It was silent when Tony came back home to the mansion. He was surprised, because he thought Pepper would be still there. When he made his way up to the bedroom he heard a soft crying noise from the guest room and slowly opened the door. Pepper was lying on the bed, her body shaking all over. Tony carefully sat down beside her and whispered: "Hey...Pep. Whats up?" "Jake... He left... i won't see him ever again..." Tony pulled her in his arms, didn't think about if she wants him to. "Shh... Pep. Don't cry, okay? He's a jackass when he leaves you. You are wonderful, lovely, adoreable, friendly, helpful and really the most capable woman i've ever known. If i would get the chance to have... to love you, i won't ever let you go. So don't cray after him. You deserve something better, someone who know how precious you are..." Pepper looked at him, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face. "T... Tony..? Jake is... was my Dad... he died yesterday..." Tony didn't know what to say. He blushed and held Pepper close again. "I... I'm sorry." But Pepper didn't make a move, didn't free herself from his embrace. After a while she looked up at him again. „Tony..? … Did you... did you mean what you said?" Tony nodded slowly. He couldn't look in her ocean-blue eyes and whispered hoarsly: "I...I should go." But when he wanted to stand up, Pepper grabbed his arm and shook her head. "Please... stay..!"