62 Identity

Good night Ms. Potts

The press conference that took place after the Obadiah incident hadn't exactly gone as planned. Agent Coulson had told Tony to stick to the cue cards, Pepper should have seen what was coming.

"I am Ironman."

"Oh dear god!" Was the thought that initially ran through her head. "He just made my life a living hell." Pepper pinched the bridge of her nose and waited for Tony to come down from the podium. He had a huge grin plastered on his face as he strode up to her.

"Let's go Potts!" Pepper fell in place behind him, not saying a word, even as she climbed into the back of the car beside him. Tony leaned against her, resting his head on her shoulder. She still said nothing, and kept her eyes on the back of Happy's head.

"You hungry Pepper?"

"….."

"Pepper?"

Pepper shifted in the seat forcing him to remove his from her body. Her eyes a dull shade of gray and her lips tight.

"Pepper look, I'm sorry, but come on! I couldn't resist, you of all people should have expected that." He pleaded, searching her eyes for some kind of emotion.

She sighed and turned her head toward the window.

"Pep talk to me." He placed a hand on her knee. "Please say something….anything."

Turning her head to face him she relaxed her face into a calm state, causing him to smile.

"You Tony Stark….are an idiot."

His smile vanished. "What!"

"You do realize what you've just done don't you?" She didn't wait for an answer. "You single handedly just increased my work load well over ten times." She went back to looking out the window.

"What if I help you?"

"You won't" She didn't bother looking at him, she knew she would give in if she did. "You would just delete anything that looked professional from your inbox."

"Maybe it won't be so bad." Tony said quietly, scooting closer to her on the seat.

Pepper moved closer into the door, any closer and she would end up on the highway.

"Have you ever seen a Blackberry die from email overload?"

"I don't think that could happen Pepper." He chuckled.

She promptly reached into her pocket and dropped her lifeless phone onto his lap. Neither of them said a word the rest of the way back to the mansion.

Pepper rushed straight from the car into the house.

"Pepper wait a second!" Tony tried to keep up with her, but even in her heels she managed to beat him in, locking herself in the guest room.

"Pepper please unlock the door."

"Go away Tony, I'm going to take a nap then start going through my impossibly full inbox."

"Jarvis open….."

"You have him open that door Tony and I will quit! Understand?"

"You wouldn't leave me Pep."

He smiled as the door opened just enough for her to stick her head out.

"Wanna bet?" She promptly slammed the door shut and locked the door with a very loud click.

Pepper managed to sleep for a full 4 hours. She appreciated the rest, but knew there was work to be done. She opened her laptop and winced as she clicked on her inbox.

478 Unread Messages

"That's strange, there were a least 1500 when my blackberry died." She rubbed her eyes and looked again.

475 Unread Messages

"Jarvis?"

"Yes Ms. Potts."

"Where is Mr. Stark currently located?"

"In his workshop Ms. Potts."

"And what is he doing?"

"He appears to be answering you email."

Pepper couldn't stop the smile that came to her face.

An hour later she found him hunched over his desk in the workshop sleeping with his head in his arms.

256 Unread Messages

She rubbed his back softly.

"Tony?"

He stirred beneath her touch. "Hmmm?…Oh hey Pepper." He sat up and stretched his arms above his head. "I told you I'd help."

"Who are you and what have you done with the old Tony Stark?" She grinned.

"He decided if he wanted to keep you around he better do some growing up." He said, taking her hands into his. "Why did you do it Pepper?" He asked rubbing the back of her hands with his thumbs.

"Do what?" She whispered, already knowing what he was getting at.

"On the roof…..why did you …..kiss me?" He was now searching her eyes for an answer.

"I…I don't know Tony." She looked away from him, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. "I better go, there are some things I need to take care of at my apartment." This was a total lie, but she couldn't stay, she would just end up getting hurt.

"Will you be back?" He whispered.

She heard the pain in his voice and made it a point to avoid looking at him.

"Yes…..in the morning." She said quietly.

"Ok then…Good night Ms. Potts."

"Good night Mr. Stark." Pepper didn't look back as she exited the work shop. She didn't see the single tear that had lined Tony's face as he watched her go and she most certainly didn't hear the last thing he said to her.

"I love you Pepper."

A/N Would you believe me if I said I went into this with the intention of her not being mad at him. I honestly don't know what happened. I must have some deep down depression thing going on. So even if it made you a little sad, I would greatly appreciate it if you showed me some love!

MUCH LOVE!

-Shelly