Discovering some feelings

A/N: OK I know I was like MIA for so long but trust me being a teacher and a mom is a very hard work to do and I had only those few months of holidays when I can actually write something. Is still Tony and Pepper I needed to start writing something, anything and something like that came out one evening. Please be gentle it was a long time since I was here, and I still don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine.

A/N2 For those who read More Serious Games its coming I'm working on it but this short story was hunting me too much.

Tony wasn't jealous at least he didn't know he was jealous because that feeling was totally unknown for him till that moment. He was staring at his assistant Pepper who was laughing and talking with a very nice looking man who she brought to the party. His party by the way. He knew it was one of the million parties at his house with no other reason just to spent time, get drunk and get laid but lately Tony was having some plans. Those plans involved certain red haired girl to start to like him more than just as her boss and he was miserably falling with accomplishment of those plans. Generally he had never had problems with women, generally the women did everything for him from the start he had only needed to play along. But not Pepper. They knew each other too much and Tony had a huge problems with sorting his feelings toward this red headed, strong and beautiful woman who he discovered standing on the platform when he was miraculously going back from that Afghanistan fiasco.

But the red flags that were flashing in front of his eyes when he saw that man walking with her toning were enough to get him angry. And angry Tony Stark was never a nice view. He almost felt sorry that he didn't were a suit, he could ask Jarvis who he was and would know about that man almost everything in a minute of time. But it was a party and he promised that he would never wear the Iron Man suit to the party. Maybe in the future. But not today. He was looking at the two of them for an hour or so, drinking and not paying attention to anyone but Pepper. He was pretty sure that the woman , Sally or Sandy, he had slept the night before had left offended that he didn't pay attention to her. But Tony had other thing in his mind.

After another painful starring hour he decided to take matter into his own hands and just grabbed Paper by her arm when she was taking another soft drink.

"Tony ". She looked surprised. "What happened, where are you taking me?" She asked being dragged by her arm to the far corner of Tony's living room. But Tony only looked behind his shoulder and dragged her even faster. When he finally stopped in the darkest corner of the room he looked at Pepper and said. "I don't like him." He was starting to say something more but Pepper's eyes just narrowed and she blurred out without thinking "You don't have to."

For a few second Tony just stared at her trying to process her answer but finally what left his mouth was only "What?"

But Pepper was prepared. She was prepared for that talk. Like she was practising it the whole night. "It was specifically your idea to bring a date to this party, Tony. And you did it purposely to find out who will Rody bring with." She said and it wasn't her nice and soft voice. She was angry and as Tony noticed sad and he had no idea what to do. But his brain usually so bright and wit somehow stopped working and all the stupid answers were coming from his mouth. "So what, you are not him". Pepper just looked at him with this look which said that he yet again acted like a child.

"Yes Tony, thank you I know that, but I didn't want to be the only one going solo when everyone was bringing someone with. As much as I like being myself I don't want to be on peoples tongues tomorrow at least not as much as usual." Pepper answered angrily. Tony looked at her. "What do you talking about I didn't bring anyone." He said because it was true he didn't bring a date, he was with a date from yesterday evening but she left. So what is that big deal?

"Oh yes! I forget that your date was already here form the night before, the only thing you needed to do was to ask her to put her clothes back on in the morning." Pepper said to him and for the first time she actually looked into Tony's eyes. Tony saw hurt in her big green eyes and he felt stupid. How on earth he could be so stupid when almost entire world knew him as brilliant and genius man. He made her to take that guy to this party. If he didn't acted as his stupid self again she would be here alone having a good time with him. But yet again he was Tony, he had absolutely no idea how to say the things that he wanted to say to this girl. In that one moment he understand that he had like tons things to learn about women and especially about the one standing in front of him and he was devastated. He was gathering his strength to say at least half of the apologies that was coming to his brain in waves suspiciously sounding like Jarvis voice when other voice interrupted his line of thoughts.

"Can I have my date back already I think it was enough time to talk business." Said Pepper's date standing just behind her and taking her by the elbow just like minutes before Tony did.

"No." Was the first world that Tony voiced at loud and earned an angry look form the man standing behind Pepper but she just looked at him confused. Like she could hear more than just a single world. "Yes" she answered slowly looking at Tony but he didn't reacted in any way so she continued "…Yes Andrew, I'm coming I think Mr Stark knows everything he need now." Pepper said not looking at Tony any more. She turned around and started to walk away.

"Pepper…" Tony started but it was like he was trying helplessly to find something to say but missing it.

"Yes Mr Stark?" She asked politely looking just above Tony's head avoiding his eyes by all her might. She had no idea what was going on between them lately but probably it was west amount of alcohol that Tony consumed that night.

But the moment was over, the big noisy party with all the sounds and smells were coming back to Tony now and he had absolutely no idea what he was trying to accomplished right now. "Never mind, have a nice party Ms Potts." He answered finally losing this battle again.

"Thank you, Mr Stark" she answered walking away from him.

In that moment Tony Stark discovered a new feeling – hurt - and it was really unpleasant.

A/N tell me if you want this story to be continued