The next chapter! This time, it's a little shorter, but I hope you don't mind that. And thank you so much for the reviews! Please let me know what you think of this chapter as well.
Today, I've been thinking. And once I finish this story (which could still take some time since much is going to happen), I'll probably write another Pepperony story. Something different from this one. Don't get me wrong, I love writing this story as well. But when I started this seven years ago, I had a plan. Then I didn't write for a long time and when I started again, so much happened and now it's completely different from what I first planned. But somehow, I like that, always taking in new ideas. Like the Avengers and stuff like that. Well, what I was going to say is that I'll write another story after this one. Maybe just about Tony and Pepper. But I'll think about it when the time comes.
I don't own the characters or places!
It took him only one hour to save all those people in the building. As soon as he made sure that no one was inside the building and it wouldn't collapse further, Tony left. He entered the tower through the lab, not wanting to meet anyone. Unfortunately, he ran into Steve on his way to the elevator.
"Hey Tony, you're early. But it's good that we ran into each other, I wanted to talk to you –" Steve stopped when he looked at Tony more closely and his eyes widened.
Tony knew how he must have looked. Still in his black, now dirty suit, without a jacket, dark rings under his eyes, his hair was probably a mess and he didn't want to think of everything else.
"What happened? Did you even sleep last night?" Steve raised his eyebrows and Tony sighed when he saw the concern in his eyes.
"I'm fine. Last night's been too long and too much happened, and I just got back from a small mission as well. But I'll live. I think I'll just spent today in bed with Pepper." Tony leaned on the next wall, he didn't think that he could stand much longer. "What do you want to talk about?"
"It can wait." Steve said immediately and luckily, he didn't ask any questions. "About the base in Alaska. After all, we want to have a look at it soon."
Tony nodded. With everything that happened, he'd nearly forgotten that. "Maybe we'll start planning tomorrow? I think the technology fair in Vancouver will be in two weeks. Leaves us enough time to plan everything."
Steve nodded. "And now you should really get some sleep. I'm already waiting for you to break down in front of me." Just now Tony noticed that Steve really was tense.
"Good idea." He said, knowing that he couldn't hold on much longer. "I bet Pepper will already be waiting for me." Or she'd be already asleep.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Steve asked when Tony already entered the elevator. "I mean, you don't have to. I'll just tell the others that you and Pepper will be busy today."
Tony smiled tiredly. "Thank you. And I'll tell you everything tomorrow."
Before the elevator doors closed, Tony saw that Steve was smiling.
When Tony entered the bedroom, he was surprised to see that Pepper was still awake. She also had dark circles under her eyes, but she smiled when Tony came in. However, the smile turned into a worried expression when she saw that he nearly stumbled.
"Why are you still awake?" He asked curiously and began to unbutton his shirt.
"I wanted to wait for you." She answered simply. "Did everything go well?"
He nodded. "Building didn't collapse, only minor injuries, the fire department will deal with everything else. Oh and I met Steve on my way back. He'll tell the others that they shouldn't look for us today."
"But I have to work." Pepper reminded him.
"Not a chance. You need sleep. After all, you've also been sitting on that rooftop the entire night." When he'd changed in something more comfortable, he sat down next to her. She was still watching him, which made him smile. "JARVIS, tell Happy that he shouldn't wait for Pepper today. At least not for the next six hours or so." He added the last sentence when he saw the sceptical look on her face. "Come on, it's six in the morning. No one will complain when you start to work in the afternoon."
He kissed her on the cheek and finally, she gave in with a sigh. "Alright. But I have an important meeting later. JARVIS, can you reschedule it?"
"Of course, Mrs. Potts." JARVIS answered immediately.
"Thank you." Pepper closed her eyes when Tony wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer.
"I love you." He whispered and buried his face in her hair. He didn't hear her reply anymore.
When he opened his eyes again, light was blinding him. And someone was holding his hand. He turned to Pepper and saw her smiling softly at him. "Good morning." He whispered and sat up slowly. He was still tired and had a headache, but he decided to ignore it.
"Morning doesn't fit anymore." Pepper told him. "We passed midday."
He groaned. "I've been asleep for only six hours? And how long have you been staring at me in my sleep? Not that I don't like it. But you need to sleep as well, Pep."
