Chapter 24: Lies

Hello everyone.
I have been very ill this last week, so this might be a little wonky...

Thanks for all the kind and loving reviews.

This is the second to last chapter for Phase III! Remember there is a Phase IV waiting just around the corner.
Though currently I haven't any chapters pre-written anymore, so I won't update until I have the next 2,5 Chapters down my pipeline. Otherwise it's very hard to foresee the plot and adapt to unplanned changes. I won't probably be back before mid February. Sorry my friends, but I also have other projects going on and I want to do good with this particular one, to make it worth your while!

So I will see you somewhere in Mid February!

Let's go, Pepperony Lovers: grab some tissues.

Song: These are the Lies by The Cap

These are the Lies

"Lie: A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone."

Later that night they all went to dinner at Mimi's and Bo's. Bo had insisted the whole party should tag along, to Pepper's horror.

They had prepared a barbecue and set the table on the back porch of their small home. Pepper was sat between Alex and Tony on the round table and everyone was having pleasant smalltalk, though Tony and Emily weren't exactly talking to each other again.
Tony hadn't returned to the farm house until it had been time to leave for Mimi's and Bo's. The pair had agreed quickly to not dwell on the topic for tonight, but that didn't mean everything was forgiven and forgotten. So the air was still thick between them and they were silently groveling.

Non the wiser, Bo had the beer cold and kept it coming for everyone and Tony very happily obliged.

After dinner Mimi brought out her famous peach cobbler and everyone devoured it. It was still warm outside and the sun was slowly setting behind the cornfields.

"Oh god" Pepper moaned, "this is so good. I can't believe I have gone so long without it."

"I'm glad you still like it, Gin." Mimi said and patted her shoulder.

"Mh Mimi," Tony choked out through a mouthful, before swallowing the bite he had in his mouth, "Pepper was right. I believe this is the best desert I have ever had. I need to have the receipt."

"You don't even cook, Tony." Pepper chuckled and bumped his shoulder with hers.

"I know, but I can have you cook it for me." He replied, grinned and stuffed his face with another fork full of cobbler. Pepper and Tony looked at each other for a moment and she gave him one of her typical Pepper-Looks, but with more warmth and a sparkle behind her eyes.

"Why can't Emily cook it for you?" Alex asked, sounding really interested. Peppers head snapped away from Tony's eyes a little too fast and she had to blink a couple of time to get back into the here and now.

"Because I can't cook." Emily replied and sounded ticked off.

"Hon, you're from New York. It comes with the package, that you can't cook. Don't worry about it." Tony replied, suddenly soothingly. It was something Pepper had always admired about him, he could grovel for hours when he was mad, but one minute to the other everything was fine again. He even took her hand, to which she in return beamed at him and gave him a chaste, but soft kiss. And for a moment Pepper felt her heart clench. But then Alex laughed and grabbed her hand and she felt save again.

"Ginny, would you help me with the dishes?" Mimi interrupted and collected the dishes and silverware.

"Sure." Pepper replied.

"Ginny, are you ok?" Mimi asked once they were alone in the kitchen and looked concerned at her.

"Yes, I'm good. Why do you ask?" She looked at the elderly woman and smiled, while putting away the plates into the dishwasher.

"You look strained, honey." Mimi said and took the casserole from Pepper's hands.

"I don't know what you mean…" Pepper said warily. "I haven't felt more relaxed in years than I have these past few days."

"I mean emotionally strained." Mimi suggested, hoping Pepper would finally get the drift. She didn't and just blinked at her dumfounded with furrowed eyebrows. "Do you really think it was good idea bringing him along?" She tried again.

"What?" She laughed nervously. "Why wouldn't I bring Alex? He's my boyfriend, he… he should get to know my past. My family… I mean, yes he's a little boring sometimes, and his life is not as exciting as Tony's. I mean he's no superhero, but he is just… lovely." Pepper tried deflecting, but felt her confidence waver pretty quickly, nervousness rising in her system.

