A/N: So i somehow found time to finish this chapter up (aka i procrastinated with studying and did this instead b/c writing makes me happy and studying makes me wanna die), so here you go! Thanks to everyone following this story and i'd love to hear back from you guys!

Chapter #11:

A Hoe Never Gets Cold

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break." - Chinese Proverb

'This is an emergency. If you don't get here ASAP I will wither away into nothing.'

'Dear Lord, tin man, just pay attention to the damn meeting.'

'Didn't I hire you to do that?'

'I'll come listen to the meeting if you come deal with these gala details.'

'Omg stop texting me I'm trying to pay attention to my meeting. Be more professional.'

I rolled my eyes and slid my phone back into my coat pocket. The gala was tonight at 7 so I was in the process of making sure every little detail was set and ready. It was why I sent Tony to his 11 AM meeting alone. Did I trust him to actually pay attention and get work done? Absolutely not. Was I more concerned for the giant event tonight than the finance meeting? Absolutely so. I put my attention back onto my Stark Pad and went through my list for the hundredth time. I knew this was overkill, but I'd have to throw myself into a dumpster, a la Clint, if I disappointed Pepper.

"Ms. Bradshaw, there are two visitors at the front desk asking for you." JARVIS spoke up.

I glanced up at the announcement and then lifted my pad as if JARVIS could see me, "Can you pull security up on my Pad?" A second later I was looking at the security feed focused on the front desk. It zoomed in on my visitors, and my eyes widened when I recognized Mj and her friend Peter. "Huh."

"Would you like me to bring them up?"

"Nah it's ok." I pushed myself up from the dining table and crossed the room to get to the elevator. While walking I straightened my skirt and the shirt I had tucked into it. I had on heels today and if these broke like the ones weeks ago I was going to swear them off forever. "Take me to the lobby, J?"

"Certainly."

The elevator came to the first floor and I stepped out. It opened up in a back hallway that was off limits to the public. Tony built it in so the Avengers wouldn't have to ride the elevator with John and Jane Smith to whatever floor they worked on. It was definitely convenient since it meant I mostly didn't have to wait for the elevator ever.

I nodded my head with a smile to a few people I passed until I was in the loud and crowded main lobby. Sal waved at me from his stand, and I gave him a quick wave back before heading to the front desk.

"Hey!" I called out and both kids turned to greet me. Peter, a brunet boy with a smile that could warm over even the coldest of hearts, stood beside Mj nearly bursting with energy. It was cute to see them side by side. Mj and Peter's friendship looked a lot like what a friendship between a dog and cat would. "What're y'all doing here?"

Mj began to meet me halfway, "Came to deliver bad news."

"Huh?"

She shrugged, "My family and I can't make it to Thanksgiving dinner. Apparently, we have to leave the city to meet up with my Dad's brother or something like that. Mom was going to text you later, but she asked me to come by and tell you face to face."

"Oh." I replied with a frown. Well, that was a huge bummer. "That's totally fine! Thanks for telling me. Shouldn't y'all be in school though?"

"We're on our Thanksgiving break this week!" Peter chirped.

I snapped my fingers and pointed to him, "Hey, my invite to you is still open, kid. You and your family can swing by for dinner here if you want."

"Wait, really?" Peter asked. He turned to look at Mj then back to me. "It's just my Aunt May and me, but I don't know… We wouldn't want to impose—"

I waved his words off, "Nah, I'm ordering a stupid amount of food and we'd love to have y'all. Think about it, ok?"

A part of it was just me being desperate to bring someone to this thing. No one would mock me or look down on me for showing up alone. I mean, by all counts, the Avengers were technically my family now, but it still felt weird. It still made me feel kind of like a loser to be honest.

"I'll talk to my aunt about it later!" Peter bobbed his head. Mj gave him a pointed look and he quickly shook his head. She gave him another look, the two having a silent argument, while I watched on in amusement.

Mj sighed and turned to me while Peter tried to interrupt, "Peter has a favor to ask."

"Mj, it's fine." Peter hissed in a panic.

"What's up, kid? What can I do for you?" I shrugged.

Peter shifted on his heels and wrapped his hands around his bookbag's straps. Geez, this kid was adorable. I wanted to scoop him up and put him in my pocket or something. Peter cleared his throat then began to ramble quickly, "I have to write a report over break on Dr. Banner for one of my classes and—and I was wondering if I could maybe get his email from you? Just to ask a couple questions?" I blinked in surprise and he threw his hands toward me with a shake of his head, his words returning to normal speed, "But it's really no big deal if you can't! I mean, I can write it without an interview I just thought that since I knew you then maybe it would be cool if—"

"Kid, kid, kid." I said quickly to cut off his ramblings. He pressed his lips together and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. Mj was snickering beside him. I could give out Bruce's email, he really wouldn't mind, but then I mentally went through his schedule for today. He didn't have anything scheduled out for today since Betty's flight was supposed to arrive at 3. "Do you wanna meet him?"

There was a huge pause of silence where Peter just stared at me. His mouth had popped open in shock and I was pretty sure he wasn't blinking anymore. The kid might not even be breathing. Mj reached over to grab his chin and slowly forced his head up and down.

Peter finally snapped out of it and his eyes widened, "Wait, really? I can—I can meet him? Like really meet him? Like talk to him? In person?"

I chuckled, "Yeah. You wanna?"

"Oh my God, yes!"

"You coming too, Mj?" I looked at her.

She shook her head, "I have a few more errands to run in Manhattan for my mom." Mj looked at Peter who was basically hyperventilating beside me, "Are you still going to go to Oscorp with me later?"

"Oh yeah!" Peter chimed. "I'll text you as soon as I'm done here."

"Oscorp?" I questioned, barely recognizing the name. I knew it was some science company or something in the area. Stark Industries had a meeting with them like a week or so ago, but it was one where Stark denied the company a loan for whatever science experiment they wanted to run. "Why are you going to Oscorp?"

Mj shrugged, "That's what I'm writing my report on."

"I thought it was, like, against the law to assign homework over break." I mumbled. Poor kids. I did not miss those days at all. I shook my head and pointed to her, "Are you ok with going around the city alone? It's a big place." Mj quirked an eyebrow at me with a smirk and I rolled my eyes. "Ok, yeah, of course you're fine. Just be careful, alright?"

Mj reached out to high five me and smirked, "I'll be super-duper careful, Auntie Aj."

"Roll back the sass. I'll see you later." I replied. She said a quick goodbye to Peter before turning on her heel and casually leaving. Honestly, I wish I had been as cool as that kid when I was her age. Instead, I had just been a ball of depression and barely concealed rage. I turned to Peter who was beaming at me. "You ready?"

Peter nodded in excitement and I motioned for him to follow me. As we walked to the private elevator, I could nearly feel the kid vibrating beside me with energy. I thought it was cute that his celebrity crush and role model was Bruce Banner. He really couldn't have picked a better guy to look up to.

"How long have you worked for the Avengers?"

"Uh, I technically work for Tony Stark, but, uh, nearly two months now? Ish?"

"That's so cool."

I chuckled as the elevator took us up, "Yeah. It kind of is."

When we got to the penthouse I began to wonder if I was even allowed to bring people up here. Nobody had told me otherwise and this was kind of my living space too, but I for sure didn't have as much claim over it as the Avengers did. JARVIS hadn't stopped me or anything and Peter wasn't really much of a security threat.

"Wow." Peter breathed as he looked around the space. It was a lot to take in. He tripped over his feet coming out of the elevator and I chuckled as he regained his balance only to immediately go back to gawking at the room.

I motioned for him to follow me and then led him across the floor over to the stairs leading up to the lab, "The Tower has multiple floors of lab, but this one here is kind of Tony and Bruce's private lab? They do mostly Avenger work here." I pulled open the door for him to walk in first. "It's really—"

My words came to a halt when I stepped into the lab behind Peter and saw Tony standing beside Bruce by the lab's tabletop. There was an awkward pause of silence where Peter stared in awe of the two men, Bruce looked sheepish about being in the area at all, Tony looked a little fearful, and I was positive that I looked absolutely homicidal.

"This is awkward." Tony said before pressing his lips together and then holding his hands out. "Uh, who's the kid?"

"You're Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Wow." Peter breathed.

I put a firm smile on my face and set my hand on Peter's shoulder, "Peter, meet Mr. Stark and Dr. Banner. Guys, this is Peter Parker. He's a friend of Mj."

