Fall Slowly

Road to Recovery

Two months later

Being away from the club and Charming has been so relaxing. The road to recovery has been going well, I was still staying with Tony, but we went back to his Malibu house. This house is a high tech wonderland, when he showed me his lab it was like a place from my dreams. Pepper also helped me find a therapist, which I can honestly say has been an extremely rewarding experience I've never got this deep into my life and moments I thought was normal I learned they were not. I started journaling that helped with processing my thoughts and feelings, I still had a few moments where I got a little jumpy but physically and mentally, I was feeling a lot better

"Get up we're going on a field trip." Tony said walking into the room I was staying in

"Um excuse you, how about knocking next time. I could've been naked."

"Oh but my birthday is not for a few months." He said with a smirk I rolled my eyes

"What do you want?" I asked

"I just said we're going on a field trip, come on." He said taking my hand pulling me onto my feet

"Where is this field trip to?" I asked as we walked out of my room

"Just to the gym." He said

"So, the big field trip is to the other side of the house?"

"Hey, don't be ungrateful it's a very nice gym."

"I know I've already worked out in there today."

"Just come on." He said

We walked into the gym and there was an older guy standing there, I looked at Tony

"Gianna this I world renowned Jiu jitsu master Carlos Gracie."

"Carlos this is your new student Gianna Teller."

"I'm sorry, his new what?' I asked looking at Tony

"Surprises." He said and I looked at Carlos

"Could you excuse us for a second?" I asked then I grabbed Tony and pulled him into the hall

"What the hell is this? Have you lost your mind?!" I snapped

"What? I thought this would be fun, you get to let off some stress and kick some ass."

"I'm not a fighter Tony, that's not me."

"I know but listen I talked to Dr. Preston and she thinks it would be a good idea."

"You talked to my therapist?" I asked raising an eyebrow

"No, no, no not like that I just asked her what could I do to help you in your recovery." He said and I felt my heart melt

"She said this might help release some tension and help you feel more secure knowing you can defend yourself. If you want you can just learn the basics you can but I've paid him for a month of sessions just so you can try it out, and if you like it I'll keep paying if not at least you tried it." He said and I just hugged him, he froze for a second then he hugged me back

"Thank you." I said and he nodded with a smile

"Your welcome." He said

"Are you going to come kick some ass with me?"

"No I have to work," He said and I frowned, he signed then looked at his watch

"Ok I have a little time."

"Yay." I said taking his hand and we walked back into the gym...

"You know you really hurt my shoulder." Tony said rubbing the area as we walked into the kitchen

Our lesson with Carlos was great, Tony was upset because I got the best of him

"Oh don't be such a baby, I didn't flip you that hard."

"I let that happen."

"Hmm sure." I said looking in the fridge for something to cook for dinner

"But I have something else I wanted to talk to you about." He said and I looked at him

"So I know you've been chomping at the bit, and I have a job for you." He said and I smiled

"Well you know Pepper and Happy are getting married next month, so I need a new assistant someone I trust and it's been proven that we work well together so...."

"You want me to be your assistant?" I said feeling kind of down that was the position he was offering

"Is that ok?"

"Of course Tony, after everything you've done for me it's the very least I can do." I said and he smiled and sat at the counter as I pulled some steaks out of the freezer then I looked at him

"You know you don't have to stay here babysitting me."

"What are you talking about?"

"You've hardly went out since I've been here, are you going through a dry spell?"

"I'm Tony Stark never."

"Well go out I'll be fine spending a night by myself."

"Are you sure? Why don't you come out with me."

"No I'm good but don't let me hold you back I know the playmate of the month is probably looking for you."

"No, no it's Maxim's Ms. April." He said holding up his phone as he walked out the kitchen I forced a smile and ignored the tightness in my chest as I thought about him with another women