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Chapter 29 - The Photo Album

Pepper enjoyed her massage and rode up in the lift that evening with Exton. She had put back on her skirt suit and her red hair was down. She didn't bother putting on her shoes. She was so relaxed, she almost felt as if she was sleep walking. Exton took her heals from her and chuckled. "Relaxed?"

"Oh, so much. That was the best." She nodded with her eyes closed.

Exton nodded his head as they rode up together. "Lewis says that there are some more Quauhtin that have arrived at John's. They are going to be able to send a few here."

"When?"

"Probably tomorrow. Let them get settled. They are new, not even done with the Academy yet. Lewis and John have agreed to finish their training here."

"Finally some relief for you and Mortimer. I really hope we all get along as well with them as we do with you guys. I swear, it's as if you have always been here."

Exton smiled, "Thank you. It's part of our training. The best body guards, are the one you never notice you have."

Pepper nodded her head. "Indeed. I'm so grateful that you are here."

Exton smiled back at her. "Thank you, Miss Pepper."

The lift doors opened. The penthouse was dark, but Jarvis turned on the lights as soon as they walked in. "Good evening, Miss Potts and Exton." He said.

"Good evening, Jarvis." Exton answered.

The lights from New York shown through the night sky outside. Pepper looked around. "Jarvis, where are the guys?"

Exton sat down her shoes on the table next to the sofa.

Jarvis answered, "They are downstairs in the shop."

"I'll go tell them I'm back. Thank you, Exton."

He smiled, "It's my pleasure."

Pepper walked, in her bare feet, down the stairs. The lights seemed to be out down there, too. She pressed the code next to the door and it opened for her. She quietly walked into the room and saw the back of Tony's head lying on the sofa. A bright animation of complex figures floated in front of him, just above his head. He moved them with one of his hands as he seemed to be working out something. He spoke and as she got closer, she realized he was reading.

"He was plainly blind, for he tapped before him with a stick, and wore a great green shade over his eyes and nose; and he was hunched, as if with age or weakness, and wore a huge old tattered sea-cloak with a hood, that made him appear positively deformed. I never saw in my life a more dreadful-looking figure. He stopped a little from the inn, and, raising his voice in an odd sing-song, addressed the air in front of him: –
"Will any kind friend inform a poor blind man, who has lost the precious sight of his eyes in the gracious defence of his native country, England, and God bless King George! – where or in what part of this country he may now be?"

She walked quietly behind him. Soler was asleep, leaning against Tony who had his arm wrapped around him. His other hand continued to work on the computer reading above his head. She stood and listened to him continue to speak softly.

"I held out my hand, and the horrible, soft-spoken, eyeless creature gripped it in a moment like a vice. I was so much startled that I struggled to withdraw; but the blind man pulled me close up to him with a single action of his arm.
"Now, boy," he said, "take me in to the captain."

Pepper covered her mouth in surprise when she realized that not only was the book he was "reading" was sitting face down on his lap. His eyes were closed as he worked on the display. She sat down next to him. He jumped and opened his eyes. Seeing it was her, he relaxed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Jarvis save this plan."

Jarvis spoke, "It has been saved, sir." The animation above Tony's head disappeared.

Pepper looked at him. "What are you doing?"

He pointed at where the animation had disappeared. "Just working on something. John gave me a plan for something I was looking over-"

She raised her eyebrows, "With your eyes closed?"

He sighed. "Let's face it. You've caught me doing way worse."

She took his hand in hers, "Tony. Relax. You can tell me."

"I can see it in my mind, and work quicker if I don't stop to read everything on the screen."

"But, you sounded like you were reading something."

He nodded, "Yeah. I'm reading to Spark."

She picked up the book that lay closed on his lap. "Treasure Island?"

"Yes. All of this talk of pirates made me think of it."

She opened it and looked at the pages. "You've memorized this?"

"I remember everything I read. Although, I've not read that in a while. I started reading it today to him and my eyes started to ache. So, I sat it down and just started telling him what I remembered.

Pepper shook her head in surprise. "Wow."

"Is this too weird?"

"I think it's amazing. You really can do this?" She opened the book and looked at the pages.

He nodded. "Yeah."

"How did I never know this about you?"

"No one knows. I was always told not to say anything about it."

She continued to flip the pages in the book, "By who?"

"My Mom. She said people wouldn't understand."

Pepper stopped looking at the pages and met his eyes with her own. She whispered, "Tony. It's alright."

He sighed, "I imagine you should know. All of the strangeness that is me."

She looked at the book. "Tony, compared to some of the other stuff, this is rather tame."

