Title: Light Within

Author: Shannon – shannyfish

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the "Iron Man" movies, any other Marvel movie, or its characters; Marvel and other people do. This is merely for entertainment purposes only.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: An unknown foe has managed to grab Tony Stark's attention, enough so that he calls on the Avengers for help. With the one person that he loves most in the world in jeopardy, Tony must surrender himself…and in turn be rescued himself. Tony Stark/Pepper Potts

Warning: The POV will shift. Spoilers for all Marvel movies up to and including "The Avengers". Also, using creative license with a character from the Iron Man comics and Armored Adventures Cartoon.

Author's Note: Constructive criticism is appreciated! Also, reviews make me want to write quicker ;) So, if you're lurking and not reviewing, just think of how much quicker you may get the next chapter by simply taking the time to leave me a little note!

. . .

Tony woke first. He wasn't sure if it was because he was rested, though he really didn't feel that way, or if it was because of the nightmare that had woken him. For the first time, he hadn't woken in the middle of the night because of a nightmare that Pepper had had…instead, it had been his own that had woken him and that had just kept playing over and over again in his head. Even though he was very comfortable with Pepper wrapped tightly against him. He untangled himself from Pepper, feeling slightly guilty that he was leaving his fiancé alone in bed. Leaning over, he placed a kiss on her forehead before gently moving from the bed.

He made his way to the bathroom and stepped into the shower and turned it on. Tony didn't care about the ice cold water that hit him first. It helped to fully wake him up and then a moment later he was extremely thankful for his high quality water heater. He was quick and was out wrapped in a towel once he was done. He grabbed the bear minimum clothing he needed. A quick change and he left the room. He was careful not to wake Pepper. After everything, he still felt like she needed as much sleep as she could get.

"Morning, JARVIS," Tony said as soon as he entered the kitchen to see what he could retrieve for a bit of breakfast.

"Good morning, Sir," JARVIS responded. "Would you like the morning weather and news?"

"When I get down into the workshop," he responded. Normally JARVIS would wake him up and he'd have everything right then and there as he revealed the outside world to him, but he'd purposely kept the alarm off. He grabbed a couple of things and then headed downstairs. He'd promised Pepper that yesterday he'd stay out, but today was a new day and she'd made it perfectly clear that she didn't want him to stop being Iron Man.

He had half expected to find Rhodey in the kitchen making breakfast and he was actually disappointed when he wasn't there. He'd thoroughly enjoyed that breakfast, but he was okay with what he had grabbed…plus, he'd be able to get to work faster and with no supervision. With no one to look over his shoulder, Tony knew that he could look over all three suits without being bothered. Tony typed in his pass code into the keypad on the workshop door, only to walk into the glass door.

"I'm sorry, Sir," JARVIS announced. "Ms. Potts has locked you out of the workshop."

Tony frowned. He wasn't surprised that she'd put in place such a precaution, but today was a new day. He was fairly sure that he had permission to be in his workshop. He didn't want to veg on the couch watching reality TV. He preferred to keep his brain cells. "Didn't she put a date lock on it?"

"I'm afraid not, Sir."

"You do realize that this is my workshop and my house."

"I do, Sir," JARVIS replied. "And might I add, congratulations on your engagement."

Tony made a face and headed back up the stairs in frustration. He wasn't sure if JARVIS' congratulations was sincere or a jab. He really wanted in his workshop, but he went up to Pepper's workstation and sat himself down. He'd have to settle with using Pepper's screens. It wouldn't allow him to do everything that he'd wanted to do, but it would do for now.

Most of the basics that needed to be done could be done from upstairs, but he preferred to be in the room with the suits and be able to use his holo-screens. It helped him visualize. Tony was happy that at least JARVIS could scan the Iron Man, War Machine, and Rescue armor suits and display everything to him. There were repairs that needed to be made on all three…but he was looking to upgrade them all. It always made more sense to him to make a better version rather than just overhauling the current version, especially since it often took more work when needing to overhaul some of them.

