A/N: Hello! I'm sorry, I'm dealing with a lot of stuff at work but still have time for you! (sort of... hehe). New chapter! and back to our story. I'm so happy to read all your reviews and support. As I always say, feel free to comment everything you want, I find your feedback very useful and I appreciate every suggestion you make (even if you are really mad haha) Ok... we're celebrating 100 reviews and the 25th chapter. I think there's a little more to work with but I'm already thinking in a new, shorter, story.

Thanks to everyone who PMed me expressing your support this week. You don't know how much I love this story and I'll continue to please all my beloved readers. Thanks for sticking around!

Sorry again if there's a lot of mistakes but I don't have time to properly check everything :( I just want to sleep :$

So... let's read now! This one has some explicit situations so... here's your warning :). Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review! I'll try to post the next one sooner :)

Chapter 25: The new beginning

Tony spent a few days analyzing Pepper's blood and making sure Extremis was gone. Bruce deleted all the files and destroyed the samples and the serum, even the stabilized formula.

"And that's all of it. Extremis is gone… forever" Bruce spoke. He entered the lab with some paperwork and gave it to Tony.

"Thanks" Tony proceeded to destroy the documents "What a shame"

"It's better this way"

"I know" Tony finished "The world doesn't need this in the wrong hands"

"Sir, all the files have been deleted" Jarvis interrupted.

"Thanks J" Tony crossed his arms and looked around "So, what now?"

"I think my job is done here" Bruce smiled

"Oh, come on… don't start with that I'm-so-dangerous crap. You know you can stay here"

"Tony, I-"

"We're not afraid of you. You don't have to be alone"

"I know, and it's refreshing, but I…" Bruce tried to find a good excuse. He knew that Tony and Pepper weren't afraid of him, but he was. He thought he could control The Hulk but after New York's battle he went through another two episodes and the last time he made a terrible mess in South America so… he decided to stay in north Canada, ad far as he could form everybody until he got Tony's message.

"I have plans, great plans, and I want you to work with me" Tony continued, "You can help here"

"Tony's right" Pepper's voice interrupted their conversation. "I'm sorry. I overheard"

"You should be sorry… you're not resting" Tony smiled

Pepper rolled her ayes and ignored Tony "What do you want to do, Bruce? And be honest"

"Guys, I really appreciate this, and I know you are not afraid but I couldn't stand it if I hurt any of you"

"I understand" Pepper walked closer to Tony and Bruce and smiled "You know, I was terrified to hurt Tony" She touched Tony's arm with a smile "And I did it"

"Honey, you didn't-"

"Shhh" Pepper gave him a look and then continued to Bruce "…but I could have never done this without him. You have always been alone and we think…" Tony nodded " you deserve better, and you need to start with a little faith"

"Oh man, so smart and beautiful" Tony smiled with a proud gesture but then recovered his sarcastic tone. "But she didn't say anything I didn't say before though"

"I don't know what to say" Bruce replied.

"Just stay a little longer this time. There's a lot I need to do right now and I could use someone like you with R&D and taking care of my new projects. Believe me, better than freezing your ass in the woods"

Bruce smiled "Ok… I think I can try"

"That's my boy!" Tony patted Bruce in his arm

"Welcome… again" Pepper hugged Bruce "it's nice to have someone watching over Tony"

"Ye-… Hey! Don't say that to our guest"

"I say it with love, honey" She smiled but then a serious look appeared on her face "Now, let's go. We need to talk"

"Wow… sorry, really busy here"

"No, we're not-" Bruce spoke but Tony interrupted him with a louder tone

"Have you ever heard about the bro code? You help your bro when the girl says we need to talk" Pepper giggled

"Stop overreacting" She grabbed his arm

"Fine" Tony sighed "Jarvis!... Open the U.A.I.-Beta file, let Dr. Banner read it!"

"As you wish, sir"

"Please read it and let me know your thoughts about it" Tony spoke while Pepper was pulling him out of the lab.

"You could have told me you wanted to do the kinky stuff" Tony smiled when they entered to their bedroom.

Pepper ignored his remark and went straight to the bed to reach for her laptop "I talked to Dr. Wu" Tony frowned.

"You did what?"

"I'm sorry I… I know that when I was recovering you did more than just my homework" She showed him some files on her laptop and Tony avoided her gaze.

