Why do I always forget to put these things up until the chapter is already poasted.... Oh hey! (sorry for the lame little oh hey its you! how is your cat today? thing...)

Anyways: Disclaimer: I dont own this. yada yada yada... you get the point.

Please Please Please! Review people! I need more reviews! I hate to preasure you like this but my ego is taking quite a beating here... Its very painful. How about this. If you guys review, I will write longer chapters! I know its probably been bugging some of you, and this chapter is the shortest. so review! Please and Thank you all! I so happy! readers have passed the 300 mark last night! keep going guys! Love you all! And now I present: (drumroll please) Chapter 4!!! Chapter 4

Tony felt like he was floating. It was a very strange feeling. Everything was black. He could hear voices in the distance but he couldn't make any of them out. He thought it felt like being underwater. He assumed the voices were not a figment of his imagination, but the doctors and Pepper instead. To keep himself from going crazy he focused on Pepper's voice. It seemed like days that he was floating and every moment, he was searching out Pepper's voice. He soon found this dark, underwater place, to be very peaceful because of Pepper.

Tony was listening to the melodies of Pepper's voice when he felt the warmth of someone's hand around his. This startled him. He couldn't find Pepper's voice. Then Tony thought:

"Is that it then? Am I going to Hell now? Will this warmth turn into a raging fire?"

An extreme depression fell over Tony. He realized that he would never see Pepper again. His heart shattered and he realized exactly how much he loved Pepper. He quickly visualized her face and took in every detail as humanly possible. He was melancholy at how well he could see her. Strangely, his mind put her in the hospital room and the ceiling lights made her look like an angel. It was the heaven he would never reach.

He felt a tear roll down his cheek. The vision of Pepper suddenly looked worried. He wanted to tell her not to worry but he couldn't find his voice. The imaginary Pepper reached over and wiped the tear away and her finger left a trail of warmth where she touched. Tony smiled and so did Pepper.

"It's okay, Tony. Everything is fine," said the angel. Tony could have died then and been happy in Hell. The vision leaned over Tony and kissed him on the cheek. His heart flew and he knew that this couldn't, in any way, be Hell. Tony brought up all his strength and squeezed Pepper's hand weakly. It felt as real as real could be.

Realizing this, Tony's rational mind took over and came to the conclusion that this was all real. He recalled his time in the darkness and made a silent vow to himself that he would be a better man for Pepper. He hoped desperately that it wouldn't be like that time at the Walt Disney Concert Hall when things went terribly wrong all because of him. Guilt flashed through his mind at the memory.

"I'm sorry," he croaked. Pepper looked surprised at his words.

"For what?" she asked. Her voice made his heart flutter again.

"Everything," he said, his voice clearing up a little.

"Don't be. You are who you are because of what you've done. Your whole life has brought you to this point and state of mind. You wouldn't be the same if you took back everything you didn't like in your life."

Tony thought over this and saw the logic in it.

"I'm still sorry." Pepper leaned in towards Tony and he sat up, resisting the urge to wince. They both lingered there for what seemed like hours until the door quickly opened and Dr. House and another doctor came in.

"Hello, Mr. Stark. I hope I'm not interrupting anything," House said, eyeing Tony and Pepper.

They both moved back to their previous positions. Tony silently cursed the doctors. At least the other doctor next to House looked sympathetic.

"Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Stark," said the other doctor. Tony grudgingly nodded. Pepper sighed.

"My name is Dr. Wilson," said the doctor.

"Well, what's going on?" Tony asked.

"We did the surgery," House said, "But, we weren't able to take out all the shrapnel in your chest. Even if we had taken it all out, it wouldn't have mattered. Your ribs have fused around the metal. It is too dangerous to break it apart." Tony subconsciously rubbed his chest. Pepper gently squeezed Tony's hand.

Just as Tony was going to say something, an explosion rocked the room. Pepper yelped and House grabbed the end of the bed.

"What was that?" Wilson yelled. Tony was silent.

"Tony? Tony, what's wrong?" Pepper asked.

"They after me..." Tony whispered.

"Who?" House asked.

"The Ten Rings..."