"Are you ready for this?" Scarlett checked her phone, eyes fixed on the screen. She'd changed while Tony waited in the hall. He'd cleaned up while waiting and at last felt like he'd recovered from his situation. He looked as good as he had when he first arrived.

"Fresh air? Drinks at a dive in Boston? What wouldn't I be ready for?" Tony chuckled, straightening his tie and taking in the sleek lobby of the Refuge building. White with contrasts of gray, red, and black. Tall ceilings, stylish art. It very much appealed to him.

"The media shitstorm. Not the drinks." Scarlett tucked her phone into the clutch she carried under her arm. She disliked purses but there wasn't really a place to put her phone or wallet in dresses like this, and oh, her gun. Her gun definitely wouldn't stay hidden in dresses like this. The clutch was inconvenient but served its purpose.

"Why would there be a media shitstorm?" Tony peered out the windows and his eyes widened. There were people with cameras waiting. He hadn't seen that sort of press outside of an actual press line in ages. It hadn't changed his mind though. There was a very short list of things Tony was afraid of and the press definitely wasn't on that list. They were inconsequential. His career had survived all the highs and lows.

"Company just went public and my face sells magazines. You know, clicks and views and all that." Scarlett said it with some disdain. Tony looked her over and tilted his head in approval.

"Can't blame them."

"Maybe they'll annoy you a little bit once they notice you're out of hiding." Scarlett frowned at the media beyond the front doors of Refuge. Thankfully they couldn't easily spot her from there. For hours the sharks waited for an opportunity to nip at her heels.

She hoped that after the hype of Refuge going public died down she would find some peace. SHIELD told her the publicity was what they wanted. It was important that the public cared about her. That she was valuable. She hated that they were right. "Are you ready? You could take that armor of yours. I could just meet you there."

"You don't want them to have pictures of us together, do you?" Tony buttoned his sport coat and smiled.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to." Tony checked his reflection in his sunglasses before slipping them on. "You're afraid of what rumors will arise what with my historic reputation."

"I'd use the word slutty, but yeah."

"I disagree. Confident I broke a record somewhere. So historic is the correct word."

"Slutty's not wrong either."

Tony walked toward the glass doors. "Nothing they say about your personal life really matters. Unless you say it, that is. Doesn't change the truth. Now, let's go." Before Scarlett could argue, Tony walked through the doors with a skip in his step and down the stone stairway in front of Refuge. The press didn't notice him at first. The peace lasted only seconds before one was murmuring and then another. Whispers confirmed his identity and the sharks scrambled into action.

Scarlett watched Tony go and sighed. He turned and looked to her through the glass doors, waiting for her to join him.

"Fuck." Scarlett pushed the doors open and joined Tony on the stairs. The media was swarming. Questions were asked at such a rate that Scarlett couldn't make any of them out. The enormity of voices clamoring was overwhelming. Flashbulbs nearly left her blind. She could make out some of their words if she really focused. Asking the obvious, asking the less obvious. She tried to tune them out.

Tony waved to the press, grinning with delight. He made his way down the steps. When Scarlett didn't immediately follow, he ran back up. Gingerly, he placed his hand at her mid-back and escorted her down the steps.

"You're loving this." She sighed but managed to keep up a smile for the photos that would inevitably follow. She suddenly regretted the gardenscaping in front of Refuge. It made the walk to her car that much longer.

"No point in lying, so I won't." Tony waved to the press. "Which one's yours?" Scarlett gestured to the black town car at the end of the walk.

"It'll take us downtown." Scarlett stopped walking as the press stepped closer but Tony intervened.

"I've missed you too." He held up his hands to silence the mob and much to Scarlett's surprise, they obeyed. "Don't get any ideas. This meeting was inevitable. Just a working lunch."

"And we don't have time for questions. But I think you know that already." Scarlett chimed in. "What's the point of a press release if you don't actually… use it?" Scarlett gestured to the car. "Can we?"

"I don't see why we can't take a few questions." Tony smiled down at her. The press was eager, practically foaming at the mouth.

"Because I'd prefer not to." Scarlett hated this. She actually hated it. But the press were already asking questions. Most of those questions were asking what they were doing together. Others asked about her reputation and how this would impact his relationship.

