Disclaimer: Most of the characters and situations in this story belong to Marvel Comics, Fairview Entertainment, Dark Blades Films, and other entities, and I do not have permission to borrow them. All others are mine, and if you want to borrow them, you have to ask me first. No infringement is intended in any way, and this story is not for profit. Any errors are mine, all mine, no you can't have any.
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Pepper woke feeling better. For a while she lay still, blinking lazily at the dim room, letting her eyes slide shut for a while and then open again as she simply enjoyed the feeling of not being in pain, or tired, or distressed. Her life was a sudden shambles, she knew that, but for the moment the shambles was outside her door, and until she got up and opened that door there was peace.
It was even Sunday, which was traditionally her day of rest--as long as her pernicious boss didn't call her needing something...
Pepper shoved the thought of him firmly away and sat up, stretching. Her head still felt tender somehow and her bruises were still quite present, but she didn't feel so absolutely drained. Unfortunately, however, when she tried to recall the past week her memories insisted that it was still 2005.
Blast. Well, I suppose it couldn't have been that easy.
"Jarvis, windows lighter please," she requested, and the view outside resolved as early morning--clear, sunny, and beautiful.
"Good morning, Ms. Potts. The time is 6:34 AM."
"Morning." Pepper indulged in a yawn. "Wow, I slept in."
"If I may venture an opinion, you needed the rest," Jarvis told her gently. "I am pleased that you are feeling better."
She shook her head, still obscurely amused at the idea of an artificial intelligence expressing emotions, but given his programmer's sense of humor it wasn't that surprising. "So am I."
Pepper took her time in the shower, and it was good to use her own soap and shampoo. When she got out, she catalogued the bruises she could feel. There were plenty of them, hips and arms and legs, but none that looked too serious.
The one on her breastbone, however, gave her pause. Resuscitate me? She couldn't quite picture her boss bending over her trying to restart her heart, but the bruise gave other evidence, and Pepper started to feel a little ashamed of herself for how she'd reacted the day before.
Whatever's gone on the past four years, it had to have been my choice. Mr. Stark did many things she found disappointing if not reprehensible, but he never compelled an unwilling woman. And it looks like I owe him my life.
The other thing she discovered was a birth control patch on her right hip. Pepper frowned down at it, more out of thought than actual irritation. She remembered being on the Pill, more for its amelioration effects than anything else, but apparently at some point she'd switched.
Its existence also presented her with another problem. Pepper hesitated, but there were only two choices, and there was no way she was going to ask her boss about her birth control. If nothing else, I would never hear the end of it. Oh well, if I'm supposed to be living here-- "Um, Jarvis? Do you know where I am in my cycle?"
"You are due to change your patch in two days," the AI told her. "I am scheduled to remind you that morning."
Pepper let out a breath. "Okay, thanks." And then she had to laugh a little, because who else on the planet had to consult a computer about the intimate and messy details of their menstrual cycle? It's a good thing I'm used to working with him. "Jarvis, you're a treasure."
"Thank you, Ms. Potts." Jarvis' tone was warm.
She dried her hair, pulled it back into her usual ponytail, and got dressed, leaving her feet bare for the moment--she'd forgotten to retrieve any shoes or socks at all from Tony's closet, and the running shoes next to her bed were still rather sandy. I'll deal with them later, after some coffee. Weekend or not, she needed her caffeine.
The kitchen was clean and empty, and while the coffee machine gave her a moment's pause--it was not the model she'd been expecting to see--it didn't take her long to start a pot. Tony was prone to replacing gadgets at the drop of a hat when a newer, shinier version came on the market, and it wasn't like brewing coffee was that complicated. As she took her first sip Pepper sighed in appreciation; Tony insisted on the gourmet stuff. "Jarvis, where is Mr. Stark?"
"Tony is asleep on the couch in his workshop."
She rolled her eyes out of sheer habit; that usually meant he'd been working on something until nearly dawn and had passed out in place rather than make the trek upstairs. Still, it was Sunday, and as far as she knew he had nothing scheduled--
As far as she knew. The thought was, if not quite chilling, at least sobering. The fact is, I know nothing. If Tony was telling the truth, and at this point she had no reason to think otherwise, she still worked for him; but whatever careful calendar she'd set up for him was gone from her head as if it had never been there.
