Pepper sat on the couch and stared out of the big window, when Tony came into the room with two plates.

"Pancakes are ready..." he said, sat down next to Pepper and placed the plates on the table. Pepper looked a bit misbelieving.

"Did you just make that?"

He grinned. "Jap. Pepper i can't look at you working so much, but don't eat for the whole day!"

She blushed slightly and began to eat her pancake. Tony looked at her like an eager puppy.

"And?"

"Mmh... it's quite good!"

Tony let out a sigh of relief and began eating himself.

"Why are you doing this, Tony?" She asked and looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"You are... different. You know? Since you came back from that cave you changed."

"I'm Iron Man"

She sighed softly. "No Tony, this is not what I meant. You didn't bring any woman, you didn't drink to much. You are responsible."

"Don't you like this side of me?" He asked and looked deep in her eyes. It was incredible to turn his face away again. She seemed to catch his breath, his will to life.

"I like it... But i'm also scared, Tony. I don't know how to..."

"What Pepper?" He didn't feel how he moved closer to her until her body was just centimeters away from him. "What?", he whispered.

"to resist you."

His stomach seemed to explode when he kissed her, her lips so damn soft and warm. She felt the bliss and something more, something what was scaring her, even though she couldn't place a finger on it. Pepper laid her Hand on his chest and slowly pulled back.

"Tony...", she whispered. "I... I can't do this..." She looked at those loving brown eyes and hated herself for doing this to him. "Please don't think this is easy for me. Because it's not, damn Tony, I love you... really, I do! But... I just don't think that this will work, you know? You are my Boss, and the press and all the others... I just... I can't stand this!" Tony nodded slowly and turned his face away from her.

"Okay...", he said hoarsly. Pepper was angry and sad that he didn't try to stop her, to begging her not to go. So she simply stood up and left the house.

The Moment she was out of the door, tears started streaming down her face and didn't stop until she reached her apartement. She was lying in her bed, hating herself for fucking up the only chance to be with him. But she knew it couldn't be, she couldn't stand the press and the rumors. Pepper held onto her pillow, imaging it would be him and closed her eyes.

Going to work the next day was hard, for both of them. Pepper couldn't concentrate on her work and called the wrong number twice, before reaching Stark Industries.
Tony had a hard day too. He couldn't look at her, so he decided to stay in the workshop the whole time. When Pepper came down he didn't say a word and when she left he didn't say goodbye.

The worst day was Friday and the hospital charity event. Pepper was gorgeous even though she choose a chaste dress and after a while he faced her.

"Pep... could I talk to you?"

"Okay..."

He took her out on the balcony and said: "Pepper... last week was horrible, wasn't it? We have to change something... "

"I know, Tony... I'm sorry, but I think it'd be the best... if I'd take a few weeks out."

Tony nodded slowly. "Sure... Take your time and call me when you want to come back."

Tony stared out of the window when the rain started and tried to understand her reaction. She was a taff woman and he was sure this relationship could work, if both of them wants it badly enough. He was so an Idiot... maybe he'd loose her as PA too. He needed her... After two hours he decided to go to her and left the mansion.

Pepper was sitting sleepless in the kitchen and hold a cup of tea in her hands, when a loud knocking startled her. She knew it have to be Tony. Who else would come to her at 2 o' Clock in the morning? She thought about going back to sleep, but she can't left him outside in the rain. So she opened the door.

"Hey..."

"Hey Pep. Can... can I come in?"

She nodded slowly and let him in. "Tony... you're wet... completely!"

Actually he was dripping, so she made a decision, even though she was scared of what could be, she couldn't deny that she loved him more than anything else. Pepper stepped forward and began to undo his shirt. He opened his mouth to say something, but she silenced him.

"It's okay, Tony! I'm sorry about last week and everything. I was confused and not me... I need you, you're all i have, remember?"

He tried a smile and gently laid his hands on her shoulders. "Are you sure, Pep? What's about the press and the rumors... you said..."

"Forget what I said, Tony. I've always loved you... and I don't care about the press anymore" With that she went upstairs to her bedroom and looked over her shoulder. "It's late... we should sleep a bit" He followed her like a little dog and closed the door behind them.

Waking up next to her the next day was wonderful and even though they hadn't had sex in this night, Tony was completely happy. Warmness flooded through his body when he felt her skin against his and knew she would stay. He kissed her neck softly and she groaned .

"Mhh..."

"Good morning, beautiful...", he whispered against her neck and she turned in his arms.

"G'mornin" She grinned at him and burried her face in his shoulder. "Why did you wake me?"

"I don't know... I just wanted to see your face..."

She laughed quietly and whispered: "I love you, Tony..."

"I love you too, Pepper. This can work... we'll make this... okay?"

"Okay"

He stood up and looked down at her. "Should I make you breakfast?"

"Yeah, okay. But let me help you..."

"Do you think i can't do this by myself?" he asked an raised his brows. Pepper stood up as well and wraped her arms around him.

"Tony... it took you nearly 3 hours to make pancakes"

He grinned. "okay..."

"Pepper? Where are you?" He found her sitting on the couch with her laptop. He sat down beside her and looked over her shoulder. "Peps... hey, what are you doing?"

"I'm going through the press releases of last week..."

"You won't find something about us...", he took the laptop and placed it on the table before he forced Pepper to look at him. "Why are you so afraid? I know that press isn't easy, but I love you, okay? No matter what they'll say..." She nodded slowly and wrapped her arms around his neck, placed her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Tony..."