Chapter 1: RUN
Groan… I honestly didn't want to post this… Not even one bit! I wanted minimize the amount of stories I had to update, just because I don't want to loose my train of thought and have to update a lot of chapters. But then again… you know what? Please enjoy! I honestly don't have anything else to say!
See… The last time, which was couple of months ago, I started to get bored with updating some of my stories because they were so repetitive. It was crazy, and I couldn't think of anything because of all the stories I had to update! Then I made a promise that I had to update every story at least every WEEK! Agh… it was terrible with 5 stories per week. So I wanted to stick with 2… but now here is 3. Then I am writing another story for Danny Phantom, making it 4.
Long story short… I might not update some stories more than often! So sorry!
Disclaimer: Blah…
Everyday truly was magical. At least that was what Pepper had to think. She couldn't imagine her real life... No it was too painful. But she would think about her life now. Her handsome boyfriend, her best friend, and her miserable life.
Pepper's mom had come back to talk to Virgil of what happened before the divorce. Pepper was overjoyed! Ecstatic and just wonderful! Her parents were together again and there wouldn't be anything better than having a family again. All was well and Pepper was happy. But only 3 weeks ago her dad died. It seemed as if he died in his sleep which was totally strange considering the fact that she was with her dad the whole time until bedtime.
It was finally over. The funeral was an open casket and almost everyone in town came. Tony's family, Rhodey's family, Virgil's family, the FBI, the cops, nearly everyone. They always came over to Pepper said that they were sorry and blah blah blah. She didn't want to hear that junk... She just wanted them to shut up as she was using this moment to recollect her thoughts. Her mom was bawling and thanking those who came.
People came and left, saying sorry taking a look at the body. Pepper didn't want to smear her makeup but a tear or two made its way down her flushed cheeks. Pepper went to take a look at her dad one last time and found a small but long red mark that ran across Virgil's neck.
It looked as if someone had pulled a wire around his neck. Pepper leaned into the coffin as if she was going to kiss her dad's forehead. Squinting her eyes she finally understood.
Pepper gasped. "My daddy was murdered." She said in a whisper. Janice, Pepper's mother, walked up to Pepper and put a firm hand around her shoulder.
"He looks peaceful doesn't he? Your father would be absolutely proud of you. And you look absolutely beautiful Patricia." Janice remarked smiling warmly.
"It's Pepper mom. And thanks." She looked down at herself. Pepper was in a strapless sweetheart necked, short black dress that stopped just above her knees. Her top half was sparkled in black beads and she wore a black pearled necklace and earrings. To top it off she wore 3 inch black heels with a strap that wrapped around her ankle. Her father had chosen this dress once, it was when her grandma had passed away. She remembered how his eyes sparkled as he wrapped an arm around his daughter. He gave her head a kiss and told her she was always his baby princess.
"I'll be outside." Janice gave a much more painful squeeze and walked away crying. But Pepper knew better. Those tears were fake. Pepper looked at her shoulder where her mother had painfully gripped her shoulder. The nail marks remained red, in her pale skin.
"I'm sorry for your lose." Pepper turned and faced an electric eye Prince Charming. His hair was a mess but very beautiful and he wore a suit. He unbuttoned the buttons on his suit coat and put his hand on his hips, letting the suit fly out behind him.
"He was a wonderful man. That and well... I really looked up to him as a second dad." The blue eyes focused on her.
"Hi Tony." Tony turned towards her and his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Thanks. But I wish he was here so that he could hear you say that." He slowly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gave her a small squeeze. Then he took the moment to give her a small gentle kiss, a reassuring one.
"He won't be forgotten Pepper." He glanced down at Virgil's still body and frowned. "Wait. Pepper... What's that?" He pointed to the red mark.
"Pepper. Your dad was murdered?" She nodded surprised about Tony's quick catch.
"You've got to be kidding! I thought that your dad was at your house! I didn't think that he had any missions!"
"He didn't." Tony's face twisted into a puzzled look.
