Note/ Disclaimer: DO NOT OWN. Now that I've said that, let me continue on. First Iron Man Fic. Movieverse, casue I loved the unmentionable attraction between Tony & Pepper. May be a little OOC, but deal with it. And I think that's it.

She had always known that she loved him.

The question though was when had she accepted this as truth? This morning at the tarmac? A year ago? Five years ago? Very late last night/ very early this morning was more likely, when she had finally realized that he really was coming home.

Now what though? Did she act on it, let him know how she felt? Or continue to let it go unnoticed. The latter was a safer bet.

Pulling herself up from the couch she currently occupied Pepper Potts took her eyes away from her calendar. The past three month had wrecked hell on her nerves. Not the workload; that she was used to. If anything the work had been god sent. Something to occupy her mind with to a degree, though she still half expected Tony – wait Tony?- to yell for her, one way or another.

With a strangled and annoyed sigh Pepper closed her eye, only to be haunted by images of Tony –yes, Tony- being held captive, sauntering off the plane, ordering her about like he'd never left. Groaning she gathered up her laptop and files.

"At least he's safe home now," she thought to herself. "Not that it will change anything…" Attempting to solidify her resolution, Pepper started her trek up the stairs, lost in thought. He could never know about her feelings for him. She was his PA for pity's sake. She'd seem him at his worst, his best, and everything else in between. She was a glorified nanny, really.

Passing his room on her way to what had become her room in the Stark Mansion; she paused, unable to help herself. He was so close, and still so far. Steeling herself she peeked into the room. He was sprawled out across his insanely large bed. The arc reactor glowing a steady blue, beneath his t-shirt. It was almost soothing, a reminder that he was here, home and safe. Unable to help herself she put her laptop and files down on the hall table and crept into his room. Sitting gingerly on the side of the bed, she smiled at his sleeping form. Reaching out softly, she ran a hand trough his ebony hair. Gentle. A lover's caress. Rolling her eyes at her own idiocy, Pepper stood back up, still watching him. Lover indeed, the man barely treated her like a business professional some days. With a final look over her shoulder, Pepper smiled tenderly at the man who unknowingly held her heart. Closing the door softly behind her Pepper finally went to her room.

Flopping back onto the bed, berating herself for such sentimentality. With an agonized groan, she quickly went through her evening routine, thinking over everything; again. Only after what felt like hours of tossing and turning did Pepper give up on sleep. Clearly it was not happening.

Wandering downstairs, lost in though, it wasn't until she ran into the object of her affections, did she realize that the kitchen was already occupied.
"My god To- Mr. Stark. You scared me." Half scolded, desperately trying to cling to some kind of professionalism; for all that both were in pajamas.

"Couldn't sleep." He shrugged.

"Me either," said softly.

"I think I've started hallucinating though, from lack of sleep. Could have sworn someone was in my room earlier."

"Really?" Pepper asked hiding her face in the fridge, trying to hide her blush. "Would you like me to get you something to help you sleep, Mr. Stark?"

"Always looking after me, Pepper," he smiled faintly. "But no I'll manage on my own."

"Will that be all Mr. Stark?" asked pulling away from the fridge, reverting back to their normal exchange. She needed to get out and fast, he was staring at her, and it was starting to make her nervous.

"No." he said suddenly. Getting up he started walking towards her, slowly, almost hesitant.

"Tell me why you came into my room Miss Potts," he said softly

"I… I, uh, wanted to check on you…" stuttered out.

"Why?" he asked, eyes boring into hers.

She tried to look anywhere but at him, and failed miserably. Biting her lip, she said nothing.

"Why Pepper?" Tony asked again, coming closer still.

"I was worried," said finally, hung her head, embarrassed.

"Worried? You were the one who ordered me to bed."

"I think I better leave…" said feeling the panic rise up in her chest. He was too close, and she was exhausted. Anything could happen.

"Pepper. Stop." Tony sighed. "Are you that afraid of me?" asked.

"I wanted to make sure I hadn't only dreamed you coming home," came the soft reply. "Make sure you hadn't disappeared on me again." Looked up at him wide eyed.
"Disappeared?" he repeated.

"I need you too Tony. You're all I have, remember?" said slowly.

Reaching out he cupped her cheek, running his thumb across the expanse of skin. Slowly he pulled her into his arms. "It's ok. I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled her hands on his chest and nodded.

"So you dreamed about me?" he asked, cockiness seeping into his voice.

Pepper opened her mouth to tell him off, only be to be silenced by his teasing smile.

"Stay with me tonight."

"OK." She said after a second's hesitation.

He nodded back, unable to help his smile. Taking her hands in his, he kissed the knuckles of each hand gently before leading her back to his room. Looking at from the corner of his eye, his smile widened. This was going to be the beginning of something great, he could feel it. Pulling Pepper into the bed, and against him, Tony held her close.

"Goodnight Pepper."

"Goodnight Tony."

With a final elated smile at hearing his name from her lips he chuckled. "Maybe not being able to sleep isn't such a bad thing, huh?"

"Maybe," she allowed fighting back a yawn.

Pulling her a little bit closer, Tony kissed her forehead lightly. Finding comfort in the knowledge that come morning she'd still be there, in his arms.