28

Chapter 28: Just Some Darcy ThingsNotes:

So this one is looking like it's going to be around fifty chapters....I think.

Chapter Text

Darcy applied a bright red lipstick. "Good?"

"Well you look hot as fuck, so def good." Daisy blew a gum bubble that popped.

She double checked that not so much as a single hair was out of place. But it was good, the amount of hair spray sacrificed for the perfect waves was not to be thought of. And hairspray had been used to ensure her strapless dress stayed stuck. Pouring herself into the dress had been...less difficult than expected. The magic of clothing tailored for you. "Tonight is going to be fun."

"Planning on politely eviscerating anyone in particular?" Daisy asked while hovering a ball above her hand with her vibrations.

Darcy smirked. "Of course, I've got Hunter on a comm planning on feeding me intell with FRIDAY while I'm in there."

"Nice, they won't know what hit them." Daisy looked away from the stress ball she was floating. "I nabbed an SI security uniform."

Darcy snorted outright. "You're going to give Hill an ulcer if you keep turning SI's security to swiss cheese."

"She's caught three corporate spies with the last security upgrade. It's good for the company, it's my contribution to the Stark legacy." Daisy dropped the ball into her hand.

Darcy glanced at her sister. "That makes the slacks you're wearing make more sense."

"I am capable of wearing business casual." Daisy tossed the stress ball at her.

She caught it. "Are you coming with us? Because if you are you're going to want to get ready fast."

"Nope, I'll slip in about half an hour after you. Try not to get kidnapped before then." Looking far too amused Daisy winked at her.

Darcy had a secret weapon however. "Oh? Going to be spending that time in the same place as you were last night?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Daisy replied loftily, if their bedrooms in the Parker household weren't across the hall from each other it might even have worked. But their rooms were, and Darcy was quite aware Daisy hadn't returned home till the wee hours of the morning.

Thus Darcy just felt smug as she looked at her sister. "Then I must have imagined the fact you weren't in your room when I swiped one of your hair ties this morning at seven, but you were at breakfast twenty minutes later." She caught the slightest look of worry on Daisy's face, which victory. "So how is our favorite Witch?"

Daisy opened and then shut her mouth. "You're a menace."

"I live to serve the army of darkness." Darcy smirked before falling slightly serious. "Keeping it quiet for now though?"

She nodded slightly, shoving her hands under her to keep from fidgeting. "It's just…..new."

"I live to serve, not a soul shall learn about it from me. Though pro-tip, your bedroom does have a lock on it." Darcy smoothed out the lines of her dress, it was a sleek asymmetrical tightly fitted dress, the fabric a silver meant to invoke the look of mercury. It was probably the most expensive piece of clothing she now owned, thanks to Pepper.

Daisy slid to her feet with a grin. "Thanks for the tip. Now, you have some high society assholes to terrorize."

"I do, let's hope they play nice." Darcy didn't need to mention that being Tony's surprise bastard wasn't going to endear her. Her financial and political value would, but they weren't going to want her there. It was going to be delightful.

Darcy slid into the limo and looked at Pietro who was already waiting. "You clean up nice."

"Glad you think so." He lazed artfully along the leather seats, full formal evening suit complete with bowtie. "You look ravishing."

"I know." Darcy tipped her chin up, she looked fucking fantastic. "Ready to be judged?"

Pietro frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"So pretty…" She patted his shoulder. "Just remember we're about to go swimming in a shark tank."

"But we are the bigger sharks yes?" He turned smug again.

She smirked right back. "We're the biggest sharks. Oh and Daisy is faking being part of SI's security presence."

"Are we expecting to be shot at?"

Darcy arched an eyebrow. "No, but I'm a Stark and you're an enhanced Avenger. So chances are higher than average."

"I'll be sure to save you." Pietro grinned. "You might even fall into my arms."

She laughed at that. "That's a tough sell. And 'fast' isn't exactly what a girl wants Speedy."

"I'm wounded." But Pietro was just amused, the warm knowledge of each other there.

Darcy relaxed easily into her seat. "If we weren't about to use champaign as a shield against rich assholes I'd say we should check out the bar in here. Thoughts on New York traffic."

His face twisted in disgust, which just caused her to let her head fall back and just laugh.

Pietro opened the door and slid out of the limo, holding the door open he held out his hand with a cocky grin. She accepted his hand and stepped out of the car. Cameras flashed, and she was slightly surprised they'd recognized her that fast. Damn.

"This is insane." Pietro said lowly as he escorted her past the reporters and towards the gala.

