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INTRO OF DARKNESS THEN REDNESS THEN WHITENESS!
Pepper sat back in her seat on the plane, hands laced on her lap. She watched the senator on TV with rapt attention, that jackass senator from the conference making a testimony against Tony. He wasn't asking for the worst, but he sure as hell was demanding the suit. She'd chosen a more secluded room of the plane, one off to the side. She really needed a few minutes to herself to watch her company fall down around her.
Pepper scoffed slightly, tilting her head toward the window for a moment. Her company. Great, now her name was personally attached to the screw-up. She closed her eyes and rubbed two fingers over her forehead, the growing ache there threatening to split her head in two.
A throat was cleared rather delicately beside her, startling her out of her musing. She snapped her eyes open to find pale hands holding out a small glass of water and two Tylenol.
"I didn't mean to startle you, Miss. Potts" Natalie's voice was deliberately soft "You looked like you needed this."
"Thanks" Pepper managed to reply, taking the offered medicine and setting the glass on the railing beside her "But you know you don't have to do anything for me. You're Tony's assistant."
Natalie gracefully pulled one of the nearby footstools up next to the chair, smoothing her skirt down before she sat, "Mr. Stark is relatively low maintenance when it comes to the professional deals. You're the CEO, Miss. Potts...I believe you deserve as much of my attention as I can spare."
Pepper turned her attention back to the television, a small sigh escaping her lips, "And everything had been going so well..."
"Speaking of everything going to Hell" Natalie tried to smile but it faltered under the woman's worried look "Five different papers and three news channels have called and demanded a quote on what happened."
"Vultures" Pepper pulled out her phone "Give me names, I'll call and-"
"Don't you dare" the younger woman reached out, gently taking the phone from the CEO and setting it back in the fold of her purse "I already informed them that you'd be more than happy to give them a statement once we're back at Stark Tower. After you're well and settled, I'll set up a conference for you to deal with them all at once."
Pepper's sigh was one of relief, "Tony was right. You really are perfect."
"I try my best."
/For you/ Natasha added silently, but quickly shook it off.
"I should go" Natalie stood "I'll let you relax."
"No, sit" the older woman grabbed her hand, urging her to stay "I'll relax more with...a friend here. If you don't mind."
"Of course not" the red head found herself a bit breathless from the touch, slowly sitting back down beside her boss. Pepper didn't let go of her hand and she didn't dare say a word about it.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, watching the senator on the television bash Stark. Slowly, so as not to break the spell, Natalie turned her hand and let their palms slide together. Though she didn't look over, Pepper gave a little smile and laced their fingers. Feeling bolder by the second, the younger woman raised her other hand and covered their laced fingers.
"It'll work out, Pepper" Natalie smiled softly, running her thumb over the woman's knuckles "I promise."
"You know what?" Pepper leaned closer, squeezing the other soft hand with her own "I believe you."
Steve came to the door, looking between them and blushing. He ducked his head and cleared his throat, hoping to announce himself without ruining whatever was going on between them.
"Ladies, I hope I'm not interrupting."
The women pulled away, putting their respective hands back in their laps. Pepper was almost as red as the soldier but Natalie looked calm, if not a little ashamed at being caught. Steve walked in and sat down on the other side of the room, melting into the soft leather. He was freshly showered but tired, his bottle still sapping his energy to heal itself.
Even a super soldier needed a day or two to heal gaping holes left in his body.
"How's your side and shoulder?" Natalie inquired, looking the man over carefully.
"A night's sleep and I'll be back to normal" Steve replied easily "The bleeding has already stopped and they seem to be closing up nicely. I won't even scar."
"You took metal to the chest" Pepper leaned forward, narrowing her eyes at the man "And you're not even going to complain?"
"I've been through worse, Pepper" Steve laughed softly, trying to smooth down his damp hair "I'm just glad that you and Happy weren't hurt. I saw him hit the car and...I snapped. I acted rashly, but I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting my family."
Steve closed his eyes at his choice of words, he smiled sheepishly at the soft sound the woman made.
"We're your family?" Pepper looked touched "Steve..."
