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The advantages to being on administrative leave? You don't have to worry about keeping hours. Of course, Tony's been a bit more difficult than normal lately, and there's not been a need to go off with the Avengers just yet, so Carol Danvers, celebrity girlfriend, undercover SHIELD agent, occasional superhero, sits in front of one of the many small cafes around Times Square. She looks rather relaxed, wearing blue jeans and a white button-up blouse, with a denim jacket over that. In front of her is a half-finished coffee, as she looks to be contemplating the crowd.
*
The advantages of being a CFO and having worked multiple jobs in New York is that Pepper has a lot of contacts a lot of places. When she put the word out that she wanted to speak to Carol Danvers and, if anyone saw her, give Pepper a call, she didn't know how fast it'd work. But, a few days later, she got the call. That was 20 minutes ago, but fortunately Carol is leisurely with her coffee, as Pepper's limo drives up to the side of Times Square and she's dropped off in the warmish spring weather.
Pepper is in a bespoke green suit, something to match her red hair perfectly, with a mini skirt that shows off her legs in proper mod style. Her hair is in a perfectly styled beehive and she looks like a whole lot of sex appeal covered in a whole lot of money. She doesn't hide or bother to be subtle about coming up towards Carol, "…Are….are you Miss Danvers? I'm sorry to bother you… but I was hoping I… I might steal a few moments of your time." For all her business confidence, her words are soft. Polite. A bit oddly shy. This wasn't business, this was personal, and Pepper was always a mess when it came to personal.
*
Carol looks rather surprised, "Oh, yes… wait, you're Pepper Potts, right?" She smiles a bit, rising up and offering Pepper her hand to shake, "Actually, I have to admit, I'm a pretty big fan of your work. But, uh, sure, have a seat." She knows that Tony has mentioned Pepper once or twice, but looks a bit surprised that Pepper tracked her down here. Note to self: Improve your fieldcraft Danvers!
*
A slightly embarrassed, almost awkward smile crosses Pepper's perfectly painted red lips and she offers her hand to the woman, "Yes, please, please… Just call me Pepper. I… I'm not here on business, I'll admit. I'm really sorry to disturb you. It looks… Relaxing." Pepper motions to the coffee with the gesture of someone who doesn't actually seem to remember the meaning of relaxing. It's a foreign concept, something she did a long time ago, a life time away.
*
Carol snorts, "Well, relaxing is what I've been doing the past few days anyway, aside from… well, doesn't matter. What's up?" She sits back down after shaking hands, "Did you want a coffee? I'd offer to buy, but I think you make a touch more than my government salary." She grins a bit at that.
*
A laugh escapes her lips and she folds down, "Is there a server? I certainly can get it, and if you'd like dessert, or something, on me. Please." It was all over the papers when she took the job. The highest paid female executive in the world. So, yes, needless to say, Pepper has the funds to cover this. She settles down into the chair, crossing her long legs and trying to look relaxed but, with a keen eye, it's all a careful show. Every motion Pepper makes is estimated and poised. She is not a woman who really DOES Know how to relax these days. "I…I know this might be weird but… I wanted to talk to you about Tony. I… I'm worried about him." And there it is, behind her eyes. She still cares for the man, deeply. Worries.
*
Carol nods, "Actually, so am I. He's… been different, lately." She considers her words carefully, looking at Pepper since she does know there's unresolved things between her and Tony, which… well, anyone that's seen a tabloid knows Carol and Tony have been seen together. "I mean, I recognize the signs, I went through them myself, not too long ago. But I'm not sure how I can talk to him about that." She frowns, tapping her finger lightly on the table as she looks at Pepper, "But I don't want him to crash and burn."
