Title: An Extra Push
Theme: #5 -- Blue at the LiveJournal Pepperony100 community
Rating: PG
Summary: Tony crashes his own party, and Pepper doesn't know what to do.

Scene taken from the movie -- I stayed as loyal as I could.

Pepper tried to busy herself with the many guests in the ballroom. She was there for Tony and herself, and silently she wished she had an easier job than representing two people. She walked carefully, able to feel eyes on her as she walked, even if no one was, in fact looking at her. Nervously she made her way to a group of associates, and to her surprise found the relaxed atmosphere between the four of them, ease her nerves as well. She watched Nick, a man fairly new to Stark Industries, animated as he told a story about his family's brief, but fun, camping trip that had taken place the previous weekend. She couldn't help but smile at his obvious love and adoration for his family…then she felt the hairs stick up on the back of her neck, the ripple spreading to her stomach, bursting into butterflies. Smoothing the front of her light blue dress, she looked to her right to find her boss approaching. She groaned inwardly, wishing he wasn't there…wishing she hadn't been spotted.

"Miss Potts…" he began, his voice quiet.

"Mr. Stark…" she nearly exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged indifferently, his eyes never leaving hers, "Thought I'd make an appearance."

Pepper then realized she was holding her breath, not sure what to make of the situation.

"Quite a scene isn't it?" she said, fighting to calm her nerves; her eyes leaving his to silently gesture to the rest of the room.

He laughed quietly, "yes it is…would you like to dance?"

Her eyes snapped back, locking on his, wide, scared of what to say next, wondering if yes or no would really matter in his mind as to what would happen next.

"Oh…no… I don't think—"

"Oh come on…" he said, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.

Reluctantly she followed him, swearing everyone was watching. He turned to face her, one hand resting on the small of her back, drawing her closer, or as close as he assumed she'd allow him to be…the other taking her hand. Pepper wasn't sure what it was, but something was so distinctly uncomfortable about the whole situation. Carefully, but trying to be subtle, she avoided any unnecessary contact, including sight. She thought she was carrying herself well, until he spoke, breaking her train of thought.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" He asked, and she swore he almost sounded hurt.

As she opened her mouth to say something, he looked at her, eyebrows raised, anticipating her answer.

"No…no…" she began, unable to hide the half laugh that escaped her throat, "I always forget to wear deodorant and dance with my boss…not to mention this insane dress."

"Well…it looks great…" he said, and then leaned to whisper in her ear, "and you smell wonderful."

She closed her eyes against the feeling of his breath against her neck, and involuntarily shivered. Swallowing hard, she tried to regain focus, focus on being strong, and the assistant to the most undeniably charming business tycoon. She thought she was doing an ok job, until she saw him looking at her.

"And I could fire you…if that would take the edge off…" he added almost like an afterthought, a smug grin playing at his lips.

He looked directly in her eyes, daring her to hold his gaze, his own eyes shining with a hint of deviousness. She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking and wonder if she really wanted to know at the same time. He swallowed slowly, and almost instantly the air shifted, and suddenly she found it hard to breathe. She averted her eyes, looking at her hand that was resting lightly on his shoulder.

"Do you want to get some air…?" he asked, sounding almost as anxious as she was feeling.

All she could do was nod, and let him take her by the hand, and lead her outside. Once outside she didn't miss a beat, she began scolding him, half because she was undeniably annoyed at his blatant attempt to seduce her in public (not that it hadn't happened before), and the fact that she had just danced close to the one man she'd fought so hard to distance herself from.

"It was completely harmless!" He exclaimed, raising his arms in mock surrender.

"It was not...completely harmless…" she countered, her jaw set defensively.

He smiled, the smile she'd come to identify when he was completely amused, "why not?"

"Because you're you!"

Her sudden outburst seemed to wipe the goofy grin from his face, but not his eyes, "And?"

"Well…everyone knows how you are with women…" she began, pausing briefly to collect her thoughts, "Which is fine, I don't have a problem with that, but you're my boss, and I don't want people getting the wrong idea."

"It was just one dance…not a big deal; I guarantee no one was even paying attention."

She sighed; the exasperation flowing through her system was getting to be too much to take. She looked back at him, her posture rigid, tense.

"Why do you care what they think?" he asked, softly.

"Because we work together…"

Her eyes locked on his again, and immediately the butterflies returned, making her stomach flip. Breathing slowly, to calm the overwhelming swell of emotions now flowing through her system, she leaned into him, her eyes fluttering closed. Not even looking at Tony, she realized what she was about to do, and immediately her eyes shot open, an in an instant she felt him stiffen as well.

"…I'm going to need a drink…"

"Sure." His response came out short and choked.

"Vodka martini, extra dry…extra olives…" she said, trying to regain her composure, "at least three olives."

"Coming right up…" he said, and with that he was gone. She stood there, watching the sky shimmer, trying to shake the lingering anxiousness from her body and mind.

AN: This will not be my last one shot...as I become inspired, they will all be added to this story. Please R&R!