Chapter 8: I Love You

Tony's POV

I finished tying my bow tie on my neck as I stared in the mirror of a guest bedroom here at the penthouse. After I finished tying it I grabbed some American Crew hair cream and slicked my hair into my regular style I usually do my hair. Undercover was easy since we had a mask-chips that will hide my face and my hair will be in the style I personally liked it in. As I finished my hair the only thing I could think about was Selena. The kiss she gave me before we went to get ready was stained on my lips and in my mind. Her lips were so soft and had a taste of vanilla to them. The way her small body felt against mine and the way our lips kissed each other I personally believed there was a spark that happened between us. She fit so perfectly against my lips and my body and I think my heart. She is a woman that I honestly wouldn't mind to have a wife. I'm in love with her and I believe that she is perfect. I want to tell her how I feel. I honestly want her in my life after this is all over with. I sighed as I grabbed my jacket from the foot of the bed and then looked at myself in the full length mirror. I was wearing a $5,000 suit by Hugo Boss. It was a black suit with pants that I wore with a white dress shirt and black bow tie. I had a watch from Coach on my left wrist along with a black stainless steel wide wedding band on my left ring finger. I chuckled at the ring since I never really thought I would wear one for a mission. I believe that this is the type of wedding ring I would want. After I checked myself one last time in the mirror I walked to the dresser top and grabbed the four chips that will put a mask on us for this mission. I take them and place two by my ears, one under my chin, and the last one on my hair line on my forehead. They won't activate until we are in the limo. Lastly, I grabbed my bottle of Polo Black and sprayed it on myself. I set the bottle back down and let out a sigh. I was personally nervous for this mission since Selena was involved with it. I just don't want her to get hurt. What if the man figures us out and hurts Sel? I thought to myself then immediately shake it out of my head. I shouldn't be thinking about stuff like that. After checking myself one last time I opened the door and head out to meet Selena in the living room. As I stepped into the living room I noticed she was by the window staring out at the snowy night sky. I stopped in my tracks as her beauty hit me like a thousand bullets. She turned and saw me staring at her, but she gave me a smile. She was wearing a strapless hot rod red color dress that had a gold sash around her waist. The dress was tight around her curves, but then flowed down her waist. The top of the dress was covered in gold colored gems from the top edge of her dress till the bottom of her breast. Her make-up brought out her features as well. She had on a gold and black eye shadow that was in a Smokey eye style. She had on a bright red lipstick that brought out her skin color along with the dress. Her hair was down and flowed down her black like an ocean of blackness. Her black hair was curled that gave her a more sexy appearance. Her side bangs were straighten as they were to the left side. Her shoes were a pair of gold high heels that made her tall to my lips. The way her body curves showed in the dress along with the way her shoulders and collarbone stood out had me breathless. Around her neck she had on a diamond necklace that hung about a few inches from her dress. Earrings and the bracelet on her right hand matched all together. On her left ring finger was a stainless steel band some color as mine with a one carat diamond in the center. I stood there in shock at her beauty. Then I mentally slapped myself and walked towards her. "Wow Sel. You look stunning!" I said as I grabbed her hand and kissed it softly. Her cheeks started to turn bright red and she smiled widely with her white teeth. "Thank you. You don't look to bad yourself." She said with a chuckle. "Are you ready?" I asked as I tucked her left hand under my right arm. "Yes I am."