*
"…The signs?" Pepper asks, not entire certain what Carol is talking about, but then she's completely clueless that Carol ever had an issue with alcohol. Pepper's perfect red mouth folds down into a deeper frown again, fingertips folding in front of her, trying to keep herself from the worried, nervous sort of fidgeting that could come. She talks with her hands when she's this concerned. "He… he went back to drinking. I don't know why, but when I left…he'd stopped. He'd been really good for a month or two. Now he tracked me down Sunday and had three scotches in a single conversation again. Hell, I don't even remember it being that bad when I worked for him…" She shakes her head gently.
*
Carol sighs, "Yes, those would be the signs. I had my own… issues, with that. Until I joined AA, got on the wagon." She smiles faintly, "I'd love to get Tony doing it, but we… well, we had a bit of an agreement, but then again he was careful to cut back on his drinking, at the time." She then frowns a bit, and looks over at Pepper, "I think it's time to have a more serious conversation with him about this."
*
The commentary about AA makes Pepper's pale eyes widen. She clearly didn't know. She looks down, awkwardly, shocked, half embarrassed. Just the sort of reaction a Good Girl who doesn't really know how to talk about addiction would have. Even if she fought her own for a while. She clears her throat quietly, "I…I'm sorry, Carol, god, so… So sorry. If talking about this makes it hard, don't…even… I mean, I won't…I can talk to Tony. We can still be friends, I guess? Even if he's pissed I won't come back to work for him… but… I still care about him. I… I can handle it."
*
Carol chuckles, "It's hard because I care about him, too, Pepper. Relax, it's something I'm coming to terms with." She smiles at Pepper, "And it is hard, but not because of what I've been through. Frankly, that makes it easier. But you aren't going to talk to him alone. I need to talk to him too… maybe together, that might make a dent in his stubborn skull to listen." Yeah, she likes Tony, she dates him, hell, maybe she even loves him… but she also doesn't fool herself about him either.
*
The red head studies the woman across from her, brow slightly furrowed, still awkward and worried, but Pepper doesn't look ready to dash away in guilt any moment either. She finally just nods, "Alright… Alright. As long as it's not too hard for you, we'll both do this. I don't know if he'll listen to me, honestly. I… I miss him, but I can't go back to being a secretary. I can't. I don't understand why he thinks I WOULD." Pepper just shakes her head quietly, a grimace on her elegant features.
*
Carol shakes her head, "Well, he /should/ offer you a better position anyway. At least one to match what you're currently doing." She looks mildly annoyed at that as well, "I mean, hell, you're amazing at business from what I'm seeing, and he's an idiot if he doesn't hire you back at an executive level."
*
Those words surprise Pepper, even if they are what she said. Because she doesn't really expect them from anyone else. She's been fighting an uphill battle this whole time. She sighs, "I know. That… that's what I told him. I can't take a step backwards. Even if I loved working for SI… For every woman who was told she CAN'T be an executive, I have to stay doing what I'm doing. Show them it's possible. That we ARE Just as good as men. He'd have to offer me CFO, and more money… and he's… He's not willing, it seems." Her nose wrinkles quietly but, for a few moments, the hurt is clear on her face. It really hurt that TOny didn't think her worth it.
*
Carol nods, "Yeah, I hear you. For some reason, I'm the only one where I… work, placed on administrative leave for the fiasco we just had." What that is, she doesn't say, but snorts a bit as she looks wryly at Pepper, knowing that struggle all too well from her own perspective, "Women can't fly jets. Women can't be officers. Women can't women can't women can't… it's a pretty singular refrain, you know?" And she sounds like she's pretty well sick of it.
*
"Yeah. It's pretty shitty, too… Pardon my language." Pepper states, the curse having just sort of slipped out, but it's a good show of how she feels. "I finally got a chance to show that it's NOT true. I'm sure as hell not backing down on that. Old friend or not. Tony…" Pepper's expression softens. She still clearly has some sort of candle for him, or at least a deep bit of care, "…he's a good man, deep down. I know this. He's just mixed up. A lot. And… doesn't think he's a good man, so he does a lot to drown the guilt."