"Oh, that girl you've befriended?" Tony asked and when my eyes shot to him he shook his head and then just covered his mouth with a shake of his head.

"Bruce, Peter has a report to write on you, and he asked for your email, but I figured since your schedule was clear until Betty shows up…?" I shrugged. "Maybe you could let him pick your brain? As a favor for me?"

Bruce nodded and came toward us quickly, "I would love to." He set his hand on Peter's shoulder and began to drag him out, "We should go sit at the table downstairs and talk."

"We can't stay in the lab?" Peter questioned a little sadly.

"Oh, you don't wanna stay in here." Bruce replied before pulling him out.

The moment the two of them were gone, I slowly dragged my eyes back over to Tony with a glare. He had one arm crossed over his chest, holding his elbow, as his other hand covered his mouth. We just stared at each other for a minute before he pointed to me with the hand that was covering his mouth.

"The meeting was almost over anyways."

"You were there for twelve minutes."

Tony bobbed his head, "Look, I'm so used to having you there now that without you it was just so boring. I missed you, Aj." I crossed my arms with a narrowed glare, and he held both his hands out to me. "Would it help if I said I have a gift for you?"

"I swear to God, if you bought me a Jeep, Tony…" I groaned.

"No, no." He hurried over and set both his hands on my shoulder before walking me over to the lab top. The meeting this morning hadn't been overly important, and him missing most of it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal. Hopefully. "I'm saving the Jeep for Christmas."

"What?"

"Look", Tony grabbed a box off the lab and held it out to me. I gave him a hesitant look. There was no telling what kind of expensive ass thing could be sitting in that box. Tony rolled his eyes at my hesitance and used his thumbs to pop the lid open. "I didn't go out and buy these, I made them."

"Oh." I replied. That wasn't bad at all. I could handle homemade gifts. Inside the box were two metal rings. One looked like a watch while the other was just a band. Neither were very thick, only about an inch wide, and both were colored a familiar red and gold. "Thank…you? For these…bracelets?"

Tony rolled his eyes and set the box down so he could grab the bands, "Hands please."

I held out both my wrists up to him. Tony yanked off the leather watch I had on to put the watch looking one on my left wrist and the other on my right. When they were on, he twisted some part of it and the bands tightened against my wrists so they sat comfortably on my skin without moving.

"These are super cool handcuffs." I said slowly.

"Alright, wise ass, listen up. You're gonna tap the watch face twice, when the two bars pop out you're gonna grab it and twist it so the bars line up with the band. After that just tap the band against the other and repeat. Got it?" He said. I blinked and he stared at me. Tony sighed, "Ok, so again, you're gonna—"

I waved him off, "I got it. I got it. Sort of."

He smirked and I flipped my hands over a few times before nodding once. Here goes nothing. I tapped the watch face twice and the digital clock disappeared. Two gold rectangle shaped things slid out of the watch face. I spun it so it lined up with the band like he said and suddenly I had metal folding out over my hand. It took a few seconds, but then I had a fingerless metal glove on my left hand.

"Holy shit." I said in awe. I flipped the hand over to see a glowing circle in my palm. "Is that an Iron Man repulsor?"

"Not entirely. It's an ultrasonic pulse, but a one-time thing. If you find trouble all you have to do is hyperextend your wrist and it'll activate. Blow whoever is bothering you off their feet." He explained. I began to move my wrist and he grabbed my hand. "One-time thing, and please don't set it off in our faces." I chuckled and he sighed with a small smile. "Now tap it. We aren't done."

I grinned and tapped my left wrist against the right band. The same thing happened where metal folded out from the band over my hand into another fingerless glove, but this one didn't have the glowing circle on my palm.

"That one's just metal. I figure your right hook is dangerous enough, don't need any fancy tech to hinder you." Tony grinned. "Both are bulletproof, but please do not try to get shot."

"Nobody tries to get shot." I countered. With a wide grin, I flexed my hands into fists then opened them again. This was nice. This was really, really nice. I joked with a mocking squint, "Do they have to be red and gold?"

Tony scoffed, "In case you haven't noticed, I have a theme to work with." He motioned to my wrists. "Twist each part here and they fold back up." I followed his instructions and watched in amazement as they folded back up into two bands around my wrist. Tony looked at me with smug features, "Does this get me off the hook for playing hooky?"

"Yeah, I guess." I replied then stepped forward to pull him into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around me and patted my back a few times. "Thanks, Tony. Seriously."

"I do it for the praise." Tony shrugged and pulled back. He motioned to them again, "Really though, the idea of these gauntlets is growing on me. Might make one of my own later. Obviously with more bells and whistles, but…"

I twisted my wrists in admiration again, "You know, these will actually match my dress tonight. I'm wearing red."

"It is the best color." Tony shrugged and moved to look out the see-through wall, "So the kid?"

"He's Mj's best friend. Isn't he adorable? I wanna, like, keep him forever."

"See? That's exactly how we felt when we saw you."

I rolled my eyes, "When you saw me, I was bloody and broken."

"So adorable." Tony said emphatically.

"You have a meeting at 12:45 and I can't baby-sit you because I need to work with the caterers." I said and Tony groaned. I pointed at him, "If you don't go, I will use the ultrasonic boom thing on you."

"It's a pulse, but yeah, ok." Tony began to move toward the door, "I'm gonna go talk to the kid."

"Can't stand that Bruce is getting more attention?"

"Something like that." He replied and slipped through the door.

I stood in the lab alone and looked at my wrists again. Tony had given me an apartment, a salary, and an entire wardrobe picked out by Black Widow. Clint pulled me into this weirdo family, but Tony had definitely spent the most money on me so far. Despite all the cash he threw at me though, without a doubt, this was the gift I loved the most. Not just because it was the most badass thing I've seen in awhile, but it was because he spent the time to make sure I had something to protect myself. It was the same feeling I got when Clint and Natasha beat the shit outta me in the training gym. Nothing said 'welcome to the family' quite like a weapon of mass destruction or a new choke hold.

The day was blowing by quickly, and it was probably because I was never not doing something. The caterers had gotten the address mixed up with something else so I had to reroute them before they began preparing too much, the music ensemble I hired had cancelled last minute so I had to scramble for some new source of music, and the guy I hired for décor had the nerve to try and argue with me on price last minute. Granted, Tony could afford pretty much anything, but it was the gall of it.

Basically, my entire afternoon was spent putting out fires and I had to resist using my new gauntlets on a few assholes.

"J, please remind Tony that he needs to start getting ready at 5:30 because I want him at the venue at 6:30 sharp."

"I will pass along the message, Ms. Bradshaw."

"Granted that means he'll get there at like 7:30."

"Without a doubt, Miss."

I chuckled to myself and checked my new watch. It was 4:45 right now which gave me time to get ready and then get to the venue early to make sure everything was running smoothly. Peter had left hours ago with stars still in his eyes, especially when Tony also invited him and his aunt to Thanksgiving. Bruce had left to pick up Betty and texted me saying everything went smoothly so they were probably out on the town catching up now. Steve was getting ready right now since he said he'd drive me to the venue. Natasha was in the Tower still, she told me to call her when it came time to do my hair, and Clint was somewhere.

When the doors of the elevator opened, I hurried out, tossing my bag by the door, and then began to pull my shirt out of my skirt as I walked to my bedroom. I managed to pull the shirt off entirely as I entered the room, but I nearly broke my ankle trying to come to a quick stop.

A very shirtless Thor had walked out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist right as I stepped into my bedroom wearing only my gray and pink bra. He stared at me and I stared at him and he stared at me and I stared at him and this continued for what felt like 700 years. It was Thor. A shirtless Thor. A shirtless Thor with the arms of an actual god. Jesus Christ, he was gorgeous and literally glistening with water, like the main character of a cheesy romance novel you buy for 99 cents at an airport.

Thor was the first to snap out of it. He crossed the room stiffly, keeping his eyes on my face, and slowly bent over to pick up the shirt I had apparently dropped in my state of shock. He held it up with both hands to cover my torso, "My lady."

I grabbed the shirt on autopilot and couldn't even figure out how the sleeves worked. I just held the button up shirt to my chest. It was Thor. Oh my God, it was Thor. It was Thor and I was standing here in my motherfucking bra.

