A/N: 09/22/14 For absolutely no reason at all, I've decided I'm gonna start dating my chapters. I don't know about anyone else, but I've always been curious about the posting habits of authors, especially when the story's already completed and you wonder when they updated over such a short (or long) period of time.

Anyway, sorry I took so long to update. I've been busy with other stories and stuff. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's a tad shorter than the last one (by 600 words to be exact) but I feel like that's a good thing.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Avengers.

Chapter three: Physical Contact~

'Number 2. Make physical contact. We all like our personal space, but we're eager to give it up when it comes to that special person. Touching him gently in social situations will signal that you don't just want to stay friends.'

Thor clicked his pen, readying himself for the day's observations.

Tony had been kind enough to take everyone out for food, 'pizza' as it was called, and as they sat waiting for their meal to arrive, Thor took special care in keeping his notes away from prying eyes.

He had made sure to sit at end of their table, but considering that he was now seated next to the nosiest member of the group - Tony - he wasn't sure if he would be able to get through the next hour without being questioned.

"Hey, Thor. Whatcha doin'?"

Or the next minute, for that matter.

Clearing his throat, the Thunder god decided to stay calm. If he hastily tried to hide what he was doing, it would raise concern with the entire group, and that was the last thing he wanted.

"Nothing too important, Sir Stark, why?"

Tony shrugged. "I dunno. It's just not like you to sit out on a group conversation, is all." He leaned away from him momentarily, only to come back a second later. "Hey; please tell me you're not turning into an introvert. We've already got Clint and Bruce for that...and Steve."

Feeling relieved that he wasn't questioning his sudden interest in note-taking, Thor chuckled lightly.

"No need to worry, Sir Stark. I am in no way making a permanent change to my demeanor."

Tony gave him a strange look, as though he didn't quite believe him. "...Oh-kay..."

Giving him a fake smile, Thor turned back to his notes.

Ask him for help with something you know he'll be good at, such as electronics or car trouble, and brush your shoulder against his. Stay close to him for a while if he doesn't move away.

"Okay, I'm getting everyone drinks," Pepper announced, getting up from her seat. "Steve, would you mind helping me carry the cups?"

Steve stood up from across Thor. "Certainly," he said politely, making his way over to her as she walked towards the refreshment stand.

Point for Steve.

Thor watched the two of them like an Earth hawk from the other side of the room. They were talking happily with one another, but they were so far away and everyone else was talking so loudly-

In his mounting frustration, the Thunder god banged his fist on the sturdy wooden table, yelling, "Quiet!"

The Avengers silenced, all shocked at his sudden outburst.

"I cannot hear myself think," he said, expressing his annoyance.

He heard a giggle from the opposite side of the room, and Thor turned his head to see Pepper and Steve laughing quietly at the scene he had created.

Blushing in embarrassment, he shrunk back in his seat (which was rather difficult with his overly large frame) and the conversation slowly carried on, though much quieter than before.

Seeing Pepper snicker at something Steve said, Thor tallied another mark as he saw her nudge his shoulder with hers.

Point for Steve.

Flipping the page, he looked at his notes.

Touch his forearm or shoulder when you're talking to him. Don't grab hold of him like you're going to shake him; just tap him or rest a few fingers on him for a moment, and try to do it casually.

Pepper and Steve came back with the drinks, and once everyone was happy slurping on their diet Cokes and Mellow Yellows and Pepsi's, they made their way back to their seats.

Pepper, who was sitting next to Clint, leaned over and whispered something in his ear, hand resting on his forearm as the Avenger chuckled silently.

Point for Hawkeye.

If you have a playful relationship with him, you can get away with more physical contact. Ask him for a piggyback ride (but not if you're wearing a skirt!) or tickle him when he least expects it.

"Tony!"

Tony's head snapped up in Pepper's direction, an expectant look on his face.

"Clint says he's not ticklish."

He looked at Hawkeye. "You do realize how ridiculous that sounds, right?"

"Well, it's kind of hard to have sensitive skin after you've been through S.H.I.E.L.D. training," he replied neutrally.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Pepper?"

Nodding, the ginger-haired woman jabbed her wriggling fingers at Clint's neck, and the sharpshooting Avenger nearly fell out of his seat from the shock of the tingling sensation.

Natasha looked to the ceiling as she sipped her drink. "Wimp..."

Point for Hawkeye.

Everyone laughed as the pizzas finally arrived, and before Thor could fully comprehend what was going on (he was far too busy taking notes) a large circular wad of steaming dough was placed before him, covered in what appeared to be meat and mold.

"What is it?" He asked aloud to himself, poking the yellow substance with his fork.

"Cheese," Tony said cheerily, slopping a large portion of it onto his plate.

"It looks like mold," Thor said warily.

"Well that's pretty accurate considering that's what cheese is."

The Thunder god looked at the deceptively good-smelling morsel, unsure if he should put something so...unhealthy in his body.

Feeling his stomach grumble with hunger, he decided to toss his worries aside as he noticed everyone else eating as though it were nothing to be concerned about, and made one last tally before putting away his notebook and focusing his attention on the steaming meal in front of him.

Looking briefly around him, Thor noticed that the seat Pepper had been occupying was now empty.

Slightly panicking, his eyes searched the room for her, jumping when he felt slender fingers tickling the back of his neck.

He whirled around, finding a giggling Pepper standing behind him, drink in hand.

"So Asgardians are ticklish," she said, handing him the full cup. "I just realized that we never got you anything to drink and I don't know what you like, so I just got you a Coke. I hope you like it."

She smiled sweetly, walking past Tony and playfully slapping him on the shoulder. "Pay up," she said, and the Iron Avenger rolled his eyes and held up a twenty dollar bill for her to take.

Pepper grabbed hold of the money, only to have her boss begrudgingly hold onto it.

Yanking it from his hand, she smiled triumphantly as she walked around the table and back to her seat, leaving Thor to figure out what had just occurred between them.

A/N: I'm not quite sure when I'm going to have Thor realize that all the evidence for Pepper's romantic interests points to him, but I'm either going to wait until all 10 points are done with or around chapter 5, 6, or 7. We'll see.

I'll try and update my PepperxLoki fic here soon, but no promises.

Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome, I truly enjoy reading what you guys have to say.

'Til next time!