So You're the One

Disclaimer in Chapter One.

Chapter Twenty-One

"I feel like there's more I should be doing." Skye complained that night.

Instead of pouring over battle plans for the umpteenth time, Tony had suggested that they all take some time to relax.

Coulson, Bobbi, Hunter and Mack were all staying in the guest apartments on the lower floors. Technically May was too, but in reality she was staying in Rhodey's apartment. Following Tony's suggestion, everyone went their own separate ways to take some time for themselves.

"There's nothing more you can do." Tony told her. "You've gone over the plans, the information. We have a plan in place. We're as ready we'll ever be."

"We're still storming a top secret HYDRA base tomorrow." Skye told him, "I feel like we can never prepared enough." No one was saying it, but she was sure they were all aware of the fact that things could go very badly the next day.

"Obsessing won't make us more prepared." Tony told her, "now why don't you take a shower and then we'll have dinner, just the two of us?"

Skye had to admit that sounded pretty nice.

"Want to join me?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. Showers for two were always more fun.

He shook his head. "I'm going to get dinner set up and then we're going to have a nice relaxing evening."

Skye raised an eyebrow at his refusal, but shrugged and headed for the shower. When she got out, she noticed a dress was lying across the bed.

A dress didn't scream 'nice relaxing evening' to her, so what was Tony up to?

Skye got dressed, deciding to put on a little make-up, and then headed out to the main area.

"You work fast." She commented in amazement as soon she entered the dining area. There were candles and flowers and a romantic dinner for two.

"The staff was waiting to set up, I let them in as soon as you hit the shower." Tony told her, taking her hand and leading her to the table. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." Skye said with a smile. Tony helped her into her chair. "What's the occasion?"

"Just the reality that everything could go to Hell in a hand basket tomorrow." Tony pointed out, "As it so often does. So I figured we deserved a night to ourselves before that happens."

Skye just nodded, she had come to learn that this type of romantic gesture was typical of Tony. He wasn't comfortable expressing his feelings in words, so he did it in actions, and usually a little over-the-top.

Dinner was fantastic and as much as Skye loved the bustle of the Tower and having her closest friends around, she always treasured her private time with Tony.

Their dinner conversation wasn't most people's idea of romance, he was discussing new plans he had for his Iron Man suit as well as possible security upgrades for the Tower, but they were both smiling and relaxed. No talk of the bad guys, just science and tech.

"I feel like I need a cheat sheet sometimes with the science talk," Skye admitted, "Computers I understand, science and engineering not so much. Ward and I used to both get lost listening to Fitzsimmons talk." She froze, realizing what she said. It was the first time in a long time Ward's name had crossed her lips in anything but a negative way.

"It's ok," Tony told her, "I know you guys had a history and it's ok to remember that."

"Why? It was a lie." Skye pointed out. "Everything I thought I knew about him was a lie." She sighed. "Ward is nothing to me. Whatever he might have been that ended when I found out he was HYDRA. He's not my friend, not someone I want to remember fondly."

"I can understand that." Tony told her. "And I agree, let's not waste tonight talking about Grant Ward."

"Thank you." Skye said. Ward had no part of this. She was happy. She had everything she had ever wanted. She had a place to belong, the love of a wonderful man and the best girlfriends anyone could ever ask for. Plus she was an actual superhero, as amazing as that sounded even to her.

"Is there desert?" Skye asked hopefully. "Preferably something with chocolate."

"There may be something in the kitchen." Tony teased, getting up. He came back with a silver domed plate.

"Fancy." Skye said as he put it in front of her. She lifted the lid and then froze. There was a decadent piece of chocolate cake on the plate, but there was also a little blue box. She looked from the box to Tony.

"I can go down on one knee if you like." He offered.

"It's ok." Skye said, still staring at the box.

Tony plucked the box off the plate and opened it, holding out to her. Skye didn't even look at the ring, her eyes glued to Tony.

"Will you marry me?" He asked simply.

"Yes." Skye said, not even hesitating. She loved Tony and he loved her, so there was no reason to say no. Yes, the press would be a pain in the ass, but maybe if they got married and lived happily ever after, eventually the press would leave them alone. Or at least a girl could dream.

Tony slid the ring on her finger. Skye glanced down at it, noting with surprise that the ring was very tasteful. Tony's taste tended to be a little over-the-top and she'd been a little afraid of some huge, showy ring that would be as big as her whole hand. Instead, it was a very simple and elegant round diamond that was the perfect size for her dainty hand. Skye was sure it cost more than everything else she had ever owned put together, but she wasn't thinking about that now.

"I've been trying to find the perfect moment," Tony told her, "and then just decided to make one."

"We're both going to come out of tomorrow perfectly fine." Skye assured him, guessing that was at least part of his motivation.

Tony grinned. "Of course we are, because then we're going to get busy planning a big, flashy wedding."

"We can't elope?" Skye asked weakly.

Tony's expression turned serious. "No. Part of the problem with a public life is that some things can't be kept private. An elopement would be taken as me being ashamed. Besides, there are people who would expect to be there. It won't be a thousand people, but it can't be just you and me either."

Skye nodded. She did know that. She was marrying Tony Stark. As much as she wished their relationship could stay in the little bubble of the past few months, she knew that wasn't possible. Loving Tony meant a life in the public eye.

"I'm not sure I'm really cut out to be a billionaire's wife." Skye said quietly.

"You're the only wife this billionaire wants." Tony assured her. "I don't expect you to change, Skye. You don't have to start going to boring parties or charity lunches, well maybe the occasionally boring party. But for the most part you'll still have your computers, your work with S.H.I.E.L.D and your life as an Avenger. I'll never ask you to change for me."

Skye knew that was all she could ask for. "You'll be giving up your 'Bachelor of the Year' status for good." She teased him.

Tony laughed. "Happily." He assured her. He pulled her to her feet and then pulled her close for a deep kiss.

Skye returned it happily and soon her cake was forgotten as the future Mr. and Mrs. Stark headed to their bedroom, completely and utterly wrapped up in each other and the happiness of this moment.

A.N- While this chapter introduces 'happily ever after', it's definitely not the end. It's more that "moment of perfect happiness" before shit hits the fan. This is not the end of the road for Tony and Skye, not by a long shot.