"Sir."

"What's up, Jarvis?"

"Captain Rogers has arrived in the parking garage."

"Sweet. Nine-fifty-nine." Tony flicked Steve's counter off the screen. "Right on time. Bring him up to the party deck, Jarvis."

"Yes, sir."

With a quick glance across the map, Tony made a grabbing motion at the screens and pointed at his phone. The maps miniaturized and appeared on the phone screen. He kept a close eye on the various moving dots as he headed into the elevator and dropped down onto the bench. He held his phone up and the maps projected in front of him. Pepper's jet turned white.

"Good. She's in the air," he sighed.

The elevator dinged. He flicked the screens away as he jogged to the bar. As the elevator dinged again, he grabbed a second glass.

"Tony, what's going on? Where's Arriana?" Steve exploded out of the elevator. He screeched to a halt when his own words reached his ears. "I mean, where is everyone?"

A wry smile lifted the corner of Tony's mouth. He took a long drink from his glass. "That's what daddy needs," he sighed. He held the second out to Steve.

Steve rolled his eyes. "Where is everyone?" he asked again, taking the glass and draining it without thought.

Tony pulled out his phone again and tossed the projection onto the large windows looking out over New York. He peered at it for a moment.

"The triplets are just leaving home. They had to stop to pick up their pets and Loki." He gave a wry chuckle. "So... all their pets. And Banner is minutes away from the airport. The plane is ready to go the second he's on it."

Steve froze. "What did you say?"

Tony frowned. "Triplets headed for airport. Banner almost to airport. What didn't compute?"

Steve's features hardened. "You said Loki."

Tony winced. "Oops."

"Oops what, Stark?"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, Cap. I'll explain..." He turned to keep facing Steve as he walked back to the bar. "Since I did let the cat out of the bag. Or the megalomaniac god-king, as the case may be."

Steve crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Talk fast, Stark."

"Need another drink?" Steve didn't answer. "No drink? You sure?"

"Stark."

"Okay, long story short, the triplets accidentally tangled their brains with Loki's when he was on the Helicarrier. Thor took him back, yada, yada... He was being beaten and starved and, not knowing what he was doing, sort of contacted the triplets. They talked, got the story out of him. We decided to bust him out of jail. So they've been keeping him with them to... rehabilitate him. Sort of." He poured himself another drink.

"We decided? I don't recall that discussion."

"Time was of the essence, Cap. The triplets and I just made a decision." He took another swallow of scotch. "And sort of Thor. But we'd already decided before we called Thor. He was just the chauffeur."

"You broke a known criminal out of prison..."

"Well, not me personally."

"And brought him back to the exact place he attacked..."

"Wasn't even here for two weeks."

"Killing thousands of people..."

"Technically that was the aliens."

"And letting him go off with Arriana..."

"And Lizzy and Michael. But you keep forgetting them." Tony grinned. "For some reason."

Though his face still icy, Steve's cheeks warmed.

"Oh, and on that note, you should know they're together."

"Arriana and Loki?" His voice caught.

"Yeah," Tony winced. "Well, all of them actually."

Steve frowned. "I thought Michael was homosexual."

"Oh he is. They're all with Loki." Tony watched him for a moment. "They're each in love with him, and he's in love with each of them. It's called polyamory."

The frown didn't clear. "Oh, I... I didn't know that was allowed. I mean, I guess... nowadays..." He trailed off.

"Not really. It's not legal to marry more than one person. And it's not the norm." Tony's brain finally realized Steve was thinking he no longer had a chance with Arriana. "But the triplets aren't the norm. They're different than most people. They love more. So she still, you know, cares about you."

"I'm sure she does. Arriana's a wonderful friend." He swallowed thickly and turned back to the maps, forcing his mind into battle mode again. "What are their ETAs?"

"Whoa there, Captain Heartbreak. Don't jump to conclusions. She wasn't just yanking your chain."

"We're friends, Stark. That's all."

"Oh, fuck you, Rogers." Tony stepped in front of him. "You think she gave up time with Lizzy and Michael- slept with you-"

"It's called 'friends with benefits', Stark. I would think you'd be familiar with the term." Steve folded his arms and stood to his full height.

"I thought you were smarter than this. You love her and she has the right to know, Rogers."

"She's found a man she loves, and if she loves him then he must be good."

Jarvis's calm voice interrupted them. "Dr. Banner's plane is in the air, sir."

"Thank you, Jarvis," Tony said, breathing heavily as he glared back at Steve. "Look, Steve. I'm not going to tell you her business. But I have known Arriana since she was fourteen years old, and one thing that I have always known is that she is not the usual. Neither are Lizzy or Michael. They don't just love like everyone else. They love more, much more. If ever there were people who could completely and truly love more than one person, it's them. The girls have been happy with Loki, but there's something wrong. It's like they're missing something."

"What are you talking about, Stark?"

"I talked with Loki just the other night. He's concerned. He knows they love him and need him, but he said they're missing something. Like they're missing half themselves."

