7017/Running to Freedom

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Running to Freedom
Date of Scene: 20 July 2021
Location: Rural Delaware
Synopsis: Daniel and Peggy take a run on their newly enhanced bodies. It starts out as a comfortable jog and ends in a strange encounter with a rogue SHIELD agent.
Cast of Characters: Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter, Friday




Daniel Sousa has posed:
After the procedure Daniel had stolen one of the lab beds for a bit of rest, rising early and vanishing for a bit while breakfast was brought in by one of the nurses. When that was being cleared away he returned wearing shorts and t-shirt, his new leg visible on the left side where the pale plastics contrasted with the warm olive tone of his other leg.

He did not come empty handed, he had a gym bag in hand, which he puts on Peggy's bed before drawing the curtain around it. "Rise and shine," he says cheerfully. "I'm breaking you out of here."

Inside the bag is Peggy's PT gear and a pair of runners.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Oh thank *god*. I'm going insane." Peggy breathes out to him, her eyes a little bit wider, clearly not certain if this is the best idea. But she's off most of the monitors now. She leans over, unplugging the last one so it doesn't scream before she slips it off of her arm and swings legs over the bed. With the curtain drawn, she doesn't care at all about changing right here. He's seen her naked before, after all.

But then... she hasn't looked like *this* since 1949. She really looks barely a scrap older than they day they met. All the bruising is gone. The burn wounds are still healing, but are far closer to healed themselves. The old burn scars on the left of her face are incredibly lightened. Even those marks that pregnancy had left her aren't across her sides any longer. The scientists worked a true miracle.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Figured you'd be tired of the walls by now," he smiles, what can he say, he knows his wife. "You should be fine, I checked," he says as she pulls the monitor free.

As for changing and how she looks after the proceedure, Daniel stares openly. "Wow," he exclaims, taking in not just how turning back the clock made her look but that it seemed to heal her as well. "That was some cure they cooked up for you," he remarks smirking faintly. Letting her get dressed as he stretched a little.

Peggy Carter has posed:
It feels like it's been ages since she had full command of her body, much less felt the springiness of young muscles and energy. Everything had been patchwork since the 80s, not even entirely herself since the 60s. Now, moving simply comes easy. Breathing comes easy. It's like the whole world is transformed. "This... doesn't feel real, I'll admit. And it's a little unnerving looking in a mirror. I'm not complaining, mind you, it's simply... Odd." Peggy admits with a little laugh as she pulls into the sports bra.

Then she's grabbing a tank top, rolling it on across her hourglass frame before using a little tie to pull back her fuller curls of dark hair. He really did bring everything. She slips into her trainers, tying them quickly, before she looks him up and down. The new leg is giving a long, thoughtful gaze. "You sure *you're* up to this?"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"I bet," Daniel says. "Like looking at old photos just it's the current you looking back. Definitely get why that'd be odd. But the rest must feel good though all that damage undone."

The gaze at his leg is met with a nod. "Before you got hit I was working up to this, tredmil, a couple of solo jogs, I should be able to handle it without the thing falling off," he jokes lightly, before he smirks with mischief in his eyes. "The real question is though, can you keep up?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
That gets a roll of her eyes and a deep smirk, but the glimmer behind her dark gaze is entirely charmed. "They tell me I'm 28 years old again, Daniel Sousa. New leg or not, I suspect you are in trouble. I'll even give you a head start." And then they are off. She does give him to the door before she's dashing after him in turn, grinning wide. Even a little bit of laughter escapes her lips as they dash down the corridor to the back warehouse entrance.

Later on, some rookies would talk up and down about how they swore they saw the Chief and her husband running like naughty school kids through the hallway, but surely Peggy had a BIT more decorum than that? Either way, she doesn't even slow down as the dash through the back doors and into the rural Delaware countryside.

