Sorry for the delay in posting this. I still don't own anything.
I volunteered to clear the table and do the dishes to try and maintain some composer thinking that they would scatter. Instead Tony and Steve insisted on helping me and the other three stood around chatting. This made it hard for me to gather my thoughts as I made a valiant effort to not stare at any of the people who were quickly becoming more important to me than anyone else had ever been. I tried to remind myself that the only reason I was feeling like this was because I knew absolutely no one else in this universe but it didn't seem to help.
Wandering away I don't notice Steve following until I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"You ok?" Steve asks quietly.
"Hm? Oh yeah." I say trying to sound casual. "How about you?"
"I'm fine." He says though his smile doesn't reach his eyes.
"You know it would be reasonable if you aren't. I think part of the reason the movies went the way they did is you never had the time to process what had happened to you." I say softly.
"Unfortunately, I don't think I get to be not ok." He sighs. "Fury is pretty set on having me active."
"If you don't want to jump right back into playing hero again, he will have to go through me to drag you back." I say angrily. "You won't have to become a fugative this time to get a vacation."
Steve smirks and says, "You said something about turning me back into a fugative. It happened more than once?"
"One of those things that I am hazy on the details on but I think you went rogue the first time looking for Bucky before the helicarrier incendent. If Tony follows my advice and doesn't help them with the Helicarriers then we should be able to stop that whole thing easily. But then the Accords happened and you were against them and declared a fugative again. If you two try anything like that, I will plant myself in the middle of whatever battle field you have chosen and I won't move until everyone puts on their big boy pants and talks." I say only half joking.
"Well alright then. Makes sense that I would go on the lamb for Bucky. And we covered this. We can talk like adults. For you." He pauses, "Probably." He finishes with a smile.
"I'll believe it when I see it." I mumble trying to hide my blush.
"Hey, no hogging the soulmate!" Clint comes up behind us.
I roll my eyes. And start back towards the room only to be stopped by Bruce.
"Ignore him." Bruce says "He didn't mean anything by it."
"Didn't think he did." I say confused. "Can I do something for you Bruce? I was about to join you all I promise."
"Yeah, I don't want to over step or anything but you've been getting quieter and quieter. You've spent the whole day around at least one of us right?" He asks.
"Besides first this this morning I believe so." I say still confused.
"Well it's just you told us about the introvert thing and I thought your social battery might be running really low. I love spending time with you but none of us want you to be uncomfortable." Bruce says fidgeting.
"I was thinking about going to watch tv when Steve stopped me. I kinda figured that after dinner everyone would scatter again." I admit.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Bruce asks.
"1 how would I even phrase that? 'Well this has been great but just having all of your presences in the same room is starting to give me a headache?' Yeah that would go over well. 2. Seems extremely rude to tell the only people I know in the universe that I need to do something other than talk to people. Not gonna happen." I say giving in to the irritability I'm feeling jst a little bit. Unfortunately for me one of those people happens to be a super spy that likes to sneak up on people.
"That's exactly what you should have told us." Natasha says from just out of my periphery.
"Jeez, seriously. Heart attack waiting to happen." I mumble.
"I don't think I am exaggerating when I say we all love spending time with you but if you are done with people, even us, you have to tell us."
"I'll keep that in mind." I say sarcastically. "On that note, I am going to find something to watch on tv, if you want to join me please do but I will have full control of the remote." I say to her, raising my voice to alert the other 3 to my plans.
"Nobody go with her." Natasha says staring me down. "She needs some time to herself."
"But she.." Tony starts before Bruce cuts him off with a look.
"Listen to whoever, I will be planting my ass on that very comfy couch for the rest of the evening." I say secretly hoping that they follow her advice, I would never admit to it though.
"Have fun." Tony says too cheerfully. "I just realized my lab suspension has been lifted so see ya!"
"Go to bed around 2am please!" I call after him as he takes off for the lab. "I wish I loved my job half as much as he seems to love his." I grumble falling onto the couch and settling in for a night of Doctor Who.
