Chapter 2

On the evening of the Stark Industries party, the sun set 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 now, she tied a red 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.

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

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 styled to perfection, and he was wearing a white suit with a black vest underneath. 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 made of black silk with no straps.

"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! That haircut took me an hour!" Tony complained jokingly, but it was probably true.

"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?"

"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 tug, then helped Pepper out of the limo, gracefully holding her hand until she was outside before greeting 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 flush.

"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 want me to show it to you one more time so that you can imitate it?" 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, sipping a beer and talking to some military guy. He'd already forgotten the guy's name, but it didn't matter, this guy just kept talking and talking and talking… Rhodey didn't listen anymore. Fragments of a broken marriage, child support and now and then the word 'bitch' found its way to his ears. He was actually looking for his best friend, who he hadn't seen in weeks. Until now.

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

Rhodey patted the military man 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 scantily clad women.

"Hey, Rhodey!" Tony said 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. Who cares?" He noticed the bitter tone in Tony's voice.

"O-kay?" Rhodey said half questioningly. "Um, so how are you?"

"Fine. Thanks."

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

"Working."

Rhodey put his hands on his hips and remained silent until he finally caught Tony's attention - however, only because the blonde turned towards 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. I need to give the speech first," Tony mumbled, now whispering something in the blonde's ear.

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 Pepper had left him there.

"I really have to give this damn speech," he told the blonde and without waiting for a reply, he left her standing there and went to the stage.

He hadn't felt like preparing anything, so what should he talk about? Well, he was a master of improvisation, he would come up with something. The staff in charge were already waiting for him and he gave them a quick hand signal that he was ready. Seconds later, the music stopped, prompting disappointed boos from some in the crowd.

Tony climbed onto the stage, careful not to sway too much - he might have had too much to drink already - and stood in front of the lectern. Cheerful and exuberant, but also serious and out-of-place looking faces flashed at him.

"Dear employees of Stark Industries, dear shareholders, investors and board members… Dear uninvited guests."

The first short laugh from the audience. Tony started to put his hands in his pockets, but then realized he was still holding an espresso martini, so he made do with one hand.

"Welcome to the annual company party! As I do every year, I want to personally thank all of you for your dedication to our company, without which I would not have this enormous pile of money today. Blah blah, let's get straight to the point, many of you are only interested in one thing anyway."

A few exchanged looks of disbelief, while others were visibly amused.

"My father built this company from nothing in 1939 and turned it into one of the most successful industrial defense companies in the world. He was proud of what he had built - and he would not be pleased to hear what I did a few months ago, which was to shut everything down. Well, he was never proud of me anyway, so…"

A few unsteady laughs came from the crowd and Tony began to smile broadly.

"Times change. And while it may have been a defense contractor that America needed at the time of World War II, it certainly isn't now. I've seen things that..." Tony interrupted himself. Saying that hadn't worked so well at that press conference and he didn't want to read reports about his alleged post-traumatic stress in the media again.

"This company can do more than just destruction," Tony said, feeling that he could no longer hold his smile. "I'm sure my PR team would like to go for my throat right now, but I think Stark Industries has something to make up for. That's why the company is embarking on a new path centered around various energy technologies. Since I know it's not just the PR team that wants to go for my throat, but the shareholders as well, I'll close by telling you that we have big things up our sleeves. I can't reveal too much yet, as there will be a board meeting in a few weeks where we will agree on key aspects of the new direction. Until then, I ask you all to continue to have faith in me. Stark Industries will emerge from this crisis, and then you will be part of a company that is doing something good for this world."

He could see some furtive glances, but he could also recognize approving faces. It was always like that. A female employee right in front of the stage gestured with a glass of champagne and held it out to him. Tony casually bent down and took it.

"I don't want to bore you - and especially me - any more. We have a fun night ahead of us. So let's raise our glasses together." Tony found Pepper's face relatively far forward in the crowd, looking at him with an expressionless face, her glass not raised quite as far. Surprisingly, he recognized Phil Coulson standing next to her.

