Fall Out

Chapter Eighteen: Alert

Disclaimer: I own nothing…

Author Notes: Okay we're getting down to the last… sad I know.

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Slowly Pepper reached her slender fingers up carefully to adjust the pins in her hair, a couple of them were digging uncomfortably into her scalp. After finishing the adjustment she feels about the delicate up-do making sure there's not a stray hair out of place. Satisfied, she lifts the skirt of her purple dress and makes her way towards the buffet set up.

"Make sure there are enough plates for those who desire more than two times through the line." She instructs without missing a beat and then ganders over the placement of the food, "Hm. No. Let's not have the crab cakes next to the salad items. It's more of an appetizer, let's place them on a tray and have the waiters take them about with the other hors d'oeuvres." She smiled satisfied as what was asked was done without question; they had a good staff for tonight.

"Hey Peps. Looking very nice."

A familiar voice greeted her and, Pepper turned with a smile, "Hey Jim. Were you able to get some donations for the silent auction?"

Colonel James Rhodes gave his friend a light hug, she looked good, and there was this glow about her that made him arch a curious brow, "Oh. Yeah, I was able to get a few things."

"Okay, good, excellent." She knew that look on his face, was it that obvious? Apparently, although Rhodey was very observant, "Have your guys put the donations in the next room, the girls there will catalog them and make sure they are in the proper positions."

"Got it." He grinned and gave her a salute before heading off to do as instructed.

Pepper had turned around and was adjusting a center piece when suddenly another voice crept, breaking her focus and causing her to frown.

"Miss Potts. Might I have a word?"

"Agent Coulson." She turned and smiled, it was not a warm one. Even if he and the other SHIELD agents had helped her out of a jam, she still didn't trust them in the least, "Make it quick."

The balding man nodded, "We have reason to believe that you and Mr. Stark are in danger tonight."

That got her attention, "I have some time. Explain please."

"His office here at Stark Industries was broken into; whoever did it knew what they were doing and were after a particular item. They were able to avoid being picked up the security cameras."



Pepper let go of a breath she didn't realize she had been holding and nodded, "Is that all you know? Or do you have something helpful to tell me?"

"This person or persons took one thing, it's the only thing missing, the pistol that Mr. Stark had on display." Agent Coulson's voice sounded grave and worried, he was.

"His great uncle's pistol…" Pepper knew that much about it, but nothing more, "You and you're agents are more than welcome to attend tonight, to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Coulson nodded, "We will be watching Miss Potts. We will do our best to keep you and Mr. Stark safe as well as the other guests."

Pepper turned to go back to her duties and then stopped, "Why do I get the feeling there is something you're not telling me Agent Coulson?"

The man sighed, such a difficult woman, "Because there is something I'm not telling you."

"Well…"

"Sorry Miss Potts, I cannot tell you at this time, we are not a hundred percent sure if our findings are true."

"I want to know." Her blue eyes bore into the man, "Tell me."

The man gulped uncomfortably, the look in her eyes was enough to make him stammer like an awkward teenager, "W-w-we have b-b-been lead to believe that… that the person who broke into Mr. Stark's office was also responsible for the fire that burned down your apartment building…" He wondered how much Fury was going to yell at him for that one.

A moment of panic and fear spread through her body, but she quickly hit it and straightened her shoulders, "Interesting. Well I will alert Mr. Stark when he arrives and we will be extremely cautious."

"That's all we ask Miss Potts, we would hate to lose such a valuable asset as your boss, and it would be a shame to devastate him with your loss." Coulson made to depart and check in with his superior, "There will be agents posted throughout the night." He said as he turned and left his cell phone already to his ear.

Pepper sighed and fidgeted a moment with her dress and then took a deep breath, "Pull it together Pepper. You can handle this. Nothing bad is going to happen, the government agents will see to it." She muttered to herself and exited the ballroom, heading for the auction room to check on the status of the items that Jim had brought.

(Stark Manor)



For some reason Tony had a bad feeling, he couldn't put his finger on it, but whenever he had issues tying the bow of his tux he knew something was up. When he had "crashed" the Firefighters' fund thing he had had the same problem and look what that night turned into.

