Against all odds Tony had an incredibly productive week. He'd worked harder than he'd worked in months and felt pretty damn good about it. If he had known it would feel this damn good then he would have gotten back to work ages ago. It didn't matter that he'd waited this long. What mattered was that he felt accomplished for the first time in months.

No matter how much he'd built in his basement, how much he'd developed, it never felt like it was good enough. It was partially why he struggled to sleep. Well, it was one of the tens of thousands of reasons his brain avoided rest. Why should he sleep when there was so much to do? So much to prepare for? He could sleep when he was done. It wasn't true. But it felt true at the time. Tony didn't understand what he was going through, but he was learning how to navigate it.

He didn't have to understand.

All he had to do was survive. This was like any other battle, simply with less fireworks.

And it was finally Friday. Technically the work week was at its end. No one wanted to be bothered on a Saturday, at least for business. Tony found himself at a standstill, twiddling his thumbs. What did he used to do on days like today?

That's right.

He'd cancel every Friday meeting, have it rescheduled by his assistant, then find something fun to do instead. But what would he do? Did he really want to pick up that old habit? Vegas wasn't that far. Gambling was always fun.

Right?

Gambling would give him the attention he so adored. Well, that he sort of adored. They would ask where he'd been. Where he'd been hiding. Honestly, Tony had no real answer. Mostly because he didn't truly know what he was going through. Scarlett said PTSD. But he wasn't sure. He'd thought about it a thousand times since they met. He'd flip flopped on it about just as many times. Jarvis helped him research but he still struggled to think he was capable of it. How could he, of all people, be suffering from an anxiety disorder? Tony Stark didn't have anxiety! He couldn't.

"Ugh," Tony grumbled, wiping his hands over his face as he flopped backwards onto the couch. Arm draped lazily over his eyes, he laid in silence and considered finding something to do that day. Or for the whole weekend, perhaps. He could take a trip somewhere. Would that irritate Pepper? To take a vacation without his girlfriend? She didn't feel much like his girlfriend right now anyway, so did that matter?

Besides, she'd rather spend her time with Happy anyway. She should date him instead if she wanted to spend that much time with him. It should have bothered Tony more than it did. Even so, he knew he'd catch hell for not inviting her.

Even more disappointing on that particular Friday morning was that Scarlett had not yet gotten back to him as promised. He was still worried after reading so many articles theorizing about her health. But at the same time, he'd spoken to her that very night and she was just fine. What right did he have to worry anyway? As many times as he tried to convince himself that she was a complete stranger, he had also talked himself into thinking it was okay to care this much. They were going to work together, of course he should be concerned.

Well, maybe they would be working together. What if she turned him down? He'd have to back off eventually. Tony didn't want to consider it. They were meant to work together. He knew it. Or maybe he just really wanted it.

No.

Tony didn't believe in destiny, fate, or any of that. He was a man of science and logic. People made their own fates and designed their own destiny with their choices. Yet, there was with this nagging voice in the back of his head saying he had to work with her. Maybe he just wanted it in the worst way. He certainly couldn't tell. Tony wasn't very good at not getting his way and while he could chalk it up to being spoiled and stubborn, it felt like more than that. Tony felt this was more of a need than a want.

"Hey, Jarvis?"

"Yes, Mr. Stark. Should I dim the lights? Is it time for a nap?"

"No." Tony sat up with a grunt. "I hate this stupid couch." He grumbled then continued. "What is Scarlett up to today? Any reports of anything fun?" Tony half-expected Jarvis to object to his snooping but he did no such thing. "Also start looking for new couches. I hate this thing. It's too… squishy."

"Is that not a desirable quality for a couch, sir?"

"It's too squishy. I get trapped every time I lay down. It's like a cloud, Jarvis. A cloud and I can't sit and get work done on a cloud."

"Message received, sir. The couch is so comfortable it's like sitting on a cloud."

"You're a jerk. Who programmed you?"

"I do believe that was you, sir."

"Sounds about right." Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did you find out what she's up to or do I have to do it myself? You know how I feel about doing it myself."

"Rumor is that she has tickets to a special theater event in Boston this evening."

"With the gross actor guy?"

"Reports do not mention that he's gross, but it appears that Nathan Richardson will be reprising his role as Hamlet for a good cause. There will be quite the gathering of celebrities tonight. They're raising money for the arts."

"One of those things where rich people eat, drink, and be merry under the guise of charity, right?"

