WHOO HOO!!!! IT'S UP!!!! I'M SO SORRY!!!! For some reason this chapter was full of writer's block and is ironically one of the longest chapters I have written as well. It may be a little boring as well. There shall be more action within the next few (and the last few) chapters though! I've been so busy! I'm sorry! Here it is! Please enjoy and I'm going to try to update as soon as possible. So stay tuned! IRON MAN 2 SOON!!!!! :D YAY!!!! Nicki's Pov!! Disclaimer: Do not own this awesome epicness love known as Iron Man....


Nicki's P.O.V.:

Yeah, I didn't know what time it was. I found I was like Tony in that way…just add it to the never ending list of comparisons. The workshop was a great place to be and I could lose myself there completely…tinkering, inventing. I spent most of the time going over Tony's specs for the Iron Man suit, even creating specs of my own. I could have been down there for hours, for days…years…I wouldn't have known.

Yes, I had worked down in the workshop before, but never alone. I was always helping Tony either with the hot rod or fixing something on the Iron Man suit. To me, those are always the best bonding moments between Tony and I. Both of us fully entranced in our passion, Tony, the master, teaching me what I didn't know…which wasn't much.

Before this new life, I had always wanted to tinker like this. But, I never had the space or money to do so. I mean, yes, there were times when I would get so bored in that prison cell of a room that when I was dead sure (I mean…dead sure) the pig was asleep I would sneak out to the shabby untouched shed in the backyard to steal the unused tools there. I would lug the tool box back into the house and into my cell where I would take antique crap laying around, like one of those old wind up clocks, tear them apart and time myself at how fast I could put it back together again. It didn't take long. I even took apart my old t.v. once.

Yet, this was different. I was in this amazingly technological workshop…alone. I was able to create anything I wanted…any little idea or fantasy. But I decided against inventing something…I had a lot of ideas but, I was too nervous of screwing something up in the process…I didn't want to be pissed if my idea turned out to be a dud. So, I just decided to do some minor adjustments on the hot rod's engine and then draw out my ideas…specs.

Toying with the hot rod didn't take too long…at least I didn't think it did. However, despite my complete loss of time, I hurried over to where Tony kept the paper for specs (not that he necessarily needed it when he had the technology to do everything by computer), and started to allow my mind to run wild with a pen.

My main cause was to help Tony; most of my ideas being ones that revolved around the Iron Man suit. I focused on an idea that I came up with recently…an improved idea for the boot repulsors. What do they do? It doesn't really matter. It was a stupid idea anyways…at least I thought so. Really, it wasn't bad it just…wasn't my best creation.

So I naturally moved on, concentrating on getting all my ideas down on paper, no matter how dumb they were. Idea after idea…I grew more freaking frustrated with my lack of creativity and originality. Pissed off at myself, I abandoned the newly placed vast mound of papers, not bothering to clean them up from the table, and decided to go collapse on the couch in the corner of the room. It was probably better to wait for Tony's permission to do any major changes on the suit anyways…that was his toy. Hell…nothing down here was solely of my invention. I needed to come up with something original. It was driving me insane…so stupid…


"Oh darling sibling of mine!" Tony's voice called in a sing-song manner from the doorway of the shop. Yep, he was quite content after his…um…adventures with Ms. Potts in the bedroom. Awkward thoughts… He was clearly looking for me.

"Hey." I spoke up from the couch, still entranced by another quite interesting episode of "Jon and Kate Plus 8". The kids were cute…but the parents…drama.

"What are you doing?" Tony chuckled amusingly as he approached my current spot of relaxation.

"Watching the lame excuse for entertainment known as reality t.v.." I replied, bored. "Why? What's up?"

"You're not working on anything." Tony sighed, sitting next to me on the couch. "You tell me what's up."

"Nothing. I just worked on the hot rod and then…drew up some stuff." I shrugged. "I gave up…I'm good when it comes to the skill work of it all, but when the process of creating ideas ensues…I've got nothing."

"Bullshit." Tony scoffed, waving away what he seemed to think was self pity. "Where are they? Over here?" He looked around, and then in noticing the mountain of graph paper on the table at the other side of the room, he swiftly got up, jogged to said place, and without consulting me, began to review my 'work'.

I watched him nervously from my position on the couch. I could only think about how much of a Neanderthal he thought I was at this moment. Tony flipped through them with a thorough speed. Finally, he shook his head.

