The moment was suddenly broken by the sound of someone clearing their throat, causing both Tony and Ruby to jump slightly. A man with short, cropped dark hair and a loosely fitted shirt stood in the doorway, his expression one of mild amusement.

"Ah, Scott, what are you doing here?" Tony asked, quickly clearing his throat as he stepped back, creating a bit more distance between himself and Ruby.

Scott's lips curled into a knowing grin as he glanced between the two of them. "Oh, I was just looking for Bruce, but it seems I may have interrupted something," he said, his tone laced with a hint of playful teasing.

Ruby felt a faint blush creeping up her cheeks, and she subtly smoothed down her blouse, suddenly self-conscious about the intimate moment that had just been disrupted.

"No, no, nothing like that," Tony quickly interjected, his own cheeks slightly flushed. "We were just, uh, working on some tech stuff, you know, the usual."

Scott's eyebrows raised ever so slightly, his gaze shifting between the two of them. "Uh-huh, sure," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, I'll let you two get back to your 'tech stuff' then."

With a playful wink, Scott turned and made his way back out of the lab, leaving Tony and Ruby in a slightly awkward silence.

Tony cleared his throat once more, his fingers drumming nervously against the nearest work surface. "So, uh, where were we?" he asked, his voice a touch higher than usual.

Ruby offered him a small, slightly sheepish smile, her own heart still racing from the unexpected interruption. "I believe we were discussing the possibility of me sticking around a bit longer," she replied, her voice soft and measured.

The air between them was still charged with a palpable tension, but they both knew that the moment they had shared had been irrevocably altered by Scott's timely arrival. Nonetheless, the spark that had ignited between them remained, and the promise of something more lingered, waiting to be explored further.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the city streets, Ruby ventured out alone, her promise to Tony that she would keep her phone on her at all times and allow one of the Avengers' drones to keep an eye on her. She strode with a confident grace, nodding politely at the curious onlookers who couldn't help but stare – after all, she was a strikingly beautiful woman.

The bustling city was alive with activity, the sounds of cars, pedestrians, and the occasional street performer, creating a symphony of urban life. Ruby took it all in, her senses heightened as she immersed herself in the vibrant atmosphere. She knew that she stood out, her elegant features and graceful movements drawing the attention of passersby, but she didn't mind – she felt comfortable in her own skin, confident in her ability to navigate this new environment.

As she walked, Ruby couldn't help but wonder about the future, about the possibility of staying in this world a little longer. Her previous conversation with Tony had stirred up a mix of emotions, a growing connection that she found herself drawn to. The way he had looked at her, the warmth of his touch – it had ignited a spark within her that she hadn't expected.

Glancing down at the phone in her hand, Ruby couldn't help but smile. Tony had taken the time to ensure she had the latest model, complete with all the necessary features and capabilities. It was a thoughtful gesture, one that spoke volumes about his desire to make her feel comfortable and connected.

Turning a corner, Ruby's eyes fell upon a small café, its quaint charm and inviting atmosphere beckoning her to step inside. With a nod to the drone hovering discreetly nearby, she made her way towards the entrance, ready to immerse herself in the local flavor and perhaps gain a deeper understanding of this world she had so recently discovered.

As she pushed open the door, the bell above chiming softly, Ruby couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what lay ahead. The future was uncertain, but the promise of new experiences and connections kept her spirits high, her heart open to the possibilities that this world had to offer.

As Ruby stepped into the cozy café, her eyes immediately fell upon a warm, friendly-looking woman who had paused her wiping down of the tables to greet the newcomer.

"Ah, hello, you're a new face, aren't you?" the woman said, a welcoming smile spreading across her features. "What can I do for you?"

Ruby returned the smile, feeling a sense of comfort in the woman's kind demeanor. "Hello," she replied, her voice soft and melodic. "I was just passing by and couldn't resist the inviting atmosphere of your café. I was hoping to grab a quick bite and perhaps learn a bit more about the local area, if you don't mind."

