Yay, another chapter! I've had this ready to post for a week or so, but something's weird about the computers at school that won't let me post and all that...so...this is the first chance I've gotten to do this. :) Yay for weekends!

Well...I know I promised you guys a longer chapter...and now I'm honestly not sure if it's any longer or not. But I hope you like it-I had a sudden inspiration and stayed up all night to do it. :)

Along with chapter 4...

Previously in You're All I Have...

"Even superheroes can't do things alone," Pepper said softly, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You need to realize that, Tony." He smiled sadly. "I'm going up to bed. You coming?"

"Yeah," he said absently, eyes focused on his sleeping five-year-old. "In a minute."

"Don't stay up too late," she whispered, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I won't." Tony barely noticed that Pepper had left him standing alone in their son's bedroom, too many thoughts crowding his mind.

How am I supposed to deal with this? I know I can't do this alone…but how can anyone understand what this means to me?

I don't even fully understand it myself.

One Week Later

"So…what's your plan?" Colonel James Rhodes turned to look at his best friend, who was staring at a computer screen, frowning. "Tony?"

"I've analyzed every possible way Obadiah could've survived," Tony said with a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Each one seems as unlikely as the next."

"What've you got?"

Tony raised his eyebrows. "Superhuman powers." Rhodey snorted.

"You're joking, right?" When Tony said nothing, the colonel frowned, looking over his friend's shoulder at the screen. "Damn."

"I don't want to believe it," the billionaire said, fingering his goatee thoughtfully. "And when he had me there…he didn't feel any stronger. I think I would've felt the difference…wouldn't I?"

Rhodey shrugged, stifling a laugh. "I don't pretend to be an expert on superhuman powers, man."

"Yeah…" Tony muttered. "Me neither. But-" The door opened, and they both turned around.

"Any progress?" Rhodey smirked.

"Unless you consider playing mutant progress," he said, "No." Pepper frowned, tucking a strand of orange hair behind her ear.

"Mutant?" No one answered. She placed a gentle hand on Tony's shoulder and kissed his cheek. She stroked his forehead, sighing. "You're exhausted," she said. "Did you even go to bed last night?"

"Mhm," he said absently, still staring at the computer.

"You liar," she whispered. Tony frowned and blinked, turning around, dark circles under his eyes. "You need to sleep."

"I can't," he argued. "I can't rest until I figure out how to get rid of this bastard for good."

"How does that help us if you're barely alive?" she shot back, raising her eyebrows. "Tony-"

"No," he answered stubbornly. "I'm staying here." Pepper looked at Rhodey, who raised his hands in surrender.

"Don't look at me," he said with a laugh. "If you can't convince him, no one can."

"Great," she grumbled sarcastically. She turned back to her husband. "All right, superhuman powers?"

Tony shrugged tiredly. "What else is there?"

"Well…not much…except…" Pepper closed her eyes, and then opened them again. "He was wearing the suit, Tony. What if it wasn't him…if Obadiah himself stayed purely human…but his suit protected him?"

His dark eyes lit up. "You know…that's not bad, Pep," Tony admitted. "You could very well be right." Rhodey folded his arms across his chest.

"What was his suit made out of?"

"I don't know," Tony realized. "It was thick…it looked heavy. Maybe…maybe it was iron. But…" He looked at Pepper thoughtfully. "I wonder…"

"Tony, I've got to tell you something else," she said quietly. He nodded silently, frowning.

"Rhodey, get lost," he said with a grin. Rhodey rolled his eyes and left the workshop, heading back up the stairs. Tony turned to his wife, his frown still darkening his features. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, exactly," she said, twisting her fingers nervously. "I just…I wasn't expecting it."

"What?

"Tony…I'm…we're…having twins," Pepper said, looking into his eyes, her own blue eyes wide. He stared at her, his mouth hanging wide open.

"We're…I mean…what?" he sputtered, nearly falling out of his chair.

"Twins," she repeated clearly. Tony continued to stare.

"That means…two…" he muttered to himself. "Two of them…"

"Yes…" Pepper said with an apprehensive laugh. "Tony…" He extended his hand and grasped hers firmly. Standing up, he pulled her closer to him and sighed. Feeling her shaking, he frowned and studied her face.

"You're trembling," he stated. "Pepper…"

"Tony, I'm sorry." He stared at her again.

"Sorry?" he asked incredulously. "Why the hell are you sorry?" Tony's face split into a massive grin.

"What?"

"Twins," he said, shaking his head tiredly. "Damn, Pep." He sat down, rubbing his forehead. He looked back up at her and laughed. "I'm screwed."

"How so?" she asked, frowning.

"Come on," he said. "I could barely handle one the first time. But two…"

"You've got experience now, then," Pepper disagreed. "I think you'll be fine."

"What about you?" Tony asked quietly, taking her pale hand in his. When she said nothing, he said, "Pepper?" She turned back around, and he was dismayed to see a few tears trailing down her cheeks.

"I'm scared, Tony," she admitted softly, as he took her into his arms. "God, I'm so scared."

"It'll be fine," he growled, gritting his teeth. "I promise, it's all going to be fine." Pepper stroked the bump protruding from her middle and leaned on Tony's chest, sighing heavily.

"I…Tony?" she asked, her voice gentle. He looked down, his brown eyes meeting her blue ones.

