DISCLAIMER: I own nothing.
A/N: This story is set in the movie-verse and takes place right after IM1 ended. Kearson Dewtitt is an actual villain who appeared in the IM comics.
"I am Iron Man." Anthony Edward Stark announced to the entire world.
A malicious smirk spread across Kearson Dewitt's thin lips. He arched a pointy black eyebrow as his mind ran over the news again and again. All of these years he held a personal vendetta against Tony Stark for stealing his father's designs. When Iron Man first appeared on the scene, Kearson, was seething with rage. That had been his father's idea and Stark was taking all of the glory for the Iron Man while his father had died alone and penniless.
Kearson, realized he was going about this all wrong. It was hard enough trying to figure out how to take down Tony Stark AND Iron Man, but since it was just made public that they were one and the same, Kearson, would be killing two birds with one stone. The only issue however, was that it seemed Iron Man had no weaknesses so what was the one thing that could destroy him?
Kearson, glanced over at the morning newspaper lying on the edge of his disorganized desk. There, on the front page was a large photograph of Tony leaving the hospital after what had occurred at Stark Industries. Following behind him was his beautiful and ever loyal personal assistant, Pepper Potts. The jammed wheels in Kearson Dewitt's mind started churning once again.
When Tony came back into the room, the sounds of shouting reporters and flashing cameras echoing behind him, he saw Pepper sitting on the sofa with her face buried in her hands.
"I think that went well." Tony said letting out a sigh.
"Stick to the cards." Pepper mumbled into her hands.
"What?"
Pepper's hands fell down into her lap and balled up into tight fists. "Stick to the cards! All you had to do was stick to the cards, Tony. Just stick to the cards! Everything would have been fine. God damn it, Tony! Do you even realize what you've just done?"
Tony was slightly taken aback. He had seen a very frustrated Pepper in the past but never a flat out "pissed off as all hell" Pepper. For some reason, her hair seemed even more red than usual and there were flames dancing in her eyes. Tony felt a bit wrong that this was actually turning him on.
"I did it because it's MY company and I AM Iron Man." Tony said, his own body growing tense at having to defend himself.
Pepper stood up and stalked over to him like a lioness on the hunt. "No!" She slammed her fists down onto his chest, jolting him. "You did it because you are a narcissistic," she hit him again, "selfish," another strike, "arrogant jerk! There are people out there, Tony, that will want to kill you for something like the Iron Man suit. There are people who will..."
"And why do you care?"
There was now a raging inferno in Pepper's usual calm blue eyes. She went to hit him again and he roughly grabbed her wrists, stopping her. Their eyes were locked together for a moment before Tony brought his lips crashing down on Pepper's. It was an angry heated kiss filled with passion, lust and longing. They bit at each other's lips as their tongues dueled for dominance and teeth mashed together. Pepper finally yanked herself out of Tony's hold. She was breathing harshly. For once in his life Tony was left speechless.
When Pepper could somewhat breath normally again she looked up at him and this time her eyes were filled with sadness. "If you honestly don't know why I care, by now..." Pepper shook her head and was done with this. "Goodbye, Tony." She turned sharply in her heels and left.
Tony stood in place for what could have been hours. He didn't return back to reality until Rhodey came barging through the door and angrily grabbed him by the shoulder.
Magazine and news paper clippings littered Kerson Dewitt's home office. In every single picture, no matter where he was, Stark was with his personal assistant, Pepper Potts. To most this wouldn't set off any alarms. After all it WAS her job to be with him practically 24/7 but Kearson was picking up on the little things. The way they looked at one another, the way they stood so close, and in candid photos, what seemed to be intimate little moments shared between to two. In every single picture Kearson Dewitt had drawn big red circles around Pepper Potts.
TBC....