When Tony felt satisfied with what he had done to his car, he rolled out and wiped his hands on a towel. "Well done, if I say so myself…How about lunch to celebrate, hm?"

"Not if you're considering taking me with you to test drive that thing…"

"It's perfectly safe, Rori…"

I shook my head. "No thank you…"

He shrugged. "Okay…fine. You choose a car, then."

I smirked, and pointed to a car. He laughed and patted the hood. "Always a winner with the ladies, and always let me win with the ladies..."

"You're just getting closer and closer to walking, aren't you?"

"Fine, fine…"

Tony and I were in his car on our way to a restaurant he claimed was "the best in Manhattan." I figured it was probably Italian food. Tony stopped the car at a stop light. "Do you ever feel like dying?"

I thought that was an odd question to ask. I looked at him, an eyebrow raised. "What? No, not really…why?"

He shrugged. "Just trying to find a topic of conversation."

"Death as a topic of conversation while driving in a car?"

"Yeah, I see your point. What about rainbows or puppies?"

"You can run over puppies with a car, and that's death. You can be distracted by a rainbow, crash, blow up, and yet again; more death. You will lose this one."

He sighed, and pushed the gas. "Your daughter, Larissa, right? She's five?"

"Yep."

"You know, I was four years old when I built my first circuit board….Six: my first engine."

"When did this become about you?"

"Since I made it about me."

"Oh, I see…So, where is this restaurant anyway?"

He pulled into a spot outside of a small building. "Right here."

I got out of the car and gazed at the building, which seemed quite dilapidated. "This?"

"Oh yes…this happens to be one of the most prominent restaurants in all of New York!"

He opened the door to the building. "You can go first so I can gloat some more…"

I walked inside and looked around. Despite the look of the outside, the inside was lavish. The lack of windows made for the use of dim lights, making the atmosphere quiet and almost romantic. "Mr. Stark, it is wonderful to have you here with us today…"

A petite brown haired woman appeared in front of us. She could have passed for 18 if it weren't for the wrinkles that were gracing her forehead as if she was always in deep thought. Tony smiled. "My usual seat, if at all possible…"

"Absolutely…right this way…"

I followed them to a booth in a far corner, where the light seemed to be the faintest. We sat down and the little hostess set down menus. "Would you like your usual, Mr. Stark?"

"Yes, please…and one for her too."

I looked at him, slightly displeased at being ordered for. Protesting was useless, though, for the hostess wandered off to do Tony's bidding. "What is it that you get here?"

"Coffee…they have a fantastic brew…everything is made from scratch…I promise you, you will not be disappointed."

I half smiled and looked down at the menu. Simply scanning over the items were making my mouth water, even more so knowing it was made fresh. I heard him chuckle slightly; I never expected that my facial expressions would match my lust for everything I saw on the menu, even if it was just a small sample. "It all sounds so wonderful, Tony…I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"We can start with an appetizer…maybe a little sample of what is recommended most? Then you can choose based on that."

"Yeah…I think that sounds perfect…"

The hostess returned and placed a pot on the table, then two cups. "Maria…" Tony said. "This is my PA Aurora Owens…"

"It's so nice to meet you, Mrs. Owens…Welcome to my mother's restaurant…I hope you find everything satisfactory…"

I smiled. "I don't have any doubts, especially after everything Tony has told me."

I could almost see her little jump for joy. "What would you like to start with today, Mr. Stark?"

"I'd like to do a little Tour du Menu…it'll help Rori out in her decision for her entrée."

"Right away…" She walked off again.

Tony grabbed the pot handle and poured coffee into both of our cups. The smell enveloped me. "What blend is that?"

"I'm not exactly sure…I know there is just a small hint of mocha…the rest is a mystery…"

I took a small sip to see if anything at all needed to be done to it. The taste was extravagant, I could taste the hint of mocha. I wouldn't normally drink my coffee without creamer or sugar. It was a crime in my head to try and alter anything with the cup I was holding and taking in. "Good, huh? I told you…It's absolutely made fresh…They're all ingredients from a garden. My parents used to bring me here all the time, they're like family to me here…"

"I'm honored that you would bring me here with such a memory like that…"

"I think it's worth sharing with you, Rori…I don't trust many people, but I believe that I can trust you."

I placed my cup down. I reached across the table and grabbed his free hand. "Tony, I told you before…you're a wonderful man. Thank you for trusting me…Really, I thank you for all you've done for me and my daughter…"

He gave a small smile and then sipped his coffee. It was moments like these that sometimes made me think in a different direction. It was moments like these that made me want to end all the pain and suffering in the world, then realize that if I couldn't do that, then I would end it within just one man. I got up from my seat and sat with him on his side. I turned enough to face him. He turned enough to face me. I leaned toward him, and kissed him.

I kissed him. It took me moments after it had ended to register what it was that I had done. I stared at him for a moment, then got up quickly. "I-uh…" I almost tripped over myself as I grabbed for my purse. Once it registered with him what was happening, he seemed to jolt. "Wait, Rori-"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stark…" I slung my purse over my shoulder and stalked off quickly. He got up and followed. "Rori!"

I quickened my pace as I reached the door. I broke out into the world, and looked up and down the sidewalk to determine a way to go. I chose left and walked that way. Tony ran out, probably after explaining that he'd be back later to pay and pick up his food. "Rori! Come on, Rori!"

I ran as much as I could in heels. Tony was persistent, and followed in every step. The street signal ahead was blinking red. I thought with my luck I could make it across before the light would change. I ran out into the street, never even looking to the sides. Tony stopped at the edge. He heard a vehicle gunning down the street, but couldn't really react in time. "Rori!"

When the sound hit me, I was already being tossed into the intersection by the oncoming car I never heard coming. When I hit the ground, I could see the car drive off like nothing happened. I could also see Tony's mortified face as he ran forward and knelt in front of me. "Rori…" His eyes quickly scanned over me, obviously processing the best plan of action. There were sirens down the street. They got closer and closer. There was a crowd of people. At that moment, I wished I was at home with Steve and Larissa. At that moment, the words rang through my mind "do you ever feel like dying?" A few tears escaped from my eyes. Tony was looking at the paramedics that were assembling with their tools, and didn't see me crying. It felt like something popped in my head, and then everything was black.

After almost 2 days of writer's block, I finally managed to figure out what I was going to make the conflict of the story! Whoot! I also finished it, so I'm posting all the rest here too.