11097/Finally Home Doesn't Mean Finally Settled... Yet

Finally Home Doesn't Mean Finally Settled... Yet
Date of Scene:	10 May 2022
Location:	Carter-Sousa Home - Long Island
Synopsis:	A restless night after being rescued from HYDRA sees Peggy sitting up in the kitchen with May, talking about work, babies, and family of all things. Perhaps the old women really are going soft.
Cast of Characters:	Peggy Carter, Melinda May

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Peggy Carter has posed:
It's late, hours and hours after she's finally been released, and Peggy's not able to sleep. She *should* sleep, but the Framework messes anyone up, and there is still the tiny part of her that is looking for whatever will prove to her that she's still stuck inside. None of the tell-tale hints are here. May's empathic abilities are another point in the favor of reality. And May fighting to get her released from medical custody, once it was confirmed she and the baby were healthy, but she just couldn't talk herself into fully relaxing.

So, now, at three in the morning, her rounding frame shuffles through the new kitchen towards the kettle, wearing one of Daniel's robes and her old slippers. All comfort clothing. There's plenty of herbal tea in the house and while it might not help her sleep, it will certainly give her something to do.

Melinda May has posed:
Peggy isn't the only one up. Indeed, as she shuffles into the kitchen, she'll discover that Melinda is already there. She's turned on the light in the range hood, so as not to disturb the whole house, and has the kettle already aboil. On the counter is her cup and a strainer full of the best relaxation concoction she could find amidst Peggy's supplies. Though she seriously considered whiskey, she decided against it in case Peg needed help overnight -- and because it reduced the risk that Peg would throw caution to the wind and knock herself out with it, too.

Her tablet is on the table, glowing softly with a recording of Peggy's debriefing that's already reached the end and is nothing more than a black screen. That she is standing as calmly a she is when the kettle starts its soft whistling is a testament to just how commmitted she is to trying to keep her anger from boiling over and waking the baby, nevermind the mother. As she hears Peggy shuffling, however, she reaches for a second mug and a second strainer without a second thought.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Seeing that dim light in the kitchen already, a grim half smile crosses her pale features as she looks up to her dear old friend. "Sorry if I kept you up. I... know you can likely feel all of this. It was kind of you to offer to stay with me but... you don't need subjected to this any more than I did. I shouldn't have drug you all the way up here." Of course, the house was only half an hour from the Triskelion, it's not like they had to drive all the way out to Long Island.

But she won't refuse the tea. She walks over towards the kitchen, not going to refuse the cup of tea either. She looks very much her usual self, pale and a little ruffled, but no worse the wear physically for her stay with HYDRA. Even a little more round than before, more noticable for the two weeks she was gone.

Melinda May has posed:
"Honestly?" Melinda says, a wry, somewhat sardonic half-smile on her lips, "Your emotions are pretty much a drop in the bucket, compared to my own." Still rage cycling. Peg's anger and suspicion don't make a huge difference one way or the other. "Besides. You know me. I don't sleep." Not entirely true, but she is both a light sleeper and one prone to shorter hours than most.

She pours water over the tea and places the kettle back on the now dormant burner, letting the herbs steep before she brings both mugs over to the table. "You wanna talk about it? Or do you want me to hold the punching bag while you pound it for a while?" Pregnant doesn't mean incapable. Melinda knows that. Besides, she saw the other woman strangle a man with her nylons not that long ago. "Aggression therapy works wonders."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Studying Melinda for a few moments, Peggy seems to accept that the woman is being honest about her emotions and not that Melinda is trying to be kind but she really has kept her awake. A faint smile crosses her tired features and she inclines her head in a touch of agreement, "I'm sorry yours are so... off kilter as well. As things go, this was a fairly easy one. None of our own all that hurt, several more HYDRA assets destroyed, much intelligence gained. We should be celebrating, really."

Peggy shakes her head gently about the punching bag. She's certainly not dressed for it. "I... I don't know what to talk about or, really, what to punch out. The paranoia will pass. I'm fine. The baby is fine. This is a...hiccup in things, nothing more." Peggy really is trying to convince herself of that.

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda arches a silent brow, giving Peggy a direct look that basically reads 'go sell that bull to someone who might actually buy it'. She gestures to the tablet on the table as she slides into her seat. "The Framework?" All she wants is confirmation that what she heard is true. She's quiet as she speaks, however. She's had a lot of practice, now, learning to control her cascade.

