An Assassin Never Tells

T W E N T Y - T H R E E

May 11th, 2011

Tony was boxing with Happy and really kicking his ass. I was reffing. They'd been going at it for about thirty minutes when Pepper walked in and Tony elbowed Happy in the face.

"Woah," I exclaimed, but not stopping them.

"What the hell was that," asked Happy, pained.

"It's called Mixed Martial Arts. It's been around for," Tony paused for half a beat, "three weeks."

"It's called dirty boxing, there's nothing new about it."

"Alright then, put 'em up."

I shifted my attention to my phone to see a text from Uncle Nick saying, "Surprise."

I stared at it, confused until I heard a very familiar voice, "I need you to initial each box."

My head snapped up to see the one and only Natasha Romanoff standing next to Pepper. I made my way over to the pair so I could 'introduce myself' as Tony kicked Happy into the corner of the ring.

"That's it. I'm done. What's your name, lady," asked Tony, pointing at Nat.

"Tony," I butted in, "be respectful, please."

"Sorry, ma'am, what's your name?"

"Rushman," she said, calmly, "Natalie Rushman."

"Front and center. Come into the church."

"Tony," I said, fully aware of the damage Nat can do, "are you sure that's a good idea?"

"No. You're seriously not gonna ask-" started Pepper.

"If it pleases the court, which it does."

"It's no problem," Nat said, remaining professional.

"I'm sorry. He's very eccentric," apologized Pepper.

Nat, Natalie, entered the ring and stared at Tony, who drank more of his funky looking drink and stared back at her, "What," he asked, though no one had said anything, he then turned to Happy, "Can you, uh, give her a lesson."

"No problem."

Tony made his way over to Pepper and they began having a conversation about God knows what.

Happy prepared himself for what he thought would be a quick and easy lesson, "You ever boxed before?"

"I have, yes," answered Natalie.

"What, like, the Tae Bo? Booty Boot Camp? Crunch? Something like that?"

Oh boy, was Happy in for a treat.

Tony interrupted before Natalie could do much damage, "How do you spell your name, Natalie?"

"R-U-S-H-M-A-N," Natalie said, taking her eyes off Happy.

"Rule number one, never take your eyes off your opponent," said Happy as he was going in for a punch.

He didn't succeed, of course. No, Natalie grabbed his hand and flips him over, legs over his head, violently taking him down and using her legs as a choke-hold.

"Oh, my God," exclaimed Pepper frantically getting up.

"That's what I'm talking about," Tony said, dully.

"I just slipped," lied Happy.

"Oh did you now," I teased, knowing his ego was severely bruised.

"Yeah," he winced.

"Looks like a TKO to me," said Tony as he rang the bell and Natalie stepped out of the ring.

"Just," she paused to catch her breath, "I need your impression."

"You have a quiet reserve. I don't know, you have an old soul."

"You know, Tony, it truly is a wonder you made it as far as you have in life," I chuckled.

"I meant your fingerprint," said Natalie before I could say anything else.

"Right."

"So, how are we going," questioned Pepper.

"Great. Just wrapping up here. Hey. You're the boss," Tony smiled proudly.

"Will that be all, Mr. Stark," Natalie asked to see if she could leave.

"No."

"Yes, that will be all, Ms. Rushman. Thank you very much," said the CEO of Stark Industries.

Once Natalie left the room Tony said to Pepper, "I want one."

"No," Pepper said, firmly.

A/N: Hello my lovelies! This week was super snazzy because I got a fruit by the foot water bottle in the mail and I love it so much! But, of course, I don't love it as much as I love y'all! Thank you for all of the reads and the votes and the comments! Y'all are the best! I hope y'all have a great week! Love y'all! <3 :)