6724/Late Night Home

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Late Night Home
Date of Scene: 28 June 2021
Location: Carter-Sousa Home - Long Island
Synopsis: After the long dinner with their son Michael and granddaughter Sharon, Peg and Daniel head to their old home to try and repair their hearts from past mistakes and losses.
Cast of Characters: Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter




Daniel Sousa has posed:
The drive from Michael's was very much like those fondly remembered drives home from work even if modern cars didn't have bench seats anymore. The memory of those drives sparked an idea and Daniel asks, "Hey Peg?" as they drive. "Figure anyone would panic back at base if we opted to call in and let them know we're at the Long Island place?" he says looking over at Peggy. "After tonight I could use something other than blank brick walls around me for a bit. What do you think?" to say nothing of it being a much shorter drive.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"I suspect they'd fully understand. The house still counts as a safe house, it was never outted unless we see people there *now*. But I think we got lucky. Let's go home. I'll let them know we'll be in tomorrow." Peggy murmurs drowsily, having almost fallen half asleep against his shoulder but now she's rousing her head up enough she can grab her cellphone and text into the office.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Great," Daniel says, turning the car at an exit and getting on the way to Long Island rather than Delaware. The idea of being in the familiar surroundings of their home felt right tonight.

"How are you holding up?" he asks Peggy after the text is sent. "Also, feel free to tell me to stop beating my gums and go to sleep," he adds with a fond but wry smile sent Peggy's way, he could see how close to sleep she was already.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Once the message is sent, she rubs at her eyes a few moments, considering the offer for her to go back to sleep, but the question was a good one. She gives him a drowsy smile and a slight tilt of her head. "I'm... holding up. I know I deserved everything he said... and probably more. We got lucky they let us stay. Even more lucky that Sharon is an excellent diplomat. But... hell, it's hard to hear. How are YOU holding up? You deserved NONE of that."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel glances over glad Peggy is willing to talk, hoping it'd keep him out of his head. "I wasn't there but I can tell you love him, hell, I mean that was clear from the day he was born, I'm just sorry that things were so tough after, you know," he died.

"I'm not sure I didn't," he says of deserving what happened, "Not because I got shot, I'm not going to try and take that blame again," right now, "But we both knew what our lives were like and what might happen and we went on and had a kid anyhow, so, I at least own part of that decision and its consequences, right?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
Her hand slips over, resting on his knee beneath the wheel. Peggy gives his leg a gentle squeeze there, especially as he mentions not taking the blame again. She simply sighs deeply, able to hear that unspoken 'right now' because she really does know him that well. "...Yes. We both... made this choice, despite our lives. And I'd make it again, because it gave us Michael and Sharon. Even if they hate us forever, I'd make it again. But... I should have told him. I didn't want him to see me sick. That wasn't my choice to make for him."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
The squeeze is appreciated and the sigh is noted, the subtext did not slip by undetected, though he still doesn't go there, happy to leave it be for now. As for the choice, he frowns, "I wouldn't want to lose Michael or Sharon for anything but I dunno, I feel a bit like I did after we lost..." their first child. "That we were reckless."

The mention of not wanting to see her sick gets an understanding nod, "I can understand that, I know you don't love looking weak, but maybe he would have understood or offered some comfort." He sighs. "Look at me second guessing things I was decades in the dirt for," he says shaking his head. "Regardless Peg, I know it must have been hard raising him alone while keeping SHIELD going and everything else, so I think you should let yourself off the hook some, from everything I saw today he turned out to be a good man."

