Pepper tossed around the bed, in search for Tony. She thought he was downstairs when the the truth stroked her. "He's on a mission, Pepper. And he's gonna return next week.", she remembered. She was alone with her thoughts when JARVIS spoke. "Good morning, miss Potts and happy birthday.". Oh yeah, it was her birthday today and Tony promised her that he wouldn't miss this for the world. A few hours later he was suiting up himself to go on a mission because Fury needed him. He told her that he will be back in a few days and apologized about her birthday. So, instead of being with Tony today, she would be alone on his huge mansion with an AI to keep her company.
"Gee, thanks.", she thought.

She didn't care if she was selfish today. She wanted to spend some time with him, especially today, and not having to worry about if she will ever see him again alive. She didn't wanted to watch the news, searching desperately for some connection with Tony's mission. "Why do you always have to be the one that saves the world?", she thought.
She imagined him, returning from the mission. "He will be full of bruises, blood, and if he's lucky, a few deep cuts that need stitching, maybe a broken rib.", she thought. Instantly, a picture of him from his last mission came in her mind and she shooed it away, not wanting to remember how he came back.
With these thoughts Pepper passed the whole day, while opening e-mails from friends that wished her "Happy birthday", trying to help herself think of something else. In the end, Pepper left everything and sat on the couch. Her phone rang before she even sat, and she grabbed it from the table.
"Tony!", she yelped.
"Happy birthday, Pepper.", Tony replied.
"Are you OK?, when are you coming back?", Pepper asked.
"Honey, slow down. I'm fine.", he replied.
He dodged the second question with awkward silence. Pepper noticed and her smile faded.
"Where are you now?", she asked.
"Right behind you.", Tony replied, only that Pepper heard it like he was in the room.
She turned and faced him. He was in his black special suit that he used with his armor. Pepper ran towards him and kissed him passionately. She felt his warmth surrounding her, as she rested her head on his chest.
"Pepper, I insist that when I get back from a mission, you should welcome me like this.", he said.

Pepper smiled, and then they laid on the couch together.

"I'm sorry that I hadn't got you a gift.", Tony said.
"That's not true.", she said.
Tony looked at her with his confused look. Pepper smiled and memorized his face.

"Now this is something you don't get to see everyday. A confused Anthony Stark. I didn't know you have that look.", she commented.

They both laughed and as a reply, Tony turned them so that he would be on top. Pepper was caught by surprise.
"Alert the media. Virginia Potts is surprised.", Tony said.
Pepper laughed. "If we continue this, you will never learn about the gift.", she said.

"True, but I know a few tricks to make you talk.", Tony whispered in her ear.

"As much as I'd love to see you try, we'll have to postpone.", she said.

Tony kissed her neck and then stopped to hear her.

"It's you.", Pepper said. "You are the only thing I wanted for my birthday, and you are here, with me, lying on the couch, kissing me. All I wanted was something like this."

Tony smiled. "You know, next time, I promise I will be with you all day.", he said. "Oh, and don't complain about my ego going crazy. With those things you say, it's normal. And I have a question. Does "this" involve other things?", he replied.

"Shouldn't you be tired or something?", Pepper asked.

"Don't answer my question with a question.", Tony said.

Pepper laughed and shifted a yawn. "Come on, Tony. Let's go to bed.".