The ribeye was perfectly cooked- a medium rare. Potatoes were well-seasoned, and the veggie mix was buttery and delectable. Scarlett couldn't decide if the food really was some of the best she'd ever had or if her hunger made it feel that way. Before this she'd never been terribly picky. Traveling the world made her open to eating almost anything. But this was exceptional. And the scotch was exquisite.

It made her wonder how picky Tony was. He was spoiled for choice. And he'd been quite reasonable during their meal and conversation. Even relaxed in comparison to the hours prior. Had all the flirting and abhorrent behavior been a front? She considered that he was holding his cards close to his chest, just like she was.

Becoming Tony Stark's false friend didn't seem so impossible anymore. In fact, she was certain that in another life they could have been friends.

"You would think I'd be invited to all the best Hollywood shindigs, right? Being that I'm so close and I'm loaded." Tony returned to his comfortable position on the couch, which could only be described as manspreading. Arms on the back of the luxurious seat spread on either side of him, legs wide, one foot on his knee. They'd shared a few stories here and there. Scarlett struggled to lie but remained as vague as she could in her truth telling.

"Aren't you? Seems to me like you're fawned over at these things. And you're a ham." Scarlett sat on the other end of the couch, trying to avoid his arm on the back of it.

"You're right, I am fawned over. The ladies eat it up when I'm around. But believe it or not, I crash most parties. I rarely get invited formally." Smirking, he took a sip of his scotch, and she pointed to warn him that the glass was tipping.

"You're going to spill all over me. Get those hands under control."

"I've got this. Keep your panties on." Then he seemed to reconsider. "Or don't. Up to you. I'm not going to spill on you. Unless you want me to." Tony smirked, sipping his drink again. "I am a master of gesticulation."

"Keep that in mind when you're alone with your hand later." Scarlett rolled her eyes.

"Touché." He set his glass on the table. "Happy?" Picking up the bottle of scotch he refilled their glasses. A dangerous amount, at that. Scarlett, thankfully, was relieved by how well she was holding her liquor. In fact, all she wanted was to crawl right into that bottle until she fell asleep. "As I was saying." Tony smirked. "I used to be invited to every event. Hell, I turned down most invites because I'm busy with work or Iron Man stuff. They want me there. I'm free entertainment. I could be a complete dick and people think I'm being glib."

"It is strange. Even though you are one of the most arrogant men I have ever met, there is something likable about you. You're difficult to hate. And I am trying."

"Aw, you like me after all."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Deny it all you want, Scarlett but I see those smiles. You think I'm charming." He gave her knee a squeeze, only to be swatted away. "Stop distracting me. I was telling a story."

"How was that my fault? You distract yourself well enough. Confident you should be diagnosed with ADHD."

"I prefer eccentric."

"Eccentric is the equivalent of neurodivergent for rich people." Laughing, Scarlett retrieved the glass of scotch and watched the earthen liquid swirl. It was oddly beautiful.

"And eccentric is what I prefer." Tony sneered, sitting up and turning to face Scarlett. "I used to be invited until…" He drifted off and then laughed as if he couldn't believe he was sharing this story. It was oddly endearing. "What a nightmare for my publicist. I was announcing at the Oscars. Cinematography or something. Terribly boring. They rejected all my joke ideas." He rubbed his hand over his goatee and pursed his lips. "I clearly didn't care all that much."

"Seeing as you can't recall, I'd say."

"What I do remember is that I was announcing with the lovely Salma Hayek."

"I think you'd remember anything with a nice rack."

"You underestimate me. A nice rack, very important. But the ass… just as important. And long legs. I'm a sucker for long legs. All of which you are sporting quite brilliantly tonight, I might add." Tony gestured to her and Scarlett laughed and then snapped her fingers in front of his face again.

"Please, eye contact. Honestly, this story is going on forever."

"I can't help that you're distracting."

"If I take the blame would you finish the story?"

"Maybe." Tony was delighted. He was focus driven. He was good at what he did. But with Scarlett, it was different. He wanted to make her comfortable and that seemed to be working. But for the first time in ages, he longed for the thrill of bringing a woman home and having a wild night. He had a reputation, sure, but Tony just wasn't that guy anymore. And it was more than that. He wanted to know more of what was behind her sparkling blue eyes. "So, it's a lot of waiting those things. And I was bored. Not that I find the content boring, it was just the waiting that did me in."