Pepper opened her mouth, and then closed it. I can't ask Jarvis every time I run into a problem. Now think, Virginia--where's the most logical place for it to be?
Some time later she was sitting in the living room, reading a manual off the TV screen and cursing to herself, when Tony spoke behind her. "What's got you all riled up?"
She looked over her shoulder to see him standing by the stairs, his hair wet and a towel slung over his shirt like a scarf. His eyes were still a little bleary. "This isn't my phone," she replied, exasperated.
He blinked, and came over to see what she was holding. "Um, it looks like yours."
Pepper shook the BlackBerry once, in lieu of strangling something that didn't have a neck. "I didn't even recognize it. And whoever designed the upgraded software really needs to be shot."
"Oh." He rubbed his jaw absently. "Yeah. Sorry. There's been a few model changes. I might be able to pick you up an old one off of eBay, but I don't think it'll still work with the current system."
She growled. "Then go away and let me figure this out in peace."
Tony snorted softly. "You haven't-- Don't you think you should at least give yourself another day or so to, I don't know, recover or something?"
"Familiarity, remember?" Pepper tried to soften the edge in her tone. "Besides, I shudder to think what's happening without me."
He actually laughed a little. "Most of my appointments are on hold at the moment. Jarvis is keeping an eye on the essentials, but right now you getting better is the most important thing."
His quiet statement took her aback. The idea of Tony Stark, irresponsible and shallow, actually caring about anyone's wellbeing like this was...well, shocking, actually. It wasn't that he didn't care, Pepper knew--it was by his explicit orders that Stark Industries never fired anyone who was seriously ill, for instance. It was just that he didn't care so...personally.
Pepper shook her head, not willing to deal with those implications when he was standing right behind her. "I owe you an apology," she said instead, making herself meet his eyes without flinching. "Some of the things I said yesterday were very cruel."
To her utter surprise, Tony blushed. He held up a hand to stop her. "Hey, totally understandable under the circumstances, really--I mean, how were you supposed to know?" He shrugged, a trace of cynicism thinning his lips. "It's not like my past behavior was worth writing home about. And, I gotta say, I appreciate you taking it on faith, as it were."
He was rambling at her, and that at least was familiar. Pepper couldn't help smiling at him. Just a little smile, the fond one she usually only directed at his back, saved for when he had done something unexpectedly sweet or actually agreed to something without arguing first. "Mr. Stark," she said, breaking into his monologue. "Thank you for saving my life."
The humor, the soft look that had appeared when she smiled, vanished, and he looked--sad. The expression was there for only an instant, and then his face was politely blank. He picked up the end of the towel and scrubbed it over his face. "Any time, Ms. Potts. Any time."
And then he turned and strode away, leaving Pepper feeling confused and inexplicably guilty, and free to wrestle again with her phone.
Could you have said anything stupider, dumbass? Tony groaned as he ran up the stairs to his bedroom. Pepper had looked so much better, and fortunately he'd not forgotten the circumstances, because the moment he saw her frowning on the couch instinct, habit, and desire had all told him to go over there and kiss her thoroughly. But he'd been a good boy and not freaked her out, and she'd handed him that apology which was more than he was expecting, and then--
--Then she'd thanked him. Using his last name. Like he was some random stranger who'd just happened to run across her in distress and been a five-minute hero.
He knew his reaction was irrational. He knew it. She was being polite and grateful and proper and everything she should be. But the soft little statement had just about broken his heart again.
So what did you do? Act just like the self-centered bastard you aren't supposed to be anymore.
Tony slung his towel into the corner of the room with a curse, then slammed into the bathroom and stared accusingly at himself in the mirror. He didn't look too bad, actually--sleep-deprived and unshaven, but not hung over--but all he really saw was the bafflement in Pepper's eyes.
Now I owe her an apology.
Sighing, he stripped, then reached for his razor. The shower in the basement was just that; all the accoutrements he kept upstairs. "What's she doing, Jarvis?"
