Nolan

After dinner I decided that I could use some time in the gym, because frankly I was a little bit wound up. I had been next to Kyler for all of dinner, listening to her tell everyone about her two week stay in Japan while she did this annoying thing where she tries to see how many pieces of chopped carrot she can sneak onto my plate before I notice (23, in case you were wondering). And all the while she just kept flipping her hair and wafting the smell of her pomegranate shampoo in my direction as if didn't already want to run my fingers through it. So, headed to the gym in hopes of taking my tension out on a punching bag.

But of course, nothing in my life is that simple. On my way to the gym I heard music coming through the open door of the dance studio. As toddlers Sasha and Kyler had been enrolled in dance classes as part of one final, desperate attempt at normalcy. Sasha had begged to quit after four lessons, but Kyler stuck with it. After an unfortunate accident involving one of my mother's favorite vases, my dad had decided that she should have a designated place for her artistic pursuits, ergo a dance studio in the basement.

I should have just gotten back into the elevator, or just ignored it and walked past, but that would have been way too easy. No, instead I decided to go walking in as if I expected to find someone else in there.

Her short curls were tied back in a red scarf and she was wearing her ballet shoes, the hard kind that she likes to threaten to hit me with. In her hand was a tambourine. I watched in awe as she kicked it with the toe of her shoe, behind her back, over her head, and in front of her face as she hopped and spun her way across the room with the strangest expression. She looked… happy; really, truly happy and at peace. She finished on the ground with the tambourine over her head and her other arm stretched out towards me, almost as if she were inviting me to join in, not that I really noticed though because her black rehearsal tutu left the vast majority of her powerful legs exposed.

"What, no smart remark?" She asked, getting up off the floor.

"No, I think I got a piece of carrot stuck between my teeth." I said.

"I'm glad to hear you're eating them." She took a sip from her water bottle then slipped off her tutu.

"Yeah, I had an extra helping tonight. Its weird though, because I don't seem to remember putting it on my plate."

She shrugged under the lace sleeves of her leotard. "Well, carrots are good for the eyes and the brain." Then she bent over to untie her shoes, proving that my eyesight was just fine, but my brain might need some help. Don't look at her butt. Don't look at her butt. Don't look at – aaaaand I totally looked. Dammit.

"So did you need something or do you just have a secret fondness for the fine arts that I didn't know about?" She asked.

"Oh, ummm." Fuck. "I was actually looking for a sparring partner."

A wicked grin spread across her face. Oh crap. "Well, I happen to be free. Meet me in the gym in five. We can work on your speed, or rather lack thereof."

Kill me. Actually, don't worry about it because I'm pretty sure that's what Kyler Barton will be doing in five minutes.

Sophie

I knocked gently on the door to Isabelle's room. "Password?" She teased.

"Umm. I brought ice-cream?"

"Enter." When I did I saw Isabelle perched on her big, four-poster bed, brushing her hair in long, even strokes. "Come sit." She said, patting the deep purple comforter and setting the brush aside.

Every time Izzy came home from a trip, we spent an evening catching up over ice-cream and a movie. She loved to tell me all of the exciting and interesting things that had happened to her in the far-away lands she loved so much, and she always listened intently as I told her what had been going on at home.

Tonight, the movie was Pride and Prejudice and the ice-cream flavor was fudge swirl.

"Izzy." I said, as the credits began to roll. "Do you love Andrew?"

"Of course I do, Soph. I love all of you guys."

I rolled my eyes. "But you're in love with Drew, aren't you?"

"I don't know." She admitted. "Shouldn't you be getting to bed?"

I turned the tv off and stood up. "Yes, mom."

She gave me a warm hug. "Goodnight, Sophie."

"Goodnight."

Fifteen hours later

Sasha

It hadn't really occurred to me how accustomed we were to formal events until Sophie swept into my room toting a garment bag over her shoulder. Within half an hour Izzy was perched in front of our makeup desk having her hair wrangled into an intricate braided hairstyle by Ella, who was sporting hair curlers and a pale blue robe. Kyler stood in front of the sink in nothing but her underwear and a tank top with a curling iron in hand, arranging her hair to ensure that in covered her tattoo. Pop music circulated through the space and Sophie, who was supposed to be letting her fingernails dry, was instead dancing around my room in a button-up shirt that had clearly been filched from one of her brothers as it nearly reached her knees.

As Isabelle got up to change, Sophie and I made quick work of Ella's hair, removing the curlers and letting it fall in voluminous curls around her shoulders. I was nearly done with her makeup when Sophie handed me a tube of venetian red lipstick. "Trust me. It's just what she needs."

Just as I finished applying the last of Ella's makeup, Isabelle walked back into the room. A midnight blue sari draped elegantly over her curves and a column of silver bangles clattered together on her wrist. Her ears where adorned with simple, silver earrings that matched the exquisite embroidery of the garment.

"You do realize Andrew's brain is going to completely short-circuit when he sees you in this?" Sophie asked, grinning broadly.

"Don't be silly." Isabelle said, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Where did you get this?" Ella asked, marveling at the embroidery. "It's so detailed."

