Here is the next chapter. Chapter 10 is already written so that should be posted later this week, I hope...

This is also an edited down version than the chapter that will appear on A03. Main reason is due to the explicit content which does not allow.


Chapter 9

"Good morning," said Pepper, as Tony opened his eyes the following morning.

"Huh. Did we really just hug last night?" asked Tony. "You're in my bed. Surely we did more than just hug?"

Pepper laughed. "We did sleep, Tony…"

"That doesn't count," he pouted but then he smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

She could tell he was only joking. But she couldn't deny that she did love sex with him. He certainly deserved the reputation he had in regards to his ability to satisfy women. Thankfully she had been the only woman on the receiving end of it for years now. "We had a tiring evening yesterday. We spoke about a lot of things, and lifted a few worries from our chests. I think a good night sleep was what we both needed. And… we can make up for what we missed last night, tonight."

Tony grinned. "So… what are your plans today then, Miss Potts?"

"I know it is a Saturday but I do have a bit of work to do," she said. "It will only take me an hour or so. Afterwards, I'm all yours."

"Good," he smiled. "Is there a chance you may be able to take a holiday from SI for a week?"

"I could…" she answered. "Why?"

"I've found a therapy thing I'd like to try out… But it might also help the both of us. I was going to go on my own but I thought you might like to come as well… especially after what you revealed to me last night about Extremis," explained Tony.

"I'm assuming this therapy is not in the United States?"

Tony shook his head. "India."

"India? You're going to the gurus?" she asked. She had heard of new pioneering therapy treatment that had been shown to help treat severe cases of PTSD. It was meant to enable the sufferer to be at peace with themselves, physically and spiritually. "But you've never been religious…"

"No… but I think it might help. I have PTSD, I know that. I never got myself treated because I was in denial about it," admitted Tony, leaning back on the pillow. "I think we could both benefit from it… plus it is quite remote… We wouldn't be hounded by the press…" He sounded hopeful.

"Ok. I'll look at my schedule. There might be a possibility to go soon. I'll let you know… see if there is any leeway for me to duck out for a few days."


Whilst Pepper did a bit of work for Stark Industries, Tony decided to meet with Rhodey and Happy. He wanted to talk to them about Pepper and he hoped they could both keep a secret from her. He asked them to meet him in the old Avengers quarters of the compound where they would be in no danger to be found by Pepper if she came walking through.

Rhodey had used his wheelchair and Happy had travelled from New York to be here for this meeting. It was a bit of a journey for Happy to make but he was happy to do it.

"What does Mr Stank want to talk to us about?" smirked Rhodey.

Tony rolled his eyes though he was smiling. "How often should I expect you to refer to me as Mr Stank?"

"Always."

"Thanks," smiled Tony. He would always allow Rhodey this nickname. No one else though. "I'd like to talk to you two about Pepper." He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly feeling nervous. "We are back together… Things are going well between us. We've cleared the air. Understand one another better now. There was one thing I had been long considering for a while before we split…"

Rhodey seemed to catch on before Tony could even suggest it. "When?"

Tony shrugged. "I don't know. I cannot even think of the best time."

"When you feel it is right," suggested Rhodey.

Happy butted in, looking slightly confused. "What are you two talking about?"

Rhodey smirked and turned to look at Happy. "Tony wants to propose to Pepper."

"What? Really? That's great!" Happy looked positively delighted.

"I just don't know how to do it… or when." He fiddled with something in his pocket. "It will be soon, I know that. We may have been back together for a few weeks but I know I want this." He pulled out a box in his pocket and opened it, revealing a diamond ring with hints of red and gold embedded within it. "I made this for her before we broke up… I've kept it safe since…"

"You made it?" Rhodey was impressed. "Trust you not to go the conventional route."

Tony shrugged. "I like to surprise."

Happy was smiling. "It's perfect. Pepper will love it."

"I hope," said Tony. "I can't keep it on me anymore. I do not want to just leave it anywhere. And if I keep it, Pepper is bound to find it, especially when she is undressing me."

Rhodey blinked. "Information I did not want to know, Tones!"

Tony grinned. "You've already caught us in the act several times!" Rhodey had been unfortunate enough to catch Tony and Pepper in some pretty awkward positions.

"Doesn't mean I wish to know more specific details!" retorted Rhodey. "But back to the point. Are you asking for one of us to look after the ring for you until you decide you want to propose?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah."

"I'll do it!" Happy was the first to volunteer.

"He's the better option," added Rhodey. "I'd offer but if I'm exercising and I fall, the ring could fall out. I think you want us to keep it with us at all times… and Happy is far enough away from Pepper now; it would be easier for him to be the keeper. Your only problem, Tony, would be if you thought the time was right but Happy wasn't there to give you the ring."

Tony nodded. "It's going to be a problem but I do plan to let you know in advance."

Happy held out his hand. "You can rely on me, boss."

Tony handed the box over to Happy. "I could be calling on your at any minute."

"And I'll get here as quickly as possible."

"Good."


Happy returned to New York, taking the engagement ring with him, leaving Tony and Rhodey at the compound. Before he had left, he'd given Tony a further update on Peter Parker, explaining how the kid was constantly sending him messages about what he had done (and not done), and asking when their next mission would be.

