Okay, you guys might get a liiiiiittle pissed at me for this chapter. It gets better, I swear! Lotsa tension in this one. I'll have the next chapter out soon.
"No, no no no no no no!" I was shouting into the phone when Tony and Bruce walked into the kitchen on the mansion. "Well I don't care how- You can't just- Well forget the Senator's daughter, this is Tony Stark, he probably dated the Senator's daughter once! This is SO Unprofessional!" I shouted. "Oh, well right back at you!" I hung up before throwing the cell phone across the kitchen, surprised and embarrassed when Bruce caught it.
"What happened kiddo?" Tony asked as he took a handful of jelly beans that were in a bowl on the counter.
"That was the caterer." I said. "The Senator offered them double what we were paying him to do his daughter's party."
"So offer him triple."
"He says with everything that happened last year and all, the senator would be a much safer choice, and would probably help his career better then you could." I growled.
"Screw it, find a new one. Someone who does those little crab cakes, the ones that are like this big." he said as he showed me how big he wanted.
"Tony, the party is in two weeks." I said.
"So find them fast." he said simply. I stood there staring at him, completely speechless. "Hey did the Chinese guy get here yet?"
"I- What?"
"We ordered Chinese food for lunch, did they-" he was cut off by the gate bell ringing.
"Sir, I believe that's the delivery man." Jarvis said and Tony grinned.
"I'll get it." he said as he went to the front door.
"Here." Bruce walked over to me and handed me my phone.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." I said and he shook his head.
"I've seen worse." he said and I nodded.
"Yeah, sure." I muttered as I pressed my fingers against my temples. "God, I can't believe these people..."
"You know, I know a few techniques for calming down and controlling anger." Bruce said and I looked at him curiously.
"Like what, meditation? Smooth jazz?" I asked sarcastically. He raised his eyebrows and I sighed. "I- I'm sorry Bruce, I know you're trying to help."
"So let me." he said and I nodded.
"Okay, go." I said.
"First, take a deep breath." he said and I did. "No, not- not like that." he said and stepped up behind me. "When you breathe normally you breathe from your chest, here." he said, and put his right hand on my chest, just under my collarbone. "Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm." he said softly, wrapping his other arm around me, placing it right on my stomach. I was so stunned I forgot to take a breath until he was speaking softly in my ear. "Breathe." he said and I did, taking in a deep breath like he told me. "Relax." he said.
I instantly felt all of my anger melt away as I stood there, in his arms. He seemed to realize the position we were in when I felt him tense up slightly. I turned and looked back at him, not really expecting his face to be so close to mine. We looked at each other for a moment, our faces were so close, and we both seemed to realize this. I was surprised when he moved forward rather then moving away, I turned my body, so I was facing him, moved in a little closer, I could feel his breath on my lips-
"Banner, if you don't eat some of this, the grease may overpower me." Bruce called from the hallway. I quickly pulled away from him; my heart was pounding in my chest as he looked at me for a long moment, and then turned his attention to Tony.
"Yeah, I'm- I'm coming." he called.
"Great, and bring some paper plates, is Minnie still in there?"
"She just left." Bruce said as I walked out of the kitchen, my hand on my head, my face bright red. I could not believe myself.
"Stupid stupid stupid!" I whispered to myself.
"Ms. Strong-"
"Not now Jarvis, I'm having a breakdown." I said as I rubbed my temples.
"Try taking a deep breath Ms. Strong." I did as the AI said, taking a deep breath like Bruce showed me. I could still hear him speaking behind me, whispering "Breathe, Relax".
"Jarvis, what do I do?"
"Am I really qualified to give you advice about this?" Jarvis asked and I sighed impatiently. "Oh very well. I'd say just let things happen."
"Yeah but he's Tony's friend."
"Oh yes, that's a good excuse." he said sarcastically. I laughed and covered my eyes with my hand, and leaned on the wall.
"What is going on?" I muttered with a small smile.
"Good question." I jumped and looked over at Tony who was leaning against the wall next to me.
"How long have you been there?" I asked.
"Long enough to know what you did- Or, what you didn't do that is." he said and I felt my face heat up.
"It was nothing." I said.
"That not what Jarvis says."
"You rat." I said looking at the ceiling.
"Please don't blame me, he programs me." Jarvis replied and I smiled. There was no way I could stay annoyed at Jarvis.
"So, what happened?" Tony asked. "And keep in mind, the kitchen is a common place, so even if you don't tell me, I can always go look at the security tapes."
"Then why don't you do that Tony?" I asked. "Because I've got to go find a new caterer for a party that's happening in two weeks." I pulled my phone from my pocket and started scrolling through numbers as I walked away.
"You know you're not the only one who's hesitant." he called after me. I didn't stop, I didn't look back, I just kept my eyes focused on my phone.
The next two days went by quickly, I had finally found a caterer who was more than happy to cook for a party for about three hundred people in two weeks. The guy actually thanked me. I was finishing up filling out the paperwork with him in the kitchen when Tony walked in.
"Who's this?"
"Tony, this is Mr. Adair, he's the new caterer."
"Oh good, did you get those little crab cakes?" he asked.
"Yes of course Mr. Stark." the man said with a thick middle eastern accent.
"Great." Tony said as I walked Mr. Adair to the door.
"Thank you so much Mr. Adair." I said. "I'll call you next week."
"Yes of course, Ms. Strong. Thank you." he said and I shook his hand before he left.
"So, hey, I've got to go help Pepper with some stuff, and I've got that uh-"
"The meeting with the air force."
"Yeah right, that." he mumbled. "Anyways, can you bring some food down to Bruce? He's in the second lab downstairs."
"Sure." I said hesitantly.
"Great, thanks kiddo." he kissed the top of my head making me swat at him. "Oh," he turned as he looked back at me. "Go ahead and be as nice as you want." he smiled and walked away making me scowl.
