Enjoy.
Chapter 28: A night of honesty.
Wednesday.
Virginia wrung her hands in nervousness. Ever since the incident with Tony's parents she had been confused on where the two stood. She knew herself that she wanted to be more than just friends but she didn't know if Tony wanted it too. Whatever they were she didn't want it to continue until she got a confirmation on her worries. Virginia sighed and rested her head against her hand, she was always bad at reading signals.
"Hey, Pep." Tony said with his smile as he plunked his books down next to her.
"Hi, Tony." She responded with a weak smile.
"You busy tomorrow night?" He asked as he rapped his knuckles against his textbook.
"Only studying."
"Perfect. What do you say to going out to dinner with Rhodey, Happy and me?"
"Happy and I." She corrected. All she got was a raised eyebrow as a response.
"I'll see Tony."
"But, Pep-"
"Miss. Potts and Mr. Stark, please pay attention to the slideshow." Mrs. Pretty said from the front of the class.
Her cheeks flamed. "Of course." Internally she was kicking herself. Another chance wasted.
Virginia saw her chance when she found Tony sitting in the cafeteria. Saying a quick goodbye to Kayla, she made her way over to him.
"Hey, Tony."
"Hey, Pep." He greeted with a smile. "You want anything? Rhodey and Hap are getting lunch."
"Uh, no thanks." She responded with a smile. She sat down just as they got up to go to the cafeteria line-up. There was a few minutes of silence before she got the courage to say what she needed too.
"Tony I need to talk to you." She swore she saw him tense for half a second but she went on when he nodded his head.
"I don't know where we stand Tony." Virginia blurted out, she continued to ramble before he could get a foot in the conversation. "I don't know what this is, I want to be more than whatever we're doing here."
Her rant was cut short when Tony smiled at her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She had to suppress a shiver when his hands ran down her arms.
"Your not just another girl to me Pepper. From the moment I met you I knew we had a connection, your special to me." He stopped to smile at her. "Mom is also obsessed with you so your pretty much stuck with me." He added.
Virginia was speechless. She had imagined different things he would respond with but she could have never guessed that.
"Tony.."
"Are we interrupting something?" Happy said as he plunked down a tray of food.
"Not at all." Tony said as the two pulled away. Virginia looked around the room to find Kayla, when she saw that she was wrapped up in Chris' arms she knew that she was stuck here with the three.
When Rhodey started to include her in the conversation she started to feel like spending lunch with them wouldn't be that bad after all.
On the inside, Tony was on the verge of passing out. As soon as Pepper said she needed to talk, his world started to crumble down. To him it was probably the most awkward conversation he had. Normally his relationships would just happen and he would go with the flow but this time it was different and it made him extremely uncomfortable.
Tony went with what his gut was telling him, so he told her the truth. He internally let out a sigh of relief when a smile lit up her features.
When Happy had interrupted them he felt like something had been ripped away but deep down he knew that he was being saved from further embarrassment.
"Virginia, who do you have for Chemistry?" Rhodey asked.
"Mr. Roland." Pepper responded from his side.
"He has no idea what he's teaching or how to teach." Tony added to the conversation.
"How's the class?" Rhodey said completely ignoring Tony's comments.
"He's very helpful and open. He's helped me on numerous occasions."
"Why don't you come to me for help?"
"Don't say yes." Rhodey nearly pleased. "Last time he help me he caused a fire and we were just working on equations."
"For the record that wasn't my fault." Tony quickly said.
"Right, remember the time you tried to help me in Physics?" Happy said adding more fuel to the fire. Tony crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow, he couldn't believe his best friends were ganging up on him.
"Pep." He said pleadingly. "They're ganging up on me."
Tony frowned when she stared to laugh. "There, There" She said mockingly.
"What is this?" He said in exasperation. "Gang up on Tony day?"
"Good to see you, Tony." Coach Dean said with a smile.
"Likewise." Tony responded as he stepped onto the football field. After much pleading coming from Happy, Tony decided to make an appearance at practice.
