A/n: so i'm glad you guys liked this story! as a matter of fact, I typed this whole chapter up so i wouldn't have to keep you waiting! So I hope you like it, and yes, there is more pepperony in this one!
By the time they all arrived back at the Tower, Pepper had decided to go to bed. She told Tony she was tired, but in reality she didn't like that Brynn girl staring at him so much. She looked almost fascinated with Tony.
Pepper quickly changed out of her dress and threw on one of Tony's many AC/DC shirts and crawled into bed. "So what?" She said to herself, "So what she was staring at Tony? Girls stare at Tony all the time." She said, trying to reassure herself that it wasn't a big deal, but there was one thing that made this different from all the rest:
He was staring back.
She sigh in frustration. She was many thing, but she was not a jealous woman. Sure she envied those girlfriends he had in the past, but she always got over it when he got rid of them in a week. She just isn't a jealous person. "So why do I so threatened by her?" She whispered. Maybe it was the fact the girl was very pretty, or that she was from space or could fight. Maybe it was the fact she was new, and Tony loved new things.
She quickly pushed the thoughts aside when she heard Tony enter the room. She knew he knew she was awake, so she didn't even bother looking up. "Lights JARVIS." She heard him say.
"Of course Sir, good night." The AI responded, turning the lights out. He went to change into his favorite AC/DC shirt, but found that it was missing. He glanced over at Pepper and smiled, oh well, he like it better on her anyway.
Throwing on a different shirt and some pajama pants he deemed himself ready for bed, and quickly crawled in beside Pepper.
His arms automatically went around her waist, and pulled her closer. "Hi." He whispered.
Instead of answering him, she turned in his arms so she was facing him. She then proceeded to bury herself in his chest. "Hey." She finally whispered back, looking up into his eyes. He smiled at her and leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.
"You know," He said, "Somebody took my favorite AC/DC shirt."
She smirked, "Imagine that."
Tony laughed, then leaned down to kiss her. His fingers automatically tangled in her hair, and hers did the same to his.
"You know I love you, right?" Pepper stated when he pulled away.
He wasn't expecting that, but never the less he nodded. "I know Pep," He pulled her closer, "I love you too." He whispered with a smile. But that smile soon turned to a frown, "Are you alright Pep? I mean, not that I don't like it when you're all cuddly, but you seem...concerned I guess." He asked.
Pepper nodded, "I'm fine, its just..." Pepper sighed, "I just really love you."
Tony nodded, "I love you to Pepper. You don't even know."
Pepper finally smiled, and instead of saying something back she shifted so her head was lying on his chest. Her legs tangled with his and one hand found his. "Good night Tony." She whispered, slowly starting to fall out.
Tony dropped a kiss to her hair just as she fell asleep, "Good night Pep, love you."
The next morning when Pepper woke up, she was surprised to find the other side of the bed empty. Normally, Tony liked to sleep in. If Pepper would let him, he would sleep until noon. She always gets up at least an hour before him, so it surprised her when she found he was already awake.
What surprised her even more, was that there was a mug of hot coffee sitting on the bedside table, and that he had picked out clothes for her and neatly folded them, then placed them on the dresser. "What did he blow up..." She muttered to herself, taking a drink of her coffee.
Once she was dressed and did her hair and makeup, she decided she would go and see what Tony was up to before handling any SI business.
When she entered the one of the many living rooms, she (thankfully) found that nothing was blown up. Instead she found the Avengers, minus Clint and Natasha, all sitting down talking. Thor was sitting beside Brynn, who had changed into a pair of black pants and a plain black shirt. Her cloak remained on, and she had the hood of it up and over her head. in her hand she held something small and silver that was shaped like a tube. Pepper stood behind the couch, and Tony didn't seem to notice she was there, so she listened into their conversation.
"...So Thor has his hammer, and I have this." she gestured to the tube in her hand.
"So is it enchanted like Hammer Times weapon?" Tony asked, nodded towards Thor's hammer.