"Just business, folks. Can't blame you for the assumption, but it's just business." Tony pointed to a reporter. "You, do you have a question for me?" A pretty blond held up her phone to record and batted her eyelashes. "Oh, I sure hope you do."

"Rumor has it that your relationship with your former assistant, Miss Pepper Potts, is…" Before the vapid woman could continue, Scarlett spoke over her and the crowd laughed.

"That's not news. When you're done, Stark, I'll be in the car." Questions were shouted about how defensive she sounded, asking if she was jealous. But as promised, she turned away. Half the reporters followed after her in hopes of a sound bite.

"Miss Damien! Miss Damien, please!" A dark-haired woman pushed through the crowd to follow alongside Scarlett who stopped short at the door of the car being held open by its driver.

"You have twenty seconds." Scarlett leaned against the door of the car. Tony regaled the crowd with something she was certain was going to get her into trouble. "Maybe thirty with chatty Kathy over there."

"Miss Damien, your company going public reflected one of the best days of the market this year. What do you have to say for that?"

"Oh, wow, okay, an actual question." Scarlett considered her answer and narrowed her eyes as she recognized the reporter. "Miss Hendricks, correct?"

"Mrs." The pretty reporter seemed delighted to be remembered.

"I appreciate you asking a real question. It would be naive to think that the market jumping three hundred points and Refuge going public was a coincidence. It's the best day the market has had this year. I think it's good news for Wall Street. People are interested in what they're buying again. And I'll be delivering on everyone's hopes soon enough. Hopefully it'll inspire other companies to follow suit." Scarlett turned her attention to Tony. "If you don't wrap it up then I'm going to lunch on my own." Tony perked up at the sound of her voice and turned.

"Sorry folks, that's it for today. I know you can't get enough." Tony blew the reporters a kiss and then fixed his suit jacket before joining her.

"One more thing, Mr. Stark!" Tony turned back to the reporters and paparazzi snapping pictures. "It's good to see you!"

"It's good to be back." Tony waved to the crowd then joined Scarlett in the car. The door closed behind him. "So, where are we headed?"

"Cigar club downtown. Private and the press aren't allowed to follow." Scarlett massaged her temples.

"You really can't stand it, can you?" Tony gestured to the window. Scarlett threw him a look but then offered a short nod.

"Whereas you seem to love it."

"They eat up every word I say. It's funny. Don't take them too seriously. They're going to print whatever they want regardless of how you handle it. Being bothered by them only fuels their fire."

"Thanks, but I think I'm doing just fine." Scarlett adjusted her posture. They discussed cigars and the paparazzi for the remainder of the ride. Superficial stuff. Soon enough, they pulled up to a building on a Boston street corner. It was surprisingly abandoned for the middle of a weekday afternoon. They walked through a glass door, up a staircase, and through another set of doors. The second door was held by a large man with a stern face wearing an ill-fitting suit. Scarlett didn't bother showing credentials and walked inside.

The man behind the front desk greeted her like an old friend.

"Your usual table is waiting for you." He bowed his head. "A pleasure to have you, Mr. Stark."

"Nice service here." Tony walked alongside her through the cigar club. It was dank, dark, and private. Scarlett had a corner booth guarded by a few decorative partitions. This was exactly the kind of place he would have loved if he lived in the area. It reminded him of a place he'd frequented in Manhattan. He forced the thought away. The last thing he needed was to have a panic attack right now.

Thus far, his return to society had been entirely successful. Even he was impressed at how naturally he slipped back into it. Most of the questions asked by the paparazzi involved Scarlett and how quickly he was to stop rumors before they began, but it was fun anyway. He wouldn't be surprised to find paparazzi waiting for him at home like the old days after this.

"Good place. I see why you like it." Tony sat across from Scarlett who was already looking through the drink menu. He still couldn't believe that she'd brilliantly distracted him out of his panic. It had bonded them. At least in his eyes. He knew, for some reason, that he could confide in her. Tony had never trusted anyone this easily before. There was something about Scarlett Damien. He didn't know what it was, he just knew that she was there to help him even if she didn't realize it yet.

