A/n: XD WOO TWO UPDATES IN TWO DAYS! XD Just as a reminder, this isn't technically an advancement in the story, this chapter is what happened between Tony and John after Pepper ran.

GaspILostATooth1: Thank you so much for the review, and yes there will be more! Roughly 10-ish chapters, but I have no idea haha!

Jasmin Kenobi: Here's Tony kicking John's ass for ya ;)

Hopefully Chapter 7 will be up soon, but in the meantime, here's The Key To My Heart: Chapter 6b :)


Chapter 6B

'"HEY! Get off her!" Tony shouted, launching too himself at John. His hands closed around his neck, he couldn't even see Pepper, she was somewhere beneath the mass that was John's body. Dragging John upwards by the throat, he threw him across the room.'

Fury and anger were pulsating through his veins. How DARE he think he could harm Pepper – especially in HIS house! Seeing that John was slowly coming back around, Tony raised his hand to strike again. But then he changed his mind. He didn't want to disturb Pepper any more than already, so instead, Tony walked across the room, grabbed John roughly around the collar and took off into the late morning sun.

He was much stronger than Tony had anticipated. Not that it really mattered of course, in the suit Tony could barely feel John's twists and squirms against him. He plunged onwards through the sky, only stopping when he reached the beginning of Pepper's road. A horrible sense of déjà vu came over him. The last time he was here it had been to find John in the first place, and now he was here, he felt once again that feeling of anger and sickness bubble and boil in his stomach. No, he mustn't let that stop him now. He must focus on the task in hand at the moment. Turning his head to face Number 13, he plummeted down towards the house.

Once inside, he took a moment to look around. On the coffee table lay a DVD which they must have watched together. The TV was still on, and it was clear to Tony that nobody had been inside for days.

WHAM.

A sideways punch from John to the head. No, he must sort out the house first, then he would deal with John. With a audible whoosh, his iron-clad fist swung down into John's face. Crying out with pain, John stumbled onto the floor, unconscious.

"You there JARVIS?"

"I am indeed sir"

"Could you take the suit off me?" He had made the decision as he was flying. He would fight John in his bare skin, with no extra protection from the suit. It would be man versus man. Bare fist against bare fist.

Out of the suit, he reached for the TV remote. Holding it, he switched the TV off and placed it back down on the small table. Next he walked over to the small kitchen where the phone was located.

"Hello this is the Malibu Police Station, how can I help you?"

"Hi is this Andrew?"

"Yes it is sir, may I ask how you know this?"

"Andrew this is Tony Stark on the phone"

"Ahh yes now I recognise your voice! Sorry for not knowing Mr Stark."

"Don't worry ."

"How may I help you?"

"I'd like to report a crime. My PA has been almost raped."

"By whom?"

"Her boyfriend." Tony paused to calm himself down. That word and it's association just made him even angrier at John.

"Who is called?"

"John. I don't know his surname, sorry"

And on it went. Tony slowly providing his testimony, Andrew listening and asking occasional questions, and John still lying on the floor unconscious.

"Thank you very much Mr Stark. We will be at your location in 15 minutes. Keep him there."

"Of course. And Andrew?"

"Yes sir?"

"Please don't mention this to the press or anything – I would hate for them to find out"

"Naturally sir. Don't worry. It is safe with us"


15 minutes. 15 minutes to teach John just how much pain he had caused Tony. Filling up a jug with ice-cold water, Tony walked over to John and poured it all over his face.

"ARGH!" John woke up with a start. Satisfied, Tony placed the jug back on the kitchen counter and dragged John up by his collar. Still holding onto it, he growled

"You have no idea just how wrong that decision of yours to mess with Pepper was"

In a response John just smirked "Oh really? Now what? The great pathetic playboy Tony Stark is coming to defend her? You don't care about her at all, you just want to get into bed with her" Tony couldn't stand it any longer. He hated the way everybody still assumed they knew him, assumed he was still the same man before Afghanistan. But they were wrong. He had changed, changed for the better, and he was not taking it any more. With adrenaline pulsing through his veins, he swung a fist at John, who quickly retaliated with a punch of his own. The fight was on.

They were both screaming insults and accusations at each other, each one met with a punch or a kick from one of the men. Both were as angry as each other, John outraged that Tony had the 'nerve' to come here and beat him up when all he wanted to do was sleep with the woman, Tony infuriated that John believed this of him, enraged that he didn't think that Tony actually cared at all. Tony was sporting a nasty cut along his cheek and a bruise to the ribs, but John was much worse. It turned out that Happy's boxing lessons had done him some good. John was covered in cuts and bruises, his left eye was blackened, and his nose was pouring blood.

CRACK.

Falling to the floor, John felt his leg break. With only one good leg, he resolved to floor fighting. Lunging himself at Tony, he grabbed Tony and pulling him down onto the floor. Rolling on top of him, he punched and injured every inch of Tony that he could reach.

BAM.

The front door burst open, revealing the police, with mouths agape, staring at the sight in front of their eyes. Blood was everywhere, on the walls and on the floor, and John was lying on top of Tony with his fist still raised. At once, both men seemed to be thinking the same thing. The position that they were in didn't exactly put John in the best light. From the police's view, it looked as if John was viciously attacking Tony, and Tony was self-defending himself. Lowering his fist, John rolled off Tony. Meeting him in the eyes, a police officer said "I think you need to come with me. You too Mr Stark."


They had both given their version of events to the officer. Now they were sitting, backs facing away from each other, in a cell, waiting for further instructions. Voices could be heard from the room across the hall. Unfortunately, it's door was shut.