"Nicki, your current lack of confidence and ego scares me." He laughed. "These are actually really good!" He turned around to face in my direction, his eyes wide in some strange sort of childish delight, and waving my written ideas over his head. Weird. "Especially, this repulsor one. Updating the speed limitations and throwing in its own defense mechanism? Pretty genius. The design is top notch as well. Nice job. We'll have to work on this." Tony took out the spec that I thought was my absolute worst.

"Wait. You're serious?" I looked at him questioningly, getting up from the couch to join him in looking at said spec. "This is uber garbage if you ask me!" I tried to take the piece of paper from Tony's hand. Not that it mattered, considering he probably already memorized every detail of it.

"Hey!" Tony exclaimed pulling the piece of paper from my grasp. "My garbage!" His voice was filled with mock hurt, he then smirked. "I'm scanning this." He walked over to his variety of computer monitors and other technological pieces and placed my idea on one of the scanners, asking Jarvis to save the design in the hard drive. Shit. It's a stupid idea. I just watched, annoyed, rolling my eyes, my ego level secretly rising on the inside, but mostly annoyed…maybe a little satisfaction as well.

"Oh give me a break, kiddo. You're enjoying this." Tony smirked, turning around to face my glare. I was trying to be annoyed…because he knew I hated the design…I knew I could do better. "I know you oh so well. You look pissed, but your ego just had a drug raid. Get over yourself." Tony scoffed. He did know me. Better than I knew myself even.

"Yeah yeah…" I responded, swallowing down a comeback. "Just go put your suit on." I returned back to my little corner couch, putting my feet up on the coffee table (something that usually both Tony and I would get a scolding about from Pepper if we were up in the living room. Thank God she didn't come down here often enough to be able to notice our shoe marks building up on the table's wood).

"I thought so." I heard Tony chuckle as he made his way over to the marked imbedded platform in the floor. The sound of the robotic ligaments puzzling the suit together clashed with the low volume of the t.v. that I was currently watching. A third noise joined in the symphony…it was that of the workshop door opening and closing…

"Hey Peps." Tony and I responded in harmony, obviously knowing who was entering our humble abode. "What's up, gorgeous?" Tony added. The sound of the robotic ligaments ceased behind me followed by the new rhythm of mechanic walking…obviously towards his love interest. Score.

"Well, Mr. Stark." Pepper began jokingly. "I believe we have guests." I heard the blush within her voice. It grew silent for a few seconds…I didn't want to turn around and make my presence once again, noted...I'd let them have their moment…

"Alright, then Ms. Potts." The smirk in Tony's voice obvious. I sat there on the couch smiling to myself. I had to bite my lower lip from screaming out of pure joy. So adorable was their awkward, but now somewhat normal relationship! I heard her heals clicking away, a little unwillingly, and the door once again close. I heard my brother sigh.

I slowly turned around to face his gaze, obviously realizing I was there the whole time. I felt a wide grin appear on my face. Tony, in full Iron Man mode, save for the facial plate being open, stared back, a little embarrassed at forgetting that they were not the only two in the room at that moment. Suddenly, the facial plate clanked shut over his face. He probably figured I looked. Come on! I don't have that little decency!

"You know, your feminine teenage glee over this situation is starting to freak me out." Tony's robotic sounding voice replied.

"Well, that's something you're going to have to get used to, Mr. Iron Man." I smirked, hopping off the couch to be in closer range of my brother to rave about his success, if need be. I approached him. "So, why the full hero mode?" I gestured to the now closed facial piece so he would know what I meant.

"Um…well I figured everyone else would be fully suited for the mission. I wouldn't want anyone to feel out of place, would I?" The robotic voice of Iron Man responded pathetically. I stared up into the glowing eyes questioningly.

"Wow. That was the lamest excuse anyone's ever come up with." I shook my head, smirking all the while. The battle of the smart-asses has continued once again. "You know me? Well, let's talk about how I know you for a minute? Shall we?"

"Shoot." The voice responded, his robotic arms folding.

"You, being the ex-playboy that you are, are embarrassed at anyone actually witnessing your romantic and sentimental side." I laughed, leaning over to pat his armor covered shoulder in both a reassuring and joking manner. "It's okay though. I'll work you through this."

