chuju | psl;

[ There it is again: that feeling that maybe there's something else going on besides just a misplaced agent facing a delay in returning to her team. Delays aren't permanent, as frustrating as they can be. But for his part, he tries to keep his tone mild, to reassure her as best as he can. ]

Hey, I know it's not the same as your situation, but once, my team and I got split up. Some of us almost didn't make it out, and yeah, there were rough patches, like you said. [ He chuckles humorlessly. ]

I think we all were wrecks after that, but you know what? We pulled through, and I bet you will too. [ There's understanding in his gaze as he looks back at her. ]

You'll see your team again. They could even be looking for you right now. [ And then he smiles at her, hoping this helps her somehow. ]

That's the thing about teams: no one gets left behind, not forever.

[ If only he knew. If only she could tell him. It would be wonderful to just lay it all out for him, put her trust completely in this man who her father figure has so idolized over the years. But she can't. That would be like taking the easy way through a maze only to set fire to it on her way. Easy isn't an option here.

The smile she gives him in return is forced but perfectly believable. She's spent enough of her life pretending things are okay when they really aren't for her to lie convincingly about this one thing. It makes her feel terrible to lie to him at all, of course, but at least it's not a total lie. She is grateful to him for his efforts at offering her comfort and reassurance, as her smile suggests, and part of her does believe she'll see them all again. ]

Thanks, Sousa. I appreciate it. [ The smile turns a bit self-deprecating and she shakes her head, looking down in an almost sheepish manner. ] And you're absolutely right, I'll see them again. I really shouldn't be all dramatic about it like this.

Come on, you're not being dramatic. You've been through a lot, as far as I can tell, and you're trying to regain your footing. Anyone would be rattled, but from where I'm standing, you're doing better than most.

[ No, he's not sure where this impromptu pep talk came from, but he's not about to let anyone fret and worry, not on his watch. ]

Look, how about we get you back to my place. You can get settled and get some sleep. Hope you don't mind me saying, but it looks like you need it.

[ He doesn't know the half of it. She's been through so much that she wouldn't wish it on anyone; there are some days when she's honestly shocked that she's still standing. ]

Oh, gee thanks for that. [ Rolling her eyes, she shakes her head and makes sure to smile so he knows she's not offended. ] I guess I won't take offense since you're helping me.

[ He's not wrong though. It's been the magic of hair and makeup that have hidden the dark circles and other familiar signs of exhaustion. Now that she's eaten and the realities of her situation are starting to set in, so too is bone-deep tiredness. ]

[ He knows she's not offended, but he can pretend with the best of them. He raises his hands in what's meant to be a disarming gesture. ]

Hey, I'm just calling it like I see it. Everyone has rough days. There's nothing wrong with taking a day or two off.

[ Someone has to help you, is the thought that's running through his mind. If her team can't, and she doesn't know anyone here, that doesn't leave a lot of options. But the only reason he doesn't say that out loud is because she strikes him as the type of person who doesn't easily accept help from others. She might not appreciate him saying that so plainly. ]

Whenever you're feeling up for it, you can jot down a list of things you might need and I'll see what I can do about getting them.

[ Since she has no luggage, after all. ]

[ Taking a day or two off. When was the last time she'd done that? It's been one disaster after another for so long that she can't remember what it's like to just relax and take a day off. Any attempt at a day off would probably be met with yet another alien invasion, to be honest.

But here she is, staring down a potentially long road of nothing but time off. It's terrifying and exhausting and utterly soul-crushing if she lets herself even start to think about it. So she won't. ]

That's really nice of you to offer, but I can't let you do that. [ She means it, she doesn't know many other people who would have offered a total stranger that kind of help. Of course, there are like seven decades between them, but still. ] I can manage that much.

[ Probably. Ignore the tiny bit of doubt trying to creep into her voice. ]

[ He doesn't want to tip his hand just yet, but he's already thinking about some temporary plans that might help fill up that long road ahead of her. If she refuses, of course, that'll be it, but he figures there's no harm in offering a suggestion. ]

I don't want to be pushy, but you can absolutely let me do that. [ But then he pauses, because he has a caveat there as well. ] Unless, of course, you absolutely can't accept it, then I guess I'll just have to accept it in turn, but-

[ He's an agent. Agents have contingencies upon contingencies, and he's no exception. ]

I put some money away for situations like this. It's not going to break anything financially to get you what you might need.

