A/N: Well… hello! the prodigal writer returns! I promised that I wouldn't abandon this and I won't. My life just gets a little crazy sometimes but i managed to finish the story and I'll be posting everything starting now! Thanks if you're still waiting. I tried to write a long chapter here but I don't know if I'm kind of..out of sync with the story… let me know what you think! I had to read the whole thing again hhaha. Remember that i love to read your reviews! show some appreciation :D. I'm also starating a new story so i hope to see you when i publish it. enjoy!

Chapter 35: The surgery part 2

Tony opened the apartment's door to see Rhodey on the other side. After a couple of days in Beijing and many visits to Doctor W, they tested the procedure and worked with Tony to get things ready. With the surgery confirmed the only thing left to do was to send the jet for James.

"Hello man, how was the flight?" Tony shook his friend's hand.

"Fancy, comfortable but a little long. You get used to the speed in the suit" Rhodey smiled.

"I know, right?. Come in"

"Thanks" They both walked din the living room. "Cool place"

"Yeah… but I miss my stuff. I really need to get this done and start building the new house" Tony walked straight to the mini bar and poured two glasses of scotch while James sat in a couch.

"Malibu?"

"Yep" Tony sat with his friend and gave him the glass "We'll rebuilt the mansion. Aaand…I want Pepper to decide everything with me. Like the committed, awesome couple we are"

"Nice touch"

Tony smiled "What can I say? I'm a romantic" Tony took a sip of his drink "and I really need some… normal time. No aliens or crazy-glowing murderers. Just building a humble home for my family"

Rhodes giggled "Ok, humble? Really? And more shocking than that… I see you were not kidding with the whole family thing. So, are you tying the knot soon?"

Tony frowned, a little surprised by the question. He had insinuated the topic to Pepper before but not in the best way… he wasn't even sure if he was… well, sure when he said it and worst than that Pepper had stopped him and changed the subject.

"Tony?" Rhodey asked a little confussed for his friend's expression.

"I'm conflicted. Uhm… I'll need to talk about that with my therapist" Tony let out in low voice.

"What? Do you have a therapist?"

Tony sighed and shook his head "Long story. But… back to the matter… I'll… figure… latter" Rhodey frowned and Tony continued, "I just… know that she's the one but... I don't know if she… look, I'm not exactly the perfect guy"

Rhodes was about to answer when they heard footsteps and Pepper appeared in the living room shortly after.

"James!" Pepper said with a big smile and the two men stood up. She hugged Rhodes and then went to Tony's side. He was just staring at her while she continued talking to his friend- The dinner was ready and she was just waiting for Tony to help with the table so she motioned James to the dinning room.

"Wait" She said pulling Tony's arm when Rhodey walked far from them "Are you ok honey? You're disturbingly quiet. That's not normal"

"I was just thinking about stuff… Including how outrageously gorgeous you look tonight" He grinned at her and then gave her a kick peck "Shall we go, Miss Potts?" He offered his arm to walk her.

"Oh, don't think that being your charming self will save you from putting the table, Mr. Stark" She took his arm and then they followed Rhodes.

"Do you know if there's something wrong with Tony?" Pepper asked in a low voice after a sip of her glass of wine.

"Well, He's washing the dishes…If you ask me I think that he was replaced while you were not looking" He smiled but then his expression faded when Pepper continued looking serious. "Oh… why do you say that?"

"Because I know him. And he was oddly meditative and quiet during dinner. You have to tell me"

"Tell you… what again?"

"James, please. I know that if there was something wrong with the surgery he wouldn't tell me and he was perfectly normal until he went to open the door. If he's hiding something from me I'm sure he told you. Now… talk"

Rhodey had to recognize that he was a little intimidated "Pepper, I swear, there's nothing about the surgery. We didn't even talk about it and… if what he said is the reason why-"

"Then he said something!... I knew it" She moved her fist closer to James "Tell me"

"You're scaring me"

"Talk"

"Look, it's nothing bad. I'm sure he'll tell you. We didn't even talk that much. Maybe he's just thinking about the surgery. If there's something bothering him it's just the fact that he can't be by your side tomorrow" He grabbed Pepper's hand "I'm your friend too Pepper, I wouldn't lie to you. There's nothing wrong with the surgery"

Pepper sighed "Fine. I'll stop asking. I'm sorry"

"It's ok. Now, are you ok?" Pepper just looked at him "Tomorrow"

"I just want it to be over" She sighed "I will feel a lot better when he's awake and out of a clinic" She smiled "I'll see if Tony needs help" She stood up.

"He probably does" In that moment they heard the sound of broken dishes from the kitchen.

"I've got it!" Tony yelled.

When Rhodes was gone there was an awkward silence between Tony and Pepper. She was more relaxed than before but now the problem was that they were just hours away from the surgery ,feeling the anticipation.

"Wanna see a movie?" He finally said.

"Tony, you need to get some rest"

"Uhm… someone's in a hurry to get me into bed" He walked closer to her but she stopped him by putting a finger on his chest.

"I mean real rest. Dr. Wu specifically said that you shouldn't engage in any strenuous activities"

"I could just sit…" Tony pouted.

"Tony"

"Just the tip?" he pulled an exaggerated smile, making Pepper giggle and blush a little "See. You want it" He finally got his hands on her hips and pulled her closer.

