We've already reached chapter 10, can you believe it? I hope you like it and please let me know what you think! I enjoyed writing this so much! I think there is a conversation you've been waiting for in this chapter! And as always, thanks to everyone who read the last chapter and wrote a review! You're awesome!

I don't own the characters or places!

Pepper

The next morning, I woke up early. I just couldn't stand lying in my bed any longer. The whole night, I'd been turning around restlessly and now it felt like I didn't sleep at all. Which was probably true. Too many thoughts were running through my mind. The events of the previous day had shaken me.

First, the press conference and the knowledge that Stark Industries had produced weapons before they changed to the market of clean energy. And Tony's reaction to that, of course. It had darkened his mood. Then the drinking and of course the women Rhodey mentioned. I'd already expected it, but hearing it was something completely different. And then there was Tony's reaction when he came running after me.

Every time I close my eyes, I just see you. Did he really mean that or was it just an excuse to make me stay? Somehow, I knew that he'd been serious about this, even if Tony had been drunk. I had seen the look in his eyes.

Nevertheless, I was still hurt. This man just wouldn't stop confusing me! And then the drinking, which I hated... However, his words had confirmed something to me. Ever since our night together, Tony didn't take other women home. It was a relief to know this because secretly, I've been wondering about it the past weeks. Could I really be something special to him?

Remembering our conversation at the beach, I thought that it might be possible. After all, he'd emphasized how interesting I was many times.

I closed my eyes again and breathed in deeply. After all those events the previous day, I've been thinking a lot. And it made me realize something. I was falling in love with Tony Stark! Slowly, but inevitably.

I was falling for my boss.

The man who was still a riddle to me, even if it was being solved slowly.

My life was getting more and more complicated each day.

I arrived early at Stark Industries. Even Obadiah wasn't there yet, but I didn't mind. Talking to others didn't seem that tempting right now. I was still too lost in thoughts. I sat down on my chair and looked at Tony's schedule thoughtfully. Today, he didn't have any appointments. Which meant that he would be in the room right next to mine the entire day. And we would have to talk sometime.

The previous evening, we've all been sitting in the taxi silently. They had dropped me first and then Rhodey promised to bring Tony home. However, Tony had been holding my hand the entire car drive to my flat. Which had made my heart race again, even if I knew that it didn't mean anything. After all, he'd been drunk.

Ignoring my dark thoughts, I started to work. When I started my computer, I saw that I had a new email. It was from Mr. Meyers back in Griffin. I'd called him two weeks ago and he'd promised to sent me pictures for my office. Now he told me that they've been sent and would arrive within the next days, maybe even today. And that the bill has already been paid by Stark Industries. This made me raise my eyebrows in surprise. Normally, it was my responsibility to deal with those things. And something else wondered me. Meyers wrote that we've given him far too much money. Somehow, I suspected that this was Tony's doing.

And a look at the bank account of Stark Industries confirmed my thoughts. The transaction had been made by Tony Stark himself. Something that rarely happened. When I looked at the sum that we've paid Meyers, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Tony gave him far too much! About four times the sum he actually wanted.

Shaking my head, I replied that it was alright and that our bank didn't make a mistake there. From what I knew, Mr. Meyers could use the money. And there had to be a reason why Tony paid him so much. Again, my heartbeat fastened. Despite all his flaws and the way he acted, Tony Stark was a good person.

I looked around in my office and smiled. Soon, it would look far better in here. I've already bought a few plants that were standing on the window sill now, but pictures would make it even more personal. And they would remind me of home. I started to wonder if Tony would like the picture I'd chosen for his office.

As if he'd read my thoughts, the door to his office opened after a soft knock. "Come in." I called, surprised by this sudden sound. I didn't even hear someone arriving next door.

Tony was smiling at me, but it wasn't his usual bright smile. It was rather hesitant, even shy. He also looked tired, but far better than the previous evening. Today, he wasn't wearing a suit but jeans and a simple t shirt. The look in his brown eyes was clear when they focused on me. "Good morning." He greeted me and walked towards my desk slowly, hands buried in the pockets of his jeans.

"You look better." I said instead of greeting him. However, I couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on my lips.

He grimaced. "About yesterday..." He began hesitantly and sat down on a chair opposite me. "I'm sorry." Tony didn't look happy while saying this and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"Why are you apologizing?" I knew exactly why he was doing it, but I wanted to hear it from himself.

