Hello, dear readers! ;)
I'm back from a weekend of family fun and ready to give you some more updates. That's one thing you'll learn about me- the vast majority of my updates will come on week days. It's a rare thing that I get to post anything on a weekend (once in a while, I get lucky!) But be forewarned- this week I'll be travelling Friday thru Monday, so my ability to update will be cut a little short by one day this week and one day next week! :(
However, I plan to give you as much reading material as possible in the meantime! Again, thank you SO much all of your support and feedback! It means the world! And makes banging out those tough chapters well worth the effort!
Happy Reading! :D
Tony and Pepper had pulled out of the shop and got on the road. Over the years, Pepper had ridden with him on several occasions as his passenger, and the way he drove used to always make her heart leap into her throat. He took corners fast and sharp, and accelerated from a stop at each traffic light by mashing the accelerator, and gunning the engine before throwing it into gear and making the tires squeal loudly, throwing her back in her seat. She once asked him why he insisted on driving like that, to which he snidely replied, "I don't own these cars just so they can sit in the shop and rot, Ms. Potts." And, despite her white-knuckled grip on the arm rests, or the dash, or the handle above the door frame at any given point, she found she really couldn't argue with that statement.
So, now, whenever he'd slam on the breaks, or slingshot around corners and accelerate well past the speed limit, she realized that her grabbing the armrest, or the dash, or the handle above the door had more-or-less become a reflex. And, because she'd learned what to expect when riding with one Mr. Tony Stark, it was no longer a shock to her system, and they would carry on their conversation like they were passengers on a subway or metro bus, while their bodies would jerk and slide and lurch with the inertia of the momentum of the vehicle. A very comical and contradictory display for any outsider to watch, to say the least. But they were both completely oblivious to it, and just enjoyed each other's company as if they were taking a pleasant drive through the country, instead of speeding like a bullet train through LA's horrendous morning traffic, dodging slower moving cars like they were mere traffic cones.
Finally, they arrived at their destination, and Pepper, who had been chattering away during their journey about various subjects, turned her to look out the window. "The dealership?" she asked.
Tony shrugged, and smirked. "Dessert first, Pep," he said. "This was my number one on our list of to-do's, anyway."
"Of course it was," Pepper said, smirking back. "How can you resist car shopping? Even if it is just for me."
"He looked at her in confusion, and shook his head. "Who said it was just for you?" he asked.
Pepper frowned at him in her own confusion of what he meant, but Tony just exited the car and walked around to the other side to open her door for her chivalrously. He opened it, and bowed slightly, with a smirk, gesturing for her to exit. "My lady?" he teased.
Pepper giggled and shook her head as she climbed out. "Chivalry, huh? You must be in a good mood," she joked back.
Tony then closed the car door behind her, and offered her his arm. She look at him with a surprised, bashful smile and took it. He patted her hand in the crook of his elbow. "What can I say? Buying my best girl something shiny and new to drive gets me in a chivalrous mood," he gushed.
Pepper looked at him wryly. "There you go with the 'best girl' stuff again," she teased. "You better watch it, Stark. Say that to the wrong girl, and she'll make you eat your words."
"But I'm not saying it to the wrong girl. Am I?" he countered, stopping to look at her with an inquisitive look.
Pepper just looked at him, unable to find the words to argue. "Well," she said, bashfully, shifting her eyes away from his awkwardly. It's the second time this morning he's said that, she thought. If only I could believe it.
Just then, a giddy salesman approached them, beaming at their arrival. "Mr. Stark! So good to see you again!" he bellowed jovially, extending a hand to him. Tony just ignored him, and Pepper took notice, smiling to herself at the fact that, even in the face of looking anti-social, handing Tony anything, even you're very own hand, would always be a wasted effort. The salesman smiled awkwardly, and just took his hand back and clasped both of his together instead. "You explained on the phone that you're here to order something for your assistant, correct?" he asked hopefully.
Tony just gave him a polite smile and took Pepper's hand from the crook of his elbow, passing her off to the man. "Yes, for the one and only Ms. Pepper Potts," he said. Pepper just blushed at his grand introduction of her, and the salesman cooed with appreciation.
"Welcome, welcome," he gushed, grinning and extending his hand to her this time. She accepted it, and shook it firmly. The salesman gave her a relieved look that he hadn't made an unforeseen blunder yet again, and let go to clap his hands together, rubbing them eagerly. "Now," he said. "Any idea as to what we're looking for today?" he asked brightly.
