Oops I forgot to update here. Chapter Four is still being written.


Chapter Three

She stayed the night, cuddling up against one another, just not engaging in any other physical activity. Their reconciliation was too new for them to do anything more than kiss and cuddle. Tony hadn't wanted to ruin things by jumping right back into their relationship.

And Pepper wouldn't have appreciated it either.

Tony woke first in the morning and carefully untangled himself from Pepper, leaving her to have a lay-in. He crept quietly around the bedroom, getting his clothes and dressing, before heading to the kitchen where he began to attempt to cook breakfast for Pepper.

She emerged twenty minutes later just as he was putting the finishing touches to the spinach, ham and cheese omelette he had attempted to make. It wasn't perfect but it was the thought that counted.

"This is new," she said, looking at the omelette on her plate. Tony had rarely cooked for her, especially since he really didn't know how to cook.

Tony shrugged. "I've sort of been trying to teach myself to cook." It was something he had been trying to do just prior to the events in Romania, Germany and Siberia. It was just one of many changes he was trying to do with his life. "Amongst other things."

Pepper took a first bite and was pleasantly surprised how tasty her omelette was. "This is nice."

Tony joined her at the table with a plate for himself. "Sleep well?" he asked. It still felt awkward talking to her.

"A better night sleep then I've had in a while," she responded. She looked up at him. "I haven't slept well without you… And running SI has been difficult, especially during the process with the Accords since we are so linked to them through you. I've had a lot of press try to talk to me about how we intend on going forward. How our funding for the Avengers will now proceed if they are now under government control."

He hadn't really considered how the Accords would have affected Pepper. Their split hadn't been public knowledge. In fact the only people who had known were Happy, Rhodey and Steve. "Ah. I can help you there. I'll come to the office next week and sit with Human Resources about it. I'll let you know how it goes but I'll make sure anything Avenger-related goes through me instead of you."

Pepper nodded. "That sounds reasonable."

They continued to eat their breakfast in silence. Pepper used her phone to browse her messages whilst Tony read the latest rendition of the Accords. Though the Accords had been signed and ratified, it was currently going through changes which Tony had put forward. Each section was being discussed at length, notes added to it and then sent around each ambassador and subject of the Accords. They were still a work-in-progress and Tony knew it would take months – even years – to fix the Accords to a place where it would placate everybody.

After breakfast, Tony cleared away and then sat down facing Pepper, who now had her StarkPad out on the table, open on a word document.

"So," Pepper began, "ground-rules, Tony. For this to work, we have to make concessions on both sides."

They'd already agreed that so Tony confirmed this. "Of course."

"We both need to have input in this. I propose a list of rules for each other. What I'd like you to do and what you'd like me to do. Then we discuss each point and come to an agreement. Like negotiating with a company that wishes to do business with us. This way we will iron out the kinks and hopefully provide us with foundations we can build upon to return us to the point where we were before everything went south for us." Pepper pointed at his phone. "If you write out your points on your phone and then upload them to your private server, I will do the same and then we can discuss this."

"Okay." Tony wasn't going to contest this. He thought it was a good idea.

For the next hour they quietly sat at the table, opposite one another, working on their lists.


Tony Stark's Rules For Pepper Potts

Iron Man has to stay. The world needs Iron Man.

Let me talk to you about everything over a period of reflective sessions. I've hidden so much from you that for me to find spiritual healing I think you need to know first.

I cannot think of anything else. You are perfect in every way.

But maybe you could wear a tank top more often indoors?

I'm not sorry.


Pepper Potts Rules for Tony Stark

You have to be the one who sometimes initiates contact between us. In the past it has been me.

Date night, every Friday. Film night, Saturday.

To remain involved with the Avengers and deploy when absolutely necessary. I know how much being Iron Man means to you.

To be more involved in Stark Industries rather than remain focused on the Avengers and the Iron Man suits.

Inventing and engineering needs to be on a timed schedule rather than whenever you can UNLESS it simply cannot wait.

The omelettes were delicious. Cookery classes?


They both read over each other's lists of rules. Tony saw Pepper briefly frown and then smile. He figured she had seen number four and five.

Pepper looked up at him. "We do need to talk about these, Tony."

He knew that.

"Let's go through your list first, since it is the shortest." She lifted her StarkPad up and began to read aloud. "Iron Man has to stay. The world needs Iron Man. I do agree with that. The reason why I wanted you to give it up is because I worry about you. I don't want you to die. But I can see the good it has done and since the Accords have been brought into the picture you are subjecting yourself to laws that will determine when you are needed to intervene. You're not going to police the world, like Rogers did. As long as you don't go looking for trouble I think I can accept you continuing to be a superhero."

"When have I ever gone looking for trouble?" complained Tony.

Pepper praised an eyebrow.

"Fair point."

"Number two. Reflective sessions. That we can definitely do. I know we've known each other for an incredibly long time but even I know you still have secrets. For us to work I think both of us need to be completely honest with one another. I am willing to listen to you as long as you can listen to me in return," explained Pepper cordially.

Tony nodded. "I can do that." He was willing to try anything and he knew if he didn't he would mess this relationship up to the point where Pepper wouldn't want to be associated with him at all. He was lucky that during their two months break she hadn't stepped away from the company. But, he supposed, she must have already decided that she would come back, depending on how he had conducted himself.

"Third, I'm not perfect, fourth I can wear that tank top indoors more often if it pleases you, and I already know you are not sorry for that comment," smirked Pepper, a twinkle shining in her eyes as she spoke. She placed the StarkPad down on the table. "I think your terms are acceptable. How do you feel about my rules for you?"

