5573/Something Suspicious in the Penthouse, 1950

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Something Suspicious in the Penthouse, 1950
Date of Scene: 13 March 2021
Location: Howard Stark's Borrowed Penthouse, 1950
Synopsis: 1950, Jarvis drops by with dinner and realizes the secret Peggy's been hiding -- a man!
Cast of Characters: Peggy Carter, James Rhodes, Daniel Sousa




Peggy Carter has posed:
While Edwin had been over a few times since he and Ana returned to the city with Howard to help him set up the new agency called SHIELD, it's been a few weeks. Peggy insisted that she didn't need Edwin's cleaning services, she didn't keep the penthouse near such a mess as Howard did, and she always felt a bit awkward about it anyway. It's most definitely not about the fact that she's keeping a *man* there, but that might be a bit of it too.

Speaking of the man, he'd just departed to go pick up dinner. It was going to be a working meal again and neither of them felt like cooking. Recent enough that Jarvis might even pass him in the hall, that dapper gentleman Daniel Sousa who SHIELD's now firmly stolen from the SSR, and Peggy worked with for years at this point. It seems innocent enough, the passing wave in the hall to the elevator, but is an odd time of the night for him to be at the Director's abode.

James Rhodes has posed:
It is still before nine, and Benny Goodman is off the air anyways -- too preoccupied with Bebop and other such frivolous noise -- and so Jarvis is running the last errand of his day: a visit to Peggy in the Penthouse. Jarvis has been absent of late: Howard has kept him busy, SHIELD has not needed his extremely unofficial participation, and Peggy has been extremely busy with the new organization.

That said, Jarvis has felt a bit like he has been failing as a host for Peggy of late, and tonight, it seems he thought to bring dinner for her. Some of Ana's cooking. Brisket, potatoes, salad, and of course an apple torte for dessert. He did not think anything of passing Daniel in the hall -- he had heard from the doorman that Agent Sousa was spending late nights working with Peggy, so it only made sense that he would pass the man on his way out for the evening. When the doors to the elevator open, he steps through them without a thought in the world and calls, "Ms. Carter, I have brought you dinner, at Ana's insistence." Yes. Ana's.

Peggy Carter has posed:
The moment the elevator door opens, Peggy's head slightly tilts. She starts talking over her shoulder without looking up from her papers, not wanting to lose her spot in this paragraph, "Forget something, darl-?" And then she hears that voice. Not Daniel. Not at all. Her head jerks up, dark eyes wide as she nearly drops the reports she's been going over and springs up out of the couch.

She looks far less put together than she normally would, especially having just had a 'work colleague' over. Shoes off, stockinged feet bare, her suit jacket gone and blouse untucked, she seems practically intimate in her appearance compared to the office. There's also a few other signs -- two coffee cups on the table, several sets of men's shoes near the door. A man's coat on the coat rack... Maybe Jarvis will miss the signs, but probably not. "Edwin! You...goodness, you didn't have to do that. Nor did Ana need to...insist. I'd rather have you both OVER for dinner, at some point..." When she's picked up more.

James Rhodes has posed:
Jarvis waves away the protests from Peggy, "No, really, Ana insisted and you know exactly how persuasive she can be when she puts her mind to something like this..." he begins and then trails off as his eyes catch sight of the many, /many/ incriminating things on display.

Jarvis is a well seasoned butler for Howard Stark. He has an eagle eye for when a guest has settled in from occasional guest to what he describes as 'dweller' at one of Mr. Stark's properties and, well, "The only thing missing here is a toothbrush. Do tell Ms. Carter, who are you keeping over that our doorman has not caught sight of him? Whoever he is, you should probably hire him for your agency, he seems quite skilled in the covert arts." He may have an eagle eye, but he is also sometimes quite oblivious.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A slightly guilty wince crosses Peggy's features as she knows she's been completely caught. "...you haven't seen the bathroom yet." She finally responds, implying there is definitely a second toothbrush there as well.

