Chapter 5
Pepper awoke with the sunrise and she reached for her blackberry and automatically cleared Mr. Stark’s schedule. She knew he would be hungover and in pain and thought maybe he would want to spend the day getting Tiffany acclimated. Pepper got up and started the coffee machine. She opened the terrace door and went outside to feel the sun on her face. This was really happening. Tony had a daughter. According to him he didn’t know anything about her. And he had his heartbroken and that explained so much. He didn’t always treat sex like a basic need like oxygen and water. He was capable of love. And it made her smile. It warmed her inside. She thought of the kiss they shared and wondered if she should bring it up or not. She decided against it and decided to go back inside to respond to the growling in her stomach.
When she opened the door she saw Tiffany at the counter drinking her coffee.
“Do you want milk or sugar or in that?” Pepper asked.
“Nope. I like it black” she said.
Pepper smiled. That was the first similarity between her and her father.
“That’s how your father drinks it” Pepper said pouring him a cup.
She also grabbed ibuprofen and water with electrolytes. This was beyond her job description. Tony was a grown man and he could wake himself and get his own coffee so the question she constantly asked herself was why? Why do I do this? And the kiss came back into her mind. It made her dizzy to think about. His intoxicating smell, how soft his hair felt in her hands, his gorgeous lips enveloping hers. And the feeling of sparks between them. She pushed it out of her mind. It was a work day and she needed to focus.
Pepper slipped into Tony’s bedroom and the morning light was starting to pour in and spread across his bed. Pepper put the water and the bottle of electrolytes in the nightstand followed by his coffee and she gently shook him.
“Tony?” she cooed as she gently shook him.
She noticed how chiseled and firm his back looked and felt under her hands. This was something she never noticed before. Damm she thought as she bit her lip.
Tony opened his eyes and he heard Pepper’s sweet voice. He rolled over slowly and he saw her standing there in his royal blue silk pajamas.
“You spent the night?” he asked while wincing from the splitting pain in his head. It felt like a giant boulder was sitting on it. He reached for the ibuprofen and water quickly. Then he needed to drink his coffee.
“I did. I didn’t want to leave Tiffany alone after what you did last night” Pepper exclaimed.
“Why didn’t you sleep in here with me?” he said like it was no big deal with a giant grin on his face.
“Because you’re my boss Tony and that would be inappropriate” Pepper stressed.
God I wanted to crawl in there with you so bad, she thought.
“Only if I say it is. And you look great in my pajamas. But then again you’d look good in a potato sack” he said.
“Tony can you be serious for five minutes? I’m going to make breakfast for Tiffany and I’m being nice enough to see if you want anything. And then I need to go home and shower and get fresh clothes on so I can come back and take Tiffany to the store to get whatever it is she needs. And Dr. Young is coming over to look at you since you fell last night. And I was nice enough to clear your schedule for the day” Pepper said to him in an all work no play tone.
“Are you always like this this early in the morning?” he asked just to get a reaction out of her.
A smile was creeping up on his face until and then Pepper gave him a look and he changed his tune.
“Yes to breakfast but can you bring it in here for me? Please?” he asked.
Pepper nodded and hurried downstairs. She took out enough eggs and bacon and toast for three people and she made them quickly. She also grabbed three glasses and filled them with orange juice.
“Here sweetie” Pepper said putting the food down in front of her. And just then the doorbell rang and Pepper went to let Dr.Young in.
“Hello Dr. Young thank you for making a house call and for coming so early. You know how Mr. Stark can be” Pepper said.
“So he had a fall last night?” the Doctor asked.
She was tall and thin with auburn hair and it was clear why Tony kept her around. She wondered if he slept with her too and she felt her cheeks burn with jealousy.
Why are you jealous Pepper? You know you could sleep with him if you wanted but you want more and you know that it will never be that. Why are you so hung up on Tony Stark?
“Yeah he had a few too many drinks and went down those stairs. The paramedics confirmed that there was no concussion. But he has a nasty bump. He’s still upstairs” Pepper said showing her the way.
Pepper sat down to eat her breakfast and Tiffany just eyed her up.
“Did you and Mr. Stark ever date?” she asked suddenly.
