Disclaimer: I don't own any character. It's all Marvel's

This is something that has been around my head for weeks. Please read and review, let me know if I should continue.

Chapter 1

New York City was chaotic, half of Manhattan was broken, and the other half was in disarray. The Avengers sat around in a small table eating shawarma; Steve was starting his fifth helping while Thor couldn't get enough, "This concoction is delicious, humans really know how to prepare nourishment."

Tony rolled his eyes, "We get it Hammer Time you love your lamb." He seemed a little distracted to Bruce and Steve. He was constantly asking for a cellphone or fiddling with the ancient telephone line in the restaurant.

Natasha paid no mind to the eccentric billionaire, she was well aware of his anxiety and the motives for it. She was more concerned about the fact that they were out of S.H.I.E.L.D weapons or a way to contact them. Clint minded his own food; he decided he needed this well deserved food break.

"We have to go, we need to get back to Stark Tower, I need to make a call and assess the situation with your half demented brother." Tony got up and moved to the door. Bruce followed him without complaint, Clint growled something but stood when Natasha pushed her elbow to his aching ribs. Steve and Thor looked longingly at the rest of the food but opted to leave too.

He was going insane, he was glad that they were not really that far away from the Tower. He needed to know where Pepper was; Tony hoped she was still in D.C. There was no way that she didn't know about Manhattan. He was in trouble; at least I called this time, which had to count right? Pepper would understand. He just hoped that she wasn't as mad as last time. He could sense Bruce's curiosity and Natasha's smugness. Tony didn't care, he just wanted to talk to Pepper and fly to D.C tonight if possible.

"Stark, slow down. Loki's not going anywhere. He's been secured at your tower." Steve thought that Tony was worried about Loki escaping. He wanted to snort; the God of Mischief was not high in his concerns list right now. Soon they were close to the entrance; they were about a block away from Iron Man's suit. Clint was the first to see the woman, she was crouching over the suit and her body was shaking. "Stark, there's a civilian by your suit." Steve advanced to Tony whose head turned so fast it must have given him whiplash. "Pepper" was all he said before leaving his teammates and sprinting to the woman. Clint tried to go after him but Natasha grabbed his arm and shook her head. The Black Widow tried to give the couple some sort of privacy but it was impossible. Before she knew it the men were walking behind Tony Stark.

She didn't have her ponytail, her hair was a mess and her dress was dirty with debris from the Tower. Pepper's body shook with sobs, she was trying to reassemble his suit. It was heart wrenching, she wasn't crying loudly she was just sobbing quietly and trying to get the suit together.

The lump in his throat loosened enough, "Pepper?" he dropped to his knees to be at her level. She looked up from her work and finally saw him. She let out a painful gasp and embraced him. He hugged her back with all he had, she smelled so good, like home. Tony rubbed her back, Pepper kept crying and muttering the words 'gone' and 'scared'. He wanted to keep her in his arms longer but there was no way that they were having a conversation in the middle of a broken sidewalk. He pulled her up. Pepper noticed the hurt sound that he made when they stood. Her reaction was immediate.

"You are hurt." The redhead caressed his cheek lovingly and kissed the cuts on his face. First his eyelids, his nose, his cheeks and lastly his lips; she touched his hair and hugged him again. Pepper cried again, he could feel her shuddering breaths.

"I'm fine Pep. Everything's fine, don't cry anymore please. You never cry, get mad." Tony smiled when she let out a little breathy laugh.

"You called and I saw the news, they said you had a missile and then you were gone. I was scared, I called you back and Jarvis couldn't connect me." she sobbed and hugged him harder still. "I got here and I saw the suit and I thought you were gone."

The rest of the Avengers took the scene with shocked eyes. Well all except Natasha who already knew Pepper and her involvement with Tony Stark. Clint didn't really know Tony much; his shock came from the fact that a playboy like him apparently had a significant other. Thor, Steve and Bruce were bewildered because they couldn't believe that Tony with all his issues and personality had a beautiful woman who actually seemed to care for him. The way she hugged him and caressed him, she had to be someone really important for him.

