Chapter Text
Pepper Potts is not an idiot.
She can see the way her future husband looks at the interns. The college students he stops to talk just a little longer when he doesn't need to. The way he flirts with them like he used to do with her. She's not blind.
There was a point in time where she truly loved Tony Stark. When she looked at him, and her heart filled with joy, her stomach with butterflies. That time has long since past.
Pepper Potts does not love Tony Stark, but she does have plans with him. She will marry him, and wait long enough to catch him cheating on her with some pretty young girl, get pictures and evidence, and then bleed him fucking dry.
She knows he's been cheating on her for years. There were times she considered as well, after she knew, of course, but she figured she shouldn't chance it. Her plan has been set in place years now, and she's done just about everything to make it perfect.
What she didn't account for was a fifteen year old girl with thick, bushy hair, who is now the man's personal intern. She is also the kindest girl Pepper's ever met, and she's fighting herself not to kill Tony if he lays a finger on her.
She never thought Tony was that bad. Sure, he had a propensity for cheating on her with younger women, but that's about half the male population.
Pedophiles are not half the male population.
Pepper isn't an idiot, though. She sees the way he leers at her. She sees the poor girl's anxiety around him. Around her.
In the beginning, she chalked it up to a coincidence. The girl was obviously a fan of her and Tony both, of course she'd be anxious around him! And maybe… Maybe she was misinterpreting the looks Tony gave her. Maybe the fondness was parental, not…
The thought makes her sick. If it's true, how many girls could she have saved? If it's true, is she almost as much of a monster as him?
But she doesn't know. She can't be sure. And she knows all too well that if she goes right out and ask her, the poor dear will never speak a word to her again, whether it's true or not.
She knows damn well that's what she would've done. What she did do.
Pepper Potts is not an idiot. But when it comes to Penny Parker? She's stumped.
So, she phones a friend. Just a friend, nothing more, certainly. Even if Natasha is the one she always calls. The one she always goes to. The only one who knows her Tony Plan. But she's just a friend. Definitely.
The woman picks up on the first ring.
"Pepper?"
"Natasha, are you alone right now? I… need to talk to you about Tony."
There's a sound of shuffling, some clanging, and then wind.
"I am now. Is this about his intern?"
"How did you-"
"I knew you were going to ask soon. I've seen it as well. Something doesn't sit right."
Pepper isn't sure whether to sob in relief or terror.
"She's such a sweet kid." She murmurs softly. "She's been so- So distant, lately. I mean we weren't ever close, but she just… She looks so tired. And she's here constantly, Tasha, I don't know what to do."
"I ran into her once. She was coming out of the bathroom, and she smelled like vomit."
"Christ."
"I don't know what that man has done to her, but it isn't good. You should talk to Hogan, he drives her around plenty."
"I- I will. Thank you, Tasha, you've helped a lot."
"Anything for my favorite CEO."
Pepper squeaks a bit at that, turning red as the phone clicks. That woman will be the death of her.
Not the time, not the time. She can sort her feelings out once Tony's out of the picture. Though she fears it may be sooner than expected.
Pepper sighs, dialing Happy's number. She's not sure if she wants it to be true, or if she wants it to just be her stupid mind running wild.
"Happy, you know Tony's intern, yes?"
She recieves a gruff agreement.
"Is- Does something seem off about her to you?"
"Yeah, actually. Kid used to be a total chatterbox, then one day she just shut up. Never talks anymore."
That's certainly not a good sign.
"Not to mention the bruises."
"Wait, what? Bruises?"
"Kid'll come into the car looking like hell, and they'll all be gone the next day. Gone, or different. It's never the same, though."
"I- Thank you, Happy, you've been a great help."
Bruises. Tony doesn't do bruises. Tony doesn't hit people, she would know if he did by now. He may be a cheater and an alcoholic, but he doesn't hit people.
So maybe it's not him. The girl mentioned her aunt once, but never an uncle. Maybe she doesn't mention him because he's hitting her. Maybe that's why she suddenly turned quiet, maybe- Maybe it has nothing to do with Tony at all.
She can't help the immense relief she feels at the thought. But she isn't certain. She can't be, not really. Not everything lines up.
Pepper decides the best thing to do is to pull a Tony, and do some digging.
"FRIDAY, would you pull up Penny Parker's file?"
"Of course, Ms. Potts."
She reads it in its entirety, frown growing deeper and deeper. This poor girl. Her parents killed in a plane crash, her uncle shot dead in front of her. She knows it isn't an uncle, then.
Maybe the aunt started dating someone abusive?
It's either that, or her worst nightmare. She sighs heavily, closing her laptop. It's almost 3, she'll be here soon.
Pepper rushes to the entrance, managing to "coincidentally" run into Penny as she walks in.
"Ms. Parker, it's very nice to see you again."
The girl blanches, and Jesus, Happy was right. The poor girl is covered in bruises and cuts.
"Are you okay, honey? You've got some nasty bruises there."
"I-I'm fine, Ms. Potts." She breathes. "Nothing t-to worry about."
That only makes Pepper worry more.
"You can talk to me, Penny, I promise I won't be mad. Is everything okay at home, at school?"
Penny nods, looking ready to bolt.
"Are you sure? Where did you get so many bruises, baby, I'm really worried."
"Just- Just some kids at, um, at school." She stammers, though it almost sounds like a question. Poor thing is a terrible liar. "It's- It's fine, I heal up quick, I'm r-really fine."
"You don't sound fine." Pepper murmurs sadly. "You really can talk to me, hon. Whatever you need, I'm here."
Penny just nods silently, ducking into the lab. Leaving Pepper with more questions than answers.
Penny Parker will be the death of her.
She just wants her to be okay. Even if it means changing the Tony plan. Even if it means changing every plan she's got set in place.
Pepper will make sure that girl is safe. No matter what.