"Well, I was quite happy with the car I had before," Pepper explained, but Tony interrupted her, waving a hand in dismissal.
"What she means to say is she's here for an upgrade," he said. "She had a little A3 before..."
"A very nice automobile," the salesman chimed in.
"Yeah, but I'm thinking she needs something with a bit more sport to it. You know, something with a little more flash," Tony continued.
"Excuse me, but I don't need any sport or flash, thank you," Pepper interjected. "I just need something that's practical and dependable," she explained.
But both men ignored her, and started chattering about the different models, and all of the options available. Pepper just sighed. So much for chivalry, she thought.
"Pep?" Tony said after a few moments, and Pepper shifted her eyes back to him apathetically. "What do you think of trying out the S5?" he asked.
"The S-what?" she asked indifferently.
Tony took a deep breath. "Okay, somebody's feeling left out, I think," he said, regretfully. He grasped her hand, and put it back in the crook of his elbow, patting it once more. "Perhaps it would help to have a visual aid, Ms. Potts?" he quipped, quirking an eyebrow and smirking at her.
Pepper couldn't help but smile bashfully back.
Tony's smirk turned into a warm smile. "Ah, there's that smile again," he murmured. "Car shopping is supposed to be fun, Pep. Right?" he asked her expectantly.
Pepper nodded. "Right," she murmured.
"Right," Tony said with a affirmative nod. "So, my good man! Lead us to the show room, and we'll show Ms. Potts, here, just what all of this car mumbo-jumbo means."
The three of them entered the dealership showroom, and the salesman began to prattle on about the difference in each model, and the pros and cons to each. Tony occasionally interjected details he thought were important for her to know, and she'd listen closely and smile and nod, trying to keep each bit of information straight.
They came to a car that looked very similar to the one she'd had before. "I recognize this one," Pepper said.
Tony nodded. "You should. That's an A3. The same model you've been driving. Only this year's model," he explained. He began walking her to the next car in line on the floor, which was a very sporty-looking silver coupe. "But this is the S5. This is the one we've been talking about upgrading you to."
Pepper left his side to examine the vehicle. Tony and the salesman watched her silently as she walked around the vehicle, chewing her lip in thought. She had to admit, this one did have some sleeker lines, and appeared to be a little beefier, and a little bigger than her previous car. But, appearances alone weren't enough to convince her this was the car for her. She peered back up at Tony. "And why would I want this one and not the A3, again?" she asked.
Both Tony and the salesman looked at each other knowingly. "I'd say it's time for a test drive," Tony said. The salesman nodded in reply, and jaunted over to the box of keys for the cars on the lot. Both of them watched as the man came back with a set of keys.
"We have a black one on the lot right now that's ready to go, if you'll follow me," he explained.
Tony gestured for Pepper to step in front of him, and she smiled politely as she complied. He walked behind her as they followed the salesman out to the lot.
Soon, they reached the car and the salesman handed Pepper the keys. She climbed inside, and Tony took position by the open driver's side door, bracing himself between the door and body. "Start 'er up, Pep. And you'll see what we're talking about."
Pepper did as instructed, and the V6 engine roared to life. She gasped, and Tony beamed. "See, that's the difference," he explained. "The A3 has only 4 cylinders. This engine has six. A world of difference when it comes to get-up and go."
Pepper looked at him. "But why would that matter to me?" she asked.
Tony scoffed. He rolled his eyes and smirked at her. " 'Why would that matter', she says. Okay, Potts. You're gonna make me go with you, aren't you?" he asked, trying to feign displeasure. He sighed heavily, and looked at the salesman. "Be back in a few," he said, smirking, as he made his way around to the passenger side and climbed in next to Pepper. The salesman just smiled and nodded, waving them away. Typically, he would have gone with the prospective buyer, but he knew Tony would sell Pepper on this car himself. Therefore, the deal was done, and all he'd have to do is get the paperwork together for them to sign when they returned. Which is why Tony Stark was, number one with a bullet, his most favorite customer.
Tony closed the door behind him and they both buckled up. "Alright, Potts. Let's give 'er hell," he instructed.
"Where to?" she asked, as she put the car into first gear, and pulled out onto the street.
"Hit the 101. Let's show you what this baby can do, huh?" he said.
Pepper nodded and drove to the nearest entrance onto the highway. She pulled onto the ramp, and shifted, accelerating to merge into traffic. The engine's torque pushed them both back into their seats noticeably as they picked up speed, and Pepper couldn't help but smile from the thrill. "Whoa," she murmured.
