Greetings again all! Thank you for all of your reviews! I never…I repeat, NEVER realized how great it feels knowing that there are people out there enjoying something that I have created! Thank You…

I feel it is important to point out a few things about me and this story:

1-I am a fan of the IRON MAN movie. I have never read the comic books and don't know the back-story of any of the characters (other than the basic stuff)

2- This story takes place approximately 8 months after Tony's "I am Iron Man" press conference.

3- I welcome feedback and constructive criticism. If you notice anything that seems totally out of place…just let me know!

Other than that—enjoy this chapter!

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"Potts!"

Three hours after her run, Pepper Potts found herself showered, dressed, and back to work at the Stark Industries Compound. With her PDA clutched tightly in her right hand, a pad of paper under arm, and a steaming cup of black coffee in the other, she descending into Tony Stark's office.

"Potts! Didn't you hear me calling you?" Tony questioned her casually. He was seated behind his massive desk, his tied pulled loose already. He glanced up to survey her appearance as she entered his office. From afar, she looked fresh and bright this morning. Her legs flowed gracefully across the tiles, her heels clicking sweetly as she approached. He had always loved the sound of a woman's heels. It usually meant he was about to have a lucky night in the bedroom, or that his favorite redhead was in the vicinity.

Pepper wore a conservative white blouse which was tucked neatly into a soft yellow pencil skirt. She had her hair pulled back in lieu of styling it this morning. He looked to her face, hoping to catch her eyes as he waited for her response. No luck, as she had avoided them.

"Yes, of course I heard you, Mr. Stark. So did everyone in the next room. Perhaps next time you could opt for using the telecom system to get my attention rather than shouting like a caveman?" Pepper stooped to put his coffee down, and then slid into the leather chair opposite his; pen in hand ready to take notes of the impending days' events.

Tony had turned back to his computer, "I thought you liked it when I went all Neanderthal? Besides, this email is way too important to remove my fingers from. Shouting seemed like the logical choice." He smiled that lopsided smile of his and finally stopped typing long enough to greet his assistant face to face.

He grasped the edge of his desk and pushed himself back from it. He stood swiftly and came around to the other side and sat at the edge right in front of Pepper.

"Good Morning, Miss Potts," Tony whispered the words as if he only wanted her to hear them. Now that she was closer, he noticed that she seemed rather serious this morning. Her face looked slightly worn—as if she didn't sleep so well the night before.

Finally ready to look at her boss, Pepper tilted her chin up, and brown eyes met green. Her features softened, "Good morning, Mr. Stark." She grinned sweetly and allowed herself to enjoy the moment—then it was back to business, much to Tony's dismay.

"You have three commitments today…One involves you being across town in approximately 45 minutes, so I suggest we lea—"

"Can't do it," Stark interrupted. He abandoned his perch on his desk and walked back to his chair. Pepper sighed. Here it comes.

"And why is that?" she asked as she dropped her notepad to her lap and sagged in the chair.

Tony flashed Pepper a knowing smile, and explained, "Well, I have to take care of a few things, and we'll have to reschedule all meetings to a later date." He punched a keypad on his computer and it shut down swiftly. "Also, I'm going to need your assistance at the house later tonight." He waggled his eyebrows at her, trying to lighten the suddenly tense atmosphere.

Pepper sat back up, a new resolve in her posture, "Mr. Stark, I have rescheduled this already. Today is the rescheduled time. I can't reschedule this again," She sounded as if she was trying harder than usual to convince him of going to his meeting—and not somewhere else.

"Well, do it, 'cause I got other plans." Tony pulled his suit jacket from the back of his chair and shrugged his arms into it. "Why are you so persistent today? Not that I'm complaining. You know I like it when you're stern with me." He walked back around to where she was sitting, and offered his hand to help her up.

Pepper gawked at his hand for a moment, and then slid her palm into his. Warmth spread through her fingertips as Tony pulled her to a standing position. "I'm just doing my job. The job you hired me for? Keeping you on task, going to your meetings, keeping your appointments, remember?" She stood easily with his help, leaving her belongings on the chair behind her. Thanks to her choice in footwear this morning, she was now standing face to face with Tony Stark.

She frowned as she saw his tie askew. Upon reflex, she lifted her graceful fingers to his neck and straightened the offending garment. Her fingers worked deftly to re-position the tie to its proper place. Tony smiled. He loved it when she fussed over him. Of course, he was used to being pampered by people, but when Pepper did it, it made him feel genuinely cared for. Something, he realized, he had grown to look forward to since his captivity in that cave several months ago.

Finished with the knot, she made a move to remove her hands and inadvertently ran her fingers along the sensitive skin on his neck. Tony shivered and blinked.



Pepper, noticing her boss' reaction, raised her eyebrows and grinned to herself. "There, all done."

"Thanks." Tony replied. "Now, about tonight—"

"I can't tonight. I have plans." Pepper interjected. Tony balked. Plans? He had said to her before, he hated it when she had plans. Not that he had any control in the matter.

"What do you mean, plans? Like, a date or something?" Tony stepped back and crossed his arms--showing his clear disapproval of a 'yes' answer.

"Well…that is none of your business, is it?" She replied defiantly, crossing her arms in the same manner as he did. No, it wasn't his business that she would be grocery shopping. But he doesn't need to know that.

Tony knew she was taking a stance for an argument. She was trying to distract him. He knew her strategy all too well. At any other moment he would have loved to take this to the next level, but he had some work that needed to be completed before he left this evening. So, he decided to win the argument.

"Fine, have your plans. But I still need your help tonight before your date." He turned on his heel and went back to his desk for his briefcase.

"It's not a date—" Dammit! He got her. Even with his back towards her, she knew he was grinning like an idiot. "No? Well, then I will see you at seven-thirty tonight?"

She nodded her head in the affirmative.

As he began to stride out of the office, he stopped in front of her, "And Pepper, the next time you have a concern about my well-being, just ask me," his face turned serious, "I'll be heading to that weapons cache, and I will be returning from it."

She opened her mouth to speak. To ask him how he knew the reason she was tired today was because she had hardly slept last night. How he knew she was worried for his safety...always. How can he read her so well? But she decided against it. After all, she knew him too.

"Seven-thirty?" she confirmed, then added, " Will that be all Mr. Stark?" Pepper sighed and cocked her head to the side while managing to deliver her line while looking her boss straight in the eye.

Tony relished the last look he gave her for a moment, turned on his heel and passed over his shoulder, "That will be all Miss Potts," he added lastly, "Until Tonight!" And he was gone.

Until tonight, she thought. Shit. Why didn't I have a date?

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