"Yes, it appears so. Though you have taken all the romance out of it." Tony flipped through the tabloid reports for the evening and pondered his own night. "Here's the theater, sir." The page was blown up behind the reports. Tony thumbed through and pulled it closer. Jarvis brought him to the contact page. If Tony didn't know better he would have thought Jarvis was trying to convince him to go. Wouldn't it be crossing a line to crash her party like that? Then again, it wasn't her party. Tony was invited to things like this all the time. He was a generous donor. For all Scarlett knew, he was already on the list.

Tony looked to the clock. It was a long flight from Malibu to Boston but if he left immediately and got ready on the plane then he could make it before curtain. What was it they said about being fashionably late?

"How many strings do you think I have to pull to make this happen?" Tony tapped his fingers on his knee.

"At the risk of inflating your ego, sir, I'm going to assume the theater would be thrilled by your patronage and bend over backwards to have you."

"Alright, alright! You sweet talked me into it." Tony stood and walked out of the living room. "I need a new suit." He'd avoided the bedroom since Pepper left. It wasn't that he would be reminded of her but rather of the nightmares that plagued him. In fact, he was thinking of having the entire upper floor of the mansion renovated and rearranged. If it would help him move on then he was happy to do it. "Jarvis, let the pilot know I'm on my way. I've got a party to crash."

In Boston, Scarlett fidgeted in her seat.

Yep. Shakespeare was still boring.

Scarlett had never been a fan and it turned out, even with actors she was fond of, she still wasn't a fan. Yes, of course, the tale was a classic but it was also so damned boring. The first act dragged on for an eternity. While she did her best to look engrossed, she found her thoughts drifting. Her brain was too loud to sit quietly and watch something that didn't engage her.

Natasha. Shadowing her. She wasn't sure if SHIELD sent her or if her friend was just stalking her now out of worry. Time had changed the Black Widow. Suddenly she had feelings and a conscience and all that. Scarlett met her when her moral compass was still finding its way out of being a brainwashed killer.

Scarlett hadn't needed to be brainwashed to do her job. She'd enjoyed it. Not that killing was something she enjoyed. She didn't kill when she didn't have to. No, it was the danger. The thrill. She got bored so easily.

It was all changing. Change couldn't be avoided. It came for each of them. That was just life.

More guilt.

God damn she was so tired of her own conscience.

She'd been too hard on Natasha.

Maybe she should apologize. Scarlett looked over her shoulder toward the exit and wondered where the Black Widow was now. Scarlett was touchy. Of course she was touchy. Everyone was questioning her capabilities in every aspect of life, including her. The story about her being sick scared her more than she let on. It was too close to the truth. She couldn't handle the whole world treating her the way that SHIELD treated her. If anyone else knew then that would change. Scarlett had enough of change for now.

If it came out, she decided she would disappear.

She couldn't sit idly by and watch the world go on without her. For some time she was content to find normalcy after all the bad. After being attacked by Scott. After having to kill him. Then finding out what he'd done to her… Scarlett was terrified. In a panic, she'd gone to Natasha who had taken her to SHIELD.

Handing over the reins to her future was easy then. It'd almost been a relief to have someone else take care of her for a change. But now, as she sat watching the actors performing in front of her, she felt a little like them.

Like a puppet.

Someone else wrote the script and she was forced to read the lines and pretend to be someone she never was. Her life was a play and the final act was fast approaching.

Scarlett wasn't good at being told what to do either.

Maybe it was time to throw the script out the window. At least parts of it. When she'd been given Scott's file, it was a step in the right direction. It was then and there in the theater that she decided to pursue him. In her spare time, she would do research and get ready for a fight. MedCo wasn't going to stop hunting her simply because SHIELD hoped they would. Natasha couldn't protect her forever and Scarlett didn't want her to.

If MedCo was hunting her then she would return the favor. They were coming for her. When they did? She'd be ready. She'd slip a tracker on them. It was something. A place to start. Feeling more confident, more in control, Scarlett relaxed. She clapped with the crowd as the lights came back up for intermission.

She knew she should go greet Nathan backstage but she didn't really want to. Instead, she considered letting Natasha in on her plan. The Black Widow was still her friend. Even if she broke every rule, Natasha would be there to help. She didn't make it feel that way all the time but that was out of fear.

Fear.

The damn thing was palpable when Natasha was close. They didn't want to lose each other.

