A/N: This the result of reader90's prompt about how Tony fell in love with Pepper.
The day Tony hired Pepper was life-changing. She became his extra limb—incredibly useful and infinitely painful to live without. She organized his life, followed his instructions to the letter, and matched his playful banter with friendly-yet-professional retorts – notwithstanding the fact that she was one of the most beautiful women the genius had ever seen.
At one point, he realized he'd better be careful. It would be very easy to fall in love with his PA.
A few years, a near death experience, and one super suit later Tony realized it was pointless: he was not a careful man.