Tony held the door open for her and Pepper quickly got into the large black limousine waiting by the curb. He then rounded the back of the car.
As the swarm of reporters surrounded them, she expected Tony to get in from the other side but he stood there by the door.
Cameras began flashing at an alarming rate and she could hear nothing but a cacophony of voices all saying, "Mr. Stark! Mr. Stark!"
He held up his hand and astonishingly, the crowd quietened. Pepper rolled down her window to hear him better.
Tony said brightly, "Hi!"
Like kids at a school yard, the crowd of reporters and cameramen said, "Hi" back, in a chorus.
"I guess you guys missed me, huh?"
Some people giggled and he continued clearly, "I know you have a lot of questions and I am willing to answer them but just not now. Not today. The boss and I have to discuss some work-related stuff."
The reporters ignored him and burst into questions. Tony turned and was going to sit in the car, when he paused mid-way.
He turned around again and said, "But I will address one question that someone just asked. Yes, it is true that Pepper Potts saved me. YES, we are still together. NO, she has not decided to instead marry Colonel Rhodes, even though he is definitely a better man than me. I hope I've answered the question satisfactorily."
The crowd burst into laughter and Tony sat down quickly and closed the door. The car began to move away and Pepper raised her eyebrows at him.
"Potts, I think questions like that, should be answered immediately." He said with a smirk, lounging back lazily against the seat.
"I'm sure you do, Tony." She said with a smirk of her own. She stretched her hand towards him because she badly wanted to touch his freshly cut hair.
He closed his eyes as she moved her fingers slowly through the feathery-soft tufts.
"Why did you change your mind, Tony?" Pepper asked softly. "I thought you wanted to avoid the media. Why did you decide to come to the trial?"
He just hummed contentedly and she rolled her eyes at him.
"Toooonnny..." she said and he opened one eye.
"Coz I owe Rhodey that much. He saved my ass multiple times... and coz of what you said, Potts." He muttered, pushing his head against her hands.
She thought hard for a moment. "Because of what I said...what... what did I say, Tony?"
Determined to get an answer out of her now humming fiance, she lowered her hand to his jaw and began to lightly caress his beard.
Tony quivered and leaned towards her. Before Pepper could react, he lowered his head into her lap and sighed loudly.
She couldn't help but giggle as he took her hand and placed it back on his head.
She idly shifted her fingers and he whispered softly, "You said we should focus on the living, not the dead. And that I shouldn't let Thanos defeat me, not like this. You made me realize my legacy, all that I've done, how I've changed and how... how I cannot let that purple giant take it away from me."
Tony turned his face towards her.
"You were right about Rhodey needing me, Potts. You made me see what I had to do, why I can't hide away forever. Thank you. You saved me once again."
The deep look in his chocolate brown eyes, made Pepper's heart clench with emotion. She gently pushed his hair back from his brow and didn't say anything because she didn't trust her own voice.
After a few minutes, she looked out of the window at the busy road.
"Tony, can we have lunch together before you leave for Malibu?"
He smirked at her. "I'm not going anywhere today, Potts. I'm staying at the hotel with you. I hope you don't mind me bunking with you. And I hope your room has a single bed. A small bed."
Tony winked at her suggestively but she was taken aback by his words.
"I thought'd you would go back home..."
"Not without meeting Rhodey. We need to talk. A lot. About Wakanda, Thanos and what's next."
She nodded absently, pleased that he would staying.
Then Pepper realized something.
"We?"
Tony had taken out his phone and was busy tapping into it, his head still in her lap.
"Yup. You and me are going to meet Rhodey tonight. I'm just trying to get the good Colonel to decide on the time."
"Tony..."
"I know what you are thinking. The press and the cameras won't let us have any peace. But I've got a solution for that. We are going to sneak out of our hotel incognito."
Tony sat up halfway, saying excitedly, "Think about it, Potts! We get to wear disguises and pretend to be ordinary people and roam around in a crowd! Completely undetected! At least..." he scratched his chin, "at least, I think the disguises are good enough for that..."
Pepper said softly, "Tony, that sounds fun but I can't make it, honey. I got to prepare for the Adoite Energy Conference tomorrow."
He narrowed his eyes at her as she continued, "Stark Industries is interested in the geothermal technology being showcased at the Conference. And..."
She bit her lip, not wanting to trigger any unpleasant memories for him. Tony lay back down on her lap, settling himself nicely and then raised his hand, to gently pull her lip out of her mouth.
"And?" He asked.
She struggled to retain her train of thought as he rubbed her bottom lip with his thumb.
"And David Bohanne was supposed to go to the conference. Do you remember David?"
"Oh yes! He was a former geologist from Harvard, who joined us way back in 2010."
"Well... after Thanos' attack, David was lost... and someone had to go and I volunteered because I was anyways going to be here for the trial. But since I'm new to the technology, I have to do a lot of reading up on the existing trends and features and terms etc. to make sense of it all. Because the Board expects me to come back with some purchase recommendations."
She looked down at Tony, who was studying her thoughtfully.
