Close Your Eyes

Spending the night at Ivy's house isn't enough for Dasha. Her mind is in an ever turning wheel of emotions since she left Tony's. So she extended her stay, helping Willow in the morning to tucking her in at night. Ivy complained the entire time claiming she didn't need to mother Willow because that is her job.

Dasha almost laughed at her. From the first few days she spent over her younger sister hasn't lift a finger. Ivy spent most of her time getting out of Dasha's way because she needed it.

What does that even mean?

Ivy pursed her lips when she explained herself; the 'hard working' mother sat across from her older sister, "It means you need time to distract yourself from whatever you're going through. Whatever it is. I rather not know."

"I wasn't going to tell you."

It is the honest truth and she didn't trust her; there is no reason to vent to someone who only thought about themselves. "But I'm going away for a few days." The incessant tapping of her foot ensued, Ivy, tried to control the tapping of her foot as she hope to maintain the nosy nature and not ask. Sadly, that battle lost in seconds.

"Where?"

"San Francisco." Dasha bit back a smile as she felt certain emotions from her baby sister.

"Why?"

"Surgical exams."

Ivy perked at the words before she slowly responded, "I thought you were in the surgeon game already?"

"I'm not."

"Wait, I thought the hospital fired ya ass." Dasha quickly quipped that she is lucky enough to have a mentor of her own and just as swiftly Ivy asked, "Who?"

"Why are you so interested in what I'm doing?" The walls that were coming down surrounding Ivy were forced back up again. Ivy's questionable nature turned stone cold; her back went stiff as her dotty eyes lingered on her sister as she fired back.

"Just making sure you aren't making any dumb ass excuses. You already acting weird with you being all up in my business and staying here. I should know what you are up to."

Dasha scoffed at the audacity of her, "You don't have to know shit, Ivy-Rae and you didn't have to let me stay here, but you did so fucking deal with it." Tension rose as the two glared at one another, it is clear that their relationship hasn't improved and patience ran really thin between the two.

"I let you in out of pity. Those sad puppy eyes are the only thing as to why you are staying at my house."

She didn't have to deal with this; not now. The pressure of the exams are already taking a toll on her body and adding more with Ivy is already enough. Standing on her feet, she waved her off saying she had enough of her bullshit. Giving her niece a tight hug and a promise that she will see her in a few days, she left. Thankfully, Ivy didn't make a scene when Dasha spoke to Willow.

The nervous resident needed something to relax her and taking a drive out she noticed that she stopped at Emma's home.

Emma immediately welcomed Dasha into her home as she listened or lack of the nerves that were bubbling inside of her. "You know what you need? A drink." The blonde patted her on the knee with confirmation and instantly Dasha tried to refuse any alcohol consumption.

"You know what drinking does to me."

The cocky woman smiled, "It makes you wordy, emotional and particularly very horny. As long as Tony doesn't find that out you are in the clear." While prancing towards her kitchen where she kept her booze, Dasha sighed deeply. She isn't ready for the exams and with millions of papers scattered across the floor didn't help soothe her anxiety.

Glass shattered bringing Dasha out of her reverie; curses flew from Emma's mouth. Turning the corner, Dasha gave a sympathetic look towards her friend as she watched her hand twitch. "Emma-" Taking a step forward, the blond put her hand up to stop her.

"I can clean it up." With great determination Emma got it cleaned up, frustration curled around her. "First question, how do you treat a person with Huntington's disease?" A bitter smile is upon her lips as she looked up.

Dasha knelt besides her placing a comforting hand, "Let's get that hand cleaned up, alright?"

As she wrapped the cut, the two divulged themselves in the time they can push away all their worries and thoughts away. Laughing, forgetting about their problems and taking their selves to new heights.

"Do you love 'em?" Emma tilted her head to the side expecting an answer from Dasha who somberly sat there fiddling with her glass. Drawing swirls with the tip of her fingernail, Dasha asked who she is talking about. A scoff came from her, "You know whoooo. Antonio Stark, Starky boy, Tony Bologna."

