okay guys, i know you hate for the cliff hanger and your gonna hate after this but i needed to do this so i can plan something very special for these two... besides it's time show some appreciation for are favorite people :) and let's not forget the score board. so reminder team bella stands at 1 point and team tony stands at zero, but will that change?! let's see....

Chapter 8

Previously…

"Bella" he whispered. Just a few more inches... they thought simultaneously.

They heard the hood of the car slam down and they jumped away. (i'm sorry!!!! i had to)Happy slid in up front and smiled at them in the rearview window.

"Car's fix and ready to go" he said. They nodded vaguely and Happy looked confused "Everything okay"

"Yes, everything's fine" Tony said

"Definitely" she agreed

"Okay, then" he asked. He started the car and pulled off.

"SO about that meeting I didn't want to go to… I kinda changed my mind" he said after a while

"Oh. I already called and said you weren't going to come" she said. They fell into an awkward silence. "So… there are a few more things you have to do. And don't start whining, cause all you gotta do is sign some papers"

"I don't whine" he protested

"Yes you do" she and Happy said together

"Whatever" he grumbled

"Aw. Be a good boy and we can get ice cream" she said

"can we" he asked like a little kid. Bella and Happy exchanged glances, then chuckled.

"Whatever you say boss" Happy said as they drove away. Tony smiled and sat back in his seat, casting a look at Bella. Her hair was falling in her face, but he didn't do anything to make it seem awkward. Then he remembered something.

"So, um… what happened to your bracelet" he asked hesitantly

"Huh" she asked confused looking down at her wrist. "Oh shit! I must have left it home, since I was running late! I didn't even realize it until you pointed it out"

"Oh. I just saw that you weren't wearing it and wasn't sure what happened"

"Thanks Tony. Hey listen, you wouldn't mind if I took Happy back to my place so I can get it after we drop you off, would you" she asked. He looked at her and smiled. It means that much to her to go get it, he thought, it must mean a real lot to her. He smiled widely at her.

"Course you can, Bells" he said

"Thanks Tony" she said. She gave him a brief hug and went back to her PDA, reading off all the stuff for the rest of the day. He leaned back and placed an arm around the back of her seat so that it wasn't on her enough to make her uncomfortable. She looked up at him and smiled then back to the PDA.

A few hours later, Tony had finished several questions from news reporters and Bella hadn't come back yet with Happy. He was starting to worry and about to set off to find her, when she burst thru the doors running.

"I'm sorry everyone. Something's come to my attention that I need to take care of immediately, thank you" he said shooting up out of his chair. He ignored all the questioning glances and stares as he rushed towards her. As he got closer he could see that there were tears running down her face. "Bella! Bella what happened"

"It's Happy" she cried

"What?! But Happy's left you"

"No. When I came outside the house, Happy wasn't there and the car was completely destroyed" she sobbed into his shoulder.

"But- who? How"

"I don't know, Tony" she said.

"Okay listen, we'll leave now okay" he said. She nodded her head and then he realized something "How'd you even get here"

"Taxi"

"Is it still outside"

"Yeah"

"Okay. Let's go"

Half an hour later, Tony and Bella pulled into the drive way of her house. They crept up the front carefully and slowly, so they wouldn't be noticed. Tony twisted the knob then sprung open the door.

"SURPRISE" yelled people from the darkness

"YAAAAAH! WHAT THE HELL"

"Happy Bosses Day, Tony"

"Bella, what the hell" he yelled turning towards her in the dark. She rolled her eyes and flicked on the lights to reveal everyone who worked and still does at Stark International… except for Pepper who was still away. "What the hell is goin on"

"Tony, it's a surprise party" Rhodey said walking towards them with Happy behind him.

"But why?! And I thought you were kidnapped" he said looking accusingly between Bella and Happy. She shrugged it off and Happy smiled at him.

"We only said that so that way you could get down here" Happy said "Besides, it's bosses day! Or have you forgotten" Tony was about to object, when he realized he did forget. Truthfully he had forgotten every year until Pepper had reminded him earlier that morning. And that responsibility was now Bella's job, which she failed to do.

"Is there a reason why you didn't tell me" he asked

"Cause, I wanted it to be a real surprise" she said as if she was stating the obvious "Oh come on! Don't tell me that you aren't pretty happy right now"

"Well, okay I am" he admitted much to Bella's satisfaction "Though next time, do it when I won't feel the need to shit my pants, kay"

"No promises, but I'll see what I can do" she laughed. Tony grunted then scratched his head "Oh yeah. This came in the mail from Pepper. It's her gift to you" She handed him a small box wrapped in a shiny blue wrapper. Tony took it then opened it to reveal a small watch box. Tony's face lit up as he realized it was the watch he had been admiring for months now. Bella saw his excitement and helped him put it on.

"Thank you"

"Welcome. Now come on. You have a party to endure"

Several hours later, Tony leaned against the railing of Bella's beach house and looked out at the ocean.

"You know this party's for you right" he turned and smiled as he saw Bella walking out. He also noticed the rectangular box she held in her hands. He cocked his head to the side and looked back at her smiling.

"That for me"

"Yup. Just like the rest of the party" she mumbled the last part, but was loud enough for him to hear. It obviously worked because he let out a loud laugh. She joined in and she sighed looking at the ocean.

"So…" he said. She turned towards him and raised an eyebrow "I thought that was for me"

"It is" she said then hesitated "You sure you want it"

"Yeah, I do. Now come on! Fork it over" he said. Bella let out a low sigh and then hand it to him. He removed the red wrapping paper and gaped. It was a picture of him with his parents. He was only six years old in the picture and looked so happy. He looked up at her, but she was looking at the ocean.