"Yeah?"

"You know that Obadiah's going to come after us…me…Jason…that is, if he comes at all," she said quietly, looking down.

"He's coming," Tony said, his eyes darkening as he looked away. "I don't doubt that. It's only a matter of when."

"Fine…when he does come…he's not going to directly go after you…if he has any sense."

Tony raised his eyebrows. "Sense, Pepper?" he asked incredulously. "It's been years since Stane's had any sense."

Pepper glared at him. "You know exactly what I mean, Tony," she said heatedly. "This isn't a joke."

"I know," he said quietly. "I know that all too well."

"Oh, Tony," she breathed, kissing him lightly. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah," he muttered. "I'm sorry too. If it wasn't for me…you wouldn't be in danger."

"It's worth it," she said simply. "I love you." Tony smiled slightly.

"I love you too," he mumbled, kissing her forehead tiredly.

"Sleep," she whispered, releasing herself from his arms. Smiling softly, Tony watched her leave the workshop and walk up the stairs, out of sight. His eyes slipped closed, and he had just enough time to collapse on the couch before sleep took him.

Iron Man is such a burden.

Sometimes I don't know who to be…

…sometimes I don't know who I need to be.

Four Months Later

"Some things never change," Pepper commented, walking into Tony's workshop, only to find his jeans coated in grease. He smiled up at her, a quiet laugh escaping his lips.

"Yeah," he said, clearing his throat, "I guess you're right." Standing up, he took her into his arms.

"Then again…" she started to say. "Other things do." Tony smiled to himself and kissed his wife's forehead. He gently laid a hand on her rounded stomach, feeling something move. Pepper smiled and rested her head on his arc reactor, the light buzz calming her as she relaxed in his arms.

"Definitely," Tony muttered into her hair. He released her from his hug and looked questioningly into her eyes. "Pepper…" He ran his fingers through his dark hair and sighed heavily, sitting down. She sat beside him, her hand covering his.

"What?"

"I just feel…" He waved his hand carelessly. "Ah, I don't know. I feel…different."

"Is different…a good thing?" Pepper asked hesitantly. Tony turned to look at her worried face.

"I'm not sure yet," he said truthfully. "In some ways…yes. In other ways…no."

"How?"

"I think this is what you would call…a mid-life crisis." Pepper stifled a giggle, causing Tony to raise his eyebrows at her. "What?"

"Tony Stark, having a mid-life crisis?" she asked, disbelieving. "No way." He frowned, thinking.

"I'm not sure if that's exactly what it is, but…" He ran his fingers through his hair again, exhaling. "I think…I'm realizing…that I can't do this alone."

"Oh, Tony," Pepper breathed sadly. "You know that you're not alone." He smiled wistfully.

"That's not what I mean," Tony said, his voice gaining confidence. "I mean…as Iron Man. By myself…I'm just a man. I can be ignored…destroyed. But-"

"Tony, you're more than just a man," she said softly. "You're a hero." Then Pepper shook her head. "No, you're not even just a hero." He tilted his head, his brown eyes questioning. "You're a superhero."

"Pep…" But he could not stop the grin that was plastered on his face, even though it faded rather quickly. "I think…I'm still more vulnerable."

"You're regretting telling the truth about Iron Man," Pepper realized. "You wanted to be indestructible. You wanted…" He looked at her sadly.

I wanted so much, Pepper.

"I don't know what I was thinking," he admitted quietly. "But if I have another…maybe a…"

"Sidekick?" she suggested, her eyes shining.

"Y…Yeah," he realized. "Something like that."

"Who?" Pepper asked, tucking a strand of orange hair behind her ear. "I mean, what, are you just going to put an ad in the paper?"

Looking offended, he replied, "No. This person…is someone I know."

"You already have one," she stated, unsurprised. "Why do I have a feeling this isn't the best idea?"

"Pep, I need someone out there to cover my back," Tony reasoned. "You told me…that what I do makes the world a safer place. But every time…I can't find the strength to look into your eyes…and tell you that it'll all be fine." He stared at the first Mark suit sadly. "Because what if it's not?" he muttered bitterly. He grasped her hand firmly, his sweaty palm shaking.

"Tony-"

"And I know…I just know…no matter how hard I try…I can't give up Iron Man," he said quietly. "The suit and I…are one. I am Iron Man, Pepper. I can't deny that. But I can't stand hurting you either."

"You're not."

"Look at me and tell me that you don't fear for my life every day," Tony argued, his head in his hands. "At least…if someone has my back…someone I can trust…maybe it'll help." Pepper frowned at his broad smile, but as a thought stuck her, her jaw dropped.

"Rhodey," she said suddenly. "That's who-" He nodded, reaching across to kiss her lightly on the lips, which she responded to gently. "You know…this just might work." He nodded.

"Yeah," he agreed. "It might."

Okay, so I know I skipped like 4 months and everything, but I wanted to show time passing-it was going way too slow for my liking.

Hopefully I'll get Obadiah doing some evil stuff soon...anyone have any ideas?

And for those of you that are reading Left Behind, I'm so sorry for the long wait, and I swear, the next chapter will be posted within the week.

Anyway, have to go for now. (Practice AP Test to study for...wish me luck!)

please remember to review...

William D. J. Watson