*
Carol sighs, "I know, and don't apologize, it /is/ pretty shitty." She smiles wryly at Pepper, "If I knew anything about corporate whatevers, I'd ask if you were hiring, but unless you needed a pilot for your private jet…" She shrugs, and nods, "And you shouldn't back down, I'll back you for the job you should have, not the one he thinks you should have." Her lips quirk in a smile towards Pepper, "I think you pretty much nailed it there. We'll have to have a Talk with him."
*
"…You're really looking for a job? And why would they put someone like you on leave? Shit… you're one of the only competent ones around, from what I can tell." Pepper huffs, her female protectiveness coming out too, especially as Carol seems to be showing solidarity with her decisions. A slightly shy smile almost flickers across her lips, "YOu don't have to… back me up. I want you two to be happy. Goodness knows you both deserve something good in your lives. Don't bring business into it. He… he just doesn't think like that yet. Maybe he doesn't have the confidence in me. I… dunno." But it definitely hurt. "Seriously, though, if you are looking for a job, I'll find a place for you."
*
Carol gives Pepper a bit of a sad look, "It's called being a scapegoat when something goes wrong. I can't go into more detail, Pepper, but… yeah, the shit really hit the fan, and it looks like I'm going to get caught in the middle of it because I stand out as much as I do. We'll see how it goes." She smiles a bit at Pepper, "And I'll keep you in mind, though yeah, if he keeps going this way, I don't really know what I'd do." Well, she does know, but it doesn't mean she has to like it.
*
"I won't ask for details. I do ask that you come to me before you start hunting somewhere else. I know talent when I see it. Any company or organization would be DAMN lucky to have you and I won't lose the shot to get you aboard." Pepper means it, not just buttering the woman up. The redhead is quite sharp with business and has done Bruce Wayne quite well, this is one of those reasons.
Then her expression softens just a bit more as she hears the commentary about Tony. A low sigh escapes her lips and she says nothing, waving down one of the waitress to get herself a coffee. Once she has that ordered, she looks back to Carol, "…Does he treat you right? Has he been loyal? Tony… he's never been good at that. If he's coming home every night… It means you are good for him. It means he really cares."
*
Carol smiles, "Oh, yes… he does. And he has been. I'm pretty familiar with his reputation. But so far, the only thing keeping him out is his work. Not anything else." She hmms, "And if you have a spot, and this keeps up… I might just take you up on that." If nothing else, she might do it just to see the look on Tony's face.
*
The redhead isn't exactly jealous. She seems genuinely happy for them, just a bit sad about something she can't even consciously name. SHe reaches one hand over to, if Carol permits, touch the back of the other woman's palm and give a light squeeze. "That's the hard thing with Tony. Everyone… everything will always come second to the work. But, despite that, he is worth it. He's a good man, deep down."
*
Carol chuckles, and turns her hand over, giving Pepper's hand a return squeeze. "Thanks. And I know that. We're pretty much the same, that way… I think that's why it's been working as well as it has so far." She shakes her head, "He /really/ asked you to be his secretary though? That wasn't a joke?"
*
A slight chuckle, almost self depricating, and Pepper shrugs. She accepts the coffee the waiter brings and pulls out a ten, motioning that she's paying for both of them. She waves at the waiter to keep the change. Then her blue eyes are back with Carol, "Well, to come back to my old job. Assistant…secretary. Whatever you want to call it. He asked me to come home… said we had work to do. I guess it's a bit better than secretary, being an executive assistant, but that's what everyone sees. Secretary. I… I think I'm worth more than that. No. I know I am."
*
Carol nods, "Well, if he didn't hire you back as a high level VP or something, he's an idiot. But then… I think he sometimes is when it comes to women." Which, well, that's a source of her unease about dating Tony, almost as much as the drinking. "It's a lot about respect." And that's the rub.
