Something new because no one likes the still to be finished stuff :( I'm saying its a sequel to The Aftermath cause it technically is or the whole 'Tony and Pepper are together' thing may confuse a few people. *Gasp* Spoiler! Nah not really.

SPOILERS: Tiny spoilers if you havent seen 'Tales of Suspence Part 2' potentially more to come in following chapters. I'm only updating if people like it though, if you dont, I'm not gonna bother.

(...)

Seeing Tony Stark with Pepper Potts was nothing new. Seeing Tony Stark holding hands with Pepper Potts caused the longest silence the Tomorrow Academy had ever endured.

"Everyone's staring at us."

"We are holding hands Tony."

"Have you seen the looks? You'd think we were doing something illegal. Oh no." The bleach blonde head of Whitney Stane parted the sea of students cluttering the hallway. Aware of the abuse to come, Pepper went to let go of Tony's hand, only to feel shocked when his grip tightened.

"Hi Tony." Her smile faltured. "Potts. So Tony, are you doing anything later?" Pepper began to silently fume. Is she seriously that stupid?

"I'm actually going to see a movie with Pepper. I'm pretty sure Rhodey's free though." Whitney gave Pepper an evil look which they both ignored. "I'll see you next period." There was a fraction of uncertainty before throwing caution to the wind (people were staring anyway) and shared a quick kiss before parting, leaving Whitney and the crowd to pick their jaws up from the floor.

(...)

"Will you stop calling her that? Pepper isnt my groupie and neither is Rhodey."

"She follows you everywhere. Its not only me saying it."

"Pepper is my...girlfriend."

"You dont sound too sure about that."

"I'm still getting used to it. Whitney, if you cant be happy for me...I dont think we should be friends."

"You're choosing her over me?"

"You arent giving me much choice here. I want to be with Pepper, Whitney, is that so hard to understand?"

"We've been friends for years-"

"Which is why you, of all people, should be supporting me on this, not backing me into a corner. If you dont mind, I'm late for social studies."

Rhodey and Pepper silently rounded the corner as Whitney used her kickboxing to throw Tony against the lockers, planting her mouth to his.

"We interrupting something?" Rhodey perked up. She pulled away angrily, Tony pushing her away while she was distracted. The three of them rushed to class.

(...)

"Pepper, can we talk? You havent said a word..."

"I'm not mad at you Tony, for what happened. I heard what you said to Whitney, before it happened and as much I dont like her, I dont want you to have to choose between us."

"And I dont you to have to put up with her insults. If Whitney were really my friend, she'd tried to be your friend too."

"Dont anything you'll regret later." He bent down slightly, planting a few kisses on her lips and smiled at her. "Wow."

"I know. Come on, Rhodey needs debate history with the history teacher again."

(...)

"ENOUGH! I do not have TIME for this." The cowering man was thrown to the ground like a rag doll.

"I have told you everything Mandarin. I dont anything else about the Makluan rings."

"Then you have outlived your usefulness."

"Please! At least let me see my son's grave. I just want to say goodbye." The Mandarin contemplated for a moment.

"Clearly I saved the wrong Stark. He have proved far more useful."

"He survived?"

"You will find me the next ring or he will join your wife."