"Reprogramming her call waiting. And swearing quite creatively."
Tony barked a laugh. Pepper was, in many ways, simply irrepressible. "Has she had breakfast?"
"Coffee only. Shall I suggest it?" The AI sounded almost hopeful.
"Nah, I'll do it." Tony shaved quickly, decided that he didn't need to trim the mustache until Tuesday at least, and rinsed his face. It was while he was reaching for his cologne that he realized that Pepper had been through the room.
Diverted, he went looking, and wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried that she had taken only a few things. "She didn't touch her jewelry," he murmured to himself, frowning down at the drawer that held the small collection of cases and trays. Does she think I gave it to her?
He hadn't gotten into the habit of buying her jewelry yet, aside from the watch he'd given her for Christmas the year before; he bought her shoes instead, to her mingled chagrin and delight. He wasn't sure why he chose footwear over gems; maybe because jewelry was such an ordinary lover's gift, maybe because she really loved shoes more.
Though once they were married, and she couldn't argue any more, he planned on buying her anything that caught his fancy or hers. Not to mention, there's Mom's jewels in the safe.
Some of those were out of date and others would not suit Pepper, as his mother's coloring had been quite different. But several were classic pieces, and anyway it was the symbolism of the thing. His mother would have approved--as long as he was married first, which was why Tony hadn't yet given them to Pepper.
"If I may, sir, Pepper was in a hurry when she came through," Jarvis interjected. "She will probably wish to return and make a more thorough pass."
Tony sighed and closed the drawer. The AI's statement was meant to be reassuring, but he found it depressing instead. "All right. Be sure and let Severin know about the changes."
"Of course," Jarvis replied. Tony dressed, wondering what his housekeeper would think, and knowing that he would never find out. Severin kept his opinions to himself and his mouth firmly shut, and was paid well for it. Tony trusted the man enough to allow him into his house, though he hardly ever actually saw Severin; cleaning was usually done during the weekdays while Tony was out. It was a good arrangement, especially with Jarvis there to keep an extra eye on things.
Pepper was in the kitchen when Tony came down, putting bread into the toaster, and he managed to muster a casual expression. "Who won?"
She sniffed and pressed down the lever. "Me. And I'm mentally composing a scathing letter to the programmers as we speak."
Tony chuckled, relieved that she didn't seem hurt or pissed. At least at me. "You want an omelet?"
Pepper blinked. "All right, sure."
He fixed them both omelets as Pepper made more toast. She didn't have to ask him what he wanted on it; she'd ordered breakfast for him many times, though as far as he could remember she had not, in 2005, yet progressed to the point of making it for him when he was running late for some meeting or other. "Thanks for starting the coffee," he said casually as he whisked eggs and milk.
She shrugged, buttering a slice. "I didn't think you'd be up so early. Jarvis said you were asleep downstairs."
So she'd been checking up on him. Out of concern, he wondered, or the desire to avoid him? "I was, but I think my own stink woke me up."
That won him a brief smirk, though he had to catch it out of the corner of his eye. Having a live-in girlfriend had done a lot for his awareness of personal hygiene, Tony had to admit; there were few things as ego-deflating as going in for a kiss and having the object of one's desire wrinkle her nose and shove one away with the tart comment that one reeked.
Though half the time you can convince her to join you--
Tony firmly suppressed the thought of Pepper in the shower, alone or with him, and concentrated on the omelets. The morning felt almost normal, which just made it all the more weird--they often made a meal together, and might even be dressed while doing it, but they moved together, bumping hips and exchanging the occasional kiss or touch. Now Pepper poured and doctored his coffee, but set it on the counter instead of handing it to him, and he was taking care to stay out of her personal space.
It felt wrong.
Tony told the feeling to get stuffed, and dished up the food while Pepper set the table. It was enough to have her sitting opposite him, recovering from a near-death experience and--he reminded himself sternly--willing to stay put for the moment. Take it day by day, Stark.
They ate companionably, chatting about Jarvis and his programming for lack of another topic. When breakfast was finished, Tony folded his napkin and set it down, then leaned back in his chair. "So what do you want to do with the day? Take a walk, maybe?"
