•Night Angel•

CHAPTER LXXXII - UH, SURPRISE?

28th May 2010. 08:15. LAX, Los Angeles. CA.

Third Person POV

The flashes and the screams were both deafening and blinding Sophia and Michael as they tried to make their way out of LAX.

The news of their engagement had come out earlier than they wanted, mostly because when that happened, they were in a touristic destination, in one of the most visited places in Monaco and people, even though there weren't many, were there at the same time and started taking pictures of the couple. It was somewhat private, just like Michael wanted. By far just a couple people but he just wanted the moment to be perfect, and just as the sun started setting that day, he knew that was it.

But, word traveled fast and now they were squirming their way out of LAX with a couple of guards helping them from the reporters.

When they finally reached the van and got inside, Michael in the driver's seat and Sophia as a passenger beside him, a phone started ringing. Michael turned to look at Sophia and signaled her purse.

-I think it's yours.- Michael said as he started the car.

Sophia started rummaging in her purse, trying to find the electronic device, and after a couple of seconds, she found it.

Looking at the ID caller, the name of Rhodey was brightening the screen. She smiled a little and picked up.

-Hey Rhodey!.- Sophia said with her voice, cheery and happy.

-Sophie, hey, how's it going?.- Rhodey asked on the other side of the line.

-It's good, thanks, you?.- Sophia asked as she buckled up and Michael started driving.

-Good, good.- Rhodey said and then remembered the news.- Hey, by the way, congratulations on the engagement! I am really happy for you guys.- Rhodey said as he started pacing around the room he was in. His hand rubbing his chin.

-Aw, thanks Rhodey, we really appreciate it. We wanted to tell you all today but it seems like the news got to do it first.- Sophia said as she looked through the window as they drove out of the airport.

-Yeah, but don't worry about it. Anyway, just tell Michael that if he does something wrong to you, he is going to regret ever meeting a Lieutenant Colonel of the US Army.- Rhodey said with a small smile and Sophia laughed, Michael's laugh in the back.

-Don't worry Rhodey, not thinking about doing anything anytime soon or far!.- Michael said on the other side and Rhodey smiled. But then, he remembered why he was walking and his face became serious again.

He sighed and Sophia heard it. She had known this man for years and she knew that that sigh meant something. Rhodey didn't say anything for a couple of seconds. Scrunching her eyebrows, she spoke again.

-Rhodey, are you okay?.- She asked and Rhodey squeezed his eyes shut.

-Yeah, yeah. It's just uhm...- He said as he scratched the nape of his neck. -I need to talk to you. It's kind of important and urgent.- Rhodey said. Sophia's breath caught on her throat for a moment.

She turned to look at Michael who was also looking at her with a puzzled look.

-Yeah, of course. We just arrived in L.A so maybe we can meet up for breakfast.- She said.

-I would rather talk to you in a more private place. Is that okay? Michael can come as well.- Rhodey said and this is where Sophia's anxiety started to spike up.

The last time Rhodey called her to say he needed to talk to her, was when Tony was kidnapped.

Of course, this time it was nothing like that, or Sophia at least assumed so. Mostly because there hadn't been any sort of hysterical calls from Pepper, panicked texts from Happy, informative calls from Fury or Phil or any sort of warning or news from Natasha.