A rushing filled Darcy's ears as she struggled to focus on the face so close to her own. The alcohol was fighting for control of her body and it was quickly winning. She instantly regretted the copious amount of tequila she could feel burning its way through every vein and capillary. How could he even be here? Even worse, how could he be here while she was this drunk?

She drew in a shaky breath and met his softly smiling gaze, her own field of vision quickly filling with dark spots along the periphery.

"Uh, hi." She closed her eyes and fought the intoxication to regain use of her body. Swallowing a hiccup and taking a deep breath she opened her eyes and looked at Lucien again. His brow had wrinkled slightly and she noticed his hand was gently supporting some of her faltering weight.

"What're you doing here?" Another hiccup rose in her chest and her mouth quickly filled with saliva. She was going to vomit.

He opened his mouth and moved closer so that she could hear him, but she put up a halting hand to stop him.

"I'll be right back." Darcy leaned in and clumsily brushed against his cheek and ear as she pushed by him. The women's restroom was nowhere to be seen and she could feel her body's grace period quickly fading. Darcy zeroed in on the line of chatting women and almost threw herself to the front. Angry protests died when the women caught Darcy's uneasy gait and fading color.

The floor was cold against her knees and she banged her head against the fixture in the stall. Darcy's torso pitched forward as she emptied the contents of her stomach and the world went black.

Her arms ached and her body felt chilled. Cautiously, Darcy cracked an eye open and took in the scene she'd created. She was slumped over a toilet in a bathroom stall, still very drunk, but she felt more in control of her body and slightly better. She pushed herself back against the stall door, taking a few deep shuddering breaths. There was no discernable mess before her and her clothes, while rumpled and now slightly moist with cold sweat, appeared to be clean. Score one for blackout drunk self.

She pushed herself up, standing unsteadily. She tidied the stall as best she could before taking a deep breath and walking out to the bank of mirrors and basins. Her makeup had survived for the most part. She was cleaning up a spot of eyeliner that had smeared when the woman next to her silently set a travel size mouthwash next to her. Looking up embarrassed, the woman flashed Darcy a kind knowing smile before exiting the restroom. Finishing her touch ups, she downed the bottle and spat, clearing the sour taste from her mouth and reapplied some lipstick.

She glanced once more as she left and shook her head. I am a mess.

Darcy leant against the wall beside the bathroom entrance and regained her bearings. The club was still incredibly hot and packed. Jane and Natasha were nowhere to be seen. Making her way back to the bar she remembered leaving Lucien standing there mid-sentence. She scanned the bar for his face, considering running out of the club if he was still there. Her heart rate calmed some when she couldn't find him in the crowd. He must have thought she was blowing him off and left or rejoined his party.

She made her way back to her previous spot at the bar, flagging the bartender for a glass of water this go round. Disappointment weighed heavily on her shoulders as she gingerly sipped at her water. Well, at least I didn't puke on him.

Rationalize as she might though, she knew that she'd probably blown her chance with the incredibly attractive stranger who had walked her home after a mugging and sent her flowers asking for dinner after. She wasn't surprised. Jane and Natasha had disappeared as soon as they had arrived at the club and the other women from the office had expressed no interest in socializing either.

After seeing me in my natural state, why wouldn't Lucien beat a hasty retreat? Who would want to waste time on a social leper like herself? Darcy rested her head on the edge of the bar, working up the strength to leave the club and flag a cab home. Maybe he'll run into Natasha. They're both exotic and attractive, that could work out for him. She pushed herself upright and began to dig in her clutch for a tip for the bartender. There was no use sitting here, feeling sick and lamenting the man she'd almost vomited on. She had her bathtub at home. Maybe she'd even pass out in the heated water and drown, instantly fixing all of the awkward "Interacting with Darcy" problems.

Her stomach rolled when she stood up from the bar, making her grab at it for balance as the wave of nausea passed through her. I should have just stayed at home. They shouldn't have made me come out. I'm not meant to be here with all of these people.

"Oh, Darcy, there you are. You had me worried."

Shock flooded her system as she turned and met eyes with Lucien for the second time this evening. She was thankful for the club's lighting and it's ability to hide the bright blush that was spreading across her skin. He was smiling at her and looked genuinely concerned. He had laid his fingers on her arm. His touch was incredibly cool and comforting against her heated flesh. She felt some of the tension unknot itself as she stared at him, gaping.

"Um," Her brain was locked. Words came flooding back to her as she finally managed to take in the moment.

"I'm, uh, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to run away like that." She felt as if the words were great unwieldy things and her mouth was unequipped to deliver them in any kind of eloquent form. Her smile was close-lipped and tight and she hoped that she didn't look like an idiot.

Lucien's smile broadened in return, his teeth flashing as his face relaxed. For a moment, it looked as if he was embarrassed that she was apologizing. Darcy wasn't sure what to make of it. She stood staring at him for moment more before leaning in so that she could talk to him at a reasonable level.

