Okay here's another chapter for whoever may be reading this. I'm sure there's a few out there that are and I hope you are enjoying my little story here.


Chapter 2

Tony took his time in the shower and when through wrapped a towel around his waist and looked at his face in the mirror. He blew out a sigh as he looked at the several cuts and slight swelling over his left eye. He only hoped his friend had similar injuries. He finished drying off and dressed in simple clothes for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

"Mr. Stark, the movers are here." Jarvis informed him.

"Great, let them in." He rushed down stairs and met the same men he had at Pepper's apartment. "Okay, so ummm, everything but her clothes can go over this way. I guess we'll just stash her things in this room. I hardly use it anyway. As for her clothes you can put those in the master bedroom which is this way." He showed the movers where to put everything and went to find Pepper.

"Okay, so this is the only area of the house that for the time being that you won't have access to. If you have any questions you can ask Jarvis." Pepper walked by the staircase leading to Tony's workshop. "And you can always ask me…" She stopped as several people brining large boxes in from outside passed her. "What's this?" She stepped away from Katie. "Hey that's my couch!" The moving men stopped.

Tony rushed down the stairs towards her voice. "Hey, there you are beautiful."

"Tony, that's my couch. What's my couch doing here?" Pepper ranted at him.

"Yes, it is your couch."

Why is my couch here?"

"Well, since you and I discussed earlier some possible future plans, I decided that there's really no point in keeping your apartment, and before you ask I already took care of the remainder of the contract. Everything's been taken care of." He looked optimistic and hopes of not making her mad.

"Tony, you didn't even ask, you just broke into my place and had my things packed up and moved here!" She looked around as more of her belongings were brought into his house. She glanced over and noticed Katie standing there not sure of what to do. Pepper grabbed the sleeve on Tony's shirt. "Excuse us for a minute." She drug Tony behind her into the other room. "I can't believe that you would do something like this without my permission. I told you to give me some time with this moving in thing."

"Yeah, and I thought after our conversation in my office that you were ready to take that next step." Pepper's mouth dropped open at his comment. "Please Pepper, I need you here with me."

She looked at the floor for a moment but glanced up at his eyes. They were big and brown, and it was always hard for her to say no to his puppy dog appearance. She sighed. "Tony, everything has happened so fast and I…"

Tony's face fell. "Don't Pepper, please don't do this."

Once she realized what he was implying she shook her head and smiled. "Tony, that's not what I'm saying." She exhaled deeply. "Yesterday you asked who I was talking too." Tony nodded. "Well, I was talking to my mother. She and my father want to come visit for a few weeks since I told her that we would be around and not leaving for the month."

"Wait…your parents are coming here?" Tony's eyes grew larger.

"Yes, and I was going to have them stay at my place since I'm now staying here." She sighed and sat down leaving him standing in shock.

"Do they know?"

"What, about you?" He nodded. "Tony everyone knows you're Iron Man."

"No, I mean about us, do they know about us?" Pepper giggled at his question. "What?"

"You're Iron Man and you're worried if my parents know that we're dating." She laughed. "Are you scared about my parents not liking you?"

"No." He glanced down at her. "Okay, maybe. I've never been in a stable relationship and I want to keep it that way." He was honest with her.

Pepper smiled and stood. She softly kissed him. "Don't worry. I'll put them in one of the bedrooms here." Pepper walked away leaving Tony standing in shock. She returned to Katie as the movers finished. "Hey, do you guys want to make some extra money?" Several of the movers stopped and they all agreed and waited. Pepper turned to Katie. "So, Katie, want to have a little fun redecorating Mr. Stark's home?"

Tony inwardly groaned and decided to retreat to his workshop. Just as he sat down Jarvis spoke up. "Col Rhodes is on approach."

"Oh, is he bringing my suit back?" Tony stood and watched as his friend flew through the tunnel and landed softly in the middle of the shop. "It's about damn time Rhodey."

The helmet flipped back. "Yeah well, I thought maybe I could trade it off for one of your cars instead since mine's been destroyed."

Tony smiled. "Jarvis, get him out of the suit." He sat back and watched his friend freed from the confines of the metal suit. "Want to replace those guns? I got some really cool stuff that would work."

