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Essential operations have been moved to unharmed parts of the building…mostly the lower ten floors due to the fact that the elevators and upper floors are being repaired. Tony is still keeping his own office, however, as he can get up to it…and no one else can. It's a good thing, really. But he's also been working with contractors and engineers to make some improvements to the building because, well, he can. Today, he even put on the suit and helped with some of the heavy or heightened lifting.
At least he's found an interest in something?
*
Moved into a hotel for the time being, Pepper has been slowly getting her life back on track. She spends long, late hours at the building routinely, often until he glares at her to go home, but she isn't quite so glassyeyed as she had been previous. Finally done with office work for the day, she just steps out of the stairwell onto the first floor, in her neat green suit and pumps. She arches a brow as she sees him coming down from some of the heavy lifting, the sight alone slowing her step. She looks almost amused.
"Getting into construction work now, are we?" She calls over to him as he finishes landing.
*
Tony lands easily in the suit although the metal on marble does make a sound. Occupational hazard. "Now that's a look I haven't seen in a while," the front of the face mask is flipped up so that it's Tony's face peering out from the suit and not a near-featureless mask. He's even smiling. "Well, you know me, I like working with my hands," metal-gloved fingers lift and wiggle as if a demonstration is needed. "It's late though, need a lift home? Literally or Figuratively?"
*
"…honestly.." Pepper looks upwards, biting at her lower lip, "I…could use a lift up to the actual office. There's some files I've been trying to work without, but if you're offering a ride… I wouldn't mind finishing up the night there for a little while. If my boss will let me, that is. He's been a real hard ass about my going home lately. Well, going to hotel, that is." Pepper states with a still rather perfectly red lipped smirk. It's a good sign that she still has all her make up in tact after the day, definitely looking a bit more like herself even if some close inspection would reveal concealer hiding bags under her eyes.
*
"Climb aboard," is offered and Tony opens his arms to allow her closer. "Sure, you can stay a little later, but I'm going to kick you out by…what time is it now? And I really hope you've been abusing your boss' generosity by ordering from Room Service and going to the Spa. I mean, if you really wanted to stick it to him, I'd get a massage."
*
That actually brings a laugh from her, "I don't know what I'd do with a massage. I might fall apart." Pepper admits, teasing, but there's still something a bit crackling under the surface about it. She steps forward and slips into his arms, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck and settling in to be secure against his armored frame. She leans there with complete trust, though she braces for the wind outside.
*
Iron Man wraps his arm about Pepper, holds her close before he flicks the mask down and the boot-thrusters ignite and they're easily airborn. The wind is a bit chilly and the suit doesn't radiate that much heat. Yet. Note to self: Create cold weather suit. The trip isn't long and once they're back in Tony's office, he almost reluctantly sets her feet back down on the ground. His arms may not open so quickly…because they need to wait for the window to close behind them. That's it.
"Sometimes you have to fall to pieces before you can be remade stronger…"
*
The woman doesn't bother looking at the city as they fly up — she's seen it before and, frankly, being OUTSIDE that far up is rather nerve wracking. So, she tucks her head into his metal-clad throat and waits for them to be inside, only relaxing a little once they reach the posh area of his office. It felt better just to BE in the familiar surroundings. She lets out a gentle breath, leaning there for a heartbeat or two longer before she reminds herself to pull back and straighten out. A half smile takes her lips at his words, giving a slight shake of her head as well. "…I'm strong enough. Just…keep it together. Head on straight. We all carry on." She murmurs softly.
*
"None of us are ever strong enough…but it's how we build ourselves back up that makes the difference," Tony starts but then gives a smirk, "I read that on a greeting card." Because how dare he have any wisdom! It just doesn't suit his image. "You want a drink? Warm you up a little from outside?" The little bar has been dusted even if it doesn't look like it's been used in a little while.
*
"…I…uh… Sure. Might as well. Something to tuck in with before working. Not like I have anywhere to be tonight." Pepper admits with a half smile. She pushes one hand up and back through her red hair, settling and smoothing it a bit from the wind ouside. She then reaches to her jacket, unbuttoning it and slipping it off to expose entirely that emerald green suit which goes so perfectly with her hair and skin. She drapes the jacket across the back of a chair and moves for the little couches, apparently not in any rush for her desk.
*
Tony foot-nudges a metal briefcase from out of a corner and presses a button. It opens…a button on his suit is pressed, and it begins to sort of…unfold itself off of Tony's frame and into the metal suitcase. "I'm working on a version where I can actually move while it does this…just…hold on a sec. I haven't forgotten that drink." It does take a minute or so for it to all fit back into the suitcase, but then Tony is free and able to pour two drinks…one for Pepper and one for him because drinking alone is sad.