"Just the girls?"

"Michael has been having a similar feeling, but not as intense." Tony watched him for a moment. "They're not really eating again. Loki's been trying to get them to eat. It takes a lot of begging and it's still not enough."

"What are you talking about?"

"What if she's still in love with you, Rogers? What if she needs you?"

"She. Has. Loki." Steve enunciated every word.

"What if she needs both? Do you love her enough to share her?"

"She's with Loki." His voice rose.

Tony lifted a brow. "You don't really love her, do you?" He stepped forward, pushing into Steve's personal space. "You just wanted to bang her."

"Shut up, Stark." Steve's hands sprang to his sides and his stance spread.

"Do you love her?" Tony pushed.

"I said shut up!" Steve leaned forward.

"Do you love her?" Tony barked.

"Yes!" he bellowed, "Alright?" Steve turned away, trying to think of anything other than Arriana in another man's arms.

Tony moved in front of him again. "Then tell her."

"I'm not going to steal another man's girl," Steve spat back, veering away again.

"She's not his property. Loki knows she needs more." He stayed in front of Steve. "He understands. They all share him and know he loves them all equally. That he couldn't live without all three of them." Tony dropped his voice, panting slightly. "He understands. And he loves her enough to be happy to share her if someone else comes along that fills that need in her."

Steve stopped, gripping the back of a chair. "Drop it, Stark."

"I'll drop it for the moment, but I'm not letting it go. She deserves to know." He turned back to the maps. "You never know. She might love you. She might be pining for you. I'd hate to see her suffer because you're too stubborn to talk to her." He silently let a breath slide out. "Where are we at, J?"

"I just received transmission, sir. The triplets are taking off as we speak. Ms. Potts' jet is ten minutes out."

"Has Happy left?"

"Yes, sir. He left exactly ten and a half minutes ago."

"Good. Give me the city's mainframe. I'm going to clear some traffic for him." Another screen popped up at the DJ station that stood near the bar. Tony pulled a chair over. A holographic keyboard appeared on the desktop and he began tapping away.

Steve watched for a moment as screens flicked passed with the speed of Tony's fingers. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the giant map on the window. I'll never get used to this. He sighed silently. It might as well be magic. His eyes fixed on the white plane icon that showed the indigo, yellow, green-and-black, and pink dots trailing along with it.

He couldn't dislodge the lump stuck in his throat. She's in love with another man. Did you really think a woman like her would fall in love with you? It's not like any woman has ever been interested. Cold trickled down his back, creeping over his body.

You won't be alone. The velvet voice wove through his mind.

His arms stiffened. I've got to put it in the water.

"Rogers," Tony's voice broke through a moment before a wave of warm water hit him in the face.

Steve gasped for air. "What's... what's going on? Where am I?"

Tony put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Cap. You're in Stark Tower. Arriana and company are on their way."

Steve fought to drag air into his lungs as his chest tightened. His fists clenched until the muscles throbbed. "What happened?"

"Probably a flashback." Tony clapped him on the shoulder and then headed for the bar. "J, take the temp up five degrees."

"Yes, sir." The sound of soft rushing air permeated the room.

Steve glanced down at his soaked shirt. A shiver raced over him. "Oh, uh..." As the cold fabric touched his skin, he jolted and pulled the shirt off. "Do you have another shirt, Stark? I didn't bring any clothes."

"Oh, yeah. Come on. I'll show you your floor." He tapped a few more times on the invisible keyboard, and then mimed grabbing the screens. They disappeared as Tony slid his phone into his pocket.

Steve shook his head. "I'll never get used to your technology."

"Most people would never get used to my technology," Tony said as he led the way to the elevator.

"Wait, what did you mean by 'my floor'?"

"Your floor. The floor that is yours." Tony shrugged. "I wouldn't think that would be a riddle to you."

With another shake of his head, Steve waited to ask further questions until they arrived at whatever Tony was talking about.

"Captain Rogers' floor," Jarvis said as the doors opened.

"Whoa, snazzy pad." Steve's eyes swept over the dark marble floor and the Chrysler building-style, white marble columns.

Tony gave a shrill whistle. "He likes it so much he snapped back to the 20s."

Steve chuckled. "Well, people still talked like that in the 40s, which, for me... was just a few months ago."

Tony's mouth stretched with a sharp intake of breath. "Fair." He swept his arm in front of them. "Welcome home."

Tony paced back and forth in front of the elevator doors.

"Tony!" Pepper called as the elevator dinged.

He spun around. "Pepper!" He pulled her into his arms as she raced toward him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Tony. What's going on?" She studied his eyes for a moment, and then wrapped her arms around his neck again.

"I don't know," Tony sighed as he held her tight against him. "The triplets called me this morning and said Fury called them with the seven-eight code. I've scrambled everyone to get here as fast as possible." He glanced over her shoulder. "Thanks, Happy."

"You're welcome, sir."

