A/N: After I saw Infinity War the first couple of times, there were two things I craved to see in fic: Tony and Nebula after the end of the movie, and what becomes of Pepper after her brief appearance onscreen. I found plenty of Tony and Nebula stories, but nothing about Pepper*. So I started writing one. In typical fashion, it has become much more of a Thing than I intended-this first chapter was originally the entirety of the story; now I'm starting on the fourth chapter, which might be the last? But I thought that about the third, so...
The title is shamelessly borrowed from the end credits song from Avengers.
*As of early May. I haven't checked again since I started writing this fic.
"Come back here right now! Come back . . ." Pepper could hear the hysteria in her words, veering perilously close to what Tony called her harpy voice. He would think she was overreacting, he didn't know . . .
"I'm going to-" she started before she was certain how she wanted to finish, but it didn't matter. The crackling static abruptly ceased and she was alone.
'Kill you' was how Tony would finish the sentence on her behalf, and maybe it was better that way.
Bad enough that he was headed into space, the very expanse that had haunted his nightmares for years. Bad enough that he felt it was his only choice; had there been any other way, he would have taken it. That much, she could say without hesitation.
She closed her eyes and let herself feel his hand on her shoulder and hers on his arm at the moment their world turned upside down. Despite the sudden reappearance of Bruce Banner and warnings of the end of the universe, Tony had hesitated, his grip bruising, as he was torn between the desire to live up to the promises he'd made to her and the knowledge that he was needed to help save the day. Again. She'd kissed his cheek and pushed him toward the portal.
Would she have done it if she'd known then that he was right? No, that wasn't the right question. Would he have gone if he knew he was right? Yes, a thousand times yes, because that was twice as much reason to save the world and, heaven help her, she loved him for it.
"I'm going to have your baby," she whispered uselessly into the silence. Her hand trembled around the phone, much as it had an hour and several lifetimes earlier as she clutched the third positive pregnancy test. Three tests from three different brands, purchased at three different stores, had all reached the same conclusion. Tony was right, damn him.
And now he was out of reach, possibly permanently. She allowed herself five minutes to fall apart, then dried her tears, straightened her ponytail and rose from the couch, turning off the muted television with a gesture.
"Friday, send everything you have about what happened to Rhodey. Wait, do I need to call him first?"
"No, boss, Colonel Rhodes was notified when the Off Planet Protocol was activated."
"The Off Planet Protocol?" she echoed faintly.
"A contingency plan activated when Mr. Stark left the atmosphere, boss."
There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but Tony wasn't there to humor her. "How many other contingency plans are there?"
"There are forty-six distinct scenarios accounted for, each with at least two variations depending on the personnel remaining available, boss."
"Oh, Tony," Pepper said with fond exasperation, then frowned as she finally noticed Friday's speech pattern had shifted. "I'm not your boss, don't call me that."
"The protocol dictates that I answer to you alone while Mr. Stark is unavailable, boss lady," Friday responded awkwardly after a noticeable pause.
"Then I demand you continue calling me Ms. Potts," she said firmly. "Is there anything else in the protocol that I should know about?"
Tony's forethought included a statement to be released by the company, the designation of an interim chairman of the board for Stark Industries, and permission for Pepper to manage his accounts, including a donation for cleanup and rebuilding following whatever event led to him leaving orbit. The amount of said donation was, of course, left to her discretion. There were many more provisions relating to Rhodey and the compound and even Captain America's shield, but Friday assured her that the means and timing of carrying them out were already arranged, so Pepper let Friday deal with that and focused on the parts she needed to handle.
Her first call was to Tony's head lawyer, to make sure the contingency plan was legally sound. He affirmed that he'd personally reviewed each of the many variations of all the plans, though at the time he'd thought Tony's preparation bordered on paranoia. "I only hope he'll be back to say 'I told you so'," the lawyer said with a hint of regret.
Her second call was to the interim board chair, who had already tried to reach her at the office. The conversation was brief and to the point, and ended with the decision to call an emergency board meeting in an hour to assure everyone that all was under control.
After that she called her secretary and had her walk through the urgent business that had come up, all the while sorting through her email on the large picture window display. She wasn't even supposed to be working today; she'd taken the day off under the guise of needing time for wedding preparations, though the real plan had been to spend most of the day alone with Tony. She ruthlessly suppressed that thought and the emotional tangle it evoked. If she let herself think about it, she'd be a wreck for the call with the board and that wouldn't help anything.
Falling apart could come later. It was Friday, after all, and she had an entire lonely weekend ahead of her for wallowing if she could just make it through the next few hours.
