The Tale of Two

"A woman's heart is an ocean of secrets." -Gloria Stuart

"If we knew each other's secrets, what comforts we should find." -John Churton Collins

She doesn't sleep with him like she said.  But Tony is okay with that.  They exchange numbers before he goes home.  After dropping her off, warm and content, he takes a shower and falls to sleep. 

Its the best sleep he's had in years.

They meet again and go to an arcade.

Its not the last time they spend time together.  It happens again and again.  They go to parties and galas together, mingle for a respectful while before leaving to dinner or to do something else.  There was one memorable occasion they both went to a karaoke bar that ended with Rikki rushing Tony to the hospital for food poisoning.  The apprentice chef didn't cook the pufferfish like he should have.  After spending days with him in the hospital, this something between them, changed even more.  It became charged and intense. 

Neither are inclined to pull away from it but neither do they acknowledge it.

Getting together starts to happen frequently but they tried to be discrete.  However, there was no hiding that it was happening more than a few times.  It happened often enough that people started to notice.  A pattern starts to appear in front of them on nights where Rikki is and is not around.  With the former, it is as if no one else existed in the entire room.  They work the crowd, smiles and words flowing easily, like they'd been born to do this.

Like they had done this at each other's side all their lives.

Tony Stark could be seen turning down drinks!  And even the most enticing of beauties could not lure the Stark billionaire from his date's side or into his bed for the night.   Woah it be to any man who tried to take her away from him!  As charismatic as Stark is reported to be many forget that he raised his father's company from a multimillion dollar to a multibillion dollar weapons manufacturing company.  This is a man who has gone head to head with conservative old patriots and military generals hungry for the next best toy.  

Tony Stark is a Predator.

He lets them see it.  Just a glimpse but the people only need a glimpse to be unnerved enough not to try again.  But someone always tries.  It makes some part inside of Tony snarl and hiss at them, at the interlopers and imposters.  His mind flashes back to when he was a child and Howard would ignore the men touching his mother, offering her thinly veiled promises and subtly leering at her throughout the night.  Howard trusted his mother not to accept their advances but that was it.  He never saw his father draw a line in the sand.

There was no other protection for Maria Stark besides her charm, her wit and sheer iron will.  When he took over the company, a memo went out to all female employees that attending a Stark Industries function required that they bring a guest and it was an unspoken rule that guest should be someone male.  There's a reason S.I. safety rating has been steadily climbing in recent years.  

He wouldn't let that stand in his company and especially not for his guest.  His friend. That little voice croons and whispers, mine,mine,mine,mine.

When she is not present, he drank but never got drunk and didn't drink to excess like before.  He allowed women to drape themselves over him but his eyes always drifted away, searching the crowd for someone in particular.  The number of women brought to his bed saw a clear decrease over the following months.  As they grew closer, the number continued to drop. 

All of it, people could see growing into something over the months.

The gossipers tittered on about the woman who seemed to have gained the attention of America's Most Eligible Bachelor.  A foreigner from Australia, formerly in a business/intimate relationship with Zane Bennett, son of Harrison Bennett, who now free dives in the open ocean for relics and treasure.  She's done rather well for herself so she can't be with him for the money unless she's looking for a suitable husband?

She's certainly a pretty thing.  Oh, but she's not just a foreigner! According to Zane's new fiancé Miriam Kent, Rikki Chadwick is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa.  Her mother left her father, who couldn't hold down a job and returned to his home country, Australia.  They lived in a trailer park for years before she made it big.  The information explodes within the gossip circles.

'Why did her mother leave?' 'Was he abusive or a drunk?' 'Maybe she left because she wasn't mother material?' 'What if they were part of a criminal syndicate and went separate ways because of their daughter?' 'Did Tony Stark know his girlfriend was a mix blood?'

Of course, this brought out Tony's many supporters, mainly from Stark Industries itself.  

'Howard Stark grew up from poverty.  He'd like her, you know.' 'Both of Tony's parents died so young but look at all he's done!' 'Howard and Maria come from Italian background does that make them part of the Italian mob?  Don't be silly.' 'Zane Bennett cheated on her, you know? Its no wonder she left him.' 'Tony Stark knows how to take care of a lady and she is definitely a lady to keep.'