"You're the closest thing I have anymore" Steve replied honestly "You and Happy, JARVIS, Tony...even you, Miss. Rushman. I feel it's my duty to protect you."
Pepper shook her head, soft ginger locks skimming her cheeks, "You know you don't have to. We took you in. If anything, you're our responsibility."
"I've never been good with that" the blonde smiled brightly "Being someone's charge."
"Volume down" came a deep voice, the TV lowered itself to an undertone. They turned to see Tony standing there, looking unkept and beaten. The bruise on the side of his face was more vivid than before, purple creeping down from his temple into his cheek.
"So this is where you all snuck off too" Tony walked in, sitting beside his soldier in the double seat "And that guy is full of shit. I should be getting a medal. He's not getting my suit, Pep."
"I wouldn't ask you to" Pepper leaned back in her seat, her hand cold without the assistant's touch in it "But this isn't going to be pretty."
"Jeeze, Tony" Steve reached up, running his knuckles just along the bruise on the man's cheek "Does it hurt? I didn't think it was that bad."
"It's nothing" Tony took his hand, lowering his voice "Listen...about earlier...Cap, you know I didn't mean it. That guy got to me a little and I took it out on you."
"You shouldn't talk to me like that" Steve ran his tongue over his teeth, looking for the words to say to fix this tension between them "But something's been going that's made you tense and I'll forgive you for it if you just tell me."
Tony gave him this heartbreaking look, saying a thousand things but nothing at the same time. He couldn't even muster up a smile, just a light-hearted tone.
"I don't want to go home" Tony confessed, leaning forward and giving Pepper a meaningful stare "Seriously, none of us do. Let's just cancel my birthday party and...go somewhere. We're in Europe! Let's go to Venice, Paris, Sicily – Steve, you'd love Sicily. Remember our trip, Pep?"
Pepper closed her eyes for just a moment, remembering the sweet taste of the air there, "Oh yes."
"It's a great place to..." Tony trailed off, eyes going to the window "...be healthy. What do you say, Pep? I'm sure Natalie's up for it, Happy would enjoy it...we should just go, right now."
"I don't think now's the best time for a trip, as amazing as it sounds" Steve let his hand fall to the older man's thigh "We're kind of caught up in something right now. We can't really run away."
"Yeah, well, maybe that's why it's the best time" Tony countered "Come on, Pep, you've got my back, right? You don't want to face all that."
She smiled weakly, "As CEO, I kind of have to show up."
"You're entitled to a leave. A retreat, you know."
"A leave?" her smile grew stronger as he insisted upon this stupid idea "A retreat during a time like this?"
"We just need to get away from it all" Tony couldn't stop babbling "We can just recharge our batteries and figure it all out."
"Tony" Pepper's tone was fond "Not all of us run on batteries."
Steve watched as the arc reactor faded just a fraction, enough for him to read Tony's mood. It was the only indicator he had to understand his lover's emotions, he certainly didn't show them on his face and he'd never say them out loud.
The billionaire sat back in his seat, scraping his teeth over his lower lip. He hadn't just been screwing around for the past three hours, he'd been recovering. That little stunt with the Mark V suit had not only fried another core, it had shot his toxicity up ten percent. The only reason he was walking around right now was because he chugged two full bottles of that base mix JARVIS had concocted for him and slept for two hours. Well, not slept, more like passed out face first into the pillow. He was still overwhelming exhausted but he knew if he stayed in bed much longer someone would come for him.
Steve grabbed his chin, pulling him up from his thoughts and into the bottomless pit of his eyes, "What are you not telling me?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you" Tony whispered roughly, heart aching. Who knows how much time he had left with his soldier. And he was wasting it fighting. He needed to have more of Steve. If he was going to die, he sure as hell wasn't going to leave with the super soldier's virginity still intact. He'd desperately wanted to take things slow, to make Steve fall helplessly in love with him before they fell into his bed for a lust filled night.
But this wasn't a fairytale, not even a M-rated one.
He'd rather die with Steve still innocent if it meant he didn't hate him for pushing too hard too soon.