He chuckled. "That's what you say now."

"I'm amazed. You really know this entire book?"

"Read something….and I'll finish it."

"Okay." She started to read. "The poor captain raised his eyes, and at one look the rum went out of him, and left him staring sober."

Tony continued, "The expression of his face was not so much of terror as of mortal sickness. He made a movement to rise, but I do not believe he had enough force left in his body.

"Now, Bill, sit where you are," said the beggar. "If I can't see, I can hear a finger stirring. Business is business. Hold out your right hand. Boy, take his right hand by the wrist, and bring it near to my right."

Pepper smiled at him, "That's incredible. I didn't know you could do that."

"I have a lot of books, in my head. It helps when I'm bored, or working on something. I'll re-read certain parts."

She shook her head. "Well, if you remember everything, why do you write things down?"

"Because, that's normal." He grinned.

Pepper smiled, "Something else she told you to do?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Why do you leave yourself notes?"

He waved his hand, "It's hard to explain. Sometimes, it gets really….cluttered. When it's like that, I can't remember anything I hear or see. Or, if I'm tired. But, usually I can. It might take me a few minutes to remember it completely, but its all there."

She turned to him and shook her head. "Wow. That's all I have. I've never met anyone who can do that, Tony."

He took her hand in his and kissed it. "I had John, use a machine to copy something in my head. It was weeks ago. A fighting program, sortof. Self defense. Since he did that, it's as if everything in my head has been so much clearer. Except this morning. When he was in my head."

She held his hand, "What do you remember about that?"

"I remember having the panic attack, and how it scared you. And me. I couldn't catch my breath, and then suddenly, I was….fine."

"He asked you about someone you said you keep hearing speak to you."

"Who?"

"Ummm... I've never heard you mention him. Yinsen?"

He suddenly remembered, "Yinsen. Yes. From….yes."

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about this. He said he put it all in a room so you wouldn't forget about it-"

"Oh, I haven't. I haven't thought about it all day. Wow. I've never done that. It's always, just….right there."

She rubbed his thigh. "Maybe it helped."

"Finally, something did."

"He asked you a lot about that. You asked him to let me stay."

He nodded, "Okay."

"I feel that I should let you know that I did hear you talk about it."

He sighed, "It's just something that is hard to talk about."

"You don't have to. That's not what I meant."

"I'll tell you something about that. Remember when I walked into the shower? When the midget was all worked up?"

"Tony, that scared me to death. You shouldn't have been able to do that."

He held his finger up to make his point. "Well, you have to keep it to yourself because John told me the guys have bets about figuring it out. I'm determined they won't. But, I'll tell you."

He took her hand back in his and kissed it. "When I first woke up, Yinsen told me that I would probably be dead in a week. The pieces of a bomb that hit me, were moving into my heart. He made a….electromagnet and put it in my chest. It was hooked up to a car battery that I had to carry around. The guys that had us demanded all sorts of shit, which I refused. I was sure I couldn't hurt any worse than I did, so it didn't matter what they did to me. I knew I was going to die anyway. But, maybe if I was a big enough pain in the ass, maybe they would just kill me so I wouldn't have to wait out the week."

Pepper looked horrified at him. "Tony….."

"There was this….bucket. They would hold my head under the water. The water would splash back and hit the magnet in my chest. It shocked me. Once it completely knocked me out. Either that, or I passed out from the ….water. Whatever. So, after that week was over, I decided to make an arc reactor to put in my chest. That way, I wouldn't have to carry around that damn car battery. One of the things in it would move any extra electricity into the reactor. So, whenever they decided to shock me, I didn't even feel it. It fed the reactor and just made it stronger."

"But, you don't have the reactor anymore."

"You're right. But, after that night on the roof, I knew that I didn't want to end up electrocuted in a suit like Obie. The reactor he stole from me, I never really saw the need to put it on it. I was wearing the older one. The one that had it. That's how I survived and he didn't."

"I have always wondered that." She smiled.

"Now, it's in my bracelet. Well, and the one I made for you and the kid."

She shook her head in disbelief. "I can't even wrap my head around half of this stuff."

He laid his head back on the sofa and relaxed, "When John first brought me out in space, we went to this amazing shop with all of these little fuses and circuits. It was like Candyland. I got so much stuff there. I can't wait to go back. One of those fuses we got there is what this is channeled into. I was sure it had burnt out that night in the shower, but it is fine. I added another one just to be sure while I was in the shop. Yours has five. Sparky's has twenty-two."

"Why twenty-two?"

He smiled at her, "That's all that it would hold. He has such a tiny wrist."

"So, that's it." She smiled at him.