"How's the leg?" Coach Dean asked as the pair walked to the middle of the field.
"Better." This was the part that Tony wasn't looking forwards to: the mundane questions and consolations.
As if knowing his discomfort he changed the subject. "Friday we have a home game against Ridge, I bet the guys would love it if you were to come."
"Uh huh." Tony nodded not fully listening to the question. Tony watched as players started make their way onto the field. He couldn't help but smile when Scotty came running up to him.
"Tony! How are ya bud? We missed you, get your gear on and lets go." Scotty said slapping him on the back. Tony smiled and started to greet the rest of the players.
The team went silent when the whistle blew. "Alright men I know it great to see Tony back." The whole team whooped and cheered making Dean stop. "Now as I was saying, even though he's here, we have a lot of work to do. We play Ridge on Friday and we know that they have a powerhouse offense. So I wanna see game speed today. Josh, call it up."
Tony stood next to the coaches as the team went through the motions of warm-ups and start-up drills. When it came time for the offense to get together, Tony made his way to Coach Dean and the offensive coaches.
"Who do we have at QB?"
Coach Dean gave a tired sigh. "Both Killian and Jeremiah are inconsistent, let's see how practice goes before I decide who gets the start." Dean snuck a glance in Tony's direction. "They've missed your leadership out there. It's a miracle how we've been winning without you."
"Record?"
"Since you've been gone? 2-2."
"Not bad." Tony commented.
"Both losses came two weeks after you were injured and we lost big time." Coach Dean said with bite in his voice. "I'm talking- Jeremiah!" Tony looked up in time to see Jeremiah pivot to the left instead of the right and get crunched by Big Dylan.
"Need a miracle to give him some quarterback skills." Tony said before walking towards the second strings.
Thursday Night.
After finally getting a response from Pepper, Tony checked himself over in the mirror. It was suppose to be just a casual dinner until Pepper switched things up and told him that her dad wanted to 'really' meet him. That was about half an hour ago and Tony has been staring at himself in the mirror ever since.
He didn't know why this was so hard and why it was so important, it was just dinner, or rather a deathly experience with a father and then dinner.. if he got out alive. Sighing, Tony ran his fingers through his hair. He was planning on wearing shorts, but after the conversation he chose to forgo them and pick a loose pair of jeans that could accommodate his cast. Now he was torn between a gray v-neck and a dress shirt, deciding against the dress shirt he pulled the v-neck on and grabbed his leather jacket before leaving the room.
Upon arriving at the workshop, Tony made brief eye-contact with Howard before grabbing the keys to the Audi. Driving along the highway, Tony tried to prepare himself for the conversation to come. After 15 minutes of murmuring to himself, he stopped in front of Pepper's house. Tony sighed and ran his fingers through his hair for the umpteenth time that night.
Tony glanced at his watch and saw that he was right on time. Gathering his courage, he got out of the car and made his way to the front door. After a few short knocks, Tony tried to keep his hands from going in his hair by griping the rail of his crutch.
Tony was surprised to see Pepper's brother answering the door. "Is Pepper here?" Tony asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I think you have the wrong house"
"I mean Virginia." Tony corrected. Tony realized that it was the first time he's used her first name.
"Alex, go let Jesse out." Pepper said appearing from behind the door. "Hi, Tony. Come in."
Tony nodded and followed Pepper into the living room. "I'll be right back, Tony. Make yourself comfortable."
Before Tony could complain, Pepper left the room. Trying to hold back a sigh, Tony sat down on the couch.
"Relax, Tony." A man said walking into the living room. She did this on purpose he thought to himself.
Tony stood up and shook the man's hand. "Michael, right?"
"Glad you remembered." He said with a smile.
"Same here." Tony said honestly.
Tony felt his shoulders relax when Michael let out a short laugh. "So where are you guys going tonight?"
"Uh, a restaurant at the pier." Tony said.
"Just the two?"
"No, we're going to meet a few of my friends."
"How go your studies?" Michael asked genuinely interested.
Tony decided to play the honesty card again. "I hit a rough patch after my injury, but I'm slowly getting the grades backup."
