Thaw

Twelve

"Tony?" Pepper's voice was rendered effectively inaudible as Audioslave flooded the room. After all Tony had been through, however, she knew when she wasn't alone. The back of her neck prickled and her senses heightened, but she remained stationed at her work, facing away from her guest. Pepper was the only living soul who could come and go in such an unrestricted and silent manner. She and JARVIS were a team; everyone else had to go through them to get to Tony.

The music faded as Pepper reached the sound system control panel. "Don't turn down my music," Tony called out calmly, but didn't move to turn it back up. Throwing part of her current plan into the virtual trash, she turned to look at Pepper. "Did you bring coffee?"

"Tony, we have to talk about the gala tomorrow. You -" Tony began her own sub-commentary as Pepper talked. "You know that the board members {the sun'll come up tomorrow} are all going to be there and it's really important {bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow} that you make a good impression both on them and the press, okay, because {Pep I don't see a coffee} they're not happy about being kept in the dark about your new "bodyguard" {where'd you get that necklace, is it new?} and everyone is really on edge since you announced the weapons manufacturing was being shut down, and created Iron Man, and had a mental breakdown {mental breakdown, I don't think I'd call it -} so you really - Tony - you really need {I need a burger, or a milkshake or something} some good press right now. Are you listening to me? This is really {one two three eyes on me} critical and I'm going to lose my mind if {four three two eyes on you} you don't cooperate, Toni."

"Don't call me that, don't call me Toni."

"What are you talking about? That's your name!"

"You said it with an 'I', you said 'Toni.'"

"Toni!!"

"You see, you just did it again. Toni, Toni. It's Tony, not Toni."

"YOU'RE SAYING THE SAME THING!"

"Don't get mad! Just say the right name!"

"Oh my God. I can't do this with you right now." Pepper shook her head hard, like she was trying to knock something out of it, and pressed her palms to her face. As she turned for the door, Tony tagged behind her, playing with some desk toy she had laying around. "No, don't follow me, I'm too annoyed with you. Just show up on time tomorrow, and keep your mouth shut, for God's sake. I'm going back to my office."

"Pepper! Aw, Pep, come on. Tomorrow's a day away!" She smirked as her veritable guardian climbed the stairs in a huff. Ms. Potts stopped at the landing and turned back to look at her boss wearily. 

"The press bought the 'bodyguard' cover for the most part. With the advances you're making in clean energy and sustainable technology, the board has simmered down and the stocks are improving. Captain Rogers is alive, and SHIELD hasn't conscripted you in any wars so far. But that does not mean that all is well, that this is a happy ending or that you can relax and retire. You swore to change your company, your legacy, and yourself, Tony. That's not a destination, that's a journey. And I'm in it with you, but you can't make me drag you along. You need to take things seriously, and you need to stay vigilant."

Tony winced at the reprimand and shrugged slightly, hunching against the doorframe. "I know, Pep. And I am. I just don't know how to show it." She looked up the stairs with a halfhearted smile, and the freckled angel relented slightly.

"Show up sober and in a dress. That's a start."

"Yes, ma'am."

Halloo! I've been catching up on housework since we've been in isolation, though not near as much as I want to. Trying to take a break here and there to create and rejuvenate - not very easy when my mind is an anxious bird. Hope you are staying safe and keeping sane! Xo,

FF