Friday has posed:
There are a few others out jogging at any given time. This is a place where it feels nice to go out and exercise, so it's going to be popular. Two ladies jog past, heading in the opposite direction so they'll be easy to ignore. The sun is out, but just enough clouds to keep it from being overbearing and there is a soft breeze as well, blowing the wisps of cloud to the east.

Few cars in this area make it quiet enough to enjoy, and there is a delicious smell of barbecue in the air. Someone's taking advantage of the warm weather to treat their family, most likely, but not close enough to stop in. Just close enough to torture the cadets!

One person, looking like a rookie, is doing handstand pushups by a tree. Female, fairly tall, she has her eyes open. They widen when she sees what -might- maybe could be the chief, but she tries to focus on what she's doing. Just in case.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"28 huh?" Daniel grins wide. "Well apparently this thing costs more than one of Howard's fancier cars so we'll see who's laughing at the finish line," he says before fully taking advantage of the head start and cheating besides, pulling the curtain closed and then the door to slow Peggy down further before he sprints with her down the hall past wideyed ans bemused agents, until they break into daylight and warm breezes. Finding an old fence along a rural road Daniel stops, and grins. "Not bad," he says, before catching sight of the rookie doing handstand pushups. "But if you can do that, I'll be really impressed," he teases as he catches his breath.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A little yelp of being affronted escapes Peggy's lips as he tosses the curtain and door on her. "Dirty tricks, Daniel Sousa!" She yells after him as they break into the outdoors, though there's clear laughter behind her slightly breathless, but mainly energetic voice. None of the exhausted, fighting for life breathlessness of before. Her cheeks are warm and high with blush from the blossom of blood running healthily under her skin. They look like two young agents on shore leave from the war, the way they are running about.

She finally catches up to him, slightly panting for air as she grins, dark eyes flickering from the rookie, back to him. "You just need an excuse to stop. And hell, Daniel, I'm one day out of a bed. Give me a week, perhaps!" She teases, but he can see the consideration behind her eyes. She's thinking of trying it.

Friday has posed:
The rookie's shirt is riding up, but her dark skin and apparently Puertorican blood are no shame to the group. She rolls down to her feet though, ruining the moment, and without much more than a glance at the pair she leans down to stretch. Side lunges, as she subtly, ever so subtly scopes them out. Not bad, she'll make a good field agent someday.

"I've got an offroad route to follow, if you want to tail. Escort might not be a bad call first day out." She calls it across the yard, but using no names. Not even a moniker. The only real trouble is that she's chosen an offroad route, and given her runners' physique she probably means challenging.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Laughing as he runs, his own cheeks flushed with life and his voice energetic and joyful in a way it hasn't been for months "What?" he calls back to Peggy hand cupped over his ear. "You're so far behind I can barely hear you," of course the taunting only narrows his stolen lead so he has to really put on the speed to keep ahead to that fence.

As they study the rookie at her exercises he grins seeing the temptation to try the handstand pushups in Peggy's eyes. "Give it a go and I'll tell you where I hid the left over coconut cream pie from the party," he says with a sly grin.

The rookie's invite is met with a smile and a wave. "What do you think Peg? Sound good?" he asks his wife.

Peggy Carter has posed:
As he's dared to let his lead narrow those last few leagues, Peggy forces herself to put on a burst. She is determined not just to win, always a bit competitive, but to see just how hard her new body can push. The Chief is back and better than ever, even if her muscles are starting to burn, it's in the good, runner's high way. Not the way of pushing past her own limits. She's just catching up to him as they hit the fence, panting hard but grinning.

"You just .. want my top to ride up... Soldier boy." Peggy teases the smiling man, he probably not as familiar to the rest of the younger agents as Peggy is. Unless they study their history, then it's hard not to recognize Daniel Sousa, the first agent to give his life in the field for SHIELD. Peggy's eyes narrow thoughtfully to the helpful rookie. "...company is never a bad idea. Means I won't leave you in the dust." But there is something about that young woman. Daniel would know that thoughtful look in Peggy's eyes.

