Hey hey hey guys! Look who's finally back with the second to last chapter. yes you read right, next chapter is the final chapter! :') happy tear. Thanks for the couple reviews i got last chapter. So guys this is a long chapter dedicated all to...Tony. That's right, you should be able to get your full dose of Tony and Pepperony this chapter, got a little Rhodey too, but mostly Pepperony. So i hope you guys really like this chapter.

Chapter 26: Awake and Alive

He could hear voices. He didn't remember anything they said and barely understood what they were saying in the first place. All he remembered was suddenly waking up and seeing something covering his mouth and nose. He blinked but everything felt so hazy and so far away. He felt so tired. He blinked a few times again as his mind felt so dull and slowly his eyes closed again and he fell back asleep. The next time Tony woke he felt a little stronger but still so tired. He tried to look around, to see where he was and what was going on but his brain wasn't registering anything his eyes saw. A single thought broke through his comfortably numb brain and he tried searching for her. Pepper, He thought. He tried fighting the overwhelming power commanding him to sleep but that only rendered him even more tired. He saw the weird thing was still covering his mouth and nose and then his eyes began to droop closed again. Pepper, he thought again and then he fell back asleep.

"Tony. Tony." A sweet voice called softly luring him awake. Tony tried opening his eyes but time after time again his eyes continued to close. "Tony." The voice called out again. Tony's synapsis fired as fast as it could through his opiate muddled brain, working to identify the voice. It called out his name again in that enchanting tone and this time Tony knew it was Pepper who had called out to him. His eyes snapped open and he looked around until Pepper's voice drew his eyes to her. He saw the faint red coloring her eyes and her tear stained angelic face. He saw her arm in a red and yellow cast being held to her chest in a sling that was secured in its spot. "Hi. Welcome back."

Tony tried to speak to question what she meant by, 'Welcome back', but found that while the mask wasn't covering his face, his throat was dryer than the desert he was held captive in. He saw Pepper smile and slowly get up from the chair she sat in and poured him a cup of water with one arm. Tony took note of the fact that Pepper was wearing a pair of his sweatpants and his AC/DC shirt he had gotten at one of their concerts. Tony tried to think of what happened but all he could remember was that he had gone to save Pepper from Hammer. He vaguely remembered kissing her and feeling a sense of despair but everything else was blank. Pepper put the cup to his lips and he wondered why she didn't just hand him the cup. Obviously Pepper had seen his confusion and she simply said, "Drink." And tilted the cup for him to drink.

He felt the cool water pleasantly shimmy down his throat. "More." He rasped. Pepper complied and after a few more cups of water his throat felt better and not as dry. "What happened?" He asked in confusion.

"I only know from what Rhodey told me, but you saved me. There was a bomb that went off and you were still inside. You were impaled with a piece of rebar. Your doctor said it punctured your lung and shortly after your lung collapsed. They put you in surgery and removed the air buildup and fixed your lung." Tony noticed how her voice began to tremble and what she said next broke his heart as he thought of what she had endured. "You...when Rhodey found you…you were…you were dead, Tony."

"I'm sorry Pepper." He said reaching out for her hand. She took his hand and laid it back on the bed keeping her hand in his.

"The doctor is sworn to secrecy about your reactor. I had a little talk with him and so did Rhodey. You were on an air mask until you finally leveled out and were able to breathe for yourself."

"How long have I been asleep?" He wondered aloud.

"You've been out for four days. Rhodey said you came to twice but you went back to sleep." Pepper informed.

"What happened to you?" Tony asked with his face full of sadness and guilt.

"Well I was drugged with Thorazine and Ultram. My Ulna and Radius is broken also known as my forearm, my collar bone is broken, and my shoulder is, was dislocated." She said matter of factly.

"I'm sorry Pep-" He began feeling horrible that he had put Pepper in harm's way again.

"Don't start that. It wasn't your fault Tony. This was Hammer, not us, not you." She said giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

Tony smiled briefly and said, "I love you Pepper." He didn't need to hear her say the words back to him to know she loved him. He could see it in her smile.

"I love you too Tony." She stood up and carefully leaned over the bed softly kissing his lips. Tony's heart beat a little faster at the touch of her soft lips, which could be heard on the machine he was connected to and Pepper chuckled a little into their kiss. Habit took over as he tied to deepen the kiss and he tried shifting but a sharp pain in his chest pulled him away from Pepper and stopped him from moving. He cried out in pain and grit his teeth as he waited for the pain to go away. "Oh Tony, I'm sorry." Pepper apologized profusely.