The papers try to capitalize on this but find it increasingly difficult with how divided the rich elite have become.  There are obvious lines drawn.  It is hard to tell who has started what rumors and who knows what facts.  There are plenty of people who have an interest in Rikki Chadwick and Tony Stark not pursuing a more intimate and permanent relationship.

Unfortunately, Rikki and Tony didn't gossip or share details, often deflecting any questions when asked. 

For the two, what was between them was as simple as a dance to madness.  They didn't want what the other had or offered but the attraction was heavy and tense.  It brought them ever closer, like magnets they were aware of the other, their presence and warmth.  Something in them beaconed to the other, called out and they could not help but answer.  They were at the same time, weak and powerful beyond measure.

And they had a breaking point.

Rikki has been to Tony's Malibu mansion only twice before and she made sure never to stay too long, least she risk giving in to temptation.  Other times are public venues, resturants, and more than once an empty boardwalk.  But he's never been to Rikki's home.  To be fair, Rikki only got her new home after a recent dive which proved to be much more lucrative here than in her own universe.

The only reason she didn't have her own house before was due to her father.  Terry Chadwick raised her by himself after his high school girlfriend, ironically one of the popular girls, left because of money problems.  By problems, Rikki means that her mother, who was used to a certain level of luxury that her dad just couldn't provide and often spent more than they actually had.  Two years after high school she left back to her parents with some sob story and Terry found himself unable to hold a job higher than a janitor for any longer than a few years.  Even when they moved to Australia when Rikki was five, he had a hard time keeping a steady job.

Not anymore.

Terry Chadwick is retired. 

He lives in his own beach front home where he can fish, tinker on old bikes in his garage, and relax in his own personal swimming pool.  It was a large and airy home.  It is a large difference from the trailer home they lived in for more than a decade.  Of course, she did more than get him a house.  She set him up with a personal financial advisor, a lawyer, enough to pay for the taxes on the house for the next few years, and a generous retirement package.  

Even if something happened to Rikki, the investments she's made on his behalf and with the advisors' help, he will live comfortably for years.

With her father set, Rikki focused on herself and her most recent haul put her well above her previous income.  Her new house was inspired by a Haweii architect designer and included a lot of features that she loved, especially the wood furnishings.  The pool in the front and how close it was to the beach is also a plus.  It reminded her of being within the moon pool on Mako Island.  

There were extra bedrooms and bathrooms if she ever brought guests over.  She also had virtually no neighbors since the property is built right next to a rough patch of rock that made it undesirable for most swimmers and families.  Those people are not her.  They are not mermaids.  Her closest neighbors were further along the coast side where the water was deeper, better for those with boats or speedboats.  

Her bedroom was the master bedroom right beside the pool area and the kitchen.  Rikki keeps it clean easily despite how big it is.  Moving in is even easier since the most she has is clothes and shoes.  There are a few trinkets and some jewelry but that's it.  Everything that Zane gave her she left with him and she's never gotten anything for her birthday from her dad in years.

It almost makes her feel alone in her new home but Tony Stark changes that.  He becomes her first guest. 

January 22, 2008

She didn't feel like going out and planned to stay inside, watching her new favorite tv show.  A text from Tony changes that.  Dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a loose blouse and mismatched socks, she goes out to her front door.  It was sunny and a warm breeze ruffled her loose hair.

"Well if it isn't my own prince charming." she calls to him taking in his slacks with a band t-shirt and a suit jacket, leaning against a gorgeous red Audi r8.  The newest one on the market she can tell.  Why he bought another one is beyond her but there is no doubt he'll tell her soon enough.

"In style my birthday lady!" He opens his arms wide, with a bouquet of red roses and a large brown bag of take out. "Without the horses though.  That would be messy and I love your choice in footwear."

She goes down to greet him, laughing easily and hugs him.  Everything is easy between them, so easy its frightening and they don't say a word about it.  She lets him in and takes the flowers from him.  She takes them to her kitchen to carefully put in water.

"My socks are awesome aren't they?  And my birthday was months ago.  I know I didn't tell you."

"Nope. So mean by the way." He starts placing a near feast out on the dining table with many of her favorites like hamburger sliders and even a chocolate fruit cake. "Your dad told me when I stopped by yesterday.  He loves the new fishing rods I got him by the way."