"Your boy's heart is soft. He will weep buckets over your corpse."
A flash of an image came to his mind: Steve in dress-blues, crying at his funeral, alone again.
Tony grabbed the man by the back of the neck, dragging him into a kiss. Fuck, he tasted like mint and light and goodness...like wholesome values and good morals. It was sweet on his tongue, washing away the taste of that awful junk he was forced to gulp down and replacing it with some oh so dangerously close to hope.
A surge of adrenaline shot through his body, giving him the push he would need to get what he wanted. He grabbed the soldier by the collar, yanking him out of his seat.
Steve stuttered, still light-headed from the kiss, "Tony, w-what-?"
"Shut up, pretty boy" Tony grinned, pulling him out of the room "We've got a future lesson for you. It's called: The Mile High Club."
"What's that?" Steve's voice held a timbre of innocence, one that sent a bolt of heat right up his hardening cock.
"Oh, you'll see."
Pepper watched them go with a little smile, "I'm glad the boys will be enjoying themselves."
"It's about time" Natalie's hand curled on itself, wishing they hadn't been interrupted so "Captain Rogers is good for him. Don't you think?"
"Yeah, actually" Pepper manually raised the volume of the TV "I think they're pretty perfect for each other. Steve is a better nanny than me. That, and he's got more time to actually watch Tony."
"Maybe if that super stamina holds up, you'll actually be able to run the company" Natalie's voice held humor, no malice.
"Maybe" Pepper grinned, the adrenaline of the day giving her some courage to flirt "You're naughtier than you appear, Miss. Rushman."
A dark brow rose, "And how do I appear, Miss. Potts?"
Pepper couldn't stop the way she bit her lip, a few flashes of fantasy dancing behind her lids. She blinked the lust away and parted her lips, putting on a smile.
"I believe you know."
xXx
Steve could barely breathe past his lover's mouth, strong fists at his collar pushing him backwards. Tony tasted like that clean chlorophyll drink he'd been making lately, the kind he assumed was for strength or protein or whatever it was these new concoctions did for the body. There was something off, though, something that was in the man's scent that hadn't been there when they first met. It was sharp and embedded in his skin, something like lemons...acidic...
Steve was pushed through one of the doors in the hall, he grunted when it jarred his shoulder. It didn't exactly hurt but it sure as hell ached. It didn't matter, though. Not as long as Tony kept kissing him like this. The pressure of his lips, the hard line of his body...it was enough to make his sap rise. He pushed back against him, getting a growl in response. He could feel the hard lines of the arc reactor digging into the firm muscle of his own chest, the thought turning him on even more.
It seemed that everything about Iron Man revved him up, including the feel of it's inventor.
Tony shoved him hard, his shins his the edge of the stylishly low bed and heavy hands forced him to sit down on it. He fell hard, the heavily threaded sheets like silken clouds beneath him. Steve watched with darkening eyes as the playboy knelt between his legs, parting them with demanding hands. The look on his face was almost swamped with lust, eyes glazed and dark like pieces of the night sky.
Steve started to pant as the man's hands skimmed up his thighs, fingers eager at the clasp of his jeans. Tony never looked away, not once, even as he parted his fly. The first touch to his covered cock had him arching into it, the skin pulling around the wound pulling painfully. The soldier hissed softly, giving an apologetic smile while he circled an arm around his waist to cup his wound.
"Sorry" Steve whispered "I'm fine."
"Shhh" Tony's hand crept under his shirt, spreading his fingers across the man's warm stomach. He pushed, easing the blonde down flat onto the bed.
"Stay still for me" Tony's voice was soft, but the soldier knew a command when he heard one. He allowed himself to be lowered, keeping his eyes locked on the other's, letting him know that he trusted him. Steve raised his hips at the silent request of calloused fingers at his pants line, breath stuttering when they were pulled down and off. His boxers soon followed, the elastic band grinding over his aching length.
"Don't hurt yourself" the brunette made it sound like a threat "If you start to bleed, I stop."
Steve wet his lips and tried to swallow down his lust enough to speak, "Stop what?"
