Chapter 6: Gotta Go

"Hey Pep, how's it going?" Tony asked into his phone, holding his finger up politely to Loki as he walked about the room.

Pepper answered him on the other line, the sounds coming from the bustling airport muffling her voice. "Um, pretty frantic at the moment." she replied honestly as she briskly walked through the busy terminal. "Are you outside?"

Tony frowned, thinking that was rather odd of her to ask. "Um, no. Inside, why?"

Pepper was surprised at that. "…Oh, where are you then?" she asked, standing a bit higher on her heels to see if she could spot Tony, or at least some paparazzi giving him away.

Tony was still confused as to why she would be asking. "In our room?"

Loki's ears perked up at that, from his quiet position sitting on the bed. Their room? he supposed their relationship was a bit more serious than he first assumed. He didn't think she had lived with him...

Pepper brought her hand up to squeeze the bridge of her nose as the realization hit her. He was still at the tower, and not here to pick her up. ". . .Tony! I'm at the airport!" she shouted at him in aggravation, catching a few strangers attention from her outburst.

Tony went completely stiff. With all the excitement from hearing about their new trip he had completely forgotten about Pepper returning. He really was horrible at remembering dates. ". . . I'll be there in 20 minutes." he quickly replied, wincing already from the tongue lashing he was about to be receiving. And not the fun kind either. he thought to himself with a smirk.

"Seriously Tony! I… I knew I should have just called Happy." she sighed, her hand pushing her bangs back in frustration. "Forget it. I'll just get him to come pick me up."

Tony shook his head. "No-no no. Hey, I want to see you. I'm coming." he said quickly, "Be there soon. ...Grab yourself a coffee or something."

Pepper sighed, "Tony I'm so jet lagged right now a coffee is the last thing I want."

Tony just bit his bottom lip. "Alright just sit tight then?… I'll be there quickly don't worry."

"Tony.. I-"

"See you bye!" he chimed hanging up the phone, knowing he probably shouldn't of cut her off like that.

Loki was staring at Tony, completely at loss with the situation. "Er… Is everything alright?"

Tony was running his hands through his hair. "Huh? Oh yeah. I need to go pick up Pepper at the airport." he explained, "I sort of ...ah forgot."

Loki nodded slowly. "I see." he said, watching Tony quickly pocket his phone.

Tony nodded and pointed to Loki, as he began walking to the door. "Yep, and you're coming with."

Loki frowned, that taking him completely off guard. "What? Why?"

"Come on, we'll go for a quick cruise in my car and you'll get to meet Pepper." he said, motioning for him to follow. "Come on!"

Loki reluctantly got off the bed and began following Tony out the door, only because of his rushed tone. "I don't understand why I'm coming."

"Because I want some company on the way there, and I'm sure it will be more fun that sitting here alone and risk having more awkward conversations with Thor. " the man smirked, as he waited for the elevator.

Loki had to sigh at that, and supposed he was right. "Will she not be alarmed knowing I'll be there?"

Tony hummed, scratching his beard. "I hadn't thought about that. Hm, probably." he shrugged. "I'm sure she'll get over it."

Loki raised an eyebrow to him, surprised at how much he seemed to want him to come. "If you say so, then."

Tony just nodded, hoping into the elevator once it opened and nearly dragging Loki in, mashing the close door button once they were both in there.

Loki watched him with amusement. "You're acting strange."

Tony removed his hand from the button and pressed the one for the parking garage now instead. "What? No I'm not." he defended, pausing a second to ruffle his hand through his hair. ". . .How's my hair look?"

Loki resisted the urge to laugh. "See, you are acting different."

Tony looked to him completely seriously. "Loki, how does my hair look." he said again, demanding an answer.

Loki frowned from Tony's tone. "…It looks the same."

Tony squinted at him. "Good? bad?"

Loki crossed his arms. "Does it honestly matter?"

"Yes. I haven't seen her in a month and would at least like to look nice."

Loki rolled his eyes, that only proving his earlier statement. "You look fine."

