Chapter 1

Pepperony

Pepper's eyes reluctantly opened at 6.20am that morning, just as every other, to the sound of her alarm ringing. The noise pierced through her skull and made her mind ache, bringing on a migraine already before she was even out of bed. She reached over and turned the alarm off, promising herself she would get up any minute now and start getting ready for work. The bed moved beside her and soon there were arms pulling her back down into the bed and into a warm embrace.

''Mm, good morning.'' Pepper spoke softly.

Tony pulled her closer and kissed her lips gently before pulling back and resting his eyes once again. ''Morning.''

They laid there for only a moment before Pepper remembered her promise to get out of bed now that she had turned her alarm off, but as she began to move away from Tony's embrace, he pulled her back again and tightened his hold around her waist. Pepper sighed, content to stay in bed a while longer, but she knew she couldn't.

''Tony, I have to go.''

Tony shook his head like a stubborn child. ''Take the day off.''

''You always say that.'' Pepper rolled her eyes, once again trying to pull away but failing against his grasp around her.

''One day you might actually do it.''

Pepper lifted her hand to push his hair away from his face, looking into his eyes as he opened them once again. He made it so hard for her to get out of bed in the mornings when he would do this. She hated having to always leave him as they went their separate ways for the day, but that was the only way things would work for them.

When they first became public with their relationship, there were so many rumors about Pepper leaving Stark Industries now that she and Tony were together, so they both worked harder at doing their own jobs even if it meant the media would blow everything out of proportion. It was hard to juggle their relationship and career with the whole world watching, especially with Iron Man being a constant public attraction.

Now that they were married, both Pepper and Tony still tried to keep things as easy as they could, but when their lives were so crazy it was hard to keep a routine for longer than two weeks. Nothing had changed though, which surprised them both. Two whole months into marriage and things were still as they were when they were first together. Even Tony, who was a self-confessed playboy, found marriage easier than ever. He had always freaked out when it came to committing to anything, but when it came to Pepper, he did all he could to prove to her that he loved her and would do anything for her.

Pepper eventually managed to squirm her way out of Tony's arms and get up out of bed, although she hated the entire prospect of having to go into work. There were a few moments when she was getting ready that she seriously considered taking the day off, but if both her and Tony didn't show up for work, there would only be a huge deal about them ignoring their responsibilities and their relationship being a problem when it came to their careers.

''I'll see you when I come home.'' Pepper told him as she pulled on her shoes at the end of the bed.

Tony then pulled himself up into a seating position. ''Let's go out for dinner.''

''Tony, I can't, I have way too much work to catch up-''

''You deserve a night off Pepper, you work all the time, you need a break.'' he reasoned. ''I'm taking you out for dinner and that's it.''

Pepper smiled, happily going along with his plan. ''Alright then, so where are we going?''

Tony pondered to himself. ''It's a surprise.''

''You have no idea, do you?''

''I do so! I'm just not telling you, hence it's a surprise.'' he argued back.

Pepper walked over to beside his position on the bed and gave him a quick kiss. ''Fine then, if you insist. Have a productive day Mr. Stark.''

Tony laid back into his pillow as he called back out to her. ''You too, Mrs. Stark.''

''Mrs. Stark, Line 1 is on hold for you-''

''Mrs. Stark these need to be signed-

''These dates need to be confirmed-''

''These reviews need to be overlooked-''

''Conference at two-''

Pepper took a deep breath, trying to calm herself as he desk became piled up with work she needed to do for the day. For some reason, today's workload seemed to be bigger than any other day, but she couldn't figure out why. There was nothing major coming up, no big event, nothing, but she found herself struggling to cope with the amount she had for the day.

She was beginning to regret not taking Tony's advice and having the day off, but she couldn't do that, she was always so committed to her job, one day would be a disaster. Her head was spinning from thinking so much about the work, stressing about how little time she had to do it and that the conference that was being held today depended on her finishing at least half of this work.

''Mrs. Stark,''

Pepper looked up to her office door. ''Yes, come in.''

It was her assistant Heather, carrying a cup of coffee and a small bag that no doubt contained a blueberry muffin and a cookie. It was Pepper's usual order when she felt like lunch, but it was a small quantity due to the lack of time she actually had to eat anything.

''Thank you Heather, I really need some food right now.'' Pepper accepted the little bag.

''My pleasure Mrs. Stark.'' Heather smiled, setting the coffee down. ''Is there anything you need me to do?''

Pepper took a bite out of the blueberry muffin, catching the crumbs that fell. ''No, it's fine- Actually, is there anything in particular on today? I must have forgot to put it into my schedule.''

Heather shook her head. ''No, nothing other than the usual today. Why was that?''

Pepper seemed confused. ''Oh, my mistake then. The workload just seems a bit much today, that's all. Hmm, should probably get some more sleep.''

Heather smiled. ''That's probably a good idea, Mrs. Stark. Let me know if you need anything.'

''I will, thank you.''