"Not…your…fault." He ground out as the pain still continued to surge throughout his chest. He cried out once more as a wave of pain hit him like a tsunami then subsided. It hurt to breathe and so Tony took quick shallow breaths until the pain in his chest stopped and he could breathe normally again. "How long until this heals?" He asked still feeling the effects of the intense pain.

"About eight weeks." Pepper replied with an apologetic smile.

"Oh God, no sex for eight weeks?! I'm gonna die!" Tony cried exasperated. Pepper just laughed and smiled.

"I won't be out of this cast for eight weeks and my collar bone is going to take even longer to heal."

"Ugh! I'm gonna die!" Tony cried again.

"I'm sure you'll figure something out." Pepper replied with a smile and a gentle squeeze of his hand.

"Thank you." Tony said.

"For what?" Pepper asked genuinely confused.

"For being here with me." Tony replied with a grateful smile in his eyes.

Pepper gave him a loving smile and replied, "I'll always be with you Tony. You can't get rid of me, but just in case a doctor asks, I did not sneak out of my room."

Tony grinned and said, "Sly, Potts."

Pepper chuckled but then said seriously, "I wanted to see you, or rather I had to see you. I missed you."

"I missed you too." Tony said gently rubbing her hand with his thumb. "I remember the pain I felt seeing you get hurt and how much I missed holding you."

A few tears appeared in her eyes and she said, "I thought I would never see you again. I started thinking about how impossible it would be for you to find me. Then…you came and saved me." Tony could hear the raw emotion in her voice and just how much she had begun to think she would die by Hammer's hand.

"What happened to Hammer?" He asked angrily.

"He and Emma escaped. Danny was caught in the explosion and died. There's a worldwide manhunt for him. We'll catch up to him Tony."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Tony said softly. "That he'll be waiting and plan something bigger and kill you. I can't lose you Pepper, I'll lose myself." He said as the pain of memory of the sadness and despair he felt when she was gone begin to cover him like a blanket.

Pepper squeezed his hand and rubbed comforting circles on his hand just like he had done for her. "You'll never lose me Tony; I'll always be yours no matter where I am."

Tony was silent for a moment before he asked worriedly, "Pepper, would you marry me?"

"You're asking me to marry you?" She asked in shock trying to clarify what was happening.

"I'm asking would you, if I asked you. Would you want to be hitched to me?" He asked looking at her with fear in his eyes.

Pepper smiled at him and said, "You tell me." She got up again form her uncomfortable chair and softly placed a lingering kiss on his lips.

"So I can expect a yes?" he asked with a hopeful smile?

Pepper rolled her eyes and answered with a smile, "Yes."

"Awesome." Tony replied with a grin.

"Please don't go nuts when you propose." Pepper begged.

"But Pep, that's the fun part. I'm only ever gonna do this once, so I have to make it big."

"Why did I even think you would be able to do it small?" She asked herself with a roll of her eyes.

"Tony grinned and laced his fingers with Pepper's. "I have no idea considering you've known me for what, ten years?"

"Twelve." Pepper corrected.

"That long huh?" Pepper laughed and kissed him again before unhooking her hand from his. Tony frowned and looked at her confused.

"I snuck out, remember? The nurse will be coming around to check on me in ten minutes. I am however getting discharged tomorrow. You'll be stuck here for another three days so they can monitor your breathing and make sure there were no complications with the surgery."

"Don't go Pep!" Tony protested.

She gave him a small sad smile and said, "I'll be back tomorrow. I'll have Rhodey get you your phone so we can text. I love you Tony, rest up." She walked over to the door but then walked back and said, "One for the road." Pepper leaned down and captured his lips in a heated kiss that Tony happily returned minding his injury. Not a minute later after many stolen kisses Tony had to break away to allow his scarred lung to breathe. Pepper took in a few breaths herself and smiled. "I'll text you in a few. Rhodey wants to talk to you."

"Bye Pep, I love you!"

"I love you too Tony." She replied before walking out of his rom.

Tony sighed as Pepper walked out and immersed himself in the memory of Pepper's touch. Tony began thinking of ways he could propose to Pepper and smiled each time as he heard her say, 'yes'. Tony lost track of time as he imagined a future with Pepper as his fiancée and then his wife and mother of his kids. A grin appeared on his face as Rhodey walked in.

"And this year's best friend award goes to Colonel James Rhodes!" Tony announced playfully.