*
It's been a long while since Pepper actually was able to watch him get out of the suit. Hell, she can't remember if she's actually ever taken in the whole processed. SHe doesn't bother trying to hide the fact she's quietly staring, her head tilted a bit to the side, curious as the suit unfolds from his body and into a suitcase. She grins a bit more, a tease of almost flirtation in her tired eyes. "And here I just through you had skivvies on under there." She's jesting. Mostly.
Then he's going to pour drinks and he actually bothers pouring two. That makes her brows furrow, a touch of guilt crossing her pale face, "I…I thought you quit. I shouldn't tempt you. We should just have coffee."
*
"Too damn cold for that. Besides, you should see some of the bruises I get rattling around in that thing." He's wearing suit pants and a dress shirt; the tie and jacket are somewhere in the office. Tony pauses as he turns around with both glasses in hand and looks at Pepper. Then he looks at the glasses.
"They're both for you. C'mon, tell me you don't need this…"
*
"Bruises? Goodness. We…we could get you some… armor, or something? Maybe padding? I can see what sort of materials we could order. You shouldn't bruise yourself in that!" Pepper does care. She does worry, that much is very clear. Now she's studying him a little deeper, looking across his body to see if she could see bruises beneath that designer shirt. "And you're talking about me needing a massage…" She shakes her head, half smirking.
As he brings both glasses over, she half laughs, accepting one but putting the other on the table in front of her, "…Oh god, I… I already got into my cups with an old friend the other night… I probably shouldn't again. I *DID* come up here to work." She's certainly not rushing to her esk.
*
Tony gives a little wince, "Armor inside Armor? Something tells me that won't work out too well. I don't bruise myself if I'm not tossed around, so…I mean, unless I'm fighting someone kind of crazy, I'm just fine." He'll live. Not a scratch on him right now. "Oh, I get massages. I'm not afraid of them like you are."
He moves to sit with Pepper even though she takes both drinks. He tried. "Yeah? Do I know this friend? Boy or girl? And I mean, no one would fault you for getting drunk." He's also not pressing her to get to work.
*
The slender woman crosses her long legs, suit skirt rising up her thigh a bit higher, exposing just a hint at the lace of her stocking's top. She ignores it, or hasn't noticed. A smirk pulls at her red lips, "I'm not *scared* of massages. I just… it's… it seems so unnecessary, is all." She half huffs. She's scared of relaxing, probably, not of the massage itself.
Her smirk just deepens and she takes a deep sip of the drink, the strength of it clearing her sinuses and making her blink a moment or two. But she keeps it down. "No, you don't know *her*. She just… thought I needed to drink, and you don't say no to Beni so…I drank. I guess I needed it."
*
"It's good for you. Cleans the muscles of toxins and helps your body so that it's not achy or tight." Tony's dark eyes can't help but flicker at that glimpse of stocking lace but he manages to glance up to her as she continues to speak. "Relaxation is necessary for sanity, Pepper. You know that. I know that. Most people know that. It's not going to kill you to be relaxed for two hours, is it? Then you can tense up all you want."
He doesn't change expression as she blinks from the drink. It's good stuff! "I'm glad you were able to meet with your friend. You're not alone, Pepper, you know that, right?"
*
"..I…relax… on occasion. I find book balancing *very* relaxing!" Pepper protests in a voice that probably says no, she doesn't actually know how to relax. She's not good at it, she avoids it at all costs, and the soothing rows of numbers in his ledger really is as close as she gets. It's a miracle she hasn't gone insane. Or had a heart attack. She takes another, this time smaller, sip of her drink. "… I even go to the Ladies League with Mrs. Fisk sometimes. That's…relaxing." And networking. And work. But should be relaxing.
This his rather more reassuring words come, the comment of not being alone. She looks down, away from his handsome features, into her drink for a heartbeat or two. "I..I know. There's lots of people here. My family is upstate, if I need them. I… I'm not alone." It's just lonely. While she doesn't say it aloud, those words somehow hang in the air.
*
"Pepper,"
*
"Pepper," Tony looks down his nose at her, "You don't relax at work. Or doing work. That's just…a Law of Nature." Not really, but it might as well be. He listens and watches, noting as she looks away from him and into her drink. Maybe he can understand the unspoken words, or maybe he finds the right opening.
"You know, when you're ready…on your own time and please, take all the time you need…I might have someone for you. I mean, if you want."
