Chapter 2

Lizzy slept in the next morning; it wasn't really unusual, she slept in most mornings, and trudged into the communal kitchen with a huff. Sam was sitting at the table with a smile that was entirely too peppy.

"What are you smiling about at this ungodly hour?" she said.

"Babe, it's 10 in the morning."

"I said what I said."

Sam laughed, handing her a Chai latte-she couldn't stand coffee- with a sympathetic smile. "Couldn't sleep?"

"You live on the same floor, what do you think?"

"Earplugs Lizzy, they are an absolute must."

"Good morning!" Steve walked in looking like he just came from a long run. Great, another morning person.

"Good morning Steve," Lizzy gave him a soft smile, he was too sweet for his own good, how could anyone be mean to Steve?

"I heard about your mission, I'm sorry it was such a bust."

Lizzy sighed, "it happens."

"What happens?" Tony came in looking like he spent the night bathing in grease.

"Tony you need to shower," Lizzy scolded, "you smell like a motor oil and sweat. Did you even sleep last night?"

"I slept!"

"How long?"

"At least an hour, maybe two."

"Go take a shower and go to bed."

"Yes mom, but first tell me what happens."

"What happens is I spent two nights sitting in a car in the middle of nowhere Indiana staring at a warehouse that not only is not a Hydra base but seems to be entirely dedicated to gutting fish and then leaving it to rot and stink up the entire city."

"Bummer. I know how to cheer you up Casper, we need a party!"

"No Tony," Steve deadpanned at the same time that Sam chipped in, "I'm in."

"A party sounds like the absolute last thing I need right now Tony," Lizzy pitched in, "I need a spa day and a vacation."

"Come on Lizzy, it'll be fun, there will be alcohol."

"Tony, you don't need to announce there will be alcohol, it wouldn't be a Tony Stark party without enough alcohol to knock every one of us on our assess," she said.

"Well there will be," Tony pouted. Lizzy wasn't in the mood to fight, and Steve's protests were halfhearted at best, so a party there would be. "Great! I'll go tell everyone." Tony was giddy and there was a glint of mischief in his eye, "maybe Thor has some of his Asgardian mead on him."

Lizzy could already tell this was a bad idea, but there was nothing to be done about it, might as well have fun. "Don't think I've forgotten about the shower and the nap Tony," she shouted after him as he ran out of the kitchen.