Time Crunch (October 1986)

Isabella went in to work and found that the roses were still there. She stood there looking around for a moment before she called Jennifer into her office. She instructed her to find someplace to donate the flowers to...but to leave one vase of flowers in her office. The roses were taken out and put into a conference room while Jennifer began to call around town. One vase was left and Isabella left it on her desk. She threw herself back into her work. The background checks came back for the security detail she had put together. The team was going to include herself and: Tim Johnson, Sam Wesson, Michael Howe, and Alonzo. She felt confident in her choices. The only thing she didn't have at this point was air support. She would have to figure that out once they got to Kazakhstan.

While she continued to work on the details of Mr. Stark's security, in the back of her mind she was still thinking about the bomb and the bracket Lewis had given her. She had a feeling that the bracket was key in figuring everything out, but she wasn't an expert in such matters. Luckily for her though she knew someone who was. There was someone in this very building who was a demolitions expert and she decided that she needed to talk to him. She got up and took the bracket with her and walked down to James Brown's office on the fourth floor.

James Brown was the epitome of what a Geek might look like. Brown hair in a bowl cut, pimply skin on his face, a long, thin nose, black framed glasses and he wore gray pants and a white short-sleeved button up shirt with a black tie. He even had the pocket protector in his shirt’s left breast pocket with pens, pencils and tweezers to handle evidence. He was one of the CIA’s top analysts and what he didn’t know he quickly discovered. James did not like things he didn’t know or understand and so he put alot of effort into finding the answers the CIA sought. His room was in a fair bit of disarray but it was always like this. Soda cans, bags of chips and other things were littered on his desk and elsewhere and his computer took up a good bulk of his available desk space. His door was always left open. James was afraid of the dark.

Upon her knock on the door frame James leaned over from in front of his computer screen and looked at her. This chick glasses made his hazel eyes appear larger that what looked right on anyone. “Uh, yeah?” He began but then when he saw it was Isabella, who was also a woman he clamored from his chair. Wrappers crinkled and an empty soda can clanged dully as it was knocked aside as he stood to greet her.

“Oh, Agent Corsetti, what brings you to the back end of the CIA?” he asked awkwardly. Everything about the man was awkward and he had bbq chip stains on his white shirt.

Isabella did not know James too well. He tended to seclude himself in his office and seemed rather socially awkward. However, he was very good at what he did, which was why she was here.

“Well, I have something I would like for you to look at. It was found at a crime scene that was supposedly a gas leak explosion but there appeared to be parts of a device found among the wreckage.”

She pulled out the bracket and handed it to him.

As soon as he saw the bracket he pulled a blue, rubber glove from his pocket and put it on his hand. He took the bracket and did a cursory examination of it. “I am unfamiliar with this but if you leave it with me I should have an answer for you in a few days,” he said simply then looked up at her blandly.

Isabella nodded. “Yes, I can leave it with you for a few days. The sooner you can get back to me though the better. Thank you James.” She left his office and headed back upstairs.

The next day for Isabella was filled with training sessions, meetings, recon reports and reviewing known Taliban bases and who ran them. With where the military had chosen to have the demonstration, the closest Taliban base was over 100 miles away. Still she still put the danger level as moderate in contrast to what the Army had set it as low. She would have 2 scout helicopters and 1 gunship on standby and the military gave her the use of 3 armored HMMVVs for her security personnel and Tony. Sgt. Hawkins, Corporal Jennings, Tony and herself would be in the middle HMMVV, Alonzo and his team would bring up the rear and 4 Army soldiers she had chosen would be in the front HMMVV for the 25 mile trek back to the base.

When she came into her office on Thursday, instead of roses, Tony had bought her Orchids. They ranged in colors and, in the right environment could live indefinitely. There were vases, large and small with orchids everywhere and once again outside of her office as well. Jennifer had come up to her...again but it was clear she didn’t do much to stop them from being delivered. It ‘was’ Tony Stark after all.

Isabella was as prepared as she could be at this point for the Kazakhstan trip. The only end she wanted to tie up was the air support, but she wouldn’t be able to do that until they got there. She felt confident that To y would be safe, but she wasn’t going to take any chances either.

When she walked into her office on Thursday she found it full of Orchids. Like roses, they were expensive flowers. She couldn’t help but feel slighted flattered by his attention. She was about to pick up the phone to call him when she suddenly heard his voice out in the hallway. Before she could step out he walked in.

“I was just about to call you Mr. Stark. I asked you to stop sending me flowers.”

