Sorry for disappearing, been busy. Set three days after Iron Man 2.

"Morning."

Tony's head snapped up from the newspaper he was reading and saw Pepper standing in the doorway. She looked nervous as she was wringing her hands in front of her and avoided eye contact. Tony smiled gently and picked up his cup to drink some of the warm coffee he had forgotten about before he started to read the paper.

"Morning," Tony watched her before gesturing for her to come in.

Pepper cautiously stepped into the kitchen. She was wearing her dress from the day before and fashioning some grade A bed hair. She walked light footed and padded over to the coffee machine. She poured herself a cup before turning to lean against the counter and enjoy the caffeine work at waking up her body.

Tony observed her out of the corner of his eye. He found it odd to say the least that she was being so tense around him. They had sex last night, and she was finding it hard to even look at him. Maybe Pepper was one of those awkward types who found it hard to readjust. So Tony was going to give her space and let her take the lead.

"Sleep well?"

Pepper looked at him then, "Yeah thanks. And you?"

"Slept the best I have in ages, so thank-you." Tony quirked a smile which made Pepper relax. She bowed her head and tried to hide the blush which was slowly creeping up her neck, but Tony caught sight of it. He wanted him and Pepper to work. If possible.

"So?" Tony elongated. He rubbed his hands together and raised his eyebrows.

"So."

No help from Pepper there then. Tony would have to initiate a conversation first and at least try to act normal. After years of wanting Pepper he still had to behave himself. Despite having her legs wrapped round his hips for the most part of last night.

"What's on the agenda today then?" Tony filled the silence. "Board meeting, conference call, press statement?"

Pepper shook her head. "Actually you're pretty free for the day. Just a quick meeting with the head of design. Shouldn't take too long and then you can work on, whatever it is you're working on, until the early hours of the morning."

"Sounds right up my street."

They both smiled. Which rapidly faded as the silence enveloped them again.

"Well," Tony stood and clapped his hands. "I'm going to hop in the shower and get myself ready for the office. Do you need to go home before we go in?"

Pepper pointed at her scruffy hair, which amused Tony. "I need a hot shower and a brush before I go anywhere public today Tony."

"Okay, well then, I guess i'll see you later?" She nodded. Tony waited for any indication as to what to do to say good-bye. Does he hug her? Kiss her cheek? Snog her till her lips swell? Tony swayed on his feet before smiling and walking up the stairs towards the shower.

Leaving Pepper to put her cup down on the side and bang her head lightly, yet repeatedly on the counter top. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why didn't you just kiss him you idiot? You shagged him last night for Christ sake-"

"-Erm." Pepper swivelled round to see Tony standing at the doorway again pointing towards his coffee. He entered and picked up his cup. "I forgot my coffee. See you later Pep."

With that he walked back out clearly snickering. Pepper slapped her forehead with her hand.

"Definitely an idiot."

Pepper didn't see Tony again that morning.

She went home and did as she said she would. She took a long hot shower and enjoyed the feeling of the water drop and run the grime off of her body. When she came out she brushed, dried and curled her hair, then she put on light make-up to show her features. She felt she'd make a little more effort for her boss. Well he's a little more than that. She put on a slimming dress which graced her figure and a necklace which drew eyes to her cleavage.

No matter how much perfume Pepper put on she could still smell Tony on her skin. His manly scent crossed with the smell of his aftershave. It clung to her and mixed with her flowery perfume which she sprayed randomly along her skin.

Giving up and being happy with her appearance Pepper decided it was time to get in to the office before Tony. Unfortunately the morning traffic had other ideas which made Pepper arrive a little after his meeting started. It didn't worry her though as it was a short meeting and gave Pepper time to prepare to see him again.

Once he did eventually walk back into her own office Pepper was feeling much more confident about herself. He was looking bored from being in the office, but still looking sharp in his black suit. Standing up with papers in her hand Pepper followed him into his office. He was leaning his hands on his desk with his back to Pepper.

She approached him and hooked her arm around his to lay folders in front of him. "These are the new designs for the stabilizers. This is a statement releasing you from trouble with the government from SHIELD. And this is for you."

With that Pepper's hands circled his neck and she planted her mouth on Tony's. It was a quick kiss, but she sure as hell let him know she wasn't going to be shy about their change in relationship. When she pulled away she stayed close.

"What was that for?"

Pepper watched as she ran a finger along the skin just above his shirt collar. "For respecting me. And accepting that I needed some space this morning. I know you've wanted this for a long time and I just wanted to let you know that i'm grateful of you for being so nice about it."

Tony shook his head. His shocked expression soon turned into a smile. "Of course."

Pepper patted his chest before pulling away again and sorting through some of the papers she had recently put on his desk. "How did the meeting go?"

"Pointless as ever." Tony cleared his throat. "I mean three days ago I was fighting Vanko and a frickin' hell of a lot of drones. Don't forget busy proving Hammer wrong once again. And now I have to sit through meetings in tiny rooms all day?"

"Not all day Tony." Pepper tried to compromise. Tony mumbled something incoherent. "Anyway, besides all of that, I was thinking we could go for dinner later?"

Tony's attitude switched there and his day brightened up, "Yeah?" He sounded hopeful.

"Sure," Pepper grinned and went to make her way out before adding, "Just as long as you're paying."

Here's the low down. I've got bits and bobs of three different chaptered stories and haven't got inspiration for any of them. This is one of them and i've had it stored for ages, but haven't uploaded as haven't got ideas for more chapters and I thought it'd be mean promising more without doing it. Think of this as a one-shot and if more comes, it'll be a treat.

Review please. Ideas welcome. AnnaTW (: