A/n: I'm back! After 2 weeks! I know :'( I'm so sorry, it's been hectic. Dance show rehearsals, exams, a never ending cycle of homework... I haven't had a free moment! Right, I have good news and bad news:

Good news is that it's the start of the Easter Holidays, so that hopefully means more frequent updates!
Bad news is I have mock GCSEs to revise for, plus an essay to write (I know, my school doesn't really know the definition of 'holidays', eh?) so less free time, but I promise I will devote all my attention to this story - you all deserve it!

Once again thank you all to the reviewers, I really couldn't do it without your support!
Enjoy and thanks for reading :)

Chapter 9

Tony's eyes fluttered open to a mass of red hair. Smiling to himself, he once again played back that night. He had told Pepper that he loved her, and Pepper said that she loved him back. Even the memory of it was enough for Tony's smile width to reach breaking-point. He loved her so much, and admitting it to her had been the more than the perfect scene he had imagined in his head of the moment. Two days had passed since then, and for Tony, they had been some of the best days of his life. Sure, nothing especially different had taken place, it was just the small things: being allowed to sneak up behind Pepper to give her a kiss when she least expected it; greeting her after she returned from SI with a hug and a kiss; and, most of all, being allowed to finally to the things he had wanted to do for so long. Well, not all the things, but Tony wasn't annoyed or disappointed at that. Just being with her was enough.

Rolling over so he was lying flat on his back, Tony remembered one other thing. Today was the day they were going to the Police station for Pepper to give her testimony about John. To begin with Tony was required to as well, but apparently John had asked for him not to do so. Tony wasn't complaining. He wasn't sure he'd be able to hold it in if he saw him close up again. Instead, the Police had given him a warning and a large fine to pay. However, Andrew (the friendly police man who Tony was on good terms with) had informed him after that they were only punishing him because it would reflect badly on them if they didn't – the Police knew Tony was only just going to it again, and they knew that Tony knew where the line was.

He was determined to support Pepper when the time came. He knew that Pepper would appear strong, for who's sake he knew not, and that she would appear cool and confident in front of John – and she would give him that look that Tony knew so well. He has never told her, and probably will never tell her, just what effect that look has on him. If he did, he would probably earn a playful – or not so playful depending on what mood she was in – slap to the arm. Which would only make the feeling worse. Sighing, Tony closed his eyes. Life was so annoying at times.

Deciding he should have a shower, Tony turned to get out of the bed. Then he felt a soft hand on his arm, pulling him back. Twisting his head around, he saw Pepper had reached for his arm.

"Don't go!"

"I'm not leaving, I'm just going for a shower."

"Oh… alright then." She paused, appearing to be pondering something.

"What, want to join me?" Tony said, waggling his eyebrows at her and winking.

"No. Go and clean yourself up mister, somehow I don't think you'll be very productive if I'm with you."

"Trust me Pep, I'll be very productive." Tony said, a sly smile on his face.

"Hilarious. Go and have a shower while I get dressed. No arguments." When Tony didn't move, she added, "Now!"

Downstairs, a fully dressed Pepper was in the kitchen making breakfast. It had certainly been weird these past few days, putting whatever it was she was having with Tony into action. Not that that didn't mean she wasn't enjoying it. Quite the contrary in fact. She was absolutely loving it. Pleased, she had discovered that Tony had a soft, romantic side to him, one she was positive that he had never let anyone else experience. It was different to his 'I'm going to get you into my bed and you know it' kind of charm. This was a more subtle magic, one Pepper could tell came straight from his tattered heart. It was the side of him that was reserved for her and her only, and Pepper was never going to abandon it. Why? Because she loved him.

Hearing Tony's footsteps coming down the stairs from his bedroom (currently she refused to call it their bedroom), Pepper poured the pancake mixture into the pan and started to make the pancakes.

Coming down the stairs, Tony was greeted with the delicious smell of pancake batter wafting through the kitchen doors. Entering, Tony smiled to himself. There was Pepper, tossing pancakes whilst humming a tune to herself.

