Wow, I'm blown away by all the reviews...thanks to every single one of you. A deal's a deal!

Richard had always looked forward to this day, ever since Victoria and him were expecting a girl. And, fortunately for him, that day was today. He sat his grocery bags down and chuckled in disbelief. He looked the kid in front of him dead in the eyes and spoke. "I can't wait to hear you explain this."

He must have blanked out for a good ten seconds, but in his opinion, it was one. "I need to go to the bathroom."

Who did he think he was? Did this kid actually expect him to believe that? His hair was a mess and sticking up in different directions, his pants were undone, barely hanging on his hips, and then there was the fact that he was standing in front of him without a shirt on. "Why don't you try again?"

Way to go. Idiot. Well, if he was going to go with this lie, he might as well stick to it. It was a matter of principle. "It's an emergency."

"Emergency," Richard repeated.

"I have to go. Really bad." He continued with his charade and descended a couple steps. "Could you direct me to your facilities because I have no idea where it's located."

"Don't take another step."

His penetrating stare made Tony stop dead in his tracks.

"I don't wanna hear another word. Throw me the shirt."

He glanced at his t-shirt and mentally groaned. Why didn't I just stay in the room? After doing what he was told, he made the mistake of attempting to button his jeans.

"Don't."

"It's not like I'm gonna use the restroom anytime soon."

"Did I say you could talk?"

He sighed. "Alright, I'm going to level with you, Richard."

"Where do you think you're at? Stark Industries? Let me put this in words you understand, alright? Get your ass down here." Richard watched as the teenage boy begrudgingly made his way down the stairs. When Tony came to a stop in front of him, he proceeded to talk. "Shut the hell up."

This time, he nodded, not daring to speak another word.

Richard motioned him towards the kitchen and gestured to one of the dining room chairs. "Sit down. You seem exhausted."

Tony fiddled his thumbs and glanced around. God, he was in so much trouble. Not only with her parents, but also with her. He watched as Richard took a seat right next to him, turning his chair toward him so they were face to face.

"Which drink you like better?"

He looked at the two choices. "I'll take Pepsi."

"You'll have the root beer." Richard slid the soda towards him and popped open the tab to his own drink. "You know, Tony, I like you. You're a nice kid. Your head's screwed on straight. You have a good work ethic and you have impeccable manners to go along with it. You're smart. Honestly, I got nothing against you. If I were still in high school, we'd probably be buddies. And do you know why I know that? Because I was your age once. I've been in your same exact shoes and I've got to tell you, if you're not scared out of your mind, start. I wasn't born yesterday. But, like I just said, I like you. Let's pretend the last..." He glanced at the clock. "...five minutes never happened. Let's say this is an opportunity for you to recant everything you've said without being at fault for it. Like an olive branch of sorts. Will you accept it? Just think about it."

"No, thanks." This was Business 101. Howard had taught him every trick in the handbook. You don't go back on your word. It either made you look guilty or that you had something to hide. "I haven't been sleeping well and I fell asleep on Pepper's bed and woke up having to go to the bathroom. I got up and she's inside showering and I remember her telling me there's one downstairs and because I didn't want to be indecent in case you or Mrs. Potts was down here, I rushed to get my shirt. And as for my pants? Well, would you zip them up only to unzip them seconds later? It's like you and your groceries just then. If you had to make a second trip to your car, would you lock the door again? Think about that."

Richard nodded. This kid's got balls. Not that he was expecting anything less. The kid was Howard Stark's son and he'd been in the same room as the late gentleman. He could see the similarities. "You have a point. There's just one major flaw in it though. You see, I can back up my story because it's my word against no one else's. Yours? You've included a second party and I'm wondering if she were to be called down here, would she tell the same story?"

"Well, if you want to call her down here, go ahead," Tony nonchalantly said with a shrug. "I've got nothing to hide."

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be looking for you in a minute."