Selena's POV

We walked out into the February night. I huddle closer to Tony to keep warm as the snow came down softly. We saw that the limo was there waiting for us as one of the SHELID agents undercover opened the door for us. I stepped in first and Tony followed as we sat in the long private limo in the back. After the agent closed the door the chips that were connected to our faces started to beep and then flash. A minute later we were given our new faces. I looked towards Tony, but it was still his normal face. "Why didn't your mask turn on?" I asked as I looked at him worriedly. "We are able to see each other's real faces since the mask hide the faces to others we are able to still see each other since the mask is kind of like a spy glass." Tony said as he placed his soft warm hand on mine. I smiled and nodded. I was glad because then I was about to see the face of the man I was in love with, Even if he didn't know it. "Remember that your name for this ball is Alexis Starr who I married to me Lorenzo Starr a famous surgeon from Wisconsin." Tony said as he handed me the location chip that we are supposed to connect to the man we are hunting down. I look over at Tony who was staring out the window and I just was in awe over him. I reached over and softly placed my hand above Tony's. He looked over at me and moved close. "Is everything ok Sel?" He asked me as I held my hand tightly. I nodded my head slightly as I stared into his eyes. "I'm just hoping we can find this guys and hope it helps the agents in stopping this maniac." I said as I stared down at our hands as they are intertwined with each other and felt perfect. "Selena." Tony called my name and I looked up at him with soft eyes. "I been meaning to ask you. Why did you kiss me earlier today?" Tony asked as I felt my cheeks start to burn with embarrassment. "Oh. Yeah the kiss." I said while staring into his eyes. "Tony, the kiss I gave you was a kiss I been wanting to give you for a while now. Tony I…" All of a sudden the limo stops outside of the famous Art Museum in Milwaukee. I remember coming here as a kid and how beautiful it was during the summer. The museum was white and had a timer of when the wings of the building will be opened and closed. It was made with glass as it faces the lakefront of Lake Michigan. "You ready?" Tony asked me as I looked out the window at the Art Museum. "Yes I am." I heard a beep from the chips as they are now secure on our faces and will be unable to take off until we get back to the tower. The door opened as Tony stepped out first then lend a hand to pull me out softly. There was a red carpet that lead up to the museum as I lend onto Tony tightly. We walked down the long red carpet as Tony then handed the invitation to a large man in a tux at the door. "Welcome Dr. and Mrs. Starr, it's an honor to have you here at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Charity Ball." The man handed back out invitation and Tony said in a regular voice thank you. We walked through the glass door as the warmth from the heat and all the bodies inside fill the air and my cold cheeks. A man in a tux took my jacket and Tony's overcoat as we walked in more to see the spaceship like building. There were white lights stringed across the ceiling and a band at the back end of the hall. The left and right of the ballroom was long hallways that went to give a chance for the guest to go a view the art work of local and famous painters. "Will you like a drink, Sel?" Tony said as she looks toward the bar area. "Sure. Something to drink sounds good." Tony grabbed my hands and we intertwined with each other. He led me close to his side to the bar as we moved away from the front entrance and around the dance floor. We reached the white and blue bar as Tony ordered both of us a glass of red sweet wine. "Here till stopping us from hiding." Tony said as she cheers with each other and smile. I take a sip of the wine and look out at the dance floor. There were a lot of doctors and nurse from around the world that helps raise money for the Children's Hospitals. I remember my mom would come to these when I was still in high school. I wish my parents were here tonight, because I miss them a lot, but they moved to Florida after I moved to California. I smiled at the thought of my family. "Sel?" I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up at Tony. He was looking at the main entrance and I looked where he was staring at. A picture popped up on the invisible screen of the man we needed to place the chip on. It was a match to the man that was coming in. He was a tall bald man that was wearing a black and white tux. He walked in alone as he handed his coat to the coat holder at the entrance. I looked back at Tony as he returned his gaze to me. I returned my eyes back to the name known as James More and notice how two women come up to him as they seem to know him. He places his arms around them as they make their way over to me and Tony. "They are coming." I said to Tony as we turned back to the bar. Tony places his arms around my waist as he pulls me close to his side. "Three dirty martinis for me and these lovely ladies." I looked from the corner of my eye and see the green eyed man staring at me as I quickly moved my eyes back to the counter. "Make that four drinks bartender." The man said