Sorry guys, work got the best of me this week.
I tried to make this chapter smaller but I couldn't. Welcome all the new followers! Is good to have you on board. =D
Guest:Thank you. I always get confused but I already made the corrections.
oneiroitane: Thank you. So sweet ;)
Luna Violeta: Sorry I got stuck on work, but this chapter is really long hope you like it.
Reikajen:thank you. I was scared that people would fins boring - like I'm afraid of this one - but I'm trying to fill the gabs the best I can in Pepper POV. Hope you like this one. ;)
WARNING: Major spoilers from IM1. I don't own anything, if I did I wouldn't be writing a fanfic.
The next day Pepper woke up earlier at Tony's mansion and went to do some breakfast for them. She had the coffee and some pancakes ready before talk to JARVIS.
"JARVIS, when Mr. Stark wake up; please inform him that there is some breakfast on the kitchen".
"Mr. Stark is already up Miss Potts. He woke up two hours ago. He is current at the workshop". The A.I. informed her. Pepper frowned at this. She thought Tony would sleep until noon. After being kidnapped for three months and spend two nights in a military base she thought that when he got home he would sleep like a rock from exhaustion.
Or maybe the stress didn't let him sleep at all. – she thought..
"Did he had any sleep JARVIS?"
"Affirmative. After you two went to sleep, he manage to fall asleep shortly after that. He had his REM sleep and woke up 30 minutes after that".
"Well at least that" she murmured. "Can you please ask him to come up? He needs to eat something".
A few minutes later Tony shows up in the kitchen, although he look fresh and awake he was still dressed in his pajamas.
"Oh god!" He took a deep breath to feel the smell of the breakfast that Pepper made when he arrived. "Just this smell is doing me wonders". He spoke dreamily and Pepper smile at him.
"Good morning Mr. Stark".
"Morning Miss Potts" he answered charmingly already drinking his coffee. "Uhmm... This is heaven" he spoke with the mug on his hand while closing his eyes. Pepper could only smile at his behavior.
"How did you spend the night?" she asked worried.
"Okay. Just hit my head on the pillow and woke up just this morning". He smile at her concern about him. "Why? Were you worried?" when she didn't answer he spoke again. "You don't have to". She nod at him.
"What are your plans for today, sir?" she asked watching him finish his pancake and get another one.
"Obie told me to lay low after that press conference… so I guess I will lay low". There was a silence between them. Both knowing they have many challenges to face after his announcement yesterday. Pepper could only wonder how many emails and files she had waiting for her.
"Besides…" spoke Tony again. "I have something on my head that I need to get out and build".
"You are not taking and rash decisions without talk to me first, are you?"
"About the company? No!" he laugh. "Next time I had an announcement like that for the company I definitely give you the heads up".
"Good, because that almost kill me". She joke and he laugh at her.
They finish their breakfast and Tony went back to his lab while Pepper decided to see the mess that his announcement made. As expected, their stocks went down, fast and was still dropping. There was a lot of emails from people wanting to interview Tony, agencies still wanting to talk to him, some from members of the Board demanding some answers. Pepper started to answer them the best way she could.
Around 10 am, Pepper decided to take a break and see what the news were speaking about Tony and his new policy. She turn the TV on to watch Mad Money; Jim Cramer, the TV host, was talking about the safest investment to make and soon after that, he started talking about Stark Industries. Advising people to "abandon ship"
Compare Stark Industries with the Hindenburg disaster is a little too much – she thought angrily, but the TV host was only beginning. He started to mock the new polity and put doubts on Tony's credibility and his ability as a CEO. Pepper was starting to wonder if there was any way that they could sue him but that thought was interrupted by Tony calling for her through the intercom.
"Pepper! How big are your hands?"
"What?" she asked partially for not understand him due to the TV noise and partially for the insane question she thought she heard.
"How big are your hands?" he asked a little more impatient.
My hands? She thought confused. "I don't understand why-" she didn't have time to finish when Tony ordered:
"Get down here. I need you". He hang up and Pepper let a long sigh out. What could he possibly want with the size of her hands?
Tony and his crazy ideas. She thought putting her computer on the table in front of her.
She went down to the workshop. When she got at the glass door Pepper could see Tony lay down at an operation chair, with DUM-E next to him. He was shirtless, only with his pajamas pants and from there she could see the reactor on his chest that he build in that cave. Like the Arc Reactor from Stark Industries, this one also emits a blue glow.
Oh my God. – Pepper thought scared but didn't let her fears shows up on her face. Tony didn't need that right now, he needed reassurance. But she was scared, confused, and curious. She remembered their talk last night; how he told her about the operation, how he was awake during the process. His chest, his beautiful, perfect chest, now had a hole on it for that piece. Is that how he is now?
She dial her password and walk closer to him. Pepper couldn't avoid looking at his chest piece. At each step, she got even more curious. Tony was looking at her and said something but she was too distracted to get what he said. He raised his hands and spoke:
"Let me see them". He wanted to see her hands. Of course that's why he called me here. She came closer to him and showed him her hands. He seems pleased.