Tony's grin was feral, "Close your eyes."
Steve obeyed, letting his head fall back on the back as he shut eyes. Now he could only feel the other hero. The hot fingers on his bare thighs, the faint breath on his skin, the heat of him between his legs. He could recall their morning together a few days ago, the encounter then had left him boneless and sated. Would he touch him like that again? The way he'd stroked him-
The inventor's hand circled his length, grasping him firmly enough to make his hips stutter. It was dry and raw and perfect. Tony worked him like he was made for him, bringing his lust to it's peak in almost no time. He was just getting used to the intensity when a soft wetness touched the head of his cock, dipping into the slit and making him scream.
Steve's eyes snapped his open, he lifted his head to look down the length of his body. A moan was ripped from his throat at the sight of the man's mouth on his cock, tongue curling around the head in a way that made his stomach quiver. He'd never felt something like this, he'd never had someone's mouth on him. It was fire hot and slick, more than he'd ever dreamed.
Tony hummed and he lost himself in the pleasure.
Tony watched his soldier fall apart, head tossed back against the mattress once more while strong fingers curled tightly in the sheets. He was letting out those sweet little 'hnn' noises he'd only heard over the surveillance videos, the ones he only made when he was touching himself. He smelled musky, deep, a completely masculine sent that was almost out of place on his shy soldier. The last time he'd done this particular act he'd been high on ecstasy and nineteen, and it hadn't been just one guy. He was a selfish lover. But if anything good came out of it, it was that he knew exactly what to do to drive the blonde up the wall.
There was a flash of pain in his chest but he ignored it, parting his lips and taking the thick cock down with a little more difficulty than he remembered. He wondered if the serum had enhanced everything or if his boy had always been this endowed.
The soldier groaned lowly, one hand prying off the bed to lace into the thick dark hair. The fingers flexed like a pulse against his scalp, telling how much Steve was holding back the urge to fuck his mouth. For some reason that wound him up even tighter, egging him on. He wanted to make the man lose his composure, he wanted to rough up the clean-cut captain.
The sucked him down hard, gripping the thighs along the back to hold them apart. How many times had he pictured himself here? How many times had he fantasized about giving the other this selfless pleasure? On anyone else this would've been seen as submissive, weak, but hearing his soldier enjoying himself so much fueled his passion. He felt powerful, almost as much as when he got in his suits. He worshipped the hard flesh, only drawing back to suck him down again. The man squirmed beneath him, crying out sharply.
And this was definitely a man beneath him, there was no doubt about that. Though at times sweet and naive and shy, this was Captain fucking America filling his mouth right now. Overwhelmed and gasping, but still his childhood hero. He needed to do this right, he needed to be perfect.
Perfect. That's how Steve had looked upon him on the track. When he'd approached him in his suit he'd almost expected Steve to offer himself right there. The way he'd looked up at him, the reluctant lust in his eyes, it had been enough to tempt a priest. Even he had to admit there was something thrilling about wrapping his metal covered fingers along the soldier's jaw.
Suit sex...kinky but unrealistic.
"Tony" Steve felt like hot magma was welling up in his groin, face and chest flushed beautifully "Jesus, it feels good."
Tony's smug grin was tight around the man's length, hands drifting further down to trace the very bottom curve of the man's ass. He was hard in his jeans at the thought that at any moment, Steve could snap his thighs together and break his neck. It was kind of sick and weird, but he was never conventional when it came to the ways of the heart.
Or the way of the libido.
The hand in his hair tightened, nails scraping across his neck, "You feel good."
There was another wave of deep ache in Tony's chest, the adrenaline and lust wearing away under the toxic flow of his blood. He doubled his efforts, not wanting this to end and hoping desperately his body didn't give out on him. He needed this, he needed it more than he needed his next breath. He had to taste his soldier's seed, if just this once.
"Tony" Steve sounded like he was praying "You're perfect. Everything...everything you do..."
Tony raked his teeth up the shaft, the super soldier's words grinded to a hault.
