The Tale of Two

Pepper is having a hard time reigning in her temper.

One would think a spy organization would know better. Instead, she has been forced to come to the conclusion that SHIELD has no common sense. None what so ever. The ginger has worked with various law enforcement agencies, the military, the CIA and the even the fucking Secret Service, not a single one of them have given her this kind of infuriating grief.

Considering Stark Industries is still a major defense manufacturer, it was a given that these same agencies made contracts with them. That required a level of diplomacy and at least basic research. Knowing what to not say, for example, simple courtesy. Pepper has the experience to handle herself in these interactions and expects a certain level of...competence when it comes to these types of people or at the very least, forced politeness.

After all, Pepper can just as swiftly cancel any contract Stark Industries holds. 

Hell, she once refused to take a call from the Assistant Director of Communications for the White House for two months before his boss worked out how to get an appointment instead trying to bulldoze his way into a meeting. (It was a bad day all around and it was especially bad for that assistant). One would think politicians would learn that just because they have the power to make the rules does not mean they are above them. (Pepper has no doubt there are plenty who still think that and she is more than happy to knock them down a few pegs. There are far too many people counting on her for Pepper to play the soft and sweet businesswoman.) 

Pepper is incredibly grateful Tony gave her that promotion to CFO over a year ago.  It helped her get her feet wet, get a better feel for the office politics, country politics and interact with shareholders and clients. All of it outside of Tony’s shadow and in the wake of Stane’s betrayal, she’s presented herself as a strong figure of leadership. Her reputation also saw a good boost since she had stepped into Stane’s old post.

With better shoes, too.

But Pepper knows the company, always has with how often Tony hated the bureaucracy and how much he complained about the work. But since she’s taken over, she’s since discovered that the primary cause for that might have been Stane’s fault all along. Force Tony to hate the business portion of the company to the point where he won’t notice any discrepancies. It makes her heart clench with guilt and regret for all the times she’d harassed Tony for paperwork. If she’d been a little more aware-

-no, no, she shouldn’t go down that road.

However, Pepper’s theory rests on the evidence of her own experiences with the new board. “New” is being generous, especially since the FBI managed to grab all of their suspects in the wake of the corporate shake up her promotion caused. Another bonus Pepper gets to enjoy now that she’s CEO. 

In fact, when Pepper became CFO, it shook the entire house and in the conflict, gave her the chance to snatch up all their shares. Well, not really. She let the FBI freeze those criminal assets and kept legal from pushing back too hard against the seizure. Although the previous members of the board certainly were eligible for representation from Stark Industries’ legal team, Pepper would be remiss in allowing known criminals to hide behind the company’s name and protection.

After all, it wouldn’t do to have such people tarnish the company’s new reputation. Or try to derail the company’s new direction.

Those assets did not include their shares, which Pepper did grab, securing controlling interest in the company. It made the new board nervous but she really didn’t care. With the majority shares in the hands of the Stark family, staying on Pepper’s good side is the best for all of the original board members who survived the purge. (Of which there are only two, leaving them in the painful minority). The new faces are more than eager to move forward and take the company further in the direction that Tony wants. 

Pepper wants that too and while the new faces aren’t her friends, they aren’t her enemies either. All of them were promoted or hired because they are competent and vetted extensively by both of Tony’s AIs. The new changes also attracted new investors and these with reputations that helped to boost the company’s in turn. It’s as fresh a start as Pepper knows she’ll get, considering the circumstances. She’s confident she’s gained a stable balance here but she knows she can’t let down her guard.

It’s not a good thing. She knows. Pepper actually learned that from Rikki.

The blonde had put her on edge at first. She was an unknown and Pepper had no idea what to think when it came to her. She was strong and independent. Both qualities that Pepper can appreciate in a fellow woman. Rikki was also smart in her own way, she had to be to have made her own fortune doing something she loved. It really should not have come as a surprise to her that the blonde got on with Tony so well. (It still does, sometimes).

They just... mesh so well. That's not to say they were perfect, no, Pepper has walked into more than one argument between the two. But they always come back together, finding a solution even if it takes them a few days.

There are days it still takes her back. Pepper forgets herself, forgets that Rikki is not some stereotype trust fund baby and that she built herself up. She knows business and she knows enough of politics to keep up with Pepper and Tony when they talk about the company. For all that Rikki can be distant she is really good at reading people and picking up subtle cues. (Pepper still cringes at how she missed Stane’s real character all these years). But they come from such wildly different backgrounds it's almost impossible to believe they make an amazing couple. 

Pepper still had reservations about her and not because she thinks Rikki is out to hurt Tony, no, the blonde is so fiercely protective (the redhead  distinctly remembers those phone calls, conviction and threat intertwined as if daring Pepper, or reality for that matter, to be different than her will). It's just that there are still moments where Pepper has a hard time connecting to the other woman. Tony can do it so seamlessly, like they’ve known each other for years, years longer than the bare handful they have had. Rikki is no genius, no prodigy like Tony but she can pick up on his ideas, his train of thought so easily she’s only ever seen that with Jim. 

Except even then, it's different. Where Rhodes has always looked out for Tony, always helped bring him back down to earth, Rikki blatantly encourages Tony to tell it off. She tells him to go off, to do that or build this, what’s he waiting permission for and Pepper doesn’t get it. Didn’t get it.

Not even when Iron Man came out.

Every time she sees the suit on the news, her heart goes to her throat. Pepper sees it and knows Tony’s inside it, he’s putting his life on the line. He’s standing between who knows what in a suit of armor, flying all over the place and even one mistake can mean death. It can mean Pepper would one day be forced to bury her best friend.

It terrifies her. 

Tony is not a soldier or a cop. He’s not trained for this, he should be safe at home, in his lab. He should be doing what he loves and building a better future, not risking his life out there. There are entire groups and organizations who have dedicated their entire lives to what Tony’s doing. Pepper still doesn’t understand why he needs to keep putting the suit on or why Rikki doesn’t make him stop. If she hadn’t taken the time to speak to Dr. Keyworth, she’d think this was all because of Tony’s trauma. That he was going out there trying to get himself killed. Daring someone to end his life because of something entirely out of his control.

But both Tony’s therapist and Rhodey promised her that Tony’s in a healthy space right now. So Pepper tries to understand. She listens as JARVIS tells her about some of the safety features Tony added to his suit and those he still plans to add. Pepper can’t say she understands all of it but she gets enough to know that he’s taking his safety seriously. It only eases some of the anxiety she feels.

The TV in her office shows another clip of Iron Man, flying away, thrusters burning. Red and gold shining in the cloudless sky. 

He reminds her of a star.

That thought is what made it click for Pepper. At least, she thinks so, that she might understand just a little bit, why she feels so anxious. All the clips and videos she’s seen in the media is Tony flying away, flying above the people down below and that’s what scares her most. That Tony will fly and keep flying to where no one else can reach him. Fly into the sun and like Icarus, burn away with a smile on his face.

Except his wife calls him back and every time he answers her call. Like a siren singing a tune only he can hear, bringing this mortal god back to where it’s safe, feet firmly on the ground.

It's appropriate, Pepper thinks, one of the screens in her office dedicated to a virtual gallery of Rikki's expedition findings.  Photo stills and videos of artifacts, all marked with the depth where they were found, are physical reminders that Rikki is not a Hollywood movie blonde. She does not get by living off of the money of others, her father or Tony's.

There is no trust fund to carry her lifestyle. No scandal or show that puts thousands into her bank account. No, none of that can ever be applied to Rikki Chadwick. (Now, officially Rikki Stark, with a wedding to come soon enough if the plans Tony's made are anything to go by).  Everything that she has, she's worked to gain on her own merit and with her own two hands.

Being a professional diver takes dedication and practice. It's a skill that has no short cuts and harsh consequences for those who don't take it seriously. For those with a passion for it, however, it can open up a whole new world of possibilities and wonder. Rikki is one example of this and one so many people flock to as inspiration. 

