Chapter Four:

Pepper did not understand why her boss had been in a foul mood as of late, but had figured it out the day after he had gone to see his aunt. That morning Tony had been in one of the best moods he had ever in the ten years she had been working with him. She had realized Tony Stark had been missing his family, that's why he had asked for his aunts' address. After seeing his aunt his mood had changed drastically, he would sing, he would whistle, and he would even dance sometimes, but of course he didn't know that Pepper knew of this. The Great Tony Stark would never be caught doing any of those things. She had never seen him so happy.

Despite Tony not telling Pepper and Rhodey what was going on, they had noticed something was amiss, especially Pepper. Pepper had been very glad that Tony was now happy; it had hurt her to see him so depressed, so mad, and so anxious. Seeing Tony had hurt her greatly, knowing she couldn't do anything to help him with whatever he was going through because he wouldn't say, made her feel useless.

Suddenly the phone rang, breaking her thoughts.

"Good afternoon, Stark Mansion." Pepper answered.

"Good afternoon, this is Debra Stark; I'm trying to locate Tony."

"Of course, one moment please."

Pepper hurriedly walked down to the basement where Tony worked, she knew that this would put Tony in an even better mood. She punched in the code and the glass doors slid open, she turned down the loud music and wasn't surprised when Tony reprimanded her to turn it back up.

"Please, don't turn down my music." He called.

"Tony. Your aunt is on the phone." She said holding the phone out for him.

He immediately stopped what he was doing and walked over to the phone. Pepper walked back upstairs leaving him to his privacy.

"Hello Aunt Debra." He smiled.

"Tony, how are you? I'm calling to invite you to a barbeque. We are celebrating Easter at my house."

At that moment Tony had turned nauseous and forced himself to speak.

"Oh great, when is it?" he tried to sound normal.

"It's this Sunday, starts at 2. Do you think you will make it?" he could hear the hope in his aunt's voice.

Of course he wanted to go, he wanted to reconcile with his family, but right now hiding forever sounded about perfect for him. He shook his head and composed himself.

"Of course I'll go!" he exclaimed, "I can't wait."

"Listen, I'll let them know you are going to show up, just so they aren't completely shocked when you get here."

"Thank you Aunt Debra. Do you need me to bring anything?"

"Just your appetite", she laughed, "don't worry about a thing."

"Okay. I'll see you Sunday." Tony chuckled.

"Okay sweetie, see you soon."

Tony hung up the phone and walked upstairs. He was very nervous about Sunday and he felt that same desperation and anxiousness start to creep up on him again. He walked into the living room and sat down. He found himself breaking into light sweat thinking about seeing all his family again.

Pepper noticed something different in Tony's mood when he had walked into the living room. He was quiet and had a worried look on his face.

"Tony, is there something wrong?"

Tony didn't respond, he still had the same look on his face and was starring off into space.

"Tony?" she called.

He jumped and turned to face her.

"Yes?"

"Is there something wrong?" she repeated.

"No. Not at all."

"Are you sure?"

He sighed, "I'm going to my aunt's house on Sunday. My whole family is going be there, and I just haven't seen them in so long."

"You're nervous, aren't you?"

"Very." He found himself admitting.

"Tony, do want to talk about what had you in such a bad mood for so long?"

He looked over at her, "You noticed?"

"Both Rhodey and I." she answered.

Tony found himself contemplating whether he wanted to tell Pepper. He was embarrassed to say it out loud; he was ashamed of his actions.

He sighed, "When my parents passed, I was really angry and I had changed for the worst. I was an arrogant little jerk who thought I was better that everyone else because of how smart I was. I didn't treat my family very well and one day my uncle had enough of it. He screamed at me trying to make me understand what I was doing was wrong. He was trying to make me react; instead I took it badly and said something's I shouldn't ever have said to them." he sighed again and looked up to the ceiling, "I accused them all of being after my money, I accused them of never genuinely loving me or my parents. I don't know why I said those things. I confused them wanting to help me, with them being after my money, when they weren't. I guess I felt scared, I felt like I always had to be on guard when my parents passed away. I felt unprotected even if I had my aunt it didn't suffice; I was missing the protection of my mom and dad." he paused then continued, "I ran out of the house and told them I would never speak to them again. That this would be the last they ever saw of me, and I kept that promise for decade."

"But, what about your aunt? It seems you were very close to her."

"My aunt knew that I hadn't meant anything towards her, but it had still hurt her. I still remember the look on her face when I was saying all those ugly things; I remember her begging me to stop. But if I was going to break all bonds with them, I would have to never speak to her again as well."

Pepper was appalled by what she had heard. She could see the hurt and regret in Tony's eyes when he told the story. She put her hand on his shoulder, and tried to console him.

"I'm sure once your family sees how much you have changed, they'll forgive you. You're not the same heartless, arrogant guy you were a year ago, that's for sure. When you said those things you were young and wreck less; your parents had just passed away. I'm sure they'll understand. You'll be just fine when you go to the barbeque on Sunday."

"I hope so." He said putting his hand over Peppers.