The fact she recently got to punch a lot of squids in very sensitive and important places has helped immensely with that control. That... and she's peripherally aware of the restlessness of the babe that can't help but sense its mother's distress.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A faint nod comes in turn, "Maybe a slightly updated version. The pod looked... slimmer than before. And I can't have been in that long, I still have most of my strength left. But it was the Framework. And they let me escape... several times. There were always hiccups, things wrong, things I eventually noticed... And this time looks right. Feels, right, but..." Peggy's eyes track around the house, trying to pick out any subtle detail that can confirm for her that this is genuinely reality and she can relax.

The baby is healthy. Content, if awake and restless at how Peggy feels, but being a baby is over all a good life and there is a calming influence from the content child, if no other calm anywhere else in this house.

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda nods simply in acknowledgement. "I'll handle it," she says evenly. It's the Cavalry's promise -- one that does not bode well for *anyone* attached to that particular HYDRA project. She doesn't say how she's going to handle it. She likely doesn't need to. Whatever she does, it will be final.

"You're out," she says then, moving on as if the former matter were entirely settled. Her lips twist with that sardonic expression again. "I know it's hard to believe. So, I won't hold it against you, if you don't believe me." She reaches for her tea, now, heedless of the heat of the still a little too hot water. She does, at least, grimace faintly to acknowledge the brief, life-affirming pain.

Instead, her eyes fall to Peggy's rounded belly. "I think he... she... they're happy." A beat. "Or, at least, content. Maybe it takes after Daniel more than you." She glances up as she says it, looking for a reaction to the good natured jibe.

Peggy Carter has posed:
As May affirms that she is out, Peggy gives a tight, somewhat uncertain smile. "I know." She argees quietly, picking up her own mug of tea. Her voice isn't near so confident about it as she wants to be, but she's trying. "I just," She sighs, "I'll just need a few days to know-know. Keep wondering if they got the program a bit more right this time. If they learned accuracy. I know they can't get it this perfect... I know." Peggy pushes one hand back through her hair, stepping over to the kitchen table.

She sets her tea mug down and then reaches a hand over, using it to lower herself into sitting. She's not running away,a t least. She levels her gaze in May's direction. Her head tilts a bit more to the side, a hint of surprise on her features as the baby is brought up. "You can... sense that? Even this early on? Or just taking a wild guess?"

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda nods faintly. "I've known you a long time. And while pregnancy *does* seem to agree with you -- you've generally been a lot more content these past few months than you were before -- this is a very different emotional signature. Small. A little underdeveloped, but... well, your baby's not fully developed yet, either. So, that's probably why."

She swings her chair around so she can sit a little closer. "But it's definitely separate from yours." Her nose wrinkles briefly. "I could *try* to share it with you, but I can't promise how well you'd feel it." If only because it's hard to separate such a small thing from the bigger, roiling mass of the adult emotions in the room.

Peggy Carter has posed:
This information is enough to gently shake Peggy out of the quiet spiral she'd been in before. It wasn't news she was ever expecting, or even thought possible, though it makes sense now that she's told. A quieter smile pulls across her lips, this one actually reaching her eyes, as she drags her free hand across her stomach in gently, protective rubbing. "No, no... I can make a good guess. Don't stress yourself trying to share. Just knowing is... It's more than enough. That's... lovely. Excellent. Really quite... Excellent. I never imagined you'd be able to sense her... or him... not until after she was here, at least."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda actually barks a brief laugh at that. "It's news to me, too," she admits. She gives another wry smile. "I think my abilities are getting... stronger isn't the right word. I just find that I'm more sensitive than I was before." Her skill *is* growing, certainly, though Peggy might have to read between the lines of the transcripts of the interrogations of Viper, Zola, and Strucker to figure that out. There is nothing in the physical description to really suggest why any of them would react emotionally the way they do.

Still, as Peggy seems to actually settle just a little at that news, Melinda finds herself subtly pleased by it, settling just a little, herself. Doesn't mean she's not going to nuke the shit out of the assholes who thought an upgraded version of the Framework was a good idea, mind.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Stronger, maybe. And you just said you could maybe help me feel what the baby is feeling.... So, your ability to project is refining as well?" Peggy asks quietly, her head tilting an inch to the side as she studies her best friend's features. She has read the reports, already. She'll need to read them again, but she's likely already picked up on what happened there. She's just not going to press it this morning.

