The Dashing Deputy Director

Li Wei was about to go invite Gwen.

But just as he stepped out, his phone rang.

He checked it. Maria Hill was calling.

"My dear Ms. Hill, it's been a while."

Li Wei answered the call.

His playful greeting brought a smile to Maria Hill's face.

But she deliberately kept her voice cold. "You're the one who hasn't contacted me. Was I supposed to make the first move?"

Aren't you doing that right now?

Li Wei kept that thought to himself and replied at once, "I've been too busy. I was planning to give that playboy a good beating, but who knew he'd run off?"

Maria Hill nearly lost her composure. She had called Li Wei precisely because she'd seen that Tony Stark had run off.

She had been keeping tabs on Li Wei and knew he'd been training hard at fighting.

But who could have expected Tony Stark to run off?

It was like throwing a punch into cotton...

"Are you free tonight?" Li Wei asked instead.

She had called him first, so of course he needed to show her he cared. Otherwise, he might lose his chance with her.

As for Gwen?

She could take a day off. She hadn't slept well last night, after all.

Don't miss me!

Maria Hill had been waiting for him to ask. "Of course. Will you come pick me up later?"

Her quick answer made Li Wei smile.

Apparently, she'd enjoyed their time together too.

Once they'd made plans, Li Wei reminded her, "Don't forget your uniform, Director Hill."

Maria Hill fell silent at that. She hung up almost immediately, leaving him unsure whether she'd taken it to heart.

"If you're not eager to get off work, there's something wrong with you."

It wasn't time to leave yet, but Li Wei headed out anyway.

"Gwen, you can go."

"Oh, yeah!"

Gwen was delighted too. "May from the homeless shelter just called. She wanted to know when you'd come by."

"Tomorrow."

Li Wei wasn't in the mood for it now.

"Okay."

Gwen nodded and sent a reply. By the time she looked up, Li Wei was gone.

She pouted. She had been hoping he'd ask her out.

Did running off last time upset the boss?

The thought left Gwen feeling uncertain.

Li Wei, meanwhile, had taken 2B and Eve down to the underground parking garage.

"Beep, beep!"

A bright-red Ducati motorcycle gave two short beeps when Li Wei approached.

He went straight over, pleasantly surprised. "Arcee?"

"Yes, Master."

Arcee answered in a lovely voice with a slightly mature edge.

Li Wei had asked Red Queen to get the materials, then left the rest to her.

Now it seemed Arcee was finished.

Arcee slid sideways, and her whole body began to transform.

Her transformation was smoother than Bumblebee's because she was so "petite."

Petite compared with other Transformers, that was. Her vehicle form was a motorcycle, after all.

She was shorter than Bumblebee and had a slender build that made her look distinctly feminine.

"Well, well."

Li Wei nodded and patted Arcee. "Change back. I'm going to ride you."

Arcee was thrilled. It was an honor.

Eve leaned in from the side. "Master, I want to ride too."

"Ahem. You and 2B can take Bumblebee for now."

Li Wei was going to pick up Maria Hill. Later, he planned to take Director Hill on a wild ride. She'd be willing to try anything by then.

Only after he'd spent some time soothing Eve did she agree.

"You and 2B can go find something to eat later," Li Wei told her. "Whatever you want."

"Really? Anything I want?"

Eve's eyes lit up.

A metropolis like New York held enormous appeal for her.

She was becoming more and more human.

She wanted to try everything, and she was bold enough to do it.

"Yeah. Just be careful and don't let anyone trick you."

Li Wei nodded.

Looking at Eve, Li Wei couldn't help feeling a little wistful.

She and 2B each had their charms. Having someone as obedient as 2B could be comforting, but sometimes she lacked a sense of fun.

Eve was more like a girlfriend, with thoughts and a will of her own.

Yeah. She needs coaxing!

Li Wei mounted Arcee and chose to drive her himself.

Eve and 2B climbed into Bumblebee and followed behind to protect him.

Maria Hill had sent him an address. It wasn't far away.

He sped over and found Maria Hill already waiting outside.

She was careful. Rather than wait outside S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, she had deliberately walked some distance away.

"Darling, hop on."

Maria Hill took a step back as Li Wei pulled up.

Only when she recognized him did she approach, carrying a bag.

Her uniform was inside!

She wrapped one arm around Li Wei and sat behind him. "Why'd you switch rides? A classic Ducati, no less."

"Feeling nostalgic. Does it look good?"

Li Wei glanced back at her.

"It does."

For now, Maria Hill was happy to agree with him.

Li Wei set off and took Maria Hill on a brief, high-speed ride.

As S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deputy director, Maria Hill wasn't afraid of a little speed. Even as she cried out, she suddenly asked, "What do you think of Agent Natasha?"

She and Li Wei weren't especially close yet. Their relationship was intimate, but they weren't part of each other's daily lives.

Neither asked about the other's work.

Her sudden question nearly caught Li Wei off guard.

Then he gave a safe answer. "She takes her work seriously. Why?"

"No reason. She is very pretty, though."

Maria Hill sounded deliberately casual.

Li Wei slowed the motorcycle. "She's not as beautiful as you, and she doesn't have your charm."

"What kind of charm?"

Maria Hill didn't understand.

"Your feminine charm."

Li Wei pulled over as he spoke. They'd reached the restaurant.

He got off and glanced back. Bumblebee was still following at a steady distance. Eve got out too, ready to find something to eat, while 2B stayed in the car to keep watch.

Behind her glasses, 2B never took her eyes off him.

"Why was that car following us?"

Maria Hill had noticed it too. She kept her voice low.

"It's mine."

Li Wei gave her a brief answer.

"You really are cautious."

Maria Hill took Li Wei's arm, and they entered the restaurant.

She had changed into a dress before leaving work, something better suited to a date.

Once inside, Li Wei let Maria Hill order.

Before long, dinner began arriving.

They would normally have had wine, but when she saw that Li Wei was riding the motorcycle himself, she didn't order any.

So dinner went quickly. When they finished, they left the restaurant.

"What should we do now?"

Maria Hill looked at him.

"Time flies. Let's go to my place."

"So soon?"

"No amount of time with you is ever enough."

His words made Maria Hill happy, and she went straight home with him.

Bumblebee followed steadily behind them. Eve was still sampling the snacks she'd bought.

As soon as they got home, Maria Hill went into the bathroom.

When she came out, she was once again the dashing deputy director. The uniform, the short hair... Li Wei couldn't restrain himself!