Rhodes smiled. "Girlfriend problems already?"

"New assistant, girlfriend moved in, and now her parents are coming." Rhodes laughed at his friend. "Don't laugh it's not funny. Oh, I'm throwing a party tomorrow night, you should come."

"Are you sure, last time I attended one of your parties we destroyed your house." Rhodes approached the reassembled suit and stood next to Tony. "Why a party now?"

"Well, it's kind of a double meaning type of a party. I want to have a party, and it's sort of an engagement party." He glanced over at his friend.

Rhodes turned to face Tony. "Are you serious man? You asked Pepper to marry you?"

"Not in so many words, but yeah. And before you ask there's nothing planned yet. Pepper's in charge of everything that involves that."

"Oh so it gives her time to come to her senses and dump your ass." Rhodes laughed and Tony shook his head. "Just kidding man, I'm happy for you. She's the only one that can tolerate you, even better than me."

Tony shrugged and coughed. "Well, anyway…" Tony walked around the former Mark 2. "So, what do you want to do with this thing?"

Rhodes looked at Tony and smiled. "Seriously?"

"Sure why not?" He walked around and stood next to Rhodes. "Jarvis, get me a scan of Rhodey's suit." The AI began scanning the damaged gray suit.

Pepper and Katie finished arranging her furniture within Tony's home, with help of the movers. She gave them each a thousand dollars in cash for their help. They left more than happy for helping. Pepper ordered food to be delivered to the mansion.

Katie finished papers for Pepper while she went to take a shower. When the food arrived Katie took it upon herself to set out the flatware and get the table organized. "Jarvis"

"Yes Miss Williams."

"Would you please alert Mr. Stark that dinner is ready."

"Indeed ma'am."

Pepper returned to hear laughing at the table. Tony and Rhodes were talking to his new assistant. She approached the table and sat down next to Tony. "Hey."

"Oh hey baby, we were doing a little reminiscing." Tony picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"Reminiscing?" She picked up her fork and looked at Rhodes as he giggled.

"Yeah, about my last party." Tony watched as she rolled her eyes and dropped her fork. "No no no, it's not like that. Don't worry, I'll never do that again?"

"Which part, gets smashed in your suit, shoot champagne bottles, or get in a fight and destroy the house?" She glared at him.

Tony could only look at her. "You're beautiful."

Pepper scoffed. "Please, just…can we put that behind us?"

After dinner Rhodes volunteered to drive Katie to her home. "Wait, you came in your suit?"

"Yeah, remember, you're going to fix it for me, and I'm going to borrow one of your cars. I was thinking the convertible." Rhodes grinned at his friend.

"Not cool dude. You can take the hard top; it's the gray one, like your personality." Tony retaliated.

"Ha ha ha, is this guy funny or what?" Rhodes held out his hand to Katie and they left.

"I like her." Tony said to no one as he retreated to wherever Pepper was at the moment. "Hey Pepper, I was going to ask you…" He glanced around the living room and noticed her sitting on the couch. "Pepper?" he walked over and sat down next to her. "What's wrong?"

She held up her phone. "My parents will be here tomorrow afternoon."

Tony pursed his lips. "The party." Pepper only nodded. "Well I was going to announce our relationship, but if you would rather keep that on the down-low for a bit longer, I can do that." He picked up her hand. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

The next evening people began pulling up to the mansion around seven. Pepper was getting nervous as her parents were not here yet and there were about fifty people trying to get to Tony's house. She stood outside waiting to see Happy pull up and eventually he made it to the garage. Pepper followed the car as Happy secured it and collected their luggage from the trunk.

"Thank you Happy. Mom, Dad, how was your flight?" She helped her mother out of the back seat.

"It was fine dear." Gloria Potts said. "Of course it would have been better had our flight not been delayed, and then we missed our connection."

"They never did tell us what the problem was. How's my little Pepper?" Ken Potts moved to hug his daughter.

Pepper smiled. "I'm good Dad."

"What's with all of the cars and people outside?" Gloria asked.

"Ah yes, well Tony wanted a party, so what Tony wants, Tony gets." She explained.

"And you're seeing this character?" Her Dad spoke.

