I'm going to college orientation tomorrow so I wanted to quickly get this chapter in!

Well guys, this is it. The last chapter. Sadly, all good things must end and I really, really hope you guys thought this was a good fic! Enjoy the latest and last installment! It's a really short one.

Chapter 14

3 Days Later

That morning, Pepper woke up in Tony Stark's room…in his bed to be precise. In the back of her mind, she was hit with a mild case of déjà vu, remembering the last time he had woken up in his bed – two weeks ago, the night after she had given him the solution meant to end his life after one week. Yet, at the same time, the situation was now entirely different. Tony had decades ahead of him now (if he watched the Iron Man stunts of course) and she…well, she was naked underneath the covers and facing a sleeping Tony Stark.

She sucked in her lips to keep herself from chuckling and waking him up. He looked…hopelessly cute when he was asleep, his mouth half open like a child's and at the same time, completely peaceful. He needed the sleep after the chaos the last week had provided and their last night…activity.

"What's so funny?" he murmured, startling her.

"Nothing…wait how did you know-"

"It was either that or you were choking on air," he said, finally opening his eyes slightly, smiling. "Good morning."

"Morning," she said, leaning towards him to kiss him. "How long have you been awake?"

"Half an hour," he admitted.

"You were watching me sleep?" she said, honestly flattered but trying to sound suspicious.

"You had no problem watching me."

"That's not fair," she said, pouting. But her mind was still resting on the fact that Tony hadn't left. So many women had been in bed with him and for each one, he had left long before they had even opened their eyes, not bothering to even see them out the door. He had never made an exception – except for today. And knowing that made her heart swell. She wasn't another one of his accomplishments – she was his, forever and always, completely and entirely. And she loved that.

"We should get up if you want to get to work on time," she said, not willing to follow her own advice.

"No…" he groaned into the pillow. He was about to leave the house for the first time in two weeks and now he wasn't ready leave the bed. But for the last few days, all he had wanted to do was get the hell out of here.

He didn't understand what the big deal was with leaving. He wasn't a psych patient, he could leave the house whenever he wanted. Yet, Pepper had managed warn JARVIS that if Tony stepped one foot out of the house she would teach the AI the true meaning of "permanent software malfunction".

"But that's blackmail," Tony had whined.

"It's just as effective," Pepper had told him. "Besides – JARVIS likes me."

"JARVIS doesn't seem to remember who created him."

I'm right here, you know, the AI reminded him sarcastically.

Of course, with the prospect of leaving the house came the unfortunate issue of having to make some sort of story as to why Tony had gone AWOL for the last two weeks. Personally, Tony thought the "world's longest hangover" was a good enough reason but of course, Fury got in his way through Agent Coulson.

And apparently, the best reason was no reason at all.

"Stark Industries wasn't affected by your disappearance in any way so you don't need to come up with an excuse to validate your disappearance," Coulson rationalized. "It was obviously for a personal reason so, therefore, it's none of their business."

"Well, that's…lame," Tony had decided. "So if they ask, I'm supposed to say none of your business?"

Agent Coulson shrugged. "Use your imagination."

With that, he walked out of the room and Tony thought about it for a moment. He turned to look at Pepper who was standing over him. "I still like the hangover idea."

"No one's going to believe you."

"That's the beauty of the idea!" he had said excitedly.

Pepper hesitated before answering him, raising an eyebrow disapprovingly. "Fine," she muttered as the frequently disappearing Natasha Romanoff walked in, sans catsuit – which happened to be the first thing Tony noticed.

"Where's the suit?" he had asked immediately, earning a fiery look from Pepper. Tony pretended to be picking at something in his nail.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," she had said instead as she walked up to him, a few papers in hand. "And your vitals look promising."

How the hell would she know his vitals? "JARVIS seems to like everyone," he complained as he glanced at a few of the documents.

"Actually, Fury has an updated report. Not even an ounce of palladium left in your system."

"How does he know?"

"He knew you'd ask that. And he told me he wanted me to tell you that he 'has his eye on you'."

"Hmm," Tony had said unimpressed as Pepper signed in the designated areas, formally relinquishing her position as CEO to Tony Stark – who wasn't looking forward to it.

"I hate CEO-ing," Tony had told her just minutes before Natasha's arrival.

"Well, then who's supposed to be in charge?"

He thought about it for a second before replying, "JARVIS?"

No, thank you, the AI had replied promptly.

Unfortunately, no one seemed to agree with him so Tony had no choice but to accept the position. Of course, he could just hand it over to one of the members of the board who were dying for the spot but he wasn't that desperate yet.

Now the next day, he was half asleep in bed with Pepper Potts. And all he could think was, Stark Industries can go to hell.

Pepper easily read his demeanor. "I know what will wake you up," she told him.

"Pepper, you are insatiable."

"Tea," she corrected, laughing as she reluctantly rolled out of bed. She picked up the nearest item of clothing – Tony's AC/DC t shirt – and slipped it on before leaving the room.

She could get used to this – easily. It just seemed right, normal to wake up beside him in the morning and it aggravated her to know that it took Tony's impending death for her to realize she wanted to be with him.

Behind her, she heard a door opening and some shuffling feet as the water boiled. She reached up to pick up a mug and tea bag as he approached. "Tony? Tony, are you up?"

"Not quite…"

Pepper shrieked and spun around, dropping the mug that shattered on the floor. Rhodey was standing behind the table and he wasn't sure if he should start laughing or look appalled. "This is…new," he decided, trying not to laugh.