Dasha giggled at the list of nicknames Emma came up with before she blinked slowly, processing every word and considering her answer. "Do I love him?" A small pause came to light before she said, "I honestly don't know. I mean I like the bastard if that is what you are getting at. He can be sweet, kind, and generous underneath that pompous ass of his. Tony showed this humane side of him after the whole near death experience that made me see him in a new light. The way he is with me is not normal."

Her friend simply made a disgruntled noise, "That's because you are together…duh."

"We're pretending to be together." When Emma asked if she even remembered how it ended up in that way, Dasha sheepishly told her that she didn't. For the life of her, could not remember how Tony could weasel his way to getting her to agree to be with him in public.

"Pretending turned into a serious relationship. Something you both didn't realize and that scares you. I bet," Emma picked herself up pointing a finger in an accusing way. "Tony is embracing the truthfulness of this relationship better than you are."

Dasha disagreed, "No. Tony is afraid of commitment."

"So much that he is initiated this whole thing. Yeah, sure. The man is going all out for you and you don't even bat an eye or even pretend to like him. In every single picture I have seen you in, you look so pissed off. Luckily, Pepper subtly confessed on your behalf that you hate having your picture taken therefore 'pissed off at the world' looking photos."

She hated it when she is right. Tony has been acting like this is a real relationship this whole time and Dasha kept reminding him that it is all fake. Focusing on her career and herself she is too blind to see him slowly exposing himself to her, not in the physical way.

That is actually her, she teased him in the only way that will get his attention and it worked. The problem is that it kind of turned her on when his hungry gaze landed on her.

Being in the unfiltered state of mind, she confessed, "He has told me that he loves me."

"WHAT?!" Emma popped up from her seat asking a thousand questions per minute.

A groan fell out of Dasha's lips when the eager woman clawed at her shoulders demanding to know the details of what happened. "First he told me after the Obadiah incident and after that he said it a few more times. Not a big deal."

"No a—what are you high? Of course it's a big deal, a big fucking deal! You don't just blurt those words out like you are ordering take out." The sheer audacity blew in Emma's face as she stared at her friend who by the way refused to look at her at the moment. That is all what it took for her to realize something and without another thought processed in her mind she shouted, "YOU LOVE HIM!"

Blonde hair flew burying Dasha's face in her locks as she cuddled against her. The coos, excitement and overwhelming sensation of being suffocated are too much for her. Dasha pried Emma's hair and head out of her own before she spluttered out, "What gave you that conclusion? I don't…love him."

"Yes, yes you do."

"No I don't."

"Yes. Yes. Yes."

"He only said it to stop me from leaving, then to annoy me and just to get under my skin."

"And it worked."

"And it worked!" Dasha slammed her hand on the table, her face felt flushed at her belly bubbled with warmth. Slapping her hands on her face, she mumbled, "I can't believe it worked." Emma threw her head back in laughter, finding it funny in this situation that Dasha is finally coming to grips with her emotions.

"It always works, Dasha. Especially if he acts like that around you, the next question is what are you going to do about it?"

Leaning against the couch Dasha played the clueless card which didn't go well with Emma as she gave her the knowing glare. With the two women drunk out of their minds, it is a free for all. Licking her lips, she squinted her eyes in concentration, "I don't know what to do in this situation."

Emma grinned slyly, "I know what you can do." Grabbing her attention, the blonde cheerfully said, "Fuck his brains out! That outta clear the air!"

"You're fucking insane."

"Think about it; it's something he wants and what you desperately need. Go 'em tiger." Growling for emphasis making both women go into another fit of laughter.

Dasha never felt more anxious than she does right now standing in San Francisco staring at the large banner that welcomed the residents she couldn't feel more afraid. She didn't feel ready to take her final exam and become an official surgeon. There is no expertise that she has been taking, she has practiced with her mentor that Tony hired, but she felt it isn't enough.

Pulling her small suitcase, she strolled towards the check-in line waiting for her turn. Thoughts swirled in her head at what she has been through for the past couple of years. It has been a rough ride and being around Tony only made it harder.

Every single secret and fear arose when he walked into her life. She felt relieved that she could spend some time apart from him to focus on her career again. When she finally made it to the front of the line, she told them her name and surprisingly she is checked off. Something in her mind told her that she wouldn't have been on the list, a small fear that is depleted when she is welcomed.

