Ira walked towards the massive gilded doors that opened into the ballroom. A footmen opened the doors, and she nodded towards them, thanking them. As they opened the doors, Ira found herself at the top of a balcony, overlooking the ballroom floor. She glided down the stairs, taking in the sights before her.

The ballroom was a large space, supported by massive pillars made of golden marble. Wooden crown molding ran across the ceiling and floor, accenting the marble floor and ceiling. Sconces were line up in rows across the walls, casting bright golden beams of light across the whole room. Windows allowed a look at the manicured gardens outside, along with casting natural light to rival the candles.

Guests mingled in tables set on the far left of the grand staircase, including Pietro, who was also undercover. Tables covered in food and refreshments took up the far right. Set in the center was a massive dance floor, where guests currently danced to the music created by a four-person orchestra seated on a dais straight ahead.

Ira walked across the ballroom towards the refreshments. She wore a long, high-collared, fitted black dress with a flared skirt. Her hair was curled perfectly, framing her face, which was done up with a light dusting of makeup, courtesy of Natasha.

She spotted the target; a man with caramel brown hair wearing a black suit, sipping from a glass of champagne near the refreshment table. His brown eyes were glazed with confidence, as he surveyed his guests before him. They had suspected him of orchestrating a recent attack on a powerful government official, and Ira was here to capture him.

"Target acquired," she whispered into the comm placed in her ear. She walked towards the refreshment table, near where the man was standing. She glanced across the room, making eye contact with Pietro, who was sitting at a table, talking with other guests. He gave a subtle nod, acknowledging her.

Ira grabbed a cup of punch, and took a small sip from it. She didn't look at the target directly, but she could see him walk over to her out of the corner of her eye. "Hello," he said smoothly, walking up to her. "I'm Francis Dolomy. I own this house." He reached out his hand. Ira lifted her gloved hand, and placed it in his.

She gave him sweet smile. "Melanie Devores." She said, using her fake name.

He raised her hand to his lips, and placed a small kiss on her hand. "Well, it's very nice to meet you, Melanie."

"Likewise." She replied. Ira knew that she had to get him somewhere where she could restrain him without anyone seeing, so she played along as he flirted.

"I have to say, Melanie, you're the most beautiful woman in this room, by far." Francis complimented. Ira blushed and smiled, pretending to be flustered.

"You flatter me. Many of the women here would pine for your attention. I'm sure that any of them would deserve it more than I." She smiled, coyly.

Francis laughed. "I can assure you, my lady, no one here deserves my attention more than you."

Ira saw an opportunity to further their conversation, and she took it. "Your lady?" She asked, amused.

"I'm sorry if I have overstepped my bounds," he replied, his eyes glinting with fake shame.

"No, don't be," Ira replied. She stared deep into his eyes. "I quite enjoy it."

"Well, Melanie, would you care to join me for a dance?" He asked.

"I would be delighted," Ira replied, slipping her hand into his. Together they walked towards the dance floor. Francis placed his hand on Ira's waist, and she placed her hand on his shoulder. He clasped her other hand in his, and they slowly swayed to the music.

Across the room, she saw Pietro's eyes narrow, and his jaw clench. When Francis wasn't looking, she widened her eyes, conveying that he was being ridiculous. He looked away, and continued talking to the other guests.

Ira felt Francis' hand creep towards her lower waist, and she gritted her teeth in order not to slap it away. When they finished the dance, he led her towards two French doors leading towards the gardens.

The gardens were planted on a large lawn, and they consisted of roses in a myriad of colors, and large hedges. Ira knew that she could easily apprehend him behind one of said hedges, and no one would be the wiser. They strolled through the rose gardens, and Ira brushed her hand along the roses, feeling their velvety petals. "My, the roses are quite lovely," she commented.

"They may be lovely, but none so lovely as you." Francis said. He plucked a red rose from a bush, and tucked it into her hair. "Melanie, you are truly a vision." He said, admiringly.

Ira blushed, and ducked her head. "You certainly know how to charm a woman." She said.

He raised his eyebrows. "Ah, so it's working?" He teased, and chuckled. "I was beginning to think that you were immune to my advances."

She laughed. "Francis, I don't think any woman is." They continued walking, and Ira spotted a topiary in the shape of an elephant up ahead. She realized that it would be the perfect place to capture him, so she adjusted their path to leed him near it.

"Quite extraordinary gardens you have here. Truly breathtaking." Ira told him, gazing in fake wonder at the topiaries.

"Yes, my gardener is talented." Francis commented. He stopped walking, and looked at her. "Melanie, I just can't believe how gorgeous you are."

Ira raised an eyebrow. "Again with the flowery words? When will you stop complimenting me?"

He laughed. "No, you're supposed to play along, and say 'Francis, you are quite handsome'."

She laughed. "Very well. Francis, you are quite handsome."

He smirked. "That's what I like to hear." He lowered his voice. "Perhaps we could go somewhere more private...?"

Ira raised her eyebrows. "Where's more private than here?" She gestured around. "There's no one else out here." She looked at him. "But, we could go behind that hedge."

He smirked. "Perfect." He grabbed her hand, and led her behind the shrub. He turned towards her, as Ira took the gloves off of her hands, so they wouldn't restrict her powers. Francis leaned towards her, and Ira quickly twisted her hands, blue energy streaming from her hands. He gasped as his hands were retrained with the motion. "Why... who?" Was all he managed to get out before Ira knocked him unconscious.

"Got him," Ira said into comms, panting with the exertion of knocking him out. She watched as Pietro walked out into the gardens calmly, so as to not arouse suspicion, then sped over to her.

He placed a kiss on her cheek. "Nice work, dragoste." He said. They dragged Francis to a sitting position, and waited. The whirring of engines filled the air, and a small Quinjet hovered down. It was piloted by Natasha, and she hopped out and helped them load Francis onto the jet.

"Good job." Natasha said, as she walked onto the jet. "Who knew you could flirt?"

"Clearly not you," Ira grimaced as she pulled her high heels off. She gasped as the shoes finally came off. "How do people wear these?" She muttered under her breath. She looked over at Pietro, who was pointedly not looking at her.

"So we're not going to talk about your jealous scene?" She asked him.

Pietro looked at her. "I'm sorry. I got jealous. I didn't like seeing you with him."

Ira nodded. "It's okay." She placed her hand on his.

The flew the rest of the way in silence, Ira leaning her head on Pietro's shoulder. When they landed, Ira grabbed her heels, and walked to her room. She changed out of the uncomfortable dress, and changed into a shirt and sweatpants.

She walked to Pietro's room, and knocked on the door. He opened it, and Ira walked into his room. "Hey," He said.

"Hey," She said back. She sat on the edge of his bed, and Pietro sat next to her. "So-" She began.

He cut her off by pressing his lips to hers. She smiled into the kiss, and pulled back. "Why did you do that?" She asked.

Pietro smiled. "Because I love you."

Ira smiled back. "I love you too."
...............................................................................................................................................
A/N:

Tenth chapter!!! I felt like I was writing a Jane Austen novel while making this. I also think that the story gets worse as it goes on, so sorry about that. Thank you guys for sticking with me so far.

I love you three thousand

-E l i z a b e t h