Chapter 13: Notes of Change

Thursday

For the most part, Tuesday and Wednesday were your typical, average days of work at Stark Industries. Business went on throughout the day as usual: engineering meetings took place and were attended by board members, progress reports were completed and filed, conference calls were made, lunch was eaten, coffee was consumed, and people left at the end of the day paying no attention to those who stayed behind. As far as the hard working, valuable employees of Stark Industries were concerned, everything was just fine.

Tony Stark, on the other hand, felt as if his head were going to explode. The last two days had gone by agonizingly slow, and the current day gave no sign that it would be any different. Thoughts of this past weekend, the events that had taken place, and the conversations that had been spoken, just would not escape him. His mind lingered on how he had been so forthright and painfully truthful with Pepper about his jealousy. A year ago, he would have paid no attention to her going out on a date with some guy—of course he cared for her through all of her years of service and loyalty, but she was a strong, independent, beautiful woman, who deserved to make some guy the luckiest man in the world. And he was, after all, delightfully happy being with a new girl any chance he could get.

But now, today, nearly three hundred and sixty-five days later, Tony Stark could not relinquish his hold on the 'what-if' scenario his brain keeps playing over and over again in his mind.

…what if he had changed?

…what if he could be that guy?

…what if she wanted him to be that guy?

The months after Afghanistan had been the most productive of his entire life. He had refined and perfected his arc reactor technology, he had built his Iron Man armor, and he had effectively found and destroyed fifteen percent of all know stolen weapons storage facilities. He had definitely been proud of the progress he has made since then. But, in addition to the improvements he has made on material things and technology, he couldn't deny that he, himself has been undergoing a personal transformation as well.

His desire for debauchery behavior has significantly decreased, he discontinued his weekly gambling trips to Vegas, and his appetite for pointless, gratifying heady sex with different women has…well…been on hold for quite some time. In fact, he had to think hard to recall that the last time he had indulged in some casual sexcapades, was right after he admitted he was his own superhero. Two heavy-chested brunettes had approached him at a hotel bar later that week and had convinced him that they needed proof that there was indeed something on him as hard as iron. He had to respond to the challenge.

After that, his focus seemed to streamline into completing new upgrades to the suit and his home, and getting Stark Industries back on track.

Tony rubbed at his eyes and then turned to look out of his expansive windows. He could see the harbor in the distance—his mind shifted swiftly to the planning of tomorrow nights' mission. He was suddenly grateful for the distraction. Squinting, he could just barely make out the port entrance for Dock 12 which sat on its own at the curve of the bay. His sharp mind calculated the time it would take for him to fly from his home to the dock, and then he thought that the best way to make a strategic and surprising entrance to catch the thieves would be if he approached low and over the water. This way his arrival would be masked by the reflections of the moon off of the water and the sounds of the waves hitting the wooden pier. His fingers balled into fists as he thought of how he was going to respond to catching the would-be thieves in the act. He had been dealing with terrorists and bandits all over the world, but the fact that this operation was going to take place right here on his own front porch made him all the more apprehensive about its execution. Things needed to go perfectly and smoothly—with no casualties, and very limited exposure. If things did go wrong, there would be many consequences—ones that he would not want to deal with, nor have to have Pepper and Rhodes deal with them either.

Tony continued to stare out of the window and found himself chewing on his thumb nail.

"You know, you shouldn't bite your nails. There's bacteria under there." A smooth feminine voice startled him, and he turned quickly in his chair. A familiar face greeted he swiveled to a stop.

Pepper stood next to his desk, setting down a pile of manila folders—no doubt in need of his signature. She looked up at him and found him staring at her blankly.

"Huh?"

Pepper motioned to the thumb still in his mouth. "Your nail. I've seen the stuff you play with down in that workshop of yours…I wouldn't recommend keeping that in your mouth."

Tony continued to look at her thoughtfully. He wondered momentarily if she too had thought about this weekend and everything that had taken place. He searched her face for a sign that she might have been dealing with the same thoughts and turmoil he had just been having. If she did, she was sure doing an excellent job at hiding it. Her eyes shifted from his thumb to the window behind him, causing Tony to break out of his reverie.

He removed his thumb. "Trust me, Miss Potts; I've had far worse things in my mouth." He grinned slyly. Pepper's attention turned back to him as he spoke; his words bringing a knowing smile of her own to her lips.

"No doubt." She replied with a soft laugh. "Ahem…ok," She pulled out her calendar and shifted into reciting the daily schedule. "You have a 1:30 appointment with Lockheed and Martin—they need your new design specs for NASA and the shuttle retro-fit plans. And Donald Foreman called again, apparently there are only four more spaces left on the Ranch Club's waiting list for this year—you still have not submitted your application." Pepper paused, and then looked up at him. "I thought you loved playing golf there?"

Tony shrugged, "Eh, no time for golf these days. I can go without." He told her passively. He was slouching in his chair, wrinkling his suit and causing his tie to bow upwards. Pepper looked at him worriedly.

