A/N: It's been too long, and I apologize! The Tumblr (dfmtinfo DOT tumblr DOT com) will be updated with pictures from this chapter. I hope you all forgive me for the absence in updates, and I hope you enjoy this one! A little bit of everything, I think!

April 19, 2012

Faced with the choice between standing awkwardly alone in the glossy expanse of the hotel lobby or retreating to one of the chairs set to the side, Cassandra Moore's decision was nearly inescapable. Instead of remaining, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, she lowered herself into one of the comfortably plush armchairs. It offered a view of the elevator that she had stepped off of not long ago. The clear line of sight would at least, give her a glimpse of those she was looking for.

She sighed in frustration. It would have been so much easier if Scarlett hadn't already gone. The smaller blonde woman had a way about her that smoothed over the most unheralded of introductions. Nerves fluttered uneasily in her stomach at the idea of having to face this one, alone.

Folding her fingers together and carefully placing them in her lap Cass made a conscious effort to avoid displaying her nerves through her fidgeting. Inhaling shakily, she shut her eyes a moment. When she opened them, her gaze had already turned down to her feet.

How unglamorous.

Dressed in jeans and a wool turtleneck, she was a far cry from the elegant people passing back and forth through the hotel lobby. It seemed that a number of prestigious individuals had elected to stay there the night before The Avengers premiere in London. Even in their casual outfits, they offered a more glamorous picture than the American woman who sat off to the side.

Diverted from her purpose of keeping tabs on the elevator, Cass actively repressed her desire to start suddenly as someone spoke off to her right.

"Excuse me?"

Cassie's eyes flicked over in lieu of jumping. A heavily pregnant woman stood there, looking at her with an equal measure of uncertainty.

Why she was unsure, Cassandra couldn't exactly say. She was absolutely gorgeous, despite the fact that she looked nearly uncomfortably pregnant. If the fact that the accented woman hadn't been painfully gorgeous, the fact that she was incredibly pregnant would have given it away.

Rising to her feet quickly, Cass nearly tripped as the skin on her left leg pulled uncomfortably with the sudden extension. Her features tightened in a grimace briefly as she turned to face the other woman with an attempt at a smile. Yes, Cassie thought.

She wished Scarlett were here.

"Hi," she replied awkwardly. Her hands were still clasped in front of her. Realizing this, Cassandra offered one to the other woman. "I'm Cass – Cassandra. Are you Elsa?"

The stilted greetings seemed a better ice breaker than any measure of smooth self composure might have been. The foreign woman clasped Cassie's hand between two of her own, pulling the blonde closer. Embracing her kindly, Cassandra was struck at how very little she was, in comparison to her pregnant stomach. The hug was almost awkward as a result, but the warmth in the gesture eased the tension in her spine.

"I am sorry." The accented voice – Spanish, Cass managed to register, as she catalogued all she knew about Chris Hemsworth's wife – was distractingly lovely to listen to. "I had a hard time getting out of the room today."

Elsa drew back, smiling up at the younger woman. Left adrift at the display of such warmth, Cassandra floundered a moment. Instead, she offered the other woman a rather helpless shrug.

"No worries," she replied after a moment. "Scarlett's already left and I don't really have a schedule to begin with.."

Elsa laughed. It was such a kind sound. Only belatedly did Cass realize that as distracted by it as she was, the others in the lobby had also looked over to where the two women stood. It didn't seem to bother her companion but the weight of those curious stares, and the glances of recognition as they identified the Spanish woman, made Cassie itch with discomfort.

"It is good to meet you before, regardless," Elsa remarked effortlessly. Even after they had separated from the hug, she had retained possession of Cassandra's hand. Squeezing it kindly, she took half a step back before relinquishing the hold. "I have heard much of you from Chris-"

"-Oh, no!" Cass interjected brightly, humor rising. She couldn't repress the laughter or the rueful shake of her head. "I'm afraid to know precisely what you've heard."

"Only this and that." It was an attempt to dismiss Cassie's concerns but the amusement lingering in the beautiful woman's eyes didn't ease her fears in the least. "He mentioned how delightfully you managed to leave Robert and Jeremy gaping."

