A/N: It's wonderful to be back to writing. I've really taken off with this fiction, and I like where it's starting to go. Hopefully this inspiration lasts, and I can keep on this fantastic roll. Thank you for reading, and please feel free to review, I know I appreciated the one I got from ber1719. I'm glad that someone else saw the potential in this plot line.
My disclaimer still stands and I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 2: Going Up the Ladder
For the next week Lilliana Hudson kept her phone on loud and never let it more than two feet from her. Every noise the device made caused her to jolt with excitement, and she was met with constant disappointment. The eighth day, the week passed, she gave up hope, figuring they had chosen another intern for both positions, and maybe part of her didn't blame them. The understanding rationale however, was no match for the disappointment, as she walked through the door to the apartment that evening after what had been an unforgiving practice, chucked her phone at the couch, and went to her room, collapsing on the bed. She woke no more than an hour later and never considered checking her phone before heading for the shower. As she got her towel out, and started the water she heard her ringtone, and for the first time in a few days, she ignored it and just took her shower in peace.
Standing under the stream of the shower and washed her hair, she sighed, wondering what flaws had cost her the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure, it could have been her less than perfect GPA, but she tried her best; some professors just didn't like the topics she chose to write about. Then there was her background, she came from the middle of Massachusetts, no fame, money, or glory. In fact, she relied on scholarships and odd jobs to afford her New York City education. However, old insecurities die hard, and she couldn't help but dwell on the slender perfection of Pepper Potts as she washed her own, thicker frame. She knew she wasn't fat, but she was far from the model like figure that she knew Tony Stark would want to be associated with. It was from a loss of control in middle school, leaving her pudgy, and the regaining of the control in high school, where working out turned the pudgy parts into toned muscle with just a layer of fluff that wouldn't go away, and she knew her breasts were larger than average, and while it would usually bring her pride, today it brought her insecurity. Stepping out of the shower and covering her body with the towel, she let it go, she worked hard for herself, and that's what mattered. She ran a comb through her chocolate hair, leaving it to touch the bottom of her shoulder blades. She padded out of the bathroom, steam following her from the room, and he heard Mary Jane talking to someone.
"That would be her! Lilly?" Mary Jane called down the hall. "You have some company!" She scurried back with an excited smile to her roommate.
"Who is it MJ?" Lilly asked her, confused by her smirk.
"A large man named 'Fury' and Tony Stark!" MJ squealed. Lilly's grin spread ear to ear until she realized she wasn't dressed. "Hurry up! Peter can only keep them entertained so long."
"Oh no! Help!" Lilly panicked and sprinted into her room, pulling MJ behind her, throwing on a modest sundress and putting her hair up in a bun. She nearly forgot under garments in her panic, but soon enough, with MJ's help, she was made up and presentable enough to meet with the men she hoped were her newest employers. When the girls entered the living room, Peter stormed out, looking frustrated, and MJ chased after him, confused and worried.
"Nice to finally get a hold of the girl we came here for." Tony Stark said, waving her phone at her from his lounged position on the couch. "Don't you ever answer this thing?" Lilly flushed with frustration, but took her phone to see she had three missed calls from Stark Industries.
"Sorry Mr. Stark, I just stepped away from it for a while." Lilly apologized; worried that she was already off to the wrong foot.
"It's fine Miss Hudson, but please, go and pack a bag for the week, we have things to do." Fury said sternly. "You're absence has already been reported."
"Yes Sir, thank you." Lilly did as she was told, a little wary that he already informed her coaches that she was leaving, but afraid that hesitation would cost her everything. She threw together a bag quickly, and definitely over packed, not knowing what her dress code would be. Soon enough she was following Tony Stark and Nick Fury out the door of her apartment building and into a waiting limousine.
They returned to Stark Industries, where Pepper met them at the door, rambling on about danger and staying safe to Tony, who dismissed her pleas with a snicker, but Lilly observed the desperation in his eyes when he clutched Pepper's hand in the elevator. The group went up to the top floor, where they joined two men in the midst of conversation. Lilly was introduced to Dr. Bruce Banner and Steve Rogers, both would be joining them on their trip. Tony, desperate for show off his newest designs, chose to put on his Iron Man suit, and then grabbed a kiss from Pepper and his suitcase before leading the group out the door to the balcony. As Lilly stepped outside she saw the long rope ladder that Nick Fury had begun to climb, and she got a little dizzy. Iron Man grabbed her suitcase from her and blasted up, skipping the tedious climb. Steve Rogers called Lilliana over, and had her go before him, and she ascended onto the SHIELD base, terrified of what was in store for her.