Tony hoped there wouldn't be. He shouldn't have bought Peter into the fight at the airport. Thinking on that, he still needed to tell Pepper about Peter. He would leave it for now.

It was Saturday night and Tony decided to book a restaurant for a meal out. Though it was meant to be film night, they hadn't gone ahead with their Friday night activity either because Tony had wanted to speak to Pepper instead. She was okay with the change, and Tony treated her to a French restaurant, renting out the top floor so they could remain undisturbed for the duration of the meal.

They stayed for a few hours, slipping out the back way, leaving a big tip for the employees of the restaurant for respecting their privacy. Throughout the meal, Tony had teased Pepper mercilessly with his fingers underneath the table so that by the time they left, all Pepper wanted to do was have him then and there. But it wouldn't look good if Iron Man was caught shagging his girlfriend in an alleyway just because she couldn't wait until they got back to the compound, which was only fifteen minutes away.

She managed to restrain herself long enough for Tony to drive them back to the Compound, though he did have a smirk on his face that suggested he knew full well what she was feeling like. As soon as they exited the car - parking in a private garage Tony had installed close to their private area -Tony's hands were on hers and he was kissing her, as they walked clumsily towards the door.

As they entered their secured area of the compound, their hands running over their bodies, Pepper knew she couldn't wait any longer. Tony's tease in the car on the way home… No… She needed him. Now.

He was trying to lead her to the bedroom, no doubt where he could tease her some more, but she was having none of it.

She murmured into his lips. "I don't care. Against the wall. Now."

They didn't leave the bedroom for the rest of the night or the next day.


As the days and weeks passed, Tony and Pepper tried to spend as much time together as possible though Tony's attentions were taken up by the Damage Control company he had founded. There had been several attacks upon it by someone who stylised themselves as the Vulture and Tony had been tracking him to determine their purpose. They clearly had it in for Damage Control as they were stealing alien weaponry before they reached the secure zone. Tony was working directly with the FBI to counter the terrorist.

But it still rattled he had been unable to determine the Vulture's identity.

It was during the days before Avengers Tower was sold and Happy was in New York, that Tony and Pepper jetted off to India. They'd been back together six weeks when they flew off. Tony had left Happy in charge of ensuring the selling of Avengers Tower and the moving of equipment to the new Avengers base upstate went ahead smoothly. Tony preferred being able to concentrate on his relationship with Pepper, and it helped both his friends were willing to help him out.

Tony had booked a hotel in a more remote part of India, situated close where the more rural Indian villages were located. He'd even had his car flown over so he and Pepper could use it to get around easily. Despite the remoteness of the villages there were still able roads connected them to the bigger cities.

The guru Tony had wanted to visit was not a well-known one, nor were they world renowned. Tony had only learned of their existence through Friday's extensive research on the subject of Indian Gurus and how they could help those with mental health issues. Ashi Mohinder had been successful in her own community in helping those with issues to find an inner peace, whether it was through religion or faith in others.

Ashi Mohinder had agreed to see them both separately and together. Tony, having been the one to learn of her, was the first to see her, staying with her for the better part of three hours, learning new ways to deal with his anxiety issues and his fear of the future.

If he felt an attack coming, Tony had to breathe slowly, deeply and keep his eyes closed and think of something that made him happy. In this case it would either be Pepper, Rhodey or Happy, the three most important people in his life. Pepper's mere presence kept him calm and he felt more at peace with her around so it was understandable if he did have an attack, the thought of her would help him through it. But the same was true for Rhodey and Happy. The guru advised him that it depended on what he was having an attack about and which person would provide the most calming effect on him. The same advice was given to Pepper.

The key as Ashi put it was to keep up the exercises every day. Start the day with breathing exercises and keep to a routine as much as possible (which was difficult in Tony's case since he led such an erratic life style). They were both encouraged to consider everything they had lived through and how it had made them stronger people.

They spent a lot of time alone together in India for the few days Pepper had managed to get off. A lot of the days were spent working through therapy and listening to Ashi's advice on how to keep their minds calm. However Pepper did have to depart at the end of their fifth day there.

"It's a shame you have to go," said Tony. The few days in India had done wonders on him. He looked younger, his facial features didn't look strained and he seemed well rested.

"I know. I'd rather stay with you but SI does need me," she said, kissing him gently on the lips. "You'll be home soon, won't you?"

He nodded. "Yeah. In about a week."

Tony had decided to stay to seek out other spiritual events across the country. He wanted to take full advantage of the culture while he was out here. Since it had already helped so much, he wanted to continue to build upon his experiences out here.

"Be careful," she whispered. "Come home soon."

"I will."

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

I do not believe Happy kept the engagement ring safe for ten years. I think that was a joke on his part which didn't go down well with Tony or Pepper at the end of Homecoming. Tony's face when Happy proclaims that he has had the ring since 2008 is such a WTF moment it just screams unbelievable to me... So, he's only got the ring recently and its only because Tony is terrified Pepper will find it before he can propose.

Next chapter soon...

Until then,

the-writer1988