Cass groaned. Rubbing her fingers uneasily over her forehead for a moment, she threaded them through her locks and tugged at her hair distractedly. "That," she replied after a moment, "is exactly what I was afraid of. Did he at least tell you his act of gallantry?"

"That, I did not hear." Tilting her head to the side, Elsa smiled mischievously at the younger woman again. "You shall have to tell me of what my husband has neglected to share with me when we speak later. Do you know how today will go?"

That - …was a very good point. Blinking at the sudden about-face of the conversation, Cassandra shook her head slightly. It was as good an answer as any and one that Elsa very easily interpreted.

"Foolish men," the Spaniard muttered in a pique of vexation before her good nature returned. "They seem so quick to forget that we appreciate knowing what to expect! Tom.. Bah! We will have words about this later, he and I, worry not."

The rapid flow of words left Cassandra struggling to keep up. While the accented voice was no challenge to comprehend, the swift change of emotions left her reeling. In the end all the woman could do was offer Elsa a sheepish smile.

"Ah," she proclaimed after a moment, noting Cassie's silence. "Do not feel nervous. You have already been to several of these, yes? When they go up on stage-" stage, Cass thought?! "-we will all be seated together, you and I and your friend. If there is time, we should speak more about this, then. You must tell me what Chris has been up to."

Cass figured that blinking wasn't necessarily an answer. It was impossible not to respond favorably to the woman's warm heart and charming frankness. Instead, she smiled. "I'd like that," she replied quietly, self assurance returning to her. "There are a few good stories to tell, anyway."

Elsa smiled brightly at her even as she made to walk back through the lobby. "I'm certain you can tell me many things that I can then torment my husband with the fact that I know." Both women laughed at the thought, thinking of the tall Australian and his nature. "Speak with me later if you find me. No matter where it is. We will be friends in this, Cassandra."

The American nodded mutely, a softer smile settling over her features even as Elsa brusquely reached over to hug her. "Good. I shall expect this of you."

Watching the small, heavily pregnant woman make her way through the lobby again, Cassie sank down into her chair. All of the sudden any energy she had was sapped from her. Shutting her eyes and letting her head loll back, she only groaned lowly as another familiar voice spoke.

"That seemed.. intense."

She didn't bother to open her eyes. "You have no idea. I feel like all of them have another gear that normal people don't."

The feminine voice laughed and Cass felt someone sit down on the solid arm of the chair. Opening her eyes to look up at the familiar brunette, Cassie smiled slightly.

"And yet you drag me into this without regret." Lisa's tart rejoinder evoked a snicker from her former patient. Leaning down, the nurse looped an arm over the top of her shoulders. "Thank you for that, by the way."

"Technically," Cass pointed out even as she shut her eyes, "you have Tom to thank. Or blame. I just thought it was a good idea."

"You're telling me Tom pulled my name out of the list of people he knew were your friends?"

Cassandra sighed. "Alright, no, he didn't. He just thought I might like to have a friend come with. It sounds like there's quite the event going on with this. The woman you saw a little while ago..she's Elsa. Chris Hemsworth's wife."

Lisa stared blankly at her.

"Tall blonde man."

"You narrowed it down to.. what, two?"

"I'd actually argue that Chris Evans isn't blonde in real life.. And he's not even here. Longer hair. The not American tall blonde man."

Lisa laughed, squeezing around Cass's shoulders lightly. "It's alright, I knew where you were going with that. It's fun to watch you try to deal with this, I will admit."

"..you're not a very nice person. Why did I invite you again?"

As both women laughed they extricated themselves from the chair. In mutual agreement, it was determined that it was time to leave for their own preparation. For a fleeting moment Cassie paused and thought of the man she had woken up with that morning. His arm had curled possessively around her waist and the hand was nearly melded against the small of her back even in sleep.

She had curled against his side, cheek resting on his shoulder. The alarm was an unpleasant reminder of the reality of the day. No matter how wonderful the waking hours were, there was something idyllic about the mornings where she could lay on the sheets and lose perspective of the world. She was only Cass. He was only Tom. That was all that mattered.

Reality called, and she was a most insistent mistress, though.

"So, what exactly am I expecting here?"