Tony smirked. "Nice, huh?" he said. "Now are you starting to get why I'm trying to sell you on this car?"
Pepper gave him a sheepish smile, and nodded. "Maybe you should get the commission on the sale, and not the salesman," she joked.
Tony chuckled. "Hey, if the munitions manufacturing gig ever falls through, at least I know I've got a fallback, right?" he joked back.
Pepper chuckled and nodded as she picked up speed, and shifted up through the 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. She noticed the engine beginning to rev again, and she looked down at the gear shift. "It's a six speed?" she asked, in surprise.
Tony nodded. "Yep. You'll appreciate that sixth gear cruising on the highway, Pep. That will make your ride as smooth as a baby's behind, and nearly silent, too," he purred. "Plus, an engine with this kind of horse-power needs a transmission that can handle it. And this one can. No sweat."
Pepper shifted once more to the highest gear, and as Tony had promised, the engine instantly went whisper quiet. "Wow," Pepper whispered, in amazement. "That is nice," she said.
Tony just gave her a knowing smile, and they rode along quietly for the next few miles. "You know," he said, finally. "I've always had a thing for girls that can drive stick," he said flirtatiously.
"Well, I learned with my father's old farm truck in our pasture. Four on the floor, no power steering, and it was about like driving a tank," she explained.
Tony laughed, picturing a teenaged Pepper bumping along in some old jalopy, popping the clutch and grinding the gears of it mercilessly. "I can only imagine," he replied.
Pepper nodded. "I'm sure it was a sight to behold," she said. "But that truck lasted clear through high school for me, and never managed to break down once."
"Yeah, and I'd suppose that wasn't just a lucky coincidence," Tony said. "Your dad must have done a lot to keep that thing in one piece and running. Teenagers are rough on vehicles."
"So, are gear-head bosses with money to burn," Pepper jabbed at him.
Tony smirked at her teasing him. "Hey! There's a big difference between driving a car the way it's built to be driven, and driving it into the ground,okay? I spoil my cars as much as I push them," he defended.
"Don't I know it," Pepper replied smugly.
"In fact, the only thing I love more than my cars is..." Tony began.
"Tut tut, that's enough of that," Pepper said, halting him abruptly. "We all know what you love, Tony. We don't need to hear the gritty details," she said, half-teasing.
Tony frowned and shrugged. "What?" he said, innocently. "I was going to say working in my shop."
"Oh," Pepper said softly, her cheeks blushing with embarrassment. She mentally admonished herself for instantly assuming he was going to say something sexually suggestive.
They both went quiet, and Tony gazed out the window in thought. Pepper glanced sidelong at him, sensing his brooding contained a twinge of hurt. She knew he didn't like being misunderstood. Who really does?, she thought. But he knew he especially didn't like it coming from her. "Tony, I..." she began, wanting to apologize.
"Go ahead and get off here, Pep," he said softly, interrupting her and nodding at the next exit. She glanced back and forth from the road to his face as she did as he instructed, noticing he wouldn't make eye contact.
Once they were turned around, and heading back the direction they came, Pepper tried again. "I'm sorry," she said quickly, before he could stop her. Then, she looked at him for any sign of a reaction to her words.
He glanced at her, with a bemused frown. "Sorry?" he asked. "For what, Pep?"
"For assuming the worst. That isn't fair, and I'm sorry," she said.
Tony scoffed. "Okay, Miss Melodramatic," he said sardonically, smirking. "Not following your train of thought, but whatever. I just suggested turning it around here so we can get it back to the dealership, and sign the papers. And then," he cooed, settling back against the seat. "It's lunch. Assuming I've effectively done my job as an honorary Audi salesperson, and you actually like the car, that is."
Pepper settled for his willingness to gloss over the previous moment's awkwardness. She smiled widely. "Oh, I love it," she said. "You were right. This is the car for me."
Tony nodded and smiled widely with approval. "See? I know what I'm talking about, Potts. Listen to your gear-head boss with money to burn, and he'll never steer you wrong," he joked.
Pepper giggled and rolled her eyes. "A bad car pun. How appropriate," she quipped drolly.
"Yet, you're laughing at my bad car pun," he retorted. He grinned. "That's what I love about you, Pep. You never miss the sheer genius of my stupid jokes."
"And the term genius is to be used broadly in this instance," she shot back.
Tony giggled at their playful banter, and grinned all the way back to the dealership.
