Thank you all for the lovely reviews! I hope this chapter will live up to your expectations!
I'm not overly happy with this chapter compared to the last one, but it's crucial to the story line.
Hopefully you guys like it!
Enjoy!
The jet shuddered slightly as Pepper shoved her phone in her pocket, quickly maintaining her composure before stepping out of the small toilet. Slowly she made her way back to Happy, who glanced up at the tall woman nervously.
"Pepper, about before". Happy whispered rubbing his forehead. "I didn't mean to over step my boundaries.." He trailed off staring at her silently.
"Boundaries, what do you mean". She whispered, gently taking a sip of the cold water one of the flight attendants had left for her.
"I mean my role here is as a bodyguard- there's no need for me to make it personal, it's none of my business to be prying into your personal life- it's just after everything that's happened over the past couple of months, it's made us closer- you're basically like family to me". He said looking away from Pepper.
She had no idea how to take what he'd just said, but there was no time to elaborate on feelings knowing that one of their dearest colleges was being tortured in a dingy room somewhere.
All Pepper needed to do was concentrate on the mission in hand.
Saving Rhodey.
"What? Don't worry about anything Happy." Pepper smiled quickly sitting back in her seat. "I just felt a bit flustered from all this travelling . She whispered leaning back in the white seat, closing her eyes.
Images of Rhodey's beaten face immediately flashed in front of her eyes, causing her to sit up quickly, across from Happy's worried face.
"Is there something wrong with you and Tony?". Happy asked quietly leaning closer to Pepper. "Because I know this is his first proper long term relationship, but everything seemed so natural between the two of you."
This is the last thing she needed.
If Happy suspected Tony wasn't treating her well enough, he would ring him up. Causing both of the men to be thrust upon the kidnapping mess.
"Happy". Pepper said forcefully, narrowing her eyes. "Please. Stop. Nothing is wrong with me. Nothing is wrong with Tony. I just need some space to clear my head when we land, okay?".
"Okay." Happy murmured quietly, watching Pepper's every movement. He knew something wasn't right.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket indicating a new text message. Pepper slowly dug out her phone reading the message quickly.
'You will receive a text when we want you to leave the airport. Don't try anything. We're watching you' Pepper frantically sent the message into the delete folder, trying to forget the stressful situation for a few minuets.
The rest of the flight was torture for Pepper- knowing that every second that ticked by, was a second longer of Rhodey in pain.
The only thing she knew she had to do, was contact S.H.I.E.L.D and Phil, that way they would know not to come looking for her, hopefully making Tony stay far away from the messed up creep that was torturing Rhodey as possible.
By leaving Tony unaware of the situation she was helping him.
As soon as the jet landed Pepper needed to run.
She needed to hide and get herself in a secure location away from Happy, she knew they'd eventually find her but all she really needed was a couple of minuets alone, to contact Coulson, then she would find some way to help Rhodey.
A tall brown haired flight attendant grinned at Pepper and Happy, interrupting their moment of silence.
"The jet will be landing in a few minuets". She smiled sweetly, staring at Pepper intently her happy exterior seemed forced. Something about this woman reminded her of someone. "Can I get you two anything else?".
Pepper stared at the woman for a few seconds, recognising the bluey green tinge of her eyes.
"No thank you". She whispered continuing to stare at the dark haired woman. "I'm sorry." Pepper said smiling warmly at the flight attendant. "Have we met before?"
The woman flashed her white teeth at Pepper, ducking her head slightly. "Er. No I don't think so." She stuttered not looking at Pepper. "I was only recently hired to work on board Stark Industries jets, excuse me".
The tan woman quickly walked away from the two, leaving Pepper more confused than before.
It was probably just her nerves and stress from the video of Rhodey, making her paranoid at everyone that she came into contact with.
Slowly the jet landed smoothly against the ground, making every muscle in Pepper's body tighten- she needed to get into the most crowded area of the airport and run.
It felt like forever until her and Happy were able to climb the steps down, out of Tony's jet. The cool wind calming Pepper's nerves. All she had to do was act natural.
