He buried his head into the fabric and smelled the familiar fragrance. Tony fluttered his eyes open and saw the soft white cotton t-shirt rubbing against his nose. He widened his eyes, almost forgetting what had happened last night. A silent sigh of relief escaped his body when he felt the body next to him stir.

"Mm." Pepper groaned. The sun shined bright in her eyes at a displeasing time. She rolled over and slowly opened her eyes. Once she caught the sight of his beautiful chocolate eyes, her began to form a small smile.

"Morning." He breathed, returning the smile. He had his arm still protectively wrapped around her waist and his other arm tucked under his pillow.

Pepper widened her smile and dug her face in the crook of his neck, and wrapped her arm around his chest. "Morning."

Tony smirked and squeezed her waist. "You okay?"

"Mm, just tired." She responded.

"You're usually not this affectionate in the morning." He began to rub circles in her hips.

"How's your shoulder?" She moved away from his neck but was still close enough for him to feel her breath tickle his jaw line.

"It's fine." He reassured her with a warm smile.

Pepper slid her arm out from under his and gently touched his shoulder. Tony flinched a bit, and began to hiss in pain but her touch was so warm, he soon felt relief.

"Sorry." She looked up from his shoulder and saw the hurt expression hidden behind his eyes.

"It's only been a few days, Pep." He reassured her. "It'll heal."

"I'm sorry about the other night." She apologized.

"Hm?" He hummed in confusion.

"Your back." She reminded him. Her blue eyes lit up and her light strawberry colored hair gracefully fell along her cheek.

"It only hurt for a few seconds." He looked away. Tony especially hated it when he had to admit his weakness. It was hard to do at first, but when he's alone with Pepper, it's a whole different story. Still, he hating admitting it but she seemed to squeeze it out of him anyways.

She angrily smiled at him. "You had trouble getting up for at least an hour."

"Pepper, you don't need to worry about me." He calmly told her.

"You may be wearing the pants in this relationship, but I control the zipper." She sternly told him.

"What?" Tony widened his eyes in confusion. "That didn't even make sense."

"My friend told it to me one day. It sounds silly, but it's correct in a literal sense." She widened her smile.

"I… guess." He thought about it for a few seconds. "But still, you shouldn't be worrying about me."

Pepper warmly smiled into his grey t-shirt and felt his hand pull her in close. "It's my job to worry about you, Tony."

He laid there and gently rubbed her back. He didn't think she would be this affectionate about something so small, unless…

Tony felt her head dig deeper into his chest. He rested his head on top of hers and carefully lifted the sheets over their bodies. He smiled heartedly into her vanilla scented hair and closed his eyes.

"Are you on your period?" He bluntly asked, ruining the romantic mood.

Within seconds, Pepper angrily pushed him away. "Wow, Tony." She sat up and immediately got off the bed to put on her slippers. "You're such a jerk sometimes."

"I take it you are." He sat up as well, grinning sweetly.

She turned her head and angrily looked at him. "You're so—"

Tony sat there with the sheets covering his red colored boxers. The smile he was showcasing immediately stopped her. How could she yell at him with that annoying, yet adorable, smirk on his face?

"So…?" He asked.

"I'm working today." She sternly told him. Pepper moved towards the closet and began to pick out her clothes for the day. It was habit and instinct to move a third of her wardrobe into his house. It was meant for just-in-case purposes but lately, she become more and more willing to stay over.

"It's Saturday." His eyes followed her every move.

"It doesn't hurt to get some work done."

"I thought we were going to spend some time together today." He tried to sound gloomy.

She turned her head and glared at him. "After what just happened, I'm beginning to rethink today's plans."

"Oh, c'mon, Pepper." He whined. "It was only a question, and clearly you are… so—"

"I never said I was." She walked over to the drawers and pulled out a white colored bra and panties. She threw them on top of her outfit that was laid out on the bed.

"But you didn't answer me when I asked you. A simple no would've done it, but you avoided the question by calling me a jerk. And now you're planning on working today." He drew his legs out from under the sheets and stood up, and off the bed.

"So, what if I am? Mission accomplished. You're now an ass for the day." She dramatically declared, resting her hands on her hip.

"That's usually declared by Rhodey, but I guess you can have the privilege as well." He walked over to his closet and began to pick out a few clothes.

