Thank you all for checking out the first chapter. A special thank you for those who've reviewed, favorited, and placed on alert. Originally I wasn't planning on having a romantic interest in this story, but thanks to NicoleR85, I had an idea that will place one in that will only improve the story and future sequels. I'm excited. I also might have written part of this chapter slightly intoxicated. I'm 25, so it's okay. I hope you enjoy!
As Aria descended the stairs from her jet, her black heels clicking on the metal, the phone in her purse sprung to life quickly then died down. Her small, manicured hand reached into her black couture purse and pulled the object out. One Missed Call: Agent Ward. With a smile she slipped the object into her blazer pocket. Agent Carter followed her down the steps and fell in line next to her.
"You have an important meeting at the expo tomorrow morning with Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman for the interactive children's exhibit," Sharon informed her, study the tablet in front in her hands. "They have some questions about using Stark property for some myths for their show."
"Good. Enjoy the rest of the day off. We've both got a bit too look over. I'll see you tomorrow morning," Aria smiled, stepping into the perl white Audi waiting for her.
It took her an hour to reach her apartment building through the gridlock traffic. She practically floated through the lobby and to the elevator. Aria stood in the middle of the pristine lift as it flew up as high as it could go. The room filled with a light 'ping' as the door swiftly pulled apart. After a minute if searching through her purse, she found her keys and slipped one of them into the lock on the door in front of her.
She entered her duplex penthouse overlooking Central Park the colonial style made her feel like she wasn't in Malibu; the reason she purchased it. She took a left as she entered and walked toward the living, where she would find the bar. Over the past year she had taken to drinking more to deal with the constant headaches she received. When she placed her bag down on the couch nearest to the bar and walked up.
"What'll it be?" A man asked, popping up from his hiding place behind the bar.
Aria stumbled, putting her hand over her heart with her eyes wide, "Jesus, Grant Ward! Not cool!"
"I'm sorry," he apologized pulling her to him.
"How long have you been back?" Aria asked, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck; causing him to grimace.
"I got in this morning," Grant informed her. "And can you not hug me that tightly?"
"What happened? Come on, we've been together for almost a year. Who am I going to tell what happens on your missions?" She pleaded, pouring herself a scotch.
"I'm sorry, I just can't tell you," he replied as he staring into her big blue eyes.
"When do you leave again?" Aria pouted, letting her hands slide down to his chest while his hands grabbed her hips.
"Tuesday morning," Grant replied.
"I leave Tuesday morning as well," she whispered, leaning up and pressing her lips to his.
He slipped his right hand up the back of his shirt while his left pulled her closer. Aria opened her mouth a little, allowing him to explore the familiar territory once again. His hand unfastened her bra, then slipped to the front, pushing her blazer off her shoulders and to the ground.
Aria pulled away and looked at the man in front of her. "If this is going any further, then let's go somewhere more comfortable," she suggested. "And let me just finish this."
She threw the glass back and swallowed the drink in one. As she set the glass down her boyfriend picked her up as she giggled into his neck.
"Good morning Miss Stark," Sharon greeted as her boss sat in the back seat of her Audi.
"Morning," Aria grumbled.
Her hair was placed into a bun with a pair of black Ray Bans adorning her face. She wore a pair of black slacks, black boots, and a navy blue dress shirt.
"Long night?" Sharon smirked.
"It was worth it," Aria sighed, placing her head in hands.
"So how is Agent Ward doing?" She inquired, glancing towards the brunette.
Even though the other woman couldn't see, Aria's eyes grew wide with fear. Her breathing became slow as she turned to face her assistant/S.H.I.E.L.D. body guard.
"We never told anyone. Pepper and Tony don't even know about us! How?" Aria questioned.
"Agent Ward went under a polygraph test at S.H.I.E.L.D. five months ago. Agent Coulson was asking him some questions. I was the only other one in the room. Don't worry, only Coulson and I know," Agent Carter answered.
"So Coulson knows then? And why was Grant taking a polygraph test? Should I be concerned?" She started to panic.
"Coulson thought that Agent Ward was keeping something from him, from S.H.I.E.L.D. We found out that thing was you," Carter explained. "How did you two meet?"