She’s spent her adult life diving to the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean. She’s dared to go where others have been too scared and too cautious.  Rikki has pushed the limits of underwater diving to fantastical heights. She is beautiful and wild and fierce. Mysterious and unapologetic in her independence. She’s gained the title, Mermaid of the Deep, a moniker to go with the books she’s written and the places she’s famous for exploring. Rikki is dedicated, passionate and always looking to the future of ocean conservation, of preserving the world's seas.

Pepper cannot help but admire her.

She that’s why they fit so well together. They simply go too fast for everyone else. They’re going full throttle forward, without a glance back and the people around them are scrambling to catch up.  Pepper is scrambling to catch up. Maybe that’s why Rikki makes her so anxious.

The blonde can keep pace with Tony, she can barrel ahead because she’s been doing it for years and she clearly has no desire to stop.  When Tony is idle, anxious and stuck, Rikki is right at his side encouraging him to blaze a new path forward. Or other times she’ll be doing nothing at all and Tony will have been inspired by something she did or mentioned. The same is true in reverse. When Rikki is uncertain about what decision to make, business or otherwise, Tony will be there, helping her cut out the nonsense and showing her the best of her choices but leaving the final pick up to her.  

Like an infinity loop, constantly feeding into and off of each other. 

Outside of business, Pepper has a hard time connecting with the other woman but Tony does it so effortlessly and it's the only time she sees the blonde slow down. Pepper doesn’t understand though she tries. In the beginning, she tried to invite Rikki out for some girl time and it nearly ended in disaster. Rikki kept turning her down or making some excuse to not spend time with her. Tony stepped in but that, as it turns out, is a good thing. He put things into perspective for her, gave her a look into their dynamic and a bit of a peak into Rikki as a person.

Pepper had an easy time relaxing at the spa, and thought it the best place to get to know her better. The constant rejections did not make the redhead trust the blonde who was so welcomed into Tony’s life. Not until Tony. He’d done something, convinced Rikki to go with her to a spa that Pepper had not visited before. It was just as expensive and reputable as the one she normally used, but more subtle, more private.

What struck her was how Tony had turned to Rikki and almost seemed to beg her to trust him. At first, hearing him irked her, made her certain the blonde was manipulating him somehow. Pepper is sure she wasn’t supposed to hear them and she wouldn’t have, normally, but she wanted to understand, to get the whole picture. His voice was low but Pepper could still hear him and Rikki’s answer.

“I do. You know I do-it’s-“

“-A thing. Yeah. I know, honey, but you can do this. I checked it all out, it's safe. You’ll be safe there.”

It came like a slow realization to Pepper; why she had such reservations about the blonde. It was because Rikki understood him, understood Tony, in a way Pepper never seemed to be able to. It was in everything said and not said between them. How frighteningly similar they are. In the hurt and loneliness they carried within themselves, still aching from it all. From being toodifferent.  

The difference between them, Rikki and Tony, was how they reacted. Tony still reached out, gave people chances and kept his heart in a house made of glass. Rikki did no such thing. She kept her heart behind walls of steel and titanium, protected it with armies and armadas enough to make the world jealous. Rikki expects people to try and hurt her, to attempt to manipulate her for their own ends and refuses to reach out unless she absolutely has to and only if there are no other options.

It makes Pepper a little ashamed for assuming the worst in her. But Tony is her friend, her brother like Rhodey and Happy. For so long it's been them and it's hard to wrap her mind around just when her relationship with the other grew to that point but it stands. It’s the truth. She’s been his gatekeeper against gold diggers, scandals and one night stands for so long she forgot there could be good people in the world. 

Stane didn’t help.

Becoming CFO and then CEO didn’t make that better or easier. But Pepper likes her job, likes what she does and how often she can go toe to toe with men in power with more grace than most of them will ever have in their entire lives. Pepper was due a dose of reality. That day was one of them.

Apparently, Rikki had never been to one, feeling too vulnerable to ever walk into one, she assumes. It was something to see her relax and to have the stress float away. (Rikki is set on more spa days with Pepper and she is only too happy to oblige). They chatted away about nearly everything under the sun except work. They had good wine, lounged for a bit and just soaked in the escape. Pepper had asked, assuming Rikki would appreciate the honesty, why she had turned her down the first time.

“It’s nothing against you.” Rikki is, as always, refreshingly honest. “I’m just used to being on guard, you know? Always on the lookout for some trap.”

Oh. Yes. Pepper understood that very well. Seeing enemies no matter where you turned and in every person you had to work with. Like you were at war, all alone.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t what I was trying to do.”

“Yeah, I figured. Tony explained it to me.” She hums from her lounge chair while Pepper adjusts herself to the jacuzzi’s soothing jets. “I thought we got on pretty good despite you working so much.”

“Me?” Pepper looks over at the blonde. “What about you, Ms I’ve dived all over the world, hmm?”

“Hey now, I’ve dived most of the world. It's a big world!” 

They laugh and giggle and just act like carefree women, teens almost. The tension between them breaks as suddenly as Pepper thought it would. Or maybe it was only ever on her side of things, in her head where all the worst assumptions had grown. The conversation really gets going then. Movies, actors they’ve met and politicians who’ve tried to seduce them or intimidate them. Favorite shops and embarrassing moments in high school. Embarrassing moments witnessed about other people, too. Almost nothing was left unspoken. There were secrets, of course, things still left unsaid but they weren’t so dangerous. Or they didn’t seem so threatening. 

“Why aren’t you worried?” Pepper asks after a lull in the conversation. Her curiosity finally taking over.

“About what?”

“Tony.”

“In the suit, you mean?”

“He’s going to get himself killed.” Pepper’s voice cracks, just a little and damn it all this was not what she had planned. But she can’t stop herself from worrying about him and she can’t help wondering why Rikki won’t make him give it up.

“So can you.”

“What?” She turns to Rikki, not sure she heard her right. She's not sure she understands, either, something Pepper is starting to become increasingly annoyed by. Why would Tony's suit get her killed? Unless she's hinting that Tony made Pepper a suit?

“You can get killed driving a car or crossing the road.” Oh. Pepper can see from her seat how she rolls her eyes. She looks at Pepper over the rim of her wine glass. “Or stress. Or a bunch of other crazy things that people do everyday. Which would you prefer, dying from sitting in an office all day, stressing over some paperwork or a bomb or what have you, or doing something you love? Something that gives you purpose?”

The way she stresses that one word strikes a cord in her. It reminds her of Tony and how he looked at her in his workshop when he came back from Afghanistan. The silence between them stretches on awkwardly. Well, at least it feels like it does on Pepper’s side. Rikki lifts a single eyebrow, daring her, challenging her, still expecting an answer from her but utterly calm and uncaring. 

“...oh.” Swallowing is hard and she takes another sip of her drink, but it's the only answer she can think of.

Pepper still didn’t have a different answer. What kind of comeback can she say to that? What kind of reasoning or logic can she use against that kind of thinking? Not a one that didn’t sound selfish and self-serving, that’s what. 

But that day marked a step forward for the two women. The friendship that sprung between them was slow building and at times, confusing. There were still things she didn't know about the blonde and was still learning about. Rikki, Pepper has learned, is a deeply private person and there were even fewer people who knew her. Fewer than the handful who know Tony, Pepper is sure. Once she lets her guard down, however, you’re met with a woman who is not only intelligent or incredibly free willed but kind, too.  She is considerate, in how she cares for Tony and sometimes other people, like Peter. But this is not always directly apparent.

Rikki is definitely the definition of tough girl exterior and soft in heart. But only soft to those who matter to her. She has an incredibly sharp sense of humor, too. It’s helped cultivate her public image as a fierce independent woman after all. One that won’t accept random strangers harassing her for 'a look into the life of Tony Stark' exclusive. Rikki is always looking for the next dive, the next secret hidden by the oceans of the world. Hunting for treasures people have long since given up on.

It makes Pepper wonder not for the first time, if maybe the reason Tony is always flying off, is so Rikki will remember not to swim where he cannot follow. A reminder to come up for air and not get lost wandering the ocean depths. And maybe Rikki dives the deep seas so Tony won’t fly too far.

