I don't own Iron Man or any of the characters you recognize :)

And sorry in advance, I had trouble with this one, not really a love triangle but it sort of works.

5- Love Triangle

It was a known fact that the 'share' was not in Tony Stark's vocabulary. He had never had to share anything in his life. He was the only child of ridiculously wealthy parents. He could have anything he wanted and never share it with anyone. When he became an adult, he continued with that philosophy. Sure he gave to charity, but that was money, not his actual possessions. So the fact that he was having to share the one thing he cared about most in this world was, to say the least, irking him to no end.

Right now, his PA and girlfriend, Virginia "Pepper" Potts was having an in depth and and engaging conversation with Dr. Bruce Banner about the poverty levels in the 3rd world countries that Bruce had been staying in. Pepper was spouting off ideas for Stark Industries to help out. For once in his life, Tony was remaining quiet, listening to the two of them. The passion with which they both spoke of the needs of others was intense to say the least.

Bruce looked more comfortable talking to Pepper then since he first met Tony a few weeks prior. Tony offered the good doctor a place to stay, and free run of Stark labs R&D facilities. At first Bruce was hesitant, not wanting to intrude, but finally after Tony agreed to let him at least repair some of the damage "The Other Guy" had caused Bruce agreed to hang around. It was Bruce's second day at the tower when Tony saw the first interaction between Dr Banner and Ms Potts. And since then, Tony had been, for lack of a better word, nervous. With the exception of the massive anger issue, Bruce Banner was everything Pepper Potts deserved. He listened to her, took her opinions into consideration, shared similar interests, cared about other people. Everything that was so not Tony Stark. And by the end of that first week, Tony was sure he was going to loose Pepper. He would catch the two of them laughing at inside jokes, watching those horrible romantic comedies that Tony refused to watch, and Bruce even went willingly to that art exhibit that Pepper had been wanting to go see but which Tony had no intentions of visiting. Tony knew that if he didn't step up his game, Pepper would be tall, dark, and green's love interest soon enough. Which is what tonight was suppose to be all about.

"I hate to interrupt you two solving world hunger and all, but Pep, we're going to be late." Tony stated.

Pepper smiled, "Wow never thoughts I'd see the day you'd be telling me we were running late. Ok, Bruce, we can continue this conversation tonight when I get back. I love the thought of using the ARC reactor to help fuel a new, cheaper agriculture movement."

"Thanks Pep. Alright you two have a great night, stay out of trouble!" Bruce laughed back.

"Are you kidding, with Tony that's impossible. Make sure you are ready with bail money if we need it"

"Excuse me," Tony interrupted, "I'm right here!" Personally Tony was still a little irked. No one called his Pepper, Pep, that was his name for her.

Pepper wrapped her arm through Tony's a lead him out the door. "Alright Mr Stark, what is on our agenda for this evening?"

"That's for me to know and you to enjoy Ms. Potts" Tony smiled back.

They started the night off with a trip to Pepper's favorite restaurant, which Tony had closed down just for them. He knew Pepper still had an issue being the center of attention and tonight he wanted to cater to her wants and needs. After an amazing dinner, and finishing off a bottle of the house's best wine, they headed to the beach, to one of Pepper's favorite spots. They took off their shoes and walked the shoreline, until the came to levy, where on a blanket already laid out, were candles, another bottle of wine, and dessert tray of fresh fruit and caramel (minus strawberries of course). And in the center was a flat, blue box. Tony sat on the blanket and pulled Pepper down with him. They continued to enjoy each other's company, the wine, and the fruit. Finally Tony reach down to the blue velvet box.

"You know, all night, I kept thinking that outfit of yours was missing something, I think this might help" As Tony opened the box, Pepper gasped. Inside was a beautiful teardrop pink diamond necklace. Not gaudy or extremely flamoubant which Tony had a tendancy to pick, but classic and understated, just like Pepper.

"Tony's it's beautiful" Pepper said as Tony removed the necklace and placed it around Pepper's neck.

"Not as beautiful as you" Tony placed a kiss on the back of her neck as he clasped the necklace.

"So the question remains... what earth shattering mess of yours am I going to have to clean up in the morning?" Pepper asked suspiciously.

"Nothing I swear, can't a guy do something nice for his girlfriend?"

"Not when it's you. There has to be something in it for you" Pepper retorted.

"I'm hurt" Tony pouted. "You wound me woman"

"Hmmmm... can this be guilt talking?"

"Guilt? I don't have anything to be guilty about"

"Ok not guilt, how about jealousy?"

Tony didn't respond just cocked his head to the side and looked at the shore line.

"Oh my god, you are jealous? Of who? Why?" Pepper shot back.

"Who, you know who. And I am not jealous of the jolly green giant. I just wanted to do something nice for you."

"Bruce! You're jealous of Bruce! Tony, that absurd!"

"Well you've been doing all this stuff with him and talking to him, and you two get along. I mean he is way more the type of guy you should be dating," Tony was rambling and rambling was so not his style. Pepper decided to put him out of his misery and kissed him mid sentence. Slowly pushing him back onto the blanket and crawling on top of him .

"Tony, everything I did with him, I tried to do with you first. I wanted you to go to the art exhibit, to watch those movies with you. But you were always busy. But doing those things with Bruce does not mean I'm replacing you. I love you Tony Stark. You are crazy, eccentric, stubborn, selfish, and I love ever piece of it, even if I do wish you'd sometimes let me pick what movie we watch." Pepper sealed her little speech with a kiss.

"So, what your saying is, I did all this for nothing" Tony replied between kisses.

"Well, I wouldn't say nothing. I mean there is a pretty good chance your going to get lucky tonight", Pepper smiled back at him.

"Woman, I don't deserve you"

"I couldn't agree more."