A/n: Hello! For the past 3 weeks I have been away on holiday without any internet, so although I had it all typed up and finished ready to post, my first opportunity to actually do so has been today!

This is it, the final chapter, the epilogue to my story. I have loved writing every single word of it, I'm really proud of it and the huge level of positive response to it - in fact, only 2 negative reviews (idk if there'll be any more though :/ :P) overall!

Also, I had one review to my last chapter complaining that I was going to end this story when Tony and Pepper 'hadn't even had sex yet'. Sorry to potentially disappoint some of you, but this story will not contain sex. I'm 15 and I don't want to write a sex scene between Tony and Pep, so I'm not going to. I know that there are some other stories on here which do have sex in them, so go and read them if you want sex. Thank you.

If anybody would like to translate this story into another language then that is absolutely fine, although if you could PM me to let me know that you are, it would be most appreciated.

And so, I present to you all, lovely devoted readers, The Key To My Heart: The Epilogue.


Epilogue

Tony was lying on the sofa in his workshop, watching the holographic television. It was the news, and he was waiting to see if they would mention anything about his and Pepper's (ok, mainly Pepper's) ordeal with John. So far they hadn't - although, thought Tony grimly, the programme had barely started.

Pepper seemed to be alright throughout these past couple of days, whenever anything about John came up she didn't show any signs of grief or serious emotion – having said that though, Tony wasn't entirely sure what he should be looking for.

She had cried a lot that night, after they had gone home from the police station. She had curled up beside Tony in his bed, and wept until she had no tears left. Tony had comforted her, had fallen half-asleep beside her – not fully, for when the nightmares came he was there to help her through them, as he himself knew just how bad they could sometimes be.

Apart from that, though, she had not cried about It again. Tony wasn't sure whether or not he should be worried about this, however when he had called Rhodey to ask him about it, he had said that there was nothing to worry about.

"And now, onto our bigger stories of the week. The world has been shocked and appalled to learn about the trauma that struck Ms Virginia 'Pepper' Potts, CEO of Stark Industries last week, when she was nearly raped and killed by her ex-boyfriend, John Wright. Wright is now being held by the police, and is due in court next Tuesday. We have not been able to talk to either Ms Potts or Mr Anthony Stark, who, it has been reported, was with her during the time of this incident."

Tony stopped listening. He knew what they would say, and didn't want to hear it. He found that he didn't much care how they would report the story, although he was pleased to hear that John was going to court on Tuesday.

"Well I suppose 'trauma' is a good word to describe it."

Tony jumped. He hadn't noticed Pepper enter the workshop. Turning around, he looked at her. He shrugged.

"Yeah I suppose it is."

"I was talking to the police on the phone just then." Tony sat up straight. What did the police want now? "Our statements are required. We're to come in on Thursday. No objections." Pepper added, seeing Tony open his mouth in protest. He grinned sheepishly. Pepper always seemed to know what he was going to do and what his immediate responses were.

He stood up and walked over to her. He really didn't want to go to the police station to give his statement. He took Pepper into his arms and pressed a gentle kiss into her neck soothingly.

"You know," he said, in between kisses to her neck, "we don't have to go to the police station. I mean," he let his hands wander across her back, tracing circles upon it, "we could probably just do it via the phone. We wouldn't have to go out at all."

Pepper pulled away. "Oh yes we do Anthony Stark and you know it. Kisses and affection, whilst lovely, are getting you nowhere."

"Damn." Tony muttered under his breath. Pepper took him by the hand and led him into the kitchen. She sat Tony down in one of the kitchen chairs and promptly began to make some dinner. It was approaching seven o'clock and all Pepper was tired. All she was in the mood for was some dinner then sleep. "What if I'm not hungry?" Tony questioned. Pepper looked at him. There was something of a smirk playing upon his features, though Pepper couldn't tell what it signified. So, she played along, unsure of the outcome.

"Tony. You're always hungry."

"What if I'm not hungry for food?" His signature smirk was on his face, slowly turning into a wolfish grin as Pepper approached him.

"Eat your dinner, then I'll see whether or not I can help you with that little problem." A playful glint was in her eye. Tony leaned up towards her, about to steal her lips for a kiss. Just when their lips were almost touching, Pepper pulled away. "I'll just go and check on the chicken." She walked back to the oven, a huge cheeky smile on her face. Tony's mouth dropped in surprise. He just simply sat there in his chair, gaping at Pepper, until she put a plate of chicken and vegetables (why she insisted on the latter will always remain a mystery to him) in front of him with a simple "Eat."

Tony wolfed his meal down, but Pepper ate slowly – deliberately taking her time. It was always funny to watch Tony getting more and more on edge with the knowledge of what he could be doing with her instead of whatever his current activity was – eating his dinner, in this case.

"Pepper!" He whined, willing her with his mind to finish. He knew exactly what she was doing.

Finally, after what seemed to Tony like hours, Pepper finished. Immediately after he saw her swallow, he grabbed her hand and led her upstairs, ignoring her protests of having to tidy the plates away. He only stopped when he reached their bedroom, swinging the door open and lying Pepper down on the soft mattress. He suddenly realised that they had come a full circle: this whole thing started because JARVIS had told Tony that Pepper was in his house – in his bed – and when Tony had gone to investigate, he learned what had happened with John. He silently vowed to never let Pepper into a situation like this again.

"You ok?" Pepper asked, gazing up into his handsome features. In response, he climbed onto the bed and crawled on top of her. He lifted her legs gently, placing them so she was wrapped around him. He traced up the inside of her thighs, pleased to hear a little gasp come from Pepper's mouth at his touch. At the same time, he reached down and took Pepper's lips into a gentle yet possessive kiss, a promise of things yet to come. Pepper wove a hand into his hair, gently tugging at it.

"I'm brilliant Pep."

The End


A/n: Please leave me a review! I know that I have not responded to any of your reviews (via PM etc), I am going to post another chapter onto the end of this. It will contain a Thank You and response to every single one of your reviews. Each one brings a happy smile to my face, they really do brighten up my day.

See you all soon,

PhoenixFeather0198