A deafening silence filled the air and for Tony it was excruciating. Richard, however, loved every second of it. Seeing him sitting there and trying to hide the panic and the nervousness was the best part to his day.

"So just how long has this relationship been going on?"

Tony glanced the adult figure cautiously. "Two months."

"I don't know about you, but two months is a bit early to be making house visits to my daughter, don't you think?"

Tony's entire face felt inflamed. Here was the deal. He knew Pepper's father knew, but he couldn't admit to it, could he? It'd be like writing his own death sentence. Who was foolish enough to do that?

"Uh, I'm not sure I follow. What are you trying to say?"

"Still going with the clueless act, huh?" Richard leaned back in his chair and lifted his hand off the table and into the air, speaking in both an embellished and humble manner. "Hey, I get it. That's what I like about you, Tony. You have a plan and you stick with it, no matter the consequences. You know, Pepper's last boyfriend, Robert, he was kinda like you, but different in other ways, too. For one, he respected me enough to not lie to my face. Which, we both know, is what you're doing at this very moment, so let's stop pretending you aren't. Second, his intentions were sincere. He wasn't going to string her along. He treated her the way she deserved."

"Look, I'm here, aren't I? I could have easily walked out that door and avoided this entire conversation, but I didn't. And if you're seriously comparing me to that asshole, please don't. He's an idiot. He is a spoiled rich kid who runs his mouth thinking he's on some moral high ground and it's incredibly pathetic. He hasn't earned anything he has, not without daddy helping every step of the way, and it is hilarious that he doesn't see it." He'd done some research on Robert, as part of his plans to get him back for all those months ago, and figured out his acceptance to Harvard and the internships were mainly due to his father's knife skills. "You have such a high opinion of him because he's going to be a doctor? You ever think maybe someone else deserved that internship more than he did, someone who worked harder than he ever will was overlooked in admissions just so he had a spot there? If you were actually proud of him, then I feel sorry for you. I am nothing like him. I never will be. Let us get that straight. He might be the 'package,' but at least I don't pretend to be something I'm not and that's the kind of person Robert fucking is."

Richard was blown off tangent by his sudden impromptu speech. He only wanted to rile him up a little bit, see if he truly did have feelings for his daughter, that he wasn't just waiting for another girl to catch his eye, but this was turning into something else. Pepper wasn't a little girl anymore. Sure, for him, she always would be in his eyes, but he long ago accepted the fact that she had grown up and could make her own choices. Boyfriend included. As much as he hated to say it.

"The kid could afford to grow a spine," Richard thought out loud. "But that's beside the point. I hate being lied to and I have a problem with those who do. So I'm going to ask you again one last time." He had sat her down and had made strict rules with her when she first started dating. Clearly, she had forgotten them, or worse, he had talked her into it, and if that were the case, he wouldn't make it out the front door. "I want an honest answer. What were you doing upstairs?"

He knew the honest thing to do was to tell him the truth, but the self destructive part of him had taken over and he just wanted to see how far he could push things before they got out of hand.

"You might want to remember who you're talking to because I will forbid Pepper from seeing you. And she'll listen."

Tony didn't have a chance to respond because of the footsteps coming down the stairs, followed by the familiar voice asking if he was downstairs.

"Yeah," he forced out, already dreading this. Richard had gotten up, and was leaning against the kitchen island, ready to reprimand his daughter.

"Good," Pepper responded cheerfully. "I was wondering if you wanted to grab something to eat." Her voice was getting louder with each passing second. "I can tell my dad I'm at a friend's house."

"Uh, I-"

Richard interrupted. "Have a seat, Virginia."

Pepper jumped up in shock. "Dad! What are you...I didn't know you were back!"

"Save it. Sit down."

She glanced over at Tony and saw him sitting in a chair with his elbow propped up on the table, his head in his hand, giving her a lopsided smile. "We were just talking about you."

Her mouth had yet to close and she turned her attention to her father when he spoke again.

