It's been almost 2 years now since I started this 30 day challenge and I'm now at the halfway mark. Clearly, I'm not earning bonus points for time, but I hope that the story produced is worth the wait. As always, apologies for the delay and thank you for your patience.

Story time!

Day 15: Dressing in a different style.

The Stark Industries jet cut a path through the clear, blue sky. The view of puffy clouds and sparkling blue water was wasted on the four occupants of the plane.

Nick Fury, Maria Hill,, Tony Stark, and Pepper Potts were all busily working on their electronic devices, taking care of matters that didn't stop just because they were out of their respective offices.

Tony sighed heavily. "Why am I here again?"

"Because you're our connection," Fury told him.

"But why?" he repeated. "Why am I the go between between you too?"

"Guilt," Maria said.

Snark snorted. "Guilt? What do I have to feel guilty about?"

"The fact that those shipments include Stark Industries weapons and technology," she answered.

Huffing, he settled back in his seat. "Old weapons that are pretty much obsolete and technology that's not mant to used in that manner."

"So, this friend of yours..." Fury probed.

"Business acquaintance," Stark corrected.

"Business acquaintance," the older man echoed, then looked to Maria.

"Ernesto Padilla," she volunteered.

He nodded his thanks and turned his attention back to the other two passengers.

"He's got the names and locations on the weapons traffikers we've been tracking?"

"Says he does," Tony told him with a bored shrug.

"And he's willing to give them to us? He's not going to get us off to Timbuktu and then not give us bupkis, is he?" Maria asked.

"Can't promise," the billionaire replied.

"He's really nervous," Pepper interjected.

"With good reason," her husband added. "Haven't the feds already lost a couple of witnesses who had agreed to give these guys up?"

"Which is why we're handling this and the feds aren't," Fury growled.

"But you can understand his fears," the blonde commented. "He's taking a major risk to meet with you and give up this information."

Hill nodded. "We know. That's why we're playing along. Letting him set the parameters for our meeting. That's not my usual preference."

Tony smirked at her. "Yeah, I've noticed you seem to enjoy being in charge."

"It's not that. I just like things to be done right," she replied archly. "And I've found the best way to see to that is to do it myself."

Tony looked at Fury, eyebrow raised. The older man shrugged.

"I've found it's generally best not to argue with her." When Tony started to speak, Fury held up a hand to forestall him. "And before you make any comments about me being 'whipped,' remind me who does most of the running of SI?"

Pepper raised her hand primly.

Tony sighed, then nodded reluctantly. "She does. But I do plenty, too."

"Yes, you do," the Director acknowledged. "You do what you do best, just as I do, and we leave other things to the highly skilled people we hired who do them far better than we do."

"Well said," the billionaire replied.

Maria shook her head, then returned to the topic at hand. "He still hasn't sent you any further information on the site other than the Cayman Islands?"

Pepper shook her head. "He apparently wants to keep us in the dark as long as possible. I have, however, managed to locate a resort in the area that he owns."

"Under the name Heinrich Lieber?" Maria asked.

The other woman nodded. "Through a half a dozen shell companies? Yeah. That's the one. I figure that's probably where he's going to want to meet."

The brunette agreed. "I pulled up some satellite photos. It's small and remote, but looks pretty protected from the outside." She turned her screen to show them the pictures.

"Nice," Stark commented, leaning forward for a closer look. "Maybe Pep and I will stay on a few days after you've gotten your info."

"He may not have any openings," his wife remarked.

He gave her a droll look. "I'm Tony Stark. There are always openings where I want them."

"We'll see."

XXXXX

When they landed, a car was waiting to wisk them away to the resort. Upon arrival, they were escorted to a roomy, luxuriously appointed cottage. The concierge showed them the amenities and told them that someone would be arriving shortly to accompany them to their meeting. As he was about to leave, he turned.

"You will be expected to abide by the dress code for the duration of your stay," he told them.

"Of course," Pepper said.

After he departed, Fury frowned.

"Dress code? I didn't know about any dress code."

Maria had grabbed up the brochure they had been provided and she and Pepper were looking it over.

"Doesn't matter," Tony smirked. "A seasoned traveler such as myself knows how to pack for any possible situation."

Fury cocked a brow at him.

"Okay. My people know how to pack for me for any occasion. The point is, whatever the dress code, I'm sure I will be properly attired."

Maria choked back a grin and looked to Pepper, also fighting a smile.

"You definitely have what you'll need," she replied. "Both of you."

XXXXX

"A nudist resort?" Tony complained. "Why the hell would he want to meet at a nudist resort?"

The quartet was following a group of burly men leading them towards several small carts.

"'Naturalist' resort according to the literatures. It actually makes perfect sense," Maria remarked, turning to face him. His gaze darted up quickly, focusing on something over her left shoulder.