"I enjoy movies but those award shows? I can't imagine sitting in the audience doing nothing for that long." Scarlett also struggled with a rebellious mind. When left to her own devices she very often got into trouble. Over-creativity and an abundance of intelligence, she'd decided. "So, I can relate."

"You too, hmm? I don't do movie theaters for that reason. Can't get up and do what I want while they're going on and on. I always end up outside the theater getting into trouble."

"It has to be a pretty special movie to keep me in the theater. I am also guilty of finding more fun things to do than watch a movie when I'm there."

"Oh, do tell." He batted his eyelashes playfully. Tony had oddly beautiful eyes. Long eyelashes, wide, expressive, and a deep brown.

"Finish your story first. You were presenting an award. And were doing so well for a moment there." She chuckled. It was like they could talk for hours. Like she was a teenage girl on the phone with a guy she had something in common with and they were talking as long as they could keep their eyes open. Ugh, she hated the comparison. Why did she have to like him? Why did she have to be drawn to him?

Tony eyed the glass of scotch in her hand curiously. She'd kept up with him fairly well. It was curious. Most women didn't. "Fine, but we're coming back to this."

"How did you get blacklisted from Hollywood events, Stark?"

"I'm not blacklisted. I'm just not always invited anymore. And I'm definitely not invited to important live events." Tony smirked. "Anyway, I found myself one too many drinks in alongside a few B-list guys. Names felt unimportant at the time."

"You're so considerate, Stark."

"I know. I'm a gentleman. Anyway." Tony laughed but continued. "One drink became three bottles of Jack and I was… hammered."

"You were hammered after the first bottle. I'd say shit-faced." She went to grab her glass and then felt Tony's hand slip back onto her knee for her attention. She narrowed her eyes at him dangerously but he ignored her and kept talking.

"I thought I heard them calling my name to present so I did what I was told to do. I walked on stage. But they hadn't called me and I may have walked out when they were giving out some other award. While I made it hilarious and played it off, the producers did not think it was funny. Also, something about sounding wasted. I may have given my entire spiel about the wrong award and all that."

"Weren't you mortified?" Scarlett ignored the hand on her knee. She couldn't imagine the kind of pressure that went into going to Hollywood events. That was a much different sort of a pressure than the dangerous work she did.

"To tell you the truth? No. I was too drunk to care and the audience ate it up. Antonio Banderas handled it well. He explained what went wrong when we got off stage and he laughed about it so, you know… no harm no foul. Except that the producers didn't agree. I still get compliments from that performance…"

"You fucked up that badly on television and people love you for it?" She scoffed in disgust. What was it about him that allowed him to get away with that behavior? His charm? His money? Honestly!

"What can I say? I'm charming. They should know when they invite me to do something that… they get all of me."

"You think you're charming, at least."

"I don't know why you keep arguing against it. If I wasn't charming you definitely wouldn't still be around." Tony grabbed the glass of scotch from her hand and stole a sip from it, eyes meeting hers in a dare. She stared in wonder and then stole his glass from the table and drained it.

"I definitely didn't find that charming."

"You just made that glass look so damn good. I had to give it a taste." Tony pointed to the rim of it. "Almost like we kissed." He nodded to her glass. Then he took a slow, purposeful drink from her glass.

"If that's the case? You're a dreadful kisser." She mocked. "So, what happened after that?"

"The producers were pissed. They yelled at me and Pepper made excuses for me, of course." Tony shrugged. "They thanked me for attending and then I stopped receiving invitations." Tony waved it off. "But they always welcome me when I arrive anyway. I'm pretty good at charming my way out of a mess."

"No wonder you're so bored all the time. Life without conflict is… boring."

"My mind just… goes." Tony shrugged. "No matter what I'm doing. Which can be exhausting. And distracting. I'm sure you noticed."

"Oh, yes, I did."

"But you can bet I'm still invited to the after parties."

