Warning: mentions of physical abuse is mentioned in this chapter readers discretion is advised.
"Scotch, and make it a double" Tony ordered as soon as you had pulled yourself together and got behind the bar. You forced a joyful smile and nod.
"You got it," you said as you poured the drink.
"Is he the reason you have all those bruises?" Tony asked in a low voice.
"We all have our skeletons in the closet" you whispered, not confirming nor denying.
"I'll have a beer please" a tall blonde man with not quite medium length hair and a beard asked. What caught you was his stunning blue eyes and you had to hold your breath for a moment. Captain America looked good up close.
"What kind?" you asked with a broad smile, back into work mode.
"Whatever you have on tap will do, ma'am." Steve said, his eyes looking at you curiously. He gave a soft smile when you held his gaze for a moment too long and when he licked his pale pink lips you finally looked away and went on to complete your task. It wasn't too long that it was uncomfortable, at least, not to you. You were just looking at a very handsome specimen of a man. You doubted very much he would want in on this train wreck and chalked him up immediately to being unobtainable. You slid him his beer and he gave you a nod, but he was still watching you.
"I received your paperwork" Tony brought it up conversationally.
"Order up" one of the waitresses came to the side of the bar and started rattling off different drinks she needed made. You were on autopilot and started mixing various drinks and placing them on her tray quickly. The seats in front of the bar filled up next with Natasha Romanoff who wanted a martini, Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson who just wanted whatever beer was on tap. You were quick to fill the orders and kept a smile on your face as you went to work.
"Is there anything you need for your new apartment?" Tony asked, still trying to bring you into conversation. "We are putting all your furniture into storage" he added with a shrug. You sucked in a breath and gave a nod.
"Bookshelves. I have a lot of books" you said softly. "Please" you added quickly.
"Done. Tonight is your last night here, right?" he asked.
"I don't work, I don't get paid," you reminded him.
"Did you want to start your contract early?" he asked with raised eyebrows. "I can do that," he added with a sly smile.
"If he touches her again, he won't have a hand to touch anyone again. I'll break it" Nat said conversationally from her perch, taking a sip of her martini. You gave a laugh and shook your head, not taking her seriously.
"I'll probably quit," you admitted softly.
"Order up" the same waitress came back twenty minutes later. She looked like she had sweat on her brow, and was standing there nervously. You took the slip and saw another long list. You went about making various drinks again, not noticing her jump as someone brushed past her. You just finished putting down the final shot when you felt an arm go around your shoulder and fingers dug into your skin. You shuddered at the scent of old beer and looked to see John looking at you with a satisfied look on his face.
"How is she treating you?" he asked, and you wriggled out of his grip. The look in his eyes went murderous as you went to tray more drinks. He grabbed your arm and pulled you close again, and he was using far more strength than necessary.
"You're hurting me" you murmured. The five team members were watching him like a hawk, and obviously didn't like what they were seeing. Steve looked like he was about to launch himself over the bar itself, but you thought that was just him being chivalrous.
"She's been treating us better than she's getting treated," Tony said in a deadpan voice.
"What's that supposed to mean?" John demanded.
"It means I quit. This is over. I'm done" you said, pulling away from him.
"I own you and don't you forget what I've done for your sorry excuse of a family." John boomed, no longer keeping up the facade or perfect boss and boyfriend . He reared back his arm and punched your right eye, and then all Hell broke loose. Steve and Bucky launched themselves over the bar and tackled him while you fell backwards from the force of his attack. Natasha came around and helped you up off the floor. The entire bar was in shock, and Tony shook his head in disgust.
"Give me a reason" Steve told John who was trying to fight back. .
"You're dead when I find you." John yelled at you, and you scrambled away to the back room with Nat on your heels.
"Not if you can't find her" Tony quipped. "I recorded the assault. I'm sending it to the police, and she will be pressing charges," Tony took out his phone to show a video of him punching you while on loop. John sagged against Bucky and Steve's hold, knowing he was finally caught in the act. You came back out with your purse and phone and started to storm away. Tony threw two hundred dollar bills down on the counter to pay for the drinks, and started to follow you. Steve and Bucky got off of him while Sam waited for them and the five of them trailed out after you. You touched your left eye that was already starting to swell up and Nat looked at it with a grimace.
"That's going to hurt tomorrow" she warned you.
"It's not the first time" you admitted. "First time in front of people though" you added softly.
"Let's walk you home" Tony put his arm around your shoulders in a friendly gesture.
"Oh I don't know if that's a good idea" you bit your bottom lip. "I don't live that far away anyways, and this has been a relatively embarrassing evening" you shook your head.
"Nonsense. We want to make sure you make it home safely" Natasha told you and you hesitantly nodded. You started leading the way and Tony took his arm away, and you walked the block to your little apartment building, and you stopped at the door.
