The Pit

As the band finished up their final song, Vic gave the crowd a final scan, not seeing the Steve or Bucky anywhere, but the overhead stage lights did block out most of the bar from her view being at the back of the stage. When the curtain was pulled closed, they began the breakdown of their equipment so that main band's roadies could get set up for the main attraction. The guys would set up the drum kit for her as a thank you for substituting for Paulo, plus his share of the take since they would otherwise have to cancel, but she always helped them with the breakdown to make it go quicker.

"Can you fucking believe that?" Richie said, putting his guitar into the case.

"Believe what?" Vic asked, putting the sticks into Paulo's carry-bag and beginning to disassemble the kit and grabbing her towel to pat the sweat from her face, carefully avoiding the makeup. She would have to wait until she got home to be able to wash the heavy stuff from her face.

"Didn't you see what happened when we played Iron Man and the crowd went wild?" Tommy asked, wiping down his bass guitar before storing it in the case.

"Kind of, but with all the lights I couldn't see anything. Was there another fight?" Vic glanced back around the corner of the stage wall towards the front, still looking for any sign of Steve or Bucky.

"No girl…Tony fuckin' Stark was out there in the middle of everyone, acting like the god he thinks he is," Richie playfully answered. "I wonder if he is still out there. I would love to get an autograph."

Vic froze as she had heard Tony's name spoken, while thinking to herself that she could almost guarantee that he was still out there. But, that also meant that Steve and Bucky had shown up, which brought a smile to her face as she finished packing up the smaller drum kit pieces. She just had not been able to spot them from the back of the stage. She hadn't even been able to see Tony in the crowd. She could almost guarantee that by tomorrow, somewhere on the internet would be a video of Tony in the mosh pit. She'd have to remember to search for it.

"I wonder why he was here?" Kevin asked, as he finished rolling up his microphone's cord.

"Who cares?" Richie said, "Tony Stark heard us play and he liked it. I'm so glad I asked you to dress up, Vic. This is a damn good night. Hey, I wonder if any of the other Avengers are out there. I'm going to go check."

Vic grabbed her water bottle and took a long drink, trying to figure out what to do. Everything that Natasha had mentioned earlier about the three of them becoming public knowledge was suddenly foremost in her thoughts. Tony was not known for being subtle, and if she went out front alone to find Steve and Bucky, it would look a bit out of place. There was definitely the chance of pictures of the three of them hitting the internet tonight. By now, everyone in the club knew exactly who was present. Luckily, Richie's comment gave her an idea.

"Hey, hold up. Let's finish packing this stuff up and then all of us head out front. Don't try to hog all the fun, Richie," Vic said, checking herself in the mirror that was next to the stage for the musician to use before heading up. She suddenly almost regretting agreeing to dress up at Richie's request. How was this get-up going to go over with all three of them? She knew that Tony would at least like it.

"Yeah, man," Kevin said, grabbing his own drink and finishing it off. "I need to get a selfie with Iron Man. I can use it as my Christmas card picture this year."

Luckily it was a good suggestion, as the four of them made quick work of putting everything off to the side that was reserved for their equipment. Only a few minutes passed before they were walking through the door that kept the onlookers from getting back stage. Vic was the last one of the group to head out having to adjust the strange footwear that she had on. For some reason, she had always found it easier to play the drum barefoot. Right now, she was wearing a pair of bright pink fuzzy bedroom slippers around backstage. Her boots were in her bag for the ride home, as well as a change of clothes from the outlandish Halloween outfit Richie had asked her to wear again.

Passing through the door, she glanced to her left at the stage and saw that the headline band was about ready to start. That was when she felt someone grab onto her right arm and pull her toward the corner of the room. Planting her feet to try and stop the movement, she found herself sliding across the floor like she was skating due to the smooth slick soles. Balling her left hand into a fist, she waited for the right moment to strike. She finally stopped when she found herself pressed up against the black wall with Bucky's body blocking her view of the room with his closeness. She released a calming breath, easing her body.

"That is not a nice thing to do," she swatted his arm lightly as the worry of being attacked left her as she looked upon his grinning face. With the look he was giving her at the comment, he knew exactly what he had been doing when grabbing her. She noticed there was no Steve. "Why are you waiting over here alone?"

"Steve told me to put myself in a time out," he looked away, wanting to not make eye contact as he answered her.

"Why?" she simply asked, noting his cute embarrassment at the admission. She put a finger under this chin, lifting his head so that he had to look at her.

"I may have tried to punch Tony," he admitted. Vic raised her eyebrows and continued to stare at him waiting for the rest. "I didn't like him saying what he said about you."

"What did he say?" Vic answered a bit stunned. "I didn't think that I was off beat on any songs but…"

"That you were 'hot'," Bucky gave as an interrupting confession.

