This update is very short and long overdue, but there will be another longer chapter released very soon. I hope to have the next update posted later this weekend. Thank you to anyone still reading this after my long hiatus. As always, feel free to leave me a comment if you like it.

~Mischief's Angel

The past few days had driven Max utterly stir-crazy. The number of stuffy Stark Industries board meetings, press, and ribbon cuttings was nearly high enough to make her miss being threatened by HYDRA. At least that had been a sign that she was doing something important. There had been radio silence from the world saving business since Tony had been denied the opportunity to tinker with a dangerous weapon. While Iron Man was still on the job, ready for emergencies, Max had been sent to manage the company side.

Tony asking her to keep a safe distance from HYDRA should have kept her safely away from the investigation. Then again...she was a Stark. Her own investigative efforts were the only thing keeping her sane. So far, giving every spare moment to research had proven fruitless. It was as though this stolen item didn't exist up until its mysterious appearance. No one seemed to know a thing about it - well, almost no one. Max still had a strong feeling that Dr. Strange had kept a great deal of information to himself.

Instinct led her across her apartment's living room to grab her purse. She didn't have to dig around in the bag very long before she fished out the calling card with the self-written phone number across the back. There was an easy solution to her questions; she could just ask. However, something told her that questions about stuff like this were never straightforward. There were a lot of factors involved that she wasn't afraid to admit she didn't understand. It was a risk, but her alternative was sitting around waiting restlessly for the next emergency.

Besides, she really didn't have anyone else to talk to. After all of the board meetings, it would be nice to talk to someone on the "super" side of things. She couldn't exactly talk to Tony about the research he had told her to stay away from.

Pulling out her phone, she punched in the number quickly...before deleting it and setting the phone down.

"Come on, Max," she grumbled to herself, "You're a professional...ish. It's just a phone call."

She took a deep breath, trapping the air in her lungs for a moment as she once again typed in the number and called. Having already pressed the call button, she let the breath out and anxiously listened for an answer. Right as she was about to surrender to the unanswered ringing, a calm, deep voice greeted her.

"Miss Stark."

"Hello, Dr. Strange? It's Max St-...wait, you already know that. Um…" Max rambled out, resisting the urge to hang up rather than embarrass herself.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Max could hear a hint of amusement in his voice at her previous stumbling, but there was nothing harsh about the tone. She had her fingers crossed that it simply played across as charming or likable.

"I won't waste your time dancing around the fact, Doctor," she explained, finding a bit more confidence as she remembered her purpose behind the call, "I want to ask questions about the artifact that was stolen and recovered."

"I see."

"I think we both know that you're the man to ask about the demon-box and I'd really like to know why the crazy HYDRA goons want it."

She left her statement hanging, waiting for a reply.

"I think there is a way we can help each other, Miss Stark," Strange answered, "You want to know about the relic and I'd like to know how someone found it first."

"If I knew what I was dealing with," Max offered, "I might be able to find that answer for you. I don't know a thing about 'relics,' but I know how to find some non-magical answers about HYDRA."

"It sounds as though we have a deal."

Max excitedly pumped her fist in the air in silent celebration.

"But…that is not a discussion safe to hold over the phone."

He paused for a long moment. Max wondered if she was just imagining the hesitation that she felt from him.

"We should speak in person. I believe you have the address."

"Sure do," Max agreed, "I know it's short notice, but do you have any time today."

"For you, Miss Stark, I'll make time."

With that, the call ended. While unconventional, the abrupt ending didn't feel unnatural. Max suspected that Strange was not a man to waste time or words.

I'll make time. The words echoed in Max's thoughts for a while. She scolded herself for looking too far into their meaning. So far, he was polite and possibly as eager for answers as she was.

Looking down at her casual attire, Max decided that something else would look more professional. She would need to do something about her "I haven't slept in days" appearance. Fleeing quickly to her closet, she rifled around for better clothes. After some deliberation, she settled on one of her traditional professional looks. The blouse and pencil skirt were far from her favorites, but they looked nice. Nice would have to do. After changing, she used makeup to skillfully conceal the tired circles around her eyes and make her look a bit more alive. Finally, she faced the challenge of styling her short, dark hair to look less haggard and boyish.

The last step, she reminded herself, was to make sure that she could make time too. She grabbed her phone, calling one of the most accessed numbers.

"Miss Potts," she explained over the call, "I'm gonna be out for the rest of the day. I have an appointment that could take a while…..A doctor…..No, no everything's fine. I'm just following up on something."

A minute later, she was out the door, armed with research, questions, and an unexplainable sort of excitement.