Hello, my lovelies ! I'm back with a new chapter! First and foremost, I want to thank my AMAZING beta LaurelKK who saved my grammar and syntax on this chapter. Hopefully, she'll do it for the rest of this story if she doesn't run away screaming from all the mistakes I make (which is rather a lot !). Anyway, I hope you like this one. We're almost done with the second part of this story and we're almost upon the third part, which is, as some of you have already guessed, the IM1 part :).

Love, Callie xx

Chapter 9:

When Pepper calls David a few days later, she knows she won't be able to lie to him or even pretend everything is fine between them.

Truthfully, Pepper was starting to feel strained in her relationship with David. The feeling is not new but after what almost transpired between Tony and herself… The memory of her last encounter with Tony simply won't go away and it is as though her heartstrings were pulled in too many directions.

And that sunken feeling in her stomach has not left her since she almost had sex with Tony on her sofa. She doesn't want to tell David what happened with Tony and so she decides she'll tell him what he needs to hear, and only that. After all, what is there to tell? That she loves him but her attraction to Tony is simply too much for her to bear? Let's not get melodramatic. Could she just tell him that she kissed another man and is absolutely remorseful, that it will never happen again? That wouldn't be true. Not that she plans on kissing Tony again but she isn't as remorseful as she should be, either. If anything, she feels sorry for David. He deserves so much better than her. However, she won't apologise for something when she doesn't really mean it.

David and her are simply not working. He's emotionally available where she keeps her cards close to her chest. He's sweet and tender where she is passionate and hot-tempered - at least when it comes to her personal life. He is honest where she won't always tell him the whole truth. They are playing on too many different levels. And although they have their similarities, they go about them differently. Pepper knows that in the long run, she'll end up hurting him and it's the last thing she wants.

So although she decides not to tell David about her last encounter with Tony, she promises herself to be as honest as possible toward him otherwise. He deserves nothing less.

He arrives at her place at 1pm on a Friday and leaves less than an hour later. There are no tears, there is no plea, no attempt of any kind to rekindle a flame that was probably not there to begin with. David leaves quietly, wishing her good luck for what's to come and exits her life without any further ado.

Pepper is a bit stunned by how well he takes the break up. She had expected something a bit less… civilised than this. Not that she thought that David was the type to vow his undying love for her but she did expect… She sighs. She doesn't know what she expected. Perhaps the tiniest proof that she had mattered for him and that their relationship wasn't an easy one to walk away from. Also, the man had bought a gallery and a house in Malibu just to be closer to her. Or was it just the wish to expand his professional horizon that had brought him to the east coast ? In the end, Pepper thinks that maybe, David just wasn't as attached to her as she had previously thought.

While lunching with Aurelia a week later, the older woman laughs at the idea.

"Oh, Darling, I don't think you quite understand the situation you put poor David in."

Pepper frowns in her glass of wine, drinking a sip before saying:

"I don't follow."

Aurelia sighs and looks into the distance. They are sitting outside the Wanamaker mansion, eating lunch in the garden. Aurelia invited Pepper while John, Casey and Annalise are away from town. All three were avoiding the parental residence after the events at VAST. After pausing for a minute or so, Aurelia looks at Pepper once again and asks:

"Did I ever tell you how I met Andrew? How we came to be together?"

Pepper shakes her head.

"Well, you'll probably find it a bit cliché but we met when I became his secretary."

Pepper laughs. "Well, that's certainly one way to meet a man."

Aurelia blushes slightly and waves it off.

"It was the 60's, I was young, pretty and had a good head on my shoulders. And I had this whole idea that one day, I'd meet Cary Grant and be whisked away into the sunset. I was nineteen and very foolish."

Pepper chuckles at that. "I understand. I certainly wouldn't mind meeting a young Cary Grant myself. What happened next?"

"Well, obviously, Cary Grant never showed up, although I did meet him once, ten years or so later. The man was charm personified. But I digress. The fact is, when I met Andrew, we didn't really hit it off right away. I found him arrogant and rude and no doubt he thought that I was some pretty air head who wouldn't last a month. Well, I certainly endeavoured to prove him wrong."

