AN: Alright everyone, here we go! Extra cookies to you if you get the reference. Also please excuse the probably shitty Russian. Its supposed to mean sweetheart, but I'm like 70% on that one. If any of you guys know Russian, please suggest any other terms of endearment I could use!
Please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but an intense desire to be Charlotte :)
A honk from outside broke me out of my trance and I ran over to the window, shutting off the record player as I went. I looked out the window onto the street to see a huge black limo taking up half the block. Darcy popped out of the skylight to call out to me.
"Get in loser, we're going shopping!" she yelled up and I laughed out loud at the reference.
"I'll be right down!" I called out, shutting the window and running through my apartment to grab what I needed. I glanced at the mirror when I reached the door, my eyes still a little watery, color high in my cheeks.
"Bah!" I muttered, throwing up my hands in defeat. I ran out the door, going to meet the limo in front of my building. The sun was just beginning to set, the streetlights glowed orange in the twilight. The sky had remained cloudy but bright all day and the crisp cool air made it clear to me at least that snow was on its way. I took a deep breath and grinned. The first snow of the year was coming, I was sure of it.
The door to the large black limo opened up and Pepper popped out smiling.
"Hey Charlotte! Ready to go?" I nodded and hopped in to see everyone lounging around the limo, Natasha in the far corner, a flute of champagne balanced delicately in her hand. Darcy and Jane sat close together, talking conspiratorily. Pepper smiled at me as I took a seat next to her.
"Champagne?" she asked and I nodded, taking a first sip of some truly top notch champagne.
"Mm, geez, you really go all out, don't you?" Pepper laughed.
"I know, I know. I might have gone slightly overboard, but why not?" she mused, "I'll be honest with you Charlotte, I don't have that many female friends. I don't have time for that many female friends," she said, emphasizing the word 'time', "So when I get the chance, I like to go big. Go big or go home, right ladies?"
"Hell yeah!" Darcy agreed, and the rest of the women lifted their glasses in agreement. I laughed and sipped some more of my own champagne.
"So what's the agenda for the night?" I asked.
"Shopping, dinner and drinks, and in that order," Pepper answered.
"There may or may not be dancing as well, if I can convince these old fuddy duddies to come along," Darcy cut in, "Please tell me you're not a fuddy duddy and actually enjoy fun things like dancing and joy and happiness." I laughed and nodded.
"Sure, I never turn down a dance party if I get the chance." Darcy fist bumped me and worked her way over to plop down next to me.
"Perfect! Now, I can convince Jane, that's no problem. The struggle is going to be with Pepper and Natasha," she whispered over to me, "Now Pepper forgets sometimes that just because she's the CEO of a Fortune 500 company it doesn't mean she has to act like an old white dude."
"Excuse me? Limo, champagne?" she asked mockingly hurt by Darcy's words.
"Yes, yes, and it is pretty sweet, but come on, a night on the town? Drinks, dancing, general tomfoolery? I'd say based on Tony's track record as CEO, you've got a lot of catching up to do." Pepper harummped loudly and rolled her eyes.
"Fine. I'm on board for dancing. But I've got to let Happy know now so he doesn't blow his top later," she said, rising and working her way to the front of the car.
"Happy's here?"
"You know Happy?" Darcy asked.
"Oh yes, we're good friends." I replied as the screen opened so Pepper could speak to Happy.
"Hi Happy!" I shouted from the back, and got just enough of the review mirror in my sights to see Happy grimace back something that barely passed for a smile. I grinned and sat back, returning my attention to Darcy.
"Okay, that's everyone except Nat. Now she'll be the toughest, but I bet we can get her liquored up enough to come along."
"Ha, good luck with that dorogaya," came Natasha's low, sultry voice from the opposite corner of the car. "There's not enough vodka in Manhattan to get me properly soused. And there's no need to liquor me up anyway. I'll come along. Two songs, that's it." she said before Darcy even began to protest, "That's it. Two songs, and you must choose well." Darcy sighed and pouted slightly before sitting back in defeat. The car came to a stop and we all piled out past Happy as he opened the door for us. I stuck my tongue out at him for good measure as I walked by. I was still a little peeved at him poking at my apple tarts. He made a face at me in return and I couldn't help but burst into giggles before looking up at where we had ended up.
I stared up at the storefront, the name of one of the most prominent designers in the country looking back at me. I threw back the rest of the champagne and my credit card screamed a slow and agonizing death in my purse. Squaring my shoulders, I followed behind Darcy and Jane, surprised to see that the store was completely deserted aside from us and a few employees dressed all in sleek black. A small middle aged woman came out from the back of the store, arms open wide. Her and Pepper exchanged a few brief words in what sounded like French before the woman disappeared again. Pepper turned to us and smiled, rubbing her hands together in excitement.
