Chapter 3

On the evening of the Stark Industries company party, the sun went down looking like a beautiful sea of color, leaving a mild climate in its wake.

Pepper and Tony were both in one of his bathrooms. While he was joking around for minutes, she tied a white tie on him. Of course, he would have been able to do that by himself, but they were late, so Pepper had entered the bathroom under Tony's feigned protests to speed up the process.

"Finally done," she said, looking up into Tony's face.

Woah, that's too close. Way too close…

She stepped back to escape his beguiling scent and seductive smile. Tony turned to the large mirror that filled almost an entire side of the wall. Pepper followed his gaze. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and he was wearing a white suit. Pepper had to slow herself down not to tell him how good he was looking in it. He'd twist the words around in her mouth. Tony, on the other hand, had already told her about ten times how beautiful she was looking. She was wearing an elegant, long dress of black silk, strapless.

"I still think you should wear white, too," Tony said again.

"No. We'd look like a couple," Pepper remarked.

"We'd look like a team."

"I'm not a fan of those partner-look things."

"Well, it would be a team-look thing."

"I stick with black."

"But that's the exact opposite of white. It seems like a divide between us."

Pepper looked at him. What was he driving at? "Maybe it looks like I'm your counterpart."

What did she just say?

Tony gave her a piercing look and seemed to be thinking about it for a while. Then he shrugged.

"I think white would suit you better."

Pepper sighed. "If you want me to wear white, you are going to wear black then."

"Great! So, we go as bride and groom."

Pepper gave him a soft slap on the back of his head, he was making fun of her.

"Hey! This hairstyle took me an hour!" Tony complained jokingly.

"Your hair made it through some crazy staff so far. I think it will survive this, too."

"I guess you're right."

Pepper pointed at the door. "Come on, now. We're late. As always."

Tony looked at her for a moment, then nodded and led the way.

"Where are my sunglasses?," he asked.

"You won't wear any."

"What will I wear instead?"

"Nothing."

"What do you mean by nothing?"

"It just means you won't wear any sunglasses tonight," Pepper sighed as they stepped outside. Happy was already waiting for them in the car.

"Why not?"

"Because, by the time we arrive, it will already be dark outside."

"So?"

"It's called sunglasses for a reason."

"Never heard of such a nonsense before."

"Tony…"

"Never mind. No glasses then."

"Thank you." Pepper took a deep breath. He sometimes was really difficult to handle.

Tony could already see the mass of waiting photographers, when Happy was still driving down the street. Involuntarily, he had to smile. This was still right up his alley.

Hogan stopped just in front of the red carpet, which, after about fifty yards, led up a long, flat flight of stairs to the large hall Tony had rented. Or had let it be rented - probably by Pepper. He didn't remember.

Well then… Showtime!

He waited for Happy to open the car door for him and then got out. Tony Stark adjusted his suit jacket with a casual jerk, then helped Pepper out of the limo and greeted the crowd. Both reporters and fans were standing behind the barriers on the left and the right side of the red carpet. Of course, some famous actors had been invited as well to get the attention Tony had intended for his party. Being modest was not quite his style.

Four bodyguards were immediately at his side to escort him to the hall. A gigantic storm of flashbulbs burst upon them as the small group began to move. Tony put on his sunglasses, ignoring Peppers outraged look, and waved at the cheering crowd.

„Tony! Tony! I love you! Tony, heeeere!"

He couldn't hold back a grin and threw a kissing hand to the female fan, who promptly started shrieking hysterically in response.

The bodyguards urged him on, they wanted to get him inside as fast and uncomplicated as possible. But Tony didn't want to miss the glory of worship and the aura of fame. Yes, he was Iron Man. A hero. The hero.

As they reached the end of the red carpet, a chorus of „Iron Man" chants chipped in. He turned around one last time and formed his hands to a victory sign. The crowd went crazy.

„Mr. Stark, please," one of the bodyguards pleaded, gently pushing him through the door, which was already held open.

When they got in, the party was already in full swing. There was no reason to suppose this was a company party. It was dark, and blue and red light was flickering to thunderous beats of a DJ. Several guests were dancing, some of them already tipsy, and the enormous bar at the end of the hall was well attended.

Pepper looked at Tony. As expected, he was grinning visibly with satisfaction. There was no need to ask how many of the people in here were neither invited nor worked for Stark Industries at all. But Tony usually relaxed the rules of getting in a bit when it came to young, pretty girls.