"Imagine me coming back from the store and seeing him rushing down the stairs with his pants undone and no shirt on, just like he is now. I've asked him what you both were up to and he insists it's not what it looks like and he's given me an elaborate version of what actually happened. I want to hear yours. See if they match. And, trust me, for your sake, I hope they do. You're in enough trouble as is. You know you're not supposed to have him here this late at night and you know he's not allowed upstairs when we're not home."

"I, I, I was...we just, I-" She didn't work well under pressure and she was an even worse liar.

"Taking a shower?"

"Yeah," Pepper affirmed.

"How about beforehand? What were you two doing then?"

Tony closed his eyes. This was all about to blow up. Let the countdown begin. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

"He was sleeping."

"Without clothes?"

"It's more comfortable without," Tony said, putting in his two cents.

"You need to shut your mouth."

He ignored Richard's statement. "Pep, I told him the same thing, but he doesn't believe me."

She ignored him. "Dad, look, I-"

"That's enough. You're grounded. Three weeks."

"What?!"

"That's right. You're not leaving the house the entire winter break."

"But I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Everything has consequences. I hope you realize that. Show Tony to his car. I want to talk to you alone."

"Fine," Pepper said, her voice low as she watched Tony get up.

They were silent the entire walk, not knowing where to begin.

"Pepper," Tony started, cutting the silence and grabbing her hands. "Look, I'm sorry. I panicked. I feel horrible that I got you in trouble."

She shot him a sad smile. "What's done is done, right? He's just upset. He's still getting used to the fact that we're dating and now he knows we've taken things to the next level. He's being protective and it's his job to."

"I guess it doesn't really matter though." She shot him a curious expression. "I'm gonna be in New York for winter break. Obie has meetings scheduled with the board members and I have to be there since the company's mine legally. Not that I want to run it, but I sure as hell don't want him to. He creeps me out. Thank God I don't have to share a plane with him."

She didn't know if he was trying to lighten the situation, but it was working.

"Come on, you saw him at the benefit. He flirts with girls half his age. It's disgusting. I mean, what if I turned out to be a girl?" Tony shuddered at that thought. "You think your dad would give me my shirt back if I asked for it? I'm cold." It was winter and today was particularly cold, he was shivering.

She winced. "I don't think so."

"I guess I deserve it. I did bang his daughter after all."

"Tony!"

He smirked. "I was kidding. It's just easy to make fun of you. I can't help it."

"Just get in the car before dad comes out with a baseball bat."

He chuckled, easily picturing that scenario. His eyes soften and he looked at her with a smile that matched his eyes. "Thanks for trusting me enough to..." He trailed off, hoping she got the hint.

"I just wish things hadn't ended the way it did," Pepper sincerely responded, sadness laced in her voice.

"Me, too," he agreed quietly. He cupped the side of her head with his palm and tilt her head up towards him for a tender kiss.

Her arms wrap around his bare torso and he instantly pulled her in, planting a kiss on her neck.

"I'm so tired," Tony said as he pulled away from their embrace. "I think I'm gonna sleep when I get back. Wait, hey, I just got in an idea. What if I snuck over tonight instead," he asked mischievously, eyes glinting as he leant against his car, pulling Pepper with him as well so he could wrap his arms around her waist.

Her cheeks reddened at the implication. As tempting as it sounded, she had to be logical one. "Maybe another time."

He pouted, staring at her with puppy dog eyes. "But we didn't get to cuddle."

"You fell asleep!"

"Uh, so did you!"

"Let's just say we were both tired," Pepper replied, finding common ground.

"Fine," he huffed, giving up. "But we're doing it again once I'm back. Twice. So clear your schedule two Saturdays from now."

"Wow, how romantic of you. Get me a present from New York and give me a massage and then we'll talk."

"Really? A massage?" He didn't do massages. "What if I gave you two org-"

For the second time today, she covered his mouth with her hand. She looked at him disgustedly when he mumbled 'for free.'

