AN: I don't even know why I bother adding a disclaimer. You all know I don't own iron Man, so let's all get on with our days, shall we?
Tony, truly, had not been expecting it.
He had thought he would tease Pepper a little bit, maybe get her hot and bothered, loosen her up. But he had never thought that… well, that Pepper would actually KISS him. It was one of those things that you never really thought would happen.
But it did. And now Pepper was kissing him. Her lips were touching his. It was definitely real.
Tony searched his mind for ideas. Finally he found something, filed under the "Girl Instigates Kiss" heading.
He stuck his tongue in her mouth.
SMASH! went the moment. Pepper leaped away, eyes wide with disbelief and complete panic. She skittered away from Tony, who was staring blankly at her, trying to figure out why they weren't still kissing.
Unfortunately, in her panic, Pepper accidentally fell off the rock and into the water.
Tony gaped for a second, then suddenly, his hero instincts kicked in. He jumped into the water after his assistant, kicking hard as he dived deeper.
The water was deeper than he had thought it was. And very cold. But it was crystal clear, and he could easily see Pepper sinking beneath him.
She had hit her head on the rocks on the way into the water, and she was falling fast.
Tony cursed the salt water as it stung his eyes, distorting his vision. Finally, he stretched his arm out, searching, reaching…
He felt his fingers brush cool flesh, and then lose it. He grabbed again, and this time caught hold of a slender wrist. He pulled Pepper up, wrapping an arm around her waist and using the other to haul them through the water.
Two heads broke the surface, one gasping, the other silent. Tony dragged Pepper out of the water and onto the sand, laying her on her back. He looked around frantically, searching for something to help him, then looked back at Pepper, who was still unconscious.
How do you do CPR?! Tony asked himself anxiously. Shit… I completely forgot… oh God, how do they do it in the movies…
He leaned over Pepper and applied pressure to her abdomen. He pushed down again and again, then put his mouth on hers, trying to pour his breath into her.
He pushed down again. "Dammit, Pepper!" he muttered. "If you die from this I swear I'll kill you!"
Suddenly, she coughed. Tony jumped back, startled. "Woah!"
Pepper rolled over onto her side, coughing violently and spitting water. Tony rubbed her side, tapping her back lightly and feeling completely helpless.
Finally, the hacking coughs subsided. The black-haired industrialist pulled his assistant close, holding her tight to his body as her breathing returned to normal.
He stroked Pepper's hair gently, possibly the only soothing thing he had ever done in his life. "Hey… c'mon, Pepper… you're okay… everything's gonna be fine… you're okay… c'mon, Pepper…"
Okay, very short chapter. I'm not really happy with how this one came out, but whatever. I promise the next chapter will be better!!