[ If he picks up on any notes of doubt in her voice, he doesn't comment on it. He knows if the roles were reversed, he'd be feeling every bit as uncertain as she must be right now. ]

[ Daisy doesn't do well with people telling her what to do. If she didn't know without a doubt that Sousa's offer of assistance is coming from a place of genuinely wanting to help her, she might argue with much stronger language against accepting said offer. He is trying to help her, though, and she appreciates the fact that he's even willing to do it at all.

But she can't give in without a good fight, it's just not in her. So, frowning at him skeptically, she pokes at his story with some very choice words. ]

"For situations like this." So you were expecting to have an agent in need just stumble into your path out of nowhere, without even a toothbrush to her name? [ She leans forward, resting elbows on the edge of the table. ] Or were you expecting a damsel in distress? Because I have to warn you, I don't do damsel very well.

[ Even if she hasn't told him that in so many words, he knows her type, even if he barely knows her. It wasn't all that long ago that there was someone in his life who really didn't handle people telling her what to do well at all. In fact, Daisy's not so different from that person from his past.

He grew used to Peggy Carter's pushing back, and her tendency to not give in unless it was absolutely necessary. It was one of the things he liked most about her, and he can't say he doesn't like seeing it in Daisy either. Never mind that it's not his place to see anything in her, because this is one relationship that logically can't go anywhere. ]

Yes, exactly, for situations like this. [ He rolls his eyes, but not at her. ] If I've learned anything at all, it's that life throws curveballs, and sometimes you wind up with your back against the wall. If you have to make a sudden break of things, get out of a situation fast and need to buy yourself some time, it's hard to do that if you don't have a penny to your name.

[ Has he been in a situation like that? No, not at all. But in his line of work, he figured it wasn't a bad idea to have something to fall back on if that ever happened. ]

I certainly wasn't expecting to find anyone in distress, damsel or otherwise. [ And when she says that last part about not doing damsel very well, he grins in spite of himself. ]

Now you sound like my old partner. She didn't do that very well either. [ Or at all, honestly. ]

[ Funny how logic never really manages to play much of a roll in their daily lives. Sure, they can argue all the reasons why logically they should make one decision, but when push comes to shove and things are down to the wire... Logic doesn't really stand a chance, does it? Because life does throw curveballs — she knows that far better than most. (Very little will ever trump the hey guess what, you're part alien curveball, though the universe seems to want to keep on trying.) ]

Your old partner sounds like a hell of a woman. [ She's heard enough from Coulson and Simmons over the years to know that estimation is one hundred percent accurate, and then some.

Daisy watches him closely for a few moments longer, that grin doing its best to try convincing her to just go along with what he's saying, but in the end she just leans back, smiles, and shakes her head at him. ]

Look, we can continue this discussion tomorrow. I'm too tired to put up a proper fight — but not tired enough to give in just yet. Sorry, Danny Boy.

[ The epithet slips out easily, without thought really, and she finds she doesn't regret it. They barely know each other but he's showing such trust in her (trust that she doesn't believe she fully deserves), so it just feels... right, to treat him like she would one of her team. To a certain extent, anyway. ]

[ The only way logic would stand a chance was if they didn't constantly find themselves in make-or-break situations that allowed for no time to debate the pros and cons. As it is, Sousa knows he ends up in those situations more often than not, and while he can't begin to guess what kind of things Daisy has run into, he imagines it's more or less the same for her. And anyway, they can't spend their whole lives thinking about what's logical and what isn't. ]

Oh, she is. I'd never ask her to change, but- [ He shakes his head. ] She's too fond of running headfirst into walls in an attempt to get them to move.

[ It's only an expression, but he knows (and so does present company, not that he knows that) Peggy Carter is far too stubborn for her own good. ]

Fair enough. You've had a long day, so let's table this for now. [ And then his lips turn up into a smirk in response to that name. ]

You know, I'd say that's hardly fair. You already have a nickname for me, and I haven't even begun coming up with one for you.

