The morning was frigid; the cool breeze had gone from calm to wild in what seemed like seconds. This, however, didn't stop Pepper's walk around the city. She didn't know the exact date she was leaving, but she wanted to remember New York to the best of her ability.

The world was bare, Pepper had left her house at four, hoping it not be crowded when she walked through the park. Slowly, the New York citizen looked at the sky, the gray clouds and misty atmosphere where not helping her mood, in truth, it matched it quite well. She still hadn't talked to Tony or Rhodey since yesterday's incident. She did want to; Pepper Potts normally forgave and forgot when it came to good friends; unless keeping a grudge could help her out later; but that hurt more than she would have liked to admit. Why was he being the way he was? Did she do something wrong, or was it the fact she didn't do anything that he wouldn't care if she just packed up and left? Tears threatened to spill from her eyes in utter defeat. She was angry and confused, but she couldn't blame him, she never really did anything.

On the other side

Rhodey wouldn't speak to Tony until Tony talked to Pepper. After her abrupt departure the day before, everyone had been in a bad mood. That day had started terrible, their alarm went off two hours before its set time, the water was freezing, and Tony couldn't find his tooth brush. Worst of all, Pepper wouldn't pick up her phone, and they where suppose to walk to school today, Rhodey was hoping she would have gotten over it Before anyone could say anything about it, a warning voice went off that both boys recognized as Mrs. Rhodes.

Quickly the boys grabbed their bags and a piece of toast and headed to school.

When they reached the Tomorrow Academy, their first thought was to find Pepper, but she was nowhere to be found.

Looking nervously at one another, they waited until they both had a class together with their best friend, and again, no Pepper.

"I'm getting worried Rhodey, I haven't seen Pepper all day," Tony looked to his left and right, as if still thinking his friend would appear.

What Tony Stark forgot, was James Rhodes could hold a grudge for as long as the situation called for. He hadn't said a word to the genius all day, and Tony was annoyed but knew he deserved it.

Tony walked away; he needed to think, where would she be? He knew what angle she was playing at, heck, he might do the same thing, but what worried him was if he wasn't right. If she really left and he just blew her off like that, it would severely wound him.

Being his free period, Tony walked he steps to the roof of the school building, remembering when he first met his second best friend. She had spewed facts about him, and named herself and half her life story. Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad, but it was bad enough for him. Being overwhelmed by such a strange girl whom he had just met was a first for the boy mastermind. Memories popped into his head, some made him laugh, while others scared the crap out of him. Like when Mr. Fix and Whiplash were after her. He kept his calm on the outside, but his stomach dropped when he heard screaming followed by gunshots. He passed it off as it not being a big deal, well except maybe when she worked him to get him to admit to the secret identity which he owned, but that was far from his mind at the moment.

The end of the day FINALLY came. Students left in a hurry, it was Friday and that was enough said. Running out the front double doors, Tony headed for Pepper's, Rhodey in tow. Tony stopped mid-step which caused his friend to bump into him, he didn't notice that Tony had stopped; he was too busy playing with his new phone.

"Dude what was that about, you can't just stop when someone is walkin…." But after looking up, he too stopped eyes wide. They knew Pepper was moving but that soon?!

"Seriously!?" the boys knew that voice, all too well actually.

"This is like the hundredth thing you've dropped! If you break something you are paying for it! MY dad is with the FBI and will sue you threw the loyers that they have! I'm going to give your Yellow Page rating a big, fat…. "Pepper calm down."

Spinning on her heel she came face to face the person causing her to eat pints of ice cream and watch stupid chick-flicks.

Tony freakin Stark

"What do you want? I thought you didn't care if I lived or died." Pepper shot a death glare in his direction, crossing her arms over her chest and bending one knee and a very feminine and defensive way.

"I just wanted to say…"

CRASH

"Sorry Miss. Potts," a mover called over his shoulder. However he looked too pleased to be seriously sorry for dropping the box.

"I HAVE NEVER MET A BUNCH OF GRADE F MOVERS LIKE YOU ALL! I SWEAR IM GOING TO…." She cut herself off as she stomped over to the group of cowering men standing by the truck.

Rhodey slid a hand around her waist and pulled her back. She looked at him with an angered expression. It didn't last long however, his small sad smile changed her exterior.

She mumbled a sorry under her breath as he let go.

" I guess I'm just a little stressed about the whole moving out of the country, and such; not that you would care, or know. " she added the last part and directed it towards Tony.

He lowered his head in shame. He felt terrible, he didn't mean to make her so mad, but he didn't want to believe that she was leaving, and by not talking about it, or owning up to it was the easiest way, for him.

"Pepper," before anyone could say anything, they all heard her name being called.

As they glanced over, they saw Mr. Potts getting out of his car, boxes of what was guessed, to b e full of his work belongings.

"Yah, I'm coming," she replied sadly.

Looking at the two boys next to her, she saw Tony's sad expression.

"Out of the country? Where are you going Pepper?" Rhodey was sad, and it was understandable.

"I don't know, my dad won't tell me, something like, 'the whole town will know where we're going if I tell you', whatever."

Both boys smiled, but it disappeared just as fast, when they realized they wouldn't hear her rambling for quite some time.

"I, um, can't contact anyone here, for now at least." She put her head down. Tony ears perked up and looked at her suspiciously.

"Pepper, what happened?" he had known something was wrong, something was different with her, but he was so caught up in the armor, that he hadn't even asked what it was.

"Whiplash, he contacted my dad again… its fine, he won't be able to find us… where ever we're going…" the sentence hung in mid air, and then a honk was heard.

"I have to go" Rhodey pulled her into a hug, and whispered something in her ear which made her eyes water.

Goodbyes were hard.

As he let go, she looked to Tony, expecting something, anything. He wouldn't meet her eye. Actually, he wasn't even paying attention.

Nodding her head in understanding, she turned and walked to the car with her eyes full of tears.

James elbowed Tony as hard as he could, goal: permanent damage.

"What?!" the boy genius was aggravated. He was thinking of ways to find whiplash so Pepper could…. Not stay, no it hadn't sunk in that she was leaving, and that he wouldn't be able to find her; he was just thinking about ways to find Whiplash. Yah, that'll work.

"What's wrong with you?! How could you blow off Pepper like that?! She just left man. I don't know what's wrong with you, but you don't deserve a friend like Pepper." with that he walked away, watching her car pull out and drive down her street.

Tony just rolled his eyes. His mind may be extremely fast, but his emotions lacked in understanding and comprehension.

He had no idea what heart-ach awaited him in the morning.

Hope you liked this chapter! Where is Pepper going? What did Whiplash say?! Why must Tony be a douche bag?! Love you friends :]