Scarlett had some hope at last. The crowd around her bustled and shifted. Many got up from their seats to use the restroom or freshen their drinks. Others did so to mingle. The production would be back in a short time so Scarlett didn't see the point. Besides, it was kind of nice to enjoy the theater with the lights on and without Shakespeare.

She admired the architecture of the arched ceiling. It was intricate, but in desperate need of restoration. That was partially why they were there. Before they'd sat down they'd been asked to consider donating to the theater. The theater hosted a great after school program for the arts as well. Scarlett liked this place. She personally hoped Nathan didn't buy it.

"I thought you were going to call me." The person seated to her right was suddenly talking to her. She recognized the voice and it halted the treacherous train in her mind.

What on earth was Tony Stark doing at a small Boston benefit performance? Scarlett didn't have to guess. She knew why he was there. She kept her attention on the stage. At any moment, the players would return for the second act.

"I've been busy. I didn't take you for a wait-by-the-phone type of guy." Scarlett responded but she couldn't help her smile. Tony was fun. Which was dangerous for her, but still. What wasn't dangerous for her these days? Jinx's prediction ran through the back of her mind and she mentally cursed. She didn't believe in that nonsense. She glanced somewhat curiously at the ceiling. Hopefully this wasn't the building that was going to collapse on her.

Now she was just being ridiculous.

"I'm not. But I'm also not known for my patience." Tony's gaze followed hers to the ceiling. "Needs paint."

"It does." Scarlett shrugged. For a moment there was silence between them. How did he manage to get the exact seat next to hers? On purpose? She was overthinking it. The odds that he came to a benefit across the country just to see her were astronomical. It was, however, quite the coincidence.

"When we were on the phone the other night you neglected to mention that you'd just returned from the hospital." Tony turned in his seat to face her. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and rested his elbow on the back of his seat.

"It didn't seem worth mentioning." Scarlett changed her mind. He was there on purpose, seated next to her on purpose. How could she have ever doubted it?

"I asked why you were still awake. That makes it relevant, I feel."

"And I was honest. I couldn't sleep."

"You didn't say it was because you passed out somewhere and had to be hospitalized." Tony pointed out. She was fixed on the stage and he was okay with that. It allowed him to admire her openly, guilt free. Coming to Boston was the right thing to do after all. The donation he made was well worth the prize he received in return. Scarlett looked incredible. He didn't look so bad himself either, he thought. When he wanted to, he could make every woman in that theater and some of the men swoon. Oddly enough, the guilt Tony felt about those thoughts was far less than it had been on Monday.

"You've turned out to be quite the gossip."

"You have no idea." Tony chuckled. "So, what is it then?"

"What is what then?"

"Are you pregnant with the theater guy's kid? That's the most popular running theory."

"I'm sorry, what?" Scarlett gasped and turned at last in her seat to face Tony. He looked great in comparison to when they'd first met. More like the man she'd seen in papers for years. Even better than that. There was life in his eyes that were a startlingly pretty brown. She hadn't noticed how nice they were before. He'd seemed so lost and his eyes so dark. Now they were sparkling, dripping with honey.

"Should I say it a little slower? Are… you… knocked up?" Tony leaned up in his chair, glanced at her stomach, and then sat back down. "You don't look like it but I know those first few months can be kinda tricky…"

"God no, I am not pregnant." Scarlett had whiplash, she swore. "I hadn't heard that one. Christ." She fanned herself. Did people really think that? The stories people believed!

"That's a relief."

"Oh, really?"

"You can't keep wearing dresses like that if you're knocked up."

"I will wear whatever I damn well please whenever I want to no matter what I look like." Scarlett corrected him. "Got it?"

"Well, yes, and please, by all means, do." Tony held a hand up defensively to show he meant no offense. "I just meant that dresses made for pregnant women don't usually dip that low."

"I'm not pregnant." Scarlett reclined and crossed her legs and her dress fell over her thigh. Tony admired her with a smile. "And it's not that low."

"Still relieved." Tony leaned his chin in his hand. "So, what is it then? Overworked?"

"Do I look overworked?"

"No, you look fantastic. Unbelievable, even."

"That answers your question then."

"Secret illness, then? I don't love that one but it was there."

"Really, Stark?" Scarlett sighed. Why did he have to peruse the rumor mill? The media had taken its toll on her that week and she didn't need the interrogation. That being said, he somehow made her laugh about it. She was enjoying herself for the first time since Natasha rained all over her parade. Hopefully she could distract him from the rumors at some point. They could pick up where they left off the other day when having drinks. That would be nice. Then again Nathan would likely want her attention at some point. But who cared? Nathan didn't seem so important right now.

