, she doesn't really seem to notice as she just buries herself against her father's chest, the slight shaking of her shoulders the only thing which really shows more tears are coming, but she's quietly crying against him. She had been so scared and did her best to be so brave for mom, because that's how a Carter-Sousa is, but now he's here and she's five and she can't quite stop crying. She turns her head enough that he might be able to hear her speak, "…Mum never was coming home and she said you were fighting bad guys but you weren't home at all and I was so scared and she said it was dangerous and I don't think she thought you were going to come home and didn't want to tell me, but I knew, mum's never scared, and I was scared, and I missed you…"

*

Sousa tries to brush some of those tears away, "She was busy trying to find us. I -was- fighting bad guys but we won," sort of, "And now I'm back home. We were all scared, but I never thought for one moment that I wouldn't be coming home." As if that might help. "I missed you too. Every moment. But now I'm back and everything's all right now." He doesn't tell her that she can't be scared or upset — how can he when he was as well.

He's willing to just let her cry it out and just hold her until she falls back asleep. It's a privilege, he knows, to be able to come home even after all of this to his family.

*

A few ragged breathes come at his brushing her tears away, but she's trying to be strong again. She leans into his touch and still holds on so darn tight with her other arm. She nods mutely at his reassurance that everything is alright, but does indeed sink back into his chest to finish crying. She'll half cry, half hug him all the way back to sleep, but she does make it there. In a few minutes, her little arms slump back from the tight hold and he'll be able to guide her back into the pillows, little face splotchy and lips wet, but she somehow looks more peaceful than she did before.

Down the hall, in their bedroom, Peggy has some toast and light mozzarella laid out on a plate. It's enough for both of them, in a silence acknowledgment that she herself didn't eat near as well as she should while he was gone. She's out of her suit and slip, just standing there in black lace panties and her brasiere. She hasn't really gained weight yet, in fact, she lost a little herself while he was gone, but that raggedness all the more makes obvious the softness of her stomach that wasn't really their previous. Just a faint outwards curve. She looks up as he comes in the room, a tired smile on her lips, "…Mickey alright?"

*

Sousa lingers a few more moments after he settles Mickey back against the pillows. There's a soft little sigh before he gets back to his feet and limps down the hall to the master bedroom. There's a pause as he looks at the little plate of food and then Peggy standing there, getting ready for bed. It's the simple things, but he never had any doubt they'd get out of there and he'd return. It was always a matter of 'when'.

"I think so. She's back to sleep now, but we may have shadows for the next few days until she's convinced we're not going anywhere without her." There's another tired smile before he looks again to the food and then to the bathroom. "Shower first. Then the food." So he doesn't get the bed all dirty and grimy.

It also means he can take his leg off sooner. In fact, his actual crutches are grabbed and set inside the bathroom so that they are easily accessible once he finishes his shower. The shave can wait until morning.

*

"…I'll be here. And… I don't blame her for being a little shadow. I.. didn't come home as often as I should." Peggy admits, looking back to the doorway, worry and love in her eyes. But she doesn't press it right now. She leans up to kiss him and then moves to help him with any clothing he wants to get off before showering. No mothering him, not really. The motions are more so a woman who simply wants to do nothing more than touch her husband in every little, intimate way possible while they are side by side.

*

The shower might be a little longer than usual but eventually Sousa comes back out, sans prosthetic, and using both crutches to get from the bathroom back over to the bed. There's a pause at the dresser as if he's deciding if he wants pajamas, but it might just be boxer shorts tonight. He's too damned tired.

There may have been some loss of weight due to the conditions, but it's not too extreme. A few good meals and he should be fine…unlike Peggy who seems to be too thin for a woman who is eating for two. He'll chastize her later about that, or let one of the doctors do it for him.

"This is why two of us couldn't be heading up SHIELD," is offered as he takes one of the pieces of toast. That's all the work talk he's going to say, however. "Eat, Peggy. You look like you need it more than I do."

*

While Peggy isn't exactly completely abandoning pajamas tonight, she's opted just for one of his softer work out shirts and panties. It's comfortable, the shirt makes her think about him, and that's all she cares about right now. She's perched on the bed drowsily, waiting for him with a worried smile. As he comes over without worrying about pajamas, she smiles a bit wider, fingertips winding their way against his bare ribs as he settles in next to her. She gives a mute nod of agreement to the comment about why they shouldn't be heading SHIELD. He was right. But she doesn't press about work.