"You remember over a year ago, when that building at Stark Industries blew up? He carried me out of the building, made sure I was safe. Grant visited me in the hospital later that evening while everyone else was focused on my brother. It was nice having someone that cared about just me and not because of who I'm related to," Aria regaled, finishing just as the car stopped. "This stays here, no one else. If Phil asks, you tell him that he has to come to me or Grant."
"Will do," Sharon smiled. "Would you like me to get you a coffee before your first meeting?"
"If you do you'll be my hero," Aria laughed, climbing out of the car.
Aria and her assistant arrived in Monaco for the Monaco Grand Prix in style. The two had traveled directly from the airport to the Hotel de Paris. Aria had worn a tight light blue dress with a high collar and modest neckline while her assistant wore an off white dress.
"Aria!" Tony exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.
"Tony!" Aria laughed.
"Did you just get here?" He inquired, walking into the dining area with his sister on his arm.
"Yeah, I did. What's this I hear about you making Pepper the CEO?" She asked. "I'm not upset, I just wish you would've given me a heads up! I've had so many people asking me about the change and I don't know what to say!"
"Really? You're not too upset?" He stopped her, looking her in the eye.
"I don't want to be CEO. I'm 23 and I have so much I want to do," Aria explained. "Plus, I've already been CEO. Remember back when you were kidnapped by the ten rings? I took over the company then."
"Mr. Stark?" A familiar, young woman greeted Tony.
"Aria, this is my new assistant Natalie Rushman," Tony introduced. "Is this us?"
"It can be," Natalie replied, quickly speaking to someone about the table situation.
"Pepper! Congratulations!" Aria exclaimed as she found her old friend.
"Aria! Thank you! You look fantastic! It's been a whirlwind and Tony got himself a new assistant," Pepper explained.
"She seems nice. I want a drink and you look like you could use one too," Aria stated, dragging Pepper Towards the bar. "Oh look, Tony."
Before Tony could speak, he heard a voice carry through the air, "oh look it's my least favorite person, Justin Hammer."
Aria stood behind Pepper, trying her best to hide.
"Anthony? Is that you? Hey pal," Justin Hammer greeted. "And my beautiful Aria."
"Hi," she reluctantly replied, moving out from behind pepper. "Let's go Pepper."
"You know Tony, you're not the only rich guy here with a car," Hammer prodded. "You know Chrisitina Everheart from Vanity Fair. You guys know each other?"
"Yes, yes we do," Christina replied.
"BTW, big story, the new CEO OF Stark Industries," Hammer pointed out.
"I know. My boss would kill me if I didn't get a quote from you for our Power Women in Leadership issue," Christina injected.
"Yeah, sure," Pepper confirmed, nodding her head.
"She's actually doing a big spread on me for Vanity Fair. I thought I'd throw her a bone, you know. Right?" Hammer bragged, hoping to get a reaction out of them.
"Right. Well, she did quite a spread on Tony last year," Pepper replied
"Not surprised," Aria muttered, shaking her head.
"And she wrote a story as well," Tony added
"Very impressive as well," Pepper commented. "I'm going to go to the wash room."
"And I'll be at the table," Aria added, slipping away from them.
Pepper had joined Aria, Sharon, and Natalie at the table sans Tony. The young brunette looked around the room, wondering what is holding her brother up. Instead of finding him cornered by Justin Hammer, she found him instead on the television in a racing suit.
"Pepper," Aria said in an attempt to get her attention. "PEPPER!"
Pepper looked at the young woman, slightly worried, "What? Oh my god Tony!"
The two stared at the television, watching Tony approach his formula one race car.
"I think I need another drink," Aria stated.
She arose from the table, leaving Pepper to watch without her. Her heels clicked quickly against the floor, past the other patrons of the upscale party. Spotting an hole amongst the barrier of people, Aria slipped in, raising her hand to gain the attention of the bartender.
"Something strong, something with Jaeger," she requested.
As she waited for her drink, her head snapped up as her eyes became glued to the screen. Her hand pulled out a large Euro note for the bartender in exchange for her drink. Curiously she sipped her drink, grimacing at hour strong it was. Taking another sip, her eyes resumed their attention on the screen.
"I can't believe Tony is doing this," a voice right behind her said, causing her to jump. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"Justin. You didn't scare me, just startled me," Aria replied, taking another sip.
