A/N – Guys, you have no idea how much these reviews mean to me! It really inspires me to keep writing, so thanks a lot!

At the suggestion of 'ssaharadesert' I decided to write a chapter on how the Avengers are coping with this, however, to 'Pepperony Pizza' I would say that I probably won't add Darcy… Natasha, though, is a different matter… hu hu hu

Warning: Tony swears.

Stark Tower

Tony was watching the video, scotch in hand. The lounge was plunged in darkness, the only source of light being the flicker plasma screen before him. He was watching Pepper get hurt for the sixth time, flinching at every blow. He was watching the sheer stubbornness and the price she paid for it. It hurt. All of it; Pepper's pain and that gaping hole left by her absence. The helplessness and despair were swallowing him whole, his brain aching from the pressure. If he trusted her captors, Tony wouldn't have hesitated to burn Stark Industries to the ground if it meant that Pepper would be in his arms again. There was no trusting them, though; no guarantee that Pepper would be safe and if he destroyed his suits, there would be no saving her from them.

He couldn't think straight. The urgency of the matter, the need for a plan, just sent him into a further spiral of confusion. There was anger in Tony too, an uncontrollable fury that left him seething. Damn you, Pepper. He fumed with a scowl, grip tightening around the glass. Damn those bastards. Why couldn't I even fucking protect you?! With that last thought, he hurled the cup against the wall. Glass shattered into a thousand, glittering pieces on the floor with a satisfying smash. Burying his face in calloused hands, Tony fought to control his breathing. Give her back. Please, whatever God is out there, give her back. Tony knew that his prayers fell on deaf ears. He remained a resolute atheist despite having met two gods already, refusing to rely on the power of deities. So he clambered unsteadily to his feet, jaw clenched as he caught sight of the spot where Pepper had floored her first captor. It sent a rush of pride through him as well as admiration.

"JARVIS, lights on." He blinked as the lights flashed on, making his way to the workshop with a steely glint of determination in his eye. "I want you to run a voice scan on those guys as well as try to trace that video package."

"Sir, that package was untraceable-" The AI began, voice hesitant.

"I don't care if it was untraceable, trace it!" Tony snarled, pulling up every screen he owned and keying in the codes furiously. "And find any suspicious vehicles that came near the building for the past week. Track them all, hack into the city security cameras if you have to." Stay strong, Pep. He thought, hoping that somehow she could hear him. I'm coming to get you.

"Tagged five vehicles without security clearance, two with out of state registrations." JARVIS announced, an image popping up on the screen to Tony's left. "Pairing with time of kidnapping. Three matches."

"Good, now someone get Point Break and Banner down here." He muttered, memorising every aspect of the automobiles. There was no footage of Pepper being hauled into any of them, but it was a strong lead. "Thunder Down Under has done enough yelling at people and Doc needs to stop sulking. Who would've thought that kidnapping the woman he loved took all the anger right out of him?"

"No-one, sir."

"That's right, JARV." Tony grinned as yet more footage of the vehicles appeared on the screens. For the first time in days, his head wasn't sunk if misery or clouded with alcohol. Fixing himself a steaming mug of coffee, Tony downed the drink in three gulps and clapped his hands together. "Last thing, 'leak' to the press that Stark Industries is shutting down. Let's get this show on the road."

A/N – I had to do a Natasha and Clint one because the suggestion was all too perfect. Short but hopefully you enjoy!

"Clint, would you stop following me?" Natasha snapped, raking a hand through fiery red hair. "Those guys don't have a chance against me. I've been around a lot longer than Pepper."

"They've already hit Thor, Stark and Bruce." Clint protested as they strode through the corridors of S.H.I.E.L.D together, his legs easily matching her speedy pace. "I just want to make sure you're safe."

"Who was the one who was turned into a zombie again?" The words slipped unbidden from her mouth, eyes immediately widening. As a spy, Natasha never made a mistake, whether it involved words or attack. She was always so careful, her most valuable skill the ability to manipulate people without laying a finger on them. It was only with Clint that she would stumble and falter, like a child. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Nat, it's okay." Clint slipped his hand in hers, clutching it comfortingly as he smiled. She was always surprised by how rough the skin was; thumb automatically tracing the hardened patches of skin. "But you still owe a debt to me, remember? You can't do that locked in a cell."

Reluctantly, they abandoned the handhold and continued weaving their way through the maze of hallways, pace slower now. They were heading towards the laboratory to collect Dr Banner, who had been a deflated bag of sadness since he was informed that Betty had also been abducted. Thor was already on his way to Stark Tower, most people giving him a wide berth since he had received his own video message from Jane. The thunder god's instructions were clear and simple; return to Asgard and never come back. There had been no shortage of storms since that point and he was prone to destroying items in blind rage, even attempting to use the computers to search for Jane.

Neither of the assassins mentioned the fact that the men were only targeting the people these men loved most.

Yay! Don't be afraid to review, lovelies! I do not own Iron Man, that credit goes to Stan Lee.