LOOK WHO'S UPDATING ?! It's been a little more than a month I think since the last update, so I'm quite glad it didn't take me longer, because boy, this one didn't come easily. I had several drafts and several endings for this chapter and it took me quite some time to find the one which I believed was best. By the way, if anyone's reading this, I'm still searching for a beta. Anyone who feels confident about their grammar, because I'm still French and I still make mistakes.

In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy this one. I dropped a little hint (okay, maybe not so little) about what's coming next. Let's see if you can spot it ;)

Love, Callie xx

PS: BTW, did you not like the last chapter? Not that I'm ungrateful for the reviews I got (although, please, please, telling me to review ASAP 48 times - I counted- is not exactly my cup of tea, as far as reviews go), but there were less than usual, and I don't know if it's because it's summer and you're all gone or if it's because the last chapter didn't meet your approval...

Chapter 8:

Pepper is in her office, pacing around and trying to get some work done but her head just isn't in it. Neither is her heart to be frank. It's been a few days since the dinner at the Wannamakers' mansion and Pepper still hasn't made a decision about her future at VAST. Does she fight? Does she cave? She thinks back on Tony's plan and she agrees that it would work, that as an exit strategy, it is the best way to go and to make a statement, but in the end, it seems too vindicative and she doesn't know if she wants to go this way. She doesn't want to take control of VAST this way, or to hurt Aurelia by fighting with her sons in the many legal battles that will undoubtedly follow.

She stays at work rather late that day, even her P.A. is gone before her and only the maintenance staff is there when she goes down to the parking. But David is not in town today and she just wants to take a long bath, eat and sleep. Well, is she can manage to sleep. The last nights have been rather restless. She parks in her driveway and is surprised to see that another car is already parked there. She recognises Aurelia's vehicle and enters her house calling for her.

"In the kitchen, dear! I heard your car and thought you could use a glass of wine. I hope you don't mind that I opened one of your bottles. I've always been rather partial to your tastes in French wine."

Pepper enters the kitchen and smiles. "Not at all. I just wasn't expecting you. How did you-"

Aurelia kisses her on the cheeks before handing her a glass of Côte de Provence. "Your housekeeper let me in. I've been here for quite some time actually. How is it that you stay so late at work, my dear? Even Andrew wouldn't come home so late."

Pepper looks down her glass. "Well, it's been a bit busy these past few days… But why didn't you come directly to VAST? You know I would have received you."

Aurelia sighs and her smile vanishes. "I know, dear. But I think you and I need to have a conversation and I didn't want to alert anyone. You never know who might be watching, even at VAST."

Pepper frowns. "I don't understand."

Aurelia puts her glass on the table. "I know, Virginia. I found out this morning. I cannot tell you how sorry and ashamed I am. Casey and John have acted despicably. When I got the confirmation this morning, I just.. I couldn't take it. And Annalise is driving me crazy at the mansion. I cannot wait for their house to be renovated so that she can leave me be."

Pepper struggles to find the adequate reaction. "How.. I mean.. You don't.."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry. You must have been so stressed out these past few days and here I come, barging in your house without making sure you're alright. We should move this to the living room. You must be exhausted. And hungry too. Why don't we order something? You don't have a lot to eat in your refrigerator, dear. You should eat more. I swear you've lost weight since I last saw you. And that was five days ago!"

While Aurelia calls a Thaï restaurant that Pepper knows doesn't deliver but apparently will for Aurelia, she sits on the couch and tries to catch her breath. All the stress she's accumulated since the dinner has come to the surface and although Pepper feels incredibly relieved now that Aurelia knows, she has difficulties dealing with the sudden rush of emotions. She really should go to her yoga class more often, instead of watching horrible B-movies to try and relax.

Aurelia sits back next to her and takes Pepper's hand in hers. "Are you alright? Do you need some water?"

Pepper, who's finally able to think coherently, nods. "Yes, it's just.. I'm sorry, I'm not sure what took me. My nerves, I think."

Aurelia shakes her head. "I'm so sorry, Virginia. My boys did quite a number on you. I swear, they'll never hear the end of it once I get to see them. However, and once again, I apologize, I don't think that it will be enough for them to back off from trying to take over VAST."

Pepper squeezes Aurelia's hands. "You're right. Which is why you won't say anything to them. At least, not until we agree on a plan. That is, if you are with me, of course."

"Oh darling, I've already told you. If it were just for Andrew and I, that company would be yours. Lord knows I love my boys, even when they are being incredibly stupid, but as far as I'm concerned, you are family, Virginia. VAST should be yours. That is, if you still want it."