"Well, what can I say?" Tony lifted his hands feeling caught.

"You really want to do this, don't you?" Pepper sighed and closed her laptop. Tony nodded but didn't answer, "I see"

"I'm sorry Pep. I know we said we should wait until-"

"Until I was fine" She touched his face softly "I am now" Her hand moved down to catch his and then Pepper pulled him to sit on their bed "So… I talked to the doctor"

"And?"

"I think he is very talented, very capable… I did a little research too" Tony smiled "He's willing to come to New Yor"

"Wow, that's a lot more than I did"

"I wanted to surprise you"

"So… now you want me to have surgery?"

"Oh, no, no, no… I want you to be alive. I don't like the idea… but if it's that important to you the least I can do is hear the doctor"

"It's not like I'm going to die if I don't do it-"

"Quite the contrary" She muttered

"-But I think this is important. I need to move on. You were right when you said I'm not over New York and Killian… I…I don't know maybe I'm not over Afghanistan"

"Tony"

"What?"

"I love you"

He finally looked back to Pepper; she was smiling "I don't get it"

"My undeniable love for you, Mr. Stark?"

"Oh, that I'll never understand… but I'm talking… more about… like…. your attitude"

"I just… This is important for you … I'm so proud you want to move on. I want to be by your side. Dr. Wu will be here this weekend, we'll listen and we'll get through this together"

"That's all?"

"Yeah… what were you expecting?"

"Mad Pepper… and then horny Pepper" She laughed and shook her head blushing a little and avoiding Tony's playful eyes.

"I'm not mad" Pepper said with a low voice. Tony frowned.

The next thing she felt was Tony kissing her neck. She closed her eyes at the much-needed contact. Pepper moved her head so she could give him better access and Tony's right hand went to her cheek.

"You have five seconds to complete that," Tony whispered against her ear but the only answer he got was her hand on his t-shirt pulling him closer for a kiss. "Guess this means hor-" She shushed him with another kiss

"Don't ruin it"

"Sorry..." He tried to move but then pulled his hand back "I… I don't want to hurt you"

"You want to wai-"

"No!... I mean… yes, I mean… how do you feel?" Tony swallowed with anticipation. He couldn't wait nay longer… but he was a little afraid of hurting her.

"I feel great, but I think I could be better" She smiled and kissed Tony again, this time moving her hand to the back of his neck and making a deeper contact. "How's your shoulder?" She spoke against his lips.

"What shoulder?" Tony breathed heavily and pushed her to the bed "I know it's been just a few weeks but-"

"I know" She replied hoarsely, embracing Tony with her arms and legs. Her body felt different, still a little weak but a lot more sensitive. Maybe it was normal, she got used to extremis and the incredible strength, which came with the powers. It was horrible to feel that she was going to break Tony with her touch or burst into flames and hurt him. More than strong, she felt like a monster; but now… every sensation was so intense. Tony's weight over her body, heat, strong hands and the undeniable pleasure of being his.

Pepper closed her eyes and enjoyed every second. Tony kissed her with adoration. He took his time to make sure it was real, that she was cured and strong. He could hear a soft moan escaping from her mouth as his hands started went down her shirt and straight to her breasts.

"You missed me, baby?" Tony whispered against her neck.

"Yes, Tony…" her hands pulled his head closer, digging into his hair. "I love you so much"

He stopped and lifted his head with a smile "I love you too… and you can't even star imaging how much I've missed you" He kissed her softly and then lifted his body just enough to let her take his t-shirt out. Pepper touched the arc reactor on his chest. She stared at the blue light trying to fake a smile.

"Don't worry. I won't do it if it's not safe"

"I thought Tony Star was all about risks"

Tony smiled "I am… but there's one risk I'm not willing to take, Miss Potts. And that's leaving you"

"Smooth" Pepper mocked, this time with a real grin on her face.

"You've got yourself your very own prince charming"

"I prefer a knight in shining armor" And with that, Pepper pulled him again for another kiss.

They continued undressing each other as Tony's mouth tried to memorize every inch of the body he had missed so much. Pepper clung to the sheets. He proceeded to dispose of the last of their clothes carefully.

"You ok?" Tony's voice sounded more like a growl against her heated skin.