Pepper choked on her eggs and reached for her orange juice.
“No” she said trying to play it cool.
“Why not?” Tiffany asked.
“Well I work for him. I’ve been his personal assistant for ten years and also your father isn’t really a relationship guy. I guess your mother was the lucky one. She was his one and only” Pepper explained.
“You just seem to care about him a lot. Doing all these things for him” Tiffany said.
“This is my job” Pepper said.
My job. Focus on the job not his gorgeous brown eyes and witty charm
”He needs you to wake him up?” she asked.
“Sometimes. I knew today would be a tough day for him. And until he found out about you he and I were all each other had” Pepper said trying to believe her own excuses.
Dr. Young came down the stairs and looked for a minute at Tiffany. Pepper didn’t know the plan so she thought on her feet.
“Dr. Young this is my cousin Tiffany” Pepper said.
“Nice to meet you” she said and then turned her attention back to Pepper.
“He’s fine. If the pain increases and the ibuprofen doesn’t help I left him with a script” she said.
“Thank you” Pepper said.
“Pepper I need you” Tony said over the intercom.
Pepper grabbed Tony’s plate of food and his orange juice and put it on a tray table and carried it up. She entered his bedroom and he wasn't there.
“What are you still doing in pajamas?” he asked as he walked out of the bathroom naked.
He was really trying to get a reaction from Pepper.
“TONY WILL YOU OUT SOME CLOTHES ON?” she said angrily.
Of course he had to be naked. Pepper squeezed her eyes shut and prayed he’d be covered when she opened them.
“It’d be more fun if you joined me” he teased.
“I’m taking care of your daughter and your schedule and making sure you’re awake and alive” Pepper said angrily.
Tony laughed.
“Take it easy Pep. I’m only having a little fun with you” he teased a he put his boxer briefs back on.
“Fun? Tony you parading around naked is not my idea of fun? I need to go home and take a shower and get fresh clothes so I can come back and take Tiffany shopping. I’m trying to help your daughter. She just got dumped off on you. Do you know what that must be like for her? Can you be an adult for five minutes? It’s been twelve hours since you found out about Tiffany and you haven’t told me a single thing. You think everything is a joke and I’m just going to stand around picking up after you”
“You don’t know what was in that letter Potts. The anger I felt last night was at a boiling point. I was going to call a meeting with you and Happy and Rhodey and explain everything but you didn’t give me a chance Pepper. I still need time to process the fact that I made a human being. That beautiful girl down there is my daughter. You don’t think I’m frantic trying to protect her from someone I don’t know. Do you know what it’s like for me? I’m terrified. I don’t know what to do for her. Do you know what any of that is like? So excuse me for having a little fun and trying to take the edge off the situation” Tony said with intense eyes.
Pepper softened when she saw how upset he was. But she still wasn’t going to call him.
“Tony I can call them on my way home and set that meeting up if you want me to” Pepper said softly.
“No I’m going to do it and be an adult. Since you don’t think I’m taking my fatherhood seriously” Tony said in an aggravated tone.
Why does Pepper get in my case? Why is she so serious? How can I get her to have a little fun and lighten? But I do love the fire. It makes me want to mess with her more.
Pepper didn’t say a word and she just left.
Tony sent a text to both Happy and Rhodey and grabbed the envelope he had for Rachel and headed downstairs.
“Good morning” he said to Tiffany who was just sitting at the table staring into space.
“Well this isn’t awkward at all” she said as she eyed him up.
“Sorry about that” he said hoping she didn’t hear everything he and Pepper argued about.
“It’s hard because you’re both right” she said.
He looked at her for a moment and he was going to speak but she spoke first.
“Does that hurt?” she asked in reference to his RT.
“Nope I don’t feel a thing” he said as he tapped it.
“Did you love my mom?” she asked catching him off guard.
Tiffany watched as he stopped and shifted uncomfortably. Clearly her mother was a sore subject for him.
“I did. In fact I was going to give you these if you wanted them. Some pictures of us together and some letters we wrote each other” he said handing her an envelope.
Tiffany pulled them out and looked through them And smiled.
