Tony should have known that his happiness couldn't last, that every time he found happiness that something bad was around the corner. Tony saved millions of lives, but there was one life that he couldn't save, Pepper's.
6 months after they had been married Pepper was diagnosed with breast cancer. Tony had dropped everything to be by her side, to take care of her like she had taken care of him. He gave control of Stark Industries to the board of directors, and had Natasha keep an eye on them. He even quit being Ironman, having Rhodney and the War Machine take his place.
Though thick and thin Tony was always by Pepper's side, though the bouts of radiation and chemo, to when her hair fell out. He held her hand through all of it. He only left her side when she was sleeping, and that was to go down into the lab with Bruce to try to find a cure.
He was with her when the doctors said the chemo and radiation hadn't worked and they would need to remove her breasts. Tony held her as she cried, and told her that it would be okay. He was with her in the operating room and held her hand through the entire procedure.
The doctors thought it had worked, the cancer had gone into remission. Pepper was getting better, even her hair was growing back. Tony was so happy that he took her on a lavish vacation to France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. It was a wonderful two months, until Pepper began to get sick again.
Tony rushed her back to the states, where the doctors told them that the cancer was back and more aggressive than ever. Pepper went through another round of chemo, and instead of getting better, she became worse. The doctors said the cancer was getting worse, that she had only a few months left, two at the best.
Tony was devastated, but he didn't let it show. He had to be strong for Pepper. He made her last two months the best he could, they didn't waste a single minute.
Tony stopped at the doorway of their bedroom, just gazing at his Pepper, his beautiful Pepper. He knew that it was close to the end, and he wanted to be by her side for every second he had left. "Tony" he heard Pepper call from the bed.
Tony put a smile on his face, and walked over to Pepper, sitting down in the chair next to her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"That's okay, I wasn't sleeping. What were you doing?" she asked with a soft smile on her face.
"Just looking at my beautiful wife as she slept"
Pepper face grew sad, "Tony I'm not beautiful anymore." She said as she ran a hand over her smooth head, and her flat chest.
Tony shook his head, shocked that Pepper could ever think like that. "You're still beautiful Pepper, just like the first time I met you" whispered Tony squeezing her hand. "The same beautiful smile, your dazzling eyes, and your sense of humor, and your interiority, Pepper. That is what I see when I look at you, I see the woman I fell in love with." Pepper smiled at him.
"You were always such a charmer, Tony.…Tony I'm so cold"
"Then we'll just have to fix that" said Tony with a small smile. He bent down and removed his shoes, before he climbed in next to her. Wrapping her up in his arms, he held her close.
"Sing to me Tony" whispered Pepper softly as she felt herself fading away and Tony had such a beautiful voice that he rarely ever used.
"Yes Mrs. Stark," whispered Tony, he knew that this was the end. "I love you, so very, very much."
Pepper smiled and closed her eyes, "I love you to, Tony." Tony leaned down and kissed her before he drew her closer. Tony searched his memory and found the perfect song and began to sing.
"I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound"
He sang as Pepper took a few more breaths and became still, as she died in his arms with a smile on her face. Tony felt this and the tears he had been holding back for the past 6 months came pouring out. But he continued the song, until it was done
"Don't you dare look out your window, darling,
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold on to this lullaby
Even when music's gone
Gone
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound"
Tony drew in a shaky breath letting the notes fade away as he looked down onto his wife's face. "Good-bye, my sweet" he whispered kissing her on the forehead.
He closed his eyes, and pulled her closer to him and fell into an exhausted sleep. Bruce found them the next morning. Tony still had Pepper wrapped in his arms, Bruce could tell from one glance that Pepper had slipped away. He gently shook Tony awake.
"Tony wake up." Tony slowly opened his eyes, and looked at Bruce before looking at Pepper, hoping that last night was a dream.
"She's gone Tony" whispered Bruce, tears running down his face. Tony looked at Pepper's peaceful face, all the pain she had been suffering was over, and she had died with a smile on her face. He gently cupped her face, and kissed her before disentangling himself from her.
This story demanded that I should write it. Got the idea from the song Safe and Sound while I was watching Ironman. There is going to be one more chapter to this story, please review!