I am Iron Man

Tony looked at her, puzzled, "What kind of investment? With who?" Tony never once questioned Pepper's judgment on anything business-related. She knew what she was doing. But for her to question herself like this made him a little worried. And for it to have such a hostile impact, he knew it wasn't something she thought it was.

Tony paused at the top of the shop stairs, feet on adjacent stairs, he leaned against the railing. He sighed and gave her a look, "We have an entire finance department that can handle that, don't we?" He ascended the stairs again and closed the space between them, but still kept a moderate distance. "Don't do that again, Potts. You deserve a life outside of me. Seriously." His words might have been harsh, but the expression on his face was genuine and caring. "I'm sure I could... figure things out for a few hours on my own."

"I have a life outside of work, thank you," Pepper sighed, shaking her head. She didn't need to go into details of why she cancelled her date. Honestly, she would rather be home alone enjoying a bubble bath and a glass of wine than having to go out and be with this other guy who couldn't stop talking about himself. Though, catching his glance, she offered him a soft smile back. "I know you can figure things out on your own... Tony - you're very capable. And please... don't worry about me. I'm fine."

Tony smiled and turned around, "Listen, plan something next week, for yourself, I'm giving you that work week off while I'm doing the Jericho demo." He added. "Rhodey will be there, I don't think you need to be bored on base waiting for me to wrap up the sale."

"Oh... why thank you, Mr. Stark," Pepper smiled back when she heard him. Actually... that was going to be interesting, because it was her birthday and shew never got to enjoy her birthday by herself. "I'll make sure the itinerary for your trip is finalized before you go."

Tony paused at the top of the shop stairs, feet on adjacent stairs, he leaned against the railing. He sighed and gave her a look, "We have an entire finance department that can handle that, don't we?" He ascended the stairs again and closed the space between them, but still kept a moderate distance. "Don't do that again, Potts. You deserve a life outside of me. Seriously." His words might have been harsh, but the expression on his face was genuine and caring. "I'm sure I could... figure things out for a few hours on my own."

"I have a life outside of work, thank you," Pepper sighed, shaking her head. She didn't need to go into details of why she cancelled her date. Honestly, she would rather be home alone enjoying a bubble bath and a glass of wine than having to go out and be with this other guy who couldn't stop talking about himself. Though, catching his glance, she offered him a soft smile back. "I know you can figure things out on your own... Tony - you're very capable. And please... don't worry about me. I'm fine."

Tony smiled and turned around, "Listen, plan something next week, for yourself, I'm giving you that work week off while I'm doing the Jericho demo." He added. "Rhodey will be there, I don't think you need to be bored on base waiting for me to wrap up the sale."

Tony paused at the top of the shop stairs, feet on adjacent stairs, he leaned against the railing. He sighed and gave her a look, "We have an entire finance department that can handle that, don't we?" He ascended the stairs again and closed the space between them, but still kept a moderate distance. "Don't do that again, Potts. You deserve a life outside of me. Seriously." His words might have been harsh, but the expression on his face was genuine and caring. "I'm sure I could... figure things out for a few hours on my own."

"Nothing, nevermind, go enjoy your date." He waved his hand again as he headed towards the shop stairs. "You better get going or you'll be late. You still gotta get home and get ready, don't you?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Pepper looked over at Tony when she heard him. "I mean, whatever you're talking about... it sure sounds like you care."

"I'm a lot of things, Pep. But a homewrecker isn't one of them. I care about you, there's no denying that." He dismissed casually. "I'm just saying that I care enough that I'll keep it strictly business. But I dont care about what you have going on, thats your business, I just... care... but I .... dont?"