Pepper followed her boss through the mass of people who all wanted to say hi and shake his hand until they arrived at the bar. Green lights flashed through the hundreds of bottles on the shelves. Tony didn't have to wait in line for his order. He simply nodded to the bartender who instantly turned to him.

"Pepper?" Tony asked and looked at her.

"Yes?"

"Vodka martini? Very dry, with olives, a lot of olives? Like, at least three olives?"

He laughed at her surprised expression. Tony had memorized that?

"Uhm…"

"Two vodka martinis, extra dry, extra olives," he told the bartender, placing a neat tip on the counter.

"Well, actually…" …I planned not to drink.

Tony placed the martini into her hand.

"To us," he said solemnly. "To our successful collaboration." He downed his drink, then stared at her in amusement. Pepper felt her face flushing red.

"Oh, you don't know what to do with it? This is called a drink, Pep. What you do is: You drink it. Just like I did. Do you need me to show you again?," he joked, but indeed ordered another martini.

Pepper couldn't help but laugh. What was that all about? They toasted to each other and drank. Pepper almost wondered if he hadn't already had a drink or two before the party, but dismissed the thought. She also suddenly had the feeling that people were staring at them. Tony's aura was beguiling… and seductive… and shit, she didn't want people gossiping about them.

"Pepper," Tony began, looking deeply into her eyes. "I want to talk to you about –"

"Hey, um. I'm going to take a look around, ok?," Pepper said quickly, settling her half-empty drink down on the bar and then squeezed through the crowd, more or less leaving Tony just standing there.

Jesus, she thought, fanning herself with her hands. Maybe she'd better be careful not to give people a real reason to talk, for god's sake.

Colonel James Rhodes was standing near the bar, talking to a guy from the military whilst sipping some champagne. He had already forgotten his name, but it didn't matter anyway, this guy was talking and talking and talking… continuously. Rhodey wasn't listening anymore. Fragments of a broken marriage, child support and, from time to time, the word 'bitch' made its way to his ears. Actually, he was looking for his best friend who he hasn't seen over weeks. Until now.

"Tony?," he called over a few heads. "Tony!"

Rhodey patted the military guy on the back and then made his way through the dancing crowd to his friend.

"Ah, I thought I saw you," Rhodey smiled at Tony who was standing in the middle of the dance floor with three lightly dressed women.

"Hey, Rhodey!," Tony laughed and waved at him with a martini, spilling some of the liquid. "Long time no see. Why didn't you call?"

"Well, actually," Rhodey said and frowned. "I did. I called several times until I got tired listening to Jarvis' excuses."

He wasn't sure if Tony was even listening because he was smiling at one of the blondes, maybe in her early twenties, maybe dumb.

"Tony?," he said. "Still there?"

"Mmm," Tony mumbled without looking up.

"Where's Pepper?"

"Somewhere around."

"Ok. Um, so how are you?"

"Fine. Thanks."

"What have been up to the last few weeks?"

"Workin'."

Rhodey braced his hands on his hips and remained silent until he finally got Tony's attention – however, only because the blonde turned toward the bar.

"Let's grab a drink, Rhodey," Tony said.

"Yeah. Let's have a talk – don't give me that face - just talk. Nothing in particular."

The blonde reappeared at Tony's side and whispered something in his ear which made Tony excessively giggling.

"Well… maybe later?," Rhodey asked, beginning to get annoyed. Tony could hardly be more disinterested. He had actually thought Tony had been very busy with all the Iron Man thing and the company, but now it made more sense that Tony simply hadn't called him because he hadn't wanted to.

"Yeah. Later. Maybe," Tony mumbled, now whispering something in the blonde's ear.

It was always the same at Tony's parties, Pepper thought while watching her boss talk to three young pretty girls and – what a miracle – earn enthusiastic looks in exchange.

As his assistant, she had participated in many of these parties, but somehow, she got surprised every time by the amount of excess. It was always the same procedure, people drinking expensive booze, partying hard, dancing, escalating. Half of them might needed days of recovery as a result. But the end of this parties never seemed to be predictable.