Tony did not have to wait long, Isabella came in, saw the flowers and then looked like she was about to pick up the phone. In he came, a confident, certain stride and dressed to the 9s. He knew she was engaged to be married, knew she ‘loved’ that man but many women had said that when they succumbed to his charms. But as for Isabella, it wasn’t ‘just’ that she seemed to be able to resist him he also found her...intriguing. Intelligence and strength of spirit. Toughness and also an inner tenderness. He wanted to know her in every way that a man could ‘know’ a woman and he wanted her to know him. He knew full well that he was difficult at best but a part of him felt that she might be able to put up with him. He would not stop ‘bothering’ her until she relented and he hadn’t even really gotten started yet.

His suit today was blue with matching pants, a white shirt and a pale violet tie. His hair and goatee were expertly trimmed and his cologne was so unique that once she got a whiff of it she might find herself drawn to the lightly heady scent. “No, you said roses, clearly I got the message,” he said as he smiled at her. He continued. “So, do you have a few minutes? I wanted to discuss a few things, you know, about the mission and such,” he said as he picked up her purse and handed and held it for her to take.

Isabella did find herself drawn to Tony. There was just something about him. She couldn’t put her finger on it exactly though. Perhaps it was simply because no man had ever pursued her like Tony had. Normally, when a woman told a man no he got the message and found another woman. Isabella knew that there were plenty of women just in this building who would sleep with him. It was probably the simple fact that she had turned him down that was causing him to do all of this. Tony didn’t seem like the type of man who enjoyed being told ‘no’.

She sighed when he informed her he wanted to talk to her. She became suspicious when he picked up her purse and handed it to her. Clearly that meant they were going out somewhere.

“Why can’t we discuss all of that here?”

Tony gestured as he gave over the purse. “It’s kind of a lunch and learn kind of thing, there’s more than just security concerns with this mission. There was an attempt to engage a weapons convoy not far from the base a few weeks ago. I just learned of it today,” he said. When Isabella looked over at Jennifer he gestured again. “Oh, I’ve already told her to push your meetings,” he said confidently and then stepped back to allow her to exit her office first.

When she got down to the street a limousine awaited them and Happy, a man she met before opened the door for them then off they went. Tony sat across from Isabella and he shifted to his side and pushed a button. In a few moments an in car bar came up and opened and he began tossing cubes of ice into fine, crystal glasses. He poured just a finger of dark, brown liquor into them form a fine crystal decanter then set it back into the bar. He handed a glass toward her.

Isabella was rather irritated that once again Tony was coming in and causing chaos in her life. She had important things she needed to get done today. However, when he mentioned the attempt to engage a weapons convoy not far from the base a few weeks ago she knew that problem went to the top of her list.

She relented and agreed to go with him. She wasn’t surprised to see a limousine. She got in and Tony sat across from her. After a moment Tony pressed a button and a bar popped open. That did surprise her. She watched as he added a few ice cube to a glass and poured a little bit of brown liquor into the glass. She accepted the glass and took a small sip.

“So, where are we going?”

“I have a craving for seafood,” he said and smiled when her face took on a thoughtful look. He sat back and appeared to relax as he took a sip of his drink. “So how is your brother doing? I could put him in touch with a great rehab specialist, He did wonders for me after the crash,” he said but didn’t go into it.

“I did want to know how a woman with renowned doctors as parents becomes a CIA agent? Considering who my father was I guess I always knew I’d follow in his footsteps. Inventing something new excites me, I like to solve problems and I...love a good challenge,” he said warmly and his eyes briefly gazed down at her legs. They looked silky and smooth and he wanted to touch them right then.

Isabella glanced at Tony when he mentioned using a rehab specialist after a crash. She wanted to ask him more about that, but decided against it for the moment. However, she thought about at least getting the specialist's name and number for Luca. He was going to be going home soon and was going to need to start rehabilitation.

She took another sip of the drink he had given her and glanced at him again when he asked why she became a CIA agent. She could see him eyeing her legs and she shifted slightly in her seat.

"I never wanted to become a doctor," she admitted. "My parents wanted me to become one...and Luca actually, but he and I are both very independent people and we wanted to make our own way in the world. I suppose I became interested in becoming a CIA agent when an agent came to our school to talk to my class when I was in high school. I knew it was going to be hard work...especially because I was a woman, but I knew that that was what I wanted to do. So, I graduated early from high school and went to Harvard. I then got into the CIA's graduate program and from there I was accepted into the training program. I enjoy the work that I do. It's often difficult and some of the people I work with can be...frustrating," she said as she looked at him, "but I wouldn't want to do anything else."

