"Are you ready?" Wanda asked. You sighed, giving yourself a final once-over in the mirror. You took a deep breath and turned towards Wanda and Natasha.
"As ready as I'll ever be," you shrugged.
"Alright, let's go," Natasha started to walk out the door and you and Wanda followed suit. You walked down the corridor towards the elevator. Your nerves were starting to pick up. Time seemed to pass by slower and slower with each step. You wanted to get this over with, but you also didn't want it to start. Wanda wrapped her arm around your side and gave you a squeeze. You were sure she could sense your nervousness.
Natasha pressed the down arrow and the elevator arrived with a ding almost instantly. You all stepped inside and awaited your descent to the common room where everyone else was waiting. The ride down was agonizingly quiet until Natasha spoke up.
"You're going to do great," she encouraged.
"Thank you," you breathed, your nerves still wreaking havoc inside you making you unable to truly express how thankful you were for her support.
You felt the elevator slow down to a stop and watched as the doors opened to the common room. Natasha and Wanda stepped out first and you followed quickly behind.
"There's our spy in training," Tony greeted with a smile, giving you a hug. You smiled and hugged him back. Over his shoulder, you glanced at Steve. He was already looking at you smiling. Tony released you from his embrace and looked at you puzzled.
"This isn't the dress I bought," he looked to Natasha and Wanda. They both shrugged.
"Tony, that dress was a crime against humanity. There's no way in hell I'd be caught dead in that thing," you replied.
"Wait, now I'm curious," Sam spoke up.
"Yeah, what did he buy?" Steve asked.
"You guys ever seen a shower loofah?" You asked. They nodded. "Basically that. But as a dress."
"I'm not a fashion expert," Sam started, "but that sounds awful."
"You'd think a billionaire would have better taste," Bucky muttered. You all laughed, but Tony.
"Maybe it was a joke," he shrugged, walking towards the kitchen area of the common room. You looked at him skeptically. "Maybe," he paused, grabbing a glass and pouring himself a drink, "I wanted to see if Y/N would actually wear it." You rolled your eyes and shook your head.
"Thankfully Natasha and Wanda stepped in and saved my ass," you laughed.
"Speaking of saving asses," Natasha looked up from her phone, "Wanda and I have to go save Clint and Vison's."
"We're so sorry, Y/N," Wanda gave you an apologetic smile.
"It's okay," you waved her off. "You two have helped me more than you know. Thank you," you gave them a sincere smile. They gave you one final hug before heading out of the room.
"Well, the cab is waiting outside. You should probably get going. You don't want to be fashionably late," Tony offered with a smile.
"We wouldn't want that, now would we?" you joked. You were glad everyone was their normal, lighthearted self. You felt your nerves ease slightly.
"Here's your ear comm," Tony handed you the small device. You took it and put it in your ear. You checked the pockets in your coat for your wallet and phone, confirming you had everything else you needed.
"Alright," you breathed. "Let's get this bastard."
"I'll walk you down to your cab," Steve said as he approached you. You nodded and followed him into the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed, you closed your eyes, trying to keep yourself calm.
"I'm, uh, I'm glad Natasha and Wanda got you that dress instead," Steve spoke up. You opened your eyes and looked at him. "You look really beautiful in that dress, Y/N." You felt your cheeks heat up instantly.
"Thank you, Steve," you smiled. He ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck, the tips of his ears turning pink. You still found it so odd that he kept doing that around you. You thought back to the conversation you had with Natasha and Wanda earlier. They didn't directly say he had feelings for you, too. But they heavily implied it. Maybe they were right. But this was the only behavior that lead you to believe he might like you as well. Was there something else you were missing?
The elevator doors opened and you walked out to the lobby with Steve. He led you towards the front of the building where you could see the cab waiting outside. He paused right in front of the door.
"Not letting me go, Rogers?" you teased.
"No, no," he laughed. "I have something for you."
"Oh?" you raised your eyebrows. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a delicate necklace with a small crystal pendant. You blinked and looked up at him in confusion.
"It's a tracking device."
"Wow, that's impressive."
"I thought we weren't taking enough precautions, so talked to Tony and we came up with this." You smiled at him, his concern for you warming your heart.
He unclasped the necklace and lifted it up. "May I?" he asked. You nodded and turned around, moving your hair out of the way. You felt his warm fingers graze across your skin delicately. Your skin tingled from his touch. You looked down and touched the tiny pendant admiring it.
"Thank you, Steve. Really, thank you." He smiled at you.
"I wouldn't thank me just yet," he replied. "There is a catch."
"Oh no," you sighed.