Peggy Carter has posed:
There's silence for several long heartbeats, her fingernails just tracing slow, loving circles across the top of his thigh. She breathes out quietly, staring into the night as they turn off the expressway and down the more side streets that are starting to look like their house. Not too long now. "I know. I'm... feeling like that too." Peggy admits, as her mind clings to that early first mistake. Sometimes they were too much on the same wavelength. Then she continues, "He... he did turn out well. But that was as much Edwin and Ana's doing as it was mine. Probably a bit more. However, beating either of ourselves up over this isn't going to help. Dessert was nice. We managed... some talk. He didn't kick us out."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
The familiar streets were a welcome sight, and he isn't surprised they were thinking the same thing about this, he blinks to drag himself on dwelling on that past mistake and focus on what they could do now as their house came into view. "All wins in my book," he says. "And the door is open to more visits," a beat. "With a little bit of time between them," for all their sakes. "And whoever shaped him, you Edwin, Ana or all three, we can be proud of our boy, and our granddaughter." He shakes his head, that was still a concept he was wrapping his head around, even if he was immensely proud of Sharon.

Turning at their drive he manages to maneuver the SHIELD SUV into the garage beside the Nash, turning off the engine. "Anyhow, to answer your earlier question I holding together okay, it was tough, but I dunno, seemed like it wasn't the end so, that's something to build on," he says undoing his seatbelt. "For now though, I don't know about you but I just want to sleep."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Sleep... *our* bed... God, that sounds good." Peggy admits softly, though for as drowsy eyed as she was before, he can feel the new tension in her voice and discomfort behind her eyes. This may very well be a night she spends tossing and turning now. Her hand tightens on his leg for a heartbeat. "Thank you for driving. I feel like I ask you... so much."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel smiles at the thought of their own bed, though he can sense that tension. "Everything okay Peg?" he asks her, before she thanks him.

"It's no big deal, I'm happy to do it if it lets you get some rest," he says, putting his hand on hers again. "Besides we help each other out, it's what we've always done," if you exclude some of their earlier adventures where they were at odds. "Well almost always anyhow," he adds with a faint smile.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"It... just always reminds me of the old days. I'll take the little comforts where I can find them, especially now." Peggy admits with a quiet smile in his direction, utterly avoiding that other question, especially as they pull up into the drive way. She squeezes his leg once more before letting go so she can swing out of the car. They'll have to go to the front door, since she doesn't have the garage door opener in this car yet.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel's expression doesn't seem sold but he quietly exits the car on his crutches.

"Me too," he says of it bringing up memories. "And with how things are we might as well take them when we can get them. Like in a few minutes when I can just relax in our own bed, with my wife," he says limping around to the front door and leaning against the railing on the front steps to let Peggy unlock the door. "So, you really not going to answer that question?" he asks, no anger, just curiosity and a fair bit of concern.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"I..." Peggy starts, not really having an answer for the question. She sighs, pushing the door open for him and holding it so he can limp on inside to the familiar house. It's not near so musty or shut up smelling as it had been before they used it as a safe house for so long. She doesn't even bother with light, she just makes her way down the hall to the master bedroom on the first floor, popping on the light to their comfortable old room. "I don't know/ Not really. I will be. I just... how much did I give up for SHIELD? The love of our *son*... So much of his life. Any other children. Your life. And I still failed to keep HYDRA out ot my agents safe."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel follows into the house locking the door behind him before he limps his way to the bedroom and all but collapses onto the bed. Still, he's listening, stitting up to look at her when she speaks. "Come here," he says nodding to the bed beside him. "You did what you thought was the best at the time and that's all we can ever do, really, and it's not like in all this time SHIELD didn't do a lot of good in the world, you own that as much as the rest. For what it's worth, as upset as I am about leaving you alone to raise Michael and the decades that came after I'm still proud of the work I did for SHIELD, and once I get a new leg, I'm going to get right back into it. I know this job has cost us so much already, but I still think it's worth it. As for Michael's love, I don't think he stopped loving you, he wouldn't be so angry if he didn't still care about you Peg."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg clicks on the single light on her side of the bed, the only light she's bothered with in hte house tonight. It might be paranoia but, more likely, it's pure exhaustion and still somehow knowing these halls like the back of her own hand. Now with some dim light in the room, she looks back to him as he tells her to come onto the bed. She slips out of her high heels and then sinks down next to him, stretching out a bit closer as she listens to his earnest, logical words. She lets out a deep breath, letting her head slump into his lap against his good leg for just a minute or so.