Oh, God, she thought to herself. She looked like a deer in headlights – a deer wearing nothing but her boss's shirt. "Um…it's…" What? It's not what you think? It's everything he's thinking. She groaned, knowing there was no point. "Well, you might as well help me pick up all this glass," she said angrily as she left the room to find something more appropriate to wear. She found Tony standing at the bedroom door, pouting. Obviously, he had just observed the whole thing. "But I like it when you wear my t shirt."

Pepper frowned, but found it impossible to be truly anger as she quickly went past him and out of Rhodey's field of vision.

"It took both of you long enough," Rhodey said, smirking. "Now, what have you got to eat? I'm hungry."

Ever since the great Tony Stark had gone missing, the public was growing in an increasing frenzy. Not necessarily because they were worried about his whereabouts, but because his whereabouts remained unknown, a total secret even to Stark Industries. Tabloids had jumped on the story like vultures above an animal carcass and newspapers were disappearing from the stands faster than ever.

"It's nice to know I'm appreciated," Tony said, smiling to himself as he did a quick Google on his disappearance.

"Yes, appreciated or just used just to sell magazines," Pepper said, unable to hide her disgust and frustration.

"You're cute when you flare your nostrils."

Pepper wrinkled her nose. "I thought I looked constipated," she deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a euphemism."

"Interesting euphemism," Pepper said, laughing. "Anyway, we have a few things to take care of before you're officially out of the house…you have a six o'clock dinner benefit that you absolutely must attend, oh, and one of the interns has requested a letter of recommendation for an engineering opportunity at MIT-"

"Consider the recommendation done and I'll be at the benefit by eight thirty."

"You need to be at the benefit on time."

"But I don't even want to go," Tony whined, standing up in front of her. "It's boring, it's dull and it's not even one of the exciting benefits where's there's entertainment and stuff blows up-"

"Well, that's just unfortunate-"

"We don't have to go…we could go out…have dinner…" Tony suggested, lacing his fingers through hers suggestively.

"I'm not easily bribed," Pepper said turning up her nose, being intentionally difficult. She was about to go on to what was next on the to-do list.

He leaned towards her and kissed her gently and Pepper eagerly accepted him. Tony's lips glided towards the side of her neck as he whispered into her ear. "Dinner at Ferrari's?"

"Italian?"

"Of course."

"Tonight?"

"Absolutely."

"What time?"

"You name it."

She bit her lip as she rolled her eyes to the ceiling, pretending to think about it. "We'll spend three hours at the benefit."

Tony pulled away, frowning, obviously not pleased with the deal. "One!"

"Two."

"Done," he decided.

"Wait…I thought you wanted to keep…us…quiet?" Pepper reminded him. They had both decided to keep their relationship a secret from the public, but neither of them were entirely sure how long that was going to last. Tony was always in the public eye, a place Pepper hated ever since she had become CEO and at the same time, he didn't want anything to happen to her if Iron Man ever became an issue or threat. He didn't want her anywhere near harm's way.

"I could rent out the restaurant?" Tony suggested.

"No, you can't!"

"Of course I can."

"But that's hardly fair to everyone else who-"

"Relax," he said, rolling his eyes as she adjusted his tie. "I'll take care of it."

And for some crazy reason, she believed him. She put her arms beside her and sighed happily. "I think that's all, Mr. Stark."

"Yes, that's it, Ms. Potts," he smirked before they made their way out the door.

"Jesus Christ," Tony murmured to himself as he looked out the tinted window of the Rolls Royce. Happy was driving and smirking, pleased that he wasn't the one about to get out of the car.

They were just outside Stark Industries and a mob of reporters was waiting for him, microphones practically attacking the car. People were yelling questions as if they expected him to wind down his window and answer them.

"Brilliant," Pepper muttered.

"You know a decent amount of them probably want to talk to you," Tony said, glancing at her. "You were CEO for what – two weeks? How do they even know I'm going to be here?"

"Well, Stark Industries knows – I gave them a heads up. It might have gotten out. And I had a justified reason for choosing to resign," Pepper quickly added.

Tony looked at Pepper one last time before getting out of the car. The beautiful and poised yet headstrong and slightly stubborn woman that he was in love with. She encouraged him to be better and become better and accomplish more than he ever thought possible while keeping him grounded. He lived for her and he would die for her. He didn't know it was physically possible to feel so strongly toward a single person. His hero and savior was sitting in front of him, and nothing on Earth would make him blow his chance with her.

"Time to go," Pepper told him, urging him on. A small smile crossed her lips.

He smiled back before opening the door and for a split second, the reporters' yelling diminished until it was just a low hum.

"Honey, I'm home!" he announced before the swarm of voices surrounded him again.

TA-DA! :)

I hope everyone enjoyed the journey and I'm endlessly grateful for ALL my readers! Thanks so much for the support, especially to my reviewers! This is my first completed piece (EVER!) of a significant length so it's a great milestone I've passed with all my readers' help! You guys kept me motivated!

I'm actually planning on a sequel. I've been jotting down some ideas in my notebook and I think you'll like them! :) If anyone else has any ideas though, please leave a review or PM me and I'll see what I can do, ya? If you haven't reviewed yet, please give me a little thumbs up or thumbs down so I know how I did for this fic and if you liked it or not! Tell me what you wished I did, liked that I did, what you'd like to see next, the whole deal. Anything! Any and all feedback is definitely appreciated.

Thanks so much again! And I hope to see you soon! Don't forget to leave me one last review for the road ;)

xoxo writingmonkey10