"I don't like being shocked, and I don't want it to happen. Now, if I could just figure out something that would prevent me from getting burnt."

Pepper looked at Soler who continued to sleep. "He's out, huh?"

Tony looked back at him. "He's been practicing today and I believe I've worn him out."

She smiled at the sleeping boy. "That's all?"

"Well, we played basketball for about an hour. He's had a busy day. He said he had been playing a lot. He told me that he loves being here with us. He is excited to be around a real Princess who seems to like him so much."

She smiled, "I really do. Tony, you bringing home a child was never anything I would ever imagine you would do. But-"

"But?"

"Sweetheart, you are so good with him. You are just what he needs. And I feel like he is what you need, too."

He smiled at her and repeated, "Sweetheart."

"I'm just worried, what happens when he goes back with his father? Tony, it's going to crush you."

He sighed, "I try not to think about it. I don't know this father of his, but if he's going to be anything like mine, I want him to stay here."

She nodded, "I don't blame you." She kissed the side of his head and stood up.

He looked surprised at her. "What is it?"

"I'm going upstairs and get some water. Do you want something?"

He smiled at her. "No. I'll take him to his bed and meet you in the kitchen. Open us some wine." She watched as he stood up and picked up Soler.

"Wine?"

"Yeah. Whatever you want. I'm ready for a drink. I suppose we'll celebrate being at 5%. Still."

They walked up the steps together and Tony carried Soler upstairs and put him to bed. When he walked downstairs and to the kitchen, Pepper handed him a glass of wine. He held it up, "To secrets."

She smiled, "To secrets."

They tapped their glasses together and sipped the wine.

"Thank you for my massage. That is exactly what I needed."

He stood beside of her and leaned against the cabinet. "Three hours? Was it too much?"

"I've never had a massage that long. I fell asleep."

He laughed and sipped his wine. "I always do, too. I've not had one in a long time. I should do that."

"You should. It might help you relax a bit."

"I'm relaxed."

She stood in front of him and sat down her wine on the cabinet. She hugged his neck and felt him put both of his hands on her back. "You are relaxed today."

"Maybe it's something to do with…..a lunch date?" He teased.

"Maybe. Or something to do with….just….you lately."

He rubbed her back and laughed, "When I lost my mind?"

"Yes. Then. Although, I'm not sure of the exact moment."

He laid his forehead to hers, "When did you lose your mind? Do you remember the moment?"

She smiled, "I was sitting on a sofa, kissing you."

"And you told me you loved me." He kissed her lips quickly. "Did you mean it?"

"I did. I still do. Did you mean it?"

He held her face and kissed her. She held onto his back tightly and felt him slide his hands down her back and grab her bum. He smiled at her and whispered. "Just a second."

"Jarvis. Play that song I asked you to remember for later." Tony requested.

Jarvis spoke, "Yes, sir."

They held one another tightly as 'Fire' by The Pointer Sisters started to play. It made Pepper laugh as they started to dance together slowly. Tony sang to her, in a high pitched voice, which only made her giggle more. He sang until it got to the first chorus then he leaned in and kissed her. They were so lost in one another; they just stood and kissed while the song played. She tasted the wine in his mouth as his tongue danced with hers.

When they song ended, they didn't even notice. After a few moments, Jarvis asked. "Sir? Would you like to hear it again?"

She smiled at Tony. "I should go wash this oil off of me."

"Want company? Help?" He offered.

Jarvis spoke, "Sir, there is a call from Pete Tyler for you."

He groaned. "I did ask him to call me back."

She kissed him quickly, "I'll go take a shower. You handle Pete and then join me."

"Alright." He watched her turn and walked away. He cleared his throat, "Jarvis, put it on the screen in the kitchen."

Pete appeared on the screen in the wall. He was sitting next to the Doctor. Both of them seemed knee deep in a bottle of whiskey. Loud dings and dongs could be heard behind them. People were laughing and drinking.

Tony turned and picked up his wine, "And good evening boys. Are you guys in Vegas? Looks like it."

Pete and the Doctor looked at one another and smiled.

Pete looked back at Tony, "Oh, just you wait until you see this shit here."

The Doctor asked, "I meant to ask you today, did you get that chemical weapon-"

"Got it. I've been working on it tonight. Oh, that's brilliant tech." He smiled.

Pete smiled, "Good. Howie asked about it and I wanted to tell him yes-"

"And mean it." The Doctor insisted. "Don't be surprised if you get subpoenaed to go to answer some questions. One of the Congressmen just isn't letting it go that it's not something…experimental of yours."

Tony groaned. "Fucker. I probably know which one."

