I was a little heartbroken to discover FF removed anything that looked like a link in the last chapter. Hope you all enjoy this one.
Celebrity Basketball
Tony Stark Settling Down?
It's not often that celebrities are able to carry on secret affairs behind the backs of the press in Hollywood, so imagine the surprise when Stark PR officials announced that Tony Stark, majority shareholder, figure head and CTO was going to marry his CEO Virginia "Pepper" Potts, a familiar face at any event Stark attends. But this leads to the question, how did they hide the relationship?...
A chuckle from behind interrupted Pepper's reading. "We didn't really hide it." Tony's amusement evident in the way he said it.
"No we didn't, we just didn't walk around with a neon flashing sign announcing it either." Pepper said and went back to her reading. She was a closet gossip freak, New York and LA Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post were all regular reads for Miss Potts, but once a week a sinful delivery of US weekly, People and to Tony's shock and horror a National Enquirer, was made to the Malibu mansion and Pepper would spend hours flipping through the glossy magazines.
…This reporter will examine all the secret details of what the office is now referring to as Pepperony…
"Pepperony? For the love of all that is holy!" Tony moaned as he read over her shoulder
"Be quiet Tony." Pepper snapped, this was her time and if she wanted to read trashy magazines, even if they were about her then she would.
"Mr Stark?" Tony's new PA, a young man named Jeremy hired by Pepper appeared.
Flash Back!
"Jeremy is a perfect candidate Tony!" Pepper fumed, she resented the idea he thought she could continue to be his PA and CEO ("You've been doing it for years!" he argued)
"But…"
"No buts Tony, it's either him or I'll find a terrifying woman named Frau Schmitt, who I know for a fact is no longer working at your old school, retired but she remembers you…fondly."
Helga Schmitt, a clichéd name if he ever heard one, the woman was evil. She snuck across from East Berlin and got a job as house matron at the very expensive boarding school Tony's parents had sent him too. She did not like Anthony Stark.
"Fine Jeremy what's his face it is." Pepper Potts played dirty, he'd get his revenge somehow.
End Flash Back!
"Mr Stark, I received a phone call from a Michael Mirisch, he says they're putting together a team of former Hollywood Knights to play with some veterans against the current Knights wants to know if you'll be playing."
"When is it?" Tony asked
"Tonight, Mr Stark they had a dropout and are looking for a replacement player." Jeremy said, he was nervous around his boss especially when he appeared to be in the middle of a personal moment with Miss Potts "Your schedule is clear sir, I know you wanted an evening off…"
"What do you think Miss Potts? Ready for our first public outing since the engagement announcement?" Tony cut the poor boy off.
"I think it's a great idea Tony. Jarvis why don't see about booking me a ticket for the game."
"With pleasure Miss Potts."
"I'll let them know you'll be playing then Mr Stark." Jeremy hurried out of the room.
"Will courtside be ok Miss Potts?"
"Perfect Jarvis thank you."
Later that evening Happy jogged around to open the car door for Tony who climbed out, pulling Pepper out with him, camera bulbs flashing everywhere.
"Mr Stark!" A man jogged over, so glad you could make it. The 'Veterans' team is in the away dressing room, I'll take you down as soon as find somebody to escort Miss Potts to her seat.
Pepper sat in the VIP bar of the Staples centre as the stadium began to fill up, it was a two part event, the first was an LA Laker skill competition for an hour, where the players would show off every trick in the book to try and impress the crowd, then the Hollywood Knights vs Veterans would start and the evening would be rounded off by a charity concert. Needless to say the event was sold out, how Pepper had managed to snag a ticket was beyond her.
The announcement was made that the game would soon start and so Pepper took her seat next and just before the game started her blackberry rang.
"Night out with me Potts and you're still answering your phone." Tony's amused voice came out of the device.
"Tony you should be getting ready for the game."
"I am ready, so ready I'm just about to head out, but there's going to be an announcement in the minute, try not to look surprised just smile and nod." He was talking quickly and Pepper could hear that they were getting ready to make an entrance.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls welcome to tonight's special event in aid of the Los Angeles Veterans Hospital! Tonight you've seen the LA Lakers take on themselves and you'll be seeing the Hollywood Knights take on their own as well as a few of the vets the hospital helps." The announcer paused as the crowd applauded. "All of the profits from tonight's event will be donated to the LA VA Centre and as we've just been told Stark Industries plans to match tonight's donation!" Pepper suddenly appeared on the big screen as the crowd applauded her and her company 'Tony just you wait' she thought.
The players ran out on to the court, Tony was the last player announced "…who unfortunately had to pull out due to injury so without further ado, you may have seen him in the skies above us, he goes by the name of Iron Man, please put your hands together for Tony Stark!"
The stadium erupted in cheers as Tony jogged out on to the basketball court. The game progressed well until the final 5 minutes when Tony took an intentional foul to the chest, the guy who blocked him was grabbing his wrist in agony whilst Tony was on the floor clutching the arc reactor. Some paramedics helped him to his feet and he stumbled to the side where he was joined immediately by Pepper.
"I'm fine Pepper, honestly they just knocked it. I'll let Jarvis do a full check when we get back." Tony then got to his feet took a drink and waved to the audience to let them know he was fine. The game ended and Tony joined Pepper in a VIP area as the concert bellow began.
"We're matching tonight's donation?" Pepper looked at him and he wrapped an arm around her waist and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Think of it from a business standpoint Pepper, tax write off and insanely good advertising and PR that…" She cut him off with a kiss and informed him that she didn't mind, she'd just like more than 20 seconds notice the next time.
"Mr Stark, how about a picture of you and Miss Potts?" A photographer asked, and the couple complied, Tony and Pepper turned his arm still round her waist and kissed her cheek as the photo was taken.
"Sorry I ruined movie night." Tony said.
"It's ok, this is a charity event after all and it's nice to see you doing something good that doesn't involve a shiny metal suit."
He would've responded however his cell going off meant that their conversation was cut short, he disappeared outside for a moment. His hasty return with Happy and a red and gold briefcase in tow told her all she needed to know.
She placed a loving kiss on his lips. "Be careful and come home safe."
He returned her kiss "Always."
TBC…
Hope you enjoyed this one, their weddings is coming up in the chapter after the next one, I'm trying not to draw this out too much or this story will go on forever.
Feedback always appreciated (positive or not), so hit that review button please =)