Taking her folder and pamphlet she walked around the center to see hundreds of residents cluttering together, chatting nervously. She could feel the anxiety in the air; she didn't need to be telepathic to know that. Standing in the middle of the hall she felt alone.

There are no familiar faces and when she did see the residents she worked with at her former job they ignored her. She didn't care about them. The only people that she wished that were there didn't have to be here. Jak as much as she felt betrayed by him, wished he is sort of here to cheer for her. He still kept tabs on her since she is still is assignment, but he couldn't make himself known.

Dasha quickly went towards the exit and to the hotel she is staying in. Collecting her room key and placing a deposit for her room, she furrowed her brows when the receptionist gave her a sly smile.

Now standing in the hallway of where her room is, she is surprised at what she discovered. Tony is here; even though she couldn't see him she could sense him. A wash of relief came upon her; she quickened her steps as she went to her room and opened to reveal Tony sitting on the couch with a remote in hand.

He turned his head with that confident smirk on his lips, "Hey sunshine." Tony expected an explosion or some sort of anger bursting out of her. Instead he is met with a look of relief on her part and she quietly sat next to him. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes.

The billionaire didn't know how to approach this; tapping his fingers against his knees he pursed his lips before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and bringing her closer. "Nervous?"

"Like you wouldn't believe." She breathed out.

Naturally her closed off mind has softened over the time she has been spending with him and that strip tease she presented him not too long ago is still in the front of his mind. Plus those extra days that she spent away from him really made him question what she was doing in those days that made her like this.

Instead of prodding to solve the issue, he miraculously stayed silent and enjoyed the quiet nature…for a while until it got a bit boring. Let's be truthful here, he got bored really fast and within the first few minutes he annoyed her in a span of a millisecond. Must be a new record, her eyes narrowed at him in irritation, throwing a punch at his arm which will be sore tomorrow for sure.

"Are you seriously trying to make a pass at me?"

"You're my girlfriend and what do boyfriends do to ease their anxiety? Mind-blowing sex." Tony gave a goofy smile as she growled in frustration.

"No, what boyfriends do is help their girlfriends study for their exam in the morning."

Tony's smile couldn't be any wider, he teased relentlessly as once again she confirmed their relationship status. "Boyfriend, huh? I thought we were just pretending?" He used air quotations around the last word, rolling his eyes in the process. He didn't see the point of pretending with the way they acted is the potential of their relationship, probably less bruising on his part and more on hers, but let's not get carried away.

A huff came from her, pushing the deck of notecards into his arms grumbling, "Read the first one, jackass."

The notice of silence on her part became a victory on his part; grinning from ear to ear he read the first notecard. She paused for a second, wrecking her brain for the synopsis of the situation before spewing out the answer, he flipped the card over before giving her an okay.

This went on for a few more before he started making up his own illness or diagnosis just to see what she would come up with. Dasha would either glare at him telling him there is no such thing or give him a smirk when she corrected him for the make-up illness that were actually true or she has been around. Tony scoffed at her victories, stating he is just testing her.

They both knew he wasn't, but let him slide.

As the morning came, Dasha slept only a few hours fighting off Tony's arm that tried to wrap around her waist. When she woke up, her level of patience thinned as she felt the thick arm wrapped around her body and her back flushed against his chest.

His nose nestled in the crook of her neck, slow and calm breaths fanned across her skin giving her a warm sensation. Even though he is a pain in the ass, she is grateful that he is actually here with her. He didn't have to be, but there he is and giving her the comfort she silently asked for. Shifting her neck to see the clock, her eyes grew a bit wide seeing that she only had an hour to get ready.

Cursing under her breath, she tossed Tony's body on the other side of the bed, flying across the room to get ready for her exam. Tony on the other hand, cursed and grumbled when his body rolled across the body and landed on the carpet floor.

He scrunched up his nose at the musk scent of cheap carpet, pushing himself up he rubbed his eyes to hear the shower running. Fighting the urge to join her, a sense told him that he would be bashed in for considering walking in on her.

"Don't you even think about it!" Dasha yelled over the running water.

Tony then remembered that Dasha isn't an ordinary woman and wondered if she ever used her powers on him before. When she rushed out of the shower, he perked up seeing that she is in a very fitted suit and a pencil skirt that did wonders for her backside.