Pepper stared at him. "I plan to get Jarvis to bring me up to date on your schedule and on the world in general. I have a lot to relearn if I want to get back to work."
"What? Are you sure that's a good idea, Pepper?" He sat up straight, alarmed. "I think you need more healing time--"
She shook her head sharply, flinching just slightly. "I need to get back to work, Mr. Stark. The longer I put it off..."
...The more scared she'll get. He could fill in that blank, no problem, but he didn't have to agree to it. "Trust me, Ms. Potts, I want you back riding my ass as soon as possible, but not at the expense of your health. And don't think I didn't see that wince, by the way. Take it easy for a day or two, give yourself a chance to adjust."
Pepper folded her arms, that stubborn expression appearing, and Tony braced himself for a fight, but once again Jarvis intervened. "Ms. Potts, it will take more than one day for you to absorb all that you need to know. I will prepare a general history of the past four years for you to peruse today, and we can proceed to specifics tomorrow."
Her stormy expression subsided somewhat, and Tony silently blessed his artificial majordomo. "...All right," Pepper said grudgingly. "But I don't plan on wasting any time."
Tony rolled his eyes theatrically. "I expect no less. Just...take it easy, okay? Pushing won't help you get your memory back."
Pepper bit her lip, looking suddenly vulnerable, and he had to smother the desire to reach across the table to her. "I know," she said, her voice low. "But as long as I'm doing something--"
She didn't have to finish that sentence either. "Healing is a job, Potts," he told her, giving her his best supercilious look to make her smile again. "And it should be at the top of your list."
Jarvis broke in again. "In addition, Ms. Potts, if I may remind you, there are four seasons of CSI you have not yet seen."
Pepper's eyes widened. "You're right--have Grissom and Sara--" She broke off and shook her head. "That's cheating, Jarvis."
Tony snickered uncontrollably. "Why, Pepper Potts, I would never have imagined you as a fangirl."
She shot him a killing look. "Just for that, I won't volunteer to clear the table." She got up and strode out.
"Weak!" Tony called after her, and began collecting plates, still snickering.
He tried to keep out of her way for the rest of the morning, figuring that she was dealing with enough without having his presence added to the mix. The fact that Jarvis was still monitoring her closely was about the only thing that let him do it, but he managed to fill the time until noon, tackling a bit of the paperwork that Pepper usually handled. As always on the rare occasions that he did so, Tony came out shuddering and reminding himself to give her another raise.
When he'd passed through after breakfast, Pepper had already been working with Jarvis in the living room, firing off questions at the AI as he brought her up to date on current events through the TV screen. When Tony came back, though, the room was quiet, and Pepper lay curled up on the couch, sound asleep.
The sight made his throat contract. No matter how tough Pepper tried to be, she was clearly still recovering, and Tony wondered with some exasperation how he was going to keep her from wearing herself out. At least Jarvis is on my side.
He found a light blanket in one of the guest rooms and covered her up. She didn't move, so he risked pressing a kiss to her hair, aching to scoop her up again and carry her to bed. That would probably wake her. And if she did, she would probably slap him. Or try to leave, which would be worse.
Sighing, Tony took himself off, and went to see about lunch.
Pepper was still sleepy when she came to the table, but he refrained from teasing her. When she eyed the plate full of sandwiches dubiously, he pretended affront. "I assure you, Ms. Potts, I'm perfectly capable of constructing a decent sandwich."
She blinked, then shook her head, smiling. "I'm sure you are--it's not that, Mr. Stark. It's--well, I don't think I've ever seen you actually sit down to three meals in a row without prompting before."
It was his turn to be taken aback. Tony raised both brows and sat down. "It's a new habit," he said thoughtfully, and found himself hoping that she wouldn't ask where it came from. Pepper hadn't brought up their relationship beyond her earlier apology, and he was wary of mentioning it just yet.
She rested her chin on her hand and selected a sandwich, putting it onto her plate but not yet tasting it. "There's so much I'm missing," she said after a moment, sounding...defeated. "Jarvis is right, it's going to take me days to catch up."
