Chapter 11: I'm Not Short
(Tony P.O.V)
As dawn broke over the city, Alexis and I were still down in my workshop. Scanning over the plans and ideas for my new invention, I glance over at Alexis who was curled up, asleep, on my office chair with a blanket carefully tucked around her small form. A pale blue glow, slightly, illuminating her face. She had fallen asleep about an hour after creating her arc reactor. She had helped me in some new designs for my suits before finally her eyes could no longer be held open. She had fallen asleep on her stool so I had carefully picked up and placed her on the chair. I could have carried her back to her room, but I enjoyed her company and I didn't know how she would react to waking up in her bed after how I found her last night.
Watching her sleep, I smile to myself before memories my little angel, Ayden, spring to the front of my mind. I shake my head trying to rid the images of my mind. Turning away from Alexis I look back to my plans trying to distract myself from thoughts of her. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and try push back the memories of her. I didn't want to scare Alexis when she woke up, especially after last night. Shaking myself, I plunge back into my work while keeping an ear out for Alexis. I didn't want her having any more nightmares.
A while later, a small, tired voice penetrates through my thinking, disrupting my train of thought.
"Tony?" Alexis yawns. I couldn't hold back a smile as I turned to look at her.
"Good Morning, Shortcake," I smile at her as she stretches.
"Good morning, Tony," She replies, softly as she slides off the office chair, wrapping the blanket around her small form as she softly patters towards me. "Is it always cold down here?" She asks as I see a shiver race through her, causing her to adjust the blanket around her thin shoulders.
"I can turn the heating up to a more comfortable level if that would please you, Miss," Jarvis informs her making her jump. 'Must not be used to J.A.R.V.I.S yet,' I chuckle silently.
She looks at me, a hint of fear in her eyes, which confused me. "Is that alright with you, Tony?" She asks timidly, wrapping the blanket around herself tighter. 'Why would she look at me like that? I don't care about the temperature.' It's like she is frightened I would...' Suddenly I understood the reason behind that look in her eyes.
"Of course its fine with me, Shortcake. I just forget the cold sometimes when I in my inventing mode," I say in what I hope to be a comforting voice. I feel like I have succeeded when I am rewarded with a small smile.
(Alexis P.O.V)
I instantly start to feel warmer as JARVIS turns up the heat. Softly pattering over to Tony, I stand on my tip-toes to see what he was doing.
"Are you still designing it?" I ask as I peek at his diagrams. I hear him chuckling softly and look up at him. "Why are you laughing?" I ask curiously.
"Because of you," He chuckles as he picks me up on to the bench beside him so I could see.
"Me?"
"Yes, you," He chuckles. "I was laughing at you because you are short, Shortcake."
"No, I'm not," I pout playfully.
"Oh yes, you are."
"No. I'm not short,"
He laughs and shakes his head as he turns back to his work.
"Well, Ms I'M Not Short, care to have a look at these designs?"
We worked together for another hour before J.A.R.V.I.S interrupts us.
"Sir,"
"Yes, JARVIS,"
"Ms Potts is looking for Miss Alexis and is quite frantic about it," J.A.R.V.I.S informs Tony making him look at me and grimace, making me giggle.
"Alright, J.A.R.V.I.S. Tell Pepper that I have Alexis and we will meet her in the kitchen."
"Very well, Sir."
Tony shuts off the computer as I jump off the bench. I wince slightly as a short pain races through me. Pulling my blanket around me tightly, I start walking to the elevator. Tony strolls after me, but we reach the elevator at the same time since he has bigger strides than my little legs can manage.
Gathering my courage as we ascend up to the kitchen, I quickly ask,"Tony?"
He looks down at me, "Yea, Shortcake?"
"Why was Pepper worried about me?" I wondering quietly, looking down at my feet. I couldn't imagine why Pepper was worried since she had only known me for a couple of days. I wasn't looking at Tony so I missed his expression of surprise and shock.
"Pepper was worried because she cares about you." He answered softly.
"Really?" I whisper. Shock lacing my tone as I look up him. I search his eyes for any hint of deceit, but I came up with nothing which shocked me even more. Instead, I found emotions that I hadn't seen in a long time or have never seen.
"Do you care 'bout me, Tony?" I whisper, scared of his answer. Crouching down in front of me, he places his hand on my blanket covered shoulder and takes a deep breath.
"Of course I care for you, Shortcake." He takes my hand holding my arc reactor and taps the reactor. "Any time you think that I don't care, I want you to know when you look at this that I do care about you. Anytime you feel scared or anything, you take this out and remember that I'm not far away."
I nod furiously at him and pull the reactor to my chest. "I'll remember, Tony."
Smiling at me, he pulls me into a hug which I instantly give back. As the elevator doors open, we pull away from the hug and he stands up.
"Alright, Shorty. Let's got face the wrath of Pepper," He calls over his shoulder as he walks into the room.
I look after him in shock before shouting, "I'M NOT SHORT!" and running after him.