Chapter One: Blow me away.

Darcy Lewis took no prisoners and no shit. From anyone. Whether it was from strangers or loved ones, she'd always been the one to call people out on their bullshit.

Unfortunately for her, sometimes that meant offending said loved ones. She couldn't care less about strangers; it's not like she'd ever see them again. But it was different with people you cared about, who for some unexplained reason cared about you in return. Not that this particular person cared.

She still cringed at the heated words she had exchanged with Red, White and True Blue. Aka Steve Rogers, aka the man she was all kinds of hot and bothered for, aka the man who barely acknowledged her whenever she happened to be around the not-so merry band of superheroes.

But Darcy couldn't help who she was, couldn't stop herself from cutting off his tirade with a glib, devil-may-care retort that coloured her outlook on life. She felt his stare the moment the words had spewed from her mouth.

'What did you just say?' The muscle in his jaw was doing wonderful, twitchy things and she wondered what he would do if she planted a big, wet smooch on that bad boy. He'd probably turn tomato red and have an aneurysm... Hm.

The silence stretched uncomfortably and she couldn't put off answering any longer, so she looked into his eyes, and damn. She really need to work on her brain to mouth filter. It was obviously clogged with one too many pop tarts, ramen and Starbucks.

The upset, you kicked my puppy expression was aimed straight at her and his eyes were twin pools of sadness, barely restrained anger and her favourite shade of blue. Another reason to hate him, but love him. The patriotic bastard.

And even though it killed her to say it again, she did. Because that's who she was. And she was tired of being yelled at. 'I said, if you're just going to shout at me, why even bother to get Stark to swoop in and save me. It's not like anyone's going to miss this.' She flapped her hand up and down at herself to emphasize her point.

Captain Perfect's gaze narrowed and, oh boy, she was definitely up shit creek without a paddle. The muscle in his jaw was working a mile a minute, and was it possible to give a living legend a rage-fuelled heart attack?

From the way he was breathing at her, it just might be. 'How can you say that?' His teeth were gritted. Another sign that she should have just cut and run. 'You know very well that you'd be missed, Ms. Lewis.' How he managed to be polite and condescending in the same sentence, she'd never know.

Sadly, when Darcy was annoyed, she didn't know when to shut up. 'I can say that easily because it's true, Cap. Besides, Tony was in my ear telling me what to do, and if you hadn't yelled and pointed at me, that flying drone wouldn't have even known I was there!'

'So now it's my fault that you almost got yourself blown up?!' He threw his hands up, giving her a disbelieving, incredulous look and crap bag, she was starting to get super pissed off with his high and mighty attitude.

'Ok, you two lovebirds need to stop. We've got incoming.' Stark, who'd been gleefully watching the exchange, finally interjected. He smirked and pointed upwards, turning a blind eye at the Captain's bulged eyes, red ears and stammering reply that we aren't lovebirds, Tony.

Rolling her eyes, Darcy ignored the adorableness of Spangles and turned to the man with better hair than a Victoria's Secret model. 'Rip 'em a new one, Metal Man.' She raised her fist, which was promptly bumped by Stark, even as he surveyed the skies.

'Time to rock'n'roll, Capsicle. Put on your dancing shoes.' Without preamble, Stark shot off into the danger zone above them.

Seeing that as a sign to get the hell out of there, Darcy turned to run to the nearest subway entrance but was stopped by a steely hand to the shoulder.

'Be careful,' were the only stern words she heard before a blast to her left knocked her right off her feet, sending her into sweet oblivion.

Notes: So, I've started writing again after a long hiatus. More chapters to come in the future. The next part will be up as soon as possible. Sometimes, I write really long winded descriptions, please forgive me.