"And my hair?" he continued to prod. "Good bad?"

Loki shook his head, not blessing him with an answer.

"…Bad?" Tony asked, his eyebrows hitting the roof.

Loki rolled his eyes, just wanting him to drop the subject of his appearance already. "It looks good, Tony. You have nothing to worry about." he answered with a sigh.

Tony smirked instantly from that, his earlier almost worrisome attitude being replaced with his annoying ( in Loki's opinion ) Stark charm. "Oh, thanks Lok's." he grinned, giving him a wink.

Loki rolled his eyes and sighed exasperated. He supposed he just couldn't win sometimes when it came to Tony Stark. Sometimes, that is.

Tony had that same self satisfied grin as they made their way all the way down to the parking level of the tower.

Loki looked around as he stepped out, not familiar with this area of the building. He supposed it was underground from their being no windows and the dark coldness that they were now surrounded with. Vehicles were scattered about, except for the closest line of shiny cars that all happened to have STARK and a number beside them on the license plate. Loki closed his eyes and held in a laugh. Tony was more eccentric than he thought.

That one eccentric man's steps were quick as he made his way over to one of his cars, choosing one with a backseat and tinted windows for once, thanks to his special guest.

"You're gonna have to get in the backseat, sorry." Tony said. "Don't want you being… exposed in the public." he gave him a bit of a sad smile. "Just yet."

Loki nodded in understanding, watching him open the door for the drivers seat and he took the one opposite him to the back. The car was roomy inside and the seats were comfortable. He recognized the dash to be slightly similar to the other cars he'd been transported in since his arrival on Midgard and figured he had nothing to worry about.

That was until Tony decided to obnoxiously rev the engine.

Loki gripped the seat he was in, yelling out a "Stark!" in distress.

Tony chuckled, looking at Loki in the rearview mirror. "Seat belt, hon." he teased.

Loki mumbled something under his breath but did as he was told, placing the strap across his body and clicking it into place.

Soon enough, Tony steered them out of the lot and out into the cold streets of Manhattan.

xxx

It had now been 30 minutes since Pepper had called Tony and she was beginning to become impatient. More impatient than she already was. She was sitting by the front, watching the groups of people pile into taxi's, get into limo's or be picked up by loved ones.

The woman glanced to the clock on her phone for the umpteenth time since her plane landed and was seriously debating over just taking a taxi home. Her eyes were tired and she was beginning to feel the start of a headache coming on. She wanted nothing more than to get into a bed and pass out right now.

The sharp note of her phone beeping brought her out of her thoughts, and made that pain in her temple begin to pulse. Now alert, she glanced to her device and let out a sigh of relief as she saw Tony's name flashing and the word "Here :) " on the front of her screen. Gathering up her luggage, she briskly made her way out the doors and over to Tony's car.

xxx

Once Tony saw Pepper coming out the doors and over to the car he was quick to jump out and help her with her bags.

Loki sat inside, peering out the tinted windows and being completely hidden to the world. He watched as Tony made his way over to the red head, smiling to her as they said their hellos. She looked tired and unimpressed and Tony brought his hand up to awkwardly scratch at the back of his neck, giving her a shrug. Even though Loki couldn't hear their conversation going on, he could pretty much guess what they were saying.

The woman had rolled her eyes at Tony after what seemed to be some attempt at an apology and made her way closer over to the car; making Loki tense slightly. He knew he should be able to trust Pepper, since Tony seemed to think it was fine if she saw him. But she still made him… antsy. He didn't want her to make a scene.

Before Pepper could get to the door handle, Tony reached and took her hand, stopping her and spinning her back to him. They were closer now and it seemed as though he was giving her another more sincere apology. She had rolled her eyes yet again to him, although despite how unnerved the woman had looked, her expression softened once Tony gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Loki looked down then, feeling it was wrong to be spying on a couple like he was. He looked to his hands in his lap, picking at his nail for a moment as a strange feeling came to his chest. It wasn't a good feeling… but not necessarily bad either. At the moment, and state of mind he was in, he couldn't explain it. Or perhaps he just didn't want to. It felt familiar, none the less. He felt awkward being here, but was still glad that Tony didn't abandon him at the word of his girlfriend. He supposed the feeling was a mix of anxiety and he dismissed it as nothing, taking a quick peek back out the window to see if they were… done.