Steve raked his teeth over his lower lip, lashes fluttering as the first wave of orgasm overtook him. He tried to warn his partner but he could barely breath let alone talk. He let go of the thick locks in favor of gripping the sheets again, afraid he'd hurt the man. He could feel his thighs trembling, groin tightening up. His pleasure spiked, he looked down at the last second to see Tony's eyes fixated on his face.
He wasn't sure whether it was the fact Tony couldn't take his eyes off him, the sight of Stark's smart mouth wrapped around his cock, or the fact that it was the man himself giving him such pleasure...but it tipped him over the edge.
Tony felt the his soldier tense and buck beneath his hands and mouth, thighs trembling and parting as if offering himself completely. Tony pulled back just enough to swallow down his release, taking every drop greedily. The taste was bitter but more than satisfying. Steve's thighs were still twitching, he squeezed until the muscles went pliant beneath his palms.
Tony wrapped his fingers around the shaft and gave it one long stroke, pulling every last drop from the super soldier. Steve shuddered, finally releasing those breathy whines he'd been dreaming about. It seemed he'd have to work much harder to get those particular sounds out of the blonde.
Tony eased off the man completely, giving it a last hard lick across the head.
"God" Steve breathed, melting into the sheets like he'd never have strength again.
"I prefer 'Tony', if you don't mind" Tony crawled up the man's body, managing to cover it quite well "Never thought I'd hear you praying in bed, Cap."
Steve laid a hand over his eyes, clearly ashamed, "I didn't mean it...you're just...I've never felt anything like that before."
"I get that a lot" Tony dropped a few kisses across the expanse of the blonde's chest "Did I make you see stars?"
"And stripes" Steve laughed softly, lowering his hand to peek at the brunette "I can't believe you just did that."
"I am a man of many talents" Tony sat up on the man's waist, grinning and licking the last of the essence from his lips "But I think my greatest accomplishment will be this. I got the great Captain America in my bed, and I got him to moan for me."
Steve's lips parted in a heavy breath, eyes falling to half-mast at the words alone.
"I did my duty, served my country" Tony licked his lips once more, just to watch the man followed his movements "What do you say, Cap? Did I let America down?"
"Stop! You're terrible!" Steve chuckled, grabbing the billionaire around the waist and flipping them over. He covered the man's body with his own, swooping down for a kiss. Tony wriggled beneath him, a hand threading through his hair while another curled around his bicep. He could taste himself on the man's tongue and that drove him crazy, it fogged up his brain and made him want return the favor.
"Tony" he murmured against the man's mouth, reaching for the buttons "Let me..."
Tony started to panic when the soldier's fingers touched his chest, right on top of the new spiderweb of black lines. He'd seen the new pattern earlier, it was starting to creep up his jugular and it completely encompassed his chest. Between Vanko mentioning the palladium and his fatigue, his super soldier would figure it out in moments. As much as he liked to think himself superior, Steve was no dummy.
"Handsy" Tony tried to tease, lacing his hands with the soldier's and pushing them. He kissed him harder, his lust fading to nothing as the pain in his chest spiked. He groaned, pushing and rolling out from under Steve. He pushed a hand over his reactor, bracing himself on his side and away from the other man. It was hard to breathe, it felt like lead sitting on his chest instead of the light-weight reactor. His heart was beating so hard, his blood flowing like molasses in his veins.
Steve curled up behind him, the broad chest pressing up against his back and seeping warmth through his shirt. The soldier's hand came over his side, sliding up his chest to cover his heart. The touch was thankfully over his shirt. It was terrifying to have Steve so close to his secret, but reassuring to have him close enough to ground him. He smiled weakly and turned his head, finding the blonde's lips waiting for him. The kiss was slower, more comfort than passion.
"I'm okay" Tony rasped before the man could ask "I'm just...tired, I guess. Vanko really did a number on me in the suit."
"Damn it, Tony" Steve murmured, burying his face in the man's hair "And you told me to be more careful."
"You know what sounds really good right now?"
Steve was fluttering light kisses over his hair, still buzzing from his orgasm, "Hmm?"
"A Cap-nap" Tony grinned, turning in the man's arms so they were face-to-face "What do you say?"