Pete pointed at him. "Ten bucks says you are right."

The Doctor continued, "Also, I heard from Poltious. He has a lead on Soler's father. He's looking into it."

Tony ran his hand through his hair. "John, I was thinking about this. Do you know this guy?"

"The Mageer from the other dimension was a really great guy. Honorable, a warrior. Then he lost his mind and became this monster."

"I want to make sure we're not returning him to a monster."

"Oh, I know. Poltious is a good judge of character. I trust whatever he says. Plus, I'll help with all of the negotiations. Tony, I feel the same way."

Tony sighed. "Alright. Well. Pete, did you get that insurance thing sorted?"

The Doctor looked confused, "Insurance?"

Pete laughed and tapped his finger to his lips. "Yes. It's a go. Mum's the word though, Yank. So, shut up."

Tony laughed, "Right. I talked to Mike today. We'll have a prototype, too."

Pete smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Oh, hell yeah. This is going to be great."

The Doctor was sick of not following the conversation. "What?! What?! What the hell are you two on about?"

Tony was enjoying keeping his friend in the dark. "Lewis had a brilliant idea about that, too-"

"Yes, the football. Perfect."

The Doctor groaned, "Oh, to hell with this. Enjoy your conversation, guys. Hey, Logan! Cards?" He stood up and walked away.

Pete watched him leave and laughed, "Football in small cars? Fucking epic. I'm going to get in on that. I've already talked to the producers. It's going to be great."

Tony smiled and started with his terrible British accent. "Why Pete? Are you saying you will be on the telly with us lads?"

Pete took a drink of his whiskey. "You're damn skippy, Yank."

Tony laughed. "I needed to talk to you about a couple of other things if you have a minute, Pete. Do you mind?"

"No. Shoot."

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Tony walked back upstairs just in time to see Pepper walk out of the bathroom. She had brushed out her wet hair and had wrapped it in a ball on top of her head. She wore her white, silk robe.

"Hey, that took a bit longer than I thought." Pepper told him.

"Yeah, I needed to ask Pete about some stuff, and then call Mac and Harvey." He sat down the wine they had been drinking on the table in front of the sofa. He continued to sip his own.

"Mac and Harvey? The lawyers? Why?"

"Well-"

She closed her eyes and groaned, "Oh God. What have you done? Just tell me."

He laughed, "Nothing. I'm meeting with them both in the morning at 10:30."

"Why?"

"I need them for…some stuff. You can be there if you like. I don't mind. In fact, you probably should be."

She shook her head. "I'll be there. It's easier to deal with you if I know what's going on."

He laughed at her and sat down on the sofa in their bedroom. He flipped off his shoes and looked completely relaxed in his jeans and long sleeved shirt. "So. What are we doing tonight? I have a few ideas."

She smiled back at him, "If you don't mind, I wanted to show you something."

He sipped his glass of wine and sat it on the table. "Is it under that robe?"

She giggled and rolled her eyes. "That in a bit."

"Yes. I'll pour us both some more wine, then."

He refilled her glass. She walked back out of her closet and sat next to him on the sofa. In her hands, she held a photo album. "You asked about me. If you really want to know, I'll tell you."

He nodded. "Sure. Let me see."

He laid his arm on the back of sofa as she pulled her legs under her and faced him. "Alright. This is not to ever be used in any arguments."

"Right."

"Or 'being asshole' moments."

"Never." He shook his head.

"I will have Howie's Marines kick your ass if you-"

He sighed, "I get it. Show me."

She smiled and pointed at his glass of wine, sitting on the table. "This. This is me."

He looked at the wine and then back at her. "What? You want this one?" He handed it to her.

"No." She gently pushed it back to him. "I'm saying this." She picked up the bottle of wine and pointed at the label. "This. This right here is me."

Tony looked at her in complete confusion. "You're an alcoholic?"

She rolled her eyes. "No! Ugh. Let me just show you."

She sat beside of him, opened the photo album and pointed at a picture of a small red headed girl hugging a grey haired old man. The old man kissed the little girl's cheek. She was probably six years old and reminded Tony immediately of Genie.

He smiled, "That's you. It even looks like you."

She smiled, "Yes. Me and my grandfather. He called me, Ginny. Short for Virginia."

"I didn't know that. Like my Genie…our Genie, I suppose."

"'Your cuteness' is what she called herself." She flipped the page. He saw a cheerleader with red hair. He shook his head and took the photo album from her. He sat down his glass of wine. "You were a cheerleader? Really?"

She smiled and sipped her wine. "Just for a year."

He looked back at her, "Do you still have this skirt?"