"Wow they are small". He spoke. "Very petite. I need your help for a sec." he spoke now looking at something on his hands. But Pepper couldn't take her eyes off his chest and the alien object that was there now. She always loved his body, and his muscular chest, and now seeing that object there was something weird, she couldn't decide if she liked or not.
In a way, it almost suit him. Tony always liked electronic objects and now he has one on himself. But when she thinks that, in order to have that object, he has a hole on his chest, she felt a little nausea for the pain he must have felt.
"O my god!" she came to his side. "So this is the thing that is keeping you alive?" she asked coming a little closer.
"It was. It is now an antique". Tony answered. Pepper look at him scared that the thing is malfunction or something, but Tony keep explain to her. "This is what will keep me alive in the future" he showed her the object in his hands. Pepper could see the similarity of both pieces.
But Tony didn't give her time to think and keep talking. "I'm swapping it up for an upgraded unit and I ran into a little speed bump". He said so calmly like he did those things everyday. Pepper was still trying to understand what he was talking about and what does he wanted from her.
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"It's nothing. Relax. It's just a little snag". He said again really calm and started to open the reactor on his chest. "There's an exposed wire here and it's causing me a bit of a short". He manage to pull the device off his chest and that movement scared Pepper. She look at the hole on his chest inches from his heart. And Tony gave her the device asking her to put on the table next to her.
She put the device down and was finally calming down a little when Tony next request made her go nervous again.
"I want you to reach in and lift the wire out gently". She look at him with wide eyes and then at the hole on his chest. Pepper felt her own heart started to beat faster.
"Is it safe?" she questioned scared.
"Yeah" Tony reassured her calmly. "Yeah, it's like Operation. Just don't let it touch the wall".
Pepper look at him confused. "What is Operation?" where does he get these references?
"It's a game. Don't worry about it you will be fine".
Pepper took a deep breath and started to move her hand into his chest but when she thought about what she was doing she panic and gave a step back.
"I can't do this". She told him afraid. "I- I don't think I'm qualified to do this". She spoke in panic looking at his chest and then at his eyes.
"No… you're fine". Tony spoke fast and gently. "You're the most capable, qualified, trustworthy person I've ever met". He spoke with such a gentle and honest voice that it was weird, was this the same man that she is been working for years? Pepper knew he could be gentle, she had seen this side of him before but recently he was letting his soft side out more and more often. At the same time, after listen to him, she started to have confidence in herself. How could she deny him anything when he ask her like that? Besides, he looks like he really needed her.
"Fine". She said quietly.
"I really need your help. Or it's that too much…?"
"Okay. I'll do it".
She hesitated for a moment before getting her hand inside the hole on his chest. It was horrible! There was some liquid there that Pepper could swear it was pus, but Tony, calmly explain that it was from the device.
Oh My God. My hand is inside his chest. My hand is in his chest cavity! Don't panic, don't panic. He really needs your help Virginia. Keep it together. You can do this. He trusts you. - She thought looking up. I can do this.
She finally found the wire he was talking about and hold it between her two fingers. In the process, the wire ended up touching the wall and gave Tony a shock and he yelled.
"Sorry. I'm sorry" Said Pepper in panic mode again while Tony was explain something she pulled the wire out.
"…The magnet. That's what I was talking. You pulled out".
"What do I do?" she asked nervous.
"Don't put back in!" he yelled making her panic increase. Pepper threw the object at the table next to her and look at him even more afraid now because he was quiet and looks in pain. She touch his arm and asked desperate.
"Tony, what's wrong?"
"Nothing" he said calmly "I'm just going into cardiac arrest"
"You said this was safe!" she yelled at him.
"Hurry. Take this". He gave her the new reactor. "Put it in".
Pepper was desperate. He could not die in front of her. Not right now that he just came back. Not ever!
He gave her the instructions of how she should put the reactor on his chest and she assured him that she would make it. Slowly, Pepper put her hand inside the hole on his chest again and carefully search for the connecting point. When she found it, she connected the reactor on his chest and Tony let out a yell scaring her even more.
Pepper was afraid that she hurt him, or worse, accelerate his death. Seconds later Tony started to laugh at the look on her face.
"See?" he asked. "It was fun right?"
But Pepper wasn't sure if she had make it right or not and look at him worried.
"Are you okay?" Tony's smile grew at her scared face.
"Feel great. Never better". He look at her for a seconds and tease her. "Are you okay?" and started to laugh again.
Pepper had mix feelings. For one side she was relieved and happy that he was now okay and out of danger, on the other hand, she wanted to hang him for making her do this and put her in this hopeless situation. But right now, all she could do was let out a relieved smile as he was still laughing at her.
"Tony, don't ever, ever, ever ask me to do anything like that ever again". She spoke to him half serious and half teasing him back, because she knew if he asked, she would do this again. But Tony took it serious and look at her with that honesty that she saw him yesterday in front of those reporters and a few minutes ago, plus there was a new vulnerability in those beautiful brown eyes that she never saw before. He look straight in her eyes.
"I don't have anyone... but you". Pepper was surprised at his confession. He was a lonely person. She knew that. Tony only trust a few people but he never said it out loud. And to know that above all those few people that he trust, she is the one that he treasure the most makes her feelings towards him even stronger.