“You look so different” she said staring at one in particular when he was about eighteen and had not really blossomed into his more manly look yet.
“I was a nerd. Your mom was the only girl that liked me or talked to me. I was also a lot younger than all the kids there. It was tough to talk to girls” Tony said with a shrug.
“How did you guys meet?” she asked.
“Your Uncle Rhodey my best friend and roommate at MIT brought a girl and her friend back to our apartment. I was welding when they got there and then when I took off my mask and saw how gorgeous she was I quickly cleaned myself up and I took her for dinner” Tony exclaimed.
“Why did you stop dating after my mom? Don’t you want to get married one day?”she asked again.
She was hammering him with questions that made him uncomfortable and he wasn’t prepared.
“I-uh well after your mom and I ...I had to focus on school and then when I got my father’s company I got so busy it was just easier this way for me. And when you’re rich it’s hard to trust people’s true intentions” he explained.
“What if you stayed with my mom and knew about me? Would you have married her?”she asked again causing him to falter.
“Absolutely I loved her” Tony said hoping this questioning would soon end.
“So what happened why did you guys break up?” she asked.
“We didn’t break up. She had to disappear. I’ll explain everything in a little while. I was just coming down here to see if you wanted to take a shower. I can get towels and everything for you” he said.
“I took one last night. I’m ok” she said.
“Do you need anything else before I get in the shower?” he asked.
“No I think I’m ok” she said.
“Ok feel free to look around. Jarvis give her the tour” Tony said.
“Jarvis?” she asked with a confused look on her face.
“He’s the A.I. That runs this house. You’ll see” Tony said as he hurried upstairs to shower.
Pepper got back to the house and she was still annoyed with Tony.
“We need to talk about your room. We can decorate it anyway you’d like. Just let me know what colors and kind of furniture you’d like and I’ll order everything. We also need to get you some clothes. So let’s take a ride and we’ll get as much as you need” Pepper said.
“Tiffany don’t take this the wrong way. You are beautiful but if there are people after you we need to change your appearance. Maybe lighten your hair or cut it. You can’t be recognized” Tony said seriously.
Pepper looked at him. She was hurt that he didn’t tell her that bit of information. He was so close to her but yet he shut her out of difficult situations.
“I’ll call my hair girl” Pepper said to no one in particular as she dialed her salon.
Once they left Tony went into his office and lifted his desk back up and set it down in its proper position.
“Dum-e I need this cleaned up pronto” he said grabbing Rachel’s letter off the floor.
He looked at it for a few moments. She asked him to destroy it when she was done but he wasn’t sure he was ready. The anger he felt towards his father was wearing away at him. He really needed to get it off his chest. He needed Pepper. She was great at listening and she always managed to make him feel better. His mind drifted back to the kiss they shared. He was elated that she had kissed him back. He was expecting her to freak out or hit him. But the kiss was different. She was clearly still annoyed with him and she doesn’t think he appreciates her. He was going to try and think of a way to show her that once things calmed down a bit.
It was nearing eleven and Rhodey was the first to arrive.
“Hey man what’s going on?” he asked as he took a seat in the kitchen.
“It’s a long story and I will tell you everything as soon as everyone gets here” Tony said as he poured himself a drink.
“You want one?” he offered.
Rhodey just shook his head no.
“Ok then can we talk about you and Pepper kissing? I saw you guys” Rhodey said catching him off guard.
“We were having a moment so I went for it” Tony said.
He knew if he didn’t give him something that Rhodey wasn’t going to let it go.
“And?” Rhodey asked.
“And she kissed me back for a minute or two and then I had to leave to meet Rachel” Tony explained.
“And did you tell Pepper how you feel about her?” Rhodey said.
Dammit Rhodes why did you have to bring up feelings?
“Just because I wanted to kiss her doesn’t mean I feel things. Pepper is a very beautiful woman and a close friend and I just wanted to see what would happen if we kissed because I’ve been thinking about kissing her for a while” Tony said.
“Tony that’s what having feelings is. Pepper is a one in a million kind of woman with the patience of a saint for putting up with what you put her through and you’re going to lose her because you’re an idiot” Rhodey warned him.