"Lusting after a teenage version of me. I'm not sure if I should slap you or not."

He laughed, "Oh, this is great." He flipped the page and saw her dressed formally. "This is what? A dance? Prom or something?"

"No. It wasn't. Something much more important."

He turned the page and saw a large picture of the small red, haired girl standing in front of a grapevine. The same older man knelt in front of her. He was showing her a bunch of grapes that he held in his hands. Behind them were grapevines as far as could one could see.

Tony pointed at the picture and looked back at her. "So, this is you and your Grandfather? What is this? A vacation?"

She laughed and shook her head. "I wonder about this photographic memory of yours. You've seen this picture before. You've really seen it a lot."

"Maybe it's out of film. Give it a minute. It looks familiar."

She sipped her wine as Tony studied the picture. After a few seconds, he shook his head. "Pepper, I don't know."

She picked up the bottle of wine that sat on the table and pointed at the label again. "That's what I was trying to tell you. This." She pointed at the label. "This is me."

She handed him the bottle and he saw the same picture of the old man and the little girl, standing in front of the grapevine on the bottle. With the print on the label, and the artwork, the image was tiny, but it was absolutely the same.

"This is you." he grinned.

She smiled, "Yes."

"And your grandfather?"

"Yes." She smiled.

He still didn't understand. "So, you were like a…..model…or something?"

"No. Gosh, Tony. That is our vineyard. I grew up there."

He smiled, "A vineyard? And you made wine?"

"This wine. It's still made there today."

He held out the bottle and looked at it the label. "This is my favorite wine. I've always loved this wine. I've never really looked at the label."

She smiled, "I know. I couldn't believe it when you asked me to buy you some of it all of those years ago. I thought you had found out for sure, but there was no way you could have known."

He held the bottle and smiled. "I had this for the first time when I went to Napa. The train ride where you taste all the different wines they make there. Rhodey and I left a weapons demonstration at a base there, and then there was a …..ummm…..business thing."

She nodded her head, "Oh, I remember that. I didn't realize that is where you had it."

He smiled at her, "Yeah. It was in the tasting. Rhodey didn't like it, so I drank his and ordered a bottle of it there."

"Did you drink the entire bottle by yourself?"

"Why do you ask me that?" He sighed.

She rose her eyebrows. "You remember what happened. I was glad I didn't go."

He shook his head, "I don't remember what happened-"

She sipped her wine and pointed at him, "See, yesterday, I would have believed that. Now, I know the truth."

He sighed, "Damn it. Okay, well….no, I didn't drink the entire thing. I poured a senator that was sitting with us, a glass. No, two."

She sipped her wine and grinned at him, "Was that before? Or after you punched Hammer out?"

He smiled proudly, "Before. I still maintained that he deserved it. Even more so now that I know he was in with those jackasses that took John."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes." He refilled her glass and sat the bottle back on the table.

"I've not heard anything about him in a while."

Tony shook his head, "I'm not talking about "Pain in the Ass" Hammer tonight. We are talking about you, and you are trying to change the subject here."

He turned to face her and put his hand on her thigh. "Okay. So, let's go back. You."

She smiled at him, "Me."

"You…own a vineyard?"

"And winery."

"With your grandfather?"

She shook her head. "I wish. No. He died years ago."

He smiled proudly at her and teased her thigh with his fingertips. "How do I not know this?"

She smiled at him, "Because no one does. Especially, you."

He looked confused, "Why, 'especially you'?"

She rolled her eyes, "Because…you are-"

He smiled, "Your secret fiancé-"

"My boss."

He teased, "Your boy toy."

She kissed him and relaxed. "I just never know what to expect from you."

"That's why you love me."

She smiled back at him, "And I do." She kissed him.

He grinned back at her and pointed at the photo album that was still on his lap. "What was his name?"

"James. Well, Jimmy. Jimmy Potter."

"Potter? Like Harry Potter."

She giggled, "I'm not related to him. I changed my name when I moved away."

"Jimmy and Ginny. That's hard to say."

He sipped his drink as she explained. "It was just me and him, well, and about fifty or so people who worked there. Seasonal sorts. I remember him being, very….strong. Funny. Full of energy. He had that ability to walk into a room and suddenly be the life of the party. Laughed, all of the time. It was contagious, and no matter what, he always had a smile on his face. No matter what was going on."

Tony smiled, "I would have really liked this guy." He turned the page and saw pictures of her with her grandfather, they were sitting at a piano together. He pointed at it and looked back at her, "He played the piano?"

She smiled, "Until the day he died. He loved to play. We had a piano like yours downstairs….."

