17712/Pepper's R&R

Pepper's R&R
Date of Scene:	20 April 2024
Location:	Stark Tower: Penthouse
Synopsis:	Pepper is distracted from worrying about her new Node by a promotion and dinner.
Cast of Characters:	Tony Stark, Pepper Potts

---

Tony Stark has posed:
    Since being released from the Avenger's medical facilities, Tony has been hovering around her in case she needs anything. Despite the fact that she's far more recovered than anyone should be, he's obviously worried about her. It's a new thing for him, and he may have crossed the line into being a bit annoying. But then, he's never loved anyone other than himself and his mom before, so it would probably have to be called personal growth. Pepper has caused a lot of that in the past year or so.

    "Need anything Pep? I was thinking of having food delivered, have you got a preference of where or what kind? I'm tired of trying to burn food for you to eat, so I'm falling back on the fact that I have huge piles of cash that make other people willing to feed us."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper is on the couch, a leg tucked up and under her. She's in 'comfortable' clothes, that is, a pair of yoga pants and a midriff tee. The soft light of her new accessory glows beneath the fabric, very much like Tony's. Her laptop is in front of her, a tablet to the side, and a book. Online newspapers scroll to the side, showing off headlines of business ventures, mergers and the like. Start-ups starting up, others failing miserably, and of course news of the stock market as it rises and falls.

Pepper smiles, the affection evident on her face, and shakes her head. "I'm really okay, Tony." Well, as okay as she can be. Sleepless night, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares very, very much like Tony's own from his own traumas. "You didn't burn the salad," she returns. "I think if you ask chef to make something, he'd be happy to take over from you again."

Tony Stark has posed:
    "Ok, yes, I can successfully make things that just get put in a bowl and mixed together, but that gets old after a little while. As far as the chef, yeah, I could. Probably should, since he gets paid whether he's cooking or not. Had to put that in his contract since all the days I end up in the workshop not thinking of food would make him poor if he was paid by days he cooks."

    He continues "But that still leaves the question of what to have him cook. I'm good with whatever, so it's your call if you have something specific you'd like." He pulls a chair over near the couch since he doesn't want to sit on her tablet and takes a drink from his water bottle. "HOMER, call chef, ask him to hop into the kitchen and make dinner for us. Tell him we'd like..." he looks to Pepper again, waiting to see if she fills in the blank or not.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper has her green smoothies, now in clear plastic glasses rather than glass after an accident or three. She just hasn't been eating a lot; more 'not a lot' than usual, even for her. "I.. " she shakes her head and winds some errant hair behind her ear. "Chef has come in late nights when I've asked him to." Just for him.

Leaning forward, she *gingerly* hits a key on her keyboard, shutting some of the windows down. Once done, she pauses, looking at her hands once more before looking back at Tony. Moving things out of the way, a spot is cleared should he want to move. "I think chicken francaise, with a little more basil. On a bed of angel hair.. the way he makes it. With the olive oil, cheese.."

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony nods and shifts over to the couch beside her when she makes room for him. "HOMER, you heard her, get him working on that, would you?" The reply is a simple "Very good, sir." Tony didn't program him for long conversations, so the simple acknowledgement is it for HOMER's part.

    He slips an arm around Pepper and glances down at her laptop, "Can't let it go for even a couple days, huh? In some ways you're more like me that you'd probably like to admit. It's just that my focus is tinkering with things instead of reading reports. I don't know how you do it, that stuff is completely boring."

Pepper Potts has posed:
The moment he shifts is the moment she leans on him, whatever tension that has settled in her shoulders releasing with contact. Perhaps there is a little sigh that exits her as she does it.

"I can't," she shakes her head, the wry ruefullness in her tones, "it needs to be done. This doesn't run itself." As she talks, however, her voice rises just a little as everything that has to be done comes back in full view, as it were. "We have a meeting with the Board that I'm just not ready for, I just got the filings out for the SEC for the quarter." Which will undoubtedly be in the news in the next day or so. "Then there are the meetings with-"

Green eyes turn towards Tony as she pulls her head up from his shoulder, "I'm not ready for this. They're going to stare at me." Even if they don't know, she //feels// like everyone does.. and are staring.

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony gives her a hug and says "You need an assistant who can handle some of this stuff. You're the CEO, you should be hitting golf balls off the back of your yacht while peons handle the actual business. As for this... " he taps her node "One, nobody has access to your medical records so they don't know about it, and two, you can turn off the light and wear one of your blazers." He squeezes her tight, "Trust me, I've been through it. People won't be staring at you."

    He pauses as a thought hits him, then laughs. "Sorry, not laughing at you. I was just thinking I should build a couple USB ports into my next unit, let it charge my devices. You'd probably find that handy too, Miss 'I have too many devices'.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper really does lean into hug, her eyes closing for the moment, in the moment, her hand traveling to rest on his chest lightly. This is her relaxation, the part of her life that she keeps to herself. She shares so much of him with the world, and this quiet time is just for her, her private moments kept just that.

