Chapter 6: The Vault

6 months later

Orchid stood on the dance floor of her new club after months of redecoration. The theme was a super-secret hero cave, her little joke to honor her new boyfriend. There was the main dance floor in the center of the club with couches and lounge chairs surrounding on all sides. To the right and left were bars where people could get drinks. This section was the operations center of the hero cave. The tables and bars were designed to look like control panels and TV screens around the room showed fake footage of a bad guy causing havoc.

There was a second floor that looked down onto the dance floor and that was made into the armory. Fake weapon cases lined the wall and enclosed glass stands with replica outfits from the Avengers and X-Men. There were rooms people could go to talk without shouting over the music decorated like hero offices. Her favorite was Captain America's room. It was subtly patriotic with its white walls, royal blue furniture and mahogany coffee table in the center. A framed flag on the wall accented the room as well as photos of the Howling Commandos.

The third floor was VIP. This was made to look like the plane that the Avengers used in real life to get to missions with some flashier adjustments. Tony Stark had showed up one day to gift her a suit he had made. It was harmless and would never work, but it helped the feel of the place. He had given her a few opinions on how to change things enough so that their enemies didn't learn things they shouldn't. He didn't seem to know she was the new girlfriend of Captain America. He had heard of the theme and decided to join in, loving the idea.

She found it hilarious that he wanted a booth made up in his honor that he could use for when he came in, which he apparently said would be every week. She doubted it but decided to create a room on the VIP floor that looked down on the dance floor that was only for Avenger use.

Now standing in the completed club, Orchid loved every single aspect of it. Including the visiting Captain America who was currently walking around looking at everything. She walked up to him and smiled.

"So? Like it?" She asked with a grin.

"This is amazing. Looks almost like Avenger Tower, only less flashy."

"Good! Glad to have the Captains stamp of approval." She said with a chuckle as she laid her head on his arm. He moved so he was holding her to his side, his arm around her shoulders. He kissed her head softly as they looked around.

"So… I know you wanted to keep us out of the public eye, which I respect, but it would me a lot to me if you were my date for tomorrow? Its opening night and I really would feel better with you there. We don't have to walk in together if that makes you feel less exposed. Besides, it would look a little strange if you didn't show up to a club that was made in honor of the teams that keep our world safe."

Steve looked down at her with amusement. "I was already planning on going. Nothing could keep me away. I was also hoping that we could have our first kiss that night as well. I feel a little silly for asking you to wait, but I am a bit old-fashioned. Last woman I kissed was Peggy, and that was 70 years ago. I'm a little rusty."

She smiled and nodded her agreement. "I'd like that."

"Sir, we have confirmation that the Avengers will be at the opening night of the new club. Should we move forward with the plan?"

Rumlow looked up from his desk toward the man interrupting his thoughts and narrowed his eyes. The man gulped softly as Rumlow stood. Coming around the desk, he walked towards the nervous agent. These new recruits all were too soft for his liking.

"Yes, we move forward with the plan. If all goes well, we will have our revenge against Captain America and his band of freaks. Remember, don't destroy the club too much. It would be a shame to let a good club go to waste, especially once we control the world."

The man nodded and saluted him before leaving. Chuckling to himself, Rumlow picked up the photo of the new club's owner. "It would be a shame to waste such beauty on anyone outside of Hydra. Perhaps I will take you for myself. You'd like that, wouldn't you Orchid…."

The main floor was crowded with employees as they got ready for the opening night. Everyone was running to and fro setting up decorations, stocking the bars, setting out opening night gifts for the general population and for VIP guests. A loud crash sounded as one of the bottles of cheaper vodkas fell to the ground.

"Careful! It may be cheap liquor but it still makes money!" Toni yelled from her perch next to Michelle on the second floor. Both were dressed and ready for the evening.

"You're a terror Toni." Orchid said with a chuckle. "Relax. Things are going smooth. We have contingency plans in case of emergencies. Just enjoy your first night as manager and celebrate this success with me!"

Both women raised their shot glasses and drank it down with a laugh.

"Ready to open your first ever nightclub, The Vault?" Toni said with a grin.

"As ready as I'll ever be…"

A/N:

I LIVE! I am so sorry for the long time between updates. I seem to get so focused on real life that I lose track of my stories. I do have a guideline for this story and I will try to update more regularly. I can't promise anything, but I will try. I do want to thank my readers for sticking with me and reviewing. It means the world to me when you all review. I did change the chapter that caused some people to be angry, so be aware of that.

Till next time

-Shell