"I know, he's just lovely, but I didn't mean-…" She didn't even get to finish her question before Pepper cut her off.

"I… I…" Quick Pepper think. Of course you… like Alex very much. "I adore him. He's picture perfect. We are very close and I enjoy his company. He's the type of guy every woman would dream about. He's secure and really mature. And you don't know him yet, he's the guy everyone would fall in love with. Why would you question our relationship?" She asked, not mad, but certainly unsure.

"Pepper, I actually didn't mean Alex. And what's even more interesting, I never said anything about your relationship. You assumed those things." Mimi left the moment hang between them and Pepper only stared at her wide eyed, like a child that got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "Don't you want to tell me about it?"

"What?" Pepper asked, her voice wavering, shaking even.

"I saw how your face lit up when you and Tony joked and I saw how it fell when Tony took her hand and how your eye twitched when they kissed. And I saw how nothing changed when Alex grabbed your hand." The elder woman observed and cocked her head, waiting for Pepper to process her words. "I can see you're hiding something, Virginia. Don't you think you're lying to yourself here?"

"I'm not lying to myself. I want to be with Alex. I want to spent the rest of my life with him. He gives me security. I don't have to fear him suddenly disappearing on me one night or dying. I really want to be with him." Pepper looked at her with big blue eyes, begging her to understand, and Mimi did. Mimi truly understood her, probably even more than Pepper understood herself.

"You want to be with him? You are an item. Why aren't you?" She tried directing Pepper in the right direction.

"Wha- I am… We are…" Pepper was now totally confused. "We are together. I… I meant in the future."

"Are you sure about that?" The woman with gray stained hair looked at her hard and long, but soft and empathetic.

"Mimi, please." Pepper nearly begged now, her voice unnaturally high. "I really like Alex. He's perfect and he's everything and more I could have ever asked for. And I really wanted to bring him here. I don't want to lose that. And Tony and I… It was a long time coming and it didn't work out. And with him being here… He's happy with his girl, and I am happy for him, too. I truly am."

Laughter came from the door toward the kitchen and Emily called out for them, so the two women turned towards the noise.

Just before falling apart Pepper collected herself, setting herself into professional mode. "We should probably go back." When she caught Mimi's gaze she tried to smile reassuringly. "I'm happy. I promise. Tony is just a handful sometimes." And she hurried out the door, before Mimi could see her face drop once more.

"I hope you'll realize soon, he is more than just a handful for you." Mimi sighed and looked after the woman who was like a daughter to her.

Back at the table everybody was happily chatting and having a ball. Even Pepper looked like she was having a good time and definitely didn't look like Mimi had just nearly driven her into a full blown panic attack.

"So Tony," Mimi started as soon as she reached the table. Pepper didn't hear her at first, as she and Emily were in a heated discussion with Bo about the latest Cowboys game. "Pepper told me you might have some upgrades for our farming machines ins mind?"

"Yes." He exclaimed excitedly, in his mind already tinkering. "Bo mentioned one of the tractors is making problems. I'd be happy to help."

"What with?" Pepper interjected looking at them quizzically.

"Tony promised to help Bo with the tractor before we go back to California." Alex answered her question.

"I will show you right now what the problem is." Mimi offered and grabbed Tony's hand.

"Mimi." Pepper warned through her teeth. "It's such a nice evening. I'm sure Tony wants to stay and not take a look right now."

"I don't mind Pepper. We're here now and I can start working on a solution later that night or tomorrow morning." He was already standing, on hand on Emily's shoulder. "You good, Ems?"

"Sure, go! Bo and I still have to settle this argument." She grinned at Bo and he winked at her, clinking their bottles in friendship.

"Fine." Pepper huffed but continued to glare at Mimi. She knew exactly what her mothers friend had in mind.

After s'mores and a few rounds charades at Mimi's an Bo's they all returned to the farm. Tired from today's events Tony and Emily, who had made up called it a night and went to bed directly.

Pepper decided to to go check on the horses once more before turning in with Alex herself. After her talk with Mimi a few hours ago, she felt like she needed a few moments to herself to clear her head and get herself bag on track.