He was so vulnerable right now that she wanted to hug him, to protect him, from everything and everyone. They look at each other for a few seconds. Pepper didn't know how to respond to his confession and Tony seems to be embarrassed for saying it.
"Anyway…" he murmured breaking the eye contact and saving her from answering him. The atmosphere around them became a little awkward for a few seconds. She felt the need to pretend to be busy and took the old reactor in her hands while Tony was getting up from the operational chair taking more time than he really needed and avoiding looking at her.
"What do you want to do with this?" she question him holding the old reactor.
"Destroy it" he simple say it.
"What?" she look at the thing in her hands. "Don't you want to keep it?" she asked feeling sympathy for the object on her hands.
"Pepper, I've been called many things, 'Nostalgic' is not one of them". He told her.
"Okay," she murmured. "Will that be all Mr. Stark?" she asked for the first time since he came back.
"That will be all Miss Potts" he turn his back to her and started to yell orders at DUM-E. Pepper look at them for a while before started to walk out of his lab.
Once she was upstairs in the living room Pepper look at the chest piece in her hands... It was the first miniaturized Arc Reactor ever built. Something that many engineer said that it was impossible to do it, and Tony was able to build it alone in a cave with scraps materials. This little piece alone was proof of Tony's genius.
But more than that. It was the thing that make his comeback possible, the thing that kept him alive so he could make his way out, the thing that was protecting his heart.
How could she destroy that? Today, when there was so many people judging Tony, blaming him the evil of the world, calling him a hypocrite for his new direction with the company, mocking him in so many ways that she felt the need to do something nice for him. To show him that, there are people who cared. That she cared for him even more after his confession at the Workshop.
"I don't have anyone… but you". She couldn't stop thinking about that, the way he say it, the look in his eyes, the vulnerability in his voice, how embarrassed he was after as if he didn't meant to say it out loud. Tony care. More than he let himself show. That's why he was trying to change and do something else with his company. And with a brilliant mind like his, he could do so many things!
"I don't have anyone… but you". She could still hear him say it. During those three months that he was away, Pepper realized something: he was all she had too. Sure, her parents were alive, and she had a sister. But they had their own lives, their own world. Tony was a constant in her life, always present, always making himself known and demanding for her attention; her world revolves around his in so many ways that she didn't know how to start over without him there. No one couldn't really understand what it meant to her when he was lost.
Pepper decided then, that she liked that object and she wouldn't destroy it. She simply couldn't. It represent so many things!
And I'm going to make him see this object the way I see it now.
And she knew exactly what to do for that.
"JARVIS, I'm taking my lunch break. Please inform Mr. Stark that if he needed anything he can call my cellphone".
"As you wish Miss Potts".
Before she went lunch, Pepper decided to order Tony's gift with the Arc Reactor. She went to a specialized store and talk to them about her ideas. They gave her some tips to make it more beautiful. When they came to an agreement of the final product the salesman informed her when she could came back to get it.
At first Pepper thought about asking people at Stark Industries. They could do it faster for her. But she thought they might confuse her gesture and rumors about her and Tony could start at the company again. No. This was personal. Too personal and she wanted to be between her and him.
-o-
The next day Pepper went to Stark Industries early, took some documents that it needed her immediately attention and went to Tony's mansion.
When she arrived, JARVIS informed her that Tony was out to talk with Colonel Rhodes. She decided to start working in her office until Tony come back.
It was already afternoon when the billionaire came home.. At the signs of his arrival, Pepper went to talk to him. She found him sitting in front of his computers at the workshop looking down at something, looking as if he was in deep thought. She dial her password and started talking.
"Tony… I need to- are you okay?" She ask after she saw the look on his eyes.
"Yeah" he answer avoiding her eyes. He looks hurt and disappointed.
He and James probably had a disagreement. She though. Pepper was aware that the Colonel still didn't fully support Tony and his new policy. Tony was, after all, the main weapons manufacture of the army. He insisted that Tony was suffering with PTSD and didn't fully comprehend Tony's motivation yet, hell not even Pepper could say she understands. All she knew was that Tony needed support and didn't seem to be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as everyone likes to claim.
"What do you need?" he ask before she had a chance to question further.
"Tony, don't you think you should be in the office?" she asked with caution. She didn't wanted to pressure him or anything, but at least if he was in the office, even doing nothing at all, they could have a better control of the situation.
"Things are a little unstable right now". He spoke softly.
"That's exactly my point". She told him getting closer. He look at her for moment.
"Obie agrees with me", he said calmly, "he is taking care of to bring the board members to my side. I talked to him about the new administration already".
"And don't you think you should help with that?"
"He told me to lay low, so I lay low…" he simply say trusting the words of his older friend and, why not say, father figure. They were in silence for a moment.
"Tony… are you sure about this?" she ask quietly and he smile at her.
"Pepper, I know it's scary, but believe me, I know what I'm doing… and I can't keep making weapons after what I saw". There it was, once again, that new honesty and vulnerability in his eyes that she is seeing so often. If it was hard for Pepper before to deny him anything, with this new side of him, it was impossible!