Pepper noticed Happy close his eyes. "Yes, well if you want, I can just show you to your room. I'm sure the party will die down around midnight or one."

"Well we haven't really had a good time in a while Ken. Maybe we should mingle?" Pepper's mom offered. Now it was Pepper's turn to close her eyes and will the night to be over.

"Yes, I think there's nothing better than meeting this man who has smitten our daughter when he's at his worst." Ken offered.

Happy followed them to the room and set their things down. Ken and Gloria then followed their daughter back down to where the party was in full swing. Music played, people were drinking and dancing. They kept close to Pepper as she parted the crowd to where she assumed Tony was. She just followed the sound of people chanting Iron Man.

Tony was standing in front of his DJ with a crowd of people in front of him. "I promised Pepper I'd behave tonight and not blow anything up." He then noticed her. "Speaking of Pepper." Tony walked over and in front of everyone grabbed her, spun her around and dipped her. Without a second thought he kissed her. Everyone in the room could tell it wasn't just a friendly type kiss, but one of passion. Tony stood back up and smiled at her. "My girlfriend!" Tony yelled at the crowd as he pointed to Pepper. They applauded in response.

Pepper smiled and waved at the group of people standing next to them. As she ushered him to her parents, the group went back to socializing and dancing. "Tony, I'd like you to meet my parents, Ken and Gloria."

Trying to make a good impression Tony held out his hand and shook her father's as if he was finalizing a business deal. "Mr. Potts, pleasure to meet you." He then picked up Gloria's hand and gently kissed the back of her hand. "Mrs. Potts."

"They wanted to meet you immediately." Pepper noted hoping he would get the hint.

"I see, well there's plenty of food and drink, make yourselves at home." He offered.

Suddenly the music died and everyone stopped and looked around. Even Tony looked back to the DJ who just held up his hands. "Excuse me, but I need a word with you Mr. Stark." Jarvis spoke up once it was quiet.

"I'll be right there." Tony responded and the music picked up where it had left off and the crowd began dancing once again. "Excuse me, I'll be right back." He gave Pepper a kiss on the cheek before retreated downstairs.

"What was that voice?" Ken asked.

"That was Jarvis, he's a computer that Tony invented. Jarvis runs the house. I'll introduce you to him tomorrow." Pepper took her parents over so they could get something to eat from the vast array of finger food items.

Tony sat behind his computers, the screens already online showing Tony the video message. He watched the video from the news online that was forwarded to him by the DOD. It showed a weapons depot in North Korea moving missiles that had Stark industries stamped on them. Tony ran his hand over his goatee and pursed his lips. "What do they want me to do Jarvis?"

"There was no actual message; it just said 'FYI, we found more of your missiles'." Jarvis explained.

He looked at the video again. "Jarvis, how's the War Machine suit coming?"

"It's at 90% capacity."

"Better than nothing. Assemble the suits." He quickly went upstairs and collected his friend. He looked for Pepper as he walked but she was nowhere to be seen. "DOD found more of my missiles in North Korea and sent me an anonymous video."

"What, they just want you to take care of it without an order?" Rhodes asked as he approached his suit.

"I guess. It's going to get hectic, wanna join me, partner?" Rhodes smiled and stepped into his suit. "I need to say goodbye to Pepper first." Tony approached his suit and in less than a minute he was Iron Man.

They both flew outside through the car tunnel and looped around the house. A party goer saw them and screamed 'Iron Man' at the top of her lungs. Everyone was now looking outside. Pepper even looked and stepped out onto the balcony as Tony and James landed.

The helmet retracted back and Tony wrapped his arms around her. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Pepper was quick to kiss him. "Be careful." He smiled. "Love you."

Tony stepped back away from her. "Love you too." The helmet clanged back into place and the eyes lit up. He looked up and the suit took off followed closely by War Machine.

She watched as the lights from their suits disappeared from sight. Pepper felt a shiver run through her body and she went back inside. "So, does he disappear often?"

"Dad, please." Pepper returned to her seat next to her mother.

With Tony gone most of the crowd was gone by midnight, and once the house was quiet Pepper retreated to the bedroom she shared with Tony. She hugged his pillow and inhaled the scent it still held on it. "Where is he Jarvis?"

