Pepper and Cain Adamson

Paris, the city of love.

Pepper was sitting at a small coffee shop near the Eiffel Tower, contemplating the beauty of the centuries old monument, she felt it was late enough and just paid her bill, walking back to her hotel. It was early evening and the cold was quite bearable. It was the kind of evening in which the temperature seemed just right. Not so cold that one would freeze, but still noticeable. Satisfied, she stalked through town and saw the hotel already overhead. All she had to do now was cross the small bridge and she was almost there. However, she was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder and pushed into a side alley after making the crossing. Startled, she looked at a group of 10 men who were all grinning at her. None of them looked particularly trustworthy and one was playing with a knife on the side.

"Bonsoir mon Cherrie." Laughed the one leering at her. "I hope the city pleases a beautiful woman like you?" Smiled the man, not even trying to hide his criminal intentions. Pepper sighed, regretting that today of all days she hadn't gone without a bodyguard or protection from the hotel and wore the wrong set of clothes that drew too much attention this late at night. She knew judo, but that would hardly help her here with so many surrounding her. Before she could say a word, however, a new voice was heard coming from the darkness of the alley.

"When did it become the fashion of France to treat a young lady so rudely?"

All heads turned in the direction from which Dracula slowly stepped into the light. The loud clack of his walking stick echoed menacingly in the narrow alley as he pretended to lean on it for support.

"Milady. Will you allow me to help you out of this distress? Say the word and I'll teach this bumpkins respect!" he said, placing a hand on his chest and bowing slightly to her.

"Oh? It seems that chivalry is not completely dead. But please... Don't kill them, I don't think I could handle the bad publicity!" smiled Pepper, seeing how the indescribably handsome man looked to her and seemed disappointed for a moment, before smiling again.

"Your wish is my command!" He said, walking slowly and calmly towards the group.

The man standing closest to him stood in his way, laughing, and was about to grab him by the chest when Dracula flicked up his walking stick and then slapped his hand away.

"Hands off, miserable one. I do not allow someone like you to lay a hand on me. I give you one last chance, at the request of this lady here, to remove yourself from this place... Or I will be **** to act."

As expected, they just laughed at him, but this laughter suddenly stopped as the silver walking stick of Dracula shot through the air. The man standing directly in front of him was back handed with a closed fist across the head and staggered to the ground, but Dracula was no longer in front of him. He had sprinted forward and jumped against the wall adjacent to the gang, pausing there as if gravity stopped for a second. With a swift kick of his right foot, he had sent another opponent to the ground. Still moving, he pulled his left foot up and used his own spin and momentum to take out another opponent. By now the rest had realized they were in trouble and were now attacking Dracula head on. One by one they were tossed aside or knocked out with but a single strike that left them tumbling to the ground.

Pepper watched on as her mysterious savior made short work of the muggers. However, he apparently used only enough **** to ensure that none of his opponents were seriously injured. Pepper recognized various styles of martial arts in his movements, but most of the movements were more a result of his speed and strength. The man seemed to be more of a street fighter and not a fully trained martial artist like Steven.

She saw one of the men suddenly pull a gun out of his pocket and was about to point it at Dracula's back. Pepper made a sidestep and grabbed the man's wrist. Steven had shown her that kind of grip in the past and she whirled around and threw the man over her shoulder. She watched as the man was flung over her and landed in a pile of trash nearby. Dracula watched in amusement as the woman had put herself in danger because of him. Her attack had been impressive. Looking around, all the assailants had been dealt with, and none had been met with a fatal end.

"Milady, I owe you an apology. It seems that in my efforts to protect you, I did not consider that you would not need my protection." Smirked Dracula, looking at the woman curiously.

"It's no trouble at all." Straightening down her skirt and padding down her jacket, she exteded her hand out to the man. "My name is Pepper, by the way... May I... May I buy you a cup of coffee?" she asked with a grin.

"I'd be honored Miss Pepper." He smiled and held out his arm to her, which she hooked into with amusement.

Together the two then went into the hotel and Pepper led them into the lobby. Many men and women sat there enjoying their meal or just the warmth of the hotel fireplace. Dracula looked around enthusiastically. He had not yet found time to look at how people lived and how normal people spent their time. Much of this world was still so terribly a mysterious to him, even if he had slowly become accustomed to certain things. Pepper approached a table with a sign indicating that it was reserved for someone named Stark.

