"What happened Pepper?"

Pepper sighed. She really had no idea. She shook her head and raised her hand, suddenly hissing through her teeth at the pain when she touched the right side of her face. She got panic and whispered:

"Tony... is there a mirror in here?"

Tony looked up at her, softly shook his head.

"Don't, Peps... don't do this to you."

But Pepper had already stood up and headed to the bathroom, Tony followed her. She stood in front of the little mirror and looked at her face in shock. Tony knew it had to be very hard for her... The right side of her face was burned and bright red. Her eye was - god bless - not damaged, but a big strand of her hair next to her face was gone. She held onto the sink with the hand that didn't hurt and Tony saw her knuckles getting white. She didn't say a word, she just stared into her face. Tony came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, softly pulling her to him.

"You're still beautiful Peps... We'll get you alright again."

But Pepper shuddered and jerked away from him, getting back into bed and sobbing into the pillow. Tony followed her again, trying to soothe her he softly rubbed her back, but she whispered:

"Go away Tony..."

"Pepper... please don't make me leave you know! You are..."

"I AM A ZOMBIE, TONY! I DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE ME LIKE THIS!"

"Pepper..."

Tony knew he couldn't leave her side. She was in shock, and exhausted and now he was also afraid that she'd break down.
He laid down on the bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.

"I won't go now, Peps! I left you once and you nearly died... The fact that you live means so much to me and I will protect you. The doctors said with the right care we'll get you as good as new again... Just trust them, okay? And I told you that you're beautiful, honey. For me you'll always look like an angel..."

Pepper didn't answer, but she didn't need to. It was alright, Tony knew she was tired and reliefed when her breath got slow and steady.

Tony didn't sleep in this night, he just watched the love of his life sleeping. He couldn't believe that she was finally in his arms again... He softly brushed her cheek with his thumb and she sighed softly. Tony was sad that she felt so embarassed about her look... She lived! And she was with him again, this was more he could've ever wished for. The engagement ring was still on her finger and he softly caressed her hand when her eyes snapped open and she screamed. Tony quickly wrapped his arms around her and tried to soothe her.

"Peps, hey... everything is alright... shh I'm right here, it's okay..."

She looked up at him with those beautiful blue eyes and without warning she wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him like never before. She softly sucked at his under lip and begged him to respond to her kiss. Finally he did and pulled her closer to him. She pulled away, struggling for air and burried her face in his chest, curling up into his lap.

"Tony... please don't..."

"What Pepper?"

"do you love me?"

Tony softly nuzzled her cheek and pulled her even closer to him.

"of course I do, Peps... why should I stop?"

Pepper stared at him and tried to figure out what to say. She wanted to tell him that she couldn't loose him, but if he couldn't put up with her she would respect this.

"I... I thought you maybe don't want to stay... because of... of this..."

she said and turned her head, looked away from him. Tony couldn't believe that she actually thought he would stop loving her because of this accident. He shifted his position so he was kneeling in front of her on the bed. He forced her to look at him and said:

"Stop this, Pepper. I love you and I will always love you, doesn't matter how you look. God, you could have three eyes and I would still love you..."

He leaned in and kissed her softy, tried to make her understand that everything that matters was that she was alive. She stared at him when he pulled back and they were startled by a nurse coming into the room.

"Miss Potts? Mr. Stark, we have the results here..."

Tony stared back at Pepper and sat next to her again, pulling her close. The nurse smiled softly at him and said:

"Well, Miss Potts... You were really, really lucky. Your eye isn't damaged and with the right care you'll be as good as new in approximately 6 months..."

She sighed and looked at Tony insecurely before she continued:

"But... of course there will be a few scares in your face, but you should be really thankful that you are still alive... Your hand is a little worse, but I'm sure we'll get this on track again too. You have to rest, and don't worry. Everything will be fine."

She smiled at them and left the room again.

Pepper curled up in Tony's lap and closed her eyes, grabbed a fistful of his shirt and sighed.

"Don't worry, Peps... I'm here. I'll be always here..."