a/n: this is way past christmas, so many apologies! it's also the last chapter, so thanks to everyone who's read and followed and given lovely comments. it's been a blast, and i'll be back in this corner soon!

i'll swap you time, for a chance

seven.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the passing of another successful Christmas, as well as the initiation of one previously thought to be controlled by a faceless government entity, into our awesome superhero-midst," Tony grandly announces to the relatively quiet common room, standing up and waving his arms.

"Cut the dramatics, Stark," Natasha says, bored, taking out her knives and sharpening them. Maria simply rolls her eyes, not bothering to correct him on his assumption of said faceless government entity.

"Hang on, why is Nat here?" Steve asks.

Tony gives him an almost-pitying look. "Oh Cap, all will be revealed, so don't worry your pretty head. Okay, time to make some money, then," he says, rubbing his hands gleefully. "Actually, before we begin, how did you find out about the bets between me and Hill?"

"Ex-Russian spy. How could I not?" She raises an eyebrow. "Also, you need to be more discreet if you're trying to improve the integrity of your windows. Barton and I see everything."

"Wait," Steve interjects, "does this mean Tony cheated?"

"Absolutely not," Tony says quickly. "You didn't say I couldn't improve my windows. Just that they couldn't break. And if you check the security footage from last night, nothing went anywhere near the windows."

"Okay, I'll give that one to you," Pepper says as Maria hands over a hundred dollars. "Now, I believe Clint passed out first last night, so…"

Tony scowls and hands the money back over. "How the hell is his alcohol tolerance so low? He drinks with you, Romanoff."

Natasha looks at him, annoyed and defensive on her partner's behalf. "It's not that low. I'm Russian; Thor and Jane are used to the Asgardian stuff; Pepper, Hill, and Rhodes aren't going to drink until they pass out; Banner and Rogers can't get drunk; which leaves you and Clint, and you're an alcoholic compared to him. What the hell did you think was going to happen?"

"Well, when you put it like that…" Tony grumbles, and Steve has to suppress a small smile. "Right, Hill. My security system tells me that you got a mysterious present for Christmas – a Cryptex, according to JARVIS. Care to share?"

Maria stares back calmly. "No."

"How very Da Vinci Code. I mean, this could be a huge breach of security," he continues innocently. "So I need to know who it came from, where it's been, what's inside… You get the picture."

"It doesn't concern you, Stark."

"From a certain director, maybe?"

"If you want to believe that," Maria smirks. Just not the one you think. "Fury didn't turn up – because he's dead – so…" She gestures imperiously for the money.

He relents, slaps it into her open palm, but keeps glaring at her. "Party was fun though, right?"

Maria quirks a smile, understanding his determination to win something. "I've been to worse."

"And she admits it!" Tony nods in satisfaction, turning to Nat, "Okay, your turn, Romanoff."

Nat eyes the lieutenant and the captain. "We made a bet on the two of you, and Pepper won," she says, cutting to the chase.

"What was the bet?" Steve asks with growing comprehension.

"Romanoff had a hundred that you'd kiss Hill, Pepper went with the reverse, and I thought the two of you would be too chicken and/or emotionally unavailable," Tony interrupts before wincing at Nat's sharp blow to the back of his head. "What? I wanted to change it but she wouldn't let me."

"You wanted to change it?" Pepper lets a smidge of pride colour her grin.

He rubs the back of his head. "And Nat called me a sentimental idiot. I want it on the record that this is not true."

Steve casts a worried look over at Maria, who's staring emotionlessly at the trio in front of them. To be fair, he's not quite sure how he feels about the meddling; he can't deny that it's nice to have their support (albeit in a clearly twisted fashion), but given their brush with Insight and privacy issues in general, well, he's happy to live in a bubble for the time being. And Maria, well…

"I want forty percent of the winnings," Maria says finally.

"Ten percent," Tony cuts in, arguing for the sake of arguing.

She fixes him with one of her glares – specifically, the one used to cow arrogant Level 5s into completing paperwork and assignments, the one used on Fury when he told her about T.A.H.I.T.I., the one used when Barton created a vent in her office and stole her portable espresso machine – and replies coolly, "Forty. Or I'll dismantle Elvis and Michael. With a hammer."

"You'll what?"

"You heard me. I'll accept that the three of you were trying some sort of altruistic matchmaking thing, but I don't appreciate the sheer lack of boundaries. I'm not sure I expected better from Stark or from you," she grimaces at Natasha, "but Pepper, really?"

And Pepper looks over at the younger woman, and despite the impressive mask, she notices a tiny crack of hurt in her eyes. A wave of guilt crashes through her, and her smile dims a fraction.

"Wasn't my intention to intrude," she assures her. "But we're not against you. We're behind you on this one, which was the point all along. You're always going to have a job to do, and you're always going to need people in your corner, people you can rely on. We can do that," she shrugs simply.

Maria looks intently at all of them in turn – sees Stark's blatant curiosity, Natasha's amusement hidden behind concern, Pepper's sharp honesty, Steve's glimmer of hope and understanding – tries for once not to think too hard, and mutters under her breath, "This is fucking twisted."

"But appreciated?" Tony's hopeful voice chimes in.

"Maybe." The corner of her mouth turns up slightly. "But still mostly warped."

Beside her, Steve releases a breath, and she ignores him for the moment, trying to force down the relief at his lack of protest and resentment. "Okay, now you've had your fun, I want the three of you out for the next ten minutes," she commands, very much enforcing her reputation. "And Stark – JARVIS better not be recording."

"Ten minutes doesn't seem long," Tony smirks knowingly. "And also, this is my building which I so generously invited you into. You can't order me and my AI around."

She glares caustically at him again, ignoring his jibe. "Don't try me. Just give us ten minutes, and then you can do whatever the hell you want."

Tony opens his mouth to argue, cut off as Pepper nudges him towards the door, giving Maria and Steve a warm smile. She nods back in gratitude before turning to Nat.

"You did it, then," Maria says.

Nat nods. "Yeah. Only took me six years," she says wryly.

"Wait, has she been trying to set you up too?" Steve asks, bewildered.

"Not quite," Nat says. "Trust exercise. Right, Hill?"

"The both of us," Maria admits with a smile, remembering a conversation years past. "Thanks," she adds, quieter.

"You too," Nat replies with a grin, strolling out, leaving the glass doors to shut with a small click.

She contemplates the vacated space before turning her attention back to the captain seated somewhat nervously on the couch.

He begins, hesitant. "So…"

"You got more words there, Rogers?" She lifts an eyebrow, silently laughing.

"Not really, no," he shrugs. "I'm happy."

The two words – the simplicity of the statement – make her pause. And she feels her heart swell, feels the urge to tap fingers in excitement, feels the exhilaration sweep through, but…

"Tony knows, so he's probably going to send a memo around, and everyone'll know by tomorrow."

He shrugs again. "We went over this last night. It's not a bad thing," he reminds her gently, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "Besides, we can think of something together and get back at them."

She sits back and lets her head fall against his shoulder. "Give it a few days, though. Stark's probably still gloating right now."

"How about the new year?"

"Sure. New year," she promises with a smile.