Tony ambled through the vast halls of Wakandas palace, (well, one of Wakandas palaces) keeping an eye out for the door he needed. Shuri had told him that this was merely one of the family dwellings, they had several more scattered throughout Wakanda and the largest was in the heart of the capital city, but this was where the royal family spent most of its time. It was a little out of the way, nestled on top of a mountain range but still close enough to Birnin Zana should they be needed in a pinch.
Tony wondered if that was one of the reasons T'Challa put Rogers clan here instead of down in the city. Despite his emotional turmoil, deep down he knew having them inside Wakandas heart could prove to be cataclysmic. Well that was just what Tony was speculating, who really knew what was going on in T'Challa's mind at the time.
He let his eyes roam as he seeked out his destination. The palace was absolutely stunning, a mix of what he assumed was classic Wakandan architecture with a flare of modern style mixed together with breathtaking results. Shuri had mentioned that vibranium was worked into the walls, floors and doors here, making parts of everything glow. The main palace in the city was filled with vibranium, even the glass. Apparently the mines were directly underneath Birnin Zana. He wished he had more time to explore and enjoy it but the current situation was more pressing at the moment.
Maybe after it was all over Shuri would let him come for a visit, maybe a mini-vacation. God knows he hadn't had one in ages. It would be nice, just to play tourist, maybe rent a little villa or cottage, (whatever they were called here) browse through the shops and buy Pepper some pretty trinkets. She loved those unique hand carved boxes that she could hoard her jewelry in. Maybe a new pair of shoes.
After what seemed like hours, he stopped in front of what he thought was the right door Shuri had directed him to. Like everything he had seen so far, it was dramatic. Carved with a mix of wood and metal, (vibranium, he assumed) it pictured the sacred temple he recently laid eyes upon with finely carved trees and foliage. Five large panthers were scattered around the temple looking very menacing, and twining sinuously around the bottom of the temple was a rather large snake.
"Huh.." he muttered. He wondered if this could have had anything to do with T'Challa's dreams. Visions, he corrected himself silently, visions Tony.
But no, Shuri mentioned that this wing of the palace (the same one the Rogues were in) had not been used in many years. Visiting council members from the other tribes of Wakanda often stayed in Birnin Zana now, so T'Challa probably didn't even remember this door existed. It was strange though, it was like seeing the images he described right in front of him. He wasn't a religious man himself (maybe he should start because according to Thor all Gods were real which probably meant he was going to Hell) but he would not discredit another's beliefs just because he didn't believe it.
Then there was Loki, who strongly believed that Bast had given T'Challa those visions. Loki, with all of his horned wonder, who had actually met Bast in the flesh. So Tony had no clue what he should believe.. It was disconcerting, he knew he should have more of an open mind seeing as he knew two Gods himself, but having believed his entire life that Gods were just myths and religious propaganda was making him feel off kilter.
He hoped he didn't go on some religious kick in the future and end up a magical monk like Dr. Strange..
Forgetting about the miniscule amount of manners he did have, he just pushed open the door and walked inside at the same time Sharon walked from the ensuite bathroom.
"Well you look better," he sniffed, "Smell better to."
She apparently hadn't caught sight of him coming in. She let out an inhuman shriek and stumbled over her own feet nearly losing the towel she was wrapped in in the process.
"Oh my God! Tony! Can't you knock?" She heaved a pillow from the bed into his face. "Jesus! I could have been naked, you ass! Don't you know you shouldn't sneak up on a SHIELD agent! I could have shot you!"
Tony rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I'd love to see where you're hiding the gun right now."
"Kiss my ass.. Please don't be crass right now Tony, I'm too tired and too stressed to deal with you.." She sat on the bed.
She did look tired, the past weeks 'on the run' had been hard on her. Despite the recent shower and shampoo she looked weary, older than the happy thirty-two year old he spoke to in Vienna over a month ago. He knew how hard it was, playing both sides, he'd seen Aunt Pegs do it on more than one occasion. Hell, even Howard had played both sides once back in WWII, or so he had been told.