"I was instructed no to tell you exactly where, but I can tell you what he's doing."

"That works." She held the pillow tighter.

"Very well. Currently Mr. Stark and Col Rhodes are engaging multiple targets." Pepper closed her eyes as Jarvis spoke. "He's moved in on an arsenal of Stark Industry missiles." She sighed as another batch of her company's product ended up in the wrong hands. "Mr. Stark has successfully destroyed the arsenal. He and Col Rhodes and taking off and beginning an easterly course."

Pepper grinned knowing he was on his way home. "How long before he gets home?"

"At their current speed it will take approximately 4 hours."

"How fast are they going?" she asked rhetorically knowing how long it takes a plane to get across the pacific.

"Do you really want to know?" Jarvis asked before telling her that her boyfriend was traveling at the speed of sound with only a metal suit on.

"No, I suppose I don't." She snuggled into the pillow and eventually fell asleep.

It was after five am when Tony and Rhodes landed. They were exhausted as they exited the suits. "Can I crash in an extra bed?" Rhodes asked as they headed up the stairs.

"Sure, head that way, it's safe away from Pepper's parents." Tony pointed as he watched his friend sulk off towards a bed. He then headed for his. Tony opened the door and could just see Pepper's sleeping form. He sighed and shed his clothes before climbing into bed behind her. His arms went around her body and he was quickly asleep.

It was approaching eight am on a Saturday, and Jarvis knew that his creator was exhausted and needed sleep. The rest of the house was quiet with the exception of Pepper's parents. They were up and wandering into the kitchen. Jarvis started the coffee. "Good morning, there's fresh coffee brewing, Andrea is running late but since Mr. Stark is sleeping in, I doubt he will care. She can prepare whatever you desire for breakfast."

Ken stopped as Gloria poured two cups of coffee. "How about the newspaper?"

"I'm afraid we only receive digital copies of the daily paper." Jarvis spoke as he turned on several television screens. "You can watch whatever you desire."

"That's just fine." Gloria spoke as she sat down at the small table in the large kitchen.

Pepper woke and felt arms secured around her. She grinned and turned gently to look at Tony's face. For the moment it was peaceful, but once he woke up he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. She pried herself from his hold and kissed his cheek before climbing out of bed. Pulling on a satin robe that he had purchased for her, Pepper descended the stairs and could smell the coffee and hear her parents speaking. She pulled her hair back and poured her a cup of coffee. "Where's Andrea?"

"She's coming up the drive now."

"Thank you Jarvis."

"Well, look who's finally up." Ken said before sipping at his coffee. Pepper rolled her eyes and sat down.

Gloria patted her arm. "Ignore your father dear, he's still skeptical of Tony."

"I figured." Pepper greeted Andrea as she began moving around the kitchen to prepare everyone breakfast.

Tony tried to stretch and felt he calf cramp. He groaned and reached down to ease the discomfort but eventually had to stand and walk it out. Heavily he sat back on the bed and placed his head in his hands. He rubbed the exhaustion off his face and sat up. "Fill the tub for me will ya Jarvis."

"Yes sir." The AI responded and began doing what he was asked.

Tony stood and walked into the bathroom ignoring his reflection in the mirror. He relieved himself before climbing into the large tub and settling into one of the seats it contained.

"Would you like me to start the water jets?" Jarvis asked.

"That would be great, thanks Jarvis." Tony eased back letting the messaging motion of the water beat the soreness and exhaustion from his body.

Pepper decided that she had listened to enough of her father's rants about the government and went upstairs to check on Tony. Her feet stopped as she saw the empty bed. She then could hear the jets of the whirlpool going and walked into the large bathroom. As she approached the tub she could see his hair but he wasn't moving. Pepper knew that if anything were to happen to him that Jarvis would alert her immediately.

She leaned over the tub and looked at his face. "Is he sleeping?"

"Mr. Stark has been asleep in the tub for around ten minutes now." Jarvis answered her question.

Pepper stripped and slipped into the water. "Give us some privacy will you Jarvis." The door closed to the bed room and the windows looking outside from the tub frosted over. She closed the distance between them and stopped in front of him. Her hands found his knee and slowly slid up his thigh. She continued to watch his face to judge his reaction. Her hand eventually found its target and she began to pleasure him.