"This is me," you said a little awkwardly.
"I need to see what kind of stuff you are bringing" Tony said with a shrug and you hesitated before you nodded, realizing they were going to see your apartment whether you wanted them to or not.
A shrill sound filled the air as you unlocked your apartment door on the third floor of the apartment building. Tony looked at you with questions in his eyes, but you couldn't see Nat, Steve, Bucky or Sam's facial reactions behind you.
"Your contract didn't say anything about pets," you reminded Tony. "Or else the deal would have been off" you opened the door and a large racoon vaulted himself at you, scurrying up your legs and perching himself on your shoulder.
"Oh my God!" Nat said in surprise.
"Hello Tibbsy baby" you giggled as you picked him up off of your shoulder and you held him close to your chest. He nuzzled into you, purring in his own way.
"We didn't officially meet," Steve said from behind you.
"I didn't technically introduce them, but I assumed you knew who they were. They've been appraised you are our new data analyst" Tony explained.
"Hi Steve, I'm Y/N. And this is Tibbs" you cooed, looking at your pet raccoon. Tony walked in and looked at your apartment. "It's a pleasure to meet you," you said a little breathlessly.
"I'm Natasha, but you can call me Nat" Nat offered as she started petting Tibbs who cooed happily at the attention he was receiving. "Can I hold him?" she asked curiously. You handed him over and he snuggled into her while you took stock of all the mischief that Tibbs got into tonight. You had left him several dog toys that are puzzles for treats, and it looked like he solved them all again. He didn't get into the garbage, and his food dish was half eaten.
"Your new apartment is much bigger than this" Tony advised you. "I'll send over the movers tomorrow so it gives you time to settle in."
"I'm Bucky, and this is Sam" Bucky chimed in quickly.
"It's nice to meet you both," you smiled. "I'm sorry for the circumstances. I was not expecting anyone at the bar tonight" you admitted.
"Tony was too excited," Nat cooed while she rocked Tibbs. "Not that he would admit to it" she added with a chuckle. "My fiance Bruce is going to get a kick out of this little guy" she went over and sat on your old brown tapestry couch, seeming to be making herself at home.
"We should get some ice on your eye before the swelling gets too bad," Steve walked into your small kitchen and pulled out a bag of peas from your freezer then wrapped it in a clean kitchen towel that he had found. He brought it back to you and held it up to your eye and pressed it gently against your skin. You hissed at the initial contact but then leaned into it, closing your eyes. You reached up and took the bag, your fingers brushing against Steve's and he blushed. You opened your eyes in time to see a flustered Steve, and you wondered if he was always like that.
"You don't have much for clothes" Tony came out of your bedroom. "What does Tibbs eat?" he asked, taking out his phone.
"Chicken, fish, fruits, vegetables and dog kibble. I get freeze dried chicken for him and use it as a treat in his toys so he's not bored while I'm working" you gestured to all the toys on the floor.
"I'll add it to the menu for him," Tony nodded. "The only thing you don't have in your apartment is a full kitchen. You have a small kitchenette to make coffee or tea. Have some fruits and snacks in a small fridge, but we have a staff cafeteria that you will be using. I'll make sure that Tibbs' meals are included into the three that are made a day."
"I can pay for his meals" you shook your head, a little in shock, not expecting this at all.
"Has he had all his shots?" Tony dismissed you.
"Yes, he's a fully domesticated raccoon. He's very cuddly, just a little mischievous" you saw he was starting to play in Nat's hair and you giggled, then hissed because of the pain in your face.
"Is this your family?" Sam was looking at the photos on your walls.
"Yes, my brother and my parents" you nodded. "We have a farm back home. It's beautiful there" you said thinking about all the money you would be able to send home now. Especially with the salaried position with the Avengers compound. "I go home every year at Christmas for a few weeks" you said with a small smile on your face. You didn't see that Steve was watching you closely, nor did you notice that Bucky was watching Steve with a half smirk on his face.
"Did you want one of us to stay?" Steve asked you, garnering your attention back to him.
"No, I think the whole thing with the police has him scared" you shook your head.
"You are pressing charges, right?" Tony demanded.
"Of course" you nodded in confirmation. "Now that I have proof, it's not just a he said she said kind of deal anymore." you sighed.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow to introduce you to the compound and show you your new apartment. But you start officially on Monday, my lab. Nine in the morning" Tony said and snapped his fingers to bring everyone back to focus on him.
"Thank you" you said a little lamely, and Tony waved you off. Nat got up and handed you back Tibbs before she followed Steve, Tony, Bucky and Sam out the door. You closed the door and locked it, letting out a sigh of relief.
"What have I gotten myself into?" you asked Tibbs, feeling that Tony was going to be just as intrusive in your new environment.