A/N: I wrote the entire thing in one day, so I'm posting it all at once. It's an easier read if I break it up into chapters, though. Now that I've got this idea out of my system, I can get back to "GH-325"...

A/N.2: Thanks to Sarkanybaby for pointing out a mistake I had made in the first chapter, I went back and tried to fix it up a little.

Maria called Skye two days later, setting up a time to meet at Stark Enterprises. This is just an interview; for Pepper to speak with her and the three of them meet face to face.

Pepper was curious as to where Skye got her hands on such a car, and Skye said that she "won it fair and square in a bet with an old SHIELD agent". Pepper raised her eyebrow toward Maria, who shrugged.

"Not all of our agents are perfect," She said, and Pepper seemed more appeased, knowing that if Maria was suspicious, she would handle the situation. She told Skye that she would make sure Tony set some time aside to meet with Skye and look over the car.

After Skye left, Maria told Pepper that she was clean.

"Everything checks out, and I've seen the car with my own two eyes. It's a beautiful machine, not a setup, and I really think Mr Stark would love to get his hands on it." Hill assured her, and Pepper rolled her eyes.

"He'd probably love to get his hands on the girl, too." Pepper replied. "Anyway, thanks for looking into it. He'll be happy to have something to tinker with for a bit." Hill nodded and left the room, and Pepper picked up her phone.

... ... ...

When Skye climbed into the SUV, May put it into gear and pulled out of the alleyway. They couldn't have parked it in front of a building with a bunch of security cameras, after all, even if the SHIELD logo had been covered up.

"So far so good. Pepper is going to call me with a time and address to meet." Skye informed her S.O., and May nodded.

"Good." There was a moment of silence. "This probably will make Coulson pretty happy." May admitted, and Skye smiled.

"I hope so."

"I'll tell him that I want to run some tests, practice operations with the Bus, work on some of my maneuvers. That way, I can keep it parked at an abandoned airfield, and he won't have a chance to notice his missing car." May told Skye.

"Oh, that's good. I hadn't even thought of that," Skye bit her lip, frowning at her lack in judgement.

"That's why I'm the superior officer." May said smugly, and Skye rolled her eyes, looking out the window.

... ... ...

The first time Skye drove it (because it is drivable - barely) to Stark's place, he was standing outside with his ever-present bodyguard, Happy.

While Happy was giving Skye the run-down (and a pat down), Stark ogled at the car.

"Get this thing in the basement. Now." He told Happy, who reached for the keys. Skye held them away.

"No." She said, and Tony gave her a look, finally paying attention to her.

"You - you are beautiful," He sounded surprised, but wasn't speaking flirtatiously; just as if he were stating a fact. Skye grinned, but quickly gave Happy a serious look.

"There are some rules." She said firmly, and Tony looked surprised, and folded his arms across his chest.

"Oh? Are there?" He sounded amused, and she looked at him seriously.

"No one touches the car except me, and you." Skye pointed to Tony. Happy looked confused, Tony still surprised. "No one. Ever. Got it?" Happy glanced toward Tony, who shrugged and nodded, shoving him back toward the house.

"Understood, I guess." Tony hopped into the passenger seat, running his hand along the dash. Skye closed her eyes, said a quick prayer, and got into the drivers seat again. Happy hesitated, giving them a suspicious look. "Just going to the basement, Kujo. Meet us there." Tony informed his bodyguard as Skye started the engine. "Ugh, that does not sound pretty." Tony told her, and she gave him a wry look.

"That's why I'm here." She said, and she followed Tony's directions toward the garage that led to his basement lab.

"Are these bullet holes? No wonder you're so overprotective. Who let a car like this get into this sort of condition?" Tony wondered, and when Skye parked, he hopped out and walked around the outside of the car, giving it a once over. He gave her one too, as she got out. "And what about Dummy? He's my helper."

"A name like Dummy does not instill much confidence." Skye told him, giving him another look. He squinted at her.

"You know, I used to know someone who gave me that same look all the time. I told him to lighten up all the time. He didn't seem like the 'lighten up' kinda guy."

"Used to know?" Skye asked, shutting the car door. Tony hesitated for a moment.

"He died."

Skye stared at him, willing herself not to give anything away. Hoping her face wasn't saying 'I know exactly who you're talking about'.

"I'm sorry," She said sincerely, and Tony sighed, shrugged, and ran his finger along the fender of the car reverently. Men and their cars.

"I am too." He said, and then turned quickly, holding his hand out for the keys, a brighter disposition on his face. "Well, hand em over. We'll see what she's got under the hood."

"There are some things I need to tell you..." Skye said as she hands over the keys.

Tony moved around to the hood, popping it open and standing back suddenly.

"It's not just any old car," Skye continued sheepishly, and Tony leaned over around the open hood to look at her with wide eyes. "There's a reason why I asked for you."

"Who the hell are you?" Tony wondered quietly, leaning on his hands to peer closer at the engine block. Skye didn't answer, and leant against a nearby railing, eyeing the lab as she waited on him to finish the general check. "I know this car," Tony stood straight, approaching her with a warning tone in his voice. "I've got the blueprints to this car. I thought it was destroyed." He sounded angry, and Skye held up her hands.

"It was not destroyed. Howard Stark gave this car to the Head of SHIELD." Skye told him, and he scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. This time, however, it was less petulant child and more threatening Avenger.

"And, what, you're going to stand there and tell me you're the Head of SHIELD?" Tony scoffed. "I've met him. You've got one too many eyes to be him. Among other differences." Skye smiled lightly, lowering her hands.

"I'm not the Director of SHIELD," she confirmed, "but I once played a game of poker with someone who worked for him."

"Are you telling me that one of Fury's peons got his car taken from him in a bet?"

"He was hoping for a gambit." Skye shrugged, grinning, and Tony just stared at her.

"Alright," He said carefully, looking her straight in the eye, "I'll work on it. If only for the opportunity to really check her out and compare her to the blueprints I have." Skye grinned at him and held her hand out. He shook it, and relaxed some.

"Her name is Lola." Skye told him, and he smiled. He was checking her out, too, but Skye really couldn't find herself to be bothered by that. If he made a pass at her, she'd politely turn him away... probably. Yes. Yes I would. Because Pepper seems really cool. Also kind of scary.

Plus, she imagined Coulson wouldn't be too happy to find out she'd shacked up with Tony Stark.

... ... ...