This wasn't how I wanted to spend my Friday night—trust me. I sat at the bar of my boss's ridiculous party. Careful not to spill any liquor on my favorite black Calvin Klein dress, which my mother bought me as a graduation present, I scanned the crowd for Pepper. With no trace of her, I focused on my martini, frowning at the olives in disdain. If she wasn't shipping off to Europe tomorrow, I would have said the hell with it and gone home instead of attending Stark's party.

My feet ached, slipping off my heels, I slammed back the rest of my drink.

"Martini, extra olives please," a sultry voice ordered sliding into the chair next to me.

"Here, take mine," I replied without hesitation, handing my skewer of olives to the breathtaking redhead beside me.

Her green eyes lite up, humored by something; I wondered if it was because a stranger offering her olives or some inside joke. I grinned handing it to her, fingers grazing hers. Her skin was soft, making me linger a few more seconds than what could be deemed as appropriate. Watching her with rapt attention before she stared back at me. I blushed.

"Where is your date?" She pressed sitting down to join me.

Sitting a little closer to me, she looked quite rigid and aggressive in her manner. I might have been scared if I had been completely sober.

"Right here," I say holding up the fresh martini the bartender slid in front of me.

I took my olives putting them into her glass. She raised her eyebrow, smirking playfully she slid one of the olives into her mouth. God damn.

"And how long do you plan to spend with your date?" She questioned taking a sip of her drink.

"Probably until Pepper cuts me off or calls me a cab, whatever comes first. Maybe, Stark will let me get completely trashed and to see what happens before sending me home," I rambled making a fool of myself not caring before leaning towards her to make my move, "unless you want to take me."

"Let's get some coffee first then see what happens," She insisted finishing her drink, grabbing my hand, leading me to the elevator.

I didn't protest, enjoying the protected feeling from her grip.

We grabbed cups of coffee, she took her's black while mine I added some cream. I began to lead us back to my apartment.

"I don't usually do this," I admitted fumbling with my keys nervous about the out of league redhead watching me.

"I can't tell," She teased stepping into my cramped apartment.

I turned to face her. Her lips were on mine, I froze before relaxing into her touch. Her mouth warm and vigorous with a bitter note leftover from the coffee. Jesus, I didn't even know her name, but by god her touch was more than enough for me. I began to pull us back to my bedroom leaving my doubt at the door.

I awoke to the comforting pater of rain hitting my window. Mildly hungover, I downed a glass of water and pain pills. Feeding my two adorable cats, Hewitt and Lucy, I realized there was no trace of the redhead anywhere.

9:01.

Shit.

I had forgotten that Pepper assigned me to work with Tony and run the office while she was gone, and I was an hour late. Throwing on a black pencil skirt and a dark blue sweater with my way past broken in black heels. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I grabbed a clear umbrella, rushing out the door. I didn't bother to call Tony, instead just rushing as fast as I could.

My assistant sat waiting in the lobby, my morning coffee in hand. He stood, and I took it slamming back the now cold mocha.

"Fill me in," I demanded leading us to the elevator.

"You have a meeting with Mr. Stark scheduled for 8:30, and he is waiting. At 10:00, a phone conference with our DC tower about the latest managing and trading reports. Then a lunch with on of our possible future co-partners. In the afternoon, Miss Potts is going to send you data to look over and give feedback on," Alex read off his notes.

I stepped out of the elevator, handing him the cold coffee, walking towards the conference room were Stark held his meetings.

"Okay, bring me some hot coffee and please get a portfolio about the possible co-partners. I want to know everything there is to know. Thank you, Alex," I responded walking into the opened door.

"I don't like to be kept waiting, Rosalie," Tony deadpanned propping his feet on the table. I recognized the four people around him. Other Avengers, Bruce Banner (who I once bumped into on the elevator, spilling my coffee on him—praying to god that he wouldn't turn green. He thought the experience was funny.) and Steve Rogers. I knew the other man shot arrows, but I never heard his name.

My cheeks turned red at the familiar green eyes that gazed back me amused—the same ones who saw me stark naked the night before. I paused, averting my attention back to a waiting Tony.

He rubbed his chin, studying me.

"You have sex hair. Is that why Pepper couldn't find you last night because you got busy between the sheets?" He asked making Rogers squirm in his chair.

"No, I went to your party to see Pepper. Then got semi drunk off your free booze because you party was boring. So technically, you got me drunk and made me late to work. So congrats for being a bad influence on your employees. Now, is there some pressing matter you need before I get to work?"

"Who did you take home?" He asked sipping from his coffee.

"Stark, is that really necessary?" Steve hissed ears pink.

"Your coffee, Miss Murphy," Alex sped in handing me the cup.

"Was it Alexander?" Tony questioned when the man was out of the room.

"No, I don't make it an effort to sleep with my coworkers. Now, drop it and tell me why you needed me," I hissed taking a sip of the scalding latte.

"Ouch, Rosie, that hurt. Fine, I would drop it, but the hickey on your neck is just too distracting, Jarvis, pull out footage of the party last night of when Rose left."

The television on the wall displayed the footage of the bar last night.

"Enough, Stark," the green eyed girl warned voice cold and deadly.

It was too late.

The screen zoomed in time to see her beautiful face as she pulled me to the elevator. The others reacted instantly. Rogers and Banner went red and jaws dropped. Tony and the other man snickered not holding themselves with any restraint.

Her face masked the essence of calm, leaning back not embarrassed at all. I lacked the control she perfected, leaving the room mortified. Tony was hot on my tail, calling my name.

Smack. My hand tingled with pain at hitting the billionaire.

"Okay, I deserved that, but I was just joking around. I had no idea that it was Natasha who ruffled your feathers," He admitted holding his hands up in defense.

