Author' Note: Most of the characters in this story belong to Marvel Comics and whoever else has current legal ownership of Iron Man and not to me, even in my wildest dreams. No infringement is intended in any way, and this story is not for profit.
"I believe the correct term is 'moping' sir." Jarvis said quietly.
Tony was lying on the workshop's well used couch on his back, his head buried under the couch's grease stained throw pillow. "I am NOT moping." came his muffled response.
"Shall I give you Webster's or Oxford's definition, sir?" Jarvis countered.
Tony sighed heavily. It had been 6 weeks since the Expo's disastrous 'hammeroid' attack. His mansion had been repaired. The particle accelerator had been dismantled and safely stored after detailed plans for reconstruction had been documented, and copyrights and patents applied for. Paper work had also been filed for documentation of the new element. Upgrades for both his and Rhody's suits had been completed. He had physically recovered from the palladium poisoning. He and Happy had been working out everyday and Tony had gained weight and muscle mass back. He had even finished the Hot Rod, but refused to take it out on the highway until Pepper could go with him on its "maiden" voyage. However, no matter how busy and tired he had been, he was still having trouble sleeping.
Tony got up off of the couch. "I'm going to try to get some sleep upstairs."
He thought about Pepper again. It had been at his New York penthouse after the Expo. He slowly trudged up the stairs lost in the memory of that night. The battles, the chaos, and the destruction all took a backseat to the feeling of Pepper's body wrapped around his on the living room couch in his penthouse. They had both been exhausted, and after ordering in food and eating, they had both fallen asleep on the couch. During the night, their bodies had naturally moved together. Tony had woken up first the next morning, and at first thought that he was dreaming when he saw Pepper laying on his chest sound asleep. Tony smiled at the memory. He had known at that very moment as he watched Pepper sleep that more than just their bodies were entwined. Tony felt as though his soul had been somehow melded with hers, as if a bonding of sorts had taken place. Yeah, it was weird, but it was a good weird.
And now Tony felt that bond was stretched out agonizingly thin. Pepper had agreed to stay on as CEO after the Expo, and was doing one hell of a job putting Stark Industries back together again in the aftermath of the Expo, and of course, Iron Man's continuing battles both at home with the US government, and abroad with terrorists. During the first 3 weeks after the Expo, even though they were both very busy with separate projects, they would always make private time for each other: movie nights at Tony's home, home cooked meals at Pepper's condo, midnight walks on the beach. They had also been sharing more kisses, hand holding, hugs, and even cuddling (a first for Tony he admitted to himself). Tony had taken more cold showers with his new best friend, his right hand, during those three weeks than he could remember taking in his whole life. But all of this physical contact had abruptly stopped when Pepper left on her current trip. She had been flying between the SI New York, London, and Tokyo offices for the past three weeks, and even though he talked to her on the phone every day, Tony finally admitted to himself that he really missed her. He had never, ever missed a woman (except for his Mom of course) in his life, and every day Pepper was away from him was making him more miserable. As he entered the 2nd story hall way on the way towards his bedroom, he suddenly turned around and started walking to the west wing of his mansion, towards the guest bedroom that Pepper used when she stayed overnight.
He took off his work boots, pulled off his shirt and work pants that were covered in grease and metal shavings, and climbed onto Pepper's bed, pulling one of her pillows over onto his bare chest. As he leaned his head down to the pillow, he could still smell Pepper's scent on the pillow. He inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh. Suddenly he cut his eyes towards the ceiling. "If you ever tell Pepper about me sleeping in her bed, I will cancel all of your Ezine subscriptions."
"Understood, sir." The AI replied. "However, I did note that Ms. Potts was rummaging through your closet and had collected a discarded t-shirt of yours, which she then packed with her belongings prior to her leaving on her trip. I have done research on this type of behavior and have learned that familiar scents can have quite a comforting effect on humans."
Tony smiled broadly thinking about Pepper and his t-shirt. Suddenly he felt his eyelids grow heavy. "A very comforting effect, Jarvis. I wish I had done this sooner." He mumbled as he quickly drifted off to sleep.
Tony slowly opened his eyes aware that it was morning and that he still had Pepper's pillow clutched to his chest. He gently tucked the pillow back under the comforter for safe keeping. "You up Jarvis?"
"For you sir, always." The AI responded cheerfully. "From all indications from my sensors, it appears you had a very restful sleep."
Tony stretched out slowly, enjoying the feeling. "Your sensors are right on. I did have a good night's sleep."
"Ms. Pott's flight crew had filed an amended flight plan during the night and is in route to LAX from La Guardia. ETA is two hours and twelve minutes."
Tony jumped up from the bed and headed towards his bedroom. He retrieved his cell phone and quickly dialed Pepper's Blackberry.