Pepper has a sad smile. "I don't think I can keep it, Aurelia. But I can certainly make sure that it is well run, for the next two decades, at least."

Ten minutes later, they are both on the phone, calling all the board directors and arranging a meeting via conference call. It takes some time, as their aren't all in the country, or the continent, but an hour later or so, Pepper has them all on Skype and Aurelia puts them in the know. There's a pause, then a brouhaha of voices and Pepper has to speak a little louder.

"Ladies, gentlemen! I have a plan!"

Silence.

"We're going to sell the company."


Pepper is nervous. She has reasons to be. The two-weeks deadline ends today and Casey and John are both coming to VAST to hear her answer. She's waiting in one of the conference rooms when Clara informs her that Mr. and Mr. Wannamaker have arrived.

"Show them in, please."

John and Casey both enter the room with a smile on their face, as they exchange pleasantries with Pepper and ask her if she's been well. Pepper wants to slap them both until the skin comes off their face.

"I've been very well, thank you."

Casey cuts through the chase and asks her if she has considered their offer. She raises an eyebrow.

"I would hardly call it an offer. But I have considered it, and I agree that not handing the company to you could hurt its interest, since I am sure you would sue me if I were to refuse your 'offer', as you so politely pointed out the last time we met."

Casey smirks and John has a sigh of relief. "I knew you would see reason, Pepper. There is no need to fight, we both want the same thing, which is the wellfare of VAST. You won't regret your decision, Pepper."

She smiles. "Oh, I'm sure I won't." She puts the files in front of her towards them.

"What is that?" Casey asks.

"My list of demands. I won't agree to anything until I've been assured that they will be met."

John frowns. "Pepper, I'm sure you know you're not really in a position to negociate."

Pepper's smile turns vicious. "I disagree."

She puts her finger on the phone in front of her. "Clara, could you show my guests in, please?"

The door opens and the twelve directors of the board come in and take their seats.

Casey slams his hand on the table. "You have no right! You signed an NDA!"

"Yes, that, we'll talk about it later. I think we're missing-"

The doors slam open once again. Tony Stark just arrived.

"Sorry, I'm sorry, I'm not too late, am I? Pepper, you look positively amazing today. Tweedle-Dee, Tweedle-Dum, you look… boring."

Casey looks absolutely furious and John seems out of his depth.

"What is happening ?!"

Tony takes his seat next to Pepper.

"Well, you've been beaten, that's what's happened."


Flashback to a few days ago:

"We're going to sell the company."

They all erupt in exclamations once again and Pepper hears them telling her that she can't do that, that selling would be a mistake, especially to someone they don't know and that she can't sell without their approval.

"Please, let me explain. I agree. We can't sell the company to someone we don't know, nor can I do it without your approval. Which is why we are not going to sell it. Just appear to do it. And we're going to do it with someone I trust."

"Oh, Peps, you touch me."

Aurelia shakes her head and Pepper hears her mutter: "Of all the men.."

Pepper rolls her eyes. "This is Tony Stark. CEO of Stark Industries. And he has agreed to help us."

Tony pours himself a glass of wine. "Have you noticed that all the board of directors look exactly the same? I mean, I'm positive I've seen the same faces at SI. No?"

Pepper sighs. "Here's what we're going to do…

End of flashback


"So, as you see, Mr. Stark has agreed to buy the company should you not comply to my list of demands. The papers are ready, I just need to sign at the bottom of the page. All the directors have already signed it. And so has my VP."

John is the one to speak first. "You can't do that Pepper. Father would never have agreed to such a thing. He hated the Starks. He always told us that Howard Stark and Obadiah Stane were never to be trusted. You don't know what Howard Stark-"

Pepper cuts him. "Howard Stark has cheated your father out of some contracts back in the day and Andrew never forgave him for that. I know the story. But Tony isn't his father. And you're not either. I have no qualms with selling the company to someone I know will take care of it."

Casey sputters: "Take care of it ?! That man destroys everything he touches. He sells weapons to the highest bidder! You think we haven't look through your records Stark! We know! We know!"

Pepper frowns and so does Tony. "Well, buddy, I don't know what you think you know, but obviously, you're wrong. Anyway, Stark Industries isn't the one buying VAST. I am, out of my own pocket. And since Ms. Potts has been so generous as to ask me to buy this company, I've decided to make her CEO. Although, I think I'll change the name. How about Potts Consulting?"

"Tony.." Pepper warns.