"Get in your car."

He smirked and reluctantly let go of Pepper's waist, leaning in to kiss her gently. "I guess we have a deal?"

"Guess you'll just have to find out."

"That's rude." She smiled innocently as he got into the driver's seat. "Now I'm gonna be thinking about it the entire time."

"I wonder whose fault that is."

She waved at him before he drove off and sighed as she retreated back into the house. She was dreading what was about to come. She slowly walked in, biting her lip, looking guilty as charged.

"Where do I begin," Richard asked, his arms crossed.

"It's not any of your business, dad."

"You live under my roof, so that, by default, makes it my business. What were you thinking having sexual relations with him? It's been two months. You don't do something like that this early into the relationship. Maybe another five months in, but even then I expected you to go to your mother first instead of ignoring us all together. You need to be made aware of how protection works, how to use it correctly because one slip up and you're pregnant. STDs. Given how many girls he's been with, he needs to be checked out."

"I know all this already. I don't want to talk about it."

"I want you to explain something to me. Explain to me how you can so easily let him in and not Robert."

"Oh my God," she replied in total shock. "How do you know that?!"

"I asked."

"You did what," Pepper yelled, not believing what she was hearing.

"I asked and he respected me enough to tell me the truth."

"You invaded my privacy!"

"It is my job as your dad-"

"To watch out for me. Yeah, I get it. But you stepped over the line, dad. I walked in here ready to apologize and talk to about it, but now, well, don't hold your breath."

"Pepper, we're not finished," she heard him yell as she hastily went up the stairs, slamming the door to her room. Did her father actually expect her to sit down and have a civil conversation after that?

"Is it finished," Tony asked, walking into the workshop after just taking a shower. He looped the towel around his neck to catch the remaining water droplets running down his hair and plopped into the seat at the computer desk.

"Eons ago, sir. I took the liberty of chronologically ordering the names by sectors. They are alphabetized for you as well."

Tony giggled at JARVIS' sarcastic wit and pushed himself forward with the rolling chair. "You're awesome. Don't change."

He pulled up the names and sighed. Finding the people responsible for his parents' death was proving to be a more difficult task then he realized. He'd gone through dozens of security tapes, whether it be from the benefit or nearby, but the best he got was a hooded figure, a man in a mask covered in black from head to toe. He couldn't get a facial recognition, just a height, his eye color, and foot size. He crossed referenced those characteristics to known enemies, but all those invited were accounted for. Leave it to his parents to rub in their faces how successful they were. Though, he guessed, they got the last laugh in the end. His parents hadn't seen anything coming.

"Sir, you have one new message from Ms. Potts." As the AI spoke, said message was pulled up at an empty spot on his screen.

He pushed the call button and smiled when she picked up immediately.

"So my dad knows we did-"

"Yeah, I figured that out when he caught me with my pants down rushing down the stairs." He turned his attention away from the list JARVIS had conjured up and directed it to his girlfriend. What he saw instantly lit up a smile. "You're wearing my shirt." She looked amazing in it.

"It's comfy," Pepper smiled. "It's cute, too." She glanced down at the t-shirt. There was an smiley faced oxygen atom holding a 'free hugs' balloon with a smiley faced hydrogen atom to either side of it.

"You always make fun of me when I wear my nerdy shirts."

"Just the stupid ones," Pepper pointed out. "This one's not."

He rolled his eyes. "I guess you can keep it. You got anything planned tonight?"

"Nope. I just wanted to say goodbye before you got on the plane since you're leaving in the morning."

"Thanks, Pep. Though my offer still stands, you know. I'll be over in an instant."

She smiled, but shook her head. "That sounds tempting, but not the best idea."

"It was worth trying. I'll talk to you later, okay? I have stuff to look over before I head out tomorrow."

"You don't want to talk to me?"