"Ok…I was not expecting that," she said, slightly smiling now knowing that Bucky had done the maneuver out of jealously. She had read a lot that soulmates would sometimes act like this. Maybe it really was true. Did that help to explain their already protective nature about her? Then there was how long they had been waiting to find her…

"You told us you were working tonight," Bucky said, leaning down so that his mouth was very close to her ear so that he could talk to her as the band started playing. "When we couldn't find you waiting tables, we started to get worried."

"I told you that I had a gig, Bucky," she said, thinking of the two of them worrying about her after such a short time a bit cute. Nobody except for Wade ever cared about her. But was it only because of the soulmark? What about once they really got to know her? Nope…just enjoy the now.

"I remember you using that word, but we don't know that one," he said leaning even closer to her now, enough that she could feel his own body heat mix with her already overheated one from playing.

"A gig. It's what musicians call getting a job to play somewhere, like tonight. Sorry to worry ya'll," she sighed while explaining, resting her hand on his cheek. She could visibly see him ease at the simple gesture. She then tried to glance around him to see if anyone had noticed them or if the guys had noticed her missing. "Hey, I haven't told the guys about us yet, and they are searching the place for Iron Man right now for pictures. So come on, we need to catch up with them before someone, like Tony, gives us up to them. That's why he's here, right? He wants to meet me?"

"Yeah, he does," Bucky sighed, sounding annoyed by the idea.

Vic managed to squeeze to the left between his body and the wall to free herself. Taking his arm, and noticing the hurt look in his face at losing some private time, but he did let her lead him to where she could see everyone gathering around a table near the back of the room.

Before they got too close, she release Bucky's arm so that it would not be obvious that she knew them just yet. Explaining them to the band was something that she would like to put off for a while. Hopefully, with having known her for six months, one week and three days, they wouldn't freak out like some others had done when she explained their connection.

As the guys were still introducing themselves to Steve and Tony, they found her standing behind them and took her arm to pull her forward, making sure to include them in the introductions. Both Tony and Steve were standing and shaking everyone's hands, but when Richie moved her so that they could shake, Tony instead lifted his arms wide and gave her a big hug.

"There is my new favorite drummer," he said, before releasing her as Bucky then appeared from the side so that he could stand next to Tony, a cold glare on his face. She could barely see the nudge that Bucky gave Tony trying to get his attention before he could say too much. Bucky then managed to whisper something into Tony's ear, probably giving a quick explanation to not exposing the three of them yet. The look that crossed Tony's face seemed to show that he understood. "Love the familiar color scheme. How did you know I was coming tonight?"

"We had no idea. It's just a little something for the show," Vic answered, "It was a request by this one," she said nudging Richie in the side.

"Good choice," Tony said as he took in the outfit and makeup.

She had found a pair of yellow jeans at the Goodwill and had cut them so that they came to mid-thigh. Her shirt was a simple red tank top, which was the best for moving around in. But her makeup was what stood out. Her eyes were covered with red and gold eye shadow, black eyeliner forming an Egyptian style outline, her eyebrows were tinted red to match the lipstick she wore. Her white hair had been braided into small groupings so that it formed a chunky dreadlocks look. The overall design was trademark Iron Man colors. Of course Tony would like it.

"Shoes leave a bit to be desired though," Tony frowned at seeing them.

For the next couple of minutes, the guys from the band found themselves enjoying the attention that Tony, Steve and Bucky were giving them, with Tony going so far as to making sure they had a group picture which included everyone. Vic figured that a picture like that hitting the internet would not be so bad since it could just be written off as the band meeting Iron Man.

Eventually the guys started to wander off to do their own things, mainly taking with every female in the place as usual, leaving the four of them at the table, which they then sat down at, Bucky and her backs to the wall. She noted that this time Bucky and Steve made sure that they were on her sides, the ones they favored, while Tony was across the table from her. Enough time seemed to have passed so that the onlookers around the bar had taken in the spectacle that was Tony Stark and moved on.

Hopefully, they could have a normal chat, or what passed for normal considering she was hanging out with Tony. She remembered him from the club the other night, and that was not was not a normal night in any sense of the word.

"I already told Bucky, but I'm sorry for worrying you earlier. Ya'll didn't see me up on stage?" Vic asked, looking over at Steve. So far, he had enjoyed just sitting at the table near her, considering in his own opinion, that he had not gotten enough alone time with her in the corner.

"We were scanning the floor, thinking you were waitressing again. It wasn't until Tony here," Steve said, jerking his finger at tonight's intruder, "made his way onto the floor to dance to his song that Bucky spotted you."

"Then you have me to thank for helping to find her?" Tony asked, grinning while sipping down at least his third glass tonight.

"So, Natasha is the winner in the curiosity category, with Tony a close second," Vic said, lifting her fingers with the count.