"Of course he did." Rikki stops when her hands pick up a key wrapped around one of the roses. "What's this, Tony?"

It belonged to an Audi and she was now suspicious of the red car in front of her house.  She dumps the last of the roses in the vase and holds up the key in the air toward the billionaire.

"You don't have a car."

"I can rent a car or a taxi."

"You live in a house twenty minutes from the city and you don't have a car." Tony deadpans.  "Don't you love watching horror movies? Are you seeing any parallels here?" 

Rikki huffs but understands what he's trying to say.

"Fine but you can be sure to expect something ridiculous for your birthday.  An ugly blowup doll or something."

She grumbles that last bit without any heat and Tony laughs at her.  She really will need to do something for his birthday though.  The stupid man was just too adorable not to.  And Rikki will die before ever saying that out loud.

The mermaid puts the key on the countertop before taking a seat at the dining table.  From there they enjoy each other's company, eat and drink a little of the Jameson whiskey Rikki keeps in the house.  She feels safe with Tony and here in her own home, she's comfortabale with a glass or two.  In the meantime, Tony rants about the shareholders' meeting and the general insanity that comes with running a successful fortune 500 company.  

"You sound like you need a vacation."

"That sounds like an invitation, Red."

She smiles at her nickname, gained for her habit of wearing something red.  Which she really can't seem to help, having fire as her first element and her most favorite to use, that attachment manifested in her everyday preferences.  

"If you mean the spare bedroom, yes.  My bedroom is off limits Playboy."

A strange look passes his face then his expression closes off completely.  Alarm bells ring and her heart starts to race for some reason.  He's never done this before.

"Yeah, they brought you up at the meeting too."

"I don't see why." She starts cautiously, "Unless Stark Industries is interested in my treasure hunting."

He grimaces and suddenly those alarm bells become Hurricane Warning Sirens.

"Not, well- no, just, not like you thinking.  So you know the rumors flying out of the gossip rags about us eloping?"

"Ugh. The absolute horse shit that's been going around and that has my co-divers asking if I'm pregnant? No, I know nothing at all."  

The newest bit of gossip to make the rounds was that Tony got Rikki pregnant and now they were staying together to cover it up.  Which is beyond crazy since they've never even had sex!  Another reason she's felt the need to stay home rather than go out to a club or lounge to unwind.  But Rikki has long since learned that people are stupid.  It was every other day that the gossip rags ran some story about the two of them and they weren't even a couple.  It really ticked her off.

"People are stupid." She tells Tony, compeletly unapologetic.  

It makes the genius laugh in disbelief, he takes his shot and then takes another.  She lets it go because Rikki doesn't plan to let him drive or go home in any other kind of state besides sober. 

"You can include my shareholders, too."

"What?"  What the fuck was he talking about?

"They wanted to know if there was a legitimate heir on the way or if we were waiting."

"What?" Is he fucking with her?  Please let him be fucking with her.

"I told them we're just friends and then they asked if there was sex because apparently if I'm not a woman's boss or having sex we can't be friends.  Which, to steal your words, is just stupid."

Tony stops his rambling and does this twitchy thing with his hands that Rikki hates because it means he's going to say something he can't believe actually happened but did.  Those things are usually bad things that happened to him like the whole thing with Sunset. Rikki still wants to set her on fire but that would be noticeable so she refrains from doing that. 

"This guy, he's like older than Obie ancient, stands up to pat me on the shoulder and goes on about how special you must be if I'm waiting so long to pop the question.  How you must be," Tony raises his hands and makes air quotes, "a 'True Lady' if I'm tripping all over my feet to "woo" you and protect your reputation.  Then he went on and on about how refreshing it is to see me so flustered over a pretty lady like my old man and what a gentleman I've been and how I'll be the kind of father that Howard and my mother would be proud of and...and..."

He trails off and takes another shot.  Rikki took two.  They were quite a pair, she knew, with their parent issues.  Except his father was distant before both of his parents died and Rikki's mother left because her dad wasn't smart enough to make money rain from the sky.  The care and adoration Maria Stark shared with her son is something Rikki will never have, just like Tony will never have the same kind of close knit relationship she has with her dad, with his.