...But all this reminiscing doesn't help Pepper’s temper with the current situation. 

Because the TV in her office flashes back from Iron Man to a museum in China, where Rikki had her last showcase. Half of the items were donated to the Chinese government since they were authentic Chinese artifacts. (A trend that various government officials and nations love about the blonde and that’s opened a lot of doors for her and by extension, Stark Industries). The other half were unknown, being disputed, or still being studied for historical markers and are currently being appraised at Oxford University. 

That same collection is now international news because someone managed to steal a few artifacts from them.

Collectively, the stolen artifacts are worth seventeen and a half million American dollars. They included a dark slate of unknown origin, an old Chinese broach, a full set of Chinese dark armor from the era of the Three Kingdoms, and a number of recently found weapons from the same era, only partially covered in rust. There has been a lot of excitement over the finds and various historians, smiths, and other professionals went to the showcase for an exclusive viewing before the first day.

All the positive press lead to Rikki and Tony being invited to a dinner with the Chinese President in two weeks and there is talk of an award ceremony. Sachs worked wonders with setting that up and managed to make it a more informal family gathering with Peter going to meet with President Jintao’s grandchildren. 

Pepper knows the real focus of this dinner is about more than giving Rikki an honor or medal.

China wants in on the clean energy deal Stark Industries is making with other nations. Which is smart of them considering they’ve made headway in several areas. Italy, France, parts of the U.S. and Australia, most of the northern countries of Africa and Japan. (That last contract was a huge win for the company back in October and this summer Rikki will be going with Tony and Peter for the ribbon cut once construction is completed. Pepper knows how much Rikki loves her seafood and already has Sachs making a list of the best places for the family to visit). That’s why having someone “honorable” connected to China is a convenient bonus to the President. To smooth the ruffled feathers about that ‘friend’ being a blonde woman and getting the man’s agenda across to her husband.

Because it is very clear to not just Pepper that Tony values Rikki’s opinion and her beliefs. 

He would not have gone out of his way to make so many eco-friendly inventions on a global scale just for the sake of it. It’s because he sees how important it all is to her and makes strides to make her happy and not once has Pepper ever heard Rikki ask him to make anything for her. Although, the blonde certainly appreciates his efforts when he shows Rikki his new inventions. (Pepper also ignores how enthusiastic Rikki can get to show her appreciation). 

Of course, the board is happy because it all brings in billions of revenue for the company. This is not including the profits made from the defense contracts with the U.S. military or the commercial products that have hit the market. It also means good publicity, positive reactions from various groups, and a growth projection that’s estimated to skyrocket in the coming years as their various projects start to take off. Stark Industries’ influence will also start to spread further and if their analysis is right (which it usually is) the company will hit the trillion dollar mark by 2015. 

Rikki’s influence has not gone unnoticed. A lot of the positive PR and reviews comes from groups who follow Rikki and her colleagues in the the environmental front. There is no doubt in Pepper’s mind that Tony would have never even thought of letting the arc technology out of his sight if it weren’t for his wife. There is plenty of evidence showing that arc technology is better than anything in the current energy industry especially nuclear power. 

Of course there are also the fans who simply find everything about the couple something to write and admire about. FRIDAY is only too kind to show her the positive post online about how some of Tony and Rikki’s fans have taken to all the changes and the positive response eases some of the tension in her shoulders. There are plenty of posts about the “couple goals” they exude and the surprise at how good “domestic” looks on the billionaire. 

Pepper does what any good friend does. She sends them to Rhodey, Happy, and Frank. 

She’ll share the new batch with Rikki when the family gets back from Australia. The other blonde loves a good laugh and after seeing the absolute mess SHIELD has made of her showcase, Pepper has a feeling she’ll need it. 

“I’ve got everything marked and filed like you wanted.” Sachs walks in without knocking, not that she needs to. “I can send it to the Chinese President’s office whenever you’re ready.”

Right. That. Pepper sighs and tries some of the breathing exercises Dr. Keyworth recommended. (If he’s good enough for Tony to keep going back to, then he’s someone Pepper wants to keep around). JARVIS had been keeping an eye out for SHIELD’s next move, including watching Rikki’s showcases in case they try something ridiculous like taking a hostage or something. It’s how Pepper knows SHIELD is responsible for the theft. 

Fury really should have thought twice about putting their logo on everything, like armor. With JARVIS watching, there is no jamming tech in the world good enough to keep him out. It will make tensions between the current administration and China tense unless Ellis can turn this around somehow. Pepper doubts he can considering she’s seen who he surrounds himself with but that will only help Tony in the long run. 

“Go ahead Sachs.” Pepper finally says. She has no intention of losing her deal with China now and if she has to throw Ellis, Fury and his lot under the bus to do it, then she will. “Once you do, let PR know so FRIDAY can help coordinate and keep an eye on her accounts.”

Pepper and Sachs were not surprised to learn that FRIDAY had social media accounts of her own or that she used them in corroboration with PR. Officially that is. Unofficially, FRIDAY works with security to identify potential threats to the company, its employees, Tony and his family. She’s pointed out a number of dummy accounts and companies connected to various terrorists cells and SHIELD. This allows FRIDAY to spy on them without them knowing and gives Pepper and Tony an advantage. (If anyone asks, no one has any idea what they’re talking about). 

“Right.” Sachs opens her tablet, going down her list. “The Director of the FBI is also ready for a demonstration of the anti-nano mask system as soon as Tony’s ready. I have him down for January tenth at 11 am and then a dinner meeting with David Xanatos later that evening.”

“A dinner meeting?” Pepper frowns. She knows who Xanatos is, although now that she thinks about it there has been very little in the news about him. Strange.

He is a competitive arms manufacturer, specializing in high tech weapons and tools for special forces. Although he also has fingers in entertainment, construction, genetic engineering, robotics and bond selling. It’s strange that she hasn’t heard anything beyond that he got married to a woman named Fox and they were expecting a baby. 

“What’s the agenda for that meeting?”

“A proposal for a joint venture on…” Sachs frowns as she looks over the details. “...a new line of prosthetics. There’s a list here about what topics Mr. Xanatos wants to talk about. Copyright, security, to name a few.”

“Tony has been meaning to start on the prosthetics. I’ve seen some of his blueprints. Security?”

“I did a bit of research or well, I had FRIDAY take a look around.” The frown doesn’t disappear and the brunette looks back up at her boss. “Mrs. Xanatos had been kidnapped so he might be looking to find out what kind of security Tony is willing to add. Especially with a baby on the way.”

“That’s fair.” Pepper doesn’t remember hearing anything about a kidnapping. No news or anything. But if there’s a paper trail she’ll believe it actually happened.

“It’s not just me who thinks how weird that is right? The whole…” Sachs waves her hand in the air a little. 

“That there’s very little on him? Yes, he is as active as Tony in the media. Or at least, the media followed him just as badly. The last I heard he’d spent millions getting a castle moved to New York City from somewhere in Scotland I think.”

”Didn’t he also have it put at the top of his company building?”

”And he supposedly lives there, too.”

“He’s still considered the first self-made Greek billionaire right?” Sachs frowns, no doubt following the same line of though as Pepper. “But despite the castle and marrying his wife, I haven’t heard anything about him in the news.”

“There are plenty of rich people who keep their private lives out of the public but that doesn’t extend to their company. FRIDAY, please look into this.”

“You got it, Ms Potts.” The A.I. speaks up for the first time since the other woman walked into her office. “I’m sharing your concerns with JARVIS, too. We’ll find something.”

“Thanks FRIDAY.” Pepper nods back at Sachs. 

“Right, so Sylvia Earle has also invited all three of you to a conference about joining the Mission Blue Alliance for ocean conservation. Rikki has already accepted her invitation and FRIDAY showed me Tony’s itinerary, he’s going too.”

“I’m guessing Peter’s going to be there as well.”

“It’s a good guess.” Pepper sighs.

“Taking so many days off of school can’t be good for him.”

“On the other hand, Tony hasn’t pulled Peter completely out of school and I hear he’s made a friend.” The other woman speaks out, willing to look at the positive which Pepper appreciates. “You have to admit, not every kid gets to say their parents are helping protect the world’s oceans.”

