Iron-Man: For The Love Of The Spy

Panic and Emotions

Tony was tired and sore. All he wanted to do was crawl into his bed and lay there for weeks without having anyone disturb him. However that is not what happened. He was awoken by a very frustrated Pepper Potts, "Wake the hell up TONY!" she said as she pulled his pillow out from beneath him and hit him across the head with it.

He put his hands up to block the pillow attacks, "Okay Pep I am up! Jeez I just had my ass beaten by a giant suit of armor literally two days ago! Cut me some slack!" Pepper rolled her eyes, "Yeah well I would cut you some slack, but my replacement is hear and you need to meet her before I leave."

Tony sat up like a bolt of lighting went through him, "Wait your replacement! You're leaving me!" Pepper gave him a sad smile, "No of course not, I just have a different job in Stark Industries now." Tony furrowed his eyebrows, "Since when!?" Pepper sat down on the side of Tony's bed and looked at him with a look that he knew too well. Pity. "Tony I received a letter last night saying that I was promoted to the COO of Stark Industries, I am not leaving you, if anything I am closer to you with you being CEO and all that."

Tony sighed, "But you won't be here. Pepper you're like the sister I never had. I talk to you about everything in my life and now...you're gone." Pepper could feel her heart breaking, Tony and her had went through a lot together and now she could see that Tony felt she was abandoning him. Pepper pulled him into a hug and they sat there for a few moments. "Tony, I will always be there for you, like a good sister should be. Okay?" Tony pulled away and gave her a smile, "Okay Pep."

"Get dressed then and meet us down in the kitchen, trust me you are going to love this girl," said Pepper with and excited squeak in her voice. As she left the room Tony hoisted himself out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. He studied himself in the mirror, his wounds from the fight were pretty much healed, he really needed to shave and his hair could really do with a wash.

Tony sighed and began to shave, as soon as he finished he looked himself over, "Not too bad Stark." He climbed into the shower and turned it on allowing the warm water to flow over his body and sooth his sore muscles. When he finished he stepped out and dressed himself in the most casual clothing that he had, an AC/DC t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He considered putting some product in his hair but simply shrugged and left the bathroom to go and meet whomever it is that was going to be living with him as his PA.

As he entered the kitchen he could hear Pepper and a slightly familiar voice giggling. He stood at the doorway listening to what was being said.

"I swear Natalia, Tony may look like an asshole on the media, but he really isn't," says Pepper. Tony smiled a little when she said that. Now he knew the name of his new PA. "Yeah I heard a lot of stories about him being a self centered prick, but he's Iron-Man so he couldn't be as bad as the media are portraying him to be," said Natalia in response to Pepper. "True, he's a good man. But Natalia, I swear if I find out that you are trying to take advantage of him in anyway. I will kill you," said Pepper sternly. Tony smirked and muttered under his breath, "Way to go Pep."

"I promise Miss Potts I will treat Mr Stark with the utmost respect," says Natalia. "Good," was all Pepper said and there seemed to be an uncomfortable silence afterwards, which Tony decided to break. Tony walked in and smiled at Pepper and then his eyes found Natalia and he couldn't help but smirk. This was the SHIELD agent from two days ago, just with blonde hair and glasses.

"Hey nice to meet you..." started Tony deciding to play the game. Natalia took his hand and shook it, "Natalia. Natalia Rushman." Tony gave her a smile, "Nice to meet you Natalia, I hope Pepper here has shown you the ropes?"

Natalia looked over to Pepper, "Yes she has, I have notes on everything sir." Tony smirked, "Okay Miss Rushman, what type of coffee do I like?" Natalia hesitated, "You prefer it black sir, because good coffee doesn't need anything added."