The short walk towards the huge airport terrified her, the stares of random people heightening her nerves.
How was she going to slip away unnoticed?
The huge airport was packed full of people, all she had to do now was wait for a perfect distraction. Happy walked slowly behind her, still carrying her suitcase, his face full of concern as they walked towards the main section of the airport.
"BREAKING NEWS".
The loud voice of a newsreader swept through the hallways of the airport, as every television channel all changed to the same footage.
Pepper glanced up at the many television screens place around the whole airport, all of them changing to the same news channel.
"There have been reports of a murder in Stuttgart, Germany- it's unknown for now if the cause of the execution is of human decent. We go live to the scene of the events taking place- please be aware that some of this footage may be distressing to viewers".
Pepper stopped in her tracks glancing at one of the many screens on the walls of the airport, footage of people running in suits and gowns were shown, while a tall pale man herded them into a circle, somehow transforming him self around the circle of people.
"I said KNEEL". He shouted causing the group to kneel in fear, the camera showed police cars overturned in the background.
"Is not this simpler?". The man in green cloaks and armour questioned his kneeling audience. "Is this not your natural state?"He said making his way through the kneeling crowd holding up a spear. "It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation".
Pepper narrowed her eyes, glancing at Happy whose eyes were fixed firmly on the screen.
What is it with subjective psycho men.
"The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power, for identity". He continued speaking over the kneeling crowd. "You were made to be ruled".
Pepper glanced around the airport realising that everyone had stopped what they were doing, and were watching the numerous screens showing the ordeal in Germany.
"In the end you will always kneel". He smirked glancing at the people around him.
Quickly the camera showing the live footage turned suddenly, to show an elderly man get to his feet- standing in the mist of the kneeling people. Slowly he turned to face the pale man.
"Not to me like you". He whispered, shaking slightly.
"There are no men like me". The dark haired man replied, grinning at the old man. Pepper rolled her eyes, hating him already.
"There are always men like you". The elderly man said shaking his head.
Pepper knew what was going to happen.
The world was about to watch a live execution.
Quickly she looked towards Happy in panic, seeing that he was already busy with distractions as he was desperately trying to ring someone to help the poor man in time.
But no one would be able to get there.
Breathing in deeply, Pepper shut her eyes tightly to avoid looking at the screen. She had seen enough horror for a lifetime.
"Look to your elder people". She heard the man say, hearing gasps from other people around her. "Let him be an example".
Pepper waited to hear the sound of cries and horror from the people around her but they did not come. Instead everyone was cheering and clapping at the change in events.
Opening her eyes Pepper gasped at the change in scenario.
The screens showed a muscular tall man in a blue suit standing in the way of the elderly man, Pepper smiled knowing exactly who he was.
Captain America.
Spending so much time with Tony, she'd heard all the stories about his father- how Howard Stark had been with Captain America during his transformation. Formally known as Steve Rogers, the Captain was a brave fearless soldier, who always put other peoples lives before his own. But everyone knew of the story about him crashing into the seas during a fatal mission. So how on earth could he be in Germany?
Surely it couldn't be him?
"You know, the last time I was in Germany and saw a man standing above everybody else- we ended up disagreeing". Steve said making his way towards the pale man on the floor.
Quickly Pepper glanced at her watch, she needed to get away from Happy and the other people watching her- to call the S.H.I.E.L.D agents and inform them about Rhodey's capture.
"The soldier". The dark haired man chuckled getting to his feet. "The man out of time."
"I'm not the one whose out of time". Steve replied.
The camera swerved showing a black jet fly behind Steve, aiming its guns towards the other man.
"Loki, drop the weapon and stand down". Natasha's voice shouted through the receiver, Pepper felt the edges of her mouth turn up into a small smile- once she'd finally found out that Natalie Rushman, was actually a agent for S.H.I.E.L.D Pepper had immediately felt more secure, knowing that S.H.I.E.L.D. were in fact the good guys in the situation with Justin Hammer.