"I swear to god if you don't stop talking I will make you do all my work for the next three weeks," I warned lowering my voice jabbing a finger at his chest.

His eyes widen, knowing I would implement my threat.

"Please, don't," He pleaded pouting.

My phone began to buzz, it was the conference call from DC.

"Dammit, I've got to take this, excuse me," I snapped not waiting for his response.

"But you were supposed to-" Tony started, but I was already on the phone walking back to the elevator.

…

Ending the call an hour and half later, I collapsed on the small green futon in my temporary office space. Relaxing, my eyes drifted close.

"Conference room 73C is where you our meeting for lunch. I believe Chinese takeout was ordered, but I am not positive. Our guest will be here in ten minutes. I can to give you the information of what I found," Alex whispered quietly trying to wake me up gently.

Nursing a fresh coffee, I flipped through the folder reading about HIQ history and reports from last quarter. I walked in to see an brunette woman, Natasha, and the dark haired man sitting on the opposite of Tony and Steve. I took the spot next to Tony, setting the reports on the glass desk. He sent me a dramatic wink; I was tempted to smack him again.

"Let's get started, shall we?" the brunette woman insisted standing up to shut the door.

She pushed three folders over for each of us. I avoided Natasha's gaze, reading the large document handed to me. My eyebrows furred, this wasn't the same information I was given. This was a contract by S.H.I.E.L.D., not HIQ, I didn't bring it up and listened to as the mystery woman began to summarize the contract. I pulled out my favorite dark green pen underlining, starring and writing down questions on the document. Glancing over at a bored Tony and a lost and confused Steve. Minutes passed until takeout arrived which resulted in a break of business. I greedily savored my honey walnut shrimp with brown rice.

"I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Maria Hill," Her dark eyes stiff holding her hand out for me.

"Rose Murphy, a pleasure to meet you," I replied returning her firm handshake.

"These are Agents Barton and Romanoff, I assume you meet them earlier today. I wanted to make it clear that everything we discuss in this room stays in here," Hill threatened sternly.

"I didn't expect anything less, Miss Hill," I replied finishing off my food.

Tony kicked me, shooting me a playful smirk.

"If possible, could you maybe tell us more about yourself," Hill insisted leaning back in her sheet.

I tried not to laugh because it was impossible that a secret organization wouldn't do their research.

"Is something funny, Miss Murphy?" Natasha asked, her green eyes serious.

"I bet your secret organization knows more about me than I do," I admitted dropping my bin in the garbage. Clint smirked flipping through a file he had been looking through, sliding it across to me.

Jeez, these people were thorough.

Tony snatched it from me, skimming through.

Maria soon summarized the rest of the contract. Tony was bored, resulting him making paper footballs and shooting them at Clint and Steve.

"Do you have any questions?" Maria asked Tony who turned to look at me.

"What do you think?" He asked making me frown.

I hated to be put on the spot; Tony knew this.

"Would you mind if my employer and I stepped out for a few minutes?" I asked discreetly towards Maria.

"If you have any question, concerns or comments I prefer that they be in here," She retorted a forced smile stretched across her face.

Tony smirked back enjoying himself.

I turned to face him crouching forward slightly.

"I advise you not to sign this contract," I stated sternly looking at him.

"Aye, that's not fair," Agent Barton protested raising his arms.

"Why not?" Steve asked me brow furrowed.

"It's an unnecessary risk for both parties. If your agency ever turned rogue if would be a pr disaster. What if Tony were to create a virus and it went through your systems? The possibilities for error are too high; I don't know why this is even a discussion. Keep Tony on as an adviser, or maybe even set up an Avengers division separate from Stark Industries and Shield all together with no paper trail, but your lying to yourself if you think this is a good idea," I glance over to Hill.

"I see why your company hasn't fallen apart, Stark," Maria retorted popping her heels up on the table.

Tony wasn't paying attention to her, but gazing outside, eyes mischievous.

"I see why you slept with her," Barton whispered in Romanoff's ear not quietly enough.

Natasha punched him in the arm, making the man grunt and move towards Maria.

"Avengers Tower," Tony muttered rising to pace around the table.

"What?" Steve asked turning to face him.

"We are going to use this tower for the Avengers headquarters. It can be funded by me, but Shield can put whatever resources they want. We can start if from the ground up," Tony beamed like an excited child.

"We?" Barton asked glancing over at Natasha.

"Well, myself, Pepper, and Rose will build it, but all the Avengers could live and train here," Tony answered pulled out his phone to probably text Pepper.

"I will run it by Director Fury, and give you his response as soon as possible," Hill stood pulling out her phone already out the door.

The room stilled for a few moments. I stood gathering my belongings.

"Can you stay late to work on the layout plans with me?" Tony asked eyebrows raised hopeful.

"Order me a spinach and feta pizza with a Dr. Pepper and I will consider it," I smirked at the billionaire.

"You're going to drain me dry, Rosie," He stated flexing his hands out.

"Banking on it, Stark," I quipped over my shoulder avoiding Natasha's gaze.

It was around eleven at night when I told Tony that I needed to go home. He insisted that I just crashed in a guest room. Traveling to an upper floor despite my protest, we walked into a cramped living room. Clint, Bruce, Steve, and Natasha sat watching Saturday Night Live. The flickering light reflected off their faces. My insides screamed to coo at how cute Natasha looked with her hair in a messy braid. Tony shoved Clint over, making himself comfortable. I bit my lip tempted to sit with the group of superheroes.

"Isn't it a bit late for a lady to be traveling alone?" Steve pondered eyes not leaving the screen.

"Maybe someone should take her home?" Clint snickered tugging Natasha's hair. She smack his head sideways.