Alica Here

She placed a hand on sessu’s cheek, then walked into the room.

"Sweet. Seeya later."

"Just don't get caught!"

"Right. Lemme see what I can do with my team, but if you wanna hit a couple of the labs, go for it."

"Sounds like a plan."

"I still don’t think you should get me a present though. I mean, if you’re paying your own way for school and your apartment and everything, you probably need all the money you can get. Plus, I uh, don’t exactly have any money to spend on any more gifts for anyone."

"Alright, alright. Fine. You make a good argument. In any case, someone has to decorate this place."

"Hey, a kid’s gotta make a living somehow." Oh he was so smug right now. How many people could say they’d hacked Tony Stark’s maneframe and gotten away with it? Probably very few.

"I guess... But wasn't Mr. Stark the least bit suspicious when the tech worked perfectly with his reactor?"

"I’m nice to everyone– except Doc Ock, that dude’s creepy."

"Let’s just say I’m open to selling my new security system to Stark International once it’s completed."

"Oh my God." Should she be amused or appalled? She was a little bit of both, to be honest.

"Well my latest completed project was tech compatible with Tony Stark’s arc reactor. I got to show it to him when I went to get the armor repaired.” Best day of his life so far. “Course my work in progress at the moment happens to be some surprise upgrades for the SHIELD security systems.”

"How did you get the schematics for his arch reactor? Aren't they basically under lock and key?"

"I am? Why? We barely know each other, dude."

She shrugged. "Because you're nice to me?"

"Oh uh….. nothing. Don’t get me anything, okay?"

"Why not? You're on my list."

"Heh, probably. Wouldn’t really call it that myself. But then again it’s kinda the norm for me. So what didja wanna talk about… ?" Crap he’d forgotten to ask her name hadn’t he?

"Do you have any projects you're working on?" Alica had been too excited to introduce herself. It wasn't every day a Bio-Chem major met one of the smartest people on Earth.

"Wow, I've actually wanted to have the chance to talk to you." Working for SHIELD sure had its advantages. "Your mind must be fascinating.."

"That’s a very good point. But why would you want to decorate if you can’t celebrate?"

"I can still appreciate the season! I'm still going to give presents to my friends and all that. Speaking of which, what do you want?"

"Yeah but…. it’s sad. That sucks, man.”

Drat, he’d been hoping to find an empty lab. Then he’d really get to look around. The thirteen year old grinned sheepishly, waving. “Hi.”

"Are you, uhm, looking for someone? Do you parents work here?" She didn't know better. There hadn't been much time to look through the new hero files. All she saw was a kid who looked like he should be in middle school.