Tony heard her talking to Jarvis when she entered but decided to play opossum just to see how far she would take things, and at this point he decided she was determined to go all the way. He remained still and kept his breaths slow and even.

She had a feeling he was now awake and decided to take things to another level and so Pepper moved to straddle his hips. Her hands guided him to enter her as she sat down. A deep sigh escaped her and Tony couldn't resist anymore and his mouth fell open. "Oh God." His hands moved to grip her hips and he opened his eyes looking up into her blue ones.

"I knew you were faking." Pepper pointed at him.

"Can you blame a guy? Now come on, let's get this ride moving." He pulled on her hips causing Pepper to laugh as she started moving.

They both rushed to finish, and ended out of breath clinging to each other. Pepper kissed him deeply. "Come on, breakfast is almost done." She extracted herself from Tony's hold and the tub.

"It's Saturday already?" Tony asked as he followed Pepper to the towel rack.

"Yes, it is." She quickly dried off and went into the bedroom to change.

Tony glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "You stud." He dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black button up shirt, before heading down.

Andrea had plates set on the table as she presented the food she had prepared. Pepper refilled her coffee and sat down to look at the television.

'This just in, we now have footage from the events that took place early this morning in North Korea. We've already heard the announcement from the White House indicating that they had no involvement in the events that took place there.'

Tony stepped into the now quiet kitchen and poured a cup of coffee for himself and turned to look at the screen that the others in the room were glued to.

'It's hard to tell in this footage but again what we do know is that a North Korean arms depot was attacked. Apparently they had just finished a large missile deal and were moving their newly purchased items when the attack happened. Okay, I'm getting word from our video department that they have isolated a frame.' The screen changed to show the familiar red and gold suit with glowing eyes and chest as it took aim at something. 'That's Iron Man! We have just learned that it was Iron Man that took out this depot…'

"Mute." Tony spoke as he moved around to sit at the table next to Pepper. She smiled and took his hand in hers. "Can we eat?"

"Sure." Pepper responded. Her mother also smiled and acknowledged the tension and tried to avoid it.

Ken sat still and just let his eyes stare into Tony. While he tried to avoid it he couldn't and Tony noticed the challenge from the older man. He locked eyes with him and for a moment they just had a staring contest.

Ken was the first to speak. "You think this is funny?"

"No, I don't."

"You are putting yourself in the crosshairs by doing this. I'm a former marine; I know what it's like."

"Good then maybe you can show a little appreciation." Tony fired back.

Both Pepper and Gloria sat back and knew that once Ken was fired up there was no stopping him.

"Are you trying to start a personal war with the world?"

"No, that's not the po.."

"Looks like it to me, and you've got my daughter standing by your side with a target on her now." Ken spoke his voice riding.

"Nothing's going to happen to Pepper." Tony not spoke with venom in his voice as he was challenged in his own home. "Yes, I will admit that things with Iron Man may complicate some things, but I love your daughter, and I'd die before I let anything happen to her." Tony's chest heaved as his anger rose.

Gloria reached over and put a hand on her husband's arm. "Ken, drop it, please."

Pepper remained silent as she watched Tony hash it out verbally with her father. She had never seen anyone stand up to him as Tony just had and it shocked her. While keeping his eyes locked on the current target, Tony reached under the table and put a reassuring hand on Pepper's leg.

They finished breakfast in near silence. Only Pepper and her mother seemed to talk. Tony had the channel changed to a different channel but he couldn't escape the news that Iron Man had destroyed the depot. He quickly finished eating and took his cup of coffee outside to stand on the large decking that looked over the ocean.

"An intruder has just breeched the perimeter." Jarvis announced.

"Where?" Tony asked turning towards the trees.

"They are approximately 1000 yards along the beach."

"Can you get a threat assessment?"

"Not from this distance." Jarvis replied.

"How about line of sight?" Just as Tony got the question out he felt the impact of the bullet and it threw him back wards onto the cement.

"Tony!" Pepper saw him fly backwards and was quickly to her feet and running out towards him.