"He doesn't have to worry about the average person carrying a concealed weapon. If someone is carrying, he's probably going to be able to see it."

He glance quickly at her, then at Fury before returning his gaze to the distance.

"You're really going into this unarmed?"

The two SHIELD agents snorted in amusement.

"I said 'the average person,;" she reminded him. "We may not have our usual hardware, but unarmed is simply not an option."

He glanced at her again, a little longer this time.

"Where...Never mind. I probably don't want to know."

Again, his gaze wandered back to the scenery.

"Never would have figured you for a prude," Fury quipped.

"It is a little surprising," Pepper agreed.

"It's not that," he protested, finally turning back to them.

"What is it then?"

"It's just...You know me...being naked is generally going to lead to sex. So it's not really something I like to think about in a group setting. Espectially, a mixed group. A small group of ladies is one thing."

"Really?" Pepper asked.

"Would have been," he corrected. "Back in my swinging single bachelor days. Now, of course, you're the only one on my mind when I'm thinking sex." He took her hand, squeezing gently until she smiled at him.

"Besides, I don't really like the thought of other people seeing my wife naked. That's for me only." He turned to Fury. "Be honest. Are you really okay with other men looking at Hill?" he asked, glancing quickly in her direction.

Nick swallowed hard and looked in her direction. Her face gave no clue as to which answer would be the correct one.

"Of course I don't have a problem with it," he answered. "She's her own person and I'm perfectly secure in our relationship and her feelings for me."

She rewarded him with a smile as she slid into the cart, turning to speak to Pepper. Nick quickly caught Tony's gaze and frowned, shaking his head. The other man gave him a thumbs up.

"If it helps, most people who are involved in this lifestyle don't use it as an opportunity to ogle attractive bodies. It's more about feeling free and comfortable," Maria commented.

"Yeah? Well, I don't find it very comfortable," Stark replied. He looked to the other couple. "You don't seem particularly bothered."

"Military," the replied in unison.

"If you have any modesty when you go in," Maria started.

"They cure it quickly," Nick finished.

"There's just really not much privacy to be had, so you learn to deal with it."

"It's really kind of nice, though, if you think about it," Pepper said. "You don't have to think about what you're going to wear. If you're properly coordinated. If someone else might be wearing the same thing or has recently worn something similar."

"You're talking to people who wear the same thing every day," he husband reminded her. "SHIELD uniforms are distinctly lacking in variety."

"That's kind of the purpose of uniforms," Maria pointed out.

"But do they have to be so...uniform?"

XXXXX

They were able to quickly conclude their business with Ernesto, who was anxious to have them take care of the weapons traffikers. They stopped for lunch at a cafe on the premesis, then strolled back to the cottage.

"You think you'll be sticking around?" Fury asked. Padilla had told them that they were free to stay for as long as they wanted.

"Probably not," Tony answered as they entered their temporary accommodations. "I just can't get comfortable with the whole 'naked' thing. We'll probably find another secluded spot of beach somewhere to relax for a few days."

"You're welcome to join us, if you'd like," Pepper told them.

"No, they're not," her husband contradicted.

Before she could respond, Nick was shaking his head.

"Thank you for the gracious invitation, but we really need to get to work on this," he said, holding up the flash drive they had been given.

"See, Pepper. They've got work to do. They can take the plane and head home and we'll find another way to get somewhere else."

In the privacy of their own room, Maria wrapped her arms around Nick.

"You're not really comfortable with this whole situation either, are you?" she asked.

He grinned. "That obvious, huh?"

"Got a little bit of the caveman vibe," she confirmed.

"Call me old fashioned," he said, "but I just don't want anyone else seeing my woman like that." When she raised an eyebrow, he leaned down and kissed her. "Yes, I called you my woman. Caveman Nick does that sometimes."

"Oh yeah? What else does Caveman Nick do sometimes?"

"Caveman things," he replied, swiftly lifting her and tossing her over his shoulder. He was across the room in a few steps and dropped her gently onto the bed, stretching out on top of her before she could move away.

"On the other hand, there's something to be said for quick access," he told her, his lips meeting hers briefly before skimming down her neck to her breast. His hand traced the curve of her hip.

"There is, indeed," she agreed.

And another chapter done. Thank you so much for your time. Again, a little bit of writer's tweaking. The prompt was 'In a different clothing style.' I thought it would be interesting to just go clothing free. Hope you enjoyed.

I've got chapters of Complications, and Stroll started, a new chapter of Secrets in a Cardboard Box writing itself in my head (It was supposed to be a one-shot, Muse!), and have a pretty good idea finally for the next chapter of Risks. I may finally get another chapter of my HIMYM out, too. Something always seems to be fighting me.

Anyway, I'd love to know what you thought, please. On to day 16. Morning rituals. Hmmm.