Disclaimer: I own nothing from the IronMan film. (but do I wish) Everything is owned by Stan Lee and Marvel. Song 'Long Day is Over' owned By Norah Jones. Not real significance it just worked lol.

Authors Note: Ok so I went to disneyland and I didn't update. I was going to update this afternoon after my math final but my brain died and I rewrote the chapter twice until I was happy with it. I mean...I said I would update today...I just didn't realize this late. I ALSO came home and went straight to sleep.

I like naps. ANYWAY HERE IS CHAPTER 7!


Long Day is Over

Pepper Potts could be in a better mood right now.

"Ms. Potts?"

Pepper stopped mid walk and turned toward Tony's Secretary. Pepper was on her way up to hound her boyfriend for not showing up to 3 important company meetings he had promised to attend. Walking over the woman she let out a frustrated breath.

"Yes Tabitha?"

"Mr. Stark called me to inform you he was not in his office"

Pepper bit the inside of her lip instead of growling; she then smiled and shook her head, "Anything else?"

The young girl nodded and rummaged through her post its and found the one she was looking for. She read it aloud.

"Pepper, Sorry, I like Big Apples"

Now Pepper was confused, "Is that it? Nothing else?"

"That was it Ms. Potts"

"Just 'I like Big Apples'?"

The secretary nodded, a bit intimidated, she could tell Pepper was a bit upset and did not want to be caught in the middle. If there was one thing that Pepper had developed more publicly. It was a backbone. If she could stand up against Tony, she could do it to just about anyone.

"Well…if Mr. Stark calls again please redirect it to my office"

"Of course Ms. Potts"

Pepper walked over to the Elevator and pressed the up button. She waited patiently as it made its way to reach her. About a minute later it dinged and the doors opened. Walking in she went to press TS, Tony had built his own section of the factory just for him. As the doors began to close a voice rang out to her.

"Hold the door please!" Pepper put her hand out and stopped it from closing. A man came running through the doors.

"Whew for a second there I thought I was going to have to take the stairs"

Pepper gave him a polite smile, "It was no problem really, what floor?"

"Um, 5th please…well hey now. Wow...Pepper Potts? Is that you?"

She pressed the button and smiled, "Indeed I am, you are?"

The man whom was about Tony's age. He was a handsome man but Pepper gave no second thought. He held out his hand to her.

"Now that hurts. It's me…Michael. Michael Waters"

Pepper was a little hesitant before taking his hand, she knew that name very well, but she said nothing. Michael Waters was an old college acquaintance. He and Pepper had dated but when she refused to take the step further he moved on. With her roommate.

Pepper Potts did not like Michael Waters.

They shook hands before settling back in their respective stances.

"Still the cold shoulder after all these years?"

Pepper gave him a smirk, "Mr. Waters I assure you, you're name is not uttered in my household. I will say though; you have turned into quite a businessman yourself have you not?"

He smiled, "I think that would be safe to say. Water Relations has been used by some of the most top businesses. We help them keep a good name, they give me money. So it all works out"

"So you cover up dirt"

He shook his head, "We like to look at as, pushing the public in a different direction, you know a thing or two about that. Seeing as your dating the most controversial man in the world"

"Tony is not a bad man Mr. Michaels. I assure you that" Pepper wished the elevator was faster, "So why are you here today? Surely you aren't trying to buy out Stark Industries."

Michael through his head back in a fit of laughter, "Lord knows, I am not that successful. Mr. Chambers, the head of your public relations department showed interest in buying out part of my company. I am also heading in a different direction with a new project heading under way and it would be nice to see my baby in good hands."

The elevator dinged at floor 5 and the doors opened. Michael turned to face Pepper.

"It has been a pleasure, Give Tony my hellos"

He walked out and the door shut behind him. Pepper rested against the wall of the elevator.

"Well," She said aloud, "That was signicially awkward.

Reaching Tony's floor she walked over and placed her hand on the sensor allowing her access. Walking in, she dumped her bag on the couch and walked over to his desk. Shaking the mouse she sat down and typed in her password, she set out to finish up some work. She had a couple hundred emails to filter through. She took the remote and turned on the Tv, the News Anchor that was on filled the room with sound.

"…Now onto an update of our breaking news. Earlier today 7 armed men took nearly 30 people hostage inside a local bank in New York City…they wanted a reported 1 million dollars and a free pass to leave or the hostages would die. Spiderman arrived shortly on scene but was unable to take out all of them men. We had a rare sight today when out of the blue our Iron Man found himself in the Big Apple" Pepper stopped typing and turned her head to look at the TV screen. Sure enough. There he was.