Tony nodded. “Ah, I heard about that...Alan Hickman and Frank Castle business,” he said as he gestured. “Nasty that, I heard you were...wounded. Perhaps someday we can...show one another our scars,” he said with a very bright smile. They continued on with small talk until the limo stopped. As soon as the door was opened she smelled...salt water? They were at the docks and as Tony helped her out she saw a small boat landing that led to a very large boat. No, not a boat, a yacht. He hurried forward and smirked as he heard her try to keep up with him. His reasoning for that was two fold. One was to keep her focused on trying to keep up and the other was to avoid her admonitions that she didn’t have time for this. In any event the sounds of the dock had drowned out her complaints and as she looked back the limo drove off. No where to go but forward...onto the yacht...with Tony Stark.

They were met by a man she assumed was the captain and a man who was obviously a chef by his dress and another man who could be a servant or a waiter? They all nodded to them as they moved onto the yacht and they took their glasses as the door was shut behind them. Inside the entrance she found herself presented with luxury incarnate. Italian leather, paintings on the walls, crystal chandeliers, stainless steel and all of it was designed for comfort, fashion and utility. He stepped up to the bar and fixed them a fresh drink though like the first, just a finger width in the glass. “Do you like Halibut, shrimp and lobster?” He asked as he nodded toward what appeared to be the dining room. A very spacious dining room with only one set table in the center of it.

Isabella looked at Tony when he mentioned them showing each other their scars. She kept a neutral expression at first, but then a very small smirk appeared on her lips. She looked away, but couldn't see out the windows and so she couldn't tell where they were going. When the car finally stopped, the door opened and she could immediately smell the salt water. Tony wasn't kidding when he said he was craving seafood. Then, as she stepped out, she saw the Yacht. She started to open her mouth to object, but Tony began to walk very quickly to get away from her. Clearly, he anticipated her being upset about this.

She sighed and had no choice but to follow him. She stepped on board the luxury ship and they were greeted by the captain, chef, and a waiter. She followed Tony into a room that was nicer than any room she had ever been in. She was surrounded by Italian leather, exquisite paintings, and real crystal chandeliers. She followed Tony over to the bar and watched as he prepared a drink for them. She wanted to argue with him about how she had work to do, but it seemed pointless. She finally just sighed and took the glass from him.

"Yes, I do...lobster particularly."

“Excellent,” He said and smiled as he gestured with his glass to her. “Shall we?” He asked and gestured again toward the dining room. This room was similar in design and functionality but it looked as if it could accomodate a much larger group of people. As they sat she felt the engines turn on and the boat began to shift as it set out onto the water. Tony looked completely relaxed as he sat back into his chair and he crossed his legs. He had a very expensive looking Rolex watch, a thick, gold ring that resembled maybe a college or signet ring and a gold bracelet though it only borderlined too flashy and extreme.

“So I guess you don’t know much about Gerald, your boss? He knew my father when he was just getting into law enforcement. He probably knew him better than I did,” Tony said dryly. “I never knew my mother, she died before I was born and I have no blood relatives to speak of. Sadly the Stark line stops with me,” He said with a grin as he looked at her. His eyes shifted down to her breasts as he took a sip of his drink. She had a nice neck and jaw structure as well. Even her cheeks he liked and he grinned as if he alone knew a secret that she didn’t.

Isabella was surprised when Tony opened up to her about his family. It sounded as though he wasn't ever really close with his father and it saddened her to know he had grown up without a mother. He seemed...lonely to her...and possibly unhappy. Happiness and love were not things one could buy or manufacture. She wondered how Tony might be a different man if he had such things in his life.

She wanted to ask him more about his relationship with his father, but decided that might not be a good topic to get on to. She took a sip of her drink and then noticed him looking at her breasts. That wasn't what got her though...it was when he grinned like a schoolboy with a secret.

"What are you grinning about?"

“It’s too bad we are in a Time Crunch or we could relax in the hot tub that’s up on the forward deck. You’re a size 4? I found a red bikini for you if your interested,” He said as he crunched on one of the long breadsticks that were in a round, marble container on the table. “Its a bit windy but there are wind blinds on the deck and the water is warm,” He said as he chewed. He watched her eyes to see if she was tempted at all. He took her for someone with integrity and part of that was likely her devotion to her fiance. He wanted her but he was beginning to believe he wanted her for completely different reasons than he usually wanted women. He found that he actually liked talking with her and he was able to have a real conversation for once without that glazed eyed look that most women took on when he spoke about anything important. It wasn’t a wonder to him at least, why after one night his assistant Pepper Potts sent them on their way.