"To the future of Stark Industries." Tony downed his glass of champagne in one gulp, then quickly finished his martini as well, to the cheers of a few isolated guests and the laughter of a few others. He gave the audience one of his most charming smiles, which must have melted a few hearts, and left the stage. The PR team immediately pounced on him.

"Ah, ah, ah!" he made and raised his index finger, silencing the three before they even had a chance to start.

Then he pushed his empty glasses into the hand of the youngest of the three. "Refill, please. Both."

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

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

Pepper had been talking to Phil for over an hour now and she had never thought he could be so funny. Every time she saw him she felt a kind of gratitude because at least he had taken her seriously when Tony and she had realized that Obadiah had gone crazy.

"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 slapped Coulson's back - certainly harder than intended - causing him to go through a short cough fit.

"Mr. Stark," he greeted afterwards.

"What's our cyclops boss up to lately?" Tony said and laughed at his own joke.

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, stop it," 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 on his breath.

"You look damn good tonight, 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…"

"Tony, stop!" 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 and pretty, and she was wearing 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. "I did not invite you, did I? Are you monitoring me or something like that?"

"Exactly," Romanoff replied, eyeing him with amusement. "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, sighing and 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 Rhodey saw Tony's glass fall from his hand and shatter behind the bar. The bartender raised his eyebrows and seemed to ask Tony something, who just raised his thumb in return.

Rhodey could see the concern in Pepper's eyes focusing her boss. The way he was sitting there at the bar, all by himself, almost looking sad, and drunk out of his mind. Cut off from the world, was the first thing that came to Rhodey's mind, surrounded by so many people and yet somehow all alone.

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

"No…" Pepper replied resignedly. "But I could swear something is up."

"What makes you think that?"

"I asked Jarvis about his sleep pattern because it seemed strange to me. And it is indeed strange. He hardly sleeps three hours per night."

"Wow…okay?"

"Well, Jarvis wasn't authorized to give me more information."

"You don't say."

"Yeah… Well, I think I'm leaving. I've seen enough for today. Maybe we… can talk about it some more tomorrow?"

"Of course, Pepper. Take care."

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 to him where the journey was going to go. 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 gave him 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 there was something unsettling about the whole evening - and about Tony's behavior over the past few weeks. He stared at Tony not knowing what to do.

"How about some fresh air?" Rhodey finally suggested 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 dancing people visibly irritated his friend. It got better when they stepped outside. A starry sky stretched over Malibu. On the red carpet, reporters and all kinds of guests were standing and talking, taking pictures or having a smoke.

"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 on the top step and watched some of the other guests.

"She has left?" Tony asked after a while. "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."

Rhodey looked at Tony again, scanning his face for anything suspicious, but found nothing.

"Tony, what's going on?"

"Nothing." Tony presented him an unconvincing smile.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"It's just... not so easy right now. But it's nothing really. I... Rhodey, can we just go? I'm suddenly not feeling this party anymore."

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

Tony blew out a puff of air and grimaced. "I think I'm going to be sick again."

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

Rhodey helped his friend to his feet. Tony stumbled into the handrail of the stairs and grabbed it. He grew even paler. The next moment he was leaning over the railing and throwing up. A murmur went through the crowd and then there were, of course, flashing camera lights.

Rhodey felt even more pity. And disgust at the press. Even if Tony had put himself in this situation... something was clearly wrong. Rhodey grabbed his shoulders.

"Let's hurry," he said softly.

He wanted to get Tony out of the public eye as quickly as possible to spare him any further damage. Luckily, Happy also came towards them and helped the Colonel get Tony into the car.

"Nice party?" Happy asked tonelessly and started to drive.

"Very nice," Rhodey replied, looking at Tony, who was leaning his head against the window with his eyes closed.