"Good morning beautiful." Tony said, coming up behind her to give her a hug, resulting in Pepper dropping the pancake out of surprise. Sighing, she grumbled,

"You could have warned me you know. That was a perfectly decent pancake right there. Next time tell me." Bending down, she picked the now-dirty pancake up and threw it into the bin.

"Not if you dropping pancakes means I get some more of that view." Tony replied, smirking. Pepper only huffed in a half-amused way, and went to fetch a plate.

"Haha." She said dryly, "Now, go and make yourself useful by sitting down." Ushering him away, she turned her attention back to the batter in the pan.

Having made breakfast, Pepper sat down at the table with Tony, two plates in hand. Setting one before each of them, she filled herself a glass of apple juice and began to eat. Tony followed suit.

They were both quiet throughout the meal. Pepper thinking about the day's events which lay ahead, Tony thinking about all Pepper's possible reactions to them. But he knew from 10 years that she was a hard person to predict. That was some of the reason why he liked her so much. She was different, always keeping him on his toes. Unlike the other girls whom he had bedded, Pepper had personality – she had flaws, and she had morals.

"You ok?" He asked, looking at the clock. "We've got half an hour before we have to leave."

Glancing at the clock also, she replied, "I'm a little nervous, but otherwise ok thank you. Are you ok?" Tony simply nodded in response.

Half an hour came and went, and the couple were just about to leave. Before he opened the front door, Tony took Pepper's hand and kissed it.

"Pepper it is likely that there will be reporters and paparazzi waiting outside. Just keep your head down, don't say anything and you'll be fine. Ok?"

"Ok." She confirmed with a confident nod of her head. "Let's go Tony."

Feeling the car pull up outside the police station, Tony and Pepper prepared to leave. Opening the car door, Tony felt the regular twang of irritation when he saw the paparazzi all crowded round. Why couldn't they just leave him and Pepper alone for one moment? Managing to avoid their questions and the flashing lights as best as he could, Tony guided Pepper through them and into the station.

"Ms Potts, Mr Stark." A police man nodded to them at their entrance. "This way please." Complying, they followed him through the building. Tony noticed that Pepper's skin had turned a pale white when they had entered. He hoped that this would go ok, and that they would avoid, or preferably not see, John at all. He knew what effect John had on Pepper's mind, and it certainly wasn't a positive one. Throwing a hopeful prayer skywards, Tony wrapped his arm protectively around Pepper's waist and smiled down at her. She smiled back. Walking through the front door hand in hand, Tony received a small bump on his arm. Turning around, he saw two police men standing there.

"Mr Stark we're sorry however only the testifier is allowed to proceed into the room. If you would like to follow me please." One of them said. Tony felt fury bubble up in his stomach. He was positive this was John's doing, no way would the police not allow him to accompany Pepper!

"No way. I'm going with Pepper!" Tony said defiantly.

"No Tony, you have to go. It's ok, don't worry!" Pepper protested. Tony opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again at the look on her face.

"Fine." He gave in to her, as always. Leaning in (the police seemed to be embarrassed and looked away), Tony whispered in her ear, "But if anything – anything at all – happens to you, then I am coming straight in there. Understand?" Shaking her head in amusement, Pepper nodded. Kissing him on the cheek, she waved as Tony followed the police men around the corner and out of sight.

Sighing, Pepper turned back around and followed the remaining police man through the seemingly never-ending labyrinth of corridors and passageways. At last, they reached a large, grubby, metal door.

"Nothing to worry about Madam, you just have to go in there; answer some questions; and come out. Simple." He smiled down at her in an encouraging manner. Smiling back at him, Pepper replied:

"Alright. Thank you for all your help." Letting him open the door for her, she waved politely, watching him walk away.

Click.

Pepper froze. That was the unmistakeable sound of the catch being released on a gun. Turning around slowly, she gasped. There, all alone with a gun pointed directly between her eyes, was John.

A/n: DUN DUN DUUUNN! Sorry for the cliffhanger yet again, I just couldn't help it :3 I would love to hear (well, read) what you all think, so let me know down below! ;) Thank you all, and Happy Easter!