"I have an assistant, but she-" Whatever Pepper was going to say is caught, stopped, and she shifts her head up, brows creasing as she takes a few heartbeats to study his face. Did he..

"What did you say?" She shakes her head, her hand waving away other thoughts. She will absolutely come back to the Node. It's that other bit-

"I'm .. what?" Mind, she does love the yacht; probably why he mentioned it. But for sunbathing and throwing Tony's birthday parties. "No.. Tony, I couldn't."

Tony Stark has posed:
    He gives her a light kiss, then says "Of course you could. I mean, you already are, for all intents and purposes. My total workload as CEO is signing the documents you send me, mostly without even reading them. And good GOD do I hate those board meetings. So now I don't have to deal with them. I'm officially retired, though of course I hold a controlling interest in the company."

    He pulls out his phone, pulls up a document and transfers it to her laptop. "Document naming you CEO of Stark Industries. My letter of resignation from said position. Go nuts, try not to fire any of the nice people who make money for us. Terrorize the Board to your heart's content."

Pepper Potts has posed:
It's like.. okay, it's something she's never dreamed of. Stark Industries. Tony STARK. It's his, been his, been his father's and now. "Tony, I don't think I could, I don't think.."

She nods her head quickly, everything crashing in; the ramifications, that buffer of safety, that.. everything. It's her, to sink or swim, even if he's still got controlling interest. Of COURSE he does. It's his. Always been his, always will be.

"I'll, I'll try it and if I can't?" The words are stuttered, though there is that light that shines in those green eyes, her freckles seeming to make more of a show in the smile. "I mean.. Tony."

What can one do or say after that?

She looks at him, her expression set in that love for him that she's held for years. "You," and there's a hitched laugh in her words, "are the most maddening, confusing, amazing man I have ever met."

She's going to need those USB slots for the peripherals sooner rather than later?

Tony Stark has posed:
    He actually raises his hand and boops her nose before saying "If you decide you can't, I'll take it back. But you can, because you already do. I haven't looked at a financial report in years. I just assume that since the Tower hasn't been sold out from under me that we're staying in the black."

    He grins at her, saying "I really am. It's a big part of my charm. That and more money than Midas. The king, not the muffler place. Although they probably do pretty well for themselves. Anyway, between the two, I can get away with just about anything."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Oh, it is absolutely in the black," Pepper confirms, her nose wrinkling with the *boop*. If anything, SI's stock grows; and with new subsidiaries and partnerships? Well.. there is the Cranston Shipping that is potentially in the works, which is also something. "We will be able to keep the lights on in the Tower for the foreseeable future."

Pepper leans a little closer to press her lips gently against his. "You really are," she confirms only inches away, "And I think this is all a ploy so I don't chase you down in your workshop now for signatures." She's teasing, her words a whisper. "I have to get creative and find other ways to get you-"

The chime of the door rings, HOMER announcing, "Sir, Chef is here with your dinner. Shall I open the door for him?"

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony gives her a quick kiss and says "Hold that thought" before answering HOMER with "Yeah, let him in." He shifts Pepper just enough to stand up and head over to the table by the floor to ceiling windows as chef enters and says, "We'll eat over here tonight, I think. The view's always nice this time of night."

    Once chef has transferred the meal from the cart he wheeled in to the table, Tony thanks him, then beckons to Pepper. "Ok, food time for both of us." He pauses, a strange look on his face, then says, "You know, I haven't been in the workshop for days." He looks over at her and says "You finally found a way to keep me from vanishing. But don't make a habit of it, I don't think either of us could handle it."

    He pulls a chair out for her to sit in, then goes around the table and settles into his own chair.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper is shifted and watches him rise with a tilt of her head. Disappointed, yes, but nothing too bad, obviously. Dinner is here, and as Chef wheels it in, the food covered to keep it warm and atop a low heat for perfection, she too rises to her feet. She's a little self-conscious, not for the first time, but he did say that she could turn it off? She'll have to ask how later...

Once the table is set, Pepper approaches, her feet padding on the floor. He's right, the view is always amazing. It's one of her favorites; the Empire State Building just beyond, the lights of the streets below, and they're high enough that light pollution from the city doesn't dim the stars too much. The only other place that she likes as much is the house in Malibu; overlooking the ocean. The floor to ceiling windows offering up another breathtaking panoramic view. Tony knows his views.

"Perfect."

Letting herself be seated, her head kips up in a smile of thanks before he settles in. The food is uncovered, and Chef wheels the cart away, just out of reach before he pours the wine paired specifically with the meal. "Bon apetit," is offered, and he departs.

"You haven't," she admits. "It feels strange." He's not been so attentive, but to be fair, she's never been injured quite like this before. Ever. A twisted ankle? Sure. He's gotten her free of danger before as well. But this? She actually laughs as she shakes her head, her tones dry, "I did not do this for extra attention, promise. And I will absolutely not make this a habit." There is a pause before she finishes her thought softly, "I worry about you too. Promise not to scare me too? I don't know that I could handle it, you not being there for me."

