Pepper's Embarrassment

Pepper stood there in front of Aaron in utter shock with her hand still over her mouth, her eyes blinking rapidly in disbelief. She was aghast... How could she forget one of the most embarrassing moments in her life. She blamed Tony for inviting her to such a lavish party then abandoning her and after buying the sexiest, curve-hugging little black dress she could find. Is it any wonder she turned to Champagne to drown her troubles? Just recalling drinking so much gave her a throbbing headache. Pepper clutched her head.

"Are you alright Ms. Potts?," Aaron asked, genuinely concerned.

Pepper stiffened then stood there frozen for several long moments before answering., "I'm not sure which is more embarrassing... The fact that I acted like a drunken slut..."

Pepper blushed profusely., "... or the fact that I didn't even remember until you brought it up just now...," Pepper took an uncertain step toward Aaron, Her eyes filled with sincere tears of regret., "... What you must think of me.," Pepper began to sob.

Without even thinking Aaron put his arms around Pepper and held her close while gently stroking her hair with his hand. Pepper may have been older than him but his chivalrous side was in full swing and he did what he would do for his Mother or any of his Sisters and tried to comfort a Woman in distress., "Shhh, Shh It's okay. I don't blame you for not remembering... It was over a year and a half ago."

Aaron patted Pepper's back., "I don't know what happened but I sensed some tension between you and Mr. Stark..."

Pepper continued to sob quietly into Aaron's chest.

"... I'm not judging. I realize that Geniuses like Tony Stark can have rather difficult personalities and it was quite obvious that you were drinking quite heavy..."

Pepper's sobbing increased.

"There's a reason why **** has been banned. Its effects can be devastating especially on those without a tolerance... Just be glad there wasn't anything stronger at the party.," Aaron continued to rub her back comfortingly.

"I'll bet that you had quite the headache the next morning.," Aaron hesitantly chuckled.

Pepper's sobbing slowly quieted down and after several moments of painful silence with Aaron wondering if he had said the wrong thing, Pepper began laughing... softly at first then with greater and greater intensity.

"Oh God... [Laughing]... I get nauseous and... [Laughing]... My head hurts just thinking about.," Aaron continued to hold Pepper as her sobbing transformed into hearty laughter then into quiet giggles.

Aaron grasped her shoulders and stepped back a half-step., "Feeling better?"

"Surprisingly Yes.," Pepper stated genuinely with a warm smile., "Thank You."

"Don't mention it.," Aaron smiled as he removed the handkerchief from his jacket pocket and offered it to Pepper., "Its not the first time I've been a shoulder to cry on."

Pepper took the handkerchief gratefully., "I must look a sight."

"No, Not at all. You're beautiful."

Pepper blushed., "Excuse Me.," Pepper turned and went back to her desk and got her purse, removing a small compact she opened it and checked herself., "Aah My makeup is Ruined!"

"It's not that bad.," Aaron assured her.

"Please wait just a few minutes and I'll take you to meet Ms. Stark.," Pepper chuckled., "I can't let The Boss see me like this."

Aaron nodded in understanding.

Pepper quickly excused herself and headed to a nearby bathroom to freshen up and reapply her makeup.

Aaron waited patiently for Pepper to return, amusing himself by working out some higher-dimensional equations he had recently taken an interest in. Roughly ten minutes later... I know surprised me to, Pepper returned looking like an entirely different person. She hadn't changed her clothes or anything but the confident expression on her beautiful face and her superbly graceful gait was night and day from not long ago.

"Feeling better.," Aaron asked brightly.

"Its strange... But I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from my shoulders. A weight I didn't even know I was carrying.," Pepper said somberly then her mood brightened and for the first time in a long time she laughed as if she didn't have a care in The World.

"Shall we start over?," Pepper said with a short but light-hearted laugh as she extended her hand.

"Alright.," Aaron took her hand and reintroduced himself., "My name is Aaron Cross and you must be the enchanting Pepper Potts I've heard so much about.," Aaron bowed and kissed her hand gently.

Aaron stood back up and Pepper fanned her face with her hand., "My, My You sure know how to make a Girl swoon."

"My Mother taught me to be a Gentleman and what's more I have a Great Admiration and Respect for Women.," Aaron said sincerely.

"Oh, Is that so?," Pepper inquired.

"If not for those brave Women who took the reigns in order to guide Humanity into it's Future... None of us might be here now to enjoy the fruits of their Labor. It couldn't have been easy. For Millennia, Men were The Hunters and Providers... They kept all The Power and Wealth for themselves, exploiting the weak and demeaning Women whose very existence made their selfishness possible in the first place."

"That's a very enlightened view of The World for one so young.," Pepper commended.

"Perhaps... But The Truth doesn't stop being True because we would prefer not to see it or acknowledge it. I may be young but I've had to overcome many obstacles... My appearance for instance..."

"What about your appearance?," Pepper asked quizzically.

"You haven't asked me why I look the way I do which is a question many people ask when I meet them for the first time."

"But this isn't our first time meeting... Now is it?"

"No it isn't but I'm sure the thought crossed your mind."

"I'd be lying if I said it hadn't but it really isn't any of my business."