*
As he says her name, especially as he repeats it, Pepper looks back up to him. Eyes she's trusted for months. One of the only people in the world who could tell her what to do and she'd *listen*. She takes in a deep breath through her nose, watching his handsome face for a few moments. A bittersweet pulls at her perfectly red mouth, though she's left some marks on the whiskey tumbler in her fingertips. She hasn't set it down yet. "I like working. It…it keeps my mind clear. It all makes sense. Working is… easy. It's where things are right." Where emotions don't mess it all up.
Then he's offering that and she just blinks. Confusion, a touch of denial. She gives a weak laugh, "God… Tony… I think I need to… lay off dating. I make nothing but shit choices… You don't have to matchmake me. I'm not… desperate…"
*
"Oh, sure…I mean, I totally get that. You need time. Of course you do." The guy she was with nearly killed her…and others…and stole sensitive material. Not really 'keeper' material. Tony reaches for the tumbler on the table before there's protest and takes a little drink. "It's not matchmaking so don't think of it like that. And of course you're not desperate. How could you be? I mean, one glance and you'd have every guy in a block a drooling puddle, right?"
*
A roll of her eyes comes with that, the comment about 'one glance' and Pepper's smirking, "I…I don't know about that. I scare most guys. They don't want a girl smarter than them… or better at business. But… Tony, don't you have better things to do than set your secretary up? I mean… we're still cleaning up so much here." She pauses as he reaches for the drink, but he's an adult. She's not his mother or his lover. She gives a little, slightly worried look, and leaves it at that. She takes a deep sip of her own drink, though. It's going to be gone soon and she'll probably be tipsy.
*
Tony is just sipping at his…he's not downing it. Just a taste. "This guy isn't like most guys. I mean, not at all…and I have a vested interest in this. There's no time limit though, so don't worry about that." There's another sip then, "We're doing what we can, Pepper. I'm not going to force people to stay overtime and extra time just because the building got wrecked. We're making good progress and I'm redesigning a few features anyhow…so don't worry, ok?"
*
"…Who is the guy? If you have a vested interest… please don't tell me this is some… Bet. Who is it?" Pepper asks with slightly narrowed eyes, far more curious about this match he's dangling in front of her than she is the redesign of the building. She knows what is going on there. She's been elbow deep in blueprints along side of him. But now he's talking about this date thing and that's NOT something she knows. So her curiosity is up.
*
The tumbler is lifted to his lips and hetakes another sip. He clears his throat and then offers a simple, "Me." His dark eyes look to her bright ones for a moment before he shrugs, "I mean, just a thought. You work a lot, I relax a lot…maybe we could balance out…"
*
That actually wasn't what Pepper expected. Being that they almost *started* their relationship that way, and she managed to put a stop to things before they destroyed friendship or business partnership. She nearly drops her glass, just staring at him, but then manages to put it down before she does drop it entirely. "…Tony. We… we tried that… already. You… God, I mean…" There is a whole array of things in her eyes as she searches for words she can't really manage to find. Hurt. Missing him. Care. Doubt.
*
"But that was then," Tony points out. "We tried that -then-. It was…things were different." He was drunk more than he was sober, for one. "This is -now-." The drink has barely been touched and he even sets it down on the table, perhaps a little obviously. Has he had women in his apartment? Would Pepper know? "I get it if you can't. I mean, not only because you just got your heart wrenched out of your chest by…" he stops before he goes too far, "But I'd try. I'd try really hard."
*
There is no answer from her for several moments. It's like her heart is wrenching in her chest. Because it is. A war of emotions, some still so raw from having found out the man she thought she loved is a murderer. But then more emotions, the memories of coming up and finding Tony with that blonde. Pepper suddenly blinks against glassiness in her eyes, trying to swallow back that sting of simply too many emotions and too much exhaustion to easily hold them back. "…Tony.. Tony, Tony…" She breathes out softly, trying to find words. "…I care about you…so much… Tony. Too much, probably…"
*
Maybe it's the long pause…maybe it's the repitions of his name but he gets to his feet. "Got it. No, it's ok. I mean, I wouldn't either…" the tumbler is left for her if she needs more to drink. "Don't worry, I'm not bitter or hold grudges. I mean, you know me…I'll probably just forget about all this by tomorrow." Or not at all. He put himself out there and got shot down. It doesn't happen often.