Her hand finishes rubbing against the side of her stomach, baby faintly stirring there as her legs kick up and body settles. The kid is definitely awake. "And yes. I... I've been a lot better, lately. Having Daniel back, having another chance at being a family... I recognize just how god damn lucky I am. I'm not going to take it for granted."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda nods. "I've... had a little practice." That's about all she wants to say about that. She's vaguely uncomfortable with what she did to Zola, but it was a more benign way of dealing with him than the others would have afforded him. She's more guilty over letting Viper get the best of her than anything else.

She does, however, smile a little at Peggy's admission about just how very good having a family has been for her. She can't help the flash of envy she feels about it, but at least it doesn't leak out this time. "Good. You shouldn't. You don't have to be in the field so much, any more. You can actually take time to *raise* that family and do it right, this time. You're very lucky." No question about that.

She doesn't ask whether Peggy and Daniel have spoken with Michael about it, however. That's their business, not hers.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Once I have this baby, I'll be ready to go back into the field. I know I... shouldn't have that last mission, but we were incredibly slim of people. We would have *lost* people if I wasn't there, likely. And their attacking me here wasn't anything to do with my being on that mission. HYDRA was just going eye for an eye on this. Speaking of, where *is* Madame HYDRA? Please tell me this was worth it..." Granted, even if they lost Madame HYDRA, just taking down two labs, Zola and Strucker is a huge blow to what is left of HYDRA. Doing the math, Peggy would likely consider all this worth it no matter what.

She takes a long sip of her tea, trying to help her towards a bit more relaxation. Eventually exhaustion had to win, right? Especially with the baby?

Melinda May has posed:
Exhaustion might win. But it's a battle between that and battle-nerves that simply won't let a body settle afterward. Melinda is well-familiar with it. She chuckles dryly. "I didn't think you'd *abandon* the field," she notes. "I'm just saying you won't *have* to be out there as much, if something else needs to take priority." Like a squalling infant, needy toddler, or drama-prone tween. The day Peggy Carter abandons the field is the day she retires... or slides feet first into her casket on the way out.

She reaches out for her tablet, tapping it to life. Swiping away the video report, she instead pulls up a tracking app. "At the moment," she says, glancing at the screen and then up to her friend, a half-smirk on her face, "she's hunkered down in that old Roxxon facility in Northern Michigan. You know, the one that had that containment leak a decade or so back?" SHIELD has suspected it of being an AIM or HYDRA base off and on for years, but has largely chosen just to monitor it, since there hasn't been a lot of unusual traffic in and out.

And yes. That's clearly a tracking beacon on her screen.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Ahhhah. So, that's how you all found me. Catch and release, hmm? Are we getting more good information from her? Bloody hell, how many more HYDRA bases can be out there..." Peggy shakes her head slowly, stretching her fingertips over to grab at the tablet so she can look over the tracking app and consider the map around the area. "I... dislike the thought of letting her range. It's likely she'll realize she's being tracked sooner or later. But I'll admit watching her is probably more valuable information than letting her rot in a cell here." Even if the tone of Peggy's voice is one that says she very much wants the woman to rot in a cell.

"How did the missions go? Someone said that was the second rescue attempt? Come on, I've been locked in my own head for how long now? Give me something to think about." That isn't dwelling on how close she was to maybe getting this baby hurt or worse. To losing all her happiness. To wondering if she's even back in reality or not.

Melinda May has posed:
"I decided to use Madame Hydra as a fishing lure when Underwood and I interrogated her. She had nothing to spout but the usual fanaticisms. Catch and release seemed a more reliable way to get info. And we know we can pick her up again, when we want." Melinda frowns faintly. "I'm thinking we should do that soon." Because, yes. She knows the woman will figure out she's being tracked eventually. Their window of opportunity is limited. "We could clean out that Roxxon facility. Scoop her up again, stick her in the Raft." It's an elegant solution, as far as she's concerned.