As she ended the call with her secretary, the display in front of her dimmed and the current time was superimposed over her email in foot-tall numbers, along with a single word rebuke: Lunch? Given that it was closer to three than two and they'd had breakfast before eight, it wasn't an unreasonable question. But her stomach churned at the thought of food and she shuddered.
"I know you don't do this for Tony, he wouldn't notice something that subtle," she said aloud.
"It is remarkably effective when combined with frozen inputs, Ms. Potts," Friday commented blandly. "Mr. Stark's usual reaction involves profanity."
"Of course it does," Pepper said. "How do you respond?"
The digital time display was replaced by a series of photos of different-colored smoothies. "I provide options until he selects what he finds acceptable. Would you like a smoothie, Ms. Potts?"
"I-that would be fine, thank you, but I don't know what all of these are. Pick one for me? Nothing too sweet."
"Of course, Ms. Potts." A countdown replaced the images and there was rattling and whirring in the kitchen.
Pepper used the toilet and washed her face, then meandered to the kitchen, where a full glass awaited her. As she picked it up, Friday said helpfully, "You might also want some water, Ms. Potts."
She cast a glare at the nearest camera even as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and pushed the door closed with her hip. "I never realized you were such a mother hen."
"I am . . . concerned," the AI admitted. "About the boss, and you. The directives providing for your wellbeing in Mr. Stark's absence are extensive."
Pepper considered this as she returned to the living room, absently sipping at the smoothie. "What aren't you telling me?"
The silence immediately following her question spoke volumes. "There are two items yet to be shared," Friday admitted. "Your call begins in two minutes, Ms. Potts."
"You'd better be ready to come clean when I'm done," she commanded, then felt a little silly for taking that tone with a computer.
"Yes, Ms. Potts," Friday said meekly.
The call with the board went as well as it could, and didn't last as long as it might have. Pepper felt a rush of gratitude for their confidence in her and in Tony's forethought and leadership in recent years. The company would remain strong no matter what happened to its namesake.
Which was more than she could say for herself. Her hands were trembling by the time the meeting was finished; having to discuss Tony's disappearance at length had resurfaced all of the fear and panic and loss she'd been suppressing these long hours.
"Ms. Potts," Friday ventured hesitantly when exactly one minute had passed since she'd hung up the phone.
"What?" she snapped.
"If you wish me to 'come clean', you should proceed to the back patio."
Her curiosity was enough distraction from the impending panic that she went without question. She halted in shock as soon as she stepped outside. "Friday, what is the meaning of this?" Her voice quavered on the last word.
She didn't really need to ask. The sleek armor spoke for itself, so much like Tony's but with more gold accenting the feminine curves.
"Boss planned it as a gift for your wedding," Friday replied. "He finished the design three days ago. Would you like an overview of its features, Ms. Potts?"
"Not right now," she said thickly, stepping forward to trace her fingertips over the gleaming metal. "Why were you hiding this?"
"Its use seemed . . . unwise in your condition."
She bristled at the insinuation. "You aren't saying a word to anyone about that until I say so, Friday. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Ms. Potts."
"Why are you telling me now?"
"Continued preservation of your person seems more likely with a suit of protective armor at your disposal."
She continued her slow circuit of the motionless armor, Friday's words and her observations putting together some pieces in her mind. "So it's solely protective? No weapons?"
"There are no armaments beyond the repulsors' offensive capabilities in the original design, but the functionality will adapt to needs as they arise."
"Does it- is it- are there nanothings? Like Tony's?"
"Yes, Ms. Potts."
"How am I supposed to take it anywhere?"
"It will retract if you tap the breastbone area twice."
She obediently rapped below a glowing circle that would rest at the notch of her collarbone and the suit melted away into a necklace that fell to the paving stones. Pepper picked it up carefully, marveling that a suit of armor could shrivel into a ruby and gold bauble that looked little different than the chunky statement necklaces found at trendy stores. She fastened it around her neck with shaking fingers and wiped her damp cheeks with her sleeve.
She felt stronger already and she hadn't even put the suit on yet. Her fingers stroked the necklace, learning the feel of the new jewelry she would probably never take off again. "What was the other thing you needed to tell me?"
"Boss attempted to send Spider-Man back to the surface, but he did not arrive and I lost contact with his suit AI, Ms. Potts. I believe he is lost in space with Mr. Stark."
She could feel the blood drain from her face. "Does his aunt know?"
"There was no provision for this situation in the contingency plan, Ms. Potts."
"Which means no," she said, hurrying back inside the house. "Call her, right now. I'll- I'll think of something to say."