“That’s true.” Pepper agrees. “And it would certainly help with getting him out of his shell. See if we can’t get a hold of his friend’s parents. Let’s see if we can get permission for an out of country excursion. It would look good on a resume or something.”

“I can throw in a possible internship if he’s any good with science, too.”

“Do it.” Pepper normally wouldn’t agree but if this friend of Peter’s was genuine and could be a future asset to the company, she’ll take it. Peter could do with a friend his age around the labs, too. “In the meantime, I need to call Rikki.”

“She’s probably in the middle of the reunion.”

“I know.” Pepper sighed. “But better she hear this from me than some reporter that hears where she and Tony are.”

Seeing all these familiar faces is weird.  When Rikki takes a good look around, there is a flood of memories for certain people and for others there is nothing at all. 

It wasn’t overwhelming. Just a short rush like a hard wind knocked into her chest and then nothing. It happened, she felt it and now it was gone. But she knew some of these people. They weren’t mermaid Rikki’s memories but they did belong to Rikki and now they belong to her. The blonde didn’t think too hard on it. It was magic. It just was and she went with it.

It is as natural as breathing and not nearly as bad as her nerves made her believe.

There were “memories” of high school. Here, Rikki had been a shadow. An outcast. The Rebel without a friend. Except there had been a few. They weren’t too close, not like before, but close enough for girls who didn't share the same secret.  Like Cleo, the shy wallflower who was too nice for her own good and was afraid of water. But with some help from Emma, got over that fear and is now Park Manager of the Marine Park.

Bella was a surprise. She had started her own music production company. In fact, she’s made some of Rikki’s new favorite albums. She is also well off without that, from her parents’ investing shares in the hotel chain company they worked for. In high school Bella was also a loner but eventually fell in with Cleo and thankfully, she still managed to get married to Will. If she wasn’t Rikki would have...done something reckless.

It was just too weird to think of Bella with someone else.  

Emma was another surprise. Rikki had figured that with her swimming career still going hot, there would be someone in that circle that she’d go for. Maybe even Byron since he worked at a surf boarding school but she also ended up dating Ash. On second thought, they met because her brother wanted to take up horse riding and the tension between them just mounted. It was probably something similar here. 

But as much as things stay the same, some things change.

Rikki knows that better than most. Byron and Charlotte came in together but didn't look like they were dating or anything, as far as she knows. She took after her mother and owned her own restaurant while staying in charge of her mother’s business. Rikki hopes she isn’t the only one to notice how often the woman looks over at them, probably eyeing Lewis like a slab of meat. Rikki didn't care so long as she stayed away from them.

While looking surprised Rikki even remembered her, Cleo is happy to see her. Cleo was always the sensitive and nice one of the group. When they hug it feels like a part of Rikki’s old world is given back to her. Not all of it of course but enough to make the nostalgia hurt a little less. It still feels good to see her.

Rikki didn’t need to introduce her husband, everyone already knew him but she did point out everyone else to him. She’s not surprised when Tony and Lewis hit it off, being the science types that they are. When it’s time for lunch, she makes her way to a table on the opposite side of the room and away from Zane Bennet. She can feel his eyes staring at her and his wife, Miriam, who could kill her with her eyes if she could.

Rikki ignores them both. They’re not worth her time.

Rikki ignores whatever seating arrangements Miriam made and picks a table that gives her a view of the entire room and the bar.  When she takes her seat she is surprised to find that their little group had followed her to sit at the same table. There’s just enough room for everyone and some of the people from their class follow their example, taking seats wherever they like. Bella sits on Rikki’s left, with Will on her left and then Ash. Emma next to him, Cleo and then Lewis rounds out the table, ending on Tony’s right.

“Why does that crazy lady look like she’s going to claw your face off?” Tony asks her, after waving a server over for a round of the hotel’s best wine, all under his name and not the hosting committee. He hasn’t taken his shades off yet so he must be looking her up. “Miriam Bennet.”

Definitely looking everyone up, then.

“Miriam?” Emma rolls her eyes. “Where do we start?”

“Besides the raging jealousy and inferiority complex?” Bella takes a sip of the wine as soon as the waiter finishes pouring. “She hates you, you know that right? Oh, this is really nice. What is this?”

“Me?” Rikki has no idea what could have Miriam’s panties in a twist. “Next thing you’ll say is the moon’s purple. I haven’t spoken a word to that woman since high school.”

“Honey,” Tony kisses her cheek,“you’re a badass. Enough said.”

“You’re also a lot more famous than she is.” Cleo adds while looking over the menu the servers brought to their table. “I made a dedication to you on our website for the donation you gave the Marine Park and she tried to get me to take it down. I told her I’ll do that if she can match the donation. Oh, this looks good.”

“She threatened to come down to the Park and have Cleo fired.” Lewis looks at whatever caught Cleo’s attention on the menu but his eyes also dart back to everyone else at the table. Someone has turned into a real gossip body. “So Cleo told her to go ahead and we called the owner to let him know what was going on.”

“He told me to ask for double if she wants us to take your name down so bad.”

“But I donated almost a million dollars.” 

Rikki remembers that donation. It was a whim, thinking about the girls, and some of their adventures at the park. Ronnie the dolphin rescued from a poacher’s fishing net and Cleo’s lying cousin. Mostly Rikki thought about Bella’s idea to raise funds to help the park. So the mermaid had given several thousands of dollars for repairs, new equipment and other things to help with the dolphin rescues the park is most known for.

“I know and I can’t thank you enough for it.” Cleo salutes her with her glass. “I mean it, Rikki, it was a blessing and it came right when we needed it. Lewis helped me put an entire page together for you. Actually one of our interns had just let us use a picture of you from a book signing you did, I think, two years ago? You were promoting another book, Secrets of the Deep.”

“She has all of your books by the way.” Emma pipes in, eyes still on her menu.

“Me, too.” Will adds.

“And I encourage anyone who asks to buy and read them.” Cleo says without shame, “It’s good to have positive role models, especially when they travel all over the world.”

“It looks good. The website.” Tony drops his phone flat on the middle of the table and a holo screen pops up with Rikki posing in front of the poster for her book. “You did this yourself?”

“Yeah.” Lewis ogles the technology before he starts throwing questions at her husband and Tony starts to answer.

“And this is where we lose the geniuses.” She jokes to the rest of the table.

“I think they’re going to be a while.” Ash looks on between them two, amused.

“Anyway.” Cleo brings the rest of them back to her. She’s probably used to having a genius getting lost in his work, too. “When she came down to find out I was the manager, her face turned so red, I thought she was going to explode. She started ranting and making all these threats about going to my boss if I didn’t take the page down.”

“And when you told her what the owner said?” Bella asks. 

“She went speechless.” Cleo starts to giggle. “Then when she asked about the donation I told her the price she’d have to pay and accused me of lying. I offered to call the board and the owner of the park if she felt she was being unfairly treated.”

“Look at you.” Rikki grin so much her cheeks might hurt. “Showing her who’s boss. I love it. Did you have to call security? Don’t leave me in suspense!”

“No.” Lewis jumps back in, switching from genius to gossip mode in a heartbeat. “She fainted.”

Rikki throws her head back and laughs. She’s not the only one to start laughing but just the image of Miriam dropping to the floor is a precious image to be savored.

“Tell me-“ Tony struggles to talk through his laughter. “Tell me you have that on camera.”

“No. No.” Cleo wipes the tears from her face. “But I did get her being carried out by EMTs.”

“She threatened to sue the park though.” Lewis adds more to the story. “It didn't happen but thing were pretty tense for a while there.”

“So this Miriam is not just crazy, she’s an asshole.” Tony takes his phone back and makes a note of that for some reason. “Good to know. But I’m ready to eat. How about you guys?”

Everyone around the table agrees and Tony tells the others to get what they want, his treat. The waitress comes back to take their orders and it takes a bit since there are so many of them. There are some picky eaters (Emma, looking at you). Rikki had just taken a sip after ordering and remembered Bella’s question, this is good wine. She’ll need to tell Tony to have a bottle or two added to their collection.

