AN: This is a little late because I haven't slept again. I had an nap and woke up like an hour ago, remembering what day it was.

I am planning on getting it sorted which is why I won't be posting next week because I have a doctor appointment to get some blood tests done. To make up for it, have an extra long chapter :D

(There's an song playing in this scene. Look at the bottom AN for a URL to said song, if you are interested)

Enjoy

Chapter 3 - Work

Tony really hoped this girl was worth the trouble he was going to get in with Pepper.

The four of them, Tony, Natasha, Steve and Bucky, sat around a small round black table as rather attractive ladies walked here and there, serving drinks to other nearby tables. The venue itself wasn't particularly big but it was better decorated than some places Stark had visited in the past.

In all honesty Tony wasn't enjoying this experience as much as he thought he would. His main source of entertainment for the evening wasn't playing ball. The ex-playboy had expected to be giddy for the next three weeks at the sight of Captain Virginity in such a place but Steve was in leader mode. The blonde was occupied with checking that the exits were clear and that the other patrons weren't armed.

Steve had to admit he did feel uncomfortable but it had more to do with the possibility of a Hydra attack than the girls. For obvious reasons, he hadn't been able to bring his shield. Natasha had loaned him one of her guns, which made him feel a little bit more secure. When they'd sat down, he'd spotted the Ironman bracelets on Tony's wrists before the billionaire readjusted his suits sleeves and he was sure that Bucky had some kind of weapon on him. However, the building was still packed with potential threats, anybody could be Hydra.

"I don't know what she's going on about, $35 just to get into this place". Tony grumbled over the somewhat loud music. He'd never been a particularly big fan of Sia but this song was really just mocking him right now.

"I'm sure it hasn't hit your bank account too hard, Tony" Natasha glared softly at the billionaire, taking a sip of her martini.

"Yeah, well… call me an equal opportunist". Natasha snorted at Tony's response but the genius's comment didn't faze Bucky. He was too busy searching for 'X'. Every girl that passed and the two currently dancing, none of them were her.

He was beginning to doubt that she was really there and he knew that Steve was probably thinking the same way. He wouldn't be surprised if the Captain decided to call off the mission and go home, judging from the constant looks at the exits.

Admittedly they weren't really near either of said exits but at least they had their back to a wall. It would be a struggle to fight their way out if it turned into an ambush.

It was easy to see why his best friend was on edge.

What made Bucky curious was why Natasha wasn't?

The red head was laid back, or she was hiding her apprehension extremely well. She looked stunning in her black dress and had made a point of making them look "appropriate".

She had advised both of the super soldiers on their outfits, something that Bucky would deny if anyone asked. He didn't really know if his white t-shirt and Steve's leather Jacket were appropriate attire for a strip club but he was nowhere near as formal as Stark was. Even Steve was closer in his blue shirt.

However, "fashion" still confused the hell out of Bucky so he decided it was best not to argue with Natasha's advice.

"Looks like you were right, Stark. These girls are very talented." Natasha commented, causing the others to follow her gaze. Three sets of eyes landed on one of the two mini performance platforms in the room. A bright blonde haired lady hung upside down on the pole, the only things stopping her from falling on her head were her crossed ankles and her thighs which were holding onto the pole. Bucky had to admit that it was a very good show of inner thigh muscle strength.

"How would you know, Romanoff?" Tony's tone became somewhat suggestive causing Nat to kick him under the table. As Tony whined at the violence, she continued to watch the girls. She hadn't been lying when she they were talented. It took a lot of strength to dance the way they did, using muscles that many people didn't even know they had. However, what interested her more was the slight ways they'd correct themselves. The way they'd achieve a pose and then half way through a spin, they'd point their toes or readjust their hand on the pole. It was like they were remembering those slight details at the last second.

Despite all this, she knew her thoughts would mostly just confuse the boys. "Pole dancing is not as easy as it looks" She paused taking another sip of her martini "Plus it looks like we're going to get a show soon". She nodded her head toward the main stage at the opposite side of the room.

