The paper's I was handed were ridiculously thick. It wasn't long before I was waiting on Peggy's help, because I had no idea what I was reading. To be honest I just needed a job.

"What exactly am I supposed to be looking at here?" I asked softly.

I hated being lost, I always was so on top of things, the few times I wasn't drove me mad. I needed to have an idea on what I was doing.

"Sit down Ms. Collins." She said simply.

I did as she said, my emerald eyes meeting up to her darker ones as I waited for some sort of explanation.

"It would've been a miracle if you didn't ask for help. So what all do you want to know?" She asked.

Before I could get a word out, a voice that I hadn't heard for a while echoed in the background. Almost so I had to turn around to make sure it was who I thought it was. There he was in all his glory; the famous Howard Stark.

"Sorry to interrupt but Peg, I have a problem." He said casually.

I looked down at the ground and prayed to God that he didn't recognize me. I really just wanted this job, I didn't want to get tied up with him again.

"I'm working Howard. Go home I'll deal with your problem later." She said.

I couldn't help, but automatically respect Peggy a lot more. Dismissing him the way she did. It made me curious however about their relationship nonetheless.

"It's kind of important, that's why I'm here. " He stated.

"Howard, I'm working. Go wait in my office then, okay? Go." She replied showing him off.

He sighed deaftedly but before he left he looked my way, and God I saw it. The realization spreading across his face as he looked down at me.

"Well well Ms. Collins we meet again." He smirked.

I forced myself to smile up at him politely, even though this was the last thing I wanted.

"Mr. Stark, what a surprise. You work here too?" I asked curiously.

I mean I needed to know what I was getting into.

"No, Howard is a shield founder, but he doesn't work here. & he was just leaving me to my work." Peggy insited.

He smiled at me once more and then shot Peggy a look I wasn't sure of before walking out and leaving us alone once more.

"Sorry about that. Howard isn't exactly one to follow orders." She sighed.

"That I know." I muttered.

She laughed before looking up at me softly.

"He has a thing for you Ms. Collins, just a heads up."

I looked up at me new found employer like she had lost her mind. I meet the man one time, he didn't know me. How could he possibly have a thing for me?

"I've meet him once Ms. Collins." I replied.

She shot me a look full of knowing, as if she knew many things that I did not.

"You obviously don't know much about Howard Stark, Ms. Collins. Now about the paperwork." She replied.

I wasn't exactly sure what she met by that comment, but I honestly didn't want to get to know him to find out. However I knew Allie was going to love this new information.

Peggy explained the paperwork and I was working on my own before long. It was nice having an idea on everything now. However I couldn't help, but wonder what exactly she and Howard were not talking about. They were in the room for a while, so long that I almost forgot they were in there I was so busy in my paperwork.

"So Ms. Collins, welcome to shield."

I bit my lip as I looked up to his eyes dark eyes staring down at me. His eyes were rather beautiful, I would give him that at least.

"Mr. Stark, thank you." I replied back.

I turned back to my work hoping he would leave, but I wasn't going to get that lucky, as he lingered against my desk not bothering to move.

"Do you need something Mr. Stark? I can't focus with you leaning on desk." I sighed.

A smile made its way across his face as he shrugged his shoulders.

"What are you doing tomorrow night Ms. Collins?"

The man really had no fear did he? Just asking someone he barely knows out for a date. I didn't even bother looking up at him.

"Working. Goodbye Mr. Stark." I replied.

He nodded and I thanked God right then and there for Peggy coming over and dragging him away. I knew he wasn't going to let this go.

"Allie, you won't believe who is a part of shield and friend's with my boss!" I exclaimed.

I walked through the door tossing my keys on the counter as I did so. It was quiet, almost making me question if Allie was in the apartment or not.

"In the bedroom." She called.

I walked into the bedroom to see her laying on the bed with paperwork all around her.

"Do I want to ask about work?" I asked.

She shook her head negatively her auburn hair falling into her face as she did so.

"So who did you see at work today?" She asked.

"Howard Stark, he asked me to dinner." I sighed.

She practically jumped up in the bed, her face broke out into a huge grin as she did so.

"Oh my God. What did you say? You told him no, didn't you? Maria that man."

"Is a womanizer and is way too old for me. I came for the job and the job alone, Allie." I said.

She smiled at me before going back to her papers that she was working on.

"I just think it's interesting how he found you again is all." She replied.

"Creepy is more like it." I added.

I knew telling her wasn't the greatest idea, she would never let up on us dating.

I was honestly surprised that Howard Stark wasn't waiting in the shield headquarters waiting for me when I got to work. Nevertheless I was happy that he wasn't. I made my way to my desk as I began working on the papers already laying on my desk.

"Ms Collins, welcome back."

I turned around to see Ms. Carter smiling softly behind me.

"Thank you. Y ou can just call me Maria." I replied.

The formality wasn't needed, we were to be working together now, might as well get comfortable.

"Of course, as long as you call me Peggy."

"Deal." I smiled.

She smiled back before walking over to her work desk. Of course it was only a madder of time before a certain someone came strutting into the office.

"What a surprise you're back again Mr. Stark, do you need me to call Peggy for you?" I asked curiously.

He shook his head negatively as his eyes gazed down over me. Did this man not understand the word no? Has no one ever turned him down before? God.

"Actually I came for you today Ms. Collins."

Great, just great. What exactly was he going to ask of me now?

"Well I'm working, so." I replied.

He smiled leaning against the desk again as he did so.

"So am I. However I'm going for coffee, would you like one?" He casually asked.

"No thank you. Now I would like to finish my work Mr. Stark." I replied.

He just stood there for a moment, I was curious to what his next move was, but apparently that was all he had because he left shortly after, but I knew oh I knew he would be back.

He came back day after day after day. However it was one day that he didn't come that everything started to change.