“Oh, right,” Tony leans over Rikki to talk to Bella, “I have no idea what wine this is but I’m planning to buy a few bottles of it. Want a few?”

“I-“ Bella’s eyes go wide, glass half in the air, frozen.

“Know what, let me find out how many they have.” Tony waves back to the server.

“Tony you don’t have to do that.” The producer tries to cut in. Rikki shrugs with a smile when the others look at her. She was about to ask him about it, anyway. 

“He likes good things, too. Just thank him for the wine and save it for a special occasion or something.”

“What do you get him for his birthday?” Ash watches on as the server and Tony go back and forth. “Or holidays?”

“Socks.” Rikki giggles into her glass. Their expressions are so worth bringing it up. “Tony loves the graphic socks I get him. I started the same year I met him and every year since I’ve changed the theme.”

“What was this years’ theme?” Bella looks like she’s planning a list in her head. Well, that’s another person Tony can expect gifts from.

“Star Wars.”

“And they were great. I wore them the next day.” Tony rejoins them with a grin. “They’re the best kind.”

Her secretly not so secret romantic husband then goes on to kiss her, simple and sweet. Rikki kisses him back, once, and then twice. “What kind of wine is this?”

“Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992. I bought two bottles for everyone here.”

“Aww,” Cleo coos at them. Dammit. The other romantic. “You guys are so cute together.”

“Am I the only one going to ask how much one of these costs?” Emma raises her wine glass, curious.

“About five hundred thousand.” 

Emma freezes and a sound comes from her throat Rikki can’t accurately describe. It’s a toss up between a zombie dying and a cat in heat screaming. The others seem to have an easier time taking that number in stride although their shock is still very visible.

“Well,” Lewis is the first to speak up. “You’re now officially the godparents to all our future kids.”

“Lewis!”

“What?” The grin on Lewis' face is utterly cheeky. 

For some reason, this sets the entire table off again. Everyone just starts laughing and she's glad Tony joins in, knowing Lewis is just teasing, in a good way. When they settle back down, conversation starts to flow again. It’s mostly more about killing time until their food gets here.  No doubt whoever the Chef is will be hoping to get a good review from Tony and her. Or bragging rights. Rikki catches up with everyone, learning the differences that she didn’t have the heart to know before. For example, Will had continued to dive professionally until he learned his sister was taking larger cuts of his sponsorship money. Rikki had no idea Sophie would have done something like that to her own brother.

Lewis and Tony start up again about some energy theory when Bella asks Rikki about her own work.

“Oh, Rikki, you were in the magazine Instyle last month right? Does that mean you don’t dive anymore?” Bella asks after Emma tells the table she’s going back to try for a gold medal next year. Everyone is hoping she’ll win it and Rikki even offered to help sponsor her if Emma wanted.

“Oh no, I definitely still dive.” 

“I actually went to one of your galleries here.” Will’s eyes light up, his interest pretty clear. “What’s the deepest you’ve gone? Was it the thousand meter dive? What was the hardest artifact you picked up? Did the Chinese government help you or give any support?”

“Breath, buddy.” Ash’s grin grows as the servers start to bring out their orders. 

“Sorry. I’ve just been really excited seeing what you’ve done. It’s actually been a great inspiration.”

“Really?” Rikki has always hoped her work would encourage people to think about the planet’s oceans in a new and positive light. Especially since she spends, or tries to spend, half of her time in it.

“After I quit competitions, I was pretty lost but I still love diving.” He shrugs, putting his napkin on his lap. “Your gallery just inspired me to try something new.”

“He was in love with everything, the history of you starting out, some of your more difficult dives,” Bella picks up, excited for her husband. “Some of your artifacts that countries thought were lost forever. We went back to watch the slideshow at least twice. It was a really good change.”

“I’m glad.” Rikki smiles even as she starts to dig into her food and quickly answers some of Will's questions than adds,“Really. My biggest goal is to inspire and encourage people to take a more positive look at our ocean. What are you doing now?”

“Well, now I do dive tours. Sort of my way of contributing like you do. I take divers out to the reef and show them the ocean and I hope they feel a fraction of what I feel when I’m out there.”

“That’s amazing Will.” Emma smiles, honestly pleased for him. Rikki is too and from the looks of everyone else, Will won’t find any arseholes here.

“If you want I can throw some business your way.” Tony offers, and Rikki notices he had taken his glasses off sometime when she wasn’t paying attention. “A quick tweet, just say the word.”

“We’d appreciate that. Thank you.” Will and Bella start blushing for some reason. “And if you want to come by, we'd be happy to show you around.”

“Speaking of career changes.” Ash starts after finishing off his wine and pouring more for those closest to him. “I’m planning to do something like that myself.”

“Wait, I thought you were still Head Trainer?” Lewis picks up the bottle and offers it to Tony and Cleo. Tony had already poured Rikki a second glass so she was fine.

“Head Trainer?” Her husband jumps in, curious. Rikki forgot Ash had a think with horses, training and caring for them. He's good, according to Emma anyway.

“It means I’m responsible for looking after the horses and the training of those looking to learn to ride.” Ash starts in on his own lunch but he answers her husband calmly. Like he’s talking about the weather. “I was the one that pretty much ran the place while the owners were away.”

“He’s really good, too.” Emma is obviously proud. “With the kids and the horses, I mean. Elliot was a lot better off with Ash than Mr. Trudy. The horses were calmer, too.”

“Well, that’s a given. How you train the horses reflects how they respond to people.” 

“I’m not a big horse person,” Tony is using that tone Rikki recognizes. He’s fishing. Why would he-oh, right. Peter. No one knows Tony got Peter horses for his birthday. Even if everyone is curious as all hell over Tony having a son, there is a lot people don't know. “I don’t get it. Got an example for the horse dumb?”

“You’re not horse dumb. No one is. There’s just a lot of misinformation and myths that get taken for fact. Horses are intelligent animals. If you treat them harshly, they react to that and sometimes they react violently. They get scared and get hurt. The stable I used to work for got a bunch of race horses, one brought in a lot of money as a stud until he broke his leg.”

“What happened then?”

“He was killed.”

“Because he had a broken leg?” 

“It was decided it would have been too expensive to take care of him.” The disgust on Ash’s face is very real and Rikki knows she’s not the only one to feel the same. “It was cheaper to kill him and train one of the other race horses take his place instead.”

“So what did you plan to do about it?” Rikki knows Ash isn’t a quitter. He loves the big animals too much to just take that lying down.

“Well, I was thinking of starting my own YouTube channel.” Ash looks to her, determined. “I want to follow your and others' example but with horses. Encourage and inform people about how to properly treat their horses.”

“He’s coming on tour with me this year.” Emma adds. “Try to get a more world view on how people care for horses and reach more people.”

"The Olympic tour is a great chance to do that." Will agrees. "Plenty of sponsors, cameras, crowds of people, and the locals would benefit from it, too."

"Thanks, Will."  

“Everyone’s got so much going for them.” Cleo half squeals and coos with a smile on her face. “I’m so happy for all of you. And, Ash, if you need some help I can give you some extra hours, too. No shame in asking.”

“Thanks Cleo.”

“Wait, extra hours?” Tony zeros in on how Ash’s smile falls a little and Emma shifts a little uncomfortably. Cleo ducks her head a little guilty looking now. “Did you quit already? What are you doing now?”

“Since it's the off season, we do other work.” Emma starts. “I give swimming lessons and I co-coach the little league team. Cleo helped us out by giving Ash a job when he quit.”

“That’s a big deal, right?” Tony looks between the three of them. “For the manager to trust you around the dolphins?”

“I-I guess so.” Ash blinks, surprised for some reason. Did he expect Rikki and Tony to make fun of him? Honestly, they weren't Miriam. Ew.

“Is that common?” Tony frowns at the other man, expression telling Rikki his head is running in at least half a dozen directions. “Just killing horses when they mess up? Or get hurt?”