He sighed, moving to sit beside her, he gathered her in a warm embrace. "You ok, Shay?" He mumbled to her hair.
She gave a nod, "I'm fine.. Just.. Is T'Challa hurt badly. I didn't want to hurt him, I was just trying not to blow my cover til backup arrived. Is he ok?"
"He's fine, as far as I've heard. Nothing vital was hit. Bruce and Stephen are giving him a thorough check in the infirmary. What kind of a bullet was that any way? It didn't seem to do much damage."
She gave a tiny smiled, "I loaded salt rounds into my rifle instead of regular bullets. Enough people have been hurt lately, it still penetrates the skin but not with enough force to do much damage. It will burn like Hell though, and he may have bled quite a bit. It shatters once it hits its target. I was aiming for the lower legs but I was off and he got hit in the thigh. I just… I hope he's ok, he didn't look well from what I saw."
Tony hugged her tighter, "Yeah we've all been through the ringer lately. Wait til I tell you what you've missed while you were a hermit." Sharon sniffled and Tony saw tear tracks on her cheeks.
"Hey," he told her gently, " It's ok, it's over now. Nobody died, we're all ok, now we can all move forward and put all this crap behind us." He wiped the tears from her face.
"I know.. I know we can.. It's just.. We know them.. You've fought beside them, lived with them, spent holidays with them.. You know, I went to the movies with Natasha and Clint when I was still with SHIELD. A group of us all went to this matinee in DC a few years ago. I've met his wife and I lived beside Steve for Christ's sake.. It just makes me feel ten times worse because I know they aren't truly bad people, but.."
She sighed, "They were supposed to be better than this.. I feel like a horrible person. I mean, I know we did the right thing, we couldn't just let them go, but... I mean, come on, it's Captain America. It just feels.." she trailed off."
"Wrong? I know Shay. I know.. I wish now that we hadn't been told all those stories as kids, might make this easier."" He hugged her tight, he didn't know what else to tell her. They were supposed to be good, not whatever this was.
"Yeah, it might," Sharon frowned, "So what exactly happened to you? I've pieced together some of it from news clips, I know Steve put you in a hospital, but you seem fine. And what was that thing earlier I saw with your eyes? Did you create some new tech?"
Tony huffed, "Yeah, you could say that.."
"Well," she pressed, "Are you going to tell me?"
He started to tell her everything but they were interrupted by a knock on the door, which was immediately opened by a harassed looking Everett Ross, decked out in tactical gear instead of his usual business style. Tony thought this look suited him more, from what he knew of the man from their brief meeting he didn't seem like the type who was happy behind a desk. He was more suited for the field. Obviously the man had lost more than a few nights of sleep lately, the ever prominent bags were now joined by dark purple circles and a few extra lines. He really was too much younger than Tony.
Sharon quickly jumped to her feet a few paces from Tony with a guilty look about her. Everett paused, eyeing the two of them and gave a lingering look at Sharon's towel. No doubt he thought he'd walked in on some intimate moment if the lovely shade of tomato he was sporting was anything to go by. He didn't seem embarrassed though, more like irritated, and he kept clenching his fists at his sides. Yep, definite irritation.
"Everett! When did you get here?!" Sharon exclaimed, wrapping her towel tighter.
"Sorry, am I interrupting something. I can come back later if you-" his gaze kept flicking between the two. Tony could tell he was trying to maintain a tough facade, but the way he kept glancing at Sharon spoke differently. Tony gave him a quick once-over. Everett had been stationed on the outer borders of Wakanda with armies from neighboring nations as backup in case something went drastically wrong. It would have taken him about twenty minutes to get here by plane or heli after being informed about the rogues apprehension. He looked rough, his hair was sticking out in a dozen directions, so he had been running his hands through it constantly. He had a slight tremor in his right hand, a sure sign that he was nervous or worried about something. There was a sheen of sweat on his face and arms, it was cool in the palace so he must have been running at some point. So, in a hurry to be somewhere. He would have seen to the security of Rogers and Co. before making his way here, to this room where he had just barged inside without being invited. So whatever it was that had him ruffled had to be very important
Then there was the way he kept glancing to Sharon, but quickly caught himself and averted his eyes. And giving Tony a stern glare.