"I am flattered, and I admire your…determination, but my heart has already been taken by a Midgardian." Thor gave me a broad smile and an awkward thumbs up. He tilted his head once with a chuckle, "I mean, I will commend your choice because I am the strongest Avenger."

"I thought Bruce was the strongest Avenger." I said in the softest voice I had probably ever spoken in in my entire life.

Thor scrunched his face up with a confused smile, "You are mistaken, my lady, but ok. I do have to ask that you find your way out because I do not think Jane would approve of us still standing here." He motioned to himself and then me, "Like this."

"I—You—Uh, I'm…" I took in a deep breath in a poor attempt to try and get some oxygen to my short-circuiting brain, "Nobody said you'd be here, but they did say they never knew but—I just—Maybe…Hoo, boy. I'm saying a lot of words. Is Steve…coming down…or…?"

"Steve?" Thor perked up at the name, "Steven Rogers?" I nodded like an idiot and Thor chuckled, "Ah, I understand now. You stumbled upon the wrong floor. You're looking for Steve?"

I slowly shook my head, "Well…no—not like—not like that."

"He isn't the strongest avenger either, but…" Thor mumbled then continued, "I believe his floor is two below me."

"That's not—not accurate." I blinked.

"Aj!" Speak of the devil. Steve called out from the hall and I stumbled forward to turn around but didn't find the time to reply to him. He stepped into my doorway and froze with wide eyes. Steve was wearing his navy-blue suit, and he lifted a hand to motion toward us, "Oh. God, I'm sorry, uh…"

I gave him a tight smile, "You look nice!"

Then we all stood there for another awkward moment. I stared at Steve who would glance at me then quickly look over to Thor who was staring at me in confusion. Thor cleared his throat, "This is incredibly strange. Who are you?"

Steve stepped into the room and slid out of his navy blazer. He wrapped it around my shoulders with a smile and then pushed me in the direction of the closet. That was all I needed to finally snap into reality. I jogged into the closet and shut the door as quickly as I could. For the first moment, I just mentally screamed.

"Her name is Aj." I heard Steve's muffled voice. "She's been staying on this floor."

"Ah, that explains the amenities in my bathroom." Thor said loudly with a laugh, "I wondered about Stark's choice. Although, her soap smells incredible."

I dropped my button up shirt and slipped on a pajama shirt before stepping out again holding Steve's jacket. They both looked to me and I awkwardly walked over to hand Steve his jacket back. I nodded once, "Thank you, Steven." Steve chuckled and I ignored him to turn to Thor, "I am super sorry for everything that happened in the last five minutes. I think I'm going to go into the bathroom and drown myself in the shower."

Thor laughed, "No need. All is forgiven. So, you live here?"

"Yeah. Russians tried to kill me and then I got a job." I said. Steve coughed to hide another laugh and Thor just nodded along as if that sentence made perfect sense to him.

"Well, if you excuse me for a moment." He gave me another friendly smile before walking past me to the closet.

Thor closed the door and I turned to Steve who was full out laughing now. I buried my face into my hands, "Oh my God, Steve, I wanna die! That was so embarrassing."

"No, it was fine. You always leave a great first impression." Steve replied and reached out to squeeze my shoulder. He still wore a broad smile on his face.

"I had my introduction speech all prepared in my head so when I met Thor he'd be like 'Whoa this girl is so cool, I wanna be her friend' and instead I walked in on him while we were both half naked." I whisper yelled. "Why am I the way that I am? I wasn't even wearing one of my really cute bras."

Steve laughed again, "Don't worry so much. Anyone who meets you wants to get to know you more."

"You're biased. You're just saying that because I've grown on you. Like Stockholm syndrome or a really bad mold." I replied. Steve just smiled down at me in amusement. When he finally opened his mouth to speak again, Thor's voice drew our attention to him.

Thor stood outside the closet wearing a simple outfit of dark pants, shirt, and a hoodie jean jacket. All courtesy of Natasha, of course. He motioned backwards to the closet, "The lady's clothing makes sense now. I was wondering."

"Hey, Mr. God of Thunder, Thor, sir." I stepped towards him and ignored Steve's snickering. At least someone was enjoying this. "I don't know if you know, but tonight Stark Industries is hosting a gala—"

"You are hosting a gala." Steve corrected.

I threw my hand backwards nonchalantly, "And you and Jane are more than welcome to attend. It's a last minute invite, the gala starts at 7, but the two of you are welcome to join us at any time."

"Thank you, Aj."

"Yes, that is my name." I mumbled realizing in that entire speech I had forgotten to introduce myself properly.

"I was planning to go see Jane now. I will ask her." Thor gave me a warm smile. He came closer to grip my hand firmly, then nodded once, "Also, you may simply call me Thor…or strongest avenger."

"Isn't that Banner?" Steve questioned.

Thor gave Steve a look that screamed, 'Traitor' before squeezing my hand once more and leaving the room. I turned back around to Steve who was still smiling to himself. I ran a hand down the front lapel of his suit making his smile flicker as he looked down to my hand in surprise.

"You look fantastic, Steve." I admired.

"You already said that."

"Did I? Everything before I put a shirt on is kind of a blur." I mumbled.

"You know", Steve reached out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear. "The last time I saw you so flustered was when we first met."

I groaned, "Yeah and I called you 'Captain fucking America' and then giggled. I'm aware that I'm shit at meeting people, Steven."

"You're not though. It was cute." He replied with a shrug.

I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment then quickly shook my head, "So what's up? Did you need something? Or did you just come down here to watch me make an idiot of myself?"

Steve motioned to the door, "No, I just needed to help Clint with something real quick. I was going to tell you to text me when you're ready to go. Oh, and Nat says she'll be up soon."

"Shit, really? I gotta shower then." I hurried to the bathroom, but paused to wave to him, "Thanks, Steve!"

My ten minute shower consisted of me speeding through washing my hair and shaving while trying not to nick myself. Then with dripping hair and a towel wrapped around my body, I quickly brushed my teeth before squeezing more water out of my hair. I stepped out of my room, to grab underwear and a button up shirt to put on while I did my makeup, but stopped when I saw Natasha sitting on the edge of my bed with a smirk.

"I hear you tried to seduce the god of thunder."

I groaned and threw myself forward onto the bed so I was lying beside her, "Oh my God, Nat, it was so embarrassing. I looked like a total idiot and I wasn't even wearing my cute bra!"

"Which one?"

"Gray and pink."

"Oof." Natasha replied and I was grateful that she understood that portion of my pain. She motioned for me to get up and then ran a hand through my still damp hair. "Well, come on, we're going to make you look so good that Thor wishes he had jumped you when he had the chance."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "That is not the goal."

She met my light glare with a smirk and eye roll, "Aj, that is always the goal."

Natasha watched as Aj admired herself in the mirror, lightly touching her own hair, then running her hands down the front of her dress. The dress, a gift from Pepper Aj had said, was a bold red and spoke volumes to Pepper's taste in clothes. The top was halter, a side of it wrapping around Aj's neck, and the torso maintained that tight fit until it bulged out around her hips. The right side had a long slit to show her leg. It was a gorgeous dress, but it was Aj who really sold it. What the redhead liked the most about this entire ensemble was the look in her small friend's shocked, blue eyes. It was like for the first time the woman was noticing that she was beautiful.

"Nat, you outdid yourself. I mean…You're a miracle worker." Aj breathed.

"I did the bare minimum, Aj. That's all you." She lightly calmed a few stray hairs at the back of her head, "And watch the next thing you say because I will flip you in this dress."

Aj let out a laugh, and Natasha was proud of how the shock turned to confidence in her burning blue eyes. She had come a long way, made leaps and bounds in progress, but one of the hardest things to this day was getting Aj to see her own worth. Sam warned them all it would be the last hurdle for her to get past and Natasha understood that. If you spend years viewing yourself as only one thing, trying to change your own opinion was almost impossible. It took her years to finally start listening to the things Clint said about her.

"Did you text, Steve?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah, he's meeting me up here." Aj replied, her smile not faltering at all. Natasha motioned for her to follow and they went to go pick out shoes for her to wear. She knew Aj still wasn't the biggest fan of feels, but there really wasn't another option here. Especially since the slit showed most of her leg. Natasha grabbed a pair of gold wedges. It'd match the bracelets around her wrist from Tony and the wider heel would keep her steady while she ran around the gala worrying over every little thing. "Thanks, Nat. Really."

"It's my pleasure." She replied. "Clint stopped letting me do his hair and makeup ages ago."

