He poked it.

Nothing happened; he was a little disappointed. He reached over to the nearest screen, and pulled up a diagnostic check. Everything seemed to be working properly; the shrapnel was staying put and the energy output was normal. Tony breathed a sigh of relief. He'd have to figure out a way to get the battery out, but that could wait. At least the gems were safe.

"You nearly scared me to death, Tony. Be a little more careful next time." Tony didn't bother turning around, studying the gems. "Hey, Pepper. I... wow."

Wow didn't even begin to describe it. Pepper was clearly still Pepper - her voice was the same, and there was still an indescribable Pepper-ness to her face, but everything else was... wow. Her hair, previously permanently tied up in a bun, now hung short and loose around her head. Pepper had never let him see her breasts before - he'd asked, once when he was drunk and once when he was painfully sober, but no luck - but Tony didn't think they could have been more than a B cup; these were at least a D, and spilling out of the top of her far-too-small blouse. Pepper's ass had always been nice, but her new one was spectacular, and it was highlighted perfectly by her skin-tight miniskirt - as were her legs.

"Pepper, you look... wow. What happened?"

"What do you mean, Tony? I mean, not that I don't appreciate the compliment, but you saw me this morning. Are you feeling OK?"

Tony's mind raced. The Battery had gone into his chest while he was unconscious. The Infinity Gems had the power to warp reality itself, and they wanted to be used. Clearly, without his conscious mind to control him, they'd tapped into his deeper desires. He could only hope that it had only been Pepper who'd been changed, and not-

Somehow Pepper was straddling him now, and he had to admit that it was a little nice. "You look a little pale, Tony. Let me make you feel better." Oh, OK, Tony thought. That was- no. Pepper wouldn't want this, would she? But this was Pepper, and she clearly did...