Chapter 3

They were sitting in the car at their makeshift drive in, the laptop screen before them playing some old black and white horror film where giant bugs terrorized the city. Another one of Scott's many odd jokes. His ten-year old daughter Cassie sat in the back, happily munching on popcorn.

Scott had only been free of his house arrest for a few days now, and after some time apart to spend with Cassie, and her, her mother, the two has spent practically every moment together. When he had told her his plans for tonight, she had made to excuse herself, not wanting to encroach on daddy/daughter time.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. To the gym maybe? Call me when you are free again." She picked up her purse and her coat, drawing the remote and tiny car out of her pocket. He may be free again, but her family was still in hiding.

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in to his chest, placing a little kiss under her right ear, nuzzling softly. Her eyes closed, reveling in the closeness of him, breathing in his scent. "Don't go." he whispered.

She pulled back a little to look at him. "But you said you have plans with Cassie."

"I do." She eyed him warily. She had met his daughter before, but that was before Germany, before his arrest, before everything that had happened over the last week. "I want you to come with us."

"I don't know Scott. I'm not really supposed to be in public places like that."

"Come on. We don't have to go to a real Drive-In. We can make one. Plus you'll be in the car with me, with us. You'll be safe. I promise." He shook her playfully. "Come on..."

Rolling her eyes, she smiled, before nodding her consent. "Yes!" he cried. "What could be better than a night with my two favourite ladies?"

She watched him fondly as he danced his way down the hall in search of the necessary items for his plan. He was going to be the death of her.

The woman turned on the screen, facing the giant ant in front of her and let out a terrifying scream. Hope snorted a little, shaking her head at such behaviour. Deciding to place her attentions elsewhere she turned towards Cassie in the back.

"This is awesome!" said Cassie appreciatively, causing Scott to smile at his daughter's sense of humour.

"So Cassie, what do you want to be when you grow up?" asked Hope.

The little girl leaned forward, popcorn still in hand, the petals of her flower crown brushing Hope's seat. She munched for a second in thought before replying. "I want to help people. Like my Dad."

Hope grinned, giving Scott a look. He was positively beaming he was so proud.

Not taking her eyes from the screen, Cassie continued. "I wanted to be his partner, but he said he wants you."

Hope turned her head towards Scott, who was looking at her with a mix of hope and nervousness in his eyes. He had realized long ago that she was his true partner, but he also realized how badly he had screwed things up.

"Is that so?" replied Hope. They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment. She reached across the console to grab his hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

"Daddy!" cried Cassie, shaking them from their gaze. A moth had landed on their windshield, taking up most of their view in their shrunken state. Scott blared the horn and flicked the wipers in an attempt to shake the thing from their car.

"No, don't!" warned Hope, as Scott flicked the headlights. Too late. The moth had grown excited by the light and began to secret its dust onto the car.

"Ugh, gross. I hate moth dust." said Scott as the girls laughed at the silliness of the situation.

It was late, Cassie having been put to bed an hour ago after their movie. She had fallen asleep somewhere during the first act of their second film and the couple had decided it was time to call it a night. Re-sizing, Scott carried from the backyard up to her room as Hope watched from the doorway.

Not quite ready to go to bed yet, they had moved to the couch where the movie continued, now on the living room tv. Getting up to stretch, Scott yawned a little and motioned to the kitchen. "You want a snack? Maybe some tea?"

Hope looked up at his lithe form, illuminated in the light of the TV screen. "Sure." she replied, watching him as he went, her mind going to dangerous places as she appreciated his backside in those jeans. She settled back into the couch trying to refocus on the movie. Moments passed, and she found herself growing bored waiting for her cuddle buddy to return. Grabbing the remote, she turned off the TV and padded her way into Scott's kitchen.

His back was too her, focused on whatever was on the counter. His shoulder blades carved dents in his t-shirt, the muscles of his back occasionally peaking through as he reached here and there for items on the counter. He was humming softly, some jazz song she couldn't quite place.

She approached him, taking care to not startle him, and wrapped her arms around his middle, pressing a kiss into the back of his neck. She rested her face into the crook of his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his body against hers. She sighed happily as he continued his task, the change of tune his only acknowledgment to her presence.

She peaked over his shoulder as he finished assembling their sandwiches. He seemed to have remembered what she liked, noting that her turkey seem to lack the copious amount of cheese and mustard he had put on his. She ducked under him, one arm around his waist still, to snatch a half of the sandwich before her.

The munched contentedly in silence, one arm around each other. As Hope reached for her second half she felt Scott's gaze upon her, but chose to keep her eyes on the grains in the bread instead.

"I meant what I said you know." breathed Scott. Hope paused mid-bite to look at him questioningly. "About the whole partner thing." When she failed to re-act he continued. "I thought about what you said, about Germany. Working as a team to get your mom back, to save the lab, we were great together. Who better to be Ant-Man's partner than the Wasp?"

Hope placed her half eaten sandwich back on the counter, licking the dressing from her lip and taking a moment to think. "Well if that's what you want, I best keep my hands to myself then." She pulled back out of his arms, watching the look on his face turn to confusion.

"I... wait, what? No, that's not what I meant. I meant work partners and..." She cut him off with a giggle.

"I know, I'm only teasing." She leant forward and captured his lips in a kiss. It was tender and heartfelt. She did know what he meant. She felt it too. Pulling back she gazed lovingly into his eyes.

"So is that a yes?" he asked. She nodded, her grin spreading wide.

"Of course I'll be your partner Scott." He beamed back at her, excitement and happiness radiating off of him.

"Well in that case, it's time I reminded you of all the benefits that come with such a partnership." Grabbing her around the waist and hoisting her onto him, he placed her legs around him and hurried towards the stairs, passion burning bright in his eyes. She laughed at his comment, at his hurried attempts to get her into bed. Who would have thought that after years of being apart, they'd come together, happier and stronger than ever before.