Aj chuckled, "I, uh, I wanna say something kind of sappy, but I know neither of us are really the sappy type."

"For the next minute, let's pretend that we are." Natasha replied. With someone as closed off as Aj they needed to encourage every single bit of self-expression. They didn't want her to hold any part of herself back.

Aj finished putting on her shoes then set a hand on Natasha's elbow, "I didn't have a mom to do this kind of thing with since she died while I was still a kid, and my sister… well, I was so busy looking out for her that it didn't leave much time for me. It's just…Thanks for showing me what an older sister is supposed to be like. I didn't think I'd ever get that."

Natasha couldn't understand how someone who truly knew Aj could ever just leave her behind. First impressions made her think that Aj was cold, hard to trust, a liability to security, and someone who was just desperate to have something to her own name. Despite giving out that vibe to anyone in the near vicinity, Aj was the entire opposite. She was warm. Those ice blue eyes burned with passion and love for every single thing she set her mind to. She was loyal. The moment they reached out to her and she finally reached back she was there for good. She was unwavering. Aj stood by them looking to help in any little way, and she was desperate but not desperate for some physical thing. She had just been desperate for a chance, a chance to let her walls fall. Natasha was very good at understanding people, at seeing what their internal goals were and what they wanted most. It was an important tool in her line of work. Looking at Aj now, she could see that behind those tall walls she had just been hiding a big heart.

"Thank you for showing me what having a little sister is like." Natasha gave her a reassuring smile and warmed at the fact that the small motion made all the nerves disappear from Aj's face. "Now come on, I think I heard the elevator and you're going to be late if we linger any longer."

Aj beamed at her with that same look of admiration. Even to this day, Natasha didn't see that look a lot. Clint and the other Avengers admired her, but each of them was in a different way. She'd never had someone look at her and want to walk in her shoes.

Natasha heard Steve call out and then began to drag Aj out of the room. The blond man was standing in front of the elevator with his hands in his pockets. He smiled at her, but the smile fell into awe when he noticed Aj. She recognized that look. Still, Steve didn't speak, he just stared, and Aj shifted beside her nervously.

"Does it look ok? I've never worn anything like—"

"It looks perfect." Natasha said firmly before snapping her eyes to Steve.

He nodded quickly, "Y—Yeah. It looks—You look… uh, wow."

"A 'wow you look amazing, Aj' or a 'wow, I can't believe you're wearing those shoes with that dress'?" Aj teased in what Natasha assumed was a joke between the two.

Steve laughed with a small nod, "The first one. Definitely the first one."

Aj excused herself to run back to the room to grab her clutch. Natasha walked up to Steve and crossed her arms with a tilt of her head, "Eloquent as always, grandpa."

"I'm not known for being smooth with the dames. That was more Buck's game." Steve nervously began to rub the back of his head now. Natasha pulled his arm down before he messed up his own hair. "The last time I even tried was back in the 40's."

"Oh, I know." Natasha teased. Aj came out a moment later while tucking a phone and her lip gloss into a gold clutch that Natasha had brought up for her to use. She made the mental note that they needed to go purse shopping sometime soon in the future. "I think I have a shawl you can wear. You'll be cold outside."

Then with a confident Aj smirk, she waved the clutch, "Oh come on, I'll be fine."

I was not fine. The sun had gone down and it was forty something degrees and I was dying. Steve tried to give me his jacket, but I refused to take it from him. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, I knew how much the cold bothered him. My guess was it had something to do with being frozen for seventy years, but he never brought it up so I left it alone. He'd talk about it when he was ready to talk about it or if he even wanted to. Luckily, the car he had pulled around, had one of Tony's suit jacket's lying on the backseat. I didn't know why he had an entire outfit in this car specifically, but Tony was Tony and I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Luckily, parking for this venue was inside a garage so there was no wind chill to bite at us as we walked inside. The entirety of the ballroom was elegantly decorated. Tables were seated at the back with nameplates set on plates, the bar against the far wall was in the process of being prepped, and I could see the wait staff coming in and out of the back kitchen. I thanked Steve profusely and then spent the next thirty minutes checking over the nameplates, making sure they were all correct and in the right spot, and then checked with everyone who was milling about working.

When I circled the room once, I stopped by the bar table where Steve stood on his phone. He glanced up at me with a smile and I felt guilty, "You know you didn't have to stick around. I feel bad for dragging you here so early."

"Don't. I volunteered for this." Steve replied. "I don't mind it at all."

I leaned against the table, I had stripped out of Tony's jacket a while ago, "You guys haven't left me alone in a while."

"Hmm?"

"Don't get me wrong, I love hanging with y'all, but…" I shrugged. "Don't think I haven't noticed that Tony doesn't let me run errands in the city alone anymore or how Bruce comes with me when I offer to get tea from the place down the street he likes or how Nat always comes with me to Amber's place and Clint always goes to pick up food with me…"

Steve sighed, "We're just being cautious."

I frowned, feeling even more guilty, the only reason I could imagine why they would be sticking to me like glue like this was hard to talk about. I twisted my lips and forced myself to ask, "Do y'all think I'm gonna run again?" Steve blinked in shock and I shook my head. "I promise I'm not. I really like being around and I can't even imagine—"

"No." Steve quickly reached across the table to take my hand. "That's not it at all, Aj. I swear. We trust you. We just…" He squeezed my hand and gave me a sheepish smile, "We're the Avengers and we're all just paranoid. We don't want you to get hurt or something."

Relief flooded over me and I laughed, "Wait, really?"

"You said it yourself, a hit was put on your head, people from that ring aren't your biggest fan anymore, and we have our own long list of enemies."

"Steve, I can take care of myself." I lifted my free hand to showcase my newest accessory, "Especially now with these bad boys."

Steve chuckled, "We know you can. We just like taking care of you, alright?"

"Well, I do like the company." I shrugged with a small smile. Admittedly, I thought the idea of them babysitting me like that would bother me more, but I couldn't deny that there was still a small voice at the back of my head that was terrified. Thinking about Boss still sent a chill down my spine, and every once in a while I would have a nightmare about being back in the bunker or back in his office like none of this had even happened. It was a constant reminder that though I was doing much better, a part of me was still broken and scared. I kind of wondered if that part of me would ever fade away.

I went back to checking details, but this time I dragged Steve around with me so he didn't have to stand at the table alone. Time passed and suddenly guests began to arrive. The band was playing soft background music and I greeted those who began to mingle around. Tony still wasn't here, but that didn't actually come as a surprise to me. The other Avengers had shown up though. Bruce introduced me to a pretty, black haired woman, Dr. Betty Ross, who kept her arm in his firmly. The way the two of them looked at one another was heartwarming and I was so glad they got to see each other again.

Even Thor had shown up with Jane. He had changed from the casual clothes into a suit and Dr. Jane Foster, a mousy brunette, had on a beautiful gown. When I greeted them both, Thor had grinned and told me it was nice to see me again, fully clothed this time, and Jane was nearly as confused as I was mortified. I explained the situation quickly, Thor just chuckling the entire time, and at the end Jane laughed in amusement. Thank God. I didn't need the god of thunder's girlfriend hating me for showing him my bra. I mean, there are plenty of other reasons to hate me.

Finally, at 7:35, Tony strolled in with Pepper Potts. He had on a simple black suit and red tinted glasses. Pepper, who had one arm hooked through his, looked absolutely regal in a long sleeve, cream colored gown. I made my way toward them nervously. This was technically the first time I was seeing Pepper in person since she gave me the job.

"Aj!" Pepper greeted and pulled away from Tony to give me a hug that I nervously returned. "This looks incredible."

"Thank you so much." I breathed in relief then motioned to myself, "And thank you so much for the dress."

"Of course, it looks absolutely wonderful on you." Pepper cooed with a sincere smile, "You really have been doing an amazing job and I'm so thankful I have someone in New York that I can count on to get Tony to his meetings."

Tony held his hands up, "And you can't count on me?"

We both ignored him, and I thanked Pepper again. She praised me one last time, it went straight to my head, and then she left to go mingle with guests since, as she so aptly put, 'We both know Tony isn't going to'. After she left, I turned to Tony with a grin that I couldn't keep off my face. He stepped closer with a smirk and glanced me over, "Pretty as a picture, honey."

"I'm 90% positive that's what you said to me when I was lying in a hospital bed black and blue." I replied.