Pepper said lamely, "I am sorry, Tony. I want to come with you but you know that I am an early sleeper and so I can't stay up late after meeting Rhodey and then cram all night. You go ahead and meet James. You won't be coming for the conference, so you can sleep in late and go home tomorrow, if you'd like. There's no need to wait for me."
He sat up again and leaned back against the seat, turning his head towards her.
"Potts, instead of you slaving to learn geothermal technology, you need a 'Devil Wears Prada' sort of assistant/nerd to go with you to this Conference!"
Her confusion must have shown on her face because Tony said quickly, "You need a nerd who whispers all the terms and geothermal shit in your ear, sotto voice, your own personal science-speak translator, so you can quickly understand what Stark Industries needs and what it doesn't and make better decisions.
"I agree, Tony." Pepper said patiently, "Such a science nerd would be wonderful and I would have brought one along from Malibu but my decision to attend, was very last minute. It was too late to see if anyone from the science team was suitable and could come at such short notice."
She sighed. "So I've got to do it on my own."
Then Pepper giggled as Tony quirked one of his eyebrows in a very affected manner.
"Why the look, Stark?"
"You don't have a science nerd? Erm... what about me?"
She was stupefied. "You?"
He widened his eyes at her. "Yes, Potts. I am supposed to be a technology genius. Why can't I be your nerd, your own Hermoine, so to speak."
"Tony, this is geothermal technology!"
He shrugged. "Physics, mechanics, geothermal, I can handle it. In any case Potts, I can certainly pull an all-nighter and do a lot more reading than you."
He pushed back a stray strand of hair from her face.
"You came straight from work and traveled and sat through the trial and tomorrow, you got this conference. You need to rest today. I'll do the studying for us."
She sputtered, "But Tony, then you'd have to come for the conference."
"Yes I will, Potts."
"It starts at 10 am sharp and we need to be there on time."
He winced. "Can't we arrive fashionably late?"
"Tony..."
"Okay, okay, 10 am on the dot. Yes Ma'am!" Tony smartly saluted her.
Pepper shook her head, refusing to believe what he was saying.
"Tony, you seriously want to cram all night for a conference and then attend it tomorrow, talking to scientists and CEOs for the next 3 hours? Really? I thought you hated conferences. Except the ones where you are presenting."
He cupped her cheek.
"Pepper, I haven't done anything worthwhile for the last 7 days. But let me try to do this and help you. So that you can be at ease and meet Rhodey today. I want you to be with us. Wait... don't you want me to go to the Conference with you?"
She couldn't hold back anymore. Pepper quickly pulled Tony towards her and kissed him hard, holding him still by his tie. She wound her other hand in his hair, feeling the soft mass as her lips moved over his passionately.
He kissed her back equally enthusiastically and then groaned when she stroked his tongue with hers.
His freshly cut beard was tickling her but she ignored it and loosened the tie with her fingers. Pepper opened the buttons of his shirt and slid her hand inside. She stroked his warm firm skin and Tony shuddered against her.
She let go of his mouth to nip his jaw lightly as she kept petting him and he gasped out "Holy shit Potts!"
"Language, Stark." She purred to him, her mouth moving to his ear and biting it gently.
He made a rough noise in his throat and very reluctantly, Pepper moved back.
She inspected her hair in the divider mirror. Then she leaned back in her seat, smirking at her thoroughly disheveled fiance sitting dazedly beside her.
"Potts..." Ton said reverently, taking deep breaths. "Where did that come from?"
"I wanted to do that ever since... ever since you strolled into court."
"Really?"
Pepper used her fingers to comb his fine hair back into place, smiling at him softly.
"Yes, Tony, really."
"I looked that good? No way!"
She buttoned his shirt up and straightened his tie.
"You looked damn good, Tony, but that wasn't it... I was just so damn happy to see you there."
Pepper clasped his hand tightly. "You came for this trial even though the media was going to be there. Even though you were going to be questioned about what happened on Titan. But you faced it all, Tony, just for Rhodey. And you helped save him. I am so damn proud of you. And so damn thankful that I have a man like you."
Tony flushed and she couldn't help but smile. Then she said primly, "Now Mr. Stark, you will have to excuse me. I have some emails to reply to."
Pepper pulled out her Stark tablet from her bag and turned it on, trying not to laugh at the way he was pouting.
"Honey, please don't make that face. I still have work to do."
"I thought we could..." he raised his eyebrows at her mischievously, "fool around some more..."
Tony trailed his fingers along her neck, making her shiver.
But Pepper shook her head determinedly. "Tony, if you want me to come with you in the evening, you have to let me finish up my work now. I know you won't let me work through lunch, so I won't get much time before we meet Rhodey."
He said strictly, "Potts! NO! You can't work through lunch! Absolutely not!"
She glanced at him pleadingly. "Then please let me work now. Please. I need to take a call and send some emails and-"
He cupped her cheek softly. "Don't worry, Potts. I'll let you work. I'll be good. I promise."
They smiled at each other and then Tony moved towards the car's window and began to look outside.
