I will never own IronMan...ever. Reviews are appreciated!


The next day Pepper turns on the television and sees her face.

"Stark Industries own Virginia Stark is pregnant! The wife of former playboy, Tony Stark, is preparing for baby number three. It's no surprise that she's pregnant again because Mr. Stark just can't live a day without doing his favorite activity."

"Oh, shut up!" Pepper yelled as she turned off the television. She was already having a bad day and this didn't help. This was the day she would have to say goodbye to her daughters. They sent an unmarked plane to pick up her brother Vincent and he would be here any minute. Pepper was dreading saying goodbye and couldn't stop the tears from falling. Her and Tony hadn't spoken since last night and he even slept downstairs. Pepper gathered the girls' things alone and placed them by the door. She bent down to her girls in their carriers to tell them bye.

"Girls." She whispered. "I love you so much and we'll be back together soon." Pepper placed a kiss on both of their foreheads as she heard the doorbell ring.

She walked over and opened the door to see her frowning brother's face.

"Hey, Vince." Pepper faked a smile.

"Hey, Gin." He pulled her into a hug and kissed her head.

More tears fell down her cheeks as she pulled back from him.

She wiped them away quickly and said, "Thank you for taking them."

"Gin, you know it's no problem but I wish you'd come with us. You need to keep that little guy safe, too."

Pepper shook her head fiercely and whispered, "I know, but I can't leave Tony."

"Are you okay? I mean, despite the obvious."

"I'll be fine. Tony and I are just going through some rough times."

"Oh."

Happy came in them and took the twins bags to the car. After he came back, he smiled warmly at Pepper. "I'm afraid it's time, Pep."

"You're right." Pepper said as she gave her brother another hug and whispered, "Take care of my daughters."

He smiled sadly and said, "You take care of yourself too."

Tony came up then and Pepper noticed his red eyes.

"Can we have some privacy?" She said as her brother and Happy stepped out the door.

Pepper didn't talk to him and he didn't even look at her. The look of desperation was in his eyes as he looked at his daughters. The overwhelming love he felt for them was there in his chocolate eyes. He bent down in front of them and kissed each of their foreheads. He wrapped his arms around both carriers and buried his head next to theirs.

"I love you." Pepper flinched at the words and realized she was wrong about Tony. Sure he was acting like a coward and accepting death but telling his daughters goodbye was possibly the hardest thing he's ever had to do. It was breaking his heart and just added to the stress he was already under.

Before Pepper could speak, Tony was already grabbing their carriers and handed them to Happy outside. Tony shut the door and slid right down it into a sitting position. He buried his head in his hands and sobbed.

Pepper hated seeing him like this. He was broken and battered and she could do nothing but try to comfort him.

"Oh, Tony." She walked over and sat right beside him. She pulled him into her arms as they both cried together.

After several minutes, Pepper spoke up and said, "I'm so sorry about yesterday."

"No." He pulled back and looked at her in the eyes. "You were right. I'm not going to let anyone take my family away from me like this again. I swear, Pep, it's like half of my heart went out that door."

"Where's the other half?" Pepper wondered.

"With you. It's always with you." Tony smiled and leaned over to kiss her. Their kiss tasted like salt but Pepper didn't care. He was going to fight for her and their family. Pepper smiled into the kiss and her heart fluttered as she felt Tony smiling too.

Her Tony was back and he wasn't going down without a fight.