The call was answered on the second ring. "Where the fuck is Peter? I swear to God, Stark, if you don't give me a good explanation of what happened in the next two seconds I'm going to make you wish you hadn't been born-"
"May, it's Pepper," she interjected.
The tirade from the other end of the line stopped abruptly. "He hasn't come back, has he."
"No," she whispered.
"Where's Peter?" May demanded, but all the heat had left her tone.
"He's with Tony, as far as Tony's AI knows."
"Oh my God," she said weakly.
"I know. I'm so sorry, May. Knowing Tony, they'll be back, but I don't know how long it will take."
"Oh my God," she repeated.
Pepper remained silent for a moment before venturing, "Do you want to come over? We can compare notes, keep each other company, that sort of thing."
May hesitated.
"Please," she added softly. It would be easier for both of them.
"Okay. You'll pick me up?"
"Absolutely. I'll be there soon."
She had every intention of driving there herself, but Happy was waiting for her by the car. "I figured you'd have to go somewhere eventually," he said simply.
"Thanks, Happy. The Parker place, please, and I'll fill you in on the way."
.
May was waiting when Happy pulled up to the curb. Pepper climbed out and hugged her fiercely, and May gripped her tightly in return. "They'll be back," Pepper said, uncertain whether she was trying to convince May or herself.
"Like a bad penny?" May joked hollowly, allowing Happy to take her bag and escort her to the door of the car.
May told them what she knew about what happened and Pepper filled in a few more details while Happy studied them solemnly in the rearview mirror as he drove. When they arrived, Friday greeted them, "Dinner will be delivered in ten minutes."
Pepper rolled her eyes and led May to the living room while Happy took her bag to the nearest guest room. When the food arrived, May seemed surprised. "Your computer is really creeping me out. Or do you always order Thai?"
"I've never ordered Thai," Pepper said. "Friday, why did you order this?"
"My file on the Parkers indicate a preference for Thai food, Ms. Potts. Is that incorrect?"
She looked to May for an answer. "No, that is freakishly correct," May said with some agitation. "Does he always pull shit like this?"
"I am uncertain what you are referring to, Mrs. Parker," Friday said.
"Tony fucking Stark. Does he have a file on everyone he's ever met or am I somehow special?"
"There's a certain amount of information routinely collected by his technology," Pepper said slowly. She'd become so used to Tony's tech that its occasionally intrusive nature went unnoticed and having to explain it forced her to confront its presence anew. "But yes, you are special because of your connection to Peter."
"Oh, Peter," May said mournfully even as she accepted a plate from Pepper and mechanically began to fill it.
When they'd settled in the living room with their food-because who cared about tables and possible stains on the upholstery with the day they'd had-May said abruptly, "Can I be totally honest with you?"
"Please."
"Right now I'm cursing the day that Tony Stark walked into my apartment looking for Peter." Her voice faltered and she looked down at her plate rather than toward Pepper. "But at the same time, if Peter is in space like you think, there's no one else I'd rather have at his side and I don't know what to do with that."
"Tony will do whatever he can to protect him," Pepper said. It was the only thing she felt she could say, though she couldn't bring herself to finish the thought: even if it means his own life.
May looked up and studied her face. "I know," she said, nodding. "That's the only reason I have hope I'll see him again." Then she laughed as she stabbed a cube of chicken with her fork. "He's going to have so much to tell me about, he won't shut up for days."
"I wonder what they'll see," Pepper mused, remembering Tony's first foray into space and his terror of what he saw there. She sincerely hoped Peter wouldn't be so traumatized.
They ate in silence for a while. "Can I ask questions about your wedding or would that be too much right now?" May asked abruptly.
"You can ask, and if it's too much I'll say so," she said guardedly.
"Oh, good, I could use some girl talk," May said with a grin. "Most important, is it true that you've already picked out your dress?"
Pepper relaxed; this was safe ground. "I have, you want to see a picture?"
May definitely wanted to see a picture, and they easily settled into chatter about the dress, the day, and all the details that inevitably came up during wedding planning. It was like talking to her girlfriends, back when they kept in touch. May even had some sage advice from her own wedding day, which led Pepper to ask about Ben for the first time-she'd wondered, but never thought it right to bring up-and they had a good, long conversation.
After a while Happy quietly got up from his chair in the corner where he'd kept an eye on both them and the door and began to clean up. May kept talking as if she didn't notice his presence, but when he left the room, she leaned forward and whispered, "Was the driver really just picking up after us?"
Pepper laughed. "He's actually my head of security. He finds doing the dishes relaxing, maybe because it's one of the few things Tony never claims he can do better."
