FIRST OFF: I'm not a big fan of Pepper in the Iron Man comics. So, none of this will make sense if you're trying to fit it into the comic's stories. It won't work. I don't like Pepper and Happy together. Sorry. I just don't. Now. Things you have to assume before you read this: The first one is that Pepper is almost 35 in the second Iron Man movie. The second is that she began working for Stark Industries as soon as she graduated from college. The third is that, like she said in the second movie, she'd been working for Tony for 10 years. The fourth is that she doesn't go by her nickname 'Pepper' … At least not in the beginning.

Tony Stark didn't fall in love very often. In fact, he only believed he'd actually only been in love once. And that was back in 1990 when he was in college. But that's a different story. For Tony, falling in love wasn't something that just happened, like love at first sight. It had to go through certain steps. The steps were different for every girl, so it's not like Tony could decide 'I'm going to fall in love with this girl today by following the steps.' But if he didn't follow the steps, it simply didn't work for him. And these steps took time—something Tony didn't have a lot of. But when he really did fall in love, he fell hard.

Step 2: Boss—Employee

It was the Stark Industries' New Years party two years after Virginia had begun working there. Virginia didn't want to go—she wasn't a big party person—but Ted had told her that there was going to be an important announcement that she absolutely couldn't miss. And besides, it was at Mr. Stark's house. Ever since she had a meeting with him in her first year working because Ted was out with the flu Virginia had been interested in him. Well, not interested-interested in him, but she was curious about him.

Half way through the party Obadiah Stane followed by Tony Stark stood up front. He was more attractive then she remembered. She stopped that trail of thought when Obadiah began speaking. "As many of us know, an important member of our staff will be leaving us for his long awaited retirement. Ted Boutin, head of Employment Management has been here with Stark Industries for over forty years. As for his replacement, we have thought long and hard about whom would be best for the job and we have come to this conclusion. I know she hasn't been here long, but Miss Virginia Potts, would you accept being head of the Employment Management department at Stark Industries?"

Virginia's jaw dropped (as well as a few other EM workers' jaws who had been there for years). Obadiah motioned her up to the front and she went, completely dazed. As soon as the party broke up and she left, Ted caught up in the parking lot.

"Congratulations." He said, shaking her hand. "Head of a department at Stark Industries at twenty four. I'm impressed."

Virginia laughed. "Like you didn't have anything to do with it."

Ted grinned. "I'm not saying I did, I'm not saying I didn't. Virginia laughed again and soon both left. The New Year came and left and work at Stark Industries began again with Virginia as the new head of Employment Management.

It was a busy job, but she'd gotten a taste for it on the days Ted couldn't be there. Although it was more difficult then Ted had led on, Virginia got used to it quickly. She had monthly meetings with Mr. Stark, but for the most part she ended up meeting with Obadiah Stane or Darin Larossa who was Mr. Stark's personal assistant.

She had been working as the head of the department for almost eight months before she actually met with Mr. Stark. She knocked on his office door and was surprised when Mr. Stark's voice answered, telling her to come in. She did.

"You're… You're that Potts girl, right?" he asked. "You replaced Ted."

She nodded. "I'm Virginia Potts, and yes, I replaced Ted when he retired."

They went over her analysis and she turned her notes into him. "So I've organized my notes by department and then whether it's an analysis for someone already working or a job interview. They're also organized inside by background checks, impressive resumes, and by—"

Stark cut her off. "You're very organized."

Virginia nodded and blushed. "I try to be."

He made a face of mock disappointment. "It's a shame such talent is wasted on the Employment Management department."

"Yes well, I almost completely control who you hire and don't hire, so I don't think 'wasted' would be the correct word here." Virginia and Tony had a staring contest for a few seconds before she spoke up again. "Will that be all, Mr. Stark?"

He nodded. "Yes, that will be all, Miss Potts."

She started to walk out but turned around. "Um, I don't mean to be pushy or rude or anything, and I'm not trying to invade in a department that's not mine, but it's about the accounting papers on your desk. I didn't mean to look, I swear. But section F18 is rounded wrong, screwing up your total at the end to being thousands off what is written."

"I did that math myself." He said, thoroughly confused while looking the paper.

"Well I'm sorry if I offended you." She said, blushing.

"No." he said quickly. "I'm not offended. Thank you; you just saved the company thousands of dollars."

Virginia smiled. "All in a days work."