as he moves away from the ladies and come closer to me. I look up at him and give him a friendly but shaky smile. "My, aren't you are beautiful woman." He said in a strong Irish accent. "Why thank you Sir." I said back to him with a smile. I look over to Tony who was staring at the man with an angry glare. "What is your name Luv." He said as he took my hand and kissed it. I smiled again and tried to act interested. "Ariana." I said as I pulled my arm back softly. "Ah, what a beautiful name." He said as she stood up straight. He was about the same height as Tony, but slightly shorter. "I'm her husband Lorenzo." I hear Tony say as he places his hands on my shoulder and a spark went shooting down my body. The man ignored Tony and stared at me. "You have beautiful green eyes Ma'am. If you want to have real fun meet me in the right hallway by Captain America. Don't worry about your husband, he won't be wanted there." He whispered in my ear as he kissed my cheek. I jumped back slightly as I felt Tony's hands hold onto me tightly. I looked up at him then back at James who was moving away with his drinks and the ladies to the right hallway. I relaxed as I seem to fall backwards onto Tony. He caught me as she turned me around. "Are you ok?" He asked. I nodded my head as the bartender handed me the martini. I took it and drank the whole thing in one swallow. "Damn, I think I fell in love with you more." Tony chuckled as he placed a hand on my back. I laughed as well then turned to him. "You know I have to go down by him." I said as I looked up at Tony. Tony took my arm and pulled me to the side away from people. "Sel, I don't want you to go by yourself." He said as he held my hand tightly. I blushed at his gesture as I stared into his eyes. "Tony I need to do this to place the chip on him. We might not have another chance at this." I said as I placed my free hand against his left cheek. I felt him relax as he placed his arms around my waist and pulled me into a deep hug. I hug him back tightly and just felt like I was melting in his arms. "Ten minutes. If you aren't back I will come and find you, Selena." I pull away from the hug and smile at him then kissed his cheek. "I will be fine. I survived a lot of shit with you." I said with a giggle. Tony just stared at me with worried eyes. I smiled at him as I moved away from the corner we were in and slowly made my way to the right hallway. My dress followed as I walked around the dance floor and up the five step staircase. This hallways was in honor of The Avengers as painting and sculptures of them run down the very long hallway. As I walked I fidget with the location chip in my hand as I started to see James standing by himself leaning against a wall that was next to the statue of Captain America. I take a deep breath as my heels click against the marble floor as I was a few feet away from him. He came off the wall and came towards me as I was standing in front of the statue. "Ah, so you decided to ditch your husband and come with a real man." He said as he took a strand of my hair and started to spin my hair with his fingers. I jumped back slightly as he moved closer to me. "I got bored when he was talking to his partners, so I decided to come and talk to you for a little bit." I said as I moved away from him to study the large life size model of Captain America in his uniform and standing in a heroic pose. I stared at the statue as I felt James come close behind me. He placed his hands on my bare arms and I tried to stay still. "My, you are just so beautiful. I just want to take you home with me." He said softly into my ear. I jumped as I moved away from him. He stared at me with hungry eyes as he moved toward me. I started back up away from him until I was pushed against the wall. I stared up at the man's dark blue eyes. "Maybe we can leave here and you can forget about your husband for a night." He said as he pressed his lips together as his eyes seem to be undressing me. "I think that will be a bad idea." I said as I placed my hands on his chest to push him away from me. He didn't notice as I slip my thumb under his suit coat to place the locater chip. After I place my arms to the side he then comes closer to me as he places each arm on either side as I am blocked between him and the wall. "Come on my lady. Let me show you s good time." He leaned down to me as he kissed my cheek as he then the other one. I started to get nervous. "The only fun you will be having is watching Downtown Abby from a hospital bed." I look over and see Tony staring at the man with furious eyes. James moved away from me and stared at Tony. "I'm sorry pal do we have a problem?" He asked as he fixed his coat. "Yes I do. You are here trying to force my wife onto you." Tony said as he step closer to him. "To- Lorenzo. Please. Let him go." I said as I moved to him and place my hands on his chest. Tony immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. "I'm sorry Sir." James said as he walked away from the scene, but then stopped and looked over this shoulder. "She is beautiful. I would be afraid if someone took her from you Starr." Tony tightens his hold on me as we watch James walked down the long hallway back to the ballroom. All of a sudden our wedding rings started to buzz. I looked at it and pressed the button that was actually a