Was Mimi right? Was she only pretending with Alex to protect herself? Funny how a few very well placed questions could have wavered her confidence in her relationship so quickly.

After Pepper shut Pearls door she turned to head back to the house when she saw Alex leaning on the gate of the barn watching her.

"Hi," She said softly as she reached him, laying her head against his chest and slipping her arms around him. "I didn't see you coming."

"Are you ok, B?" He asked softly. "You seemed distressed at dinner."

Crap he had noticed her being in her head, trying to figure out what Mimi had meant. "Just tired." She said and took his hand. "We should turn in, too. Today was very exhausting."

An hour later she lay in bed spent, but not able to fall asleep. Alex was already sound asleep next to her, his breathing evenly and deep, with one arm flung around her naked middle.

Finally she started drifting off herself. But her sleep was restless and she dreamt of chocolate brown eyes and black, silky hair. His smirk haunted her dreams as well. Yet every time she looked into those brown orbs she saw hazel, female eyes staring back at her and a girl with brown hair appeared taking his hand, leading him away from her. When she called after him, he would turn around and tell her, this was what she wanted.

Pepper woke again with a start, panting slightly.

This had to stop. She didn't know why she was still dreaming about him. She was in love with Alex. And she wasn't in love with Tony. She didn't need or want Tony in her life. At least not like this. They hadn't worked out. Simple as that. And now they both had moved on, had wonderful relationships, that fulfilled everything they both could had ever asked for. Them being friends was the right and logical thing. It was the perfect solution.

This man lying next to her really was everything she could have ever asked for. He was kind and caring, compassionate and basically worshipped her. He loved her to pieces and she had chosen him over Tony. It had been the right thing to do, hadn't it? She and Tony were better off with just being friends, weren't they? They really were invincible that way. The past nine month had proven that. And Alex indeed made her happy. She wanted him and she wanted Tony as a friend.
Her dreams meant nothing, it was just her subconsciousness mocking her, because they had spent basically 24/7 the last few days together. And Emily, she really got along great with her.
So why did she feel like screaming every time they kissed or touched each other in front of her? And why did she feel like she couldn't breath every single night they went to bed together. And she had her own fairytale lying right next to her. Her very own Prince Charming.
Yet, every time she looked to her right, where Alex was laying wrapped around her she caught herself feeling a little disappointed that his hair was blond, instead of black. She looked over at him and studied his features carefully.

Alex was still sleeping next her, his naked body carefully wrapped around her and his face pressed to her side, holding her carefully, but tight. She looked at him and felt… nothing.
Except sick. She couldn't handle being in his arms at the moment. Carefully she moved out of his embrace.

Her breathing accelerated and a sheer layer of sweat started tickling her forehead. Her lungs felt like they were running out of air, while the walls seemed to be closing in on her.
This was wrong. Mimi could read her so easily. And him, he deserved so much more than her. But she couldn't let him win so easily and she couldn't lose him in a short noted decision. She couldn't take this anymore. She… she had to get out. Get air, get a clear mind, rest and re-focus.

What Pepper didn't know yet, approximately 10 feet away Tony lay in bed staring at the ceiling as well.

He couldn't get the conversation he shared with Mimi out of his head.

"So you and Pepper?" The elder woman asked as they strolled toward the small shed near the driveway.

"What?" He asked surprised.

"She told me you two had tried to be in a relationship and it didn't work out." Mimi said nonchalantly.

"Yeah, that's not exactly true." Tony countered, not really keen on talking tp a strange woman about his twisted relationship with Pepper. "She was too chickened… I mean… We only kissed and decided against… pursuing it any further." Her tried to put it diplomatically.

"You mean she blocked you, before you got a chance to break her heart." The woman smirked at him. God she was good with people.

"Maybe. But I do have a stable relationship now. And she is with Alex." He offered.

"I can see that, but forgive me, neither of you look really happy." She stated and moved ahead into the shed. "Here it is. It sounds like the battery is empty, but we switched it already with no luck. You think you can fix it, Stark?"