The trio's gaze followed and they observed, each taking note of the white smoke slowly descending from the closed curtain. The curtain had closed after the last act had ended, one performed by a blonde older lady and they had remained closed ever seen. Usually the sight of smoke would have the group evacuating the build and waiting for the fire service but they could luckily all make the distinction between black smoke, equalling fire and white smoke, meaning special effect chalk smoke.

"Dramatic smoke and pole dancing? If she comes out to "Abracadabra" then I can't be held responsible for laughing at her". Tony snorted taking a sip on his scotch.

It was just after this remark that the current song began to fade and the curtains slowly rose, revealing the empty stage covered in low lying smoke. The audience slowly drew quiet as everyone waited for the girl to appear.

However, no girl walked onto the stage. Instead the first notes of a new song start to play and a hand shot out of the veil of smoke, clutching at the air briefly before disappearing again. The moment it vanished something moved suddenly from under the smoke and a head of black hair breached the sea of white smoke.

This got the Avengers', but mainly Bucky's, attention, as he tried to see through the wisps of smoke that blocked the girl's face. But the head moved before he could make out any details. A hand beat against the woman's now visible chest as the slow beat of the music thumped deeply. Her head flicked forward causing her hair to block Bucky's view, her fist lashed out at thin air, pushing her body back under the smoke. But she wasn't down for long. Hands reached out slowly, grabbing onto one of the two poles on stage. Her body swung around the pole before a head, torso and hand reached out to the sky.

Bucky watched her once again disappear as another beat thumped, a small bead of hope forming in his chest. Two legs cartwheeled up out of the smoke gracefully, one after the other. A hand reached higher on the pole, allowing her to swing around into a crouched position. Silky black hair flicked out of her face and Bucky got his first good look at her.

Her eyes were down, preventing him from seeing them but porcelain eyelids had been covered with dark eye-shadow. Her small mouth painted with light pink gloss. She was seamless, poised and just as confusing as she'd been in his dream. "It's her" it came out as nothing more than a whisper as he watched her dance, catching the other's nods in the corner of his eye.

She jumped clearing a good 3 ft above her head height as her hands latched onto the pole, pulling herself up and round, just as the lyrics started.

'Boys workin' on empty

Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat?

I just think about my baby

I'm so full of love I could barely eat'

She performed a number of very complex tricks in time to the music. The tensing of well-toned stomach muscles gave clue to her core strength as she held herself upside down and extended her legs out vertically. She worked her way up the pole before coming to sit there, looking out at the audience briefly before adverting her gaze. In that brief second, Bucky ducked his head, hoping not to be seen before remembering that he was all the way at the other side of the room. In the short time she'd been dancing, his mind had wondered into some nostalgic realm of being.

She descended from the pole spinning her way to the second one. She latched onto it effortlessly as the chorus arrived, spinning as she climbed and kicking up a column of smoke as she went.

'When, my, time comes around

Lay me gently in the cold dark earth

No grave can hold my body down

I'll crawl home to her'

Bucky's eyes followed her as her foot pushed against the pole, creating distance between the metal pole and her torso. He didn't recognise the song but he didn't care. At that point he could barely hear the song, too stuck in his own mind.

Every now and then, when she'd move in certain ways, he'd be taken to images of battles long forgotten in his mind. They weren't full memories, more like flashes or snapshots.

She'd flick her head in a certain way and all of a sudden she wouldn't be all dolled up, instead her face would be speckled with blood and she'd have a rage in her eyes that could make a man wish for a painless death.

Her elbow would bend so her arm could hold her weight and all of a sudden there'd be a rough stranger's hand seizing her wrist. She'd hide her face in her arms for dramatic effect and suddenly her pitch black hair would be littered with falling ash.

He snapped out of it as a something touched his arm. Bucky tore his eyes away from the stage and they landed on Steve's hand as it hesitantly lifted from his forearm. They're eyes connected and Bucky could see that Steve was concerned about him.

Steve was very concerned about him, the man's face went slack the moment they'd recognised 'X' and he could see that something was going on in his friends head. However, before Steve could ask anything, a wolf-whistle from up front snapped their attention back to the stage. A small wave of irritation washed over Steve as his eyes searched momentarily for whoever had whistled and interrupted not only his interaction with Buck but also distracted most of the audience from 'X's show.

