Thank you all for such a great response to the first chapter, I wanted to write something (hopefully) fun and light hearted. I haven't given up on Rooftop Conversations, this is just a short interlude while I write the next chapter. Big thanks to my beta, Black' Victor Cachat.

Spies and Scientists

Chapter Two – There Shall Be Beer and Strippers…If Tony Has Anything to Say About It

"I don't see why I can't be there," Natasha says as Tony stands on the other side of his work bench in the lab, while Bruce stands to the side of them tinkering with one of Natasha's suit cuffs, tittering at their banter no matter how banal it may be. They mirror each other's posture, hands planted at the edge of the work bench, the chests slightly over hanging the surface as they stare each other down.

Tony tuts in response to her claim. "It's a bachelor party, he's," he juts his thumb at Bruce, "the bachelor."

"So?" Natasha fires back.

"You're the bride!" Tony exclaims, his arms rising from the table to spread wide as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Bruce's chest and hands shake with his laughter. They've been going back and forth like this for nearly an hour. He puts the Widow Bite on the table, resting his hands either side of it while he calms himself.

"You guys are just going to be playing poker and drinking beer," Natasha says in a level voice and Bruce lifts a brow at her. She winks. He's staying out of this. "What do you think I'll be doing with Barton, Pepper, Hill and Maximoff?"

"Barton's invited, he's got a 'Y' chromosome," Tony concedes. "Besides, we're having strippers!" he then declares as if it's a triumphant point.

"No," comes the reply from Bruce and Steve as the super-soldier walks into the lab. He and Natasha were supposed to go over a new training roster for the latest draft of Avengers.

"Who's organising this shindig?" Tony replies to both men while ignoring Natasha's silence on the matter. "We," he waves a hand between himself and Steve as he steps up to the corner of the work bench between him and Bruce, his hands settling on their shoulders, "need to make sure our buddy is doing the right thing; I mean it's basically a suicide mission marrying someone code named 'Black Widow.'"

"I'm doing the right thing Tony," Bruce cuts in, a slight warning in his voice.

"What about a pre-nup?" Tony asks undeterred.

"Oh, we have a pre-nup," Natasha replies, pinning her stare on Tony. "Bruce gets full custody of you."

"What about the rest of us?" Steve asks, snickering at Tony's indignant "Hey."

"Every other weekend," Natasha's reply roles off her tongue smoothly as she sashays around the table and kisses her fiancé on the cheek. "We really need to put that in writing," she runs a hand up his arm. Bruce turns his head to kiss her on the lips, murmuring, "Not a chance."

"This is what it feels like to be unloved and unwanted," Tony says to them.

A throaty chuckle escapes her and she gives him a mischievous look as she coaxes him back to kiss her a second time. And a third. Small pecks. Rare when they're in public, usually reserved for private moments, but they know it riles Tony, so they exaggerate their affection for one another.

Till he starts making gagging sounds. "Unhand my Science Bro Romanoff, I've made plans for him." The couple break apart, sharing a soft, indulgent smile, silently promising each other their moment will be continued in private later. "Also, you can't be there as it's the only chance we have to ask details."

"Details?"

"Details," Tony stage whispers with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"No," Bruce cuts him off.

"Why not? I give you glowing reviews," Natasha cuts in their exchange, completely nonchalant.

Bruce and Steve both turn to her in surprise. If he had access to a mirror, Bruce would be able to tell who was turning the deeper shade of pink.

"To who?" Bruce internally winces at the high pitch which escapes.

"To Stark; who else would ask?"

"She does, and remarkably enthusiastic reviews at that," Tony concurs.

Steve flashes him a sympathetic shrug, which he appreciates, except it's pointless. Though his nearest and dearest regularly go head to head verbally, it's ten times worse when they team up and aim their jokes at him.

He wouldn't have it any other way. It's a sign of affection for both of them.

"You don't have to put up with those kinds of questions from Barton," Natasha says shaking her head.

"Barton's not convinced we're together," comes Bruce's reply. He picks up the cuff to tinker with the connections he had exposed to cover his own little niggle at that little point. He always feels the need to justify his feelings for Natasha to the archer, yet always chicken's out. "You could just ignore him."

"Now I'm offended," Tony quips.

"I could," she replies, ignoring the other man and sliding her arm around Bruce's waist, pressing against him. "But he's the only person weird enough to listen to me brag about what we did in the shower this morning," she emphasises her point with a downright coy expression and a chaste kiss on his cheek, where he is certain the pink flush is now deep red.

"I prefer to be described as 'eccentric'," Tony chimes in.

"I still want to come to the bachelor party," Natasha replies.

"There shall be poker and beer and strippers!" Tony counters with a flourish of his hand.

"No," Bruce groans.

"Pepper and I can organise your strippers if you like," Natasha offers.

That makes Tony pause, his face blanching as he contemplates her words. "Will you organise strippers if I ever pop the question to Pepper?" He asks Bruce out of the corner of his mouth.

"I know what's good for me Tony." Natasha rewards him with another kiss.

"How about strip poker?" The billionaire asks, a twinkle of hope in his eye.

"No," Steve and Bruce chorus again much to Stark's and, apparently Natasha's, dismay, if her face is anything to go by.

"Now that's something I would like to see," she grumbles before shaking the thought away. "As much fun as this has been boys, I have work to do," Natasha says, falling into step with Steve as they walk toward the door. "Stark we will continue this discussion later."

"You got it Red," Tony agrees. He starts to pull up holographic diagrams for their latest joint project, pausing as an idea hits him. "By the way, who gets custody of the Big Guy?" Tony asks her retreating form.

Natasha spins seamlessly keeping her stride as she walks backwards to the door with a look Bruce can only deem as seductive plastered on her face. "He's all mine," Natasha rasps with an air of ownership Bruce willingly concedes.