Both of them had scars because of these losses and they manifested in different ways.  But the relationship between the two of them...

"None of the rumors are true." she whispers gently and she hates herself for having to say it.

For the first time in months, since she first meet him almost a year ago, she realizes that she wants that kind of relationship and that kind of life with him.  She wants to spend the years sharing jokes and laughs.  Rikki wants to lean on him and let him know he can lean on her in hard times.  Oh sweet Mako  are there hard times ahead.

Rikki takes the bottle and pours the whiskey until the cup is almost full.  Its way more than a shot but she doesn't care.  Rikki has a feeling she'll need it for the rest of this conversation.

"...it could be."  She can feel him staring at her.

She downs half the cup before inhaling but resolutely does not look at him.  The whiskey tastes like ash in her mouth.

"No. Tony you don't want that.  Why would you want that?" She spills, a sudden panic gripping her.

"Why not?"

He moves to look her in the face and she abruptly stands to get away.  How could he? Why would he? He doesn't know her.  He couldn't possibly feel that for her.

"I'm not someone you should want to have that with, Tony."

She moves further away from the dining table, hoping warmth from the sun will chase away the cold that's settled in her stomach.

"I do.  I really do and you know why?" His voice comes from right behind her.  "Because I'm better when I'm with you.  I know you well enough to know you don't give a rats ass about my money and your pride means you aren't the type of steal from me.  It means you'd rather set yourself on fire before you bow your head and grovel at my feet or kiss my ass.  Every time we're together its like I'm on free on such an viscerally intimate level I can't begin to put words to but it feels so fucking good and I want it.  Jesus Christ, Rikki, I had to have Rhodey point it out to me and than Jarvis show me evidence!  I'm drinking less and eating more.  I sleep and stay asleep without nightmares about my parents dying for the first time in years.  I feel better when I'm with you.  I am better with you.  I'm happy with you."

She doesn't know what to say to that.  Rikki can't find a voice for why they shouldn't despite having so many reasons for it.  

"Unless I am the reason we can't at least try because I can't seem to do anything without fucking up.  What did I do, Rikki?  Was it the one night stands? I haven't had any in two months and that's because all I could think about is you.  All I can think about now is you and I know you care for me.  But for some reason you won't even look at me right now.  So tell me.  How did I fuck this up before I even realized we could have something?"

"This isn't about you Tony!" Rikki snaps and turns to face him. "It's about me and being afraid to share my secrets. Or am I suddenly not allowed to feel fear?  Am I suddenly not allowed to feel insecure about my secrets?"

"Of course not!" Tony rushes just as passionately, putting his arms around her waist, except he isn't daunted by her expressing her feelings.  Her fear.  Her rage and he knows he's got to watch for it.  Her fury has burned more than a few unlucky politicians.  Rikki isn't Maria Stark, a social butterfly but a butterfly nonetheless.  No, not one bit.  Red is every bit a wild cat, a shark with a bite as bad as her bark.

If anything it enables him because whether or not she realizes, she's just opened a special kind of door for him and Tony Stark is nothing if not an opportunist.  She never said she didn't want him.  Only that her secrets made her afraid to.  He can work with that even as she puts her arms against his chest to put some distance between them. 

"I'm only asking that you trust me like I trust telling you about Sunset and Aunt Peggy.  I'm asking you to be as honest with me as I know you are with everyone else.  Or am I going to have to put on the kiddie gloves and treat you like some kind of mute Ariel?"

He says that last with a serious expression but she can tell he's trying to joke.  To ease some of the building tension between them except his words hit a little too close to home.  Her reaction is nothing short of impulsive. 

Later, she'll blame it on the whiskey and pour the rest of it down the drain.  Rikki gives a frustrated scream and pushes him into the pool.  With his arms around her, she falls in right after. 

For a fleeting second Tony felt betrayed. 

Felt that Rikki pushing him into the pool was another strike against him.  That this was her saying she'd had enough.  That Tony Stark had finally overstepped and this was the end.  Then she's right there in the pool with him and he sees it.

That change.  