Rhodey grinned and said, "Glad to see you're awake and that dying clearly didn't affect your personality."

Tony grinned and replied, "Please, it'd have to take more than a collapsed lung to kill me."

"You know you scared the hell out of me. I'm the one who was left to find you dead." Rhodey said seriously.

"Sorry." Tony apologized sincerely.

"You told me you'd be careful, then…what do you do? You go and get yourself killed! I'm so angry with you! You left me alone and you left Pepper alone!"

"It wasn't exactly by choice." Tony tried defending.

"That doesn't matter, it's not the point! The point is you died, it's real, it happened, it can happen, and I was left alone!" Rhodey shouted releasing his pent up anger.

"I'm sorry Rhodey." Tony said looking truly sincere.

Rhodey took a deep breath as all his anger was finally released and he said, "I was so devastated for a full five minutes. I was convinced I'd be planning your funeral with Pepper and Happy. He has already said how he'll take his revenge during your boxing sessions and that he'll kick your ass." Rhodey said with a grin. Tony smirked and grinned. "I'm glad you're back man."

"Me too." Tony said with a smile. Tony watched as Rhodey fumbled with his pocket and then pulled out his iStark. "Oh thanks Rhodey, you're a lifesaver." Tony said eagerly reaching out for his phone.

"Yeah, literally." Rhodey replied. "Looks like Pepper already texted you too." Tony smiled as he took ahold of his phone and opened the text.

"Thanks Rhodey. I appreciate it."

"No problem man. Now, I'm gonna go get dinner with Happy. I can have the nurse come in and get you something to eat, sorry but you're confined to hospital food after surgery."

"Wonderful." Tony muttered sarcastically.

"I'll see you later man."

"Yup." Tony replied. "Bye Rhodey, thanks again." Rhodey nodded and left leaving Tony alone and free to text Pepper.

As Tony looked down to the phone in his hands he grinned. I expect to be surprised when you propose.

'Trust me, you won't see it coming.' Tony texted in reply.

Almost instantly Tony received the reply. You're as predictable as…I don't know what, but you're very predictable.

'Am not.' He replied defensively.

Yes you are. You start acting really weird, weirder than usual. I know all your tells.

'Just wait Potts; you'll be so surprised you'll surprise yourself with how surprised you are.'

We'll see about that Mr. Stark.

'After all this is over and we're both back up to par, we're going on that one month vacation.'

Oh God, that sounds so nice.

'You sound nice. ;)' Tony replied with a grin on his face.

Get used to celibacy Mr. Stark; you're not getting anything until we're both healed.

'Oh we'll see just how long you can hold out. I give you two weeks.'

Happy says he's looking forward to beating you in the ring.

Tony smirked. 'Please, even on my worst day he couldn't pin me.'

He says he bets you thirty dollars he can pin you on your best day.

'Game on Happy.'

Take it easy on him Tony, he does drive us around and puts up with you.

'How about easy-ish?'

No, easy.

'Fine :('

Good boy. :)

Tony paused before texting her and thought of different little gifts he could give Pepper but wanted her to tell him what she would prefer without her getting suspicious. 'How about we play Tony Stark's version of twenty questions. I get to ask you any ten questions and you get to ask me any ten questions.'

Pepper's reply didn't come until a minute later and Tony had begun to think she had fallen asleep. You go first, Stark.

Tony grinned. 'Flowers or chocolate?'

Chocolate hands down, flowers die. What's your favorite Iron Man suit?

'Tough one. I'd say the Mark VI, it's faster and it has the right shade of paint. Jewelry or food?'

Jewelry lasts longer. Best Christmas present you've gotten?

'Difficult, I'd say the gold Rolex you got me.'

I don't believe you.

'It's true. Gold, Silver, or platinum?'

Silver. Favorite stuffed animal you had as a kid?

'Pssh. Me? A stuffed animal? Please Pepper; I was a genius, not a toddler.'

That's bull; now what was it?

'It was a teddy bear, okay? I named him J. Snuffletrunks.'

Wow haha that's an interesting name.

'Don't judge, you have a stuffed prairie dog in your house.'

You've never been in my apartment.

'I should. What would you prefer to receive, money or a gift?'

Gift. Money means, here I don't know you well enough to get you an actual gift. Best sex of your life?

'Whoa. You're going there huh? Well if you must know it was with you.

So you're saying I rocked your world?

'Rocked it twice actually. Front, back, and sideways. ;) My turn. Where, when, and with who was your first time?'