"Okay. Whatever you decide". He smile silently thanking her for her support. "Do you need me for something or-"
"Nah… that will be all Miss Potts, you can go home if you like".
"I still have some documents to look at, but after that…" he nod in agreement. "I'll be upstairs if you need me Mr. Stark".
"Okay". He murmured.
Pepper took her time with those emails and documents. Normally she would to this in a fast and efficient way, but today she felt like she needed to be there, not just to support and take care of Tony but for her reassurance too. And working on those files and emails was the perfect excuse for her. Nobody will question why she was leaving his house so late with work still to be done.
-o-
As the days went by, she kept with this routine. Working slow and easy to prolong her stay in the mansion.
If Tony loved the workshop before, now he seem to live in it. He would wake up early and went straight to his sanctuary; she had to remind him to lunch. He would eat with her, had a small talk and went back downstairs she would only see him late at night when she would call him for dinner. His only words about what he was doing there was "I'm working on something big", but he didn't gave her more details and went running back to his workplace.
Pepper realized that he also developed a new habit: He started cut his shirts, some very expensive shirts, with a hole that fit and let the Arc Reactor out.
"It needs to breathe Pep" he told her when she questioned him about this. "Besides, work great as a nightlight". He spoke stuffing his chest to give her a better view of his reactor. She had to laugh at his last statement. It always amazed her how Tony manage to see the bright side at the most unusual things.
Rhodey called her a few days ago to make sure how Tony was doing.
"He is fine James" she informed him.
"He is not. Believe me. He is traumatized." he insisted over the phone.
"It was hard for him. But he is dealing with this well enough".
"He's behavior it's not normal, not for Tony-"
"I'm telling James, he is eating well, sleeping well. I have my eyes on him"
"Just… keep me posted, okay?"
But she wasn't lying to him. Pepper kept a close eye on Tony. She knew that some days he spend it awake until very late at night probably remembering the horrors he saw or trying to solve a problem at whatever it is that he is doing on the workshop. JARVIS was informing her everything about his sleeping habits. He had a couple of nightmares the first days that he came back, but he manage to calm himself down.
Even so, for a person who was kidnapped and tortured, saw death and destruction, he was going pretty well.
If it was with me, I will probably need therapy for the rest of my life. She thought looking at the phone where the colonel had just hang up. Once again, she had to give credit to Tony's sense of humor. It was probably what was keeping him from going crazy after all he been through.
-o-
Pepper was leaving her apartment early in the morning when she met with Sandra at the garage.
"Good morning" the red hair greeted her. "Going to your clinic?" the woman smile at her.
"Morning Ginny! Yeah, I have a patient early this morning". She spoke a little annoyed. "How is that man of ours?" she asked curious. Pepper smile at the way she did the question, she always found funny when people question her about Tony like that. Tony, hers… yeah. Like that will happen! Quickly she pushed those thought to the back of her mind.
"He is fine". She answered grateful for her friends concern.
"I saw some news about him". Said Sandra casually. "They are not saying the nicest things".
"I know…" Pepper spoke sounding tired.
"They said he has PTSD" insisted her friend.
"I thought he has it too… but now… I'm not sure". Said Pepper in deep thought. "Or maybe it's too early for me to tell anything".
"What do you mean?"
"He is the same, but he is kind different". She explain unsure knowing very well that she sound confused.
"You know, that didn't make any sense at all" Sandra laugh a little, and Pepper let out a small smile. "Different how?"
"I'm not really sure yet. He is the same insufferable man, with an erratic energy that makes me crazy and eccentric as ever!" Sandra laugh at the description of her friend's boss. "But… He is… focus… determinate… you know? I mean… It's been 11 days that he came back and until now he hasn't done the craziest things he used to, you know what I mean?"
At her friends confused look she continued. "For example, I was expecting that when he came back he would party harder as he ever did in his life. With everything he's entitled to: crazy loud music… alcohol… women…"
"And he did nothing of this?"
"Yeah. Nothing. He's alcohol supply it's still untouched. I haven't walk any woman out of his house yet".
"For Tony Stark, that's weird!" she laugh and Pepper smile in agreement. "Do you think… it's because he doesn't feel secure or something?"
"No. He often get out alone." Pepper took some seconds to think before add. "I think he is just has too much in his mind, he is working nonstop at that shop of his, I don't know what he is up to, but it's complicated enough to make him work day and night… but I know that it's not due to stress".
"You need to take care of him… even if he doesn't show, anyone that go through an experience like that need some kind of support".
"I'm doing the best I can". Sandra smile.
"He is lucky he has you. I have to go now". She look at her clock. "Show up later so we can chat more".
"Sure" Pepper agreed before start to walk to her car.
Before Pepper went to Tony's house, she decided to pick up the present that she made for him. When the salesman brought it to her she was pleased with how they made it. That old Arc Reactor was in a metal plate with letters around it where it could read: "Proof that Tony Stark has a Heart". It was perfect. Pepper couldn't think of a better way to show him that she cared and support him. And maybe now he could start see this reactor with her eyes and maybe, just maybe, it could give him the incentive that he needs, to do the changes that he feels the need to do.
