He swallows.
Each ring causing a growing dread to fill his gut.
'Pick up, please pick up.'
There was almost no way he would survive this.
He just wanted to say goodbye.
Hear her voice.
For her to be the last thing he heard.
He closed his eyes as her voicemail came on.
He licked his lips and let out a quiet sigh.
The call disconnected.
He wanted to know she was safe.
He [i]needed[/i] to know she was safe.
Had she gotten on the plane like he asked her?
He just wanted to whisper those words he'd been too scared to say before.
"I love you," he whispered as he flew the missile out into space.
He closed his eyes as he started to fall.
He just wanted one thing.
To see Pepper at least one more time.