"A baby grand. Yes."

She nodded and sipped her wine, "Yes. And in the kitchen, we had one that just stood up against the wall." She flipped the page and pointed at it.

"An upright. Yes." Tony looked impressed.

"He never had it tuned so it sounded so….strange. But, for what he played on it, it worked."

"What did he play?"

She smiled, "On that one, saloon music. Really, loud, wild saloon music. Everyone who worked at the vineyard loved it. He was famous for it."

Tony smiled at her.

"No matter how long we had worked on the grapes, we could always count on coming back into the kitchen and hearing him play. I probably remember that most. Sunsets there, with the breeze blowing into the kitchen as we ate, with him playing that sort of music on it while everyone sang. And no. I never sang."

Tony chuckled, "That sounds so wonderful. What did he play on the other piano?"

"I have no idea what anything was called. I can hear the songs in my head, but I've not heard them in a long time. Not since he played them."

"Sing them to me-"

"No."

He rolled his eyes. "Pepper, I could play them for you."

"I don't want you to do that. I would probably be too hard to hear them."

He nodded, "Okay. I get that. What happened to him?"

"He died when I was finishing school. Well, college. I thought about selling it and starting over, but I knew he wouldn't have wanted that. He had put his entire life into that place. He loved it so much. Some of the people who worked there suggested that I just keep it, but start over if I really wanted to. So, that's what I did."

He closed the photo album and looked back at her. "What really happened? That's not the whole story."

She sighed, "You would have to be so damn smart."

"You are so good at math-"

"Growing up on a vineyard will do that-"

"You are hiding something."

"I'm not hiding anything-"

He took her hand and kissed it, "Baby. You can tell me."

Disarmed at being called 'Baby' by him, she sat down her wine glass. "Alright. Well. It's not an easy thing to talk about."

"What did he die of?"

She sighed, "Alzheimer's. He managed to keep it from mostly everyone. Very few knew. That was important, because he was all I had. The state would have taken me in a second. And he would have lost the winery. Everything. So, I managed everything from the time I was fourteen. Ordered everything. Did the books. Hiring. Made the deals with everyone. Payroll, everything. Everyone thought it was him."

He looked shocked at her. "Baby, fourteen?"

She propped her hand on the back of the sofa, "Fourteen. Maybe earlier. I remember speaking to him when I was around that age, and telling him not to let anyone know. We would manage it together. I finished the last three years of high school there, so I could be with him, and run everything."

He sat down his wine and opened the photo album again. "That's amazing. No wonder you are so good managing everything here. You've always done it."

She nodded. "I suppose so. Granted, here with you, I have a lot more help."

"Where does Pepper come from? You were probably Ginny until you left."

She smiled, "My grandmother was Virginia. As he got worse, I started calling myself Pepper to keep him from being so confused. He nicknamed me that when I was small because of my temper."

He chuckled, "Pepper. Yes. Like a hot pepper. John keeps warning me about you. He says I'm in over my head."

She smiled, "What do you think?"

He flipped through the pages of the photo album, "I think I finally have someone who can kick my ass when I need it."

"And won't hesitate to do it." She assured him.

Tony laughed under his breath and returned to looking at the photos. "He looks like you. Did he have the temper, too?"

Pepper shook her head. "I honestly don't remember him ever raising his voice. To anyone."

Tony shook his head. "Wow. I admit. I'm a bit envious. He sounds like an amazing guy."

Pepper smiled proudly, "He was such a great guy. He would have hated you."

Tony laughed and closed the book. "Why?"

"He hated any guy that was interested in me. Just protective, I guess." She mocked his voice, "Ginny, you can certainly do much better."

"I agree with him. It was just the two of you?"

"Yes."

"Where were your Mom and Dad?"

"Mom died when I was very small. I don't remember her. He talked about her all of the time, so I think I have memories that I probably don't. My Dad, well…my grandfather wanted me to think he was this really, great guy. He told me he was a soldier and was off with the Army."

"But?"

"He didn't want to have anything to do with me. He died in the Cyber Invasion. I only found out for sure about a year ago."

"Why would he tell you that?"

"Oh, Tony. You can probably guess. That's one reason I wanted to show you this. If Soler's father ends up not wanting him, don't tell him some…lie...to prevent him from feeling unwanted. Tell him the truth, from the very beginning. If he's a great guy, let him know. But, if he's not, tell him. Your Dad wasn't such a great father, but he's remembered as a war hero. Look at how that has affected how you are treating this boy."

He sighed, "You make a great point."