***The next day***
Waking up the next morning I could feel a routine starting to form. I clearly was the only sane one that slept to a normal time with the rest of them getting up at the asscrack of dawn for one reason or another.
"Hey JARVIS, status update on everyone?" I call over the sound of the blender.
"Sir and Dr. Banner did indeed follow your advice and return to their rooms before 2am. Rogers is working on turning part of his apartment into an art studio. The spies are both either on short recon missions or training or both. "
"Thank you JARVIS." I say, starting to wonder what I should do for the day. I was still worn out from all the socializing yesterday so I was relieved that they were busy but I would still get bored eventually. I realized I needed to talk to Tony so I could talk to Pepper. Even with an identity I still wouldn't be able to get a job in my field or go back to school without references. While Tony would want to fix everything right away, Pepper would probably have a better paln that didn't involve buying out businesses or something else.
"Can you let Tony know that I need to talk to him quickly at some point today? Stess the no rush but just want to get it on his radar."
"Certainly, Miss."
20 minutes later the elevator signals the arrival of someone to the floor. I turn my head to see Tony smiling at me.
"You rang?" Tony asks theatrically.
"I thought I told JARVIS to tell you that there was no rush?"
"He did why do you think it took me this long?"
"You are truly impossible. Anyway, I need to introduce me to Pepper."
"Why? So you two can think up ways to gang up on me?" He says curiousity and sarcasm in his voice.
"While I am sure that is a possibility, no I was thinking she could help with my job situation."
"You do realize that it's still technically my company AND I am a billionaire who happens to love you?" He says paling a little at the end when he realizes what he is saying.
I stare open mouthed.
"So what do you need Pepper for?" Tony says in a voive resembling a squeek.
Using the question to steer the conversation away from feelings, "While I understand that it's still technically your company, my idea was so have me installed as the Avengers assistant. Something you need anyway since Pepper is no longer on the job and you only listen to JARVIS like 50% of the time. I won't be able to get a job in my field or go back to school without references and that is still a problem considering that I know a total of 7 people in the universe."
He frowns. "I don't like the idea of you working for us."
"Why not? I wouldn't pry into anything you guys didn't want me to know. And there is a very slight chance that my vague knowledge of future events could help in a more direct way if I were involved. Plus it's a way for me to have my own source of income, which is really important to me especially if whatever is happening here goes south."
"It won't." Tony says seriously.
"You can't possibly know that." I insist.
"Do I or do I not have your tattoo on my skin? In fact don't we all?" He asks.
"Well I've only seen yours but you're all pretty sure of it."
"Then it won't go south. Not in any way that would cause me or anyone else involved to desert you or cut you off like your dickwad family." He says getting really angry.
"Fine. Let's say for argument sake that your right. I would still like to have some fucking independence in my life." Getting mad myself for him missing the point. "You know who else didn't want me to have a real job or way of supporting myself. Those very same dickwads and the absolute douche they thought I should marry."
"But.." Tony starts.
"But Nothing! God, I know that you want to take care of me. Message received. But you can't honestly be so dense as to see that I am extremely uncomfortable in just taking all of this! You have to see how this looks from the outside right?" I ask my headache from last night threatening to return.
Minutes go by in silence as Tony thinks about what I've said. I go back to thinking about the I love you he definitely didn't mean to say. Could I love him? Probably. Did I deserve someone like him? Not at all. Could I trust that he meant it when he said the Ace thing wasn't an issue? History tells me no but then again I am in a fucking movie so it could be possible.
Tony pulls me from my thoughts "You're right. I am sorry."
"Sorry for what?" I narrow my eyes wanting to know if he was serious or just placating.
"I'm sorry for not seeing that it was an independence issue and not just a stubborn thing. While I fully believe you are probably the most stubborn person on the planet right now, you deserve to live your life however you want. I just always thought that part of the reason I had all of this money was to take care of those I care about. When you showed up and needed that I was excited and didn't think of how it might make you feel to be so dependent on someone else. Even someone who actually cares about you." Tony finishes with a small smile.
