Pepper arrived back at the tower at three, giving her plenty of time to stress over the 'dinner date' she had with Tony. She had no idea what he was planning, and that scared her. She usually knew every detail of his life, from what time he was eating breakfast to how many bathroom breaks he took during the day. So, to be kept in the dark about an event that was obviously important to Tony left her feeling anxious and nervous as opposed to hopeful and excited. Pepper worried the time away and changed into a blue cocktail dress, not exactly sure what she should be wearing. When the large antique grandfather clock in her room struck six, a brisk knock came at the door.

Pepper gingerly opened it to find Tony, smiling and looking quite dashing. He had a fitted black suit on, minus the tie. Instead, he had left the first couple of buttons on his pure white dress shirt undone, completing his ruggedly-handsome look. He offered Pepper his arm and asked, "Shall we be going?" Pepper nodded and the two walked down the hallway to the awaiting elevator.

Before they stepped inside, however, Pepper turned to Tony. "Instead of me answering all questions truthfully except for five, I've decided that I'm only going to answer ten. I don't want you quizzing me all evening. And you have to let me know when I must tell the truth." When Tony looked crestfallen, Pepper continued. "It's either that or I'm going back to my room."

"Fine," he grudgingly agreed. They stepped into the elevator and, instead of going down like Pepper had expected, they were going up. Within seconds a small ding came from the elevator and its doors opened to the roof of the tower. Pepper and Tony stepped out into the cool September air, and Pepper let out a small gasp.

The concrete pavement was littered with rose petals, all in different colors. Every so often a tall, fat candle would be sticking out of the ground, mood lighting the entire roof. In the middle of it all was a single round table, just big enough for two, covered in a white tablecloth with matching chairs. There was a single bottle of wine ready to be opened, and two identical wine glasses on the table. Tony pulled out Pepper's chair for her and she sat daintily. He lowered down into the other chair and beamed at Pepper as she continued to admire the atmosphere he had set up.

Tony uncorked the wine and poured each of them a quarter-full of the glass. He swished it around in the crystal expertly and took a short swig before setting it down, clasping his hands under his chin, and staring straight at Pepper. "What?" she asked nervously.

"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what I should ask you now that I only have ten chances instead of the fifty I was planning on using." Pepper rolled her eyes but smiled. "Jarvis, get service up here with our first meal," he ordered quickly, and not a minute later a solitary waiter came up from the elevator with their food on steaming white porcelain. He set the dishes carefully on the table, asked if they needed anything else, and left with a flourish of his black apron.

Pepper stared at the meal. They were having what appeared to be rock lobster tail smothered in a butter, cheese, crab, and shrimp sauce, accompanied by garlic and cheese mashed potatoes. The smell was heavenly and Pepper dug in as gracefully as she could. After their first few bites, Tony set down his fork and began scrutinizing Pepper again. "First question," he announced and Pepper nodded as she continued eating the incredible seafood. "Do you love me or Iron Man?" Pepper set down her own fork and smiled.

"I love you both. But if I had to choose…" Pepper rested her chin on her fist and looked up at the sky, pretending to be deep in thought. "I'd take Tony Stark over Iron Man any day." Tony's eyebrows shot up.

"Really?" he asked. "Even though Tony Stark is a playboy, self-centered, and doesn't generally care for others around him?"

"Is this your next question?" Tony nodded. "Yes, really. With Iron Man, it'd be a little hard to do this." She took some mashed potatoes on her fork and fed Tony. "But, that's the beauty of you being both. I don't have to choose." Tony smiled and they continued with their meal. However, it hadn't been two minutes before Tony asked her another question.

"Question three," he began. "What is your favorite thing about me?"

"Hmm…" Pepper said, honestly thinking. "The way you're very concerned with others when you're being Iron Man. It's very inspiring to watch you being so self-sacrificing." Tony nodded and they continued with their meal.

After finishing the lobster, Tony called for another server to bring another course. The waiter promptly arrived and brought with him a palate cleanser and a gourmet looking soup—which turned out to be a delectable lobster bisque. "A seafood themed dinner?" Pepper asked teasingly.

"Don't you like seafood? Wait, don't answer that. I know you do." A small glint appeared in his eyes and he poured her more wine. "Next question; number four. What do you like most about living in this tower?"