She looks from Jarvis with the food, back to her and Daniel's work table, and to Jarvis again. She then double time steps over to him so she can help with the bags, "Let me...help you with those, at least. And would you care to *stay* for dinner, perhaps? There's going to be so much food." Implying that someone else is coming back with food as well. His comment about hiring him for the agency gets a warm laugh from Peggy. "Well, I'm glad the recommendation is sound, considering I already have."

Once the food is down, she stands there, hands on her hips for a moment, looking off to the side and then the ceiling. Anywhere but Edwin's possibly disapproving eyes. "I...invited him to stay a few nights when he moved back from LA and then we decided he just...wouldn't leave... It's Field Director Sousa."

James Rhodes has posed:
"Yes, please, thank you." Jarvis replies as he carries the picnic basket over to set on the table, and then starts to pull out various items from the basket to set on the table. "Now that you mention it, I did pass Director Sousa in the foyer of the building before I reached the elevator. I figured he was just coming out of a meeting with you. Which, I suppose, he was." There is only just a slight bit of teasing undertone in his perfectly proper Etonian accent.

"I will of course not tell Mr. Stark. There is no need for him to suddenly spike your rent in a fit of pique over your romantic choices. Though, should things not work out I will not be extending my usual paramour removal service to you Ms. Carter, I fear Director Sousa may give me more than a kick in the shin were I to employ Mr. Stark's preferred tactics." Jarvis adds as he walks off to the kitchen to get plates. The man is a model of efficiency. So much so he only for a moment peeks into the bathroom to confirm, yes, two toothbrushes.

Peggy Carter has posed:
While very little has made Margaret Carter blush in the time that Jarvis has known her, there is a first time for everything. Slow pink is starting to crawl up her cheeks as the man lays out the food and ever so lightly teases her about it all. She clears her throat gently, "Yes, well, I... I do not think that will be necessary, and even if things were to not work out, I do my own... Dirty work, thank you very much. But Daniel is a most... excellent fit to my life. Things have been working our rather swimmingly, despite my initial concerns." Peggy admits. She's blushed all the way to her ears now.

The comment about the rent makes her smirk, "He's still not asking me to pay rent here, you know? And considering I keep his agency together on a daily basis, I would think the heartburn that man gives us is payment enough. Besides...I'm sure that he'd have extended a spare bedroom to Daniel anyway, if he thought about it...moving the man so abruptly back here from Los Angeles. I'm simply thinking...Ahead... for Howard." And there is only one bedroom door slightly open, the other two shut up and dusty. So, she's not doing it exactly as Howard would.

James Rhodes has posed:
"Yes, well, that sort of long term thinking might require Mr. Stark to...look up from whichever cavernous valley he's found himself in." Evocative. "He will figure it out eventually, but I will not be the one to burst his bubble in this regard, such as it were." Jarvis says as he returns from the kitchen, surely having cataloged just how many bedroom doors were left slightly ajar, and whatever signals of domestic bliss he was able to detect.

"Are you opposed to me letting Ana know? I can, of course, keep a secret like this from her, but I worry that when she finds out, and should she discover I kept such a partnering from her, she might exile me to the chesterfield for a week." And then the other penny drops and Jarvis says, "Of course, she has a very modern view of these sorts of things, and she would be delighted, and will probably try to take up residence in the building to...assist where needed."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Oh goodness, now that I know Ana, I'd never ask you to keep anything from her... You know, when Howard first sent you for me, I pictured Ana as this shy... fragile wall flower of a school marm? I thought half our exploits would give her a heart attack. Now that I know the woman, well... I fear her wrath would have *me* on the chesterfield half a week and I wouldn't even understand how." Peggy's grinning there. The simple thought of Edwin's wife is enough to make her smile nowadays, but the other woman really was infectiously sweet like that.

Never much like Howard, she goes about helping the man set everything out for dinner. She's always been one to work *with* Jarvis, not let him seem to work for them. It simply isn't how she handles her life. Though her head tilts in a hint of confusion, "I would not complain about having you both closer, but... what do you mean, to assist? I think Daniel and I are managing just fine, even if we... end up working through most the nights." The coffee table looks like a desk top, so many files, notes, a few errant pens and other tools of the trade. There's files piled on two side tables as well.