"My grandfather told me that he had never met a strong person with an easy past. Everything we are, is built from what we go through. We just have to make the decision. We can be pitiful, or powerful. But never both. Wake up every morning and remember that. Wake up everyone morning and make that decision."

Tony smiled. "I would have really liked this guy."

She smiled, "You really would have." She drank the rest of her wine and sat the empty glass on the table.

"You run this vineyard now? When do you have time to even do that?"

She shook her head. "No, I own a vineyard. I don't run it anymore. I go there once a year to look over everything, and handle whatever meetings need to be done. The manager there runs everything."

"I don't remember you ever going out there."

Pepper rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't have told you that was what I was doing. But, I do go on vacation."

Tony nodded, "Yeah. Once a year to Northern Cali-" Finally putting it together, he shook his head. "Okay. I'm an idiot."

She laughed as she refilled her glass. "No, Tony. I am just that good."

"So, all of this time, you teasing me about hating job hunting."

She looked confused, "What?"

"You could have just gone back to the vineyard."

She shook her head. "I don't want to go back there and do that. I swore when I left, that I could never go back."

He looked at her, "Why don't you tell anyone that's your vineyard? The famous Pepper Potts-"

"That's exactly why, and why I don't want to go back. I want it to do well because people enjoy it, not because of me."

He nodded, "Okay, that makes sense. Oh! The picture?"

"Which one?"

"The one you said wasn't a prom?"

She smiled, "When I turned 21, we made a huge deal of it. Well…obliviously."

He grinned proudly. "Legally could drink what you had been making your entire life. Pepper, you amaze me. My favorite lady, and my favorite wine. Who would have thought?"

"Oh, speaking of favorite things. I put a new list for you in your wallet. Your Pepper Cheat Sheet. That I realize you won't even really need now."

He smiled, "Yes. I'll have a look. Did you put how you take your coffee?"

She sipped her wine, "I didn't. It's….something I can just do. Don't worry about it."

"Well, I'm going to figure this out."

She shook her head. "It's hardly worth-"

"It's part of what makes you, you. It's worth it. You're worth it. It's a small thing that I want to be able to do for you."

She smiled at him and whispered, "I love you so, Tony."

He leaned over and kissed her.

He sat down his glass and stood up. "I have something for you. Hang on."

She watched him walk over and pick up an overnight bag from his closet. He brought it back to her and sat it down in the floor in front of them. He looked inside and pulled out a small, ornate box. He opened it and two rings sat inside. "Okay, it's not what you think." He quickly told her.

She sat her glass next to his and watched him take the rings out. He put one on his finger and one on hers. Then, he held them together. Pepper's eyes became large as she saw them both begin to glow white.

Tony smiled, "I'm dying to try this. Alright. How do you feel?"

She looked confused. "Umm… surprised. Proud. Excited."

He smiled. "Oh, I love this. Yes."

"I don't get it."

"You are feeling what I feel. I'm feeling what you feel. You are nervous, a little drunk, and ummm…. and excited. Why are you so nervous?"

She shook her fist at him. "Because you put this alien shit on my finger and don't tell me what the hell it is!"

He held up his hands, "Right. Listen. Feel this. Pepper. I love you."

She smiled slowly, "Oh wow. That is so strange. Tony. I can feel that."

He cupped her face with his hands, "There's no reason to be nervous. Relax."

He kissed her. She could feel his sincerity, his love and his lust for her. She rubbed his thighs and feeling his excitement at her touch, she unbuttoned his jeans. She immediately felt his stomach fill with butterflies. He moaned and she felt his hands move to her thighs, and up her robe to her bum. She felt his surprise when he found cloth there.

He smiled at her, "I didn't realize you were wearing anything under this robe."

She giggled, "Just this." She straddled his waist and looked into his eyes.

He moaned, "Oh my God, I love this. You feel….so….."

She smiled at him and whispered, "Tell me. I can feel how much you are holding back. It's me."

He groaned, "Your panties have to be soaked. I can feel it throbbing."

She held his face and kissed him. She could taste the wine in his mouth, and felt him run his hands across the lace of her panties. He didn't stop kissing her when he took both of his hands and ripped lace apart to take them off. He threw them on the floor.

She held his head tighter and continued to kiss him. She felt him tease between her legs and run his fingers inside of her.

She could feel the excitement he felt, no doubt from how much she was enjoying herself. She felt his hand on her bum as his other hand continued to tease her. It felt so good that she threw her head back and her lip quivered.

He whispered, "I was too rough today. I'll be gentle." He untied her robe and opened it to reveal her nude body. He began to tease between her legs again and kiss her chest.

"No." She told him quietly.

He stopped, "No?"

