Here we get to see some of our favorite Avengers and the plot moves forward. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed, I got some amazing reviews this last chapter and I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate them. As always, let me know what you think, I love hearing what you guys are thinking!

Eve sighed, checking her fake email address again. There was no response from Grant and she was pretty sure there was never going to be. He had obviously assumed that SHIELD had turned its back on him and that was that. If he was HYDRA, Eve wasn't sure that SHIELD would win. Grant was trained the same way all SHIELD agents were and he had a cunning mind. If he got the right people backing him, which she was sure he would, he'd be unstoppable.

"If you keep doing that, your face is going to get stuck that way." Eve glanced up to see Tony Stark standing in the doorway to Steve's apartment, the elevator doors sliding shut behind him. He cut an impressive figure, about an inch over six feet with dark hair and a sharp goatee. He was dressed casually in a tee shirt and jeans, Metallica splayed across the front of his shirt. His hands were on his hips and he was watching her like he'd been there a while, one eyebrow raised in question.

"I thought you were still pretending you didn't know me," Eve shot back, shutting her laptop. There was every chance Tony was already aware of her communication with Grant Ward, but, if he wasn't, she wasn't about to let him in on that SHIELD secret.

"I never pretend I don't know you, Angel. You're just easy to overlook." And the jokes about her height weren't going away anytime soon.

"You know, the actor who played you in the movie adaptation of Iron Man is only, like, an inch taller than me," Eve pointed out, pursing her lips as Tony. They'd made multiple movies about his armor, usually animated, but the one they'd done that was live action was actually fairly accurate. Except for the height thing. And Tony was much more childish in person.

"He's five nine, actually, not that it matters. And you're still short. How is Capsicle doing?" Tony overlooked her jab, starting in to flop on the couch next to her. Eve sighed, but moved to allow him room. Technically, he owned the Tower and kicking him out would be frowned upon.

"Better. I think he'll be up and about the apartment soon considering I can't keep him in bed." Steve was proving almost impossible to wrangle. He insisted he was fine half the time and the other half he was complaining because he was bored. Eve had left him when he'd finally, finally fallen asleep after taking some of the medication the doctor had prescribed him.

"Good." Tony clapped his hands together excitedly and Eve shot him a distrusting look, knowing that him being excited was never good. "I'm planning a Halloween party. You're invited. So is Cap, if he's up to it. And the rest of your gang. You're going to need costumes, good costumes. And the Captain America suit doesn't count as a costume."

"Who said we were accepting this invitation?" Eve asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"You forget, I've known you for ten years. That's practically your whole life. You'll accept. Halloween is one of your favorite holidays," Tony reminded her. Eve was honestly surprised he remembered. He'd shown up for one Halloween at the Dugan house and that was it. One offhand remark and he'd thought to keep it in his brain?

"Fine, you caught me. I love Halloween. That doesn't mean I like parties." Parties weren't really Eve's forte. She was too used to slinking around in the shadows to enjoy them and having that much attention on her was always a negative. Besides, she hadn't actually talked to Steve about the Halloween party yet and she didn't want to agree if he didn't want to go.

"You'll still come. Cap'll come too. He doesn't like parties, but he'll go if you ask him to. Now, how's your relationship going? Did you sleep with him yet?" Tony pressed, grinning like it was Christmas. Eve turned bright red as a result of what had happened the night before, wondering why everyone was so interested in her sex life. Honestly, Natasha asked, Nova asked, even Tony asked. Next, James would be asking her. God, she'd die of embarrassment if James asked her.

"Stop being a dick, Tony. If you shut up, I'll ask Steve about the party. But I'm not making any promises," Eve waved him off and Tony got up, still grinning.

"I'm taking that as you haven't had sex yet, but it's come up. Soon, Angel, soon. Anyway, the party starts at eight; be there by nine, and wear something sexy or I won't introduce you to the rest of the Avengers," Tony threatened, as if that was an actual threat. Even if he did talk to her at the party, which Eve was seriously doubting he would, it wasn't like Steve wouldn't introduce her to his friends. The only Avengers she hadn't met up close and personal were Dr. Banner and Thor. The second team of Avengers she wasn't really all that familiar with, but they seemed more laid back than the original team.

"Tony, I told you to leave her alone." Eve glanced over the back of the couch to see Natasha walking into the apartment, the Hawk right behind her.