"Oh, I'm fine. Haven't had much of an appetite, is all. And no one cooks like you." But she does take a slice of toast for herself also, not completely denying or being stubborn about it. She did bring enough for both of them, after all. She sinks back against his side, stretching her leg out to press against his hip, the plate set below her bent knee on the bed so they can both still reach it.

*

"You're eating for two, remember?" Sousa comments as he slowly chews his bit of toast. It's honestly delicious after a near-fast for so long. But he feels much more human after that shower and he's no longer dealing with the ache of wearing the prosthetic for so long. Since he's still sitting up, he isn't falling asleep quite yet — that and his stomach is growling angrily after getting it's first little bit of toast.

"I'm sorry we worried you," even though he's not entirely sure that there's anything to be sorry for. They sort of knew they were going into something dangerous. "I'll try not to let it happen again." That last is said with a weary smile.

*

A smirk comes at the eating for two, "Yes, yes… I remember. Trust me, hormones are ensuring I don't forget." Nausea, crankiness, hell, probably half her moody reaction to this all has been hormones. But only half. Still, she is eating, he doesn't even need to coach her that much. And now that he's here, there's no other, heavy conversations to be had, which probably means things are still going as well as expected in that area. They were lucky in more than one way.

A smirk comes about the worrying comment, and a gentle shake of her head, "It's… not your fault, Daniel. You were doing your job. We… we both know this could always be a possibility, every time we go out into the field. I… I just couldn't stop remembering those research reports we got the other month — the fact that if a missing person isn't found within 48 hours, they chance of finding them… dramatically decreases. I just kept thinking of that. Thinking I… I failed you. I was running out of time."

*

It's good that they don't need to have any sad discussions about the state of the baby — although he was wth her doctor in that odd prison. No doubt she'll be back to work with them tomorrow and Daniel may just ask that Peggy get a little checkup. He takes some of the cheese and puts it on the toast for a little protein, "I don't know that those reports are entirely accurate for us, Peggy," Daniel gives a little smile. "We have people who can fly and shoot energy blasts and throw spider webs. I think we might be an exception to those reports."

*

One last bite of her piece of toast and Peggy has had enough. She's not slipping to sleep, but she does sink down onto her side, wrapping her arm lazily around his back and resting her head propped up on her own bicep so she can still comfortably look up to him. She definitely looks more comfortable than she's been in over a week, as if part of her has finally calmed down enough to accept he's safe and sound. "…I…I suppose. Maybe I should commission an in-house study just so I can sleep better at night if this happens in the future. Like we do not have enough to do." She smirks.

*

Sousa will pretty much polish off the plate of toast and cheese that was brought, the plate itself set on the floor as he just doesn't want to get up again. He eventually lays back so that he's more on eye level with Peggy, "Not sure such a report would be accurate right now. We're in a state of flux, but if it'll help you sleep better at night…" he's half teasing. It's actually another reason why he was considering leaving SHIELD all together…so something like this couldn't happen again.

"Things will be ok," he finally offers, his hand reaching to her's. Even if they're all blown up by a nuke tomorrow, they've done the best they can, right?

*

A slow, deep breath is drug in through her nose as he settles next to her, and she gives him a drowsy smile. "…They…they will be okay. We're together. We'll manage. We always do." Peggy whispers. Though, he's right about even if they get blown up. At least they went down together. Peggy leans over to kiss him one last time, deeper than before but still not in that lustful way. She just has missed him. Her leg stretches and wraps across his ankle, their bodies half entwining on the bed as she wraps around him.

"Now, sleep. Goodness knows you've earned it. I love you. Sleep." She whispers against his jawline, though she's halfway there herself now that she's laid down. SHe also hasn't bothered to set an alarm — not that they often need one with Mickey, but it's an indication that, right now, this is more important than getting to work on time.

*

Sousa returns that kiss and pulls Peggy into an embrace until the kiss ends. He even keeps one arm around her as he doesn't need to be told twice to try and get some sleep. "I love you too," is murmured into her hair just moments before he relaxes completely, falling easily and quickly asleep. He's not thinking about the morning; his body probably wouldn't let him, anyhow. It's been too long without proper sleep and it's going to take every chance it can.

*

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