"You... you are right. As usual. About SHIELD, at least. We've done a lot of good, and I'll finish cleaning it out again. Even with all the government on our heels. I hope you're right about him too. Don't suppose there is much more to be done about it than keep...Trying."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Toying with Peggy's hair as she rests her head on his good leg, "We'll get things sorted out with the government, HYDRA's scam is too big not to leave some sort of evidence behind, we just need to find it as well as any more moles in our ranks. It won't be easy but when have we ever shyed away from hard work," he says meaning every optomistic word.

As for Michael, "You're right, we just have to keep trying, and if you ask me that he's willing to leave the door open to us to keep trying is a good sign, I figure just being there and trying will be a good first step."

Peggy Carter has posed:
The feel of his fingertips through her hair brings her eyes closed for a few moments. Peggy forgot just how nice these simple, little things are. She couldn't even remember the last time she fell asleep in his lap, him brushing her hair like this, a movie or some music on. She turns her head up after a moment and presses a kiss into the inner part of his wrist, just a momentary brush of affection. "I think much of that was for Sharon, not us, but...we all love Sharon. If she can bring this family back together, I'll owe her more than my life. And god, Daniel, I'm...I'm so sorry you missed him growing up. I'm sorry I didn't do a...Better job for you."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Smiling to see Peggy's eyes close and remembering quiet nights that for him weren't too long ago where they did the same. The kiss is taken with a smile, and her words with a nod. "You're right, it was probably for Sharon's sake, but I'll take it, and yeah, if he can bring us all together, I'll owe her a ton," he says before shaking his head gently and looking down to Peggy.

"Nuh-uh, if I can't blame myself for getting shot you can't blame yourself for it either, me missing out on him growing up is nobody's fault but HYDRA's," he says, "And I know you did the best job you could with everything that was going on," he tells her his fingers still brushing through her hair. "I think about what'd I'd do if the situation was reversed and it'd be hard, especially since I doubt I wouldn't be able to look at Michael and not have some part of me miss you as well."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Her eyes settle shut again, just focusing on the way his fingertips feel in her hair. One hand moves forward and up, her fingertips idly resting on the side of his ribs, just touching him through the soft fabric of his dress shirt. She probably won't fall asleep right here, both of them still in their dress clothes, but it's almost tempting.

"I can't say you're wrong... I thought about you a lot, especially in the beginning there. I had to keep it together for him but... We wanted children so, so damn much. You were such a good father. I was so mad that the universe... Took that from you."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel shifts closer to the touch of Peggy's fingers against his ribs, while his fingers still pass through her hair. "No fair falling alseep while I'm still sitting up," he warns her warmly as he sees sleep tempting her to leave her eyes closed.

Daniel nods, "I'm mad I lost out too, I was looking forward to being a father and watching our son grow up, but I may have lost that but the universe did bring me back to you and Michael, so I guess I can't hold too big of a grudge, even if I did wish things turned out how we planned them."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A deep, slow breath is drawn in through her nose. The sigh that comes when she releases it is the sound of someone tempted by dreams. Things she knows they shouldn't consider, but still does. Idle thoughts she doesn't dare voice. Her hand comes up to grasp his fingertips again so she can draw his palm to her lips and just nestle her cheek into the base of his hand. "I know. I know. And dwelling on the past does bloody well nothing for us. We're here. Now. Together. More than I ever dreamt I would get. We should... get out of these things. Enjoy a proper sleep. Take what chances we can get."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
The sound of the sigh is all Daniel needs to hear, to know what Peggy's thinking, mostly because he's thinking the same sort of things. "Maybe someday," he offers quietly, eyes flicking down to Peggy's, his expression whistful.

"We are," Daniel agrees to the rest. "And in our own house," he says. "You're right, we should make the most of the time we've got." He smiles then, teasing, "You going to be able to get up and get undressed?" he needles gently.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A his quiet words come in turn and dark eyes flicker down to her gaze, her eyes immediately reopne as they share uncomfortably similiar thoughts. Hopes/ Peggy doesn't respond with words, but a bittersweet, slightly doubtful smile pulls at her lips. It's a nice dream, if nothing else.