"Do your batteries need recharged already, Tin Man?" Steve grinned, pleased with his joke.
"Don't start, Grandpa" the billionaire pushed him onto his back, laying himself along his side. He pulled a pillow under his head before he threw an arm across the blonde's chest, getting as comfortable as possible. Steve gave a little noise of agreement, grabbing one the sheets and pulling it over his hips.
"No way" Tony pushed the sheet down to reveal the deep lines of the man's hip bones, smiling to himself "It's like you're air brushed, you know that?"
Steve rolled his eyes, curling his arm above his head and giving the genius all the room he needed to work. He smiled when rough fingertips drifted down his stomach, tracing the ridges of his hips. The touch was definitely sexual but Tony was treating him like a pacifier, closing his eyes and drifting to sleep without ever stopping the gentle caress.
Steve let his eyes fall to the arc reactor, memorizing the glowing blue pattern before letting himself slip off as well.
xXx
A Few Hours Later
She was safe.
She was warm, naked, sleepy...but above all, Pepper knew she was safe. The details of the room were blurry, the moonlight pouring in the windows like a spotlight on the bed. The sheets were as red as her partner's hair, like velvet beneath her bare back and legs. She turned her face away fromt the pillow, smiling at the sight of her bedmate.
Natalie was as bare as herself, laid out on her side like a display. Her head was cushioned by curls and Pepper's stomach, breath falling across her skin in soft puffs. Manicured nails skimmed over her side, counting each rib, then teasing the skin just below her breast.
Pepper wanted to say something, anything, but she was too comfortable to ruin the moment.
"You should be asleep, Miss. Potts" Natalie turned her head, skimming blood red lips across the older woman's skin "Not thinking about me."
Pepper managed a little laugh, bringing her fingers up to tangle in a crimson ringlet, "This is much better."
Pepper yawned herself awake, blinking dully up at the ceiling. She scowled and clenched her eyes shut as soon as she realized she was awake, wishing desperately she was back in the dream.
"No!" she groaned, throwing the blanket over her head "Back to sleep, back to sleep-"
Pepper cut herself off, slowly lowering the blanket and looking at it like it had a head. She didn't remember falling asleep and she certainly didn't remember grabbing a blanket. It was cream colored and soft, matching the couch she had decided to rest on. A rest, though, she hadn't meant to fall asleep. She stretched her neck and sat up, raising her arms to work out the stiffness. The floor was cool beneath her feet, shocking her.
Pepper looked down, her shoes were gone. She found them sitting neatly by the couch, side by side like someone had set them there. She looked down at the blanket again, finger pinching something and bringing it up to her eyes.
A single scarlet hair.
Pepper couldn't help but smile to herself. She leaned back into the couch and crossed her legs, the smile morphing into a grin.
Soon, she was laughing to herself, giddy from the dream and the implications of one blanket.
xXx
One Day Later – Stark Tower
Pepper and Natalie had their hands on the pulse of damage control. They'd been on the phone constantly for the past four hours, dancing between stock holders and the authorities and those nosy reporters. It seemed that all of New York wanted a piece of Tony and they were chomping at the bit to get it, including waiting outside the tower itself.
Three screen were lit up on the wall. The two on the side showing opposing news broadcasts while the one in the middle showed the channel that Pepper was giving a statement to over the phone. The media was brutal to say the least, ripping the man's reputation to pieces after being on his side just a week ago. It was typical and expected, but nauseating nonetheless.
Steve stood off to the side, arms cross over his chest as he watched the feed. His brows were drawn, his expression that of concern. It was painful watching Tony's name getting dragged through the mud, but it was even more painful to be Captain America and not able to do a damn thing about it. His word, at the moment, was nothing.
"Captain Rogers."
Steve tilted his head to show he was listening, "JARVIS?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes is requesting entrance to this floor. He says he wishes to speak to Master Stark."
"No" Steve replied without hesitating "Tony's not up for it."
"Sir, he is now attempting to force his way into the elevator."
Steve brought his hand up to his mouth, running his teeth across his nails nervously.