"He seems a bit more reckless than usual," Hammer commented.
He had moved to stand as close to her as possible, wanting to place his arm around her waist. She sensed his closer proximity and drowned the rest of her glass. His breath lightly grazed the back of her neck. Aria's hand raised once more, deeming her situation should not be one endured sober. The empty glass was placed down on the bar and whisked away to be filled once more allowing Aria to whip her head around to see now her friend was doing.
Aria's brows creased in confusion as she watched the ginger gracefully leap from her chair to speak with Happy. The two hurried off, the only occupants of the table now Agents Ramanoff and Carter. After dropping another large tender for her drink, spun quickly to sit with the two. Unfortunately though, the alcohol had started to affect her causing her to lean into Justin Hammer instead of walking straight.
"Well hey, you okay there sweetheart?" He smirked, gently placing his hands on her shoulder.
"I'm fine. I just need to see my assistant," Aria unconvincingly answered.
She fished her phone out of her clutch with her free hand, Hammer still holding onto her and studying her face. He was able to make out every freckle that adorned her cheeks and nose. After a few minutes of struggling she pulled her phone out and quickly dialed her assistant's number.
"Je suis à la barre. Aidez-moi s'il vous plaît," she spoke. [I'm at the bar. Help me please.]
"You speak French? Well that is a beautiful surprise," Hammer complimented, leaning into the young woman.
His lips gently pressed against hers as his left hand reached up to cup her cheek. Aria pulled back with a look of shock at his boldness. A hand was placed on his shoulder causing him to look over his shoulder.
"Miss Stark, let me help you back to the table," Sharon stated, reaching around to her her arm around Aria's waist. "And let me hold that drink for you."
"Au revoir mon amour," Hammer bid farewell. [Goodbye my love.]
"Vous venez près de son nouveau et je vous blesser," Agent Ramanoff warned before following her two friends back to the table. [You come near her again and I will hurt you.]
Sharon guided Aria back to the table, setting the drink on the table in front of her. Aria's hand picked and downed the whole thing.
"Aria," Sharon started to lecture before Aria interrupted.
"Who's that? Why is he on the track?" She asked, her voice rising in pitch. "Where's Pepper and Happy?"
A large, bulky man entered the raceway. As he walked in the middle of the track the top of his work suit burned away. In his hands were two whips integrated with some sort of technology similar to something he brother would make.
"I don't know. Natasha, does he look familiar?" Sharon replied.
"No," Natasha murmured.
The man on the track lashed out at approaching cars, causing them to flip and halve. Aria's eyes widened as she remembered that her brother was in a car somewhere on the track. The three women sat at the table, Aria in the middle, and watched as Tony's car approached the man in the middle of the road. He lashed out at Tony's car, causing it to fly through the air while the front portion was sliced off. Sharon reached out and grabbed Aria's hand in an attempt to comfort and keep her calm.
"I need air," Aria stated, rushing to her feet, swaying slightly.
Sharon shot up and slid her arm around her boss' waist and led her out of the room with Natasha on their heels. The trio rushed up to Aria's suite, leading her to the balcony to witness the battle that ensued down bellow. Upon looking down, they witnessed Tony, now in an Iron Man suit, kick the Rolls Royce away from where he was standing. The sound of Pepper's scream alerted the viewers from above that Pepper was in the back of that car while Happy was in the driver's seat.
Natasha stood next to Aria, taking as many pictures of the attacker while Sharon stood on the other side videotaping down bellow for documentation for SHIELD. The young brunette's hands clenched the railing in front of her to keep her steady. Her breathing slowed as she tried to remain calm, closing her eyes for a minute to keep herself from being sick. When she opened her eyes, she found an electrified whip around Iron Man's neck as the other whip lashed out at him.
Iron Man pulled the attacker to him and used his whips to throw the man above his head and into the ground. Police swarmed the area, taking the unknown assailant into custody. Happy had helped Pepper out of the car as Tony approached them. Aria stumbled back and collapsed on a couch.
"I want to go home. To New York," Aria stated, placing her hands on her face.
"I'll call the pilot and have him schedule a flight plan," Sharon replied.
"Thank you," Aria mumbled.