The woman's eyes twinkled with genuine interest. "Well, you've certainly come to the right place," she said, gesturing around the charming café. "This is one of the local hotspots, and I'd be more than happy to share a few of our specialty dishes and tell you all about the neighborhood."

Ruby nodded, her gaze sweeping over the cozy, inviting space. "That would be wonderful, thank you," she said, her tone laced with genuine appreciation.

The woman's smile widened, and she quickly retrieved a menu, guiding Ruby towards a quaint table by the window. "Have a seat, and I'll be right back with some suggestions," she said, her voice warm and welcoming.

As Ruby settled into the chair, she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and curiosity. This chance encounter was precisely what she had been hoping for – an opportunity to immerse herself in the local culture and connect with the people of this world. With her phone close at hand and the ever-watchful drone nearby, she felt a sense of security, allowing her to fully embrace the experience that lay ahead.

As Ruby settled into her seat, sipping on the refreshing iced tea the kind café owner had brought her, her senses suddenly became heightened. The atmosphere in the café shifted, and she couldn't help but notice a group of three men who had just entered, their sharp business attire and dark sunglasses giving them an air of mystery.

Ruby felt a subtle change in the energy around her, a slight tension that seemed to creep in with the arrival of these new patrons. Instinctively, she straightened in her chair, her gaze discreetly following their movements as they found a table in the corner of the café.

There was something about them that set off a quiet alarm in the back of her mind. Their concealed eyes and the way they seemed to scan the room with a calculated air made Ruby's intuition prickle. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about their presence felt off, and she knew she needed to keep a close eye on them.

Sipping her tea, Ruby tried to appear nonchalant, but her mind was already whirring, analyzing the situation and considering her options. She glanced down at her phone, reassured by its presence, and subtly shifted her position to better observe the three men without drawing too much attention to herself.

The café owner returned, seemingly oblivious to the subtle shift in the atmosphere, and Ruby offered her a warm smile, engaging in friendly conversation as a means of maintaining her cover. However, her senses remained heightened, her eyes occasionally flicking towards the corner where the trio sat, her instincts on high alert.

In that moment, Ruby realized that her role as a visitor to this world was not just about exploration and discovery – it also required a certain level of vigilance and caution. She had to be prepared for the unexpected, ready to adapt and respond to any potential threats that might arise. With a deep breath, she steeled her resolve, determined to navigate this situation with the same grace and poise that had carried her through her previous adventures.

As Ruby finished her iced tea, one of the three men suddenly stood and approached her, his bald head and gruff demeanor immediately setting her on edge. The man leaned in, a scar over his eye adding to his intimidating appearance.

"Ma'am, you're coming with us," he said in a low, commanding tone, reaching out to grab her arm.

Ruby's eyes widened in shock, not expecting such a direct confrontation. She instinctively recoiled, her body tensing as the man's grip tightened. However, before she could react, the man suddenly let out a strangled gasp, his hands clawing at his throat as he stumbled back.

Ruby glared at the man, her gaze intense and unwavering. She had somehow managed to manipulate the force around her, using it to constrict the man's airway, causing him to choke and struggle for breath.

The other two men immediately drew their weapons, pointing them at Ruby with a sense of urgency. The café owner, who had rushed over to intervene, quickly backed away, her eyes wide with fear.

"Don't get involved in this," Ruby said to the woman, her voice calm and resolute. "Just get out of here."

The café owner hesitated for a moment, then quickly hurried out of the shop, leaving Ruby to face the armed men alone.

Ruby held her ground, her posture relaxed yet alert. "You really don't want to do this," she warned, her eyes narrowing as she focused her energy on the two remaining men.

The men faltered, their hands trembling slightly as they felt the invisible force surrounding them, a tangible energy that seemed to crackle in the air. Realizing they were outmatched, they slowly lowered their weapons, their expressions a mix of confusion and apprehension.