Friday has posed:
The olive-skinned beauty strides closer. She puts her hands on her hips, then tilts her head cockily. "Well, I won't take the hard route this time," she says, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Wouldn't want to lose you."

She's speaking to them both, but for all her words her smile is gentling. And she takes off toward the nearby fence at a light sprint. She grabs the fence, hooks her toes into it, and with a heave she's over and on the other side.

Oh yay. 'Offroad' apparently includes some parkour.

"Right when you land!" she calls, offsetting her foreknowledge of the route. As she lands herself, then kicks up rocks as she takes off down a dirt path. Checking to see if they both make it of course.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel pours on the speed too in those final feet before the fence enjoying the thrill of just running around like a couple of kids on leave. When Peggy mentions the possibility of her shirt riding up, he puts on a shocked expression, "Since when would a member of the US Army want to see something as shocking as that?" he teases back, "Though now that you mention it..." he adds on with a grin.

As for the rookie and her offer? He snorts a laugh. "And here I thought she'd keep you company at the back of the pack," he fires back with a grin.

Thoughtful look noted, he asks, "Know her?"

Though before long she's right there with them and then a moment later over the fence. "Guess we're not the only ones who can dish it out," he says, grinning at the taunt about them keeping up.

Then Daniel is up and over the fence like he was back in basic, and taking off after Isabella on the dirt path.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"I think so. And she's not just some rookie... In fact, surprised to see her down here. But, maybe I'm wrong..." Peggy's rarely wrong about these things. She's got her working face on now, which means the flirting face will have to wait, but he does get the smallest of winks and grins as he mentions seeing something shocking. She mouths to him 'Later.' So, she's not entirely in crisis mode.

Then the supposed 'rookie' is taking off over the fence. Peggy laughs to herself, shaking her head and just starting to dash as fast as renewed, but not quite trained, legs will catch her. She's not as skilled in parkour as the modern agents are, but she's gotten out of a lot of tight ostables and through WWII obstacle courses, so it's about the same. She manages to clear the fence, only waiting to make certain Daniel does with his new leg, and then she's off to the right as well, "Just behind you, Moreno!" She calls up front. trying to see if the name gets any twitch from the woman.

Friday has posed:
Both of them actually got the chance to see her paused, waiting to make sure they both made it over alright. The sign of a well trained instructor, which is a little odd given her current cover as a rookie. But she's moving the instant they both have cleared the obstacle, and damn if she isn't a quick one!

"That'd be telling!" the voice from up front calls, not yet falling into the panting breaths that indicate she's using her breath to run. As she starts up a hill that passes by several old buildings, she puts on some steam and takes the uphill stretch at a full run. Going to create some distance.

That in itself is an answer, really. But she pulls to a stop when she hits the top, pausing to let them catch up.

What the...?

Peggy Carter has posed:
The moment Peggy sees her paused, and then when the woman calls about thatd be telling, the woman is almost certain of who is in front of them. Peggy gives a little huff and starts running harder, though everything is soon going to be burning. "Rogue agent, Rita Moreno. She's been... useful in the past. Still not a team player." She mutters to Daniel as she's passing him, giving some indication as to why she's decided to put the fire on this one and actually try to catch her.

Then Peggy's really opening up, trying damn hard not to let the woman escape her again. It's not until Peg sees her stopping at the top that she almost stumbles, suddenly wishing she'd thought to bring a gun. Just in case. But she dashes up, breathing quite hard as she stares at the woman. The Chief herself looks incredibly different. Years younger, far more put together than before. "...Moreno. I don't want any trouble."

Friday has posed:
"I know," she says as she stands at the top of the hill, some bushes about and a park bench nearby. Nice little place really. Agent Moreno, or Rita if you want to use first names, is quite literally allowing herself to be caught up to, and slowly arching her head left-to-right. A slight pop of her upper vertebrae suggest that she actually was stretching.

