When the door to the Stark mansion opened and Pepper stepped through it, she had expected things to run smoothly (as possible) today. But noooo... Things when dealing with any Stark did not went smoothly. Maria Stark was a saint putting up with two at the same time! At the signs of first light that morning Tony had called to ask for a caramel machiato and a dozen donuts. She complied with the request and received another call from Tony that he also wanted a struddle. Was he pregnant? Suddenly comming up with this rare cravings... Stepping into the house Pepper was greeted by the AI butler and then frowned.

IT was quiet.

Too quiet. Balancing everything she carried until set safely on the kitchen's table Pepper started to get worried. "Jarvis, where's Tony?"

"Currently three feet from where you stand, Mss. Potts."

"What?" She said turning around, seeing no one. "Jarvis are you...?"

Tony actually jumped up from behind the island of the kitchen, screaming. In result she scremed too. Pale and angry Pepper hurried around the island as fast as her four inches heels would allowd and hit Tony on the shoulder. He laughed the whole time, not covering from her attack.

"Don't you ever do that again!" She called loudly, holding a hand to her chest. "You scare me half to dead!"

"Sorry. You should have seen your face!" He continued laughing until the smell of coffee hit him. "DId you get my...?"

"Yes, on the table. And thank god I didn't throw it all over the floor."

"I'm sorry. Hm, donut." He picked the donut and bit into it, no remorse showing on his face. Potts noticed he was still on his pjs, and realized that today was going to be one of those days. Yesterday he had announced his repairs in Mark III were done, and he was resting before resuming work in Mark IV, she had been happy because it meant he would probably wish to work... but she had deluded herself. Specially when he asked for that sleeping pill before she left last night. He had his battery charged fully and now with that sugar rush the machiatto and the donut would give him...

She was in for a wild ride. Oh, God, be merciful please...

"Potts,"

"Yeah,"

"Why so pale? I didnt' give you a heart attack, right?"
"Not yet, Tony, not yet."

"Would you stop that?" She asked, entering her office with him following close behind. Tony stopped cowering away. True to her memory, Tony had done everything humanly possible to become her shadow during the last five hours. Pepper took a deep calming breath and turned, walking into her office and sitting down. Ten seconds later Tony entered the office and slid into the couch across the room, playing with some trinked he'd found in the livingroom. Pepper slid into her chair, reading some memos she'd printed a few minutes ago and heard Tony making soft explotions sounds, just like a child would when playing with and action figure. Over the rim of her reading glasses Pepper looked at the man (child?) playing on the couch and almost gagged. His trinked was an iron man action figure. Again another explotion and Tony made the sound of his propulsor jets firing and the Ironman action figure flew out of the window.

"I'm bored." He announced, waiting for just one second after the figure had vanished, head resting on the couch in a mess of dark hair. "Let's play."

"You already played with your toys, Tony. I'm trying to work." She looked over at him, and considered what she had just said. He wasn't like a child, he was more like a dog. One of them furry, playful and strongly attached dogs that never left their owners alone. Like those the old ladies got; a shitzu? was that the name? But with Tony's temper it would be more like a chihuahua. Pepper snikered quietly, and continued working.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Nothing, why won't you go tinker away for a while, Tony?"

"Nah, I rather be with you." He fixed the couch beneath his body by digging his body into the leather and used her sweater (the one usually laying around) as a pillow. Within minutes he was asleep, with the cold AC working perfectly and the soft music playing from her itunes it was only a matter of time. Pepper worked for another hour, until she stoo dup and looked at the man dropped on the couch. His hair was messy. And unable to resist the sudden urge she petted his head softly. He woke up because of her touch and surpriced looked at her, eyes glossy but quickly focusing upon her. If he were a dog he would have whinned with delight.

Her stomach suddenlly growled and looking at her watch Pepper saw it was past lunchtime. Stretching and groaning softly Tony yawned. Pepper shoved down the need to call him good boy,

"Do you want something to eat?"

"Chicken sounds good."

Pepper laughed, remembering her thoughts, and he got up, gruffy and almost growling, to follow.

He was more likle a golden retriever. Spoiled and well kept.

And in horrible need of grooming.