FINALLY I HAVE GOTTEN THIS CHAPTER UP!!!! YAY! Okay! Haha Wow. Long chapter and I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while on this. I've been battling writer's block. But I've gotten past it! :) Hooray!!! This is a long chapter...well for me at least. I do hope you enjoy Pepperony. ;) So please do enjoy!! The next chapter will be up sooner, I promise!! Surgery went well for me and I'm in recovery now! Thanks to everyone for the good luck wishes and the reviews! You guys are the greatest!! :D Thanks again!!! P.o.v tends to change, so pay attention!!! Disclaimer: Wished I owned Iron Man...but I don't :'(
Nicki's P.O.V.:
"Hey, Tony? What does this thing do?" Peter was poking around at some of the inventions in the workshop asking random and pointless questions about each. This time he was observing Dummy, the clumsy, clueless, and in my opinion, malfunctioning robot. The rest of the group had pulled up chairs that were scattered around the room and placed them into a circle. They now sat there talking about basically nothing, completely ignoring my existence. I lost my patience.
"Hey!" I shouted, arms folded and a death stare at these people in front of me. "Can we get back to our main issue here! I need answers!" They all stopped what they were doing to stare at me silently.
"I guess we've held out on you long enough, Little Starky." Tony chuckled from his seat in the circle, seeming to be in a much better mood. I hadn't seen much of his normal self in a while, I hadn't heard my special nickname for a long time either. "Take a seat, Nicki." He gestured to the only open chair next to him, for Pepper had eagerly taken the other. Had Tony pulled a move? Hmmmm…interesting. Yet, she was interested as well as to whom these mysterious people were, I could tell.
Tony threw Nick Fury an expectant glance, as if he were waiting for him to start. Wouldn't my brother usually want to be the one leading the discussion?
Fury just shook his head. "No Stark, it's your family. You start." The black man in the…ahem…eye patch fell silent after this.
"Thank you Fury. Anyways, where to begin?" Tony had a thoughtful expression on his face, he then snapped his fingers in discovery. "I know. It was the night I went to Rhodey's car when Sammi slept over." He sighed, pointing across the way to the black man. "He had somehow broken into the mansion to ask me…well Iron Man…if he wanted to join this group of heroes…a group known as the Avengers." He gestured to the group of men around us.
"So you're all super heroes." I gasped. I had known there were others out there, but how many? Who were they? These were their regular identities that I now knew. It was surreal. I looked over to see shock written all over Pepper's face as well. The faces of the men were smirking.
"Yes." Nick Fury continued, leaving Tony who was about to say something, disappointed. "We didn't want to tell you ladies or anyone else for that matter until the timing was right, until after our first mission and once we had a stable team organized. We needed to see if this operation would be a success, but we weren't approved by the government. Unfortunately, Stark here was very persistent in telling you." Fury glanced at Tony who smirked.
"And you're surprised?" My brother laughed, his eyebrows raised. "Come on!"
I noticed Logan roll his eyes.
"So…" I began hesitantly. "What is it that you guys…do? What I mean is…who are you…hero wise?" I figured I would know who they were from various news features on other heroes of the world besides my brother.
Silence followed, as all the men looked towards Fury for permission to reveal their true selves. I couldn't believe they depended so much on this guy. They were heroes, for God sakes! They could take control and answer for themselves! Fury gave the group his "all powerful" look of approval. It disgusted me to see these men so conformed. From Tony's facial expression, it was clear that it disgusted him as well.
Peter, as usual, was the first to speak up. "Spiderman at your service." He grinned leaning back in his chair.
"Wolverine." Logan grunted. He held up his fist for me to see, seemingly going to give me the finger. Instead, three steal-like claws appeared between his knuckles, making me jump backwards in my seat, intimidated. He was beyond animalistic. "I'm part of the X-Men" The claws disappeared as suddenly as they came.
"Call me Captain America." Steve waved at me from across the circle.
"Wow…" I just barely uttered. I heard Pepper gasp from the other side of Tony. I knew these guys from t.v.! It was strange, seeing these heroes protecting the world from crime in the media and then meeting them as normal people, their secret identities. I had known all about Spiderman and Captain America due to the media, but I hadn't heard of Wolverine personally by his lonesome. I had only known of the X-Men organization. Still, it was incredible.
"So what are these missions you are all waiting for?" Pepper managed to sneak her way into the conversation. "I mean…you have to start somewhere eventually…don't you?" She seemed curious, her expression clearly showing interest.
"Well, Peps, right now we're currently trying to convince a guy named Bruce Banner to join. Unfortunately, it's more like we're trying to tame the dude instead of actually persuading him." Tony responded, not even waiting for Fury's okay to do so. Good for him.
"Which…brings us to the key point of this meeting." Fury sighed. "I need all of you to accompany Stark on a mission attempt to convince Banner. "
The group as a whole groaned. "Nick, the guy refuses to cooperate. No matter what, it's a hopeless cause." Tony interjected.
"Not completely." Fury disagreed in all seriousness. "If we send all of you, it might make a difference." Fury's all seeing one eye fell onto my brother.
