Radioactive | Bucky Barnes

IRON MAN: CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"What the hell happened?" 

"Where's the groceries?" 

Rhiley gave Tony a look, she glossed over the lab and her eyes landed on a few smashed cars. "You were actually flying?" She asked, eyes darting back over to Tony. 

"Yes." 

"That question was for me, Jarvis." Tony responded, glancing at a sports car, "Let's make it red." 

"Make what red?" Rhiley asked heading over to Tony. "The suit?" 

"Shush." Tony shoves his finger in Rhiley's face. 

"Excuse me?" 

He doesn't answer. His focus was pulled away by the reporter on the TV, "Tonight's Red-Hot Carpet is here at the Walt Disney Covert Hall, where Tony Starks third annual benefit for the Firefighter Family Fund has become the go-to charity gala on L.A's high-society calendar. But this great cause is only part of the story---" 

"That's a lot of words for it's a party," Rhiley muttered, glancing back at Tony. 

"--the man whose name graces thegold-lettered invitations hasn'tbeen seen in public since hishighly controversial pressconference, and rumors abound.Some say Stark is suffering frompost-traumatic stress and hasn'tleft his bed in weeks."

"The work could take till morning to complete, sir." 

"Good." He laughed, "I should come up for air, anyways." 

Rhiley's stomach sinks when he looks her way. "No." 

"Yes." 

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That's how Rhiley found herself at the Firefighter Family Fund, wearing a red dress that Tony had stuffed in a random closet in his house. She didn't even want to think of where it came from. If it were up to her -- she wouldn't have worn red. 

She once would have felt beautiful in something like this. Now she felt uncomfortable. 

"What are you doing here? I thoughtyou were going to lay low." Obadian is the first to greet Tony. He glances Rhiley's way but only gives her a slight nod. 

"It's time to start showing my faceagain." Tony was over-confident, as always. 

"Let's just take it slow, okay? Igot the board right where we wantthem." 

"Great." That wasn't the conversation Tony wanted to have. He wanted to have fun. How much fun? Rhiley didn't know. 

"See ya inside." Tony slips his arm through Rhiley's, "Lots to talk about." 

"Mr. Stark." Someone greets them, walking past them as they head inside. 

Rhiley pushed herself away from Tony. "Why am I here?" 

"You're here to talk to anyone that I don't want to talk to." Tony grabs a drink for himself and Rhiley. 

"I'm a distraction." She comments, taking the wine. 

"Exactly." Tony smiles, "And they say it's hard to get a good assistant." He turns, "Oh, was I supposed to meet you here?" He asks someone. 

Rhiley turns, she's almost startled but keeps her composure. "Agent Coulson." says in a way of greeting, all business. He doesn't even glance towards Rhiley. "No, but you haven't been returningmy calls. This is serious, we needto get something on the books orI'll have to go official on you." 

Tony glances past Agent Coulson. "Have you had the pleasure of meeting my very single, very stunning assistant?" He pushes Rhiley in front of him, "Rhiley Jones--" He introduces, "She'll keep you company while I go check with my business assistant." and walks away.