Chpater 12. A uge thanks to my readers!

Disclaimer: I don't Iron Man

"What's all the commotion going on across the hall?" Pepper asked curiously looking at one of the nurses writing in her charts.

"Oh they moved in a VIP patient. He's such a ass," the nurse said shaking her head as they heard something break and shouts.

"Don't look at me!" the man shouted.

"Sir you need to calm down or we'll have to restrain you," a nurse said loudly trying to overpower the man's shouts.

Pepper looked at the nurse quite taken aback. The nurse smiled and they burst out laughing.

--

"Are you folks here for Tony Stark?" Dr. Reyes asked walking into the waiting room.

"Yes how is he doing?" Rhodey asked.

"He's surprisingly well. He only got out of surgery half an hour ago but he is already wide-awake. He's giving the nurses a run for their money," Dr. Reyes smirked.

Rhodey just shook his head as everyone rolled their eyes.

"Well he did suffer an open blunt force trauma to his head which required quite a few stitches. He also has a separated shoulder and an open fibula fracture in his right leg. He will need to undergo physical therapy once his casts come off in a week."

"Can we go in to see him?" Rhodey asked.

"Go right ahead," Dr. Reyes replied as he walked away.

--

"Anyone want to come with me?" Rhodey asked looking at everyone.

"I'll come," Greg said volunteering him self.

Rhodey could tell that even though Tony was okay they were still mad at him for saying what he said to Pepper.

"Hey his room is right across from Pepper's," Greg said as he looked at both oak wood doors.

"This should be interesting," Rhodey muttered to himself as he opened the door.

What they saw as they entered Tony's room shocked them. There was a lamp in pieces in one of the corners of the rooms and the sofa and nightstand were turned upside down.

"Holy shit," Greg said in disbelief as his eyes fell on Tony.

Greg nudged Rhodey and pointed to Tony.

"What the hell?" Rhodey asked his eyes wider than the moon.

Tony was strapped into his bed fighting trying to fight the restraints. He was so busy with doing so that he didn't notice Greg and Tony walk in.

"What the hell did you do to get yourself in this situation?" Rhodey shouted.

"You don't need to yell," Tony grumbled as he continued to fight the restraints.

"Oh I'm not even yelling yet. I'm just raising my voice. You don't want to hear me yell Anthony Edward Stark," Rhodey replied his voice getting louder by each word.

Tony grunted as he continued fighting the restraints. They were digging into his skin the more he fought and it burned every time he did.

"Okay just stop," Rhodey said as he walked towards Tony.

Tony continued to struggle and ignored Rhodey.

"Tony stop fighting it," Rhodey said sternly.

Tony ignored him once again.

"Calm the hell down you stubborn butt head," Greg said as he placed a hand on Tony's shoulder trying to get him to stop.

Tony stopped in an instant and stared at Greg for a while. Tony began to smile which turned into teary laugh.

"What the hell?" Greg asked looking at Rhodey.

"It's the drugs," Rhodey replied.

"Tony are you okay?" Greg asked concerned.

"I'm fine it's just that-" Tony tried to finish his sentenced but he couldn't because he started laughing again.

"Tony you need to settle down or else your going to start convulsing gasping for air," Rhodey said looking at Tony who was wiping his eyes.

"Sorry; it's just that no one has called me a but head since the third grade," Tony smiled taking a few deep breaths.

"Dude you're so fucked up," Greg said shaking his head.

"Thanks for reminding me. Do you think you can get me out of these things?" Tony asked looking at the restraints.

"Well first of all would you care to tell us why you are strapped down into your bed?" Rhodey asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"Because nurse Tanya said we're going to play doctor," Tony replied with a coy grin.

"Get real," Rhodey said shaking his head.

"Relax sour patch. I admit that the nurses here are good looking; I just don't want them to see me like this. I mean c'mon I'm supposed to be the sexiest man alive and I look like freaking Shrek right now,"

"Get over your self," Rhodey replied bluntly.

"Rhodey I have a this ugly scar going across my forehead. My leg is broken and in this stupid cement cast that itches like hell, my shoulder is freaking separated and bruised. Look at my neck and chest. I look like a marshmallow that's been roasted for far too long. I don't want anyone to see me like this, especially Pepper."