“More common than I’d like but it’s all about the money, really. If it’s worth the expense of recovery and treatment. Some owners just aren’t willing to spend the money.”

“Well, I’ve got a few horses and I need a trainer. Come work for me.”

“What?” Emma almost chokes on her drink and the rest of the table is silent.

“I did not see that coming.” Bella loudly whispers to the table. Rikki giggles because she figured out Tony was going to do something like this the second Ash started talking and Tony just sat next to her, listening.

“How did I know that’s what you were angling for, hmm?”

“Because you’re amazing and you can read my mind.” Tony winks at her before turning back to Ash, who’s still struck speechless. “But I’m serious. Work for me. I need a trainer for my kid. Peter’s sensitive so using a whip or anything like that won’t work for him. You’ll be in charge of the entire training and the horses. I've got plenty of money, so don't worry about any of them being put down. I didn't get them to make a living off of and you can use them on your channel if you want. Emma can come, too, if you’re interested. There’s plenty of other training schools I can get you in until the competitions start up. But my wife isn’t telling me not to bother so I’m willing to go out on a limb and give you a shot.”

“At least send Ash an offer before you overwhelm him.” Rikki tries and failed to keep the grin off her face, Ash still looks like he’s having a hard time breathing.

“No. I mean yes.” He hurries to speak up finally. "I’d like the offer. I mean, I can send you a copy of my CV. So you know I’m not a hack or anything.”

“And Ash is a really great teacher.” Emma comes out of her own shock to support her husband. “We can get commendations from other parents, too.”

Rikki doesn’t need to look at Tony to know he’s grinning at the couple across from him. She’s grinning, too. It’s one thing to offer someone a job and have them take it and something else entirely for that someone to offer proof that they’re qualified for that job. There’s relief in seeing Emma’s and Ash’s work ethic hasn’t changed. She has no idea what Tony’s really thinking about now but Rikki leans back in her seat and relaxes. The food is delicious and the wine is good. She turns to talk to Bella and Will about their diving school now that Tony is full on being himself with Ash and Lewis. Emma and Cleo are giggling around their third, or fourth, glass of wine. Vaporeon lifts her head from the ground and purrs when the mermaid pets her, clearly enjoying the attention. 

Eventually the wine gets to her and she gets up, excusing herself from the table. Rikki enjoys the slight buzz as she makes her way to the restroom, Vaporeon at her side. But damn that wine is really good and she’s glad Tony is getting a few bottles. She’d really like to let loose a little when they get home unlike she can do here.

The bathroom isn’t far from where their group is sitting and there is no one inside to give her a hard time about the pokemon at her side. Once she finishes, Rikki reaches into her jacket pocket for the small bottle of hand sanitizer. If she were home, she wouldn’t mind washing her hands but not in public and fortunately, there’s not enough water in hand sanitizer to affect her. She grabs some paper towels to wipe off the excess and walks out, ready to rejoin Tony and the others. 

“Rikki.” 

Shit. 

Vaporeon growls, stepping between her and Zane Bennet. 

“Mr. Bennett.” She tries to be nonchalant and neutral, as if she were meeting just another politician, another face in the crowd. It's hard, though, the history between them is rocky and not something she's interested in revisiting. 

“It’s been a while. And what’s this ‘mister’ rubbish? You know me. We don’t need to be so formal.” He grins at her, like they really are old friends meeting after losing touch. 

“It’s been years. We don’t walk the same circles.”

“What do you mean? Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean anything.” The grin looks a little stiff. “I’m pretty well off too you know.”

Rikki notices he doesn’t mention her husband or his wife. Or that she’s focused mainly on ocean conservation and green energy. Why was he here ? In her space? This Zane didn’t know her secret, didn’t defy his father saving her and her friends from being science experiments. Hell, this man only dated her because she kept his shops running and turning a profit. Rikki had been a means to an end, from her perspective. So, what does he want? 

“What does being well off have to do with anything?” She pets Vaporeon’s head, reminding herself that she isn't really alone and enjoys how the Pokémon stares the man down. Neither of them miss the glance he gives the water Pokémon before his eyes jump back to Rikki. “We live different lives and I don’t see how we mix. I haven’t seen you since we went our separate ways.”

“Yeah but that doesn't mean we can’t be friends right?” Rikki feels the sharp sting of deja vu. Why is this happening? It’s all too familiar. She doesn't like it. At all. Never mind the absolute bullshit he just said to her. “And we didn’t really part on such bad terms.”

“Zane.”

“I mean, we were good together.”

“No. We were not.” Rikki frowns, offended and frustrated. She’s better at keeping her temper in check, however, and manages to not curse the skin from off his back. “Where is all of this coming from? What do you want?”

“We were. I know it.” He insists, not even bothering to answer her. “There was bad, yeah, but we made a good team. Business was good and we made good money.”

“Enough you tried to rip me off.”

“That wasn’t my idea.”

“Who’s was it? Daddy dearest?” She raises both eyebrows in disbelief. “Last I recall, the two of you weren’t talking at the time but that changed pretty quick.”

“Look, everything was fine. We were fine and suddenly I turned around and you’re trying to leave with half of everything we’ve got. I panicked.” 

“Half of which was rightfully mine.”

Rikki, from before, had to get a lawyer to prove it too. It didn’t get any attention in the news but the evidence, all the paperwork Rikki took care of, more than proved her point. That didn't mean the case was easy because it turned ugly once Zane’s dad got involved. Despite a very close call, they did end up settling. 

Rikki the mermaid, came after it was all taken care of and she feels no connection to it all. Actually no. That’s not quite true. There’s a disconnect, to be sure, but there is also rage, indignant cold outrage. 

“You’d proved that, yeah,” Zane shoves his hands into his pockets. “And you got a little extra out of it, too. You looked pretty pleased with yourself.”

Rikki resists the urge to cross her arms, to feel defensive. Zane and his dad had used a smear campaign against her in their case. There wasn’t anything concrete besides witnesses who “claimed” Rikki said something or other that implied she was using Zane and his name to make a profit. It was a circus. Turned into a he-said she-said with no real winner. But it certainly looked bad for her at the time. Her entire character was called into question, made worse since she had no one in her corner besides her dad.

All Rikki had were the accounts and all the time she put in. Her signatures on various documents certainly helped but that didn’t stop the judge from giving her the side eye every now and then. It looked like it was going to get dragged out even further once Miriam was brought in, adding to Zane’s sob story about Rikki withholding sex as a means to control him. It was sick and humiliating.  

Their relationship had never escalated that far. They didn't even share an apartment. Rikki's fear and insecurity of turning out like her mother, stalling any progress between them. (Rikki is proud of how far she's come from that).

Rikki had been forced to counter sue Zane and his dad for her share plus damages. It got really ugly when Rikki threatened to actually press charges for sexual harassment. While the chances of the charges sticking were low, the chances of the media catching wind of it were high and Harrison Bennett wouldn’t gamble with his reputation on that front.

That was when the Bennet’s blinked and decided to settle, the agreement was that they’d pay all of Rikki’s legal fees as long as she dropped any criminal charges against Zane and she was allowed to keep her shares without further interference from them. She also had to agree to not speak a word of the case for the next five years. Rikki had agreed so long as they did the same. It was unfair. All of it but she took the deal, took her shares and got as far away as possible. 

It felt like a dream to Rikki, like a story told second hand. A story that still sparks her infamous temper.

“Yeah, I was.” Rikki agrees with a smile that’s more teeth than sincerity. “I got as far from you as possible.”

“Come on, you don’t really mean that.” The smile on his face is gone now.

“Oh, no, I mean it alright. What did you think was going to happen when you had your daddy try to turn me into some kind of abusive gold digger?”

“I don’t know Rikki, okay? Like I said, I panicked.” He shook his head, lips pulled into a deep frown. He looked sad or tried to, she didn’t know if he was genuine and she didn’t care. She’s aggravated he’s still standing in her way. “I thought-I was hoping you’d stay.”

“After all of that? What’s wrong with you? Have you completely lost your mind?” 

