A/N: It took me forever to update this, and trust me, I'm just as frustrated about it as you are... I promise this won't be one of those slow burn fics that takes like 50 chapters for the couple to get together but y'all know what they say about patience being key lmao Please excuse any medical inaccuracy.

Tony stormed into his father's office and leant over his desk, his face inches from Howard's. "I thought we had an agreement?"

It took a moment for Howard to regain his voice. "And that agreement still stands."

Tony leaned closer. "Then how come they just cancelled our audition for Phil Coulson, because someone else came up to them... someone who happens to be signed to you?" An angry glint rose in his eyes. "You know how long we've been waiting for a shot to perform in front of a famous record producer."

"Coulson's heavily linked to Fury Sounds. I mean, really, Tony? That's where you're trying to get a foot in the door?" Howard got out of his chair and walked straight over to the bar to pour himself a drink.

"You promised to stay out of it," he hissed.

"If you're accusing me of stealing your spot, you're wasting your breath. You wouldn't have made it anyway," Howard stated bluntly, taking a sip. "You still have so much to learn, son. But I told you before, and I'm telling you again, there's a contract in the top drawer of my desk, and all it needs is your signature. So why don't you come off your high horse and do yourself a favor."

"Or you?" He paused, just staring at him, then raised an eyebrow and said, "You know, Howard, for someone who claims we don't have what it takes, you seem rather desperate to sign us."

"I'm just looking out for you," he argued, sitting back down in his chair.

Despite his anger, Tony had to laugh at the ridiculousness of his father's words. "No, you are trying to force me into doing business with you, so you can dictate my life the way you always have, ever since I was a little kid."

"You still are a kid," Howard said, chuckling. "I mean, look at you. You're being childish. Forget about that one audition, Tony. If you really wanna work with the best people in the music business, I can connect you with a thousand other Coulsons. You can have five auditions today, and an entire album ready to be released next month."

"I just wanted this one," Tony growled, his hot breath blowing in Howard's face like the snorts of an angry bull in Pamplona.

"I'm sorry."

"You're not sorry," he scoffed. "You knew exactly whose spot you were stealing, but that didn't stop you from pulling out that big ass check and ruining my fucking day."

"Hey, take it down a notch with the swear words, alright? Have some manners."

Slamming his fist on the desk, Tony called out, "God, I can't believe this," forcing a chuckle. He glared at his father for another moment. "The great Howard Stark teaching me about manners."

"As long as you're under my roof, you're gonna treat me with respect, or I will have you escorted out of the building."

Tony threw his hands up in the air, playfully, only to challenge him, and took a step back from the desk. "Oh, by all means, please do. Throw me out. Show me who's boss, dad."

He was so angry. And he was hurt. He didn't want to be, but he couldn't help how he felt. The fact that his father still managed to disappoint him, even after all this time, said a lot about him. He hadn't changed. He was never going to change. Howard would always be the same manipulative person that he had always been. Tony tried not to let that get to him. He tried not to care about all the things his father ever did or said to him, but not giving a fuck was so hard. There were too many emotions to keep in check. Why couldn't Howard just let him have this one thing? This one chance to prove himself? Why did he have to ruin everything?

When Tony's face hit the sidewalk, he couldn't help but laugh, seeing all the feet of people walking by as though he didn't exist. Now, this was where he belonged obviously—out on the streets, completely unnoticed.

I'm deep inside a bubble
And there's no one here to shoot me out
The storm inside my head
Got me tossing and turnin'

Each and every night
I've been a victim of my brain
I know I gotta take a rest
But I just don't know how

My twisted universe
Just won't let me go

Virginia looked at the words and sighed deeply. She hated overthinking things, but lately it seemed to be all she did. She couldn't stop thinking of how she spent the night at Tony's and how different it had been from what she'd expected. She couldn't stop thinking about her father telling her that he hadn't sold a painting in forever and really started questioning his talent as an artist. He was so gifted. Different, but gifted, and she wished other people saw that too. She couldn't stop thinking about love, feelings in general, and how complicated they made her life sometimes.

When her phone rang, she jumped, then looked at the clock and wondered who would try to get in touch with her at this late hour. She didn't know the number, but chose to take the call anyway.

"Yes, this is she," she answered, frowning. "I—Are you sure? I'm not related to him or anything. I'm just someone he happens to know, so I'm a bit confused as to why he said you should call me." She paused. "No, I mean, I guess I could... It'll take me a while, though." She grabbed her jacket and her bag, making sure to take her key card this time, and went out into the hallway. "Can you tell me what happened? I understand if this is confidential but—" Her jaw dropped and she covered her mouth with one hand. "Oh God! How much longer will he be in surgery?" She waited. "What about permanent damage? I mean, his heart, is it—Okay, yeah... I'll be there soon." Outside, she walked half a mile until she found a cab. Her head was spinning like crazy and all she could think about was him.

