The First

Written by Stawberryfield

Chapter 1: You can always regret later

All rights belong to their rightfull owners.

Authors note: So welcome to this new story. For those of you who are reading Mission P.S., and wonder why I have published a new story, and not finished the old one, I can tell that I have a writer's block on that one, and are trying to get out of it by writing something else. So please have patience with me.

Now I don't know how many actually will read this story, but I am writing it anyway, so I can just as well publish it, and those who want to can read it. Warning beforehand, this story is filled with clichés, and takes place between Avengers age of Ultron and Captain America Civil War, and is most of all a love story, with little to no fighting scenes.

Oh and one more thing! I am from Denmark, which means English isn't my native language, so please tell me if there is any horrible spelling mistakes and I will correct it.

The first time Tony saw Amy, was at his own New Year's Eve party in New York.

It was one of his greatest parties yet. The place felt like one big heartbeat, where everyone danced in the same rhythm, to whatever the DJ was playing. The party was like a jungle. People were screaming and yelling, acting like wild animals, and for Tony, that meant the party was a success.

Tony was starting to feel old, not that he would say that out loud to anyone, but it was the truth. Although he hadn't reach thirty-five yet, he was mentally getting older, and it scared him. But as he watched how people drowned one cocktail after another, and the music got louder and louder, he began to feel as though he was young again. Of course, Tony was drunk too, but at the moment it was the best medicine in the whole wide world.

If someone asked, he couldn't tell who he had invited, nor what the time was. He was pretty sure they hadn't passed midnight yet, but had it been two, or perhaps three hours? He couldn't recognize a single face at the party and wondered for a moment if it was his own party… but of course it was, no one else could throw such an amazing event.

Tony was the king of the party. Mostly because it was held in his tower, with his money, but he liked it that way. Because although he couldn't name a single face at the moment, everyone knew who he was, and girls flocked around him. It was well known among the crowd that he was single these days, as things with Pepper didn't work out, and although they remained friends, she chose to ignore his party invitations.

Every girl that wanted to become something in life, tried to get a word with him, a touch, or just a single glance. Most ladies probably hoped they would share more than just that, and be that lucky one, although the chances were small. But they all did their best to make sure Tony was comfortable in the V.I.P. section, and as he consumed one glass of scotch after another, he felt his mood brighten.

Of course, there were a few faces he did recognize, as he would be able to feel Steve's judging eyes from any distance. Not that ladies of all ages didn't surround him, but he rejected all of them, and had chosen to glare at Tony instead. For some bizarre reason Natasha had chosen to join Steve, instead of having fun, and Tony felt like he had brought his parents along, instead of his friend.

Clint and Thor understood what a party was, and Tony missed them greatly at the moment. But Clint had chosen to be with his family instead, and no one knew where Thor was… probably in Asgard. And so Tony was left with Natasha and Steve as his only company.

But then, in the middle of the evening, in a rather drunken state, Tony saw Amy for the first time.

She was of course beautiful, but Tony couldn't care less about that, and it wasn't the reason why he noticed her… not at all. No, the reason for his sudden interest in this regular girl, was because she didn't fit in the crowd.

While the rest of them acted like animals, she looked almost civilized, although quiet. And as the others followed the beat of the music, she didn't move a single muscle. She even chose to stand in a corridor, clearly not caring about the party at all.

Instead she was looking at a painting Tony had brought, or well someone else had brought it for him, but he owned it. And although Tony couldn't read her expression, he was selfish enough to believe she was admiring it.

But this girl also irritated him. She was just like Steve and Natasha, who refused to enjoy his party. Why couldn't she just dance and be a wild animal like everyone else? That was what she was there for after all. Tony couldn't recognize her as someone he knew, but she was obviously not rich or famous, which meant she had to be there for his pleasure.

"Who… who is she?" he yelled and pointed toward Amy. "The girl in the corridor, who is she?"

His question wasn't asked directly to anyone, but he was surrounded by females, and guessed one of them knew something… they always did.

"That's Emma Marshalls friend… Annie or something… I don't know what her name is," yelled the girl that was seated next to him. Tony couldn't tell who she was, but she was useful at the moment. "I think they studied at the same university or something… but she is really no one," the girl informed, and Tony nodded.