*
Blue eyes blink against the slight threat of tears again. Pepper doesn't reach for either of those drinks, but she just watches him, her whole body tense, like on a tightrope. She hears the hurt in his voice, especially as he gets up, and she abruptly stands too, reaching for his hands. She'll try to catch one, if not both of them at least. Her fingertips are icy cold, despite the drinking. Exhaustion does weird things to people. "Tony… I… I want almost more than anything to just say yes. To… take you upstairs, to curl up… to have what… What I thought we had. But… try isn't enough. You tried before. The moment I… I saw you with some other woman… God. It broke me before. Now?… I couldn't stay. I couldn't see you every day. I'm strong, but I'm not that strong… I can only take so much…"
*
Tony's hand gets taken and he pauses, looking back at her for a moment, "Did I try before? Are you sure?" He clears his throat then and tries to pretend that her words don't hurt. "I get it though. I mean, it was really stupid of me to say anything since…I mean, I probably -deserve- just be someone's rebound, but you deserve better."
*
Pepper keeps his larger hand in her small, delicate fingertips, still slightly ink smudged from the day, From working his books, his company, so hard and so loyal as ever. She always gives the days work well over one hundred percent, even after the mess of the first time. "…Did you *not* try?" She asks him softly, a bit hurt herself at the thought. Wasn't she worth trying the first time around? She watches him with exhausted, aching eyes. But she doesn't let go of his hand.
*
A look goes from the two hands together to Pepper standing there, "Is any answer going to be enough? Is either answer going to change your decision?" Which seems pretty obvious, actually. "All I have is an excuse. It's a good one, but it's just an excuse. I was drunk. A lot. I -couldn't- make decisions like that."
*
Her thumb brushes across the back of his palm. Part of her wanting to hold on. To have hope. Pepper doesn't say anything for many heartbeats as she just breathes and stands there, trying to sort her heart when her life has been almost nothing but shock the whole last two weeks. Hell, the last six months. "…I don't know, Tony… I know you were. And I know you like to drink… Are you going to start to hate me when I ask you not to? Or when I want you to…not go out with some other lady? When I ask you to come home at night? Are you going to resent me?" She whispers quietly.
*
"If you make me rebuild your apartment in that pink, maybe…" is the first quip that comes out of his mouth, but he almost immediately offers, "I'm sorry. That wasn't…helpful."
He's quiet for a moment before he points out, "I had two sips. That's the most I've had in…ok, I had something to drink the night the building got trashed, but I didn't. Get trashed. And if I'm out with you, why would I go out with someone else? And you get home later than I do…"
*
"…Tony…" Pepper breathes out again, as if just tasting his name. She stares up to him, honestly more scared she's looked than he's possibly ever seen before. He's seen broken. Tired. Guilty. The mess that vampire put her through, the shock and misery around Jack. But this is actual, emotional fear. The wariness of messing up the best things in her life, or running from something that could be truly good. Her free hand finally comes up, brushing some dark hair from his forehead before tracing those small fingertips down his jaw line. "… I… I won't make you decorate it pink…" She offers with a crackled little, heartsick laugh. "…but if this goes badly… I won't… I can't stay. It'll break me. I'll go.. insane. I'll have to walk out. Work… life… leave it all behind. Is it worth that risk?"
*
"That's a lot of pressure to put on me, Pepper…I'm the only one to make a relationship work?" He's close…so close to her, and her hand is in his. He could pull her into an embrace, he could reach up to touch her bright hair or run along that smart green suit. But instead, he takes a step back. separating himself from that touch. "It's not the right time. It's too soon. If you need a warm body, you know where to find me, but it's not the right time to start something real."
*
The comment about he being the only one makes her eyes widen just a bit. The hurt is still there, glimmering behind those tears. Especially as he pulls back. Pepper takes a breath that slightly halts in her throat. She is not going to cry, but there is an edge of something in her threatening to let go. "Tony… It isn't just you. A relationship is… two people. Both of us. You …you know me. You know I'd work. I… God, you think I like coming home alone? Knowing I can run a whole company, keep any business in the world together, but all I do is wreck my personal life constantly? I… I'd work for it… But… fuck…" And Pepper doesn't swear, but right now she needs to swear. She pulls away fully now, turning slightly. "Maybe it is me. Maybe I am shitty at this… work is what I do right. That's…what I should do. What I'm destined to do. Married to the job."
*
"I know it takes two, Pepper, but the way you were talking, if anything went south, it would be because of me…and then you'd leave. And that's not fair. You know me…if I'm going to wreck something, it's going to be spectacular." There's a smirk but also truth in those words. "If it was you and me, we wouldn't be conventional and we shouldn't try. Maybe that's part of the problem? This isn't your Grandma's Faerie Tale."
*
"…What does conventional mean? I don't expect that… but… I can't love just a bit. Or… love and let you go. I'm…jealous. I guess I want something that is… Mine. Someone who is mine. Someone who I can come home to who… who will always want to be there. I know Jack wasn't that… Smart. Or that fancy. But he… he was loyal. He wanted to be there. Or… or so I thought… God, I'm awful at this." Pepper just collapses back down to the couch there, half curling up on herself. She can't quite look at him. She just looks so small. So tired.