"Hey, Eve, what's up? Didn't get to see you earlier," the Hawk offered, a friendly grin on his lips. Tony groaned, rolling his eyes as the Hawk vaulted the back of the couch and landed in the spot he'd been in, right next to Eve.

"I'm good. I was working before Tony came down," Eve informed him, sending Tony an exasperated look. He just frowned like a scolded child, obviously not liking that she wasn't excited by his Halloween party invitation. She would have been more excited if he had better timing. Her mood had plummeted on the realization that Grant wasn't about to contact her. It had been days, he would have responded to her by now and it wasn't like she could send another message, reminding him she was on his side. Because she really wasn't. Not unless he was on SHIELD's side.

"Fine, don't be excited. Widow, Big Bird, Halloween party. Don't be late," Tony spun and sauntered to the elevator, exiting the room like a king leaving the throne room. How Pepper put up with him, Eve would never know.

"Why does he call you your codename and me stupid names?" the Hawk turned in his seat to ask Natasha, who moved into the room and dropped into the recliner, curling her feet up under her like she planned on staying for a while. Both of them were acting like they'd come to visit instead of just stopping by.

"Because he knows I'll kill him if he calls me something stupid. How's Steve doing?" Natasha turned her attention to Eve, who sighed, shaking her head.

"He'd being a pain in the ass, as usual. Apparently, super soldiers don't like having to stay in bed because they almost drowned. He spent almost an hour trying to convince me he could get up and come out to the living room without help. I spent an hour reminding him that I'd kick his ass if he tried it," Eve informed them. The Hawk grinned, chuckling at the news. Natasha rolled her eyes, obviously having dealt with something similar.

"You should see this one when he's in medical. It's a nightmare. I had to tie him to the bed once. He can get out of handcuffs and he managed to get out of the rope after about four hours," Natasha commiserated. Eve raised an eyebrow at the Hawk, who just shrugged a little.

"Medical is for pansies. Besides, those white coats give me the creeps. I don't get how they expect you to sleep when they're the things of nightmares," he complained, crossing his arms petulantly. His biceps bulged with the movement and it reminded Eve that he was a master assassin, even if he didn't act like it. He could probably kill her six different ways with his pinky finger and not even flinch as her body fell, something that wasn't exactly calming.

"He's just a baby," Natasha sneered at the Hawk, who stuck his tongue out at her in retaliation. Before they could get into a slapping match, Eve cut in.

"You two are going to Tony's Halloween party?"

"Oh, yeah, that. It's mandatory for the Avengers. Publicity and the like. I already have my costume," Natasha informed her, waving a hand like it didn't matter. Eve was honestly surprised that she'd want to go to a costume party. It would be harder to pick out anyone meaning them harm. Then again, Natasha could read body language better than almost anyone. She had no need to be nervous.

"Besides, it'll be fun. Stark invites tons of people and there's an open bar all night," the Hawk added, grinning. Eve didn't want to know what he got up to with an open bar.

"He wants Steve and I to go, but we don't have costumes and I don't know if Steve will be up to it in three days' time," Eve offered, pursing her lips in thought.

"Just because Steve doesn't go doesn't mean you can't. You can be my date. He has to trust you with me," Natasha grinned maliciously and Eve didn't want to know what she'd do to Steve if he told her she couldn't go. Honestly, she kind of found the thought appealing. It would be more appealing if Steve could go with her, but that was up in the air at the moment.

"Are you around tomorrow?" Eve asked instead of talking about what she was planning on doing with Steve.

"Nope. I'm gone the next two days. We've got a mission going on," Natasha motioned between her and the Hawk, both of whom grinned at the thought.

"I thought you guys were injured," Eve reminded them, frowning.

"Dr. Cho put the synthetics on. We're good for work. The machine doesn't work on Cap because of his advanced DNA, so he has to heal the old fashion way," the Hawk informed her, smirking. Obviously, he thought that was hilarious. "For once, he's the one who takes longer to heal."

"You could ask Barnes to go with you. He is your bodyguard, after all," Natasha offered, shrugging when Eve glanced at her curiously.

"I'll wait and talk to him," Eve nodded to herself and turned the conversation to Natasha's hair, wondering silently if it was a good idea to go to the party. Steve probably wouldn't be happy, but she could get him a costume just in case…