Scarlett's workshop was as she left it. Only she was permitted access and the key to the lock was her. As long as she was present in the workshop the doors would open. Only she could get it to unlock when it was empty. Once inside, Scarlett contacted the investor she had a meeting with and asked for an extra five minutes to get changed. She simply couldn't bring herself to ruin the dress with grease while she worked. After arguing once again with Tony that the dress was not Dior and refusing to tell him where she'd gotten it, she disappeared and got changed into jeans and a simple black tank top.

That dress was expensive. All her clothing was expensive now. She had a reputation to uphold and apparently that involved dropping a lot of money on clothes. Before all this Refuge nonsense she'd never worn a big brand name. She'd had pretty dresses but had no idea who made them. Now she had to know or else it looked bad. Her new life of fame and fortune was an adjustment though no one noticed that she struggled at first. Then she'd fallen right into it. To the rest of the world, she was a natural.

Tony waited patiently while Scarlett was out of the room. He examined the workshop. It was small and modest with no room for proper testing. It was nowhere near as big or as sophisticated as what Tony was used to. But very few had the resources Tony did and even fewer had his experience. Still, he was surprised. Even her office was bigger than this. The far wall was lined with counters and shelves holding expensive equipment, tools mostly. There was a long table next to that where it looked like she did much of her work. It was surrounded by a handful of office chairs, each tucked neatly into place. Several computer screens hung from metallic arms from the wall near the table, arranged to help her work.

In an alcove to the left was a sitting area. A small comfortable couch was set beneath a cozy lamp. A table to the right held an espresso machine and miniature refrigerator with all the essentials. Tony peeked inside cabinets and beneath counters curiously. She'd told him to make himself comfortable and so he was. That and he had no interest in stealing her ideas.

Tony wanted to work with her and he had no need to steal the ideas of others. In fact, one of his favorite things he got to do in his position was fund smaller companies with ideas that he believed in. Nurturing creativity and genius was far better than stomping it out. There was no need to steal what he had an abundance of on his own.

"Before I take this call," Scarlett returned, pulling her hair into a lazy bun. She didn't even bat an eye at Tony who stopped digging through one of the cabinets. "I need you to promise me something." Scarlett flipped on the monitors near the table. With a swipe on her tablet the files transferred to one of the screens for her reference.

"We're making promises now? Already? You move fast." Tony closed the cabinet silently in hopes of it going unnoticed. He'd begun redesigning the workspace in his head for maximum efficiency. Something told him she wouldn't appreciate his unsolicited overhaul of her workshop.

"Cute. There's a couch over there where you can sit out of frame. If you make your presence known during my meeting I will throw you out and have security drag you off the premises. I'll have the damn Iron Man armor towed." Scarlett leaned her hands on the table and gave him her full attention. Tony ran his fingers through his short hair and contemplated the terms.

"You won't know I'm here. I only want to observe." Tony laughed, waving her off like it was no big deal. Scarlett narrowed her eyes at him but Tony made his way to the couch. It was comfortable and worn, nowhere near as modern as the ones in her office. It looked nice in the workshop, like the kind of couch that made for a good nap. Tony reclined on it, spreading his arms across the back cushions and crossing his legs with dramatic flair.

"Right." Scarlett spoke in a long drawl and narrowed her eyes. Tony put pressure on the couch from left to right then gave it a silent nod of approval. It needed replacing but just like the rest of the workshop, it was functional. He was surprised by how different her workshop was in comparison to the rest of Refuge. It was almost clinical how clean and modern Refuge was. This was a completely different vibe. Refuge was the future of technology and they had to appear as such. Tony knew appearance was everything sometimes.

First impressions were important in business. Tony knew, however, that a first impression was not everything. Many times it was staged, just like Refuge, just like him. Tony was not his company. Scarlett was not hers. It appeared, by her workshop, that she liked a much smaller setup. They were both clever enough to understand what people wanted to see.

"Are you settled? Nothing else before I start my meeting?" Scarlett didn't turn from her work so Tony openly admired her.

"I think I'm good."

"You think you are or you're certain you are?"

"I could use an espresso first. Is that machine as old as this couch or…?" Tony pointed to it. Scarlett sighed and turned at last to face him. He smiled innocently and hoped she found him cute enough to relent.

"It's reliable."

"You mean old."

"I mean it works. Make me one too." Scarlett rolled her eyes and set her tablet down on the table. She ended up coming to make the espressos after he hit four wrong buttons within the first thirty seconds. It made a bigger mess than he expected. Again, he hoped it was cute. Tony admired over her shoulder as she maneuvered the use of the machine. When she handed him the tiny cup, he stared at it without taking it. "What? What's wrong with it now? It's espresso, it's good espresso, impossible to screw up."