"Considering the rumors about you? Not surprised. In fact, this dinner is shockingly tame. I'm still waiting for all the flare that comes alongside you." Scarlett rolled her eyes. "I imagine this is boring for you."

"No, actually. I don't find you boring at all. I think I'd be having a nice time even if we weren't talking." Tony was oddly comfortable around her. He admired the glass he'd stolen and the mark from her lipstick. "My only complaint is that you're still dressed and sitting so far away."

"Yeah, well you'll continue complaining in that case, Stark." Scarlett watched him curiously and finally shooed his hand off of her knee. She'd forgotten it was there. A strangely comforting, warm, strong hand.

"You know, I'm actually okay with that." Tony turned to properly face her. "Alright. Your turn."

"My turn?"

"Yeah. You seem to know everything about me even if it was mostly against your will. But I know very little about you other than that you're apparently an incredible mind with one hell of a pair of legs." Tony considered, pointing at her with the hand that held her glass. "And that you know cars."

"And scotch." Scarlett went to refill the glasses but he snatched the second glass right out of her hand.

"Nope. Not until you agree to tell me a story about yourself. A real story. You're avoiding telling me anything." Tony dared. "You tell me vague niceties thinking I won't notice."

"I figured you wouldn't care."

"Oh, I care. I care very much." Tony held both glasses hostage. So Scarlett didn't bother with a response. She simply opened the bottle of scotch and Tony found himself watching intently as her lips wrapped around end of the bottle while her fingers daintily held onto it. He watched her neck as she swallowed the scotch straight from the bottle. He shifted and tugged on his collar where steam was practically radiating. "Waiter?" Tony called a little louder. From outside the door, a man entered.

He never turned his gaze from Scarlett who dared him to be the first to look away.

"Yes, Mr. Stark?"

"Another bottle of scotch. Next price point. Seems we're going to need a little more."

"With pleasure, sir." The waiter bowed, then left the room to do as he was asked.

"Fair warning, Stark. I'm danger when I'm drunk."

"Oh, trust me. I welcome it. Let me see how dangerous you can get, Scarlett. I think you're holding back."

The waiter returned with the new bottle of scotch and Tony set down both glasses. He approved the bottle and the waiter left them with a bow of his head. Tony then made to steal the old bottle from Scarlett. She swatted his hand away and took another long drink which he admired. Then she handed the bottle over with a satisfied smirk. The liquor was getting to her head, making the haze of anxiety a distant memory. Making everything a little more fun.

"Trouble doesn't mean naked, just so you know."

"There's still plenty of fun to be had with your clothes on, Scarlett."

"Just give me my glass, Stark."

"Tell me something about yourself." He countered but also handed her a refreshed drink. Then he clinked his glass gently against hers before taking a long sip. "If I could find anything about you myself then it wouldn't feel like such a big deal."

"I told you there wouldn't be. I'm not you."

"I can't find anything. Not a birth certificate, no school records, no work history. Nothing."

"Nothing?" She was smiling slyly. Those lips were tempting him in ways he couldn't express.

"With the exception of a few drunk and disorderly charges in various places… that was it. All that's out there on you. So, I would very much like to know something about the woman I've taken to dinner tonight."

Considering his offer, Scarlett took another drink. He wasn't anywhere near as obnoxious as she'd expected him to be. That and the pain in her body was fading with the haze of liquor. No guilt, no anxiety. Something in the back of her head was screaming not to get attached to him. Or anyone. Never again. Doubt nagged at her, even through all the scotch.

Tony scooted a bit closer, closing the gap between them. Everything she'd done had been done strategically. He wanted to let her know it didn't have to be that way. She could just be herself. It was clear she didn't feel safe with him or much of anywhere right now. Let him give her that safety. Why did he want to make certain of it? He urged his arm behind her on the couch casually.

"Fine." Scarlett relented then tilted her head curiously. When had he gotten so close? "What are you doing, Stark?"

"It's Tony." He whispered, bowing his head closer. "You don't have to be so stand offish. Is this uncomfortable for you?" He teased.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Scarlett batted her eyelashes and then placed her hand on the lapel of his suit jacket, hand gingerly brushing up to his collar. He swallowed, she saw his jaw tense but his eyes locked with hers. She leaned closer to him, so close that just a quick nudge would have them pressed together. The heat of his body was so close, it was nearly stifling. "...no, I'm just fine. Your onion breath, however, is making me very uncomfortable." She let go of his collar and shoved his shoulder, sitting back down. Curse her flirty nature while drinking! She couldn't help it. Tony's lips were slightly parted and he was staring at her in shock.

