A/N: They're finally moving forward... Rated M for smut.

Virginia looked down at the stream of beer on her shirt and rolled her eyes. This was why she had stopped wearing fancy clothes to parties. Because she always ended up with her shirt stained from people spilling their drinks on her outfit, or even worse, throwing up all over her. Even tonight, when she was out on a date—kind of—she couldn't care less about her choice of attire. She was glad she hadn't chosen to wear a dress or a skirt and had just gone for the blue flannel and a pair of ripped jeans.

"You know, if you want to hang out with your friends, it's cool," she told Kyle, who was standing next to her as she used a napkin to wipe the beer off her shirt. Smiling, she looked up.

"You sure? I mean—"

"You and I both know this isn't the best place or time to hang out and get to know each other," she said. "Which is what we were trying to do for the last thirty minutes. I think we should take a rain check."

"You're probably right," he answered, chuckling. "Give me a call then."

Virginia nodded, watching Kyle as he walked away, then let out a deep breath. Good God, he was really nice and she liked him a lot, but she just wasn't in the mood for all this small talk. What she was in the mood for, however, was joining that game of Flip Cup a group of students were playing in the living room, and engaging in whatever other drinking games this party had going on. She hadn't been drinking in a while, so she could either let this party be boring or turn it into some fun.

Two hours later, she was stumbling upstairs, and through the door, out onto the rooftop of the apartment complex. The fresh air hit her, knocked her back. She stood a moment, breathing slowly, then walked, in mostly a straight line, toward the edge of the large patio. The roof terrace was deserted, a huge square, bounded by a small wall which was high enough to protect against anyone falling over but still let people admire the view—and what a spectacular view it was!

"Well, well," a voice sounded, "if this ain't the famous Pepper Potts."

She laughed out loud. "I'm pretty sure the word you're looking for is infamous," she corrected him, as she turned around, "not famous, 'cause that's just what I'd like to be." Tony giggled uncontrollably for a minute, and she figured, by the sounds of it, he was even drunker than she was.

Virginia tied together her shirttails with a decisive yank, showing her narrow waist and giving Tony a quick peek at her navel—her navel pierced by a little treble clef belly ring—as she made the knot. She rolled her sleeves up and looked at him, noticing his stare. The expression in Tony's melting brown eyes let her know that he liked what he saw, and as much as she tried to ignore it, she was already well aware of the growing connection between them, the sparks of attraction that had crackled between them from the first moment.

"If you're up here, all by yourself, then this surely means this party sucks," she said, looking at him.

"What do you mean, all by myself? I was just fucking someone against that wall behind you." She made a quick step forward, away from the edge, as what he was telling her definitely sounded like something Tony Stark would do, and he laughed. "So you're not enjoying this party either, huh?" he asked, and she nodded.

"Probably one of the worst parties I've ever been to," she replied.

"Wanna hear some advice?"

Her eyebrow went up.

"Never go to any of Steve's parties again, because all he does is put on a bad show."

"Then why are you here?" she wondered, arching her brow a little more.

"Because I like to mingle," Tony answered with a crooked grin. His low, husky voice sent a ripple of sensual awareness inside her. Then he came up to her, and Virginia's first instinct was to step back, but she didn't. "My mom always used to say, people are like songs. They come and go. Some remain Evergreens, you know, they're those songs you just can't get enough of no matter how many times you've listened to them in the past, and then there are others you never hear again and you're glad, because ugh, they just suck." He rolled his eyes dramatically. "And it doesn't matter if a song sounds like a poor copy or if it's an instrumental. It can sound great and you still wouldn't consider it original... or, uh, innovative?"

"What does that have to do with Steve?" she asked, laughing.

"I don't know," he answered with a chuckle. He was rambling, totally rambling. "I guess he's not the worst song I've listened to, but he's—"

"A poor copy?" She smirked.

"Instrumental. You don't need words to understand the meaning of the song."

"And that's a bad thing, because...?"

"He's being played by a variety of instruments, including my father and our dean."

"So, that year you were suspended, it wasn't because you were sick or anything, it was because of Steve?"

"You heard about that?"

"Did you buy your way back in?" She looked at him closely, and the expression on Tony's face was speaking volumes. "That's what I thought," she commented. "So, what did he do to get you kicked out?"

"Needed a little help on a take-home examination that, naturally, called for independent work. Asked him. He—"

"You mean you paid him?"

"Does it matter?"

Virginia laughed. "No, but it proves how right I am about you. You don't know anything about respect and decency, or hard work. You use people. And you use your money to get what you want. If anyone gets hurt, that's just a causality for you."

"Are you done insulting me now so I can continue?" he said with a huge grin. Tony loved that she was always so honest with him. He didn't get that a lot from people. In fact, no one he had ever met was as upfront and opinionated as Virginia Potts was. It was sexy, really fucking sexy.