Tony nodded, "Still true." He surprised me by pulling me forward into a hug and kissing the side of my head. Tony stepped back and motioned around him, "You did good work. Pepper wasn't exaggerating."

"Thank you, Tony." I said. God, I felt like I was on cloud nine. The Avengers needed to be careful because I was starting to get addicted to this praise thing.

He took one of my hands and motioned to the bracelet there, "You know, I really think this piece ties the whole outfit together. You're welcome." I rolled my eyes and pulled my hands away. My smile still not faltering. Nothing could knock me off the high I was riding. Tony's smirk grew, "Also, I heard that you tried to seduce—"

"Nat already made that joke!" I snapped with a blush. Tony just laughed loudly, and I crossed my arms. It was official. I was never, ever going to live this down in a million years. When I died, they were going to mention this in my eulogy and carve the story onto my tombstone, I was sure. Tony was still chuckling to himself and I lightly elbowed him before he dragged me over to the bar, "Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?"

"Your room?" Tony raised an eyebrow at me in question before turning to the bartender. "Three martinis. One dirty, one with extra olives, and…"

Tony looked at me expectantly and I shook my head, "I've never had a martini before. Uh, shaken not stirred?"

"Make that two dirty." Tony rolled his eyes. When the bartender moved to make the drinks, he turned to me, "Who hasn't had a martini before?"

"The bar I used to frequent wasn't exactly a martini crowd." I countered. "I was lucky when their glasses were clean." Tony made a face of disgust and I shook my head to get us back on track. "Thor is back, and he has Jane here. I don't wanna intrude on their space by sleeping on the couch."

Tony grinned, "Ah, you mean, you don't want to hear them having sex."

I felt my face go as red as my dress and I nearly choked on the next breath of air I took, "Tony!"

He was unfazed, "I'd offer you my couch, but Pepper's here so… Actually, there is now a couple on every single floor. Except Steve." Tony snapped his fingers and pointed to me. "There you go. Crash on his couch."

"Oh, yeah. That would work." I nodded. It wouldn't even be the first time we slept on the same floor together. There were times we'd watch Netflix, and both pass out on the couch. "But, wait, what if he wants to…you know, pick up a girl here or something?" Tony burst into another round of laughter, this one almost louder than with my Thor incident, and I shook my head, "What?"

Tony shook his head and the bartender brought over our drinks, "I knew you were funny, it's why we get along so swimmingly, but that was literally the funniest thing I've ever heard you say."

I narrowed my eyes as Tony took a sip of his martini, "Steve can pick up a girl!"

"Steven Grant Rogers couldn't pick up a girl to save his damn life." Tony countered confidently.

With a newfound determination, I picked up my martini glass, "Wanna bet?"

Tony's smirk turned smug at the challenge, "Absolutely. What do you want?"

"If I win, then…" I thought for a minute before smirking myself, "If I win, you have to come with me to my old bar for a drink."

The billionaire made a face of disgust before nodding, "Fine, but if I win you have to let me buy you a Jeep, no arguments."

"How is that a reward for you?" I argued.

"Oh, seeing the look on your face as I purchase that matte gray, souped-up Jeep will be all the reward I need."

I twisted my lips before nodding once, I lifted my glass to him, "Fine. Deal."

"Deal." Tony echoed and lightly clinked his glass to mine.

We both took a sip and my face scrunched up at the dry, bitter drink, "Oh God."

"Not a fan?"

"That's the worst thing I've had in my entire life." I gasped. Never had I ever been a fan of Gin, but I figured it must have tasted better in martini form since everyone seemed to love them so much. I was very, very wrong. "Why would anyone do that to themselves?"

Tony set his drink down, took the one in my hand, and quickly chugged it despite my complaints. He set the empty glass down and tapped on the bar for someone to come over. Tony chuckled, "I knew you'd hate it. I just wanted to see your face." The bartender arrived and Tony motioned to me, "Pineapple and rum. Strong. Add a splash of orange."

"How did you—"

"You're a rum girl. Don't worry, I respect that." Tony shrugged, "The extra stuff is a little too sweet for my taste, but I get it. You don't like the last lingering flavor to be the liquor."

I smiled to myself at his words. Tony played nonchalant about everything he did and every relationship he had, but it was moments like this that reminded me how much he paid attention. Tony noticed the little details about the people around him and then he used it to show how much he cared.

He scooped up his glasses, "Remember our deal. He's gotta pick up a girl by the end of tonight."

I nodded with my arms crossed, "I remember, and don't worry, I know exactly what I'm gonna order for you at Billy's."

Tony made a face at the name before rolling his eyes and leaving. I turned away from the bar to glance over the room. Everything seemed like it was going well. In the next thirty minutes or so people would sit down to eat and then Tony and Pepper would give 'thank you' speeches to the crowd. After that, I was off the hook. People would be free to just mingle and have a good time and I wouldn't have to worry about anything going wrong at that point.

The bartender brought me the drink Tony ordered and I thanked him before taking a sip. The rum burned down my throat, but the juices left a sweet aftertaste in my mouth. I glanced around looking for Steve. We needed to get a jump on this now. I would not lose to Iron Man.

Steve had been to a number of Stark Industries galas since the battle of New York. It was a solidarity thing. They all knew how much Tony hated these events so by coming they gave him someone other than the "pompous, windbags", as he called them, to talk to. None of them ever really minded it either. The food was good and the drinks were ever flowing. Steve had to admit though that he thought this gala was a step above the rest. He also knew he was probably biased in thinking that though. Afterall, he had watched Aj plan every little aspect of this over the last three weeks.

Sam, decked out in a black suit and green tie, strolled over and set a brown bottle on the bar table in front of him, "The bar is actually serving beer this time instead of just the rich people stuff."

"Yeah, Aj asked me what you, me, and Clint liked to drink." Steve replied, lifting the drink to his lips.

"God bless that woman." Sam lifted his own bottle in a silent cheer. Steve chuckled to himself and Sam was quick to nudge him in his side with his elbow. Sam motioned with his head across the room and Steve followed his gaze to where Aj was talking to two people he didn't recognize. "She looks great, don't she?"

"Yeah, she does." Steve replied with a small smile. This was the first time he's seen her dressed up to this degree. The look he most often saw was shorts and hoodies and fuzzy socks, and it was a look he really liked on her. Still, he could get used to seeing her like this. Beautiful and truly confident. Not just the air of snarky confidence she used as a shield at times.

Sam raised an eyebrow at him, "I didn't think you'd agree so easily. Thought I'd have to beat it out of you while trying to convince you that you like her."

"I do like her."

Sam immediately choked on his beer, and Steve had to admit seeing his friend react that way had been worth dropping that bomb. He lifted his hand to try and pat Sam's back, but Sam just swatted his hand away and tried to suck in more air, "What?"

"You were right. I do like her." Steve shrugged and Sam just stared at him like he had grown another head. He chuckled, "Denying doesn't change anything."

"When?"

Steve assumed he meant when did he know. When him and Sam first had this conversation, everything Steve had said had been true. Steve knew there was a spark of attraction there, but he really hadn't thought much of it. Who wouldn't feel some kind of attraction to someone like her? Even a still healing Bucky had apparently noticed something. It was the time after that first conversation that had changed things. Somewhere between the late nights watching Netflix and take out dinners and random trips into Manhattan his attraction had turned into sincere feelings. Hell, he still hadn't acknowledged it himself until she grabbed him and told him to 'spin her' during a country song of all things.

"Me admitting it doesn't change anything." He repeated firmly.

Sam lifted his hands as if he was going to throttle him right here in the fancy ballroom, "I swear to God, if you use that damn Bucky excuse—"

It was partly Bucky, but Steve didn't have to admit that. He had other reasons to hide behind now, "Nat says if I try to make a move on her she'll throw me off the quinjet deck on the Tower."

Sam shook his head, "Wait, Nat said that? Son of a bitch. See, we missed our monthly lunch date and now we aren't on the same page. I knew this would happen. Why—"

"Aj told Nat that she doesn't date." Steve took another sip of his drink. It made more than enough sense. The young woman was still healing. She was strong and had overcome a lot, but there were still raw wounds that made her ache. Steve was not going to be the one who hindered Aj from her recovery.

"Damn, she's right then." Sam grumbled. Steve knew his desire to get his friend a date wouldn't overpower his internal drive to help others. "You can't take a step back from her though, Steve. It might get hard for you, but she's grown really close to you and you can't just drop her."

