After a decadent and expensive lunch, Darcia and Natasha found themselves at the hotel room where their shopping bags were held. It was just past four, which meant that they had three hours before they had to leave for the Theatre. They were lounging on the couch of the suite (it was Darcia's insistence that they got the suite. "If we're going to play the part, we have to include every small detail the paparazzi is used to when dealing with me. I always get the suites," she had said as she looked through the basket of goodies courtesy of the hotel), watching some movie that was playing without much interest. She offered to paint Natasha's nails and after some convincing, she was working on the agent's left hand, a dark purple adorning the finished nails. "How long has it been since you've had just a girls' day?"

Natasha looked at her nails, silent for a minute, thinking. "I can't even remember. It's been so long...I had to of been a child, latest. I started training a long time ago and don't remember most of my childhood."

"Wow," Darcia breathed, finishing up the second coat. Her eyes flicked up to Natasha's, measuring her reaction. She sat stony-eyed as she watched Darcia put away the nail polish. "There," the heiress said, changing the subject and giving Natasha her hand back. "Purple is a good color on you. That's lucky. It's never looked that good on me."

"Thank you," the agent said, looking down at her nails in awe. She seemed to blink back tears when she leaned over to hug Darcia. Darcia hugged her back, smiling.

"Be careful! We don't want to smudge them so soon!" she laughed, pulling away and reaching over to get the box of chocolates from the goodie basket. "Here, want one?" she asked, taking a truffle out and popping it in your mouth. When Natasha smiled as her answer, Darcia grabbed a random chocolate and popped it onto the palm of the agent's hand. "No smudging."

"Oh, right!" Natasha replied, putting the truffle into her mouth as best as she could without her nails touching anything. Darcia laughed aloud at this attempted (but successful) feat, throwing herself back against the couch, popping another one in her mouth.

"These will be the death of me," she said loudly in between bites of chocolate, cherry and caramel.

Natasha laughed and nodded, taking another one. They were in between giggles and chewing when there was a knock at the double doors leading to the suite. Darcia raised an eyebrow, but went up to inspect it, swallowing what was in her mouth. When she got to the doors, she looked through the key hole and was surprised at who she saw. She threw open the doors, her voice ringing out when they were wide enough to see the person standing behind them. "Tony Stark! What on Earth are you doing here?" she exclaimed. Natasha turned her head, eyebrow raised to see if it really was him.

"Darcia! I heard you were in New York. I thought I'd stop by and meet your lovely friend," he said, holding up a bottle of the his favorite Brandy with a cheeky grin.

"What?" Darcia asked, dumbstruck.

Tony gave her a pleading look as best as he could with his smile. "Come on, don't be mad because I left you at the premier."

Darcia registered what he was trying to do and played along. "You? Left me? Quite the contrary, Mr. Stark. I had a date that night and you just happened to crash it."

"I don't see who would want to date you, but whatever gets you through the night," Tony said, glad that she caught on. "Are you going to let me meet the college friend now? Please tell me there are some girl-on-girl stories I haven't heard."

Darcia laughed, shaking her head and stepping aside to let him in. As she peered into the hallway, she saw the door to the stairs shutting, no one behind it. She furrowed her brows, but closed the doors anyway, walking back into her suite, where Natasha and Tony were talking on the couch. "Really. What are you doing here?" Darcia asked as she took the arm chair next to the couch, the truffles back in her lap.

Tony was digging through her goodie basket when he replied. "I heard the media was all over you guys today and figured you could use a little authenticity to your story. I did good; a guy followed me when he saw me tell my driver to take me here." Finding purchase, he took out some chocolate covered fruit, biting into it with a look on his face. "This is disgusting. What the fuck fruit is this?" he said, putting the rest of what looked like a guava in the basket.

"Gross! At least throw it away!" the heiress reprimanded as best she could with her mouth full.

"Some things shouldn't be dipped in chocolate. Trust me," Natasha said, secretively.

"Oh, do you have a girl-on-girl college adventure you should share with the group, then?" Tony asked, half-interested as he inspected some other candies.

"Not exactly," was all Natasha replied, taking a sip of her water. Darcia was immediately curious and wondered if it had to do with Clint at all.

"Aren't you supposed to be at a press conference or something?" she asked, giving Natasha the rest of the chocolates.

Tony's shoulders shrugged. "Should. But if I did go, people would think something's up."

Natasha barked out a laugh, causing the other two to follow. "That's so true!" the agent said, before putting her hand to her mouth in embarrassment.

