It was only a matter of time really, another slip up and he would be gone, forgotten, shipped off to God knows where, just another piece of forgotten trash. It`s just weird that it was her of all people, out of everyone one he`d thought it be Steve, God knows he`s a boy scout, destined to ensure the best out of everyone, heck one look at those puppy eyes and even Fury would be backing down. But this, this he couldn't handle, he just couldn't. He just stood there his face devoid of any emotion, blank except for the single tear that escaped. His hands clenched around a wrench, the robot forgotten on the bench, the arm hanging off, bits of metal dripping onto the floor. And before him, before him stood his friend, his first true friend since he was born, her face coloring around the edges, eyes wildly bouncing from corner to corner, unable to met the one who had betrayed her.
"What?" Tony asked, his eyes blinking rapidly, trying with all his might to force the tears down, unwilling to show any trace of vulnerability. Pepper looked back at him, her mouth set in a scowl, hair curling around her ears. Her arm never moving from it raised position, the palm quickly blooming red, the color matching that of Tony`s face.
"I said" Pepper began, her voice even and clam, "I`m fucking done with you, I can take your arrogant nature, I can take your crude innuendos, but this" Her swiped to the side, the projection frozen on an image. "This I can`t take, I wont allow you to hurt me again, not like last time Tony." On the screen behind them was the frozen image of Tony, his face covered with lipstick, and his mouth occupied by a thin blond, her claw like nails dancing along his chest.
"Pepper~" Tony began, his hand outstretched, inches away from Pepper. "You have to believe me I..." Pepper slapped him again, her manicured nails scratching his cheek drawing lines of blood.
"Don`t try and talk your way out of this Stark" She regressed back to surnames, unable to remain at that level of intimacy. "I have got the photos to prove, so don`t think you can lie your way out of this." She ripped off her ring, the band shining in the lab`s light. "And to think, I believed in you, I believed you changed, but all it got me was abuse and mistreatment." She threw the ring down, the metal bouncing on the floor until it landed near Tony`s feet, his black shoes contrasting against the gold.
"Pepper don`t!" He yelled as she stormed out the door, her high heels clacking against the floor. She ignored him, her hair flipping to the side as she stormed to the lift, anger never leaving her broken heart.
"Jarvis~" Tony asked in a broken voice. "I really ruined it this time didn't I?" He look down, his hands gripping his jeans, oil leaving streaks on the material.
"I believe you have the answer to the question sir." Jarvis` voice answered, the once emotionless AI, now layered with disappointment.
"Yeah, I guess I do."