AMERICA'S POV
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics relating to the very small.
I bite my lip and think about it. Okay. Quantum mechanics. Physics. Very small.
Got it.
In quantum mechanics, objects instead exist in a haze of probability; they have a certain chance of being at point A, another chance of being at point B and so on.
"The haze of probability," I mutter, thoroughly confused, but I continue on anyway. Maybe it'll make more sense as I read. "The haze of probability. The haze of probability. The haze... of probability."
Apparently, repetition is not always key.
Quantum mechanics developed over many decades, beginning as a set of controversial mathematical explanations of experiments that the math of classical mechanics could not explain. It began at the turn of the 20th century, around the same time that Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity, a separate mathematical revolution in physics that describes the motion of things at high speeds.
"Back in school, are we?" My head whips up from the book to see Tony in gray sunglasses and a black suit. He drops a bag on the counter and rummages through the fridge. He emerges with a soda and bows dramatically. "Miss me?"
"Not particularly." I grin and offer a hand, which he shakes. "But you saved me from some very boring reading, so I'll allow it."
"What are you reading? A textbook?"
"Yeah. Quantum mechanics. I borrowed it from your personal library. It's awful, but I'm learning a lot."
He shrugs. "Personally, I find it interesting, but to each his own. By the way, based on that informational survey you all took a while back, you have the fourth-highest IQ in the Avengers. Not bad, kid." He claps me on the shoulder and takes a swig of his drink.
"Fourth? Who's above me?" I'm surprised I even ranked. I never graduated high school.
"Me, Banner, Cap, then you. But according to trends and how much you've been reading, you're gonna pass him in less than a year, so here's to hoping." He crosses his fingers.
"Here's to hoping." We clink glasses. "What are you doing here? It's great to see you. I thought you were supposed to be in LA until the wedding."
"Well, that was the plan. It changed. How is Mr. Stars and Stripes? When is the crew due back?"
"Next week," I answer, my spirits lifting significantly at the thought. "And he's fine. They all are."
"But you're not. Right?" He raises his eyebrows at my frown. "Wilson said you've been moping around the compound."
"Not anymore as much," I say, closing the book after carefully marking my spot. "I've been doing better these last few days. I just hadn't been sleeping enough." Luckily, Tony is smart enough to fill in the blanks himself, so I don't have to explain further.
"Well, that settles it. Grab a coat, change out of sweatpants, we're hitting the city."
"What? Where?" I was planning on a quiet afternoon reading, but that's all I've been doing. I could use a change.
"Not sure yet. I'll make some calls, you go put something fun on."
A grin spreads across my face. "Thanks, Tony."
I run off to my room to get ready. All I've been wearing around the compound is leggings because I haven't actually had to do anything. Skimming through my closet, I pull out a fitted red leather jacket. Red. Steve always says I look good in red. Black skinny jeans and black high heeled boots complete the look, and I pull my hair into a loose ponytail.
When I arrive back downstairs, Tony has a car pulled up. A sleek blue Maserati, to be exact. I hop into the back seat, excited beyond belief.
"Very nice," Tony praises, sliding his sunglasses on. "Hap, take us into the city, will you? Someplace fun."
"Fun for you or fun for America? There's a difference."
"Good point. Fun for her. A little bit of both might be preferred."
"You got it, boss."
The ride goes by quickly, and soon enough we're driving through New York City. The sun shines as I step onto the sidewalk, with Tony opening the door for me, which is surprising. The minute we begin to work our way through the crowds, cameras begin to flash. I duck my head, trying to avoid eye contact. Oh, come on. Not now.
"Mr. Stark! Miss Evans! A minute?"
"Over here!"
"Look this way!"
"Hey, hey, move it! Out of the way!" Tony yells, pushing me forward into a building. "Sorry about them, they follow me everywhere."
"That's okay. It's not your fault. Where are we?"
"MoMA. You like art, right?" My eyes must light up because he grins. "That's what I thought."
Over the next few hours, we go all over New York. Museums, restaurants, shops. There's a lot of laughter and bad jokes and movie references. Tony even takes me to see Wicked on Broadway, and it takes all of me not to burst out in song throughout the show. Finally, we walk through this big display of Christmas lights set up in Central Park. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
"I forgot how pretty New York is," I say as we walk. Light snow falls on my shoulders, and I catch a few snowflakes on my tongue.
"Yeah, me too. I don't do this a lot. It's nice." He gestures to our surroundings. "And it's only mid-November, but in the city, it's already Christmas."
"I never got to thank you for a few weeks back. With the wedding dress? You shouldn't have."
"It was no big deal," he says, waving me off indifferently.
"But it was," I reply. "You don't need to pay for the entire wedding."
"I know. And I won't. I just kind of figured that you and Capsicle deserved something special for once."
I smile and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. Amazing how much I disliked him when we first met and he tried to get my number. "Thank you."
"You are very welcome. Hey, have you two picked a spot for your honeymoon? Because I can have my Malibu place vacated a few days after Christmas if you're interested. It's nice. Air-conditioned, right by the water-"
"Tony, really?" I gasp. "You mean it?"
"Do I ever say anything I don't mean?"
"That's amazing! Thank you so much." I'm not a hug person and neither is Tony, so I don't hug him, but I do give him the brightest smile I possibly can.
"You're welcome, kid. Come on, let's get back to the compound. It's getting cold and I want to bother Pepper a few times before the night's over."
"Oh, she came back, too?"
"No, but if I have FRIDAY call her over and over, she gets really irritated. It's fun."
I shake my head, chuckling. "You and I have very different views on romance."
"I'll say. I'd never marry someone who was eighty years older than me."
"And I'd never irritate the one I love to all end, but hey, you do you."
He stops in his tracks, almost slipping on some ice. "I didn't say I loved her."
"You didn't need to. It's kind of obvious, Anthony." I wink, causing him to blush. Tony Stark, blushing. I got him good. "Come on, Happy's waiting."
On the drive back, I fiddle with my engagement ring. The wedding's really close, only a few weeks to go. Almost everything is in place. There's just one piece missing. The groom. According to Fury, they're supposed to be back in three days, but I find it hard to trust SHIELD (or whatever we left of it) anymore.
I thank Tony for an amazing day before heading up to my bedroom. I shower while humming songs from Wicked and slip into cozy clothes before drifting off. Another night without dreams. Maybe things really are looking up.
When I wake the next morning, I stretch with a smile on my face. It's early, so I might go on a run. It feels like it's been so long. I grin at the thought of running without limits, as fast as I can. Nothing is better than that moment of freedom.
"Hey FRIDAY, anything interesting in the news today?" I ask as I pull on a pair of socks. I like to keep up with the current events.
"Yes, miss. The number one trending article in the United States this morning is as follows: "It Looks Like America Evans Isn't Only Fast When She Runs."
I freeze. "What?"
DRAMA.
livescience.org, because I'm gonna be a good person and cite my sources