Tony kept rubbing her back and reassuring her, "Let's go inside, you have to tell me how you got here. I thought you were in D.C for the rest of the week." He led her to Stark Tower. He completely forgot about his teammates and about Loki who was inside. Thor and the rest of the group followed the couple inside.

Pepper recovered once she was inside of her tower, "Tony we need to call the doctor and let her check you up. I am calling Jimmy and Happy they must be beside themselves. I'll have to reschedule the Board meeting for next week…" Tony shut her up with a kiss.

"We'll have time for that, first I have to introduce you to the guys." He smiled when she turned around and saw Natasha. Pepper walked up to her and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad you are ok."

"Ms. Potts is always good to see you." The spy returned the smile and the kiss.

"You know each other." Bruce stated the obvious, "I was assigned to do Tony Stark's psychological profile. I met Ms. Potts while working on the report." Natasha finished.

"Enough of that, you still have to apologize for that Agent Romanoff." Tony smirked when Pepper smiled softly at him.

"Pep this is Dr. Bruce Banner." Bruce smiled and offered his hand to an equal smiling Pepper. Tony then moved to Clint, "That's Clint, Natasha's partner spy." Pepper once again smiled politely. "This is Thor, his brother just destroyed Manhattan." Thor scowled but kissed her hand, "Pleased to meet you Lady Stark." Neither Pepper nor Tony corrected the demigod.

"Last but not least, Steve Rogers, Captain America." He said clapping Steve in the back. "Very nice to meet you ma'am." Steve kissed her hand too. Pepper actually blushed at this. Tony scowled but continued, "This is Virginia Potts, my CEO, associate, and better half." She smiled sweetly and addressed the Avengers, "I'm glad you are all fine. This is not the best circumstance for us meeting, but it is what it is. If you'll excuse us we have to make some calls.

Pepper grabbed Tony's hand and went up the stairs to their room. "Get in the shower; I'll call Happy and Jimmy." She said briskly. He knew better than to try and disobey right now. He knew Pepper and she meant business now, her brief introduction to the avengers had been a little rude. She was always very polite when meeting new people; well under this situation nobody would expect her to be a beacon of well manners and politeness. He could hear her reassuring Platypus. "He's fine, tired, some bruises but he seems ok."

Tony realized that he was tired; he felt all of the events of these past days crash, and all of his energy drain. He finished his shower and put on his robe. When he went back into the room Pepper was nowhere to be seen. He changed into his favorite AC/DC tee shirt and grey yoga pants. He lay down in bed and closed his eyes for a moment. The next thing he knew she was dabbing some alcohol in his left cheek, very close to his nose. "How long was I asleep?" his voice was still heavy with sleep and scratchy. "About two hours." She made him sit up and said, "Take off your shirt."

He smirked "Naughty Pepper, you have to take me to dinner first." She glared at him and repeated her request. "Not playful mode then." He muttered quietly.

Tony did as he was ordered, he knew there would be bruising but he didn't expect Pepper to start crying again. This was unsettling; she'd seen him after missions before this was nothing new. In fact there had been more bruising and injuries before. "Pep, what's wrong?" he asked concernedly while making his voice soothing.

"I almost lost you again." She said with so much anguish in her voice. He was ready to reassure her when she spoke again "I saw the missed call and I knew that you were going to do something completely stupid and I saw the news and the missile and that only confirmed my fears. You were going to sacrifice yourself."

He tried to talk but she stopped him with her finger, "I understand that this is part of you. Iron man is who you are but today was the first time in a long time when I was certain that you were going to die for sure." Pepper couldn't speak anymore, she cried and hugged him.

"Pep, this is not my first mission. I'll always try to come back to you. That's what I do." He kissed the side of her face. She nodded, "that's why I came immediately to New York and when I saw the suit I thought the worst, and it just killed me Tony. I don't want to ever be in a world without you." In that moment, Pepper with her red eyes and red nose never looked more beautiful to him. He did what he wanted to do since they started this relationship; Tony Stark had only said these words to his parents. "I love you." He kissed her softly and kept saying it against her lips. He didn't get the reaction that he was hoping for, she just kept crying. "Tell me what to do, tell me how to make it better." He was desperate now and his brown eyes showed it. Pepper shook her head; she motioned for him to lie down. She took care of the minor bruises and when she finished she lay down gingerly next to him. "I've loved you for years. You've been the center of my world for so long it scared the hell out of me but then you said that I was everything you had and I hoped that things would be different."

