The sunlight could only be seen on the top floor of the Stark Tower. The city lights were beginning to light up the rest of Stark Tower. Natasha had come down for wine for her and Pepper, when she felt like someone was behind her. Quickly grabbing her gun she keeps at her thigh at all times she turns around ready to shot only to be met with Sam. Gasping she puts her gun away.

"What the hell are you doing creeping up on me?"

"Sorry, I just wanted to get my tablet that I left down here earlier" Although Natasha thought that it was convenient that she had come down straight after her, she let it drop and went to get some wine. Then out of nowhere she started to hum a very particular song. Macy Grey 'I Try', it was Nats and Peppers song. However, she kept quiet again bent down to get her wine until...

"I can't wait to go shopping with Tony, with his schedule its hard ever getting to spend more than a week without him going away for a few weeks"

"Must be hard, ever think about Pepper? Because the thing about Tony is its only a matter of weeks. Whereas, when I leave I can be gone for a year with hardly any contact. Ever wonder what that's like?"

"I'm sure she copes"

"Why tomorrow? Why not in the afternoon, or the day after tomorrow when there isn't any meetings. I have to go away tomorrow afternoon. could a be long one maybe 6 months, strict case no contact to anyone for six months. And because you want to go shopping me and

Pepper won't be able to spend any time together". Natasha had supposed that they had known each other long enough to be able to share some details.

"Well the shoes I want are on sale and its a one day only. Sorry" Natasha gave her one dirty look got the wine and left she couldn't stand to be in the same room again, until Sam touched Natasha's wrist and so on instinct she grabs her arm and twists it into a awkward position

"Touch me again and you'll live to regret it"

"Is that a threat 'Nat" The use of Peppers pet name had Natasha reaching for her gun, until she felt Pepper touch her hand from behind lift it up, kiss it, and whisper a subtle no into her knuckles. She promptly let go of Sam and took Peppers hand to walk up to the lift so they could go to their floor. The elevator door shut and Pepper sighed and turned around to look at Natasha who was now looking intently at the wall. She couldn't blame her; she knows what happens when you touch Nat unexpectedly. She just didn't need to reach for her gun.

"I wouldn't have shot her"

"I know"

"Did you hear what that bitch said to me?"

"She called you Nat, what's the big deal? I call you Nat. Do you not like the name?" Pepper vaguely heard Natasha mumble something but couldn't quite make it out. "What?"

"I said, only you call me Nat. No one else" Pepper turned around to look at her amazingly sweet girlfriend, who for once is actually being vulnerable. Pepper took her face in her hands and rubbed her finger across her cheekbone, their eyes meeting. "Please don't be mad at me" Pepper took a deep sigh

"Don't worry I'm not mad at you, she only did it to get a reaction out of you, why'd you give in so easily? You always stand your ground"

"Not after what she did today, her shoes are in sale for one day? I'm pretty sure Tony can get them even if they aren't in sale. I wanted to spend time with you tomorrow, I could be gone for six months Pep" Pepper had never seen Natasha looking so vulnerable.

"What if I don't go to the meeting?"

"It's a rescheduled one you can't not go"

"I'm CEO I can do whatever I want"

Pepper and Natasha came down the stairs in the morning clad in their PJs. Pepper in pale cream shorts and a blue baggy T-shirt hair up in a pony tail. Natasha in fitted tar tin pants and a tight white tee with her hair falling just above her shoulders. Natasha started making the pancakes knowing Pepper wasn't the best cook in the world, they were enjoying a quiet relaxing breakfast, that is until Sam walks in

"Good morning ladies, Pepper don't you think that you're pushing the time limit I'm sure your meeting starts soon"

"Well, actually I managed to talk them out of wanting a meeting, see it was only a new electrical company for the lighting at Stark industries and Tony doesn't like them much anyway and so getting rid of them is probably a good thing"

"Well did you tell Tony this before you went and made that decision?"

"I'm CEO I don't need Tony's permission to do it, also Tony has been letting me make the decisions for the past 10 years I'm sure he trusts my judgment"

"Well I still think your crossing a line when you make these decisions, I thought that you were Tony's friend, don't friends discuss things like this?" Natasha begins to open her mouth but before any words are formed Tony comes out form nowhere and simply says

"Don't worry Sam I trust Pepper one hundred percent you have no need to worry" He looked over at Pepper who looked a little smug "Me and Sam are going out now, Natasha I hope your safe and Pepper I'll see you when we get back" They exchanged hugs and careful words were said.

A few hours later Natasha was suited up in her skin tight suit and her and Pepper were saying the last few words that they would hear each other say.

"You have no idea how sexy you look in that suit" They laughed and Natasha looked her in the eye "But you also have no idea how much I'm going to miss, or how much everything is going to remind me of you, you mean so much to me Nat, just promise me you'll come back safe"

"I swear to God I'm coming back safe, you mean more to me than anyone I've ever met" They kissed goodbye, which more or less turned into a make out session which left them breathless. "I'll talk to you when I can"

"Only when it's safe Nat" Natasha drove off. God knows when they will see each other again.