She honestly could not believe what she’s hearing. Rikki didn’t know what she expected when he came to block her way but it wasn’t this. What sort of stupidity possessed this Zane that saying what he has is in any way, a good idea? Rikki has seen some of his dumb ideas but this, she has no idea what this was. Did the business go south so badly that he’s still blaming her? Is this some convoluted scheme to get into her good grace and help him? For what and why? Didn’t he start a new job or something? Bella mentioned it but Rikki hadn’t really been paying attention. She doesn’t even remember what Zane went to college for, business she assumed.

“It wasn’t-wasn’t supposed to go that far but you wouldn’t let it go. You wouldn’t stop and it was all I could think of to keep you around.”

Zane rubs the back of his neck and Rikki can’t say she knows what she’s seeing. She can’t really decipher what his expression is, whether he’s genuinely remorseful or resentful. But she also isn’t bothering to try too hard. 

“Do you even hear yourself? Do you hear what you sound like?”

A queasy feeling pools in her stomach. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest. It feels terrible. Painful. This is worse. So much worse than what she went through with Zane in her old world. 

“I’m sorry, Rikki, I am.” He still looks sad but Rikki doesn’t think he means it for what he should. “I was so angry at you for wanting to leave and I lashed out. I shouldn’t have done that. I should have talked to you, you know? Sat down and really talked it out, I see that now, I do.”

“So it’s my fault?!”

“No. I mean, I wasn’t in a good place at the time and I took everything out on you.” Zane starts to stare at her, something almost wistful, Rikki would dare call it. “I know any apology I give is years and years too late but I’m here if you need anything.”

“Why would I need you, especially after what working with you did to me last time?” 

Rikki glances over his shoulder, trying to spot anyone passing by or anything she can use as a distraction. Vaporeon can’t really do anything but keep Zane at bay since he’s not actually physically doing anything. If worse came to it, she’ll use her magic to make a distraction of her own.

“Well, things are different now.” He shrugs, swaying where he stands, but he looks nervous now. Unsure, maybe. “I’m a doctor now. Anesthesiologist, actually. I can help you, just say the word. Whenever, you know.”

“Thanks but I’ve got one of those already.”

“Right.”

His gaze sweeps over her. Her face. Her body. Rikki narrows her eyes at him and moves to step around him. She’s not surprised when he moves to block her, again. Vaporeon growls, reminding Zane she is very much there and not happy with him.  Rikki doesn’t like it either and is seriously thinking about setting his hair on fire. Mostly, she wants him to say his piece, what he’s really after, instead of this dancing around he’s doing.

“What?” Rikki snaps at him. “What else could you have to say to me?”

“I just mean, I want us to be friends. Put everything behind us. Put it all to rest. Start over, you know?”

“No.” Rikki closed this chapter of her life, twice now. She does not need to be his friend to go on, to live and be herself.

“I think we can.”

“I said no. We’ve been over for years and that’s the way it should stay.”

“Yeah but that was before and we’re better now. Better people. I mean when we had the cafe, things weren’t so bad either-“

“-is this a joke to you?”

“I just meant, at the time, you were so good at what you did, I relied on you for so much and I couldn't cope when you wanted to leave-”

“-Because I wanted better for myself and then I found out you cheated on me.”

“You wouldn’t put out.” Zane snaps back, the conversation getting underneath his skin. Good.

“Oh, so it was my fault you refused to wear a condom? You’re not kid, Zane. You weren’t one when we were together and you’re not one now.” Rikki’s discomfort gives way to fury. This, she remembers this as if it were her own. The feeling of humiliation and disgust and seething, burningrage. There were plenty of things Rikki never told her husband about her ex. This was one of them, not because she was ashamed about it but because as far as Rikki is concerned Zane Bennet is nothing but a memory of another time. “I told you where my line was and you didn’t care. So you went for the next best thing. Where is she by the way? Oh, that’s right you married her. That makes her your wife, doesn’t it? Having your baby, too, I hear.” 

“And what about you?” He tries to take a step forward, only to be stopped as Vaporeon growls, reminding Zane that she's right there. He takes a step back but isn’t deterred much. “You had the cafes, all of them, why would you want anything else? What is so wrong about wanting to have sex with my girlfriend and, yeah, maybe have a kid or two? But, no, I wasn’t good enough for you and then you go off and marry the first rich bloke from America you can get in bed with.”

“If you honestly think I need to fall in bed with someone to be rich, you need to get your head checked.” She’s fired up, looking for the soft underbelly of this man who tried to break Rikki Chadwick, so she can cut him down. “Jealous it's not you, is that it?”

“That’s-”

“-I don’t care.” Rikki is done with this. She needs to get out of here before she does something that Tony can’t cover up. “Leaving you was the best thing I did. I don’t care for your excuses or whatever it is you want. Take away all the money and all the shiny things and I’d still rather marry my husband than ever get in bed with you.”

“Rikki-”

“-You didn’t forget about him, did you? Because he’s here, sitting at my table, waiting for me and when I get back, I’m going to kiss him and not think about you. And when I get home, I’m going to fuck him, scream his name and not think about you.”

“You’re thinking about me now.”

“That’s because you’re standing in my way.” Rikki is just looking for an excuse now. Something, anything, to make him hurt. “Now, move .”

“I-“

“There you are!” Whatever Zane was going to say is forgotten when Tony pushes his way to her side. He greets her with a kiss that still makes her toes curl and tastes like the wine they’ve been drinking. “C’mon, I got them to play one of our songs.”

“Oh, only one of them?”

“The fun one.” She laughs as Tony leads her away, not even sparing a thought to look over her shoulder. 

Tony leads her back to the ballroom just as eager as she is. Rikki might not be a natural singer like Bella but she does like to dance. She likes to have fun and Tony has no problem indulging her. Vaporeon stops at the edge of the dance floor, the crowd leaving a wide space for the exotic creature and still look on as Tony Stark and his wife take to the floor. Rikki lets Tony take her jacket off, placing it on the back of the chair next to Vaporeon and leads her to the center of the floor. He lets go of her hand and signals for the DJ to start. Rikki instantly recognizes the song and smiles, glad she wore a short dress and moves to take her place.

After all, it’s not everyday Rikki and Tony get to tango with an audience. 

Tony is solid and warm and strong against her, around her. She breathes him in, cologne and wine and fire. The way he touches her, holds her close, heats her blood and sets her heart racing. Dancing with Tony is an experience, it’s magic and love and trust. His touch is hot against her skin, scorching and searching, hungry for more of her. His hands are calloused, perfectly hot against her thighs where he caresses her. It's an invitation, a question to her, asking to give into him.

So she does, give in to him, with every touch and caress of her own. An enchantment settles upon them, locking their gaze onto each other. No one else exist in the space between them. No one else exist within their orbit. Tony takes her in, lets himself be mesmerized by her scent: her perfume with a hint of ozone and the ocean. A bond thrives between them, thrumming with magic, his and and hers, connected beyond their fragile mortal shells... 

Their bodies know the movements: taps and steps, Salidas and techniques and embellishments, all flowing into expressions of emotion. A message from him to her and back. A reminder and a promise that together they can do incredible things, accomplish great feats more than they could alone. 

Eyes of brown and blue see only their partner, the other's equal, the Moon and the Sun. The Sea and the Sky. 

The song comes to an end.

Rikki leans back, trusting Tony to support her, to catch her and isn't disappointed when his hand is already at her back. The applause that erupts is loud and unheard by the couple on the floor.  Tony eases her back to her feet and pulls her close, chest to chest, forehead to forehead, and the rush Rikki felt during their dance returns tenfold. She wraps both arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. She feels him, his warmth, his heat, and his taste.  The spark of magic where their bodies touch, makes their blood sizzle with arousal. 

“Marry me.” He murmurs against her lips, eyes dark.

“Thought we did that already?” 

"Let's do it right." Tony holds Rikki's eyes, determined and sincere. "The ceremony, the dress, all of it. I even got you that blue diamond ring I said I'd get." 

"We don't need to..." She starts and ends with another kiss.