*
Another shrug follows. Pepper is not an angry woman, but it's there, that odd mix of hurt, slight anger, and confusion over the whole situation, "I… guess he just doesn't see me as that? I don't know. I told him what I needed. He wasn't willing, so… I stay with Wayne right now. I like what I'm doing, really. Even if I miss SI." And Tony, and the crazy life… "This is good. We're making a lot of difference in the world with Wayne Enterprises. And I've been able to give a lot of other women opportunities. So…that's what matters."
*
Carol grins, for a moment. "Well, I'll definitely keep you in mind if I end up getting cut loose." Then she grows more serious, the grin fading, "But I think both of us need to be the ones to confront Tony about this. The drinking, I mean. It's really getting out of hand."
*
"…Has it gotten that bad? I was hoping Sunday was just a… fluke." But Pepper clearly trusts Carol, and that means it wasn't just a fluke. She nods quietly, "I… am happy to go with you, if you want to confront him together. You're closer to him these days but… you don't have to do that alone. Just let me know when and I'll be there. I promise. We can do it however you are comfortable."
*
Carol nods, "I understand. I just know, if you give someone too many chances, they'll use every one of them." She frowns, "I don't know if I can convince him by myself, but I'm going to have some words with him about it later."
*
"I guess. I…" Pepper faulters for a moment or two. That was always her issue with Tony. SHe gave him every chance in the world until he didn't give her one back. Then she was gone. Her pale eyes flicker down to her coffee, staring into the depths of it quietly, trying to organize her thoughts. She was so much less competent at this being personal thing. Business was much easier. "Here. This is my card…" She finally pulls it out, sliding it over to Carol. "You can call me any time. Tell me when you want me there. How it goes. I'd hate for your relationship to be hurt because you bring up his drinking. Tony doesn't like to feel like he's wrong."
*
Carol sighs a bit, "I know, Pepper. But thanks. I…" She smiles over at Pepper, "I'm glad you took the time to meet up with me. And I definitely want to do that again, regardless of how this turns." And she sounds like she means it, as she smiles a bit more towards Pepper.
*
That actually make Pepper blink. She isn't accustomed to someone wanting to meet with her outside an office. Is this what friendship is? Pepper studies Carol's face, trying to figure out her motives, "…Uh… like, just… to talk? Be… friends?" Pepper looks genuine confused by it. Not offended or disliking, she just doesn't know how to parse that. "I…I'm really quite boring. But… that… That sounds nice."
*
Carol chuckles, "Pepper, I've been a government employee since I was eighteen. You have no idea what boring really is. But yes, like being friends." She grins at Pepper, "Regardless of what happens with Tony, I want to be friends with you at least. Okay?"
*
That redlipped smile comes a moment later, a bit awkwardly shy, but Pepper finally nods in affirmation. Almost a little too eagerly. "I…I think that'd be really great. I don't have a lot of just… Friends. I might stink at it." Pepper admits with a half laugh, but that was mostly joking. "We'll figure it out for Tony too. We both care about him. We can manage this. But yes. Friends no matter what." She raises her coffee for a little clinking of mugs toast.
*
Carol returns the toast, then smiles, "Definitely. I could always use a few more anyway." She nods a bit towards Pepper, "I'm pretty sure I can coach you if I have to."
*
That gets an all out laugh which Pepper half drowns in coffee a moment later. She then nods, still smiling. "We'll make it happen." But then her blue eyes catch sight of the clock over looking all the advertisements and they go wide. "Shoot. I have a meeting in ten minutes. I guess time moves fast when you're actually enjoying a conversation." She gulps down the rest of her coffee and stands. "Thank you again, Carol. We'll get this figured out."
*
Carol nods, "Definitely, Pepper. And thanks for coming by. I really appreciate it." She smiles warmly at the redhead, "And thanks for the coffee. I'll be in touch."
*
Pepper finishes off her coffee quickly and then leans over for an awkward but quick hug. She is trying! "Any time. I'd love to buy you a proper dinner sometime. Don't be a stranger…" With that, she wiggles fingers farewell and dashes back off to where her limo has been idling and occasionally circling the block. She's disappeared from the square within a few minutes, whisked back to business life.
*