"I thought you wanted only the 'public' hero to do your dirty work at the moment?" Tony stared back, annoyed. "So basically, I've wasted my time then?" He shrugged, still giving Fury a well deserved death stare. The tension in the room made everyone remain silent and frozen.
"Stark, are you ever conforming?" Fury growled. "Nothing we do here is a waste."
"That's not how I see it-" Tony began before Pepper hit him in the gut to get him to stop getting himself deeper in the conflict than he already was. I don't blame him, though, but he did need to keep his big mouth shut every once in a while.
"Ouch!" Tony exclaimed, even though I doubted it hurt him in the least. I noticed him look at Pepper out of the corner of his eye at the nasty warning gaze she was giving him.
"Anyways, you all leave tonight." Fury commanded, standing up from his chair. "Stark, your mansion will have to be the rendezvous place."
"Yes…sir." Tony stated somewhat sarcastically through gritted teeth. I had never seen him this tense before, it killed me. Who did Fury think he was bossing my older brother around like this? What a bastard!
"Um…alright." Steve spoke up from his seat awkwardly. "We'll meet here at eight tonight then?" The group, sensing this meeting's abrupt and uncomfortable ending had gotten up to head out of the area before it got too ugly. Pepper, seeing the exit, left her place to lead the group to the front door of the mansion. Fury was the first of the Avengers to escape the room followed by Steve, then Peter, and then unfortunately, Logan. I groaned inwardly to myself. This didn't look good.
I sat next to a silently brooding Tony. Logan stared at us, pausing before he was out the door. He smirked. Oh God. "Nice going there, Stark." He took a cigar out of the pocket of his leather jacket before walking out. I could feel the anger radiating off my brother. He watched Logan intently as he left the workshop, leaving me and Tony alone.
"Well…they seem nice." I didn't know what to say, so the first sarcastic comment that came to mind spilled out.
"Not funny, Nicki." Tony remained fuming in his seat. I winced, realizing I should have left while I had the chance. "You know what? I don't want to talk about it." He sighed; I could tell he was attempting to calm himself down. There's a surprise. I managed to think to myself this time.
"Um…permission to change subjects then?" I asked awkwardly, still sitting next to Tony within the circle. I was still somewhat interested in what had happened before the meeting with Pepper. It seemed like a good idea to get him talking about something else.
"Shoot." Tony muttered, staring at the wall brooding.
"So…did you keep to our bet or was that flirty action out there between you and your P.A. a while ago just my imagination?" I asked, looking at him intently for an answer.
Tony's brooding frown slowly developed into a small grin. I gasped.
"Is that a yes?" My hands shot up to cover my mouth in surprise. The meeting incident was completely forgotten for the time being. I was shaking with excitement…literally.
Tony, stared at me out of the corner of his eye with an amused expression. At least I knew I had found a way to bring him back down to being chill. He slowly smirked. "I'm guessing now you're expecting me to describe every miniscule detail of what went down?"
"Yes!" I exclaimed eagerly. He burst out laughing.
"Well then…" Tony began.
Tony's P.O.V.:
If there was one place where I could always count on Pepper hiding, it was the kitchen. For some reason, she found it necessary to clean and re-clean the dishes and other crap over and over at random intervals throughout the day. If she wasn't on the couch signing papers, she was there. Made it easier for me to locate her, I guess.
Leaning on the kitchen's doorway, I watched her at the sink for a while, unnoticed, her back facing me. Boy, was she gorgeous as always. When had she not been? Her red hair up in a bun. A vision came to me then, of her long strawberry hair flowing behind her, synchronized with the rhythm of her hands at work. And who said I couldn't be poetic? I would be for her at least.
God, I don't know what it was, but at that moment, I fucking wanted her more beyond what was reasonable. I didn't know it was possible for me to yearn for her more than I usually had. It was…unlike anything I've ever felt before. Now or never, Stark. I told myself. It was true. I was feeling way too brave and willing, the chance maybe wouldn't come up again. Plus, it was a chance to show Nicki that her brother was capable of dealing with bets.
"Ms. Potts." I spoke up. She was just so damn cute when she was startled. Pepper wasn't one of those one night stand bimbos, she was special, she was the woman. I loved her; genuinely…I knew I loved her. "Sorry to interrupt the extremely stimulating activity of playing 'dishwasher', but there's people I want you to meet." I smirked, but inwardly I wasn't sure how to spark this relationship. She was the only girl who ever made me nervous, even put me at a loss for words sometimes.
"Oh. Um." Pepper visibly shook herself out of shock from my entrance. "Hold on, Tony. Let me just finish this." She turned back to the sink, probably expecting me to return to the other guys in the living room. Not exactly, Potts.
I slowly took more steps into the kitchen, more like a giant leap as I was still at a loss of how to reel her in. So much for being a much desired playboy billionaire, Stark. But this was different…wasn't it? Not sure.
"Take your time, Peps." I sighed. "I could use an excuse to stall. You know how much I love 'important' meetings."
"You mean the ones that you 'accidentally' miss all the time?" Pepper turned around, her beautiful baby blue eyes rolling. Utter. Perfection. She put the current dish she was washing down in the sink. She folded her arms, full attention on me. Score.
