Hey! So, I'm hoping you're enjoying this story, as it is very fun to write. I will be a little busier in the next month and a half or so. I recently got accepted into a certain class I've been trying to get into and it goes from April 25-June 12. I have yet to figure out my schedule, but I'll know by Monday. I'll keep updating at least on a Sunday or Thursday, though maybe not every Sunday and Thursday like I've been doing recently, but I'll try to have at least 2 chapters a month, but I'll probably have more then that up, hopefully.

Thx!

AMM

~Pepper's POV~

I wake up with Tony snuggled in behind me. My head right below his chin, so I'm really snuggled into him. I hear the door open and shut quietly then Nonsense nurse, or Jossie, comes to stand in front of me. She bends over to my level and nods at Tony.

"He's fine," I whisper. "He took his meds-"

"No, I already know he did that. I was in here earlier." She whispers back to me. "I'm in here because there are reporters out in the waiting room trying to get back here. I don't know who tipped them off. We've been telling everyone to keep mums word that Mr. Stark's here, but someone told reporters and the reporters are trying to charge up here."

My eyes widen and I nod.

"I'll get him up and around."

She nods then, "You can take the service elevator but I don't know how to get you back out. I can't go with you because I have other patients and no body's available to type in the code to let you out of the back doors."

"We'll think of something. Thank you, Jossie."

She nods and quickly leaves the room.

I start to scooch forward when Tony pulls me back.

I turn in his arms but he doesn't wake up. "Tony," I whisper. "Tony, wake up." I say louder. I smack him on the side of the face but all he does is mumble something in his sleep and then goes back to being completely content sleeping.

So, I try the only thing that Tony responds best to. I kiss him hard on the lips.

I feel Tony start waking up as I thread my fingers through his hair and hold his mouth to mine as he stars kissing me back. He sits up, pushing me back as he continues to kiss me. His tongue starts tracing my lower lip, but I pull away before I lose all coherent thought.

"Good morning," he says smiling lazily.

"Yes, good morning, now get up. We're going home. You got reporters who found out you're here and are trying to get up here."

Tony looks thrilled at the mention of leaving, but then his smile melts off his face and into a neutral look.

"I don't know what we're going to do."

"Don't worry, I already got an idea." He says as he gets out of the bed. He looks like he's about to fall over as he starts walking over to the bag of clothes.

He tosses me my suit from 2 days ago. I look at him confused as he pulls out jeans, a t-shirt, and his leather jacket that Happy grabbed for him for some reason. I drop my sweats and pull my pencil skirt on as Tony drops his sweats and pulls hi jeans on. I pull on my blouse and suit jacket. I look over to Tony pulling on his t-shirt and slipping his tennis shoes on.

I step into my heels on and grab my purse and out clothes bag after Tony tosses me his sweats. He then grabs his leather jacket and walks briskly out of the room without even a second glance back.

I, on the other hand look around the room making sure we aren't leaving anything behind then follow Tony down the hall towards the regular elevators.

"Hey!" He turns around and looks at me expectantly.

"They said we could use the service elevator."

He starts walking back towards me, but I realize he's got a bit of a black eye and a very evident scratch under his eyes plus his stitches along his hairline. I open my purse and bring out my extra foundation and blush that I keep in my bag. My skin is a little lighter then his, but it'll have to do.

"We should cover up your scratches just in case we see reporters."

He stops, but says, "I'm planning on seeing the reporters."

"What? Why?" I ask in disbelief.

"My plan is to go down there looking fine and act as if I was visiting a friend. Not like I'm one of the patients."

"Then we definitely need to cover up your scratches." I say, pulling out my brush as well. Tony rolls his eyes, but holds still as I try and blend the foundation and blush and make it look natural.

When I finish, I stand back to admire my work. I did an all right job, though it's a little lighter under his right eye and darker around his left eye. I just pull down his hair to try and cover the stitches on his forehead though they aren't as easily hidden.

"Just don't mess with you hair," I tell him as I tuck my makeup and brush back away in my purse. Tony mumbles an ok and takes off towards the service elevators and puts his jacket on.

I follow him into the elevator and push the buttons. Tony suddenly falls into the wall of the elevator and he loses all color in his face. The makeup actually looks darker now.

I rush over to him and see him struggling to catch his breath.

"Pinch….my cheeks," he says breathily. I look at him confused but do as he says. I punch his cheeks till he pulls his face away from my hands. I see his cheeks are red and then I hear the elevator ding, signaling we've reached the main floor. The doors slide open and Tony pushes off the wall and stumbles out of the elevator like a drunk.

He starts waning to the right so I go to his left and pull on his arm to get him back upright. He looks at me appreciatively as I watch the red start draining from his cheeks again.

I stop him quickly and pinch his cheeks again. I pull away before he has the chance to.

I then pull him away from the wall and wrap his left arm around my shoulders as he starts waning to the right again. I pull him along with me as we head towards the main entrance. As we step into the main room, we are ambushed with reporters and their recorders being shoved in Tony's face.

"Mr. Stark, why are you here?" I hear one reporter ask.

Another, "Mr. Stark, is it true you were attacked and went into Cardiac Arrest?"

Tony suddenly holds his right arm up and the reporters go silent as if he put a spell on them all.

"No, that's not true." Tony says, to my surprise and relief, clearly. "I've been here in the hospital the past few days, yes, but to visit a friend of mine. Not for my own personal reasons." I feel Tony suddenly get heavier against my shoulder so I quickly walk him out of the main room before he collapses. Once we get to the parking lot, I look around and see Happy thankfully pulling into the hospital parking lot. He sees Tony and I and pulls up to us.

"What's going on, boss?" He asks as Tony collapses to the ground. I try pulling Tony back up, but can't so Happy gets out of the car and quickly comes around the car to help me get Tony off the ground. Happy gets Tony up and into the backseat.

I look at Tony and see that he's passed out. I climb into the back and put my hand on his forehead, realizing he has a fever.

"Happy, take us to Tony's place." I order.

"Yes mam," Happy says and quickly pulls out of the Hospital parking lot.

As I pull out, I see a couple walking into the hospital with their hands clasped tightly together. I can't help but think of how pretty the girls red hair is, but I turn back around and concentrate on Tony as we head towards the mansion.

Hmmmm…. Keep pondering….

Thx!

AMM