But Bucky could tell that it hadn't fazed 'X' in the slightest. Her dance had moved from the pole onto the stage floor itself and was still as graceful and in time as it had been before.

Her gaze only lifted onto the audience occasionally, something Natasha noted with a small spark of respect. So much dancing styles were about the smile and the act but 'X' was enjoying pole dancing much like Natasha used to enjoy ballet.

Dancing was the perfect combination of grace, flexibility and strength. A good dancer knew discipline and how to portray the basic emotions. It worked the body and the mind at the same time and Nat knew it could be the sign of a very deadly individual. She could see that the dark haired girl was performing for herself and practically ignoring the audience, and that made Natasha both wary and intrigued.

They watched on as she approached the pole, the chorus kicked in again. She jumped onto it, thighs clamping down onto the metal to support her weight before starting her climb up. Bucky concentrated on her face as she performed the same trick they'd seen the bright blonde girl do before but 'X' transitioned it, unlocking her ankles and un-clamping her thighs, until only her arms were holding her entire body upside down against the pole. The concentration on her features caused sparks of nostalgia to swirl in his stomach.

He didn't have a lot of memories of her, just the one from the dream and the snapshots he'd just experienced, but he felt himself wanting to remember. Most of the memories he'd recovered had been of torture or murders he didn't want to commit but 'X' made him hopeful that maybe there was something good to remember about his time trapped there.

He watched impressed as she held one of her leg parallel to her torso, stretching her other leg out to do the splits upside down on the pole. Dazzling green eyes moved onto the audience and held their gaze for a second before she dropped. Inside Bucky's heart jumped into his throat but, before he could react on the outside, her muscles clenched bring her descent to an abrupt stop about a foot off the ground.

His heartbeat thundered in his head as she flipped herself over and continued on. Even his sudden shock was sending waves of familiarity over him, making him fondly cautious. He already had one friend who seemed to enjoy running head first into danger and giving himself mini heart attacks, he didn't need another. He re-focused on her as the chorus returned and she swapped poles. Latching onto the metal, she spun herself round and round, kicking up smoke and funnelling it, creating a tornado of smoke beneath her.

Despite Tony's earlier jest, he had to admit, the smoke brought a whole new element to the act. It wasn't just a cheesy prop to create "atmosphere", it made the performance. Tony's only complaint was that the dance was way more artistic than sadistic or sexy, which was less a complaint and more of a concern.

The song slowly came to an end as 'X' descended the pole in stages before coming to lie on the ground again, reaching out of the mist with both hands on the last note. There wasn't a beat of silence between her finishing and the applause that follow. A good few wolf whistles sounded from the room and the boys were a little surprise to see Natasha put her fingers to her lips and whistle one out as well.

The curtain closed with 'X' still lying on the ground, probably catching her breath, Nat thought. However she couldn't really think on this long as she noticed Bucky trying to get up. Unfortunately he was sandwiched between her and Steve so he wasn't running off anywhere.

Bucky was annoyingly aware of this fact. He made a move to get up. The stage had to be connected to a back stage area and he was sure he could find the entrance if he could just get up. However the moment he tried to get past Steve had led to the blonde pushing him lightly back into his seat.

"Where do you think you're going?" It was Natasha who asked making Buck feel like he was being ganged up on.

"To find the backstage entrance" He saw no point in lying, the Black Widow probably already knew the answer.

"And if you can't find it, what then? Jump the stage? The security will get you" Steve tried to reason with his friend but Buck didn't seem fazed.

He merely scoffed "I think I'll be fine". There had to be an entrance and the bouncers didn't exactly scare him.

"Or we could do this the easy way…" The three turned to stare at Tony as he downed the rest of his scotch, the ex-playboy eyeing them back questioningly. Tony rolled his eyes softly as the super soldier waited for him to explain. Nat seemed to understand judging from the murderous glare she was giving him. He decided against explaining, instead rising from his seat and adjusting his suit "Come on, Dory let's go find 'X'" Tony motioned for Bucky to following him as he started to make his way toward the bar slowly, waiting for the cyborg to catch up.

