"JARVIS, issue a full lockdown. Do not let Kat out. Update her location every minute."

"Of course, sir."

"Let's try, hmmm, Mark 42 today?"

"Very good, sir." The pieces of the suit whizzed through the air, catching him off guard as they slammed into him.

"We're gonna need to work on that, buddy."

"My sincerest apologies, sir."

"Is that sarcasm I detect, JARVIS?"

"Of course not," he replied, matter-of-factly, "I wouldn't dare." Tony shot him a confused look before shooting out of the room to join Bruce and Steve. Sighing, JARVIS, reverted his attentions toward Kat and Pepper, who were stepping out of the latter's walk-in closet. Kat had slipped on a pair of white ankle jeans and a light blue chambray shirt.

"God, you're almost the same size as me! You're like the sister I never had," she added, hugging her.

"Thanks, Pep. You've literally got to be the nicest person on the planet."

All of a sudden, Tony and Steve marched in, with a faintly green Bruce on their tail.

"What the fuck are you doing, Kat? And JARVIS, what the hell are you doing behind my back?"

"Um, I was naked-" started Kat. Tony's entire expression changed from anger to interest as the suit left his body. Pepper quickly folded her arms and cleared her throat. "-and I needed clothes, but I couldn't just walk in on you guys with my towel, so JARVIS helped me with Operation Streaker-"

"What's a streaker?" asked Steve, furrowing his brows. Bruce sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Kat, care for another demonstration?" Pepper quickly smacked his arm.

"Play nice, for once," interjected Pepper.

"I thought you liked it when I didn't," he replied, wiggling his eyebrows.

"You're hopeless."

"And you're beautiful."

"I don't accept your apology. Kat and I are going to go shopping for George's party. Right?"

"What? I mean, um, yes?" she stuttered, "Yes, shopping, good."

"See?" bubbled Pepper, widening her eyes and smiling as she linked arms with Kat, "You better have a good apology for me by the time I get back, mister."

"Ah, Steve, you're quite the ladies' man, think of something. She's picky."

"Tell me what a streaker is, and I'll consider helping you."

"Well…"

"Time to go!" interjected Pepper, pulling her out of the room and into an elevator. "Sometimes I just want to smack him."

"Then do it. You're the only one on the planet who could teach him a lesson." She laughed.

"If his apology isn't good enough, then sure, I will." The two climbed into one of Tony's sports cars and drove towards Manhattan.

"Pep, who's George?"

"Oh, one of my good friends! Have you heard of George Clooney?"

"Erm, not really?"

"He's just an actor, and he's having a party we're all invited to."

"You sure?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure he won't mind if I bring you. Just stick with Steve."

"Oh. And Pep?"

"Mmm hmm?"

"I don't have any money."

"Oh, that's not a problem. Don't worry about it, Kat."

"I can't do this."

"If this is about the price…"

"Well, that, and I'm not really a social butterfly."

"You're so...open…around me though. Just be yourself."

"I'm trusting you, Pep. If I screw up, you've got to help me pick up the pieces."

"That's what friends are for, silly."

The two exited the car and began walking amidst the bustling crowd of New Yorkers. "Let's try Barney's," suggested Pepper, leading Kat into the store, "Ooh, this dress would look great on you." She held up the hem of a black dress with three gold stripes.

"Hmmm, you think so?"

"Absolutely. We'll try it on later. Oh, but what about this one?" Pepper cruised from dress to dress, carefully inspecting each and every one with experienced blue eyes. "This is gorgeous, but I don't think red's our color. God, this is beautiful. Vera Wang, my favorite."

They eventually ended up buying the black gown for Kat and an emerald one for Pepper, then drove back home.

Tony greeted them at the door.

"Hello, dear Pepper," he crooned, kissing her hand, "And hey, Kat." Pepper shot him a warning look.

"Tony, what are you doing?"

"It's all part of my 'apology,'" he replied smoothly, "Stop worrying, Pep," he added, massaging her shoulders. She rolled her eyes, but a tiny smile escaped her lips. "Anywho, Kat, I'm gonna need you to stick around here. This is for le Pep only."

"Oh God, okay, that's enough, I'm gone," she replied, shielding her eyes, "Good luck Pep."

"If you don't hear from me in twenty minutes, come up and get me. We need to prep for the party tonight."

"Oh boy," she muttered as she left, "A social gathering of the wealthy upper class. Fun."