"It's one of the few places where the press won't bother me. That and it's not so stuffy that I feel uncomfortable." Scarlett offered him the menu. "The food here is pretty good too if you're hungry. Sorry it stinks in here. It's a cigar club, so…"

"Doesn't bother me. I like cigars." Tony peered over the drink menu but already knew what he was getting. He wasn't particularly hungry but he was always open for a good scotch. "I'm surprised how dead it is in here."

"It's the middle of the day in the middle of the week." Scarlett shrugged, leaning back with a smile. "Give it a few hours and this place will be filled with pseudo-celebrities. I've met a few folks here. Matt Damon. Busy guy, didn't have much time to chat. Made a point to introduce himself though. Probably the biggest celebrity I met here."

"And what about me? I don't outrank Matt Damon?" Tony folded his arms on the table. "You were talking to one of the reporters. Short, but pretty. Nice skin." He changed the subject quickly.

"That's what you'd remember, naturally. Dianne Hendricks. She's a persistent thorn in my side. Of all the reporters, she always seems to know where I am. Knows what to say to get me talking too." Scarlett rolled her eyes but Tony spotted the smile on her lips. She was more amused by the press than she let on. Maybe it was just the idea of being alongside him in the press that bothered her. He couldn't blame her, really, given all the rumors. "And no, you actually don't outrank an A list actor. Jason Bourne. Honestly, Stark."

"If you find this reporter woman so annoying then why throw her a bone like that?" Tony tapped his fingers on the table. "And I'm Iron Man, in case you forgot. He pretends to be super human. I actually am."

"Because when most of the sharks out there are in a feeding frenzy about my ass or some man, I find solace in questions that actually pertain to my company or work." Scarlett laughed, this time with a genuine smile. It looked good on her. "I'm happier to give a story that's not about my love life. Why do people read that stuff? I don't get it. I can barely handle thinking about my own drama nonetheless the drama of others." She rolled her eyes and rested her chin in her hand.

"Not to harp on something that clearly annoys you, but what's with that? There's so many rumors bouncing around that I can't tell who you're dating and who you aren't. It's all very confusing. That and I think after today you might be dating me if what you say is true." Tony was joking but he was certain that was what Scarlett was trying to avoid. "Is it the investor? The guy on the conference call. Nathan, you called him. Is that the theater guy that everyone thinks you're shacking up with? Or, perhaps that subtle nod to Matt Damon was a clue."

"Let me ask you a question, Tony." Scarlett began nonchalantly as the waiter approached. "How well are things going for you and Miss Potts? Considering the only person the press ever reports her alongside these days is your driver." Scarlett smiled pleasantly at the waiter. "Macallan. Twelve year. Neat. Thank you." Scarlett watched Tony who was completely taken aback. Scarlett's fire had returned and quickly at that. He was surprised she wasn't defensive or sheepish.

"Touché." Tony addressed the waiter with a nod. "I'll have what she's having. Not the actors but the scotch." Tony smiled smugly but Scarlett shook her head and her smile didn't falter.

"We're here on business so why don't we keep it to business. Tell me more about the work with the new element. I find that truly fascinating." Scarlett was excellent at diverting a conversation. Tony wasn't surprised. As popular as she was, she had to have mastered it. That and she hadn't leaked any personal information of any kind yet. Even the romantic speculation was just that: speculation. There were interviews that discussed hobbies and events she attended, but that was it. They all felt staged, at that.

Scarlett was as much a mystery as she had been the day before. She'd known how to calm his panic attack. She'd recognized that he was struggling with post traumatic stress. There was a story there and Tony silently vowed to figure it out.

"I suppose that's right but I haven't gotten my drink yet." Tony held his hand up as the waiter approached, as if to silence her. Then he thanked the the waiter. Bread and oil was brought over for them to share. Tony picked up his glass of scotch, swirled it, then inhaled the earthy and sweet aroma. To him, scotch smelled like Christmas. Not because of the notes of wood, but because it brought warmth and happiness. "To newfound partnerships."

"To not getting ahead of ourselves." Scarlett corrected but held her glass up to clink against his. "Cheers."

Tony took a long drink of the amber liquid. It burned all the way down but in the best way. Smooth and lingering, the way a fine scotch should. "That's good stuff."

"Big fan of the Scottish." Scarlett set down her glass. "So, the energy project."