Steve released him and Bucky quickly caught up with the billionaire, narrowly avoiding a collision with a girl holding a tray full of drinks. He kept an eye out for both the backstage entrance and 'X' herself as he questioned Stark "What's the plan?"

Tony shrugged half-heartedly "It's not that tricky, just keep your distance and don't do anything stupid". His tone turned from casual to somewhat mocking, as if he could list the stupid things that Barnes would wanted to do.

The two neared the bar and Bucky, seeing that this was Stark's destination, verged off to the side so as to keep a healthy distance from the man while remaining within ear shot. He didn't really understand what Tony was up to but he was willing to, at least, give it a try.

Tony leaned on the bar and waited for the lovely chestnut haired bartender to finish serving her other customer, tapping a random rhythm on the counter. "Hi, what can I get you?" The smile was wide and Tony had to wonder if it hurt her face.

"Oh, yeah, can I have your best scotch and a word with the manager, maybe?" The girl started to make his drink, staring at him worriedly. "I'd just like to congratulate him on having such a great establishment".

His drink was handed to him and it was after he'd paid that she gave a quiet "ok" before quickly disappearing out the other side of the bar, leaving Stark with his drink and his thoughts. Tony wasn't an idiot and apparently neither was Natasha, he knew the owner of the place.

He'd never been to this club before but he'd checked who owned it before they left and the name had seemed familiar to him. Lucian Ford. Of course Tony didn't remember him well, if the man worked in this business then the playboy was probably drunk as a skunk when they'd met.

Tony looked over his shoulder to check that Barnes was doing as he was told and sure enough, the man had managed to blend in effortlessly. The two made eye contact and Tony caught the frown on his face. Tony presumed that he'd heard him speaking to the barmaid and was silently wondering what he was up to.

"Mr. Stark!" Tony inwardly grimaced, partially at the title and partially due to the over-exuberant tone. He turned back towards the bar to see a man only slightly younger than him with the straightest smile Tony had ever seen. And that was saying something. The man wore a crisp white suit with a light blue shirt, blonde hair with so much product in it that it looked greasy and a pristine white smile that could not be natural.

Stark had a face to put to the name now but he still couldn't remember this guy. "Mr. Ford" Tony put on his best Stark smile and shook the man's hands. "It's been a while".

"That it has! I must admit, Tony, I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you had a bird, now. Couldn't resist the lights and ladies for long, huh?" Tony could tell he was trying to sound upper-class but every now and then his Queens accent would break through.

"Just fancied a change" Tony reminded himself to sue the guy if he saw that quoted anyway. "As did you, I see. Nice place you got" The billionaire commented, fishing for information.

"Ah well. Euphoria had its charms but a bit too small. Managed to get this place for a good price, still cost me an arm and a leg though" The man laughed and Tony joined in while his brain slowly began to piece it together. He remembered the Euphoria club, really cramped place down by time square but that was all he could recall about his time there.

"Yeah anyway, I was wondering if I could ask you something" Tony moved the conversation on, not wanting to spend too much time talking to this guy. "I'm kinda looking to maybe sneak a private dance into my evening…" Of course, he really wasn't. Pep would kill him if he did and then Nat would kill him as well. Tony really didn't need to die twice, tonight.

A sleazy smile spread across Lucian face "Well I can recommend a girl for you, some are clumsier than the others but have your pick".

Tony returned the smile, having Lucian exactly where he wanted him. "How about the Hozier girl? She looked nice"

Oddly, the smile slipped away from Lucian face and Tony wondered if Barnes was giving him the skink eye. "Renee? I can't do that Tony"

The genius frowned "Why?"

"Renee doesn't do private meetings and I'm not about to ask her" Lucian paled slightly and Tony wondered what she'd done to the man to get a reaction like that.

Tony sighed inaudibly before reaching into his suit pocket "Listen, how about I pay double? What's it usually, $200?" He knew it was probably less than that but he didn't want Barnes going loco and rushing the stage.

Lucian looked torn for a second before sighing and leaning on the bar. "Look, I can get her on the bar. If you think you can talk her round, it'll be a miracle." He stage-whispered to Tony before taking the money out of his hand "Good Luck" he slapped Tony on the back, still looking pale before disappearing into the crowd.