Pepper quickly shot a glance at Happy who was still on the phone, and silently edged further and further away from him, ending up in the middle section of the airport. She watched as Loki shot out the same blue energy towards the jet, which quickly flew to the side missing it.
She need a huge loud distraction to run away- it was too quiet in the airport to make a getaway without anyone noticing.
Steve threw a punch at Loki, quickly turning the quiet tension into a full thrown battle. The screen shuddered slightly as the kneeling people began sprinting in all directions- running away from the fight. It was obvious that Rogers was struggling as Loki had him kneeling before him, holding the gold spear too his head.
"Kneel". Loki whispered harshly.
"Not today". Steve whispered, as Pepper watch him throw a punch at Loki, causing the pale man to stumble back. The pair continued to fight on the ground as the whole airport watched in horror.
AC/DC played throughout the monitors on the screen making everyone jump at the loud noise, Steve placed his hands over his ears in horror.
Shoot to thrill, it was all so ironic.
Pepper smiled knowing what would happen, here came the distraction she needed, to slip away unnoticed.
Her distraction.
Tony flew through the air turning up the volume of his music, Pepper grinned watching as everyone in the airport screamed and clapped at the Iron Man.
It was the perfect distraction. Quickly Pepper swerved through the crowd making her way to the exit, the uneasy feeling of eyes on her made her stomach drop. All she had to do was get alone. She needed to contact Coulson- he would know how to handle this situation. Pepper walked quickly out of the huge airport, hearing the sounds of peoples happy shouts.
Iron Man had impressed them again.
The cold wind blew her hair around her pale shoulders as Pepper ran in the nearest direction of the town, all she had to do was call Coulson.
"Where is she now?". He whispered through the phone.
Justine glanced up watching the red head make her way out of the airport, her pale skin glowing in the darkness.
"She's made her way out of the airport". She answered bitterly, watching Pepper swiftly walking in the distance. "The show with Loki's spurred her to make an escape, do you think she'll try to call Tony?".
"I don't know." He whispered back, "Bring her here, we've wasted enough time already".
Looking around her Justine noticed the tall bodyguard frantically looking for the redhead. Now things were going to get fun, they would finally be able to seek revenge on the people that caused her family so much pain.
"Hogan's noticed she's gone". Justine chuckled darkly, "Don't worry though, I'll bring her to you".
"Be quick, I'm sure she'll be pleased to see Mr Rhodes again".
The line went dead as Justine tied up her long dark hair into a loose bun. Everything had been so easy- now they would have control of Miss Potts. After all the pain and loss she had cost them.
They would finally be able to kill Pepper Potts.
Pepper walked through the small streets of the town located in Washington. Quickly running towards a small dead end alleyway. It was dark and no one would spot her from there.
Shakily she got out her phone, frantically typing the number to call Coulson. Her hands shaking as she pressed the clear phone to the side of her face, each passing second felt like eternity.
Why wasn't Coulson answering the phone?
Had something happened?
Each beep was torture but finally she heard the familiar warm voice.
"Hello?". Phil asked, immediately making her feel better.
Pepper opened her mouth to answer him.
To tell Coulson everything that happened, but a hand clamped firmly over her mouth, stopping her from breathing.
She began to panic, squirming against the hard grip as her vision began to blur distorting her view.
Someone had found her, blocking her airways attempting to drag her further into the small alleyway.
Darkness surrounded Pepper as she fell to the ground, watching the slim glass phone fall before her, smashing into little shards. The small photo of Coulson, distorting.
The last thing she saw before falling unconscious was the dark hair of the familiar flight attendant who had served her before.
The images of the woman's grinning faced swirled before her eyes, before finally Pepper's body gave up as she fell unconscious.
"We've got her". The woman whispered chuckling over Pepper's body.
As I said before this isn't my favourite chapter, but the next one will be good ;)
Please REVIEW! If you have any tips or want anything specific to happen in the storyline I'll be happy to take your views!
Thank you all so so much!
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