Pepper set her spoon down. "These are good questions. Now… the most? I like being close to you." Pepper took this time to wipe her lips of some stray soup, at the same time covering up her cheeks which had darkened. Recovering quickly, she added, "I can now stop all the crazy ideas you have before you have a chance to implement them." They both smiled knowingly. It wasn't a few minutes before Tony asked his fifth question.

"How do you feel about me being Iron Man?" Pepper's throat seized up immediately, nervous to tell Tony her thoughts. Slurping a bit of her soup to stall, Pepper decided she would tell him only part of her opinion—it wasn't lying…

"Sometimes you scare me… But I know what you're doing is very noble and gallant, and I'm proud of you." An awkward silence followed her sentiment, filled only by Pepper eating her soup. She finished quickly and stared boldly back at Tony. "Any more questions?" she added with a smile.

Tony called for the next course. Another palate cleanser came, accompanied with a few gourmet crackers. Pepper crunched on one rather loudly and Tony snickered quietly—which, in turn set them both in a fit of near-silent giggles. When their laughter subsided, Tony asked yet another question.

"Number six," he stated, handing Pepper a glass of water he had gotten from the previous waiter. "Who's your favorite Avenger besides me?"

Pepper smiled mischievously. "And how do you know you're my favorite?" Tony cocked one eyebrow and Pepper continued. "Probably Steve. I mean, he's not destroying things constantly and I think it's cute that he's not yet used to our culture. I really enjoy Natasha's company as well; especially since we worked together." Tony nodded thoughtfully.

The next question came at once. "Seventh question. When did you realize you were in love with me?" Pepper smiled and shook her head. She had been wondering when Tony would start asking more serious questions.

"I think the feeling for you was always there, ever since I met you. I tried to bury it, though, telling myself it was foolish to fall for my boss—particularly since it was you. The emotion went dormant for a time, I think. It would arise whenever you did something that was chiefly stupid or reckless. The only time I let the feeling totally out was when you kissed me after saving me. Pick whichever one you want." Pepper sat back, full of crackers. "How many courses left?"

"Just one," Tony answered, apparently pleased with her reply. The final waiter appeared and set one large piece of chocolate cake smothered in a raspberry vanilla covering topped with whipped cream.

"Oh my gosh," Pepper breathed, looking at the masterpiece. "This looks absolutely delicious!" Tony and Pepper smiled at each other and neither one wanted to look away. Eventually, though, Tony glanced at the cake and motioned for Pepper to take the first bite. "You're awfully quiet tonight," she noted. "Is everything alright, Tony?"

"Of course. I just have a lot on my mind. Now, next question… Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Pepper stopped eating to actually think about this one. She hadn't been asked this question since high school, and then the answer was terribly obvious—she was going to go to college. But now, at a time in her life where nothing was set in stone, Pepper honestly didn't know. "Is this more asking where do I hope to see myself?" Tony nodded. "I hope that I'm still working for you. Well, dating you as well." Pepper smiled and Tony got a small glint in his eyes. "I mean, we could become more in five years… But that's up to you, Tony." Tony smiled slightly at her indirect jab that they could be married—possibly have children—in the next five years.

After that question, Tony hit her with the ninth one. "Do you want us to become more?" There was a hint of fretfulness in his voice as he waited to hear what Pepper would say.

Pepper sat in her chair, taken aback. She didn't know how to respond, and it was a few moments before she found her voice. Sitting up, she replied, "Of course. I like how we are now, but I wouldn't mind in the least if we became more." Pepper could feel her cheeks turn a slight pink and hoped Tony hadn't noticed. He was staring off into space, smiling widely.

They finished the cake and the wine and simply sat there in a comfortable silence. "You have one question left," Pepper remarked, leaning forward on the table. "What's your last question for the evening?"

Tony's eyes immediately lit up and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring with a pearl inset. It wasn't very large or flashy, just classically beautiful and Pepper let out a tiny gasp. "Would you wear this promise ring, pledging you will wait for me, and only me?" Pepper smiled and took the ring from him, sliding it on her left hand ring finger.

"Of course, Mister Stark."

The ring hadn't been the exact kind she had wanted; but she was glad Tony wanted to take things slowly, do them in the right order. Besides, she needed to call Betty and Jane to arrange another lunch date—she had much to talk about.

Author's Note: ~Fin~ I hope you enjoyed my little adventure. Thank you to everyone who Favorited/Alerted or Reviewed! I greatly appreciate the support… Now, go read my other stories! JK …But not really. XD

Tony's not man enough to propose….. XD Not yet, anyways….

Cordially, LadyFrederic ;D