“What’s going on is bigger than me and Pepper right now” Tony said and just like that she walked through the door along with Tiffany who some highlights in her hair and cut a considerable amount off and Happy who was trailing behind since he had just pulled up himself.
Rhodey looked over at Pepper and the teenage girl next to her.
“Good everyone is here. Have a seat” Tony said.
Rhodey looked a little confused but sat down anyway.
“What I am about to say cannot leave this group until I figure out what to do” Tony said looking around at them.
“This is Tiffany. She’s my daughter” he said lifting the weight off his shoulders.
“OH MY GOD with Rachel?” Rhodey asked as he jumped up like a child.
“Yes I’m getting there” Tony said motioning for him to sit down.
“Apparently I got Rachel pregnant and her mother was the first one to find out. And her mother immediately called my father to get money from him. So dear old dad saw it as an opportunity. He paid her to disappear with Rachel immediately and I never knew why because it was out of nowhere without a trace and I blamed myself for years. I thought I did something wrong. I just kept saying if she loved me why did she leave me. But this isn’t about me. Forget that this is about Tiffany” Tony said with pain in his eyes.
Pepper could see the pain in Tony’s eyes and it was really tearing her up inside. He looked as if he was reliving the pain of losing his love and the anger towards his father.
“Her mother married a man that got into some shady business. He was killed and her and her mother witnessed it and headed out on the run because they are being hunted. When I met Rachel she just gave me a letter explaining everything and a hotel key. And I went inside and I found Tiffany. No one knows I’m the father except for Rachel’s mother and my father and they are both dead. You three are the only ones that can know her true identity. We need a plan. She’s going to have to go to school and blend in” Tony said realizing the severity of the situation.
“My mom said she would be back for me. I can just hang here until she gets back. I’m not going to school” Tiffany stated.
“Tiffany I need to tell you something that your mother said in the letter. She asked me to take care of you. She told me she was tired of running and that she loves you very much” Tony said feeling terrible to break this news.
“No she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t just leave me with you. She loves me” Tiffany said not being able to process what Tony just said to her.
“She loved me too and she left me. Sometimes it’s for the best” Tony said gently.
“You’re lying” she screamed in his face.
No one knew how to react to this.
“Here read it” Tony said handing it to her.
Tiffany ripped the letter from his hands and scanned it quickly and tears welled up in her eyes. She dropped the letter and ran.
“Well that went well” Tony said with his head down as he was about to follow her.
“Just give her a minute” Pepper suggested meeting his eyes.
“I can’t believe you knocked Rachel up” Rhodey said still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Tony his best friend had a sixteen year old daughter.
“She was a gorgeous baby. Of course it runs in the family. I am her father” Tony said handing Rhodey the envelope of pictures.
“Pep can we get these framed?” Tony added.
Pepper made a note to find frames.
Tony finished his drink and poured another.
“I’m sorry your father did that to you” Pepper said as she placed her hand on his arm gently.
She finally got the story and she could see how much it damaged Tony. She felt for him so much.
“My mother didn’t know. If she knew she would never have let that happen” Tony exclaimed.
“Pepper you’ve never had to deal with him the way I had to when she left. Talk about a buzzkill” Rhodey said trying to make light of the situation.
“Thank you Rhodey for that heartfelt speech. Don’t burden Pepper with all that nonsense. It was a lifetime ago” he said taking another swig.
Pepper tried to imagine a broken hearted Tony. The concept was totally foreign to her. She couldn’t even imagine him in love. She knew he was capable of it deep down but she couldn’t picture it.
“Everyone had enough and I sat him down and I said “Tony you’ve got to snap out of this funk,” I took him out with me. I was his wingman, but he didn’t really need me. The girls flocked to him at this point. Next thing I knew he was sleeping his way through every sorority on campus and campuses near by” Rhodey explained to Pepper.
“Those are much better stories. I’d rather talk about my sexual re-awakening” Tony said.
Rhodey knew how damaged Tony was from Rachel and he feared Tony would let it ruin the happiness he could have with Pepper.
“I don’t really want to hear about that. I see it first hand, while Tony hides downstairs and I need to escort them out” Pepper said as she looked directly at Tony.