"Tony programed it to send us a signal when you say a certain phrase…"
"Of course he did," you groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose. "What is it?"
"'Where's Iron Man when you need him?'" he answered with a remorseful smile.
"I'm not even surprised," you let out a laugh. "Remind me to kill him when I get back."
"Will do," he chuckled.
You looked out the window at the cab. This was it. You were about to actually go through with this. You felt more confident than you did a few days ago. You watched the team put a lot of effort forming this plan and preparing for any outcome. Seeing Natasha and Wanda helped, too. You knew if anything happened, they would be there for you. You gathered up one last once of courage and turned towards the door.
"Well, it's now or never," you said as you reached for the door handle.
"Y/N, wait," Steve reached out and grabbed your hand, pulling you into a tight hug. You wrapped your arms around him and hugged back. This hug felt different from the many times you've hugged Steve before. It felt desperate, but strong. It felt reassuring, and welcoming, and tender, and warm, and…home. You felt like this was exactly where you needed to be in this moment.
"You're gonna do great," he mumbled in your hair. You squeezed him tighter, not wanting to let him go.
"I hate to ruin this incredibly cheesy moment, but we should get going," Tony interrupted. You and Steve loosened from each other's embrace. You instantly missed his warmth.
"Oh, I see Steve gave you the necklace," Tony commented. "Enjoy the catchphrase?" he smiled slyly.
"When all of this is over, I'm coming for you, Stark," you smirked. He and Steve laughed.
You waved to the both of them and opened the door. You looked one last time to Steve before walking out the door and into the cab.
The cab pulled up outside a tall building, 'Le Bernardin' glowing in the darkness of the evening. You thanked the cab driver and opened the cab door, stepping outside. You flattened out your dress and walked towards the entrance. The doorman greeted you with a small smile and opened the door. You walked inside and were overwhelmed at how high end the place was. The pictures Tony showed you only touched the surface of how fancy this place actually was.
You walked up to the hostess and told her you were meeting someone here. She told you he was already here and you felt your stomach twist. No time to mentally prepare yourself before he got here like you originally hoped. You followed the hostess as she weaved through the tables. As you were inching closer, you saw him. His black, slicked back hair glistening under the decorative light over the table.
The hostess gestured for you to take a seat and told you your waiter would be out shortly. You nodded. You turned towards the man sitting at the table and put out your hand.
"Nice to finally meet you, Will," you gave him a smile. He took your hand and shook it.
"And you as well, Y/N," he smiled back at you.
"Were you waiting long?" you asked.
"No, not too long," he replied.
You nodded and picked up the menu in front of you. Your heart nearly stopped when you saw how expensive everything was. Tony was definitely out of his mind. The fancy, over-the-top atmosphere made you feel very out of your element.
"Do you know what you want to order?" Will asked. You looked at him and then back down at the menu.
"Uhh," you paused.
The lamb is really good. You heard Tony say in your ear. You jumped a little, completely forgetting that you had an ear comm in your ear.
"I've heard the lamb is really good," you answered.
I've heard the lamb is really expensive. Bucky commented. You had to chock back a laugh from his jab at Tony.
"Do you know what you want?" you asked.
"Yes," he replied flatly.
"Okay," you said quickly, surprised by his curt response. Tonight was going to be a long night.
The waitress made her way to the table and you both placed your order. She took your menus and said your food would be out shortly.
"So, Y/N, what do you do for a living?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm a receptionist," you answered.
"Really? Where at?" he asked curiously. You could've sworn you heard a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Lie! Don't blow your cover. Tony scolded.
"Uhh," you paused, "at a paper company."
Someone's been watching too many episodes of The Office, you heard Tony snicker in your ear.
"It's not very exciting, so I'll spare you the details," you said quickly. "What about you?" you asked, hoping he'd do more of the talking. This wasn't getting off to a good start.
"I work for an organization that focuses on making the world a," he paused, "better place."
"Wow, that's great," you said, trying to sound enthusiastic. You heard Tony and Sam scoff in your ear. You had to resist the urge to yell at them to knock it off. Their commentary was starting to distract you. "So, do you, uhh, work in New York City then?" you asked.
"One of our main offices is here in the city, but we've got offices located all over the world," he answered. His responses were so vague. You feared you wouldn't be able to get more out of him.
"So, do you travel a lot then?" you asked.
"When needed, yeah." You nodded your head.
"Where's the best place you've traveled? For work or for leisure," you asked.
"Probably Europe," he replied flatly. This guy was really giving you nothing to work with.
This guy is impossible! Keep nudging him about Europe. There's got to be somewhere specific. Tony urged.
"Europe, really? I've always wanted to go there. Do you have any recommendations of countries I should visit?" you asked.