Pepper tried to get back to her work as soon as she finished her blueberry muffin, but she just couldn't. She was lacking motivation and was just too tired to even finish one piece of work. If this kept going, it was going to be a long day in the office. Then she noticed the coffee that Heather had set on her desk, hoping the caffeine would help her function. However, one mouthful of the coffee and it didn't taste right. It was bitter, or sour, or maybe there was no sugar and milk, something was missing from it. She sat the coffee down sadly, seeing no end to her sleeplessness.

Tony heard the door open and shut as he stopped what he was doing to listen, setting down his tools and making he way to the stairs. His day off was working on the suit, upgrades and a few tests, but other than that, he was like a little puppy that was left home alone, waiting for Pepper to return. He walked into the living room and found her lying on the couch with her handbag tossed across the floor, arms drooped over the sides.

''How was work?''

Pepper groaned. ''Long.''

''Miss me?'' he asked with a smile playing at his lips.

Pepper couldn't help smiling as well at the littlest of things he did. ''I did, very much.''

That seemed to satisfy Tony, taking a seat next to the couch to be at eye level with Pepper who was laying down. ''So, are you ready for din-'' he stopped, noticing a different look on Pepper's face. ''Are you...okay?''

Pepper nodded. ''I'm fine.''

''You don't look fine.'' he told her, concerned. ''You're pale. Have you eaten anything today?''

The way Tony asked that question wasn't unusual. Every now and then when Pepper had a big day at work, she would often forget to take a break for lunch, resulting in her being sick when she came home. That's why Tony was always telling her she done way too much work for one person, she was exhausting herself.

''Yes, I ate lunch.''

''What did you eat exactly?'' he asked, trying to analyse whether or not she was lying.

Pepper sighed in frustration. ''A blueberry muffin and a chocolate cookie. Is that okay?''

''Hey, I'm just taking care of you.'' Tony threw his hands up in defense as she raised her voice in annoyance.

Pepper sighed and reached her arm out to rest on top of Tony's shoulder lazily. ''I know you are, I'm sorry. My head feels like it's going to explode and I just feel terrible.'' she closed her eyes and ran her hand over her clammy forehead. ''I don't think I slept very well last night.''

Tony nodded his head in agreement, remembering just how late Pepper was up on her laptop writing reports and checking off her to-do lists. She worked too much, and as much as Tony protested her doing so, she loved her job and he couldn't take her away from it. They had agreed on this when they were first engaged. Pepper agreed not to go overboard on the rules when it came to Iron Man and his hours spent in the workshop some nights, and he agreed not to pressure her into easing her workload. They had to continue their lives as normal, that's what they wanted, but Tony didn't like seeing her like this, and it happened quite often.

''Dinner tomorrow night then.'' Tony told her as he stroked her forehead for her as her eyes remained closed.

''I'm sorry.''

''Don't be,'' he stood up, sliding his arms under her back and lifting her easily into his arms. ''Go have a nice, long sleep.''

Pepper buried her face in his neck, finding comfort instantly. Their bedroom was just as she had left it this morning, which meant Tony had slept in, enjoying his task-free day to do whatever he liked, although she could probably guess that he spent all of his time in the workshop working on the suit. Tony laid her softly onto the bed and turned on the air conditioning to a comfortable, cool temperature and had Jarvis lock down the shades, shutting out and light that could come through. Once she had her shoes kicked off, she was already slipping into a deep slumber, her tired eyes finally able to remain closed.

Tony walked over to the door after making sure the room was just right for her, and he looked back at her peaceful body on the bed and smiled, knowing that she was resting. This had to stop, she couldn't keep pushing herself like this, it was wearing her down more than it should. He knew Pepper would give him hell if he called in sick for her tomorrow, but his mind still liked the idea. He just couldn't keep seeing her like this. Softly, he closed the bedroom door and left her to sleep off the day.

The next few days went on as usual. Pepper working, Tony working. They had only discussed that day a few times since then, trying to avoid and argument from brewing over her workload. Pepper insisted she had it under control and that it was just a busy day combined with a lack of sleep, so Tony compromised with a very simple deal. After 7pm, Pepper was to stop working on whatever she was doing and just relax and take some time for herself. It was deal that Tony had suggested and one that Pepper actually agreed with, on one condition. If she stopped work at 7pm, so did he. No more late nights in the workshop unless it was for something important or something had happened which required extra attention. They both agreed on the work hours and decided that after 7pm on any night, it was their time together. It had taken two months of marriage for them to come up with that compromise, and it sounded perfect for them.

After their dinner had been postponed for another few nights, it was finally a good time to go out. It was a Friday night, they both coincidentally had Saturday off work and had no plans, so it was date night. Tony had still insisted on a surprise location for their dinner, but that didn't bother Pepper at all, she was just glad to get out of the house and not have to worry about a thing.

''Pepper?'' Tony's voice came down the hall toward their bedroom door. ''You ready?''

Pepper turned around to face him wearing her dark green dress which complemented everything about her. Her eyes, her creamy skin, her hair and her very manner. It had been a few weeks since they had the time to go out for dinner, so Pepper took this opportunity to wear whatever she felt like. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, outlining every curve. She wore her black heels, adding to her dark ensemble she had going on.

