Summary: What if Pepper's mother got sick and Pepper had to leave Tony in order to take care of her? Enter Harry Potter, 25, gorgeous and mysterious as hell. Oh, he's also Tony's new assistant. AU. SLASH.

A/N: The Avengers will come in in later chapters. I'm open to suggestions to what you want to see. There will be cameo from DC characters as well Marvel characters. This happens after Tony discover a cure for his poisoning (during Iron Man II). I also changed when he finds it so he didn't have time to make Pepper CEO and hire Natasha.

The End Pairings are still up for debate.

Changes

Tony Stark was many things.

He was a billionaire; a genius; a playboy and a crappy friend (according to many people including Pepper). But what he wasn't was someone who was easily surprised. In fact, one had to be really creative to even manage to garner a reaction from Tony because he had learnt from an early age that in order to survive in this world, one had to roll with the punches. But apparently, that rule did not apply when it came to Pepper Potts.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Tony asked, mouth wide open in shock. Out of all the people he had expected to one day decide they had enough of him and pack their bags and go, Pepper was the last on that list. Over the years, he had started to depend on Pepper, saw her as an equal instead of his employee. To have all that thrown in his face was like a punch to the gut.

Pepper rolled her eyes.

"I'm not resigning you idiot," she said somewhat fondly, "My mom fell down the stairs and since I'm her only child, I'm taking some time off to take care of her."

"Oh," Tony said, suddenly feeling ridiculous. He leant back in his leather chair, hands stapled under his chain as he regarded Pepper. "Of course. Well, I wish your mother a speedy recovery."

"Thank you Tony," Pepper replied politely, eyes glinting in amusement, "I know you can't function without an assistant so I went and took the liberty of hiring a replacement."

This got Tony's attention.

"A replacement?" he choked, sitting back up straight, "Pepper! Why haven't I been informed of this?"

"Because I know you would object," Pepper said matter of factly, "His name is Harry Potter and he will be here tomorrow morning. I expect you to treat him with respect and if I ever discover you didn't, you'll have to answer to me. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," Tony mumbled, reasonably cowed under Pepper's glare. He sank back in to his seat and wondered just when Pepper had started to run his life for him.

"I just want you to be well taken care of while I'm gone," the woman continued, her tone a little bit less harsh, "Tony, you know I worry about you."

"Fine," Tony pouted, arms crossed. He knows that there's no way he'll be able to change Pepper's mind once she gets an idea in her head. "Do I get to see his file before tomorrow or will it be a surprise?"

In lieu of a verbal answer, Pepper handed over the manila folder she had brought with her and watched as Tony carefully opened it to read the content. Tony scanned the first page.

Name: Harry James Potter

Age: 25

Photo:

Here, Tony stopped to stare because Harry Potter was truly a gorgeous specimen of a man. Messy black hair, inviting smile and a pair of the most stunning emerald orbs that Tony had ever come across. He was so glad the photo was in color. Although it was too bad it was just a head shot. But, it didn't matter, he'll meet him tomorrow anyway.

Children: 1. Boy. Age 5. Name: Theodore Potter, nicknamed Teddy.

Spouse: None.

No mother in the picture, Tony noticed with glee.

Recommended by:…

Tony's eyes widened as he read through the truly spectacular list of names of recommendations Pepper had noted down; names including the Prime minister of Britain and the American President himself. For a moment, he had thought that Pepper was playing a joke on him because there's no way all this was real. Someone as well connected as this Harry seemed to be must have better opportunity then working as an assistant for Tony Stark.

"Who on earth is this guy?" he gasped, looking up at Pepper in awe.

Pepper shrugged.

"I don't know actually. He just appeared a few days ago, saying he wanted to apply for the job. I didn't expect much since he was really young but after I saw his credentials, he was a clear choice."

"I can see why," he mumbled, as he continued to read. Unfortunately, apart from the recommendations, there weren't any further information about him. No school record, no address. Just a history of past employers, some of which Tony was well-acquainted with.

"Wayne Enterprises," Tony said in recognition. He had met Bruce Wayne a few times in the past. They weren't exactly friends but ran in the same circles. "And he was personal secretary to Bruce Wayne himself. I wonder why he quit."

"Well," Pepper piped up, getting up from her seat, "You'll have to ask him yourself. I'm afraid I have to leave now. I still haven't packed and my plane leaves in 4 hours. I'm really sorry this is so last minute but you were out of contact for the past few days."

"Oh of course," Tony said quickly, looking up. "Have a good trip Pepper."

She smiled, kissed him on the cheek and was out the door in a matter of seconds.

Harry woke up warm and well-rested, his body still a little bit sore from last night's activities. It didn't bother him though; the ache would dissipate in a few hours, just in time for him to catch the plane for Malibu.

He yawned lazily, not really wanting to get out of bed when he was so comfortable. His bedmate seem to have the same idea because the arm he had snaked around Harry's waist during the night, tightened and pulled the young man even closer.

"Bruce," Harry said disapproving, even though he was feeling nothing of the sort. "I have to go. I have to get dressed before Alfred stumbled in here and has a heart attack."

"He's used to it," Bruce mumbled in to Harry's arm, "Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?"

Harry laughed a little but didn't reply. Instead, he extricated himself from the other man's grip and slid out of bed. He shivered a little as his feet came in to contact with the cold floor but he ignored the discomfort as he bent down to retrieve the cloth he had discarded half-hazardedly the previous evening in a fit of passion. With a wave of his hand, the clothing were once again pressed and clean, ready for him to wear.

"I wish I could do that," Bruce commented, having propped himself on to his elbows and looking at Harry with interest.

"But you have your superhero gig," Harry replied, smiling softly, "I think that's a nice trade-off."

He dressed quickly, first pulling on his underwear than his pants. The silk dress shirt went next, followed by his suit jacket and tie. Once everything was in place, Harry turned to look at himself in the full-body mirror conveniently situated near the closet door. He straightened his tie, passed a hand through his hair before deeming his appearance satisfactory.

"Where are you going anyway?" Bruce grumbled.

Harry Potter looked over his shoulder at the truly marvelous sight of Bruce Wayne sprawled out naked on his king-sized bed, displaying his body with no care in the world. The man was truly a sight to behold and Harry knew he was lucky to be one of the few Bruce deigned interesting enough to take to bed. It was too bad this will have to remain a one night stand.

"I'm needed in Malibu tomorrow," he replied, smiling.

"And why are you going there?" Bruce asked, eye brows raised. He stretched luxuriously and if Harry spent more than a passing glancing at his rippling muscles? Then who can blame him.

"I'll be starting my new job as Tony Stark's assistant," Harry told him.

Bruce choked.

"Oh god, you got to be kidding me."

The young man laughed a little at the billionaire's reaction before sobering.

"I'm not joking," he said softly, "Although I still don't understand why you have this thing against Mr. Stark. I thought since you are both rich and good-looking, you would get along."

Bruce made a face.

"I met Tony a couple of times," he admitted, "But the man is just so self absorbed. I can't see myself being his friend."

Harry hmmed non-committedly, gaze returning to the mirror.

"Well, I'll just have to see for myself but thank you for the warning."

Bruce groaned and leant back on to his pillows.

"You're in for a tough ride that's for sure."

TBC.