Pepper stifles a laugh: "Right, you were."

"Well, as he found out rather quickly, I was not an aspiring actress or singer and I certainly wasn't about to fall for the first man with a charming smile and a Rolex. I quickly became the mascot of the secretarial pool. There wasn't a thing I didn't know how to do or a task difficult enough to challenge me. Actually, I'm pretty sure I could have done some of the men's job better than them, but let's not get carried away. At the time, Andrew was a young wolf full of ambition in one of the most influential oil companies in North America. Everybody knew he was going places and I wanted in. I'm not going to go into details, but soon enough I had made myself indispensable to Andrew, and although he was a bit reluctant at first to acknowledge that someone of my gender could ever be useful beyond the menial tasks of the typing machine, he took me on as his private secretary when he made it to the top floors less than two years after his hiring. By then, he was travelling all over the place, meeting people I'd only seen in newspapers and conducting important business."

"But something changed?"

Aurelia smiles knowingly. "That's right. Something happened that Andrew did not foresee, not because of his own oversight, but because of his superiors'. He discovered that unrefined oil was being dumped at sea because of its poor quality and the company's incapacity to turn it into profit. Unfortunately, at the time, very few people cared about such things, even when they were directly affecting the life of thousands. He discovered that because of strong south winds, the current had pushed the leaked oil towards the shores of an atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The people living there were fishermen and lived almost exclusively on that. They were part of a small nation, with absolutely no ties to the international community, and would be more than likely forced to abandon islands their families had lived on for countless generations. At first, Andrew was shocked and hoped to reason with his superiors into helping the people they'd wronged."

"They didn't care."

Aurelia has a mirthless chuckle. "Exactly. But worse than that, it wasn't the first time. And it was very likely that it wouldn't the last. By then, Andrew was enraged. I'd never seen him like that. He quit and then and there, told them what he thought of them and left the building without glancing back."

"And what about you?"

Aurelia sighs. "I stayed on. I'm ashamed now that I think about it, but I stayed on. Andrew didn't even say goodbye to me. He just left. I didn't hear from him for ten months after that. And two months after he left, a new lawyer came to work for the company. His name was James Richmond. He was handsome, charming, polite - which was very rare at the time- and above all, he seemed to have been quite taken with me from the moment that we met. And I was flattered. He took me out to dinner, plays, the opera. He gave me chocolate and flowers. Everything a young man is supposed to do when one is courting a young lady. By that time, I thought my future was already written and, really, what more could I hope for? My parents weren't rich, far from it, and my younger sister insisted on going to college to study art. You'd have liked her. You remind me of her actually. She died in a car crash when the boys were young."

Pepper takes Aurelia's hand. "I'm so sorry."

Aurelia squeezes Pepper's hand: "Me too. But Anna wanted to go to college and my parents were already paying part of my rent. I had to give way to my younger sister. She was so talented, I would have hated for her to miss out on college because of me. So when James proposed, I said yes immediately. He loved me and I loved him and I believed it was enough. At the time, it was what was done. Which is when Andrew came back in my life. I was four month away from getting married. We were already sending the invitations. I had arranged with James to keep on working at the company during the wedding planning and after our honeymoon. And who do I see waltzing in through the secretarial pool as if he owned the place, but Andrew Wanamaker, new CEO of his own company and ordering me take my coat and purse and come join him in New York to work for him."

Pepper laughs. "He didn't!"

Aurelia joins her. "Oh but he did! It was quite the scene actually! People were calling security when he saw my engagement ring and said, word for word: "Sweet heavens, Aurelia, tell me you're not actually going to settle down and stop working? That would be such a complete waste!" I slapped him then and there. I thought, how dare he come back after so long, tell me what to do and judge me on my personal life? He calmed down a bit then and said that he was going back to New York in three days and that he was staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel in the meantime. I had until then to come join him to work for people who actually wanted to make this planet a better place."

"And did you?"