"Alright ladies, we have the pick of the litter tonight. Everyone has to choose at least three contenders to try on. I also reserve the right to pick out something for each of you if I see fit and the same goes for you as well. Meet up in the dressing rooms in 20 minutes. Break!" My brows lifted in surprise. Obviously, Pepper took her shopping as seriously as she took everything else. I had to admit, I admired a woman with a plan. I drifted over the the racks, looking through the amazingly gorgeous dresses, each one more expensive than the last. I sighed heavily, rejecting each and every one as they soared well over my price range. Well this was sufficiently depressing. The time dragged on as I watched everyone else grab dresses, the women in black taking each selection carefully back to the dressing rooms. I was sighing over a particularly beautiful satin red dress with crystal detailing along the straps and at the waist, when Pepper came up next to me.
"Oh, that's beautiful," she commented, gently touching the beadwork, "Monique really does fantastic work. I wear her for nearly every event. Which is why she's letting us have free reign tonight." I looked up at her in surprise.
"Oh, Charlotte, I didn't even tell you, I completely forgot. We can take whatever we want tonight. I never expected any of you to actually pay for these. I don't even pay for these when I have events. That's what Tony's credit card is for," she smirked and winked conspiratorially, "Monique opened up today as a favor to me. These are technically last season's dresses, though half of them have never been worn."
"Really?" I asked in disbelief.
"Oh, yes, of course. I would never ask Darcy or Jane or Nat, or even you to pay for a gown like this to go to one of our events. You guys are my friends. I just wanted a fun night out. I meant what I said when I told you there was no pressure. Pick what you like. Don't worry about the price." she smiled down at me and took the red dress off of the rack, motioning for one of the well dressed saleswomen to come over and take it back. "Now, I know Darcy's had some luck in that corner over there and I think you're both just about the same size." she glanced down at her watch and startled slightly. "Oh, jeez. 10 more minutes!" she said excitedly and walked over to look at more dresses. I turned back to the dresses to hide my expression. The dresses were free? Pepper Potts, the Pepper Potts, considered me enough of a friend to bring me dress shopping? My mind reeled at the alternate reality I'd apparently stepped into overnight. This was impossible. I glanced quickly around the room, watching Natasha eye a slinky black number that I knew would play over her curves like paint. Jane and Darcy compared dresses, Darcy holding a blue mermaid gown that was cut daringly low.
These were scientists, CEO's, assassins, and me, standing there in this world class designer's showroom, trying on dresses for a Stark Industries gala. It was like I'd been sucked up into an alternate dimension. Darcy caught my eyes from the other side of the room and motioned over hurriedly, holding out what had to be the most beautiful emerald green gown I'd ever seen. Snapping back into reality I watched her look at me dubiously, as if asking me wordlessly what the hell was wrong with me. Her words echoed in my head,
"Get in loser, we're going shopping,"
Somehow I'd gotten accepted into this friend group, somehow they liked me and wanted to spend time with me. I'd never had female friends other than Steph and wasn't quite sure what to do about it. Sighing and laughing helplessly, I crossed the room to meet up with Darcy.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming, don't get your panties in a bunch!"
The night seemed to fly by after I finally got on board. All of us getting progressively more intoxicated as time stretched on. Most of us gave into our girlish impulses, trying on our gowns for each other, a kind of grown up dress up I hadn't enjoyed since my senior formal at Culver, where Steph dragged me along dress shopping, though I was still 3 years younger than any of the other seniors. It was fun, truly fun, and we all left the shop that night satisfied with our choices. Jane had selected a maroon sheath gown that made her chestnut hair and pale skin glow. Darcy had gone with the daringly cut blue mermaid gown, and Natasha took home the black dress that slicked over her body like paint. I had settled on the emerald green gown Darcy had forced on me, making my decision to the chorus of 'ohhs' and 'ahhs' from everyone when I stepped out of the dressing room.
We left the boutique, headed for a trendy mexican themed bistro where Pepper seemed to know everyone. We settled into a dark booth in the back munching on high class mexican food, Darcy and I daring everyone to do tequila shots. The night got decidedly more fuzzy after that and before I knew it, we were all on the dance floor, bumping and gyrating together like a couple of old pals. Natasha stayed true to her word and danced for two songs before retiring to the VIP area Pepper had wrangled for us, watching the insanity over a glass of top shelf vodka, making sure no one got too rough with the rest of us on the dance floor. Guys flocked to all of us, surprisingly enough, cutting in here and there, and Darcy would disappear every few songs or so to gyrate with one of the devastatingly gorgeous men who propositioned her, coming back each time shaking her head and joining our circle once more.
