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Tony POV
"Tony," Pepper said for the umpteenth time. I spun around in my chair and looked back at her, taking my eyes off another one of my projects. I didn't want to be bothered, but Pepper insisted.
"Yes, sweetheart?" I said to her. She narrowed her eyes at my tone. Uh-oh.
"Don't 'sweetheart' me, Tony. I've been trying to talk to you all morning." She frowned as she crossed her arms over chest. I looked down, feeling bad that I had made that frown appear on her face.
"I'm sorry," I say to her sincerly, "I got too caught up in my work. What did you need to say?" Pepper's expressoin softened as she uncrossed her amrs and made her way over to me. I wrapped my arms around her as she sat down sideways on my lap, leaning her head against my shoulder.
"Fury wants to talk to you," she said quietly. I immediately stiffened as memories of the recent past clouded my thoughts.
"The last time Fury wanted to talk to me," I began, "I ended up fighting aliens from outer space." Pepper looked up at me sympathetically, placing her hand on my cheek. I immediately leaned into her hand, enjoying the warmth of her touch. Pepper's the most important person in my life. I loved her like crazy and would give up all of my worldly possessions for her.
"I know it brings bad memories," she said quietly, "But maybe it's for a good reason. It might be very important."
"If the word 'alien' so much as enters the conversation at any point, I will-" I was sileneced as Pepper pressed her lips softly against mine. I sighed in content as I closed my eyes, kissing her back gently. She pulled away after a few seconds and leaned her forehead against mine. I looked into her eyes as I smiled slightly.
"I love you," I whispered to her as I pressed my lips to hers again for a second. She smiled wide, revealing her perfect, white teeth beneath her red lipstick covered lips.
"I love you, too," she whispered back. She gave me one final kiss before she got up from my lap.
"I'll let you get back to your work, ." She said with a smirk on her face. I gave her a smirk of my own as I turrned back around to my project.
"Thank you, Miss Pots." I heard the sound of her heels hitting the floor as she made her way up the stairs. What a woman, I thought to myself as I picked up the electric screw driver. I began working again before my mind began to wander.
What did Fury need to talk to me about? I refuse to be apart of any other alien/god/outerspace battle. My health can't take it anymore. I mean, my heart's functioning fine and everything else, but something's wrong. I can't sleep. Everytime I try, I get nightmares about that day. I wake up in the middle of the night, screaming. Pepper holds me while I try to calm down. I would never admit this to anyone, too embarrassed about the whole ordeal.
I'm Tony Stark. I'm a billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist. I've got everything I could possibly want. I shouldn't be having nightmares. I'm actually getting a little worried. Everytime I have a nightmare, it gets a little scarier each time.
I shook my head, trying to rid my thoughts of anything that didn't have to do with mechanics.
"I don't want to do this," I said to Pepper nervously as we walked through S.H.I.E.L.D. My palms were sweating and my hands shook slightly. I noticed my heart was beating rapidly.
"I know, sweetheart. But you have to. I'll be right outside if you need me." We had finally reached Fury's office. I looked at the door, feeling intimidated for the first time in a long time. What if it was bad news? What if it was good news?
Pepper kissed my cheek sweetly, before she sat down on one of the waiting chairs and pulled out her tablet.
I opened the door to find Nick sitting at his desk, hands folded neatly on top. He looked at me with an eyebrow raised as I took my seat.
"Knocking is usually the customary way of enetring a closed door," Nick said blankly. I looked at him impatiently, wanting to get this over with.
"I don't have all day, Patchy," I said rudely as I crossed my arms over my chest. "Get on with it." Nick sighed and shook his head. He opened one of his drawers and pulled out a file, lightly setting it on the desk. I reached for it, but Nick slammed his hand down on it.
"Wait," he said as he looked at me, "We need to talk first."
"Oh, the 'We need to talk' kind of conversation. You braking up with me, Nick?" I responded like the smartass I am.
"Do you remember Arabella Carter?" He said completely ignoring my statement.
"Um, yeah," I said scratching my head, "I dated her a couple years ago." Arabella was a scientist who I had worked with for one of my weapons. We had ended up dating, but I ended it after a few months. She had become unbarably clingy and started drinking more so than I had. Now that's saying something.
"Fifteen years ago, to be exact."
"Okay, what does this have to do with anything?" I asked him. I was getting seriously impatient. Where the hell was this leading to?
"Are you sure, Tony?" Fury asks me with an uncertain look on his face.
"Just say it, dammit!" I yelled as I sprung up from the chair, slamming my fists down on the desk and my breathing turning raged.
"You have a daughter, Tony."
