As I started developing this story – before "Flashbulb Memories" was officially started and all of it was still just pieces of an overall narrative, one thing I wanted to create was a close friendship between Tony and Case…this one may actually turn into its own set of one-shots, I'm not sure yet, it's an idea that came to mind as I was writing this chapter…its shorter than normal, but I hope you all enjoy it and with that I shall get back to work on Chapter 7 of "I'd Rather Laugh with the Sinners than Cry with the Saints"

As always, don't own the movies mentioned…constructive criticism is always appreciated.

"The Ammunition Handed Over on a Nissan Skyline"

May 2013

"That's the Brian O'Conner School of Driving right there, baby!"

Tony Stark left the elevator, heading for the refrigerator in the Avengers' Tower common area. He barely cast a glance at the television as he made his way across the room and grabbed a can out of the fridge, popping the tab and taking a long drink as he headed for the couch.

Case Howlett was glued to the screen, watching the scene unfold, her arms folded with her right thumbnail between her teeth as Tony took the seat beside her.

"Enjoying the movie Howlett?"

"It's pretty good," Case nodded at him, barely paying any attention to him.

"Never pegged you for a car girl, Howlett."

"The Evo is nice, but I'm more interested in the cute blond driving it," Case admitted.

"Really," Tony said as a small smirk formed on his face.

"Saw him in a towel at the beginning of the movie, thought hey, might be worth a shot," Case shrugged, "Gotta admit, I'm not disappointed."

"Tell me…do you even know what an 'Evo' is?"

"Don't care as long as he's driving it," Case said. Then she blinked at looked over, a frown forming over her face as she said, "Hey Tony…"

Tony chuckled as he took another sip from his can, "So, you got a thing for Brian O'Conner? Or is it Paul Walker himself?"

"Shut up Tony," Case grumbled, her cheeks going red as she went back to the movie. "Although the color of that car doesn't do anything for me…I liked the Skyline he was driving at the beginning of the movie better."

"So, you do like the cars?"

"Don't know a thing about 'em but I can still think they look nice," Case rolled her eyes.

"Howlett you can't even pick an Evo and a Skyline out of a lineup, can you?"

"We've already established I wasn't watching this movie for the cars, Stark."

They sat in silence for a few moments, watching the movie before Tony added, "You know…this is just the second movie. There's six of them total…the newest one is coming out later this month."

Case gave a thoughtful hum at that information, "So…that means there's four others I've gotta see before I can watch that one?"

"Yep, and don't worry, Brian O'Conner lives to fight another day in all six," Tony said. Then frowned thoughtfully, "Well…except for Tokyo Drift…but we're not gonna talk about that one yet."

"What's wrong with Tokyo Drift?"

"Trust me…when you see it, you'll know," Tony explained. He looked back up at the screen, "How 'bout Rome? Does he do anything for you?"

Case cocked her head at the screen, watching as the character took off his shirt to smash a window, "Nice physique…too much of an asshole for my personal tastes."

Tony turned toward her again, "Really?"

"My first boyfriend was all looks, no substance," Case explained. "Total sweetheart…but dumber than a box of rocks. Couldn't have a conversation with him without getting a confused look from him."

"Ouch."

"Yeah…"

They sat in silence for a few moments, before Tony asked, "You never did answer my question."

"What question?"

"Are you in it for O'Conner or Walker? I mean, I get it one's fictional, but still—"

"Shut up Tony."

August 2013

"Alright…is everyone here?" Tony asked.

"Did you invite anyone else?" Steve asked, carrying over two bowls of popcorn. He placed them on the coffee table next to the stack of pizza boxes and smaller packs of various candy.

"Did you leave anything for someone else to buy?" Ryder asked, looking at the multiple boxes of Twizzlers and Raisinettes.

"Sister Howlett has not joined us yet," Thor announced, after doing a headcount.

"She said she might not make it down," Natasha added. She was already sprawled out on one of the couches, with Clint sitting on the floor next to her, leaning back against the couch.

"Oh, she better be coming down," Tony grumbled getting to his feet.

"Look, she's still…" Ryder hesitated, chewing on his lip as he explained, "Breaking furniture."

"That's not an excuse to miss movie night," Tony told him, already heading to the elevator.

"Hey, be happy she at least leaves her apartment," Steve said, settling into one of the armchairs. "That's at least progress!"

"It doesn't matter if she doesn't even bother to leave the Tower!" The doors hissed shut behind him and he said, "Jarvis…you know what to do."

"She won't like that Sir."

"Don't care, Jarvis…I've told you before, sometimes you have to run before you can walk."

"I'm not quite sure that statement applies here."

"Howlett's been hiding in her apartment since she was taken," Tony said on the way up. "I'm not going to push for leaving the Tower…but even I know she needs to socialize more."

The doors hissed open, but when Tony walked into the apartment, he found it empty.

Queen, however, was blasting through the apartment, with Freddie Mercury belting out the lyrics to 'Headlong'.

"Where is she?"

"Miss Howlett retreated to the shower," Jarvis explained.

"Now?" Tony asked, checking his watch.

"Yes, now," Case grumbled from the hallway as she came into sight, hair still wet from her shower and sticking to her head and fingers as she tied it up in a knot, wearing a t-shirt with Freddie Mercury on stage at Wembley Stadium. Her green plaid pajama pants were dragging on the floor as she sighed, "Why are you here, Tony?"

"Movie night," Tony snapped. "That everyone else managed to make it to but you."

"I'm not in the mood, Tony," Case sighed, before plopping down on her couch.

A snap could be heard, with a few metallic springing sounds, and Case sank toward the floor.

Seeing the tears starting to fill his friend's eyes, Tony sprang into action and grabbed Case's arms, "Come on, Howlett…we're going to movie night. We'll deal with the broken sofa later."

"Tony, I don't wanna—"

"Movie night is not a recommendation, it's a requirement," Tony said, half-dragging Case toward the elevator, "Team building and all that bullshit…besides, I picked the movie just for you."

"As much as I'd like to see the rest I'm really not in the mood—"

"Nah, we'll save Tokyo Drift for another day," Tony shrugged.

"So, what are we watching?" Case asked, standing straight as they got into the elevator.

"It's a movie called Takers," Tony said. "Group of guys pulls off elaborate bank robberies."

"What makes that a movie just for me?"

Tony gave a smirk, "You'll see."