New Year's Eve party, my freshman year of college, with my boyfriend Matt Spencer.

'Wow, that's late. You were what, nineteen?'

'Eighteen actually. Favorite movie?

'The Italian Job, well that or Taken. Were you the little girl who played with Barbies or Hot Wheels?'

Barbies. I had the Barbie Dream House. What did you play with as a kid?

'Circuit boards, motorcycle engines, anything mechanical really.'

So were you the 'know it all' kid nobody liked?

'That counts as a question btw, but no. I was actually really liked, envied yes, hated by some. I played football, wide receiver, even though I was only like eleven. I was fast as lightning and since I was smaller than the other guys they had a hard time catching me. I was nicknamed, Diablillo ràpido. It meant fast, little devil but when translated exactly means fast IMP.'

Really? I never would have guessed that about you.

'Yup. I was the cool kid, everyone's little brother. I helped all the guys out with their hw. Now, it's my turn to ask two questions. Shoes or jewelry? Also, favorite type of ice-cream?'

Oh shoes hands down. Chocolate chip cookie dough. Now which do you like better, AC/DC or Black Sabbath?

'Oh God, that's like impossible to choose Pepper. How could you ask me to choose one over the other? That's cruel!'

Okay, okay so you like them both equally.

'Yes!'

Geez, I didn't think you'd get a heart attack with a simple question.

'But it wasn't simple.'

Alright, calm down. Just ask your next question.

'Fine. Breakfast in bed or dinner at a restaurant?'

Depends…if Rhodey is cooking then breakfast in bed but if it's you then I'd say dinner.

'Ouch. You wound me.'

Tony, let's face it, you'd either hurt yourself or hurt the kitchen if you tried making something.

'Still, you couldn't have done it softer.'

That was soft.

'That's what she said. ;)'

*eye roll emoticon*you're incorrigible Tony Stark.

'And you still love me. :)'

Somehow. :) What's your favorite home cooked meal?

'Spaghetti! :)'

Lol :)

'Last question, question number 10. Why do you love me?'

Tony

'Pepper'

Why do I love you?

'Yes, why?'

I love you because even though you're flawed and messed up and you know it, you're trying to change to be a better person for me. I love you because your heart is too big for your chest but you refuse to let anyone see that side of you because you think no one will take you seriously. I love you because you're willing to sacrifice your happiness to save others. I love you because you do spontaneous little romantic gestures that mean more than a gift you give me on my birthday, when you remember that is. ;) That's why I love you Tony, forever and always. 3

':') 3 #IThinkYou'reAmazing!'

:) Why do you love me Tony?

':D That's easy. I love you because you're beautiful inside and out. From the way you walk to the way you play with your hair or grab my hand when you're scared. I love you Pepper because you choose to look deeper than the surface. You're the only one who sees the real me. I love you because for ten years you stuck around even though I put you through hell and have never so much as said thank you but a few times. I love you because you've seen me at my best and my worst and you were always there to set me straight or encourage me. I love you Pepper because you've always been by my side when nobody else was. 3'

Tony that was incredibly sweet.

'Like you. :)'

:) I'm getting tired I think I'm going to take a nap. Goodnight Teddy Bear, I love you. :) 3

Great. -_- Goodnight Pepper. I love you too. 3

Tony smiled and set his phone down on the rolling table next to him. His stomach growled and Tony remembered just how hungry he was. He pressed the call button and a minute later a nurse came walking in. She reminded him of Pepper. Ginger hair down to her shoulder pulled up in a ponytail, cerulean eyes, beautiful smile, and freckles on her cheeks. She was dressed in the horrible teal pants and a multi-colored shirt decorated with flowers and animals.

"Is everything alright Mr. Stark?" She asked politely.

"Could I get something to eat please…"

"Cindy."

"Cindy, that's a beautiful shirt, you wear it so well." Tony said with his playboy smile everyone knew him for.

Cindy smiled knowing Tony was trying to charm her and she went it. "Why thank you Mr. Stark. I'll be back in a few minutes with some food."

"Thank you Cindy, you're an angel." He said with the same smile.

Cindy smiled and shook her head as she walked out of Tony's room. Tony laid his head back against the bed and closed his eyes for a minute. He began imagining again how he would propose to Pepper, with a smile lighting up his battered face like the Fourth of July.

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Thanks guys, so please review guys! Caution, our final chapter is quickly approaching and will be fairly short however it should set us up nicely for the sequel. See you all soon. 73 days till IM3 and check out the new poster of Guy Pearce as the Villain!