Brynn shrugged, "More or less. Anyone can use it, but it's only when I hold it that it has it's full power. it channels my energy from my hands into it." she looked at Tony and tossed the silver tube to him. When he caught it, it expanded on both sides into her staff. Bruce, who was seated next to Tony, had to lean back to avoid being hit with the the weapon in his hands.
"Interesting." Tony said, examining her staff. "Why don't you show us what you can do? i can take you to the training room."
Brynn smiled at Tony, "I would love that."
Tony stood and handed that weapon back to Brynn, who also stood up. naturally the rest of the Avengers stood and followed the other two down the hallway and towards the training room. None except for Steve, who gave her a genuine smile, even noticed her presence.
When they had all left the room she frowned, and slammed her coffee cup down on the counter. "Oh, good morning to you to honey..." She muttered to herself, angry that Tony didn't even notice her.
"You know," she heard a voice say, "I saw that whole thing. and getting pissed off isn't gonna change anything."
Pepper turned to see Clint leaning up against a wall, looking intently at her. "I..." she started, but couldn't think of a comeback.
"I know the feeling. I used to get so pissed off when I would hear what Natasha would do on some of her mission for info. Believe me I know, it sucks. That whole jealousy thing." He started to pace around the island in the kitchen, running his fingers over the marble, "but honestly? I wouldn't waste your time worrying about her. She's no one to Tony, just a shiny new toy. Your his everything."
Out of all the Avengers, she probably knows Clint the least. sure they have spoken a few times, but they have never really had a in depth conversation. So it came to a shock to her that he would say such a thing, when they were barely friends.
She managed a smile, "Thanks, that was really nice of you to say." that was the best she could come up with, since his mini-speech was so surprising to her.
He nodded, "Anytime Pepper." He slid open the glass door to head out onto the balcony again, "But seriously, remember what I said. And if something really bugging you, you can always talk to me or Nat."
Pepper laughed, "Natasha would interrogate them."
Clint shrugged, "I would just shoot them."
Pepper had a few folders in her hands, things from SI that Tony needed to sign. she heard from Natasha that he and the rest of the group were still down in the training room. She figured, since she already needed him to sign something, it was a good enough excuse to go and see him.
When she entered the viewing room, she found the boys, minus Clint, all watching Brynn fight. When pepper had entered the room, she had been dodging some lasers that Tony must have set up to shoot from the wall.
She approached the group, and took a place beside Tony. "hey." he mumbled, casually throwing his arm around her waist. He peeled his eyes away from Brynn long enough to press a chaste kiss to the side of her head.
she wasn't going to let him ignore this whole time, so she tried to talk with him, "Thanks for the coffee and my clothes this morning, it was very...sweet of you." she said with a smile.
He looked down at her, "No problem, you've taken such good care of me. I figured I could return the favor."
She smirked, "Only twelve more years of that to go."
He chuckled, "Well, we'll be together the rest of our lives, so I'm sure I can spare some time."
His comment about them being together forever made her blush slightly, and she couldn't suppress the smile that started to play at her lips, "Well," She began, "i came down here cause I need you to sign-"
she was cut off when Tony suddenly yanked his arm away from her, and threw both of his in the arm. The guys cheered, "That was awesome." She heard him say. She looked at the training area to see everything completely destroyed, so she figured they were cheering about something Brynn had done.
Her smiled faded, and without a goodbye she walked out of the room. Seconds later she heard Tony's voice a few feet behind her, "where are you going Pep? I thought we were having a moment?"
She didn't respond, instead opted to keep walking.
"Am I paying for that 12% comment?"
She stepped into the elevator just as he asked his question, but she didn't bother answering. She loved him, she really did, but sometimes he could be completely and utterly clueless.
A/n: So I wanted to do a little with the Clint and Pepper being friends, because out of all the things I've read, that's probably the least explored friendship. So I know the ending was a little crappy, but come on, she needs a reason to be jealous right? and I mean come on, like anyone can steal Tony away from her?! So I'll try to update sometime soon, but remember, more comments mean faster updates!
-Ali