"What about secret government meetings? I hear they're testing you or something. Are you a super soldier?"

"Wow, you know my press better than I do. I definitely hadn't heard that one."

"Just tell me. I'm really curious!"

"Obviously!" Scarlett smiled. "It's no one's business but mine. All you need to know is that I'm fine."

"Alright."

"Good."

"Are you sure you're not pregnant?" Tony said after some silence, trying desperately not to smile.

"If you were jealous of Nathan then perhaps you should have brought your girlfriend as a distraction." Scarlett accused but Tony wasn't missing a beat anymore.

"I'm not jealous. Not even a little. My eyes are just naturally a tiny bit green, look." Tony pulled on the skin beneath his eye and batted his eyelashes.

"Oh, stop it." Scarlett laughed but then stopped suddenly. "What the hell? Your eyes are a little green." She leaned a little closer curiously.

"I wasn't kidding. I'm not a liar, Scarlett."

"Regardless." Scarlett leaned back in her seat and straightened her posture. The lights flashed overhead, signaling the intermission was over. Scarlett was a little disappointed. She was finally having fun and now she wanted a drink. Drinking with Tony was bound to be fun and a little dangerous. She was more than okay with that risk.

"I can see how you would think that I'm jealous though. I mean, who wouldn't be with you in that dress?"

"I'm going to start keeping a tally of how often you mention it."

"And I'll keeping mentioning it until you explain."

"The show is about to pick back up. It's time for you to be quiet. So shush." Scarlett put her finger to her lips and watched as the lights dimmed and then turned off in the theater.

"I don't shush."

"The show is starting, shush."

"Fine, fine. But work on that explanation or I'm going to make one up for you. It'll be way less appropriate than anything you come up with, I'm sure." Tony only quieted because the crowd around him died down. The stage came to life before them.

Rolling his eyes, Tony leaned on his elbow and watched the show.

Sure, Nathan was a good looking guy. A bit young though. Scarlett was more suited for someone a bit older, a bit more mature. Perhaps with more experience. Shifting in his seat, Tony gazed at Scarlett who was apparently paying rapt attention to the play. He turned back to the show to try and do the same.

Nathan was good. Talented. Convincing. Damn.

Tony was hoping to find something to make fun of besides the charm and the accent but he was actually impressed with the performance. Then something else far more interesting caught his eye. Scarlett was tapping her fingers on the arm of her chair. She was watching, raptly, but she was bored. Scarlett was bored!

Her fancy actor adorer was boring her.

"So, what do you see in this guy?" Tony leaned over the arm of his chair to whisper to Scarlett who leaned a bit away, startled by him in her personal space. She placed her finger to her lips to silence him and turned back to the show. He sighed and got comfortable in his seat and then his voice cut through the silence again. "I guess he's… tall." Tony whispered, hand over his mouth to block his lips from the stage. He didn't want to interrupt the show but he did want to interrupt Scarlett. He wanted to give her something to make her less bored.

"Yeah, I like him because he's tall. Shush." Scarlett swatted at him.

"No, I mean, plenty of guys are tall. That's not a good enough reason."

"Haven't you heard? I sleep with everyone."

"What? No! I hadn't heard that." Tony was amused by her sarcasm and ran with it. "Does that include the ladies, by the way? I was curious. I heard it includes the ladies. And I know I shouldn't think too much about that, but god, I hope it's true."

"Shush."

"I mean, rumors are one thing but they say you're dating this guy. What makes him so much better than all the other tall guys? Or tall ladies for that matter?"

"Tony." Scarlett began threateningly. The person on the other side of Tony had taken notice. So had the person on Scarlett's other side. They were leaning forward curiously to listen in. They were in the front row. It was only a matter of time before someone important noticed.

"I mean, yeah, he's above average height but… is height really what matters in a relationship, Scarlett?"

Suddenly, Scarlett got up. Crouched low, she whispered an apology to her neighbor who nodded in understanding. Then Scarlett grabbed Tony's hand and pulled him out of his chair with surprising force. He was about to ask what they were doing but she looked at him with such urgency that he already knew what was happening.

"I'm in trouble." Tony whispered to the man at the end of the row as Scarlett dragged him down the aisle and toward the back of the theater.