"I woke up ten minutes ago. And I'm fine. Besides, I can't stay here much longer. After all, some people still have to work." She laughed softly when he wrapped his arms around her.
"I've already worked this morning." He reminded her. "After all, I saved people from a building."
"That's why you can stay in bed some more." She kissed him but drew back far too quickly for his liking. Then she frowned. "You really need more sleep, you still look terrible."
"And I thought I was always handsome." He muttered and fell back into the cushions.
"You are. But the dark rings under your eyes crash she image."
He laughed. "Alright, I see that I don't have a chance in this argument." He smiled slightly. "Nevertheless, I've also got to do a few things today."
"I thought you told Steve not to look for us today?" She asked sceptically.
"I did." He agreed. "But a day in bed without you doesn't sound so tempting anymore. I can also use the time."
"I won't be gone for too long. The meeting will only take an hour."
"And then someone doesn't agree, there are more discussions, which lead to nothing, and in the end, it takes three hours." Tony muttered. "Or even more."
She sighed. "But when I come back, you won't continue discussing your business with the others." It wasn't a request. Suddenly, a wide smile appeared on her lips and she leaned in, so that she was close to his ear. "After all, I promised you some time alone."
She drew back quickly and before Tony realized what was happening, Pepper was on her feet and walked towards the bathroom. Leaving him alone with his thoughts and his fast beating heart.
In the end, he decided to join the others after a quick shower. They raised their eyebrows at him but didn't ask any questions. Apparently, Steve had told them not to expect him today. He shook his head at Steve's questioning look, showing him that they would talk about everything later.
They went to his lab to talk about the base in Alaska. They had to explain everything to Sam shortly since he just joined them recently. Steve told him that he didn't need to help them at this, but Sam didn't want to hear it. The technology fair in Vancouver was in two weeks and then, Tony, Bruce and Steve would go to Alaska on their way back. They didn't have a real plan yet since they didn't know what to expect at the Hydra base. They would land in a few miles distance and then they would continue on foot. Tony couldn't use his suit, which bothered him already, but it was too dangerous.
As soon as they got information, they would leave. And then the planning would start again. This time, the plan for the attack.
It bothered Natasha, Clint and Thor that they couldn't accompany them. However, Steve emphasized that many people would rather attract attention than a small group. After a long discussion, they agreed to stay in New York. Natasha and Clint would try to use their contacts to SHIELD agents (as far as you could trust them) to find out more about other Hydra bases. Thor only said that Doctor Selvig would be in New York at that time, which explained everything. Sam would try to find out more about Bucky, even if they all already knew that it would be useless. JARVIS was also on it, but he didn't find anything yet. Tony offered Sam to read a few files about the Winter Soldier he'd decoded so that the other man wouldn't feel completely useless.
When they had a plan for the next weeks, Clint and Thor left to watch tv, while Natasha and Bruce wanted to go out. Sam seemed to see that Tony and Steve needed to talk about something, because he followed Clint and Thor, saying that he wanted to join them.
Tony explained everything that happened the past evening to Steve in short words. While he listened, the frown on Steve's face deepened. "I don't like this guy." He said when Tony finished.
He smiled slightly and ran a hand through his hair. "I can only agree with you."
"You're planning to pay him back for this." Steve said thoughtfully.
Tony interrupted him before he could start to lecture him. "Yes, and don't say that I shouldn't do it. You can keep your morals to yourself this time, Steve. I can't let him go like this."
"I didn't want to tell you not to do it." Steve told him simply, which made Tony stare at him with wide eyes (and probably an open mouth).
"Wait, what?" He raised his eyebrows. "Did you just say that?"
Steve nodded seriously. "So what's the plan?"
"Wow, let me arrange my thoughts again. I can't believe it, Captain America gave me his blessing to play a little game with someone."
"Don't think that it'll always be like this." Steve muttered and rolled his eyes. "He hurt you. And Pepper as well. I don't think that he should get away with it that easily."
"I don't know if I should thank you or ask if you're alright." Tony decided and shrugged. "But honestly, I don't care. So the plan's easy. I'm going to take everything from him."
"That's all?" Steve didn't look impressed.
"What did you think? That I'll beat him up?" He frowned exaggeratedly. "Tempting. But no, I that would be too easy. And most probably, he wouldn't learn his lesson." When Steve didn't seem to understand him, he sighed. "I'm protecting what's mine."
