Malibu California 4 months later

"Sir, Miss Potts has arrived." JARVIS's voice rung through the shop.

Tony looked up from his blueprints and glanced around. "Alright send her down."

"Sir-"

"Mute." Tony turned the screwdriver in his hand and went back to work, eyes darting back and forth between the object on the worktable and the blueprints hovering above. He pursed his lips and was about to place another piece in its spot when he heard the clicking of heels making their way down the stairs. Tony snapped his hands together in a clap and the blueprints disappeared. He set down the screwdriver and turned towards the glass door.

"Tony?" Pepper's form slowly appeared and tony shot her a slightly nervous smile.

"Hey." He leaned back against the table and crossed his arm.

Pepper stepped into the shop and looked him over "There are some things we need to talk about"

He rolled his eyes "C'mon Pep, you know I don't talk."

"Tony you can't just do nothing, it's your company"

"Just because I'm the genius whose name is on the side of the building doesn't make it mine." He turned back to his worktable and started to put his newest toy together.

"You are being ridiculous. What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing." He shrugged

"You've been acting different since the accident in New York." Pepper stepped closer,

"I'm fine, Pepper." He insisted, sending her an annoyed glare.

Pepper shook her head and sighed "Look, I brought you dinner,"

"Is it take out? I've been craving take out." He set down the screwdriver again "JARVIS remind me to get takeout tomorrow."

"I'll put that in the book." The AI responded.

Pepper examined him for a moment before leading the way back upstairs. Tony followed her, eyes scanning her form as they ascended to the main floor and walked towards the table. Tony was a bit disappointed to find Pepper had not brought take out, she had in fact brought a salad.

"What are you trying to do? Kill me?" Tony pouted as he picked up the plastic container.

"I'm trying to keep you from killing yourself." She retorted, sitting down. "Now eat."

Tony rolled his eyes but sat down across from her. "Fine."

He drove his fork into the greens and picked them up, twisting them a few times in front of his face before shoving them into his mouth. He chewed it up, swallowed it and then smiled at her.

"Hmmmm yummy." He stood "Thanks for the dinner." He picked up the container and turned to walk away, wanting to return to his solitude.

"You are not walking away from this." She commanded "You're going to sit down, eat, and then we're going to have a relaxing evening."

I don't relax he thought as he turned to face her. "Pep-"

"If you want me to stay here, you're going to have to make it worth it."

He clenched his jaw, holding her gaze for a moment. "One night." He looked away before sitting back down at the table. They ate the rest of their dinner in silence.


Tony couldn't sleep. He never could these days but something about tonight had made it worse. Something just felt wrong. The air felt darker, everything felt quieter, and the world seemed to spin in slow motion. Tony had been staring at the ceiling for a while now and was beginning to feel a little bit bored. He turned over and kissed Pepper on the forehead before slipping out of the bed and heading down to his shop. Tony's footsteps echoed through the mansion as he yawned and ran a hand through his hair. He had been expecting this dark feeling to go away once he reached his shop and could finally work. But it didn't. It lingered and something in the back of Tony's mind told him something was about to go horribly wrong.

That's when he heard several loud bangs coming from upstairs.

"JARVIS-"

"Working on it, sir."

He stepped into one of his suits before making his way up the stairs. The moment his feet touched the main floor he heard her scream and fear washed over him. He flew to their room, heart racing, chest heaving. She was fine she had to be fine she…

Pepper wasn't fine.

She was laying there, eyes wide, body still, surrounded by blood. He blinked a few times, backing away "Pep?" He turned away and closed his eyes. No. This couldn't be real, he wouldn't accept it. "Pepper?"

"Sir the police-"

"Mute." He whispered, covering his face with his hands. He stayed there like that, asking her name over and over again, refusing to accept she was gone. He hardly even noticed the police as they moved him from the room and began to do their investigation. All he noticed was the hole in his heart and the fact that she was gone. His entire world….

"Hello." Tony's head snapped up at the sound of a familiar voice coming from the other side of the room. "I'm Agent Reed, FBI. Do you mind if I take a look at the scene?"

"Not at all. It's right this way."

He stood and turned towards her. "Hello Miss Reed."

Jenna's face drained of color. "Hello Mr. Stark."