"But it was just your mom, dad, and you. You wouldn't do it. And your dad obviously wouldn't do it to himself. But... Your mom? How? Why?" He really did catch on pretty quickly. That's what you get from a genius.
"My mom probably thinks that she didn't do anything wrong. It was her fault you know. She left him. She seriously probably killed my dad. Tony?" She hadn't heard him say anything. And when she turned around Tony was gasping for air. His head red, and an arm around his neck.
"TONY!" She ran forward only to be sent back by a face. "Mom." Her mother made a tsk-tsk sound.
"Come any further he will die. Poor Tony... No air to breath. And his heart monitor needs oxygen right Tony?" He nodded when the arm tightened. "Oh and one more thing Tony. Stay away from my daughter." Janice tightened the arm and Tony collapsed to the floor. It was getting weirder and weirder.
Pepper quickly ran to Tony's side and shook his shoulder. "Tony! Wake up! Are you okay?" Tony opened his eyes and gasped.
"Where's your mom?!" He shouted. He looked around and scrambled onto his feet. Pepper looked sullenly at the coffin and at Tony. Suddenly she couldn't hold it in anymore. Bursting into tears Pepper bawled.
Her mom was back and she couldn't even enjoy it. Her mother was a murder! What did her dad ever do to her? He was so sweet! And now he was gone... Gone. She felt Tony's hands and arms wrap around her waist. She gripped his arms as she was lifted to her feet. Burying her face into his suit, she continued her sniffles but listened to the gentle hum of the arc reactor. For some reason it calmed her down.
A hand went onto her bare back and rubbed circles. His hands were warm and they embraced her, saying that everything would be all right. Shivering slightly she continued sniffling and finally pulled away. She looked down at Tony's shirt and gasped. Tear stains, and black mascara stained his plain white shirt. Embarrassed she grabbed her black scarf and started dabbing her mess. Tony chuckled and tilted his head. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Sorry. I just don't know what to think. My dad... And if you get hurt. I would be able to handle it, if I wasn't my mom. But..." Taking in a shaky breath she walked forward again and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you."
"I'm pretty sure I said that you weren't allowed near my daughter." It was instant. The dating couple pulled away and stood arm length away from each other. Janice leaned against the door frame and eyed tony with a venomous stare. He blushed shyly and gulped as she walked up to him.
"Don't touch him Janice!" Pepper cried out. Janice stopped and looked back at Pepper.
"Excuse me? You do not call me by my name."
"Says who?" Pepper snapped. "Your no mom of mine. Your a murder and you have to be brought back to justice." Pepper stood straight her small frame bold and strong.
"Aw. How cute. You sound just like your dad. But he ended up dying you know." Janice said. She looked back at Tony and smirked. Grabbing a knife from her cleverly concealed pocket, she jabbed it into his chest.
"MOM! NO! TONY!" His face paled but he slumped onto Janice's shoulder. He gagged as she stroked his hair.
"I said stay away. Get it? Got it? Good..." She let him go and he fell to the floor, on his back. Pepper stood shocked. What did Tony ever do to her? Why was Tony getting hurt? Why was Tony even mixed in this?
Nothing made sense to her. All that did was that Tony was nearly dead and she had to hurry.
Bolting next to his side, Pepper noticed three things. One, Tony's face was pale as in dead pale. Two, the heart monitor was squirting out electricity, which meant that she might not be able to touch him. And three, Tony wasn't exactly "breathing." His inhalations were raspy and wheezed as if his lungs were forcing the air out of him, rather than keep them in his lungs.
Pepper was taught what to do. In face Tony taught her. She reached into her purse and pulled out an emergency case portable heart monitor that she always carried with her. It wasn't very reliable for Iron Man type stuff, but it was good enough for him to walk around and go home to get a better heart monitor.
Pepper eyed around the room looking for anything that might give up the fact that she was saving him. Sure enough she noticed a small, concealed camera zooming and un-zooming. She quickly threw open her purse ad found pepper spray. It'll have to do.
Pepper clutched the small trigger and walked towards the camera, she didn't look into it until she pushed the trigger of the spray. The intensity of the spice and pepper short circuited the camera and it made a whirring sound before powering off.
