Hey! Second fan fiction, and a different type to the fist one! Some Iron Man 2 references, as it is based on IM2, when Pepper finds out about when Tony was dying and finally gets time to understand and listen to what he has to say (set between when Pepper and Tony kiss on the roof to when he is called up by shield) hopefully you know what I mean… hope its' ok!... Any advice or thoughts? Comments? Too OOC? Too long?

…..

Tony had just saved the world (a second time counting Obadiah) and was, though he wouldn't exactly admit it (though it was obvious) absolutely exhausted. And he was surprised at exactly how well he slept, for a few hours at least. It must've been the flooding emotion between he and Pepper which comforted him, the fact that the battle was over, but it didn't last - halfway through a somewhat peaceful night, he had another nightmare - though it had been a while, he wasn't exactly surprised - he awoke with a start, and immediately started over thinking more than ever - what had happened, what Rhodey had done, what Pepper had done, how she had felt about him, what his father had said and done, what Hammer had done, and Natalie? Natasha? And the drones… and who was Ivan Vanko and his father? He had a rough idea, but really? Did Fury know more about his father than Tony himself did? What was this? He had to try to focus on part of it - Jarvis… ok,

'Jarvis?'

'Yes sir?' JARVIS replied, in a quieter tone than usual

'Is everything ok J?' Tony said, picking up on the AI's pitch.

Quickly processing what had made Tony say this, displaying a checklist of the house's security (all of which, despite damage from the former events which had been re scanned, was all clear) in case it was that, but the system also picked up on the way it had spoken last:

'The house is secure sir and all, despite damage from earlier events, is well. Miss Potts is asleep in the guest room adjacent to yours sir. I am attempting not to wake her.'

'Ok, thanks' Tony said, realising and too, lowering his tone slightly, though the house was somewhat soundproof - he was sometimes amazed at how seemingly caring the AI could be.

'Jarvis, I have a bit on my mind…' This was not something he usually would do, but he needed to clear his head and write down his feelings, to help make sense of them- he was so tired and needed to enable himself a peaceful sleep.

'That is understandable sir'

'huh, yeah, can you just… mhf don't worry'

Sighing, he realised he didn't want JARVIS to log his feelings either. He would fidget through the night and see if he could tell Pepper tomorrow - he guessed so - I mean, she was desperate to know what he had been hiding from her, despite her composure whilst battling the press in order to get into the Tower, so, as hard as it would be, he was sure tomorrow things would be discussed.

The night seemed long, but Tony was sure he managed enough sleep to be somewhat fully alert tomorrow - he had stuff to sort out… he was glad Pepper had had a good nights sleep - he was surprised, but guessed that, like himself, it was down to pure exhaustion. That day, Tony hauled himself out of bed and, quickly preparing for the day ahead, walked down the marble cut stairs of the tower and laid his eyes on Pepper making coffee in the kitchen. She looked tired, but had so much to get on with that she obviously over looked this factor. She was still in her dressing gown (this was not normal of Miss Potts by any means, but as it had been such an unusual few days, she guessed Tony wouldn't mind) and, on noticing Tony she smiled slightly and handed him a cup.

"Morning - I've sorted some of the press, but I'm afraid they want to hear your account, not my excuses as to your confidentiality"

"hmphf, morning" Tony replied, evidently wondering how on earth he would start… this made no help for his confidence for the confrontation with pepper - but she had to know everything first - he wasn't about to tell his account to the rest of the world - he needed to explain himself, have time to think it all through.

With a smile to match the strength of her own, he padded over to the couch and held his head in his hands. Geez - where to start then! All of the destruction, city, suits and the remains and the technology and Pepper, Rhodes, reactor, Fury, Howard Stark… Thankfully, as he asked dummy to fetch his laptop and read through his emails (an email only used by government and services, not press etc) he read one which settled the issue of the city - of course Tony would help pay for the damage, but it was in hand. Secondly Ivan Vanko… not exactly a nice discovery, but, nonetheless, he was not a problem. The suits - there were a few things proposed with that one, but at least something could be done there…

Pepper seemed to be alert and awake only because of the phone calls she was met with every second of every hour, unless it was an hour long phone call, in which case multiple texts would pile up on her screen - all missed calls. Tony was in complete awe as to how she does so much, and especially now. He felt bad, but knew with so much having gone on, it would probably be best for Pepper herself to concentrate on the business side of things, meaning fear, emotion, shock, sadness and exhaustion could all be put aside. Also, he knew it would help her feel grounded, knowing that it was over, and this was just the aftermath - a few phone calls, and a bit of normality, and also, the fact that she was on top of it, Tony thought would really make her feel comfortable with the situation. He only hoped he was right.

He himself however felt everywhere… he went to his lab, attempting to fix his suit, but really didn't want to start on it - it reminded him of how Rhodes had stolen one of his suits and betrayed him like that… yet he still trusted him… He sat down in his stylish chair, leaning to the side and resting his elbow on the high arm rest, chin in hand, and demanded JARVIS to play some ACDC and Nickleback 'How you remind me' (seeming slightly relevant) because he felt a bit conflicted by thoughts…

Tonys' P.O.V

So much has happened… and yet still I reflect on myself at every angle - first angle, these thoughts are only half formed, why bother to put them into words that make sense in a sentence when I don't want to admit the obvious! Such plain things, ok, so that's the background of my thoughts, all the rest is now worries etc. The only things I will put into at least two thirds worth of sentences are the things I want to consciously go over, and tell Pepper. So… maybe later tonight - she can relax and we can have a chat about things… am I being too… casual? Should I bring up what happened? Hmphf. I know she understands me and the REAL me so much more than others, but I don't know to what extent… I don't want to appear weak or vulnerable or broken or to be moaning, but well… she knows me so much more than anyone, and I don't blame her, I blame my mask which is oh-too-good, but still, she didn't notice I was… was dying? Slowly fading away before her? 'High tech crossword puzzle', making her CEO… did she think I hadn't changed since Afghanistan? Was still out of control and un-caring? Did I just become annoying? A burden? Was I so bad as CEO that as soon as she got the job she decided to pick up where I failed and engross herself so much in her work that she could forget me and my disappointing ways? Should she have noticed, was I worth the comfort? Why… I guess, as much as I wanted to mask it, as I always would do in any situation, as much as I wanted to act myself, I also wanted her to notice… but I tried to tell her, but I didn't let her see, I didn't try hard enough… though it didn't mean I didn't want her to see… conflicting and unfair I know, but - can she really see past that darn mask? It just would've been nice for her to see, so I didn't have to reveal myself as weak, for comfort, for understanding,… but she would care… I would know that. The woman I hold most high in my life would notice something was wrong… would not fall for 'I don't want to go home… I don't want to go home at all' but I piled too much on her… too much stress… she wanted to quit on me… It seemed then was a good time for my 'mask' and playboy and still-content-and-not-quite-as-conflicted part of my sub and conscious consciousness to remind me 'yep well then you got a kiss so not so bad'

…

What d'you think?...