Usual disclaimers. Don't own jack.

Review :)


"Why are you dressed in a military uniform?" Evelyn demanded as she marched up to Bucky and poked him in the chest.

"Well if I had to make a wild guess it is because I've been drafted. I'm heading out for training tomorrow and will be a part of the 107th," was Bucky's dry response. He glanced down at it as if he was still surprised that he was wearing a uniform before grabbing at the lapels and giving his signature cocky grin. It wavered slightly at seeing the beginnings of the bruise on Steve's face, but he just rolled his eyes as he grabbed their hands and dragged them out of the grimy alley.

"Alright guys. We're going to enjoy my last night of freedom. Luckily this coincides with the Stark Expo and I managed to find a date for the evening." Turning to Steve he winked and continued, "I would have found you one as well Steve, but you already have sweet Evelyn here." Evelyn just dug her elbow into his side in response.

They found Bucky's date waiting for them outside the entranceway to the Stark Expo and Bucky let go of them to jog forward and present his elbow. Evelyn and Steve brought up the rear.

The Expo was a whirl of colors and sounds. It seemed as if the whole of New York had come to see this imagined future by Stark Industries. It reminded Evelyn of one of those parties thrown by J. Gatsby in that Fitzgerald book.

As they wandered from exhibit to exhibit it was hard not to be impressed. Well, that is, if the inventions behind the glass cases and on their platforms actually did what they said they were supposed to do. Bucky was yapping on and on with his date, like he actually knew what he was talking about. The girl hanging off his arm was taking each word pouring out of his mouth like it was the gospel. Either she was a really good actress or she actually believed all his crap.

Soon enough it was for the main event. Howard Stark was apparently going to unveil is next big idea that didn't involve weapons and the promise of bachelor Stark had most of the area in front of the stage filled with women. Evelyn rolled her eyes at the sight while grabbing a handful of popcorn from the bag Steve had bought earlier. Pathetic.

Howard Stark definitely lived up to all the names he had gathered from the media, seeing as his first move was to make out with one of the show girls before going on his spiel. Holding onto Steve's arm, Evelyn studied the man up on the stage. She had to give it to him. He was good looking. He also gave off the vibe of being a cocky bastard, but she figured with his brain, money and looks he was somewhat entitled. His smirk, however, reminded her of Bucky's. Which made her reluctantly entertain the thought that he may be a good man underneath all the bluster.

As he talked about cars in the future no longer touching the ground she couldn't help but let out a snort. Steve cast a bemused smile her way at the noise. It did seem a little outlandish. Which was why everyone's jaw dropped when the thing floated for a few seconds before crashing. It was official; Evelyn was impressed. As people clapped and Stark waved the smoke away, Evelyn figured that was the end of the show and told Steve she was heading for the restroom and would be right back.

Which was why she was surprised when she came back to find her group missing.

Bucky she could understand going off to do … whatever it was he did when he had a dame, but Steve wandering off was another story. Scowling she raked her eyes across the steadily decreasing crowd before spotting the army recruitment tent. If Steve wasn't in there she would have a heart attack. If she could.

Letting out a sigh she started for the tent when she was stopped by a hand gripping her elbow. Whirling around, and completely ready to punch the moron touching her, Evelyn blinked when she came face to face with none other than Howard Stark. Yanking her arm out of his grip she arched an eyebrow in his direction while discreetly pinching herself to make sure it was actually who she thought it was standing in front of her. "Hello."

Stark smiled what she was sure he called his million watt smile, and happened to practice in front of the mirror. Grabbing her hand and kissing it he said, "I couldn't help but notice you from the stage during my presentation. I'm Howard. Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Bing, bang, boom.

Pulling her hand slowly out of his so not to seem rude she continued to arch her eyebrow in his direction. "I'm Evelyn (wouldn't do to be rude). If you noticed me from the stage you would have seen me with my boyfriend."

Now it was Howard's turn to arch his eyebrow back. "Boyfriend? Do you mean that military man who had the blonde hanging off his arm? If so I'm sorry to say babe, but you've been replaced. Let me help ease the pain,"

Evelyn cut him off. "No, the blond who had me hanging off his arm." It took a second, but Howard's mouth dropped. "The blonde is yourboyfriend!? That shrimp? I thought he was your brother or something."

Evelyn glared, "He is not a shrimp and yes he's my boyfriend." Howard glanced around before saying, "Well he doesn't know how good he has it if he has left you here." The smirk made a comeback. "I wouldn't leave such a pretty dame all by herself if she were mine."

Her eyebrow was going to stick on its place on her forehead if this conversation kept up.

"That's nice Howard, but I can take care of myself."

Howard's smirk softened after her last remark into something resembling a genuine smile. "Well you are one interesting dame. I had nothing planned for the rest of the evening. Would you mind if we your friends and I all went and grabbed some drinks? Just as a friendly outing."

Which of course was the moment that Steve came back from wherever he had been. Evelyn felt him sliding up next to her and grab her arm, but she continued to study Howard. She was right about the Bucky thing. He probably was a big softie. Shrugging she said, "Sure. Why not? Could always go for more friends."

Turning to Steve she noticed a crumpled paper clutched in his right hand and sighed. Another denied application. They were seriously going to have a talk about that later. Ignoring it for the time being she gestured to Howard and said, "Steve, this here is Howard. Howard this is Steve, my boyfriend," if she added a slight inflection on the last bit it was because she was a sarcastic person and she couldn't help it. Howard smiled in response catching her undertone.

Holding out his hand he shook Steve's. "Pleasure to meet you."

