A/N: This is the end, my friends. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

***

You had forgotten what an incredible pain in the ass it was to get Tony on the line if you didn't have his direct number. You tried twice before you gave up, cursing yourself for not memorizing his number. Or anyone else's for that matter. Why would you need to? You always had your phone, right? You groaned in annoyance.

"Can I get up now?" Hammer said below you.

You drove your heel into his side again. "No. Be quiet. I'm thinking." There was a beat of silence as the solution came to you. "And I'm an idiot."

You called the operator and asked to be connected with Stark Tower again. This time when the receptionist answered, you asked for Happy. "Please advise him that it is a code 3 priority call." Code 3 meant there was a Tony problem and usually you were on the receiving end of those calls. The three being a reference to his mental age when he was at his most annoying.

"Who is this?" Happy answered the phone a short time later.

You rolled your eyes. "Is that how you answer the phone? We're going to have to rethink your nickname."

He said your name in relief. "Holy shit. Where the hell are you? Everyone here is going nuts trying to find you." You heard noise in the background as he moved around.

"You won't believe me when I tell you. Are you anywhere near Tony?"

"Taking you to him right now. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay, Hap. Just pissed off but I found a way to relieve some of the anger." You kicked Hammer in the other side this time and wondered if you'd managed to actually break any of the ribs yet. At least it was keeping you from being bored.

"Oh, come on," he groaned and you grinned at his discomfort.

***

Tony and the rest of the team were bent over a map laid out on a table. Fury was on the main screen as they argued over strategy. Nat's intel on Igor and who he usually worked for had made finding you a more urgent priority. You might be fine for the moment, but that wouldn't last.

"What is that going to accomplish?" Steve asked in response to Fury's latest idea.

"Wasting time. That's what it will accomplish," Bucky muttered and Tony doubted Fury even heard him.

"Boss," Happy said trying to get his attention.

Tony glanced at him to see the phone in his hand and quickly dismissed him. He didn't have time for this right now. He circled a section of the map. "I still say we should focus our energies here. Ran scans for heat signatures. The bad guys always use warehouses."

"Boss," Happy said again, a little louder.

Tony made a shooing motion at him.

"And I say it's a waste of resources to send everyone there. What if she's not there, Stark? What if the bad guy is smarter than you this time?" Fury argued.

"Boss!" Happy yelled.

Tony spun with a scowl. "What? We're a little busy trying to find someone here, Hap."

"Maybe I can help with that." Your voice coming through the speaker of Happy's phone had everyone freezing for a beat.

Tony breathed out your name, not quite ready to believe it was you just yet.

"Last time I checked. Have Jarvis trace this call and get me the hell out of here, would you?"

***

It was a matter of minutes before shouting drifted to you from the depths of the building. You turned your head to hear better, but no further sound came to you. Just as you were prepared to dismiss it as nothing, a large thud came from the hallway. You started to get up then turned back to Hammer. "Stay."

He nodded between wheezing breaths. Dipshit.

A light knock came at the door even as you approached it. "Housekeeping."

You snorted a laugh at the horrible, high-pitched voice then swung open the door. Barton stood on the other side. When he saw it was you, he lowered his weapon and grinned at you. "I've got eyes on our girl." He stepped past you into the room as he spoke to the rest of the team. "And Hammer."

You peered into the hall to find the thug on the floor, slumped against the wall.

"Christ. What did you do to him?"

Clint's question had you turning to look at him. He had moved your chair and was looking Hammer over for injuries. You stood with your arms crossed over your chest appreciating your handywork.

Clint's lips twitched in amusement as he helped Hammer to his feet.

The idiot pointed to you with a shaking hand. "She's crazy. I was just talking to her and she kicked me."

"She kicked you?" Clint asked with his brows lifted.

Thinking he had a sympathetic ear, Hammer continued. "In the head. And she punched me in the throat and look what she did here." He shifted his clothing around so Clint could see the forming bruises on his ribs.

"That looks painful. Is that where she kicked you?"

"Yes. I told you she's nuts."

Clint leaned forward to examine the other man. "Did she kick you here?" As he said the last word, he slammed his fist into the other man's ribs. If they weren't broken before, they certainly were now. He caught Hammer to keep him from falling. "What about here?" Another punch followed the words.

Footsteps sounded behind you and you stepped to the side as Nat, Tony and Steve joined you. You went immediately to your soulmate's side but scrunched your nose at the realization you'd be hugging metal. At least the helmet was retracted. "Sorry I worried you," you said as you stretched to kiss his lips.