When she arrived at Tony's, Pepper was surprise to see Mr. Obadiah Stane there. He was pulling out from his car when she was parking hers. She took her purse and Tony's present that was wrapped and went to greet the older man, who, to her surprise was holding a pizza box.
"Morning Mr. Stane".
"Good morning Miss Potts. You arrived earlier". She smile politely at him.
"A lot of work to do". She simple said as they walk inside Tony's mansion. "I take that you are here to see Mr. Stark".
"Yes. Just arrived from New York. Brought him some breakfast, his favorite" he pointed at the pizza box and laugh a little.
When they arrived at Tony's living room, Pepper started to buzz for Tony knowing that he was already at the workshop. When the billionaire didn't answer Stane left the pizza at the small table in front of her and went to the piano.
"I told Tony, a million times already, that it would be easier if he just gave me access to his shop". Complained Stane and Pepper let out an uneasy smile.
"Well… he is very private of that place". She spoke buzzing for Tony again.
"Do you know what he is working on?" he ask as he started to play at the piano.
"No. He didn't told me". She saw Stane frowned at her answer. Usually Pepper is the first to know about Tony's projects.
"Must be something special then". He murmured.
There was an uncomfortable silence between them, so Pepper decided to take Tony's present and get up.
"I better go downstairs to call him". She spoke walking for the stairs leaving Stane alone.
As she suspected, when she arrived at the workshop Tony was too involved in his work. She put his present in one of the tables of the shop with a note that says "From Pepper" and decided to put his coffee mug on top of it.
Knowing Tony, this is the only way to fish him. He will notice the box only when he need his coffee.
Just then, she look at him. He had something mechanical around his arm and he was making adjustments.
"I've been buzzing you". She gently spoke with him.
"What?" Tony said lifting his mechanical arm from the table.
"Obadiah is upstairs-"
"Great, great-"
"What do you want me to tell him-"
"I'll be right up".
Pepper came close to him as he aim at the imaginary target in front of him. She frowned at the vision while he adjust his arm.
"I thought you said you were done making weapons".
"I am". He spoke as he adjust his body. "This is a flight stabilizer. It's completely harmless". He said while he pressed a button in front of him.
At that second there was a noise and the mechanical arm let go a massive fire, so strong that it throw Tony's body back and he hit his back on the wall behind him. Meanwhile Pepper cover her ears and protect her body afraid from the object. When it was over she look at Tony, nervous and scared that he hurt himself. "I wasn't expecting that" he spoke quietly trying to get up.
Pepper went to his aid. "You okay?" she asked helping him get on his feet.
"I'm fine" he let out a smile.
"Tony, what the hell?!" she questioned and he started to laugh.
"Told you. Flight stabilizer. I guess it's more powerful than I initially calculate". He said still smiling finding the whole situation fun. She let go an exasperated sigh.
"One day you will die with those things you know". She spoke with a small smile on her face that only make his grew bigger.
"Come on, it was at least funny". She rolled her eyes at him. "I will take this thing out and I'll be right up".
"Okay". She gave him one last look and he was starting to take off the flight stabilizer from his arm. Pepper went upstairs to inform Obie that Tony was coming. While they were waiting Pepper decided to open her computer to work on what she could while listen the Co-CEO play.
Ten minutes later Tony came up excited as always. "So, how did it go?" Pepper heard him ask then he saw the pizza box. "That bad uhn?"
"Just because I brought you pizza doesn't mean it was that bad". Pepper listen the order man answer.
Pepper listen the two men talk about the meeting in New York.
Funny thing. You didn't inform me so I could schedule his agenda to go. Pepper thought when she heard Obie complaining that Tony should have been there.
Tony seems surprised that the meeting was in fact a Board of Directors meeting, which means that his presence was crucial, especially in a time like this. At that information, Pepper stop working and decided to pay attention at what they were saying.
Stane came closer to Tony and explained calmly:
"The Board is claiming you have PTSD. They are filing an injunction". Pepper had to hold a surprised sigh. She didn't wanted to brought attention to herself unless it was necessary.
"What?" Tony asked surprised and hurt.
"They want to lock you out Tony". Said Obadiah.
"Because the stocks dipped 40 points?"
"56,5" she corrected him.
"It doesn't matter" Tony look at her agitated. "We own the controlling interest in the company". Pepper decided to stay silent. Later she could talk to him in private and more calmly.
"Tony", Obie call his attention. "The board thinks that your new direction is not in the company's best interest".
"I'm being responsible!" Tony complain. She couldn't deny that. After she heard what he been through and see how motivated he is, in those last few days, Tony was being more responsible than the majority of the time she knew him. "I mean, me on the company's behalf being responsible for the way…" he started to rambling the way he do when he is nervous.
Pepper knew what he meant, but she doubt that Obadiah did. He was looking at Tony like he has lost it. Like he found funny Tony being agitated and nervous like that.
Tony finally gave up and decided to walk back to the workshop.