Tony Stark is a genius but so many people discount what this really means.  'Genius' isn't a title to be thrown around nilly willy.  Tony's brain worked on an entirely different level.  He saw the world on an entirely different level.  Its allowed him to raise the weapons race to the next level and Rikki likes to tell him its all just wasted genius.  Its because of her that he's started an interest in making other forays into technology development.  Nothing solid but plenty of blueprints to keep him busy until he decides how to handle his weapons sector.

Some of those blueprints include new ideas for divers but now he can see that those ideas are moot. For Rikki at least.  He captures the moment and knows that this will stay with him for the rest of his life.

He's right. So right.

The water seems to glow with her there, shining around her, and then she is water.  Her entire body disappears upon touching the pool, clothes and hair with her.  Everything is gone and when she returns, seconds later, she's different.  Very different.

A tail.

She had a tail.  It radiated gold and red scales...no, not just scales but jewels.  His fine eye can see that some of her scales appear to be made of actual, fucking, jewels.  Her chest is also covered similarly with scales and her skin had a bronze glow to it.  There was no doubt in Tony's mind that if he saw her above water she'd sparkle with a golden-bronze hue as if someone had poured her in body glitter.  He spins around as she circles him and he stares in awe at the stretching and pulling of muscles before him.

There is no way that's fake or a hallucination.  Its not a knock off mono fin made tail from the recent mermaid movies that are incredibly popular.  Which he absolutely did not watch during one of his many hangovers.  No siree, not him.  Its longer than any tail in production and the muscles are smooth, curling naturally at the knees or where her knees would be like a dolphin.  She's so close to him, he can make out the lack of seams and it just expounds on the fact that she changed right in front of him.

There is no way she's fake.  He can't deny the word, the myth that's lured sailors to their deaths at sea.

Mermaid. 

If Rikki is an example of that myth made real than damn if he didn't understand what compelled those sailors to go over.

It also started to make sense.  The avoidance, the distance and isolation.  The solo diving and the absent drinking.  The deflection of government trust.  He can't blame her for keeping this secret.  He really can't but that she held such a secret for so long, from the world just to protect herself, just proved him right.  That she was worth all this effort and the chance at happiness that Rhodey says he deserves.

She stops her circle and faces him, chest to chest.  He doesn't hesitate to wrap his arm around her waist and kick up to the surface.  He can feel when she thrusts her tail behind her, can feel the pressure and power as it pushes them to the surface better than his measly pair of legs.  

"Oh." He says when they break the surface, looking at her, he's right again about the glitter.  

"Yeah, oh." She's tense and he can't help himself.

"I still think my secrets are bigger."  Rikki blinks at him and even as her expression starts to go blank, it says everything she isn't.  "I'm being serious. They are! I'm Tony Stark, you know.  You being a mermaid does not top the fact that I ended up at a gay bar when I was eighteen and convinced a drag queen to doll me up.  There is no media outlet in the world that will take a mermaid over Tony Stark in drag any day.  Ever."

"You're such a dork."

There's a smile! Its really tiny but he can see it.  Tony gives her a winning smile because he knows it annoys her in a way that makes her laugh.  There's a tug at the corner of her lips and he wiggles his eyebrows, knowing he looks so weird but he gets a laugh!  He pulls her closer to him now that she's relaxed against him.

"Can I kiss you now?"

"Tony." Trepidation is back but its weak.

"I'm only asking for a kiss. Just a kiss."

"You want more than a kiss."

"You're right. I want more and so do you." Tony stares her down.  She refused to look at him, refused to let him see the want he can see now.  "But I'm willing to take baby steps.  Super baby steps, go as slow as you want which is probably for the best by the way.  That's it and only if you're willing. I'm willing to take the risk and try but I won't use this against you."

He caresses the top of her tail as he says the last bit and her breath hitches in surprise. Curious.  How does her brain interpret the signals from her tail?  Is it the same with her legs? Or is it more like with a sea mammal?  Wait.  Stop.  Redirect. 

"It might not work out.  You could have anyone else in the world.  Someone normal.  Someone safe."