"Iron Man and Spiderman spoke for a few minutes with police before heading into action, within 30 minutes the situation had been handled. All 7 men are in custody and no one was injured. I guess it is safe to say both sides of the coast have heroes of their own. We'll see you all again tonight at 8"

Pepper had moved by now sitting on the edge of Tony's desk arms crossed over her chest. She shook her head and realized the message.

'Big Apples, Nice one Tony' she thought. Suddenly the phone rang in her office. She had a feeling about who it was. She pressed talk and speaker.

"You could've just called me yourself"

"Awww, but I thought you liked my cryptic messages, I made sure Tabitha got you it!" She could tell he was smiling while in the suit.

"I don't have to cancel with Rose and Jerry do I?"

"Na, I should be home by then"

She raised an eyebrow, "Where are you exactly?"

"I think I just passed Kansas. You know what they say, there's no place like home"

She chuckled and nodded, "I'll head out now, see you at home. Love you"

"Love you too"

They disconnected and Pepper wrapped up her work that she was attempting to finish and made her way back out of the office.

It had been a long day.


"So you wouldn't mind watching Abigail?" Rose asked the pair as they were eating a late dinner, Rose had called to cancel saying Jerry wouldn't be off work till later but Pepper insisted they would still drop by. Rose was pleased, she hoped that would be the case.

Pepper took a sip of her wine, "Non sense, I love having her over. She gives me some human contact while the lug over here is in the shop"

Tony squeezed her hand. Rose and Jerry chuckled.

"We love having her over, it drives Jarvis a bit nuts because she loves to ask questions. And there is nothing more I like to hear then my AI picking on someone other then myself."

"Good, so it is settled. I will drop her off around 4. Will you be home?"

Pepper frowned, "I usually don't leave the office till at least-"

"4 will be fine, We will both be home. Turns out we both have the day off"

Pepper turned to Tony and gave him a look. He just shrugged, she was going to say something but he leaned over and kissed the back of her neck and whispered, "It's time you cash in on those benefits Ms. Potts"

Her cheeks became a deep red, and Rose noticed. She looked at her watch and turned to Jerry.

"Well I am beat, darn Pregnancy, I think we should call it a night"

Jerry got the clue.

"Oh yeah…Tony, Pepper, always a pleasure. Look, I'll clean up everything; you guys can head back home"

Tony stood up and shook Jerry's hand, "You are my man Jerry-Boy. Now bring that daughter of yours around and I will make sure she loads up on candy and ice cream"

Rose gave him a look, "You are NOT taking her out. She hates Halloween"

Pepper laughed and hugged her sister, "You he is joking, don't worry she and I will lay in bed all evening and watch movies. Since apparently I have the day off"

"Funny how that works huh? Guess you have a really awesome boss" He winked. Walking over he hugged Rose and kissed her forehead.

"Don't stress yourself now my dear; we don't want that baby popping anytime soon. And we want all the ghostly details of the doctor's appointment.

"Tony they are going to rub jelly on my stomach and look at the baby"

Tony scrunched his nose, "I retract my previous statement"

Grabbing Peppers hand they said their goodbyes and walked out the door. The late night chill hit them and Tony held Pepper close to him. He waked her over to the passenger side door of her Audi, he was driving tonight. He pressed her up against the door and descended his lips on hers. She smiled and melted into his body, all her stress of the day leaving right then. As they pulled apart he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"So…how about when we get home, you get first hand on the benefits of working for Tony Stark"

She raised an eyebrow and straightens his collar, "Besides sarcasm, dry humor and no sleep?"

He could've taken her right then against the car, he just smiled and shook his head.

"The thing about being an insomniac like myself, we have a certain case of raw energy" He kissed her, "And the need to stay up by….whatever…means….possible" He ran his hand down her side, she sucked in a breath.

"You say we have the day off tomorrow?"

"That's what the boss said"

He saw her eyes change from amusement to passion, "Then I say…" She pulled him closer so that when she spoke their lips touched, "Let's reap the benefits"

Needless to say there was no speed limit law for Tony Stark that night.


A/N: Do I smell a possible threat to my relationship! Guess we all will have to sit and stay tuned!

sigh I love Tony. Id do him in my sisters driveway. Lol. WWELL IN THE CAR DUH! Silly Rabbits. ANYWAY.

Anyone here watch the Hills? Heidi and Spencer were at Disneyland yesterday when I went. GOSH those two are annoying. And they bring in the most annoying people (the razzis) curse me for living in such a hollywood fame whore state! WELL.Chapter 8 tomorrow maybe? Yes or no?

and can I just say I love my reviewers. You guys make me so happppppy.

I'm tired. :