Tony sighed. "As if you wouldn't know that pretty well..." He muttered and ran a hand through his hair. "I've lost control and you had to see it. I didn't want that to happen. And I know what Rhodey told you." Suddenly, he was looking really uneasy. "It's not what you think."

"And what do you assume that I'm thinking?"

"Pepper, can we please stop playing games? I know that you're mad at me. And most probably, you've got every reason to be." Only now I could see how tired he must be. With the dark rings under his eyes and the way he was leaning back in his chair. Maybe he also wasn't feeling that well after drinking so much? Somehow, this bothered me. I hated seeing him like this.

I crossed my arms. "It's none of my business if you keep drinking and take home women." Even if I tried to sound calm, I couldn't stop the cold edge of my voice.

Tony seemed to hear it too. "It's not like that." He repeated. "Yesterday was a really bad day for me. Ever since I've been with you, I didn't take anyone home. And I stopped the drinking months ago. I only can't stop it on days like yesterday." To my surprise, I believed him.

"Rhodey told me about the weapons." I said suddenly, not able to stop myself.

At this, his face went blank for a few seconds. However, he gained control again very fast. "I thought so." He muttered and closed his eyes. "I knew that it would happen someday."

"Why are you trying to hide this so badly?" I asked, my curiosity shining through.

He sighed. "Have you ever felt like you've done something terrible? I mean really bad, not just something stupid?" When I stared at him and didn't react, he laughed dryly. "You wouldn't understand it."

"If you don't try to explain it, I never will."

For half a second, a pained expression appeared on his face. "Let's not talk about this right now." His tone was nearly pleading and I remembered Rhodey's words. That I shouldn't try to talk to him about this any time soon.

"Fine." I said hesitantly. "But one day, you'll have to explain it."

"Just not now." He muttered and ran a hand through his hair again. It was already a mess and I assumed that Tony was really nervous. "I didn't come here to talk about this."

"I know." I replied calmly. "How do I know that it won't happen again?" Suddenly, I wondered how much he even remembered of the previous night.

Apparently, my expression had given me away. He chuckled. "I remember everything, if you have doubts about that." Only one more prove that he was used to drinking too much. "I meant every single word I said." He said seriously. "I don't want you to leave."

My stupid heart was beating too fast again and I breathed in deeply to stop myself from smiling widely at his words. "Who said that I was going to leave?"

"I know I've disappointed you." Tony stated.

"I'm your assistant. I'm in no position to be disappointed. It's your life. You can drink as much as you want. And I will watch silently when you take someone else home." Those words nearly killed me, but it was the right thing to say.

In this moment, I expected everything. Just not Tony's reaction.

He jumped to his feet and hit the table with the palm of his hand. I was too surprised to even flinch. I just stared at him wide-eyed. "I said we should stop playing games!" He groaned and sank back into his chair slowly. His eyes were still narrowed and fixed on me. In this moment, I could see several emotions on his face. From disbelief over anger to something else I couldn't quite name. Was it sadness? "Do you mean that?"

I frowned at the sudden question.

"What you said right now. Do you mean that?" He demanded to know and crossed his arms. "Would you really not care if I went to another club tonight, just to get drunk and find someone else?" Slowly, he leaned forward again. "Would you think of it? What I would be doing to her in that moment? Would you care?"

And just like this, I started to get angry. But not at him. At some faceless woman that dared to touch him. The sudden possessiveness I felt scared me and I flinched, overwhelmed by the feeling of hatred that was running through my veins now.

Opposite of me, Tony was smiling slightly now. "You care more than you want to show me. And it's fine, I understand it. I feel the same. When you were talking about your ex... I couldn't stand it. The thought that you were with someone else and that he hurt you like this." When he mentioned my ex, he grimaced.

Slowly, I relaxed again and sighed. "I shouldn't care that much." I admitted. "We need to keep things professional, Tony."

Suddenly, the look on his face was challenging. "Who said so?"

