When multi-billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, inventor extraordinaire, dons his solar-charged steel-mesh armor, he becomes a high-tech warrior—the world's greatest human fighting machine –

The Invincible Iron Man

Vice and Virtue

"Excuse ma'am but you can't go in there. Ma'am?" Pepper bounded from behind her desk and made an effort to bar the office door with her body. The statuesque blond with the big bosom stopped abruptly and glared at Pepper.

"I need to see Tony, please. He's expecting me."

"Ma'am, I am Mr. Stark's personal assistant and I assure you, he is not expecting you or anyone else. Now, if you don't mind Ms…?"

"Sloan, Ginger Sloan. I'm a good friend of Tony's. I really need to see him. It's very important."

"Uh, huh. I'm sure. Well, Ms Sloan please have a seat in the waiting area and I'll let him know you are here." Pepper gestured toward the black leather sofa situated on the far wall across from her own desk.

Ginger strolled across the room as if walking on a Paris runway and made herself comfortable. Pepper eyed her with disdain as she picked up the phone receiver and pressed the button to Tony Stark's office. Where did you pick this one up Tony? She thought to herself.

"Tony? You have a visitor."

"Who is it?"

"A Ms Sloan."

"Who?"

"A Ms Ginger Sloan."

"Hmmm, Ginger Sloan? Doesn't ring a bell, Pepper. What does she look like?"

"Tony, she is sitting right here. I can't describe her…" Pepper cupped the receiver and lowered her voice. "Why don't you come out here and see what she looks like for yourself?"

Pepper heard a sigh in the receiver. "No need for sarcasm. Ok, hold my calls and send her in."

Pepper placed the receiver down and smiled a fake smile. "Ok. Ms Sloan. Mr. Stark will see you now."

Ginger smiled back. "See, I told you he'd see me. We're more than just friends you know."

Tony rose from behind his desk as the door opened. The woman entering his office was unknown to him. Her name did not ring a bell and now seeing her perfect face, blond hair and shapely body did not trigger a memory either.

He extended his hand, "Hello Ms … Sloan is it? I'm Tony Stark. Please come in and have a seat. Can I get you some coffee? A soft drink perhaps? Water?"

"Oh Tony, no need to be so formal. It's me. Ginger." She ignored his hand and gave him a hug and quick kiss on the cheek. He was dumfounded. Surely he would have remembered a body and face like this. Perhaps this was a joke from Steve or Hank. He could see those two hiring an actress to pull some joke on him. Few people knew that Steve Rogers was Captain America and fewer still knew he had a wicked sense of humor underneath that patriotic Boy Scout exterior. Add Hank Pym, the Ant-Man, into the mix and anything was possible.

"I'm sorry, Ginger. Have we met before?"

"Tony, don't be silly," she giggled, "of course we've met before. We spent a weekend together in Boston. We shared so much that weekend, our bodies, our dreams, and our secrets. Two unforgettable nights."

A look of fulfillment lit her face and he thought she's good. What if she wasn't kidding around? Maybe this wasn't a Rogers and Pym shenanigan. He tried to recall a weekend in Boston. When was he in Boston? He vaguely remembered a trip to Bean town about two months ago, he could verify with Pepper the actual date, but he couldn't remember what had transpired during the two days he was there. Was he there for business or pleasure? Must have been pleasure by the looks of Ginger. Had his drinking gotten so bad that he was having extended blackouts? What did she say about sharing secrets? Did she know anything about his life as an Avenger?

"Tony, you looked confused." She stuck her lower lip out into a pout. "You don't remember me do you?"

"Well Ginger, to be honest, I don't remember you, or much of anything while I was in Boston. That was over two months ago and I've been on many business trips since then." He lied. "Did we meet at a conference or the hotel or a bar by chance? Did I forget some clothing, jewelry or something else at the hotel? I am confused. I'm sorry Ginger but I don't remember you. What would be so important to make you come all the way to New York City to see me?"

She smiled a perfect smile. "Tony, I love your sense of humor. You can always make me laugh. No, you didn't forget clothing or jewelry. We met by chance at a bar. You bought me a drink. We talked about stuff. You were charming. You invited me back to your hotel room. We talked more there. We talked most of that first night, and then spent a wonderful day together seeing the Boston sights. Then we had a second beautiful night together. I didn't want the weekend to end. You were such a gentleman."

She was genuine in her reminiscing but none of what she described jogged his memory. It was like a two-day vacation his body enjoyed but his mind skipped. How the hell could this happen? "That is all very nice Ginger and I appreciate everything you did for me while I was there, but that still does not explain why you are here now. Wait, did I forget to… you're not a…"

"No Tony, I'm not a prostitute." She glared at him as he sighed in relief. She continued. "We haven't spoken in two months. Not that I haven't tried to call you but your secretary must not have passed on my messages. So I thought I would come here and tell you the news in person."

"Well Pepper can be overprotective and… wait, tell me what news? What do you want to tell me Ginger?" He was becoming annoyed with this puzzling woman.

"Tony, I'm pregnant with your child."