"Ouais, ouais,*" he replied, busying his mouth with sweets.

"And we're talking in French now. Combien de temps restes-tu, Tony*?" she asked in perfect French.

"Avec un peu de chance, pas trop longtemps,*" Natasha added in, causing Darcia to laugh and Tony to roll his eyes.

"If this is how you receive your guests, I don't think I'll visit again."

"Don't be a girl," Darcia admonished, changing the channel on the flatscreen. Tony, for lack of better action, mocked her, gaining him a very unladylike snort from both the heiress and the agent.

"What time do you guys leave anyway?" Tony asked after awhile, munching happily on her goodies.

"We've got to start getting ready soon. We're leaving at seven," Darcia replied, leaving the channel on a movie that was seemingly just released on DVD.

"It's not even five. How long is it going to take to change?"

Darcia shook her head, chuckling. "You should know by now, Stark. It takes you longer in the bathroom than it does Pepper."

After awhile of tiring banter between the three of them (mainly Darcia and Tony though, as Natasha preferred to just watch and laugh), mindless action movies and massive gluttony of sweets, Tony had said his goodbyes (making them extra loud, tearful and slightly promiscuous) and the two girls found themselves rushing to get ready. It was 6:00 by the time Tony left, so the girls had to touch up their hair and make up (Darcia's command) quickly, followed by putting on the satin of their dresses. To match her nails, Natasha wore an elegant strapless purple that was designed by Valentino (and chosen by Darcia), while the heiress opted to wear a dark green a-line cut designed by Versace (actually, Natasha had a say in the cut and designer, which surprised and elated Darcia). She had always loved the way earthy colors looked on her, and so did the designers, as whenever she came to them, they seemed to have musky colors picked out for her each time.

Darcia had just finished bobby-pinning back a curled piece of hair behind her ear (to show off her arc reactor earrings) when Natasha came out of the bathroom, almost shyly. The heiress glanced over at her in recognition and immediately had to do a double take. Natasha looked radiant with her hair pinned back and her bare shoulders standing pronounced against the heavy purple. She had a little it of lipstick on that she borrowed from Darcia and it made her white teeth stand out in a most natural way. Her jaw dropped. "Wow, Romanov. You look great! You may outshine me tonight."

Natasha smiled, her tone dubious. "I doubt that, but thank you."

"I'm serious. Don't put yourself down. You'll steal Christine's show," she winked at the agent, bending down to put on her heels before walking over to the bed to grab her purse. Natasha already had her small purse in hand, heels making her seem immensely taller than usual. She was already taller than the heiress, so it was hard to believe that she would be able to walk with another four inches added to her height. "Okay, I'm ready. Are you?"

"Yeah," she replied, walking behind Darcia as they went to leave the room. "What about our stuff?"

Darcia waved a hand as she opened the doors, letting the Russian beauty go ahead of her. "The driver is instructed to get them while we're out. He'll deposit them at Stark Tower and then pick us up. After the show, he'll act like he's dropping us off here and then we'll switch cars to go back to the Tower."

"Oh, okay. That sounds good."

The two walked in silence to the elevators, and then rode down in silence. Before they reached the lobby, Darcia said, "There's going to be a lot of shouting and cameras coming up. Be prepared. They must know by now our plans. They'll target you with their questions mainly, so just smile and ignore them."

"Of course," Natasha replied, all seriousness now. As if on cue, the elevator doors opened and the two walked out, heads held high and practiced smirks on their faces. The lobby was generally quiet, but right when the front doors were opened for them and they left the building, the paparazzi was on them like hawks. Cameras flashed, reporters with recorders shouted questions (mainly directed at Natasha and how she came to know Darcia), and the crowds of people looked on with mild curiosity, hoping to see a famous movie star.

"Miss Rushman! How did you and Miss Grace become so well acquainted at Oxford?"

"Miss Rushman, where are you from?"

"Miss Rushman, how come we've never heard of you before?"

"Miss Rushman-", "Miss Rushman-", "Miss Rushman-!" constantly pounded in their eardrums until they got into the car waiting for them.

"If I hadn't had as much training as I have, I probably would've punched someone," Natasha said truthfully.

