Who: Tony and Pepper When: 2003 [LATE RETRO SCENE (because we do what they want] Where: Venice, Italy, Hotel Cipriani (Remember?) What: A business trip turns into a bonding moment
Her feet hurt. That was how long she'd been standing, because Pepper had just about mastered the four inch heel thing after three years at Stark Industries, one of those spent playing babysitter to its CEO. A five day conference, courting potential business connections from around the world, including daily weapons demos of an innovative new line Stark Industries would be officially unveiling in six months, was finally reaching its end. She had talked, wrangled, assisted, noted, ordered, called, and answered questions until she was ready to drop, and now all Pepper wanted to do was sink into a bath.
Maybe after she would treat herself and go out to dinner, maybe do a little sight-seeing before they returned to New York tomorrow. It was early, and if she were honest with herself, booking a room connecting to her employers - although he'd specified the convenience - had been a terrible idea. Pepper knew what he got up to, she didn't need a court side seat to the game.
At least the tubs in the suites were enormous, and they provided all sorts of fancy soaps and bubble baths for her convenience. Pepper stayed in till long after her toes and fingers pruned, then wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and combed and dried her hair until it shone. It was the best she'd taken care of herself in years, and for a moment, she actually felt like she was on vacation.