"Yes" Pepper moaned with her eyes closed "Tony…" He continued kissing her, starting with her shoulder and down through her body. "I'm not going to break"

Tony smiled and moved his mouth to her left breast, hearing a loud gasp as a response. He continued and used his left hand to take care of the rest of her naked body; and Pepper wanted to return the favor. She reached down to grab his hard-on and squeezed it slowly. Tony trembled in surprised and then stopped. "Damn" He closed his eyes and with a quick movement grabbed Pepper's wrists and held her arms atop her head. "Naughty girl". He went back to her neck so Pepper took her opportunity to bit on Tony's earlobe.

He groaned loudly when she pulled him closer with her legs and started moving up and down as much as Tony's grip and weight let her. In regular basis she was prim and a little shy but Tony made her feel wild and free. He was able to activate every nerve on her body, his touch just… fitted… naturally and that was the whole point, everything felt right in his arms. She felt loved, desired, respected and, well, more than fully satisfied.

Tony's goatee tickled her stomach, stopping every thought and replacing it with anticipation. Pepper realized her hands were free again and reached for Tony's tousled hair. He kissed his way down and then spread her legs to find his objective. Pepper arched her back at the intense pleasure. Now a couple of weeks felt like years without him. Her legs shivered and Tony held her in place with his strong hands over her hips. Pepper tried to move but there was no point, Tony just moved his tongue faster and put her legs over his shoulders. She let a loud whimper escape and cried his name feeling really close; but Tony stopped.

She protested and tried to touch herself, still with eyes closed and breathing heavily. Tony contemplated her, at his mercy and her body begging for him, but not like any other –of the many- women he had had. She wanted his love, and every terrible aspect of his personality, his past and his mistakes and she was ready to give herself to him without hesitation. In fact, she did it many years ago, when it didn't seem to be the best idea to put her heart at risk with someone like him. Pepper opened her eyes and Tony could see his favorite color in the whole world, now a little darker, but still. He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her again. He was all wet and sticky. Pepper blushed when she realized it was because of her.

"I love you Tony" She whispered against his lips. Tony didn't answer but buried himself into her body as a response, a slowly and torturing response. "Oh God" He suddenly kissed her again, deeply and sharp. Her hands went down to his ass and she pushed him harder against her body. Tony managed to hold his weight on his forearms so he could see Pepper's face; she was biting her lower lip.

"Why…" Tony spoke hoarsely as he was trying to keep his slow pace "Don't… I like it when you are loud" He kissed her again and thrusted deeper, making her moan against his mouth. He reveled with the intense pleasure and decided to accelerate and she helped wrapping her legs around his waist.

Tony started to lose control of his actions and Pepper rewarded him with even louder groans and her nails digging into his back. He went slow and then faster, fighting his own animal desire, trying not to hurt her. He closed his eyes and kept going with a throaty grunt. It was hard to think and restrain himself, even more when she continued screaming his name and pushing her hips up to find a deeper contact. "Damn it, Pep" He spoke when his shoulder failed and he had to tumble on her body, but he didn't stop.

Pepper embraced his sweaty body and enjoyed the contact. It was a perfect fit between them. She felt how her body trembled furiously with the first waves of her orgasm. Her nails dug into his flesh and scratched him, wanting to leave a reminder of their passion. He took his clue to go faster and with his head buried in her neck he reached his own climax.

A few minutes later all the noise and movement disappeared, only leaving the soft sound of their breathing. Tony rolled to his side, but he didn't set her free of his embrace. "We're back"

"Indeed, we are" She smiled and tried to wipe the lipstick all over Tony's face with her thumb. "Red lipstick looks good on you"

"Just like all the hickeys on you"

"Tony!" She frowned and tried to pull away to inspect her body, but he didn't let her "You know I hate it!"

Tony started laughing "But it's so sexy"

"Let me go!"

"No can do" He interrupted her with a heated kiss. When they separated she kind of forgot her point. "Better" Tony smiled and tightened his embrace around her. "Wanna go another round?" his hand traveled down her body as he spoke.

"Do I want to go another round?" She smiled and moved to be on top of him, Tony let her took control.

"How could I have wasted so much time?" He replied with a sad smile and making a mental promise to never let her go.