They were seeing as he couldn't see Tony anymore, and a click behind him followed by the sound of hydraulics snapped him out of his thoughts. He supposed Tony was putting her bags in the back compartment behind him, and managed to calm down his breathing.

The trunk shut with a loud click, making Loki tense in his seat once again and the passenger door had opened.

Pepper slid into her seat, sighing with relief and bringing her attention back down to her phone.

Loki held his breath, wondering if he should make his presence known.

The woman placed her phone into her handbag that she carried with her and turned to see Tony enter the car. She didn't hesitate to let out a heavy sigh and rub her temples once Tony turned the key. Clearly the engine was not helping her headache.

"Oh at least pretend to be happy to see me." Tony smirked, looking over to her.

She managed to give him a bit of a smile. "Pretending takes too much effort." she said, placing her bag on the ground between her legs. "I'm too tired."

Tony sighed, "Come on, I haven't seen you in a month. I missed you."

"You've seen me on Skype." she countered, "That wasn't too long ago."

Tony rolled his eyes, "Fine, I haven't seen you in person in a month, ...I haven't kissed you in a month."

Pepper couldn't help but chuckle slightly. As tired as she was, she had to admit he was being cute. "...Well, I'm right here."

"You are." Tony hummed, quickly taking his eyes off her to glance in the rearview mirror, seeing Loki... whose gaze was fixed upon his girlfriend.

"You can kiss me now."

That brought his attention back to her. "I can?" he smirked.

Loki felt like he was going to be sick.

Pepper leaned over in her seat more. "Yes." she said a bit softer.

Tony looked back at her biting his bottom lip. He supposed Loki would forgive him, right?

He turned and smiled to her, slowly leaning in.

Loki felt himself go red. They weren't going to kiss in front of him. Were they? Not with Tony knowing he was right there…

Despite Loki's silent objection, Tony had gently met Pepper's lips with his.

Loki tensed. Had Tony forgotten about his presence? It had certainly felt that way.

Loki watched in awkward silence, feeling the blood rush to his cheeks. Just as he was about to bring his eyes to the floor, Tony's hand came up pointing in his direction while he was still kissing Pepper. Loki watched him raise a finger, as if telling him to wait a minute, before he brought his hand back to Pepper.

The God raised an eyebrow to the expression even though he knew Tony couldn't see him since he had his eyes closed. He thought that was rather… rude of him. Being completely honest. Loki was seconds away from just coughing loudly, making his own presence known and forcing them apart. He didn't need to see this. Tony should have said something by now. …He supposed he was glad Tony at least acknowledged his presence and hadn't forgotten about him but still… he had better hurry up.

After a lingering moment Loki's wishes were granted and Tony pulled back giving her a smile. He couldn't wait any longer. He needed to tell her. He honestly hoped Loki wasn't planning to kill him in the back by now. "Ah, Pepper, I have a surprise for you."

Loki felt himself relax in the back, as the woman in the front did the exact opposite. "What… what is it?" she asked, almost sounding scared.

Tony looked down to his hands, and laughed awkwardly. "Ah, well.. you have to promise not to get too excited."

Pepper raised her eyebrows, "…What is it?" she asked again.

"Well," Tony winced, ". . . It's ah, actually right behind you."

Pepper smiled slightly, excited and turned in her seat almost immediately locking eyes with none other than the God of Mischief.

She screamed.

Hey guys! I know I promised Pepper would only be a phone call. But then the new Iron Man 3 trailer came out, and Pepper… and I for some reason just pictured this happening and couldn't get it out of my mind! I hope the few of you that hate Pepper will bare with me over this, and the few that like her don't mind. :) Don't worry. She's not going on vacation with them. I think you'll all like what I have in store later with Loki anyways :)