Tony ran his eyes down the list. "Point one, I know I have been a dick and left things up to you… that will change. You were my first relationship… I don't know how these things are supposed to work. It's a poor excuse but I certainly will ensure I initiate contact. Date night, fine. Film night, fine. Is that what normal couples do?"

Pepper nodded. "Yes."

"Right." He could sit with that. "Three we have already covered. We do not really need to discuss it again."

"No, we don't," confirmed Pepper.

"My involvement with Stark Industries, I haven't really been that good a head of Research and Development, have I?"

Pepper shook her head. "You need to start paying attention to what is being developed. I know you trust me to make the correct decisions but in regards to research and development, that is your area of expertise, not mine. You've done so much for this world, Tony, that it seems a shame your talent isn't used to continue to developing new tech for our people. The Avengers took up too much of your time. You were being paid as an employee for Stark Industries for not doing your job. If you prefer to work from home that is fine however you need to involve yourself with the team under your oversight. You need to communicate with them, guide them into new areas and help them develop their own ideas into sellable and profitable equipment."

He could see her point. "How often would I have to come into the office?"

"At least once a week. There are weekly meetings that I attend. You need to be involved as well. That way a cohesive discussion can be made."

Tony nodded. "That is acceptable. Besides, with the Accords in place I am unlikely to be called out for active duty. I've asked to only be called as a last resort unless the situation really needs me to be there from the first point. I will have more time to be involved with Stark Industries. If I am called out I will try to give you notification in advance, especially if it is on a meeting day."

"You've really thought this through," pointed out Pepper.

Tony shrugged. "When you left I knew it was my fault. I drove you to do it. I knew there were changes you had been asking me to make and I hadn't listened. I was an idiot and I nearly lost you – I thought I had. When the Accords were fast-tracked I knew I couldn't be against them. I hoped working with them, showing willing to take responsibility would help you see that I was trying to be a better person."

"Tony…" Pepper reached out for his hand. "Are you supporting the Accords because you believe in them or just to please me?"

Tony shook his head. "I support them. I read the Accords. I know exactly what they mean. There are some things that need to be amended but overall they can work for the Avengers. And they provide more safety for all the countries across the world and their citizens. If something major happens like another alien invasion –" he really did not want that to happen again, "- then the Avengers will dispatch without any direct communication from the Accords committee. It's a shame 'Captain America' couldn't see that." He did sound bitter. He had tried to ensure the Accords would work for everybody but Steve Rogers had not wanted to listen. He had made a situation worse and ensured it was harder for Tony to negotiate changes to the Accords. But Tony's work on the Accords was moving slowly forward despite the halt. "We need to start taking responsibilities for our actions. Ultron was my fault… I will keep spending my money on Sokovia to get it back up and running. If I hadn't been so stupid and let my fears get…" Tony stopped. "Forget it… I can't go into this here. Not now."

"Ok, but you will tell me, right?" enquired Pepper.

"Yeah."

"Shall we continue?"

Tony swallowed and then nodded. He looked down at Pepper's rules for him, focusing on number four. "I'm not sure inventing and engineering can be on a timed schedule. If an idea comes to me I have to start work on it otherwise my brain will go crazy just thinking about it. It's a habit of a genius."

"I thought you'd say that," said Pepper. "But I can accept you working on your private projects when you want to as long as it doesn't interfere with Stark Industries or date and film night. I know that was a lot to ask of you. I've known you for a long time. Shutting off your brain is nearly impossible for you."

That was certainly true. His brain was always working, always overreacting, always thinking ahead.

"Thank you," he smiled. "And, for the record, I could already be doing cookery classes."

"Are you?" Pepper laughed.

"Yep. Ask Rhodey. He's the one who has been teaching me to cook."

Chuckling, Pepper responded: "I knew it wouldn't be proper cookery lessons."

"At least Rhodey can cook."

"How is Rhodey?" asked Pepper.

"He's just had surgery to his back. He's recovering but he won't be able to walk again unaided," replied Tony sadly. "I'm working on solutions to help him. I'm hopeful my idea will allow him to still live a full life."

She squeezed his hand. "He will. I know you, Tony. You won't stop until you've found the perfect invention for him." She let go and slowly got to her feet. "I need to leave now, but I will be back later."

Surprise coursed through him. "You're coming back? Tonight?"

"Yes. We were living together before I left. I am surprised you are not living at the Avengers Facility at the moment. Rhodey is."

Tony shrugged. "The place is having a revamp but all of Rhodey's medical needs are already installed there. It is better for him to stay put and they work around him. I was going to move back after the renovations were finished. Living here currently enables me to work closer with the Accords committee. Less travelling. But Stark Industries Headquarters are in Los Angeles, on the other side of the country. Will you be spending less time there?"

Pepper frowned. "I haven't worked that out yet. Today I am visiting a few of our smaller business associates to clarify the situation with Stark Industries and the Avengers. Hopefully they will still be willing to work with us. I will have to return to Los Angeles by the end of the week. And so will you if you intend to make business meetings."

"Okay. We'll discuss this later. If we are back together I think living arrangements is something we really do need to discuss," he said, as he stood up from the table and began to escort her towards the apartment door.

Pepper laughed, grabbing his shirt and pulled him toward her, kissing him on the lips. "Of course we're back together."

He responded back, pulling her close, wrapping his arms around her body. "Good," he murmured into her lips.

When she was gone, Tony moved to the window that overlooked the streets of New York city. He was quite high up but even from this height he would determine Pepper in the crowd below as she moved to the car parked at the side of the road. A smile tugged at his lips.

For the first time since the Accords had been brought up, Tony felt truly happy.

To be continued...

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the-writer1988