Chapter Text
New Year’s Eve 1952
“Peggy!” Howard was breathless, “Sniper, on the roof, now, can you-“
Peggy was already running before he could finish his lie. He swept his hair back, put his hands in his pockets and grinned.
Peggy burst onto the roof, trying to spot the sniper, but there was no one in sight. She caught the door as it swung shut behind her, closing it as quietly as possible, before sneaking around the side and trying to make out where they were set up. She turned the corner cautiously, but the only other person on the roof wasn’t holding any kind of rifle. They appeared to be simply looking down over Times Square as the people waited for midnight and the ball to drop. But Peggy kept her guard up, walking closer stealthily and keeping a watchful eye out for any visible weapons. But then the light from a stray firework set off too early, illuminated their face for a moment. Peggy faltered, not even realising she’d gasped until the person turned around at the sound and her suspicions were confirmed.
Peggy was frozen in place.
“English?” Angie looked at her, as though trying to make out if it was really Peggy in the darkness. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Peggy remained frozen, staring at Angie for a moment. She was really here, in front of her, on a roof in New York on New Year’s Eve, with the wind whipping her curls around her face.
She snapped back to reality.
“I suspect we’ve been set up… Howard told me there was a sniper on the roof.”
Angie raised an eyebrow, “I haven’t seen any snipers.”
“Oh, good.”
“His sense of humour hasn’t changed much, huh.”
Peggy smiled wryly. “I guess not. Other things have changed though.”
Angie looked pointedly at the wedding ring glinting on Peggy’s finger. “Yeah, they really have.”
“Not truly.” Peggy glanced down at her hand, before pulling the ring off in a smooth motion. “It’s part of the job.” She shrugged. “Pretending to be married to the boys in DC twice a year is a bearable inconvenience when it comes with free reign over Shield the rest of the time.”
“So you’re running things now? It’s about time they put you in charge. I’m happy for you, Pegs.”
Peggy walked over to where Angie was, closer to the wall which ran around the edge of the roof.
“I saw your last film, you know.”
“I wouldn’t think a big shot Director like you would have time for something like that,” Angie teased.
“How could I miss ‘the third performance of a lifetime by the dazzling Angela Martin’.” Peggy said it dramatically, and Angie swatted at her arm.
“That review may have been mostly ridiculous, but the film won me an Oscar.”
“Oh Angie, that's wonderful. Congratulations.” Peggy beamed at Angie and suddenly Angie felt as though she were floating another 50 stories above the crowd below in Times Square. She cleared her throat and steadied herself with a hand on the wall.
“Thanks.”
“You’ve more than earned it, you know. They would’ve been fools to give it to anybody else.”
“Don’t think you can just sweet talk your way back into my life now English.”
Peggy laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I was only telling you the truth.” There was a beat, during which Peggy got a mischievous look in her eye, “now if I was going to sweet-talk you, I would say-“
Angie laughed. “Hold it right there, Pegs.”
Peggy grinned at her, “if you insist.”
“I do.” Angie looked at her mock sternly, before a melancholic look crossed over her face. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
Peggy stepped closer to her, but Angie wouldn’t meet her gaze, choosing instead to stare down at the crowd below. Then, the crowd started chanting the countdown. Angie met Peggy’s gaze and ran her fingers down her arm, to take Peggy’s hand in her own.
“If you’re planning to leave, now’s the time, English.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
Angie gave her a pained look, “that hasn’t stopped you before.”
Peggy cradled Angie’s cheek with her other hand. “I’m sorry.”
“You always are.” Angie gave her a small smile, and it felt more like quiet acknowledgement of a hurtful truth than an accusation. “Don’t start the New Year with me, unless you can finish it too.”
Below, the countdown was getting louder as it got closer to midnight. A few precious seconds ticked by, and Peggy didn’t move. She stood with Angie, half a foot apart, holding her hand and cradling her cheek.
For a moment, Angie really thought Peggy was going to stay. But then she kissed her cheek and let go of her hand and the wind whipped by and stole the lingering warmth Peggy had left her with.
As the clock struck midnight and cheers rang through the city, Angie watched the celebrations below and Peggy walked down the stairwell, fighting the urge to start something she couldn’t finish.