They say curiosity killed the cat. But if cats have nine lives, exactly how curious do they have to be to get themselves killed? This was a puzzle that had bothered Darcy her whole life. She liked knowing things: things about people, things about programs, things about books, things about science, things about…things. So was it really a big surprise that she wanted to know everything possible about her new group of friends? Her boss's boyfriend was a Norse god; he lived in Stark Tower alongside a supersoldier, a woman with a very specific skill set, an archer who did not miss, a scientific master who couldn't master his anger, and a self-labeled "genius billionaire playboy philanthropist." And now Jane, her boss, was moving in there as well. Which meant that Darcy was moving in, too. So she might've hacked into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s databases looking for information on her new roommates. So she might've peeked into some classified files. So she might know what, exactly, happened in Budapest. That knowledge wasn't going to get her killed, right?

That was the last thought Darcy had as she stepped in Director Fury's office. As she stood nervously in front of his desk, Fury turned slowly, leaned over his desk, and steepled his fingers. "Ms. Lewis, how exactly did you manage to access files that only myself, Agent Hill, and the World Council have access to?"

Darcy shrugged. "I'm a research assistant. That's what I do. Research." However calm Darcy appeared, internally she was freaking out. I can't believe I just sassed Fury. This is almost as surreal as that time I Tased Thor…

Fury sighed. "I would prefer if your 'research,'" he said, making air quotes, "didn't involve hacking into classified government files."

Darcy held up her hands in a gesture of innocence. "I didn't hack…per se…" she said. "I more just called in a few favors."

Fury sighed again. This trainwreck of a girl was set to move in with his most volatile team in less than 24 hours. What trouble would she cause? "Just don't."

A quick grin flashed across her face before it was replaced by a look of mock penance. "Yes, sir." She said, mock saluting.

Fury just shook his head. "Agent Hill, will you please escort Miss Lewis out of the facility?"

Apparently, Darcy still had a few lives left.

For all the crazy weird things Darcy knew about her new roommates, she was actually looking forward to living in Stark Tower. Anything would be better than her shitty seventh-floor walkup that only had functioning hot water one day out of the month. As she pulled up the van that held all her worldly possessions (illegally double parking, but whatever), Pepper Potts came out the front door of Stark Tower.

"Welcome, Darcy. Jane has been eagerly waiting for you." Pepper said with a smile.

Darcy hopped out of the van and smiled back. Pepper Potts was a little intimidating in person. Not because she was mean, or scary, but because she was so perfectly put together. Darcy felt like a sloppily dressed child next to Pepper's Chanel suit and Louboutin heels. You wanted to hate her, but then she'd do something super nice like have your favorite obscure tequila at a party because she knew you were coming. "Are you sure I'm not imposing? Because really, this seems like a little…much."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. feels that for the team to function better as a team, it would help if they were in closer contact. And since we have all this space, Tony offered the Tower as housing."

"Um…okay." Darcy said with a shrug. "So where do I toss all my shit down?"

Pepper gave an elegant little laugh. "Follow me. I'll give you a tour while the boys move all your stuff to your floor."

"Floor?" Darcy said with a gulp. "I get a whole floor?"

Darcy was officially stoked. Stark Tower won the award for most awesome place to live, ever. 1st floor: garage. 5th floor: gym. 8th floor: media suite. Floors 8-12: R&D. (Jane's research was on the ninth floor.) Floors 15-20: Business. Floor 21: Party room! Any floors above that were private residences.

Darcy's own suite of rooms actually shared a floor with a most massive library. It seriously rivaled the one in Beauty & the Beast. Darcy lusted after this library – and she got to live next door to it! There were so many books containing so much information. Life was going to be good.

Darcy Lewis's List of Why Living in Stark Tower Will Be Awesome:

1. Private floor. Fuck yeah.
2. Library. (See above).
3. Jane + Thor = getting laid Jane. Getting laid Jane = Happy Jane. Happy Jane = less babysitting duties for Darcy!
4. Unlimited supply of Poptarts.
5. The obnoxious amount of hot men with great asses.

After unpacking – which took way too long, in Darcy's opinion – she wondered down to the seventh floor to check in with her boss. Jane nodded to her when she walked in, then went back to her computer screen.

"Yo, boss. This is like, the most badass research facility we've been in." Jane just nodded. Darcy shrugged. If Jane was still being uncommunicative, Thor must not be back from Asgard yet. "What do you need me to do?"

Jane pointed to a desk. "I've written down a list of articles I need for my next paper. Both physical and digital copies, please."

Darcy ambled over. Time to do what she did so well: research.