"I have this thing." Tony pointed to the counter. "Just put it there." Scarlett cocked an eyebrow. "We all have our weird little tics, okay? You have this ancient couch and I don't like when people hand me things." Scarlett looked to her couch and he spotted her trying to hide a smile. Then she placed the cup on the counter like he'd asked.

"Better?"

"Better." Tony sipped the espresso. It was, in fact, good coffee. Then he finished it and set the empty cup back down. Scarlett did the same.

"Are you good now? Can I get to work?" Scarlett walked back to where she'd left her tablet on the table. Tony adjusted on the couch, sprawled across it. The couch probably had a story. Something from her past. Maybe a fond memory. It had to be sentimental for her to keep something so old. Maybe Scarlett wasn't the type to waste things, even an ugly couch.

"Yes." Tony wasn't sure he could stay silent for an entire meeting. It wasn't his strong suit. Tony loved to talk, even about nothing. But he had to earn Scarlett's trust and prove that he was willing to give her his if they were going to work together. He rarely had to work for respect. Most people handed it to him. But this was different. Scarlett was different. Either that or maybe he had changed. This was his first try at doing much of anything outside of his house in months. It frightened him but he was also quite proud of himself.

He'd not only gotten out of the house but he'd flown across the country. He hadn't meant to destroy property, but even that was kind of fun. Tony had proven that he wasn't the thing that was broken. At least not beyond repair.

"Good." Scarlett setup the screens, rearranging windows with a touch. She was built for Jarvis' technology. She'd love it. "Don't think I didn't see you snooping. If you took anything put it back and I won't bring it up again." Scarlett watched as the tablet and the screens synched. She then joined the online meeting room and waited for the other end of the meeting to join. Tony was impressed she'd noticed him, since she hadn't snapped at him immediately. She didn't yell at him for misbehaving but she also didn't let him get away with it. It was interesting.

The only thing he'd taken was a pen but he would put it back as requested. It had her company's logo on it. He figured it would help stifle off the boredom he was going to sit through for this meeting. Tony decided he would ask to keep it. Then again, he could just forget about it in his pocket. Anything was possible.

His thoughts were broken by another voice. Scarlett's meeting had started.

"Ah, Scarlett, I was beginning to think you were blowing me off." The whimsical cockney accent was surprising. Tony leaned his elbows on his knees so he could catch a glimpse of the screen to see who was addressing her so informally.

"Sorry, Nathan. I've had a little bit of a crazy day." Scarlett took a seat at the far end of the table.

"I hope the good sort of crazy." Even his laugh was charming. Tony rolled his eyes. Nathan was handsome, not typically so, but handsome nonetheless. He had a square jaw, severe cheekbones, and a longer nose. But he was distinguished. With lighter brown hair than Tony's, it was longer, and pushed out of his face with a few wisps escaping. Tony immediately scowled. Why? He wasn't sure. It wasn't like he had room to be jealous.

"Always a mix of the two." Scarlett wasn't paying attention to Nathan. She was looking at the screen on her left, one she had turned away from Tony. He wondered if this was the actor that Rhodey mentioned.

"I have no doubt, love. Speaking of which, did you spot the gossip this morning?" Nathan had a sparkle in his dark eyes that made Tony like him even less. He mocked gagging silently.

"You follow that nonsense?" Scarlett was disgusted. She hid it, but Tony saw her lip curl. She rested her chin in her palm.

Interesting. She didn't like the attention.

"You don't? Come now, it's fun. Seeing what people assume about you when you're not looking."

"This is a business meeting, Nathan. If you want to gossip we can do it over coffee." Scarlett tapped the table. "The company is public now which…"

"But did you catch it this morning?" He couldn't hide his smile.

"Yes. I did. My secretary thinks it's all very funny. The blog-o-sphere seems to think that anyone I have a private meeting with is someone I am also having a romantic tryst with. It's all very annoying, if I'm honest." Scarlett frowned. Nathan was flirting and Scarlett wanted to work. Tony could see some of himself in Nathan. That and it was clear she had no interest in him. But, maybe Tony was seeing what he wanted to see. Or maybe she really didn't. It was difficult to tell.

"If you like, I could catch a flight in an hour and we could grab dinner and give the press a run for their money. Give them something to really write about. All business, of course, but over a nice meal instead of this pesky video meeting you're so fond of." Nathan adjusted his camera on his computer. "I've never been good at this. I leave all the technological stuff to you."