Aurelia sighs. "No, I didn't. At least not right away. But something shook me to the core when I saw him. There he was, giving me an alternative that I never thought I'd ever have. My parents saw that. My sister saw that. Even poor James saw that. He called off the wedding. He said at first that it was just delayed, that we would get married in the summer. But really, he didn't believe it. He was just giving me some room to think. A rare gem, he was. In the end, I called off the engagement a month later, flew to New York and did the exact same thing to Andrew that he had done to me. I interrupted a meeting, told him what I thought of his behaviour, demanded that my salary be doubled and that he was going to pay for my going to business school if he really wanted me to work for him. He said 'done' and returned to his meeting. Three years later, I was a graduate from Columbia and Andrew, who was far less of an idiot by then, asked me out. You know the rest of the story."

Pepper looks at Aurelia with a stunned expression on her face. Then begins to laugh until there are tears in her eyes.

Aurelia starts laughing too.

"I can't believe you did that" Pepper says when she finally calms down "I… Wow. That's one way to meet a man indeed. But what are you trying to say? That David was my version of James?"

Aurelia shakes her head. "Not exactly. Although the situation can be compared. I'm saying that my Andrew is your Tony."

Pepper sits straighter in her chair. "What? No! The situation's completely different! Tony is… He is-"

"A complicated man?"

"Yes, exactly!"

Aurelia arches an eyebrow: "Because you are the personification of simplicity yourself? Darling Virginia, I'm a lot of things, but none of them are blind or deaf. And it's not the 60's anymore. I'm quite sure your relation with Tony started a bit differently than it did with Andrew and I. I do read the papers, you know. That man has very little preservation instincts. It's like he's trying to break the record for appearing nude on the cover of those despicable magazines."

By then, Pepper was blushing violently. "Exactly, my relationship with him is purely physical."

Aurelia has a little laugh. "I don't know if you're trying to lie to me or to yourself. Or both. A physical relationship would not compel a man to do what he did for you a few weeks ago. I admit that, despite everything, Tony Stark would not be my first choice for any daughter of mine. But you are not my daughter, and you are a grown woman, and very intelligent to boot. Surely you can see that the man would go to the moon and back for you, if only in the hope of seeing you smile. Now, that's not what I would call 'purely physical'."

Pepper looks away. "And what am I supposed to do? He's not ready to have a real relationship. I actually doubt he has ever had one. He is a complete mess. He is impulsive, and arrogant, and has no sense of reality whatsoever. He's going to get bored and I'm not… I can't… I can't wait for him just so he can realise I'm not what he wants in life."

Aurelia gets up and goes to Pepper. She takes her face in her hands. "That, my darling, is called risk. It's what you do when you enter a relationship. A real one. You take a chance at your own risk. James, for all his qualities, was not a risk. David was the same. Virginia, you are so lonely. Don't think I can't see it. Your parents are gone, Andrew is gone and you have few friends who can understand what you are going through. You deserve someone who will never make you feel like you are isolated. And somehow, I really believe that Tony Stark is the one man who can truly understand you - and love you - for the woman that you are. You just need to take a chance. Go work with him. I know he asked you. He came to me a few days ago. Told me he made you an offer. That boy is really intelligent, but he needs help. You don't need to fall into his arms right away. You just need to be there for each other, and then, come what may."

Tears are silently falling down Pepper's cheeks. Aurelia envelops her into her arms and doesn't let go.

XXXX

Pepper, despite all the years she's known Tony, had never before made it to his Malibu mansion, although it's not so far from where she lives herself. When she first sees the property after arriving unannounced, her instinct is to laugh. Of course the house would be a reflection of his ego. She buzzes on what she believes to be a very futuristic-looking intercom. She's relieved when she hears a male English voice answering it.

"Ah, Miss Potts. Mister Stark is not home currently but you are welcome to enter. He has been notified of your arrival and will be returning shortly."

Pepper internally swears. "Oh. I mean, no, it's alright, I can come back another time, it's really not urgent!"

Of course she should have called first! What was she thinking, barging in like that, without any notice? Sometimes, she swears the man has a secret superpower that makes her act stupid when he's around.