"Emma Marshalls, is that Stephen Marshalls daughter?" Tony asked, and had to yell because of the music. Stephen Marshall owned a clothing company he used now and then, he even knew Stephen a bit, but Tony didn't know Stephen had children… well life was full of surprises.

"Yes… I believe she is the youngest," yelled the girl, and Tony nodded.

But Tony wasn't the only person who saw Amy for the first time that night. Steve saw her too, and while Tony was irritated because she didn't act like everyone else, Steve could only say he felt sympathy. He questioned his own motives for being here, and regretted he didn't stay with Wanda and Vision at the headquarters. Perhaps he was here because Tony had promised it would be fun, and a chance for Steve to get back into society… but he was pretty sure this had nothing to do with society.

Instead he was trapped here with Natasha, who hated this party as much as he did, yet they both felt it would be rude to leave. Not to mention Pepper wasn't here, and someone had to help Tony to bed at some point.

"It seems like someone else isn't enjoying it either," Natasha yelled to Steve, as she noticed he was eying Amy. And although it didn't seem like Amy wanted attention, she was sure as hell getting it.

"Then we are three reasonable people here," Steve yelled back, and Natasha nodded. It wasn't possible to have a conversation because of the music, but they had to watch Tony, or they both feared he would do something stupid.

So, for a time they just eyed the girl, who didn't know several people were watching her. Steve hadn't even realized she was looking at a painting, as he didn't know there was a painting on that particular wall, but he understood her attention wasn't directed toward the crowd.

But soon the yelling and screaming became too much for her too, and Steve watched as she disappeared further into the corridor, where the Avengers personal living space was located. No one was there at the moment, but it was a private area, and Steve would prefer it stayed that way, as it contained a lot of private belongings.

"I will just get her out of there," he yelled to Natasha, as he stood up. Tony had been too occupied with some girl to notice a guest had left the party, and Steve could only wonder why Tony hadn't made sure the area was off limits to guests.

And now Steve was trying to get through the crowd of wild people, as he tried to reach the corridor where the girl had disappeared. When he got there, he could see light from the end of the hallway, where the Avengers living quarters began. At this level there was only a staircase, but there was no doubt in his mind that this girl had ventured upstairs… either because she was curious, or because she was a journalist who wanted some pictures of the luxurious life of the Avengers. No matter what he had judged her beforehand.

And therefore, he was surprised to find her sitting on the staircase. All his prejudices about her fell to the ground immediately, as he realized she was like him. She just wanted to get away from the madness outside.

And for the first time, Steve Rogers met Amy.

"Hey," he greeted, as he closed the door behind them, so they could hear their own thoughts.

He knew what he was supposed to do. This was a restricted area, and she needed to leave, but as he saw her tired blue eyes, he couldn't help but feel some sympathy.

"Hey…" she muttered. She was obviously sober, which were confirmed by the soda in her, and the intelligent look in her eyes. She actually looked like a civilized person.

"It's getting rather loud out there, isn't it," Steve asked with a smile, as he sat down beside her. It was fare more comfortable to sit out here, and Steve didn't feel a need to get back in a hurry, as he knew Natasha could keep an eye on Tony for a while.

"Yeah… I swear my ears are going to fall off soon," she laughed, and shook her head. "That Stark fellow doesn't have any taste in music," she added, and Steve began to wonder if she knew who he was… would she have talked about Tony like that, if she knew he was Steve Rogers?

"I can only agree… it's not exactly music to my ears either," he nodded, and wondered if it was normal to have so beautiful blue eyes as she did?

"But it seems like the rest of them is into it… so perhaps it's just you and I that are the real outsiders?" she asked and shook her head. "But it doesn't make their music taste right,"

"That's a point," nodded Steve. "But I would rather be an outsider, than listen to whatever that is," he added, and she nodded in agreement.

"To the outsiders then," she smiled, and took a sip of her soda.

"To the outsiders," agreed Steve, although he declined a sip of her soda.

"So now that we are a group… what's your name?" the girl asked, and Steve suspicion were confirmed. Amy didn't know he was Captain America. "My name is Amy Bennett, and I was dragged to this party by my rich friend," she introduced, and stretched her hand out in greeting.

And in that moment Steve made a huge mistake.