"I have a confession to make about that."

"I swear, if you made this whole thing up just to throw off my day…" Scarlett began but she highly doubted it. That and none of what he said in the stairwell was a lie. He'd been able to pull details out of thin air with his mind in distress. Even if he'd been lying at points of their meeting, that little bit was at least true. She wasn't sure Tony Stark was much of a liar to begin with. He was used to saying exactly what he wanted to say and having enough money and power to not have to deal with the consequences.

"No, no. But I have to confess that I haven't physically been there to work on the project in months. Not since before I moved back to Malibu." His brown eyes met hers for a brief glimpse.

And then she understood.

"That's fine. You said you were in the testing phase so I assumed that meant you had staff on it. Not you. I think it's high time you got your hands dirty again, Stark."

"You have no idea how badly I'd like to get my hands dirty with you." Tony swirled the glass of scotch and admired the momentum of the liquid in the glass. Scarlett was watching him suspiciously, arm on the back of her seat. "I have been solely focused on my newest Mark." Scarlett adjusted her position, resting an arm on the table. Tony was surprised by just how interested she was.

"The one you crashed into my office?"

"You see, the target wasn't your office. It was your balcony. I've been making constant changes. I don't usually work like that. I don't usually work to try and distract myself. I work from passion. I can't seem to accomplish what I have in my head. Broke some things along the way, specifically with the GPS." Tony gestured to her, leaning back in his chair with confidence. "Then I see this article about you and your artificial limb technology. Tech that can blend so seamlessly with the human body that it can be controlled without brain surgery. It's remarkable." He'd seen the public demonstrations and the patent filed by her lawyers. He needed to know more. How long was the project from completion? Scarlett curled her lips in a smile. "Is it true?" Tony needed the answer. She was letting him sit on it.

Scarlett was a tease.

"It is." Scarlett took a sip of her drink. "Seamless. The technology was the easy part, the regenerative cells less so. I've been working with a few professionals around the world to develop it further. I'd like to see the limbs as lifelike and sustainable as possible. That part's still in the works but the control itself is done. You are not to say a word about the progress."

"Wow." Tony was astounded. She was the whole package.

"Before I agree to work on anything with you, how does any of what I've created pertain to your armor?" Scarlett gestured to where his arc reactor was hidden beneath his shirt.

"Very good question." Tony was delighted by her intrigue. Earlier he was certain she would never relent, but now she was eating out of his hand. "It's about accessibility. It's cumbersome."

"I noticed."

"I used to carry around a suitcase that transformed into one but the technology was limited because of the size restriction. It couldn't fly, and it weighs a ton. Can't carry it on my person. Then I had these bracelets I tested. I used them to track my location and as long as the network wasn't down I could call it to me. Even then, the process of getting in and out of it wasn't easy."

"Bracelets?" Scarlett searched his wrist and found only an expensive watch. "How did that work?"

"Each bracelet, well, they were more like gauntlets, had GPS inside. From there I was able to map out the rest of my form in relation to the bracelets. The technology inside the Mark VII was able to locate the bracelets, do some math, use satellites to make certain it was correct and then engulf me. I could show you. It's far simpler than it sounds."

"It sounds brilliant."

"I'll take the compliment." Tony was impressed that she offered them freely.

"You should."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a Stark fangirl."

"Oh, heavens no. Not in the least." Scarlett was delighted. Tony couldn't help but be enamored by the way her eyes sparkled. "I actually couldn't stand you for the longest time. I worked overseas for years. You were always making the news for one reason or another. Other engineers and scientists like myself often despise you at times. You give the rest of us a bad name. Well, you did for a long time at least. It took me ages to come to terms with the fact that maybe you really had changed." Scarlett looked like she understood how the media could portray someone improperly firsthand. "A pig and a dirtbag, perhaps. But from what I've seen today, you seem to be a pretty decent man who just can't help himself in front of a camera."

"Having mixed feelings on how this is panning out for me." Tony furrowed his brow but he understood. Many were put off by his very public and loud persona. It wasn't the first time he'd been accused of being obnoxious and it would certainly not be the last. He had a way of changing people's minds. It was different to see an arrogant man in the news, it was another to work with a brilliant mind.