"Let me guess, he ratted you out?"

"I was already on probation, so that was it. Got kicked to the curb while he got a seat at the table, making all the big decisions."

"That must've hurt," she said sarcastically.

"I always knew Rogers was a rat, I just tried to see some good in him."

"Yeah, right," she laughed, "because you're such a saint."

He smirked.

"So, if Steve's an instrumental work, what does that make you then? What kind of song are you?"

His smirk instantly grew wider. "You tell me!"

She thought for a minute, then said to him, "You're that song that somehow became a hit and keeps playing on the radio every damn time I start my car."

Tony chuckled. "Does that mean you can't stop listening to me?"

"It means I'm switching channels right away, because you're so annoying."

"Oh, you're so wrong," he said, grinning.

"Am I?"

Tony nodded and slowly made another step towards her, closing the distance between them. "You wanna know what song I am?" He paused. "I am that haunting melody that softly tugs at your heartstrings stirring up volumes of unsaid, unfulfilled desire and longing," he whispered. "That song you imagine making love to."

Tony's gaze dropped to her lips for a split second then back up to her eyes. His mouth was dry, the palm of his hand sweaty. He felt his heart racing, and something inside made him want to grab her and kiss her. He told himself that it was the alcohol—a habit. She was hot, hot and sexy, and he loved making out with beautiful women. But he didn't move, her eyes holding him captive, like he was frozen in time, immobile by her gaze.

As they looked deeply into each other's eyes, flickers of heat raced through Virginia's blood. She leaned toward him, involuntarily or deliberately she didn't know, or even care, and closed her eyes. Their faces were so close she could feel his breath feathering over her skin like a caress. Then she heard the sound of a siren wailing across the apartment complex, and it was like a wake-up call, pulling her harshly back into reality.

Virginia opened her eyes and backed away from him, and he stared at her in a way that left her feeling confused. She couldn't tell what he was thinking; if Tony was mad she hadn't kissed him or relieved, and for a moment she actually reconsidered her decision not to do it. But she was drunk, and she had never made any good decisions under the influence of alcohol. She didn't need to complicate things. This wasn't right.

Her lips felt dry, too dry, and she had to wet them before saying, "I need a drink."

"Uh, yes, me too," he mumbled, taking a step back. He had come so close to kissing her that he'd already decided how she would taste. Sweet like spun sugar, with just the slightest kick of exotic spice. "What can I get you?"

"I would like a... a vodka martini please," she answered, "Very dry, with olives, a lot of olives. Like, at least three olives."

"Okay."

"But I can get my own drink," she added quickly. "I'm just gonna follow you inside and then we... You know, I have to find Natasha. Somehow she always ends up making out with guys she doesn't even like."

When they entered the kitchen together, she noticed other people staring at them. It instantly made her feel uncomfortable, like they knew what had almost happened on that rooftop between her and Tony. He didn't seem to be aware of the looks they were getting, or maybe he was, he just didn't give a damn about it.

"Well, enjoy this stupid party," he said, grabbing a beer bottle from the fridge.

"Mhm-hm," she muttered, her glass of vodka in her hand, and turned on her heel to rush out of the room. She bumped right into another woman. "You?" Virginia let out, her eyes widening with surprise.

"Hi," the girl answered, flashing her the perfect smile.

She was in her twenties, had dark hair and a very pretty face. There was a piercing wolf-whistle, Tony's brows rising at the sight of her. He approached them, grinning broadly, then looked at Virginia, as if he was waiting for something.

"Why did you never mention that you have such good-looking friends?" His eyes darted to the other woman, and he looked her up and down with an appreciative smile on his face. "I think I'm in love."

Virginia rolled her eyes and took a long sip of her vodka. "Tony, this is Maya, my um... She's my..."

"Ex," Maya said, smirking, "I'm her ex."

"Wow, didn't see that one coming," Tony exclaimed, laughing. "You still manage to surprise me, Pepper Potts."

"Pepper?" Maya cocked an eyebrow at her. "What did I miss? Are you two…?"

"Nah," he said. "Your girlfriend here just pepper-sprayed me, is all."

"I'm not her girl—"

"You did what?" Maya laughed.

"What are you doing here, Maya?" Virginia tried to ignore Tony, but of course she noticed the way he was looking at them, grinning foolishly.

"Having fun?" she answered. "It's nice to see you, by the way. I've missed you."

The sincerity in Maya's voice ignited a spark of the flame that once burned brightly inside Virginia's heart. She looked directly into her eyes, and the warm coffee in them still seemed to be able to melt her heart. She swallowed, remembering the pain that woman had caused her, and her eyes darkened, as she huffed out a breath and shoved a hand through her hair.

"Excuse me, but I need to find my date," she said, pushing past her. "He must be wondering where I am."

