Through the Darkness – An Iron Man FanFic

Disclaimer: If I owned the Iron Man franchise, I wouldn't be posting on , now would I? Everything belongs to Mr. Stan Lee and the boys at Marvel; I'm just taking the opportunity to play in their giant, billion-dollar-sized playground.

This is a slightly angsty/rather sad post movie-verse piece told from Tony's point of view. I have yet to decide how many future chapters I am going to add, so stay tuned!

Future Pairing: TS/PP

Reviews are highly appreciated :)!

Do enjoy:

LJ Pepperony 100 Challenge Theme 91: Sight

Whenever I return to the mansion from a mission, Pepper is always there waiting for me.

She asks me if I'm alright and always checks to make sure I'm not lying when I tell her I'm absolutely fine. Then, she usually gives me the flight details that she collects through Jarvis' databases. We go over the information in a calculated manner and decide whether or not certain parts of the suit need improvements or updates. The Mark III has undergone a number of renovations, but it hasn't changed too much from its original incarnation. It's still got that Hot Rod Red/Gold as its rather flashy color scheme.

I count on Pepper for everything … including holding my life in her hands.

I just wish I wasn't so blind … I just wish I had seen it coming sooner.

-Flashback-

I've returned from a "military exercise" (yes, Rhodey and I still fall back on the gold standard) in the Middle East with my partner-in-crime, Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes (aka War Machine). I've just finish "de-suiting" with assistance from Jarvis' robot components when I turn around to find Pepper surveying me from the doorway, dressed casually in a loose-fitting cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

"Pepper! I almost thought I'd have to review the suit specs without you … I have no idea how I ever could have managed that." I smile, gesturing for her to join me at the computers.

However, she makes no move to join me or exit the room. She simply stays where she is, eyeing me with that same melancholy, almost tearful, expression.

"Pepper … what's wrong?" I feel like a complete idiot as I ask the question.

"This … all of this …" She replies, gesturing uselessly around the garage.

"Pepper, I don't really understand what you're trying to say." I meet her gaze, my eyes darkened with worry.

"Tony, not everything is about you! You just stand there and expect me to come waltzing back into this infernal garage every single time you return from one of your military missions like some damn robot! You treat this whole thing like it's just a joke! It's not a joke, Tony, this is your life you're putting on the line. Every time you blast off in that suit, I feel like I've aged 30 years while I just sit here waiting to here the news from Rhodey that you won't be coming back. I can't do this anymore … I can't do this until you realize that there are other people that are affected by your little escapades." Her verbal assault quickly loses strength as she continues to meet my gaze.

"Pepper … Pepper, I'm really sorry." I begin, trying to find the right words to explain my way out of this sudden predicament.

"No Tony, that's not going to work. Sorry isn't going to cover this one. You're going to need to decide what matters more to you: my companionship or that damned suit and everything it comes with." She replies, shaking her head as she begins backing slowly up the stairwell.

"Pepper, wait!" I call, quickly dropping the papers I had collected and striding towards the doorway.

"Tony, I'm leaving. I'm not quitting, but I'm leaving. Indefinitely. When you've come to your conclusion and you've found your answer, I'll be waiting. But you're going to have to do that on your own. Goodbye, Tony." She allows as small smile to grace her lovely face as she turns and strides purposefully up the stairs and out of my life.

And I'm left feeling as though my heart has been ripped from my chest and torn apart by shards of cold glass.

-End Flashback-

It's been a week now, and nothing is going right.

I want Pepper back in my life so badly, I can't seem to concentrate on anything else.

I've talked it over with Rhodey, but the only advice he's offered is to beg her forgiveness and quit the superhero business. He's a bit keen on the idea of inheriting the "Iron Man" mantle.

But it's not that simple. It never is.

I'm still embarking on frequent missions for Rhodey's divisions, but I'm not even close to being up to par. Yesterday, I almost got blown out of the sky by a tank shell because I had allowed my mind to wander back to Pepper's departure.

If she thought I was pulling some daredevil stunts while in her company, she should see how many close calls I've pulled out of the hat without her.

I can't keep this up.

It seems even the "Invincible Iron Man" isn't as invincible as he thought.

Sometimes, especially now as I lift my third glass of Scotch to my lips, I wish I could shake off the self-important blinders I've inherited with the "Iron Man" suit.

As the alcohol slowly numbs my brain, my last coherent thought is of Pepper … and how blind I've truly been.

To Be Continued.