Chapter Text
Angie came home from work unusually late. Today she had to cover an extra shift and she felt so exhausted she just wanted to pass out in bed. Angie crawled her way up the long stairs and to her room door. It seemed as if everyone was completely silent everyone was asleep and dead to the world. However in the room next door to the waitress a tall brunette was pacing her room. She was walking up and down in the same path harshly whispering to herself. She had tears streaming down her face. This woman only allowed herself to break down when she was alone. She never wanted anyone to see her weak. She just let the tears stain her face, as her thoughts stained her mind.
As Angie was turning her key into the lock she heard a creak interrupt the loud silence. Angie jumped at the unexpected noise. She wondered who would be up at this hour. A moment later, she heard a strangled sob and more creaking. Without even thinking Angie went straight to her neighbor and best friends’ door.
“Hey English! You still awake? Is everything alright?” Angie yelled loud, but not too loud considering the time.
Peggy jumped at the sound of Angie’s voice. A million thoughts traveled through her head. Peggy stood as still as possible praying that Angie would leave. She couldn’t let the other woman see her in such a state; she couldn’t let anyone see her like this.
“English, I can hear you. Please open the door,” Angie pleaded.
Part of Peggy really wanted to open the door. She wanted to allow herself to be comforted by her friend.
Angie sighed and started heading to her own room. If Peggy wasn’t going to open the door she couldn’t make her. Angie decided to confront her best friend tomorrow before breakfast instead. All of a sudden Peggy opened her door. She only opened it a crack. She reached her arm out and grabbed Angie and pulled her in the room.
“My god English!” Angie practically screamed out of shock and concern.
Angie had never seen Peggy like this before. Her makeup and hair was all messed up and her face stained with tears. Angie had never seen her cry before. It was an extremely sad sight. It brought tears into her own eyes. She had bruises on her arms and legs. Angie couldn’t even form a coherent thought; she needed to know who did this to her Peggy. Angie had never been one for violence but she wanted to kill whoever was responsible. Peggy was always so strong it hurt Angie more than words can say, seeing her in this state.
“Wh…What happened to you English?” Angie stuttered. She could barely get the words out. The waitress was clouded by concern and overwhelming fear for the woman before her.
“I swear I was fighting him. I don’t know how I let this happen. I should have fought harder. It was all my fault, Angie. I know I could have stopped him if I just fought harder, if I
just tried harder,” Peggy cried out. She slid to the floor unable to find the strength to stand. The agent never allowed anyone to see her show any emotion, or any sign of weakness
at all. Someone thing was different with Angie. She felt that she could trust Angie, a feeling the woman has only felt a few times in her life.
The logical part of Angie knew what must have happened to Peggy, but she couldn’t allow herself to believe it.
“English, I know you and I know you would never ‘let anything happen.’ I am sure you did everything humanly possible to stop whatever it is that happened. Just please tell me what happened to you.” Angie begged for the answer she really didn’t want to know. She reached out her hand touching Peggy’s back trying to provide her friend a small comfort.
Peggy’s entire body tensed at the touch but she soon leaned into it. Peggy always felt a little better when Angie touched her.
“I didn’t see them coming. I was just going to my car. How did I not see them coming?” Peggy frantically asked.
“Who? Who are they?” Angie pried, trying to get some information, any information, as to why the brunette was so upset.
“T..t…….Thompson and some of the other guys who work with me,” Peggy spoke, her voice was so soft Angie could barely hear her.
“What did they do, English? What did Thompson do?” Angie asked her voice becoming more and more shaky.
“He….They raped me,” Peggy said in a voice so cold, so emotionless it scared Angie. Her worst fears had just been confirmed. Her neighbor, her best friend, had been raped. Angie couldn’t understand why anyone would hurt Peggy, especially people she worked with, especially in that way.
“Oh honey, I’m so sorry.” Angie pulled Peggy close into a warm embrace. “Don’t you ever go blaming yourself for what they did. It was those monsters fault not yours.”
“I could have stopped them. I didn’t see them coming. I just…I just..”
“No,” Angie interrupted, “We can’t always win. You did nothing wrong. You are not to blame. Do you hear me?” Angie was trying to suppress her sobs. She was supposed to be
there for her friend not falling apart. However, the actress couldn’t help herself. This was her best friend, the strongest person she had ever met.
“Yes I hear you. Thank you Angie.”
“English, you don’t need to thank me. I’ll always be here for you. I love you.”
“I love you too. Will you stay with me?” Peggy softly replied. She really didn’t want to be alone tonight.
“I am not going anywhere,” Angie said as she placed a kiss on top of Peggy’s head.
Peggy felt tremendous comfort in Angie's affection. She slightly relaxed and for the first time in a very long time allowed herself to be comforted.