Tony made the most of it, though. He just kept reminding himself that this was close to how everyone else in the world did things. He went through and it suddenly dawned on him that he was paying the most attention to Rescue. Pepper's armor had never been upgraded, but still had been far above the original War Machine armor.

"JARVIS, cross all three systems," Tony said. He wanted options. He needed to know that they would all be protected. He wasn't sure if a Iron Man meets War Machine meets Rescue armor would be the correct option, but at least it was a concept that he wanted to look over and pick at.

The concept that eventually popped up was completely full of power and it was then that he had to remind himself that he'd gone out of the weapons business. He was sure that if he was still producing weapons for the US military that this would be a model that they'd definitely want to see. Tony immediately filed it away. No one else needed to see this.

"Please tell me that you're not going to make that the Mark VIII," Pepper spoke up.

Tony found himself jumping a bit and then looking over his shoulder to see her just staring. She was in one of his shirts, which was long enough to act as a makeshift dress. The look on his face made him feel guilty for even looking at any of these things, but he hoped that she'd understand that he needed to look at all of the options.

"No one else is ever going to see it," he told her quietly. "I just…I was playing with options…"

Pepper shook her head. "I can't…deal with this…not right now…" She took a step back; one hand snapping to her forehead while the other covered her stomach. She turned and headed away.

Tony frowned and wished that he could take back the last couple of minutes. "Shut everything down, JARVIS," he said before he got up and followed her. She wasn't far, he found her in the kitchen. Tony was quiet as he watched her slowly sip water from a glass; her hand was on the counter to maintain her balance. Slowly, he moved towards her, trying to remain calm and to project that as much as possible.

"I'm fine," Pepper said before he could reach her. Her hand extended out and kept him from coming closer.

This only worried him more. "Please," Tony said softly. "Let me explain."

"We just got engaged last night, Tony," Pepper said before turning to face him. "I just…I need some space from Iron Man and War Machine and Rescue and the Avengers and SHIELD…and just…everything else in the world." She took a moment to breathe and then sip her water again. When she continued, her voice was calmer and more collected. Pepper closed her eyes for a moment as she spoke. "I just…I want us to have time together right now… We've lost time…" She opened her eyes and stared at him. "I don't want to lose anymore."

"Then let's just go away," Tony urged quietly. He'd put it out before, but she'd shot him down. Maybe she'd agree now. He had to admit that they both really needed it.

"Not here, not New York…not Geneva," Pepper told him.

Tony reached out and set his hand upon her shoulder. "Let's just put in our requirements into JARVIS and let him spit out a destination… We don't even have to know where we're going until we get there…"

Pepper smiled a little. "That doesn't really help with packing."

"So, we imput a specific climate type and just pack for that," Tony told her. "Somewhere warm, but not to the point where it's uncomfortable."

"I think it's a plan."

And it felt as if all the pieces were suddenly falling into place. He and Pepper, he knew, really needed their time together. They needed this break…this opportunity… Pepper wrapped her arms around him and held herself close to him. Tony wrapped his arms around her immediately. "It's a plan," he whispered back as his lips touched the side of her head.

. . .

JARVIS hadn't announced their destination, which was what they'd both agreed upon. Tony was personally hoping for a nice beach destination. Though he'd honestly be happy anywhere as long as he was with Pepper. Tony looked over at her and could see the anxiety and worry that filled her. He was unsure of this all, too, but he just hoped that it went well. He'd tried to leave his armor case behind, but Pepper had insisted that he bring it along. Rhodey had come by and picked up the War Machine armor, just in case it was needed in their absence. The rescue armor was left locked up in the workshop at the Malibu Mansion as Pepper requested and Tony just hoped that he didn't regret it later.

Tony reached out and placed his hand over Pepper's, only to cause her to jump in her seat. Before she could apologize vocally, her look said it all and Tony feared that tears would fall from her eyes in a mere few seconds. "Shh… It's okay," he whispered. "I didn't mean to scare you." He felt bad even though he knew that his guilt wasn't needed in this moment. "I was just going to say that I hope you like wherever we end up," Tony said and added a smile a moment later.

