Chapter 3: The First Person On The List Would Be...

TONY STARK P.O.V.

The Avengers? Huh. It feels as though it was yesterday. This Asgardian, psycho-legend or god, I don't know, called Loki declared war on our planet. Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. brought back the Avengers Initiative and all of "Earth's mightiest heroes" (including me, the mightiest one of all). Then we all fought Loki's warriors, his "Chitauri" and we won. After that we ate at Shawarma then went our separate ways.

Me? I've been living the dream. Occupation: Stark Industries, Social Life: Has a girlfriend (Pepper Potts) and still being a cocky, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. It's been almost a year since the Avengers Initiative and the Shawarma (haven't had that in a while, note to self: Go to Shawarma again soon) until just a few days ago... Yeah, about three days. I was with Pepper and we were celebrating another successful building. First time her name was on the lease. So of course we had to celebrate, well... she did.

"...So the building was a big hit! As usual." I said as we both sat down on the couch.

"Great! Let's toast to that." She said. When we were about toast, she suddenly pulled her glass back. Away from mine.

"And! The credit for the building goes to... moi." She said then we finally toasted. I just gulped it down in seconds.

"Of course, of course." I said as I put my glass down. She smiled, leaned over and kissed me. It was a long and passionate kiss, until Jarvis had to ruin the moment.

"Sir, I think there is someone you would like to see."

"Not now Jarvis." I said between kisses. Honestly, sometimes his British accent just annoys the hell out of me.

"Sir, she really needs to talk to you." Pepper and I both pushed each other away while saying in unison,

"'She?!'" But the difference between me and Pepper is that I said it with confusion but she said it confusion and a tad bit of jealousy.

"Who is 'she' Jarvis?" I asked then suddenly Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC played from all my speakers in the room. The same rock song I played when I made that super, awesome, kick-ass entrance almost a year ago in Germany. Oh yeah! When I overrode the ship's PA system, I surprised the Captain, that psycho Loki and of course... Oh, my God.

"Mr Stark. You miss me?" Said a voice from my speakers. I knew who it was in an instant. Suddenly the elevator door opened but no one was inside.

"Hello." Said Agent Romanoff when she snuck up behind me.

"Oh, Jesus! Oh, you startled me." I took a deep breath and sighed.

"Hello Agent Romanoff. It's been a long time." I said happily while hugging her. I took a quick glance at Pepper. She didn't look a tad bit jealous anymore. She just looked happy.

"It has Tony. Almost a year! Did you miss me?" She said smiling.

"Yes, I did. But I didn't like the fact that you stole my grand entrance song AND my style." I said. She laughed and hugged me again. When she let go, I said sternly,

"Now I'm gonna let it slide once but next time, no. Trust me. You need to get your own material." She laughed some more. I actually missed her laugh. She's a great friend. I started to smile.

"Haha, ok." She said then turned to Pepper.

"Hi Pepper! I've missed you a lot!" She said while at the same time Pepper was saying,

"Hi Natasha! I've missed you too!" The walked and hugged each other. Once they both let go, Natasha said,

"So how long have you been putting up with 'Mr Stark'?" I scoffed in surprise. Pepper just cracked up laughing. To be honest, I found that kind of rude and I felt a bit hurt.

"Ha, a long time. A really long time." She said between laughs. Soon both of them were cracking up.

"I'm right here, you know?" I said while the other two cooled down a bit.

"Come on, let's take this outside on the balcony." I said a bit irritated walking outside while I heard the other two snickering behind me like children. Once we were outside, I asked Natasha,

"So what brings you here Natasha? To Stark Towers? Where my girlfriend has to 'put up with me'?" I heard Pepper chuckle then while she walked back inside, she asked,

"Anyone want a drink?" Natasha and I both nodded and Pepper went inside to get them. Natasha smiled at me and said,

"I'm sorry about that. I was just kidding. I haven't been laughing that much since..." Her smiled turned into sadness and she put her head down.

"Since what?" I asked worried.

"Since Fury was taken." I was shocked in surprise. It's like someone electrocuted me.

"What?!" I asked in horror.

"That's the reason why I'm here. Fury was taken by the Chitauri two nights ago. We don't know what they're planning and we are doing everything to get him back. So right now, I'm the director." She said. I was just plain confused.

"You? The direc- Wait a minute, how was Fury taken? He's bad ass super spy, how did they do it?" I asked Natasha looked at the view next to us while saying,

"I was wondering the same thing. I don't know Tony. And no. Loki wasn't there, but I don't know if they're working with him or imprisoning him or how either of them even opened the portal to get back to earth. I don't know. But right now, I am the director. And I'm taking back the Avengers Initiative." We both looked back at each other with different expressions.

"Wait what?! We are doing this again? Believe me, I'm all for it. But how are we gonna do this all again without Nick Fury?" I said sort of reminding her that he's gone! She stared hard at me.

"I don't know but I'm willing to try. But first, I'm gonna need your help Tony. Please? Just trust me, I can do it. We can win. It's what Fury would have wanted." I felt determined.

"Ok, let's go." I said just as Pepper walked back saying,

"Hey guys. So sorry I'm late. Jarvis has been up my butt about about this- Hey! Where are you guys going?!" She yelled as we both ran to the elevator. While we were running, I yelled back at her,

"I'll tell you later honey! But right now, I have to go!" Natasha pressed the elevator button and we were going down.

"So what should I be calling you now? Just asking." I said as they elevator door opened and we ran out of the building together and into her car. She smirked starting the car and looked up at me.

"'Director' Romanoff." She said as we put our seatbelts on.

"What?! Really?!" I asked. We both stopped moving for a second.

"Yep. I think it sounds a bit catchy. I like it." She said then started to turn her keys and the sound of her car engine came.

"Well, that makes one of us." I said and she scoffed while we drove away.