Steve had tensed at the introduction, but had loosened when she mentioned that he was her boyfriend. Evelyn could tell that he wasn't completely on board with drinks, but he was too polite to ignore Howard. Gripping it back Steve managed a, "You as well," before letting go.

An awkward silence fell over the group and Evelyn rolled her eyes. What was it with men? Bringing the attention to herself she asked Steve, "Have you seen Bucky? And that blonde girl? What was her name?"

Smiling Steve responded, "I saw him a while back. Don't think that he will be joining us for the rest of the night though."

"Alrighty then," turning to Howard Evelyn asked, "Do you know any good places around here?" Roving her eyes over his obviously expensive suit she continued, "I'm guessing you want someplace that's discreet."

"Spot on. I actually know a great bar right around the corner if you care to follow me."


The bar that Howard led them to was pretty normal looking which Evelyn wasn't sure if that should surprise her or not. The patrons hovering around barely glanced in their direction as the bartender continued with cleaning out his glasses. Sitting at the bar, Evelyn found herself stuck between the two guys. She smiled to herself bemused by the whole situation; this was definitely not how she pictured her night going. How bizarre.

Evelyn ordered herself a rum and coke while Steve stuck with his one beer. Howard had arched an eyebrow in her direction at her choice of drink, but only smirked as he ordered the same thing.

Sipping at their respective drinks they talked about nonsense really. Both Steve and Evelyn didn't ask any personal questions or any that went back to Stark Industries, which they could tell Howard had been thankful for.

They had reached a lull in their conversation when Evelyn ordered another rum and coke. Reaching out, intending to get a sip in before starting up the conversation, she was stopped by Howard placing a hand over her drink. Scowling she turned to glare at him.

"What are you doing?"

Howard looked completely unrepentant, "Don't you think you should slow down on those doll? There isn't much to you and I would hate to see you get out of sorts."

Next to her, Steve let out a snort into his beer bottle as Evelyn smirked back at Stark. "Aw, that's sweet, but not to worry. I have a high tolerance."

Howard glanced curiously at Steve, but quickly turned his attention back to her. "That may be true next to Steve here, but I think this should be your last one love."

Evelyn turned to catch Steve's eye and saw the amused smile hovering on his lips. He knew what was coming. Evelyn never backed down from a challenge. Tilting his head in approval he took a small sip from his beer and leaned back to enjoy the show.

"Howard, are you a betting man?"

Sensing that he was missing something, but unwilling to back down he responded, "You should know better than to ask Evelyn."

Evelyn's smile turned positively shark-like.

"Well, Howard. How would like to bet to a drinking contest? I bet I can easily outpace you. Loser buys the drinks." Holding out her hand she waited for Howard to shake. There was no way someone of Howard's personality would ever back down from such a manly challenge.

Looking startled, Howard let loose a bark of laughter. "Doll, you can't be serious. Two shots in and you would be done for."

"Then this should be an easy win for you, shouldn't it? Tell me you're not backing down?"

And the challenge had been set.

The spark of competition lit his eye as Howard shook her hand and said, "You're on." Glancing over her shoulder at Steve he warned, "I gave fair warning."

Steve just smiled back, "So you did. I'll act as witness."

Turning to the bartender, Howard waived him down for four shots of rum. Two for each.

Holding his first up in a toast he smirked, "Good luck."

Evelyn just winked back, "Likewise."

Twenty minutes later and twelve shots down, Howard was starting to sway on his bar stool. The other patrons had gathered around once it became apparent that the dame could hold her own and bets had been exchanging hands throughout.

They were both holding their thirteenth shot and staring each other down. Well Evelyn was. Howard was looking a little cross-eyed. Evelyn tossed hers back with a smirk and waited for Howard to down his. It took a couple of seconds but he managed. Evelyn was impressed despite herself. Although it did make her think how much he usually drank in order to be keeping up with her like this. Five more seconds past before Howard toppled backwards in a drunken faint.

The crowd around them roared in amusement and the final bets were exchanged as they began to disburse. Turning to Steve, Evelyn smiled. He had long ago finished his beer and was staring at Howard with no small amusement. Fishing money out of her purse she placed it on the bar with, "He'll have to pay me back in the morning. C'mon let's drag him back to your place."

Giving a wave to the bar tender, Evelyn grabbed Howard's right arm as Steve grabbed his left. Literally dragging him across the floor they propped him up against Evelyn once they made it outside as Steve flagged down a taxi. Dragging him into that they gave the driver Steve's address before bursting into giggles. Evelyn was never going to let Howard live this down.

It only took about fifteen minutes to reach Steve's apartment and they had a hell of a time dragging Howard up the stairs. Evelyn winced in sympathy every time Howard's back hit the edge of a stair. That was going to bruise. Painfully.

Dumping him on Steve's couch, Evelyn bent down to remove his shoes and then his dress jacket. No point in it becoming wrinkled. Throwing a blanket over him, Evelyn left Howard to his drunken dreams before walking over to Steve and giving him a quick kiss.

Touching his bruised cheekbone lightly she murmured, "Put some ice on that before you go to bed aright?" Giving him one last kiss she offhandedly mentioned, "Don't think I didn't see that army slip Steve. The talk may not have happened tonight, but it will. I'll come by tomorrow to see how Howard is fairing and then you'll tell me all about it. Got it?"

Steve let out a weak smile and wave before she shut his door gently and made her way to her apartment.

On the way home she wondered how bad Howard's headache was going to be in the morning. She smiled the entire walk back. He should've known better.