"As much as things frighten me," Pepper said softly, her eyes never meeting his. "Knowing you…and the Avengers are out there…I know that the world is a better place." She turned to look at him fully. "What I fear, Tony…is a day when you don't come home to me."

"I will always come home to you," Tony told her. His eyes were fixed on hers as he spoke with confidence and sincerity. His hands both reached out and took both of hers. He had no intentions of dying and leaving her behind. Tony wanted to grow old and live out his life at Pepper's side. He wanted to live a life that they made together.

"You can't promise that," Pepper insisted as she looked down at their hands.

Tony shook his head. She was right, he knew, but in his heart he knew that he'd keep true to his promise. He'd come home to her, even if it was the last thing he did. "Please believe me, Pep… I mean it."

She looked back up at him and for a moment, he swore he could see that she was believing it. Did that make it any easier? Absolutely not. He knew that even if he died in her arms, that she'd be taken care of…and in his mind, that was really the most important thing. Pepper would always be protected and taken care of. He just wished that she felt like how things were was absolutely enough.

"I know you do," she said. Tony didn't miss the sadness in her voice. "I just wish that I could see into the future and know that…five…ten…fifteen…twenty…however many years from now…that you and I are alive together and still happy."

"I know we'll have that," Tony told her. "You and I… We're a team… We're going to make it through no matter what is put in front of us…"

Pepper smiled. "I thought that pep talks were supposed to be my area of expertise?" she teased.

"Trying something new…"

"I like it," she told him before leaning in for a kiss.

. . .

JARVIS had sent them to the Sangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives, which was exactly the type of thing Tony had hoped for. They were at the perfect paradise-like resort in the Indian Ocean. It was far away from Malibu and Manhattan…and really, to Tony, that was all that mattered right now. He and Pepper were far away from all of the worries and danger that they had found themselves in. This was truly a place to be carefree and just to focus on them.

"It's absolutely breath taking," Pepper told him.

"JARVIS did good," Tony agreed. "Maybe we should make him book all of the vacations." He grinned and looked over to take in Pepper's face.

It truly was paradise. He was sure that Pepper would be able to relax and enjoy their Villa Muthee that was theirs to hide away in. It was almost as breathtaking as Pepper. It offered a beautiful ocean view and truly made them feel like they were on their own private island with all the comforts of the world right there. He'd noticed that there was a spa, activities, and plenty of places to eat right there at the resort. Of course, he'd be more than happy to just stay with Pepper in their villa, but he knew that Pepper really deserved some pampering. It wasn't often that she'd gotten to enjoy any part of his vacations in the past; it was time to start making up for overlooking her for so long.

He watched as she explored the villa and she just kept lighting up the more she saw. Even with all of the beauty that surrounded them, all he could take in…was the absolute beauty and splendor of Pepper. Tony took a seat in one of the posh overstuffed chairs and just stared. He realized, in the past…he'd fired someone for doing exactly what he was doing right now. Had he really loved Pepper for that long? Had he been jealous when he'd fired that employee? He was sure that he'd told himself a different story at the time…

"You're staring…"

Tony found himself not even realizing that she was looking back at him until her words hit him. He couldn't deny it, though. Tony shrugged and continued to smile. "The view is absolutely breathtaking…"

Pepper approached him and as she neared, Tony noticed her reddening cheeks. He liked that he could make her blush. "I have to admit, I don't think I can ever get tired of those lines…"

"They're not lines," Tony countered. "They're simply truth."

"I do prefer that kind of truth over you complaining that I might be sick…" she said as she sat down next to him.

"If you start hacking, I'm going to quarantine you," Tony told her quite seriously. A moment later he changed his tune when he saw the look he got. "I just…you know…wouldn't want you to get any…sicker…is all… Completely for your own welfare!"

"Uh…huh…"

"I suppose, marriage vows normally include things like—"

"For better or for worse? In sickness and in health?" Pepper threw out there.

Tony nodded and then put an arm around her, pulling her to him. "I still have time to learn about being an ideal husband."

"Husband…" Pepper mused quietly.