Bucky watched as the owner retreated somewhere and Stark's smile dropped. He didn't blame him, smiling like that looked annoying.

The celebrity turned and caught his eye again. Buck didn't really know what to think about Tony's plan and he couldn't decide if it was a better plan than his. Both plans got her isolated from the chaos of the club but Tony's might make her uncomfortable and Bucky feared that she'd run. The man, Ford, said that she didn't do private "meetings" meaning she probably had something over him. Why else would he submit to her demands? He was her employer.

He broke eye contact with Stark as movement at the other end of the bar caught his attention. His old friend came storming into the bar area, a scowl marring her features as she ducked behind the bar and began a short conversation with the brown haired barmaid.

She was wearing the same thing she'd worn for her performance, some weird two piece with thick black straps on it. Bucky didn't really pay much attention to her outfit though, instead concentrating on the fact that her hair was longer than it had been in his memory and he'd only just noticed.

Tony turned back towards the bar after seeing Barnes's gaze wonder and a small grin appear on the soldier's face. A grin came to his face as well as he stared at the mysterious girl only a metre away from him. He downed his drink as he looked at her, noting joyfully that she was actually shorter than him. He'd finally be taller than multiple people.

"Uh, Miss?" Laura looked up from grabbing a tray from under the bar and made eye contact with a man wearing sunglasses. "Could I get a top up? Scotch"

She didn't reply verbally, instead grabbing the bottle and pouring him another. She took her time to examine him while he paid by card. Men who wore sunglasses to a lowly light club often didn't want to be recognised and something about this man seemed familiar. She was about to turn and get back to preparing other drinks when a $50 note was held out to her "Renee, was it? Here, keep the change"

He flashed her a smile and a wave of recognition ran through her. Tony Goddamn Stark. She tilted her head slightly. Tony Goddamn Stark, who's currently in a relationship with Pepper CEO Potts? She took the money dubiously, wondering what he was after. She'd been sceptical when Ford had asked her to help out the girls at the bar. If this turned out to have something to do with that slimy idiot then she'd break his arm. "Thanks"

"That was quite the show you put on" Tony sipped from his new drink, knowing that he'd have to cut himself off after this one.

"Thanks…" She decided to keep an eye on him as she continued to make the drinks, putting each onto the tray as she went.

"I was wondering if I could get a private show" Tony watched as she paused her job to stare at him, a dark look set her features. A small pang of fear ran through him as she left her tray of drinks on the side and came to stand in front of him.

She was going to break both of Lucian's arms. "I don't do private shows" She glared at the billionaire, lifting her chin a touch as a silent dare to continue down this path and see where it lead him.

"I'll pay double" Tony realised that was probably a big mistake. Renee was a very threating presence, the air almost going still as she stood off against him. But he wasn't about to let his plan fail. He wasn't ready to give up gloating rights.

Laura leaned onto the bar, getting into Tony's personal bubble. "I know you don't get told 'no' often, Mr. Stark. You think throwing money at people will make the answer change, the girls talk about you occasionally. So I'll give you some advice; finish your drink, get in a taxi and go home to your girlfriend before you hurt yourself". She straightened up and returned to her tray, finishing off her last order.

Tony sat shocked for a second. Had she just threatened him? His eyes snapped to her as she picked up the loaded tray. "Wait, you sure about that?" Tony knew he should let it go. He was playing with fire but he was still stubbornly holding onto his gloating rights.

She walked round the bar, watching Stark turn in his stool as he followed her movements. "Don't test your luck, Stark" She smirked slightly, confident that the celebrity would stay at the bar and not bother to follow her. The girls had talked about the famous Tony Stark around her so she knew the man's connection with booze was strong.

She had just turned fully away from the bar when a voice, or more so a name, made her freeze in place. "X".

AN: Laura's dance routine was based on this video - /HZj_Uc0jMT0 (If that link doesn't work then check out my Tumblr) because it is a gorgeous routine and the song works so well with who Laura really is. I didn't even know of this song before finding this routine and it's so beautiful :3.

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