Confused, he looked around briefly as he saw Pepper trying to adjust her chair when he stepped in. Intrigued, she looked at him as he pulled her chair out of the way and smiled happily at him.

"I must say...excellent manners." She smiled and then took a seat. "It's a pleasure to meet someone like you." She said, but Dracula sensed there was a certain question hovering in the room.

"Well I'm afraid I was a little careless about this. I confess I completely forgot to introduce myself. My name is Cain Adamson." Smiled as he sat himself down.

"A beautiful name." She smiled as the servant arrived and handed out 2 cards. When asked about drinks, Dracula followed Pepper's recommendation and ordered a red wine as well.

"Thank you. My father was supremely religious, you might say. That's why he gave me that name."

"As I recall, Cain killed his brother Abel to please God right?" she asked curiously, raising her glass. "I do hope you have a less bloodthirsty agenda."

Cain raised his brows and then smiled. This woman was interesting. "Cain did not kill his brother out of bloodlust, but because he thought God would recognize the sacrifice. This man's story may be that of the first murderer, but it was not a **** like any mankind has ever seen since." Smiled Cain and closed his eyes briefly. He saw his brother Abel looking at him in confusion, the blade right in his heart.

That had been the moment Cain had been cursed by God, but it had not been God's decision that Cain had become what he was today. God, in His infinite mercy, had tried several times to save His child, but pride, anger and especially Lilith had made Cain reject all God's offers.

"I must confess, my knowledge of the Bible is limited. Are you a religious man like your father?" asked Pepper curiously. Something about this man intrigued her.

"Me?" laughed Dracula, amused, and waved it off. "I rather think not, no. I guess I'm more of a wanderer."

"That sounds intriguing. And do you often rescue helpless women from vile criminals on your wanderings?" she grinned as he also took a sip of wine.

"Not as often as I would like, I confess. It is always an uplifting feeling to fight for a good cause and yet... Those ruffians were beneath me."

The conversation between the two dragged on late into the night, and Pepper was becoming more and more intrigued by the man. He listened to her, curious and fascinated by all she had accomplished in her life. She didn't notice that she talked almost only about herself and revealed a lot about herself. But at some point, one of the hotel servants came to her table and smiled.

"Miss Potts. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but the restaurant is closing now."

"I beg your pardon?" asked Pepper in confusion, looking around. The pub was completely empty and only she and Cain were still there. "What time is it?" she asked, looking at her watch. "Oh my god. Four in the morning. Have we been talking all night?"

"It seems so Pepper." Smiled Cain, rising and extending his hand to her. "However, I fear this evening must now come to an end. It looks like they actually dare to expel us!" he said somewhat morosely and Pepper chuckled behind her hand.

"He's lucky I'm in a good mood and forgive him!" Pepper smiled and let him help her up. "However, I would very much appreciate it if we could perhaps continue this conversation... Tomorrow perhaps?" she smiled and gave him a long look. She smiled happily as he agreed and still led her to the elevator.

Pepper smiled as she fell into her bed. Only now did she realize how tired she actually was. She couldn't remember the last time she had simply talked to a man for so long. With Tony, such conversations were unthinkable and she caught herself looking forward very much to the conversation with Cain Adamson. But her thoughts could not keep her awake any longer and she quickly fell into a comfortable sleep, filled with intense dreams about the man who saved her in the alley.

Pepper didn't wake up again until late in the evening and stretched tiredly. A glance at the clock told her it was 4pm. Another glance at her cell phone showed her that Tony had tried to reach her several times. But she was not in the mood for her husband and his problems. A quick check showed that there were no earth-shattering matters that required the Avengers' presence. The only thing was a news block about Latveria that probably had to do with Dr. Doom. However, that was more of a Fantastic Four problem and not the Avengers. Since there was no immediate threat, she decided to get dressed up for the evening. She couldn't wait to meet Cain again and talk to him. Standing in front of her closet she thought about what to wear for the meeting with him and decided to wear something more provocative. Stepping out of the shower, she put on special underwear that was usually only meant for Tony and over it a deep black tight dress that had an Asian cut. She hesitated briefly as it was cut very high on her left leg, but that doubt lasted only seconds. A thought of Cain made her shiver. She applied a subtle but seductive makeup and stepped back into her living room.