Sorry, just a few things.

Don't get me wrong I'm totally behind Tony/Steve and super!husbands, but I wanted to try this so R&R please! I'm not exactly a master at capturing the complex character that is Tony Stark so if you notice a hit and miss let me know and I'll do my best to fix it! Rated M for safety since sexy times come later.

Pairings included: Tony/OC; Pepper/Rhodey; Steve/Bruce; Thor/Jane; Natasha/Clint. Coulson stays dead, although I very much wish he were alive.
Every chapter name is a song that I will be explained in the author's notes at the bottom since these songs sort of inspired the story and some of the events. Enjoy!

"Yes," Pepper said from the doorway, managing his schedule from her phone as she waited for him to finish up at Stark Tower.

The billionaire looked his usual handsome self in his expensive suit that cost some three figures. He frowned at his reflection in the mirror and then cast a reproachful glance at Pepper.

"Don't give me that look, Tony," she said, placing her weight on both of her high-heeled feet as she half-turned to walk away. "The exhibition's donations go towards a clean energy fund that Stark Industries is looking to back. And they have a piece dedicated to Iron Man. So yes, you have to go."

Tony sighed, he preferred it when people threw galas and parties. "Drink first," he said, making his way to his massive kitchen.

"Mm-mm," Pepper shook her head, taking the tumbler of scotch from his hand. She gave him a look with her blue eyes. "We have to pick up Rhodey, come on."

Tony gave a half-hearted pout. He followed Pepper to the elevator that would take them to the private garage where Happy sat waiting in a car. Pepper looked good in a dress that Tony had apparently paid for. After the time they spent together they managed to part gently and amicably when things were no longer working out (although Tony begged to differ. He was still getting over it). Tony was happy that Pepper had found something with Rhodey. But honestly, when did Tony Stark ever show up to any public event without a date?

It was going to be a long night.

Tony managed to snag a flute of champagne from a passing tray and immediately took a sip, wishing for something stronger. The music was too techno and too light and the art was too philosophical and modern for him to even consider deciphering any of it. Pepper liked art and Rhodey stood by her appreciation for it. Tony just gave Pepper the money to buy it. He hardly ever understood the lines of art and preferred the art he found in the beautiful line of a freshly completed engine.

His fingers tapped the side of his finely suited leg as he surveyed the gallery. Several people walked around, looking extremely glitzy and ready to make a bunch of donations all in the name of clean energy. Tony's eyes flickered to the Iron Man piece that was featured in the spot of honor at the center of the gallery. He squinted carefully at it, thinking that it wasn't half bad. Perhaps he should buy it.

Pepper snatched him away for a moment to look at a few pieces with her and Rhodey, explaining some of them when Tony cocked his head. After three pieces Tony was looking for another flute of champagne.

"This place needs a new DJ," Tony stated plainly.

Pepper shot him a sidelong glance. "Tony, don't," she said. "Respect the artist!" She frowned as he pulled out one of his gadgets from his pocket, a touch screen handheld that had JARVIS accessing the sound system within minutes.

"I apologize," he said in a loud voice, attracting the attention of most of the people in the gallery. "But I think a change of tune is in order."

"Shoot to Thrill", Tony's default song from one of his favorite bands, began playing. Tony smiled as he watched several heads whip around in the general direction of him or up to the speakers and frown.

His eyebrows went up as he noticed one person look around, find a speaker, and smile.

Immediately Tony gave her a once over. Tall, brunette, curly hair, green eyes, tasteful glasses, pouty red lips, catchy smile, and an amazing set of curves. He decided that her legs looked positively sinful in the heels she had on and wanted her name at once. It had been a while since someone had stirred something inside him, months since he and Pepper had broken up.

"Hey, Pepper who's-" he began, moving closer to Pepper to ask her a question he hoped she knew the answer to.

But he was interrupted by Rhodey saying: "Ev!" and the woman he'd just been so intrigued by came click-clacking over with a gigantic grin on her face. She practically bounded her way into Rhodey's arms, her full curls bouncing as her smile glittered.

Tony blinked as he watched her whole body just light up as she responded with: "Rhodey!" and enveloped the Colonel in a hug. Pepper looked a little surprised, but recognition dawned on her face while shock remained on Tony's.

"Ev...angeline?" Pepper said slowly.

"That's me," the woman nodded, smiling at Pepper. "You must be the famous Pepper Potts." She shook Pepper's hand warmly and gently. She looked at Rhodey when she let Pepper's hand go. "Rhodey never stops gushing," she gave Pepper another close-lipped smile, the kind that held in the excitement.