He turned to face her and positioned her so that she was half on top of him. "You are my everything. This is all for you Pepper, you make me want to be a better man." she nodded and just sighed.

Hours later Pepper woke up to Tony kissing her forehead; she smiled and let him kiss her good morning. He was kissing her neck and freckled shoulders, "You promised me something." He whispered close to her ear. His beard was tickling and arousing her. "I did and you definitely earned it." Pepper turned them over and lifted her top. "Now this is something I'm always very glad to see." He smirked and caressed her breasts. This wasn't their first time by any means. She had always been a practical woman, she knew Tony for about 12 years before they embarked on a romantic relationship. That was enough time to get to know a person.

"We'll need that chocolate sauce and the pine berries." She said breathily to him. She was straddling him, rocking back and forth against his semi hard member. Tony helped her remove her black yoga pants and her sensible black underwear. "Or we could just stay here and get the supplies later." He removed his own pants at lightening speed.

Tony managed to get her under him; he was doing the thing with his mouth in her neck and his fingers inside of her. "I though you wanted to collect your reward." She moaned when he bit her. He looked so sexy with his messy hair and scruffy face. "Believe me, you are enough reward Pep." He kissed her possessively and entered her in one swift thrust. "You always feel so wonderful, every fucking time." she moaned, if there was something she thanked about his ex-lovers was the fact that Anthony Stark was a very considerate and experienced lover.

According to him, it was all Pepper. "You inspire me, sex never felt like this to me. I make love to you Pepper. Every single time you manage to bewitch me and make me crazy with want and lust." She believed him, sex had never been this good for her either.

Tony increased his pace and made her explode all around him. "Tony" she moaned like a prayer. He whispered, "open your eyes, I want to see your eyes." He was close too, so very close. He could feel it happening any moment now. Pepper looked at him and smiled. It was enough; Tony let out the most satisfying gasp and spilled inside of her. He collapsed into her and rolled them over.

He kissed her sweaty forehead and she placed her hand in his arc reactor. "What time is it?" she spoke still a little out of breath. "7:00 PM." Tony checked his watch in the nightstand.

"That can't be, I came by to check your bruises at 11:00 PM. After the board meeting and the telephone conference with the Mayor."

"Sweetheart, it's Friday," he said gently. He'd woken up five hours ago. "We slept the whole night and the day away. Don't panic, everything had been moved and rescheduled by Jarvis."

Pepper breathed a little easier after that declaration. She snuggled closer to him and caressed his chest and arc reactor. "We'll I guess there's no point in getting up." she smiled and kissed his torso and prepared to honor one of her promises. She kissed the dark trail of hair until she reached his cock. She licked him from base to tip and earned herself a satisfied moan and a breathy "Pepper" along the way.

"I still think that the chocolate sauce is a far better idea, but you seem to be in a hurry to collect." She smiled filthily and continued licking his member. "Oh Pepper." Tony was very vocal and praised her abilities rather loudly.

"You are magnificent at that, it is almost a crime." He pulled her up and kissed her mouth, his could taste himself in her mouth.

"I am to please. Will that be all Mr. Stark?" She said demurely.

"No it won't." he laughed and kissed her roughly. He ran his fingers through her back and massaged her neck just how she liked it. "I want you again, you're like an addiction Pepper." Tony rubbed his growing erection against her wet center. She moaned and kissed him back with the same force. This time she took control of the situation. She straddled him and took him inside of her. "So good, so big." She whimpered and set a punishing pace, it was not about him anymore. It was about her pleasure. Tony loved it when she was like this, selfish and in control.

He growled and thrust up, while palming her breasts and touching her clit. Pepper was a sight; riding him, hair back, eyes closed and those hushed sounds that she made drove him wild with lust. He felt her tightening around him. She let out his name and slumped forward to his chest. Tony helped her move once again until he reached his own orgasm.

"We are very good at this." Pepper kissed his chin and settled comfortably at his side. He laughed and gathered her close to him. They slept through the night.