He couldn't help, but smile. That word coming from her mouth was the most beautiful word he'd heard in a while. He didn't think he'd ever have loved that word…but he did. Tony couldn't wait until it was a regular part of their vocabulary. Husband and wife had seemed so foreign…and much like four letter words… How things changed…

"Would you hate me—" Pepper started, but then Tony interrupted.

"I could never hate you."

Pepper smiled at him. "I was just thinking…maybe I could go on that nature walk tomorrow…"

"This vacation…it's entirely up to you… I just have to put out…that I think we should hide out here in the villa as much as possible," Tony said.

He was happy that she wanted to do something, even if it meant that there would have to be some time apart. Tony wanted Pepper to relax and really feel like she was pampered and rested. It was something that they both needed, but this place…it was more her style. He'd really rejuvenate when he got some time in his lab. In all honesty, his workshop was where he felt most at home and most relaxed and at ease with the world. It was probably because his workshop was what contained his own little world…

"I heard the lady talk about all the fun things to do," Tony told her. "Scuba diving…and there was other stuff that sounded like it would be fun…for other people to do." Tony smirked at her because he could see her face already. He knew that she'd find it amusing. "And I heard there was a spa too… You should take advantage of that… I really want you to do whatever you want… I want you spoiled and pampered." And it was true. He really was happy with JARVIS' pick. This was really the perfect place. He was almost tempted to ask the hotel if he could buy the villa…but he figured that his name was enough to get it any other time they may want to return to this paradise.

Pepper frowned a bit. "This really isn't that exciting for you, is it?"

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be excited on this trip…"

She looked away, trying to hide the smile that quickly formed on her lips. "I'm sure you will," she finally said.

"Just promise you'll make time for me."

"You know I will," she said as she turned back to him.

Pepper looked so happy and that was enough. Tony smiled at her and pushed her scarlet locks back from her face. "We can stay as long as you like, you know…"

"It's so nice…so far…it would almost be a tempting place to have a house," Pepper said.

"I was thinking the exact same thing," Tony told her honestly. "I just don't think that they'd appreciate me wanting to separate this villa from the whole of the hotel."

"Probably not…" Pepper looked out at the view and just sighed. "It's just so beautiful, though…"

Tony stared at her and couldn't agree more. "It really is…" he whispered. How he could stare at her all day…just watching her. She seemed different already… Maybe there was a weight from the worry lifted from her… Whatever it was, she seemed so content and serene.

"I'm going to go change," Pepper said as she swung her head around to look at him again. A big smile was in place and her hair had whipped around and was framing her face once again.

"Change?"

Pepper nodded. "I think I'll take a swim…"

"In the pool or the ocean?" Tony asked. It really was a valid question. They had a small, almost lap size pool on the edge of their deck. It was on the edge right before the villa dropped off to meet the crystal clear ocean.

"I think that I'll wait on the ocean… The pool is supposed to have temperature regulation. I'm thinking about heating it, soaking for a while, and then…maybe we can order in and spend the rest of the day in bed? I think jet lag is hitting me…"

"You never get jet lag," Tony said quickly as he looked at her. Worry that something was wrong quickly rushed through his head. His eyes told him that she was perfectly fine though.

She shrugged. "You said it's my vacation. I'm not having to plan for anything… No parties…no meetings…no racing…"

"I think it sounds like we know what we're doing," Tony told her with a smile. "Though, you do realize that we're practically on our own private island in this villa…" He paused for a moment as he leaned against her a bit. Tony stared at her. "We could technically go without the suits…"

"I'm really not that much of a free spirit…" Pepper told him.

Tony noticed the blush filling her cheeks. "Well…a couple of glasses of wine may change that…"

"Maybe, but don't get your hopes up," she told him as she leaned against him. Pepper's head rested against his and she closed his eyes.

"So…unnecessary swim wear…and I'm going to put a call in… Have them bring up some wine… They can wait a bit and bring up some dinner… Any requests?"

"Whatever is the chef special," Pepper told him.

Tony smiled. "As long as no strawberries?"

"I'm so glad you remember," she teased with a smile. Pepper pulled away from him an inch before opening her eyes and kissing him. It was a quick kiss and then she was up off of the chair and heading for the bedroom.

