"There are always reporters," Tony said with a shrug. "They don't really register for me anymore. Besides, Pepper will be there too, she has to go. So it's not like you'll be defenseless. Or even the main focus."

"Do you even read what the magazines publish anymore?" Cameron asked, looking at him a bit sideways. "They've got no idea who I am, which means I'll be the center of attention when we show up together."

Tony shrugged. "You can always come in the back and just join me there," he said, unconcerned. "Reporters aren't usually allowed inside. Well. Not too many of them, anyway, and the only pictures are publicity things. Once you're in, you should be safe from the media."

"I hope you know this is going to be a disaster," Cameron said, settling back on the couch. "It really will be."

"Will you feel better if I make Pepper drag Bee into this too?" Tony asked, looking at her. "I can do that. Bee's been to several of these parties before, she knows what to do."

"Actually, it might," Cameron admitted. "One more familiar face and all that." And though she wasn't about to say it out loud, she kind of wanted Sabine there because Sabine knew just how uncomfortable Cameron would be.

"I can make that happen." Tony sent off the appropriate text to Pepper, who would actually arrange everything. "Anything else while we're on the topic?"

"I'm sure there's a ton that I just don't know about yet," Cameron replied. "I'll have to go digging through my makeup and see if I have anything good enough for this kind of thing."

Tony shrugged, because that was not his area of expertise. "Ask Bee if you have questions, she's been to these things before."

"Bee will cackle evilly at my discomfort before she helps me," Cameron pointed out, grinning. "You know she would."

"Yeah, but she will help," Tony said with a grin. "And possibly bake you things. Because her baking is awesome, but you didn't hear that from me."

Cameron snorted.

"Everyone knows her baking is awesome," she said, grinning. "That's no secret. And she always bakes me things, I am the primary beneficiary of her baking."

Tony stuck his tongue out at her at that, because he was absolutely a mature adult. He could do mature. Sometimes.

The next evening, Cameron found herself in a dress that she never would have thought of wearing before. Her jewelry had a sort of vintage feel to it, though her purse and shoes were definitely not.

"I don't know what kind of god you are," she commented to Pepper as she looked at herself in the mirror, "but you're clearly all-powerful and I see now why Tony adores you."

Pepper smiled. "I'm not all-powerful yet, there are still parts of the world I haven't conquered," she said easily. "You look fabulous, which is just as it should be." She paused for a moment. "Although I do have to give credit where it's due: Sabine helped pick the theme."

"You two are a ridiculously efficient pair," Cameron said, still looking in the mirror. "I might be slightly terrified of you both now, I just want you to know that."

Pepper smiled at that. "One of these days you'll get to see what Sabine, Natasha and I can do together," she said. "That is the best combination, honestly."

"That's terrifying on levels I don't want to think about," Cameron said, though she was grinning a bit. "So. May as well get this show on the road."

Pepper nodded. "You'll be fine," she soothed before she headed for the door, making sure Cameron was keeping pace with her. Sabine was already waiting for them in the next room.

Cameron stepped out behind Pepper, already a bit nervous and self-conscious.

"You're lucky mermaids are my jam," she said to Sabine, trying to hide how nervous she was.

"Sweetie, this is me we're talking about, of course I knew mermaids would be approved." Sabine smiled, a little more comfortable in her own gown and shoes. "You look fantastic."

"I promise I only look like this because you and Pepper are secretly some sort of gods," Cameron said, fidgeting with the cuff on her wrist.

Sabine laughed a little. "Come on, let's head down to the car before Tony gets too impatient." She looped her arm through Cameron's.

"Tony's always impatient," Cameron replied, grinning. She linked her arm with Sabine's and headed down to the car with her.

Tony did a double-take when he saw the three of them, and he grinned.

"Well, I guess we'll be turning a few heads."

"Hush, Tony." Sabine's lips were twitching in an effort not to smile, though.