The problem was, Steve never thought he would see her again, and he knew what effect the I am Steve Rogers, presentation had on people these days. They all went from friendly, to acting like he was some sort of god… and he missed having a conversation with someone who viewed him as normal.

So he lied.

It was innocent, it was not meant as more than a small lie… but he lied.

"My name is Eric… Eric Barton," he told, and cursed himself as he used Clint's surname… well, it wasn't that uncommon, was it? No one knew Clint's real name anyway.

"Nice to meet you Eric," Amy smiled, and shook his hand. "And under what circumstances did you end up at this New Year's Eve party?" she asked, and Steve couldn't help but smile.

"Like you, I was dragged to this place by a friend… but it seems like he forgot me as he started to drink," he added, and was referring to Tony… although he couldn't say he was a friend of Tony Stark himself. Then she would probably realized something was off.

"My friend started to drink too, and dance with some guy… which I apparently can't compete with, so now I am just the third wheel… who could get kidnapped, without her noticing," she joked, but Steve could relate to it.

"My friend is too drunk to notice if an elephant danced through the room," Steve joked, and was rewarded with a small smile from Amy… yet it was a beautiful smile.

And while Tony saw her as a common and regular girl, even a bit boring, Steve thought she was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. She reminded him of the moon, in her silent attitude, and with her pale skin. Of course she would never compare to the sun itself, but when she finally got her moment in the light… she would be worth it.

Steve felt like a star on the sky, that tried to be anything like her, but knew neither he nor any of the other stars ever would be as beautiful as she was. To the rest of the world she was just a common ordinary girl, but when she smiled, and when he gazed into her deep blue eyes… he felt weightless.

"I suppose a circus could pass through that place, no one would notice," she nodded and laughed, but looked down for a moment, as she realized Steve was starring. "So, what do you do when you aren't taking care of your drunk friend?" she asked kindly.

And for a moment Steve panicked. What was he supposed to say? That he saved the world on a daily basis… no that wouldn't do, then she would realize he had lied.

"I am a soldier… uhh, not anything high, just a regular one," he lied, and felt like an idiot… was there even a regular soldier rank? He was pretty sure you couldn't get that title.

"Oh, then you must be a very brave man," she smiled, and Steve felt how his whole face changed into a deep shade of red.

"It's… I haven't really thought about it…" he muttered, and tried to find another subject. "So uhmm… what do you do…?" he asked, while he tried to get the red shade under control. Amy had of course seen it, but had been kind enough not to comment on it.

"I work at a small cafe not too far away… but I am searching for another job. I read Art History at university… so I am trying to find a museum or a gallery that will hire me, but it's hard to find a job in a small field," she told, and Steve nodded interested.

"But Art History sounds exciting," he encouraged.

"Yeah… I followed my dream when I chose to study Art History, but I should have listened to my bank account instead. If I had been a doctor, it wouldn't be so empty now," she said, and smiled… as she tried not to make it sound too serious.

"I am sure a job will come soon… better follow your dream, than end up with an empty life," he advised.

"Yeah… my friend has said a job will come soon for four years now… but thanks for the optimism," she smiled. "Now enough about that… tell me more about being a soldier," she ordered, and with a few adjustments, Steve told her about the life as a soldier.

For Steve it only felt like they talked for five minutes. Yet he learned that Amy liked classical music, she hated her job, and her biggest dream was to move to Italy. Steve hadn't personally been in Firenze himself, neither had Amy, but from the way Amy spoke about it, it almost sounded like she had been there. She could describe everything, as she had seen documentaries, paintings, pictures and everything else that gave the smallest glimpse of the city. She had even learned Italian, thought it was long ago and so she had forgotten most of it… but Steve started to dream about Firenze too.

But a conversation couldn't last forever, and at last they agreed it would be best to return to the party. Amy had to see how her friend was doing, and Steve needed to get away from the party, before someone told Amy who he really was. Whatever had happened between them was too precious to lose. He knew it wouldn't be fair to leave Natasha alone with Tony… but she would forgive him in a few days.

But Amy never got to check on her friend. As she and Steve broke off, she started to look for friend Emma, who had to be drunk as hell at this point. And after she had searched for her friend for at least three minutes, she finally found her among the crowd. Her friend was dancing with some unknown guy, and they had reached a rather intimate state at this point, as a slow song was playing in the background, and people were leaning against each other, more or less rocking with their hips.