Hmmm…
Tony spared a glance at Shay and noticed that she, while trying to maintain an air of professionalism in front of her boss, seem to be vibrating in her skin. She also wasn't concerned about the fact that she was in a skimpy towel, that wasn't leaving much to the imagination, in front of her Commander.
Oooh, could it be, Tony thought with glee!
Well, well, well. What an interesting little development here.
Tony was feeling a tad mean after the weeks of hell he'd just had, so he thought he'd give his theory a bit of a test. He sauntered over to Sharon and pulled her close, letting his hands wander down to cover her ass. It was weird, he'd never in his life thought of Sharon that way, they were not blood related, but still. She was family to him. But! For science. Well, not in this case, this was for the potential of love.
"Tony, wha-" he shushed her with a kiss, "Mmmph!"
Yeah, ok. That was just too weird.. But the look of rage on Ross's face was worth it. He decided to press his luck a bit more and gave Ross a dirty smirk as he extended the kiss. Everett looked ready to explode, Tony could see a vein pulsing in the man's neck.
Theory confirmed.
He pulled back and received a hearty punch to the shoulder, "Idiot! What the hell are you doing?!"
"I'm sorry, I know how you hate PDA's but I just can't resist you right now.." Tony smiled. He knew she'd kill him for this later but he was feeling petty. And he also wanted to see just what Ross's intentions were for Shay. It was strange though, hat the man wasn't moving in to defend his lady.
Oooh, could it be forbidden love?
He pulled her close once more ("What the fuc-" Sharon exclaimed.) and saw that Ross's rage was rapidly deflating, the longer Tony kept being touchy, now he looked kinda sick and was staring at the floor. Tony felt like a dick, Everett probably thought he'd lost the battle already and was throwing in the towel, after all the rumors were that no woman could resist a Stark.
Well it wouldn't be the first time a man had walked in to find his woman in Tony Stark's arms. Or the second, or the third. Probably not even the fourth. Sharon wasn't helping the situation, all she could do was gape at him like a fish, to shocked at his new behavior to do anything.
Everett cleared his throat, "Well, I- I'll just leave you two alone then. Agent Carter if you could meet the rest of us in the conference room when you're ready." He made quickly for the door, looking like a kid who lost the championship game.
Tony gave another eyeroll, he really should copyright that, and said, "Oh for- Everett get back here! I know everyone thinks I'm still a manwhore but I draw the line romancing my cousin!"
"Cousin?" Everett turned to Sharon, "He is your cousin? Tony Stark is your cousin? Him? Why are you kissing your cousin?"
Sharon gave Tony a soft smack to the head, "Because he's a moron apparently!"
"Ouch! I'm recovering from a grievous injury you know!"
"Oh, I barely tapped you!"
"Cousins? I don't- What?" Everett asked.
Tony hummed, "Yeah, that's kind of our big family secret, nobody knows. I mean technically we're not blood but that's just a DNA thing. Pegs never really cared about that. Family is family to her." Sharon nodded in agreement, she was being uncharacteristically quiet for her.
"So," Tony began, "How long have you two been together?"
"What- we're not.." Sharon sputtered.
"Come on Shay, don't lie. He was ready to kill me earlier when I grabbed your ass."
Ross looked stern, "You're mistaken, can't date agents who work under my command Mr. Stark. The number of complications that it could cause are not worth the risk."
"Just because you can't, doesn't mean that you won't."
"Tony-" Sharon started.
Everett remained stoic, "Any fraternization with agents under my command will result in immediate termination of my position and relocation of the agent. I signed a contract with the CIA that prohibits that."
Annnd Bingo!