''I'm ready.'' she told him, but he didn't say anything more after that. His eyes were glued to her in that dress, and it was obvious he took a liking toward her choice of clothing for the evening. ''Tony? Are we leaving now?''

''Huh?'' he blinked, being brought back to the conversation, but his eyes still looking over her. ''Yeah...yeah, Happy's waiting outside.''

Pepper let out a small laugh at his manor, walking over to the door and stopping right beside him. ''Well we better not keep him waiting.''

Tony blinked a few more times, trying to pull his mind back into place before flashing a grin to Pepper as her lips became inches from his. ''He wouldn't mind.''

''We'll miss our reservations.''

Tony moved his lips closer to hers, his words becoming whispers against her skin. ''Mm, who said I made reservations?''

Pepper was teasing him by being so close and speaking so softly, but she couldn't help it. Every time he acted like this it was so easy to manipulate everything about him, but she really was looking forward to dinner and they would be back home later on to pick up where they left off.

''I haven't seen this dress before.'' he stated.

''I know, it's new.'' she told him with a smile. ''We're going to be late.'' she leaned forward, closing the tiniest of distance between their lips and gave him a soft kiss before walking down the hall, her heels echoing against the walls.

Tony smiled at the way she easily maneuvered away from him and walked away knowing she had so much power over him, but he loved that about her, he loved that he couldn't feel that way about another woman, it was all her. There was never a moment when Tony didn't think himself lucking for finding someone like Pepper, she was perfect in every way and he knew he wouldn't be the man he was without her. He just hated that he took so long to realize, but he vowed to spend the rest of his life making up for it.

As it turned out, Tony had in fact made reservations. It was at one of Pepper's favorite restaurants that served her favorite Italian pasta, and she was thrilled about his restaurant selection. They had a private table inside on the top floor, just by the window where they could look down on the busy city below. There was no one around to bother them, which was made a big difference considering there were usually prying eyes or reporters who would purposely be seated nearby to listen in on their conversation or try and talk to them when they were in the middle of something. This time, however, it was just right.

''Let me guess what you're going to order.'' Tony looked at her jokingly.

''I'm allowed to order whatever I want.'' she told him with a smile, looking back to the menu. ''And yes, I'm getting the pasta.''

Tony chuckled to himself. ''I love being right.''

''Well, it happens so rarely.'' Pepper commented, hiding a grin that was coming to the surface as she watched Tony's mockingly hurt expression.

''Ouch.'' he pouted.

Just before he could argue playfully, their waiter came over to take their orders. Whenever Tony and Pepper came to this particular restaurant, they had the same table in the same corner by the same window, and they happened to always have to same waiter. When they went to a new place, they would often get unwanted attention from staff who wanted Tony's autograph or a photo of the couple in the restaurant, and that would be the last time they went there. This place, however, was their favorite because they were treated just the same as any other couple. The waiter even remembered their orders before they made them, growing familiar with them.

''Are you ready to order?'' he asked politely.

''Well, I'll have this one...'' he looked at Pepper mischievously before pointed at the menu so only the waiter could see. Pepper tried to make him order healthy foods, and he usually did anyway, but every now and then he would order something he knew Pepper would disapprove of. ''And Pepper, as you may have already guessed, will have-''

''The pasta.'' The waiter smiled, taking back the menus from the couple. ''I don't blame you, it's my favorite dish as well.'' Tony gave Pepper a knowing look, mocking her consistency to order the same thing each time. ''And for drinks? The usual, I presume?''

Tony received the approval from Pepper and nodded his head. ''You know us too well.''

The waiter smiled, piling the menus in his hands and preparing to walk back to the kitchen. ''Won't be long.''

They each ate peacefully once their food was served, enjoying the relaxation of not having anything to worry about or think of, and knowing that they didn't have to do anything for anyone the next day, it was all their time. What they did take note of after being married was the difficult task of finding time for each other when their schedule was so busy. For normal couples, they would have to juggle around work and that's it, but for Tony and Pepper, things were much more complicated. Stark Industries was one thing to juggle, but then there was Iron Man too, both very important to each of them and it was hard to find time alone. It always worked out for them though. Whether it be a few hours at night, or an hour in the morning, a very late night or a very late sleep in, they always found time.

They stayed at the restaurant for a while longer after their meals, enjoying a drink and looking out the window at the beautiful city they lived in. They were content with everything in that moment, but what would make the evening that much better would be going back to their home and enjoying the rest of their night together.

''Do you want to go home?'' Pepper asked him once his glass was empty along with hers. When he nodded his head, Pepper gathered her things and stood up from her seat, straightening herself up.

Tony stood up as well, but not before looking over her dress once again, remembering their moment before they left, his mind instantly wishing they were back home already. Pepper caught onto his stare and rolled her eyes, letting out a laugh at his behavior.

''I really, really, really like that dress.'' he commented, walking over and grabbing her hand to walk out.

Pepper's lips tugged into a smile. ''Well in that case I better leave it on for the rest of night, since you like it so much.''

Tony looked over at her with an expression that showed he was about to protest, but he knew she was teasing once again. ''Why do you do this to me?''

Pepper laughed and wrapped her arm around his, pulling them closer together. ''You make it too easy.'

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