The next chapter! I'm sorry that it took me so long to write it, but I'm a little busy at the moment. Christmas it getting closer and I am preparing a few presents. Next to that, I'm also writing my own idea at the moment, which will hopefully turn into a book someday. But don't think that I'll just forget all my stories! That won't happen, I promise. It might just take a little longer to write new chapters.

I hope you like this chapter. And I just need to know what you think, that would be really awesome! Because it gets exciting now!

As always, thanks to everyone who read the last chapter and left a review! You're awesome!

Maybe I'll write the next chapter of this story within the next week. I really hope that I can manage that.

I don't own the characters or places!

Pepper

We spent our last two days in New York looking at the sights. The reactor in the tower was finished, which meant that Tony didn't have to work anymore. And we both had turned our phones off so that no one else could contact us.

Those days were like a dream. We would walk through the city, holding hands like a normal couple and just enjoy ourselves. We did many things and we always kept talking. There were still so many things I didn't know about Tony and the more I got to know him, the more I fell in love. If that was even possible.

And I realized that Tony was a really selfless person if he stopped wearing his mask. Of course he could also be arrogant, but I didn't consider it as a flaw. After all, he was really brilliant. And sometimes it was even cute. If he didn't overdo it.

One afternoon, we were sitting on a bench in Central Park, enjoying the sun. Tony was just telling me a story about one of his first visits in New York, together with Rhodey. Apparently, it had been really funny. With lots of trouble involved. I didn't expect anything else.

However, I only listened to him half-heartedly. The previous evening, Daisy had texted me again. The date for the wedding was set and she wanted to know if I'd come. Together with Tony. She wanted the answer as soon as possible, which meant that I had to ask him soon. But I still couldn't shake off the uncomfortable feeling. Yes, we'd kissed each other in that club openly. It was a small start at showing the world that Tony belonged to me. But was I ready to tell my whole home town that I was with Tony Stark, my boss? I wasn't so sure about that.

There was also the risk that others would get to know it as well. I wanted to tell the world that we were together, that wasn't my problem. I was just afraid. Back at the press conference, I'd noticed that I didn't like standing in the spotlight very much. Being with Tony would mean lots of attention. Was I ready for this?

"Are you even listening to me?" Tony's voice ripped me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, of course." I answered automatically and turned to him. He was looking at me with a frown on his face.

"What's the last thing I said?" He asked and raised his eyebrows.

Honestly, I didn't know. Nevertheless, I had no intention of showing that just yet. "You were talking about your first visit here with Rhodey." I replied calmly.

"So you weren't listening." He muttered and ran a hand through his hair. "I've already changed the subject." Suddenly, he looked concerned. "What's wrong, Pepper? You've been distracted ever since we left the tower this morning."

"It's nothing." I muttered and hoped that he would just drop the subject.

"You can tell me anything." He insisted and his eyes narrowed slightly. So there was no chance that he'd let me out of this without getting an answer.

I sighed. "I got a text from Daisy this morning, that's all."

Now Tony looked curious. "And what was it about?"

"Something we talked about on the phone some time ago."

At my evasive answer, he groaned. "Don't try to change the subject. Now tell me what's bothering you so much."

"And if I don't want to talk about it?" I asked instead.

He leaned back and stared into the distance. "Alright, then don't tell me about it." He muttered without looking at me again. We sat there in silence for some time, neither of us saying anything. It seemed as if Tony was offended now. In all this time, he didn't look at me. And he also made no attempt to touch me, which was unusual for him. Normally, he was always holding my hand or wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"What are our plans for tomorrow?" I asked casually, ignoring the tension between us.

Tony didn't answer my question and kept staring into the distance. He'd put on his sunglasses so I couldn't see his eyes anymore, which bothered me a lot in this moment. Then it was always difficult to read his expression.

"Tony?" Slowly, his silence was getting annoying. Again, he didn't answer me. "I've already been thinking of a few things." I tried again, but there was no reaction.

I sighed. "Alright, then act like a child." I whispered and crossed my arms.

Just in that moment, he turned to me again. "Now you know how it is when someone refuses to talk to you." He said and shook his head. "Frustrating, isn't it?"