"I'm Tony Stark.  There's no such thing as safe or normal for me but there's this amazing woman.  She doesn't take my shit or anyone else's.  There's this fire to her, you know, and I'm spellbound every time I lay my eyes on her because she's come so far.  She's become a very dear friend to me but my best friend made a point about how good we are for each other and I've got to agree with him.  There's this air of satisfaction I get just being near her and that I hope I give her.  She knows what she wants and she goes for it.  But there's this other side that I think is even more attractive.  Its this part of her that has no problem telling someone to fuck off because she knows they're not good for her and for some damn reason she thinks I'm someone good enough to be around her.  I've got no idea what she sees in me but damn if I don't see all the good she brings me.  She's got her secrets, yeah, and she's just as terrified as I am.  But, I want to make her my wife, if you'll let me."

It's obvious his words have an effect on her and that tiny voice in his head is making it hard to think clearly.  

"I don't think I can handle that right now." 

Rikki's never been that reckless.

"Say yes anyway."

He's always burned bright and hot.  Always felt like the world was moving too slow and people lived second guessing their every decision.  Tony's always believed he was speeding along leaving every else in the dust.  Everyone except Rikki who always seemed to be one step ahead of him, genius be damned, with a grin and a sway to her hips.

"Yes."  Finally!

She burns just as hot and now he knows what it feels like to have someone burn with him.  Kissing her is like tasting liquid fire.  It's hotter than any whiskey and more addictive than any drug he's ever had.  That tiny voice roars in triumph and he's pouring everything into this kiss. 

Its a very good thing her bedroom is only a few steps from the pool.

Tony wakes up warm and relaxed.  The most relaxed he's felt in ages.

He didn't realize how wound up and tense he was until just now.  There is a weight on his side and seeing Rikki practically plastered to his side with his promise ring on her finger fills him with a large amount of visceral and possessive glee.  Mine!Mine!Mine!Mine!

Last night they burned together.  

That is only way he can describe it.  It was the hottest and most rapturous sex he's ever had. 

Rikki has officially ruined him for other women.  That is fact now.

He doesn't know if she used any kind of magic like she did when she dried them as Tony lifted them out of the water.  But if she did he's not going to complain.  Nope.  Not one unhappy word.  On the other hand, he knows he should feel concerned over that little voice preening like a fat and satisfied wild cat.  But its him, Tony knows, its all him.  Some part of him is incredibly happy to have made his claim.

Tony should feel worried over that but he's always been selfish.  There are so few things he can claim as truly being his versus open for public scrutiny. 

And like a damn hoarder, he squirrels away what's precious to him. Jarvis, his bots, and now Rikki.

There have been so few things that have made Tony happy.  He's had so little of it ever since his parents died that every little bit he gets he holds and guards furiously.  His Rhodey is his own person of course but it still irks the genius that he has to share his best friend with the military.  If Rhodey had chosen any other profession there is a large possibility that Tony would have pulled out of the weapon's race years ago.

Pepper and Happy are also his but, again, he has to share them with the company.  Pepper, he's been grooming since he made that fake accounting mistake years ago, and who he's started to see more as a pseudo little sister. 

Now he has Rikki.

Of course, there are many questions he has.  He wants to asks her how her molecules changed without heat and how did all of her matter rearrange itself without breaking the integrity of her musculature.  What the hell happened to her organs?  Wait, what if she hurt her tail would that translate to her legs?  Oh good god, what about if she needed to go to the hospital? No, no, that's fine he has his own doctor, he'll just have more NDAs drawn up to cover Rikki.

Already his mind is whirling with plans and contingencies to cover his bases.  Being with him would put her at risk but its not as big a leap of risk as if she had come out of nowhere.  Rikki already has a reputation among the elite as both a social but distant woman and as a professional entrepreneur.  She's endured her own amount of scrutiny with grace and fearless sarcasm.  Its a common sight to see reporters and journalist, especially the really arrogant ones, flinch away from her.

They knew by now if you wanted the truth the firey blonde is the one to go to but you had better stow the arrogance or learn to bite your tongue if you didn't want a verbal lashing bad enough to send you crying.  She did that once, too, and its something no one will ever forget.

He wonders what else she has to tell him but he doesn't mind waiting.  That's how relationships work isn't it?  A sort of give and take that benefits both parties.  The sort of relationship that he expected from Sunset and Tiberius but realized too late he didn't have.  Tony's so curious but he also has a weapon's demonstration a few days later so he'll have to make the best of their time together until he can get back. 

Wonder if she's up for morning sex?