Chapter 8

"So, what's going on between you and the Captain?" Natasha asked, glancing up from a magazine at me. Pepper, Natasha and I were at a little boutique somewhere in the city, looking for something to wear to the party.

"Nothing," I said shrugging. "At least, nothing real," I added, flipping through a copy of Cosmopolitan. Pepper raised an eyebrow.

"Ooh, I think Miss Lily has a crush on the Cap," she teased, laughing when I turned bright red. Muttering angrily under my breath, I looked away from her and focused on the Cosmo. Which probably wasn't the best of ideas, because the page I was on was very… explicit. Feeling my face burn even more, I looked out the window.

Seeing my rather embarrassed face, Pepper took a seat next to me, looking at the open magazine, and laughed. "Lily! Why would you read such a thing? I'd expect this from Tony, but not you!" she exclaimed with mock surprise, grinning at me. "You've got a dirty mind, Lil. Imagining doing that with the Cap?"

By this time, I felt like my face was on fire, and I threw the Cosmo down. Natasha and Pepper laughed as I stood and stomped away from the cluster of plush leather armchairs and towards racks of clothes. Pepper followed, but I ignored her and began to search through the racks.

"Come on, Lil, I was just joking," Pepper said with a smile, watching as I pulled a slinky red dress off the rack. It was pretty, but my nose wrinkled at just how exposing it was; and so, it was put back. I continued to ignore Pepper as I looked through the dresses.

Finally, one caught my eye. I was never one to wear white, as I have the remarkable ability to attract everything colorful and staining nearby when I wear that particular color; but this dress would have to be an exception. It was simple and beautiful. Just a strapless little white silk dress, which draped like the dress of an ancient Greek goddess. The fabric hit at the knees in the front, but trailed down to the ankle in the back. A wide gold belt went around the waist.

"It's so pretty," I breathed, staring down at it. Pepper poked her head over my shoulder and grinned.

"Go try it on," she urged, ushering me into the dressing room. When I stepped out, the dress fluttering about my legs, both Pepper and Natasha nodded.

"Perfect," Pepper stated as, at a sign from her, I twirled around so they could see the whole thing. "Like a sexy little angel," she added.

"Wonderful. That's exactly what I was going for," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Natasha laughed, examining a pair of golden heels that matched the dress's belt.

"Just wait till the Cap sees you in that," she said, turning the shoe over in her hands. "He won't be able to keep his eyes off you."

"Or his hands," Pepper added with a wink, sidestepping a kick aimed at her leg. Laughing, she began to search through the jewelry.

"Come on, guys. I really don't think Steve is really after a relationship right now. He's still angry about everything that he's missed, and trying to catch up."

"Which is why you're perfect for him," Natasha said, holding up a long gold chain with a key pendant. "Pretty, smart, tech-savvy, not to mention you're a teacher. More specifically, his teacher. I don't think it's that much of a stretch to say he has a thing for you."

Pepper nodded. "Honestly, Lil, from the looks you two have been sending each other since you got here, I'd say you're both madly in love. Don't let him get away. If you do, I'm afraid I'll have to kick your butt."

"Oh, as if you could do that. You do remember that I am, or was, a SHEILD agent, and that I'm also a ninja?"

"Please, Lily, there's no need for exaggeration. You are not a ninja, you simply know karate."

"I am a ninja.… Did you see that?"

"What?"

"Exactly."

A/N: Geeze, I am terrible. I totally broke my promise to update soon; I haven't updated all summer! I'M SORRY! I really have no excuse, other than the fact that I am an extreme procrastinator, and I've been brain farting with this whole story. ARGGGH! I'm trying, I really am.

In other news, because of my writer's block on this, I started another story. I haven't decided if I'll wait till I'm done with this to post it, or what, but it will be up eventually.

Also, my turkeys got attacked by a dog this morning, and there are feathers everywhere. Just thought you'd like to know. :D