Knowing Tony Stark was your soulmate was one thing. Acting on that knowledge was something else entirely. You couldn't just put your life on hold to run off to New York. At least that's what you told yourself. And you'd repeat it every time you watched his latest exploits on TV. Or when you looked him up on the internet. Or saw his face splashed across the latest gossip rags.

Scars came and went as you watched your soulmate from afar, but the one on your chest remained. It made you curious as to what the exact nature of his injury was. Typically, soulmate scars faded as the original wound healed, but this one still looked as ragged and raw as always.

Months passed while you watched your soulmate from afar. Even if you somehow managed to get through to him, would he even want to meet you? It seemed as though he had everything a man could want. What could he possibly need with you?

But then the attack on New York happened. Whole sections of the city were destroyed. Stark Industries was taking over the clean-up and rehabilitation of the most heavily damaged portions of the city. You and your parents were watching a news special about the attack and the aftermath. Your full attention was on the program, waiting for any mention of Tony. Suddenly the screen went black.

You turned to your mom in surprise. "What are you doing? Why did you turn that off?"

"It's time," was her answer, as if that was supposed to make sense to you.

You arched a brow and glanced from her to your father. His brows were drawn together in concern. "I'm still not certain this is the best idea."

"Stop. We've discussed this."

You were completely lost and it didn't get any better when your mom handed you a plane ticket. New York City. One way. "I don't understand."

Your mother reached over and laid her hand on your leg. "It's time for you to go to him. Stop thinking of the worst that could happen and take a chance."

"But..." You hadn't even hinted to either of them that you knew who your soulmate was. "How did you know?"

"We can match up scars just the same as you. We're not as oblivious to some things as you think." Your father's voice held that gruff tone he used when he was giving you a hard time.

"We were giving you time. And then there was all this chaos, but now I'm giving you a push." Your mother's tone was firm but not unkind.

"What if he doesn't want me?" It was the first time you'd voiced the thought out loud.

"Then he's a damn fool," your dad responded with no hesitation. "Now you better go home and pack. Flight leaves tomorrow."

***

You spent your first two days in New York sightseeing and calling every number you could find for Tony Stark and Stark Industries. After being passed from person to person, it became evident you wouldn't be allowed to speak to him unless you were already on some pre-approved list. Never imagining you would ever be this close to your soulmate, you weren't about to leave until you were certain you had tried everything you could to reach him.

So, your third day in town was spent being pampered. The full spa treatment and some new clothes. It wasn't about trying to impress anyone. Rather, you just knew you would need all the confidence you could get to pull off what you planned to do next.

The next morning you got yourself ready and took a taxi to Stark tower. You were careful not to arrive too early as you were more than aware of Tony's reputation. Ten o'clock on the dot you walked through the doors of the tower, doing everything in your power to appear as though you belonged there. Forcing yourself to keep your eyes on the front desk rather than taking in everything around you was more difficult than you thought it would be.

"Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Stark," you announced as if it was something you said every day.

The woman at the desk smiled at you before turning her attention back to her computer. "Of course, he's expecting you."

Your eyebrows shot up and your heart began to race. "He is?"

She glanced at you. "You are here for the interview, correct?"

"Of course," you covered quickly. "I'm just a little nervous."

"You'll be fine, dear." She pointed to a set of doors. "Elevator's just there. Announce that you're here to see Mr. Stark and you'll be taken to the appropriate floor."

You took the visitor's badge she presented to you and gave a nod of thanks before hurrying onto the elevator. A glance at the badge showed the name Sara Smith. Well, you would happily be Sara Smith for a bit if it got you in to see Tony.

When the elevator arrived at the correct floor, you stepped out into an empty room. Your gaze darted around taking in everything. This appeared to be private living quarters, not an office space. "Hello?" you called out.

The now familiar face of Tony Stark peered out from a doorway just down the hall. He looked you over from head to toe and the corner of his mouth quirked up. "You're Ms. Smith?"

"Why is that amusing?" You were impressed you could even get the words out now that you were this close to him.

He stepped fully out of the room and walked toward you as he waved a hand through the air in dismissal. "I'm just surprised Pepper let you get this far in the process is all."

"Actually, I'm—"

He held up a hand to cut you off. "Let's just get to it, shall we? What makes you qualified to be my assistant? And don't regurgitate whatever Pepper told you to tell me. Give me an honest answer."

"Your assistant?" you echoed.

"Okay, the assistant around here. But mostly mine." He gave you a full smile then and you forced yourself to take a deep breath past the tightness in your chest.