Steve shook his head with a narrowed look, "Of course not. As long as she wants me around, I'm there for her. We became good friends before I started carrying a torch for her, so that's easy."

Both men jumped in surprise as a half-full glass of something orange in color was set down on the table hard. Aj was suddenly there in front of them with determined eyes. She pointed to him, "Steve, I need you to flirt with me right now."

Ok, maybe this wouldn't be easy.

"Uh, what?" Steve questioned, dumb founded.

Aj looked down at her watch briefly before meeting his gaze again, "I need you to, like, hit on me. As if we just met at a bar and you were trying to get me to come home with you."

Steve could feel his face heating up and he prayed it wasn't noticeable. Sam lowered his head beside him, coughing to hide a laugh. He shook his head, "But why am I doing this?"

"I kind of, maybe made this deal with Tony. He said you weren't capable of picking up a girl tonight and I defended your honor and told him you definitely could." Aj explained.

"You did what?"

"I know, I know, the conversation really got away from me."

Sam pointed at him, "Steve can't pick up a random girl."

Steve whipped his head to look at his friend. He knew it was true, but the guy didn't have to say it out loud and in front of Aj of all people, "Wow."

"It's nothing personal!" Sam held his hands up in defense. "You're just not the 'pick a girl up and take her home' type, Steve, and you know that." He looked back to Aj. "If you want him to flirt with a girl in this day and age, you're gonna have to show him how."

Steve really wasn't sure how this conversation had gotten to this point so quickly, but he was beginning to wonder if maybe he should've just stayed in the damn ice. Aj nodded at Sam's words and turned to look at him.

She stepped forward, closing the space between them, and Steve felt his breath catch in his throat. Aj leaned her elbow on the table, "Hey there…big guy?"

"Jesus Christ." Sam sighed and Steve began to laugh. He couldn't help it. The attempt had just been too cute. Aj quickly straightened her posture though and crossed her arms. Her cheeks were tinted a light shade of pink. Steve loved seeing flustered Aj.

"Ok, I don't know how to flirt on command either."

Sam tilted his head, "Hope you didn't put anything important on the line."

"Sam, help."

"First thing first, we gotta pick our target." Sam said and Steve immediately shot him a glare. Sam just shrugged in amusement. There wasn't much to do at these galas other than mock the investors. At least this would keep them busy.

Aj moved to stand beside him, she hooked an arm through his, and then motioned around the room with her other hand, "Alright, do you see anyone in here you think is pretty?"

"I think you're beautiful." Steve replied with a small smile as he looked down at her.

Aj grinned and used her free hand to pat his chest, "Yes! Exactly like that, but take it out there, charm school." Her watch made a beeping noise and she glanced down at it again. "Shit, it's time for dinner. I'm gonna get everyone moving, but you keep looking around for somebody you like, ok?"

Steve nodded his head once as she ran off. Sam pressed his lips together and then motioned in the direction of where Aj had gone with his drink, "Your crush is like super oblivious to this stuff, isn't she?"

"Come on." Steve chuckled. He grabbed the drink that Aj had forgotten to take with her and moved toward the table where their names were knowing that Aj had placed her seat right beside him. He knew he liked her. He knew that. Steve also knew though, that if he focused hard enough on just making sure she was moving in the right direction and still healing that it would be enough for him. It was just a dumb crush born from close proximity. It would pass eventually. Just a crush.

As it turned out, Steve was not afraid of women like Tony had kept telling her. In fact, the bastard was downright charming. After dinner, Sam and I would find a pretty girl and motion for him to make a move. Steve would go, initiate a conversation, have the woman drooling after him like any sane woman in the world would, but then he'd excuse himself and leave before closing the deal. It was like I was watching myself get so close to winning only for it to fall apart at the finish line again and again. While I suffered, Sam and Steve just teased me.

"I feel like you're not putting your whole heart and soul into this, mister." I twisted my lips into a pout as Steve came to stand beside me again. Sam had slipped away a few minutes ago to use the restroom and get another drink. The blond chuckled, but I pointed at him, "Steven Grant Rogers."

Steve laughed again, "What's the deal exactly?"

"You pick up a girl. That means flirting and wooing and getting her to come home with you."

"You know I'm not taking any dame other than you home tonight, right?" Steve raised an eyebrow at me. I knew exactly what he meant by the phrasing, but I still found my cheeks growing warm. He shrugged once, "The hookup culture isn't really my style."

"Product of your generation?"

"Nah, more like pre-serum me couldn't get a date to save my life." Steve chuckled. "And even if I could, I just…" He gave me a firm smile, "I'm a one dame kind of guy."

I set my hands on his chest, "That is so heartwarming and sweet and I think you're the coolest guy ever but you're also sort of ruining my life right now."

Steve let out a loud laugh, "Sorry, sweetheart."

My eyes caught sight of a pretty brunette walking past us and I watched as she checked Steve out from behind. I snapped my gaze back to him, "Ok, how about just one more try? A babe just passed by in a silver dress and was checking out your ass. I think she could be your soulmate."

"Because she likes my ass?"

"It's the cornerstone of any good relationship, I hear." I shrugged with a wide smile.

Steve glanced over his shoulder once then looked back to me, "One more try, and then after that we throw in the towel. Deal?"

"I'm wary to say deal after this first one kind of blew up in my face, but yes. After you charm her right off her feet, I will call it quits and accept my defeat. Unless you find out you like her and decide to bring her home because in that case..." I replied.

Steve chuckled and said he'd be back soon before turning on his heel and heading to the bar where the woman was standing by her friend. She really was pretty. Curly, brown hair and a silver dress that clung to every curve she had. I gripped my glass in my hands and stared at the two. Anyone looking in would probably think I was the biggest creep in the entire world. Steve said something and the woman laughed in an over dramatic manner. She reached out and let her hand trace his chest in response.

Someone stepped up beside me, Sam I assumed, and I turned to catch him up on what was happening. When I looked at him though I realized it was very much not Sam.

"Hey there." A blond stranger beamed down at me. He was probably handsome but looking at him all I could think was 'trashy college boy who never grew out of the frat mindset'. He leaned in slightly, "What's a pretty girl like you doing all alone?"

"I'm waiting for a friend." I replied and nodded my head to Steve hoping he'd be spooked by my friend being Captain America.

'Chad', as I was mentally calling him, glanced over before looking back to me with a smirk, "I could be your Captain America tonight."

"Buddy, you couldn't even pass as a poor knock off." I rolled my eyes and turned away from him. The worst thing I could do was give this guy any of my attention. Assholes like him fed off that.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that." Chad hummed in amusement. As if my annoyance was just some long game I was playing. "I just wanted to get to know you a little better. I'm—"

"Look." I cut him off and turned to snap a glare at him. "Here's the thing, Chad."

"That's not my—"

"I have been trying really, really hard to be a better person and all that shit, but you are making that increasingly difficult for me, ok?" I said firmly. "Do us both a favor and just walk away."

Chad, thick headed dumbass Chad, slid his hand onto my back. His fingers wrapped around my side as he pulled me an inch closer, "Let's be real, pretty girls like you come to these things to find rich men like me."

"Trying not to gag at that sentence." I mumbled, my hands tightening around my glass. To this day, I still did not like being touched. The Avengers were fine. I liked it when they reached out to me and made contact because they did it with good intentions. They were showing they cared. Sleazy guys like Chad, though? Chad's hand on me just reminded me of the days in the ring where anyone thought they could touch me how they wanted and get away with it. "You can move your hand yourself and leave by your own will now, or I will forcibly rip your arm off and beat you to death with it, buddy."

Chad, Mr. Not getting my message, only smirked back at me, "Hey, I like a girl with a little bite to her. Makes it a lot more fun."

His hand slipped lower as he groped my ass, and I could hear the 'Kill Bill' siren going off in my skull. The fact that I didn't immediately smash my glass against his head was a big improvement for me. My self-control could be compared to Mother Teresa. Ok, maybe not exactly her, but still. I knew that this gala was going really well, and I also knew committing homicide in the middle of it would really throw a wrench into the works. So instead of following up on my threat and just ripping his arm off, I pushed his hand off me and held his arm with a smile.