"You're my boss." I reminded him. "It shouldn't be like this." I was starting to talk faster now. I knew that I wouldn't get the words out if I didn't do it right now. "Maybe I should quit. Search for a new job, in another city. It would make everything easier. I bet you could forget about me very fast. And then you can find someone new, who isn't in such a complicated relationship with you. I would find a new job, I know that. It might take some time, but -"

"Stop this!" He interrupted me harshly. Right now, he wasn't looking frustrated anymore. It was anger on his face, mixed with fear. "Did you even listen to a single word I said? I couldn't stand it if you left me. I don't care if we should keep things professional or whatever else it is that you're thinking! I want you, Pepper! I've never wanted someone as badly as you. And if you leave, it would shatter me." When he leaned back in his chair now, he looked utterly defeated. Like it had taken all his strength to get those words out.

I stared at him silently, not able to do anything. I was too overwhelmed by all the sensations that were running through me right now. From happiness over disbelief to fear. Because that's what I was. Afraid that this might not work and my heart would be broken again.

If Tony Stark would break my heart, I wouldn't be able to put the pieces together again.

Tony started to shift uncomfortably in his chair when I just kept staring at him. "Pepper?" He was sounding nervous now. "I would be really glad if you say something."

This ripped me out of my stare and I breathed in deeply. "Do you mean that?" I hated how vulnerable my voice sounded in this moment.

"Every single word." He said and it sounded like a promise. His expression softened. "You're so special, I wish you could see that. And I'll make you see that."

I smiled shyly, hesitantly. "This won't be easy." I reminded him.

"I don't care." He muttered and then he smiled his brilliant, slight smile. The one that I was starting to love and that made my heart beat faster ever since I saw him for the first time.

"No one can know about this." I added. After all, he was my boss and I was his personal assistant.

"If you say so..." It was obvious that he didn't care about it.

"I hate drunk people." I continued.

"As I said. Bad day. Won't happen again." I was surprised at how serious he sounded.

And then he stood up and walked around my desk slowly. I could see the hesitance in his movements, as if he was giving me every chance to tell him to stop. To say that I didn't want this. But honestly, I never wanted something more. I was still feeling high. Tony had admitted that he wanted me! After all the trouble of the previous night, I felt like I was dreaming.

Now he was standing right in front of me and reached out to touch my face. He took a strand of my hair and placed it behind my ear carefully. I felt myself blush, but I didn't care. He chuckled softly and leaned in -

"Sir, there has been an emergency at the new reactor." JARVIS' voice echoed through the room and we both froze. Tony's eyes were wide open now, but he didn't move.

"JARVIS, how bad is it?" He muttered, his voice hoarse.

"The energy source stopped working." JARVIS explained. "Mr. Wilbur is already looking for the source of the mistake. But it doesn't look like they will find it soon. The pressure is rising and it will reach a critical level within the next thirty minutes."

Now Tony cursed loudly. "I have to go." He told me, disappointment obvious on his face. "This is bad. Really bad. I'll be back soon. Don't go away." To my surprise, he kissed me on the cheek before he ran to the door. "JARVIS, tell Happy to get the car." I heard him say before his footsteps vanished in the hallway.

I stood there for some time, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

Then I sat down slowly and closed my eyes, trying to process what just happened.

After some time, I was finally able to think again. And I did the only possible thing in this moment. I continued to work. There were still many things to do and I needed a distraction. However, my thoughts wouldn't stop wandering back to Tony and everything he'd said.

I was so happy in this moment, but also afraid. It scared me to give my heart away again. And to Tony Stark, of all people. I knew that being with him wouldn't be easy. He was a complicated person, after all. And I didn't give in to the illusion that he might be falling for me too. Yes, it looked like that. And his words even seemed to confirm it. But maybe I imagined things and he really just wanted me physically? I didn't dare to get my hopes up yet. After all, we were still getting to know each other better.

About two hours after Tony left, I got a phone call. It was the gatekeeper. Apparently, some very big packages had arrived for Mrs. Virginia Potts. I knew exactly what they contained and apparently, the man on the phone could hear my excitement. He promised to find someone who would carry the packages to my office.

In the end, two nice technicians even helped me to place the pictures on the walls. I told them that it wasn't necessary, but they insisted on doing this. Somehow, I suspected that they didn't want to get in trouble if Tony heard that they'd let me do all this alone.

Meyers had sent me five paintings. One small one for my home and four bigger ones for the offices. The biggest one showed my favourite place in Griffin. A few miles outside of the town, there was a lake. A tree trunk was lying close to the water, just like a small landing stage. I had always loved to sit there and watch the sunset. And that's what the painting was. The sunset over the lake, my favourite place in the world. This picture was in Tony's office now and he could see it when he was sitting at his desk.