"Tony, come on!" call Obie again. "Don't be like this. Come on. Let the engineers analyze that". He pointed at the reactor on Tony's chest that was showing due to the hole on his shirt.
"No!" Tony said giving more space between him and the older man. "This one is mine Obie". The genius man run back to the shop while the co-CEO ask to see what he was working on. "Bye Obie!"
When Tony walk away, Pepper was alone again with Stane.
"I'm trying to help him". Murmured the older man. "but sometimes it's really hard". Pepper let out a friendly smile for the man. "I'll do everything I can to stop that injunction Miss Potts, meanwhile... you keep him in control". He spoke pointing at the stairs where the playboy had disappeared a few seconds ago.
She gave him a nod and he started to walk out of the mansion.
-o-
By the afternoon Pepper had finish her work already. She look at the clock. Tonight was the Firefighter's Family Fund benefit, she had to get ready to be there. With Tony "hiding" from the press, she thought that at least she needed to be there to represent him.
Before she walk out his house Pepper went downstairs to check on him and make sure he eat something, so she took a sandwich she made for him. When she arrived there, there was papers everywhere! DUM-E was holding a fire extinguisher, U had a camera with him, and Tony was in front of his computers looking very focus.
"You okay?" she asked putting the sandwich in front of him. He gave her a brief look with a small smile before stop typing whatever he as typing to eat the food she just brought him.
"Yeah".
"What Obadiah said-"
"Don't worry; he will help me win the board over. You will see". He spoke with confidence and she decide not to question him anymore, he was clearly having a hard time with the news. Just the few seconds that she had look at him she could tell how worried he was.
"I'm leaving for the night. Do you need anything?" she asked.
"No. I'm good, Miss Potts. Thank you". She frowned. It was rare for Tony Stark thank her just because she ask if he needed something. This new gentle, responsible, focus and caring side of him was often taking her by surprise.
"Alright Mr. Stark, see you tomorrow". She told him and started to walk out the shop. While she was doing that, Pepper could feel Tony's eyes on her watching every move until she was out of his sight.
-o-
Once in her house, Pepper had her hair ready. She was now looking at her closet trying to decide what dress she should go.
She look at the clock. The event was about to start and she was still here. She was going to be late, very late if she didn't hurry up.
Pepper look in her closet again and she saw a dress that she never had the chance to wear yet. That blue Armani backless dress that she bought as a gift from Tony for her birthday. Before all that madness that was his kidnapping. It was decided, she was going to wear that dress.
She put her dress on. Made a few adjustments on her makeup and hair and she run out of her apartment. She had just a few minutes to get there.
Pepper arrived at the Disney Concert Hall where the benefit was going to take place. The red carpet was a mess! Full of reporters and curious people that didn't get an invitation. She decided that it was the best to ignore the reporters, she wasn't going to talk to the press without Tony's authorization, it wasn't in her place. So she ignore the reporters calling for her insistently:
"Miss Potts, is Tony Stark making an appearance?"
"Is he really shutting down the weapons manufacturing division?"
"How he is treating his PTSD?"
"Is it true that he is in bed for weeks?"
My God! How annoying they can be? – She thought while walking inside the Hall.
Most of the guest there were High Society people, but it was full with her co-workers from Stark Industries too. Events like this it was a good opportunity to Pepper to catch up with them; since she spend most of her time at Tony's than at the company.
She walked around enjoying the music, having a few chats here and there. People were complimenting her for the dress. So much that Pepper started to feel a little bit uncomfortable. She never really like to have so much attention on her.
"Pepper! Good to see you!" she turn around to see who was talking to her and she met Carl. A tall and strong colleague that work on Accounting Department.
"Carl! Oh my god! It's been ages!" She greeted the man.
"Yeah well, the big boss keep you very busy!" He look at her. "Ow! You look beautiful!"
"Thank you". She said a little shy. "You look really nice yourself!"
"Not bad uhn? This" he pointed for his outfit "is the work of my girlfriend. Honey come here". He called and a blonde woman came close to him and Carl started to speak again introducing Pepper to his girlfriend. "This is the woman behind the man. Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's assistant". The woman look at her surprised.
"You are quite famous around here! Nice to meet you, I'm Amanda."
"It's nice to meet you too". Greeted Pepper.
"She was a little shy to come here and meet everyone". Spoke Carl looking at his girlfriend.
"I'm not used to these events". Spoke Amanda laughing a little.
"What do you do for living". Pepper asked
"I'm a kindergarten teacher".
"I told her all she had to do is think of those people as her students. It's not that different". Spoke Carl trying to make his girlfriend feel save.
"He is right". Pepper told her smiling. "The only difference is that we are taller". She joked. "You will be just fine here". They laugh when a voice behind her took her by surprise.
"You look fantastic!" Pepper turned around to see the familiar voice and she met with Tony Stark already on her side. "I didn't recognize you".
"What are you doing here?" She asked forgetting about her coworker and his girlfriend. Pepper was surprise to see him there especially since he told her that he was going to lay low for a while.
"I'm avoiding government agents".
"Are you here by yourself?" she asked feeling even more surprise when she didn't saw a woman or women next to him.