*
Tony moves to sit on the arm of the sofa as Pepper sinks into the couch, "You want me to be the housewife?" Now -that's- unexpected. "You want someone who will be there when you come home from work, have dinner and your slippers ready? Is…that what you're saying you want?" Isn't it a little early in the era for role-reversal? "Ok, I get jealousy. How do you think I felt seeing you with Jack? But Pepper, I'm not a housewife. I'm a Mad Scientist and a Businessman and a whole Psychology book of issues. That's not going to change and I'm not magically going to become June Cleaver. If anything, Lucy."
*
A little groan, half laugh, escapes her lips, "…God, Tony… that's not what I mean. Not really…I know that. I… I'm not explaining myself well." Pepper shakes her head tiredly, pushing one hand up through her hair, trying to keep it out of her eyes but it's mainly just fidgeting now. She's nervous and exhausted and, now that she's dropped her walls, it's showing. "I just… I don't want an empty bed because you went home with someone after a party. And I think you… you might get real bored coming home to the same woman every night."
*
"Or maybe I'm tired of waking up with someone next to me and I can't remember her name," Tony sure picked a strange time to open this can of worms. "If I brought you to a party, I wouldn't be looking for anyone else. Is that what you really think of me? That I'm just some…I like to flirt, all right, but it doesn't usually mean anything."
*
While it's hard, Pepper forces herself to look up to him. Beneath the hurt, the fear, the exhaustion… there is hope. Still something in her which does want this. But it's mired in so many other emotions that it's a miracle she hasn't cried yet. It's probably not a night to be making any decisions, but here they are. "…It's…not what I think of you. I never think you mean to hurt anyone. I think you're…brilliant, and passionate.. and one of the most caring people I've ever met. But I think you get distracted, too… and excited… and you could have any woman in the world."
*
"So you want someone focused on you? I don't understand, Pepper. You want someone to be home when you get home and want to stay home, but then you say that's not what you want?" Tony sighs and leans forward some, crossing his arms. "I don't want 'any woman'. I want you. But not if you don't want me. None of those other women were you."
*
A slow shake of her head, red curls falling across her slender shoulders. Lost for how to explain herself, wondering if she's been really doing it so poorly. "…I just want someone I can build a life with, Tony. It doesn't have to be June Cleaver… it just has to be.. us. A partnership. No other blondes or… women… You want me now, but…What if you're bored in a year? Or five? Do you *really* want just one woman? Really?"
*
"And what if you ge bored in a year or five? What if you can't deal with me and my manic episodes? Or seeing your boss at home or working for your boyfriend? Why is this just on me?" Maybe because he has the history? "It's probably not the best time to talk about this, Pepper. Let's…the work can keep for the morning. Why don't you sleep here and I'll just…head upstairs."
*
A quiet look is given to him as he asks if she'll get bored. "Tony… I… I don't get bored. It's not me. I… I put myself into something, heart and soul, and then I'm there. That's why I'm so damn good at work. And I've put up with your manic episodes so far. You're lucky, I don't think you'd eat if I didn't…" A flicker of worry crosses her eyes. She always worries about him when he's like that, but she also cares for him even more. Checking in more often, bringing food. Water. Ever attentative and loyal. She sighs, "But… maybe that's where I should keep it. At work. THat's…what I'm good at. So…that's what I'll do." Pepper stands there, rubbing one hand across her face. "No…I should go work. I'll never sleep tonight anyway. I'll… crash out on the couch when I need, a few hours… but work… will help. I know I'm good at that. I know… it needs me."
*
Tony sighs quietly and murmurs, "So do I…" But maybe it's all for the best. And she wonders why he dates so many women. None of them are Pepper. He stands up from his seat on the arm of the sofa, "Take the bed at least. That way I'll know you got a little sleep. And I won't bother you anymore. I won't…make you get a massage or try to relax or anything." He gives a slashing gesture with a hand, "Strictly Business."
*
"…I…I know you do. That's why you're so brilliant." Pepper whispers to him, hand coming up just a moment, brushing against his cheek. She lingers there for a heartbeat or two and then forces herself to pull away. "You…aren't a bother to me. But…work… Yes. Work needs done. Thank you…Tony. You're… still too good a boss. More than I deserve." Pepper gives him a weak smile before finally turning to go. She makes for the front room, where her desk is and her work is. Safety. Things she understands, instead of this confusing array of emotions.
*