"Thank you for taking the time to think it through and for the apology. Now, do you think that as the owner of the company, you could call in a favor from your CEO to have me hired as assistant to the Avengers or at least to you. And if it makes you feel better, you would technically be paying me."
He actually brightens at the last sentence. "I think I could pull some strings. Unfortunately, Pepper likes 5 star resturants so you'll probably have to deal with that." He says teasing. I roll my eyes at him.
"JARVIS call Pepper." Tony calls out. Seconds later the sound of Gwyneth Paltrow fills the room.
"So you finally decide that I deserve more that a text that reads 'I'm alive.'" She says instead of a greeting.
"Yeah I've been told I should have done more. Sorry." He says sheepishly.
"Ser…" She cuts off. "Did you just apologize to me?"
"Yes. Can we move on now?" Tony says.
"I guess. Honestly, I had a whole speech ready to try and guilt some remorse out of you. I'm a little speechless." Pepper says.
"Anyway, I need to have a brief meeting with you today. Have anything planned for lunch?" Tony asks, I give him a puzzled look when he doesn't mention why. I open my mouth to speak but he puts up a finger so I shut up.
"You are in luck I have nothing planned from 12:30 to 1:30 but even if I did I could probably still make it." She teases.
"Great. I will take care of the reservations at our normal place. See you then." Tony says hanging up.
"Ok what was that? Why didn't you just tell her?" I ask.
"I want to surprise her with you. I am pretty sure she and Happy have a bet going on what my soulmate will be like and you are not what she is expecting." He laughs.
"My eyes are going to roll back in my head one of these days and stay there." I laugh rubbing my temples. "We still have a few hours till the meeting. I hate to be rude but I am still not completely recovered from yesterday and if I am going to be meeting someone new, I don't want to have a headache. Can I just come get you at like 12?" I say sheepishly.
"Of course. You know where I will be." He says before heading back towards the elevator.
"Thanks Tony." I say. "And yes I heard what you said earlier, I am just not in a good space to confront it. We will talk eventually though." I warn.
"I can't wait." He calls back.
I turn back to the TV wondering if he meant it or not.
*** Time jump to lunch****
I dragged Tony away from the lab exactly at noon with a brief smile and wave to Bruce how nodded since his hand were otherwise occupied with god knows what. After Tony cleans up, we head down stairs to wait for the car. I was surprised when Happy pulled around, though knowing Tony I probably shouldn't have been. I just stared at Tony with my eyebrow raised.
"What?" Tony said trying to look innocent.
"I'm just wondering how you're going to tell him." I reply.
"I thought I would just tell him." Tony says opening the door.
"I'm sure that's what you were going to do." I roll my eyes. Stepping into the car, I notice the glances Happy is giving me in the mirror.
"Still having lunch with Miss Potts, sir?" Happy says with an inflection that says 'I don't know this one, so I don't know what she already knows. What do you need from me?'
"Of course." Tony says brightly.
"Where would you like to be dropped off at?" Happy says addressing me.
Before I can speak, Tony cuts in saying, "No reason to do that since she is the one who requested the meeting."
"Miss Potts didn't mention anyone else, Mr Stark." Happy says with growing concern.
"That's because she doesn't know. I thought the first time she meets my soulmate should be in person." He says grinning like no tomorrow.
Happy nearly rear ends the car in front of us, gaping in the mirror.
"Did you just say what I think you said?" Happy said, shock presumably keeping him from the normal formal tone.
"I have no way of knowing what you are thinking but I did just say that she is my soulmate." Tony says and I start giggling for some reason.
"You are having entirely too much fun with this." I scold him.
"Aw C'mon. You won't let me spoil you the way I can. Don't take all my fun away." Tony whines. I roll my eyes but turn my attention back to Happy.
"It's really nice to meet you. I am sure that dealing with this one wasn't easy but he is really lucky to have you."
Happy just looks confused.