"Good, good. I'm trusting you, Stark. Be responsible tonight or this little escapade won't happen again." Michael said seriously. "I've anything happens to Virginia, my wife will have my head."
Tony realized that this was the first time Pepper's mom came into a conversation. "I've got it covered, If I may, where is Mrs. Potts?"
"Kathy got a job at the supermarket that's just down the street from us, Tonight is her first night."
Just then, Tony heard footsteps from behind him. Pepper's appearance only confirmed his suspicions of her setting this up. "Ready to go?" Tony asked fully turning around.
"Yup." Pepper said giving him a smile then walking over to her dad. "Bye Dad." She gave him a press to the cheek and a light hug.
"Have fun, sweetheart."
Tony smiled at Pepper and put his hand on the small of her back. "Tony, drive safe. Have her home by 10."
Tony gave Michael a genuine smile. "Will do, Mr. Potts. Have a good night."
Once they reached the car, Tony held Pepper's hand while she got in. He made sure his crutch was in before sliding into the driver's seat.
Tony decided to come right out with it. "Clever, how you just so happened to go upstairs and then just as you left your father came in."
"What are you talking about?" Pepper said with a smile.
Tony gave her a look but kept an eye on the road. "Very clever, Potts."
Throughout the drive, Tony tried to focus as the unique smell that was Pepper attacked his senses. The conversation was kept to a minimum but they sat in a comfortable silence. When they arrived at their destination, Tony was the first to get out before Pepper could make a move.
Pepper smiled and took his hand. "Are you okay with one crutch?" Pepper asked taking his hand.
"Nothing I can't handle."
"I'm guessing it's almost time to take the cast off?"
"In a few weeks I'm hoping." Tony responded as they walked through the doors.
"Tony Stark." Tony said to the lady at the desk.
"Right this way, Sir." The young woman said with a smile. Tony took Pepper's hand and led her through the throng of tables and people. They arrived at an outside corner booth overlooking the ocean.
Tony pulled the lady aside before he sat down.
"Have we got privacy?" Tony asked keeping his voice low.
"Yes Mr. Stark, my boss made sure of it." The woman said.
"Good. If one picture gets leaked, I'll bring you down so fast you won't know what hit you.
The woman paled and swallowed deeply. "Yes, Mr. Stark."
"Where's Happy and Rhodey?" Pepper asked when they got their menu's.
"They actually couldn't make it." Tony said not looking above his menu.
Pepper frowned and looked over at him. "Your a bad liar."
Tony put down his menu. "What. I'm telling the truth."
"Are you sure about that?" Pepper asked.
Tony could see what she was doing and narrowed his eyes at her. "Yes, Pep. They couldn't make it."
"Mhmm." She said before she went back to looking.
Within five minutes Tony knew what he wanted.
"Can't decide?" Tony asked when he saw her eyebrows knit together.
"Steak or pasta?" Pepper asked looking up.
"Definitely pasta, I'm up for some lady and the tramp." Tony wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Steak it is." She said putting down the menu with a smile.
Tony smiled. "Cruel."
"I'm surprised you've seen the movie." Pepper said leaning forwards.
"I'm hurt, it's a classic, I'm surprised that your surprised."
Just then the waiter came by and put a stop to their playful banter.
"Hello, my name is Ryan I'll be your waiter for this evening. What can I get for you two?"
Tony sat back and let Pepper order first.
"And you, Sir?"
"Bacon cheese burger with potato salad and a root beer."
"Excellent choice, Sir."
The waiter put down a small loaf of bread before leaving.
"What's with you and burgers?" Pepper asked as she buttered a slice of bread.
"What's not to love about them?"
Pepper nodded and gave him a small smile.
"Pepper?" Tony asked after a few moments of silence.
"Yes, Tony?"
"Hi." He said with a grin.
Pepper chuckled. "Hi, Tony."
"So tell me, why did a fire start when you tried to help Rhodey with chemistry?"
Tony straightened up. "It's simple, I was trying to show him what would happen if he tried to use the equation he wrote down."