Tony tried turning it on, but it wouldn't budge. A few looks and tries later, he found the problem and his mind was already working on a solution. Yet her previous comment didn't leave his mind.

"I can fix it before we leave. I'll order the parts tomorrow first thing and we have it running again in no time."

"Great, thanks Tony."

"Mimi, what did you mean with none of us looks really happy?" Tony asked before she got a chance to leave the shed.

"I meant exactly what I said." She just persisted.

"Look, I don't know what Pepper has told you, but I am very happy with Emily. She is my girl and now my life, and not to be rude, but I don't get why everybody is doubting that. We are very happy. Yes we fought today, but which couple dosen't, am I right? and sure Emily is complicated sometimes and very very naive, but that's her…" He said and stuck his hands in his pockets, picking up his shoulders.

"Funny, you and Pepper basically told me the same. Why do feel like you have to defend your relationship? I was talking about you." She laughed and he opened the door for him.

Tony was now totally confused and trotted behind her.

"I am sorry, I think I don't get it…"

"Don't break her heart, Stark." And Mimi was gone towards the house, leaving Tony to ponder her answer in the dark.

And there he lay, still in the dark, still pondering her answer.
Emily snuggled deeper into his chest and sighed contently in her sleep. He had never expected to be so happy in a committed relationship, it actually surprised himself. Emily was exactly what he had been looking for in woman. Clever, witty, good in bed, easy to be around. She even could admit when she was wrong and she apologized today for their fight. Something Pepper would probably never do. God she was so strong headed and stubborn sometimes.

So it was good he had moved on. His life was easier, more peaceful, more… boring.

Yes Emily was clever, but not nearly as intelligent and quick as Pepper. Emily lived to please him, almost like a dog, whereas Pepper was his personally daily challenge, keeping him on his toes. It was easy being with her, but it was almost too easy. Too smooth. Emily wasn't a fight, she wasn't a challenge. Which was good, a welcoming change in his everyday life, that was already very much complicated with Iron Man.

Who was he kidding. Yes, Emily was nice and pleasant to be around. But it was boring. She was clever, but no where near intelligent and quick as Pepper was. She didn't give him a run for his money, like Pepper would, but she also didn't excite him, like Pepper could. If he'd compare them both to each other, Emily was an old sepia picture, while Pepper was full blown technicolor.

Then he heard the door across the hallway open and he tiptoed over and saw Pepper, only dressed in her grey Columbia t-shirt and panties hurry out her room.

And he knew. The lies had to stop tonight.

Pepper nearly ran down the stairs and threw the back door open. In no time she was out the door, down the porch and her bare feet came in contact with the grass. The night air was mild and it smelled of grass and hay and summer. Her lungs filled themselves with summer air, while her eyes slowly opened to see the black night sky scattered with star through the patchy curtain of leaves above her.

Each breath made the fog in her mind whirr and seemingly disappear more and more.

"I love Alex. I love Alex. I love Alex." She repeated those three words like a mantra to herself, hoping, no knowing, the more she repeated them it would become the truth.

"Pepper?" Suddenly Tony's voice cut through the night behind her. She turned and saw him standing on the steps of the porch, hair messy, only clad in a pair of basketball shorts, his chest bare. His voice was as soft and unsure, as it was clear and demanding.
Her chest begun heaving and and the fog seemed to return.
No she loved Alex. She wanted to be with him, it was easy with him. This was what was keeping her alive and sane.
"Pep." His voice was now next to her, his hand grabbing hers.
And then something in her snapped.

A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone.

Pepper Potts had three lies she continued telling herself to keep herself alive:

1st: She was happy for Tony and Emily.

2nd: She was in love and happy with Alex.

3rd: She was not in love with Tony Stark

And those lies worked. They did. Except now the didn't anymore. She couldn't continue lying to herself. It was time for the truth. Her truth.

"Pepper?" She heard him behind her, his hand tugging on hers. Her breathing accelerated, she was almost panting now.
No. You have a boyfriend who's sleeping not even 10 feet away.