Ruby maintained her composure, her gaze unwavering. She knew that her abilities had caught them off guard, and she was determined to use this moment to her advantage, to gain the upper hand and perhaps uncover the reason behind their sudden and aggressive approach.

The café, once a cozy and welcoming haven, had now become a battlefield of sorts, and Ruby was prepared to do whatever it took to protect herself and the innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

As the choking man collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, Ruby stepped away, her eyes locked onto the remaining two men. With a steely resolve, she addressed them, her voice calm yet unwavering.

"Let me go, and I won't kill you," she said, her fingers twitching ever so slightly, the faint energy of her lightsaber pulsing at her side.

The two men exchanged a wary glance, their weapons still drawn but wavering in their hands. They could sense the power radiating from Ruby, a force that seemed to defy their understanding of the world.

Realizing they were outmatched, the men slowly lowered their guns, their expressions a mix of confusion and apprehension. They knew they had made a grave mistake in confronting this woman, who had somehow managed to incapacitate their comrade with nothing more than a thought.

Ruby maintained her defensive stance, her eyes narrowed as she studied the men, searching for any sign of deception or further aggression. She was prepared to use her abilities to their fullest extent if necessary, but she also knew that a peaceful resolution would be the ideal outcome.

"Who sent you?" she asked, her tone sharp and demanding. "What do you want with me?"

The men exchanged another glance, their faces etched with uncertainty. One of them, the taller of the two, cleared his throat nervously before speaking.

"We were just following orders," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "We didn't know what we were getting into."

Ruby's brow furrowed, her mind racing as she pieced together the implications of their response. Whoever had sent these men was clearly unaware of her true abilities, and she knew she had to tread carefully to avoid escalating the situation further.

Extending her hand, she gestured towards the door, her expression hardening. "Then get out of here, and tell your employer that I'm not someone to be trifled with," she said, her voice laced with a quiet warning.

The men hesitated for a moment, their eyes darting between Ruby and their fallen comrade. Realizing they had no choice but to comply, they quickly gathered themselves and hurried out of the café, leaving Ruby alone to confront the aftermath of the confrontation.

With a deep breath, Ruby turned her attention to the injured man, her expression softening as she knelt down beside him. She knew she would need to tread carefully, both in her interactions with the local authorities and in her continued exploration of this world she had stumbled into.

Just as Ruby turned her attention to the injured man on the floor, a sudden, searing pain shot through her, causing her to gasp in surprise. Before she could react, a wave of blackness swiftly enveloped her, plunging her into a state of complete darkness and disorientation.

Ruby's senses were overwhelmed, her mind racing to comprehend what was happening. The familiar warmth and energy of the café had been replaced by a cold, oppressive void that seemed to press in on her from all sides. She felt disoriented, her connection to the world around her suddenly severed.

Instinctively, Ruby reached out with her mind, searching for the presence of the drone that had been monitoring her, but she was met with only silence. The familiar link had been severed, leaving her feeling isolated and vulnerable.

Panic began to rise within her as she realized that she had been separated from her only lifeline to the world she had come to know. Gripping her phone tightly, she tried to activate the emergency protocols, but the device seemed to have been disabled, its screen dark and unresponsive.

Ruby's heart raced as she struggled to regain her bearings, her mind desperately searching for a way to break free from this overwhelming darkness. She knew she needed to remain calm, to focus her energy and use her abilities to their fullest extent, but the sheer weight of the oppressive force surrounding her threatened to consume her.

As she fought to maintain her composure, Ruby couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the men she had confronted, and whether they were somehow responsible for this sudden and terrifying turn of events. Had they been working for a more powerful entity, one that had anticipated her abilities and planned this ambush?

With a deep breath, Ruby steeled her resolve, determined to find a way out of this predicament. She knew that her journey in this world was far from over, and she refused to let this setback deter her. Reaching deep within herself, she summoned her inner strength, preparing to face whatever challenges lay ahead, no matter how daunting they might be.