"Getting too fresh!" she'd shout her explanation over the music before going up to Jane or myself and grinding us in time with the music.
Surprisingly enough, half of the time the guys who came up to us asked me to join them, but as each one came up I categorically rejected them, even in my drunken state. Not tall enough, not skinny enough, not big enough, came my thoughts as I considered each of them. The voice in the back of my head asserted itself each time. Not Steve.
I sighed heavily after a particularly active song, winding my way through the crowd to join Natasha in the VIP area. I plopped down on the couches, my head spinning a bit from the abrupt shift in height.
"No more dancing?" Natasha asked, sipping her drink slowly. I shook my head as gently as I could without upsetting the delicate balance of drunkenness I had achieved.
"No more dancing," I agreed sullenly, "No good guys out there." Natasha raised her brows at me, obviously amused.
"No?"
"No. No good guys, no Blue Eyes" I mused, sitting back and leaning my head against the back of the booth briefly.
"I'm sure there are plenty of nice guys out there tonight. I've seen quite a few attractive men tonight. None of them strike your fancy?"
"No," I said, sitting up cautiously, "No Boy Scouts. No Steve." I clarified.
"And you don't want to dance with anyone but him?" she asked mischeviously. I smiled to myself.
"Mmm, just him. Just Blue Eyes," I murmured, humming to myself and imagining Steve and I dancing together, me in his arms, against the solid wall of his chest. I sighed dreamily before opening my eyes and bringing myself back to reality.
"Just him," I muttered, "Nat, you're really attractive right," I stated, a fact, not a question. Natasha smiled at me bemusedly.
"Yes."
"And you and Clint, that's a thing right? You love him? You know the big L.O.V.E?" I asked, leaning forward. Natasha thought for a moment.
"Dorogaya, I'm not sure you are going to want to come to me for advice about those kinds of things," she said finally. I waved her statement away lazily.
"Why not? You're pretty, Clint's pretty. Why is that not a thing? You two are perfect for each other. I mean, Pepper and Tony make sense, Jane and Thor make sense. You guys have it all figured out," I rambled on as the rest of the girls joined us in the room. Pepper scoffed and placed her martini on the table.
"Charlotte, Tony and I do not have anything figured out. We are about as far from functional as possible."
"Yeah, I mean, Thor and I. I don't know what the hell is going on there. He's here and then he's not, he makes all these pledges to me, but I don't know if that's going to last. He's a God for pete's sake!" Jane threw in, not a little bit drunkenly.
"Yeah, but he's said the L.O.V.E word right? Tony has, hasn't he?" Pepper and Jane nodded reluctantly. "See, but they said it after a reasonable time right? Like not a week in," I finished.
"Took Tony long enough. Too long really. I know he loves me, but getting him to say it aloud was like pulling teeth," Pepper mused.
"Thor said it right after New York. We'd really only spent what a month together, all things considered?" Jane admitted, checking with Darcy, who nodded in response.
"Should've said it earlier. It was obvious anyway. Obvious and sweet but gross at the same time," Darcy muttered.
"See, Steve wants to say it now. He wanted to say it on Monday but I was an idiot," I said, dropping back against the booth.
"What do you mean?" Natasha asked.
"He was going to say it. It was right on the tip of his tongue," I motioned with my hands, "But that's insane isn't it? After a week? That's crazy. People don't say that to each other!"
"I wish Tony had," Pepper mused, "Would've saved time and hell of a lot of worry."
"Thor might as well have when he left the first time." Jane said.
"Do you love him?" Natasha asked, watching me closely. I threw my hands up in frustration.
"I don't know. Maybe? No, but - I have no clue. I've never been in love before. All I know is that he makes my throat close up a bit when he looks at me, and my chest gets tight,"
"Sounds like a panic attack to me," Darcy muttered. I nodded and pointed to her.
"Yes, but it feels good. Like my whole body is glowing, and my brain gets all fuzzy and don't want anything to happen to him you know? Like more than just the basic not wishing ill on other people, but like seriously. Like I stayed up all night during Stockholm and I just about lost my mind when he didn't tell me he was alright until the next day. I want to make his life as easy and as good as possible. I want to make him happy and glad and satisfied, and half the time I just want to climb him like a tree I want him so bad. That's not love though. Love's supposed to come with time and effort and work!" I finished. Jane and Pepper exchanged long glances before looking at Natasha, who was smiling slightly, like a cat with a bellyful of cream.