She smiled while speaking lowly. "This is a fundraiser for the new cardio vascular ward at the hospital. So there will be some doctors and administrators about. They'll probably be the nicest people here."

"Are you donating?" Pietro asked as they entered the large foyer of the hospital that had been transformed for the night.

Darcy squeezed his arm slightly when she felt him gaping. "Of course, or SI is donating and I'm here to discuss the parameters of that donation with the hospital."

"Discuss?" Pietro asked as they both grabbed flutes of champagne.

She made eye contact with a man in a suit who was making his way straight for them. "You'll see."

"Ms Stark!" The man smiled, holding out his hand. "We're so glad you were able to make it."

Darcy didn't need Hunter's voice in her earpiece telling her who this particular individual was. "Dr Constance, your work on heart valves proceeds you."

He looked genuinely surprised. "I wasn't aware SI had an interest in heart valves?"

"We're diversifying since we acquired Dr Cho. Also using biological technology to regulate some of the new fluids we're working on is surprisingly effective." Darcy took a sip from her new flute of champagne.

Dr Constance's eyes sparked in interest. "Really?"

"Well what is the body but a highly effective machine?" Darcy leaned ever so slightly into Pietro.

The man actually beamed. "Exactly! Have you seen the latest numbers?"

"I have, we'll have to arrange for you to speak with our medical department we're building up right now. In the meantime you should let Mrs Polinski know I'd appreciate a chance to speak with her." Darcy spotted someone she actually wanted to talk to, and who wouldn't ignore Pietro over Constance's shoulder.

Constance straightened. "Of course, if you have time later I'd be happy to talk more Ms Stark." He then bustled to the next people entering.

Pietro spoke up. "Why did you let him call you Ms Stark?"

"There is a time to remind people my name should be Dr Lewis, and a doctor trying to fund his research isn't who to make that point to." Darcy gave a pointed look towards the CEO she'd spotted earlier. "Over there."

Pietro obligingly led them towards the CEO currently trying to eat as many of the salmon crackers as possible before someone tried to speak to him. "Do you need me by your side for all of this?"

"Not at all, I have a feeling I'll be leaving you with this gentleman." Darcy barely kept from laughing as CEO Martin Li's eyes widened as he realized he'd been spotted. She smiled. "Mr Li, forget to eat before we got here?"

He swallowed, wiping crumbs from his hands before holding out his hand. "Business call went long before this. And you must be Dr Lewis?"

"In the flesh, this Pietro Maximoff. Pietro this is Mr Li, he's one of the largest names in shipping here in New York." Darcy introduced.

Li looked at her consideringly. "Well I see my reputation precedes me. An Avenger and a Stark, I'm not sure that's a good thing." He brushed the last of the crumbs off of himself while chuckling self deprecating.

Darcy lightly laughed. "SI has been considering investing in your FEAST program. It's the type of outreach that is actively helping our community."

"You run FEAST?" Pietro blinked in surprise, his face turning far more interested.

Li nodded. "Yes it's a program that is very important, both to me and the community. Are you serious about investing? '

"Of course, expansion of your program could do nothing but beneficial." Darcy looked around the room. "So what's the sitch here?"

Li laughed. "Well, they won't start the speeches for a while yet. Hold onto your pocket book or Mrs Polinski will have put a significant dent in your bank accounts. Woman's a fundraising shark."

"Her reputation certainly precedes her. I was warned repeatedly by our charity department."

Darcy resisted rolling her eyes as she sipped her champaign. She did make eye contact with Steve from across the hall though. Returning her attention to the conversation she'd been pulled into she regretted not rolling her eyes, almost. "Yes it certainly has been a change finding out who my father is. I'm sorry I'm unclear was your father Richard or Paul? The time between divorce and remarriage is just so tight there you know?"

"She certainly has you there." A smarmy man joined in. And that was unmistakably the face of one Justin Hammer.

Darcy arched a brow. "Mr Hammer." She accepted his outstretched hand.

"And aren't you a ravishing sight Ms Stark." His eyes very distinctly lingered on her breasts. "You might just be lucky enough to be the next Mrs Hammer."

The man clearly thought he was charming, the socialites she'd been speaking with agreed with him apparently based on the giggles. Or else thought it was funny, expecting her to fumble at that. Probably a mix of the two.

Darcy gave a pointed up and down of the man. "I see prison didn't suit your disposition. Your company's stock fell by two thirds after your arrest, titillating lifestyle change I'm sure."

"Well don't you have a sharp tongue." He laughed, leaning back.