"I still wonder why you invested in my company when you destroy every piece of technology you touch." Scarlett avoided the invitation for dinner. She was good at that, he'd noticed.

"Because, darling, you are incredible. I admire the work you do and your results. While I do not understand the ins and outs, I have seen the work and I am astonished by it. Refuge is a wonderful company. That's why I'm asking that you take the return for my investment and put it back into your company rather than sending it back to me." Nathan gave her a dazzling, toothy smile which Scarlett returned.

"That's very generous, Nathan. But Refuge is public now. You should talk to a broker like everyone else if you want to own a piece of it." Scarlett was laughing with delight. Nathan had won. Dammit. Tony couldn't believe it either. Nathan was throwing his money at Scarlett. What was wrong with this guy? Not a very savvy businessman. Though he was charming, good looking, had a nice accent, and was obviously rich. Most important to Tony was that this man was clearly also an asshole.

"Why would I talk to a broker when I can talk to you in person? That appeals to me far more." Nathan's smile was sweet but Scarlett's smile faded. She was also confused. None of that made sense. She couldn't get him a stake in the company, he had to go through a broker. "I figure that if you could meet me at eight in Boston then we could discuss this further. And if you showed up wearing that little number you had on this morning when you spoke to the press, then I guarantee that we will be the talk of the internet tomorrow."

"I don't really want to be all over the internet, if I'm honest. I'm all over the internet when I get a latte at Starbucks and smile politely at someone outside." Scarlett laughed and once again ignored the invitation. She was uncomfortable with it!

This was all a massive learning experience for Tony. Maybe it wouldn't be so boring after all.

"People adore you, Scarlett. Eventually you have to embrace that."

"I know. Look, Nathan, it's a very sweet gesture but I'm not up for going to an impromptu dinner tonight. I have work to do." Scarlett rested her chin in her hand again with a smile. He didn't want to discuss work. He wanted to have this meeting just to ask her out. She still thought they were going to work. It was kind of sweet.

"Are you certain?" Nathan seemed concerned. "I could fly you down here for the evening if you prefer a change in scenery. Look at this view." He got up from his chair and pulled open his curtains to reveal the city skyline of Manhattan. Despite the gray skies, the city was clear as could be. Many days the city was hazy, but not today. It was crystal clear and astounding. Tony stayed focused on Scarlett.

"It's very tempting. I do love the city, but I've got too much to do."

"A rain check then?" Nathan spoke hopefully.

The guilt practically radiated from Scarlett but so did apprehension. Tony leaned forward, his elbow on his knee. It wasn't like he wanted her to abandon him to go to Manhattan with some charming actor, but he couldn't see why she wouldn't.

Tony sat upright and his stomach dropped.

Manhattan.

He couldn't hear anymore. The conversation continued but his ears were ringing. His eyes were fixed on the backdrop of Manhattan. It was unmistakable. He knew exactly where this building was. His heart beating in his ears drowned out all other sounds.

This couldn't happen.

Not here.

Tony rested his head in his hands and then ran his fingers over his clammy cheeks and to his ears. He tore his gaze away from the backdrop. The damage had been done. He could make out Scarlett's words but none of them made any sense.

"An ad campaign? Are you not getting enough publicity with your show?" Scarlett was discussing work but Tony couldn't care. He wasn't in Manhattan! Why was it upsetting him to see it in the backdrop of a meeting? He'd hurriedly turned off news reports with it in the back in the past, sure. It'd soured his mood time and again. But this was different.

He was clammy and felt sick. His hands gripped tightly at the couch. When had he hunched nearly against his knees? He couldn't recall. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be. He closed his eyes tight and tried to shake off the bad feeling. Instead, he was dizzy. He felt miserable. When he opened his eyes again the room was spinning. The only thing he could focus on was the screen with Manhattan in the background. His hands trembled and tingled, then went numb.

He swore there was something behind Nathan in the sky. Clouds, probably. It had to be. It couldn't be another portal opening up. Someone would notice. Could Loki be back for revenge? Had the monsters from another world found their way back to earth? Tony felt a tug on his hair and swatted only to realize he'd been gripping and pulling, as if trying to drag the thoughts from his head. What was happening to him?

He was losing his mind. He had to be.

Rational thought was gone. There was no way the Chitauri had returned. But no matter how many times he thought it, he couldn't convince himself of it. The Tesseract was safe. But his mind couldn't stop.

