Two hours had gone by, and Tony had finally made his decision. He was thrilled with his choice, and the excitement and nervousness that he had before paled in comparison to what he was feeling now. He couldn't wait to see Pepper's face when she saw what he'd done.

Happy saw him exit the store, and promptly got out to open the car door.

"Happy, my man," Tony said, beaming.

"I trust you found what you were looking for?" the driver asked.

"Oh, yeah," Tony said. "In fact, have a look at this," he said, pulling the ring box out of his bag. He flipped it open to show his friend.

Happy gasped. "Wow," he whispered. "That's a...a..."

"Engagement ring?" Tony chirped. "Yep, sure is," he said proudly.

"It's gorgeous!" Happy said. "And I had no idea you felt this way about me!"
Tony crinkled his face at the joke, and giggled. Happy laughed. "Seriously, though! She'll love it! Hell, it makes me wanna say yes!"
Tony shook his head and smiled. He looked back at the ring. "You really think she'll love it?" Tony asked softly.

"Absolutely," Happy said.

Tony nodded satisfactorily, climbed into the back seat, and Happy closed the car door. Soon, they were on their way.

Tony pulled his phone out of his coat pocket, and noticed the missed calls from his lady love. Crap, he thought. "Hey, hap?" he called up to his driver.
"Yes, sir?"

"Did a certain red-head give you a call, per chance?"

Happy gulped. "Uh...y-yeah," he stammered. "She...did."

Tony grimaced. This outta be good, he thought. "Okay, Hap. Let's hear it. I know you didn't like my story. And frankly, neither did I. So what, pray tell, did you say I was doing?"

"I uh..."

"Happy," Tony warned.

"Well, I didn't tell her exactly what you were doing," Happy explained.

Tony pursed his lips. "But..." he said, provokingly.

"Well, she was worried, so..."
"Worried?" Tony interjected. "About what?"
Happy sighed. He looked at his boss through the rear view. "That you were out, you know, drinking...or something."

A sudden jolt of panic hit Tony's heart. "Shit," he said. "So what did you say to her?"

"I just told her that you were somewhere that you made me promise not to tell her, but that it was a surprise, and that she wouldn't be disappointed."

Tony teeter-tottered his head back and forth. "That's...not bad," he said, relenting. "I guess my only problem now is I have to find a place to hide this other than my place, or she'll be looking for it. Trust me. I know my girlfriend. She'll be pulling the place apart trying to find her surprise."

Happy smiled knowingly. "Give it to me, boss," he said. "I know exactly where we can hide it."

"Just until tomorrow night. I want to give it to her on Christmas Eve," Tony said, passing the bag up front.

"No problem, boss," he said. "You can count on me."

Slowly, Happy pulled into the parking garage. And Tony let out a heavy sigh. "Thanks, Hap, for everything today."

"Don't mention it, boss," the driver replied. "And I have a small safe that this'll go into for safe keeping," he said, holding up the bag from Tiffany's.

"Perfect," Tony said. "I owe ya' one."

They pulled into their private parking, and Happy got out to open Tony's door. "Sure you don't need a helmet going in there?" Happy joked, when Tony had emerged.

Tony laughed. "Oh, she's probably pissed to high hell," he said. "But I can work my charm when I need to, Hap. Rest assured."

They chuckled, and Tony slapped his driver on the back jovially before they bid each other farewell, and Tony walked to the elevator.

A short time later, the elevator opened to the penthouse. Tony cautiously walked out of the doors, and looked around. "Pepper?" he called out. "Baby?"

Pepper slowly walked down the stairs to great him, a look of cold annoyance on her face. "So, tell me, Tony," she said. "What part needed your attention so urgently?"

Tony looked at her, and thought for a minute. He knew she'd talked to Happy, and was only trying to trap him in his lie. He figured she couldn't refuse the chance, so he decided to play ball.

"Oh, you know," he said, nonchalantly, as he hung his coat in the closet. "Just a regular old thing-a-ma-bob. A really expensive, very unique thing-a-ma-bob," he said, trying to play it cool.

"Oh really?" Pepper replied. "That's the technical term, for it, is it?"

She walked around to face him, her hands on her hips.

"Well, it could be called important, too," Tony said.

"Uh-huh," Pepper said skeptically. "What's it called?"

"It's name?" Tony said.

"Yes, dear. It's name," she said coolly.

"You know, I don't even know how to pronounce it? That's why I had to go down there. So I could describe it, and they could find it in their catalog," Tony said. He grinned, inwardly patting himself on the back for what sounded like a very viable alibi. "It comes from some other country, Pep. And you have to order it in advance, so..." he said, shrugging.

"Some other country. Really," Pepper said skeptically. She pivoted around on her heal, and stomped off toward the kitchen. "God, you're a terrible liar," she said under her breath.

Tony followed her. "Pepper, please don't be mad," he pleaded. She stopped abruptly, grousing at him. "Okay, okay," he said, his hands up in surrender. "I wasn't out looking for a part."

Pepper cocked an eyebrow. "I knew it," she muttered.

Tony continued. He sighed. "I was actually looking for something really special, though" he said.

"Special?" Pepper said, softening her stance. Her mind whirled with the possibility of what Tony was looking for. She tried piecing the puzzle pieces of what Tony was saying and what Happy had told her together. All she could figure is that it was something for her. But what?, she thought, coming up empty.

Tony nodded. "Yes, special," he said thoughtfully. "But...I...didn't find what I was looking for." He watched her cautiously for a few moments, hoping against hope that she'd believe him.

Pepper looked a little saddened. "You didn't?" she said softly.

Tony shook his head, trying to look sorrowful. "No," he said softly. "I didn't unfortunately."

"Oh," Pepper said. "I'm sorry." She reaffirmed her resolve. "Well," she said, exhaling. "Are all of the errands done and out of the way now? Can we finally relax for a little while?"

Tony smiled, pulling her into his arms. "Oh, yeah," he affirmed. "In fact, that's exactly what I want to do." They smiled softly at each other. Tony put his hands on her upper arms and rubbed them up and down. He squeezed them affectionately as he spoke. "Hey, what would you say to popping open a bottle of wine, relaxing on the couch, and taking in all the Christmas spirit those elves of mine poured into this place, huh?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

Pepper chuckled softly. "Yeah, we really haven't had a chance to admire it yet, have we?" she said. "Of course, we could have already had someone not run out on me this evening," she goaded.

Tony laughed guilty. "Yeah, well, let's just say, I plan to make it up to you in spades," he purred.

"You better, Stark," she purred back.

Way to throw her off your scent, Stark! Hee hee ! She'll never suspect it!

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