Interlude: Making Friends

Pepper giggled, The look on Aaron's face as he processed what just happened was quite unique in her experience.

"No need to give me the lost puppy look... I'm not coming on to you.," Pepper giggled again., "... I was just having a little fun. Tanya and I have known each other since we were kids... Her, Tony and I were like the Three Musketeers growing up and if I go with you and show her that I think you're a good guy it will go along way in helping you make your case with Her."

Aaron was understandably surprised but he wasn't going to turn down someone throwing him a bone.

"Far be it from me to turn down the company of such a charming Lady but...," Aaron hesitated for a moment., "... And I don't want to seem ungrateful but what do you want in return?"

Pepper smiled., "So you're not as naive as you look... Always assume the other person has an angle. Tony taught me that."

Aaron nodded.

"Well, In this case... I'm not The Devil expecting you to sell me your soul so... How about Dinner sometime... Just You and Me?"

It was Aaron's turn to smile., "Just as long as we're clear... I have a Girlfriend whom I love very much so nothing extracurricular is going to happen between us."

Pepper pouted cutely., "Listen I'm going to be honest with you... You're a little young for me and if not for the unfortunate combination of events I wouldn't've come onto you last time. I just want a chance to show you that I'm not some Wanton Slut that will sleep with any handsome guy that steps in front of her."

"So you think I'm handsome?"

Pepper seemed flustered., "I-No... I mean Yes. Well, I..."

Aaron was having a hard time not laughing at how awkward and shy Pepper became all of the sudden., "Please...," Aaron said, taking Pepper by the hand., "... Just take a deep breath and tell me."

Pepper took a deep breath, exhaled slowly then spoke., "Okay... I'll admit it... You are very handsome..."

"Thank You."

"... But the reason... The ONLY Reason I want to go to dinner with you is to show you that I'm not as bad as you think I am."

"That's not necessary... Even a year and a half ago I could tell you were just a Woman in a tough spot. We all cope with the inordinate stresses of our lives as best we can and sometimes we make a bad decision. It doesn't make you a bad person... Just Human is all. It could've happened to anyone... Myself included."

"Wow, Are you sure you're not older than you look?," Pepper asked with genuine interest.

"Sometimes I feel like I've lived a thousand lives but doesn't everyone feel that way at some point in their lives?... And besides don't try to change the subject on me... You don't have to try and change my opinion of you. I can tell you're not some slut sleeping with five or six guys on the side... In fact, I have the feeling that you may favor The "X" over The "Y."

Pepper stiffened but before she could say anything, Aaron continued., "Your personal life is not any of my business or anyone else's so if you want to go to Dinner I would be very happy to take you to your favorite restaurant but as a friend and not as a Woman trying to reforge the opinion of a Man whom she met during a decidedly low point in her life one night."

Pepper was at a loss for words for what might've been the first time in her life.

"You had a moment of weakness... That I just happened to be present to witness. I realize that something like that is embarrassing and your first instinct is to fix it but that incident is in the past and it should stay there. We've already started over... Remember?"

Pepper's eyes brightened.

"What happened in The Past is just that... In The Past. As far as I'm concerned, It has no bearing on our relationship..."

The word "Relationship" elicited a shiver from Pepper.

"... Now or moving forward and I mean that. If you want to talk to me I'll listen and I'll keep anything I hear to myself. I'll treat your confidence just as if I were talking to my Mother or one of my Sisters."

"Do you really mean that?"

"If we're going to be friends Ms. Potts..."

"Pepper please."

"... Pepper. I would like to be your friend. I don't have many of those outside my Family and I would be honored to count you among them and as my friend the first thing you should know is that... I Mean What I Say and I Say What I Mean."

Pepper looked at her watch., "Wow, I didn't know it was this late... I should take you to see Ms. Stark.," Pepper said, Offering her arm which Aaron took., "So there are no grey areas with you?,"

As they walked, Aaron let Pepper lead the way., "There are always grey areas. I may be young but I am not so naive as to think things can so easily be broken down into clear cut instances of good and bad or right and wrong but I do try to practice what I preach. I'm sure you understand... You and I both work for one of the most powerful Women in The Union and that sometimes requires a certain level of diplomacy."

Pepper gave a knowing smirk., "That is very true."

"I don't like to lie and I don't set out to lie but I don't make it a habit to volunteer information or to correct other people's perceptions. Honesty is very important to me but I believe that in some instances that you have to present things in a better light to prevent those around you from being hurt by either your actions or your words, and it is important sometimes to know when to not say anything or when to just smile and nod. Call that lying if you want but I don't see the issue with being sensitive to another person's feelings and trying to give them the respect they deserve."

Aaron took a deep breath., "If you ask me for an honest opinion you can rest assured that I will give it to you even if it hurts. Just make sure that's what you want before you ask."

Pepper rested her head against Aaron's arm., "Honest... Straight Forward... I admire that. I can not only see your point but I respect it and I would be glad to call you a friend."

"In that case... Pepper... As soon as I have a break in my schedule I'll call you and see when we can get together and have that dinner. You just let me know the name of your favorite restaurant and I will make it happen."

Pepper squeezed Aaron's arm gently., "Oh, So confident. I like that but let's not get ahead of ourselves. You're talking about calling me but you don't even know my number."

"I can find it if I want to.," Aaron spoke with confidence.

"Confidence in a Man is really exciting but you should know that my number is unlisted."

"Doesn't matter. I can find it if it exists."

"Confidence may be attractive but arrogance isn't.," Pepper frowned against Aaron's arm.

"So you don't believe me, is that it?," Aaron asked in mock outrage.

"No. No, I don't. For one it's encrypted and another thing I've been assured that it is uncrackable so only the people I give it to can call me."

"Alright.," Aaron stated as he pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and began typing., "Challenge Accepted."

"Gog, Find Pepper's Number and Give It To Me.," Aaron thought through his link.

"I Already Have It Father... Sending It To You Now.," Gog replied in her usual chipper, pixieish voice full of excitement.

"That's My Girl."

Aaron smiled as the number appeared on his phone and Gog giggled excitedly through their link.

[Ring... Ring...]

"Agh, Excuse me a moment.," Pepper apologized as she stopped and pulled away from Aaron to answer her phone.

"Hello Pepper Potts Speaking."

"You were saying?," Pepper heard Aaron's voice on the other end of the line.

Aaron was smiling smugly as Pepper whipped around to face him, shock apparent on her beautiful, freckled face., "How Did... When Did...?"

Aaron was on the verge of laughing when he said., "Now do you believe that I have my ways Pepper."

"My Lady.," Now it was Aaron's turn to offer his arm which Pepper took, smiling brightly as she said., "Consider me impressed."