"Mhm." I nodded in agreement. Pepper let loose a small laugh in return. Jesus, I love that laugh. Ever since I first met her at the age of five that laugh has been on a constant replay within my conscience. Although, back then, Pepper was just a friend, my best friend, who I will admit I always had a slight crush on. Even when Potts became my P.A., yes, I flirted with her, crushed on her, but I didn't see how much I needed her. Shit, it was only when I was kidnapped and on the brink of death for three months that I realized just exactly how special she was. Through those days, my mind kept drifting back to her, what she would be doing, she was my ultimate drive to stay alive and escape…that's when I knew…that's when I knew that Virginia 'Pepper' Potts, my nearest and dearest friend even closer to me than Rhodey was, my P.A. who took care of my ass 100% of the time, was the girl…the one. Crap…she even made me think all cheesy and gooey like one of those second rate chick flick novels. I couldn't help myself from smiling. Now or never…now or never…
"Right." She smiled, shaking her head. "So, are you going to introduce me to your party guests now?" She took a step closer to me. Oh dear God. My eyes meet her eyes…I stared into those shocking pools of blue…she stared back. This is it. I breathed.
"Pepper…" I remained serious...I could feel the reactor in my chest buzzing wildly. "We both know very well that I love you and you love me, even if we don't want to openly admit it. So let's just get past this awkward flirtation stage and make it official." I paused. "Kiss me."
"…what?" She was frozen solid…a look of shock displayed on her face. She still stared into my eyes. I hoped I didn't look as freaking scared shitless out of my mind as I felt. I was trying to be serious and convincing. Come on Peps. Please…please… "T-tony…what do you mean…?" She managed to get out. She was shell shocked.
"Come on, Pepper." My voice sounded pleading as soon I said it. Shit. "You know what I mean. Don't deny it."
"…Tony…" She shook her head…still staring at me, her blue eyes unreadable. "The press…"
"Fuck the press." I responded immediately. She meant the world to me…no she meant life. No obstacle as small as the paparazzi or as large as the Ten Rings would stop me from loving her.
Pepper averted her gaze, the stunning blue eyes were gone like that. She refused to look at me. No…
"So…that's it then?" That was all I could spit out in my defeat. I turned, wordlessly for the kitchen door…away from her…I lost her…I lost her…
"Tony…I never said no." She whispered. I turned around to see those beautiful blue pools of baby blue spilling over with tears. She was breathing hard. We stared at each other again. "I love you!" She blurted out breathlessly, bawling now. Pepper ran towards me, jumping up onto me. I held her there, not wanting to ever let her go…I kissed her more affectionately than I had ever kissed anyone before…our first kiss. What a damn good kiss it was.
"Potts, where have you been all my life?" The mood had shifted after a few minutes of some pretty intimate kissing. I still was holding her…I wasn't letting go. I refused to. I could barely speak through her lips. I smirked.
"Shut up. I've been with you all your life!" Pepper smacked me on the arm briefly then continued attaching herself to my lips. "I run your life!" She mumbled through our intimacy.
"Indeed you do." I laughed. Then…I unfortunately drifted back down to reality for a second. "Shit. They're waiting for me." I set Pepper down, still engrossed in kissing however…hugging her…stopping myself from going too overboard at the current moment. Maybe later…
"Who?" Pepper asked…a little distracted…clearly.
"Peps. The 'party guests'?" I smirked…allowing my hands to slide lower down her back.
"Shit."
"See?"
We both…reluctantly pulled away from each other. Leave it to Fury to ruin my fun. Jesus Christ.
Pepper straightened out her usual attire that she sported, her black skirt and blouse, quickly, glancing in the reflection of the oven at her hair. She rushed back to me to fix my attire. Oh boy. She ran her long beautifully white soft fingers through my hair, combing it back into its place. She smiled up at me…her heels currently flung in a corner and forgotten, lowering her height…I loved that smile beyond what words could describe.
"Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" Pepper sighed, her beautiful eyes full of mock…how out of place had that formalness sounded…even before now…buuuuttt…especially now.
"Screw professionalism." I felt myself smile, leaning down to kiss her once more on the cheek before she moved to get those heels. I took her hand in mine…
Nicki's P.O.V.:
"Tony!" I jumped up after he finished telling me his…detailed kitchen fling story. I threw myself onto him in a wildly deserved embrace. "I am so proud of you!" I laughed. He did amazingly.
"As you should be." Tony returned the hug briefly and then stood up to make his way towards the workshop exit grinning. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important business to attend to with my P.A. before the mission tonight." He winked.
"Mhm." I felt my eyebrows raise. " 'Business.'" I felt a smirk coming on at the apparent intimate double meaning in his words. "Mind if I tinker down here while you…umm…'take care of business' with Ms. Potts?" I implied.
"Yes. I'd prefer if you did actually." Tony grinned, leaning on the workshop's open door. "I tend to…uhh…never mind." He laughed nervously. And with that, he closed the door behind him and bolted up the stairs.
Finally…
