A/N Haha you thought I was going to name this chapter "until the kiss", right? And if you didn't, then you obviously didn't get that I was naming my chapters using the words in my summary *pout* if you did notice it, let me know in a review. Oh, and you know how Steve kissed Tony's head? I know that was absolutely adorable (well, I thought so anyway), but that wasn't the kiss. It was A kiss but it wasn't THE kiss. THE kiss is coming up, maybe, soon. You know what? Let me tell you something:

If you want THE kiss to come up in the next two chapters, say "THIS STORY IS SO FREAKING FABULOUS AND SO AMAZING I PEED MY PANTS AND MAYBE DIED A LITTLE" in your review.

If you want Tony and Steve to get their freak on pretty much straight after the – sorry, THE kiss, then say "STONY ALL THE WAY – I WILL KNEEL DOWN TO THIS SHIP AND CAST MY OTHER SHIPS ASIDE" in your review. And nobody's stopping you from saying both.

Chapter Four – A Wild Jealous Steve Appears

With one hand, Pepper kneads her head, trying to soothe out the headache she got after cancelling Tony's meeting, rescheduling it, sorting out an issue to do with Stark Enterprises that got leaked to the media, running around town sorting out minor Stark Enterprise issues and talking with Phil and Maria Hill to try and keep up with all this Avenger stuff, because Tony certainly isn't updating her, and doing all this on about six hours sleep. God is Pepper exhausted. Her other hand is wrapped around a mug of coffee. A really strong coffee. Something brushes her shoulder and she tenses at the sudden contact, but relaxes when two hands start massaging her head.

'You look like you need a rest, Pepper.' Tony observes.

'You got that right.' Pepper replies, her eyes closed, enjoying the head massage. 'How are you feeling now? What have you been up to this morning?'

'I was just singing and dancing around the place looking for Steve. I like teasing him and making him blush, it's cu –,' cute. Tony had been about to refer to Steve as cute. 'It's funny. Cheers me up. But then he left, saying something about needing "time alone, by himself" not "time alone with Tony".' Tony's tone sounds childish and Pepper wouldn't be surprised if he were pouting.

'Oh, poor Tony, nobody wants to play with you.' Pepper coos. 'I hope Steve's ok though.'

'I think so. I thought he must not be feeling well, I mean, he didn't want to spend any more time with me.' Tony jokes.

Pepper opens her eyes and rolls them. She picks up her cup and puts it to her lips, taking a sip of the rich, hot liquid.

'But seriously, I think he's fine, health wise. I mean, because of the whole serum thing, I don't think Steve is ever going to catch another again. He looked like he had something on his mind though. I probably should leave him be.'

'But you won't.' Pepper adds, sighing happily as Tony massages away her headache.

Well, he should. It was Stark Enterprises and the Avengers – the two things Tony basically runs – that have Pepper feeling exhausted. It seems that most things can be traced back to Tony. At first you're grateful for his help with fixing things and making things better, and then you realise, hang on, I wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for a certain genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist . . .

Over in Steve's bedroom, the all-American superhero is lying on his bed, thinking along the same lines. And then he looks at the bigger picture and realises that it doesn't matter what he's been thinking about Tony – whether it's good or bad. Lately it's all been Tony, Tony, Tony.

What does that mean? Does he like him? Does he hate him? Steve knows that sometimes he simply can't stand Tony. And at the same time, he simply can't imagine life without him. What does that mean?

xxXXXxx

'No, I'll leave him alone. I've been bugging him a lot these past two days.' Tony says.

'So you're going to be bugging me for the rest of the day then?' Pepper smiles.

'I'm giving you a head massage, Pepper!' Tony protests.

'And no offense Tony, but you did owe me. It's your company that I've had to deal with lately.'

'I'm sorry. Why don't you take a week off?' Tony suggests. Take some time off?

'Will you be able to manage without me?' Pepper asks incredulously.

'Please, I am a genius-billionaire –,'

' – playboy-philanthropist, not to mention Iron Man, I know.' Pepper finishes. 'But you still need me. It's ok, I just need a good night's sleep.' Pepper finishes her coffee and then thanks Tony for the head massage and rinses her cup in the sink.

Tony's phone suddenly rings and he takes it out of his pocket.

'Talk to me.' Tony says, earning him another eye roll from Pepper.

His face suddenly becomes serious as he listens to what the person on the phone tells him. Pepper stands by the sink in the kitchen, waiting to know what's going on. Finally Tony hangs up and says, 'Fury wants me at S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters. It's nothing serious, so he doesn't need the whole gang. Just me. If anyone asks, can you please tell them I'm with S.H.I.E.L.D?' Tony asks Pepper.