"The Truth is I have a condition that affects my Pigmentation which is why I look so... Unnatural."

"That's a terrible word...," Pepper stated with sincerity., "... Besides you really don't look all that bad and it doesn't really matter what you look like... Someone somewhere will find a reason to dislike how you look."

"That's what I tell myself... But You got to admit that... I stand out."

"Its true you do but look at me... How do I look to you?," Pepper asked genuinely curious.

"Beautiful.," Aaron didn't even have to hesitate.

"Aw You're Sweet... But when I was a Little Girl People made fun of me especially the other Girls."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was the only Irish kid in my neighborhood, only one of three redheads in my entire school...," Pepper told Aaron as she gestured toward her face., "... And these freckles didn't do me any favors either."

Aaron was somber for a moment., "I've heard it said that we all have our own crosses to bear... It's just that some are heavier than others."

"Truer words were never spoken. The obstacles we face in our lives are not important... It only matters whether we overcome them or we get overcome."

"Believe me I know better than most...," Aaron stated grimly., "I'm still recovering from Cancer."

Shock was clearly painted on Pepper's face., "Really but Its So Rare! It only happens to...," Pepper's face visibly paled.

"I see you understand Ms. Potts. I am un-enhanced. My genome couldn't accommodate the genetic overlays that most Humans these days enjoy which means my path is potentially rockier than most other people's but I don't sit around and lament my misfortune. I have more than most people have a right to and I don't mean money or fine clothes...," Aaron patted the front of his suit jacket., "I mean the really important things... Namely Family. My Mother is a Rock... An Absolute Saint... And I have three Sisters that have helped me through some really tough times."

"Really three?"

"Yeah. Kimberly and Michelle are older... They spent alot of sleepless nights keeping an eye on me and making sure I was okay. Then there's Monica... She's actually the youngest of us. I have to be strong for my Family but especially for her. She looks up to me... She would come running into my room in the middle night when we were young afraid of a monster under her bed or in her closet and want me to check it out. She needed to be reassured that there was noting there... What was I supposed to tell her... I can't sis I have Cancer and I don't feel like it? No... I gritted my teeth and I got up. She was so cute hiding behind me all the way, Her tiny little hand trembling in mine as we entered her room and I searched under her bed and in her closet."

Aaron looked like he was about to cry., "I felt like I was going to die but my Sister climbed into bed with a big smile on her face and she looked at me with those big brown eyes and it made it all worth it. I kissed her on the head and stayed with her till she fell asleep. Once I was far enough away that she wouldn't hear me I crawled the rest of the way to my room and slept on the floor drenched in sweat. But the look in her eyes when her big Brother tucked her in... I wouldn't change a thing. Sure I wondered what it would be like to be healthy like other kids but I wouldn't risk any of the memories I have with my Family for anything."

"That's very admirable. May I ask what kind of Cancer it was?"

"Not at all. I don't Mind... It was a Cerebellar Pilocytic Astrocytoma."

"Isn't that?"

"Yes, It's a Brain Tumor."

"But you're fine now?," Pepper asked with concern.

"I'm still recovering but After wasting away in a bed for years... Now that I'm strong enough to get around I take every chance I can to get out or exercise or just enjoy the fresh air and warm sun."

"I can't even imagine.," Said Pepper with a shiver.

"I hope you never have to find out."

"Look at you now...," Pepper patted Aaron on the shoulder., "... The CEO of Omen must have alot of faith in your abilities to send you here to talk to Tanya. Um, Ms. Stark."

Aaron not only noticed her slip but also the not so subtle shift in her body language and the fresh blush on her cheeks but he didn't let on., "What's it like to be the right hand of one of the most Powerful Women in The Union?"

Pepper smiled knowingly., "I could ask you that... I hear Vivyan Sinclair is a real shark."

It was Aaron's turn to smile., "Ms. Sinclair is just what you would expect... In fact, I imagine that her and Ms. Stark have alot in common."

"Oh, How So?"

"Let's see... They're both beautiful Women... They're both tough, determined, strong-willed, and despite how innocent they may appear on the surface each can be utterly ruthless if they feel that its necessary. Sound about right?"

"Touché.," Replied Pepper with a smirk., "Hey you ever think about joining the big leagues and starting your own Company? You're obviously very intelligent or Omen wouldn't've hired you and Omen's boss sure as Hell wouldn't've sent you solo if you couldn't cut the mustard."

Aaron sheepishly deflected her question., "I know, I know.... It's just meeting Ms. Stark is a pretty big deal. Her Brother was... Is my idol and from everything I've heard she's just as intelligent and just as savvy. I really want to make a good impression. Ms. Sinclair is depending on me to convince a Woman who could bring Governments and Multinational Corporations to their knees without breaking a sweat to give Us the contract over what... a Dozen Tech Companies and more than thirty Military Contractors?"

"You Nervous?," Pepper asked with an amused smirk.

"Yes... Yes I am.," Aaron answered honestly.

"Well If you really want to make a good impression on Ms. Stark..."

"I do."

"Then can I offer you a piece of advice?," Pepper asked huskily.

Aaron was all ears., "Please Do."

Pepper leaned in and gave Aaron a nibble on the ear., "Well You could start by showing up with me on your arm."