Time Flies When You're Saving Lives

Three Months

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. Only my OC, Agent Clarissa Melanie Connors, and her story line belongs to me.

~0~ = little break

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*First Month*

The first month was the worst. I had dealt with losing people that I was close to, people like Clint or Natasha. I've dealt with them being kidnaped and shot at and what not but they were trained for that. I trained them for that, I was with them through their most difficult missions and was practically their extraction team. This thing with Tony being kidnaped and possibly hurt completely blindsided me. I wasn't in any way prepared for this, at all.

I've been trying not to act the way I did when I lost Steve. I tried not to shut myself down and block everyone out. Pepper has been so very supportive though I can tell it's starting to hit her too. Even though she tries to cover it up with makeup, I can see the redness of her eyes and cheeks, but she puts on a strong front.

Nick's been helping as well, tries to distract me with missions and attempts to drown me in paperwork that's 'important' and 'must be done'. It has helped, even Steve in my dreams helps me and he coaxes me to not stop my life because of a bump on the road. He's been telling me how I shouldn't give up hope but still go on with my day to day things.

I went to Stark Industries with Pepper to check up on things there. It was also my way of helping Pepper in return of all the help she gave me. Obadiah was handling things around the company, but I still chose to check in. She's done so much for me especially with Tony, I can't believe it's been 17 years since she's been with us.

*Flashback*

"Tony!" I yelled throughout the house.

I groaned when he didn't hear me. We were supposed to be on our way to Stark Industries, but Tony was being stubborn.

"JARVIS please tell Tony that if he doesn't get his ass up here I'm going to drag him myself and cut him off for a month," I told JARVIS heatedly.

"Of course, Ms. Clara."

It only took Tony 2 minutes to run up next to me. I gave him a glare and straightened him out.

"You are going to make us late for your interviews," I said to him, smoothing out the lapels of his suit.

He rolled his eyes at me and groaned.

"Why can't you handle it, Rissa? Or better yet, just cancel the entire thing and stay in Stark Industries," Tony proposed, "Just because I'm becoming CEO doesn't mean you have to leave entirely. You can be my assistant!"

I gave him a look and scoffed.

"Do you really think I would wait on you hand and foot? Think again baby boy. You need a personal assistant and I am going to supervise all the interviews just to make sure you have... a clear mind with these people," I smirked at him and Tony childishly stuck out his tongue at me.

"Alright, let's hit the road,"

~0~

The interview process took very long. There were 15 possible candidates and they were all the same, just trying to get it on with Tony. I feel like my eyes are going to fall out by the many times I've rolled them.

"How many more are there?" Tony groaned, feeling restless as I was probably.

He was hanging upside down on his armrest.