"You…alright? You seem a bit distracted." She asked. Her papers and the calendar forgotten, she brought them down in front of her and leaned against the edge of the desk. Her perceptiveness never ceases to astound him. The look of concern on her face made him cringe inwardly and he felt disgusted at himself for being caught acting so vulnerable. New leaf or not, he still had a reputation to uphold.

Sitting up and shaking the frown off of his face, Tony straightened his tie and resumed his earlier flirty attitude. He turned his attention to her heels—they were a muted yellow and had that little ankle strap on them that he thought was oh so sexy. His eyes traveled up her legs to the hem of her skirt, which matched her heels perfectly. He scooted closer to her in his chair. "Miss Potts, with legs like those, who wouldn't be distracted with you in the room?" He pressed closer to her still.

His abrupt change in attitude caught her off guard, and, coupled with the fact that he was now inching closer to her with a predatory look on his face, made her lose her grip on the papers in her hand. The flutter of spreadsheets and loose papers impeded Tony's approach, and he stopped just short of trapping her between his body and the desk.

Pepper felt on edge as she squatted down to retrieve the fallen paperwork. Tony's behavior of late has been bordering on dangerously flirty, to overboard brooding. She was beginning to think he was losing his grip on reality.

Tony shifted his chair back slightly and began helping Pepper pick up the papers. He continued to smile guilefully—enjoying the fact that he had flustered her just enough to cause a reaction such as this. He had a small stack of papers in his hand now and then, glancing to his left, noticed one more blue sheet of paper. He reached for it.

Pepper saw the elusive blue paper as well, and stretched an arm out to grab it.

As rough fingertips came into contact with softer manicured ones, a stab of electricity shot through them both, and their eyes flew to each other. They both stood up quickly, leaving the last piece of paper sitting forgotten under the desk. Pepper shifted awkwardly, clutching the recovered paperwork to her chest.

"Thanks." Pepper muttered, not exactly sure what she was thanking him for—helping her pick up the papers, or the comment about her legs. Tony grinned.

"You're welcome." He nodded, catching her eyes, and the blush that had crept into her cheeks.

It wasn't the fact that he was staring at her; it was the way he was staring at her. There was a sudden hunger in his eyes that had never been there before. It was as if he were a starving man and she was the only thing that would satisfy his hunger. The intensity of the look made her feel uneasy and self conscious, and she felt the sudden need to escape.

"Well, I guess I will just…" Pepper began walking backwards out of the office—which was quite a feat considering the six-inch heels she wore and the fact that there was a good fifteen feet from where she started to the office doors.

Tony watched her retreat with interest. This wasn't the first time he had flirted with her, and on numerous occasions in the past, she had deflected his comments with a smooth line of her own. But today was different. Perhaps he wasn't the only one feeling like things were changing between them. He took a few steps in her direction and, crossing his arms, he sat at the edge of his desk, still watching her intently.

"I'll let you know when I'm ready—ah, I mean when we are for you in the board room, and then…uh, I'll let Mr. Foreman know you won't be joining the Club this year." She began to ramble and, forgetting that she was quickly running out of room to walk, promptly ran into the doorknob with her backside. "Door…" She said unnecessarily, adding a nervous laugh. She turned around swiftly and exited the office, leaving Tony alone, smiling at the closed door.

He shook his head and thought to himself--there was definitely something behind those guarded eyes of hers that was beginning to drive him mad. He wondered in disbelief why he hadn't noticed it in all of the years before. Perhaps the walls they both had built around their hearts to protect themselves from getting hurt were starting to crumble. Regardless of what the reasons were, he now felt a renewed passion stir from within him; and it would be the driving force behind finding out what that something was.

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Relieved at having the solid door of the office between her and the probing eyes of her boss, Pepper leaned bodily against it and took a deep breath in, and an even longer exhale out. She squeezed her eyes shut and brought her hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. A whopping migraine threatened to begin pounding at any second.

A clearing of a voice made her eyes snap back open.

"…Uh, I have a delivery here for a …Pepper Potts?" A young delivery man said. He was holding a huge vase containing an assortment of beautiful and aromatic roses.

"Yes, that's me." She answered back, staring dumbfounded at the object in his hands.

He set the flowers down on her desk and pulled out a tablet PC. "Please sign here…" He said, pointing at an electronic 'x'. She scribbled her signature and the delivery man left.

She approached the flowers slowly, still awestruck at how beautiful they were. She leaned into them, closing her eyes and breathing in the fragrant scent.

"Nice flowers."

For the second time today, a voice threw her for a loop. Her lashes flew up and she turned in the direction of the voice. Tony stood in the doorway with his hands thrust casually in his pockets. He wasn't really smiling, but had a rather contemplative expression spread across his features. The earlier look she had noticed in his eyes still lingered, but it wasn't as intense.

"Oh…yes, they are beautiful." She responded slowly, turning back to the roses.