"Oh crap." I mutter realizing that I shouldn't really know anything about him. Turning to Tony, "Do you think that we will need to explain everything to Pepper?"
Tony thinks for a second. "We might have to but I am sure that she can deal with it considering everything I have and continue to put her through."
"How very self aware of you, Tony" I giggle and he just sticks his tongue out.
"If I could interupt," Happy says trying to break into the conversation again, "What exactly do you want to drag my wife into this time?"
"You might as well just join us for lunch cause it's kind of a long story and seems more efficeint to just tell it once." I say trying for a reassuring smile.
"Well this ought to be good." He mutters not as quiet as he thinks it is.
Tony starts to laugh again. "This is going to be fun."
As we pull up to the restaurant, I start to feel extremely under dressed. Happy goes to park the car before joining us for lunch.
"Why didn't you warn me that it was a fancy five star?!" I whisper yell at Tony.
"Didn't think it would matter." He says matter of factly. "You haven't worried about that before."
I rub my temples, more annoyed at myself than at him really. "I usually don't but I do know how to dress to the venue. Going to brunch or to the mall is nothing to worry about but walking into a place like this requires a little bit more than normal. I would have at least done my hair a little nicer." At his expression I quickly continue, "It's not that big of a deal. I shouldn't have said anything." I say rubbing my hand again.
"You should always tell me what you are thinking." Tony says seriously. "You've said it before that you aren't the same type of woman that I am used to so I am still unsure as to what rules to follow"
I groan. "This is really a bad time for this." I start to tear up cause I am definitely catching feelings and am managing to push this guy away already with my weird mixed messages. "Ok. 1. I am really sorry that I made you think that there were specific rules beyond the shopping stuff. That's completely my fualt. 2. I know we haven't talked about what this could be and that is going to be a conversation we have not in public so tabling that for now. 3. Communication is always key so that sharing what you're thinking thing is gonna have to go both ways. For now lets go meet the famous Miss Potts and get me a job." I smile at the end hoping he knew that I wasn't mad at him.
"I look forward to that conversation with bated breath but I can't wait to see Peppers face, lets go before Happy tells her!" He says taking my hand and practically dragging me inside.
He leads me to a table in a small room off the main dining area. When I ask him about it, he just tells me that its normal so that they can talk business without being too worried about being overheard.
On entering I see that Pepper is talking on the phone and Happy is not at the table yet so Tony's much anticipated reveal is still on the schedule.
Pepper quickly hangs up and flings herself at Tony. "You idiot. Don't ever do that to me again!" Apparently not noticing me standing slightly behind him.
"I mean really, there was no other way?" She continues.
"Sorry Pep. Wasn't much time to find alternatives." Tony says letting her get it all out. She finally notices me and scowls just a little before saying, "This is a private room so I am going…"
Tony interupts her and says "Oh sorry no, she is actaully the one you need to have a meeting with, I just am along for the ride."
She looks confused. "Have we met before? I am afraid if we have I don't remember so I apologize."
"Oh, we haven't met before but it is a pleasure." I say trying to smooth things out a little bit before Tony gets too excited.
"Why don't we sit down." Tony says grabbing my hand and leading my to a seat. He sits down beside me without letting go of my hand which was pretty impressive, if a little uncomfortable.
"Tony…" Pepper says in a questioning voice.
"Seriously, why don't we order some food. Even if this one is trying to bully me into taking care of myself I am still starving." He says waving our hands in the air. I see he is going with the bread crumb method to try and get her to realize what is going on.
"Tony just tell her." I say with a laugh.
"Tell me what?" Pepper says getting frustrated. "I swear Tony if you've eloped I will strangle you."
"Might as well have." He says smugly. I just stare at him.
"What?!" Pepper cries.
"Well, it's not like I am going to marry anyone else now that I have my soulmate, am I?" He says with his eyebrows raised briefly to Pepper before turning his gaze to me. "Not the best way to propose but that's the truth." I blink and just say "Can we put that in the discussion pile we have going on?" with a squeak.