'Sure. Have fun.' She nods, smiling. 'Try not to aggravate Nick Fury too much, ok?'

'We'll see.' Tony goes over to her and hugs her, kisses her cheek and then leaves.

Pepper watches him go and then something makes her look up over across the room where the kitchen connects with the lounge room. Steve is standing there, looking confused and kind of . . . hurt?

'Oh, hello Steve. How long have you been standing there?' Pepper asks affably.

'Not very long. What's this about S.H.I.E.L.D needing Tony?' Steve queries, going over and sitting down at the breakfast bar, where Pepper had been sitting before.

'I'm not sure. He just said that they need him for something, but nothing serious enough to get the whole team involved.' Pepper tilts her head and goes, 'are you feeling all right Steve? Do you have something on your mind?'

'Is it that obvious?' Steve asks in surprise.

'Tony was telling me how you wanted some alone time. And you just look like . . . like you're trying to work something out.' Pepper states, studying Steve.

'Pepper . . .' Steve starts after a moment. 'Can I ask you something?'

'Sure, anything.' Pepper steps closer and leans her hip against the breakfast bar.

'Have you ever . . . liked someone but known that it isn't exactly . . . right for you to like them, let alone be with them, and you aren't even sure what your feelings are for them and you're afraid that you might act on those feelings and . . . mess up everything? Have you ever felt like that?' Steve asks looking at his hands and only looking up from them once he's finished talking.

'Um, I can't say that I understand exactly what you mean.' Pepper bites her lip and then says, 'sounds like you think you like someone. But you don't want to act on it because you might ruin your friendship?'

'Well, yes, that's a simple way of putting it. But besides that . . .' Steve can't explain it.

Pepper won't understand unless he tells her the person he is thinking of. And he can't tell her, just in case he comes to realise his feelings for Tony are just platonic, because that would make Steve look like an idiot.

'Do I know the person you think you might like?' Pepper asks.

'Yes.' Steve says after a pause. 'You do.'

'How well?'

' . . . Pretty well.' Steve won't say anything more.

'It's not . . . me, is it?' Pepper finally says something. Steve smiles, relieved and goes, 'no, sorry Pepper.'

'That's ok,' she smiles. She stops and thinks and then goes, 'someone I know really well. There aren't many people I know pretty well that you know. But for someone who's so hesitant about telling me who it is, you basically just gave it away.'

'I . . . did I?' Steve gulps.

'Yes, and Steve, all I can say is that you don't need to worry about anything.' Pepper reaches over and takes Steve's hands in hers.

'You do know I think I might like a man, right? How can I not worry about that? I know this century is more understandable of gays, but the way I was raised . . . I mean, it's not like I'm homophobic. If you love someone, you should be with him or her. It's just I keep thinking about what everyone would think, if they found out.' Steve sighs.

'Every person in your team has gone through so much that if you told them you were in love with a guy, all they'd do is shrug and then say something along the lines of, stranger things have happened.' Pepper tells him. 'You shouldn't worry about what anyone but the team thinks. And the team love you Steve, they are loyal to you, they look up to you, they won't ever let you down. The worst they're going to do is tease you about it, and they already tease you and say, Tony, so it's not going to be any different from that. Just remember that everyone in this tower is accepting, and you shouldn't care what the rest of the world thinks.' Pepper says sternly. 'You're Captain America – you stand up for this country's rights, and everyone has the right to be with who they love. You're a role model, and like I said before, the team looks up to you, and so does the rest of the world. If you come out as gay or bi, you'll probably end up making gay marriage legal everywhere in America, because you're such an inspiration to everyone.' Pepper didn't mean to say such a big speech, but as soon as she started reassuring Steve, it just started pouring out.

Steve looks surprised and flattered at what Pepper just said.

'So . . . you don't think it's weird that I like . . . a guy?'

'No, of course not. Steve, I've known Tony for a little over ten years, and I can't exactly say he's completely straight, but I love him all the same.' Pepper pats Steve's hand reassuringly.

'Pepper, please don't tell anyone.' Steve suddenly says.

'I promise I won't.' Pepper smiles. The Captain suddenly thinks of something that makes his blood freeze. He leans forward and whispers, 'Tony will be able to listen to this, right? He probably has everything on tape. Jarvis might alert him to the fact that we talked about something straight after he left.'

'Don't worry sir, I am able to keep a secret.' Jarvis's voice makes them jump and Steve feels the heat rising in his cheeks. 'Since this particular secret is not dangerous to Tony or yourself or anyone else at all, I have no reason to alert anyone. I will only say something if you ask me to.'

'Thanks, Jarvis.' Steve says quietly. Great. So now it's not only Pepper who knows he has a crush on Tony; Jarvis knows too. Excellent.