"To throw your modesty into the garbage," Cass retorted sardonically. "I've never felt like I've exposed myself more often than I have when I've got people getting me ready for these things."

"Oh, good," Lisa remarked blandly. "Because it's not like I haven't seen your tits or anything by this point. I know all of your secrets."

Cassandra paused as they walked out of the hotel lobby to the street-side where they would hail a cab. "Yes," she replied quietly, voice more somber. "You do. You've seen me at my worst, anyway."

Lisa's hand rubbed the back of her arm comfortingly. "Hardly your worst. Maybe when you needed the most help."

The two women ducked into the back seat of a taxi. After giving the driver the address of the building where they would be getting ready, Cassandra reclined back into the seat. Silence might have settled between them had Lisa not reached over to dig a finger into Cass's side.

As the younger blonde squealed and curved away from the touch, Lisa giggled. "So. Modesty will be shot. What else?"

Attempting to regain her breath, Cassie rolled her eyes at the woman she was creating a budding friendship with. "Cameras. Lots of them. Tom said someone would come get you around the same time he's here for me. So it sounds like he's got it worked out that you'll walk with someone. We may not spend time on the carpet together but once that's done Elsa shared that it sounds like there's a… presentation? Regardless, I'm pretty sure they're meant to do something before the showing so we'll be on our own then. And then the movie? That's my understanding of it."

Lisa laughed again, ruffling Cassandra's hair. "So do as we're told?"

"You begin to understand my life," Cass replied with a grin.

o

"I completely understand your life," Lisa replied as a woman brusquely tutted at her for speaking when she was attempting zip up the dress. Squeaking as the aid pinched the material together to finish the dress's closure, Cassie looked over and grinned.

Wise enough not to interfere with the women fastidiously applying makeup, doing hair or settling the dress around her the only awkward moment had occurred when the blonde woman had been coerced to shuck her jeans. The garish scar tissue that still remained a visual sore spot had two women staring.

"What?" Lisa's authoritative voice had rang across the room at that point. "It's healing so well, Cassandra. It's good to see it now because you wouldn't let me see it earlier. I haven't seen it since the initial post-op of the grafts. Your burns are healing nicely."

Swallowing her gratitude as the nurse edged out the uncomfortable stares of the aids, Cassandra spread her arms with a rueful grin. "We're in your hands," she entreated politely, ignoring the way that people still seemed distracted by the scars.

After that it was business as normal. The conversation between the two American women was lighthearted, as were their interactions with the stylists who had taken it upon themselves to dress them. Cassandra herself was done before Lisa was, standing on a raised podium as a woman bent over to fuss with the skirt's hem. It was the first shorter dress that Cass had worn and she gave the dresser an uncertain look.

The older woman rested a warm hand on her bare shoulder. "No need to worry, Miss," And despite her best efforts, Cassie couldn't manage to convince them to call her Cass. "It won't show anything outlandish. Don't you fuss over that."

Smiling at the offer of comfort, Cassandra turned her eyes back to where they were fussing with the elegant back of Lisa's dress. Trying to get the crossed straps to lay correctly seemed to be requiring a measure of attention that her own simple strapless dress hadn't warranted. Grinning at Lisa's awkward expression, Cassie lifted her hand to wiggle her fingers at her friend impishly.

"Lucky you," she shared cheerfully, eyes bright with humor.

Lisa's level brown stare promised a slow, drawn out retribution. "Lucky me," she agreed, fighting to remain still as another woman joined the fray bringing the count to three trying to get it to sit the way it should.

Edging towards the door, Cass gave an uneasy glance to the idle women who seemed inclined to return to fussing with the tall blonde's hair. If it were possible to fit more pins to make it remain sleek and undisturbed, she wasn't certain she wanted to know. The sight of a man in a suit beyond the glass pane of the door's window caught her attention.

Luke offered a familiar view.

"I," Cassandra proclaimed, "will be back in a moment. Just need a breath. It's warm in here."

It was only a thinly veiled excuse. The London April day wasn't warm and the heat in the room was necessary to keep the women, with their bare shoulders, from freezing. Still, as Cass padded barefoot into the hall, it would have to do.

"Luke," she entreated to the man's back. "A word if you please?"