"Sure." Tony says with a laugh. Like he is surprised I didn't blow up at him. I've really fucked this up.
Pepper is still slightly floundering for something to say. "It's ok. I didn't know how to react either." I tell her trying to lighten the mood.
"Can I talk to Tony in private realy quick?" Pepper asks haltingly.
"Sure. I need to go to the restroom anyway. I'll be right back" I assure Tony when I feel him squeeze my hand.
Doing my best to give them enough time to talk things out, I use some time in the bathroom to try and get my hair into a workable state and pull it back into a low braid.
Walking to the small room again, I slowly opened the door to make sure that it safe to come in. Tony looks pissed but tries to hide it when he sees me again.
"This all looks cozy." I say trying to lighten the mood.
"No offense but I wasn't really done talking to Tony." Pepper says.
"Well I am done discussing this with you." Tony says in a tone that I really hadn't heard from him before.
"Hey, it's alright. You just went through a big dramatic and tramatic fight with literal aliens, went accidentally no contact and are now telling her that you found your soulmate. I'm sure she is just trying to look out for you." I say trying to calm him down. Whatever she said really got him riled up. "She doesn't know me but that is the whole point of us having lunch today right?" I add.
"I guess but.." Tony starts.
"No buts. She is one of your closest friends and a really important person to you. She cares about you. She isn't questioning anything to be mean I am sure." I say with a small smile before turning to Pepper and seeing Happy come in.
"Hey sorry parking was harder to find than normal." He says greeting Pepper with a kiss on the cheek.
"Did you know about this?" Pepper questions with her arms crossed.
"About what? The soulmate thing?" He says looking worried. "Found out in the car."
"Well at least you didn't hide this from me." She grumbles before kissing his cheek in return. "No offense but I am going to need your information."
"Well…" I start before looking to Tony for a clue as to what to do.
He jumps in saying. "Why don't we order lunch first and then have a little bit of story time."
Pepper looks frustrated but I just sigh in relief.
After ordering and receiving our food much faster than I would have expected, it was finally time to come clean.
"So you asked about my information earlier and that's where there is a little bit of a complication. You see I am not from this dimension." I say trying for the blunt approach.
I am met with blank stares, except for Tony who is just relaxing on his phone, probably messing with Jarvis.
After a few minutes, Pepper asks tony "You really believe this?"
Tony looks up and says, "Yep. Convinced me, another genius, the super soldeir and three different trained spies."
"Well I am not convinced of anything except maybe that she needs help." With that I start to snap.
"She is sitting right here and very willing to explain everything."
"This is gonna be good." Pepper says turning her attention back to me.
"Where I come from you all are movie slash comic book characters and there are no such thing as soulmates. In the movies, you start out as Tony's assistant but eventually you guys get together." Pepper looks startled and so does Happy.
"Happy you are in a similar role but are with someone else." I say not wanting to drag May or Peter into this yet.
"Not helping your case." Pepper says.
"I'm serious. I got the constellation tattoo as a joke. If I had known that it would end up on other people, I would have gone to a better artist." I say blushing.
"Aww, this is great though." Tony says
"Enough of that." Pepper says mulishly, "Tell me something that you shouldn't know then."
I thought for a moment, "Oh, in the first Iron man movie, there was a woman in Tony's house from a one night stand. I think she was a journalist. Anyway, you went through the normal one night stand routine with having her clothes dry cleaned and having a coffee and she tries to take a dig at you saying that Tony still had you picking up drying cleaning after all that time and you said 'I do anything and everything Mr. Stark requires. Including occasionally taking out the trash.' From what I know you come into your own more in the later movies but I have sporadic knowledge of them at best. Happy you fought black widow when she was spying on Tony."
They both stare kind of dumb founded and I here a soft click beside me.
Tony is holding in laughter and taking a picture.
"Seriously?" I say with a raised eyebrow.
"You know how many times I've seen Pepper caught off guard?" He says not pausing, "Not many I savor it when I can. On another topic, they really showed the one night stand stuff?"