"Sorry, Peps, your show."

Pepper redirects her attention on John and Casey.

"You want to know what your father would have wanted? He would have wanted you to be happy. I don't know about you Casey, but John, I know your father didn't wish for you to follow in his footsteps. He wanted you to find your own passion. He asked me, in the letter I received after his death, to take care of VAST."

"That letter is irreceivable in a court of law, and you know it."

"I agree. But here's what is." Pepper calls Clara once again and asks her to let their last guest in. Aurelia enters and both her sons get up at once.

"Sit down. I am so disappointed in you. And your father, bless his soul, would be ashamed if he could see you. I thought I had made myself clear. Your father made his choice and you were to respect it. You both promised. What kind of men are you that you can't keep your promises to your own mother, let alone your deceased father?"

John and Casey look petrified. Pepper asks them:

"So, are you ready to listen now?"

They both nod, unable to speak. "You have two options. The first one is that you do not agree to my list of demands and I sell the company to Mr. Stark. I'll become CEO and after you are both defeated in court because you can't retake what I do not own anymore, I'll continue on as if nothing had ever happened. Of course, you could sue me on the grounds that I sold something that wasn't mine to sell in the first place. But I doubt that a judge would listen when he'll see that you have contested the will after I sold VAST, when you had five years to do so before. They'll just think that you are two little boys throwing a tantrum because you didn't get your way. Especially after your mother testifies in my favor. And when the time is right, and you have both understood that fighting me isn't the way you want to deal with me, Mr. Stark will sell the company back to me, at the price of the market. Which will probably be a little more expensive than what I'll sell it for now, but we all have to make sacrifices. And I'm ready to make this one."

Tony smiles at them, looking very proud of himself.

"Or, you could open this file, read what I ask for, and you'll see that it isn't so terrible. All I ask of you is that you do not disband the board of directors for the next ten years. I have personally hand-picked them and I hope that by the end of these ten years, you'll know that they are the best at what they do and will renew their contracts if they wish to. I also want that the plan I have put in place for the next fifteen years be respected. It will ensure VAST's development in several new countries and even, if you go well about it, make it the first consulting company worldwide. And I want all that my severance package be given to me in its totality. In less than a month. And an apology. For the way you have treated me two weeks ago."

She can see Casey's jaw clenching from where she is seated. Who's in charge now? Pepper continues:

"The file contains the legal documents that will ensure that you follow my list of demands. If you do not, the board of directors will take over the company and appoint a new CEO, as it is now their right."

Aurelia gets up: "I think this is all you need to hear. Now, you will come home with me. And that is not a request."

They get up and John says : "But you've broken the NDA."

Pepper chuckles. "Actually, I haven't. Your mother found out what you were planning on when she saw that you were avoiding them and when she searched in both your computers. And she's the one who told the board of directors about what you were trying to do. But that doesn't matter. Because your NDA will be dismissed in any court of law. Tell Annalise, the lawyer who drafted the NDA, that she's registered in the New York bar association and that it shows. And also that New York laws are a bit different from California laws when it concerns NDAs. Her NDA does not comply with these laws and is therefore, irreceivable. By the way, you have 24 hours to sign the documents, or I sell."

"I am so turned on right now." Tony blurts.

Pepper rolls her eyes.


Tony takes her out to celebrate. Well, he pays for the kebab and fries and they eat on the beach as the sun is starting to set.

He asks : "What are you going to do, now?"

"Well, if they do sign the papers, which I believe they will, I think I'm going to take your advice and go on a loooong vacation." She laughs.

"A hundred bucks you get bored before the month is out."

She steals one of his fries. "Be nice."

"I wasn't being judgemental. It's just that you're not the kind of person who could do nothing all day. And I get that."

She chuckles. "Well, I better get used to it. I'll be out of a job in less than a week."

"Please, you'll get so many offers your PA will need a PA. By the way, the offer to come work for SI still stands. I could really use someone like you. Obie too, I'm sure."

Pepper shakes her head. "Tony, you sell weapons for a living. I- I can't. I've always been pro-gun control. I can't see myself working for people who make and sell them."

"But that's just it! You could change the way we make weapons from the inside! You could help me make sure we sell safer weapons, to safer people!"

She cocks her head on the right. "I thought you were the engineer?"

"I am. But that doesn't mean I don't have to respect the way they want their weapons made. You could show them that safer weapons are better than- than-"

"Massive destruction?"

"Exactly!"

She frowns. "Tony, do you still have- Is Stane still asking you to build chemical weapons?"