Pepper quickly ran back towards Tony and got started immediately. It was a simple procedure. Not to hard, but not easy at the same time. She gingerly, almost with hesitation, began undoing his buttons on his shirt. She didn't feel comfortable, but it was either her feelings or her love.
She only undid enough to see his arc reactor completely. Getting up swiftly she ran towards the open door to the coffin room, looked outside, and slammed it shut. Locking the door, she found black funeral butcher paper, and taking her nail polish, glued up the paper in front of the window.
Pepper walked back towards Tony and finally noticed the small amount of scorched marks that ran across his well muscular chest. She fought the urge to touch those muscles she adored. They weren't bulging, she didn't like those, but they were quite fine.
Finally she slowly removed the knife, Tony didn't move but the heart monitor did it for him. It buzzed and threw out spark. Pepper leaned away until the electric particles died down. Now that she removed the knife, she had to move quickly. Who knew how much time Tony had?
During the whole procedure of removing the heart monitor and hooking up the portable one, she kept glancing at the door. Strangely no one was there looking for her. No one came in. No one knocked. She dint know what to think. Should she be worried? Relived? Happy? Sad?
As she finally pushed the heart monitor in, she counted for 30 seconds before turning the device. It clicked, signifying that it was locked it. Finally Tony's skin returned to its normal California beach boy color, and Tony's eyes opened. He breathed out softly and his eyes remained focused on the ceiling.
"I'm so happy I taught you and Rhodey how to do that. Who knew today would be the day that you used it on me?" Tony groaned slightly as he pulled himself to sit. Looking down at himself, he blushed ever so slightly, and started buttoning up his white stained shirt.
Pepper smiled but looked alarmed. Tony's smirk disappeared. "How about we leave. The priest will be here soon." Pepper nodded and let Tony pull her up.
Tony quickly pulled off the butcher paper and he opened the door. "Do you mind?" Tony held an arm out, gesturing to Pepper that he wanted to wrap an arm around her waist. Smiling softly, she nodded her red locks bouncing in response.
Tony put a hand in his pocket and the other tightly around Pepper. In fact she yelped when he tightly pulled her against him. His eyes flickered around the party and it was obvious that he was looking for Janice. His warm eyes were reduced to mere dead glares. Pepper didn't this reaction from Tony ever in her life. It was full of brutal fear. Pepper actually wanted to get out of his grasps but she knew better. He would risk his life to save her.
"There she is..." Pepper ushered out. She didn't point but Tony followed her gaze. Sure enough Janice was talking to someone. Occasionally smiling and drinking her wine. She seemed to loose interest in the conversation because she started to look around the park the funeral was gonna be held. Her eyes suddenly laid upon Tony and Pepper. She noticed the hand on her daughters hip and her eyes grew dark.
Pepper heard Tony gulp and his grip on her waist tightened to the point it hurt. She glanced down at his hands which were white. "Let... Let's get out of here." But it was too late, Janice had excused herself and was coming towards the two. Tony stood his ground and eyed Janice carefully. She was after all about 4 inches shorter.
"Hello Patricia. Anthony." Then she lowered her voice. "I would take your hand off if I were you." Tony obliged but his hand was put back by Pepper. Her eyes steel and jaw tight.
"He's gonna be mine... Mom." She strained that last part out. "You killed dad. You lost your chance at love. I'm not going too. I love him. I love him. I LOVE TONY STARK!" Pepper screamed. Everyone turned towards the group. Pepper shouted out again. "JANICE POTTS KILLED MY DAD!" Gasps erupted around the park and before Janice knew many people toppled on top of her. Pulling her to the earth Janice screamed at Pepper to help. Instead Pepper smiled evilly and pulled on Tony's tie. He yelped and her lips crashed on his.
Pulling away at last she walked away with Tony at her heel. "I've had it with my mom. I don't know why..." A large gasp erupted behind the couple. When they turned they noticed that the crowd on top of Janice dissipated.
Janice Potts was gone.