"You're off topic again. You had the gauntlets or bracelets or whatnot. What are you trying to do now? Didn't that work well enough?"

"Practically chomping at the bit!"

"About this? Yes, I am."

"Wow." Tony was impressed by how she handled him. He was very rarely wowed. "The bracelets worked brilliantly. But there was one big problem with them."

"Which was?" Scarlett took another long drink.

"Distance. Signal. I couldn't be too far from it. Which would be fine if the suit wasn't so difficult to travel with. I need a better way to call the armor without having to carry it with me everywhere I go."

"I can see how that's a problem."

"I worked tirelessly with no solutions. Created plenty of new technology along the way, but nothing that would solve my problem. That's where this particular Mark comes in."

"The one in my office."

"I had Jarvis bring it back to the plane after we left your office."

"Jarvis?"

"My computer. Just a Rather Very Intelligent System. Clever, yes?"

"Eh, I guess."

"When you see him in action, you'll be more impressed." Tony reassured her.

"If I see him in action."

"Still not sold, are we?"

"No, I'm not." She smiled softly. It was a seductive, sultry smile all without meaning to. No wonder the rumors were wild. Everything about her screamed sex. "I am, however, curious. That's good for you."

"I can tell." Tony drummed his fingers against the table. "I was thinking with your technology we could rig up a way for the armor to come to me piece by piece without brain surgery. I've tried sensors beneath the skin but it's painful and they don't really mix well with natural biology." Scarlett winced. "You don't want to know how I figured that out."

"I get the picture. Vividly." Scarlett's lip curled in disgust. "That is an interesting idea though, Mr. Stark."

"You're killing me, calling me that. Mr. Stark was my dad."

"You're in your forties, you are absolutely Mr. Stark."

"You're as young as you feel and I'm still feeling plenty young, Scarlett." Tony warned but smiled over his scotch. The panic from earlier was a distant memory. He felt more like his old self than he had in forever. Scarlett saw the worst of him today and wasn't treating him any differently.

"So, you want to treat your Marks… that's what we're calling them, yes?"

"Correct."

"You want to treat them like a high tech prosthesis." Scarlett sounded flummoxed but he couldn't sort the reason why.

"Yes, exactly. The suit and I are one. I've said it on more than one occasion. I am Iron Man. It took me a long time to accept that but there's no use pretending it's not true." Tony nursed his scotch. He was holding his cards close to his chest. He wanted to give her just enough to lure her into working with him. If Tony could talk her into this then maybe there was hope for him yet. It was more than just the actual job. It was to prove something to himself.

He couldn't blame her interest in his tech. He recalled the moment he first saw her, all dolled up like a glamorous movie star. Like a modern day Hedy Lamarr. The kind of movie star that didn't exist anymore. She was surrounded by security and beautiful. She was even more beautiful in person. There was no sign of SHIELD security now. He would have to ask. Rhodey had offered an explanation but it didn't sit right with Tony.

There was real mystery behind Scarlett Damien and he wanted to know what it was. But she didn't trust him and she'd made that perfectly clear. He felt a strange tug to her but they were both holding back and for good reason. Asking her about SHIELD was out of the question. For now. She'd never answer honestly and he'd be frozen out. Right now, he had other demons to battle. If he convinced her to work alongside him then there would be plenty of opportunities to pry into the enigma that was her life.

Scarlett was a puzzle. A fascinating, sexy puzzle. Tony couldn't put the pieces together until they were all on the table. It would take work to get the final picture but he had a feeling it was well worth the effort. Tony shoved thoughts of SHIELD into the back of his mind.

"The Iron Man armor fascinates you, doesn't it?" Tony grinned and looked down at her empty glass. "And you're thirsty."

"I can hold my liquor just fine. Worry about yourself." Scarlett ignored the quip. "Of course I'm interested in the armor, Stark. The most intriguing thing about you is your armor."

"The most intriguing thing about me?"

"What did you expect me to say? As an engineer and scientist fascinated by new technology, specifically robotics? It's incredibly fascinating to see them up close. And you make such a display of them, it's hard not to be curious." Scarlett laughed and Tony looked deeply offended.

