9:58 P.M

2010 Stark Expo

Flushing Meadows,

New York

"Hatch is about to open, we are over the drop zone. Good luck, Mr. Stark."

An incredibly loud whooshing noise erupted a few feet from where he was standing, and then all of a sudden he was looking at the night sky and the lights of his expo far, far down below.

Jesus.

"Jarvis, we clear?"

"All systems are in perfect condition. You are ready for flight."

"Damn, I was hoping there would be something wrong, you know, so I wouldn't have to-"

"I suggest you drop now, sir."

Tony smirked. "Smart ass."

He backed up a few steps, stretched his fingers tensely, flexed his arms, and then took a running start towards the back of the plane. He heard ecstatic cheers from the crew behind him, and then he was in the air.

Ahhhhhh ohboyohboyohboy.

He kept his eyes locked on the target below him, examining the lights of his expo. There it was, millions of dollars splayed out on a one hundred and thirty acre platter. Natasha had told him this was a great idea. Brilliant. Not a waste of money or time.

As he sped towards the arena where he was scheduled to make an appearance, he kind of thought that it was. Maybe. Perhaps.

"Turn on the thrusters," he ordered while dodging approaching sprays of sparks. Goddamn. Maybe next time they shouldn't set off fireworks in the drop zone. He grunted when one bowled right into his chest piece.

"Thrusters are on, sir. You will reach landing in approximately twenty seconds."

"Amazing, honey."

He neared the dome where hundreds of screaming people were waiting, searching the skies with binoculars. He smiled in anticipation, flexing his fingers beneath the iron-er, gold titanium alloy-that protected them.

Five...four...three...two...one.

He careened through the open roof, met with a wave of blaring ACDC music and the crowds' adoring screams. Cheers. Whistles. He straightened and brought up both his arms, signaling that he was here, and he was ready to please. This was met with more thunderous applause and numerous declarations of love.

Tony smiled outlandishly behind his mask, laughing to himself.

Little did he know, a pair of narrowed blue eyes carefully scrutinized him from a spot in the crowd, her arms crossed over her chest. She raised her eyebrows in confusion as his arms thrust themselves in the air, welcoming the overwhelming amount of praise he was getting. As he began rotating on a stage platform where mechanical arms worked to disengage him from the Suit, his faceplate was lifted and there was the face of Tony Stark, smiling with an ease that just wasn't natural for someone who was in front of thousands of people.

She turned her back and strode through the crowd purposefully, swiveling her head to make sure she was not being followed. She exited the glass doors of the building, brushing her light red hair out of the way and pressing on an earpiece.

"Sir, we have locked target."

The deep voice of her boss responded, "you're positive?"

She nodded. "Oh, I'm absolutely positive. I think anyone could tell it was him from a mile away."

"Excellent. He's returning to Malibu tomorrow late afternoon. He has a date with the United States government in D.C first. You'll have a few days before we'll need you, but you will be ready and waiting by the time he returns."

"Is my jet ready?"

"It's waiting for you."

"Got it." She started to cut off communication.

"Oh, and Agent?"

She paused. "Yes, sir?"

"Good luck. I think you'll need it." The line was cut.

She breathed deeply and started down the marble stairs, ignoring the commotion in the building behind her.

"It's good to be back!" The male voice of her target shouted distantly. Wow, Phil was right. He does sounds arrogant.

She walked down the sidewalk leading to the other Expo events, grateful for the scattered amount of people. Mostly everyone was in the large glass building, crawling over one another to see the main attraction.

Once she walked some distance, she veered off the walkway and into a dense clump of tall bushes. She pushed them aside, and there it was. Her treasured mode of transportation. Her best friend.

"Hi Red," She called, walking towards the motorcycle and patting it fondly. She bent over to retrieve the helmet dangling from the handle and then mounted it with ease.

She wanted desperately to rev the engine. She loved the purr that her bike made, and often times it calmed her.

However, she had to get out of there quietly, so she settled for hitting full speed and bursting soundlessly out of the bushes, zipping down the sidewalk and dodging the little groups of people walking around.

She didn't look back, instead focusing on the distant noises of the city and speeding off into the night, away from the Expo.

I'll see you soon, Tony Stark.