"God damn it Captain! Stop moving! I'm serious!"
The woman struggled to hold the dog down, her arms wrapped around the hound's body, as another woman struggled to pull the dog's foot up. The dog howled against as the woman pressed the clipper up against his nail.
*snap!*
The tip of the nail came off easily and both women simultaneously let go of the dog.
"Jeez. You would've thought we were trying to kill this thing," the older woman groaned, wiping a bead of sweat of her brow. She set the pair of clippers down and picked up a spray bottle, lightly squirting the dog with its contented before wrapping a lead around its neck.
"Yeah well, this guy was just terrified of getting his nails clipped," the younger woman said, scratching the hound on the head before the woman lifted him up off the table.
"With a name like Captain America, I expect more," the older woman scolded the dog, who now happily wagged his tail as he was led to his kennel.
"If I had a dollar for every dog that came in here named Captain America, I'd be a millionaire," the young girl scoffed, pulling back her long hair and tying it into a loose ponytail.
"If you had a million dollars Aimee you'd still be working at the dump," the older woman replied, closing the door on the kennel. "Why'd his owners bring him in anyway?'
Aimee sighed and walked over to the front of his kennel. "Grew too big. Scared he would hurt the kids with his playing." She smelled the deep scent of fresh berries that he was sprayed with. She reached her hand in and the dog licked it eagerly, his butt moving back and forth with excitement. "Luckily, he's still young and sort of well behaved, so I'm hoping he'll get adopted quick."
"Also I resent that about the million dollars. If I had a million dollars I'd buy this dump and restore to the best damn animal shelter this world has ever seen," she added, throwing a fake cross look at her coworker.
"Yeah, I think you'd need Tony Stark kinda money to be able to do that," she chuckled, wiping her hands on her scrubs. "Okay, well Captain Number Two was our last one. Let's hope none of these assholes shits on themselves and ruins all our hard grooming work before the adoption event tomorrow."
"Well, Jennifer, I have the utmost of faith in these little beasts," Aimee declared, stilling letting Captain number two lick her fingers through the kennel door. "Tomorrow is your day, Kid. I believe in you." She pat the dogs nose with her finger and then stood up.
"But just in case they do have any accidents, I told night crew to let me know which ones and I'll come in early to re-bathe," Aimee said, glancing at the small puppy in the corner kennel.
Aimee stood up and walked over to the grooming table, grabbing her tools and shoving them in her duffel bag. "I'm gonna head out though. Big plans tonight," she said, smiling.
"What, ordering pizza and watching the new Real Housewives by yourself?" Jennifer replied.
"You know me so well," Aimee smiled at her friend and then held the front door open for her friend as she exited the building as well. "I'll lock up, thanks for helping out today."
"You too. Try not to get too rowdy tonight. I know how you get with pizza, cheap wine, and rich housewives."
"Ha-ha," Aimee replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "It's the best night of the week for me."
"I don't doubt that. You're a kid, Aimee, get out there!" Jennifer said, lighting up a cigarette and getting into her car.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll see," she replied, using the key to lock the door. She heard Jennifer's car speed off and she sighed. Another lonely night until tomorrow.
That is until she heard a gruff voice behind her.
"Aimee Smith?"
Aimee rolled her eyes, still fiddling with the rusty lock on the door. "Uh yeah, sorry we're closing so if you want to drop your dog off, you'll have to come back at 9 AM tomorrow."
"We're not here to drop off a dog."
"Oh, are you are looking to adopt?" Aimee stood, feeling slightly more perky and finally managed to secure the lock. "Well it's against protocol but I might be able to let you sneak in and check them out. We just got one in his name is Cap-"
"We're not here to adopt either."
Aimee finally turned around and was taken aback. "Are you guys looking for the Men in Black convention? Because I'm pretty sure that's next weekend."
The agents look momentarily confused and larger one shook his head, but it was shorter one who spoke next.
"We're government agents. And we're here to talk to you, Aimee."
"Me? Why?" She paused for a moment and then furrowed her brow. "Oh shit. Are you here because of that one time in Vegas because I swear to God that I-"
"What?" The agent shakes his head. "I'm going to stop you right there. We need you to come with us." The man gets even more serious, if possible and motions to the very large and black SUV behind him.
"Are you sure you have the right person?" Aimee glances around to see if there are any bystanders she could signal to. But the shelter was tucked in the woods and hardly anyone came by unless to adopt or surrender their dog or cat.
"You are Aimee Smith, correct?"
"Yes, but I-"
"And this is you, correct?"
He holds up a tablet and on the screen he plays a video. Aimee's blood runs cold as she watches the surveillance footage."