[ It's a tease, plain and simple, but he does his best to put on a mock petulant expression. ]

[ If the stories about the legendary Peggy Carter are true, then Daisy's pretty sure some of those walls are probably literal. You didn't build one of the top spy agencies in the world without tearing down some walls, after all — especially not as a woman. ]

I'm sure you'll think of one soon enough. You'll just have to get to know me better.

[ She doesn't intend for there to be a hint of flirting in those words but it's there all the same. Rather than clearing her throat in what would be an extremely obvious display of embarrassment, she instead feigns a yawn, hoping he'll take the cue and they'll get on their way to his apartment. She needs to get her bearings before she does or says anything she'll regret later. ]

[ There were definitely some literal walls in the way, and Peggy being who she was brought them all down. ]

Starting right now?

[ If he picks up on that hint of flirting, he doesn't give any sign of it, but there's that telltale flush creeping back up his neck that might or might not give him away.

And he's not really a brilliant profiler, but he's good enough at reading people that he thinks her yawn might not be entirely genuine. Still, he has no problems giving her this one. ]

Or, well, I suppose tomorrow is soon enough. You've had a long day.

[ And he still has to work out how he's going to get her to take the bed, not the couch. Because that's definitely his plan. Or at least, it's the plan he came up with in the last few seconds. ]

[ It has been the longest day. There are maybe a handful in her life that compare, all of which are too tragic to think about in detail. This day, too, she can hardly stand to think about for long because of the what-ifs and uncertainty.

So she nods, agreeing to that statement, and then she really does yawn, which takes her a bit by surprise. The power of suggestion, surely. But she offers an embarrassed smile as she stands and straightens her dress. ]

How far is your apartment from here? [ She wonders if they'll be walking, driving, hailing a cab... She sure won't be quaking her way over. ]

[ That question earns her a sheepish smile. It's not that he's embarrassed to say this, but what would be a typical walk for the average person means waking up with stiff joints the next day for him. ]

It's only a handful of blocks from here, but I thought we'd get a cab, seeing as how you could probably use the break. And I wouldn't really mind one either.

[ He tacks that on because it's true, but also because he doesn't want her thinking he's being patronizing. He knows better than to ever go there, after years of working alongside Peggy. But having said that, he hails a cab, because while this isn't exactly a peak time in which everyone is looking for a lift home, he doesn't want to keep her waiting too long. ]

[ She doesn't protest the idea, especially when he points out that he would benefit from it as well. If he hadn't said that, she would have absolutely forced herself and not complained once — that's just how she is.

When they're in the cab, she's struck once again by how strange everything is. The novelty of time travel and visiting the past has absolutely worn off by now; she struggles to keep the dismay out of her expression with every new 'old thing' she encounters that reminds her yet again she's not in Kansas anymore, which is a lot when she's staring out the window at the city passing by.

By the time the cab comes to a stop, she's a jumbled mess of emotions and anxiety firmly buried under a carefully crafted facade of everything being just fine, thanks. ]

[ Maybe that's partly why he said it. Or maybe it's just that he knows his limits by now, and that walking that distance would be too much. Either way, he knows he doesn't want to have to see her forcing herself, so he just plays it up as him needing the break.

Luckily, it's a short enough ride, but he'd also have to be stupid to not notice some slight tells that she's still a little tense. He can't blame her for that; he would be too if the roles were reversed. So, it's just up to him to try and alleviate some of that tension however he can. Putting on a friendly smile, he clears his throat and says: ]

Looks like we're here. We'll get you settled in and you can finally take a load off.

[ And she's totally getting the bed. No arguments. ]

[ She tries not to think about why she's anxious. She tries not to think about anything, really, but there are a million paths her thoughts take in the short ride. From ways she can leave breadcrumbs for her team to how she'll make a living in the meantime to whether living together unmarried with have a negative impact on Sousa's career. The latter strengthens her resolve to find another living situation as quickly as she can because she can't mess up his life; she has to protect the timeline, but also he really doesn't deserve that.

The cab rolling to a stop isn't what gets her attention — it's Sousa. His words snap her out of it and she stares at him blankly for just a moment before what he's said catches up with her and she nods in response. Climbing out of the cab, she looks up at the building — not what she would call swanky, but also not rundown.