"Yeah. Mostly to contrast with later and show growth as well as set up you and her." Nodding my head to Pepper who seems to be coming around.
"How could you possibly know I said that?"
"I told you. It was in a movie."
"This is impossible."
"Your boss flies around in a metal suit of armor. Captain freaking America was found frozen and successfully revived and the Earth and specifically New York was attacked by a crazy alien from Norse mythology. I really feel like impossible is relative." I say bluntly to which Tony start laughing again.
"She's great isn't she!" He says enthusiastically to which I blush.
"I'm really no but I haven't been able to convince him otherwise yet." I say in a fake whisper to Happy. "Anyway, I managed to get an identity with the help of SHEILD but I still don't technically have a degree or anyone to write references or anything like that so my thought was I would be the Avengers, or at the least Tony's, assistant. Employed by Stark industries. I do have a degree in my dimension and no one every complained about my work." I say trying to talk myself up.
"Wait, you are Tony's soulmate but still want to work?" Happy says baffled.
"Thank you!" Tony exclaims, "I understand her reasons but still."
"I have a number of reasons. All of them very good." I say half pouting, half serious but I didn't want to get into it again with him here. "Can you help me?" I address to Pepper.
"It would give you a reason to be around that the press wouldn't question." She says thoughtfully.
"That was one of my reasons." I say slowly. "I was serious when I said that soulmates don't exist where I am from so I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Tony didn't tell you that apparently, I am all of the Avengers soulmate not just his. So between overload for me, I am sure that there are people out there who would probably use me to hurt them. I won't let that happen. There is enough to worry about without adding that on top so having me be the official assistant or what ever job title you settle on will help add a layer of protection for everyone." Tony looks a little shocked.
"I really hadn't considered that angle. Good thinking." Tony says encouragingly. "So whatever needs to happen to get her set up need to happen fast." He says turning back to Pepper.
"This is so surreal. I will get right on that paperwork when I get back to the office. Being the Avengers assistant might be better for now just in case someone does connect you with Tony, it's a little less of a scandal." Pepper says decisively.
For a moment we all just look at each other, the half eaten lunches sitting getting cold.
"This has been great but I am sure you are very busy so whenever you have stuff for me to sign let me know and I will come to you." I say politely. "Why don't I go with Happy to get the car and you can meet us out front?" I say to Tony. Pepper and Tony exchange a look and he nods.
Once in the car, I remember Iron man 3.
"Hey, Happy. I need to give you a vague warning but I need you to take it really seriously." I preface because I remember like half of the important details.
Happy looks like I just sprouted another head. "Go ahead."
"Potentially there is going to be a terrorist group known as the Mandarin starting to bomb cities in like the next year. The guy is someone that Tony rejected years ago and is looking for revenge. If you see AIM on Pepper's schedule call immediately."
"Could you be more vague?!" Happy looks uneasy.
"Hey, I didn't watch Iron Man 3 really. So the fact that I know anything is pretty impressive. If I do remember anything else I will make sure you get the message." I say.
"So you know the future?" He asks
"Not really. This universe is completely separate because of the soulmate thing and I have no clue how that is going to affect things going forward but so far I have a good road map on certain catastrophes that could happen and am working to prevent them." I say trying to explain a bit better. No that I didn't have Pepper staring daggers into my head I was a little more comfortable talking about it.
Just then Tony hopped in the car.
"You good?" I ask.
"I should be asking you that." Tony says avoiding the question.
"I'm fine. Your turn." I fire back.
"I think we reached an understanding. Need to get back to the lab though." He says making me worry that I might have to intervene sooner that I thought to get him to therapy.
"If you're sure. Thanks for lunch." I say. Happy and Tony exchange a look and then laugh.
"What?"
"I don't think I've heard anyone else say that to him." Happy says.
"I don't know what to do about that." I say.
"You don't have to do anything. Just keep being you." Tony says signaling Happy to start towards the tower.