After Tony got home, he showed Pepper the list of meeting sites. "This one has an Al-Anon meeting at the same time. That way, you can talk to friends and families of Alcoholics while I attend AA."

Pepper smiled. "You're serious."

"Only if you want to. I can attend another meeting alone."

"I would love to go." Pepper kissed him.

Tony sat on the sofa beside Pepper and put an arm around her. "I'm, finally, getting therapy for my drinking problems. My therapist wants me to also go to AA. I'm not sure about the anonymous part. My face has been on television too many times."

"It just means no last names and no talking about what was said in the meeting to other people."

"I just worry what people will think if they see the guy who saved New York at an AA meeting."

"That you're human."

"I met with the psychologist because she is willing to help Bruce, but since Bruce won't see her in person because he has trust issues, she is, technically, only treating me and I told her I have an alcohol problem because I didn't know what else to say."

"Admitting the problem is the first step."

Tony smiled. "One day at a time."

"One second, if necessary."

"I'll leave remodeling the bar up to you."

Pepper kissed him on the lips. "You really mean it."

"When I set out to do something, I do it." Tony looked at the bar. "One second, one minute. I can do this." Then he looked at the pamphlet with the meeting times. "I think I need that meeting now."

Tony dropped a twenty into the collection basket because anything more would be inappropriate when most people gave ones or a five. Since enough people knew he was a billionaire less than twenty would look cheap. He listened to other people talk for most of the two hours then said, "Hello, I'm Tony. I'm an alcoholic."

"Hello, Tony," said the group.

The mediator said, "Tony, we're getting close to ending for the night, so I suggest you don't do more than introduce yourself to the group unless you are in crisis then talk all you want or need."

"I called a therapist this morning," said Tony. "And she suggested AA to me. I'll also be seeing her. I guess I'm what you call a functioning alcoholic. Maybe, not so functional. My CEO has been covering for me for years. I liked hearing all your stories. This is my first AA meeting, but it won't be my last."

"Thank you, Tony," said the mediator.

xxxx

Pepper asked, "Did Bruce do that?", when she returned from her dinner meeting to see the living room destroyed.

Tony looked over the nearly pulverized mess that was once a bar. "Tony smash."

Pepper just looked at him.

"All the bottles were saying, 'Drink me.' I had no choice."

"You could have stayed with Bruce tonight," said Pepper. "There's always a choice."

"Are you giving me permission to sleep with Bruce?" asked Tony.

"You're going to have your flings whether I give permission or not," said Pepper. "Just be gentle with him. He's going to want forever."

"He told me yesterday that he wasn't ready for a relationship," explained Tony. "I teased him about wearing less clothes to missions in front of the therapist. He's so adorable when he's blushing."

"How did the AA meeting go?"

"Good. I told someone afterward that I was going to take an ax to my bar," explained Tony. "I was joking at the time. Then the liquor bottles started staring at me. I trashed most of the liquor bottles in the Ironman suit, but I decided using an ax would be more rewarding, but the ax was taking too long, so I also used a sledgehammer. It looks nice, doesn't it?"

"I suppose broken bottles over broken furniture has some sort of aesthetic appeal. I'll have someone clean it up in the morning."

"I've been sober over a day now," said Tony.

Pepper looked at the mess. "You're less destructive drunk." She pulled him in for a hug. "It's your penthouse in your tower. Break anything you want. I'm very proud of you by the way." She kissed him.