Isabella to be honest was tempted. She hadn't been able to relax in months. Sitting in a hot tub for a while sounded amazing. However, she shook her head. "Tony, I'm already going to have to work well past the time I usually leave work in order to make up for work time lost because of this lunch. I'm going to end up missing dinner again with my fiance. I've barely been able to spend any time with him since you asked me to go to Kazakhstan with you. I can't sit around in a hot tub all afternoon. I appreciate lunch, but after lunch I need to get back to the office."

She hadn't realized that she had called Tony 'Tony' instead of 'Mr. Stark' as she always had. It was certainly much more familiar...a sign that she was relaxing around him.

Tony only nodded and took another sip of his drink as the waiter came into the room. In all actuality, very little time had passed but oddly it seemed as if they had been talking for hours. Obviously Tony had picked out the wine, a nice white that would enhance the flavor of the seafood. He dropped off some bread and paused and waited for their order. “The lady will have the lobster and I’ll have the Halibut,” He said. “Very good choice sir,” The man said and stepped away. Tony turned back to her.

“So what do you think about mutants? I’ve been detecting them more and more in our society. I really think they are going to seriously make an impact in our world. Have you ever heard of Charles Xavier?” He asked. Not many people not involved with Mutants had, even law enforcement but she might being a government agent.

“They’ve already faced things you probably wouldn’t believe if you tried. I don’t mean to throw a dark blanket over our meal but I think something dark is coming. Something devastating to our planet if we’re not prepared,” he said as the waiter came back out. He set a flat bowl of soup down on her plate then did the same with Tony.

Isabella looked at Tony when he asked her about mutants. It was odd that she found it so easy to talk to him. There were still things about him that irritated her, but she began to think more and more that he was just misunderstood in many respects.

"Well, the CIA is becoming more and more interested in mutants. In some cases it is because there is a concern that they might use their powers to do harm. However, in other cases it is because the CIA believes they can use them. Charles Xavier, for example, can read minds. That interests the CIA very much. I believe mutants shouldn't have to live in fear. However, they also need to be held to the same accountability as non-mutants. If they break the law they should be tried and punished just like everyone else. There needs to be a balance."

She took a sip of her drink and then looked at Tony again when he said he thought something dark was coming. "What do you mean exactly?"

Tony thought about his answer for a moment before he spoke. “Its just s feeling. We know that we’re not alone in the universe. Mutants are appearing more now than ever before. Powerful mutants like Charles and Magneto,” he said. “Dr. Doom and others,” he said as he looked into her gorgeous eyes. “And im not going to be making weapons forever. If anything I’d like to find all of the errant weapons and munitions and dispose of them.” He said honestly. “Im onto something big Isabella,” he said and that boyish grin returned. Really big. I wont divulge what it is but it will change the world for the better,” he said.

Isabella was intrigued by Tony's answer and she believed him. She was actually glad to know he wasn't planning to make weapons forever. The world had enough of those. She knew that if Tony put his mind to something else...something that will make the world better then he could actually do it.

She raised up her glass. "Well then...to making the world a better place." Her eyes met his as he clinked glasses with her and she held his gaze for longer than she should have.

Eventually their food came and the huge lobster tail had been flipped out of its shell but still attached. It had a salty, buttery scent to it and her plate included asparagus and a smashed potato side as well. Tony’s piece of fish was excellently prepared and he had similar side dishes. The waiter poured the wine then he stepped away so they could enjoy their meal in peace.

“What do you like most about what you do? You seem to be passionate about it and you’ve advanced in your career in a very short time. I doubt few women could say that. Gerald, had done some pretty risky things when he was younger. At that time though Russia was the CIA’s main concern. The cold war and spies were in their infancy then and black men were typically not treated well or given respect. My father befriended him though and through him he developed spy tech and weapons for the CIA,” Tony said.

Isabella's mouth immediately began to water when the plate was set before her. She could smell the butter and one bite told her that the lobster was perfectly cooked. It was rare to find someone who knew how to hit that sweet spot when cooking lobster. She heard Tony's question and she picked up her napkin and dabbed her mouth before smoothing it back onto her lap.

"To be honest, I think I like the challenge of what I do the most. I suppose the fact that not many women are in this field really is what drew me to it. I wanted to break that mold and prove that women can do anything that men can do. I also like the hope that I have that I am leaving the world in a better place. That's ultimately what I want...to do some good in this world."