James Rhodes has posed:
"Oh, well, even the best relationship needs the occasional pressure relief valve." Jarvis replies as he works on setting out the silverware. It is, of course, a full set he lays out. And it's the good silver too. The finer things and all that.

"I believe there was also a bottle of wine in here, though I was going to leave it to your disposal," he says as he goes to dig through the basket. He produces rolls, and then the bottle of wine. The food laid out alone was more than enough for both Jarvis and Peggy to eat and leave leftovers. Such was Ana's wont when it came to preparing food.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Oh, yes... Well... I won't complain about having you both closer. And you should bring her for dinner next time. Daniel and I could use the excuse not to work through a meal for one night, honestly." Peggy confesses, not all of her 'living in sin' has been a riotous joy fest. Most of it has been working later nights than they would if they only worked at the office and then stealing six hours sleep before they do it again. Now that Jarvis sees her more, he'd probably catch the tell-tale edges of exhaustion around her eyes. She really has tossed herself fully into this SHIELD business.

"...The wine looks lovely. I do insist on you staying for some food and a drink, at least. It's... been too long. You can tell me how you're settling back into the city yourself? You didn't have to bring that bird, did you?" She asks with veiled amusement beneath her concern. She cannot imagine a flamingo in a New York townhouse, much less an apartment.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel suspected the jig was up as soon as he passed Jarvis in the lobby. Not that he figured the man had put two and two together just running into him like he did, there were a million reasons for Daniel to be visiting Peggy, but he was pretty sure the man would catch on once he saw the shoes, jacket and all the rest up in the penthouse. Still he takes his time going down to the corner to pick up food, and making his way back.

Even dragging his feat, Daniel hadn't been all that long and he fully expected Jarvis to be still on hand when he returned. So as the elevator reaches the penthouse he puts on a brave face and gets ready to roll with whatever story Peggy was inclined to tell the man.

Stepping through the doors, Daniel says, "Hey Peggy, I'm back, ran into Jarvis down in the lob-" he says before letting his eyes fall on the man and offering a smile. "Hey Jarvis. Joining our little work party?" keeping up a front until he could get the lay of the land. To that end he shoots Peggy a look in search of a clue about what the man knew.

James Rhodes has posed:
"You do not need to keep up the charade Director Sousa, I have sniffed out the conspiracy," Jarvis replies as Daniel attempts to keep up appearances. He turns back to Peggy, "Yes, well, I on the other hand prefer to...give people their space. And I rather like the villa bungalow we have overlooking the ocean where we are now. Though, I suspect Ana will make her preference well known. You might also expect a call in the morning from her. She is rather excitable about this sort of thing."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Edwin, you remember Daniel...Daniel, this is my dear... Friend, Edwin Jarvis. And yes, he's sharp enough to keep up with Howard's shenangians, he certainly caught wind of ours two minutes after walking in the place." Peggy's still faintly blushing, but not as deeply pink as she was before about it. She's a grown woman who can make her own decisions, why should she be quite so worried about this?

In a fit of pique at her own embarrassment, she walks over to Daniel and tugs him into a deep, warm kiss of greeting. No shame. When it breaks, she's smiling again in a manner that Jarvis has *never* seen of her. She might actually be in love with the man. She's got that look about her, a bit distant and too content. "It seems we are going to have...many left overs." She admits with a little laugh.

Then she's giving Jarvis another warm glance, flushed again, but for entirely different reasons. "I'd expect nothing more out of Ana. Tell her to make it evening and I will actually be home."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
When Jarvis lets him know the beans have been thoroughly spilled Daniel lets out a breath and says, "Well that makes things easier," he says. "And I remember Edwin, Peg, hard to forget a guy you walked through dismantling a nuclear bomb," he says with a smile for Jarvis, before he's rather distracted by that kiss, which he happily returns despite there being an audience for it, when it breaks, he clears his throat and fiddles with his hair. "Yeah, so, lots of food," he says happily moving on, but not quite able to keep the pleased expression off his face. Yep, definitely head over heels but when wasn't he when it came to Peggy. "Should have abandoned the food run when I saw that picnic basket and smelled Ana's cooking, how is she by the way?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Oh god... That *did* happen. How in the world could I forgot you two stealing nuclear power from Isodyne? I... suppose being somewhat impaled shortly after means much of that night is a blur, but I've been through worse." Peggy was so worried about being too polite, she nearly forgot she had them commit crimes together! "That was a good trip, though...after everything. And now I've got to steal you both back here selfishly, so I suppose I've won the day all around." Peggy winks at them both, smiling quite wide. Her best friend and her best man under one roof and she wasn't having to *hide* things? This is the best of moods for her. She bustles back over to the table, grabbing three wine glasses without waiting to see if Jarvis agrees to stay for wine.