Then he's teasing her about if she can get up and she smirks, "Oh, I didn't have *that* much scotch. Come now." Peggy huffs at him teasingly, though her eyes are still haunted by the possibility of what they've missed having. The wonder if they could have it again. She forces herself into sitting up straight and swings her legs down off the side of the bed, starting to drowsily peel out of her clothes. "How are *you* feeling? I know those crutches are annoying on the best of days."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel for his part seems hopeful as he meet's Peggy's look, but is content to let things pass without words. What happens will happen, after all in a world where he'd been pulled forward in time by a magic mirror, it seemed a lost cause to guess what the future might have in store for them.

As peggy sits he kisses her cheek, before he helps her with her clothes. "Honestly? Cannot wait for my new leg, they say I may not even need the cane after I get it, which after those," he jerks a nod at the crutches. "Sounds like an absolute dream. In all, I'm okay, just anxious to be able to do things again, it's frustrating being on the sidelines while SHIELD's on the ropes like it is. I feel like I should be doing more."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"You're keeping me sane. Which, considering everything that's happening? I'd say you are doing SHIELD a great service." Peggy admits with a bit more of a smile to him, trying to maybe even draw a half laugh there. It's a laugh or cry sort of situation. Peggy leans over to properly kiss his lips, then reaches for his shirt herself, starting with the buttons quickly and smoothing it off of his arms. Then her fingertips go for belt and slacks, helping him so he doesn't have to fight with the crutches again tonight.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
A smirk crosses Daniel's lips, "Doesn't 'keeping you sane' imply you had to be sane to begin with?" he teases before he happily accept the kiss and likely any swats that come for his remark. He definitely chose laughter over tears as he chuckles lightly against her lips before yeilding fully to the kiss.

He gladly lets himself be relieved of his shirt and slacks all without needing to touch the dreaded crutches. Then barechested and in boxers, he shifts around to be able to lay in bed, and reaches out his arms for Peggy to join him, "All jokes aside Peggy I'm happy to be here for you, to help you cope with everything, it helps me too, I may not be able to solve all my problems but helping with yours, makes things seem a lot more okay."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg could get up, go to the dresser, dig through for a night gown that is hopefully not moth eaten. But it's well into spring, his body is warm, and she simply has no wish to leave the bed. She removes her bra, tossing it aside and then sinking down into the sheets with him comfortably. In these moments? It really looks and feels like nothing has changed since before he died. She gives the smallest chuckle, he having earned his shoulder a swat before she entirely settles in with him.

"The only way I can tell this isn't the year you died is Michael isn't trying to scream his head off. The house is too quiet. But... it still feels like home. I don't know if that's...Healthy or not. But you're here and I love you so damn much. We'll figure the rest out later... Maybe in the morning." She kisses him once more before fully tucking in against him.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel takes the swat with a laugh and happily takes Peggy into his arms as they settle in beside each other. "True," he admits about it feeling like it did before he left. He could almost close his eyes and just imagine they were back in '56 again. "I think it's healthy as long as we're still living our lives in the present, even if we take the odd stop in the past from time to time, I think we deserve it."

"I love you too Peggy, and I'm glad as hell I'm here with you now."

Smiling at the kiss he reaches over to flick off the light before wrapping Peggy in his arms. "Morning sounds like a good time for figuring out the rest, right now, I'm happy just as we are."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Since she put the light on her side of the bed, he has to stretch all the way over her to get the string. Peggy grins, not making it too easy and pressing a kiss to his sternum as he stretches. Then they are settling down again and she lets out a long breath against his shoulder. "Sweet dreams, Daniel. I love you." She affirms. Even being able to say that at the end of the night once again? It's life changing. She then sinks a bit deeper against him and will be out cold asleep within a few minutes.