"Yes." She frowned at his answer and he look at her from top to bottom. Suddenly, Pepper started to fell naked at his gaze. "Where did you get that dress?"
"I- I…" she stuttered. His presence was unexpected and he was getting closer to her almost invading her personal space. "It was a birthday present-" she manage to answer.
"It's amazing-"
"From you actually". She told him smiling.
"I got great taste!" he joked. His eyes never leaving hers and Pepper started to feel more and more nervous around him.
"You… you wanna dance?" he asked. And in those few seconds Pepper's mind remind her what it was like to dance with him. She had done it once when they were alone in that weekend on Venice. To this day, she still ask herself how she let herself hug him like that.
"Oh no!" she more than fast answering him. She was not going to do the same mistake again. But that didn't make any difference for Tony Stark who was already walking her to the dance floor. Pepper look around nervous and saw a few of her colleagues staring at them. She try to smile and show confidence but she knew she was failing.
Tony didn't seem to care for the people around him. Why would he? He is Tony Stark! Seconds later, she felt his arms in her lower back.
His hands in my exposed skin at my lower back thanks to this stupid backless dress, - she thought nervous at the feeling of his warm hand on her skin and he pushed her close to his chest.
Pepper could smell his perfume. Why is he doing this to me? Can't he see the effect that he has on me? She knew he couldn't. Pepper always have hide her feeling toward him very well.
She was looking around trying to make this dance look just like a casual dance and nothing more than that. She make sure her face were away from his neck this time. She couldn't make the mistake to be catch up by her feeling for him and ending up showing him more affection than she should especially in front of everyone.
He was staring at her. She could feel his eyes studying her and she made me mistake to look back at him. His gaze was so intense that she felt the need to break it, and the red hair smile looking down for a few seconds trying to remember how to breathe.
All the walls she has against his charms was starting to fall. Especially those last few days where she was able to see a new side of him. More honest, caring, than she ever thought he could be.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" He ask in a low voice that makes her heart beat even faster and fueled her imagination.
My God! This man is going to kill me. – "Oh! No! No! No!" she remind to answer him. She was babbling again. Lately he started to have this effect over her. "I always forget to wear deodorant…" she joked. "And dance with my boss in front of everyone that I work with in a dress with no back".
She finished talking and look around at people showing him her concern. But again, he didn't seem to care and keep looking at her with a new intensity in his eyes that was unknown to Pepper.
"You look great and you smell great". He keep talking to her in that lower voice. Pepper felt the need to look down a little embarrassed for his compliment.
I swear he is doing this on purpose!
"But I could fire you if that would take the edge off". He joked and it worked. At this little joke, Pepper felt a little more relaxed and tease him back. Its amazing the power that he has to distract her.
"I don't think you could tie your shoes without me". She told him still with a smile on her face. Whenever she was near him, it was always easy to smile like that.
"I'd make a week" he said with such a confidence that Pepper felt her smile grow at his attitude. In those few seconds, teasing each other like that, she started to feel like they were the only ones there.
"What's your social security number?" she tease him knowing very well that he had no idea what it was. After she question him, he avoided her eyes but still had a poker face on. Pepper had to bit her lip trying to hold her smile. Tony took a few seconds to look around still thinking. He was trying. She couldn't deny that. And that made this whole situation even more funny to her.
"Five" he finally answered.
"Five?" she repeated unable to hold her smile any longer. He look back at her.
"Almost there" she tease him. "You are missing just a couple of digits".
"The other eight?" he asked and she laugh at him. It was so easy to laugh carefree around him, he seem pleased with her reaction and spoke again. "I got you for the other eight".
There it was again. That irresistible charm and honesty of his plus that super sexy voice. Their eyes met again. But this time they hold their gaze for a while longer. Pepper felt her eyes drift from his brown chocolate eyes to his lips so close to her. So kissable! He was doing the same. She had to remind herself that they where in public, he was her boss, Tony Stark, the womanizer playboy. Pepper felt the intensity of the moment and again the need to break eye contact so she started to look for anywhere but him.
Tony probably realize that too because he suggested "How about a little air?"
"Yes!" she answered relieved. "I really need some air". They didn't wait a second longer and started to walk out the ball room to the roof.
The roof was practically desert apart from a couple that seem to be leaving and going back to the dancing hall. After that, Pepper and Tony were alone there and she started to freak out.
"oh My God! We shouldn't have done that". She said nervously waking through the roof.
"We did nothing wrong". Tony spoke gently getting closer to her.
"That was out of place, unprofessional and inappropriate". She spoke again not giving him time to speak so he started to talk at the same time.
"We dance! That it's what it's expected in a party like this one".
"No it's not! That was totally weird". She spoke lowing her voice and getting closer to him.
"That was harmless". Insisted Tony.
"Totally not harmless".
"We were dancing. It's the normal thing to do. "he was trying to calm her down, and she was glad for that but it was impossible for him to understand her situation.
"Everybody who I work saw that…" she started talking again.
"No one was paying attention"
"No, you know why?"
"I think you lost the point here. I think they just… People…" He stuttered. "We just danced". He told her desperate to make her see his point and calm her down.