Tony shifted. "Well, I mean they aren't spectacular…but they're nice…you know; as flowers go." He scratched at his beard. "Who they from?" he added.

"I don't know." Pepper responded, then began searching for a note or a card. Digging through the forest of green leaves, she finally discovered a simple white envelope hidden beneath a large pink rose.

As if the discovery of the card was the sound of a shotgun signaling the start of a race, Tony lunged forward and snatched the card swiftly out of Pepper's unsuspecting hand.

"Ton--" She started to yell, but caught herself at the last second. She thought it funny how easily his first name springs to her lips when she's angry with him. "Mr. Stark!" She chided, making a grab for the stolen card. But he anticipated her move and eluded her hand easily, cackling to himself like a little boy.

"Really? Are you really playing this game?" She asked, clearly in disbelief at his antics. "Please, return the card." She spoke seriously, holding out her hand.

Tony flipped the little white envelope over between his fingers. "I would, Miss Potts, but for matters of security, everything coming in and out of this office must be inspected." He informed her, ready to tear open the sealed end.

She slapped at his hand just in time, stopping his progress, but not able to retrieve the item. She sighed out loud. "That is for your security, not mine. I doubt anyone is going to be spying on me! Now please, just…" She held out her hand once more, feeling her frustration rising.

Acting as if he were conceding, he held out the envelope for her to take; but just as she reached for it, he pulled it away again, making her reach further than she had originally intended. Coming off balance, she lost her step, and fell forward into his chest causing the air to rush from his lungs as she slammed into him. He stumbled a moment, and thinking he was going to fall as well, wrapped his arms around her as a reflex. But he steadied himself, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Pepper had her arms effectively trapped against his chest; the hard metal of the arc reactor evident against her forearms. Blinking a few times to get her bangs out of her eyes, she carefully looked up at the man holding her. His breath was coming in short pants from their playful interaction, and she felt it against her forehead. Her own breath was coming out quickly after she realized she was holding it in anticipation of her impending fall. The feeling of his arms wrapped around her began to seep into her mind, and she thought hazily how natural it felt.

Tony's hands were splayed out across her back, holding her securely. His arms began to feel as if they were on fire, and his legs felt suddenly wobbly. He cleared his throat to speak, but made no move to let release his hold on her; and to his own amusement, she made no indication that she wanted to be released. "So…this is the second time you've stumbled in my presence, Miss Potts. I'm beginning to think those heels of yours are not the most efficient choice in footwear." He smirked into her hair as he spoke.

Pepper felt her body heat up and was overcome with the urge to close her eyes. But she resisted, and made a quick decision. Deciding that she'd had enough of his boyish antics, she lifted her right foot slowly, then jammed the sharp point of her stiletto into the top of his left foot.

"OUCH! Son of a--" The screech of pain was music to her ears.

Abruptly letting go of Pepper, Tony shifted his weight onto his right foot and began unceremoniously hopping about. With his full attention on his injured foot, he had released his hold on the envelope and it fell straight to the carpeted floor.

Pepper smiled victoriously as she reached down to pick up the object. "Well," She said, brushing her hair back from her face, "it serves you right. You don't ever mock a woman wearing six-inch stiletto heels." She pursed her lips and lifted her chin in triumph. Tony had hobbled over to the edge of her desk and had already removed his shoe to survey the damage. He had his entire bottom lip gripped in his mouth, and suddenly regretted starting this entire escapade.

Pepper moved to the opposite side of the room and then opened the envelope. It was from Richard:

Pepper—

Please forgive me for not contacting you sooner. I have had some business come up recently, and have had my hands full. I have one more item of business to take care of tomorrow, and then I am free to hopefully take you out again—that is, if you will allow me the pleasure of your company.

I will speak with you soon,

Richard

Pepper smiled to herself as she read the note. Once she was finished, she replaced it into the envelope, and slid it into her skirt. Looking up, she noticed that Tony had since replaced his shoe and was now sitting in her chair at her desk.

"So the flowers are from Dic--" He stopped at a look of warning on Pepper's face. "Richard then?" He asked, drumming his fingers on the handles of the chair.

"Yes, they are." She answered back, a satisfied smile firmly planted on her face.

"Huh." He murmured, chewing on the inside of his lip. He got up suddenly. "Well, don't make any plans for this weekend at least. I'm gonna need you to help tie up some loose ends after tomorrow's little project." He headed towards the door to his office, an obvious limp impeding his movement. Pepper smiled again.

"Of course not, Mr.Stark." She said in mock seriousness.

"And Miss Potts, I will need a bag of ice at your earliest convenience, thank you." He requested, and then disappeared into his office.

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A/N: Hi all! I am really thankful to all of you who have taken the time to re-read through the chapters and comment! It really means a lot! I have been writing sporadically over the weekend and have come up with some really (in my own opinion) lovely scenes for the later chapters—I just have to get there, right?

Read and respond! Until the next chapter! ;-)