And that was the reason why he wanted to hurt Gerald as much as possible. Tony was very protective of everything that belonged to him. And of those he loved. Especially Pepper because she was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"So what are you going to do?"
Tony grinned and started to explain his plan.
Pepper came back from the meeting three hours after her departure. She looked annoyed, but as soon as she saw Tony sitting on the couch and waiting for her, she smiled.
"Two hours." Tony said thoughtfully and held out a glass of water to her when she sat down next to him. He would have preferred champagne, but he feared that his headache would only get stronger then. "Something went wrong, I assume?"
Pepper smiled at him gratefully and took the glass from him. "No, it went fine, actually. We just needed to change the contract and that took some time."
He smiled. "That's good."
"How was the discussion with the Avengers?"
"We've got a plan now." He said shortly. "After that, we'll see what happens."
They sat there in silence for some time, enjoying each other's company. Tony watched Pepper, not even trying to hide it. Her hair was open today and she was wearing simple black jeans with a white shirt. It suited her. He smiled slightly when he noticed that she was wearing the earrings he gave to her a few weeks ago. And of course the engagement ring.
"You're so beautiful." He muttered and when she smiled at him, looking a little surprised, he couldn't stand it any longer. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Pepper followed his movement immediately and before Tony knew what was happening, she was sitting on his lap.
First, they kissed slowly, showing their love for each other. But soon, the kisses got more heated and Tonys hands began to wander over her body. When he began to unbutton her shirt, her breath hitched.
"I love you." He whispered before he kissed her again. When he drew back, he grinned. "Mrs. Soon-to-be-Stark."
She chuckled breathlessly. "I love you too. And I can't wait to marry you. Let's do it soon. Just the two of us and our friends."
"What about the press?" He asked when she pulled his shirt over his head. "I think many people would be offended when we don't plan a big wedding."
"I don't care about the press. I'm tired of being one of their favourite targets." Pepper whispered and suddenly, her lips were on his throat. He barely remembered that he was working on the buttons of her shirt.
"We can do it however you want. And whenever you want." Tony muttered, kissing her again.
"In the spring? That would leave us enough time to plan everything." She leaned back and he noticed that her eyes were shining.
"As you wish." He agreed immediately. Honestly, he couldn't wait to marry her. "And next week, we'll go to Paris."
"We're doing what?" Her eyes widened at his sudden change of subject and he grinned.
"Paris. Four days. Just you and me. After all, we just got engaged. And we need another time off. Since last time didn't work completely." He tried to sound as apologetical as possible.
Pepper shook her head in disbelief. "You're impossible."
"You love me."
"I do." She agreed. "I assume you already checked my schedule?"
He nodded. "There are a few days without appointments."
She smiled, even though there was still a frown on her face. "Why do I have the feeling that this is not the only reason why you want to go to Paris?"
He looked at her innocently. "I don't know what you mean."
"So this is not about a certain someone who returned to Paris today?" Now she was looking at him questioningly. "I know you don't just drop the subject like this, Tony."
"It's about the two of us." He said softly and touched her cheek. "I want to spend more time with you."
When she just looked at him suspiciously, he sighed. "Alright, maybe he is another reason. But just a very small one. I wanted to take you somewhere even before he showed up here. I know what you want to say now, you don't like this. And I'm sure you want to tell me that I should leave him alone."
"No, actually, that's not what I was going to say." She said simply.
Which made him stare at her wide-eyed. "What?!" The second time today, someone surprised him. First Steve, and now Pepper. What was going on?
"What are you going to do? And how can I help?"
He kept staring at her silently for a few more moments before he pulled her closer and kissed her passionately. "I love you, Pepper." When they drew back, he grinned while her cheeks were red. "And I can't believe that you approve of this."
"He hurt you." She said simply. "And I am the only one who's allowed to do that."
His heart started to beat faster at her words. Again, he was reminded of how much he loved this woman. "Absolutely. Even if I'd prefer if you don't do it. Well, in some situations…"
She hit his arm playfully to make him fall silent again. For a few moments, they just grinned at each other.
"Alright, the plan's easy." He told her about it.
She frowned at him, but in the end, she nodded. "This could work." She admitted.
"It will work." He corrected her.
"We'll see." She muttered and silenced him with a kiss. Then she stood up to pull him towards the bedroom.