He arched a brow. "Yes, because this was all your fault."

You shrugged. "Thanks for the rescue, anyway."

Nat scoffed. "This is the least dramatic rescue in history. We literally could have just jumped out and yelled boo to the same effect."

"If it makes you feel any better, I used your training." You gestured to the ropes on the floor.

She smiled. "Nicely done."

"Not to interrupt the female bonding, but who hit you? Was it Hammer? Please, say it was Hammer." Tony may have been smiling for you, but his jaw was set. He was pissed and wanted someone to take the anger out on. You supposed that was fair, you'd gotten to take yours out on Hammer after all.

"Kevin."

Tony's brows shot up. "Kevin? Isn't that the name of one of those little yellow things?"

"They're minions, Tony," Clint protested. They'd had this conversation multiple times.

Tony rolled his eyes and turned toward you so Clint wouldn't see his smirk.

You shook your head and gestured into the hall. "That is also Kevin."

Nat snorted a laugh then covered her mouth with her hand. "No wonder he goes by Igor."

"Cap, can you take my girl home? I have a delivery to drop off at SHIELD." You weren't sure you liked the way he emphasized the words 'drop off'.

"It would be my honor, Tony." Steve offered you his arm and you gave your boyfriend one more kiss before taking it.

"Don't be too long, Stark. We've got a party to go to."

"Yes, ma'am." His helmet slid back into place and Clint followed him from the room, dragging Hammer along with him.

Steve led you into the hall. "Let's get you home."

That was the best idea you'd heard all day.

***

You got ready for the party in Nat's room which had always been the plan. Wanda joined the two of you and it wasn't long before you were giggling like school girls. You blamed it on the tension of the day needing to be released. Whatever the reason, by the time you were dressed and Wanda had fixed your hair and make up for you, your cheeks ached from smiling.

"Well?" You spun in a little circle showing off the dress that made you feel like a princess the moment you put it on.

Both women grinned at you. "You're going to take his breath away," Nat said and Wanda nodded in agreement.

You glanced at the time. "I guess we should go." Despite all the chaos of the day you managed to only be fashionably late. Of course, since it was your party you could make the argument you weren't late at all.

Once you arrived at the floor where the party was being held, the three of you split up. Your eyes found Tony and you immediately gravitated toward him. Your gaze ran over him as you made your way through the crowd. He had one hand in his pocket and the other hooked around the back of his neck as he leaned forward listening to Rhodey.

You saw the moment Rhodey noticed you. He smiled and said something to Tony who instantly turned to find you. His expression was stunned for the brief moment it took him to rake his gaze over you then a bright smile lit his whole face. He met you half way, his fingers trailing down your cheek.

"You are stunning."

You gave him a little curtsey. "You aren't so bad yourself, Mr. Stark."

He took one of your hands in his and pulled you to him. His other hand settled in the small of your back. Effortlessly, he began to move the two of you to the rhythm of the music playing softly over the speakers. He rested his head alongside yours and hummed with the tune. You closed your eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of being home in Tony's arms.

"You scared me today," he said. His voice was so quiet you almost didn't hear him.

You tilted your head back to look at him. "I'm sorry."

He kissed your lips. "Not your fault, sweetheart. But it did make me face the horrifying prospect of my life without you in it."

"I'm not going anywhere, Stark. You're stuck with me."

"Thank God," he said with a laugh and spun you before pulling you in to kiss you again. "I would like to make absolutely sure though. So, I'm going to need you to make me a promise. And do it rather publicly, I'm afraid."

Your brow furrowed. "What do you want me to do, swear a blood oath?"

He hummed and pursed his lips. "I was thinking something slightly less dramatic. And with more jewelry." As he said the last, he pulled a small velvet box from his suit jacket. He opened it and your gaze darted from the most beautiful ring you'd ever seen up to him. He grinned but you could see the worry shining from his eyes. "Marry me?"

Your heart raced as you took in everything about this man you loved. Everything about him complemented every piece of you. You beamed at him. "Of course, I will." He slid the perfectly sized ring on your finger and a cheer went up from the crowd around you. You had honestly completely forgotten they were there, you'd been so lost in your soulmate.

His arms looped around your waist as he pulled you back to him. Your hands rested on his chest, the diamonds sparkling against his suit. He kissed you then. A sweet kiss full of promises for the future. As the two of you separated, he laid his forehead against yours. "I love you, Baby."

"And I love you, Mr. Stark."