Biting the side of his lower lip, he forces himself to concentrate on something other than the uneasiness in the pit of stomach and so he turns to her. He wonders what she's wearing, if it's as stunning as that blue number had been or was it better? He hoped for better.

"Finally." Tony muttered as he gave himself a final once over in the mirror. Satisfied, he picked up tux jacket and headed out of the house, "Keep a good eye on the place Jarvis."

"Certainly, Sir. Enjoy your evening."

Tony gave that little half smirk of his, he would enjoy his evening alright, he'd be spending it with the most beautiful, perfect and flawless woman there. Yeah, it was going to be a good night, he decided and came to the conclusion that the feeling in his stomach was just nerves, butterflies nothing he couldn't handle.

"You look good, sir." Happy greeted him as he held the door.

"Thanks Hap." Tony smiled and slid into the backseat of the car and took a deep breath to relax.

(Stark Industries)

The room was full, Pepper hoped that they hadn't exceeded the occupancy. All they needed was for the Fire Marshal to shut the event down. Not likely as Tony knew the Marshal personally, but still. Pepper closed her eyes for a moment and internally told herself to stop worrying so much and to remember to smile. When her eyes opened she was greeted by a sight for tired eyes.

"You look…" Tony moved closer to her, his lips brushing chastely across hers, "Incredible."

Pepper smiled, feeling a little more at ease now that the man of the hour was present. She felt a slight blush creep across her pale skin as she swallowed, "Thank you." Blue eyes gave him a once over, "You look good, as always."

He chuckled, amused by her desire to say something in return, "Yes, but only because of the wonderful woman standing next to me." He found her hand and wrapped his own around it, giving it a small squeeze, "Looks like Rhodey really delivered. I can't believe some of the stuff he has here. Wow." Tony looked over each item on the stage, there were old army rifles, a model of a plane from WWII, a soldier helmet from the Korean war. There were medal plaques and other items.

"Yes, Jim really did a good job."



He frowned as he watched them. And he knew, he knew they were lovers. He could see it in their eyes, in the way Stark stood possessively near her like she belonged to only him. Well, she didn't. She would never belong to Stark. How dare he. How dare he sleep with her, touch her in ways not meant for him. Paul took a deep cleansing breath, must stay calm. He noted the men in suits that looked like some sort of bodyguards, it appeared that someone had discovered his little break-in. Oh well, it was to be expected, he had been sloppy after all.

Pepper looked around, the auction was going well. Tony had even won a few items, mostly things that had something to do with his Father and that particular era. She watched him, the pride that filled his eyes. He had changed, a lot since everything had happened. She was glad he had changed, because it changed a part of her, that part of her that she had kept in check for so long, since that first day when she had come bursting into his office.

Tony slid his arm around her, he liked, no he enjoyed being close to her. Funny thing was, he always had. But in being close to her he could tell she was a little tense. Was she worried about something? He glances at her face a moment, her eyes instantly betraying her as they flit about the room. He quickly mimics the movement and spies what she's looking at, a frown crossing his lips, "Pepper. Why are there SHIELD agents here?"

"Hm? Oh." She had almost forgotten until she had realized she was watching them, making sure that everything was still okay, "I need to tell you something." Thanks to her heels it's easy for Pepper to lean over and whisper in Tony's ear about what the agents had told her, as she did so, she felt him stiffen and grab her hand.

"I want to see my office." He watched the agents, none of them were paying much attention to the two of them so it was easy for them to slip out and head towards the offices the next floor down.

But someone else was watching and following. His milky blue eyes trailing them first and then he slips out, pausing briefly to ask someone where the restroom is. Good cover. He has a feeling he knows where they're headed. He passes them as they wait for the elevator and resists the urge to take what is his then. He heads down the stairs, knowing he can beat them to Stark's office.

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Dun, dun, duuuun.

Yes, I know, evil cliff hanger. And sorry this took so long, been having a bit of writer's block, weather issues and company. Also I am taking my time so the last few chapters of this story isn't utter crap.

And as an added bonus for this being so late, check out my profile to see the dress that Pepper is wearing.