She knows she should say something but suddenly it's just... hard. ]

[ He gets it, that inability to say anything, when her mind is probably reeling trying to process all this. So he's just not going to push, because that would do more harm than good. ]

I know, it's not much. It's definitely not some fancy hotel, but, well-

[ For the first time, he appears a little bit abashed. His place is good enough for him, but it's definitely not what someone like her deserves. She deserves a nicer place than what he has to offer. ]

Uh, if you want, there is a hotel not far from here, if you'd rather stay there. No hard feelings at all. It's nicer than anything I've got, anyway.

[ Part of him thinks he should've thought of that first, because even if there's no judgment on her face directed at the state of the building he lives in, he figures it's not her first choice. ]

[ Someone like her. If she knew he was thinking that... Well, she can't tell him who she really is, can she? He can't possibly know what she deserves and there's no way for her to explain it to him.

What she can do, however, is dispel any notion he has that his place isn't good enough. Because really, so long as it isn't falling apart or full of unwanted guests, it will be just fine. ]

I've never been a fancy hotel kind of girl, Sousa. I've never even been a house or apartment kind of girl. Hell, I lived in my van for two years, so trust me, I'm not going to complain about your place.

[ She doesn't stop to ponder when vans became a thing. If she had, she'd probably have easily realized they were a decade and some change too early for them. Oops. ]

[ Honestly, whatever secrets she's holding, as long as they're not treasonous or threatening to everyone's security, Daniel doesn't really think they're all that important. Not in the sense that they're irrelevant, but just that he thinks she's pretty incredible, just based on the short amount of time that he's known her. And that's not really saying a lot, but he does like to think he's a good judge of character.

But he also likes that she seems to be very down to earth; he's not entirely sure what a van is, exactly, but he can put two and two together. ]

Fair enough. I just don't want you getting in there, looking around, and running for the hills, because it's really not that much.

[ At least he's always been fairly clean and organized, unlike some people he's known. And by people, he means other men. Barring one exception, a proper British butler, they all seem to have been terrible at keeping things in order. ]

Anyway, here we are. [ He walks up the few steps up to the door and pushes it open so she can walk in first. ] Apartment's just down the hall to the right.

[ With the way he's acting, he's lucky she isn't an enemy of the state. Inviting her into his home without even requesting proof of her identity, being so open and cordial... It has to be a product of the times. Unless it really is just pure Daniel Sousa.

She moves through the door and takes a moment to glance back at him before heading on down the hall as he'd instructed. Her steps remain slow, both giving him time to catch up and making sure she ends up in the right place. When he joins her in front of the door, she feels the urgent need to once again express her gratitude. ]

Thank you for this, Agent Sousa. I really just... I can't tell you how much it means to me. [ Literally. ]

[ Well, then it's lucky for him that he doesn't keep sensitive materials here, and that he doesn't have anything of real value, in case she wanted to snoop around and steal one or both. If she is an enemy of the state, or hiding nefarious intentions, she's not going to have much to work with here.

...Unless of course, her plan is to abduct him or something like that, in which case, he's left himself pretty wide open. Still, he can reason that away by asking himself why she'd sit through an entire dinner just to kidnap him later. ]

Oh, you're welcome. I can't very well have you living in your- What was it you called it? Your van?

[ Maybe the plan wouldn't be kidnapping, but rather seducing him into spilling secrets. A Black Widow sort of move rather than traditional kidnapping and torture.

She half-smiles in response, nodding slightly. ] No, I guess not.

[ And there's another thing she can't really get into with him. That she doesn't have a van here. She doesn't have a single thing that she's not wearing at this very moment — he knows she doesn't have things here but he can't know she doesn't have anything period. ]

[ Well, that would be something. His training has taught him well, but he's still just as vulnerable to wiles as anyone. ]

Anyway, bathroom's just over there, and I've got a spare toothbrush for you.

[ He smiles a little bit, because out of everything she might need, a toothbrush is probably not too high up on the list. ]

And, uh- [ He hesitates here, because this is the part that's going to be the hard sell. But he thinks he can skirt around it for a little bit longer. ]

The spare trunk is just in here if you want to put what you do have in there, at least for the night. [ He points in the direction of his room. It's not the most subtle, but it's a lead-in. He'd thought initially about putting her up in his spare room, but it hasn't been used in months, so it's very dusty and not really all that clean.

It seems like a shame to put her in there when there's a better option just waiting for it to be taken. ]

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