A/N: So I have no clue what planted the plot bunny for this but here it is. I think there will be another about a nightmare but it'll definitely be different. I feel like Pepper has started having a little bit of a routine for nights like this and that this definitely isn't the first one she's been through with him. I think that's about all you need to know though so Enjoy!

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Nightmares & Panicking

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Pepper was pulled from her peaceful sleep by moving and mumbling from beside her. She rolled over and scooted closer to Tony, who was the one doing the moving and mumbling, before gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Tony," Pepper said, giving his shoulder a small shake.

Tony didn't respond but seemed to fall a little deeper into his nightmare.

"Tony," Pepper said a little louder, shaking him a little harder, "Honey wake up."

Tony mumbled something incoherent and rolled away from her a little.

Pepper went to move closer and shake him again when Tony jerked violently before bolting up right.

"PEPPER!" Tony screamed before he was thrown into a panic attack.

Pepper moved quickly to sit in front of him and get his attention.

"Tony," Pepper said loud enough to turn his focus to her, "I'm right here."

"Couldn't... save," Tony mumbled between ragged breaths.

"You saved me," Pepper said, "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere."

"But ...He...You," Tony stuttered, obviously still confused about what was real and what was the dream.

"Come here," Pepper said softly, making sure he wasn't going to resist before pulling him close so his ear was over her heart, "See me heart's still beating. I'm alive."

Tony wrapped his arms around her middle and pulled her closer to make sure she was real then focused on her heart beat again. Pepper started running her fingers through his hair as she noticed him start to relax just a little.

Once Tony's breathing settled into a normal rhythm and he fully calmed down Pepper spoke.

"Do you want to try sleeping again?" Pepper asked softly, knowing what the answer would most likely be.

"No," Tony mumbled half into her chest.

"How about we go get some water then," Pepper suggested gently.

"Mkay," Tony mumbled, pausing before sitting up.

Pepper offered her hand and pulled Tony to his feet before leading the way down to the kitchen. She released his hand as they walked into the kitchen so she could fill a glass with cold water from the dispenser on the fridge before handing it to him. Tony took it and leaned against the island. Pepper grabbed a glass for herself before leaning back on the counter across from him. They stood in silence for a while, slowly sipping at their water before Pepper decided to break the silence.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Pepper asked softly, knowing her would probably say no but wanting him to have the option anyway.

"Not really," Tony said quietly.

"Alright," Pepper said, dropping the subject.

She knew he would most likely talk later but for now she would settle for him just knowing he could.

They fell silent again until both their glasses her empty and sitting on the counter. Pepper closed the gap between them and gently took his face in her hands before placing a soft kiss on his lips. Tony kissed her back before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close, settling his head in the crook of her neck. Pepper wrapped one arm around his back and curled the other up so she could soothingly smooth his hair. She was slightly surprised when a minute later she could feel something warm and wet on her neck and Tony's shoulders started to slowly shake with silent sobs.

"Hey, it's alright," Pepper said softly, tightening her grip on him, "Shh, shh."

"It felt so real," Tony mumbled between sniffles and sobs.

"I know it did," Pepper said in her best soothing voice, "But it wasn't, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

Tony seemed to lose his words and nodded into her neck before going quiet except for the occasional sob.

They stayed in the same spot for what seemed like quite a bit longer than it probably was before Tony stopped crying and released his hold on Pepper so he could rub his eyes.

"Sorry," He mumbled after a minute.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. It's good to get everything out ," Pepper said, gently reaching up to wipe the tear tracks from his cheeks, "How about we go back to bed and we'll turn on the TV and see if there's anything worth watching on."

"Ok," Tony said, letting her take his hand in hers and lead him back up to their room.

Pepper settled down on the bed when they walked into the room and turned on the TV while Tony disappeared into the bathroom.

"JARVIS can you turn the lamp on Tony's side on please," Pepper asked the AI, "But keep it dim."

"Of course Miss Potts," JARVIS said before doing as she'd asked.

"Thank you," Pepper said softly as she heard Tony finishing up in the bathroom.

When Tony emerged from the bathroom he immediately moved to settle in beside Pepper and rest his head on her stomach. Pepper smiled at him as she pulled the comforter up a little more before starting to run her fingers through his hair again. They laid watching a rerun of CSI but Pepper wasn't surprised when Tony started softly snoring halfway through it. She carefully turned it off before settling down against the pillows a little more.

"Would you like the light off ma'am?" JARVIS asked in a polite quiet tone.

"No thank you JARVIS," Pepper said softly, "I think Tony will do better with it on."

"Alright," JARVIS said in the same tone he used before, "Goodnight ma'am."

"Good night JARVIS," Pepper replied before letting herself slowly drift off, unconsciously still stroking Tony's hair until she fell asleep.

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END