The host himself was able to handle a lot, he usually got drunk and picked a couple of female companions (one wasn't enough, of course) who he flaunted, made sure everyone could see what he had snagged almost in passing and disappeared at some point with them. How great there always were enough hussies. Pepper's gaze darkened at these thoughts, although she knew she was a bit unfair. She forced herself to take her eyes off of this sight and spotted Agent Phil Coulson in the crowd. With a feint and graceful movement, she dodged a man who randomly tried to hug her and walked over to Phil.

Tony was still angry about Pepper leaving him at the bar so sudden. Without a word of explanation. He hadn't done anything wrong, had he?

The blonde put her arm around his waist and snuggled closer and closer to him. He knew she was only interested in the figure of Tony Stark or Iron Man and the public attention she'd get for a few days if she left the party with him, and actually he'd stopped taking random women home, but then again... he desperately needed some relaxation and fun... and wow, those legs.

He downed another drink; he didn't know how many he had had already but it had to be quite a few so far. Tony searched for Pepper in the crowd and indeed… over there she was standing and talking to… wait, this face was familiar to him… Agent Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D.? Coulson just leaned over to her and seemed to say something funny, because the next moment Pepper laughed. Then, still laughing, she put her hand on his shoulder and Tony felt something strike at his heart.

He had not invited Coulson! As far as he knew… Maybe he had? Pretty sure he hadn't! And why was Pepper talking to him like they were close? Did she leave him at the bar because of Coulson?

"Hey, Toooooony!," the blonde giggled. "I like your ears!"

Tony turned to her and looked at her nearly speechless. "My. Ears.," he noted matter-of-factly.

Ok, high time to get rid of her. This was getting ridiculous.

"Can you get me another drink, honey?," he asked her nice as pie.

"Sure, Tony-Baby."

While the annoying lady was dancing away, Tony forced a passage through the crowd. It was time he made some sort of statement.

"As a matter of fact, I do, Phil," Pepper laughed.

"I thought so," Coulson smiled back in his typical stiff and reserved manner.

"H-hey!"

Both of them turned their heads to the right. Pepper immediately got a bad feeling when she saw Tony, already extensively staggering, to them.

"Man, Coulson, my old friend!" Tony patted Coulson - surely harder than intended - on his back, what made him go through a short coughing attack.

"Mr. Stark," he greeted afterwards.

"What's our cyclops boss up to lately?," Tony joked, laughing out loud.

Pepper felt like crawling under a rock.

"Director Fury is doing quite well," Coulson answered calmy. There was not much that could rattle him that easily.

"Glad to hear!," Tony said with exuberant joy. He still had his arm around Coulson's shoulders.

"Tony," Pepper warned him.

It was obvious he was no longer in control of his senses.

"What's wrong, Pep?," he asked, easing away from Coulson and turning to her now.

"Come on, Tony, cut it out," Pepper whispered, trying to keep him at a distance.

But oh-so-awesome Tony Stark leaned even closer to her, so close that she could clearly smell the alcohol in his breath.

"You look damn good, Pepper," he said quietly. "You're very important to me, you know? You already know that, right? Cause you're all I have. And I – I…"

"Stop, Tony!," Pepper whispered again and tensed up.

If he meant it, he wouldn't necessarily have to tell her while being completely wasted. Despite that, it didn't make any difference, he was her boss, nothing more.

"Is that him?," another voice spoke up.

A tiny red-haired woman appeared at Coulson's side. She was young, pretty and wore an extravagant red dress.

"Yes, that's Tony Stark," Coulson confirmed to her.

"I see."

The woman didn't look particularly pleased with what she saw. Pepper could see Tony being offended by it.

"May I introduce?," Coulson said. "This is Agent Natasha Romanoff. She also works for S.H.I.E.L.D."

"What… what are all of you even doing here?," Tony asked confused. "Are you guarding me or something like that?"

"Exactly," Romanoff replied, eyeing him with interest. "Someone like you obviously needs to be controlled."

Tony already had opened his mouth, ready to retort something, but Pepper gently pushed him away, which was easier than she had thought. Apparently, his orientation was lacking. It was time to take him home before he could do anything else stupid.

"Tony…," she began, taking a deep breath.

"There you are!," the blonde from earlier screeched, thrusting a new drink into Tony's hand.

Pepper abruptly let go of him and studied him for several seconds before leaving him again. She couldn't deal with this tonight.

"Pepper, wait!," she heard him calling. "Shit, Pepper!"

It was half past one when Tony's glass fell out of his hand and shattered behind the bar. The bartender raised his eyebrows and asked if everything was all right with him. Tony just nodded. In truth, nothing was all right. He felt so dizzy he almost fell off his stool.