"Right before I left India, I went to visit Matrika, the woman who runs the clinic I volunteer at. She said she had been saving it as a gift for all of my help and that I should wear it…when I had a special occasion. Shouldn't you guys be getting dressed?"

Kyler glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. She's still not a very good liar is she?

Nonetheless, everyone else did need to get dressed. I followed Kyler into her room and helped her slip into a dark purple number that exposed most of her back and brought out the green in her eyes.

"Well, the good news is, Dad will be so busy freaking out about your dress, he won't even notice your new tattoo." I said as she laced me into a charcoal grey mermaid-style gown.

"Good." She said. "That means my plan will work."

"Would it really be that big of a deal if he did find out? I mean, it's not like it's your first tattoo." I said, subconsciously running a finger over the white delta tattoo on my inner arm, barely visible against my pale skin.

"Yeah, but the last time I got inked I had his permission, and my sobriety."

I smirked, remembering our birthday celebration during our layover in London. "You already wanted the tat, the alcohol just encouraged you to act on your desires."

"Somehow, I think all Dad's going to care about is the drunk tattoo part, not the meaning behind it. Alright, you're ready." She decided.

Back in my room, everyone else was finished getting ready. Sophie was twirling around the room in a floaty green dress with a tiered skirt, and Izzy was clasping a strand of pearls around Ella's neck. Between her elegant curls, red lipstick, and lacy black dress, she looked like a movie star straight from the 1940's. We were slipping on our heels and double-checking our teeth for lipstick stains when the guys arrived.

When I opened the door, I was met with a wall of tuxedo-clad chest. Even in my heels, I had to tilt my head up to look Liam in the face.

"Sasha. You look… amazing." He said, giving me one of his signature crooked grins. No, don't smile at me like that. I'm trying to be annoyed with you, you giant man-puppy.

"How can you even tell from up there?"

"Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over all that jealousy." He said, cupping a hand around his ear.

I wasn't going to let the fact that he was currently five inches taller than me bring me down, so I pulled out the sharpest weapon in my arsenal: his age. "Are you even old enough to go to this party? I'm pretty sure it's adults only."

He shook his head. "Low blow, Sash."

Nolan's head popped into the doorway. "Is this particularly important flirting, or can we get this show on the road?"

"Mademoiselle." He said, offering his arm. I had learned a long time ago that telling Liam I didn't need his chivalry was about as effective as stirring tar with a plastic fork, so I rolled my eyes and slipped my arm through his.

Ella rested her hand in the crook of his other elbow and we headed down the hallway towards the elevator. Kyler, Nolan, and Sophie were behind us, followed by Andrew (who looked a bit dumbstruck) and Izzy (who was blushing furiously.) Together we took the elevator to the garage, and settled into the waiting limousine.

Ella

The gala looked like something out of a movie. A wide balcony overlooked the ballroom, where elegantly dressed men and women milled about. Waiters wove in and out of the crowds carrying trays of food and champagne and live music drifted throughout the space, adding to the gentle hum of polite conversation. From my spot on the balcony I could see Isabelle speaking to a small group of SHIELD's higher-ups while Andrew stood beside her, listening intently. Sophie stood in the corner of the room, having an animated conversation with a pretty dark haired woman. They must have been talking about computers, because Sophie had that excited look on her face that she only gets when someone understands what she's saying about routers and encryption codes. Off to the side of the room, Liam looked a little uncomfortable sitting at a table with two agents who looked like they were arguing. I was searching for the others when a figure appeared next to me.

"A lovely affair, isn't it?" Asked the man. He was about my height, though at least a decade my senior, and very slim with dark hair and a strong English accent.

I nodded. "I don't believe we've met." I said, offering my hand.

He shook it gently. "Dr. Benedict Martin, SHIELD science and research division."

"Ella Rogers." I said.

"Oh, I know who you are Miss Rogers." It wasn't unusual to meet people who already knew my name. Everyone from Good Morning America to Elle magazine wanted an interview with the children of the world's most controversial super heroes. Tony's team of lawyers could only do so much to keep the press at bay, and our pictures could often be found on the covers of tabloid magazines accompanied by ridiculous headlines like: "Isabelle Banner's secret pregnancy" and "Sophie Stark dating grown men at just 14!" Obviously none of that was true, but it meant that our names were out there, like it or not.

"It's lovely to meet you." I said, putting on my brightest smile and hoping none of the ridiculous lipstick Sophie had insisted on was stuck to my teeth.

"Likewise." He said. "I hear you're quite the adventurer, running all over the city."

"Oh, no. I just like to take pictures of the buildings. Sometimes if I can stay somewhere for a long time I'll do a sketch, but it's not like I'm an explorer or anything."

"So you like art then?" He asked, sipping his champagne.

"I love it. Drawing, painting, photography, even music. It makes me feel whole, you know? What about you, any artistic pursuits?

He looked over the edge of the railing at the dance floor below, his eyes following a pale woman with platinum blonde hair. "I'm more a man of science. Although, I must say I have a profound respect for my counterparts in the field. The combat training alone seems exhaustive. But, I'm sure you would know more about that than me." He chuckled.