"It's been a rough day."

He looked surprised, "So, you're saying you need a rough night?"

She laughed, and suddenly the sensation of his feelings in her head stopped.

She looked at him in surprise. "What happened?"

He took the ring off and put it back in the box. "It only lasts a few minutes at a time. It has to recharge." He took the ring off of her finger and put it back in the box.

She covered her mouth and smiled, "That was the craziest thing I've ever felt."

"Lartius gave them to us. He also sent wine, jewelry. You know. Stuff for a Princess. A Princess with red hair."

"Tony. I love this. I love you." She leaned in and started to kiss him.

"You feel…horny. I can still feel it." Tony quietly teased her.

She giggled and wrapped her arms around him as he lay down on top of her on the sofa. He took off his shirt and threw it across the room. "You really want it rough again? You might want to walk tomorrow."

She smiled, "It was hard to walk this afternoon."

He grinned, "I noticed you not wearing those heels." He caught her lips again and started to kiss her.

Her hands ran up and down his back as they kissed. She felt his hands slowly move on her body.

She heard him whisper to her, "I'm a sucker for romantic stuff like dirty talk and rough sex."

She laughed. "I should tell you what I've been thinking about all day."

"Tell me."

"How amazing your tongue feels down there."

He laid his forehead to hers and groaned. "Oh my God. Why did I wait so long for this?"

He sat up and took a drink of his wine.

She watched him and smiled, "Tony, is that still your first glass?"

He smiled and put his finger in the glass. He rubbed the wine between her legs, "I was saving it for this." He took another sip. "You're going to want that pillow."

She felt him put his head between her legs and start to nibble and suck. She pulled the pillow over her face and couldn't help her shouts into it. He teased her with his fingers and ran his tongue all around, and inside of her. She couldn't remember ever feeling so turned on in her life. He was so good at finding all of her weakest places. Just as she felt as her brain would overload from the pleasure she was feeling, he would stop and kiss her thighs. He lightly teased her to let her catch her breath. Then he would begin his work again. It only made her want him more.

She took the pillow from her face and ran her hands through his hair.

He rose up and smiled at her. "Need me yet?"

She closed her eyes tightly, "I'm seriously going to scream if you don't."

He teased between her legs again with his fingers and whispered, "Beg me for it."

She pulled up her legs and he saw her lip quiver.

He kissed her neck. "Oh, this pleasure is driving you mad. I can tell. I want you all of the time. This is the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. I'm addicted to your body."

She started to climax.

"Yes. I want my hand full from you. Just relax and let yourself go. Pepper, I love you more than anyone ever has. I'll tease you until you ask me to stop."

He continued to run his fingers inside of her and rub her clit. She moaned, "Oh, please."

He kissed her lips, "Pepper, you are everything to me."

She started to shout. He continued to tease her.

"I've never seen you be more beautiful than you are right now."

She moaned, "Tony. Please."

He smiled proudly and pushed down his jeans. He lay down on top of her and started to kiss her neck. He slipped inside of her easily. She was so wet. He stroked slowly. She heard him whisper, "I'm not going to be rough. Baby, I can't control how rough I would be if I did that."

She wrapped her legs around him as he continued to stroke slowly. "Oh, this is really good."

He nodded at her, "Yeah?"

She moaned, "Oh yes."

He kissed her and she could taste her in his mouth. She held his sweaty back, tightly.

Completely consumed in kissing her, he rolled over and they both fell off of the sofa and onto the floor. He sounded like he coughed, loudly. Then he groaned, "I'm alright."

She rose up and looked at him, "Are you breathing?"

He spun his finger in the air. "Just, knocked the wind out of me. Nevermind, I'm fine."

She leaned back down and started to kiss him again. She held her hair to keep it out of their faces. She put him back inside of her and started to move up and down on him.

She whispered, "Caught your breath, yet?"

He smiled, "No." Then laughed at her. "Not since you said, 'yes'."

She smiled and continued to move on him. He sat up and felt himself go deeper inside of her. "I'm asking again."

"You are relentless."

He smiled, "What do you say?"

She held onto him and looked into his eyes. "I've said yes. I'm even wearing a ring-"

"I'm going to ask you everyday. Until you think it's a normal thing. Then, maybe….you will see that it really is. I'm just a normal guy who is that into you."

She smiled at him. "I don't want a normal guy."

"No?"

"No. I want you. That's the reason I said 'yes'."

"I'm a handful."

She smiled, "I'd say ….two handfuls."

He gently grabbed her breasts and kissed her. "You are two handfuls. Just perfect."

She kissed him again.

XxxxxxXxxxx