Suddenly, it flew open. Jumping up, Tony ran to the front of his cell to get a better look. Then, seeing who it was, he hung his head, embarrassed beyond belief.

"Alright mate, what did you do this time?" Standing in front of him was Rhodey, sporting a very wide grin on his face. Tony sighed. Here comes the teasing.

"Nothing! As you jolly well should know"

"Well all I was told is that you were quite a naughty little boy and had to be locked away" Rhodey's grin was as wide as the ocean now. It was very rare that he got to tease Tony – usually Pepper took all the good opportunities – so he was never letting go of this situation now.

"Ha ha, very funny. Please can I come out now?"

"Not until you apologise to me first."

"Yeah, and me!" John had stood up and was also gazing at Tony.

"NO!" Tony shouted back at him, and threw in a quick punch in his general direction. It hit him in the cheek and John stumbled backwards. "I hate you. I hate what you did to Pepper."

Rhodey had never seen Tony become so attached to someone in this way before. The only time he had seen Tony this angry was when his parents died. Then, he drank himself silly and passed out onto Rhodey's lap – but not before telling him that it was his fault, and that he hated him. Of course Tony had apologised the next day, and swore that he didn't hate him, but Rhodey would never forget the look that was blazing in his eyes.

"You really care about her, don't you?" His voice was quiet, and he was looking straight into Tony's eyes. In response Tony nodded glumly. "Alright, I'll stop teasing. Would you like to come home with me?" Although Rhodey felt like he was talking to a small child, it seemed to be working. Tony didn't seem to have a clue what was going on. "Tony – Tony, you there mate? – now listen. I have paid the bail, so your free. I'll go and get the officer now and you can go. Ok?" Again, Tony just nodded. Rhodey was starting to feel a little scared for his friend. He had never seen him so emotional over a girl before, especially not Pepper.

Tony felt, rather than saw, the door opening and Rhodey leading him to the car. He didn't know what to think or what to do. He was still in a state of shock at what had just happened in the space of an hour or so.

Finally they arrived at Tony's house. "We're home Tony. Do you want me to see you inside?" Rhodey's voice seemed to break through an invisible barrier that had been surrounding them. Suddenly, Tony completely broke down, sobbing his heart out onto Rhodey's shoulder, muttering incorrigible phrases. Once or twice Rhodey thought he could make out "Pepper" … "so sorry" and "all my fault". Deciding that yes, he did need him to see them into the house, Rhodey walked round to the other side of the car, took Tony by the hands, and led him into the house. Before they reached it, it flew open. There in the doorway stood Pepper, First Aid kit in one hand, and cup of steaming hot chocolate in the other.

"What happened?" She asked Rhodey, who shook his head.

"We need to calm him down first. I promise I'll tell you though, just not now." Nodding, Pepper led them to the couch. Lying Tony down on it, Rhodey faced Pepper. "Does he have any spare clothes or anything that we can get him into?"

"Yes, they're in his bedroom, underneath his pillow. Could you-?"

"Yes of course Pepper" Rhodey replied, a small smile on his lips. Seeing him ascend the stairs, she turned her attention back to Tony. He was gazing transfixed into her eyes, tears still running down his face. Sitting him up, Pepper handed him the hot chocolate.

"Here you go Tony. This will make you feel better, I promise."

"Thanks Pep." His voice was hoarse.

"Shh.. try not to speak Tony, you need to rest." Pulling out the First Aid kit, Pepper started to attend to his many wounds, only stopping when Tony winced to ask if he was ok. He always said he was, but they both knew he was lying.

Coming back down the stairs, Rhodey came to a halt, Tony's pyjamas clutched in his hands. On the couch were Tony and Pepper, fast asleep in each others arms. The First Aid kit was lying next to the now-empty mug on the table, completely forgotten about. Smiling to himself, Rhodey felt a little calmer. Despite a heavy day, he could tell just how peaceful they were all finding this. Walking into the room, he almost jumped. Pepper was awake!

"Hey Rhodey" Her voice was a little hoarse. "Should we move him?" Gesturing to Tony fast asleep who was lying beside her, hugging her waist.

"Probably yeah. He'll need a good sleep tonight, and that means in a bed I'm afraid."

Yawning, Pepper stood up and stretched. "Ok" she yawned. "How are we going to move him to his bedroom?"

"I'll carry him" Scooping Tony up in his arms, Rhodey led the way to Tony's bedroom, Pepper right behind him. She waited outside as Rhodey changed Tony into his pyjamas, and smiled sleepily at him as he came out of the bedroom. "Are you going to be alright Pepper?"

"Yes I'll be fine. Don't worry about me Rhodey."

"Ok. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me, no matter what time it is."

"Of course. Thank you very much Rhodey."

Seeing him to the front door, she waved as he drove back into the night. Then, as he went out of sight, she ran back up to Tony's bedroom. Entering it, she saw that Tony was sitting upright, sweat pouring down his face.

"Hey Tony, it's alright, I'm here, don't worry"

"Pepper! I had a nightmare, I was at a police station, and they said that I had been really naughty and – hey, what are you doing?" For Pepper had undressed herself, put on one of Tony's t-shirts, and had climbed into bed.

"I'm going to sleep here tonight. You need to rest Tony"

"Ok Pep" he mumbled, already falling back to sleep "You're the best, you know that don't you?"

"Thank you Tony"

"And I really appreciate it.. you being here… and everything.. and Pepper? You know…" But Pepper would never find out what she knew, for Tony had fallen asleep, his head resting on her lap. Smiling to herself, she settled down against the duvet, and, knowing that Tony wouldn't remember any of this tomorrow, she too fell sound asleep.


A/n: Sorry for the angst at the end, but I felt it was necessary. Please let me know what you think :)