Then the questions about the other missions. Her lips twitch slightly. "We tracked down Strucker and Zola," Melinda says, reaching for her tea, leaning back a little as Peggy engages with the tablet. "We're pretty sure it was the first place you were taken. It was a fairly heavy assault. HYDRA has been building up massive arms depots under our noses. So... I suspect there are a lot more bases out there than we realize." She snirks softly. "Maelstrom. He was Secretary of Defence. Way too easy to hide build-ups that way. We may want to keep an eye on Pierce, just for insurance purposes." No, they have no reason to suspect the man. But once bitten, twice shy. Melinda's suggestion is purely pragmeatic.

"Regardless, we sent a heavy team in through the front door, while Jemma, Foster, Fitz and I went in through a back door. Fitz shut down their reactors. Jemma tracked your DNA to a lab." Her expression darkens and she looks away -- out the kitchen window. "They were playing fucking Mengele, there. I hate to say it, but I think you were lucky your brain was occupied with another reality."

Peggy Carter has posed:
If May has any more information on the tablet, Peggy's now flipping through it casually. She's looking at all the mission reports, the run down on the labs and Zola. Her frown deepens as she gets to the reports about how they were playing Mengele. "Joke is on them, I've got not a jot of anything special in my blood these days. No use for doing all those tests, it's not going to get them anything." Other than possibly a clone of Peggy, but that's not something she cares to think about right now.

SHe lets out a slow breath and finally surrenders the tablet back towards May, knowing that there's nothing to do on it other than keep herself up going in circles about missions she can't go upon right now. "You're in charge of STRIKE. If you think it's time to go hunt her down, mission approved. I only wish I could go with you."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda nods. "Zola sang like a canary, once we applied the proper motivation," she remarks mildly. "But, yes. I think scooping up Madame Hydra again is probably wise." And, of course, there's the Framework to be handled. That one's moved to the top of her priorty list -- even ahead of Dreykov. There's a threat. And then there's A THREAT. The Framework is the latter. Dreykov is a just pain in the ass by comparison.

"We can set you up with a HUD cam. You can QB from ops." Not that they need it. But it's never a bad thing to have someone watching their backs. "You won't be sidelined forever."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A little, tired laugh escapes her lips as May offers to hook her up with a HUD cam. Peggy shakes her head quietly, "No, no... I know you all can handle this. You don't need me back seat driving. This is a part of what I signed up for. I knew, if we wanted this baby, I'd be out of the field for a bit. And I pushed my luck. I know I did. I'm done. I'll be good. Stir crazy and desk jobbing for a while. It'll be fine. Just bring me the reports, as ever." Peggy gives her a reassuring, if tired, smile. She really does understand, even if her eyes still have that edge of being haunted.

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda suppresses a snirk at the attempt at reassurance. She knows it comes from a genuine place. She also knows it's psychologically impossible to keep Peggy out of the field for long -- much less time than Peggy imagines. The only that is likely to do it is the gravid, physical reality of pregnancy. It's one thing to go running about in the first or second trimesters. But now, she's at the unweildy stage.

But that won't last, either.

Instead, she nods a tacit acknowledgement of the intent of the words and sips her tea once more. After a few moments of silence, she says, "Underwood's turning out to be a decent asset. She's decided to listen to me." A beat. "Most of the time." Yeah. It's a surprise. And it's made Melinda's reputation in SHIELD that much more terrifying.

Peggy Carter has posed:
That news about Dotty gets a genuinely surprised look from Peggy. A smile pulls across her lips, hovering above her tea, and she gives Melinda a small nod of approval. "I suspect you've gained her respect. The way I used to have it. I know I've lost it now, with all of this," She motions to her stomach, "She thinks I've gone soft. But you managed to win it and that's what matters. Underwood will always be an excellent asset, if someone can gain her interest and respect long enough to keep her attention. It seems you have... Maybe we should transfer her to being a STRIKE asset entirely then? I'd rather you be around on any mission where she's sent. You or Erickson, he seems to have her interest as well, at least."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda nods. "She likes Erickson, but I think that's because he lets her 'be the monster'." Yeah. It's a quote. "She was, though, very impressed with the fact you strangled that squid with your nylons. There was a spark of satisfaction, there. I suppose it gave her hope you haven't completely morphed into Suzy Homemaker on her."