"So.. you made the reaction happen?"
"Yup." Tony said with a smile.
"Do you not know how dangerous that is?" Pepper nearly yelled.
"Relax, no one got hurt. It's his fault for making the ridiculous mistake in the first place."
"Yes but that's when you show him where he went wrong."
"Precisely, that's what I did."
"But not like that! You go back through the equation and go through it step by step."
"Too slow, just show him first hand."
Pepper shook her head in disbelief. "Do you realize your crazy?"
"So I've been told."
They continued to poke fun at each other and the expense of other people. Tony wouldn't get off the topic of Happy citing reasons that he does so much stuff that it's hard not to poke fun at him.
The presence of the waiter stopped their train of stories.
Even though their meals were in front of them it didn't stop them from talking. Every so often the conversation would die down and they would eat a few bites but then someone would point something out and whole new conversation would start.
"How was that?" Tony asked after they finished their meal.
"Perfect. Thank you, Tony." Pepper said with a smile.
"It's not over yet." Tony smiled. He waved down the waiter and ordered a root beer float with two straws.
"Determined to get your lady and the tramp moment?" Pepper teased.
"That obvious?" Tony chuckled.
When the waiter came by again, the two huddled close together. Tony smiled and breathed in Pepper's scent as they drank the float.
"Tony, you got a little.." Pepper trailed off pointing to his mouth.
Instead of wiping the residue off he leaned in and kissed Pepper soundly on the mouth.
"All off?" Tony asked as he pulled away.
"Hmm, not quite." Pepper whispered as she pulled him back to her. Too caught up in the kiss, neither of them noticed when the waiter came by and placed the bill on the table.
The need for air too great, they pulled back pink faced and out of breath. Barely glancing at the bill, Tony placed a hundred dollar bill on the table and then took Pepper's hand. Instead of leading her towards the front entrance, Tony took the stairs leading down to the beach.
"Walk on the beach, how romantic." Pepper commented when Tony wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I try." Tony replied with a smile. He tried to keep his mind off the press that were probably lurking about as they got farther and father away from the safety of the restaurant. As they got closer to the water, Pepper took off her shoes and walked in until it reached her ankles.
Tony glanced at his watch and was alarmed that it was getting closer to Pepper's curfew.
"Pep, we should start heading back." Tony almost whispered.
"Is Tony Stark actually following rules?" Pepper asked turning around and facing him.
"Never but I did promise your Dad."
Pepper walked towards him and put a finger on his chest. "So your telling me that, Tony Stark never breaks a promise?"
Tony smiled at her. "I try not to."
"Hmm, interesting." Pepper commented wrapping her arms around his neck.
Tony pulled her close. "Ever hear those rhymes when you were a kid? Cross your heart and hope to die?"
"Yes I've heard, I'm surprised you know about them." Pepper whispered.
"Well I'm just full of surprises aren't I?" Tony said leaning in.
Tony was mere centimeters away from her lips when a bright light flashed upon them. "Malibu Police, please step away from the water."
"Dang the fuzz." Tony whispered before looking towards the officer and shielding his eyes. "What seems to be the problem officer?"
"Your trespassing on private property." The officer said through a bullhorn.
"Where does it say that?' Tony said not moving from his spot despite the nudge Pepper gave him to keep quiet.
"All across the wharf for the next 5 miles. Now please, step away from the water."
"Come on, Tony." Pepper said with a smile and pulling him back towards the restaurant. The two silently walked back towards the restaurant and to Tony's car. After helping Pepper in, Tony got in and took the long way home.
"Don't wanna leave yet?" Pepper commented when she saw that he didn't take the right turn.
"Read my mind." Tony said with a smile. During the rest of the ride, the two sat in a comfortable silence until Tony stopped in front of her house. Tony smiled and got out to help Pepper out.
"Thanks, Tony." Pepper said again as she took his hand. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You bet." Tony said pulling her close. Pepper closed the rest of the distance and gave Tony what was suppose to be a quick kiss. Unable to pull away, she melted into his embrace.