Tony watched as she left in a hurry. He looked at Maya, his eyes reading hers, and it appeared to him that the history she shared with Virginia was far from pleasant. There was a lot of anger and hurt between them, and, in Maya's eyes, regret. This didn't look like the end of two people who had had a fling once. It was more than that, deeper than any relationship he'd ever had. And it made him wonder how it must be to be loved by someone as fierce and strong, dominant and mysterious, as Virginia.

"So you and Potts, huh?"

Maya gave him a lopsided smile.

"Didn't know she likes women."

"I bet there's a lot you don't know about her, Stark," she countered, turning his back to him as she went away. She made her way through the crowds of people until she found the one she was looking for, standing in line for the bathroom. "Do you really have a date?"

"Here's what I really have," Virginia mumbled. "I have no desire to talk to you. I just wanna freshen up and get back to Kyle... my date."

"I only need a minute," Maya said, pushing her way into the bathroom before Virginia could shut the door in her face. She put her beer down on the sink and turned to stare at the redhead.

"What?" Virginia raised a brow. She could feel, more than ever, the electric tension between them, that sensation that something was sizzling just below the surface.

Without saying a word, Maya suddenly crossed the short distance that separated them and kissed Virginia with such stunning force that the breath was knocked out of her. Maya's mouth swooped upon hers, twisting, rousing, her lips searing hers, possessing her. As she was trying to rustle up some logic in her mind, pleasure began to seep through the barrier of Virginia's own will.

"I don't love you anymore," Virginia said, moaning huskily as she felt Maya's hand underneath her shirt, cupping her breast. She did her best to disguise the slight tremble of her hand as she lowered her glass to the bathroom counter. "I'm over you. And I'm drunk. I don't—"

"So am I," Maya replied, a low chuckle easing past her lips. "This doesn't have to mean anything, baby. I just wanna fuck you."

She pinned her up against the wall and shifted her hand to her pants. Locking eyes with her former lover, she undid the zipper and slipped her fingers inside. She cupped the outside of Virginia's panties, feeling her heat soak into her, and started to move her middle finger, bending it so it slid up and down on her mound.

"Maya," Virginia murmured.

"What?" She grinned. "You want me to stop?"

"No," she moaned. "Fuck me."

Virginia bit her lip as Maya's fingers found her clit and squeezed it just enough to entice her. She wanted to cry out loudly but remembered where she was and that there was probably still a line outside the bathroom. But God, it was so hard to stifle her cries.

She pushed her shirt up, revealing her toned stomach, her simple black lace bra. Her breasts were plump, her nipples poking against the delicate fabric. A moan escaped her, low and throaty, as Maya swiped her tongue across one lacy-covered nipple, then the other, while she kept stroking her. Virginia arched into her touch, her head thrown back, eyes closed.

Maya dropped to her knees, shoved Virginia's jeans and panties down and lifted her legs so she could remove them, brushing her lips over her soft thigh. Inches from her sex, she could smell the tang of her arousal. Turning her head, Maya breathed in her scent deeply. Then she returned her finger to its previous position, only this time she added a companion so she had two fingers moving in and out of her hot, tight hole. When her breathing got erratic, Maya knew another minute or two would have her at an orgasm, so she slowly withdrew.

The tip of her tongue found the sensitive bundle of nerves that unlocked Virginia's passion. Maya lavished her tongue on her clit, using her fingers to spread her so that she could have a clear view and taste of her swollen pink flesh. As she worked it mercilessly, holding tight to her hips so she couldn't pull away, Virginia cried out, clinging to her shoulders.

"That feels so good," she panted, whimpering when Maya sucked her clit as deep into her mouth as it would go—sex surely had never been the issue between them.

"God, you make me so wet," Maya rasped. She undid her own jeans and pulled them down, just enough that she could reach inside. She toyed with her sex while she kept fucking Virginia's pussy with her tongue until a flood of nectar trickled out.

"F-fuck," Virginia screamed out as Maya continued to lap up her creamy white liquid. "Oh God!" She fought to catch her breath from the orgasm consuming her body. "I forgot how good your tongue is."

"And I forgot how good you taste," Maya purred, grinning.

Virginia had never been patient enough to keep dating someone who couldn't get her off with their mouth—so far Maya held the record—but she wanted more than to ground her pussy into Maya's mouth. It was like all the unresolved sexual tension from her time with Tony was starting to release itself in this moment.

She wondered if she would rather be with him right now, fuck him, and she couldn't deny that the thought excited her, but then her gaze fell on the woman in front of her, and she felt dizzy just thinking about how great sex with her was—so much for never making any good decisions under the influence of alcohol.

"Well, I haven't," she said, licking her lips.

