Hope and Dream

6.

Katie's heart skipped a beat as she tried to hide the fear in her face. Her body went rigid as she felt the cold creeping in. She clenched her fists, almost to the point of her fingernails drawing blood from her palms.
"The truth about me?" Katie asked.

Katie could hear her in her head as she tried to compose herself and contain everything.

"What your father did to you..." Tony started.

Before she could even comprehend anything, she spun around and Tony just made a face. Her eyes turned as white as ice for a split second and he could feel the temperature just dramatically drop.

"You know NOTHING!"  SHE yelled.

Tony took a step back, but let out a deep breath as he noticed her eyes were the perfect color aqua again. Obviously, her father was a very touchy subject.
"Look, Katie..." Tony started.

Katie placed a hand on her head to regain her composure and Tony tentatively walked closer to her.

"I read about the experiments..." Tony said. "The things he did...must have been..."

Katie took a deep breath and looked at Tony. She searched his face for any type of deceit, but all she saw was compassion. She did not trust easily. Her past...she never spoke of. Her father...god she hated that man and had been running from him for a long time. Him and...she clenched her eyes shut and fought to suppress the cold.

"Trust me..." Katie started. "You don't know it all. My father...please don't tell anyone."
Tony gave a smile and nodded his head.
"You have my word." Tony said.

Katie gave him a compassionate smile and walked over to the floor to ceiling window, overlooking the grounds.
"So what's there to do around here?" She asked.
Tony cleared his throat and walked up next to her.
"Well, almost everything." Tony said. "Viewing room, pools...there's a lake...really all the amenities. I'm never one for just...normal. You excited for your party?"

Katie snapped back to reality and took a deep breath.
"What should I even wear?" Katie asked.
"Come dressed to impress." Tony said. "Everyone will be there. Even Cap, sorry...Steve...god, I keep forgetting he's 'retired'"
Katie couldn't help but make a face.
"Can I ask you something?" Katie asked.
"Of course." Tony said.
"Why me?" Katie asked.

Tony just looked at her.

"Dr. Raynor said she spoke to you about me." Katie said. "Obviously, now I know you know about, HIM, but...is that the only reason?"
Tony took a deep breath and shook his head.
"It was, at first." Tony said. "But then...when I started seeing your methods with your patients...very unorthodox but they seem to work. Dr. Raynor is very...traditional. I don't think that's gonna work with Barnes. He's very...well...I think your methods will work."
"He's got a past." Katie said. "I get that."
"Yeah." Tony said. "Any plans for his treatment?"
"Maybe some plans." Katie said. "I mean...I still have to officially meet him. You say he's gonna be at this party? How will I know it's him?"
"I think the metal arm from Wakanda gives him away." Tony said. "He also has a staring problem so, there's that. Gets awkward..."

He gave a smile and Katie couldn't help but see an almost playful gleam in his eyes.

"I think you are just what we need for our Tin Man." Tony said.
"Tin Man?" Katie asked.
"Oh, yeah..." Tony said. "That's what I like to call him. I usually come up with my own pet names for the team."
"Oh, yeah?" Katie asked. "Got one for me yet?"
Katie could tell the gears were grinding in Tony's head, but just shook his head.
"Not yet." Tony said. "But...it'll come."
Katie couldn't help but give a laugh as her phone started ringing.
"See you in a couple hours." Tony said.

Katie nodded as he shut the door and she answered the video call. Sarah's face appeared on screen and Katie felt like she could finally relax.

"Tell me EVERYTHING!" Sarah said.
"I literally just got here..." Katie started.
"Show me the room, then." Sarah said.
Katie rolled her eyes, but flipped the screen.
"Holy FUCK!" Sarah shrieked. "That one room is bigger than the apartment."
"You should see the closet." Katie said.
Katie flipped the screen again to show her face and she knew she was blushing.
"They're throwing a party tonight to welcome me." Katie said.
"Seriously?" Sarah asked. "What are you going to wear?"
"I have no idea." Katie said.
Sarah gave a laugh and wiggled her eyebrows and...the dress immediately came to mind.
"No." Katie said.
"Oh, come on!" Sarah yelled. "You bought it on a whim, and yet, you've never worn it!"
"Yeah, because it's..."
"Nope!" Sarah said. "You're wearing it tonight."
Katie bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath.
"You don't think it's too..." Katie started.
"Absolutely not!" Sarah said. "And if anything...you'll make an awesome first impression. No one will be able to keep their eyes off you."

Katie couldn't help but laugh as she shook her head and ended the video call. She walked over to her suitcases and started rummaging through them until she came across the maroon red, skintight cocktail dress that she had bought one drunken night after passing her intern exam to make it into her residency program. It was way too expensive, but she was elated that she passed with flying colors. For some reason, the man from the hospital, with those ocean blue eyes came to her mind. What if he saw her in this dress. What would he think? She quickly shook her head and took a deep breath, but smiled as she held up the dress. She gave a laugh and just nodded her head. Sarah was right...why not for one night? Dress to impress. If she was going to stay here for the time being...she was going to do it her way....