"I was actually about to leave, I don't feel very well. My stomach and the tequila have forfeited their truce." Even in heels her mouth came to just below his jaw. In such close proximity, she noticed a subtle scent of fennel surrounding him. Unconsciously, she breathed deep, hesitating close to his throat a moment longer. Darcy pulled back quickly, her blush flaming even brighter. I just smelled that man. He is going to think I am insane and will probably stalk him.

Biting her lower lip, she looked back at him apologetically. She realized that his fingers were there when they moved and gently encircled her arm as he leaned in to respond. He said something and pulled back to meet her eyes for confirmation. Darcy felt herself smile shakily and nod. She was paralyzed. It felt as if her mind was tuned to a dead radio station, white noise obscuring everything. The weight of his hand on her bicep was the only thing she was aware of. She felt a pang of sadness when he released her arm, but that was eradicated when instead his hand slid across her back, tucking her against his side as he guided her back to her empty chair. Dazed, she climbed back atop her perch, still unaware of what she'd agreed to.

Lucien signaled to the bartender and ordered something. Darcy saw his lips move and smile in thanks. His chest was pressed against her bare shoulder and back. His body seemed to radiate coolness, even through the layers of his suit. Darcy felt herself relaxing back against him, surrendering her weight to his form as they waited for whatever it was he ordered. She didn't want to drink anymore, but if he gave it to her, she gladly would.

All of the cramps and aches she felt as a result of her earlier heaving were melting away as she sat pressed against him. He didn't seem to mind her resting there either, as Darcy was fairly sure that he had moved so that her more of her back could make contact with his chest and arm. He was talking to her while they waited, his breath whispering past her ear, but she had no idea what he was saying.

Her daze broke when he pressed his lips to the edge of her ear, asking if she was all right as he pressed a glass of murky liquid into her hand. Blinking rapidly to bring her eyes back into focus, Darcy savored the chill that had flooded her body when he'd spoken just now. She inclined her head to look at him questioningly.

"I don't know if I can drink anything else tonight, I'm really pretty spent." Her lips delivered the words as her mind railed at her for turning anything he offered down.

Lucien smiled again and his hand came to rest on her shoulder, his thumb brushing the base of her neck.

"You said you were feeling ill, and I told you I knew something that could help that. I promise you, there's no alcohol in it. It may not taste lovely, but if you sip it, your stomach should lay off a bit."

Darcy looked at him with mild suspicion, but she took a hesitant sip. Her face contorted as she swallowed and she cut her eyes at him.

"I said I felt sick. What is this? It tastes like it's going to make it worse." She complained, even as she took a few more sips between her words.

She felt his thumb move in the barest of touches as Lucien smiled and laughed. It was his turn to blush.

"I have to confess, this was a bit of a leap of faith on my part. I actually read about it recently in a magazine. It said that mixing a few drops of bitters and soda water would help settle the stomach. I've never tried it myself though, sorry." Darcy stared as he ducked his head in apology. In the back of her mind she realized that she didn't care what was in it or even what it did, if he gave it to her, she would drink it. As frightening as she knew it should be, the realization spawned feelings of comfort instead.

"Oh." She set the glass down, empty.

He looked at her questioningly, "So?"

"Oh, um," Darcy thought about it for a moment, taking inventory of her ailments, "yeah, actually, it does feel better." A pleasant calm spread through her as she said it.

She smiled as he perked up, a broad smile spreading across his face. A piece of hair had fallen from his combed back style, hanging down over his forehead. Without thinking, Darcy reached forward and brushed it back, momentarily startling him. Her hand lingered for a moment, testing the softness of the strand before she pulled it back. The noise and crowd was beginning to creep back into her senses, reminding her of where they were.

"So, I'm still not feeling great, but maybe you want to see if there's a place to get some coffee or something before I go home?" The question shocked Darcy as it left her mouth. I almost vomited on this man and now I'm asking him to get a cup of coffee. I don't even know why he's here or whom he's with. Oh god. I've made an ass of myself. Maybe he didn't hear me.

Darcy was too busy berating herself to see Lucien lean in and press his lips against her ear. She almost fell off of her seat when he whispered that he'd love to.

He helped her down with a hand at the small of her back and offered her his elbow. They made for the exit when Darcy realized she should let Jane know that she was leaving. She didn't want anyone to overreact and assume she'd been mugged or kidnapped again and have SHIELD agents breaking into some small diner in the city, ruining her perfect coffee date.

"I've got to let my friends know I'm leaving!" She shouted as she gestured over to the group of women on the far side of the club. Lucien smiled and nodded understanding. She moved away, reluctant to let go of his arm. She felt a little silly, but she trailed her hand down his forearm, passing her fingertips over his as she pushed through the crowd.

Her gaze intent on Jane and Natasha, Darcy did not see the wisp of green arc between her fingers and Lucien's, as they broke apart.