The next time they woke up it was to Jarvis' regular alarm. "Good morning, the weather in New York city…" Pepper sighed deeply and touched the arm draped across her waist. "Tony wake up, it's 9:00 AM." She felt him stir and kiss her ear. "Why in the world would I wake up so early?" he said roughly.

"We've slept almost two days in a row. I need to get out of this room and work." She said and smiled when he tightened his hold on her waist. He even trapped her legs with his. "No." was his answer. Pepper wanted to argue further but Tony stopped her. "We are getting up, but we are having a shower first, then we are having breakfast. I'll even help you make it, then we are dealing with Loki and the rest of the misfits." He ran his fingers through her belly and toyed with the side of her hip. "Tony you know I have to start arranging meetings and press conferences. The city has been very damaged and the authorities and the public need to know the Avengers' involvement on it."

"We saved New York, the people know that. Let S.H.I.E.L.D deal with the reconstruction." He said logically or at least that's what he thought. "What about our tower. We need to assess damages and start the repairing process." He growled and bit her ear, then soothed it with his tongue.

"You win, but you are to start your so called work the day after tomorrow. All I'm asking is for two days, just us. No blackberry or meetings. We'll stay in here and be a couple for two days." Tony's hands had wandered to her chest.

She turned around and kissed him, "deal, about that shower…"

Forty-five minutes later, they were heading to the kitchen, thankfully there was no damage done to this area of the building. Pepper wore a black Led Zeppelin tee shirt, one of his signed shirts. Her hair was still wet from the shower. Tony put on a black wife beater and grey sweat pants.

Pepper started taking out the ingredients for an omelet and some French toast. "You are to make the French toast, I'll get started on the omelet." Tony wasn't completely hopeless in the kitchen, he just preferred to not cook. She cracked the eggs on the pan and put the onions and the peppers. He placed them in the toaster and went to Pepper's side. She was busily cooking; Tony circled her waist and nuzzled her neck. He was behind her kissing her neck, his hands in her hips.

"Behave; we need to eat." She giggled when he growled and nipped at her freckled shoulder. His t-shirt was bigger on her, "or I could just eat you and then have breakfast." Tony was very good at distracting her, but she was hungry and needed food first. She was about to slap his wandering hands when Steve entered the room.

"I'm sorry." He half yelled and turned, Pepper thought about what Steve might have seen.

"I didn't see anything I swear." Tony actually laughed and Pepper smiled. "Relax Capsicle we were just cooking.

Pepper decided to invite him to eat, "Steve, there's some omelet and toast if you want." Steve turned around and smiled, "Thank you Mrs. Stark."

Tony choked on his recently brewed coffee. "Ms. Potts. And I would prefer if you called me Pepper." She decided to torture Tony by glaring at him.

She went back to the stove, Tony and Steve sat down, "I thought she was your wife." Steve said in hushed tones. "She's better than a wife." Tony winked at him and read the Times.

Captain America shrugged and directed his attention to the lady in the room. "Ms. I mean Pepper." He waited for her to acknowledge him.

She hummed, "I have to ask Ma'am is that your real name?" Pepper chuckled, and served him a plate of food. "Why does he go first? I'm your lover, friend, boss and undying love." Tony pouted.

Pepper gave him another plate and pecked him, "He's Captain America, and he's a superhero." She winked at Steve who cracked a real smile.

"Listen to her, she knows a lot." Steve was inhaling his food.

Pepper sat down and drank her tea, "To answer your question Steve, it's not. My real name is Virginia but Tony here nicknamed me Pepper and the name stuck."

Tony smiled wistfully, "That's a funny story. Want to hear it," he said enthusiastically.

The other man nodded, "It was her first day at Stark Industries, she started as a receptionist. Don't ask me why she wasn't hired as something else because I don't remember." Tony smiled but got back on track. "I had a bitch hangover and needed to be a Board meeting I was rushing to the elevator when I saw her. Apparently some lawyer was harassing her and she decided to pepper spray his eyes." Tony chuckled.

Steve looked confused but then Pepper explained what pepper spray was and he laughed alongside with Tony.

"In my defense Barry made some very unwanted comments about my coloring and hinted at wanting to know if I was a real redhead."

