Too Powerful to Destroy
What we have is special, it goes beyond physical or verbal expression. It's deeper and more important than anything on this earth, it draws us together and it tears us apart but…. No matter what happens, our souls always find their way to each other. We are bound to each other like glue, in the sense that we keep each other up. Nothing and no one will ever destroy that, no matter what time, galaxy, another universe, dimension or whatever… I was always there. I bound is too broken to be destroyed but… then again, I don't know anyone stupid enough to even attempt to do so. Words can heal or destroy your mind, body and soul and, you've been hurt so many times…. That I choose to heal it, restore what you lost… no matter how long it takes because I love you. These were the words she wished she could express to him but they weren't ready, she was too scared…. What would happen if things didn't work out, she would lose the only person she had in her life. She didn't want that, so she said and did nothing even when Tony got down on one knee and proposed to another woman. She was half shocked and half heartbroken but of course, she would never let it show. Not because she was proud but because she didn't want to ruin their moment and because Tony deserved to be happy. He went through a lot in that cave but, even before then he had lost a lot. Now he has a wonderful woman in his life, someone worthy of his love. The question was, why did pepper hate her so much.
Pepper hated when she smiled at her, tap her on the shoulder, tried to talk to her. Everything about her annoyed pepper and she knew why she was jealous. Of course, she would never say those words out loud but she hated not being the only woman who he loved in his life. She hated when he laughs at her jokes, the way he would look at her and when they kissed. What hurt the most is him telling her that he loved her. She went home and cried and thought about how pathetic she felt. She didn't know why she was so surprised when he bought the ring or, the fact that he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.
Pepper stood there with her champagne flute in her hand, congratulating them on their marriage, she couldn't remember raising her hand or saying those words… they were kinda just automatic. She put on her fake smile through it all and waited for the nightmare to end. Tony looked back at her with a huge grin on his face and she knew that she could never say anything. In fact, she would burn and bury any feelings she had for him deep, deep down.
Tony: she said yes! I am the luckiest man in the world!
You're a great catch, I would say that Maya Hansen is even luckier. She thought to herself as Tony yelled over the phone to Rhodey. Pepper was getting ready to gather her things when Tony walked up to her.
Tony: Hey! Where are you going?!
Pepper:( she plasters on a fake smile and turns around) this has been amazing and fun but, I do have a company to run.
Tony: you're the CEO, you can take the day off.
Pepper: I would love to but, I have a lot of work to do.
tony:(sighs): well I guess if you gotta go, you gotta go. I'll see you later.
Pepper:(the smile fades as she walks away and exits the door)
I feel so stupid thinking that he ever cared about me, it was obvious I wasn't even on his playing field. I don't even think I was on the board. When Tony didn't care he slept with a lot of women, hmm…. There's nothing more to that, he just slept with a lot of women. But when he was serious, he preferred someone intelligent, beautiful, successful, inventive and their own person. I didn't even scratch the surface of any of those things. When Tony came back he had turned off the facade, he was just himself and I was happy that he was comfortable enough to do so. Then I found out that he was iron man and, I thought of all the ways I was going to lose him…. After I waited so long to get him back. Now I've lost him completely but… was he ever mine, to begin with? No! I was just his secretary and he flirted with me and I flirted back but that's all it was…. Tony flirts with everyone. I've never been anything to anyone… funny how change can put things in perspective for me. I take one last look at the house, that was a bad idea, I looked through the glass window and I could see Tony and Maya smiling and kissing. I squeeze my eyes shut, to stop myself from crying. Then I turn back around and get in my car.
I sat on my couch with tears streaming down my face. I feel pathetic crying over someone who I've never been involved with. Things will definitely have to be different from now on, I never wanna feel this way again…. Never!
( back at Tony's house)
Maya(laughs): you are so silly!
Tony: well I'm just saying, the suit would be great for carrying you over the threshold.
Maya: I don't see why not.
Tony is surprised by Maya's answer and that makes his smiles, he pulls her in for another kiss and they make their way to Tony's car.
They arrive at the restaurant with Maya hanging from his arm and, the paparazzi took numerous pictures of the couple and then tony and Maya enter the restaurant.
Maya: The paparazzi are so annoying, can we go somewhere without being bombarded with flashes?
Tony: you played it off great, just ignore them...It's what I do.
Maya: and does it ever work? I've heard stories about you.
Tony: those are old stories of me, (Tony voice crack) I'm not that person anymore, I thought you knew that.
Maya: I know I just…
Tony: let's just get a table (he walks pass Maya and goes to the waitress. They get sited and the waitress hands them their menus.)
Tony lets out a breathe
Maya: I'm sorry about earlier.
Tony: no, you were right. I wish I could go somewhere without anyone following. They have been a problem for me my entire life, with all of my gadgets and brilliance… I still haven't figured out a way to have some peaceful alone time without getting interrupted.
Maya: let's move to a lighter subject, our engagement.
Tony grins as he looks at Maya
Tony: what did you have in mind? ( he asked with a sultry tone in his voice)
Maya laughs and that only makes tony smile widen.
THE NEXT DAY
Pepper is in her office typing away on her computer, signing the paper, checking and rechecking documents. She continues typing away documents, printing them out and putting them in a folder and placing it in the drawer behind her. She had so much work to do, too many documents to work out, so many things that needed to be done. So much so that she didn't have time to eat, sleep or stop. I mean sure she showered, brushed her teeth and changed but she never once changed, not one time did she stop working.
Tony walked in with a huge grin on his face but that grin fell when he caught a glimpse of the state that pepper was in.
Tony: did you sleep? Did you even go home last night?
Pepper: sleep! There is no time to sleep! The storm destroyed so many documents, were way behind on our paperwork and I just have time to sleep or this conversation right now so, you should go.
Tony ( offended): I'm just saying, you look really tired, hungry and weak.
Pepper: (sarcastic) that really nice, what every girl wants to hear.
Tony: I'm not trying to be offensive, I'm just stating a fact.
Pepper: while being offensive.
Tony: I see where you're coming from but this comes from a place of concern.
Pepper: well. This isn't a life or death situation, so your presence is not needed here.
Tony looks really offended now, he sits down and stares at pepper.
Tony: what's wrong? What did I do wrong? Have I hurt you in some way? Please tell me because I don't want to continue to hurt you. Please.
Pepper: I'm not mad at you( she says in a hushed tone)
Tony: I'm sorry I don't have dog ears, what was that?
Pepper: I'm not mad at you! I'm not mad at anyone. I'm just trying to work, the work you hired me to do…. So, can you get back to whatever you do while I get back to work!
Tony: but your not mad, right! You're very convincing.
Pepper: ( she says tiredly) Tony! Please, I just need you-
Tony: ( he snaps his head around dramatically to look at her )
Pepper: to leave, please( she continues with her voice sounding a little shaky)
Tony: whatever you needed Ms. Potts( he says hurt as he flashes a sad smirk at her). Just talk to me, you know you can tell me anything.
Pepper: no, I don't and if you don't know, there's no point in me saying anything
Tony: fine. ( Tony looks defeated as he walks away.
He leaves and when he looks back, she continues working. Tony just walked off shaking his head.
Pepper looks up from her work and she notices that it's 12 o'clock.
She thinks to herself that she needs to go home and get more clothes, take a nice long bath and sleep in her bed and not on her office floor or chair.