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.

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 4: Friend—Friend

Virginia, now known as Pepper, had been working as Tony's personal assistant for two years now; the longest anyone had ever made it so far. On this particular day Pepper was upstairs on the phone and had been for almost an hour but had eleven other people to call. There were reports that needed looked over and documents that needed signed.

Many of these things needed to be approved by Tony, who was currently downstairs in his shop working on his latest mad scientist project. It was getting closer to lunch time and both could tell. Pepper, finally deciding she couldn't concentrate on her work, started downstairs to see what Tony wanted for lunch.

At the same time, Tony decided he was too distracted to work as well and started up the stairs. Both absorbed in thought were staring at their feet and didn't see the other when—

"Oh!" Pepper said as she and Tony both fell on the stairs. "I'm so sorry Mr. Stark." She said. He glared at her. "Tony. Sorry, Tony."

"What were you coming down for?" he asked.

"What were you coming up for?" she asked in return.

"I asked you first." Tony announced. He stood up and reached down to help Pepper up.

She took his hand as he pulled her up. "Okay, I was wondering when you would want lunch and what you would want."

"Funny." He replied, "I was coming to tell you I was hungry and if you would order Chinese takeout to be delivered."

"Well then," Pepper smiled. "I'll go do that." She turned around and walked up the stairs as he turned and walked down. The Chinese food was ordered, delivered, and eaten. As soon as that was over the two went to their designated jobs and continued working.

It was seven thirty when Tony walked up. Usually Pepper left at six, but she always came downstairs and told him when she was leaving so either she was here late or she left without telling him. Not like she had to tell him when she was leaving, but she always did and he was used to it. Tony walked up the stairs, wondering what he was going to eat for dinner when he found Pepper asleep on the couch, surrounded by paperwork.

He laughed softly and reached out to gently shake her awake. "Hey Pep, time to wake up." He whispered.

Pepper sat up abruptly. "Oh! I'm so sorry Tony. What time is it?"

"Almost seven thirty." He replied. "It's getting late if you want to go home."

"What?" she asked. "Oh. Yeah. I just have a few papers for you to sign first. I already read them through and they're all okay. Just sign here… And here… And initial there… And that's it." She said, pointing out the designated places. "I'll have to take this in tomorrow. Damn it I wanted it in today. Oh well. Tomorrow will be fine." She rambled on.

"Hey Pepper?" Tony asked.

"What?" she replied, looking up from gathering her things.

"Do you want to go to dinner with me tonight?" he offered.

Pepper laughed. "Oh no. Tony, I've been your assistant long enough to know how you are with women. I've escorted too many girls out of your bedroom. Besides, I don't date coworkers. Or my boss. Especially not my boss, honestly."

Tony frowned for a split second. "Okay, then forget that. Let's go out to dinner as friends." He made eye contact and gave her the 'puppy-dog face' she couldn't resist. "We are friends, aren't we Pepper?"

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Cheater. I can't say no when you say it like that."

Tony smirked. "That was the plan."