And they called it Bucky Love

Part 17 - Plans in a Cave!

I woke, after what seemed like only minutes but was actually almost 4 hours later, as it was nearly 7pm.

I sleepily reached for my robe and nearly had a heart attack when I realized Tony was standing by my bed.    Jeez  - that's twice in one day he's scared the friggin life out of me!

"Tony!" I shrieked "What are you doing?   Trying to give me a heart attack?" I pulled my robe round my shoulders and sat up, just as he sat down on the bed.

Oh God, he's not going to yell again is he?

He wasn't.    

Instead, he leaned forwards and looked me straight in the eyes before saying "Weird girl – I'm sorry". And then, he hugged me.

In a slight state of shock, probably because I'd just heard Tony use one of his lesser known words, I didn't really know how to react but found myself hugging him back.

Wow Maggie!      Just hours ago you were saying he could go jump and now you're best buds again.  Remember – he said you were stupid!   Be firm – don't let him off the hook that easily.

"I'm sorry too, I guess I just got carried away with my new found status as a top super spy"

Yeah – that told it to him!   You really know how to sucker punch your boss!

Tony sat back.   He looked.......embarrassed, for want of a better word – not a look I'd seen from him before.

"You've nothing to be sorry for – really – it was all me."    

Blimey – he actually sounded genuine and contrite. I decided to take note in case I needed it for future bribery purposes (well you never know).

"I was a......".

"Jerk?"   I interjected helpfully.

I got the look.

"Funny, that's what Rogers called me too." 

"I know." I gave him the look right back.

He wasn't used to that, but it worked and he simply said "Look, apology given and hopefully accepted.   I was wrong, you were right, it's all good and we're gonna go with Plan A".

"Right.   And that is?"

"You meet Barnes"

"And......?"

Tony rolled his eyes.   "And you eat stuff together, make small talk, walk in the moonlight – whatever – you just go with the flow and make sure he latches on and stays there this time."   He got up and walked to the door before looking back at me and saying "You'll do good".

Then just as he left "Like you've done already".

I sat there with my robe wrapped tightly round my shoulders and looked out of the door where the great Tony Stark had just been standing, and wondered if I'd heard right or was still asleep and dreaming the whole thing.

Not only did he apologize and that NEVER happens, but he also gave me praise. Not that it wasn't totally deserved of course – but whatever – he told me I did a good job.  So maybe he does like me after all?  

Suddenly, I giggled to myself – if you'd told me a few weeks ago I'd be sitting in a cave with a multi-billionaire genius inventor, discussing how to snare one of the worlds most wanted men, I'd have probably checked to find the hidden camera, but no – here I was – little old me, the nerd, the geek, the one who never got a date for the prom, the one who never thought she would amount to much – yes, here I was, ALMOST an Avenger! Yay!

With a renewed sense of importance, I quickly dressed and went out into the main area where I saw Tony, Steve and Natasha.

Steve and Tony were huddled together, talking in a corner and Natasha was lazing on one of the couches. She was wearing another one of her skin tight cat suits and looked stunning - as always. Whenever I lazed on a couch, I looked as though I'd swallowed a sack of potatoes.

"Hey, come over" she said as she saw me, and she patted the space next to her.

Gosh, I'm really nearly an Avenger now, I thought – possibly still getting a little ahead of myself – as per usual.

I sat down. "So what are those two up to then?" I asked, nodding my head towards Tony and Steve.

Natasha glanced over at them "Oh, ironing out the finer points for tomorrow."   She looked at me with a sudden serious expression on her perfect face.  "You know, making sure we're all gonna be singing off the same song sheet".

I went red and wanted the floor to open up and swallow me, but she just grinned and said  "Don't worry rookie, I'm teasing!    I liked what you did – showed some restraint.   It's not always good to be too eager.  Don't want to give the game away."     She put an arm round me, much like Steve would do. "You know, for a complete beginner to all this, you're finding your feet pretty well – you sure you're not one of us after all!"   and she laughed, showing perfect white teeth and looking just about as glam and amazing as any ex Russian spy I'd ever known.

Fortunately, before I had time to completely die of embarrassment, Steve came over and flung himself to into the space next to me. "How's my best girl then?" he said with a big smile and he gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Bloody hell - what was this all of a sudden - Geek Appreciation Day? All I needed was for Tony to drop down on one knee and propose and I'd really think I was in Loony Tunes Land.

"Hey guys - really." I tried my best to look like I thought they were being completely unprofessional, but inside I was jumping up and down like a two year old. "Let's just calm it down a bit. I've still got to get through tomorrow yet."

"Yes you have" said Steve "But Magpie, if anyone can do it, you can!" and he kissed me again.

And from the corner of the room "She'd better..........!"

Don't you just love Tony!