Emma had clearly found someone to spend the last minutes of 2015 with, and Amy realized it would be a fruitless attempt to make her friend leave the party. Instead she decided to go home on her own, as she had nothing to do here, and wanted a good night of sleep.

But as she turned around, she fell straight into the arms of a stranger.

And that was the first time Tony met Amy.

It wasn't accidental like Steve's, who tried to be kind. Amy and Tony's first gaze into each other's eyes had been planned, or at least a bit.

"Well, hello to you," smiled Toy, while his hand sneaked around Amy waist, and pulled her closer. Her was too drunk to realize Amy might not be interested, and at this point he didn't care, as he had decided their last few seconds of this year would be together.

"Ohh hey uhmm, I sort of need to go," she smiled, and tried to get out of his grip, but it was clearly not working.

"Oh no… please don't leave, it's almost midnight," Tony insisted, and started to rock them forth and back to the music.

It was actually just now he had seen her among the crowd, and had disappointed at least fifteen girls, who all hoped to share a midnight kiss with him. But Tony had spotted the mysterious girl among the crowd, and decided to share it was her, just to piss Amy and the other girls off.

"Look I would really like to go home… I am starting to feel tired," she tried to excuse herself, and was amazed by a drunken man's strength.

"I am sure a few minutes won't hurt… you are here anyway," Tony insisted, and pulled her a little closer. Tony had to admit she was prettier than he first thought, with lose brown curls, and a slender body he could pull close. "I am Tony Stark by the way… the host of this party," he smiled.

"I know who you are…" Amy smiled, a bit tense, but Tony didn't seem to notice.

"Then please enlighten me… who are you?" he asked, and send one of his charming smiles, which were replied with a small smile from Amy.

"My name is Amy Bennett," she told, and was starting to fall into the rhythm with the music and Tony.

"Well well, Amy Bennett, tell me, what do you think about the painting?" he asked, and got a confused stare from Amy.

"The painting?" she repeated, as they continued to dance slowly.

"Yes… the one in the corridor, I noticed you were looking at it earlier," he explained, and it seemed like Amy suddenly realized what painting he was talking about.

"Oh that… it's…" she started, but didn't get to say more, as everyone started to yell.

"TEN!"

"NINE!"

Amy started to panic, as she realized the last few seconds of 2015 would be over very soon, and it was obvious Tony had a plan, which involved her.

"EIGHT!"

"Tony I don't think we are supposed to be here together right now," she tried to convince him.

"SEVEN!"

"SIX!"

"I really need to go please," she begged.

"FIVE!"

"FOUR!"

"Just live in the moment," Tony insisted, as he pressed them close. "You can always regret later," he whispered, and knew that even though she said no… her eyes told a different story.

"THREE!"

And in that moment Amy took a chance in life, and lived in the moment for once, as she leaned closer.

"TWO!"

For the first time their eyes truly met, and Tony noticed her eyes. They were blue as the sea, and he felt like he was swimming in a ocean.

"ONE!"

And their lips met.

It wasn't a quick kiss, nor was it a deep one.

But Amy had never tried to be kissed like that.

It was so strange, so passionate, long and intense, and yet so fast.

In the background far away, she heard how people where cheering as 2015 had come to an end, and 2016 could begin. But it was so far away, and for her everything slowed down for a moment. She felt how her heart skipped a beat, and everything other than Tony seemed so far away. No one was there to witness the kiss, no one could claim to have seen it afterward, but even in Tony's drunken state, he couldn't forget this moment… ever.

But a moment is only a moment because it's short, and the kiss ended as quickly as it began.

But their eyes were still locked together for a second, before reality came knocking on their door. Suddenly Amy realized just what she did, and just who she kissed.

But they still stared at each other for a bit longer. A smile was starting to form on Tony's lips, in some sort of triumph as he had convinced Amy to kiss him, but the triumph was short.

"The painting…" Amy suddenly said, and caught Tony's attention as she changed the subject.

"What about it?" Tony asked, and thought it was a rather ridicules topic now, when they should try and find his bedroom instead.

"It's fake," she informed him, and before Tony knew what was happening she had left him.

That was the first time Steve and Tony met Amy, but it was only the beginning.

Reviews always warm my heart, so please leave a comment, and i will try to edit chapter 2.