Maya gave her that sultry look and slowly sank down onto the tiled bathroom floor. With her pants unbuttoned and zipper down, she wiggled her way out of her jeans. Once they were past her thighs, her fingers slipped beneath the band of her lingerie, sliding it down over her hip under Virginia's watchful eyes.

"It's right here... Why don't you come get it?"

Virginia smirked and lay down with her head between her legs, parting her, not wanting to start easy. She licked her pussy, and then stuck her tongue deep into her, fucking Maya into frenzy. She could tell by the increased moving of her hips and the moaning that was growing louder in pitch that the brunette was ready to come.

Before she could, Virginia moved, slipping her thigh between Maya's legs and grinding against her in slow, tantalizing movements. She groaned, feeling Maya's wet slick as she rubbed against her, the friction exactly where she needed it so that she felt like she was on fire. Maya bucked up to meet Virginia's grinds, gasping and moaning, begging her to fuck her harder.

Virginia ran her fingers through her hair while Maya's nails dug into the redhead's thigh, as they quickly picked up speed. They worked their bodies faster and faster, sharing no kisses, no soft touches, just a moment of sexual liberation—although it looked more like aggression. Virginia could feel the orgasm meandering up her spine as their clits ground together. Loud sounds erupted from deep inside of them both until they reached the ultimate heights. When she came to herself, Virginia was on her side, next to her ex-lover, her pussy still wet and pulsing.

Suddenly she started laughing hysterically. She didn't really know why. Maybe it was the fact she'd just had sex with the one person in this world who had ever truly hurt her that made all of this so ridiculous, and that there was an audience out there who made it impossible for her to leave this bathroom unnoticed. Maybe she was laughing, because of that one moment she had thought of fucking Tony Stark, knowing she wouldn't even be in this situation right now if he hadn't turned her on so much in the first place. Or maybe she was just cracking up because she obviously had too much to drink and didn't know what the hell she was doing here at all.

"I hate parties. I hate alcohol. I hate you. And I definitely, absolutely hate Tony Stark," she mumbled after a moment of silence.

"What's going on between you two?"

Ignoring Maya's question, Virginia got up from the floor, raised the toilet seat and sat down.

"Did you fuck him?"

"No," she scoffed, "and I'm not going to."

"But you want to?" Maya chuckled. "Everyone wants to fuck Tony Stark."

"Including you?" she shot back, rolling her eyes. She reached for paper, rose, and flushed. Then she grabbed her panties and jeans and put them on. "I don't trust him."

"You don't trust me either, yet here we are."

"You're the reason I can't trust anyone," Virginia argued. "You broke my heart, Maya, and you are... you were one of the good ones. Tony... He's—"

"Bad?"

"I don't know what he is." That man was a lot of things, but one thing he wasn't was honest or trustworthy in any truly meaningful way. "But he's definitely not one of the good guys, and if I can't trust you, then I sure as hell can't trust him."

"Valid point, but this has nothing to do with trust. You could just fuck him for the fun of it." She pulled her pants up her legs and stood up.

"And have everyone at college talk about it tomorrow? No, thanks."

"You think I don't know what this is about, V?" Smirking, she raised an eyebrow. "What just happened between us—"

"Was a one-time thing."

"It happened because you needed it, not because you wanted it." Maya paused, staring into her eyes. "I saw you coming down those stairs with him... Stark... and I know you well enough to see when you're in desperate need of having your pussy fucked."

"Oh, so you're my hero now, who swooped in to save me from the pain of my aching pussy?"

Maya laughed out loud at the hefty dose of cynicism in Virginia's voice. "I guess so."

"Well, thank you," Virginia grumbled, "I'm sure you had to sacrifice a lot for that."

She emptied her glass of vodka, put it back down, and walked past her. Maya held her back by the arm to keep her from leaving. Virginia slowly turned to face her and instantly noticed the change in Maya's expression; saw her swallowing hard as though she had to gulp down a lump in her throat.

"I'm really sorry for hurting you, babe," Maya whispered. "I didn't mean to break your heart."

Virginia felt her features softening, felt her compassion even before she spoke. "You know, there was a time I thought you were the love of my life."

"And now?"

"Now I'm not so sure true love even exists," she answered quietly, sighing.

She stared at her ex-lover for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed her lips softly, closing her eyes. She'd known they were over the minute she had found out about Maya's infidelity, but it still hurt. It hurt to feel that there was absolutely no going back. She could never trust her again, not even as a friend, at least not yet. Maya had been such a great part of her life; her best friend, the first real relationship—first girlfriend—and she hated to have to let that go. But she had to. She wanted to.

Virginia forced her mind to stillness as she broke the kiss. Then she smirked, asking, "Ready for our walk of shame?"

"I feel no shame," Maya answered with a grin.

"Yeah, neither do I… These people are so drunk, they won't remember any of this ever happened tomorrow anyway."