"To be fair, I don't think you're quite ready for this particular chase yet anyway." Given the way that she's speaking without having lost breath, it might be a fair statement that if she'd really wanted to cut loose, she'd be gone. "I just wanted you two to have something nice." Then she spreads her hands, suggesting that the two of them look around.

To be fair, it is really nice. A baseball field below, trees about. A spot that seems to have been missed in the remodeling craze. Nice.

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Daniel Sousa has posed:
That's all Daniel needs to hear and he puts on the speed taxing his new leg to its limits in order to keep up. His muscles begin cramping from lack of use and as they near the top of the hill he's slowed to the back of the pack. Looking around as he catches his breath he looks over at Rita first then Peggy. "Well, it's definitely that," he agrees. "But what's the story with you two?" he asks the women.

Peggy Carter has posed:
The Chief is frowning now, studying the clearly unwinded young rogue with narrowed, dark eyes. Peggy carefully straightens, most of her breath caught, and looks over to Daniel as he joins them at the rest of the hill. There's a crease of worry across her eyes as she knows this was pushing harder than he probably intended on the new prosthetic, but other than that flicker of a look, she's not going to say anything that might reveal a weakness.

"I'd rather not have to chase you at all. But you've been on the run a while and...showing up at the back doors of the only base that *hasn't* been compromised by the US government is worrisome. How do I know you're going to keep our secrets? Why bother with haunting around us at all, if you don't want to *be* SHIELD any more?" Peggy asks the woman, not readying for a fight, but her inquiries are genuinely concerned and perhaps a bit annoyed that their lovely run has now been interrupted by work.

"It is nice. But now I have to write a report, you know."

Friday has posed:
She lets them ask their questions. Why interrupt? It also gives her time to pull a necklace from her tiny sidebag, attaching it around her own neck. Kind of a black choker, with a triangle upon it made of what appears to be copper. Simple and elegant.

"No story, Mr Sousa. Actually until recently we'd barely met. Congratulations to you both. Seriously." She seems to not have an issue with them being back, being together, and being happy. That much at least is likely to be the truth.

"The US government isn't the only group trying to find you, you know." She says it like it should be obvious, a grin and a raised eyebrow. "Do what I do. Enjoy today." She didn't learn that in the Hand, or in SHIELD.

Then she takes a step closer, calm and collected, and says softly so they have to lean in to hear, "You had freedom a minute ago. Don't lose it, you both know what's on the other side of that fence."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel looks to Peggy, "Last one back to base writes the report?" he offers still having not lost the lightness of earlier as he turns and regards Rita. Brow furrowing."Okay, so no story, interesting necklace and thanks for the congratulations. You'll have to forgive me for not being up to speed. And who else is looking for us? AIM, HYDRA, you?" he asks, before the last comment leaves him looking to Peggy, it resonates but it's not just because the comment brings up sentimental notions, but because he's watching his wife's reactions to get more of a clue what's going on.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Trust me, Rita. We are *keenly* aware of how precious freedom is, and how easy it is to lose. Not to mention how many people want us dead. I would rather not count you among the enemies. So why lure us out here today?" Peggy asks flatly. Her expression towards the woman is guarded. Not someone she'd attack immediately, not someone she trusts, especially now knowing that Rita somehow knows the back door of the Playground.

She takes a step backwards, a bit closer to Daniel, readying for them to fight side by side if they need to as ske remains quiet for the woman to answer both of their questions.

Friday has posed:
She grins, then. Or at least her smile becomes more open, more real. "I'll send you a list," she says to Daniel. "Seriously. Look for the red sign, I always play fair." What? No she doesn't. What?

Then, Peggy. "I was teasing your recruits. I had no idea you'd be coming out, but there's no ignoring an opportunity when it shows up like that one did. I'll see you two around!"