"Sounds like love to me," she mused. I looked over at her in shock, and then to the rest of the women intently looking at me. Jane and Pepper grinning widely and Darcy looking completely happy that she wasn't in my shoes.
"Fuck," I muttered.
"You should probably tell him," Darcy pressed. I looked over at her shook my head shortly.
"Uh-uh. He's been playing me all week. There's no way I'm saying it first!"
"Playing you? What's he been doing?"
"He's been sending me gifts all damn week. Flowers and knives and records, trying to butter me up."
"Knives?" Jane asked.
"It's kind of an inside joke," I waved it off, "The point is that he's known since Monday and he's been trying to trick me into saying it all week, the sneaky bastard." I muttered. Jane and Pepper once again exchanged looks.
"You are an idiot," Darcy muttered. My eyes widened as I looked over at her. She threw her hands in the air. "Back me up here guys. It doesn't matter who says it, it just matters that it gets said." Jane and Pepper nodded sagely, "You better tell him. In fact, lets go ladies, I think our job here is officially done," Darcy announced, getting up and leaving. We all exchanged glances before following her out.
"I'm not being an idiot? Am I? But he's gonna win!" I complained as we piled into the limo. Jane looked over at me with pity in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but you are. And who cares? You love him right?" she asked as we jerked into motion. I sighed heavily and nodded.
"Then tell him. Trust me, the sooner you get it out, the easier everything gets."
"Really?"
"No, but trust me on this. You love him?" I nodded, "He loves you?" I nodded again, this time with just a beat of hesitation. "Then use your words!" she finished.
We pulled up to the tower and exited, stumbling through the now deserted lobby.
"JARVIS, please let Tony, Thor and Steve know that we're back and we're coming up," Pepper requested.
"Right away Miss Potts," came the A.I.'s response. The first stop was Steve's floor and he was standing at the doors when they opened, strong arms crossed at his chest. I swooned a bit inadvertedly and Darcy not so gently shoved me out.
"Tell him!" she said just as the doors shut. I turned slowly to face Steve, his expression curious and just slightly smug.
"Tell me what?" he asked.
I gulped audibly and straightened up, trying my damndest to not look too intoxicated.
"Nothing," I muttered completely unconvincingly. I slipped off my heels and my coat and walked past him with as much dignity as I could muster.
"Uh-huh," Steve said, turning to follow me. "Are you alright Charlotte?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine, thank you," I said prissily, walking over to the huge windows, turning back to him and placing my hands on my hips. "You know, you have been one sneaky bastard this week." Steve followed me to the windows, hands up, a wide eyed innocent expression on his face, and a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.
"Who, me?" he said. I narrowed my eyes at him, walking over to poke his chest.
"Don't give me that innocent little schoolboy look. Yes you. Sending those gifts. 'Don't worry. I can wait.', 'Don't cut off your finger', and that last one was just below the belt." I muttered, punctuating my points with a jab to his chest. Steve looked slightly bemused, but I could see just the glimmer of nervousness in his expression.
"You didn't like the record?" he asked.
"No, I loved the record, and that was playing dirty. You've been playing with me all week and I for one am done with it. Uh-uh, not going to work. Not going to happen," I mused, walking back to the window and wagging my finger warningly as he came towards me. "There is no way in hell I'm going to tell you that I love you first. No matter how much I want to say it." I announced smugly and Steve stopped abruptly, the both of us freezing before a wide grin began to stretch over his face. My hands flew up to my mouth in shock. Steve broke himself out of his trance and walked over, gently taking my hands from my mouth holding them between us.
"Did you just say what I thought you said?" he asked.
"Maybe. Should we get your hearing checked old man? Cuz I'm definitely not saying it again," I said cheekily, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.
"No. You just told me that you were in love with me," he said, the happiness in his voice absolutely contagious. I couldn't help but smile cautiously and roll my eyes.
"Okay, no need to rub it in my face," Steve leaned down and captured my lips with his, kissing me sweetly before pulling back and meeting my green eyes with his blue ones.
"I love you Charlotte Samuels." he said, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. I reveled in the feeling of him against me, closing my eyes.
"I love you too, Blue Eyes," I told him, my chest feeling like it was filling up with light. Outside, snow began to fall slowly in fat flakes, covering the city in a thin blanket of what seemed like magic. Steve and I snuggled closer, perfectly happy in our own little bubble and for one brief moment, it was as if the world was frozen in time.
AN: AWWWWWWWWW. Ugh, guys this chapter was so much fun to write. Review!