“But you’re the woman that gets to stay. I would never want you to leave” Tony said staring at Pepper.
“That’s very nice Tony but I have a life and I like to sleep in my own bed” Pepper said.
“But you’ve never slept in my bed? So how can you be sure?” Tony asked as he raised an eyebrow at her seductively.
“Because you paid for everything when you relocated me for this position including my bed and I know you would only get the best for me. No need to try out other beds” she threw back at him.
They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Rhodey watched them is complete disbelief. He’s never seen two people so into each other and both too stupid to speak up.
“Hey boss if there are guys looking for her and you’re sending her to school. We should legally change her name for security purposes” Happy said finally chiming into the conversation.
Tony welcomed the interruption.
“Finally someone with sense. I’m going to work on that tomorrow and we need to schedule a press conference” he said looking to Pepper.
She nodded.
“Rhodey I need your help. I’m trying to find out about Rachel’s husband’s business. I need to find out who’s after them” Tony said.
“Got it” Rhodey said.
“Alright that’s it. Everyone out of my house but Pepper” Tony said as he walked out of the room to find Tiffany.
Tony saw Tiffany sitting on a rock outside the front of his house and he went outside to talk to her.
“Hi” he said.
She turned to face him with her eyes full of tears.
“I hate this. I’m stuck here with a father I don’t know. My dad’s dead, and my mother just dumped me, I don’t know anyone. I’d rather they just find me” she said.
“First off don’t you ever say that, I found you and I want you here no matter how much you resist. Tiffany I’m not the enemy. This is a big adjustment for me too but we can figure this out. You’re in Malibu. You have weather like this every day. You’re rich. I have enough money to send you to an Ivy League college seven times over. And most importantly you’re loved and protected. You don’t have to love me back. You can even hate me if you want to and that won’t change the fact that you’re my daughter and I love you. And if someone looks at you wrong I will pulverize them” Tony said.
I really hope this is getting through to her. It seems crazy that it’s been a day but I do love her. She’s my flesh and blood and the need to protect and provide washed over me the minute she told me who she was.
“How can you love me? You just met me yesterday. I’m going to cramp your playboy lifestyle” Tiffany said wiping away her tears.
“Did you happen to see the last part of the letter? The part about you being made from the truest, purest love anyone could ever have. I was head over heels in love with your mother. I was a complete fool for her. I have never really admitted to anyone how deeply in love with her I was. And when she left she destroyed me. Like ripped my insides out and stepped on them. It took me two years to finally move on with my life. That’s how much I loved her when we made you. So when I saw you the first time and you told me that your mother was bringing your father to you I had this warm feeling of love and protection wash over me. I knew I loved you instantly and I felt an overwhelming need to protect you. I felt as if I was staring at your mother and then I noticed your eyes and it took me a minute to realize but those are my mother’s eyes. So loving you is a no brainer kid” Tony said staring at her.
“Did you really love my mom that much?” she asked as she stood up.
“I did. She was my first and only love. For being a child genius I was pretty stupid. Your mother could make me lose my words”Tony admitted.
“Tony you better come inside, just you” Pepper whispered suddenly appearing next to them.
“One minute ok Tiffany” he said as he followed Pepper inside.
She pointed to the news on the television.
“A Massachusetts woman named Rachel Alcott was found shot and killed in an alley in Boston Massachusetts’s. There were no witnesses and the police currently have no suspects. She was last seen leaving the Belmont hotel on Saturday evening”
Tony felt pain first and then anger wash over him. Whoever killed Rachel was going to pay for this. He just stood there staring at the television not speaking. His face was getting redder and his knuckles were getting whiter.
“Tony I’m so sorry” Pepper said taking his hand in hers.
“Go and keep her occupied until I think of what to say” he said trying to swallow down his own pain and thinking only of his daughter.
But it was too late she had already walked inside and saw the news report.
“No” she cried.
Pepper shut the television off and went over to Tiffany to console her. Tony joined them and wrapped his arms around Tiffany so she could cry on his chest. Tony shed a few years himself.
“I promise you that whoever killed your mother will pay with their life” Tony said clutching onto Tiffany with all he had.