"I mean, that could be anyone..." She shrugs and watches herself. "The person is wearing sunglasses and a hat! You can't even see their face."
The agent merely nods and swipes his finger to show a different angle. And a moment where the woman takes off her glasses and hat and the camera moves in to her face. Aimee's face. She gulps.
"I uh-," she starts, before darting to her right. She runs towards the corner of the building and when the rounds it she bumps into more very large and very solid agents in suits, this time, equipped with guns. She pats the one on the chest and nods. "Good solid work there. You caught me."
Under their stare the girl puts her hands up and sighs. "You guys are gonna make me miss Real Housewives tonight, aren't you?"
...
It's a silent car ride in a back of one of the black SUVs with the darkest tinted windows Aimee had ever seen. The two agents who originally spoke to her accompanied her in the back. She felt claustrophobic in between the two men, but she didn't let it show. She instead tapped her fingers on her jeans and clicked her tongue impatiently.
"Sorry if I smell," she said, leaning in to the larger agent and smiling. "Some of those dogs come in to us so dirty, it's like scraping shit off of large elephants. I mean we sometimes really have the grind that stuff-"
"How about no talking until we get where were going," the smaller agent muttered, clearly uncomfortable from the girl's description of dog feces.
Aimee continued to click her thumbs and tap her fingers. They didn't say anything against doing that. She saw the smaller man clench his fist and stare out the window. Aimee smiled and pursed her lips to start whistling when the van came to a sudden stop.
"We're here," the driver announced, his voice low and serious.
"Are you guys going to tell me where "here" is anytime soon?" Aimee said as she followed the agents out of the car.
"Just follow us."
Aimee sighed. "Not like I have much of a choice, huh?"
The agents ignored her remark and began walking in complete unison towards what Aimee thought looked like a small airport. She stopped walking and frowned. "Okay guys, this is funny. Did Jennifer put you up to this? I didn't think she was that clever, but I know she always says I need friends but taking me on a trip and basically like kidnapping me-"
"We're flying somewhere close. You won't be gone long. This is Government orders."
"Which Government?" Aimee demanded, crossing her arms across her chest.
The man eyed her curiously. "The United States Government."
"And what does the United States Government want with me?"
"Well, not really a Government agency," a voice spoke from behind. "More like a group of individuals wanting to help the world."
Aimee knew that voice. Everyone knew that voice. Eagerly, Aimee turned around to look at the face of the man, the myth, the legend. Tony Friggin' Stark.
"Oh my God," Aimee whispered, clutching a hand to her heart. "You're the Tony Stark."
"Well, that is what my license says," he bantered, before walking up to her and holding out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Aimee."
"Oh my God you know my name. How? Am I dreaming?" She said before taking his hand and shaking it roughly. "It's an honor, really."
"Thanks," he replied, looking at her hand quizzically before letting go. "Now, if you'll come with me." He put his arm around her shoulder and continued to lead her to where the agents were heading with her before he interrupted. "I know you're wondering why you're here. And all that will be answered, but for now, how about a trip to New York City in my private jet?" He quizzed her shoulder and she shrugged.
"I guess that sounds a little better then my other plans tonight."
He led her through the airport and then out onto the runway where a gorgeous private jet sat, gleaming and shiny in all it's glory. Stark looked up at it like it was his child and the answers to all his prayers and then motioned for Aimee to climb up the stairs and onto the jet. "Ladies first."
Aimee walked up the steps, suddenly aware that she was entering a million dollar plane in beat up sneakers and furry and poop stained clothes. She bit her lip and then entered the plane. It was even more gorgeous on the inside. Gold leather plush seats were scattered around the body of the jet and a wrap around couch in the back. There was a small bar and a flat screen TV. Aimee had never seen anything so expensive. She tried not to touch anything as she walked towards the center of the plane.
"Make yourself comfortable. It's not a long flight, but we'll discuss the simple stuff on the way there," Tony stated, sitting himself in one of the gold seats. It almost seemed like a throne on him.
Another man entered, he was lean and muscular and he shook Tony's hand like he'd known him for a long time.
"Ah, good timing, Rhodey." He turned towards the agents by the door of the plane. "Tell the captain we're ready to go."
The agents nodded and knocked on the cockpit door. Tony spun in his chair and faced Aimee. "Go ahead, sit down," he motioned towards the seat and she sat down apprehensively.
"Is this the girl?" "Rhodey" said, eyeing her as she stared around at her environment in wonder.
"Yep, this is the one. Rhodey, this is Aimee Smith. Aimee, this is James Rhodes."