Steve blushed a little but smiled when Tony laughed his eyes out. "Pep I'm so glad I fired him."

"After that I hired her as my Personal Assistant, and she's ruled my life since then." He pouted and Pepper kissed his pout away. Steve looked away from them; it made him uncomfortable, all this affection. He never thought Tony would be like this. So normal, Pepper had him wrapped around her pinky finger.

They chatted for a while, about Loki, the next steps for them, "Hey why don't you settle here. I'll ask the others to stay here too."

"I couldn't Tony, I like to be by my own." He said quietly.

"Rogers, this is one of the biggest buildings in New York. You can have a whole floor for yourself. It will be convenient if you stay here. You wouldn't have to come all the way from Brooklyn and you won't have to pay rent." Tony added cheerfully.

"I'll think about it." Steve said diplomatically.

Pepper had scurried out of the room into her office and took her laptop and blackberry. She logged in and started sorting through the piles of emails and pending calls.

"Pepper you promised." Tony was in the doorway Bruce by his side. "I know, but Tony someone has to sort this mess immediately, before you suggest it I don't trust anyone else to do it."

She was still in his shirt that pleased him immensely. He decided to let her be, he had his shop Pepper had her blackberry.

"Let's go Bruce, we have to get Loki out of Earth." He was leaving when she asked, "You're not mad are you?"

He crossed the room, and kissed her in the cheek, "I am but I'll deal with you tonight." He said seductively.

Pepper blushed and kissed his lips, "Looking forward to it."

Bruce cleared his throat, "Tony we have to go, Steve managed to call me and leave two messages."

Tony dressed up and left with Bruce who had surprisingly accepted his offer to live in Stark Tower. When asked by Clint who had declined he said, "he has the most amazing labs and technology, I couldn't resist. The physicist in me is stronger than my fears." Natasha smiled, she had also accepted Stark's offer.

Before going to Asgard Thor spoke to Tony, "Metal man, I am grateful for your help. I will talk to Jane about your offer. Give my farewells to Lady Stark."

He was going away before Tony could correct him. Three minutes later Tony was driving back to the tower, "How long have you been in love with Pepper." Bruce was a very perceptive man and he was also very straightforward. Tony rarely discussed his feelings with anyone outside of Pepper.

"At least seven years. But we've been involved for a year only." Tony felt lighter, saying it to people made it real.

"It was a shock meeting her, she obviously loves you." Bruce said a little bitterly.

"The feeling is completely mutual, I worship Pepper she is the center of my world." He smiled when he saw Bruce's astonished face.

"I trust you Bruce, I like you, and I think we can be great friends." Tony laughed, "Don't look so bewildered, you are almost as smart as me and you don't get bored when I talk about science and engineering.

Bruce laughed, "I get your point."

When they got back to the tower they found Pepper video chatting with Jim. "Hey Platypus, where's Happy."

A smiling Happy waved around the camera, "Here Boss, I'm glad you are alive."

Tony smiled too. "Seriously man why do you go around looking for trouble." Rhodes tried to sound stern but smiled when Tony rolled his eyes.

He introduced them to Bruce, after that they chatted for a while until Jim had to go and Happy decided to drop him off and then have some dinner.

Natasha came later with three bags of clothes and six boxes full of books and things. "Pepper I need to ask you something." She said as a greeting. Pepper looked up from her blackberry and followed the assassin to her floor.

"Those two together it's never good. I could tell you stories…" Tony and Bruce talked their way into his labs.

A few hours later Tony went into his room, he found a showered and asleep Pepper. He followed her example and showered before going to bed. Tony spooned her and she roused, "Did you have fun?" she asked, absentmindedly toying with the hand in her belly.

"I did Bruce's mind is amazing." he said contentedly.

She smiled in her sleep, "I'm getting jealous." He growled, "No need, you are far prettier and I love you." He yawned and snuggled closer to her.

Pepper moaned and turned around to kiss him goodnight. "What did Natasha want?"

"Nothing." She got her hands inside of his white shirt and caressed his back. There was no intention to further things. They were both tired; it was simply a matter of touch. Tony, Pepper had discovered was a very tactile person, his fingers couldn't stay still he had to touch something. Not only that, he loved to be touched.