Repercussions of the Truth by AndromedaMarine

Fallen

Night clouded the massive windows of Stark Mansion, reminding Tony there were still many hours to pass before his assistant returned. Jarvis had remained silent whilst Tony ate and retreated to the workshop, throwing himself back into the suit. It was near midnight when Tony lumbered up to his bedroom. He read the letter again, saddened at how much pain she had gone through while he was gone. He imagined Pepper curled up on his bed, sobbing into a pillow, clinging to the only thing that resembled him.

Exhausted from his work and little food Tony collapsed onto the mattress and almost immediately fell into oblivion. He would see Pepper in the morning and talk to her then – anything to work out what rough patch they were in.

Tony ordered Jarvis to wake him at six thirty – an hour before Pepper was to arrive. Despite the fact that it was usually Pepper who dragged him out of bed around nine Tony took a shower and dressed in record time.

The billionaire sat at the kitchen island with a book, the letter and the planner, a cup of coffee steaming in front of him, and an empty plate that had previously supported his breakfast shoved away. He made it through half a cup of coffee and a few pages before he heard the tell-tale click of Pepper's heels against the mansion's floor. His heart sped up, anxious to see her flaming red hair and slender body. She walked straight past the kitchen without a glance, expecting Tony to be still snuggled in the folds of the quilt. Tony let her pass, his eyes on the back of her figure as she made a beeline for the bedroom.

"Ton...Tony?" she called, hurrying down the stairs into the workshop. She was in a panic, never before encountering a situation such as this. "Tony!" He could hear her in the workshop. "Jarvis, where the hell is Tony?"

"Miss Potts, Mr. Stark is in the kitchen."

Tony heard her curse. Her heels tapped at an amazing speed up the stairs and he could tell she was hastily composing herself as she strode into view. "Anthony Stark, what the hell were you thinking, scaring me like that?" She saw the envelope and planner resting by his elbow, and he lost the place in his book as he absently closed it to meet Pepper's gaze with his. "Tony?" Her voice had gotten quiet.

"Yes, Pepper?" His eyes were full of sadness and he spoke quietly.

"Did...did you have a good night?" She sat opposite him and folded her hands, her eyes glancing from him to the letter.

Tony's gaze dropped to the cup of coffee. "Same as usual. Pepper, I...why didn't you just tell me straight out? If there was anything I needed to hear after I got back it was that. I'm sorry – I'm sorry I didn't believe you... Why resort to this? I would have listened."

Pepper rubbed her temples, her eyes closed with frustration. "No, Tony, you wouldn't have listened. The Anthony Stark I know is flamboyant, insensitive, uncaring – a goddamn superhero, the playboy incapable of human contact – how ironic, Tony, ending up the complete opposite of who you really are. I never walk in at seven thirty to find Tony Stark sitting at the kitchen table content with a cup of coffee in place of a fashion model." By now she was on her feet, pacing in front of the island. "Tell me, Tony, did you mean it? I need to know the absolute truth. I'm sick of dancing around your attitude like a goddamn assistant should! You proved to me that I wasn't crazy. You came back from the freaking dead, Tony! Don't you dare tell me what I have to resort to so I can get through to you."

Tony didn't move or flinch. It had been a long time since Pepper had a good rant at her boss; she deserved one once in a while considering who she worked for.

"For God's sake say something, Tony," she insisted, her eyes welling with tears.

He pulled the paper out of the envelope and cleared his throat. "'I'd do anything to see his smile, hear his voice, feel his touch – anything to prove that he's not just a memory – that he's real and alive, aching to be home. I've realized how much I love Tony Stark.'" He stood and slowly walked around the island, stopping a few feet from Pepper, who stood with her arms crossed. "Why didn't you tell me in the limo?"

"Because of your insensitivity after getting off that plane. I couldn't, not then – it wasn't the right time and if I had, you would have brushed it off as a result of your coming back. Everyone but Rhodes told me that it was hopeless, and I couldn't stand to forget you – the house as your only legacy besides the company, and everyone to remember you as the merchant of death and not the caring man you try to be. I didn't want you to stay a memory. I had to prove to myself that there was more, and to do that I had to admit to myself that I – that I love you." Her voice dropped to a whisper and the tears escaped onto her flushed cheeks. "You may have needed to hear it, but you didn't show me you did. Communication, Tony. That's what friends are for."

"The nightmares wouldn't have come if you did," he mused, more of a muttering than an actual statement.

She fell into one of the chairs, a small sob hiccupping from her throat. "You suffered becau...because of me?"

Tony blinked, realizing how she'd perceived his words. "Oh, God, Pepper, God no! I'm not accusing you of anything!" He placed his hands on her shoulders hesitantly, gauging her reaction. She remained limp. "It was speculation, Pepper. A situation like mine is bound to draw nightmares whether I have you by my side or not. I think falling off my perch opened my eyes to what I've been missing – a real relationship with real love and not the imitation. I would've dug myself deeper into that hole if you hadn't pulled me back yesterday. You tossed me the ladder to get out."

Pepper gave a small laugh. "I never would've imagined Tony Stark metaphorical," she coughed. "But that doesn't change anything..." She shifted, and Tony's hands fell to his sides. "I would have helped you if I told you the truth – maybe the nightmares wouldn't have come and..."

"And what, Pepper?"

"And none of this would've happened," she whispered. She stood and was immediately engulfed in Tony's arms, her head buried in his neck. He rested his cheek on her hair, arms wrapped tightly around her. "None of this would've happened..."

For the first time in seven years Tony held the woman he loved without worrying about the consequences. But even though he'd fallen off his perch, he still had to climb back up with Pepper by his side. They held each other for several minutes, only concerned with what had brought them together.

The day called to them.