She shakes her head mildly. "I know she's a sociopath. I can feel it. But I think Erickson is wrong to encourage her to be a monster. She's a weapon. I know she enjoys what she does -- sociopath -- but..." She shakes his head. "His alien thinking can be..." She's clearly searching for words. "The fact is, he can be a patriarchal ass," she snirks finally.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"You use what tools you have..." Peggy admits with a tired little laugh, though there is a line of pride behind it. She was glad to get herself halfway out, even if she would have never survived alone in that wilderness, but she did manage not to be entirely a victim. That's probably a balm to her ego.

Another long sip of her tea is taken and she kills the tea, setting the now empty mug aside. "He is a partiarchal ass. I've tried to keep myself neutral about the man but I've wanted to strangle him more than once, and that's not being a good leader. I would much prefer Underwood be on your assignments, and it's a healthier place for her too. Even if she'd be mad at both of us for saying that."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda lets out a dry chuckle. "Frankly, I don't think you need either of us playing with his space rangers. We need to stay on Earth. Let Brand wrangle him." If only because May is very likely to haul off and belt him one day. She scowls faintly. "He keeps trying to call me Melinda." Peggy no doubt knows how well that goes over.

So, she nods. "I'll draw up formal transfer orders. And I'll assume responsibility as her SO." A beat. "I don't really think Drew is quite cut out to handle an asset like Underwood." She's not entirely certain she's cut out to handle Erickson, but she doesn't say it, since the pair seem to work well together -- even if they are breaking all sorts of frat rules.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A little groan escapes her lips as Melinda mentions the name thing. Peggy shakes her head. "No one calls you Melinda but me... and maybe a few others, that's not my business, but certainly not in front of others. Asshole." Peggy mutters, her own exhaustion and hormones meaning she's a little less restrained than she might normally be.

As May mentions drawing up the transfer papers, Peggy gives a single, professional nod. "Good. I'll sign everything as soon as they are on my desk and, if he gets cranky, he can come to me. But you're right, with HYDRA still active, we need you both out there here. Not up there. Home first, then we can look to the stars."

Melinda May has posed:
"You. Daniel. Phil." Melinda lists off the number of people allowed to call her by her first name on one hand. Technically, her parents are also on that list, but that definitely rounds out all five digits. She shakes her head. "It was some exercise in 'team bonding'. He felt that first names promotes a sense of camraderie. Drew is very lucky she hasn't made that a habit." May will doubtlessly set them straight, if she hasn't already.

Still, she nods. "That's why we have SWORD. Let them deal with the stars. I have too many responsibilities here." Which she's quite fine with. She likes to fly, yes. But she's never really been drawn to being an astronaut -- not really. Flying a space ship? Sure. Give her the stick. Fighting aliens that aren't invading Earth? Why? There are enough threats groundside.

She sets her own cup aside. "This house is nice," she notes. A hint of a smile. "Defensible, too, I notice." Not a surprise. Better than the Long Island place, it seems. "It's a good choice. Have you finished unpacking yet?" Sure... she's been gone a long time, but it's a homey topic. That may be a good thing.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A slightly deeper smirk crosses Peggy's lips as she looks around the kitchen, that haunted look in her eyes deepening just a bit more. "Defensible, yes. Just not enough to stop them from barging in here and scooping me up. I mean, I fought hard. Made it all the way through the panic tunnel and into the back woods. Just not... hard enough." It was Peggy all alone against a dozen or more HYDRA soldiers. No one would probably blame her for having been taken, but it's clear that Peggy blames herself.

She sighs, pushing herself up from the table and starting to walk a few restless circles, her hand against her sore lower back. The baby is restless now, quite restless, ready for mom to go to sleep and Peggy is up and walking again. "Sorry. I am poor company tonight."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda arches a brow. "You think I'm here for scintilating conversation?" No, she's as much here to play bodyguard and augment the stealth team in the neighborhood and woods beyond as anything else. That doesn't mean she isn't a friendly face, though.

Nevertheless, she pushes back from the table and picks up the two mugs to set them in the dishwasher. "We can look at making some improvements," she says, with regard to the defensibility of the place. "But sleep first. Your rider's getting snarky, I think." Restless. Snarky. It's really just how one chooses to interpret it. But it does let her soften her words with a hint of a smile. "Go back to bed. I won't be far behind."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A little huff escapes her nose as Melinda mentions her passenger getting snarky. Peggy looks down at that restless tumbling in her stomach, rubbing one hand against her side where she's the most sore. "Amusing to know that my rider can boss you around as much as she's bossing me around." Peggy doesn't always say 'she', but both she and Daniel have almost fallen into the habit a bit too much, even if they don't really know.