In the afternoon, Tony still hadn't returned from the reactor and I was starting to feel uneasy. Did something happen? After all, JARVIS had said that the pressure would reach the critical limit soon. But then someone would have called me, right?

I shook my head and felt stupid for those thoughts. Working at Stark Industries wasn't dangerous, nothing could happen to Tony. And he was a very skilled technician, most probably he'd already solved the problem and was chatting with Mr. Wilbur and his team or something like that. Or he'd stopped at a restaurant on his way back. At this thought, I noticed that I was really hungry. I'd forgotten to eat something today. Well, this morning, I had been too stressed. And at lunchtime I'd been busy with the paintings.

Suddenly, I heard loud voices in the hallway. When I recognized Tony's voice, I looked at the door automatically. He was talking to someone, maybe Obadiah? And then the door to my office opened and he walked in, a wide smile on his lips.

Just that he wasn't looking too good. Last time he'd fixed something on the reactor, just his hands had been covered in grease. Now his clothes and his face were grey too. It was obvious that he'd try to wash it off, but he hadn't been very successful.

I frowned at him. "What happened to you?"

He shrugged. "Just prevented the reactor from blowing up, I think. Nothing serious."

"Nothing serious?" I repeated his words and stared at him wide-eyed. To me, this sounded really serious. And dangerous. Had my worries been justified then?

"I'm fine, Pep. You don't have to worry." He looked at his hands and clothes. "Maybe a little dirty, but nothing else."

"You can't expect me not to worry when you tell me that there's nearly been an explosion." I muttered and crossed my arms.

"It wasn't my fault!" Tony said and held up his hands in a defensive gesture. "One of the new technicians did something wrong. He'll work somewhere else from now on."

I sighed. "Seems like it wasn't just a small mistake."

He nodded and suddenly, he didn't look happy at all. "You could say that. But I solved the problem and now everything's in perfect order again." Tony turned around and looked at the walls thoughtfully. "I was told that your paintings arrived. And I have to admit that you're right. They're really good. Where are those places?"

So I told him about the pictures. Each one had it's own story and Tony's eyes were shining when he listened to my explanations. When we went to the one in his office, he stared at it. "Wow, that's impressing."

"It's my favourite place." I said softly. "I always went there when I needed time to think."

"It looks peaceful." He noted.

"It is. Not many people come there."

"Why?" He sounded curious now.

I shrugged. "It's a long walk through the forest. But I don't mind. I liked being there alone."

He smiled slightly. "You miss it."

"Not everything." I threw in slowly. "When I think about it, there was really nothing keeping me there."

"I'm glad that you decided to leave." His voice was soft now and when I tore my gaze away from the picture, I noticed that he was standing right next to me now. Our shoulders were barely touching.

"Me too." I whispered and smiled. "Otherwise, we would have never met."

"And my life would be a darker place." He muttered, but I wasn't sure if I'd understood him correctly. Suddenly, he was turning around and touched my face carefully. "I would love to get closer to you now, but then you'll be dirty as well." He whispered. "And besides, I'm a little hungry. Obadiah told me that you skipped lunch today?" He looked disapproving.

I nodded sheepishly. "I was busy with the pictures." I explained. "And Mr. Meyers told me that you gave him too much money?"

Tony shrugged and smiled slightly. "He seemed important to you. And now that I've seen those paintings, he really deserved it. The price he told you was far too low. Don't worry, it's alright." He pulled his phone out of his pocket. "How does ordering food sound to you? We could also go to a restaurant, but I think I'm not properly dressed."

I chuckled. "It sounds great." His smile was infectious.

He grinned. "Mind if Happy joins us? I'm afraid that I've promised him pizza for today."

Suddenly, the door of the office opened. "And me too!" Obadiah exclaimed loudly. He entered the room, followed by Happy.

Tony rolled his eyes at them. "Can't you knock, Obi? You might have interrupted something in here!"

"Then you shouldn't let Happy wait in front of the office." Obadiah replied immediately and winked at me. "Now where's the food?"

When we were joking and laughing like this, I realized something else. Right here, together with Tony, Obadiah and Happy, I felt more at home than I ever did back in Griffin. It felt like family.