As she arrived at the hospital, Virginia asked for his name, and when they told her, she could see him in about an hour, she started to get really nervous. She had been worried before but now she kept wondering why she was even there and it made her feel anxious. He had so many people he could've called. Why her? Of all the people he knew, why was she the one he chose to call in an emergency? Was it just a game to him or did he actually trust her with his life, like, wow, that would truly blow her mind.

She wore her denim jacket over a tasseled white flowing top which was reminiscent of the sixties but the denim offered an edge. The black pleated skirt coupled well with the upper outfit, and clinging to her feet were a pair of cream-colored flats. She felt totally overdressed for a hospital visit, but considering she had been only minutes away from getting ready for bed, this was still better than her PJs. Eyes downcast and hands plucking nervously at her jacket, she walked down the hall. Maybe she should write a song about this moment, because it sure was one of the most awkward moments of her life.

"Tony?" she whispered his name, not knowing if he could even hear her.

His face was swollen, and it was blue. His lip was busted and puffy. One of his eyes was bandaged with tape. On his brow, a line of sutures oozed with the swelling. He had an IV going to his left arm, and electrodes covered his chest, monitoring his heartbeat. His eyes were closed, but the eyelids trembled delicately, frantically, at the sound of her voice, as if there were two tiny creatures underneath struggling to escape. When the door shut behind her, Tony opened them and stared in confusion at his surroundings, before he noticed her standing by his bedside.

He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. What the tell had happened to him? He couldn't remember. He struggled to sit up. She reached for the controls and pushed a button. The bed slowly rose. He noticed she swallowed thickly as she averted her eyes and stared at his chart. She could make nothing of the doctor's squiggles. Virginia wondered how much morphine they were pumping into him to help with the pain. Drugs scared her; she didn't like being out of control. That was one reason why she barely got drunk—Steve's party was a rare occurrence.

"You look beautiful."

"W-What?" She looked right at him, startled.

"I said... You look beautiful."

Instinctively, Virginia took a step back as though he had threatened, not complimented her.

"What happened?" he asked, touching the bruises on his face.

"You don't remember?" she asked back, gently staring at his pale, white figure.

"I remember arguing with my father, then I went to some bar to have a few drinks."

"A few?" she scoffed. "You had so much to drink you got into a fist fight."

He laughed until he collapsed in a coughing fit. She approached him and pounded on his back, then handed him a glass of water.

"This isn't funny, Tony," she scolded him, "Your heart..." She paused, swallowing.

"What?"

Her eyes shifted down, and he followed her gaze. Then he noticed the huge bandage on his chest, right where his heart was. When he touched it, he winced. It was so painful.

Virginia tried to recall all the things they had told her about his stab wound. How the knife had punctured Tony's chest and almost his aorta; the amount of blood loss he'd suffered. That scar tissue would now be a constant reminder to him that he had cheated death by just an inch.

"You could've died," she whispered, looking at him again.

"And you would've cried for me?" he quipped.

"Why did you list me as your emergency contact?" she asked, ignoring his question. "Why didn't you ask one of your friends to come? Or your mother?" Did he even realize the awkward position he had put her in? Did he even care?

"Well, I figured since you don't like me, you think the worst of me anyway, and so you won't judge me for... you know, this," he explained. "And my mother, she's... I don't wanna worry her."

"Oh, but it's totally okay if I'm worried?" Virginia grunted, only realizing what she had said when she saw the look on his face. "Don't flatter yourself, I meant hypothetically."

"Sure you did," he said, grinning. One thing he had learned tonight: She was feisty and quick-witted and when she wasn't tearing strips off him her personality was sweet and caring. "You know, maybe I should get into fights more often, so you take care of me."

"I'm only here to tell you that I'm not gonna be the one who makes sure your ass is taken care of," Virginia answered. "I don't care about what happens to you, Tony, I just wanna be left alone."

"Now you're lying," he said, chuckling. "Who you're gonna fight with when I'm dead, huh? You do care about me, Pep, I can tell."

She rolled her eyes. "How much morphine are they giving you?"

Tony laughed and the lines creased around his mouth and eyes. How on earth did he still look so handsome, even with a bruised face like that?

"Mr. Stark?" A nurse came in to check on him, and as Virginia stepped aside, the woman looked at her and smiled. "Are you his girlfriend?"

"Yes," Tony said.

"No," Virginia replied.

"Well, you have a lovely friend," the nurse answered, smirking, "but I'm afraid she's gonna have to leave soon."

Tony's breath left him in a gasp as his face screwed up in pain when she touched him. "How long do I have to be in here for?" he growled.

"Two weeks maybe. At least a few days."

"No, no, no, no," he argued. "I can't be in hospital for that long. Everyone's gonna be wondering where I am."

"Then you better tell 'em," Virginia said.

"You don't understand. I—"

"I do understand," she cut him off. "You don't want anyone to know that you're in here, looking like a train ran over you, 'cause you wanna keep being the invincible Stark... Mr. 'I don't have a weak bone in my body.'" The words hissed out through gritted teeth. "Well, I got news for you, honey," she said, rolling her eyes the way only she could, he thought, "You just had an emergency open heart surgery and you almost didn't make it. You're actually human. So, you might wanna think about dropping this Mr. Incredible shit and admit that you're just like everyone else."