He'd been charming! Given her a look that made most women melt! And she had insulted his breath.

"You know, if you tease a guy like that enough times, eventually he's going to tease back. And sometimes that guy might be too much for you to handle." Tony warned with a smirk, returning to his glass of scotch. Though all he could picture now was engulfing those lips, urging her to get lipstick all over his collar, and laying her back on the couch and taking her. Maybe while she held the glass of scotch.

"You know, if you make a move on a girl who doesn't want it and she can kick your ass, you might actually end up hurt." Scarlett countered.

"You said you'd share something about you. Not just threaten me more. Which continues to be hot, by the way." Tony tried to shake off the tension, adjusting himself. But it felt impossible. The more they talked, the closer they sat, it felt like he was on fire. From the look of it, she felt it too.

"That was before you got into my personal space."

"And I'm the one who can't stay on topic, you say."

"You got all up in my business." Scarlett laughed and Tony was delighted. "I haven't really done much… physics or engineering since I was in college, honestly. I keep these notebooks with ideas and math…"

"Where'd you go to college?"

"Nope."

"What?"

"I'm not giving you that information." Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Let me tell my story."

"You're tough to unravel."

"As I was saying. I struggled with keeping a normal job. It was boring. Didn't challenge me. So… I ended up getting into this combat scene for a little while."

"I'm sorry. Combat?"

"What, I don't look like a fighter?"

"Carry on." He said after looking her over.

"I don't know if there's a name for what I used to do. People had problems… and I worked with people who would help solve those problems. They would hire me to do the hard part. It could be anything. Not always on the up and up but I have my morals."

"I'm sorry, but were you a spy?" Tony smirked. Well, that was far sexier than he expected.

"That doesn't surprise you as much as my being an engineer did?"

"I couldn't find any employment history… meant you were up to something nefarious. Though, this is way hotter than I pictured."

"I wasn't a spy. Well, sometimes I was a spy." Scarlett considered. "You know, I expected you not to have any common sense. I'm surprised."

"I'm taking that as a compliment."

"It must be nice to see the world through Stark colored lenses."

"It's great, actually." While Tony had one small piece of the puzzle, it didn't paint any clearer a picture of Scarlett. He wasn't convinced that was her real name either.

"I'd been hired to obtain some sensitive material in Tokyo." Scarlett continued.

"Holy shit, you were a spy. And there's more to this story. I thought you were done." He readjusted, delighted.

"I promised a story." Laughing, Scarlett swatted his arm, fingertips just lingering on his sleeve. She pulled her hand back and took a long sip of her drink, upset with herself for the flirtatious move. "You keep interrupting me."

"If I don't apologize will you spank me for being a naughty boy?"

"You'd like that far too much." Scarlett continued on. "Anyway, the target was in the heart of the city. The night I chose for the job they were hosting a massive fashion show for this spring collection on the first floor. It was the perfect distraction. Seeing as I'm taller than the average woman in Japan, it was just about the only place I could blend in." She laughed at the memory. "I snuck in backstage, stole one of the dresses on display. Made it easier to blend in."

"I'm counting that as you modeling. Which I called." Tony grinned.

"Are you desperate for a win?"

"I'm incredibly desperate."

"Whatever. I snuck upstairs, did what I had to do but while I was retrieving the data… there was a little… security breach. Unrelated. It triggered internal security. A measure my employer had not made me aware of. The building went into lockdown."

"What'd you do?" Tony smirked, intrigued.

"I worked to stop the memory dump that came with the security measure. And I thought for certain that I'd have to take the harddrives and jump out a window in a couture gown."

"I imagine hard drives wouldn't exactly fit in your cleavage… or…?" Tony glanced down at the neck of her dress and tilted his head. "I mean… maybe."

"Focus."

"Focusing."

