Voice ✍ 008

[threeolives]

The City's been busy again.

I certainly hope there are no incriminating photos of me falling out there. If there are, I would appreciate it if you contacted me ...discreetly.

I have photos of Bucky, the Doctor-- the, uh, bow tie one-- Thor, Steve, and Harry. Do let me know if you would like them back.

[ There's a pause, and a bored sigh. ]

There was one of you too, Tony, but it was nothing I haven't seen before so I threw it away.

Comments

[threeolives]

Because, like I said, I've already seen you with your "Ironettes." It's not a memory I want to keep around.

[ironmanic]

You could cut me out and then frame it.

[threeolives]

Now there's an idea. I could have had a framed picture of the Ironettes with a big gaping hole in the middle.

[ironmanic]

And when you miss seeing me, you can just come down to visit.

[threeolives]

That I could. How's tonight sound? After work?

[ironmanic]

Or during- you know, I'm not picky.

[threeolives]

Or after. Some people actually believe in a 9-5 work day.

Though I could make 9-4 work.

[ironmanic]

I think I'll take what I can get, then.

> Action

[threeolives]

I'll see you at four then.

[ And, however many hours later, that's exactly what she does, taking the elevator down to his workshop. ]

Knock knock, I'm off the clock.

> Action

[ironmanic]

[The doors automatically open for her, and Tony greets her with a glass of wine.]

Miss Potts- it's a pleasure to have your company this evening.

[threeolives]

[ Which she gladly accepts and takes a sip of. ]

Why thank you, Mr. Stark. Did you have anything particular in mind?

[ironmanic]

[He smiles charmingly]

I had JARVIS make some calls, get us a reservation somewhere cute.

[threeolives]

"Cute" eh? I'll be interested to hear what your definition of that is.

[ironmanic]

Well, it's not a strip club.

[It's somewhere fancy! Romantic. With a nice view of the ocean sealine.]

[threeolives]

[ That sounds... nice, actually. +1 for Tony. ]

Well then, what are we waiting for?

[ironmanic]

The ride.

[His workshop contains all the cars his past self collected, and he picks a sleek black one. It lights up on cue, and he grabs his keys from his desk.]

After you, milady.

[threeolives]

Why thank you, sir.

[ She slides into the passenger seat and uses the time it takes Tony to walk around to the driver's side to surreptitiously check her hair and makeup in the mirror. ]

[ironmanic]

[When he's in and belted, he starts the baby up, blasts the music (Black Sabbath, of course), and revs up to the nearest parking garage.]

[threeolives]

[ She doesn't even complain about the music, just glad to get out of the office, and happy to be in present company.

Pepper likes watching Tony drive. He's happy with the pedal underfoot and the wind in his hair. She likes to imagine this is what he looks like inside the Iron Man suit, flying through the sky. It's times like these she almost wishes she could join him and feel that sort of freedom. ]

[ironmanic]

[He stops and allows the valet to take his car. The restaurant seems a bit aged by design, like a night in Venice or something who would have thought. But there's an elevator that'll take them all the way to the top of the tall building where they can see out over the forest and see the ocean.

He offers her his arm.]

Shall we?

[threeolives]

[ She takes it, feeling delightfully spoiled and slightly amused. She takes great interest in both the architecture and the art hanging on the walls as they make their way to the elevator. Once the elevator doors open, however, she beams and makes her way to the railing at the edge, looking out at the water. ]

Oh, this is wonderful. I think that's out beach over there...

[ironmanic]

[And Tony is looking particularly smug - he likes when the things he plans go well. And this is definitely going well.]

Best view in the City.

[He could say something cheesy and say that the best view in the City is actually her -- but he doesn't. He just kinda looks at her fondly, feeling pretty lucky about himself.]

[threeolives]

[ She turns away from the view, returning his fond look with a 400 watt smile. ]

If only I had a camera now. This is a picture I would frame.

[ironmanic]

[And it hits him right in the chest, right next to that big hunk of metal that keeps him from dying in a week. And for that moment he doesn't think he can live without her, not even because he truly doesn't know his social security number.

He pulls out his device, resembling his phone with its glass screen. He pulls open the camera application, holds his hand up to snap a picture.]

[threeolives]

[ Before he can put it away, she grabs his wrist, pulling him around to stand next to her and snaps another picture of the two of them, panoramic view in the background. Even after the picture's taken and the device put away, she keeps her hold on his wrist, gently and fond. ]

Thank you. I needed this.

[ironmanic]

[That. Is so. Going to be his new wallpaper. He wraps an arm around her waist, pulls her close.]

Anything for my lovely--

[Well, she technically isn't his assistant anymore.]

--partner in crime.

[threeolives]

[ He'll have to share, because she wants it her wallpaper too. Hell, if the City had Facebook-- and Pepper doesn't even use Facebook, too many potential violations of privacy for a (somewhat) prominent public figure-- she would make this her profile image.

She smirks as she watches Tony's brain cycle through words, trying to find something to define their nebulous relationship. What he settles on surprises her enough for a laugh. ]

Crime, huh? I thought you were going for the opposite route.

[ironmanic]

What, you were expecting-- peas in a pod? My darling cherubic angel? I could go on, you know.