Work Text:
Finally, Peggy was allowed to return to work. She loved playing with little Sarah. Watching the child grow was undoubtedly one of the most amazing things that she had seen. Howard wished he could make something as incredible.
But there was a part of her that had always itched to return to adventures. To direct agents and take down horrible schemes. Sarah would be safe at home with Steve. He’d promised that nothing would happen to her, and she knew that he would make that promise true.
So, Peggy Carter came to work. Rose was stationed in the operator’s booth with the other ladies. She asked the person she was calling to hold and threw her arms around Peggy, and Peggy blushed.
“Really? I can’t celebrate our best agent returning to work?” Rose chuckled. “I have to warn you, it seems like some of the boys might not be pleased. Especially… you know the one.”
Peggy straightened her collar. She knew exactly who Rose was talking about. She’d put that messy, bloody summer in Los Angeles behind her. “I’ll handle Chief Sousa and the others.”
“But you’ll only have to deal with him for a week,” Rose noted. “We’re going back to L. A.”
That was encouraging.
When she crossed the threshold into the SSR office, she spotted several agents talking to Chief Sousa. They were all young– boyish, even. They reminded her of the Commandos.
“Hi, Peggy. Coming in to quit?” Sousa gave her a professional smile.
Peggy laughed. “There’s so much work to be done. I don’t think I’ll be leaving any time soon.”
“You’ve got a baby to think about now.”
“I do. She’s safe with her father.”
“A random civilian.” Daniel sighed. “You really are married to your work.”
“Why are you so upset? Do you know my child better than me?”
“I saw how you reacted to Mrs. Jarvis’s injury. None of us want your girl to be hurt.”
“I’m willing to take that risk, Daniel.”
“You certainly are.”
How dare he? She had been worried about the child for the past twenty months. She knew the risks involved. She even saw the effects of potential brainwashing with baby Jane.
In the end, she always knew she was worth it. This job was about ensuring the safety of the country. She would be building a better world for her little girl.
So, she got to work. It was basic, today; the reports from assignments that she hadn’t been on wouldn’t review themselves. Still, she needed to know what had happened in her absence.
At the end of the day, Rose and the other operators were giggling. Peggy didn’t ask why. It was likely just office gossip. Besides, she needed to go home to her Steve and her Sarah.
They waited for her at the door. Steve held a sleepy Sarah in his arms. Peggy was grateful to kiss them both.
“By the way, we have casseroles in the ice box. Two people dropped them off.” Steve rubbed Sarah’s back. “I didn’t see who sent them, but they both left notes.”
One note was completely unmarked but was in Rose’s handwriting. That would explain the giggling. She grinned, then turned her attention to the other note.
Dear Agent Carter,
Congratulations on becoming a new mom! I know you’ve been one for a while now, at this point, but I was in town for a nursing conference and decided to stop by. It’s always exciting. Remember to do your stretches!
No hard feelings,
V