"I found it when you had me move that stuff into storage and I figured that it would make a good gift. If you don't like it, I'll get rid of it for you" she said in a rush. Tony looked at her and pulled her into a hug. She was shocked at first but then hugged him back.

"Thank you, Bella. I love it. I really do love it" he said. And I think that maybe I… he trailed off that thought and shook his head. "I love it, Bells. Thanks"

"You're welcome" she said "I wasn't sure if you would like it or not. But it's a relief to know you like it"

"This is real amazing Bells" he murmured into her head. They pulled away and memories of their almost kiss flooded into their heads. Bella flushed a little, but enough to give her away. "Were you think about… um… ya know"

"Err… yeah" she said looking away from him. He took her chin carefully in his hand and turned him towards him. He smiled at her and she smiled back slightly. They leaned to each other when she pulled away slightly. "I- I can't"

"Why"

"I don't want to get my heart broken again" she whispered. He took in her expression and knew she was dead serious.

"Bella, I would never hurt you. You know that. Besides, when have I ever steered you wrong" he said repeating his words from the test flight day in the workshop. Bella let out a laugh that was slightly breathless. She shook her head and sighed.

"Listen, it's not you. It's me. I know that's a real cliché but it's true. I don't know if I can let myself into another relationship after what happened"

"Bella it was five years ago. You have to let go of the past" he said.

"I know, I know. I'm trying, okay"

"How about you stop trying and actually do something" he teased lightly

"Well what would you suggest" she said. He looked at her shocked then smiled.

"I actually did have a few ideas" he said slyly. She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Christ Tony. I'm joking, not drunk" she said. He opened his mouth when she cut him off "and even if I was, I'd think I'd have a little common sense to stay away from you"

"How do you know? They say alcohol hazes the thought process"

"Even so, it would be a natural instinct to stay away from you" she mocked half teasing and half serious. Tony laughed at her conclusion and scratched his head. Why is it that I always end up in these weird situations with her, he thought to himself. He looked down at her and she was looking back at the ocean again. Tony looked at it too and sighed.

"I won't push you into something you don't wanna do"

"Really? That's a first" she grumbled

"Hey! I never-"

"Let's not forget the Mark V test run, the forced kiss, let's not forget that one morning when-"

"Okay, okay! I get it already! Geez" he yelled "But this time I won't force you into it. I'll let you make your own decisions"

"Uh, wow. Thanks Tony" she said surprised "Um, I'm going back inside. You coming"

"I'll be in in a few minutes" he said absent mindedly. She nodded then left, or so he thought. She paused at the door and watched him as he stared out at the ocean once more. He sighed feeling more confused than ever did in his life.

"Tony" he turned and saw Bella behind him. How long had she been there, he thought.

"Wassup" she walked towards him and kissed him on the cheek. He stared at her confused utterly speechless.

"Thank you. For everything" she whispered in his ear before she turned and left. He stared after her until she disappeared into the crowd of people inside and sighed. Several thoughts ran through his head and made him dizzy. He rubbed his forehead and leaned back on the rail. A few things were clear to Tony. They had almost kissed twice that day. Bella had admitted that she did want to kiss Tony, but didn't want to get hurt again- as if he would ever hurt her in the first place. But he did come to terms that he had hurt her, unintentionally of course, but he still hurt her. He tried to think of ways that he could earn that trust back as he re-entered the house to say good-bye to everyone since they were leaving. He looked around to see if he could spot Bella, but couldn't. She must have already gone to bed.

After he said good-bye to everyone, minus Bella, he was closing the door to the house to leave, when he heard a scream come from inside. He raced back inside, closing the door behind him and ran upstairs to find Bella thrashing in bed screaming.

"Bella! Bella, it's okay" he said shaking her "Come on Bella! Wake up! Please" As if some kind of miracle, Bella had opened her eyes and looked around frantically. She caught sight of Tony and clutched him tightly and tried to control her breathing. "Shh. It's okay, Bella. It was just a bad dream"

"I know" she said finally "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened"

"It's alright. You okay"

"Yeah, fine. You can go home"

"I'd rather stay. Just to make sure you're okay" he said trying to hide the fear in his voice he held towards her screaming by sounding concern. Not that he wasn't, he just wanted her to think that he was pressuring her into talking about it.

"I'm fine Tony. It was just a nightmare. Seriously go home" he shook his head she sighed "There's no convincing you otherwise is there"

"Nope. You're stuck with me" he joked and she laughed, which was just the reaction he was looking for "That's what you get for scaring the shit out of me"

"Oh come on! This is Happy we were talking about for crying out loud" she scoffed

"Yeah, but still. He could have been shot for all I knew"

"Shot?! Tony get serious" she snapped "Besides, did I say he was shot"

"He could have been shot while you were gone getting me"

"You are completely ridiculous" she muttered

"It's plausible" he defended. She just shook her head and sighed. This is gonna be a long night, she thought, at least I have Tony with me… where the hell did that come from? She stared at Tony for a second, who just stared back, lost in her own thoughts. She considered possibilities, effects, the future, and anything that had to deal with her happiness. But somehow they all ended up revolving around Tony. The possibilities with Tony, the effects of being with Tony, the future with Tony, and everything that had to do with her happiness was Tony. Bella realized one fact that was clear as day. She was falling for Tony and rather hard to be honest. The worst part is, she had no idea how he felt about her. Sure, she knew he wanted to do certain activities with her. But afterwards, when that was over, she had no idea if he would still be there or not. She should have thought about the causes and effects of the problem she presented herself with, but instead found herself asleep curled into Tony's side.(see i made it up to you :) )

okay so point for tony getting bella to fall asleep next to him nad point for bella for making tony almost shit his pants. also, i was going to bring pepper back but decided against it. don't wory she should be back next chapter for a very good reason =)... so comment and review!!!