"I live with the temptation," was all Darcia said, though an understanding smile on her face. She looked out of the tinted windows as they rode through Time Square, watching the pedestrians and tourists walk by and look at all of the cars with mild curiosity. The drive to the theatre was generally short, but with all of the foot traffic and their heels, it would've been hell trying to get there in the time limit. Plus, she had a reputation to keep up, and she wasn't about to go walking to a theatre. "Brace yourself," she warned the agent one more time before stepping out of the car with a large smile on her face. The paparazzi had followed them here, but thankfully they couldn't go inside. Natasha and Darcia got in the theatre more quickly than the others, thanks to the great attendant service and their awesome understanding for the famous. They were shown their seats (which were picked by the manager of the theatre with care, as Darcia requested the best of the best) and happy to notice that the theatre was already almost full, which means that the show would start soon.

"Did you see the movie, by the way? I don't think I've ever asked before," Darcia whispered to Natasha, her voice low.

Natasha nodded. "Yeah. That's why I wanted to see this one most of all."

"Oh, you'll love it. They have the actual cha- actually, I'm not going to ruin it for you. That's why we're here."

Natasha smiled. "I'm really excited. Thank you, Darcia. This means a lot to me," she said, looking up at Darcia the same way she looked up at Tony the day she met him, bright green eyes blazing in the dimmed lights. She is really beautiful. I can see why Clint fights for her.

"You're welcome, of course you're welcome."

They smiled at each other and turned away, watching the closed-curtain stage as the other people got settled in their seats. They were silent as a family of three took their seats beside Darcia, to her right. Natasha was on her left. There was low murmuring around them as the few remaining people sat down, and when everyone started fidgeting, Darcia knew the show was going to start soon. She smiled to herself, loving the chilling effect she got when she knew she was about to experience something good. She was perfectly content in her thoughts when she felt a small nudge on her arm. She looked down to her right curiously to see a little girl of around seven staring at her, perfect ringlets surrounding her face. Her parents were talking quietly next to her. The girl held up the pamphlet she received upon walking in the doors and asked, so quietly and so sweetly, "Miss Grace, will you sign this for me?"

The heiress had to contain her "Awww" when she smiled and nodded. "Of course. What's your name?"

"Christine," the girl replied, wide brown eyes looking up at her.

Darcia laughed, catching the attention of the parents and Natasha. "What a lovely and appropriate name. Here, let me see it." She took the pamphlet from the girl, who was grinning at her parents, and wrote a quick note along with her signature. "Here you go, Christine."

"Thank you!" the little girl exclaimed, blushing brightly against the pale of her skin and white of her dress. She noticed Natasha and made an "oh" sound, her face surprised. "Is that your friend?"

"Christine," the girl's mother warned.

"No, it's quite all right," Darcia responded, smiling. "Yes, her name is Natalie. Can you keep a secret?" The girl nodded vigorously. Darcia paused for dramatic effect before leaning in and whispering, "She's never been here before."

"Really?" the girl asked. "Neither have I! We're like sisters!" Natasha laughed, smiling at the girl. "Will you sign this, too, please?" the girl asked, looking at the Russian.

"Oh, um, yes, sure," Natasha replied, confounded but pleased. She took the pamphlet and signed it with a small note as well and then gently handed it back to the girl.

"Thank you!" the girl said, clutching the paper to her breast.

"You're welcome."

"Christine, quiet down now. The lights are dimming," the girl's mother said before looking up at Natasha and Darcia and mouthing a 'thank you.'

They nodded at her and turned around to focus on the stage, as the curtains were being drawn and the overture starting to play loudly. The familiar goosebumps rose to her arms, and she was unconsciously smiling the rest of the night, all because of the girl named Christine. Little did she know, Natasha was close to tears because of it, and had to hold herself back in order to enjoy the show.

(A/N: So the asterisk-marked sentences are just my terrible French attempt. Tony's line says "Yeah, yeah," Darcia's line more or less says "How long are you going to be staying?," and Natasha's line more or less says "Hopefully not too long." Please excuse if I've completely butchered it. I'm only in second year French but I have the confidence of a Fluent person. Tee-hee. Anyway, I hope you guys liked it and the next chapter is going to b and the reason this rating is going to be changed from T to M. I'm working on it now so I'll try to get it out tonight since I'll be gone literally all weekend (Work all day tomorrow, then dancing until the wee hours of the morning -IT'S FLEET WEEK!-, and then on Sunday, I have the Saturday Market. Don't ask why it's named that). So the usual stuff goes...tell me what you liked and/or what you want to see and your wish is my command. Shout outs to all the amazing reviewers out there. Love you all. Thanks for reading!)