Jarvis locked the door preventing her from going out and he set off a general alarm waking Rhodes. The man was out of bed in an instant and down in the main area where Pepper was trying to get outside to Tony. "What's going on?"

"You need to suit up sir." Jarvis instructed and Rhodes rushed downstairs where Jarvis had War Machine waiting. "There's a sniper half a mile along the beach."

"What about Tony?" He asked as his suit came online.

"For the moment he's fine. The bullet impacted the arc reactor; he can survive ten minutes without a replacement. Uploading coordinates to the shooters position." Rhodes took off and headed towards the target.

Tony tried crawling towards Pepper as she banged on the glass but the sparking reactor was burning his chest. He managed to pull the broken reactor from his chest and made it to the door. Jarvis unlocked the door and Pepper and her father pulled Tony inside. He gasped for air and pointed to the empty hole in his chest. "New one."

"Okay." Pepper stood and rushed down to his work shop. Jarvis aided her in finding the spare reactors he had created. She hurried back upstairs where her mother was trying to comfort Tony. His breathing was getting ragged as she set the reactor in his chest. It didn't lock in and make contact. Tony tried hitting the chest piece to engage but his arms already felt like jello as his heart slowed in the throes of panic.

Ken moved over and used his fist to hit the reactor hard enough to engage it. The arc whirred as it connected and glowed brightly. Tony took several big breathes as his heart beat sped up under the reactors power. His eyes were large with fear and panic as he finally got control of his body. "Thank you."

Pepper leaned over and hugged him. She then with her father helped Tony to his feet. "Don't you ever do that to me again?"

"Me? You think I wanted to be shot." He argued back.

"Col Rhodes is on approach with the shooter." Jarvis interrupted.

"Stay in here." Tony instructed and walked outside picking up the now powerless reactor. He looked at it as it held the 50 caliber bullet he was hit with. Rhodes landed with a man in one hand and his rifle in the other. Tony walked over to the man that now had his hands tied up and appeared to have taken a punch or two from Rhodes. He looked over the man. "Who hired you?"

The man smiled and spit blood on Tony. There was almost no hesitation as Tony landed a right hook across the man's face. Pepper and her parents watched on from inside. The man remained standing and looked at Tony again. "You can't touch me."

"Oh really?" Tony swung again with his left and struck the man. "There's something you're not getting here. You took a shot at me, and guess what; I'm judge, jury, and executioner here. So unless you were acting alone, which I doubt, since you don't look smart enough to orchestrate such a precision strike."

The man let blood run out of his mouth freely and looked at the man before him. "How did my shot not kill you?"

Tony held up the reactor. "You shot the chest piece, not me. I can live without it for some time. Now, who's behind this?" the man hesitated and looked around. "Break his leg Rhodey."

"No, wait…" The man pleaded and got down on his knees. "I was hired by Justin Hammer."

"That man won't quit will he?" Rhodes said.

Tony kneeled. "He's in jail."

"I was contracted before the expo disaster. He paid me a hundred grand as a retainer under specific instruction that if something were to happen to him and you survived that I was to take you out. He told me by shooting the thing in your chest you would be instantly killed."

"Normally a head shot is the best insurance." Tony stood. "Jarvis, alert the authorities about our friend here. I'm sure the FBI will be more than interested in what he has to say."

Rhodes took the shooter around to the front of the house to wait for the proper authorities, while Tony went inside. "Well…" Pepper asked.

"He was hired by Justin Hammer." He explained and Pepper took in a stunned breath and stepped back. "What?" She shook her head. "Pepper, what is it? Please you have to tell me." Tony gripped her arms with his hands preventing her to retreat further.

"When I had Justin arrested at the expo, he told me that it wasn't over, and that he'd get me eventually." Tears formed in her eyes.

Tony released an angered breath and pulled Pepper into a strong embrace. "He's not getting anywhere near you, understand?" She nodded into his chest. Tony ran his hands up and down her back in hopes of calming her. He knew he'd be seeing Justin Hammer again.


Well, wasn't that exciting. I kinda like Justin Hammer. I mean that as I'm glad he didn't die in the movie so I can kill him, muahahahahahaha…

TDCSI