"Mr. Stark, I'm not—"

Again, he cut you off. "Don't tell me you're not an assistant. That would mean you lied on your resume and that's not possible. Pepper always vets potential employees."

"Well, I am an assistant. Technically." You weren't certain whether to be amused or frustrated with him.

"Now, that's interesting wording. Technically?"

You crossed your arms over your chest. "I have a pre-law degree. I've been working as a paralegal and assistant in my father's law firm."

He tilted his head, his gaze sharpening as he took you in. "Why stop at pre-law? Why not go all the way?"

You shrugged. "I like the research side of things more than the arguing side. Though I'm not sure my father would agree with that statement."

"So, you're argumentative?"

"If I believe in something strongly enough, sure."

"And the only job you've had is working for your father?"

"Well, I don't really consider my summers carhopping as relevant experience."

His eyebrows shot up with that. "It might be. What was your uniform like? Did you have to wear skates?"

Your lips twitched. "I fail to see how any of that is relevant."

He took a step toward you. "Just trying to get an accurate picture in my mind is all."

The two of you stood just a few feet apart, gazes locked as you tried to figure one another out.

"Finger me," he said, breaking the tension between the two of you.

You coughed. "Excuse me?"

He held up his phone as he attempted to give you a look of innocence. "Index finger here please?"

You placed your finger on the square on his screen, pulling away when it beeped. "You need to work on that."

"Hmm?" he said when he glanced up from whatever he was reading on his phone.

"The innocent thing. I'm not buying it."

He grinned, sent a text, and then put his phone in his pocket. "I'll read the rest of that later. Follow me."

"There's something I need to tell you," you said as the two of you stepped into the elevator.

"Nope. Tell me later." He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet as the elevator moved to another floor.

"You're very aggravating, you know that?"

"Yep."

When the elevator door opened, the two of you were met with the glowering face of Pepper Potts. You immediately shifted into a more professional stance and cleared your throat. She gave you a forced smile before turning her attention fully back on Tony.

She held up her phone. "What is this, Tony? You can't have possibly hired someone already. And who is she?"

He looked surprised though you didn't buy it for a moment. He was enjoying this. "I thought that would be obvious. She's my new assistant."

"I am?"

"No, you're not," Pepper answered, and not politely.

Now you were tempted to be his assistant just to piss her off.

Tony strode down the hallway, the two of you trailing behind. "Yes, she is," he said to Pepper. He opened the door to a surprisingly neat office and started to flip through a folder on his desk.

"You don't even know who she is, Tony. This is not one of the candidates I approved of."

Your face heated. You had intended to tell him. Had tried in fact, but he kept stopping you. Now he was going to think you were a liar.

He glanced at you briefly before turning his gaze to Pepper and stating your name. Your real name. "Majored in pre-law. Has worked as a paralegal and assistant to her father's firm since graduation. Part of her duties included press releases. No record. No spouse. No children. Not even a pet. JARVIS is still digging, but that's the gist of it. I'd say she's pretty damned perfect."

Your elation at being called perfect by your soulmate was dampened by the sheer surprise you felt. You suppose you shouldn't be that shocked. This was Tony Stark and you'd guessed he was running your print when he asked you to touch his phone. But still.

Pepper's expression as she turned to you told you she was just as shocked as you were, though she was quick to hide it behind a mask of indifference. "What he means to say is that you will be expected to on call and prepared to respond to the team's needs at any time."

"That's...unusual." That didn't quite cover it but you couldn't think of a better word at the moment.

Tony gave Pepper a pointed look before handing you a piece of paper. "There is a more formal contract and non-disclosure that need to be signed, but that is the outline of salary and benefits."

The amount of numbers in the salary alone was enough to have you sucking in a breath in surprise. Your eyes widened with every benefit you read.

"I assume you haven't made living arrangements yet?"

You shook your head without looking up at him.

"We'll add that to the contract as well then. You can use one of the apartments in the tower."

You glanced up in surprise as his words shook you from your trance. This isn't what you were here for. That was when you realized Pepper had moved around the desk and was pressed into Tony's side, arm around his waist. Oh. The press had put them together for years, but it had proven to be rumor every time. Apparently not anymore.

"Well, what do you say?" Tony asked when you were quiet for too long.

You wanted to say no. To run back to California with your tail between your legs, but you knew you'd regret if forever if you did. Instead, you cleared your throat and forced a smile. "I'd say you have a new assistant."