"You have got to be kidding me."

"Director Fury always did have a cruel sense of humor… ever since he lost the eye…"

Tony wiped his hands on a rag and removed the electric magnifying glass band from his head. "Thought they assigned you to Oh Captain – My Captain…especially since I hear you're now the stars to his spangled banner, right?"

Rachel pursed her lips; "Director Fury didn't want you left alone while Pepper was on her tour of Asia… and Agent Rogers was sent on a solo mission…and the protocol for a solo mission is that he has to be solo…" she finished.

"Ooh, Agent Rogers… is that what he asked you to call him? Because I'm pretty sure when I asked you to call me-" but Rachel cut him off.

"Tony. I'm just here in Pepper's place until she gets back. I know I'm the last person you probably want making your appointments but orders are orders…"

"You know Fury doesn't actually have a say in my personal affairs, right?" he smiled finally, "I requested you."

Rachel's mouth hung open, "You what?"

"It made Director Fury as nervous as a virgin on prom night to leave me to my own devices with Pepper out of country & since he's too busy to keep his eye on me, he tried to assign some newbie from SHIELD's version of an HR department…so I asked for you… there's no one more qualified than a previous co-worker…" Tony closed the distance between them. He was enjoying himself.

"Alright then…but I swear to God, Tony, if you call me "Spank Me," "Legs," "Wet'n'Wild," or any of those oh-so-clever names you spend your spare time coming up with… Pepper is going to have a lot less to come home to…"

Tony held up his hands, "I always loved it when you took control…"

Rachel rolled her eyes. She shoved a file to his chest and he took it.

"Direct from Fury," she said. "It's actually the mission they sent Rogers on but they're forming a plan B incase anything goes wrong…"

"Operation Hourglass?" he pried the file open, "No faith in America's grandfather?" JARVIS immediately took the files and splayed them out for him to read.

"You've got some homework to do…" Rachel headed towards the stairs, "JARVIS… do you still make those fabulous macchiatos?" "Yes, Agent Harrison, I do." "JARVIS…how many times have I asked you to call me Rachel?" "Sorry, Rachel," JARVIS apologized. Rachel smiled, "Now, that macchiato…."

Three Hours Later

"Yes, he's been given the file. I have not received an update from Agent Rogers yet but he is not due to report for another two days… Yes, of course you will be the first to know. Copy. Goodbye." Rachel hung up her phone and went back to the world's best macchiato while she watched CNN on the giant flat screen that Tony himself had built. She never regretted breaking up with Stark… but he had come with a lot of perks.

"They sent Amazing Grace to heart of Mexico?" Tony appeared from the basement, "I guess fighting the cartel can't be that much different than opposing the Nazis…" he muttered.

"Yes…SHIELD…. comprised of the most…. talented…. group of humans and Gods a-like on the planet sent their super soldier to put a dent in the coke trade…" Rachel set down her espresso.

Tony smiled, "I just thought: if I were to hide a super weapon…Mexico wouldn't make my list," he took a seat next to her, "But then again, I've never had a palate for comida Mexicana…"

"From our intel they're not trying very hard to hide…but you know that…I bet you could recite that whole damn file to me right now…" Rachel replied.

"I'm a quick study. Besides, work before play, right? I've got my work done so now…" he looked at her, wry smirk across his lips.

Rachel shook her head. She opened her mouth to scold him (Tony could see it coming by the look on her face) but he continued, "What do you think? Boggle? Scrabble? You always did like word games…"

Rachel sighed, "It's going to be a long and arduous four weeks…" she took the rest of her macchiato in one sip. "JARVIS…do you have anything a bit stronger?"