"Come on then." I said and began to pull him away from the table toward the edge of the room. Chad's grin grew and his eyes didn't leave my chest or bare leg as I dragged him through the swing doors that led back into a hallway that connected to the kitchen. The kitchen sounded busy, with people probably cleaning up, but the hallway was empty. Chad hummed in pleasure and set his hands on my waist. With no eyes on us, I didn't hesitate to grab one wrist and turn it painfully just like Natasha had shown me. I shoved on the arm hard enough that he cried out in pain and fell to his knees.

"You bitch—"

"No woman likes to be touched without permission, fucker." I snapped and spun to stand behind him when he swung out with his other arm to grab me. Quickly, I bent his arm back and wrapped my other arm around his neck. The continuation of the choke hold I had started, courtesy of the Black Widow. "So listen up and listen up good because I am only going to say this to you once. If you ever touch another woman without her permission—" Chad suddenly went limp in my arms forcing my rant to a standstill. "Uh, Chad?"

I let go of him and he fell forward flat onto his face, unmoving.

"Oh no." I mumbled and quickly knelt down to try and find a pulse. Natasha and Clint had said the choke hold could knock someone out, but they failed to mention how quickly it happened. I wasn't trying to actually hurt the idiot, I just wanted to scare the shit out of him. I found a pulse on the side of his neck and let out a breath of relief. The doors we had come through swung open and I looked up just in time to see Clint step into the hallway. His eyes widened a bit and I gave him a sheepish smile, "So, I, uh… He isn't dead. I think. Pretty sure."

Clint nodded once and motioned to Chad, "Is there a reason why you're perched over an unconscious man's body?"

"I did the choke hold y'all showed me last week. You didn't tell me how fast it would work though!" I quickly stood. "I mean, I only held him for like 15 seconds at the most!"

Clint grinned, "Wow, 15 seconds? That's good. It means you applied just the right amount of pressure and your form must have been spot on. A proper carotid choke hold can knock someone out in 10 to 20 seconds."

"You are not reacting to me knocking someone out like you should and also the 10 to 20 seconds rule should've been shared with me the day of." I argued.

Clint came over to check his pulse too, "Why did you choke hold him? I think we skipped over that part."

"He was coming onto me and I told him to stop." I crossed my arms. "I was trying to do it nicely, well nicely for me, but then he grabbed me." Clint's smile dropped and his face hardened. I shrugged, "After he grabbed my ass, I figured it gave me the right to, you know, apply bodily harm."

"Absolutely, it did." Clint said firmly and glared at the unconscious man. He looked back at me, "Are you ok?"

"Well yeah, I mean when it comes to groping it was hardly the worst I've experienced." I replied and Clint wasn't entirely happy with my answer. He pressed something on his watch and I shook my head. "Now what?"

Clint stood and motioned to the doors, "You go back to the party and I deal with this asshat."

"You aren't gonna, like, kill him are you? Because he was a dick, but not a 'he needs to die' kind of dick." I asked while Clint began to push me toward the double doors.

Clint shrugged, "Haven't decided yet. I'll keep you updated."

I was like 95% sure Hawkeye was joking. He shoved me out of the doors and before I could turn back around and see if he needed more help a familiar redhead looped her arms through mine. Natasha, as per usual, looked gorgeous. She wore a form fitting, glittery black dress that had one full length sleeve while the other arm was bare.

"Oh, hi, Nat." I chirped.

"Hi yourself. Heard you got into some trouble?" Natasha raised an eyebrow at me as she led me back to where I had been before. I wanted to question how she knew so quickly, but it probably had something to do with Clint's watch. The two were always in some form of communication, or maybe she had just seen me drag the unsuspecting Chad back there.

"I sort of knocked a guy out using that choke hold you taught me, and Clint is making sure the guy isn't like forreal dying." I replied sheepishly. "It was an accident though, I didn't mean to!"

Natasha shrugged with a quirk of her red lips, "I'll never criticize you for killing a man."

"I'm pretty positive I didn't kill him. 99%."

"Regardless."

We both turned our heads when Steve came back to the table with a curious look. He gave Natasha a nod and small smile before looking back to me, "Everything ok? You disappeared on me."

"No, it's fine, I maybe murdered a guy." I shook my head then grinned, "How'd it go with the girl?"

Natasha chuckled and slid a hand down my arm before moving away from me. She gave Steve a small pat on the back before disappearing back into the crowd. I focused back on Steve who was just blinking at me in surprise.

"Wait, what?"

"It was nothing. Did you feel sparks?"

"No, no sparks, and she isn't coming home with me." Steve replied with a small smile as I pouted. Guess this really was the end. He nodded to me, "Now can we circle back to the murder?"

I shrugged, "This guy came up and started hitting on me. He was playing the usual sleazy, rich frat boy game. I told him to back off, he felt up my ass, and then—"

"He what??" Steve interrupted, his smile had slipped off entirely as his face morphed into a mix of worry and anger. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm peachy." I reached out to hold his arm in some form of reassurance, "I took him back into the kitchen hallway and accidentally knocked him out. I would've just decked him, you know my go-to move, but I'm trying to be a better Aj."

"Better Aj just knocks people out?"

"Better Aj deals out punishment not loudly and in public!" I corrected with a smile.

Steve's anger dissipated, replaced with mild amusement, and I took that as a win. He shook his head with a chuckle, "Well, the game is over. I'm not leaving your side tonight. Apparently, you're just too much of a goddamn bombshell to just leave alone."

The statement should've left me a blushing mess. I mean, Steve Rogers just called me a goddamn bombshell, but instead I just smiled at him stupidly. His Brooklyn accent had come out full swing in the sentence and the slight edge to his curse meant he was still upset over what Chad had done.

"You're real cute, you know that?" I chuckled.

"Cute?" Steve leaned on the table beside me, "Just cute?"

"Hey, don't push it." I replied. "It takes a lot more than a few compliments to woo me, Captain Rogers."

Steve pressed his lips together, a smile curling at the corner of his lips, and he nodded once, "I'll keep that in mind."

I held his gaze a second longer until Sam came over. He had a new bottle of beer in his hands and he kept looking over his shoulder. When he reached the table he pointed behind him, "Do you guys know why Clint just asked me to help him hide a body?"

Tony was immensely proud of his little personal assistant. She had truly knocked it out of the park. He wasn't surprised, not in the slightest, but proud nonetheless. Even Pepper was impressed with how smoothly the gala went. The meal was perfect, served on time, the speeches went well, his lasting all of 25 seconds, and now the room was filled with a general buzz of enjoyment as everyone mingled and danced.

Pepper was off talking to another investor and technically speaking he probably should've been too, but his quota of talking to strangers who only liked him for the industry and his money was completely filled for the night. He took another sip of his drink, a whiskey this time, and strolled over to where Aj was standing by a bar table.

"Admiring your work?" He asked.

Aj shrugged, "It's weird knowing my job with the gala is done here."

"Not entirely done." Tony smirked. "Steve find his soulmate yet?"

"I just knew you were gonna bring that up." She pointed at him and he laughed. "We've had a few very close calls, but Steve always backs out at the end! The women want to go home with him, does that count?"

Tony scoffed, "Hell no. I know the general public wants to go home with Steve. The deal was he 'pick a girl up', that implies that he takes them home to his floor, and I knew that wasn't gonna happen."

"But—"

"Do you want your Jeep to be hard top or soft top?" Tony motioned to her with his drink, "I'm thinking hard top. It's safer, but at the end of the day it is your Jeep so…"

Aj opened her mouth, probably to try and argue more as if Tony was going to budge on this at all, but the music abruptly stopped and changed to a different song. He didn't recognize it at all, but he knew the guitar was playing in a style that was not him in any way, shape, or form.

Tony narrowed his eyes at her, "Are you playing country music at my gala? Because that is a fire-able offense I'll have you know."

"I didn't do this, but.. the song…" Aj began to look around the room. She spotted what she was looking for and Tony did as well since the tall, blond was walking toward them. "Steve?"

Steve smirked and held his hand out to her, "Hey, sugar, wanna dance?"

Aj's entire face lit up and she quickly took his hand. Steve spun her once where she stood and the grinning woman looked back at Tony, "I can't wait to dance with you and then have you take me back to your floor tonight, Steve."

"No, no, no." Tony caught on quickly and shook his head, "That was not the deal."

"You never said he couldn't pick me up. You just said a girl and I am that." Aj countered with a smug smirk.

