Prologue
The room was filled with many brilliant shades of colorful dresses as people danced to the glorious music that filled the air. The couches that adorned the walls for the wall flowers and socialites were filled with many people dressed in their best and most formal outfits. Some were talking and laughing while others were content to watch people as they smiled politely at passersby. The hardwood floor gleamed brightly in the light of the chandeliers and reflected the mood of the room.
Terresa Bloom sat with her best friend, Valerie Moreno, nursing her strawberry daiquiri at the annual Gala that the President of Germany held. There were many people in colorful party dresses dancing with their partners to a waltz. Valerie smiled at Terresa as she watched her fiddled with the bottom of her dark green dress idly. It fell to just above her knees with gold trim at the hem of it. The top was fairly modest, only showing a small amount of cleavage, which was suitable for a party such as the one she was in attendance. Many single men had offered to dance with her, but she had politely refused every one of them, content to spend time with her friend, like she did most of the time. The ones who didn't ask only watched her in quiet awe as she turned down the most prestigious of men with a polite smile.
Terresa was just content to watch everyone have a good time as they laughed gaily and flirted with bachelors and bachelorettes. Admittedly, she had eyed one or two of the men who were there, but she couldn't come up with the nerve to approach them, as per normal for her. As she began to lose herself staring off into space, Valerie touched her friend's shoulder, startling her in the process. "Terri, I think I spy a hottie coming your way." Her voice held a flirty lilt in it.
Terresa jumped and looked in the direction that Valerie had pointed. A man in an expensive looking suit with a green shirt showing through, complete with a gold tie was walking in the direction of the pair. It almost looked as though he was her 'date' they matched so well with the outfits. "Oh my…" The man had gorgeous green eyes that were trained directly on Terresa's own hazel ones and shoulder length black hair that was slicked back out of his pale face, making him look that much more handsome. She blushed at the fiercely confident look he was giving her and peered back at her friend. "Val, you would notice someone who looks like that." She was trying to suppress the redness adorning her cheeks in vain.
Valerie laughed quietly at her shy friend's ability to blush easily. "Don't look now, he's nearly here." As she finished her sentence, said man sat next to Terresa on the couch.
"Good evening ladies. You looked rather lonely over here, so I decided to give you company." He held out his hand. "My name is Lucius. What's yours?" He spoke with confidence while his eyes were only on Terresa's hazel ones.
Terresa blushed and placed her hand in his before he kissed her knuckles. "Mine's Terresa. It's nice to meet you Lucius."
Valerie smiled to herself and went to find a dance partner. "Terresa, I'm going to dance. See you in a bit."
"Ok Val, see you after then." Terresa shook her head as Valerie grabbed one of the waiting men.
Lucius stood and held out his hand. "Would you care to dance with me?"
Terresa flushed and nodded as she took his hand. "Sure. I haven't danced yet." She noted that his skin was rather cool to the touch but shook it off as he pulled her to the middle of the dance floor. She placed her hands on his shoulder as they began to move to the music.
"Why did you decline so many before?" Lucius' eyes twinkled in the light. His hands rested lightly on her waist.
Terresa smiled slightly. "I didn't feel the inclination to dance. I suppose you got lucky in your timing."
A sly grin formed on his face as he pulled her closer to his body. "I suppose I did." He twirled her gently and pulled her to his chest. Her manicured hands rested against him gently. "You dance beautifully Terresa darling."
Terresa blushed. "Why, thank you. You dance very well yourself." He held her hand and turned her again, with her following his lead perfectly. Lucius smiled and bowed to her as the song ended.
"Thank you for a wonderful dance darling." He led her off the dance floor and back to the chair. "Where did you learn to dance like that?" He sat fairly close to her, with their thighs touching.
Terresa smiled slightly. "Well, when they play the tango, I can show you my dancing specialty. I am honestly not as good at waltzing as I am that." She picked her drink up, relaxed. "My mother actually taught me all I know about dancing. She was actually a native born Castilian." She smiled ruefully at Lucius' confused face. "Castilian means Spaniard. I'm used to using the terminology. Sorry about that." A blush danced across her cheeks.
Lucius smiled, showing bright white teeth. "It is perfectly fine. Forgive me for saying so, but you were quite shy when I first walked up. What changed?" His hand rested on hers a he moved closer, nearly at an intimate distance.
Terresa smiled and brushed her brown curls out of her face as she blushed for what seemed like the millionth time that night. "Well, I actually am interested in you, and I am shy to people I don't know very well. It's just me."
Lucius chuckled. "You interest me quite thoroughly as well." He raised his hand to her cheek. "May I kiss you?" He spoke softly.
Terresa mutely nodded as his face came to hers. At the touch of his lips, she was shocked to feel the electricity that was between them. His lips were cold and his hands pulled her closer to him. After a few seconds he pulled away a small distance. In the midst of the kiss, her hands had gone to rest on his chest. His own cool hands were on the small of her back holding her against his built chest. Her cheeks were slightly red from her blush. "Well Lucius. You are quite the charmer" He kissed her again while caressing her cheek. When he pulled away from her, she pouted softly.
At this, Lucius smiled and took her hand. "Well then, call me later. I must go. I shall talk to you soon hopefully." He had placed a number in her hand before standing and walking off.
Terresa smiled as she touched her lips. She grabbed her purse and placed the number inside.
Suddenly, screaming erupted as a bunch of men ran in, wearing armor and with blunt weapons. Terresa gasped and became ethereal so she wouldn't get hurt.
The men were herding the panicked people to try to get someone singled out. That much was obvious, and the crowds did as expected as they let themselves be herded. The men easily over powered the guards that were protecting the President. Terresa realized what they were doing and pushed them back with a column of air. The men turned on her and ran at her, thinking they would be able to even touch her.
Terresa showed a rare smirk as she ran through them, going directly through their bodies. They stood there shocked and began to try and hit her. They ended up hitting each other hard in the face with their weapons. For a moment they staggered back and looked at each other in confusion.
With a grin, Terresa pushed them hard against the brick wall, slamming them back on it multiple times until they finally went unconscious.
Valerie walked up just as Terresa pulled out a needle with air in it. "Now now, Terri, you don't need to kill them." Terresa pouted and put the needle away.
"You are a spoil sport Val." The pout became more pronounced.
A black man with an eye patch walked up. "My name is Director Fury, I work for Shield and after what I just saw you do I believe that you would fit in perfectly. Would you like to become an Avenger?"
Terresa looked at Valerie with a raised eyebrow. "Well, since you told me your name, I feel compelled to tell you my own. I'm Terresa Bloom. How do I know you are telling the truth?"
Fury gave her a look before pulling out his cell phone. "Stark. Come and get your ass to Germany. I have someone who needs convincing."
Tony Stark walked in the door as he hung the phone up. "Who is it Fury?"
Said man's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. "Stark, how many times do I have to tell you to call me director Fury?"
Tony grinned and stood beside him. "I'm not keeping count."
Terresa and Valerie shared a rather confused expression at the exchange between the two men. Terresa shook her head. "Fine, I believe you, however, where I go, Val goes."
Fury smirked. "That is perfectly alright. Shall we get going then?"
Terresa nodded. "We shall."