Tony looked at Sharon, "Do you trust me?"
"Yes. I will get you for that kiss later, but I trust you completely."
"Then trust me when I tell you I would never do anything that would hurt you of your career, r your boyfriends unless they deserve it.. I can see that the two of you are dying to get to each other so please," he pushed her forward, "Go get your man!"
Sharon stood frozen, unsure, but Everett was either smart enough not to look the gift horse in the mouth or just couldn't take it anymore. He walked up to her slowly and pulled her close to him, wrapping her in his arms. His embrace was warm, and his arms seemed very protective when they wrapped tight around her small frame. They let the world around them melt away, neither of them caring that Tony was even in the room.
Sharon buried her face in Everett's neck and inhaled deeply as he caressed her hair and whispered something Tony couldn't hear.
He looked up through moist eyes at Tony, "So were you just trying to make me jealous?" Everett asked.
"Not really. I just wanted to know how you'd react to Shay half naked and kissing another man. That was weird for me, by the way. I couldn't figure out why you weren't trying to kick my ass. I assumed it had to do with your jobs but- now I can see that you'd fight tooth and nail for her but it's a high risk to you both, so.. Well.. How long?" he asked.
Everett sighed, "About six months after SHIELD fell."
Tony's brows shot up, "That long! How have you kept it quiet for two years!?"
"It wasn't easy, we haven't been able to be alone with each other much at all but the time that we have had we make the best of it. Most of the time we get is when we're out doing field work together, and even that's sparse. " he nuzzled her cheek. Sharon was clinging to him like a lifeline.
"So when the three of us worked out her infiltration… How could you do it, knowing she would be surrounded by super-enhanced murderers?"
"I've barely been keeping it together these past weeks. You have no idea.. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do." Everett looked pained. "Tony please, you have to keep this between us. I can't afford to lose my job and she still hasn't decided if she's leaving the CIA or not. Please…"
"I am." Sharon sniffed, raising her head, "I have another offer that's too good to let slip by. I'll tell you all about it later." They looked into each others eyes, the desire evident on their faces.
And that's my cue to skedaddle, Tony thought.
"Well," he clapped his hands, "I don't know how you lovebirds, feel but I need a vacation. Shay what do you think of the Maldives? I'm thinking Como Maalifushi. A month. That sound good to you. Villa on the water, private, I could even rent out the entire island if I need to. What do you say?"
Sharon sighed, "It sounds like a dream, but I am not spending another vacation with you. Remember the Fiji fiasco?"
"Hmmm, rude.. And I never said I was going. Everett, you should have an unholy amount of vacation days saved, care to take a trip?"
"I..? What? With you?"
Trademark eyeroll, "Do I confuse everyone? How would you like to spend a month or two at a secluded, romantic resort in the Maldives with your future Mrs. Ross here?"
"You- you want to send us on a vacation? I'd love to but I can't. Tony, if they find out-"
"There not going to, and soon it won't even matter at all. You heard her, she's leaving the CIA, another month, two at the most to get everything settled and you're both free from your stupidly non-negotiable government contracts. Just-just think it over, let me know."
Tony started to leave, "By the way, her new job will be based in upstate New York at the Compound, not DC. I'm going to be negotiating with the UN and the CIA to have you as a full time official liaison for the Avengers Project, which will probably require you to stay in New York. So you should be prepared to move your base of operations there as well but I'll go over the details later. Right now I'm going to bide you two a little alone time. I think, oh an hour and ten should do. After that hour you've got ten minutes to haul your asses to the conference room."
He opened the door and looked back, they were both staring at him. Sharon with happiness and Ross with a look of amazement at the prospect of being with Sharon full time. Tony would never get used to people who were shocked by his simple gestures. But as long as his little family was happy he just ignored it.
"Thank you, Tony." Everett whispered,
He gave them a wink and closed the door, as he walked down the hall he could faintly hear Shay's happy laughter.
Mission accomplished.
Now, he had to find a way to occupy the others for an hour..