"I'm an interesting man all across the board. Are you missing all of this?" Tony gestured to himself, his right hand still holding his glass of scotch. Scarlett stifled a laugh.

"That's not what I meant. And I think you know that."

"Oh, please do elaborate." Tony set down the glass, leaned against the table, and batted his eyelashes.

"I know very few things about you that are true, Tony. You're a genius. Unimpressive. I have known plenty in my time. Some who even rival you. You're dating, which removes a significant portion of your intrigue, honestly."

"Ouch."

"Then, of course, there's what I know about your reputation, which is semi-interesting. Less so now. But then the obvious. You're Iron Man. So what exactly is it you'd like me to elaborate upon? The obvious conclusion here is that the most intriguing thing about you to a woman like me, who you also know very little about, is that you are a super hero without any supernatural abilities."

"Oh, I have plenty of supernatural abilities, Scarlett. I just can't show them off outside of the bedroom. Is indecent exposure still against the law in Boston?" Tony took a curious and comedic look around the cigar club that had filled up significantly since their arrival. No one gave them a second look. It was nice. Even in the private clubs in Los Angeles people stared. But not here. He wondered if Scarlett had given them a heads up before their arrival. He couldn't blame her. She wasn't nearly as fond of the limelight as he was.

"You know, I've learned something about men who brag too loudly."

"And that is?" Tony leaned further on the table, eager to hear her insight. A buzzing sound beneath the table caught his attention. She reached into her clutch and pulled out her phone.

"Often they're compensating for something they're lacking." Scarlett slid out of her chair and held up her phone. "I have to take this. She'll keep calling until I answer." Scarlett walked off, phone in hand.

"Keep hanging out with me and you'll change your mind!" Tony smirked, admiring her openly as she walked away.

"Jinx, if this is about this morning then I'm hanging up." Scarlett walked from the table and away from where others were gathered so no one would overhear her conversation. Even so, she stifled a laugh at Tony's terrible joke. For someone who wasn't single, Tony Stark sure flirted like he was.

"Widow needs to see you." Jinx's usual whimsical tone was lost, now quiet and serious. The mood shifted and Scarlett's heart dropped. She stole a glance back at the table she shared with Tony. He was chatting up the waiter. So much for a nice lunch. If Black Widow was there to see her out of the blue it couldn't mean anything good.

"Right now?" Scarlett thought longingly of the bottle of wine she'd been hoping to share with Tony. So much for that.

"Right now." Jinx sounded sympathetic but serious. "It's important. She's waiting for you upstairs." Resigning to the fact that there was no more liquor in her future, Scarlett sighed.

"Fine. I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm downtown so it'll be a little." Scarlett went to hang up.

"Though, I would very much like to talk about this morning for just a moment…"

"Goodbye, Jinx." Scarlett hung up and then brushed her fingers through her long hair. She'd been having a nice time with Tony, discussing work. Though, most of it felt like flirting. Still, it was nice to talk to someone more like minded.

"You don't know anything? Really? Not even a confirmation on some steamy gossip or something?" Tony scrutinized the waiter but then stopped as he saw Scarlett return. He smiled fondly but her demeanor had shifted. Her blue eyes were distant and he could see how people found her intimidating. It was the same way that he could be intimidating. "Everything okay?"

"I'm sorry. I have to cut this short." Scarlett smiled apologetically. Tony pouted.

"We just started. I'm still on my first drink." Tony showed her the near empty glass. "Put whatever it is off until tomorrow. Nothing could be more important than drinks with me."

"You mean drinks with a stranger. Can't imagine what's more important than that." Despite how she joked, Tony could see the distraction on her. Whatever needed her attention was serious.

"Are you sure everything's okay? Maybe I could come with. Help out."

"It's nothing." Scarlett held her hand up to stop him from arguing. "It's something at work. You can't help. I have to go."

"That's what I say verbatim when I'm trying to blow someone off." Tony held onto his glass, pointing at her with that same hand.

"I have an important meeting. It was supposed to be tomorrow but it's been moved up. I can't keep them waiting either. I'll take a raincheck for the drink. It's a shame really. I haven't even gotten a proper buzz."

