Lies of Silver, Heart of Gold ~§~ Bucky Barnes

-010-

It's 04:39 when Carina and Happy leave the mall, their arms slightly sore from all the bags they were carrying. After she got the dress, Carina had purchased some shoes to go with it, as well as a new necklace, some makeup, and a few new books for her collection. Happy practically cleared out the spy equipment kiosk, and picked up two new suits. He claimed he was planning ahead for a Halloween costume, and Carina just went with it. The pair load the bags into the trunk with the suitcases and Happy drives out of the parking lot.

"So, Miss Lewis—" Happy starts, but she cuts him off.

"Happy, just call me Carina. You don't have to be so formal," she chuckles.

"Okay. Carina, I don't have to have you back at the tower until five-thirty. Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?" he asks. "If you don't, I'll text Pepper and we can head back early. Your room should be ready by now. Pretty sure Tony has had people working round the clock the past few days to get that wing done."

Carina thinks for a moment, trying not to focus on the slight pulsing in her arm. She wants to shower and relax before the party, but she also wouldn't mind just driving around for a bit. She weighs her options and decides to just head back early.

The moment she steps out of the car, Pepper steps in front of her and puts a blindfold over her head. The women start walking inside, Pepper guiding Carina with her hands on Idalia's shoulders.

"I wasn't surprised to hear you wanted to head back so soon. You'd better not be trying to ruin the surprise," Pepper warns.

"I'm not. I just need a shower," Carina promises.

"Okay, I'm trusting you," Pepper sighs. "By the way, Happy is going to bring all of your stuff to your new room. We are heading to the lab first to test out whatever gadget Tony made for you."

They enter the elevator and start heading down to a subfloor. The doors open and Carina hears Tony's voice. "Hey, Rihanna, how was the shopping spree?" he asks.

"Hey Tony. It was good," she says, then registers what he just called her. "Rihanna, really? What's next, the Flash?"

"Hey, if you liked Sparky better, just say so. Hold out an arm," he instructs. "Besides, it's a nickname-ception. Carina, Rina, Riri, Rihanna. Obviously."

Carina smirks as she extends her left arm and feels a cool metal band slide onto it. "Pepper, can I at least be able to see for this?" she asks.

Pepper chuckles and removes the blindfold. Carina looks down at her wrist and sees a thin black bangle that looks like it has tiny orange and gold shimmers marbled throughout the metal.

"Tada!" Tony says excitedly, jazz hands and all. "That is a minimized blaster like from one of my old suit prototypes. I'll show you how to use it, but it's not too difficult. You just have to hit the button on the side and it will extend onto your hand."

"Thank you, Tony. This is amazing. And..." She pulls the credit card out of her pocket and hands it to him. "... you can have this back. I tried to stick to a budget. Only spent about thirteen hundred dollars. I can pay you back."

Tony scoffs and Pepper laughs so hard she turns a strawberry red.

"Only thirteen hundred? That's the minimum I spend on a date! You could have spent thirteen million and I would be less shocked," he admits. "And don't worry about paying me back. It was my treat. As is this." He tosses a set of keys to Carina.

"A Maserati? Oh my God. Thank you, Tony!" She squeals and throws her arms around him to hug him. "By the way, Rina is probably the best nickname out of your whole list for now."