Tony let out a sigh as he thought about the night. He really was thinking it wasn't really necessary that he had packed any clothes. Maybe two sets…he was thinking that really that was all that he was needing…and apparently his swim trunks. It only took him a moment before he followed Pepper's lead. He'd make the call to the hotel's guest services once he got to the bedroom.

He dialed quickly once they were in the bedroom, voicing the orders he wanted in place. He even gave them permission to enter the villa with the wine on their own, Tony made sure that they knew that he and Pepper would be in the pool. Tony was already undressing while he was on the phone, so it took him no time at all to be fully changed and be joining Pepper in the pool. As he padded towards their private pool, he realized that if they'd forgone the trunks, then the poor person who brought up their wine might have stories to tell later. And in all honesty, he was sure that Pepper would be more embarrassed about the situation than he would be. Tony made a mental note to ask around to see if nudity was anything they didn't care about here…just so he knew for the future.

Upon seeing Pepper, Tony stopped. She didn't see him, her back was to him. Pepper looked absolutely breathtaking and he just hoped that this vacation worked out…for both of them. She was leaning back against the edge, her head slightly turned up towards the sky, and her eyes were closed. He wasn't sure if he'd ever seen her in such a relaxed state while she was awake. It was nice to see. When she started to move, Tony continued to close the distance between himself and the pool. Once there, he dropped in and was immediately at Pepper's side.

"I almost feel guilty at how relaxed I already feel," Pepper told him honestly once he'd joined her.

"Don't."

Silence passed between them and the wine arrived. Glasses were poured and they both started to enjoy the bubbly, tart yet sweet taste. At least for Tony, it helped with the relaxation so much more. Or maybe he was getting hit by jet lag, too…he wasn't sure… All he knew was that he had a feeling that they'd both be well enough relaxed tonight.

"But there's so much still to do for Stark—"

"Pepper—"

"It's not my fault!"

"I know, it's mine," Tony responded quickly. "You're too used to running everything…but Stark will survive in our absence."

"It isn't just Stark that I'm worried about—"

"Just forget it all."

Pepper frowned deeply at him. "We're supposed to be launching the campaign for that new tower—"

"That's still Stark business…"

"I can't help it!"

"And I told you that that building was on hold," Tony told her.

Pepper sighed and looked directly at him. "We can't just stop living our lives the way we want because of one psychopath."

"I believe there's been more than one," Tony told her. "Do I need to start listing them?"

Moving towards him, she wrapped her arms around him and just stared directly at him. "We still can't just stop living… We can't just use your money to live out our lives here…"

"Why not?"

"It will get boring soon enough."

"But until then—"

"You can't hide who you are, Tony," Pepper told him. "Not from me." She just stared at him and Tony found himself unable to think of proper words to use in this situation. "I know that you were bored of this vacation the moment we stepped on the plane."

"That's not tr—"

"I also know that you brought your computer and you can access JARVIS," Pepper told him. "Tomorrow, when I'm off on the nature walk…I want you to do whatever makes you happy…"

"We agreed—"

"I'm sure the Iron Man suit could use some upgrades," Pepper continued. "You can work on that at the very least."

"Pepper—"

"Do the virtual updates," she said. "JARVIS can upload to the server back to the house and I'm sure they can start machining the parts and assembling the new mark. By the time we get home, you'll have a new toy waiting for you."

"You're the best, you know that right?" Tony asked her before placing a kiss on her lips.

Pepper waited for the kiss to end before smiling brightly back at him. "Oh I know, but you can still remind me…"

"Well, you are the absolute best," Tony said with a wink.

Pepper picked up her glass and took a sip before wrapping her other arm around Tony and leaned in as close as possible. "Here's to a new beginning," she said as she raised her glass just a bit.

"To a new era," Tony added and held his glass up higher and then clinked his with hers. They both smiled at each other before taking a sip of the wine. Tony was really going to have no problem tonight with what they'd planned. And tomorrow…would be a new day…a new and extremely beautiful day. Tony was okay with facing that tomorrow…he knew he'd wake up with Pepper at his side.

. . .

TBC…