Pepper rolled her eyes and proceeded to change into her outfit. It was a simple blouse and jeans type of day. It wasn't necessarily a work day, so it didn't seem fit for her to have to wear the usually business attire.

"Are you going to be working in your workshop tonight?" She asked, taking off her short shorts and pulling on a pair of jeans.

"I'm actually going to see Rhodey today."

"What for?" Pepper instinctively asked.

"The usual suit upgrades and stuff." He replied, taking off his t-shirt and pulling on a polo shirt.

In a matter of minutes, Pepper had changed into her outfit, and as she walked over to the bathroom, Tony gently tugged on her wrist. She spun around in confusion and saw his apologetic frown.

"Listen, I'm sorry about earlier." He apologized. "But, just to be sure, you are on your period, yes?"

If he was any other guy, she probably would've hit the socks off him, but just hearing Tony apologize was surprising enough.

Pepper warmly smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Want to know how I knew?" He slyly grinned.

"Not really."

"You're not usually that affectionate in the morning." He repeated, widening his grin.

"How observant of you." She felt annoyed.

"It's still new for me." He admitted. Pepper's mouth slowly gapped in realization; she knew what he meant before he even said it. "I'm still getting used to the idea of waking up next to a woman and not running away."

"If you did," She smiled. "You wouldn't have anyone to show me out."

"I'm sure Dummy could." Tony joked.

"Mm, sure." She challenged him.

"It gets kind of lonely when you're not here."

"What happened to JARVIS?" Pepper began to blush bright red.

"It's just not the same without you. It always feels like something's missing." He widened his smile.

Pepper walked up to him and gently worked at the buttons of his polo shirt. He looked down at purposefully watched her button up his shirt. Once she reached the last button, leaving a few at the top unfastened, she looked up and leaned forward. She kissed him quickly on the lips.

"Be careful today, okay?"

He warmly grinned down at her and mindlessly rested his hands on her lower back. "Does this mean we're going out later tonight?"

Pepper started to chuckle. "You're lucky I find you adorable."

"Or, I'm just lucky to have you."

"What would you do without me?" She sarcastically asked him, giggling and, pulling away from him.

"I'll pick you up at five tonight, okay?" He asked her. He turned around to go into his closet and pick out a pair of shoes.

"Five sounds good." Pepper walked into the bathroom and took out her make-up bag from underneath the sink.

"Are you really going to work today?"

"What else is there to do?"

"You could just relax for the day. It's not like one day of no work will kill anyone." He suggested.

"You obviously haven't been watching the news."

"That's what I have you for, right? To watch the news and inform me of anything important." Tony took his shoes to the edge of the bed. He sat down and began to slip his shoes on.

Pepper popped her head out to glare at him but saw his hunched over form instead. Tony finished slipping on the last shoe and saw a pair of purple fuzzy slippers approach him. She stood between his legs and glared down at him. Tony widened his smile and looked up. Habits took over him. He mindlessly held her waist with his hands and pulled her closer.

"You really think my job is to tell you important news?"

He smirked. "I was just joking, Peps. I know what your job is. It's to satisfy me in any way possible."

"Now you're just asking for it." She angrily grumbled.

Tony chuckled and dug his face into her stomach. Pepper stood there, carefully playing with the hair on his neck. They stayed there for a few minutes until pulled away to look up at her. He admired her black colored blouse before smiling warmly.

"I like mornings like these. Just us without a care in the world. Nothing to interrupt our—"

"Rhodey is on line one, Sir." JARVIS announced suddenly.

"I spoke too soon." Tony grumbled. Pepper smirked and grabbed his hands that were still resting on her waist. She pulled them off.

"You better answer him or else he'll end up forcing his call through JARVIS' intercom system. You remember last time, right?" She reminded him.

"He interrupted our make-out session, how could I not?" He pouted.

"I'll only be a call away." She reassured him.

"You could always come with me—"

"I'm aiming to get some work done today, Tony." She interrupted him.

He stood up and slightly nodded. "If you need anything while I'm out, just call, okay?"

"Yup." She began to walk back to the bathroom.

Tony watched her every move. He watched her hips sway back and forth before disappearing into the bathroom. He literally wanted to stay in and just hold her all day. But JARVIS kept on reminding him of Rhodey's call.