"We should take a night off work anyway, Daniel... I... am not certain I remember the last time we did."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel grins, "Yeah, was going to say the whole impaling bit might be why your memory is a bit foggy there," Daniel says, with that horrible night years in the past there's the space to joke about it now. "And looks like," he says of Peggy having them all over here on the east coast with her. "Even though I think Jarvis and I came out alright on that deal too. I liked LA," a rarity in this circle. "But New York has a few things that are hard to beat," he admits with a faint grin towards Peggy.

Daniel glances at the paperwork for half a heartbeat before he agrees wholeheartdly. "I suppose the Agency will survive if we take one night off," he say moving over to join Peggy and collect a glass of wine.

James Rhodes has posed:
"Yes, well, right." Jarvis says, glancing off to the side and trying to avoid being to openly the third wheel at all the kissing (one kiss). As the wine glasses come out he holds up a hand and says, "I would hate to intrude on your one night off from the very important work you are doing. You two should spend it together, not with your erstwhile landlord's butler." He knows he's going to lose this fight, but he at least makes an attempt at it. As the wine is poured, he shakes his head a little and says, "Ok, just a little. I do have to drive home after all and too much wine and driving is rarely a good combination."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"The SSR gave us the occasional night off... I don't see why SHIELD cannot manage it as well." In truth, they were both just work-a-holics of the same sort. Probably why they'd managed to get so deeply into this relationship so quickly, they just work along the same wavelengths. Peggy doesn't dive into another kiss, but she does give Daniel's hand a gentle squeeze as she leads him to the table. No one would dare call Peggy Carter soft, but around him, so many of those hard edges Jarvis has seen her to have are simply...Eased. He really does seem to be a good influence on her.

"And you must tell Ana to come next time. Now that you both know it... It'll be nice to have friends we don't have to dance around this with. We've tried to keep things quiet at the office. I... don't suppose this is the most professional thing I've ever done."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Guess that follows," Daniel allows, of taking the night off, more than happy to squeeze Peggy's hand back. Not that he knows Jarvis as well as Peggy, but he seems happier too without the weight of all that longing to carry around. "And the night off thing applies to you too Jarvis, take a seat enjoy some wine, if you have too much you can stay, god knows we've got the room," he says with a look at their surroundings. "And it would be good to have some company sometime," he says of inviting Ana. "Though about the office Peg, Rose knows, I didn't tell her, she just /knew/, but then she's always been our own personal cheering section when it came to me and you." As for the professional side of things? "And me neither, but it's worth it."

James Rhodes has posed:
"You are living in one of Howard Stark's flophouses, I think these must be engineered to pump in some sort of gas that affects the occupants in this way...." Jarvis says, trailing off as he takes his glass and then holds up his glass to the pair, "To a night off, then," and he takes a sip of the wine. It's clear this is from Howard's private collection, and it's the good stuff. One of the benefits of being eternally in charge of the household of an eccentric billionaire it would seem.

"I will of course convey your invitation, and I suspect we will make arrangements for an evening double date as it were. Ana has been saying of late that she wants to get out more, and see people. And, at worst it will liven up a little of my day. Things have been a bit monotonous of late."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Wine out, food served, leftovers for lunch and then some, Peggy finally comes around to the proper dining table and settles in between the two men. She's smiling. Not a forced smile, not the workplace pleasanties smile, but one that only comes from being surrounded by people she cares about and, for the first time in a long while, truly happy. She looks more relaxed than Jarvis has possibly ever seen her. "To a night off. And more interesting times ahead..." She adds, as Jarvis mentions things being monotonous.

