InsaneJournal

Who: Tony and Pepper.
What: The ever important First Meeting.
When: February 10.
Where: Stark Industries.
Rating/Warnings: Low/None.
Status: Complete.



There are people who, when moving across the country, take a few days to themselves before going to their new job. Those people are not Pepper Potts. Her flight got her into Orange County in the morning, then she went to her new place to give it a quick once over and freshen up. After that it was off to Stark Industries. It was important to get a feel for the unfamiliar branch, and also to finally meet the (in)famous Tony Stark. Funny how they’ve worked for the same company all this time and hadn’t ever officially crossed paths.

Arriving a touch earlier than punctual, Pepper took the opportunity to get to know the staff at reception at the main entrance. After all, she’d be seeing them every day, and it was important for her to get to know everyone.

Tony got the email from Jarvis in the morning. Something about a new assistant who was pretty much more than an assistant? Tony wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but he was willing to try anything--it was Jarvis, after all. There were only a couple of people in the world that Tony trusted more than Jarvis. (Okay, there weren’t any. Tony didn’t even trust himself more than Jarvis.)

He was in his office, munching on Girl Scout Cookies and staring at his computer. New blueprints needed his approval, and he was making several notes for his engineers. The door opening didn’t even catch his attention.

When she was shown to his office, Pepper had knocked politely at first before stepping inside. And. Well. First impressions were everything, weren’t there? Tony Stark did not disappoint. In fact, Pepper thought she would have been disappointed if she’d found him any other way. Her eyebrows went up and her lips pursed into something akin to amusement.

“Mr Stark,” she said, voice soft but authoritative, “it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Tony’s eyes moved first at the sound of his name. Then, at the sight of the woman standing in the doorway, he turned his whole head. So, this must be Pepper Potts. Tony wasn’t surprised by her appearance. She was beautiful, put together, stylish, groomed… all the things he knew she would be. His fingers stilled on the keys, and he slowly leaned back in his chair.

“You must be Pepper Potts.” He said, then pushed his chair back so he could stand. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Her smile only grew a bit. She could already tell that this was going to be an interesting endeavour, but for all Tony’s reputation said, she knew he wasn’t terrible. Eccentric, yes, but not terrible. When he stood, Pepper walked over to the desk to extend her hand to him.

“I hope I’m not interrupting something too important. I can reschedule this meeting for later this afternoon.”

Tony would have said he was a little terrible. But Pepper was right, he sure was eccentric. Brilliant, easy-going, excitable, random… all good words to describe him. A flirt? Maybe. The best CEO ever? Definitely not. But Tony was a good guy. He was one of the best, actually. Just ask him.

“No no, not at all.” Tony reached forward and shook her hand. “Please, have a seat.” He motioned to the chair opposite his, and then sat after she did. “Welcome to Orange County’s Stark Tower.”

By that point, Pepper had sized him up. She wasn’t so closed-minded to assume he wouldn’t surprise her - that was, as she understood, Tony Stark’s thing - but she had a good idea already of what to be watchful for. Once she sat down, she put her papers on the desk.

“I’m very, very excited to be here,” she said, in all sincerity. “It’s good to move around. And there are worse places to go than California.”

Tony took a seat and cleared her some more space on his desk. It wasn’t cluttered, but there were things on it that she could move aside to make room. She was pretty. He found it only slightly distracting.

“It’s definitely good to have you here. I’m sure your presence will be felt through the whole tower.” He leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Are you settling in all right?”

“One can only hope, Mr Stark,” was Pepper’s reply, complete with a bemused purse of her lips. “I suppose. For the whole -” she paused, checking the time, “- three hours I’ve been in Orange County. I don’t believe in wasting time.” Efficiency was top priority in any company, particularly massive ones like Stark Industries. “Is there anything in particular you’d like from me during my time here?”


“Only three hours?” Tony asked, unable to suppress his amusement of the woman sitting across from him. “Apparently not. I’d suggest you take a day or two to get settled before coming in, but that would fall on deaf ears, wouldn’t it?” He leaned forward a little, bringing his elbows to rest on his desk. “Anything in particular? Not that I can think of. You come highly recommended by the folks in the East Coast branch, so… work your magic.”

“You’re a fast learner, I see.” But she wouldn’t completely ignore the suggestion. Pepper would probably only clock a few hours for the next couple of days, but she’d certainly be around. She was, after all, supposed to be completely at Tony’s disposal. “I think we’ll get along just fine.”

Tony smirked softly. He couldn’t imagine them not getting along. Especially after his Dreams. He was trying his best not to think of things that way, but he was probably looking at her with slightly hungry eyes. “I think so, too.”