From The Desk Of Agent Ainsley Harlow

Denis!

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I am a creature of habit. I know what I like. And the gnocchi here is delicious.” 

She said all with a matter of fact tone, as if it were speaking of legal contrasts. She closed her menu, and picked up her wine glass, "And the eyes, oh I adored the eyes, perfect to go with those lips. Break a man down into his key components and you can wither them away to nothing, but he was ... a sight to be seen."

Slowly she drew out the pause, sipping her wine thoughtfully, before looking up, "I think the gnocchi isn't the only thing you wanted a second taste of."

There was hardly any point in asking her the usual routine interview questions, they would be an insult to the both of them. 

Yes, Ainsley Harlow could read people very well. It came with the law experience.

"Well to be honest, my day could consist of anything. There would be a lot of time spend commuting, where through telecommunications such as video conferencing from my office here, or the one I have at SHIELD. I would be presenting product ideas, as I know you hold a contract with SHIELD for Stark tech such as phones, computers, facial recognition software. Fury doesn't like to admit for help but it's much better than what we have."

She leaned forward again, smiling, "Speaking of. That boy ... your son. The one no one knows about. He's important. Much like the hackers that work in the FBI. I think SHIELD could use him, and I could use my leverage to make them understand how. He broke in. He claims to be from the future, I gleaned that much from a tech that dealt with him if that's true, or even if it isn't and he's crazy I don't care. He's good at what he does. He could build a tighter security. He knows the holes. He used them."

She slid back in her chair, smiling proudly, "So all in all. My day would be speaking with both parties, arranging meetings, conferences, having products and papers signed. I would work in a multifaceted capacity. On a sliding scale from secretary, to PR, to accountant. The go between, with Mister Stark unavailable at most times to his own business. People would be able to come to me and ask questions, have things signed. I would have the ability to sign off on things already in progress, and then approach him with new ideas. He wouldn't be so overwhelmed, and things like ... recents events wouldn't happen, because I would keep tabs on everything."

She mentioned ‘the incident’ though and the grin quickly turned into a light frown, still only coloring the corners of her face. Trust and communication - Stark and SHIELD never seemed to see eye to eye on those two things. 

"Frankly Mrs. Stark. I don't look out for SHIELD or Stark first. I look out for me. My interests are what's best. Thankfully, that means representing both companies with the utmost integrity and respect. For if I fold over on one side, both sides fall."

When she began to talk about Stark, Pepper tried to keep face neutral, only a faint hint of concern at her brow, unwilling to admit she had been out of the loop for what felt like ages. The company was rather self contained, much like Apple, or any other company. It was difficult, branching out and building bridges when you had to worry about patent and copyright infringement. A liaison? An interesting idea, but to who?

Her husband and things she wasn’t supposed to know about. She glanced at her tablet again. The receptionist had put down SHIELD in regards to the message if Tony received it. Pepper’s posture relaxed and she gave a tight grin.

She tucked her legs under the chair, before leaning forward slightly, "I have been with SHIELD for 24 years, in both active and inactive capacity. I know the business, I know the people, I know the ... incident."

She spoke of Steven of course, but there was no judgement or concern on her face, still a smile confident smile.

“Thank you Ms. Harlow, please, have a seat.” Pepper returned the smile with her own professional business smile as she outstretched a hand, offering the chair to Ainsley. She picked up her tablet once both women were seated and looked over it again.

Her head tilted at she watched the other woman's expression, before smiling herself, nodding, "Well I suppose that would be because ... I didn't give it."

Chuckling a moment, she nodded, "I believe that Stark Industries is a very ... self contained  company, that doesn't branch out or offer much in the way of, building bridges. I'd like to offer my services in that capacity. A liaison of sorts. As to who I would be connecting with ..."

At the top, Simone was waiting for Ms. Harlow, ready to escort her to Pepper’s office. It appeared as if suddenly the SHIELD agent was getting a royal treatment of sorts.

She crossed her arms a moment, letting the doors close. If she knew nothing else, today was already shaping up to be a good day. Meeting Simone at the exit of the elevator helped clinch that.

The woman nodded her head, stepping out of the elevator, “A bottle of room temperature water, non carbonated.”

“We only posted the notice a few days ago,” Simone hesitated, “we’re hiring for all department levels. It appears that the word hasn’t quite gotten out yet.”  The subtext was clear: either the reputation of the company was scaring people away or it was something else. Many hadn’t applied, not yet.

She nodded again as the door was pushed open, "Thank you."