"Nothing big," He insist between the last and the next kiss. "A beach wedding if you want. No press. No one you don't want there."

"And if I want it on Mako?"

"Fine by me. No cameras, I'll make sure of it." In other words, there won't be a repeat of her last trip to the island. Just as there are already plans in place to make sure no one ever gets a chance to do so again on Mako, Tony will make sure its the same on their wedding day.

"Hmm.." Rikki pulls him down for another kiss, one longer than the last before pulling back to give her answer. "No crowds."

Tony lifts her off the ground and spins her around, her laugh ringing out to fill the room. Maybe reunions aren’t so bad after all.

Hong Kong

Frank pressed his foot down, his target wheezes, fingers desperately clawing at his boots. The sound reminds him of Tony, of that first night he met the man beneath the suit, but his breaths were harsher. The sound of a man barely clinging to the end of his rope and no idea how to get to dry land. 

This trash is nothing like him, like the man who dotes on his son and adores his wife. Frank will squeeze what he needs out of this animal before giving him a bullet between the eyes. It’s more than he deserves.

“I’m only going to ask one more time.” Frank warns. He has a gun aimed at his head and a wrench in the other hand, ready to bring down on his knee. “And don’t bullshit me, I know you speak english. I know who you work for.”

JARVIS doesn’t make mistakes with SHIELD or Hydra. The AI has been tearing into their network, looking for agents and accomplices. Frank is willing to trust the intel was double and then triple checked because any fuck ups mean someone dies or something like what happened with Tony. Frank wishes he knew who made those fucking masks, just so he could find them and put a bullet in their head, too.

“Mr. Castle-”, is as far as JARVIS gets before there’s a fucking sword at his throat.

Frank moves his eyes to look at the source. Whoever they are, they’re smart, staying just outside of his periphery but the window reflects just enough to make out a man, roughly two inches taller and slim compared to Frank’s bulkier build.

“Who the hell are you?” 

“Someone looking for information.”

“And you got to have a fucking sword at my throat for that?”

“He cannot die.”

“Not yet.” Frank reluctantly agrees. “What do you want from him?”

“Just like that?” The man ask curiously and becomes a little clearer, stepping out of the shadows. Asian, mid twenties to thirties, black hair and black eyes.

“This fucker is going to squeal either way.” Frank shifts focus from the window to the man as he comes into his line of sight. “You didn’t kill me so you’re not his friend. Makes me wonder what he did to piss you off.” 

“Hmm.” The other man is in front of him, looking Frank in the eye. Studying him just like Frank did to him. “The Punisher.”

“And who does that make you?”

“...Raizo.” The guy lowers his sword and sheaths it right after. Frank will bet he was more than an average user. 

“Mr Castle,” JARVIS speaks up, reminding Frank he wasn’t actually alone. He doesn’t ask what the AI would have done to keep him alive. “May I remind you, you are pressed for time. Ms Potts will be expecting you at noon tomorrow for the tour.”

“Fuck.” 

That’s right. There’d been an emergency meeting here in Hong Kong with some shareholders because of the theft. She didn't manage to get Tony or Rikki on the phone before she had to head out but Pepper did call him to ask for him to go with her, with SHIELD making themselves a nuance, she wanted someone familiar nearby. Warning the other two fell to JARVIS and Frank knew it wouldn't be long until they knew every detail about what happened here. Frank didn’t turn her down for more than one reason, including the piece of shit beneath his boot. He glares down at the squirming agent beneath his boot, trying to be as small as possible. Frank had already ripped out the capsule in his mouth and stripped him of everything else. He looks between Frank and Raizo, assessing and looking for a way out. Frank has seen that look before and he has every intention of crushing it. 

“I got plans later, which means you’re going to talk.” Frank puts more pressure on his boot, on the chest beneath him, “My new friend and I have questions. Questions you’re gonna answer-”

“-I can tell when he lies.”

“Really?” Frank raises both eyebrows at Raizo before turning back to his target. He's willing to go out on a limb here and see where this goes. “Hear that? Our guest can tell when you're lying'. Which means you have very little chance of getting out of this with lying to our faces.”

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with Castle.” The guy beneath his foot, spits his words at them through bloody teeth. “Stark can’t protect you forever.”

“I wager we know more than you like.” The assassin tilts his head, curious like Frank is. Who said anything about Tony helping Castle with his hunt? Or Tony knowing the Asian man in the room with them? Interesting.

“Yeah, well, I always liked being thorough." Frank grins. "And who said anything about Stark, huh?"

The agent's eyes go wide as he realizes both his mistake and that neither of the men above him were sent by Stark. Even worse, they may have come for him on their own and will demand things he doesn't have a cover already prepped for. Frank and Raizo can see as the agent works to brace himself, hoping to hold out until back up arrives or his training keeps him from breaking. The two men share a glance, clearly thinking along the same lines. 

"Let's get started..."

He had the video played from the beginning. Again. He simply could not help himself. The other computer screens were running diagnostics and theoretical scenarios. Each used a different formula and code to run their simulations but Dr Anton Sevarius refused to tear his eyes away from the center screen.

“Fascinating.” he whispers to himself as he studies the figure in the video. 

He has seen plenty of mythical and fantastical beings but nothing as...bewitching as the creature before. A mermaid. A real, living, breathing, mermaid and not simply a flimsy human wearing a well made costume. A gorgeous gold tail, mixed with shades of bronze and orange, along with stripes of red and bronze on her sides. Sunlight fell upon her just so, highlighting the brilliance of her scales and making them shine like the purest of jewels. 

Her blond hair lay pressed against her skin, a result of choosing to rest near land of course. But it also highlighted how her skin sparkled. It is a softer sort of brilliance compared to her tail but no less beautiful.  

Otherworldly.

Yes. He can see how her allure could have simple men kill themselves chasing after it. There would be better readings if that blue menace hadn't interrupted and warned her off! Although, it is interesting how he had been right there and hadn't noticed a single thing out of place. How had she cloaked herself? Not a spell, obviously, but magic. Species variant? Hmm...myths have mermaids of all types, including color, perhaps there is some correlation? Colder climates mean darker pigment and warmer waters make for lighter tones and brighter colors? Not enough data.

There isn't enough here to create a proper tracker. No energy readings that would allow him to find others like her. Preferably young, easy to manipulate. Or one past its prime, no true loss to the population if he euthanized it and performed a full autopsy. Until then he'll need to settle for this one and from a distance...

...a great distance.

Dr. Sevarius knew he saw that blue menace somewhere. It took moments to connect it with Tony Fucking Stark. The woman sharing the photo with him is the same as the beauty in his video and its an easy deduct they are one and the same. He would very much like to know how this bumbling hack managed such a feat as getting her attention. Unless some of the Irish myths are true? Hmmm...he'll need to delve deeper. 

At a distance. 

Tony Stark may be a hack and a show pony but he could be just as ruthless as some of his previous employers. It would be foolish to go for a direct attack and a feint can be just as suicidal. No. No. Something else is needed here. Perhaps he can lure her away the same way Stark did? If that method is valid. Further testing will be required and supplies. Actually...there were plenty of old manuscripts laying around that he had...liberated, from their previous owners. There might be something hidden in them that he's looking for. He lifts his hand to the screen, running his thumb over the edge of her image, her hair, her shoulder and trailing down to her tail.

"You'll look so lovely on my table," He breathes huskily, cock twitching at the thought of running his hands over ever inch of flesh. He frees his cock with his other hand, pumping slowly and he runs his finger over her again and again. He imagines plucking a scale or ten, she'd sing so gloriously for him as he did it and moans, rutting into his hand. "I'd cut out all your secrets."

His hips jerk and he starts to crest his peak. He'd pick the best cuffs, concoctions that would make her writhe on his table and beneath his hands. Her magic would led to extraordinary findings, old rituals once forgotten even and they would be all his. Sevarius grunts and stands, pumping his cock like a boy finding his first pussy, erratic and without finesse. His eyes never leave her face, her tail, everything. When his orgasm rips through him, his eyes stay on her even as they threaten to flutter close. 

He collapses back into his seat, spent but thrilled.