"Not at all, Miss Potts. Mister Stark insists you wait for him in the main living room and make yourself at home. Please, follow the driveway, I will open the door to the garage and lead you to the living room as soon as you are parked."

The security gates open and Pepper gives in. Well, she's already here. Too late to back out now. A few minutes later, she's inside a subterranean garage that's filled with expensive sports cars. She parks in the first available spot and turns off the engine before getting out. She looks out for Tony's butler when she hears his voice on the intercom, which nearly startles her.

"Welcome, Miss Potts. Please follow the lightened path in front of you. It will lead you directly to the main living room. Would you like a drink while you wait for Mister Stark?"

Pepper frowns as she enters the elevator. "Hum, thank you. I'd love a Club soda, Mr…"

"JARVIS. I am the computer operating the house."

Pepper's pupils are shot wide. That's not an actual man? "Oh, um, ok." she says stupidly, because, what are you supposed to say to a computer, exactly?

The elevator doors open and she arrives in what she deduces is the main living room. The view it offers is breathtaking. It's not so much a window as a wall of glass looking out over the Pacific Ocean. The décor of the room is surprisingly simple, with a few touches of colour here and there, but everything is mostly white. There's a bar (of course), a piano and an electric guitar, a large couch with a glass coffee table and a large screen as well as some interesting pieces of art and a water cascade. Well, maybe it's not that simple as far as decoration goes. But it certainly is when your name is Tony Stark.

"Please, help yourself to the bar. You will find your Club soda on the countertop. Mister Stark insists that you are free to help yourself to any refreshment you may prefer and reminds me to tell you that we have a very wide selection of wines and champagnes, should you like to drink something of an alcoholic nature."

Pepper isn't sure, but she thinks she can hear the sarcasm in the computer's voice. Can a computer be sarcastic?

"No, thank you JARVIS, I'm fine."

"Of course."

She finds her Club soda where JARVIS said it would be (how did a computer do that?) and retreats to the couch where she sits and sips her Club soda awkwardly.

She clears her throat. "When did Mister Stark say he'll be back exactly?"

"He is pulling up to the front door as we speak. Estimated arrival is 15 seconds."

She gets up as soon as she hears the door and Tony comes in as well as another man with an impressive build in a black suit.

Tony takes off his sunglasses. "Potts! You're here! Am I dying?"

"Boss-"

He points at the man behind him: "This is Happy. He's my bodyguard. He thinks you might be a terrorist. Are you a terrorist?"

"Happy" doesn't seem so glad that his boss takes the matter of his own security so lightly and tries to slow him down as he gets nearer to Pepper.

"What?"

"See, what kind of terrorist answer would that be? A lousy one, let me tell you. It's okay Happy, no need for body search, JARVIS has already looked."

Did he just imply- "What?"

"Uh. I think we've just broken her. JARVIS?"

"Miss Potts' vital signs are normal, save for an elevated heart rate and a slight rise in body temperature. If I may be so bold, Sir, perhaps you should explain the situation at hand. I believe it might help with Miss Potts' incredulity. As to Mister Happy's concerns, I assure you they are merely just that. Miss Potts is not carrying any weapon; nor does she own one. She does not practice any combative arts and does not have a criminal record. She is quite safe."

Pepper sits down before she looses her balance. What the hell is happening?

"Yes, Thank you JARVIS. Happy, park the car please. I'll take care of Potts."

The other man complies grudgingly and exits the room. Tony pours himself a glass of scotch before sitting next to Pepper who looks paler than usual.

"Did your computer scan me?"

"JARVIS? Ah, um, yes. He does that. Don't worry, it's nothing invasive, just the usual check for weapons and explosive devices. It happens at the security gate and the data is deleted as soon as someone is cleared. Same goes for the vital signs. You sure you don't want something stronger to drink?"

"Yes, I'm sure".

"So, you want to tell me why you're here? Not that I don't appreciate the impromptu visit. Please, drop by any time you want. But I know you're not the type, so… got something you want to tell me?"

"Yes. But first, may I ask a personal question?"

He grins. "Fire away!"

"Tony, did I just interact with the world's first Artificial Intelligence?"

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