"I was hoping we could split a nice cab, get some food." Tony sighed in disappointment. He checked his watch. It was late. Pepper was going to be furious with him after today's antics. He found himself longing to stay in Boston, to not have to check in with someone. He could chase Scarlett until he got a solid answer on whether or not she would work with him.

"Tempting as that may be, I really can't. You have no idea how badly I was dreaming of a nice bottle of red wine."

"So, where does this meeting leave us?" Tony hoped for an answer. "Have you made up your mind yet?"

"I haven't." Scarlett folded her arms over her chest. She should just say no but she was intrigued. SHIELD had instructed her to remain in the public eye and what could be more public than working with Tony Stark? And if she was going to have to deal with the rumors at least she'd be doing something she was passionate about. "I have research to do before I agree to anything. Which means I'll be coming to Malibu at some point. I simply don't have time for that today."

"It sounds like you're considering it. That's good." Tony was hopeful. He was kind of impressed that she didn't blindly agree. She was doing her due diligence. He was both insulted and intrigued. It gave him the weirdest boner. It was exciting to work with someone who wasn't in it for the financial gain or limelight. Someone who wanted to know what he was working on and would understand it with the same excitement. He was eager to work with her. He hoped she was too.

"Yes, obviously. I think getting you drunk would have probably been a poor way to turn you down."

"Or a brilliant one, depending."

"You're not single." Scarlett laughed but her smile was strained. "I have to go." Tony's thoughts wandered back to her SHIELD detail. Whatever it was, it had to be important. For now, she could have her secrets. "Do you have a way to get home? I have a jet I could send you in. It might take awhile to get all the proper clearance but it's a free ride. And if you tell Antonio at the bar over there that you're hungry and that you're friends with me, then you can have some food while you wait. The food's pretty good. It'll just go on my tab."

"Wait, wait, what?" Tony laughed in disbelief. What was happening?

"Should I call my guy?" Scarlett was confused by his confusion.

"I have never in my life been offered a ride home in a jet by a date before. This is a first for me. Wow. Is this what it feels like to date me?" Tony tilted his head curiously, brow furrowed. "Wow."

"Well, you still haven't, because this wasn't a date. You're not single, and it was business." Scarlett checked the time. "A very late lunch, by the way. I didn't realize the time."

"Right, right." Why did that make him so sad? He wished it was a date. Even though it'd been short lived, it may have been the best date he'd ever been on. Most dates were a spectacle from him to someone else. He'd drone on endlessly or listen to some woman prattle on about things that didn't interest him all to meet a need. He'd pay for everything, and that never bothered him, but he didn't realize how nice it would feel for him to be treated to something for once. Not that he would have allowed Scarlett to pay for dinner but the fact that she didn't expect him to blew his mind. Would it be completely terrible for him to consider, secretly, that this was a date? If he didn't tell anyone, then it didn't hurt anyone. He'd retain the memory of the best date he'd ever been on.

"I really have to go." She looked impatient but like she didn't want to be rude. He understood.

"Don't worry about me. I didn't fly here in my suit. That would have been crazy. I have a plane waiting for me." Tony got up from where he sat at the table and buttoned up his jacket before offering a hand for Scarlett to shake which she did. "I expect to be hearing from you soon."

"I promise. I won't leave you hanging either way." Scarlett decided. They'd held hands too long now. She pulled it back and slipped on her short jacket and grabbed her clutch. The chilly autumn air was enough to give her the shivers.

"I'm counting on that." Tony smirked but the goodbye felt awkward and ill timed. It was obvious that they weren't finished with each other. Perhaps in another time and another place things could have been different but for now, this was it. Tony didn't see any other choice. Usually, he would have fought like hell to get what he wanted. But it was a waiting game now. He had to play his cards right.

Scarlett gave him a short wave then started away.

"Hey, Scarlett?"

"Yeah?" She looked back at him over her shoulder.

"It was nice to meet you."

"Other than the property damage, back at you." Scarlett's smile betrayed her words. Then she disappeared beyond heavy glass doors and down a set of stairs.

"I promise I'll pay for the damage." Tony laughed to himself and watched her go. Then he shoved his hands in his pockets. He didn't want to go home. But he couldn't think of a real reason to stay either. So, instead, Tony hailed the waiter over. He'd take Scarlett up on that offer for dinner then make his way back to Malibu.