"I stopped the memory dump, disconnected the computer I needed from communications, slipped what I needed onto a memory stick, which did fit in my cleavage and also my eyes are up here." She tilted his chin back up so he would face her. "Then I rushed downstairs and hoped to disappear into the crowd. You know, play the helpless rich snob. But as they found no intruder, security relaxed and the show… well, it went on."

"They don't like panic over there. No one keeps their cool like Japan."

"I'll say." Scarlett agreed. "I was going to make my way out the back through the kitchens when the designer grabbed me, told me that I was late, and I had to get on stage. I made a thousand excuses but he was not listening." Scarlett laughed at the memory. That had been a fun one. "I was pushed into line and had to… well, model the dress I stole." Tony laughed out loud. "Fortunately, I had a lighter on me at the time. I used to smoke. So on my way out, I very subtly set the curtains on fire so I could create a distraction."

"Why? You were out."

"Yeah, the fashion designer realized I wasn't a model." Scarlett shrugged with a laugh. "They began to clear the crowd to try and get to me but the fire spread like, well, fire. The fire alarms went off which…"

"Unlocked the doors." Tony smirked, surprised by the foresight.

"Yeah, I try to always be aware of the specs of the places I go." Scarlett wrapped both hands around her glass as to not accidentally flirt with her renegade hands again. "They doused the fire and no one was hurt. So in five inch heels, not much different than these, I made a break for it. Soaked after the sprinklers. I took the next bullet train and got as far from Tokyo as I could."

"Damn. " Tony wiped his hand over his jaw and over his goatee.

"Really? That's all you've got?"

"That was clever. The fire."

"What can I say? I'm clever. Though I don't really like fire. Too unpredictable and dangerous."

"If you ask me, it seems like you're constantly playing with fire." Pursing his lips, he took the glass from her hands again and then topped them both off. His head was swimming delightfully. And if he had to guess, she was far less tense than earlier. "See? Not so hard to talk about yourself."

"It was torture, Stark."

"You're ridiculous." He scooted closer to her, turning again to sit facing her. His knees bumped just against hers. "I would have paid to see that. You, dripping wet in a couture gown and five inch heels."

"Get me a strapless couture gown and I'll think about it." Scarlett dared. It was natural to joke with him.

"Consider it done."

"And I'm the one whose ridiculous?" She waved him off. "I'd show you the article about the fire but I don't know if I could manage the Japanese to find it right now." An amused giggle escaped her lips and she covered her mouth to try and hide it.

"I bet with our powers combined we could figure it out."

"Stop." She stifled another laugh and forced away her smile.

"I kind of called the spy thing earlier. Remember? Bond girl?"

"Yes, I remember the offensive remark about my wanting a Vanquish when I was a kid."

"Well, I retract my statement. You're my 007." The childish grin on Tony's face was infectious.

"That's only slightly less offensive."

"So, super spy…"

"I'm not a spy."

"Assassin?"

"I'm not an assassin either, Stark." Scarlett had done the occasional assassination work, but she'd never been fond of it. She did the dirty work that the legal system was afraid to do. When people had a morally gray situation, they found her handler. And then she'd decide if she found it morally reprehensible or not. "I don't like titles."

"Would you please let me pay you a compliment that's not about your tits?" Tony covered her mouth with his palm to keep her from arguing. But she definitely bit his palm and shivers went all the way down his back. He pouted and pulled his hand back but shifted on the couch to mask his discomfort. "Entirely uncalled for."

"You are way too comfortable in my personal space." She narrowed her eyes and then retrieved her refilled glass. Tony stopped her.

"I'd like to propose a toast."

"Didn't we do that already?"

"Not officially. To you, Scarlett Damien. Model. 007. Spy. Assassin. Engineer. Friend. You're certainly… not boring." He held out his glass. She looked to him skeptically. "Come on, glass up."

"I'm not toasting to myself, Stark. I don't have the arrogance. Unlike someone in this room."

"Yeah, that waiter had his head up his ass. And it's Tony. And fine. How about to new friendships and good scotch?"

"We're not friends."

"Fine. To uncooperative bitches and arrogant pricks."

"Now that I will drink to." A smile on her face, Scarlett finally held her glass up to clink against Tony's. "Cheers."

"Cheers."