Tony Stark has posed:
    "I should be having tech withdrawal or something. But I know it wasn't on purpose, I'm just saying don't get any ideas now that you know that it'll keep me out of the workshop." He grins over at her, obviously teasing. "and this was an excellent choice of meal."

    He shakes his head, "No real worries there, I've got far too much armor to have to worry about getting hurt too badly." He pauses for a moment, eyes going distant as a thought comes to him and is analyzed three different ways in seven different directions before he comes back to the here and now about thirty seconds later. "But yeah, Iron Man is about as invulnerable as I can make him. I'm no fan of pain or injury, no worries there."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"You should be," Pepper agrees as she takes up knife and fork. The chicken is cooked to perfection, and cuts easily. The lemon sauce atop is tart but adds that tang that complements the food. The wine, of course, adds the hint of sweet. One bite, two, and after swallowing, sets her utensils down for first a bit of water, and then the stemware. "I'll just have to get more creative, and make sure it has absolutely no danger attached to it." Her green eyes are glimmering again as she considers, and then, "I'm sure I can find something."

The sip of wine is taken, and again before she sets it down once more. The water is sipped, and then back to the meal. Her portions are never large, and she does know how to make it last.

"I hate when you're away anymore." A relic from his time in Afghanistan, not knowing if he was dead or alive. And again, during the Battle of New York, when he was in the middle of it all. And all those other times. Yet again, that's the part of him that she has to share with the world, and so in here? No one knows what passes between them. No one. "Maybe if you accepted the professorship at MIT like they beg you to do every year?" And guest lecturer. And.. and.. "The kids would love it, and you'd probably find a few good minds." Though, he's not going to give up Iron Man. Probably ever.

Her eyes narrow; she knows that look on his face, and she straightens in her seat for a moment. "Tony..?" Something has hit him, and she probably has another five minutes with him before he excuses himself to start.

At least he's had something to eat?

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony shakes his head, coming back to the here and now. "Nothing major, I can work it out later." He takes a minute to start eating, nodding in appreciation. "Chef always does a good job, especially when you choose the meals. My orders are more like 'I want a steak" and the rest I leave to him." He takes a sip of the wine and nods appreciatively "Excellent choice."

    He looks back over at her, putting his fork down for a minute. "I know, and I try not to be gone for any longer than I have to. But the world still needs Iron Man. As for MIT, it's a bad idea. Since everyone knows I'm Iron Man, my enemies will look for ways to get to me and threatening a classroom full of students is an easy choice. There's a reason I have Happy drive you places when you go out. Not to mention that you'd be amazed just how tough that car is." He smiles "I actually built it myself. It's got the same armor my suits do."

    Picking his fork back up, he slices off a small piece of the chicken and pops it in his mouth, nodding as he chews it. "Yeah, excellent choice. HOMER, store this meal as lemon chicken." The succinct reply is simply "Stored."

Pepper Potts has posed:
There's that soft, very familiar, 'Mmmhmm..' that emerges at the 'I can work it out later'. "Okay." Just to underscore the dubiousness there. "You can go start the project, you know." Just in case he's looking for that hint of permission. Well, not 'permission' per se, but the assurance that it'll be okay. She'll be okay. "It is, though. The broccoli on the side is perfect." And, of course, the wine. Pepper has refined her tastes enough that she enjoys, well, the finer things in life; all within a proper budget. She's discovered small wineries while Chef has been free to source farm to table, ensuring quality along the way.

It's Tony's explanation that brings her around again. She nods slowly, "You're right." How often does she say that? "And you know Happy loves being my bodyguard. It makes him feel useful." Of course, that started when the pair started dating, and it hit the newsstands. Once news is drawn from the filing with the SEC, Happy might need an assistant?

Pepper retakes her utensils and finishes her plate before resting once again with that stemware, and her wine. "I actually didn't know that about the car. Does Happy?" Ah ha! Little secrets. After all, she does take that car everywhere; it's rare to almost never that she walks to and from places; she has that car that is marked by license plate : Stark2. Obviously Tony's is 1.

Tony's approval gains a smile from the redhead as she watches him finish his meal. "Before you do go back to your workshop, can you teach me a few things about this?" Pepper doesn't have the heart to tap it. There's a familiarity in that she just doesn't yet feel. There's that tentativeness. "Maybe.. you and I could go through the specs again?" For the .. how-many-th time? Each time, she learns a little more, understands a little more.

Tony Stark has posed:
    Tony chuckles, raises his right hand and says "I promise I'll hold off on the workshop at least until you go to bed." Promise made, he returns to dinner. He takes a little longer than she does to finish the meal since she has small portions. Still, he doesn't leave her sitting for too long. "Yeah, he knows. He has to drive it after all, so he needed to know how it handles and what systems it uses."

    He nods, "Sure. Let's head back over to the couch so we can be more comfortable." He stands, picking up both his wine glass and his water, carrying both over and placing them on the coffee table before sitting down on the couch. "HOMER, give me a holo of the RT Node above the coffee table." That done, he looks over the holo as he waits for Pepper to join him, marking several points with little tags.