"Thanks, Nicki. You are ever so reassuring as usual." Tony replied, sarcasm apparent within the Iron Man voice. The door to the workshop then opened allowing the rest of the suited up heroes to walk through along with Fury and Pepper trailing in behind them. Here before me stood Spiderman, Captain America, and the one within the yellow and blue…uhh suit was Wolverine. I was surprised that heroes such as these made such a…normal entrance. I blame Fury.

"Hm…so Wolverine. Nice outfit." Iron Man joked, arms crossed, standing next to me. I honestly felt like smacking him on the arm to shut him up, but I foresaw a broken hand if said action was actually carried out. Pepper walked across the room to where we were standing, all the while throwing my brother the most frightening death stare ever witnessed. Oh how intimidating Pepper Potts could be!

Unfortunately, the mouth was exposed instead of being covered by Wolverine's mask, allowing us to witness his now gritting teeth. He didn't respond, but the claws did slowly make an appearance…threateningly.

"Anyways." Fury started, breaking the tension. "We're all ready to go, Stark. The plan is for you and Spiderman to get up to the Hulk's location on your own. Wolverine, Captain America, and I will be right behind you guys. The mission should take about three days." Fury remained standing, expecting the heroes to get a move on this second, most likely.

"Three days?" Pepper spoke up from her standing spot within the circle next to Iron Man…next to Tony. I looked over from my position on his other side to see Pepper's face paler than usual. She was nervous…scared and rightfully so. I felt my heart pounding as I realized how dangerous this could be for him…but it was like any other mission, I guess. There's always that promise of sustained injuries. There could be worse…but I wouldn't let that thought sail into my conscience. Iron Man looked down to Pepper's worried expression.

"Yes." Fury nodded. "But no worries. It will be a successful mission." Way to go Fury, once again talking only as if people were business rather than human.

"Pepper, I'll be fine. I swear." The somewhat robotic and brave sounding voice of the armored hero soothed. "It's only three days. You won't even know I was gone…once you reschedule a few meetings that is." Leave it to Tony to try to brighten up every situation. The group had already started walking towards the tunnel, obviously knowing it was a way out, all of them sensing that the meeting was over, leaving us three to say our goodbyes.

"Of course." Pepper laughed nervously, looking up into the glowing eyes. She looked so worried. Peps is strong…but there are some things that are harder than others to handle. She didn't want to lose him…she was so close to that once. What if he were to get captured again? …he might not be as lucky. What if something happened…preventing him from being able to protect himself…he could die…

The Avengers were getting impatient, they wanted to get this thing going…you could tell. There were Tony and Pepper, walking side by side, unwilling to leave each other…unwilling to lose each other. Yes, it sounds completely dramatic…he comes back with usually a lot of wounds; of course on all of his own missions, which is usually the worse of it all…but it's the uncertainty…that maybe this time he won't come back…small chance…but still not improbable.

"You know me, Peps." Tony finally stopped walking to face her, gently turning her towards him, his face plate rose revealing a comforting grin. "Besides, I actually have people to save my sorry ass if I screw up this time."

"Thank God." Pepper tried to joke, but she was still concerned. Sly comebacks weren't exactly a priority at the moment.

Tony remained fixated on her face for a minute, deep in thought and concentration. Suddenly, he spoke up. "Hey, I know." He grinned, jogging over to his plethora of computers. "Here." Tony pressed the computer's main program system.

"Let's go Romeo! We don't have all day!" Wolverine growled from across the room.

Tony completely ignored the comment. "Nicki, you know how to work this right?" He asked me, moving away from the screens, jogging back over to both Pepper and I with a hastened and excited pace. What was he doing? He gave us each a kiss on the cheek before we had time to ask him what the hell he was getting us into. "Jarvis, the new prototype communication system on and hooked to current Mark please?" Tony commanded, running to catch up to the Avengers now filing out of the tunnel, the face piece once again clamping over his features.

"As you wish, sir." Jarvis responded. Right. I knew what he was doing…duh. I grinned, running over to the computer screens to make sure the system was uploading and then to turn it on. Pepper stood in her same spot, watching Tony leave, completely confused as to what was going on.

"See you in a second." Iron Man's voice called over the droning of his own repulsors, blasting out of the tunnel.

"A second?" Pepper repeated, turning around to just see Tony take off. She turned around and I noticed her rolling her eyes.