Aimee stood up and walked towards him, taking his hand in her hand and shaking it a little less aggressively then she had shaken Tony's. "It's so good to meet you," she said, smiling. He pulled his hand away after a second and nodded.
"You too, Aimee."
"Please buckle your seat belts for take off," a voice came over the speakers. The agents went towards the back of the plane and sat down, leaving Aimee, Rhodes, and Tony towards the front. Aimee fastened her even expensive looking seat belt and looked out the window as the plane slowly moved towards the runway.
"Scared of flying?" Rhodes asked, as the plane gained speed and Aimee pulled against her jeans anxiously.
"I prefer to be on the ground. It's been a while since I've flown, too."
"Well don't worry. This plane is highly equipped for optimal safety. I should know. I designed it," Tony smiled and then put his hands behind his head and leaned back.
"So, did the agents tell you why you're here?" He looked towards the men in the back.
"They weren't the biggest talkers," Aimee muttered, turning away from the window.
"Well, instead of talking, I'll show you." Tony turned on the flat screen TV with a flick of his hand. He pulled up the same video the agents had shown her earlier.
Aimee pursed her lips as she watched the video again, her heart jumping as the plane lifted off the ground and gained momentum into the air.
"Okay, you caught me," she said waving her hand in the air. "I am the guest star of an episode of CSI."
Tony huffed. "You and I both know this is not from a TV show. In fact, this was recorded on May fourth, 2012 in New York City during a battle. And you know how I know that?"
"Because of the time stamp on the bottom right corner of the video?" Aimee guessed, looking at the paused screen that was zoomed into her face.
Tony paused and then shrugged. "Well that. And, I was there."
Aimee bit her lip. For once in her life she didn't know what to say. Well, scratch that. There was that one time when her very drunk coworker told her she cheated on her husband all the time when the husband was standing right next to them. That had been awkward too. But somehow, this was even more awkward.
"Okay, okay. I give up. So, what do you want?" She asked.
A woman in a skimpy flight attendant dress came out and offered a huge smile. "Any drinks from the bar?"
Tony and Rhodes ordered their own drinks and then looked expectedly at Aimee. "Oh, nothing for me thanks. Liquor makes me talk a lot and I don't think that would be the best option for me right now."
One of the agents in the back scoffed. "Liquor makes you talk more?"
Aimee shrugged and pulled her knees up to her chest as the flight attendant walked to the small bar and got the men's drinks.
"We want you to join our team," Tony said simply, as he took the glass from the attendant.
"Like... Soccer team? I'm not good at sports."
Tony smiled. "The Avengers."
Aimee, raised her eyebrows and took a large breath that she released and stood up from her chair. She didn't know if it was free to move about the cabin, but if she didn't get up she was afraid she might pass out.
"Obviously, you'll meet everyone and you'll be assessed to make sure you're ready for this, but I have the utmost of faith in you and I believe you'll make an essential part of the team," Tony continued, as the small girl in front of him paced back and forth.
"And you get all that from one video? One stupid video? You can barely make out what I'm doing. It's so grainy. Was this shot on a potato? I mean come on, this is insane!"
"I've done my research, Aimee. And I know more about you then you think."
"Okay, now that just sounds creepy," she said, staring up at herself on the TV. She shook her head. "No, I can't do that. I can't join your team."
"And why is that?" Tony said, raising a hand before Rhodes could argue with her.
"The last Government Agency I helped out..." She trailed off. "I don't do what I did anymore. That's not me anymore."
"This video begs to differ."
"Yes, because that was different. I had to help that woman. She was dying."
Tony pushed back his violet tinted glasses and leaned forward. "So you like helping people?"
"Of course but I-"
"If you join us, you could help a lot of people, Aimee. And we're not a Government Agency. We're just a group of people who want to help other people. Seems to be right up your alley."
Aimee continued to stare up at herself on the TV and chew her bottom lip. "And what if I say no?"
"Then you can go home. I'll arrange for your flight home and you can go about your life like this never happened."
Aimee sighed. "So what, you're going to take me to a mansion and show me how good a life I could have if I joined your little team so I'll agree to this?"
"No," Tony said, before offering a small smile. "It's a tower. Not a mansion."
A/N: Okay this is my first Avengers Fanfic so go easy on me lol. I've been in love with Steve Rogers since the beginning but seeing him in Infinity War... Blew my mind. I'm going to try my best to get everything right, but since I'm strictly going by the movies I might get some things wrong. And feel free to correct me if I do get something wrong! This is going to be Steve x OC but a slow burn. Thank you everyone for reading, please leave a review!