"I just never thought I'd see a man voluntarily clean anything."
They chatted well into the night and went to sleep at opposite ends of the giant couch as if it was a high school sleepover. Pepper woke periodically, disturbed by lights filtering into the window but not bothered enough to get up and do something about it. Eventually she remembered Friday and mumbled a comment about the light, which immediately vanished. Being in charge of Friday was going to take some getting used to; Tony normally took care of bossing around his AI.
Then she descended into a dream in which she was very pregnant, going into labor, and though she wandered the mansion, the tower, the Malibu house, she could not find a single person. She stumbled through endless rooms, crying out in pain, but no one came to help. She was alone.
Pepper woke with a start, her heart racing, her stomach churning and queasy with remembered anxiety. She slid off the couch, careful not to wake May, and padded to the master bathroom. After a moment's indecision, she undressed and started the shower.
The water was almost scalding, but she couldn't shake a lingering chill. Part of her kept expecting Tony to slip in, wrap his arms around her, and kiss her neck; she could almost feel the ghost of his touch across her back. She closed her eyes and let the tears come.
Her skin was beyond wrinkled when she finally shut off the water and toweled off, wandering into the walk-in closet without thinking about it and stopping short at the sight of Tony's shirts hanging neatly beside hers. Pepper took a deep breath and ignored them long enough to pull on clean undergarments and jeans, suddenly realizing that she'd have to completely overhaul her wardrobe in a few months' time. She still had a few months, right? She'd have to demand a clear timeline of what to expect when she saw her doctor on Tuesday.
She found herself drawn to Tony's t-shirts and pulled on one of his favorites, worn soft and smelling vaguely of him despite being recently washed. It was enough to get the tears going again, and she couldn't stop even when there was a soft knock. "Pepper?"
She moved to the doorway of the closet to look toward the open bedroom door. "Happy," she replied, rubbing at the wetness on her cheeks as she took a few slow steps in his direction.
"May didn't know where you'd gone," he said by way of explanation for his presence. He hesitated just a moment, then stepped into the room, digging into his pocket and pulling out a handkerchief, which he offered to her. "Are you all right?"
As she took the handkerchief, she noticed that his hand suddenly looked strange. "Happy?" she said in bewilderment, then watched with horror as he dissolved into dust before her eyes. "Happy!" she wailed, falling to her knees to touch the fine powder with trembling fingers.
A sudden memory of her dream drove her back to her feet and out of the room. "May? May! Where are you?" she called with increasing desperation.
"No need to shout, I'm right here," May said, emerging from the kitchen with a cup of coffee, which she set down as soon as she saw Pepper. "What's going on?" she demanded, taking Pepper's cold hands in her warm ones.
"Happy..." she said, her voice catching. "Happy just- he's- oh my god, Friday, what happened to Happy?"
"Mr. Hogan disintegrated in the master bedroom, cause unknown. Such incidents are occurring worldwide, Ms. Potts. Approximately one quarter of the world's population has disappeared so far."
"So far?" May repeated in disbelief. "It keeps happening?"
Pepper clutched May's hands, terrified she would be next. "Is Rhodey still... with us?"
"Unknown, Ms. Potts. I am unable to scan the country of Wakanda."
"Wakanda? There was another one of those ships over Wakanda overnight. It was on the news," May said breathlessly. "It has to be related, don't you think?"
Pepper ignored her. "Use whatever back door Tony programmed in his suit to find out if the suit is occupied," she demanded.
There was a moment's delay, then Friday said, "The suit is occupied and operational. Shall I- Ms. Potts, an incoming commercial airliner from London just lost its second pilot." The unspoken invitation was in her tone and in the silence following the grave pronouncement. Such a flight would have hundreds aboard, even with the disappearances, and the death toll wherever it crashed would be at least hundreds more.
May looked puzzled and started to speak, but Pepper was already pulling away from her, heading for the front door. "May, use my phone, start checking on everyone you know. Friday, I'm going to need that crash course."
The suit slid over her, smooth as silk. Pepper took a deep breath as she assumed the stance she'd seen Tony use for takeoff. She looked to the sky and the suit display burst into life, Friday's voice guiding her through what she saw as she began to fly.
I know what I have to do, and I know in my heart that it's right, Tony's long ago words echoed in her mind, and for now, that was the only thing that mattered. Everything else could wait.
A/N: Yes, Pepper's suit is the Rescue suit from the comics (with a few modifications).
Originally, I thought about having May disappear, but the "She's not alone" line from the movie and an interview with the directors saying that May survived made me change my mind. I'm glad I did.