Tony reached over with a bag of potato chips and shook out a generous pile onto her plate. "Pepper. Please. You just got out of the hospital yesterday. You're not superhuman, even if you act like it sometimes." He wondered with a little dread how often they were going to have this argument.
Pepper sighed. "I asked Jarvis the odds of me getting my memory back." Her eyes met his, and Tony didn't answer, not willing to admit that he hadn't had the courage to pose the question himself. "They're less than forty percent. And that's just for part of it."
"It's early yet," he repeated feebly, unable to face the possibility with her staring right at him. "You have to give yourself time."
She shook her head absently. "I don't think I'm hungry," she said, and stood up. Before Tony could muster another argument, she was gone.
He thought about chasing after her, but he honestly didn't know what he could say to make her come back and eat. If she needed space, the least he could do was give it to her.
Tony stared down at his own sandwich, and realized that he didn't have an appetite any longer either. "Jarvis? Where is she?"
The AI sounded sympathetic. "Pepper is descending to the beach for a walk. She has promised to stay within range of the house cameras."
Exercise is probably a good thing was really all he could think. Tony wrapped up their plates with automatic movements and put them into the refrigerator, and retreated to his workshop. "Let me know when she comes back in."
It was a long afternoon. Tony puttered until Jarvis told him that Pepper had returned from her walk, and then he worked on plans for a next-generation arc reactor--the full size. It pulled him down into a haze of creation, letting him set worry aside for the duration as he ran schematics and simulations past Jarvis' eagle eye. In fact, it took a while for the repetitive clonking noise to rouse him from his focus.
Pepper was standing at the base of the stairs, a tray in one hand and her other fist knocking on the glass door. Her cheeks held a hint of pink, and Tony could guess why--her passcode, at least the one she remembered, no longer worked. He sat up quickly from his thinking slouch. "Jarvis, open the door for her."
With a click, the lock gave way and Pepper came in. "I'm sorry," she began, but Tony bounced to his feet.
"No, sorry, my fault really, I didn't even think--" He walked over to her, embarrassed at having forgotten something so basic.
Pepper held up a hand, her blush deepening but a bit of a smile appearing, strained but genuine. "Don't. Please. We're going to run into a lot of these things."
Tony scrubbed at his hair, hanging his head a little. "I should have thought about it, though."
She shrugged and shifted the tray to her other hand. "You may be a genius, Mr. Stark, but you're not omniscient."
He flashed her a grin. "Am a genius, thank you very much. Jarvis, we need to set Pepper up with a new passcode." He took the tray from her without really looking at the contents and set it down on the nearest workbench.
"Of course." One of the dormant terminals lit up. "Ms. Potts, please approach Terminal Three. The current security system has a biometric layer, but your prints are already on file."
Pepper shook her head, looking amused, and did as the AI bade her, taking a seat in front of the terminal's keyboard. Tony glanced around, and suddenly saw the Mark II suit hanging in one dark corner. Oops. She has no idea yet about the whole Iron Man thing, and I'm not sure this is the time to tell her...
Fortunately, she seemed absorbed in Jarvis' instructions, and Tony wandered casually away to another terminal. A few keystrokes and the suit was lowered gently into one of the sub-floor storage compartments with scarcely a rattle.
When he looked back, Pepper was just pushing away from the keyboard, and didn't seem to have noticed at all. "Now, what can I do for you, Potts?" he asked cheerfully. "Miss me already?"
Pepper snickered. "I realized that you didn't eat lunch either," she said, nodding at the tray, which Tony now noticed held several covered containers. "And it's past dinnertime."
Normality. Feeding him wasn't in Pepper's original job description, but she'd added it as a duty within a few months of being hired, commenting tartly when he teased her that he was easier to handle when his blood sugar wasn't in his socks.
And he was hungry.
Tony pried off the various lids, finding the last of the leftover soup, most of the sandwiches and chips from lunch, and a pile of carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing to dip them in. "Great!" He blinked at the single set of silverware. "You forgot the other spoon, though."
Pepper smiled again. "Oh, I ate already."
She was out the door and halfway up the stairs before he could muster words past the disappointment.