It had been too long in coming. Their last discussion had been stymied by circumstance. This one, though? Well, there was more that yet had to be said.

"Cassandra," the publicist remarked, wheeling about on his heel. His expression seemed strangely relieved, Cass thought. He was happy to see her? "I'm glad to see you. We need to talk."

She gave him a suspicious look to which Luke laughed awkwardly at. "Please," he entreated, holding both hands up in a gesture of peace. "I know we haven't gotten on well in the past but I have nothing against you. I just want to make it so that today works as well as it's meant to. And then in the broader sense, that you and Tom have a chance."

Wind thoroughly taken out of her sales, she offered him a polite smile. Forgiveness wasn't necessarily forthcoming but if what he said was true there was no need to say the words she had been mulling over for the past few days.

"Alright," Cass replied steadily. "Given that instruction has been lamentably sparse, if you have any it would be appreciated."

Luke Windsor smiled at that. "Come," he said, reaching out to clasp Cassandra's hand in his, nodding to a host of chairs in an alcove in the hall. "We can speak there."

Following his lead (and the insistent pull of his hand around hers) Cass found herself sinking down elegantly into the seat. Even as she did so she automatically glanced down at the shorter hem of her dress. It fought to creep up her thigh only when she sat. Hopefully the darkness of the theatre would obscure any scar that would show then. For the moment though, she twitched it down before lifting her eyes to Luke's.

"The carpet itself won't be much of a difference. Tom'll be spending more time signing things, but you know enough of them now that you won't be at odds. If you find yourself completely separated, there's a corner of the carpet before you enter the building. Fans will be there, but the ones there have been vetted by security. They're not going to be as overwhelming as some of the others along the barricades. You can wait there for Tom."

Cassandra inclined her head slightly. "Will it be a problem if I do?"

Luke laughed. It was the first time she had ever seen such an expression on the man. Normally he had appeared tremendously overworked and terse. The disfavor of that impression had led to the tension, Cass mused.

"Not at all," he replied, even through his low chuckles. "I've been keeping an eye on how you're being received and right now no one quite knows what to think. If you walk on your own some of the way, or with others, they'll keep being confused. The ambiguity might help you for a little longer."

Translation: actively being identified as a leading actor's date was going to be problematic. Interpreting that correctly, Cassie gave him an ambiguous smile. "I can do that. And during the showing itself? I met Elsa earlier. She mentioned some form of presentation?"

Luke groaned, running a hand through his shorter hair. "Right. No one's told you about that.. Well. Doesn't matter. You'll be seated with everyone's dates. The actors will be on stage. Some interviews, basic introduction of the film and what have you. Not a problem. Ushers know who you are, you'll be put in the right place."

Something that had tightened in Cass's stomach unwound slightly at the explanation. Tension eased further as her shoulders relaxed back. Exhaling slowly, she grinned ruefully at him. "That makes me feel infinitely better." Her eyes drifted to the watch on his wrist, noting the time on the clock face.

Tension slammed back into her as she realized she was getting closer to the time that Tom had indicated he'd be there for her. Rising, she offered Luke a polite smile. "Sorry. I'm sure there's things that I've managed to skip out on. Another layer or ten of hairspray, for example. Thanks for the explanation."

Luke stayed her retreat with a touch on her wrist. Her grey eyes dropped back to him questioningly.

"You had something you wanted to speak with me about?"

..That.

Biting her lip indecisively, her features remained transparent for a moment. The next second though the indecision was smoothed away. Shaking her head, Cass sighed. "No. You answered my questions. Thank you, Luke."

She walked away back into the room leaving the publicist to watch her leave. His expression seemed to indicate that he hardly believed the woman when she had replied. Still. Now was not the time to push.

Ducking back into the preparation room, Cassandra was quickly absconded by a woman who threaded silver chandelier earrings through her piercings. A pale blue stone hung on a fine silver chain, and it all matched the simple strappy stilettos that elevated Cassandra to two inches over six feet. Appropriately accessorized, she paused to take in the enormity of her reflection.