"I want many things sweetheart but more than anything I want you to obey the doctor's orders"

Tony sighed, "You're no fun"

"I promise that I'll be more than willing to compensate you after the surgery" She said while moving her arms up and around his neck.

Tony swallowed "Ok, call to cancel it"

She smiled "You would rather have sex than…" She didn't continue when she saw Tony's smirk "Let's forget that question" then she moved a hand to touch his cheek. He leaned into the contact. "What do you say if we see your movie?"

"Sounds good" He smiled.

Her fingers played with his hair and then she added "We can see it in the couch and make out"

Now Tony giggled "How about that, you're fun after all" He kissed her and in just seconds lifted Pepper out of the floor to carry her to the couch.

"Oh my god, Tony!" She protested but she was laughing. He took her bridal-style until they reached the couch.

The next day started very early. Pepper woke up in Tony's arms and still in the couch. After a few minutes bantering about the fact that he needed to sleep in a comfortable bed they finally got ready to go to the clinic. Rhodey appeared a few minutes after them.

"Hello there, my dearest sidekick" Tony smiled and Rhodey's expression became serious.

"I've told you-"

"You can't be mad at me! I'm having surgery!"

Rhodes sighed and then Pepper spoke "Good morning James. Just ignore him"

"I've said it before and I'll say it again Pepper. You are a saint"

"I know" She grabbed Tony's hand and looked at him, then to Rhodey again. "We were about to see Dr. Wu. Would you excuse us?"

"Of course" James nodded and they walked.

The doctor was waiting for them in his office and already dressed for the surgery. There was a woman with him.

"Hello Mr. Stark, Miss Potts. This is Dr. Wen. She'll be assisting me in the procedure. Once again, I assure you that you are in the best hands" Then he looked at Pepper "The procedure will be fast and the least invasive that we can.

"It doesn't have to be that fast… Just make sure that everything will be ok" Pepper said, then she felt Tony's arm around her waist.

"I'm ready doc. All yours"

Part of the clinic was entirely dedicated to Tony. Everybody wanted to see the revolutionary procedure but Dr. Wu closed the area exclusively for his team. Tony was put in a room until the OR was ready.

"Honey…"

"Uhm?"

"You're biting your nails"

"I know that" Pepper answered.

"I like your nails"

"They'll grow again" She said and Tony giggled. He was sitting in the bed while she was walking around the room.

"Come on" He patted the place next to him and she sat. He just stared at her.

"Won't you say that everything is going to be ok?" She stopped with her nails and looked at him. Here eyes looked like if she was about to start crying.

"Nope. Because that's a cliché and I don't like clichés"

"Thanks for being so reassuring" She looked away and then felt his arms around her.

"Everything is gonna be ok" He kissed her forehead and made her look at him again "I've seen worse"

"Me too. And I can't lose you again. It feels awful"

"You know… I've been talking to my therapist about this-"

"Bruce is not a-"

"And I know…" he continued, " that I'm selfish. Believe me, I can just imagine how horrible it is for you to worry every time. I put you in danger all the time and leave you alone and make you worry again. I'm such a crappy boyfriend and you deserve better. Much better, but I can't let you go·" he took her face in his hands, whipping her tears away with his thumbs "I'm incapable of being apart from you… and that includes dying. It was like that when a bomb exploded in my face or when I was carrying a missile out in the space… I'll always come back to you. I always hear your voice calling me back, remember?"

She hugged him tight. Burying her face in his chest an inhaling deeply. "You're not a crappy boyfriend" Tony smiled and she continued "and you make me so happy. I don't care about anything else" She lifted her head a little to look at him "I would do it again… everything" she blinked "Well…"

"Yes I know, not the girls" They both smiled. Then some knocked on the door. Dr. Wen appeared in the room.

"Mr. Stark, we are ready"

Rhodey was next to Pepper all the time. Always holding her hand or with his palm on her shoulder, asking questions and dealing with everything when they took Tony. They let them see and be as close as a glass window let them. Pepper insisted to see since the doctor said that they were not cutting deep. A shirtless Tony appeared in the OR. He smiled and walked right to her. He put his right hand on the glass and with the other pointed at it. She could read from his lips that he was saying "cliché". Pepper giggled and put her hand on the glass too. She saw him go and lay down. Everything happened so quickly.

"It's ok Pepper"

"I know" she tried to smile. Tony was looking at her until they put a respirator on him. James' hand was on her shoulder again while Tony put his thumb up. His last action before the anesthesia rendered him unconscious.

"I can't see this" she closed her eyes when they took the ark reactor out and were ready to cut him.

"Do you want to go some place else?"

"No, no. I'm ok… I'm just going to… keep my eyes closed"

"The whole time?" Rhodes almost smiled. "Pepper…"

"We can't go James. You need to tell me if something… I need you here"

"Uhmm… we can sit in the floor. I'll keep an eye on him and you can stare at the wall"

"I know that I'm just being ridiculous" She opened her eyes.

"No, Pepper. I understand. And I'm just happy to see that he has you. You deserve each other and to start a family and be just happy together"

She smiled "Thanks Rhodey… for being here too" She sat down in the floor, her back against the wall in the OR. James followed her. Pepper suddenly frowned. "Hold on… what did exactly Tony say to you last night?"

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