Taking those steps behind her once she finished getting ready, Dasha spun on her heel placing a hand on his chest. "What do you think you're doing?" As if she didn't already know. When he told her that he is being the supportive boyfriend, she shook her head in dismissal. "If you want to be supportive, stay in the room or go do something. I need to be alone when I do this."

"Don't I have to hold your hand and tell you everything is going to be alright and all that crap." Tony remembered the short, yeah right, very long conversation that he had with Pepper. She told him how to be a sweet and caring boyfriend, not like he isn't already.

"I'm not five, Tony." A sudden reminder had to sprinting out the door without a second thought; she didn't have time to argue with him. Leaving him behind, she hopped into the elevator that is going to take her to her floor where she is going to take her exam. Pulling on the sleeve of her blazer, she noticed the same expressions on all the residents' faces in the elevator.

Terrified and about ready to faint or puke. There is one in the back that looked a little green…

Taking shaky steps off the elevator, she softly repeated the hotel room number where she is going to take her exam. Once she reached her door, she found three residents already sitting beside the door waiting for their turn. As she looked around, there were residents all sitting next to their specific door.

Taking a seat in the last chair of her room, she noticed a few eyes glancing her way. Ignoring the stares, she remained focused as she recited every piece of information that she can list off the top of her head. As the day went on, she got closer to the door and each time she grew more anxious. Especially with the horror struck faces of each resident once they walked out of the room.

Surprisingly she stayed calm for the last half an hour before the very last resident of her station left the room and within a few minutes her name is called. When one of the surgeons called her name, she could definitely feel the burning stares of everyone down the hallway as she took those steps inside of the room.

When she stepped out she had no idea what came over her. First she listed off things she would have done to certain patients with particular situations and then it turned for the worst. One of the surgeons rebutted that her surgical tactic isn't the useful way to save a patient and her being the dominant woman that she is, proclaimed her argument rambling info and regulations.

After butting heads with one of the surgeons, she felt her heart drop when she saw him scribbling something on his notepad. Biting the inside of her lip, she avoided using her powers to see what they really thought of her. She could already feel the judgment within these walls or wherever she went just because of who she is associated with.

Once it was over, she thanked the judges, shaking each of their hands before walking out.

The good news is that the news will be posted at midnight; the bad news is that she had to wait so long to see her results. She made a realization that if she didn't pass then she will just stick to being whatever she is now. Dasha didn't know what she is, but she can open up a practice and start from there.

There are a lot of options if this didn't pan out.

But what if it did?

What will she do then? Her old job won't hire her back and with the news spreading like wildfire about her credentials and what she has done for Scott no hospital will hire her.

"Ms. Swan?"

Dasha almost screamed when she saw Coulson walking alongside her with the same expressionless face he always seems to have. Composing herself, she averted her eyes elsewhere, "Mr. Coulson, what can I help you with?"

"You know why I'm here. The proposal is still on the table and you haven't responded."

What Tony didn't know is that S.H.I.E.L.D. or more like Coulson has appeared to her many times before insisting she take the offer they have given her. She usually worked her way around her saying she didn't have time to actually think about it and even saying a few times that she refuses to work with them. Her main reason being she didn't want to use her powers if she did then she actually had to acknowledge that part of herself that she has hidden for so long.

"That's because I'm not interested." She coolly replied.

The agent had the knack of firing back at the same speed as his opponent, he said, "You are. You just don't want to accept the fact that you aren't human and there is a part of yourself that doesn't want to relive what happened to you or your mother. Like I said many times before, Ms. Swan, S.H.I.E.L.D. has no purpose assessing you; we only hope you serve a great use for us."

Dasha had to laugh bitterly at what he just said. Great use for them? "I'm not some animal that you tame in order to be in tactical service to you."

"Never considered you as an animal, just an ally."

"An ally that you monitor all the time? I know you watch me."

"Good. Proves to me and Fury that you can be amazing in the agency if you are up for it. We can use skills such as yours."

"Why would I ever join you?" She had to know why they are being so relentless with this. It's hard enough that she is trying to get her life back on track without agents hassling her at every move or having the cold feeling of someone watching her.