He looked at the sad expression on her face and shook his head. She was teasing him, he knew, but still, he couldn't help but feel bad. "Don't do that."

Her lips form a smile and she raised her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "I'm joking."

"Still makes me feel bad." He leaned back in his chair and sighed. He wasn't 100% into their conversation and didn't want to bore her. "It's just that my head's somewhere else. I'm sifting through the names of people my dad's fucked over and seeing if there's a connection to the explosion." He sighed. "I don't know, I think I'm just grasping at straws. It's pathetic. No one would gain anything out of it unless it was just purely revenge, but then they need to know the right people, get it orchestrated, all the while having it slip past dad's radar. He's got eyes like a hawk, so the fact that he didn't see this coming meant it was a top notch job."

"Well, what about Obie? That's his name, right?" Tony was pulling at her heartstrings, seeing him so sad and heartbroken over the loss of his parents. He was overexerting himself with this; she didn't have the heart to tell him to stop and rest because he wouldn't. If anything, he'd probably just get upset.

"Everything checked out on his end. You think it was some kind of power play because that's what I was thinking, you know?" He sat up, suddenly energized. "Maybe someone wanted to get rid of us, take control of Stark Industries? I've been digging through the board members and there's this guy named Daniel White who's always been opposed to dad's ideas, but when Obie speaks on his behalf, he's fine with it. It's kind of weird, isn't it?"

Pepper shrugged. "Maybe he just likes him more. And maybe you're on the right track. I don't think it's a coincidence you were in a warehouse explosion. Just don't think too much about it, or at least try not to," she tread lightly. "I'm all for getting justice for your parents, but there is such a thing as too much determination, and you don't want it to consume your life. As hard as it will be, you need to realize at some point it's just better to let go and move on."

"I know," he replied quietly. It was just hard to. "And I told myself I wasn't going to cry anymore so I'm not." He sniffed back a few tears and smiled. "I'm gonna head upstairs. Get some sleep."

She smiled back and nodded. "Alright, bye. Have a safe flight."

"Will do. Bye, Pep." He hung up after her goodbye and got up. "JARVIS, make a list of succession to the throne. I want every unscheduled, undocumented meeting between anyone in weapons noted."

He walked up the stairs and into the living room where a package he hadn't seen moments ago had now caught his attention.

"JARVIS?"

"Scanning as we speak."

Is it from Pepper? Nope. There wasn't a return label, just his home address.

"It's of silk material," JARVIS spoke, pulling up the dimensions of the box's contents on the TV screen. "I believe it's a bow tie."

Tony furrowed his brows in confusion and opened it. "A small one at that," he observed.

"Hmm," he said in thought, glancing at it one last time before chucking it onto the sofa. Maybe someone wrote the wrong address or something. This wouldn't be the first time.

Not thinking more of it, he continued on up the stairs and sighed. He was extremely tired and perhaps tonight would be a night where he'd fall asleep for more than an hour at a time. He got into bed, staring at the ceiling for a moment before asking JARVIS to shut the lights. He flipped over on his side and saw Waffles. His parents had gotten it for him when he was two. They were strolling through Manhattan and he'd seen it in a front window of a toy store and wouldn't stop crying until he had it in his hand. Even then, he got everything he wanted. He smiled at the memory for a second before something registered in his mind.

Waffles had a bow tie. Though his was red with little fishes on it. He suddenly sat up and grabbed the teddy bear off the bed. "Say, JARVIS, would you agree that the tie downstairs is nearly identical in size as this one?" His heart started pumping considerably faster.

"Based on the measurement, sir, it is safe to assume such, yes."

The gears in his brain were turning at maximum speed. And the color of the bow tie downstairs? He was willing to bet it was the same color as Waffles' fur. "It can't be," he whispered quietly. "Can it?" His mind had come to one conclusion, the only one that made sense, no matter how crazy it sounded. Were his parents alive?

So maybe I didn't have the heart to kill them after all. Surprise :)