"Ms. Stark, your brother is requesting to hook communications up from his current Mark. Do you approve?" Jarvis's voice echoed from somewhere above and I gestured for Pepper to come pull up a seat near the screens. She did, however, still utterly confused.

"Note my approval, Jarvis." I replied smartly. I leaned back into the desk chair, my arms resting behind my head, and placed my feet onto the computer table, in a highly comfortable position. Pepper, being her, smacked my feet abruptly from their resting point and gave me a look of disapproval; this was one of her pet peeves that I did feel the need to push over the edge…a lot. I shrugged in response.

"Connecting" Jarvis finished.

"Cool." I sighed, pulling up the media program that Tony had created recently. I made sure that the computer's microphone system and speaker surround sound were in perfect working order. "Hey! Playboy –Superhero Man? Can you hear me? I'm pulling your live video feed up now."

"Indeed I can." Tony's signature chuckle sounded throughout the room as if he had somehow murdered Jarvis and replaced him. Pepper gasped from beside me. I looked over in time to notice a genuine smile appear on her face at the realization of what was going on. A second later, the face of a very smug Tony Stark appeared on the master monitor. Around him was the apparent setting of the inside of the hub of Iron Man. "And yes, I can see you two." He stated as if he predicted our next question. His eyes then shifted to Pepper. "See, Potts? Now you can monitor me at every second! Jesus, why didn't I think of this sooner? Now you're going to nag me though, right? Shit!"

"You should have thought of that sooner as well." Pepper smirked at the screen. I was glad these two despite their new relationship had kept to their usual vibe, instead of developing what I'd like to call 'Creepy Couple Syndrome'. You know, like 'Oh honey, you're so smexy!' the other goes 'No, you're smexy, sweetie!' then the almighty and cheesey 'But, you're the smexiest!'. Ugh…yeah…if any of that type of dialogue occurred…I was moving out.

"Touché." Tony grinned.

"Hey, pull your locations up, Big Stark." I demanded. It had been a while since I had called him my special name in return.

He looked taken aback by the usage for a second, but then grinned. "Sure thing, Little Starky." He returned the favor. Pepper laughed; she always did seem to love our 'creative' nicknames for each other. Like I asked, on one of the other computer monitors a live video feed of the ground and location below that Iron Man was currently flying over appeared.

"As if you both already didn't have enough to do, especially within my absence," Tony started in on saying, smirking all the while. "You two are now my mission crew. You know, like NASA."

"You know, Tony as much as I would love to be down here every second trying to prevent you from killing yourself, I actually, as you said, have work to do." Pepper tried to joke, but I could see her cringe at her words slightly. We both were nervous for my brother's own being, but Pepper was at the point that even watching him and helping him for a long period of time might be too much to bear for her. "I'll be the co-mission crew." Pepper smiled lovingly into the screen. Awww. " Nicki will be your main operator." Pepper laughed.

"Alright, Peps." Tony sighed in a defeated manner…obviously sarcastically playful. "But I think because we are now a 'thing', so to speak, I think you would find it most favorable to see your man kicking some serious ass on screen. Then you can brag to all your single gal pals about it." He grinned smugly, using the power of his trademark puppy dog eyes to 'woo' her. What a romantic… I thought sarcastically. And as usual, Pepper kept her feelings of melting on the inside at this sight a complete secret and instead came up with another cleaver response.

"As much as I love you in every sense of the phrase," Pepper began and smiled brightly into the screen, then smirked. "Only in your dreams would that happen, Stark."

"Sure, Sure, Potts." Tony smiled genuinely…the smile he saved for her. "And for the record, I love you too."

My family…it was now perfect. It actually choked me up emotionally. This relationship was worth everything in the world…they were perfect-no. More than perfect for each other. I couldn't wait to see what the future held for them.

Tony and Pepper flirted, talked, laughed, and loved back and forth via the video communications system for easily over an hour and a half. I just watched…observing this beautiful chemistry…an amazing pair. They were engrossed into their fantasy world…the one only containing the two of them; I wasn't seen, but I honestly didn't mind.

After a while, Pepper had decided it was time for her to start in on the rest of the day's large sums of Stark Industries paper work and such, leaving Tony and I alone. The two of them said their goodbyes and 'I love you's. Awww… And so I grinned at my brother…and he seemed to be deep in thought…staring at me with an expression displaying the purest of all love I had ever seen…thinking about her…