Pepper started to read her emails, one by one. Then she winced as she felt her calf twinge. She massaged the muscle slowly, trying to type at the same time.
Suddenly, the car braked and she jerked forward, nearly dropping the tablet. Luckily, Tony caught it in time. She took it from him gratefully and sat back, wincing again as this time her heel twinged in pain.
"Potts, what is the matter?" Tony murmured.
She pushed the shoe off her foot and sighed. "My feet are killing me! I've been wearing these heels for so damn long!"
He glanced downwards at her blood red Louboutins.
Pepper said softly, "They are lovely shoes but not meant for comfort or for walking-"
She stopped mid-way because Tony leaned forward and gently squeezed the back of her aching heel with his firm fingers.
"Tony, whatever are you doing?"
Then she leaned back against her seat, sighing with relief because somehow the pain disappeared.
"Potts." He said sternly, still looking at her feet, "what did Dr. Seed tell you about wearing high-heeled shoes?"
Pepper was now a little too distracted by the way his fingers were moving over her heel.
"Hmmm?"
Tony let go of her foot and she controlled her disappointment.
He looked at her and said patiently, "Didn't Dr. Seed tell you that you need to switch your shoes, that you should wear comfortable flat-soled shoes while travelling and then wear heels when you have to?"
She murmured sheepishly, "He may have mentioned something like that..."
"And didn't he also say that you should massage your feet after you wear stilettos for long hours?"
She looked at Tony incredulously and he shrugged.
"Hey, you may have forgotten what the doctor told you but I remember reading the notes that he had written and I made a mental note of what was in them."
"Why?"
He lightly trailed his hand along her calf and Pepper shuddered, feeling his touch through her stocking.
Tony looked at her, a smile playing around his lips.
"You are so good at taking care of others, Potts but so bad at taking care of yourself. So so bad... that I've got to do it for you."
"I am sorry, Mr. Stark, that you have do so..." she whispered playfully, biting her lip at the tender look in his eyes.
"The next time, I catch you with your feet aching thanks to deadly heels like these, Miss Potts..." Tony said softly, "I am going to hack into the Stark servers and block your access."
"Tony! You wouldn't dare!"
"I would, Potts, if you keep this up... now this foot is paining, the other one's going to start soon, so... nothing to doooo but..."
Then Pepper squeaked with astonishment as Tony lifted both her feet neatly, twisting her in her seat, so he could place them on his thighs.
"Tony!"
"Relax, boss." He drawled out, taking out her other shoe and placing it on the car floor. "I've got this. You just lie back. Here take this and put it behind you."
He handed her a small pillow and she placed it behind her, against the side of the door and leaned back, watching Tony as he seemed to be counting her toes.
"I can assure you, Mr. Stark, I have ten toes." Pepper said, mischievously wriggling them.
He lifted his head and said sternly, "Close your eyes, Potts."
"But Tony!"
"I want you to relax. So close those big blue eyes of yours."
She did so and then sighed loudly as she felt Tony catch her toes of one foot and gently stretch them upwards. Then he pressed his thumb against the underside of the same foot.
Pepper took a deep breath and completely relaxed as he caught the bridge of both her feet at the same time and began to squeeze gently.
"Tooonnyyyy..." she purred and he chuckled.
"I take it someone likes my massage."
"Yes..."
The gentle hum of the AC, the soft pillow behind her head and the tender way Tony massaged her feet, was making Pepper boneless.
She was about to drift off to sleep, when she heard her phone ring. Pepper was going to sit up but before she could, Tony picked up the call.
"Miss Potts phone, how may I help you?" He intoned sweetly and she covered her mouth to muffle her giggle.
Tony listened to the voice on the phone, narrowing his eyes. "You are Mr. Orville from Stark Industries."
Pepper nodded and stretched her hand out to take her phone but Tony didn't give it to her. Idly running his fingers over her ankle, he asked, "What is this about, Mr. Orville?"
He listened patiently and then said, "One moment, please."
He covered the receiver of the phone and said quietly, "Potts, I am going to let you take the call only because this Orville is being damn insistent but I want you to lie back and talk, so I can continue with my massage. And you only get five minutes. Is that clear?"
"So masterful..." Pepper whispered, feeling a shiver pass through her as Tony's dark eyes gazed into hers sternly.
"You have no idea, Potts, just how masterful I can be..." he whispered back sultrily, smirking at her. "Now listen to your masseuse and lie back."
She was highly intrigued by his words but did as he said and then took the phone.
"Mr. Orville, its Virginia. Please go ahead."
The head accountant began to speak about the latest budget meeting and some concerns from the staff and for a while. Pepper listened.
Then she gasped loudly as she felt Tony's hand on her calf, squeezing it gently. With his other hand, he gently pushed her foot forward away from her leg and she felt pinpricks of sensation move through the limb.
"What's that, Mr. Orville? Nothing, no, I just..." she stopped talking as Tony did the same to her other leg.
Pepper closed her eyes, humming to herself as she let Orville drone on while Tony massaged her feet tenderly and thoroughly.
"Don't you dare stop, Stark."
"Wouldn't dream of it, boss lady."