"You know, this isn't what I meant by sharing," said Tony.

"This is all you're going to get, Stark. As it is, you're getting this only because you bugged the customers and my coworkers as well as me," Pepper said. She was seated across the table from him, and they each had a slice of cheesecake in front of them.

"You mean if I keep "bugging you" as you say…" he said, grinning.

"No."

"Are you sure-"

"No," she replied, her eyes narrowed.

"So you're not sure?" he asked, a certain glint in his eyes.

"Look," she said, her own eyes full of fire, "either shut up or I'm leaving."

"Right," he said, "my lips are sealed." He grinned and pretended to zip his mouth shut.

Pepper sighed and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "Why do I even bother?" Tony's grin widened.

A version of the quiet game started at that point, as Pepper looked anywhere but at the man sitting across from her. After a couple minutes of silence, Tony began muttering things under his breath. Pepper snuck glances at him. He, in the meantime, stared off into the corner of the restaurant. After swallowing her last bite of cheesecake, Pepper finally gave in to her curiosity. "Alright, what are you doing?"

"Planning to take over the world."

Pepper stared. "The problem is," she said, "I can't tell whether or not you're joking."

Tony smirked. "Well, if you see all the world leaders on TV tomorrow, announcing that they're all retiring, you'll know I'm telling the truth."

"Wouldn't the public become suspicious if that happens?" Pepper asked.

Tony pursed his lips. "Nope. Not at all. I wouldn't, if I were them." Pepper raised her eyebrows. "They're trained cattle!" he said. "They don't question things."

"Then what do you call alien conspiracy theories?"

"The work of idiots," he swiftly replied. "Or geniuses who can't relate to the small-minded population of humans."

"And which category do you fit in? The idiots, or the misunderstood geniuses?"

"The geniuses, of course," Tony said. "Do you remember nothing from our conversation on Tuesday? I know it's been a few days, but even you should- Seven twenty seven."

"What?" Pepper asked, her face blank.

"The amount of change due to that customer," he said, nodding to where one of Pepper's coworkers at the cash register was accepting money from a woman. "That's what I was mumbling, earlier. I was distracted by the math."

"Are you sure you're a genius?" she asked. "You seem to get pretty distracted."

"What did I tell you earlier? And besides, I'm only distracted because my mind won't stop. It's racing much faster than the speed of light, contemplating possible inventions, answering problems, and analyzing the world around me."

Pepper snorted. "Does your mind also dwell on shiny objects?"

"Yup!" he replied. "Just one of the hazards of being an engineer."

Pepper stared for a few seconds before she began to laugh.

Tony's eyes came alight, as if he were a kid on Christmas morning staring at his presents underneath the tree. "You should laugh more," he said, a small smile gracing his face. "Not only is it beautiful, but you also seem more at ease with the world. More carefree."

Pepper frowned. "It's not my fault if I have to work full-time to pay for college. My course-load is large enough, and with the job thrown on top of everything… I don't get a lot of down-time."

"Freshman?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm taking classes at the community college, and also saving up for my bachelor's degree. Ideally, I'd also like to get a master's."

"What in?" Tony inquired.

"Business. I'd like to run my own company someday. I'm also taking some accounting classes as a back-up plan," she said.

"You're good at math, too? Well, not as good as me, of course."

"I'm sure I do just as well, if not better. Even though I may not solve problems in a millisecond like you do, I'm sure I can give you a run for your money," Pepper said.

"Really," Tony said, drawing the word out. "All my money? For you see, I have quite a lot."

"You mean your parents have a lot. I bet you haven't worked a day in your life," she said.

Tony tilted his head. "In the traditional sense you're right. However, I do hold several patents in my name. Four of those things I invented at MIT. One of them before. My father also has plans for me to head the R&D department at Stark Industries after I graduate."

"And do you deserve that?" Pepper asked. "Your future position at your family's company?"

"Let me put it this way. When the current head has a problem, he calls me up. I'm ahead of everyone else in the engineering and physics departments at MIT, and pretty soon my knowledge will surpass my professors'. I could easily pursue my PhDs and have them in just over a year and a half, but I don't want to have to deal with all the class work and tests that go along with them. As it is, I could have graduated with both my masters half a year ago if I didn't have to spend my time completing the numerous class assignments. Acing the tests is a breeze."

"Believe me, now?" he asked.

"Virginia, get back to work!" a shrill voice sounded next to Tony. He jumped and turned his attention to a portly black woman waitress, standing a foot away with her hands on her hips. "Your break ended five minutes ago. Stay seated any longer, and I'll start docking you."

"Yes, ma'am," Pepper said, sliding out of the booth before using her hands to smooth down her apron.

As Pepper's boss walked away, Tony started at Pepper. "Your real name is Virginia," he said.

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?" she asked, ready to glare at Tony.

"No, not at all, Pepper," he said. A ghost of a smile graced her lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I don't work tomorrow," she replied.

"Great," he said, and grinned. "I'll take you out to dinner, then. What's your address?"

Pepper stared at him, disbelief written on her face. "I'm not telling you where I live."

"Fine. Seven it is. Dress nicely. I'll see you tomorrow," Tony said, and exited, whistling.

Pepper blinked and then scoffed. "Like hell," she mumbled.

"Virginia!" her boss called again.

"Coming, ma'am!"

-CTS-

"Rhodey, where's the telephone book?"

"Hello to you too, super genius. Do you also require an Acme rocket to complete your evil plans?" Rhodey quipped.

Tony stared. "What are you talking about? I mean, I'll accept the rocket as a graduation gift for a prank, but I'm not doing anything sinister. Yet."

"What's the phone book for?" Rhodey asked.

"Pepper's address."

"You're still obsessed with that girl?"

Lying on his stomach, Tony began hunting under his bed. "Turns out she's a math wiz, as well. I'm taking her to dinner tomorrow."

Rhodey grinned. "And she refused to tell you where she lives."

"…No."

Rhodey snorted. "Then what's the phone book for? And I doubt even you have one under there," he added.

"Found it!"

Eyebrow raised in amusement, Rhodey said, "I stand corrected."

Tony wormed his way out from underneath his bed. "With a friend like me, you always do. And I'll prove you wrong. Our date will go so well, we'll plan a second one right away."

"That's if you can even find out her address."

Tony waved his hand dismissively. "Details, details." He patted the large phone book. "Her information is in here, somewhere. Has to be. "