"Sir, Rhodey insists that you pick up the phone." JARVIS told him.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Tony grumbled, walking out of his bedroom and towards the workshop. He walked down the stairs, entered his access code and headed towards his desk.

"Answer line one." Tony announced. Rhodey suddenly appeared on all monitors.

"Hey, man. What took you so long?" He immediately asked.

"It's a Saturday and Pepper slept over, Rhodey. What do you think I was doing?" Tony sat down at his desk and leaned back in his chair.

"That's…" Rhodey flashed an unpleasant expression.

"Hey, so we're going to meet at the coffee shop, right?"

"I guess so. We don't really meet anywhere else."

"Let me say good-bye to Pepper and I'll meet you there." Tony got up from his seat and started walking towards the glass door.

"So, what'd you tell her?"

"Hm?" Tony turned around.

"Are you going shopping? Are you taking public transportation for the hell of it?" Rhodey started guessing.

"I told her I was making upgrades to your suit." Tony responded.

"Oh." Rhodey frowned. "You couldn't think of anything better to tell her?"

"Rhodey, we're two grown men meeting at a coffee shop to talk about stuff. I feel bad enough for lying to her in the first place, now you want me to lie to her even more but use the most awesome excuse known to man?" Tony rolled his eyes.

Rhodey mentally took a step back. "Since when did you get so serious about this stuff? You used to lie to Pepper all the time."

"It's different now." Tony told him. "Lying to Pepper means consequences."

"And before, it didn't?" Rhodey smirked.

Tony didn't know what to think. Before he and Pepper were together, he'd lie to her on a daily basis. Now, they're a couple, and lying to Pepper isn't as easy anymore. He enjoyed making her happy, making her smile, and holding her whenever they were alone. He honestly felt happy with his life knowing that Pepper was there by his side. But he wasn't as happy during the ten years of their employee relationship.

"I don't know. I just don't want to upset her." Tony shrugged the question off. "I'll see you in ten minutes."

"Ten?" Rhodey widened his eyes. "You realize it takes thirty minutes to get there, plus traffic—"

"For you it takes thirty minutes. For me, it takes ten." Tony widened his smile.

"How do you not get tickets?" Rhodey wondered. He honestly had no idea how cops have never caught him speeding on the freeway.

—Pepperony-Pepperony-Pepperony-Pepperony-Pepperony-Pepperony—

Rhodey walked into the coffee shop with his car keys in his hand. He tucked them in his pocket before walking towards the back of the shop. He stopped at the last booth and slid in. He sat there, looking at Tony, waiting for him to say something. A waiter came by and asked if they wanted anything but Rhodey waved him away.

"So, what's up?" Rhodey asked Tony. Tony shrugged, looking down at his palms that rested on the table in front of him.

"How's the suit?" Tony glanced up at him.

"It's amazing." Rhodey smiled and heavily breathed. "I really think I could do some good with it. I mean, I haven't been on a mission yet, but I really think it has potential."

"Senator Stern still wants the technology." Tony hinted it to him.

"I know." Rhodey reassured him. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Tony sat up straight to act as if he were paying attention. "Stern has been meaning to get the technology under U.S Jurisdiction but thanks to Fury, he can't."

"What?" Tony widened his eyes. "Fury is… protecting the suits?"

Rhodey shrugged. "I only heard that someone was blocking all attempts to take the suits and the technology from you."

"So… it might not be Fury?"

"Does it matter?" Rhodey saw Tony glare at him. "Well, of course it matters, but does it really matter who's doing what? You should be happy that your technology is safe."

"Mm." Tony hummed. There's a small chance it wasn't Fury, and if it wasn't, then who? Who…?

"So, how are you and Pepper?" Rhodey managed to change the subject.

"We're good." Tony nodded. "Nothing major has happened in the last few days."

"How did the movie date go?"

"It went well, aside from the unmentionable incident with my back." Tony mumbled.

"What about your back?"

"Did I not just say it was unmentionable?"

"You mentioned it." Rhodey spat back.

"You didn't have to ask about it." Tony countered.

"Well, you mentioned it, so I'm asking about it." Rhodey became increasingly annoyed.

