Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers. Marvel does, I only own Marie and whoever hasn't been mentioned in the comics or movies what so ever.

Chapter 4

Marie

"So let me get this straight, you guys are superheroes and I'm still here in Manhattan?" I asked, staring warily at the three men in front of me.

"Don't worry we're not anywhere else," Bruce Banner told me. I couldn't believe that he was the Hulk. I mean any person can see he looks like a nice guy on the outside but I know just to not piss him off and well, you know the rest.

"But what I don't understand is why I'm here and not in a hospital? Not that I want to go there or anything," I said

"Mainly because we wanted; or more like he wanted," he said, nodding his head towards the hot looking guy. Okay seriously I need to stop thinking like that. "To bring you here in case another attack happens."

"What attacks?"

"My aren't you full of questions."

"Tony give her a break," Bruce told the first man.

"Come on guys what do you expect?" he asked. Yep that would Iron Man himself. I did wonder why he had that glow thingy on his chest. I thought that it was something medical related but it was actually keeping him alive.

I wouldn't know what to do if I had something like that in my chest.

"She's scared and don't know what's going on. How would you feel in her position?" Steve, the other man asked him. Why would someone who I barely even know is standing up for me?

"Whoa, calm your asses down first of all," I said, interrupting the argument. "And second of all why am I here?"

"Well…"

"Marie," I said.

"Well Marie," Steve said, looking at me. "I brought you here only because those guys that were going after you weren't any other guys."

"Then who are they?" I asked.

"Most likely Loki's doing," Bruce said.

Wait, some dude name lucky was trying to send men after me for what? This was so confusing I feel like I was getting a headache. But then something hit me and I don't mean it literally.

"Wait a minute where's Hobbs?"

"Hobbs?"

"My dog," I replied.

"You mean the four legged dog that's entertaining Pepper in the living room freaking out?" Tony asked.

"Thank god he's okay," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

I jumped out of my spot and walked down the hallway rather quickly. I got towards the living room where Pepper was rubbing Hobbs' stomach as he was laying on his back.

"Good you're alright," Pepper said.

"Yeah sorry I hope he wasn't much trouble," I said.

"He wasn't," she said.

Hobbs sat up and ran over towards me and stood on his back legs as he licked me endlessly. I petted him and tried to calm him down.

"What time is it?" I asked her.

"Almost 11:45pm. Why?"

"Crap I got to go," I said, looking around for Hobbs' leash which I found on the coffee table. I hooked him up and I looked around to see if the men decided to show up.

"Can you tell the guys I thank them so much for helping me?" I asked.

"Um, sure but hey; don't forget about the meeting Tuesday," she reminded me.

"I won't thanks again!" I called out.

I found the elevator and stepped inside. Just as the doors closed, I leaned against the wall and let out a huge sigh. I couldn't believe that super heroes exists let alone there are actual bad guys out there.

I could only imagine how things are going to be now after this.

I was drinking what was probably my third cup of coffee at work the next day. When I got home I went to bed but I couldn't fall asleep until 1:30am and then I had to get up five hours later. I still feel exhausted even with coffee.

"You don't look good," Naomi observed.

"Couldn't sleep, coffee sucks," I said.

She only rolled her eyes as I went to place the mug in the sink. I grabbed the watering can nearby and watered most of the plants inside and outside. I double checked on inventory and starting to almost finish the schedule for next week since my goals for making schedules would always be posted by Saturday the latest. I reminded everyone to come in earlier than usual Sunday for our meeting on the centerpieces for the ball. I had a few people applying for the job since I need more employees for when the younger ones go back to college by the end of the summer.

"Um did you happen to ran into a cute guy and didn't bother to mention him to me?" she asked.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked.

"You know the cutie that was here yesterday? He's asking for you," she replied.

"You're lying," I said, looking over my shoulder and sure enough the man from last night was here.

"I'll take over," Naomi insisted.

I begrudgingly handed her the can as I made my way over towards him. I calmed myself down before I even thought about making a fool of myself.

"Back again?" I said. Yeah now I'm heading toward Lame Avenue.

"Yeah I just wanted to see how you were after well you know," he said.

"I'm fine," I said. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around well you know…"

"Yeah," he said.

"If you want maybe we can go somewhere and talk about this if you don't have anything else planned for today since I get out around three," I suggested.

"I'd like that," Steve said with a smile.

"Um if you want you can come back here and we'll go to a coffee place or something," I said.

"Sounds good and I promise I'll try to explain everything as best as I can," he said.

"Don't worry, I believe you," I said.

He smiled back at me before he left. I stood there watching him leave. I couldn't help but feel somewhat attractive to him and yet I barely know the guy. I know crazy right?

"So what was that all about?" Naomi asked with a smirk.

"Nothing," I replied, walking away.

"That's bull and we both know it," she called out, earning a few stares from the customers.

I turned around and shook my head at her meaning I would tell her later. I went in the back room and grabbed a few vases before I headed back outside on the floor. My other two employees were on delivery routes at the moment and I was making the orders.

As I was trying (hence the word trying) to work, I was taking my mind off of whatever Steve wanted to tell me though I have a pretty good hunch on what it was about but honestly; I rather hear it from him than any random person walking in Manhattan. I sighed as I clipped some lilies and placed them in the vase. I grabbed the card that Annalisa typed up for a funeral arrangement that was going to be delivered before the evening rush.

Maybe I was looking for some love and it suddenly just appeared in my shop yesterday.

Please, I hardly call it love since I barely know the guy. And besides, I want answers before I even thought of seeing him after our meeting later on.

A/n: I know I'm so overdue. Things have been hectic so hopefully now that I'm on vacation from work I hope to update again at least.

Hopefully I'm not boring you at the moment but down the road things are going to heat up I can promise you that.

Leave a review on the way out! I thank you guys for your patience and support! They mean a lot!

Until next time,
Spike