The nurse smiled, and then left the room with a big grin on her face. The tension in the air was palpable, but she had been in enough situations like these, feeling like an intruder in a hospital room with two strangers, to know that whatever was going on between them was just like a volcano waiting to erupt. There was so much left unsaid, feelings, seething like molten lava in the breasts of these inarticulate people.

Tony needed a moment to find words, and when he didn't, he just started grinning at her. He had noticed it before but, God, she was really hot when she was angry. And sexy. She was so—

"I can see this is all still a game to you, and since I already told you not to involve me in any of this, I have no more reason to stay."

As she turned around, Tony came to realize that she really wasn't the kind of girl to play games with. "Hey, I admit it! My fault. Sorry," he tried to speak with as much strength as he could muster. "I'm a piping hot mess."

"Oh, really?" Virginia looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Well, I didn't notice that, at all," she scoffed.

"C'mon, Pep, help me out here, okay?" He sighed. "I'm supposed to meet my mother for dinner tomorrow. Can you please cover for me?"

She was surprised to hear how soft his voice could sound.

"Please just tell her I ditched uni for a while and went on a bender. I was in pretty bad shape, so you had to drive me to rehab upstate. No visitors allowed."

"She's really gonna believe that, isn't she?"

"Wouldn't be the first time," he admitted.

Wait, did that mean he had an actual drinking problem? She frowned. Or was it drugs? With him, it could be both.

"I think my phone's in the... the bag over there, with my other belongings."

"You want me to call her right now?" Virginia looked at him surprised.

"It's only 10.30, I'm pretty sure she's still up."

"But don't you think she deserves a good night's sleep before hearing about... I mean, if I were a mom, I'd still be worried, even if this happened before." She paused. "Also, I have to warn you. I'm a really bad liar."

Tony laughed softly, and the move of his chest sent shafts of pain spearing through his body again. And still more pain was caused when a cough attempted to come on. "Just call her," he groaned.

After she let him unlock his phone, she dialed Maria, and felt her heart pounding in her chest. That woman meant so much to her after all, career-wise, Virginia couldn't believe she was actually going to talk to her.

"H-Hi, I'm... My name's Virginia Potts. Sorry, I know it's late, but I'm calling about your son." She couldn't stop her voice from shaking a little. Looking at Tony, she tried to make out his thoughts. Did he notice how nervous she was? "No, I'm not his girlfriend." She saw him smirking. "I'm just... No, I'm also not sleeping with him." Virginia turned her back to Tony, not wanting him to see her blush. Oh God, this was so awkward! "Listen, y-you don't have to worry about him, okay? I made sure he's in good hands." She hit her palm against her forehead. "Right, I didn't even tell you what happened yet. Oh my God, I'm so sorry." She mouthed shit, heard Tony giggle, and promised herself to kill him right after this phone call. "He went off the rails, y'know, with alcohol and... and stuff... so I-I had to... Yes, that's where he is." She ran a hand through her hair, it always helped with calming her nerves. "You're not allowed to see or call him, but he wanted you to know that he's sorry for..." She paused briefly. "Being such a narcissistic asshole."

Tony couldn't believe she managed to tell that to his mother with a straight face. Turns out she was really good at lying after all. He smirked, watching her finish that call, then arched an eyebrow at her. "Narcissistic asshole, huh?"

Virginia put the phone on the table, trying not to think of the fact that she really did just say that to her idol. She badmouthed Tony in front of his own mother. Good God, she would never be brave enough to face Maria now, after that horrifying experience. "Don't ever, ever, ever, ever ask me to do anything like that ever again," she said with a sigh.

"You know that wasn't the worst encounter with a fan she ever had," Tony answered, grinning.

"I did you a favor, so don't rub it in."

"Yes, you did." The look on his face instantly changed. "And you didn't have to do that, so, thank you, Pepper," he said with such sincerity in his voice, she felt her features soften. "I just need one more, tiny favor."

"Uh-huh." She shook her head. "I'm done here, Tony. I don't owe you anything."

"That's right, you don't, but I was hoping you'd take care of my roommate. You know, my friends aren't necessarily good with... him... and you two seemed to get along quite well, so..." He flashed her a smile. "I need someone to take care of my cat while I'm gone, and you are the most capable, qualified, trustworthy person I've ever met."

She was so surprised to hear those words from him, her jaw dropped slightly. Must be the pain killers, she thought. He wasn't usually this nice. "O-okay... yeah... s-sure," she stammered, "I'll take care of him."

"Thank you," Tony said, still smiling. "Just take my keys. And feel free to stay at the loft whenever you want"

"I-I... Uh, thanks... I guess?" This night had gotten so confusing. "I think I'll go now."

"Yeah, I'm actually pretty tired," he replied.

"Goodnight then." She waved at him, and then rushed out the door, the keys to his loft in her hands.

"What was that?" Tony mumbled, smirking at her awkward hand gesture, as he leaned back into the cushion. That woman really was something else.