He laughs but it's not joyous. "Yes, well, he asks me that every Christmas really. But I won't. He knows I won't. He just asks to see if I've changed my mind. Just in case, ya know? But I'm working on something else right now, and I think that it's… well, it's going to show him that we don't need chemical weapons to still be the best in the business."

"What's it called?"

"The Jericho. But it's still being thought out. I won't have a model to present for a few months."

They finish their food in companionable silence, well, as silent as Tony can be, which is asking random question every five minutes or so. He drives her back to her place and Pepper isn't even going to ask how he knows her address.

"Do you want to come in?"

She doesn't know what prompts her to ask him, but she's a bit tired, and the day has been high in emotions and really, she doesn't want to spend the evening alone, contemplating her suddenly occupation-free future.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She opens the front door and lets him in, watching him looking at her place. He goes in every room alone while she waits for him in the living room, pouring them two glasses of wine.

"Well, is it to your satisfaction?" She asks when he comes back.

"Oh, yeah. This is the perfect Pepper Potts doll house. I'm just a bit surprised you don't have plants. You seem like the type."

Pepper laughs. "Yes, well, they all died. Turns out I don't have a green hand."

"I'm shocked. No, really. You've just shattered my perfect image of you. I'm not sure I want to kiss you anymore."

She rolls her eyes. "Well, that's good, because I wasn't going to let you."

He narrow his eyes at her and drinks a bit from his glass. "I don't believe you."

She raises an eyebrow. "No?"

"Absolutely. I think you're dying for it. I can't blame you, I'm quite the talented lover. At least, you never complained…"

Pepper sighs. "Tony…"

"I know, I know, you're with Mr. Perfect and I'm.. not. But can you honestly tell me that you're happy with him?"

She snaps. "You mean, the way you've made me happy?"

Silence.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have.."

He gets up. "No, it's fine."

"No, it isn't. If anything, I'm your friend and the last thing I want is to hurt you. Sit down, please."

He obliges her.

"Tony, you know I care about you. You just don't always make it easy. And we've been… I haven't seen you in three years. I barely know what's happened to you. Rhodey speaks a little about you but he's not been here that often and he can't tell me what he doesn't know."

"I still love you, you know."

She puts her head in her hands. "Tony, please…"

"No, you're right, I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to hear it. But it's true, you know? And I've never, ever-"

She kisses him. She tells herself it's to shut him up but who is she kidding? She kisses him because she's missed him. Because she's so relieved that he's back in her life, a feeling she can't explain because frankly, fifty per cent of the time, he's been an absolute jerk to her. She kisses him because she knows that the other fifty per cent has been him being there for her when she needed him. She kisses him because she wants to.

He kisses back.

He makes her lie on her back and starts playing with her skirt and she knows she should stop him but she can't. She won't. It's simple really. Even though Pepper has always told herself she was the one who was needed and not the one who needed something, no, someone, well, she was safe. But the truth is, these past three years have been hard on her, and she was hurt. Hurt that he would act in such a manner at the wedding, hurt that he wouldn't call back, hurt that he didn't seem to care about her. And David, poor, sweet, David. Who doesn't need her and whom she doesn't need but who was there and so ready to please. David, whom she loves. But she's not in love with him and right now, that makes all the difference and she curses herself because if she's in love with Tony Stark well… she's in real trouble.

But he stops. Tony Stark stops.

They look at each other for a few seconds and-

"I can't."

He gets off of her and stands. She lowers her skirt back down and sits down.

"I'm sorry… I want to, but I can't."

"Is it because of David?"

"Yeah. I mean no. I mean… I'm not the kind of guy who usually minds when someone's girlfriend wants to spend the night with me. But you're not.. I know you. In the morning or in an hour, you'll regret it and I'll be responsible for your guilt and I can't have you looking at me like.. like you did at the wedding. Like you regret even knowing me."

Pepper stays silent. What is there to say anyway? He's right. She's still with David and even though she wanted it a minute ago, even though she still wants him, she would regret doing that to David. And to him. And since she can't even admit to herself out loud that she fell in love with Tony Stark somewhere between Japan and here… well, she can't tell him now either. It wouldn't accomplish anything. So she stays silent. And she hopes that he won't avoid her once again.

He grabs his car keys and makes a step towards the door before retracting and making his way back to her. He kisses her on the cheek, an oddly chaste gesture, but it puts Pepper on the verge of tears.

"Until next time, Ms. Potts."

She exhales.

"Until next time, Mr. Stark."

He leaves and her tears flow down her cheeks.

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