"Don't -"

"Why not?" She couldn't. She would never be able to. "Pepper."

The truth was, she was about to lose it. She couldn't continue this way. Without him.

And suddenly her lips were on his and her hands buried themselves in his hair.
Tony rocked back when she flung herself at him, and his back made contact with the wall. He was a bit shell shocked, not realizing what was happening at first. His brain was a little too slow for him to catch up, because he couldn't believe it was actually happening. And before he could respond in anyway she had stopped kissing him. When she started backing off he saw fear, hurt and rejection in her eyes, and tears.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that. I… I… should have never-"

Tony grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him again. "Pepper, shut up." He said and took her face in his hands. Before he captured her lips he smiled at her, unbelievable happy.

While her first kiss had been pent up tension and fear and sadness, their second kiss was far more gentle. Pepper wasn't panting anymore, her breathing had leveled down and the fog from her mind had completely cleared.

Tony's lips moved carefully along hers and she could feel him smile into the kiss. She marveled how his lips felt against her owns and wondered how she could have denied him after their first kiss month ago. His tongue traced her lover lip carefully and begged for entrance, to which she whole heartedly complied. Her hands slid from his chest, where they had been pressed between them up to his hair, burring themselves into his rich curls again, pulling him even tighter and deeper into their kiss.

Tony had one of his hand still at the nape of her neck, partly tilting her chin up to him, partly cradling her fiery red locks and stroking the point behind her ear carefully, gently with his thumb. His other arm was flung around the small of her back, hoisting her up on her tiptoes and pressing her to him. He was afraid it he ever let her go, she might vanish again, maybe even for good.

When air became necessary he pressed his forehead down against hers and closed his eyes, though he couldn't stop himself from pecking her every other second and she giggled and welcomed him each time.

After his tenth peck or so Pepper caught his lower lip with her teeth carefully and commanded him back to her, directly opening her mouth to his. Tony, now feeling more confident than ever, used his hands to hoist Pepper up and put her legs around his waist, carrying her towards one of the beams next to the stairs and pushing her softly against it. Happy to be even closer to Tony and finally kissing him, she tightened her legs around him, totally forgetting where they were.

"Pepper?" Alex voice came from the living room and she gasped, quickly untangling herself from Tony and grabbing his hand to run around the corner, out of sight.

"That was a close one." Tony laughed, panting next to her, his back leaned against the wall. It wasn't until then, that he noticed Pepper was sitting on the ground, knees to her chest, face in hand. "Pepper?" He asked, suddenly unsure of himself and fearing the worst at the same time.

"What have I done?" She mumbled into her hands over and over again.

"You've done nothing, Pepper." He tried and failed to sound reassuring. He knew very well what they had just done. What they had done the whole time. Cheating. And he hated to admit… it felt like crap.

"Nothing?!" Her voice was high pitched and panicked. "I just cheated on my boyfriend, Tony." Her head fell back against the house wall and a tear ran down her cheek.

"If it is any consolation, I just cheated as well." He offered.

"That's not helping." She sniffed and looked anywhere, but at him.

"Look I know you don't see yourself as that kind of person, but it happens. People cheat, Pepper. We aren't the first, and we won't be the last to do it. It's not nice and it is certainly not fair, but it is the way it is." He tried reasoning, but she wouldn't look at him. "Pepper, you are still one of the most caring and loving people I know. You will always be an epitome of class. You deserve to be loved. This doesn't make you any less lovable or trustworthy." Still no reaction. "Look, I know cheating sucks -" She interrupted his speech, but still made no eye contact.

"Tony, I hate the fact that I just cheated. But the cheating isn't the problem…" She finally looked at him, big blue eyes full of tears, some of them spreading down her cheeks, and yet there was something else. Guilt. And happiness.

"The problem is you liked it." Tony finished for her, happiness spreading through him.

Sneak

"I'll leave it alone until New York. After that I'll have my answer."

See yall in February.

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