Tony gave up. He'd eventually ask him a billion times through all sorts of communication devices. "Pepper and I were talking, and then we were kissing… but she leaned in a little too much and…" Tony made a gesture with his hands and eventually Rhodey got the gist of it.

Rhodey ended up burst out in laughter. "She—I can't believe Pepper hurt your back."

Tony rolled his eyes and waited for him to stop laughing.

"Of all the ways to hurt someone's back. Haha, that's priceless."

"Anyways…" Tony began. "…Pepper and I were thinking about going on a double date with you and… whoever."

"Whoa, whoa, why a double date—and why with me?" Rhodey pointed to himself and furrowed his eyebrows.

"It would be weird if we had a double date with Happy, and it would certainly be even weirder if we had a double date with one of Pepper's 'guy friends', so I picked you." Tony explained with a small smile.

"And what sort of things do you wish to accomplish during this double date?" Rhodey grew suspicious.

"Are you implying that you can't get a date?" Tony slyly smiled at him.

"What?" Rhodey shook his head. "Now, that's taking things completely out of context."

"Well, then, what do you say?"

"I'll think about it." Rhodey rolled his eyes at him. "A double date is the least of my worries, right now."

"Trouble in paradise?" Tony raised his eyebrow.

"Nothing you should be concerned about."

"Mind if I cut in?" Someone said. The figure was standing in front of their booth.

Tony looked up at her and began to groan. Crap… "Natalie." He breathed.

"Natalie? Isn't that the SHEILD agent, Natasha?" Rhodey quietly asked Tony.

"I honestly don't know what to call her, so I just went with the first name she gave me." Tony shrugged.

Natalie forced herself in the booth and scooted in next to Rhodey. Rhodey scooted in further nearest to the window. He didn't really know Natalie. She was an acquaintance of his but noticeably friendly with Tony. On the other hand, Tony looked equally pissed at her for interrupting their ongoing conversation.

"Is there a reason why you're physically here?" Tony asked her with an annoyed look. "I mean, you could've called."

"I was in the neighborhood." Natalie quickly responded. "Listen, something happened. Leon Industries was attacked last night."

Rhodey widened his eyes but Tony sat there, clearly not amused.

"So?" He crossed his arms across his chest.

"Wait, how come it wasn't on the news?" Rhodey immediately asked her.

"SHEILD is assessing the situation even as we speak." Natalie answered. "Fury wanted me to inform you about it."

"Again, someone could've called."

"No." Natalie shook her head. "It would've been too risky. Tony, he's here."

Tony's ears perked up. He widened his eyes and leaned forward in shock. "What?"

"Wait, who's he?" Rhodey glanced at the both of them, clearly confused.

"He attacked Leon Industries last night? Did he take anything?" Tony asked her.

"It didn't look like he took anything. If anything, it would've been the technology but we couldn't gain access to Leon's personal files."

"You guys aren't answering me…" Rhodey groaned.

"I think you should keep a close watch on Pepper for a while. If he's trying to get to you, Tony, he'll try to get to Pepper first."

"Will you please tell me who in the hell you're talking about—"

"Rhodey," Tony began. He angrily glanced up at him. "This is the guy that's mass producing my stolen weapons."

"And now he has Leon Industries' technology…" Rhodey whispered to himself.

"Maybe." Natalie glanced at Rhodey and then at Tony. "We're not sure yet. We don't know what kind of hacking capabilities this guy has."

"It could've been another double." Tony heavily sighed and felt increasingly frustrated.

"Double?" Rhodey furrowed his eyebrows. "That doesn't sound good."

"It isn't." Tony shook his head. "Whoever attacked Leon Industries obviously wanted something. And also, Leon Industries was supposed to launch their latest weaponry next month. The date was announced at the Charity Ball."

"Do you think whoever attacked Leon Industries was at the Charity Ball?" Natalie asked.

"Maybe." Tony shrugged.

"But if he was at the Charity Ball, then that means he's been keeping tabs on you and Pepper." Rhodey glanced at Tony.

"If he was really there, he could've taken Pepper at any moment without me realizing it." Tony looked really frustrated. His enemy could've honestly taken Pepper—he could've killed her. He could've done unimaginable things to her but he didn't… why? Why is he trying so hard to run circles around everybody? It doesn't make any sense!

A/N: Anyone confused? Because I am :S. Reviews are always welcome :)