"Um, hello?" Tony said, stepping into the conversation and into their circle. "Yeah, hi."

Rhodey turned his head to roll his eyes.

Tony stuck his hand out and the woman, Evangeline, met it with ease. She shook Tony's hand firmly with a quizzical smile and Tony could feel her green eyes attempting to read him. "Tony Stark," he said, his mask hardening in place. "I don't believe we've met."

"No," she said. "I don't believe we have. Dr. Evangeline Miller," she said as they finished shaking hands. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Stark."

"The pleasure is all mine," Tony said smoothly.

She gave him another close-lipped smile, her eyes still scanning.

"Doctor of what, may I ask?" Tony went on, diving into conversation as Pepper and Rhodey exchanged knowing glances.

"International Relations, Engineering, and Particle Physics," she said simply, accepting the champagne flute Tony handed her from a passing tray as he grabbed himself a third.

"Hmm," Tony said, giving an approving nod. "What brings you here?"

"Friend of the artist," she replied, the green eyes behind her glasses twinkled in an amused way.

"Ah," he nodded. "And how do you like the work?" He gestured, his hand stopping at the Iron Man sculpture.

She didn't bother looking around her. "Some of his best," she said, not missing a beat.

"I think it's all fantastic," Pepper interjected, glancing between the two of them.

"Definitely," Rhodey agreed, looking at Tony curiously.

"Isn't it?" Dr. Miller smiled, her gaze lingered on Tony before the side of her mouth quirked up and she turned to Pepper and Rhodey.

Dr. Miller? Evangeline? Ev, like Rhodey called her? Tony couldn't decide. He studied her discreetly as she shifted into conversation with Rhodey and Pepper.

Minutes ticked by and "Shoot to Thrill" eventually faded out and the horrible techno music was back.

"Well, that's my cue," Tony said, disposing of his champagne flute into a passing hand. He didn't bother looking at the surprised expression of the person as they glanced back at him. "Time's up."

"So when AC/DC stops playing the man of the hour leaves?" Dr. Miller asked, raising an eyebrow at Tony.

Tony gave her a smile. "Precisely, Dr. Miller."

"Evangeline," she said immediately.

Tony's smile grew an inch. "Precisely, Evangeline," he amended. His gaze shifted to his best friend and assistant. "See you tomorrow, Pepper. Business as usual."

He turned, ready to leave and ready to get out of the searching gaze of Dr. Evangeline Miller.

"Have fun kids," he said, walking out with his signature mask of calm enjoyment in place on his face. "Don't stay out too late."

"JARVIS," Tony said, happier in his lab with a glass of scotch and a piece of his newest model of the Iron Man suit that he was working on in front of him. "Run her."

"Of course, sir," JARVIS answered.

The screens in front of Tony immediately filled with information on the curious doctor. He flicked away pieces of files, credentials, articles, and awards as he scanned through a summary of the beautiful doctor's life while JARVIS narrated.

"Evangeline Alexis Miller," JARVIS supplied. "Doctorates in International Relations, Engineering, and Particle Physics. Known for starting college at an early age and establishing a diplomatic career in her early 20s. Her mother and father are deceased. Her father, Dr. James Miller, passed away most recently in 2002. She has a brother, Eli Alexander Miller, but he often works overseas and the two are loosely connected." JARVIS gave a brief summary of her work portfolio, but he didn't have much on her personal life. "That is all I have, sir."

"Hm," Tony grunted as he leaned back in his chair. "CALTech. University of Oxford. Affiliated with the governments of five major countries and three of the world's top research facilities. Oh, what's this?"

Tony tapped and expanded an encrypted file. The insignia was scrambled, but he would bet his newest Audi that it was the SHIELD logo.

"JARVIS?" he prompted.

"I am sorry, sir," JARVIS said. "I do not have the clearance to access the requested file."

"Clearance" Tony repeated, rubbing his chin.

"If I may, sir," JARVIS went on. "Is there anything particular you would like to know?"

"Yeah," Tony said shortly, waving all of the files away and prepping his soldering station. His mind was already moving on. The good doctor could wait. "Why is someone who looks like her, with the degrees she has, affiliated with the people that she is, looking so closely at me?"

He knew the woman all of ten minutes and he simply couldn't forget just how penetrating her gaze felt. He didn't like it one bit.

"Perhaps someone else should answer that question," JARVIS offered. "Like yourself?"

"Just put AC/DC on JARVIS," Tony sighed softly. He picked up the handle of the soldering station and worked until Pepper pulled him away from his desk.

Author's Note: Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC. I picked this one mostly because it's Tony's obvious theme song. Just a bit of a kick start!