diamond. In the diamond there was a screen that projected words saying "Congratulations on a successful mission. Sincerely, Nick Fury." I look up at Tony who was staring at the diamond screen. "Well congrats on your first S.H.E.L.I.D mission. How would you like to celebrate?" Tony asked as he lets go of my waist. I look down the hallway and smile as I see something. I grab his hand and walk down to the very end of the hallway. As we came close to the last statue Tony smiled as it was a statue of him. It was half of Tony Stark and the other half was Iron Man. This was a piece that was done by an artist that Tony saved when his village was being attacked by terrorist. We stop in front of it as a new song came on over the speaker from the band in the ballroom. All of a sudden I was pulled close to Tony as he grabbed my right hand and then places his other hand around my waist. "May I have this dance?" He asked as he stared deep in my eyes. "Of course." I said as I place my left hand on his shoulder. When the song started Tony started to slowly dance with me in front of the statue. The song that the band was playing was Every Breath You Take; personally I really loved this song. As the lyrics start Tony held me closer to him and he was humming along with the lyrics. I look up at him with a questionable look. He looked down at me and smiled. "You may not know it, but I actually did a cover of this song with Sting. I know how to sing as well Sel." Tony said as he began to sing along. "Every breath you take. Every move you make. Every bond you break. Every step you take. I'll be watching you." His voice was soft, but had a rustic tone to it. He sounded almost like Marc Anthony with Sam Smith. We moved to the song and his voice as it seems like we just got lost within each other. Tony turned me and spun me around the statue as he was still singing to me as he stared deeply into my eyes. As the song ended which seemed like forever, we stared deep into each other's eyes. "Tony…I have something to tell you." I said as I wrapped my arms behind his neck. He immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him, and stared deeply into my eyes. "You can tell me anything Sel." He said as he smiled at me. God, I just love the nickname he gave me. Sel. It was plain and simple, but sounds so nice coming from Tony's lips. "I remember when we were in Georgia you told me something that changed my life forever." I paused as moved my hands to cup his cheeks and I softly rub my thumps against his stubbed cheeks and also felt the facial hair he keep on as his signature goatee. "Tony Stark. I love you." I said as I stared deeply into his eyes to wait for a response. Tony didn't move or say anything as he seemed to blush at my words. Suddenly, I was pulled closer to him and Tony stared at me then leaned down to capture my lips in a loving and caring kiss. With my hands still on his face I pulled myself closer to him as we shared this deep loving kiss with one another. As we kissed I felt like a thousand of pounds have been taken off of my shoulders has I told him my true feelings. His scent of Polo Black and his muscular arms surrounded me as I melted into his arms. This felt like hours we pull away from each other as we stared deeply into each other's eyes and I know I was blushing and smiling like an idiot in front of him. Tony looked and smiled as well. "You have no idea how long and desperately I been waiting for you to say those words to me." Tony said as he placed his hand on my right cheek and smiled. I placed my hand above his as I looked up at him with a bright smile. Suddenly, Tony had captured my lips again in a loving yet passionate kiss. His hands were on my face as my hands slowly whipped behind his neck as we kissed each other lovingly. We pulled away needing to catch our breath, Tony looked at his watch. "It's 11:30, we should probably head back to the tower." I nodded I stood on my tip toes and kissed Tony's cheek. "Lead the way Mr. Stark." I said as I placed my arm onto his. He smiled and looked down at me "Very well Ms. Acevedo." Tony and I walked down the long hallway back to the ballroom where everyone was dancing and enjoying the night. We then got our coats as we walked outside into the brisk Wisconsin air and snow fell down more than before. Tony held me close in his arms to keep me warm from the cold air. We were silent as we stood close to each other waiting for our limo to come. Tony was holding my waist very tightly and closely but I didn't mind at all. As the limo pulled in front of us Tony opened the door for me before the driver could do it himself. I smiled at him as I crawled into the limo. I notice there was a rose in a cup holder with a tag on it. I picked it up and read it was from Tony. I smiled and turned to see him sit next to me as the door closed. He turned to me and smile as he placed his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. I smile as I lean against him in a happy daydream. I am in love with Tony Stark and he is comfortable with it. "Red roses are my favorite flower. Just like red is my favorite color." I said as I smelled the flower and smiled. "I'm glad to know that I picked all the right things then." He said as he lifted my face up to his as he leaned down and kissed me sweetly and lovingly. This is the best day of my life.