"Poland is nice. Russia has a bad rep, but it's nice there. I visit there often," he replied. Finally, something you could work with.
"Good to know!" you said a little too enthusiastically. "I've heard Moscow is beautiful."
"That's where all the tourists go," he scoffed. His rudeness startled you. "If you want a true, authentic Russian experience," he said in a hushed tone, "you should go to-"
"Excuse me," the waitress interrupted.
Oh, for the love of-
Tony. Steve warned.
"I forgot to bring out your basket of bread rolls. Here you go," she said as she placed a basket of warm rolls in the middle of the table.
"Thank you," you smiled at her. You turned your attention back to Will.
"Ladies first," he gestured towards the rolls. You nodded and reached for one. As you pulled your hand back, you accidentally brushed up against your glass. Before you knew it, your lap was covered in freezing cold water.
"Oh my go-I'm so sorry!" you gasped. "I, uhh, I need to go-I'm gonna go clean this up," you scrambled up from your seat and rushed towards the bathroom.
Everything okay in there, Y/N? Steve asked. You stayed silent. This wasn't how you wanted this to go at all. You almost blew your cover and the date had just started. Why were you such a blubbering mess? You were usually more put together than this. And why wasn't Will being more forthcoming? You thought you were asking basic get to know you questions. Disguising them, of course, but he didn't know that.
"I don't think I can do this," you muttered.
Don't worry, kiddo. You're doing great. This guy's hard to crack. Tony encouraged.
You shook your head, despite the fact that none of them could see you. "You don't understand. I am very, very bad under pressure. I think that's pretty obvious."
You're better under pressure than you give yourself credit for, Steve said sincerely.
You sighed. "I don't know, Steve. I'm pretty bad out there. I don't understand why I can't get him to talk. All the guys I've ever gone on dates with never shut up. I'm used to never getting a word in. What am I doing wrong? Am I coming off as unapproachable? Oh god, what if he suspects something? What if he-"
Hey, hey, hey, calm down. You're doing just fine. Steve assured. Take a deep breath. If he does suspect something, we're right outside.
"You're right, you're right," you mumbled. You were protected by the best in the business. And you felt like this was truly their only chance to get this guy. You had to go back out there and forget about your insecurities and worries. You had to do it for them, the people who meant so much to you, who brightened your day, who made you want to make the world a better place. You took a deep breath and headed back to the table.
You sat back down and gave Will an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry about that."
"That sure did take a long time," he said with a trace of suspicion in his voice. You gulped.
"The, uhh, hand dryer was broken. Only blew out cold air," you responded. "So, where were we? I feel like I still know nothing about you."
"Let's start with why we both swiped right on each other's Tinder profile. Well, in your case, you gave my profile a 'Super Like'," he said, his tone getting darker the more he spoke.
"Well," you paused, "believe it or not, but you're definitely my type. Tall, dark, and mysterious. Women go crazy for men like that."
I can vouch for that. I'm tall, dark, AND mysterious. The ladies love me. Tony gloated.
You're not tall, man. Sam corrected.
"Hmm," he nodded. You sat there in silence for a moment until you spoke up.
"What about you? Why did you agree to meet up with me anyway?" you questioned.
Static from your earpiece suddenly startled you. You heard a fuzzy voice speak. Y/N…think…breaking up…you heard who you thought was Tony. You were confused by his weird, choppy sentence, so you decided to ignore him and pay closer attention to Will.
"Same reason you did," he smirked. But this wasn't a flirty "I think you're cute" smirk. This was a villainous "I'm up to no good" smirk.
"Oh, so I'm you're type, too. Great!" you said with excitement, hoping he couldn't hear the panic in your voice. Something definitely wasn't right, but you couldn't leave until you got the OK from the team.
"Hey," Will said as he grabbed your hand and leaned in closer to you. "Do you wanna get out of here?" he whispered.
"Uhh," you paused, "but our food hasn't come out yet. Don't want to leave on an empty stomach." You hoped that would buy you some more time.
Y/N…safe…get out! Steve yelled. The urgency of his voice surprised you, but you complied without a second thought.
"Actually, yeah, let's get out of here." You stood up from your seat and waited for Will to do the same. He linked his arm in yours, a bit firmer than you would've liked, and walked towards the back of the restaurant.
"Wait, isn't the entrance the other way?" you asked, panic in your voice. He ignored you and pulled on you harder. You tried to pull out of his grip, but he was much stronger than you were. He led you through a door in the back that opened to a dark alleyway. Your eyes couldn't adjust to the darkness fast enough before you felt a sharp pain in the back of your head. After that, everything went black.