Yes, yet another AU with these two. What can I say? It seems like writing the first one only brought me more ideas. *shrug* Unlike with your reflection inside of my eyes, I do have somewhat of a plot for this one, so let me know if you're interested in reading more.

I don't owe The Dark Knight trilogy, Iron Man or any of its characters. Enjoy and remember any comment, criticism or correction will be appreciated.

OoOoO

Chapter I: Where Bruce gets free coffee thanks to Tony's antics.

Once again this morning was turning out to be one of those slow, tedious ones Tony hated so much. It wasn't as bad as when he had first started working here, of course, but that did not help improve Tony's humor anyway.

There were only a couple of customers inside now; a woman in her early thirties rummaging into her purse in one of the tables by the door, wearing a dark blue suit jacket that matched her skirt. The attire had clearly seen better days. Surely she worked as a secretary in one of the big buildings in the area. A man in his mid fifties wearing a suit that seemed as old as himself, sitting at the table in the corner, his hands fidgeting with his cup of coffee.

It was kind of depressing, really.

Pepper was sitting by the register, flipping through a magazine absently, lifting her gaze from time to time to look out the windows of the small coffee shop. Tony was standing behind the counter, relentlessly moving the buckets of coffee beans from a shelf to the other for something to do.

"Tony." Pepper hissed softly, giving him a look.

Tony tossed her a grin, shrugging.

The tiny bell above the door chimed suddenly, making Tony sigh in relief as he turned around to greet -and maybe kiss passionately in gratitude- the new costumer. He blinked, freezing as soon as he saw who it was. By the almost collective gasp he heard, he wasn't the only one.

The tall, dark-haired man walked into the coffee shop with a graceful and confident stride. He was dressed in an expertly tailored charcoal gray pinstripe suit matched with a burgundy silk tie. From the top of his perfectly coiffed silky hair to the tip of his shiny dark shoes he looked every bit the billionaire playboy the papers and TV made him to be.

He was looking around the coffee shop as if entering a new, exotic word and Tony had no doubt that was exactly how the man felt. The billionaire's lips were curled upward, curiosity gleaming in his hazel eyes. The mere sight of the man infuriated Tony.

"Well, well, well. Looks like Gotham's very own prince have deigned to come mingle with the commoners this fine morning."

Tony heard Pepper's sharp inhale of breath and knew she was going to give him hell for this, but at the moment he couldn't make himself care. Maybe he would later. But right now, he watched Bruce Wayne turn slowly to meet his gaze, head tilted to the side.

"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed here?"

The expression on the man's face was puzzled, but Tony could almost swear there was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. The bastard.

"Of course not, Mr Wayne." Pepper said hastily as he came to stand besides Tony, an apologetic small smile on her face. "Please forgive Tony, he tends to make thoughtless remarks at the most inappropriate moments."

Wayne flickered his gaze back to Tony for a moment, before nodding slowly. "It's fine."

Tony kept glaring at the billionaire from behind his glasses, barely stopping himself from crossing his arms over his chest. There was no way in hell he was going to apologize to this asshole. Much less serve him.

"Thank you, Mr Wayne." Peeper said with an almost imperceptible shake of her voice. She obviously had picked up on Tony's attitude, even if the clueless playboy hadn't. "What can I get you?"

The playboy smiled brightly at her. "A double espresso, please."

With a nod Pepper moved back to prepare the coffee, but not before shooting Tony a deep warning gaze.

Wayne's hands were shoved inside of his pockets as he stood casually in front of the counter. There was a small frown that gave his face a more thoughtful look -which was just laughable, really- as he watched Tony, eyes tracing his face with a bit too much focus for a brainless playboy. Tony stood where he was, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything else. He could do this. For Pepper.

"I'm sorry. Do I know you from somewhere?"

He did. Of course, he did. Tony had made sure to change his appearance enough not to be recognized so easily; his hair was long enough to fall over his forehead now, he had grown a beard and put on a pair of glasses -and really, the fact such a simple disguise had worked so far was pathetic- but he knew it wouldn't have really fooled anyone who had not only seen him, but interacted with him. Which the man before him had on more than one occasion. Their parents moved in the same social circles, at least until the Waynes had been killed. Two small kids dragged to the same boring parties had of course been pushed together.

Not that any of that matter.

"Do you drive a lot around the outskirts of the Narrows?"

Wayne blinked almost comically at Tony, brow furrowed. "Not really?"

"Then I don't think we have." Tony replied plainly, shrugging.

Thankfully Pepper came back before he had been forced to bear anymore pointless small talk with the billionaire, and Tony stepped aside, more than happy to let Pepper handle the man.

"Thank you," Wayne took the cup from her hands with a smile, placing it over the counter. "How much do I own you?"

"Oh, it's nothing, Mr Wayne. Please consider it an apology for the rude welcome you received." Pepper shot Tony a pointed glare, her smile coming back as soon as she looked back at the billionaire.

Wayne looked from Pepper to Tony with an unreadable expression. "Ah, that's not really necessary, Miss...?"

"Potts. Virginia Potts."

"That's really not necessary, Miss Potts. I feel a very strong need to pay for your excellent service. And what I'm sure would be a delicious coffee."

Tony did cross his arms over his chest this time. The damn playboy was flirting with Pepper. The jerk. The only thing stopping him from pounding the man to the floor was the acknowledgment Pepper was more than capable of taking care of herself. That, and the attention hitting the Wayne heir was bound to bring.

"I insist, Mr Wayne."

Wayne looked at Pepper for a long time before nodding slowly, as if making a bit concession. "Very well. Thank you, Miss Potts." Wayne took his cup with a small nod to her, before turning to Tony. He met his gaze for a moment, nodding to him before turning around, walking out of the shop.

Tony looked after him, brow furrowed deeply. He felt as if he had just missed a big piece of the puzzle by being unable to read the meaning behind that last look. He wasn't even sure which the puzzle here was.

"What the hell were you thinking, Tony!?" Pepper demanded, effectively pulling him out of his scattered thoughts. He put on his most innocent look, smiling ruefully at her. That usually worked with her. Sometimes.

OoOoO

a/n: So, yeah. Were do I start? I should probably point out that Tony's parents are alive here and that since I messed around with Tony's past a lot, there wouldn't be Iron Man here, though Bruce is still going to be Batman.

Also, this is unbetaed so please feel free to point out any mistake.