Bat -

"No," she said in her best "I'm Serious So Drop It" sort of voice, even though 99.9 of the time it didn't work on Tony. Ironically enough 99.9 of the time it did work on everyone else.

She had been in a good mood. Getting to her office at 5am on Friday so that hopefully she could start her weekend early. But she hadn't even been able to set her purse down before Tony started talking to her through the house speakers.

"Are you still in the basement, and did you get up early or did you stay up late?" she asked trying to change the subject as JARVIS booted up her computer for her.

"For you Ms. Potts I could do both," he said in his most charming and flirting voice.

With a loud sigh she amended her statement, "Okay…did you wake up early or did you go to sleep late?"

"Hmm…Ms. Potts, I think you are trying to change the subject," succeeding in not answering her question even though the tiredness of his voice answered it for her.

"The weather is horrible and the city is depressing," she added quickly trying to head this conversation off so she could get to the five billion things she had to do today.

"It's summer this time and I heard the city is going through a major redevelopment. Come on it will be fun."

"It wasn't fun the last time."

"The party starts at 7 tomorrow night so I think you need to schedule the jet to take off about 2 this afternoon. That way we can get into the city and relax before you're whirlwind shopping spree on Saturday morning," he stated, totally ignoring her last comment.

"Oh, so you're not going to do that for me like last time," she said sarcastically as she was answering e-mails.

"That was an emergency and I thought you appreciated the gesture."

"The dress you bought made me look like one of your tramps," she noted sourly as she pushed the send button a little to forcefully on an e-mail, "it was your fault I need it in the first place."

"I already apologized for that. And if you hadn't been stomping around the apartment in that huge ball gown you wouldn't have knocked over my coffee."

"Yeah and I thought you were really going to make it up to me by having a replacement sent up. Instead I got that hideous red dress I had to wear. And the only reason I still went is because I had already RSVP'ed."

"I didn't have much time to work with Ms. Potts and I thought it was hot, so did everyone else. If you look at the small picture to the right of the biggest one on the wall you can see for yourself. Even the host appreciated it."

"Which is exactly why I don't want to go," she reiterated as she found the photo of her in a short red evening dress as a man with the most haunting eyes she had ever seen had his arm wrapped around her waist. She had a smile on her face that only Tony could tell was fake.

"Oh, did something happen between you to?" Tony asked half joking and half hoping she would answer in the negative.

"No, of course nothing happened! I just didn't like the fact that he is with a different woman every time I see him and he spent that whole night hitting on me when his girlfriend was there."

"Aren't you used to that with me?"

"First of all you're my boss so no matter how much I don't like it, it's my job. Second of all at least you're honest about it. A one night stand is a one night stand. He tries to act all noble having a real "girlfriend" even though he gets rid of each at an outstandingly high rate of speed."

There was a loud clanging noise and some cursing from Tony before he resumed the conversation. She was going to have to go down there pretty soon and force him to take a break.

"It was you're job. You don't have to do it anymore."

He had said it quietly but she could tell she made him upset. And he was right, since he came back she hadn't had to escort anymore women out of the house. She didn't know if that was because he just did it himself now or if there weren't any women to escort but she appreciated the fact that she didn't have to deal with it anymore.

"Sorry, Tony. You're right," she said suddenly completely focused on his reaction.

"Well, you can always make up for it by getting the jet ready and going home and packing," he said in a much better mood, giving Pepper the distinct feeling that the emotions he showed just seconds ago might have been a trick.

"Ugh!! I really hate you sometimes, you know that?"

"You know you love me," was Tony's response before getting back to work. The fact that Pepper just broke the connection without denying it had him smiling for the rest of the day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Tony," she exclaimed as she quickly came toward him, snagging the martini he held out to her as she returned to the bar from mingling, "you are not going to believe what I just found out," she continued as she pulled on his arm roughly to get him to follow her to the balcony.

"I love it when you get aggressive," Tony smirked as she turned to face him.

She decided to ignore the comment since she was having a lot more fun now than she had had at the previous party.

"I was just talking to Mr. Wayne's current girlfriend and she said that most of the time he does not dump his girlfriends. They dump him. She says that she has been trying extra hard to be understanding of his work schedule but she barely sees him. And when she goes by his house, his butler tells her he's at work and when she goes by his job they tell her he is at his house. She is getting the feeling he might be cheating on her."

"See this is why even if I hadn't told the world my secret I would have told you…eventually."

"Tony, what are you talking about?"

"Bruce is Batman," he said in the most absurdly matter a fact voice.

Pepper immediately clamped her hand to his mouth as her eyes widened and she looked around even though the balcony was totally deserted.

"What is wrong with you?? Don't start rumors like that! You don't know he's Batman."

She pulled her hand away and glared at him as he had taken the opportunity to kiss the palm of her hand.

"Oh come on. Put two and two together here Pep. Tormented soul, disappearing when bad things are happening, crazy hours – sound familiar? Plus I had Jarvis analyze his and Batman's eyes from camera footage and surprise surprise, a perfect match."

"Ms. Potts I guarantee that if you keep standing there with your mouth open another tongue might find its way in there."

She shut her mouth with a slight jump out of her shock. "Sorry, that is just a lot to take in. Kind of makes me feel sorry for him now."

"Not to sorry I hope!"

"Don't worry. I would much rather be proud of someone than feel sorry for them," she said with a small warm smile as she held out her hand to him and headed for the main room to rejoin the party.

Before they could get back to mingling, or at least drinking, one of the staff of the evening approached them.

"The reporter from the Daily Planet is here for the interview you have scheduled."

"Oh, do I have to?!" Tony exclaimed as he turned back to Pepper effectively dismissing the messenger.

"You promised him you would answer a couple of questions the next time you were out east," Pepper reminded him.

"But he is such a klutz. The last time he knocked my whole glass of scotch right onto my suit," Tony whined.

"Don't worry. I left the red dress in the apartment, just in case" she laughed.

Authors Note – First of all, thank you for all of the reviews. Second of all, I know the picture didn't tie in to much but I hope it gave a little background. Third of all, I have no idea if these people are supposed to be in the same universe so please be kind.