Ana's POV

"Ouch!" I yelled as the next stage of Extirms was being entered into my body. I looked down and see my body glowing from the inside of the fire nanobots that was spreading in my body. I closed my eyes as I could hear Killian talking to James about Tony and Selena's whereabouts. The doctor checked my heart rate as I tried to calm myself with the situation and progress of the experiment's next level entering my body. "How is so doing Doc?" I open my eyes and see Killian standing in front of me with a smile on his face. "She is stable. The final stage has agreed with her and will be able powerful as you in a few weeks. Although, I would be careful with having her use the system higher than necessary, just until the final level is well connected to her body. We do not want her to be like out other subjects, and since she is very important to you." The doctor said as she wrote my information onto my charts. "I had also included new nanobots that will enhance her fighting ability and should be activated shortly. She will be combat ready like an army soldier mixed with a S.H.E.L.I.D agent like Black Widow." I look over to Killian and give him a soft, but worried smile. Killian touched my bare stomach since I was wearing a grey sports bra and black shorts. "Don't worry love you will be fine." He said as he pushed a button that unlocked the body bars that held me down in order to make sure I don't put up a struggle. The over bar was lifted up and the arm and leg restrain was opened. I stepped down onto the cold concrete floor and looked at Killian. He smiled as I smiled back. "What was the news on Tony and Selena?" I asked as we began to walk down the hallway to the mansion through the underground tunnel. "James found them in Wisconsin. He wasn't sure it was them at first, but he notice slightly that ark reactor glowing under his tux. He said there were wearing mask that hid their faces. I'm having him and a small team undergoes a private mission there." He said as he places his arm around my shoulders. "What is the mission?" I asked as I place my arm around his waist. "We are going to kidnap Selena." My eyes widened as I look up at him. "Why Selena? Don't we need Tony?" I said was I stopped in the middle of the hallway staring at him. "We need a soft spot for Tony. Selena is that spot. If we take her and inject the project into her body then we can have Tony come to us instead. He will make sure nothing bad will happen to her, but once we kidnap her then it will be such a great advantage we will have over him." I looked at him, but then sighed. "Killian that is a great plan, but one problem. If they are in the Stark Tower then that will be a difficult place to enter into. The security system is harder than S.H.E.L.I.D.'s system. There will be no way for us to enter without us being detected." I said as I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him. Killian then laughs as he picks me up over his shoulder and started walking again. "My dear Ana, please don't doubt my ability. The tower is the last one to be made and it was said that the security system was having malfunctions when the system was being installed. This is a perfect time for us to get in there without having a difficult time trying to hack through." I moved slightly on his shoulder then smiled. "Well then when will the attack go down?" "Tomorrow. Tony is supposed to be heading to a meeting with War Machine in a café in Milwaukee about us. Selena will probably stay. This will put us in a great advantage and Selena will be one of us." Killian laughs evilly and sets me down at the entrance of the mansion. "You know Selena will never be part of us. She wouldn't use it against the good." Killian kissed me deeply then pulled away. "You know the Winter Solider Ana?" "Yes I do. I was investigating him when I was still with S.H.E.L.I.D." I said as I remember three years ago when I was an agent at S.H.E.L.I.D , but left in order to help Killian. Killian grabbed my hand and instead of entering the door to the mansion we turned left down a long hallway. At the end was a silver metal door. He took out his keys and opened the door open. The light automatically turned on. Inside of the room was a black and silver leather and metal chair in the middle of the room. The chair had arm and leg bands as well as what it appeared to be a head rest with a band to hold down the person. There was a computer connected to it as well. "Is that the?" I said as I walked inside of the rock walled room closer to the chair. "This is the very machine that they used to hide the memories of Bucky Barns in order to turn him into the Winter Solider. Now, this will be the very tool to help turn Selena against Tony." I stared at the chair as I can imagine the pain Bucky went through, but now imagining the pain Selena will go through. I question myself at this point. I closed my eyes and can only imagine the screams coming from her as this machine will make her forget who Tony was to her. Am I doing the right thing? Then I remembered that I am.