Unnecessarily long A/N: OK, here we go, my second foray into posting the stories that constantly run through my head. I love the 5+1 fics, and thought I'd try my hand at one. The rest of it is almost written (and much longer than the first chapter, I promise!) so I'll be posting another chap either tonight or tomorrow. Please don't make me beg for reviews, cause I will. I have no shame.
1: The missed call
Pepper never picked up.
Tony knew that the call was most likely cruel; knew that it would hurt her more than it would help. The call was for his benefit; a bit of comfort as he flew to what he strongly suspected would be his death.
He only wanted to apologize; to speak to the woman he loved one last time and tell her how sorry he was for leaving. He wanted to explain that he was doing this for her, that he couldn't let that nuke go off because she might get hurt.
To be honest, he just wanted to hear her voice one last time. He was selfish, and an asshole, and he wanted her voice to be the one that followed him through the portal.
Maybe it's better this way, he thought as his HUD fuzzed out in front of his eyes and he began falling through the incredible blackness of space. She didn't have to hear me die.