I laughed along lightly. "Hardly. My brother has top marks in combat, but it was never my forte. I've always thought my hands were meant for creating art, not bruises."

His eyes flicked back to the woman he had been watching before. She was slipping into a side hallway, probably in search of a restroom. "Well, it's been wonderful to meet you Miss Rogers, but I'm afraid I must excuse myself." He said with a nod.

"Nice to meet you too. Enjoy the party!" I said, and with that he walked away.

Kyler

"Does your daddy know about your new ink?" The words made the hairs on my arms stand up, not because of what was said, but because of who said them.

Resisting the instinct that told my hand to fly to the back of my neck, I turned around. "I'm a big girl, Nolan. I don't need his approval."

"So, then I wouldn't need his permission to dance with you either?" He asked, raising one eyebrow in that way that made me unsure whether I wanted to punch or kiss him.

"You'd need mine." I replied, snagging a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. I would have preferred strawberry vodka, but apparently we were trying to be classy.

"As if I could force you into it." He chuckled as he grabbed the champagne from my hand and replaced it with a glass of punch.

I pouted. "Party pooper."

"Delinquent." He countered, raising the honey-gold drink to his own lips.

"Hypocrite." I mumbled into my stupid, non-alcoholic punch.

"You're avoiding my question."

"You didn't ask me one." I replied, calculating my chances of sneaking more champagne before the night ended. The odds came out in the 'slim to none' range.

Nolan took a step closer to me, and focusing would have been so much easier if my nose hadn't been even with the subtle cologne wafting off his pulse point. "May I have this dance?" The words ghosted over my cheek before reaching my ear, erasing my earlier indecision. I definitely wanted to kiss him.

I nodded wordlessly, hoping beyond hope that he couldn't tell what I was thinking as he led me out onto the dance floor.

The song was a slow waltz, and as he pulled me to him I had a bizarre flashback to the two of us learning the dance in the living room of the Tower. It had been years ago on a random Saturday afternoon, when Ella had come downstairs to find her parents swaying their way around the coffee table in the living room. Steve had decided that she should learn and before long all of had been roped into the impromptu dance lesson. I mostly remember that day because my parents had joined in, showing off an entire skill set that I hadn't even realized they possessed. It had been their faces that caught my attention, as their feet dragged curves and lines over the carpet; they looked each other in the eye with a rare display of unwavering affection.

I smiled at the memory, moving my own feet in time with the music as Nolan and I breezed through the dance. I glanced around the vast room, desperate not to meet my partner's gaze and afraid of what might happen if I did. Stop it, I mentally reprimanded myself. Is this what you want to be? Some weak, swooning, little schoolgirl? No, so knock it off.

He lowered his head to whisper in my ear. "You shouldn't be allowed out of the house looking this good, people are starting to stare." I had noticed, of course, the small gathering of senior agents rimming the dance floor.

"They're staring because they can't figure out where on earth I stashed a gun and two knives while wearing this." I replied pragmatically.

He spun me and I felt his eyes wander up and down my body, searching for the answer. He reeled me back into him and asked "Where did you stash them?"

Despite the dizzying sensation of his hand on the bare skin of my back, I managed a sly smile. "Wouldn't you like to know."

He gave me one last spin as the song ended and I could've sworn he knew exactly what this proximity was doing to me because he just rested his forehead against mine and let his gold-brown eyes bear into my own pale green ones. I had to get out. Soon. I had to get out of there before I did something stupid.

As our small audience burst into a round of generous applause, I made a beeline for the nearest exit, bursting into the abandoned hallway just as Nolan's hand grabbed mine. "Kyler, what's wrong?" I wrenched my hand from his grasp and leaned against the wall, putting some space between us. Somewhere down the hall a light was on, casting shadows over half his face and making his messy, brown hair look especially appealing.

Suddenly, as if acting of its own accord, my hand reached out and snatched his tie, dragging him to me so fast that he just barely had enough time to catch himself on the wall behind me. I saw the shock register on his face for a brief moment before my lips met his.

With one hand still clinging to his tie and the other winding through his hair, I pulled him closer to me and let myself be stupid, just this once. The kiss was a long way from cautious. He left his hands where they were, trapping me between his body and the wall while I made impatient demands of his lips, demands which he was all too eager to meet. As his tongue skimmed my bottom lip I fought to silence a moan of pleasure, instead nipping playfully at his lip before granting him the access he had wordlessly requested. Liquid fire flooded my veins as he snaked an arm around my waist, pulling my hips against him, while his other hand tangled in my hair.

The need to breathe finally forced him away from me. "Must have been one hell of a dance." He said between ragged breaths and kisses along my neck.

"Oh, shut up." I smirked pulling him back to me.

A/N: If you'd like, you can go to tlosad . tumblr . com (there's a link to it in my bio too) to visit the Q&A blog and see asset profiles, chapter previews, and have your questions answered. And if you have any thoughts to share, please leave a comment/review!