Darcy's smile showed just a touch of teeth. "So I've been told, but then it might just be the quick mind of youth. You're the same age as my father after all. It must make dating younger people difficult, what with the generation gap."

There was less laughter now. Darcy set her empty flute of champagne aside. "It's Dr Lewis by the way, not Ms Stark. Now if you don't mind, I have no interest in pretending you're not attempting to use me against Tony. So since I'd rather not waste my time, excuse me."

Darcy ignored the sounds of bitten back amusement and shock as she separated herself from the dregs. Some enemies weren't worth sweet talking. And a creepy failed supervillain was not worth playing nice with. She finally spotted Mrs Polinski.

"Stark, or is it Lewis?" Polinski beamed, she looked like she'd spotted steak not a person.

"Lewis." Darcy paused as she spotted Tony entering the gala. That was not good, he was supposed to be in Malibu, and she could see the focused mania from here. She returned her attention to Mrs Polinski. "Actually if you don't mind I'd love to speak with you about what SI can do for this hospital, perhaps over coffee tomorrow?"

"Of course, I'd be delighted to. Shall I have my assistant call your offices?" The woman's eyes glinted at the opportunity.

She plastered on a smile in alarm as she realized Tony was making a beeline for Steve. That was such a bad idea. "That sounds great, if you don't mind." Darcy brushed past the woman, she'd be forgiven after handing over the size of check SI was going to be writing to the hospital. Instead she moved to cut off the PR disaster in the making.

Darcy got there just as Tony bit out a furious "Steve."

She grabbed both of their arms. "Boys, if we're going to be talking Avenger business, perhaps somewhere a bit more private?" Her smile was tight, it was all teeth.

Steve twitched as he saw her expression. Tony on the other hand looked at her, his jaw ticking to one side before giving a sharp nod.

"I'm sure there's a powder room we can commadier." Darcy whisked them out of the hospital foyer and into some poor administrative office. She'd leave a check or something. There was a blur and Pietro was there, holding the door open.

Darcy cast her eyes back and caught Daisy's. Daisy was in a simple security suit and easily fell into the position of guarding the door. As the door closed Darcy whirled on the two men. "What the fuck?!"

"I should be the one saying that." Tony turned on her, and he was furious. "You went into Barnes's cell! Risked your life for what?! Waited till I was gone to do it." He spun on Steve. "And how dare you ask that of her! You bring your murderbot into my tower, and then have the audacity to ask MY daughter to be in a locked room with it!"

Steve bristled. "Bucky is a person. And I didn't ask anything she didn't volunteer to do."

"He killed my parents! I'm paying for his lawyers, letting him stay in my tower! And you still want more from me!?" Tony stepped into Steve's face. "Your murderbot is a monster! I should kick the two of you out."

Darcy pressed hand to Tony and shoved him back. "Both of you shut up." Glaring she turned on Tony. "The last I checked I was a fucking adult Tony. So yes I volunteered to go into the hulk room with Barnes. And you know what? I'm aware that he's a brainwashed Hydra assassin. So I brought Daisy, Wanda and Pietro with me. I'm not an idiot."

"He killed my parents, your grandparents!" Tony snarled. "I don't care who you brought with you it was stupid and irrisponcible."

"Hey now." Steve started.

Darcy whistled. "Shut up." She breathed in deeply. "Steve, just shut up." Turning on Tony again she didn't back down an inch. "Besides the man was tortured and brainwashed for years. He probably liked Howard more than you did. Of course Hydra would use their weapon like that. They'd get a kick out of making friends kill friends."

"I don't care, he killed them." Tony snapped.

She was barely aware of it as she raised a hand and slapped Tony across the face. The room was dead silent. Darcy straightened. "Clint was brainwashed, I don't see you blaming him for that? For fucks sake do you think Daisy is responcible for what she did while possessed by whatever the fuck was in her head? I am trying to make sure the whole damn planet doesn't politically implode and you can't get your head out of your ass long enough to think before you speak."

Darcy wasn't done. She didn't care that she could see the anger in Tony's face. "You were fine with helping Barnes till we found those files that showed he'd killed Howard and Maria. So it was fine when it was other innocent people he was used as a weapon against. You were fine with that. But not if the innocent people were people you cared about. And I was smart about it, I was safe, you think a one armed and unarmed Barnes is a match for Wanda or Daisy let alone both of them?"

"Are you done?" Tony's voice was tight.

She stared at him silently for a long minute. "No, but you were done listening to me a while ago."

