Kay, so I know I'm shouldn't be adding another story, but this one was actually written like 2 years ago, BUT I'm actually rewriting it. I've got about 10 chapters to work with here and its just a matter of rewriting them to my likings to get them out. Though my other stories take priority, it's all in what I'm in the mood for and don't have a case of writers' block on. Let me know if it's worth continuing. :)

Disclaimer: IMAA belongs to its rightful owners. Meaning, not me.

His life has been far beyond ordinary and definitely not shy of excitement. He's had his fair share of thrills, adventures, and even pain to probably last him a lifetime and then some. Though, he could honestly say that tonight was the first night in a long while where he realized that there was far more happiness in the world for him to have. That even with his past experiences as the spoiled and prodigy son of Howard Stark, he was still lacking the true essence of happiness.

Tonight was a special night.

Never in his life would he even imagine missing such a milestone in his life. Not even if the whole network of underground criminals tried to say otherwise–especially if they did. Not even if his father, or anyone else for that matter, denied him of his earned happiness. Not that his dad would ever do such a cold-hearted thing. He would never miss nor be late, even if he'd been sick and lying in his death bed. Oh no, especially not even then. No doctor, friend, parent, or building was going to hold him down from being where his happiness resided.

Now, he's never had a good record with this kind of thing. Whitney was living proof of his poor record, not that anyone but the blonde herself was counting. He's been bad at paying attention to important dates like birthdays, due dates, and soon-to-be anniversaries. Though, knowing who he'd be sharing those anniversaries, he couldn't imagine being able to forget the dates. The girl, whom he'll swear up and down he's fallen for to anyone who'll listen–that means his best friend Rhodey–who is always on top of dates and events that he should be aware of.

Pepper Potts.

He vividly remembered the first day he realized that his feelings for her went beyond the boundaries of friends. She'd been so impossibly adorable.

…

He was patiently sitting on the not-so-cushy couch just beyond the changing rooms as he waited for his redheaded friend to finish. Watching the clock to the right corner of the room, he wondered why it was always him stuck with this job. Wasn't Rhodey just as much a friend to the redhead as the genius himself was? Why did Rhodey never step up for this role?

"You grew up with this sort of thing, didn't you?" Rhodey always asked, referring to the fancy company parties Tony had to attend as a child. Which, made him Pepper's go to when she needed anything relating to party etiquette, dancing, or fancy attire.

Pepper finally stepped out, fabric spilling out of her bunched up hands as she met his gaze. "Too much? It feels too...fluffy."

She twists and turns in front of him and the mirror with her lip tightly held in a flat line. Tony tried not to yawn as he scanned her from head to toe from exhaustion from his latest overnighter. He noticed the tight, red fabric hug her upper torso, emphasizing her narrow, yet fit, waist only to fan out drastically like a ball gown; which was exactly what it was. He shook his head, despite the wonders it did for her figure, the color and style were all wrong for both her and the party she was going to. "Yeah, I'd say try the lavender or even the green dress. Those seem more appropriate."

The redhead took one last glance at herself in the glamorous dress and shrugged, thankfully not offended as that had been the dress she'd shown the most enthusiasm for when she pulled it from the racks. "I agree, too formal for the event."

Tony wouldn't really say that the event was too formal. Sure, most people going there were probably dressed to the nines, but likely only to impress his dad. This party being the first company party since the surprise return of his father to the "land of the living". It was more of a formal celebration thrown to commemorate the grand occasion to give those who remained most loyal to the elder Stark, even in "death", a chance to truly accept that he really is alive and well. And being the man's son, it was a given that Tony would be attending and although it wasn't required, they all expected him to bring a date. Pepper, albeit not his girlfriend, was happy to attend as his "date". Little did he expect that Pepper would actually take the whole thing so seriously that she'd need to buy a whole new dress. Along with new shoes, earrings, and even makeup–which he luckily didn't have to attend all those shops. Shoes and dresses were about his limit as far as shopping was involved. That didn't take account of the endless dancing lessons Pepper needed.

Now, Pepper wasn't exactly clumsy. She was actually quite sturdy on her feet despite her cluttered mind and motor mouth. Though when it came to dancing, Pepper had been comparable to a toddler learning to walk. Many weeks of bruised toes, sweaty palms, and immeasurable moments of awkward physical contact later Pepper was finally properly taught how to dance if ever she decided the dance floor was for them at the party.

He glanced up from his thoughts as she slipped back out this time gracing them with a gentler dress made of eloquent lace which wrapped her upper torso and shoulders and silk flowed from her waist and colored with stunning lavender. A tad more revealing than the previous dresses, but far more appropriate for the occasion. He smiled, not just for her benefit this time, and nodded his approval. "Hang up the rest of the dresses, I think we found a keeper!"

"Really? You think it'll be appropriate for your dad's party?" she wondered, a gleaming smile stretching across her cheeks.

Pepper's excitement from his words elicited a new sort of feeling from Tony as he watched her gaze adoringly at the mirror at the chosen dress. He felt warmer than the steady 68 degrees the store was set at. It was strange how something as commonplace as shopping with his friend had brought on such a strong feeling. Suddenly, the Pepper that stood before him wearing the most beautiful dress he's ever seen, was no longer just a pretty face. She was beautiful; beyond beautiful actually. She had the face of a woman he wouldn't mind staring at for years at a time and a smile that could heat him up even in the coldest of winters.

In his eyes, she was no longer someone he wanted to be just friends with.

"Tony?" Her soft voice brought him from his revelation and to her already dressed back in her regular clothes. "Hello? Earth to Tony!"

He blinked and rubbed the nape of his neck. He forced those thoughts to the back of his mind. Pepper would never like him in such a way. Besides, what kind of friend would he be if he suddenly expected otherwise from her? "Sorry," he managed. "Ready to go?"

…

It wasn't long after that when the Makluan invasion happened and the two finally realized that the feelings they held for each other were mutual. Which brought them to now; their first date.

Their first date that was planned to start off with dinner at six o'clock then to some movie or another–he could never remember, which is why Pepper chose it–to where he would then drive her home promptly ten minutes before her so-call curfew. So-called because her dad never bothers to reinforce the curfew, even when he is home. Either way, it was supposed to be a fun and eventful night out in the city with his new-found girlfriend. Maybe a little cheesy and cliche, but certainly still a blast for the two.

Yet as he looked at the clock now, he knew he'd never make that date. Actually, according to the schedule he actually had planned out–for once in his life–he already missed that date. By a long shot. The date he'd promised he wouldn't miss for the world.

Why did he miss this important date of his? Why had he broken the one promise he held so dear to himself? The promise he promised he wouldn't break?

Oh right, he's been kidnapped.

Haha, so there. Short and probably not so sweet in terms of situation, but easy to read, no? The next chapters may vary in length. Originally they weren't all that long as two years ago (actually, this was probably written way back when I was still just a freshmen) I wasn't too keen on long chapters as far as I remember. So who knows what the rewrite would bring. Again, let me know if this is worth looking into getting out more. :)

Fun Fact: I've learned the very hard lesson of cars on icy roads and car repairs...All in one day throughout the whole day. -_-

Hugs and Love, SilverPedals!