Peggy pauses at her friend's side, head tilting a bit, "Do you want to...feel? I know this has been... It's not comfortable, for you. And you're my best friend. I want to celebrate with you. I want you to be happy... to love this baby, but I don't want to rub this baby in your face either, Melinda. Our friendship is too important."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda chuckles softly again, jealousy and anger still held resolutely at bay. "That baby is a Carter, whatever else. Bossing is in the genes." She's not so sure of the sex, though 'she' doesn't seem misplaced.

She pauses, however, as Peggy makes her offer. After a moment, she nods, approaching slowly. "It's not about rubbing it in my face, Peggy. That's not you. It's not on you, anyway. It's on me." She gives a sardonic smile. "I'll handle it."

Nevertheless, she wants to try to make contact with the little thing, now that she's felt a trace of that emotional signature. She can't really help it.

But then, Melinda May is more of a mother than she'll ever know... and certainly ever admit.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg watches the other woman's eyes quietly for several heartbeats, making certain that she affirms that Melinda May wants to handle it. She does actually want this, even if it hurts. She takes in a slow breath and then nods, reaching for May's hand and gently bringing it over to her left side, where the baby is pressing a pretty firm heel into her belly. It surely isn't a hint to go to sleep, but it feels like it.

"The kid is strong. And bossy, yes. Definitely a Carter. And you are this child's *family*. throught and through. You know that."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda feels the baby moving beneath her palm. A bit of a smile touches her lips, softening her eyes. The touch allows her to feel the baby's emotions more clearly. She actually chuckles, recognizing a familiar touch to the signature, she can't quite help the soft chuckle that escapes. Less guilt in this one, though. But restless, determined, and... content.

"I know," she nods, glancing up at her friend's face. "She's a fighter, anyway. Healthy, I think." Despite everything. She takes a deep breath and straightens, pulling her hand away. "You're lucky." On so many levels.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peggy tightens her hand over Melinda's for a moment, giving the other woman's fingertips a gentle squeeze. "I know...I really do. So... so damn lucky." Peggy confesses gently. She brushes her thumb against the side of Melinda's hand and then finally lets go. But she doesn't step away. Melinda is allowed to let that touch linger as long as she wants.

"She...might be a he. We haven't really figured it out yet. Daniel just keeps slipping. And yes, the doctors said she's fine. Perfectly healthy. Made it through her first HYDRA imprisonment perfectly fine."

Melinda May has posed:
"Might be," Melinda concedes. It'd sure be a switch if that were the case. But, then, Michael, their first, was certainly a he. Maybe they're due a girl. Or two. "Either way, the emotional signature is similar to yours, but without all the life garbage to get in the way." No guilt, in other words. "Maybe because you're the one carrying it. I can't read a 'personality', like I do with adults. But the core emotions are there."

She doesn't want to think about the child enduring any more imprisonments by HYDRA or otherwise. But if the Framework taught her nothing else, it taught her not to count on the overall benificense of the universe... Or HYDRA.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"But... for now, you are right. Sleep. We both should try to sleep." Peggy rubs her hand tiredly down her face, finally starting to feel the true heaviness of exhaustion. Maybe she'll finally get close enough to that exhaustion that she'll just be able to close her eyes and shut her brain off. "Thank you for staying. I know I'm not the most thrilling company but... I do appreciate it."

Melinda May has posed:
Melinda steps back, echoing Peggy's gesture by rubbing the back of her neck. "You're a lot better company than a lot of people I've dealt with lately." Including herself. She moves to the stove to turn off the range hood light. "Besides... family, right?" That's what Peggy just said, after all.

She picks up her tablet and tucks it under her arm. "Sleep well, Peg."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Family." Peggy affirms softly. Not a hint of hesitation in her voice. Melinda will feel it too. Peggy considers her a sister to the very good. "Good night, Melinda." And with that, she turns and shuffles off back up the short stair case to the second floor. She will end up falling asleep within an hour, the deep sleep of the truly needed and exhausted.