It gave off some eerie vibe that sent shivers down her spine.

"Because this," He jabbed his finger to the banner, "was never your gift. You're natural gift, what you are born to do is join a team, a real team that will embrace every single part of you. You won't have to hide and hiding behind that mask will only work for so long before every single person is against you."

Her blood ran cold at his revelation. Coulson is right; how could she live her life like this? Always being weary of hiding herself, pretending that it is a medical miracle for what happens with her patients and when they find out what she is…she knows what happens. Dasha has seen what they have done with mutants in the past and she rather not deal with something like that.

With S.H.I.E.L.D. she will have some level of protection.

So many thoughts ran through her mind as Coulson took a few steps away from her. "You know where to find me if you change your mind."

Is this her real purpose in life? To be a surgeon? How can he simply change her mind after all this time? Did her resolve really become so weak that it bends at the whim of others? Her head throbbed walking back to the hotel that she is staying at. There is a lot of packing to do before heading back by plane.

Tony being himself had pushed her into the private jet that he came in bugging her for what happened in that hotel room. Him being the total pervert that he is asked if she had a four way with her judges and he is okay with it as long as they were women; she raised a brow at that and decided to give him hell for it. She asked if it is okay if they were all men.

He grew sour before turning it around asking if she taped the four way with the four female judges. Rolling her eyes, she pushed the side of his head bickering with him the whole way home.

As they stepped off the plane, clothes slightly disarrayed from Tony pulling on her clothes. Pepper and Happy gave them a few looks before the red head politely asked, "How did it go?" She knew what she meant, the exam and dealing with Tony.

"More or less fine. Won't know the results until an hour or so."

Pepper offered her a comforting smile, "I'm sure you passed."

"Yeah." Dasha didn't sound so convinced; Coulson's words still rang through her mind and his card still in her pocket. The little devil snuck another business card in her pocket when she wasn't looking; he does it every single time as if he knew that she threw away his cards.

Sitting in the car, she pondered even more at what decision she should make. It did shock her in some way that she is actually considering the choices, but what other way could she view it? She had to think of every single option that is available to her and now have taken the exam, it has become more real of what she wanted to do or consider doing.

The drive is about an hour along, leaving her glued to her phone as she stepped out of the car. Dasha didn't care that they drove to Tony's house; Happy hulled her bags inside the house as Tony trailed behind her patting her ass to get her attention.

Nothing.

Tony did several things to gain her attention and nothing worked. He pouted as his usual gimmicks didn't work on her. Frustrated at the end results, he was startled when Dasha dropped her phone.

"Dasha? Dash—what's the matter?" His eyes scoured her face for any clues as to what happened. She turned her head with a small smile on her face. He didn't know what is going on or why she is smiling at him; Tony found it somewhat nice to see her in a happy state of mind that she isn't being violent towards him.

Then it dawned on him; that stupid exam she took. "You passed then?" He hopefully got it right because if he didn't then he needed to prepare himself for the worse. The simple nod only gave him a sense of relief, but the next thing he didn't prepare for.

Dasha crashed her lips onto his in pure joy, her lips meshed with his letting her tongue taste every inch of his mouth. Her body relaxed against him, pulling him closer with her arms wrapped around his neck. Pulling back slightly, he stood there in confusion, lips stick puckered. "I passed and I'm so happy I don't care what I did."

"Transparently you don't."

"And I don't care that I passed. All this time I was so worried for something I could care less about." She chuckled bitterly. It felt like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders once all of this went away. All of what she felt is something she needed to set for herself to see if she could do it. Dasha cared about children, she loved helping them, but the environment with her coworkers were never worth it.

She hated being around her coworkers for the most part and the more she thought about it, the more she realized how much she hated her job. Dasha always convinced herself that she wanted to do this and maybe she did. Possibly, but there is something about Coulson and the way he always found her as if he is aware that she liked him pestering her?

Patting Tony's cheeks, she sauntered into the house giving her enough time to think over the rush of emotions that filled her once she got her results back. Maybe it's just a sense of adrenaline taking over or maybe this is what she wanted.

Either way, she will give herself the night before making a final decision. Her fingers grazed the card in her pocket with a sense of relief.