I have gone back, rewrote the previous chapter again and changed some things. I apologize if the characters seem a bit OOC, specifically Pepper and Tony. I am not the best at writing interactions like the ones in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my ideas, meaning I don't own Naruto, Naruto: Shippuden, DC, or Marvel

"Talking"

'Thinking'

(Location/Scene Break)

(January 4th 2001 12:30PM - Day's later - Unknown Location - Random Diner)

"Welcome, Mr. Uzumaki. Have a seat." Tony greeted, motioning to the chair in front of the booth that he was in. He quickly sat down, and Tony leaned forward. "I'm going to get straight to the point. I have read your resume and am very interested in what you can offer."

"Wait, that's it?" Naruto asked, 'Is this really all it takes? No interview process?'

"Yeah. so you're my bodyguard now. Congratulations. Happy will fill you in on your duties." Tony said

(June 8th 2001 11:15AM – Tony's office)

It had been half a year since Naruto assumed his role as Tony's bodyguard. Due to his charismatic and captivating personality, he and Tony quickly became great, if not the best of friends. Sakura discovered she was pregnant with twins and had developed a baby bump; she would soon retire.

Tony was reviewing company documents when the door to his office flung open, revealing a white woman with red hair dressed in a business suit. Her name is Virginia Potts.

"Mr. Stark, I have discovered a situation with the company's finances that could cost your company billions." Virginia Potts said before Naruto stopped her in her tracks.

"Miss, you need to schedule a meeting with Mr. Stark. If you do not leave, I will remove you by force." Naruto said.

"Let her through Naruto. If her claims are true, I need to hear this." Tony ordered, causing Naruto to move out of Virginia's way and allowing her to continue. Naruto just watched from a distance. "And your name is?"

"Virginia Potts. I was the administrative assistant in your finance department." Virginia answered.

"What did you discover that could cost my company billions?" Tony asked, leaning back in his chair.

"An error that could cost your company billions. I reported it to my supervisor, but he dismissed it. Even Mr. Folan ignored my concerns and fired me when I persisted." Virginia answered with determination, causing Tony to raise his eyebrow and lean forward, her claim having piqued his interest.

"You're telling me Mr. Folan fired you for doing the right thing and helping the company employing you?" Tony asked only, getting a nod from Virginia.

"Yes, but I'm not going to let this get ignored. I came to you directly because I didn't want to have it ignored or brushed off by someone else." Virginia answered.

"Well, you were right to do that. What's your plan, Virginia?" Tony asked.

Just as Virginia was about to answer, the door burst open again, revealing a security team ready to escort Virginia out.

"Ms. Potts, you need to leave the premises immediately." One of the guards asserted as they made their way toward Virginia, only for Naruto to get in their way.

"Mr. Stark was just talking to her about an issue that her supervisor and general manager brushed off and fired her for and wants to hear what it is." Naruto said, but they just continued past, ignoring him, causing Virginia to reach into her purse.

"I have pepper spray in my purse. If you touch me, I will pepper spray you." Virginia Potts threatened, causing Tony to chuckle and the security team to hesitate.

"Pepper spray? Nice touch." Tony commented, "Leave her be. I want to hear what she has to say." The security team reluctantly retreated before Virginia turned her attention back to her former boss.

"Thank you, Mr. Stark." Virginia said.

"Please, call me Tony. And you, Ms. Potts, just earned yourself a job." Tony responded with a smirk, causing Virginia to blink in shock.

"A job?" Virginia asked.

"On the executive floor. My personal assistant." Tony answered, "You're not afraid to speak up, and I like that." Causing Virigina's eyes to widen in a mix of surprise and gratitude on her face.

"I…thank you, Tony. I won't let you down." Virginia said, causing Tony to lean back with a trademark smirk

"I'm counting on it, Pepper." Tony responded before he motioned to Naruto, "Pepper, this is my newest bodyguard, Naruto. You and he will be seeing a lot of each other, so play nice."

And with that, Virginia Potts, now nicknamed Pepper by Tony, entered a new chapter of her career in Stark Industries.

(December 24th 2001– Tony's Workshop – Late Evening)

Sakura gave birth to a boy and a girl and was now retired, caring for their children. The boy had hair like his father's and eyes like his mother's; they named him Menma. The girl had hair like her mother's and eyes like her father's; they named her Yuri.

Throughout the rest of the year, Naruto observed Tony and Pepper's interaction. The immediate bad impression of both of them disappeared as they spent more time working together. He could see a change in Tony when she was around and noticed the change in Pepper. So, while Pepper was busy, Naruto decided to have a man-to-man talk to tell Tony about his findings and observations.

"Tony, you have only known me for a little over a year. I consider you a great friend if not one of my best friends, so I am talking to you about what I have been seeing and my observations. I want you to be happy." Naruto said, with a sincere look, getting Tony's attention.

"What findings would those be?" Tony asked curiously. While he had only known Naruto for a little over a month, they had a great professional and personal relationship.

"I have seen how you act when Pepper is around. She brings out your better side when you aren't in public, sometimes even in public. Your relationship with her is like that of my wife and I when we were young. She is a lot like Pepper. I fell in love with her when we were both in elementary school. I saved her from some bullies, and our relationship blossomed into what it is now." Naruto explained

"Sounds like a handful." Tony replied, only getting a nod from a smiling Naruto before he took out a family picture to show Tony

"Yeah, she is a handful. But that's why I love her. She keeps me grounded." Naruto said, "Am I wrong to assume you have feelings for Pepper?"

All Tony did was sigh. "Yes, I do have feelings for her. She isn't like the one-night stands I have had in the past. I can see a future where we get married, have kids, and grow old together. My only problem is the impression I have left on her of being a playboy. Help me; I don't want her to slip through my fingers like the rest have." The end having a tone of desperation.

Naruto just smiled and patted Tony on the back. "Of course, I will help you, Tony. That's what friends are for. You need to first ask/plead nicely to be given a chance to show her that you are willing to change for her and then drop the question." Naruto explained.

Just then, Naruto heard Pepper coming down the stairs. "Here's your chance. Go for it. I'll be rooting for you." He said shortly after saying that, Tony heard her shoes stepping down the stairs.

"How the hell did you know she was coming down. I couldn't hear her shoes until just now?" Tony asked

"That's a potential conversation for the future if I feel like sharing." Naruto answered as Pepper unlocked the door and walked in.

"I finished those errands you wanted me to do. Is there anything else you want me to do before I head home for the day?" Pepper asked

"Actually, yes, there is something. Before I say anything, I want a chance to prove to you that I can change for the better. Over the past 6 months, our relationship has grown from what it was professionally to what it is now. I developed feelings for you that I originally hadn't planned on developing." Tony answered before taking a breath

"Unlike all the one-night stands I have had in the past that I've had you send home, you are different. I can see a future where we get married, have kids, watch them grow up, and grow old together. So what do you say? Will you give me a chance, please?" Tony asked, pouring his heart and soul into the words coming out of his mouth, shocking Pepper. She adopted a thinking pose for about 5 minutes, the most stressful moments of his life.

"Alright, you have 6 months to prove you can maintain a long-term relationship. We can go from there if you can manage and maintain a long-term relationship." Pepper answered before she looked at Naruto, hand on her hip, "I'm going to assume that you had something to do with this."

Naruto gave her a sheepish grin. "I will neither confirm nor deny those accusations."

These chapters will be about the growing relationship between Tony and Pepper. I want them to be at least engaged before they start having kids.

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