Daniel's mention that Rose knows gets a little groan from her. She takes a second, deeper drink of her wine as she considers how bad that might be, "I'm not surprised. It's Rose, really. Just... as long as things don't get around. Granted, I don't think I could be quite so... notorious as Howard. Maybe this will be fine." She gives Jarvis a bit of a smirk, "And if you keep saying that, we'll rope you in at the agency. We're still recruiting, you know?"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"I'll drink to that," Daniel says with enthusiasm as Jarvis proposes the toast, making a pleased sound as he tastes the fine wine. "We're going to be spoiled living like this," he remarks with a grin with the others before getting to the food and offering to serve it up for others before doing his own plate. "Rose can keep a secret, and at least now that I'm out here she can't hum wedding marches every time I bring you up," he says before filling Jarvis in on things. "She was sort of ringside for all of this back out in the desert," he says meaning how he and Peggy ended up a thing.

"And you should think about it Jarvis, I mean between New York and LA, you've done more than a lot of agents I know."

James Rhodes has posed:
The food is also really good. Ana is a fairly accomplished cook it would seem. Jarvis settles into his plate, after serving himself some food -- not standing on ceremony any longer now that he's off the clock it seems -- and digs in. He looks over at Daniel, and then Peggy, "While I am flattered by the invitation, I must decline. I think my true worth to your organization is outside of it. I can do certain things, and have access to various resources that you -- even under the umbrella of Howard Stark -- may not be able to officially use. Putting me 'on the roster' as it were would likely diminish my value to you greatly. But, honestly, I am flattered that you both hold me in such high esteem."

And then, the phone rings. "Please excuse me," as apparently there are some habits that he is unable to entirely get over. He walks to the ringing phone and picks it up, "Stark Residence," he answers. "Oh, hello Mr. Stark. Yes. Yes. She is lovely and sends her warm regards. Ana had me bring over dinner for her. Yes, of course I do. Teterboro? In forty five minutes? Yes, I believe I can have the car there for you by then. Very well, Mr. Stark. I will see you then. Goodbye."

He hangs the phone in the cradle and then returns to the table, and says, "Sadly, despite the best laid plans of mice and men, Mr. Stark and Olivia de Haviland are arriving from Los Angeles at Teterboro, as I am sure you heard, and he requires a car. Duty calls, but I shall be sure to mark off my calendar," -- likely for the first time ever -- "for our formal night out." He then turns to walk to the door, before stopping about half way there, turning to the pair, and saying, "I don't think I said this before but: I am very happy for the both of you. You both seem well fit together. Good night."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A little groan escapes her lips as Peggy realizes that Howard's on the phone. She doesn't interrupt the phone call, but she gives Daniel a slight shake of her head, as if to say she should have known this would happen. When Edwin is finally off the phone, the line of her lips isn't thrilled with her business partner, but she doesn't argue it. "I'll accept nothing less. If we're taking a whole night off, you and Ana must as well. And I'll tell Howard I'm not taking any arguments on it. But... go, if you must. We'll enjoy the dinner. And make certain to give Ana our love..."

Peggy stands up, to gently see Jarvis out like a proper host, even if it was Howard's residence. His last words gain a wider, warmer smile from her. She didn't realize how much she needed to hear them until that moment. "...Mm. Thank you, Edwin. That means... more than you go. Drive safe, my dear friend." SHe gives his hand one last squeeze and then shuts the door behind him, securely locking it. When her dark eyes turn back to Daniel, she's got that smile on her face -- the one that wonders how she got quite so lucky.

"...if we knew what was good for us, we'd still take tonight off..." She starts, crossing back to the table. Chances are, they'd cave and start working halfway through dinner anyway.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"G'nite, Jarvis, give my best to Howard," he calls after the man with a shake of his head. As Peggy heads back to the table he spots the smile which sparks one of his own. "Those smiles look good on you," he remarks, looking up from his food, before he chuckles at her remark about taking the night off. "And when exactly have ever done what's good for us," he jokes, before giving the place a look. "But then we're uncharted territory here, we could give it a try," he says of the night off, but yes more than likely they're into their work again before they get to the torte.