Tony began to argue further, but Steve pulled her away and towards the dance floor. The chorus had hit and the band's singer started singing about whiskey and strawberry wine. He twisted his lips in annoyance. Tony would give her this little win. There was still Christmas.

"I'll be damned." Tony jumped as Clint showed up beside him. The archer rested an arm on his shoulder. "Tasha was right."

"About what?" Clint pointed out to the dance floor where Steve and Aj were dancing. He dipped her and she laughed as he pulled her back up and into his chest. Tony saw the way Steve was warmly looking down at her and knew exactly what bird brain was talking about. Tony shook his head and pointed to them with a frown, "That's against the rules."

"What rules, Stark?"

"I don't know—the ones I'm about to make." He countered and Clint rolled his eyes. Tony shook his head again, "I don't like it."

Clint motioned to them, "How do you not like that? Look at them. It's sweet. In fact, it's so sweet that I'm getting cavities just looking at them."

"I do not approve." Tony took a sip of his drink and stayed firm in his assessment.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm technically her father…"

Tony resisted the urge to hit the archer. He couldn't explain it, didn't know how, but he just wasn't seeing what Clint was apparently seeing. Call it a gut feeling. An instinct. He was also entirely prepared to tell Clint exactly how strong he felt about this random gut instinct when a hand slipped onto his shoulder. Tony glanced over his shoulder to see Pepper smiling at him.

"Come on." She said.

Tony took another sip of his glass before shoving it into Clint's hands, "Please tell me we're not dancing to this."

"Oh, we definitely are." Pepper said, pulling him out onto the dance floor, with a soft, amused smile.

"This will just encourage her addiction to country, and we should be better friends to her than that." Tony argued, but happily followed her out onto the floor. Pepper rolled her eyes and Tony pulled her in close to him. The music was God awful, but anything that put Pepper into his arms was worth enduring. He'd beat the stupid idea out of the spy kids' heads tomorrow. Tonight he had more pressing matters in his arms.

The bad news was that since the decision to stay at Steve's place was made so late, I hadn't packed clothes to change into, and Thor had already gone back to his room with Jane so I had no desire to try and sneak in and grab my pajamas. The good news was that I spent so much time on Steve's floor, and him on mine, that we both had a few pieces of each other's clothes. So, when the night ended, and we all came home, I had a black pair of spandex shorts and fuzzy socks to change into.

Steve had lent me one of his shirts to wear and even though it seemed like everything he wore was tight on him, it was giant on me. I stood in front of his bathroom mirror braiding my damp hair so it'd be out of my face. Usually, I'd want a hoodie or something since I kept my apartment on the cooler side, but Steve's apartment was always warm.

I slid out of his bedroom, not picking up my feet, and just letting my fuzzy socks do their job. Steve chuckled from the couch, "You're going to fall on your ass."

"Excuse you, I am the definition of grace." I dove onto his couch and wrapped my arms around one of his pillows, "Dressing up like a princess was really fun, but nothing beats lazy clothes."

Steve motioned to the TV, "You ready?"

I glanced over at it and my eyes widened at the familiar title card, "The Office? Really? I've finally worn you down?"

"You and Sam." Steve replied. "Clint wouldn't shut up about it either."

"I promise you're gonna like this Steve." I sat up and crossed my legs, "If you can suffer past the first 6 episodes it gets so good."

Steve laughed, "Why do I have to suffer through episodes if I'm choosing to watch something? Can we just skip those episodes?"

"No!"

"Why?"

"Because it's a sin, Rogers." I replied flatly. "It's tradition to cringe through the first season before you can enjoy the rest."

Steve finally relented and turned on the first episode. The first few episodes, as always, were painful. Every once in a while, Steve would look over at me in question and I'd have to convince him again that this was worth it in the long run and that Michael wouldn't always be an awkward asshole and that eventually he turns into a well-meaning, awkward dork. Around the fourth episode, I was beginning to drift off.

"It's nearly one. Are you ready to go to bed?" Steve asked softly.

My head was pressed against his shoulder and my eyes were half shut, "No, I'm wide awake."

"Very convincing." Steve said. "Come on, I'll take you to the bed."

"Nuh uh, I'm sleeping on the couch." I mumbled.

"I'm not gonna leave you out here on the couch, Aj."

"You can't sleep on the couch." I replied. "You're like 8 feet tall. You wouldn't even fit. Dorito boy." Steve shook with a muffled laugh, but I had a feeling this was going to be a losing battle for me. There was no way Mr. Chivalry was going to sleep in his own bed and leave me on the couch. I hummed, my eyes completely closed as I spoke, "I'm so glad I saved your life."

Steve shifted and I buried my head into his shoulder a little more, "I think you got that backwards."

I forced myself to sit up and open my eyes, Steve left his arm around my shoulders, "I never told you. I told Bucky, but I didn't tell any of y'all here!"

Steve furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "Tell us what?"

"I was in Manhattan during the Battle of New York. I saw y'all." I leaned my head back against his bicep. "While I was trying to get out of the worst of it, you and Thor touch downed on the street beside me."

Steve stiffened, "You were there?"

"Mhmm. One of those ugly alien assholes was gonna shoot you so I—"

"Please tell me you didn't fight an alien."

I chuckled, "You know, Bucky asked me the same thing. I didn't though. I just knocked a sign down and it landed on it and suddenly I was a hero. Sort of. A preventer of a minor inconvenience to you, at least."

Recognition flashed on his features and he turned more so he was facing me, "I saw you that day. That's why I recognized you when Clint and Nat were trying to find the Russians that took you."

"You recognized me? You remembered me?"

"Yeah, I—" Steve cleared his throat, "Your eyes. I recognized your eyes." He hummed in thought. "What are the chances?"

I shrugged, "It's funny how fate works."

"You believe in fate?"

"Well, I kind of have to. I don't believe in coincidences, and I guess fate is the opposite of that, right?" I spoke softly.

Steve pulled me closer keeping his voice as low as mine, "Why don't you believe in coincidences?"

"Look at my life." I replied. I wasn't sure why we were keeping our voices so low for this conversation, but it felt right. Now a little more awake, I turned so my knees which were tucked up onto the couch rested on his thigh. "When I was a kid, the only reason I found out that I liked fighting was because my sister's ballet class was cancelled, but since we were already out my dad took us into the Tae Kwan Do dojo in that same strip mall. That was my start." I sucked in a sharp breath. "I went through six foster homes that hated me and I hated them back. I'd sneak out, pick fights, and just be an asshole in general. I was content with wasting my life away in that Alabama ring. Hell, I didn't even care about graduating from high school. But then the seventh foster home was with Rosie and she loved me. She cared and she convinced me that I was more than just some delinquent punk. She pushed me to graduate high school, she convinced me to go to college up in New York, and I did." I motioned to him with a small smile. "Because I was in New York, I was able to save your ass during that battle, and then two years later your agent friends come into my ring." Steve was listening intently to my every word. I always loved that the people in this tower actually listened to what I had to say. "Not only did they come into my ring, but they showed up on the first night that I came back. Before then I had been out for three weeks because of an injury, but my first night back… there they were. Then I get kidnapped and sent to Russia and as huge as that country is, as big as the damn world is, I end up in the same bunker as your long lost best friend."

Steve let out a low whistle, "When you put it like that…"

"Nothing in my life seems random when I look back through the years. It's like every little thing has led me here and…it's really nice because for a while there I—I kind of stopped believing in fate. I stopped believing in anything." Fate always felt kind of like a bitch to me. I was starting to think fate just liked watching me scramble and suffer, but if all that pain and all that suffering was just to bring me here… maybe it was worth it. Maybe fate wasn't such a giant bitch after all. Because yeah, I suffered. I suffered through a lot of bullshit and I felt a lot of pain, but right now I felt safe. I was warm and safe and—and God, I was happy. I was really, truly happy.

Steve reached forward and moved a piece of hair that had fallen from my braid and into my face. I could feel my eyes starting to water and his face grew concerned, "Aj…"

"It's just... really nice to feel like I have a future again." I nodded with a laugh.

Steve squeezed my shoulder and opened his mouth briefly before shutting it again. He shook his head with a small smile, "Wanna watch one more episode?"

"Yes, please." I replied. Steve picked up the remote to start the next episode and I turned to lean against his shoulder again. I mentally took back all the mean things I thought and said about fate in the past. Hell, I wanted to make fate a 'best friends forever' bracelet. My eyes began to grow heavy again and I was out like a light before the theme song even ended.