Then she's backing off, keeping her eyes on them. Seeing if she's allowed. Or if this is going to get all chase-ey again.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
As Peggy steps close he pivots to better cover her flank, he's not adopting a fighting pose yet, not fully, the stance is there but his hands are still keeping the illusion of civility by his side.

Nodding, Daniel says, "Understood," he says. Before the Framework the play fair remark would have gone over his head but it was one of the cyphers used by the resistance which meant he knew it well. "Understood," he says, and as Moreno backs off, Daniel makes no move to chase trusting that Peggy had come to the same conclusion he had, Moreno was more interesting than dagerous, at least on this visit.

Peggy Carter has posed:
It seems that Peggy is on the same page as her husband, giving the younger woman a slight nod. "See you, Moreno." Peggy calls after her, but there's no more words exchanged. Peggy doesn't like her recruits being teased, she's a little mother bird protective over them. She watches as the other woman heads away, Peggy not following after. She just stares, waiting until Moreno is out of sight before turning back to Daniel.

A half laugh escapes her lips then, shaking her head slowly. Not sadly, but not with the carefree look of youth from before. "Never an easy night, is it? It's like work and troubles follow us. But... at least we made it up. How's your leg doing?" She asks, a brush of earnest concern through her words.

Friday has posed:
Ruining their outing wasn't her plan. Isabella curses herself as she rounds a corner, hoping that the pair can rekindle what she took from them. It makes the next five minutes rather annoying, as she connects to her sources and redirects the Hand from finding the site yet again.

But then she's out into the sun, and the day is warm and fresh, and she can see the sky above. And nothing is wrong in the world, as she slips a wallet out of one SHIELD agent's pocket...and into the pocket of the next SHIELD agent who passes by.

"Sooner or later they'll get the hint," she giggles, as she finds a nice cafe. And sits down to wait for her next adventure.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel watches Moreno depart as well, expression both amused and curious, when she's gone far enough away he tells Peggy, "You really need to fill me in on what her deal is," he says with a wry shake of his head. "And yeah, that's the way our life goes, isn't it? At least she led us to a nice spot, and nobody got shot, so I'll call that a win."
5rHe glances down at his legs as he catches that note of concern. "Honestly they are both are complaining, but I haven't run since 1945 so I'm not shocked. I'll manage though, if you want to run back."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"I think we can manage a nice stroll. No reason to break ourselves the *first* day out. Besides, would be nice to have some energy for other... Activities." Peggy winks to him, reaching her arms up to wrap around his, happy to give him someone to slightly lean against if he wants to keep a bit of weight off that leg, but otherwise she's simply content to walk arm and arm with him down a lovely mountain on what is turning out to be a lovely night.

"She's an old agent. Went rogue before I woke up... I've only read her records but she seems to have... Interest in me. I should worry about it more, but there are bigger things." She admits with a quiet sigh, also looking quite content to simply put it aside for tonight. But she wasn't going to leave him clueless either.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel grins, "Well when you put it that way, a stroll sounds fine," he says to Peggy as she takes his arm, enjoying the company of his wife, a nice warm summer evening.

"Sounds a little like Dottie, if she was more mischievious than murdery," he remarks with dry humour. "Guesing we should keep an eye on her when she's around but otherwise let her do her thing?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
"...That's probably the exact way to describe her, yes. And what is it with me and intriguing the... Most troublesome women?" Peggy asks with a little bit of a laugh, but then she catches herself, wincing on the end there. "Maybe... don't answer that. I have ideas already. But yes. We'll keep eyes open. If things calm down some, I'll see what more research I can do on her."

Peggy then pauses, turning to look at him with a slightly wider smile, mischief in her own eyes, "For now, however, maybe we don't have to rush back." She starts walking him backwards towards a slightly over grown meadow off of the path, "I'd like to enjoy my husband... And having enough energy to *enjoy* my husband." And with that, she tugs him down into the high grass for a long, deep kiss. And perhaps a bit more physical activity.