Not Your Average Fairy Tale
He had known her for years. She had stood by his side through almost everything and remained in his memories when she couldn't be with him. He'd never really realized how important she was to him. She wasn't *just* an assistant. She wasn't *just* someone to answer his calls, pay his bills, keep his industry running, and all the other many things she did that he couldn't even begin to comprehend. She was more than that now. She was his everything and here he was, dying in his own home while his former friend whispered the very words he was terrified to hear. Pepper's been kidnapped…..
Tony Stark froze at these words. Pepper was kidnapped. And by the very person he'd thought was his friend and ally. But Obidiah Stane had betrayed him. Obidiah had taken Pepper away from him. Not only was Pepper stolen, but so was his heart. He'd felt the shock of his arc reactor being ripped from his chest as Obidiah stood over him with a look of delight. His plans for an "Iron Monger" suit were almost complete and Tony would be left to die. As Stane left the room, Tony began trying to figure out how to get out of this mess. If he didn't, he was going to die. And Pepper would die as well if he didn't do something. Obidiah would kill her without a second thought he was sure of it. But wait! Pepper had saved his old arc reactor as a reminder that "Tony Stark had a heart". Thanks to Pepper's nostalgic feelings he had a chance. Filled with a new hope, he was finally able to get up and attempt to make his way to his workshop where the Mark 1 reactor was at.
The pain was severe. It was almost unbearable for him to stand. Pushing it aside he put his mind on Pepper. Her life now was in his hands. He had to make it. He had to live!
He finally reached his workshop where his drained strength reduced him to a crawl. Each moment granted him sharp pains and it had never been so far to his table where the reactor rested. He was almost there. Every inch forward was an act of will now. His mortal strenght had left his body. He reached out, almost grasping the reactor!!! And missed! He slumped slowly to the floor, as he felt his heart beat slow down. His mind and body could do no more. He felt sure his time had come. He wanted to tell Pepper so much and now he'd never get the chance anymore. He had wanted so badly to tell her thank you for all the times she'd been there and for all the things she did. But most of all, he wanted to tell her how much he cared for her. Now he'd never get the chance. As all these thoughts flashed quickly though his mind, he saw out of the corner of his eye the glass box he had so desperately tried to reach. Butterfingers, one of Tony's helpful little machines, had grasped the box and handed it down to him. New strength coursed though his veins as a gleam of hope began to fill his soul. Maybe he could save Pepper after all! He reached for the box containing the arc reactor and held it firmly in his hand. "Good boy," he whispered to his mechanical friend as he broke the glass container. He was able to hook up the reactor just before his world became dark...