The pewter grey of her dress was set off by her own fair skin. The blonde hair kept off her shoulders elongated her neck and emphasized the feminine curves of her shoulders. The cut of the hem only managed to emphasize the length of her legs, drawn even further by the barely-there heels that made her even taller.

It was a beautiful look, Cass thought. Not as breathtakingly untouchable as she had been in other outfits, but lovely. She looked young. Moreover, she thought as she watched her red lips curve into a completely unpremeditated smile, she looked happy.

At her side Lisa seemed less impressed by the looks and more by the fact that the blonde hadn't toppled over in her shoes. Nearly prepared to say as much, the moment was lost as a solid knock was heard on the door.

Cassandra's heart skipped as she pivoted around quickly. It had been an authoritative rap, not a timid query for entry. Any hope that it was Tom, though, was quickly dashed as an assistant pulled open the door.

Jeremy Renner ducked in, an easy smile on his features as he took in the appearance of both women.

Glancing at him for a moment, Cass turned her grey eyes to Lisa. And then she looked back to Jeremy. Her confusion didn't go unnoticed as Jeremy grinned even wider.

"Tom," he explained with an easy shrug of his shoulders. "I've apparently managed to land myself a date for this one, this time!"

Lisa's expression as equally baffled even as Cassandra realized what was going on. Resting an arm on her friend's shoulder, she leaned down. "Remember how I said this was not my idea?" she said in a stage whisper so the entire room could hear.

Lisa nodded mutely.

"Good. Because this is not my fault."

It was hardly a vote of confidence in the situation. However everyone else managed to drive unexpected humor from the moment. Jeremy's tongue curled out in a petulant expression of sullenness. The other women in the room only laughed.

"Jeremy," Cass continued, "this is Lisa. Lisa, this is Jeremy. Jeremy, keep in mind that she's a nurse and probably knows a multitude of ways to hurt you. If she won't, I will. I like this one."

The man winked as he stepped forward. "It's clearly my pleasure to meet you."

"I'd say the same but I think I'm reserving judgment," Lisa replied tartly.

He grinned, offering her a hand. "I like that in a girl," he replied easily, good humor undaunted. "Anything easy isn't ever as much fun."

"Lisa," an unexpected voice commented from the door, "I beg of you: feel free to step on him. I'm relatively certain that you can inflict some measure of revenge on him through that."

So lost in the dialogue between her friend and the actor, Cassandra had failed to register the tall man leaning against the doorframe. His hands tucked neatly into his pockets, Tom offered her a grin as her startled eyes lifted to his.

Words muted in the background as she locked her gaze on his. Lisa's quick rejoinder and subsequent departure was nearly unnoticed. She lifted a hand distractedly to wave as the nurse mentioned that she would see her later. The assistants trickled from the room moments after, leaving her to gaze across to Tom even longer.

Abruptly realizing what she had been doing, Cass flushed and turned her eyes away.

"I think," Tom murmured from much closer, as she felt his arm wrap around her waist, "That I haven't seen you quite so lovely in some time."

Cass inspected her toes. "They did a wonderful job," she offered politely.

"No, darling." His fingers gently stroked her hip through the dress's material. "It isn't the dress – though it is beautiful, and you're ravishing in it. It's simply you. I'm glad Jeremy agreed to escort your friend, else I'd be fighting to keep him at bay all evening."

Startled, Cassandra lifted her eyes back up to his. The intense expression from the depths of his blue gaze was disconcerting. "Impossible," she replied flippantly, trying to find steady ground. "I'm likely four inches taller than him at the moment. It'd be awkward."

Tom laughed lowly. It seemed the easiest thing in the world to come closer against his side as they walked out towards the street. "All my luck," he replied after a moment.

Cassie smiled. "Yes," she agreed quietly. "All yours."

His free hand reached over to interlace his fingers with hers. "Then I am the luckiest man in the world today, if you are to be all mine."

A/N: Well, I'm quite pleased with how this went all things considered. I had to introduce a few new concepts, so I did strive to keep things interesting at the same time!

This update is going up in a rush so I can't thank all of you individually who have reviewed, favorited or followed this story since I've last posted. I'll endeavor to do so in tomorrow's update (which should come per normal)! Just know that I love hearing from all of you. Your reviews make my day. Thank you so much!