It could still happen. There were a million ways it could happen. His stomach lurched violently and for a terrifying moment, Tony thought he was going to vomit espresso all over Scarlett's relic of a couch. How could he forget to breathe?

It was the most basic instinct a person had and there he was, the most brilliant man on the planet, and he couldn't remember to inhale and exhale. Finally, he let out a long breath and nearly gagged, but managed to stifle the sound.

"I'll see what my publicist thinks. Refuge is making plenty of press without advertisements but you make some compelling points." Scarlett sounded out of place.

"Just because you make your own press doesn't mean you shouldn't throw in a reminder of what you do now and then. It's a great time for an ad campaign. People adore you and those who hate you, love to hate you. Put out advertisements so you can control some of what people see."

"I feel like I should be mildly insulted." Scarlett smiled but felt amiss. Her gut was telling her something was wrong and her gut was always right. The air in the room thickened, changed, as if a bomb was slowly ticking out of sight. If there had been a toxic leak, alarms would have gone off. Scarlett's security may not have been the best, but the technology was.

"Not at all. I just meant that your fans and your critics seeing your company between one of their favorite programs on the telly as a reminder that you're doing some good in the world isn't a bad thing. Sometimes the media gets caught up in the gossip and forgets the reality. Let's remind them of the reality." Nathan spoke wisely and Scarlett considered his offer. "It's not just an excuse to have dinner with your very handsome and lonely friend." Nathan's charming smile was almost painful.

"Style and substance, I see." Scarlett tapped her fingers on the table, unable to sit still. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"If your publicist agrees, I work with this great advertising team. I'd be happy to sign a deal to help promote your company. With your permission of course. It would be good for the both of us. You with Refuge and me with my show." Nathan was waiting for an answer but Scarlett didn't have one. On one hand, Nathan's star was rising. His last film was a smash hit and he was a media darling. He was right. The publicity would be good for them both but it would also set fire to the rumors that they were dating. Scarlett couldn't think of anything she wanted less than to date someone.

Okay, there were a few things she wanted less than that, but this was something she could control.

"I'll see what my advertising department thinks. It's a very generous offer, Nathan." Scarlett decided. "I'm sending you your investment return in the morning. If you want the company to have it then you have to go through the stages of making a donation. Tax reasons."

Tony was focusing on his breathing. He could, at last, understand the conversation but it sounded distant in comparison to the ringing in his ears. It was well beyond the fear of Manhattan now. There was a war in his head. Why couldn't he get himself under control? Something was seriously wrong. And what if something wasn't wrong? What if it was panic or anxiety or whatever?

He'd never come back from it. He was Tony Stark. He could hear the jokes at his expense now, a thing that had never bothered him before. The more he tried to calm down the worse it became. He was fine. He was overreacting. But thinking that only made him more upset that he couldn't calm the hell down. He felt helpless, a victim to his thoughts. He'd never felt this way, not even when he'd been in captivity.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and raised his head from between his legs. A poor attempt to stop the sudden nausea and dizziness. The room still spun. And it was smaller. Closing in on him. The screens were too close to him now. The table was right there. He couldn't be this far gone, could he? He had no other options.

Tony had to get out of there.

He had to get out of there and he had to do it fast. Getting up, he rushed across the room. In his exit, he knocked over a small side table and it clattered to the ground. He didn't have the strength to apologize or clean it up. He couldn't care. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't even walk straight.

Tony shoved open the door and let it slam shut behind him. He needed air and a quiet place to breathe and think. Or a place to stop thinking. Whatever it was, Tony needed something, but he needed to do it alone.

Scarlett stopped talking mid-sentence. She turned in her chair and half-expected to find Tony coming up with an excuse as to why he'd made a mess, but instead, she saw him practically racing out of the room. He was white as a ghost, too. Scarlett stared at the door and the feeling of dread she couldn't place left with him. She furrowed her brow.

"Was that…?" Nathan hesitated. Scarlett didn't turn back to him. "Was that Tony Stark?" Scarlett stood and reached for her tablet.

"I'm sorry to cut this short, Nathan, but I have to go." Scarlett swiped a few screens on the tablet. "We'll finish this later. I'll have Jinx reach out." Before he could object, Scarlett ended the call and her screens showed only the closed application.

Scarlett's heart hurt as she saw the path of Tony's distress leading from her office. A path of destruction she recognized. Or at least one she thought she recognized and understood.

Nathan would have to wait. Advertising and work would have to wait. Right now, Refuge's reputation didn't matter. There was something far more important.