Tony was sitting alone at the bar. Surrounded by so many people, yet alone.

Exhausted, he rested his head on the counter und closed his eyes. That night wasn't as good as he had expected. In fact, it wasn't good at all. He felt like he was swirled around in a carousel which kept getting faster and faster. He tried to ignore it. He was drunk enough to not feel anymore. Maybe that was the best thing to happen tonight.

Rhodey could see the concern in Pepper's eyes focusing her boss. He'd never seen Tony like this at a party. He almost seemed to be depressed or something like that. The way he sat there at the bar, all alone, drunk as fuck.

"Do you know, what's wrong with him?," he therefore asked Pepper.

"No…," Pepper answered. "He… He told me he never would do this type of partying anymore. You know, that women-thing and the publicity… That it's just about the next mission and about helping people. But – look at him. He is completely hammered, and the women - okay, they're gone I have to admit… But still…"

"What has he actually been doing lately? I haven't heard from him."

"Working in his workshop like crazy. I don't know what he's doing exactly, he won't tell me."

"I see."

"Yeah… Well, I think I'm leaving."

"Should I give you a ride?"

"Thanks. I'll be fine."

"Okay. See you soon?"

"Yes, please. Very soon."

Pepper smiled at him a bit sad, gave Tony one last look and then headed toward the exit.

What was the matter with Tony? Rhodey could well imagine how Tony's life had changed drastically after revealing he was Iron Man. That it meant a lot more responsibility and being in extreme public interest. But it had been his own decision. Hadn't he thought of the consequences before telling the whole world who he was? No one had forced him to do so. So, what exactly was the problem?

Rhodey just decided to walk over to him, when he saw that Tony got up, his face pale as a sheet, his hands groping for hold. Then he stumbled off at a quick stride.

"Tony!," Rhodey shouted, but the music was too loud.

He quickly followed him, it was clear where the journey was headed. Tony staggered against the restroom door, somehow managed to open it, and pretty much fell in. When Rhodey reached the restroom, he saw Tony disappearing in a cabin. He heard him vomiting only seconds later. Rhodey waited a minute before knocking on the door. It was ajar, so he gently pushed it open.

"Tony? You okay?"

Tony sat on the floor, clutching the toilet bowl, his head leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.

Rhodey sighed in resignation. He felt sorry for his friend although he didn't want to. But something was strange about this whole evening – and about Tony's behavior all these past weeks. He stared at Tony not knowing what to do.

"How about some fresh air?," Rhodey finally asked and helped Tony back on his feet without waiting for an answer. "Come on."

He helped Tony to the sink so he could wash his mouth, and then supported him through the hall. The loud music and the dancing people were visibly irritating his friend. It got better when they stepped outside. A starry sky stretched over Malibu. Reporters and all sorts of guests were standing and talking on the red carpet.

"Where's Pepper?," Tony asked with clear difficulty in articulation. "I tried to talk to her…"

"She has already left. Just sit down for now."

Rhodey and Tony sat onto the top step.

"Why? Party's great, isn't it?"

"Especially for you, huh?"

"I'm sorry," Tony mumbled wearily.

"What for?," Rhodey answered surprised.

"For not taking your calls. I – Sorry."

"Tony, what's going on?"

"It's kind of a rough time."

"Can you elaborate a bit?"

"I guess not. I don't know either… I mean, I… Rhodey, can we just leave?"

Rhodey nodded. "Sure." He waved at an employee. "Stark's car, please."

Tony raised his head. "I think I'm going to be sick again."

"Come on then, get up. Your car should be here any minute."

Rhodey helped his friend getting up. Tony stumbled against the handrail of the stairs and held onto it. He got even paler. The next moment he was leaning over the railing, throwing up. A murmur went through the crowd and then there were, of course, flashing camera lights.

Rhodey felt even more pity. And disgust concerning the press. Even though Tony had brought himself in this situation… something clearly wasn't right. Rhodey grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Come on," he said softly.

He wanted to get Tony out of the public eye as quickly as possible to spare him further. Fortunately, Happy was coming toward them now, too, and helped the Colonel get Tony into the car.

"One of those parties?," Happy asked tonelessly and started driving.

"I'm not sure," Rhodey answered, looking at Tony, who had fallen asleep.