"Natasha has already met her? When did she manage that?" Tony asked throwing up a hand in disbelief.

"Earlier today," Steve said. "Not even two full hours after we all met for the first time."

"Does that mean that this is meeting number two?" Tony asked sitting up a bit straighter. "And here I was thinking that you two had been hiding Vikki for a while now and just not telling everyone."

"Don't call me that one again or you'll find a wig superglued to your suit," Vic said shaking her head, "It's either Victoria or Vic."

"You two have a lot of explaining to do to her, otherwise she is not going to get my wonderful, charming wit," Tony smirked.

"Later," Bucky stated, not feeling like talking about Tony ever.

"Well then, I know when I'm not wanted," Tony said, downing the rest of his drink. "Shocking…I know. I'll be out of your hair as soon as I can find Happy."

"Happy's here?" Vic asked, getting a large smile on her face.

"Yes, he's my bodyguard, as strange as that sounds," Tony said, leaning forward on to the table. Then it dawned on him, "Wait, how do you know Happy?"

Instead of answering, Vic gave four quick loud whistles, which went through the entire place. In no time, Happy appeared from the crowd over by the bar, looking around curiously. When they spotted each other, Vic got up and when Happy reached the table they gave each other a hug.

"Wait…Happy met her before me? What am I, chopped liver?" Tony asked, slumping back into the chair looking very dejected.

"I've known Happy for…almost a year," Vic said, seeming a bit hesitant with the time frame, as if she had wanted to say something else.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard your whistle. I saw you up on the stage but I didn't realize that was you. I've never seen you dressed up like this," Happy said, moving to stand next to Tony's chair.

"This is not the best outfit for delivering packages in," Vic said, indicating the colorful outfit. Why did it have to be Tony's colors?

"We are so going to have a talk," Tony stated firmly, standing up and poking Happy in the chest. "Until the next time," he said to Vic, "which had better be soon," he said pointing to the two of them.

After Tony had gotten far enough away as to not try and invite himself along, they had planned on asking Vic about leaving, but Vic spoke up first.

"I don't know about the two of you, and I know that it's a bit late, but I didn't have dinner before the show," Vic said pointing her thumb at the door. "Care to get out of here and find something to eat?"

"Sounds great," Steve said, standing up from the table and helping to pull Vic's chair out so she could stand. "Any preference?"

"Not really," Vic said. "But after all that playing, something hearty would be good."

"There's a place we like near the Tower, not fast food and it's really good," Steve suggested. "It's also much quieter and easier to talk in."

"Any chance another Avenger will be there?" Vic asked smiling.

"Probably not. You've already met the two busy-bodies that we were worried about," he stated bluntly, knowing that Steve agreed with him.

They began to walk through the club, but then she stopped, pointing to the door she had used earlier. "I'm parked out back and I need to change clothes. How did ya'll get here?"

"We are just down the street on the bikes again," Bucky said, not liking the idea of her walking in the alley alone, which he was not about to let her do.

"I'll change and then meet ya'll out front," Vic told them, moving off towards the door as Bucky looked over at Steve and gave him their old signal to hold. After she was out of hearing range, Steve turned to him.

"You're just going to let her go into an alleyway alone at night?" Steve asked looking at him shocked.

"Of course not, but while she is changing, we have plenty of time to walk around the building and meet her at the back door," Bucky said, already on the move.

"Should have figured you had a plan," Steve shook his head at hearing that, giving him a firm pat on the back.

"You're not the only one who gets them," he offered with a quick lift of his brow, earning him a groan from Steve.

They walked out the front and thanks to his checking out of the building earlier from a satellite map, he knew the quickest route to her motorcycle. When they reached the alley, they saw that the rest of the band was loading the musical equipment to a van parked close to her bike. Setting up a bit out of sight, they waited only a few minutes before Vic emerged from the open door, already changed and carrying a box and loading it into the van. She was talking to one of the guys, Richie, he remembered the name, and then she was handed a small wad of cash, her share for playing tonight. She had changed back into the outfit that she had worn earlier at the park and thanks to the outside lights, Bucky could see that she still wore the makeup. It was a very strange contrast.

They huddled in a group and were closely talking about something for a couple of minutes before each one of the guys began to give Vic a hug, bringing on another round of jealousy. He began to wonder if she had ever dated any of the guys since she seemed so comfortable with them. They were too far away to hear what they had been discussing.

"Bye," he heard Vic call out as she began to maneuver the bike towards the end of the alley they were at. Once she was a bit away from the band, he stepped out of the shadows first so that she could see him standing there. It made her freeze for a moment before recognition crossed her face.

"You know…I'm starting to think that the two of you really do have a stalking problem," Vic grinned while pushing her bike towards them.

"Can't help it," Steve said, stepping closer to her, "we're in the protection business."