But it didn't work. Pepper became more nervous. She just didn't know if it was because she wanted him to understand her side and position or if it was because of his presence. She knew she was in love with him, and that they never could be together and that was okay for her as long as she was by his side and he trusted her like he does now.
But ever since he came back, with his new attitude, he was more responsible, more honest, more caring. He was showing to her the side of him that she already knew he has but he used to guard and protect it so much that it was rare to see it before. Not to mention that he was sober, no partying, no women.
But that doesn't mean that he won't get his women back. He is still Tony Stark.
"No it was not just a dance!" she insisted. "Tony, you don't understand because you are… well, you!" he gave her a confused look and she keep talking trying to make him understand. "Everybody knows who you are and how you are with girls, and all that is…" she look away from his eyes "completely fine for me. But with me… you are my boss-"
"I really don't think people saw that this way". He step close to her and was still trying to calm her down.
"…dancing with you makes me look like I'm the one who is trying to… you know…"
"I think you are overstating" his eyes never left hers.
"And we're here," she stop looking around and make the mistake to meet his eyes again. They were so intensely focused on her that she didn't know why she was complaining about anymore. "And I'm wearing this ridiculous dress". She started to rambling about anything that came to her mind. All she wanted was get close to him. They were inches from each other. How they got so close? "And we were dancing like that and…"
She was lost of words. Both of them in silence. Staring at each other unconsciously making their bodies even more close to one another. Pepper could already feel the heat of his body.
She was a mess of emotions right now. Those three months still haunt her. She got so close to lose him forever without knowing how his lips would feel on hers or how his hand would feel when they touch her body, that having him here, so close to her, so real, so caring, was too much. She needed to be with him. She wanted to be with him.
They were getting close to each other. Both of them wanting the same thing. She could almost feel the heat of his lips so close to hers. Her hand holding his arm, feeling his strong and muscular arm. She close her eyes ready to finally feel his lips on hers. But when his hand touch her waist it brought her back to reality.
This was Tony Stark. Her boss, Tony Stark. Her womanizer, playboy boss, that never had a woman for more than a few hours for the night. At that second she back down and stared at him. He opened his eyes and look back at her. There was an uncomfortable silence and the moment became awkward.
Say something! – she told herself.
"I would like a drink". It was the only thing that came to her mind right now. He broke eye contact.
"Got it". He started to walk back to the main hall.
"Vodka martini, please. Very dry with olives, a lot of olives. Three at least".
"Got it". He told her and disappeared in the hall.
When Pepper saw herself alone in the roof she started to freak out again. But now for a completely different reason.
What the hell?! You almost kiss him. – She scolded herself . You. Almost. Kiss. Him! Tony Stark. In public.. What if someone saw us?
Omg. My god this is not happening. She was already imagining how she was going to deal if someone saw their little moment. All the excuses she had to made, all the gossips that will come up with this. This is not happening.
Her feelings, the ones that she tried so hard to hide from him was slowing winning her over and showing themselves more and more. She was losing control of it.
It was nothing… it's just the heat of the moment. For you and for him. This is the first time that he get out of the house for an event, and he is alone so he is a little… oh god! Calm down Pepper. You two are friends you can talk about this. And one day you two will look back and laugh of this moment.
She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself. Tony was probably already coming back with their drinks. Okay you can do this. You both are adults. There's no reason to over react.
She look at the hall to see if he was coming back but didn't saw him. He was taking more time than he really needed to get that drink. He is probably just as nervous as you are. She let out a nervous laugh. Yeah. Like Tony Stark will freak out for an almost kiss. That's your thing Pepper not his.
She frowned and look at the hall again. No signs of Tony.
Pepper waited for a while longer.
Is this serious? He just left me here? She thought annoyed at his insensibility. Okay! Time to face if anybody saw us here. She thought nervous taking deep breaths and starting to walk out of the roof.
Once inside the hall people were treating her the same way as before. Telling her how beautiful she was, how that dress look good on her… but Pepper wasn't interested in small talk right now. She look around to see if she could find Tony.
Nothing.
He must have left. She thought disappointed and trying to ignore the ache in her heart. Great! Now things will be awkward between us! That's exactly what I was trying to avoid.
She knew he would reject her. She just never knew he would reject her even before something happen between them.
I need to get out of here. It was painful. She was probably the only woman in the world that got rejected by Tony Stark. Pepper felt like crying.
She drove to her house as fast as she could. She didn't wanted to cry in public. Once inside her apartment she let her tears fall freely on her face. She sat on her couch and hug a cushion desperate to fell some kind of comfort.
To be reject by the man that was nominate six times the Playboy Of The Year. The man that she loves more than she thought she was capable of loving someone. Her feelings for Tony made her realize how small was her feeling towards her previous lovers were. And his rejection hurt her more than anything that she felt before.
Right now, she felt like an idiot, like the worse human in the world. A failure as a woman.
In the morning, she will talk to him. Make sure that she had at least his friendship again and maybe she will be capable to undo the awkwardness between them. But that will be in the morning, right now she wanted to cry for making a fool of herself, for losing the man that she never had a chance to get.
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