"Hi." Pepper whispered sleepily upon answering Tony's call.
"Were you asleep?" Tony whispered back immediately regretting waking her.
"Yeah, I was taking a nap. Plans to go to Tokyo again were scrapped when they finally admitted that they weren't ready for the follow up meeting from the last follow up meeting we had. I am getting better about pushing the 'truth or dare' button with that group." She tried to stifle a yawn but failed.
"That's good news" Tony started "coming home that is."
Pepper sighed heavily into the phone. "I'm homesick." She admitted, then added softly "I miss you."
Tony smiled. "I miss you too." That was the first time that either of them had admitted that out loud since Pepper left Tony three weeks ago.
"I didn't call you about the CIP because it was the middle of the night in California, and I was hoping you were asleep." Pepper quietly explained.
"It's OK. And I actually was asleep. You've been talking to Jarvis again haven't you about my sleep habits?" Tony gently chided.
"Don't blame Jarvis." She explained in defense of the ever loyal AI "I forced him to tell me."
"Whose side are you on anyway?" Tony said looking up as he muffled the phone.
"Technically yours, sir" Jarvis spoke "however, Ms. Potts has proven herself again and again as better qualified to take care of you than yourself, so technically I am on her side when it comes to your well being."
"I heard that Jarvis." Pepper laughed as Tony grimaced. "Are you going to pick me up at the airport?"
Tony suddenly heard music in the background and heard Pepper shuffling her Blackberry. The tune was somewhat familiar. "Sorry about that." She apologized, "I bumped my laptop during some turbulence and turned on the CD player by mistake."
"Of course I will pick you. Which car would you like me to bring?" he asked knowing how she would answer.
"Whichever one you want to bring is fine by me." She replied.
"I'll see you in a couple of hours then." Tony replied turning to look out the window as movement caught his attention.
"OK" was Pepper's reply as she disconnected from the call.
Appearing on the horizon and headed towards Zuma Beach was a single engine airplane pulling a banner above the beach front. The banner read: 'Saturday Beach Volleyball tournament at Zuma Beach benefitting the Northern Los Angeles County Women's Shelter'
"Jarvis" Tony asked as he watched the plane fly out of sight. "Get me and Pepper signed up for the Beach Volleyball tournament at Zuma. Tony's mind shifted into overdrive as he detailed his plan of action. "And also contact Aerial Banner Advertising and order a banner for a flyover of Zuma Beach for Saturday afternoon. Offer to pay them extra for the short notice, whatever it takes to get that banner flown over the beach during the tournament."
"As you wish, sir." Jarvis replied "Ms. Potts does enjoy playing beach volleyball, and after 3 weeks of indoor meetings would no doubt enjoy being outside in a somewhat unstructured environment. The Women's Shelter is also one of her favorite charities."
"My thoughts exactly." Tony smiled. "This is what I want you to have the banner printed with."
After Tony had given Jarvis the banner message, Tony looked up expectantly, waiting for Jarvis's no doubt sarcastic comment.
"Very good, sir." The AI responded much to Tony's own surprise "I will see to it that the banner is printed with those exact words. Any color suggestions?"
Tony thought for a moment. "I guess red and gold would be a bit too much, so how about a red background with white lettering. That should stand out against the sky enough to be legible."
"Good choice, sir." Jarvis said "And may I also say 'good luck' too, sir."
Tony walked into his bathroom with a huge grin on his face. He had needed to shower and shave. He grabbed his razor and looked at himself in the mirror for a few minutes before deciding to shave off his goatee. He was hoping that a different look might throw off the paparazzi enough so perhaps he and Pepper could blend into the crowd at the tournament and really enjoy themselves. Pepper had only seen him without the goatee (and eyebrows too for that matter) a couple of times due to incidents involving flash fires in the workshop. He was hoping that being beardless wouldn't be a turn off for Pepper. He could always grow it back in a couple of days. He looked at his hair. He needed to cut it even before Pepper had left and now it was really getting long. This too would help disguise him. He parted his hair in the middle and looked at himself and smiled. Soon the goatee was gone, shower finished, and he was dressed in worn jeans with a thick black vintage Deep Purple t-shirt, threadbare MIT ball cap turned backwards, sun shades, and worn work boots. He gave himself the once over in the mirror.
"Hey Jarvis, think anyone will recognize me?" Tony said looking again at himself in the mirror.
"Let's hope Airport Security does, sir." Came the terse reply from the AI.
Tony chuckled at the AI as he hurried down the stairs to the remodeled garage area. He was suddenly happy that the DMV had issued antique car plates for the hot rod. It would have blown his cover completely to have "STARK 1" plates on the hot rod.
He started up the hot rod, closed his eyes and sighed. "Thanks, Dad." He whispered softly as he slowly pulled out of the garage.