"Goodnight, Tony." She said finally able to pull away.
"Goodnight, Pep. Sleep well." Tony said as he let her go. Tony leaned against his car as he watched her go inside. Tony smiled when she turned around and gave him a small wave.
With a million dollar smile plastered on his face, Tony made the ride home and welcomed the best sleep he'd had in years that wasn't alcohol induced.
Friday Night.
Tony smiled as whoops and cheers started to fill the locker room. The Malibu Gators had barely scraped by with the win. Tony stood back and watched on as the coaches handed out the game balls and say what they had to say.
When the coaches left the room, the music started to play and the victory dances began. Chuckling, Tony sat in his stall and watched the progressions go on.
"So, Tony. Is there a party tonight?" James asked from beside him.
"I don't know-" Tony began.
The music died down as Scotty stood up in the middle of the room. "Alright boys, good win. Now what do we deserve?"
"Party!" The team shouted out in unison.
"That's right." Scotty agreed nodding his head. "Now let's shake it up a bit. Party at my place at 10pm. Be there or be square." Tony watched as half the team cheered and started to mob Scotty.
For once, Tony wasn't in the mood to go out and get wasted.
"You coming?" Happy asked nudging his shoulder.
"Nah, I'll let you guys enjoy this one."
"Come on, it won't be a party without you!" James said from beside him still listening in on the conversation.
Tony zoned out as Happy and James started to talk about the night to come.
–
About an hour later, Tony found himself sitting in front of the TV with his phone buzzing like crazy. So far he had gotten countless texts asking if he was going to the party, he just ignored them and continued to text Pepper.
Is there something going on that I should know about?
Tony frowned at the message and quickly typed his response.
Why?
"Jarvis, do we have any food?" Tony asked as his stomach growled.
"There is left over pizza in the fridge, Sir." Came the faithful response.
There's a bunch of car's parked outside and loud music coming from a few houses down. I'm pretty sure I saw someone on the football team.
Tony typed his response as he went to the fridge.
The team won, so party at Scotty's.
Oh, why aren't you there?
Tony responded after bringing the cold pizza box and bottle of water to the couch.
I don't feel like it. Watching movies instead.
Never thought I'd live to see the day that Tony Stark didn't want to party.
Well the day has come, sweetheart.
Putting down his phone, Tony dug into the pizza. Tony ate as he flipped through the channels trying to find something good on. He inwardly smiled when he found that Scarface was on.
Sinking into the couch, Tony grabbed his phone.
So what movie are you watching?
Scarface. What you doing?
About to go to bed, it's late you know.
Tony tried to hold back a scoff.
One day I'll show you what's it like to stay up past 11.
Oh, I do. What do you think I do on new years?
Woah, hopefully it doesn't throw your body clock completely out the window.
First man to successfully show sass through text message, very impressive Mr. Stark.
I do try Miss. Potts.
Don't try too hard, wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.
Tony smiled at his phone. There was not many people that could go toe to toe with him in a conversation. Tony knew if one person could get past all his barriers and walls it would be her.
Tony didn't know how long he was day dreaming until another text message snapped him out of his thoughts.
I'm headed to bed, goodnight Tony. Talk to you tomorrow.
Tony frowned slightly but let her go.
Goodnight Pepper.
For the rest of the night, Tony sat on the couch and quoted the entire Scarface movie. After turning off the TV, Tony relished in the complete darkness. Grabbing his crutch and water bottle, Tony made his way to the elevator. Passing by the workshop stairs, Tony shook his head as he could hear music blasting through the sound proof walls.
Making his way into his room, Tony stripped down and pulled on a pair of sweatpants. With happy thoughts and a light heart he easily fell asleep.
What a sap fest but that's a good thing sometimes, right? Well that's what you get when you've had a slow boring day.
Important update: I don't know when my next update will be since the computer I've been using is starting to crash everyday on me. So I wanted to get this chapter out to you guys as soon as possible. I'm looking into getting a new one soon so I'll see you guys when I'm able to get on a functioning computer.
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