"Any trouble?"

"Just a jam on the Midtown tunnel, as usual, sir," Happy said with a chuckle.

"Good."

"Is everyone else okay?" Pepper asked.

"So far." Tony moved back over to the windows and flicked the screens from his phone. "Rogers is already here. Banner's in the air, but not due to land until almost ten. Romanoff and Barton aren't due to land until seven, seven-thirty tonight."

"And the triplets?"

"They're on schedule to land in about an hour. "

"Will you need me to go get anyone else, Mr. Stark?" Happy asked.

"Just Banner. The triplets, and Barton and Romanoff can drive themselves just fine."

"Should we call Thor?" Pepper asked.

"Signal's on. We don't technically need Hammerhead, but he should at least know so he doesn't accidentally drop in at SHIELD to say hi and get himself killed."

Pepper nodded and leaned into him. "I'm glad we got the renovations done so quickly."

"This is exactly why I got them done as fast as possible. I was afraid it wouldn't be long before the Council decided they wanted to remove the thorns in their side. I'm just hoping we're far enough ahead of them."

"Me too. Do you think we have enough food in case this goes on a while?"

"Jarvis, did last week's shipment come in?"

"Yes, sir. My calculations indicate there is enough food currently in the tower to safely sustain twelve people, two cats, and a dog for approximately eight years, assuming continued yields from the greenhouses."

"Let's make that a round ten years, Jarvis. Get me a rush order. I want every box checked and inside the doors before 9pm tonight."

"Yes, sir."

"Normally, I'd say that's overkill, Tony, but..." Pepper shrugged against him. "Considering the circumstances..."

"I don't want to leave anything to chance."

"I agree. The triplets are bringing Loki, right?"

"Yep."

"You need to make sure you warn everyone not to kill him before they arrive."

"Yeah, I sort of accidentally let the cat out of the bag with Rogers."

"Just don't tell him that the triplets are involved with Loki. Otherwise he'll think he doesn't have a chance with Arriana anymore."

"Oops." Tony winced at her. "Too late for that."

She groaned. "Tony!"

"Well, he was going to figure it out when they got here and Loki was kissing all up and down the three of them." He moved back over to the DJ station and tossed the screens up in front of him. "Besides it doesn't mean she doesn't want to be with him anymore."

"I know that, but he's from the 1940s, Tony. When a girl is romantic with another man, that usually means that girl is off limits."

"So?"

"So!" She planted her hands on her hips. "Tony, Arriana is in love with him. He's not going to go for polyamory. He's from the 1940s."

"You keep saying that. The guy took the Civil Rights movement, Women's Lib, and Gay Pride all in stride. He's a male unicorn. I've already been talking to him. He'll get past his super restrictive traditional values crap."

Pepper rolled her eyes but didn't bother arguing further. "I'm going to go change. Let me know if anything happens or anyone gets here."

"Got it, gorgeous. Go relax." He kissed her and then turned back to the screens. "You too, Happy. Jarvis will let you know when you need to leave or if anything happens."

"Yes, Mr. Stark." Happy stepped onto the elevator.

"Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" Pepper whispered in his ear.

Tony groaned and spun around. Pulling her to him, he devoured her mouth. He pulled her lithe form against him as hard as he could. His tongue slipped between her lips, tasting the depths of her mouth. She melted against him with a soft whimper. He finally released her.

"God, I'm glad you're okay," he sighed, leaning his forehead against hers.

"I'm glad you weren't out."

"I was exactly where you'd left me yesterday," he said with a chuckle.

"Under a car?" She shook her head, smiling at him.

"Well, I'd rather be under you, but you weren't in."

"Tony," she giggled.

He kissed her for another moment and finally released her. "That'll be all, Ms. Potts."

She gave him a wink, and headed to the elevator.

Tony stood watching her go with a wicked smile and a quirk to his brow as dirty thoughts wandered through his mind. "Well, I know what to do with the extra time while we're on lockdown," he mumbled to himself as the elevator doors closed. Shaking his head, he turned back to the maps. "Now, what ya got for me, SHIELD?" He began tapping away again. "You didn't think I'd let you clear out my hack virus that easily, did you?"

Time ticked passed as Tony tapped away. Screen after screen flicked past. "Now what is this?" He peered closer. "Oh, no you didn't, Fury. I swear on your eye patch, if this is what I think it is, I might actually kill you." He clicked through a few different screens, waiting a moment or two here and there as his software opened secure files. "And you'll be so lucky for me to kill you. The triplets will make you wish you were dead."

"Sir, the triplets have landed and are transferring into the secure SUV as we speak."

He looked up. The various counters had moved accordingly while he'd been working. "Good. Let Pepper and Rogers know. Is their apartment ready?"

"I have already alerted Ms. Potts and Captain Rogers, and have already had their apartment in the readying stages. All will be completed within the next ten minutes."

"Thank you, Jarvis. Let me know the second they get here." He copied a few files and began searching through yet more information.