"I've seen you worse," Rhodey replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Tony have you seen your self drunk? You turn into this monster that everyone fears,"

Tony was quiet, "did you find Pepper?"

"Yes,"

"Where is she?"

Rhodey stepped away and walked towards the door. Tony watched as Rhodey opened the door and point to the room across the hall. Tony saw as Pepper's door open and Jenny step outside. He watched as Pepper turned and saw him. They locked eyes for a moment and then Pepper's door closed.

"Can you uh, get me out of these?" Tony asked again softly looking down.

Rhodey nodded and walked back over to Tony's bed. He and Greg unbuckled the restraints and helped Tony get up.

"Here you go man," Greg said handing Tony a crutch.

Tony took it and positioned himself on it. With one arm on the crutch and other around Rhodey's neck Tony hobbled towards the door Greg was holding open.

"Is my ass covered?" Tony asked subconsciously

"Um you want me to look?" Rhodey asked uncomfortably.

"I rather have you take a look than exposing myself to the world," Tony replied.

"Yeah," Rhodey said after taking a quick look.

"Okay now was that so hard sour patch?"

"Um Mr. Stark your not supposed to be up," one of the nurses said walking towards Rhodey and Tony.

Tony looked at the nurse with pleading eyes and the nurse gave in. Greg poked his head in Pepper's room to tell her that Tony was coming. He opened the door and held it open for him and Rhodey. Rhodey helped Tony into a chair next to Pepper's bed. She sat up as Rhodey sat Tony down and set his crutch aside.

"We'll be in the waiting room," Rhodey said turning to leave.

"Oh my Tony," Pepper said softly looking at Tony.

Pepper was speechless as she looked at Tony. She reached out and touched his cheek. Tony placed his mangled hand on top of Peppers and held it. He began to break down and cry.

"I'm sorry for everything. I never meant to say all those hurtful things I said. Believe me if I could, I would turn back time and take back what I said. I would take back all those times I've hurt you. I want so bad to turn back the clock but I know I can't. I hate myself for saying what I said to you. You didn't deserve the hell I put you through. I never meant to hurt you, hurting you was the last thing I ever wanted to do. And it's not just what I said, it's all the other things I did. I never noticed before that what I did was killing you softly inside. I never noticed because it seemed like my life was smooth sailing but then in that one instant our lives changed and we started to fall apart. It makes me sick to my stomach knowing that I've been hurting you over the years and it kills me inside that I almost lost you," Tony said the tears rolling down the cheek.

"Why? Why did you say those things?" Pepper asked fighting her tears.

"I never meant to say it. I don't know why I said what I said. I was drunk, angry, and confused.

Pepper was silent so Tony continued on with what he had to say.

"I know I hurt you but can you give me another chance? Please give me a second. I know I've blown so many chances but I need one more shot. I need to show you that I can change and be the better man. I want to show you that I can change and make this work for us, and our baby. And if I blow this chance I'll walk away and leave you alone."

"I want to believe you Tony I really do but you broke my heart. You hurt me so much. I don't know if I can give you another chance," Pepper said the tears threatening to fall but she continued to fight it.

Tony felt his whole world around him begin to come crumbling down.

"Please Pepper; just give me more time to show you, to prove to you that I can change."

"Tony-I don't know if I have any more time to give," Pepper said as her tears came rolling down her face.

Pepper wanted so bad to believe Tony and give him another chance but she had to do what was best for her and their baby. And, if it meant letting Tony go then she would have to let him go. She couldn't afford to get hurt any more.

"What about the baby?" Tony asked as he crudely wiped his tears away.

"I'm not going to stop you from seeing your own child Tony."

Tony nodded and got up. He hobbled over to grab his crutch and shifted his wait on to it. He turned to walk out the door but he stopped short. He turned around and looked at Pepper.

"I love you Pepper. I've always loved you, I loved you from the start, and a part of me will always love you. It just took me a long time to open my eyes to what was in front of me all along. When I went down in that plane, I could think about you and the baby. All I could think about is what could have been. I-I'll see you around some time," Tony said with a heavy heart and he hobbled out the door.

When Tony left Pepper let out all of her tears.

"Why does it have to be so hard?" she asked herself.

Tony struggled across the hall and back into his bed. He crudely wiped away his tears again and looked out the window, "I love her so much," he said aloud to no one.