"I'm afraid he is now planning on climbing up the elevator cables."
"For Pete's sake" Steve cursed "Let him up, then!"
The soldier took a deep breath, speaking softer now, "Thank you, JARVIS."
"Of course, sir."
Steve managed a smile, the AI had almost sounded amused.
Soon enough, Rhodey strolled out of the elevator.
"Iron Man has never stopped protecting us" Pepper's statement was solid, her tone unyielding "The events in Monaco just proved that."
"Captain" Rhodey greeted him with a nod "It's good to see you again."
"And you" Steve gave a little nod in return.
"I never really got to apology for our last meeting" the slighter man approached him with caution "I let Tony influence me a little too much, some of his bad habits rub off on me."
"I believe it was the alcohol that influenced you" Steve didn't even turn "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Colonel, this is a terrible time. I'm sure JARVIS has already told you and I'm certain you've seen the news, but Tony isn't up to company at the moment. He's researching that man who attacked us in Monaco."
"I need to talk to him" the ranking officer insisted "The government is threatening to bulldoze this Tower to the ground to get to his suits."
Steve clenched his jaw, then gestured the man closer. Rhodey approached without a second thought, grunting when he was seized by the collar and dragged face-to-face with a very pissed of captain.
Steve's voice was stern, "If you upset him, I'll break you."
Rhodey's eyes hardened, "Captain-"
"Lieutenant Colonel" Steve snapped back jut as fast "Tony is under my protection. I will rip apart any tank that comes up to this Tower. If I hear one unkind word from JARVIS about what you're saying to him, I will personally throw you out the window. Do you understand me?"
The slighter man didn't reply, getting a single shake for his silence.
"Do you understand me?" Steve raised his voice, staring hard into the man's eyes.
"Yes" was the only reply he got.
Steve released him, lips pursed, "Thank you. He's in the lab. Try not to scratch the cars."
The soldier turned back to the screens, arms folding back over his broad chest. Rhodey straightened his collar and went for the stairs, a little shaken from the firm grip and the tone the hero had used on him.
Pepper turned toward Steve, raising an eyebrow at him, "No. I can neither confirm or deny the other man on the track's identity."
The woman on TV didn't let up, stating that it was the same man Tony had been seen with for months now. She was adamant about his ability to pick up cars and chuck rubble, even going so far as to bring up statements made by Monaco police officers.
"Stark Industries has no idea whether this man is or is not the fabled Captain America" her eyelid seemed to twitch, hand tightening on the phone. She wrapped up the interview, knowing she'd be back on the phone for another one in less than an hour. Once she hung up, the channel started playing the rough footage from the track. His face wasn't quite clear, but it was enough for body type and hair color. The next few clips were him with Tony at the gala, at the Expo, even out in public.
This was a nightmare.
Pepper hung up, immediately standing up and chucking the device back on the couch, "Who the hell told them you were Captain America?"
Steve sighed, "Tony let it slip."
She clawed the air in front of her, glaring at her hands, "I'm...going to...strangle that man!"
"Miss. Potts, please" Natalie reached up, taking the woman's arm and urging her to sit "Take a breath, calm down. You need to right the statement for-"
"Don't tell me to calm down!" Pepper sat down, breath quick but was evening out.
Natalie's look was understanding, "Pepper..."
The older woman sucked in her cheeks in an attempt to calm herself, then smiled broadly, "Calm enough?"
"Catatonic" Natalie smiled, then glanced at her watch "Forty-five minutes until the next phone interview. If you want me to schedule that conference-"
"No" Pepper waved it off "Thanks, but these sharks won't wait another minute."
Steve looked away, remembering Vanko's words, "...blood in the water..."
This one's just a smidgen smaller than the last one, but I hope it's more satisfying. I believe right here is a good place to stop.
I think the next one will be pretty packed considering I'm going to cover the two week period I'm creating between right this moment and the birthday party. I'm going to throw in an original scene *le gasp*
The muses are randy, but we must keep in mind that poor Tony is sick, so less sex for him. EVENTUALLY! Promise!
Hope you enjoyed it. Reviews = love and puppies