"You sure about this?" Jen asked, doubtfully.

"Of course. Sit down. " Pepper replied sounding a little exasperated.

Jen gave a rueful smile and joined the CEO of Stark Industries at her table in the cute Italian restaurant they'd agreed to have lunch at. "So, how's your week going?"

Pepper laughed. "Busy, but significantly quieter than yours I'm sure."

"It's lasted so long," Jen groaned.

"What are you going to do now?" Pepper asked seriously. "I know you planned to visit your brother in Scotland but it might not be the best idea now."

"I know," heaving a sigh. "I can't be seen to be running away. I'm delaying my holiday indefinitely but Euan might come and visit me instead. I'm just going to continue as normal - I don't have any work for another three months or something but I've got a few charity events for the ones I support."

"What do you do the rest of the time?" Pepper asked incredulously, clearly not understanding how someone could go through life not being busy. "Just spend your time reading in cafes?"

"Um no," Jennifer hesitated unsure whether she should tell this woman her secret. "I actually... Well I own a small custom furniture business. I have a workshop in the basement of my apartment block. I really just mimic antique furniture but I can build to specifications I'm sent."

She wasn't really ashamed of her company, she'd just rather that it stayed small and, well, it wasn't really the type of activity actresses were meant to take part in.

Pepper was grinning at her. "Really?" She asked delighted and Jen blushed and nodded. "That's excellent."

"What?"

"Well it's good for your image. I mean, I know you won't want to tell the press about it but if its ever discovered it can only be good for you."

Jen groaned, " lets not think about that. Lets just keep my perchance for joinery nice and secret where it belongs."

Pepper just grinned at her. "how about we order?"

Tony sighed. It was two weeks after the press conference and the tabloids were still ripping apart Jen's life. They'd gone further than ever before interviewing 'friends' of the couple and printing progressively more and more scandalous 'insights' into their relationship. It was really worse than anything the media had done to him.

He'd traded some emails with her and she'd constantly assured him that she was fine And indeed the new pictures didn't change. Every day there were pictures of her stepping out her door, a mild if not happy expression on her face. She went about her day as she always had before. She was proving she wouldn't run away even if she refused to comment on most of the things her ex-fiancé had said.

Well, there wasn't anything he could do to help her and today he was busy trying to convince some of his team mates to come to the charity gala in honour of Make a Wish Foundation - one of the charities he personally supported. At least some of the team needed to make a public appearance to prove they were over the scandal.

Steve had already agreed to attend. Tony was pretty sure he'd be doing anything for Tony for the next little while -something to make the most of. Natasha and Clint would probably decide to go but Bruce definitely wouldn't. He still hated crowds. Maybe this would be Tony's opportunity to persuade him that parties weren't all bad.

'It would definitely be an interesting event' Jen thought to herself as she curled her hair in preparation for the evening. That night was a gala for one of her favourite charities - the make a wish foundation. This event was more important than ever to her because her friend's daughter had passed away from a heart condition and had had her wish granted by the charity to be a princess for a day.

She had considered not attending to make sure the event would be scandal - free but since she had already rsvp'd her absence may have been noted bringing media scavengers anyway.

Making an effort that night she was wearing an outfit inspired by Elizabeth Taylor - hair curled, black eyeliner, red lips, black halter neck dress and red heels. She'd made the dress herself - she was very proud. Of course, the tattoo on her back and new septum piercing sort of ruined the image.

Checking her watch she pulled on her leather jacket, shoving her keys and phone in a pocket as she made her way towards the event. Since she was driving herself she would be able to park a little distance away and walk - hopefully getting into the venue without too much fuss and avoiding most of the photographers stationed outside.

Mission successful she entered unnoticed and posed awkwardly for the hired photographer feeling like she was going to her high school prom dateless again. In the main hall she couldn't help but smile at all the people around her - all of them had donated money to this great cause and they all seemed to be having such a good time.

Snagging a glass of something fizzy from a circulating waiter Jen made her way towards the wall so she could keep an eye out for people with whom she wanted to speak. As such she was in the perfect to position to spot the Avengers making their way into the room. Oh dear. This was a problem she hadn't even considered.

Spotting Pepper she fired off a quick text that read: "Um hi! I am also here... How do I act?" Really she just assumed Pepper was some kind of awkward social situation guru after looking after Tony Stark for so long.

After a moment the reply came through. "Come over and greet me, I'll introduce you round and then Tony will ask you to dance. "

Right, well that was a plan. And she did like Tony so far in their acquaintance. She didn't think dancing with the genius playboy was particularly help her image but she would go along with it.

"Pepper!" She exclaimed with a smile as she embraced her friend.

"Jen! It's so good to see you again." Pepper replied. "Shall I introduce you?" She gestured around at the assembled super heroes who were all, apart form Tony, looking slightly surprised at this turn of events.

"These are Agents Barton and Romanov." The male of the pair reached forward to shake her hand, the female simply inclined her head. "Dr. Bruce Banner" a smaller man with curly hair and a slightly rumpled appearance nodded. "Steve Rogers".

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am." The soldier said blushing and avoiding eye contact.

"Pleasures all mine Mr. Rogers." Jen replied with a genuine smile. She really had no hard feelings towards him and her knowledge that many people were watching this meeting didn't hurt either.

"And of course, you already know Tony."

"I am certainly impossible to forget." Tony put in dryly, leaning forward to buss her cheek which she returned. "Now darling, shall we dance?"

"Darling?" Jen asked incredulously while she allowed the billionaire to lead her away. She was pretty sure she heard a snicker from one of the assembled males behind her.

"What? None of your friends give you pet names? " he asked as he took her waist and led her in a waltz.

"No!" Jen replied indignantly. "Who was going to give me a pet name? John?" It wasn't until he snorted she realised. "Shit. I really shouldn't have said that."

"Relationship not all it was meant to be?" He asked affecting innocence.

"Fuck off, Stark." She said with a laugh.

"Oo return of the potty mouth."

Jen opened her mouth to reply before realising that she had been about to swear at him again and groaning and resting her head on his shoulder a moment. She raised her head and said, "right, lets move on. What are you working on right now?"

"Maybe I should be asking you that. I hear you've got a workshop of your own." Came the sly response.

"You know, I just got the most fantastic image in my head of you and Pepper gossiping like little old ladies."

He snorted at that image before admitting, "you're probably not far wrong."

Tony really hadn't expected to see Jen at the gala. He probably should have checked the guest list he'd been sent but he'd kind of assumed that the actress would be avoiding this kind of high profile event. So when Pepper murmured what the plan was he just went with it - part of him thinking he would enjoy dancing with her a little too much for their short acquaintance.

Calling her 'darling' was mostly an accident but in his defence she looked stunning. Her hair curled up around her chin showing off the delicate line of her neck. She was looking decidedly more feminine than last time he saw her - wearing heels instead of trainers for example.

As they were dancing he couldn't really resist wrapping his arm around her a little more tightly, drawing her a little closer. Her comment about John confused him a little. He quickly said a teasing response but thought about it for a moment. Her boyfriend of four years hadn't had any pet names for her? And she'd reacted as if the mere thought was ridiculous. Had he liked her at all? And didn't she have any other friends who would give her a pet name?

The conversation had continued while he puzzled and his train of thought abruptly derailed as she edged closer to him and dropped her head against his chest for a moment.

She moved the conversation along but he couldn't help but continue to tease her a little. When the dance ended she stated her intention to hold up a wall somewhere and he left her to it intending on finding Brucie and finding out if he was enjoying his first party in years.