Tony twisted slightly. And then he turned on his heel and walked out.

The room was utterly silent.

"Thank you for standing up for Bucky." Steve finally said.

Darcy's eyes sharpened as she looked at him. "Go socialize Steve, and maybe spend two fucks to think about treating Tony like a friend. Because I see a lot of using him for his resources from you, and I don't see you bothering with much else."

His mouth snapped shut. He gave her a sharp nod and then left.

"That was certainly something." Pietro blurred to her side.

Darcy looked at him. "Would you be good to run to the tower?"

"It's not far, I could do it without hurting myself." Pietro was looking at her cautiously like she might turn her ire on him as well.

She nodded. Stepping forward she grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him closer and down till they were at eye level. Darcy knew her eyes had to be dilated. "I am either going to go get very drunk or this. Yes or no Speedy."

"By this you mean sex?" Pietro's breath had hitched slightly.

Darcy huffed. "Obviously, no strings attached. We're still whatever we are, friends I think afterwards. But I'd like to fuck this out of my system."

"Your place or mine?" Pietro grinned.

Darcy woke, she was pleasantly sore and just...fuck. She let her arm fall over her eyes and groaned. "Fuck."

"That is what we did krasyvva divchyna." Pietro said from the doorway.

She sat up and noticed he was leaning against the doorframe. He was also clearly freshly showered and dressed. "You're a morning person. Of course you're a morning person." Darcy climbed out of bed and rummaged through her clothing drawer for something comfortable.

"I started the coffee, I hope that is ok?" Pietro said, his eyes were definitely giving her an appreciative once over while she pulled on an old t-shirt.

Darcy actually hummed at that. "Good, coffee's important." She paused before walking past him into the kitchenette of her tower apartment. "We're good?"

"I think so? We just continue as we were?" He checked.

She actually smiled at that. At least one thing hadn't been a minor disaster. "Good. Though if you ever want to do this again I wouldn't mind."

"I certainly wouldn't complain." Pietro chuckled while zipping into the kitchenette where he'd clearly been making breakfast.

Darcy ran a hand through her hair. She looked up at one corner of the room. "FRIDAY, where's Tony?"

Darcy was in a soft sweatshirt, yoga pants, glasses perched on her nose and hair back in a sloppy ponytail when she made her way into Tony's private workshop. She didn't interrupt him, just hopped onto the work bench and waited. Her legs kicked loosely.

"Here to yell at me some more?" Tony finally asked, not looking away from the circuit board he was soldering.

She took in his hunched back, the fact he wouldn't even look at her. "Not particularly. I'm sure you could inspider some yelling if that's what you want."

"Then I'm surprised you're not playing ring around the rosie with the murderbot who killed your grandparents." Tony definitely twitched there.

Darcy just sighed, this was exhausting. "You don't get it do you?"

"Get what? That you don't care what he's done? But perfect Steve is forgiven everything."

"He's not you know." She shook her head. "Steve's your friend and I think you've both forgotten that. But that's for you two assholes to fix between yourselves. But you don't get what your actions do."

Tony's jaw twitched, he spun in his chair to face her. "That's why I have been trying to ensure there's someone to keep us in check. But you and everyone else slowed that down."

"Daisy would be in a prison for enhanced without trial wearing a shock collar to keep her from using her powers if you'd gotten what you wanted. And for that matter blaming Barnes for what he did while under mind control? You think that doesn't bother Daisy, your daughter who left SHIELD because she was mind controlled?" Darcy spread her hands. "You think the laws you wanted would have spared Peter just because he's a kid? People you don't intend to get hurt get hurt when you do things without thinking Tony."

"So that's what you think of me?" He asked tightly.

She kind of wanted to shake him. "I think you're so far removed from the consequences of your actions you don't even know how to fucking comprehend them. You don't have to like Barnes, hell even look at him. But if you want the legal system to set a precedent of successfully trying enhanced, then you need this trial to go forward."

"So it's all that simple to you? That's cold. Steve know you see his bestie as a tool?" But Tony just sounded hurt under the bravado.

Darcy rolled her eyes. "If the man listened to anything I've said he does. So really who knows. But I've met Barnes, I like him. Not going to spend time alone with him anytime soon. But none of this is about what I think of him. It's about you learning to take a goddamn second, breathe, and then talk to someone."

"He killed my mom." Tony's voice shook ever so little. "I can't lose any of you kids too."

Darcy hopped off the work bench. It took three strides to reach him and pull him into a hug, burying her face into his shoulder. "I am so sorry." And he clung back to her.