Yes, it was. Suddenly, I felt guilty for not listening to him all day. "Daisy is marrying her girlfriend next year." I explained and when Tony took off his sunglasses, I could see the surprise on his face. Apparently, he didn't expect me to really talk to him now. Did he think that I would get angry because of his behaviour?

"That's great. So where's the problem?" He asked immediately.

"I should be her bridesmaid." I continued. "And she expects me to come with a date."

He looked at me patiently, waiting for me to continue. But I could already see the excited gleam in his eyes.

"She even asked if I could bring you. Of course she doesn't know about us yet. She thinks that you're my boss, nothing else." At this, the smile on his lips wavered, but he didn't say anything. "I want to change this. Really."

"But you don't know if you're ready yet." His tone was surprisingly soft when he took my hand and squeezed it.

"Yes." I whispered and closed my eyes when Tony's other hand touched my face carefully.

"We don't have to tell them anything if you don't want to." By now, I knew him well enough to hear that it pained him to say this. "We can go there just as friends. Of you can go with someone else, of course." Now he didn't try to hide his pain anymore.

I opened my eyes again. "Why would I want someone else?" I stared at him and shook my head slowly. "You're crazy. And I always thought that you're the confident person in this relationship."

He smiled slightly. "I've never said that being with me would be easy."

"I knew that right from the beginning. Doesn't change that I only want you."

He leaned in hesitantly and I closed the distance between us, kissing him softly. He sighed when our lips touched and I smiled into the kiss. "The wedding is in spring, that's months away. Many things can change until then." I smiled. "Who knows, maybe until then I'm already known as the girlfriend of Tony Stark?"

He chuckled. "Girlfriend." Tony grimaced at that. "I never liked that word. Let's say my partner of whatever you want. But not that."

I laughed. "Alright, if you insist."

"I do." Slowly, a wide grin appeared on his lips. "So we'll attend a small town wedding in spring?"

I nodded. "Does that thought scare you? Small towns can be pretty exhausting."

"I've never been to a small town before. So let's count it as a new experience."

"Let's just hope that they'll not bore you to death." I muttered, thinking of all the people from my old life, as I liked to call it now.

"Don't people say that living in a small town is exciting?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Only in bad tv shows." I said, rolling my eyes. "You don't have privacy and everyone thinks that he can judge you. It's really fun." My voice was full of sarcasm.

"No one will judge you when you're with me." He replied immediately.

"Or they'll do it because I'm there with you. After all, you're my boss. And having a personal relationship with your boss is something really bad there." I looked at him meaningfully.

Tony laughed. "Then let's give them something to talk about." He shrugged. "Wouldn't it be nice to make their life even more exciting?" He winked at me and I couldn't stop myself from joining his laughter.

But then Tony got serious again. "It's up to you, Pepper. We can go there as friends or as a couple. You make that decision and I'll accept it, whatever it is."

I looked into his eyes for a few moments and could see how serious he was about this. So I just nodded. "Alright."

He smiled at me brilliantly. "Great. And now text your friend that we'll come. I bet she's already waiting for your answer."

In fact, he was right about that. Daisy had texted me every hour and there were even a few missed calls.

Back in LA, we fell into our recently developed routine easily. We would work and after that, we'd spend the night at either Tony's or my place. And sometimes, we would meet Rhodey in the evenings. Or even do something with Obadiah and Happy. For the first time in my life, I had a real family.

Weeks passed and everything was fine. I've never been happier than I was with Tony. We still kept our relationship secret most of the time, but he didn't seem to mind. If he didn't like it, he was good at keeping his emotions from me.

The opening of the tower in New York would be soon and we were prepared for it. Two weeks before the main event should take place, Tony had an appointment with the press. It was someone from one of the biggest papers in LA. They'd asked if Stark Industries would be willing to give an interview about their latest project in New York before the opening. The article should be published the day before the Arc reactor in New York would start to work. It was the perfect advertisement for the grand opening.

The reporter came early in the morning. His name was Jim McMurtry, he was famous in LA since he was working for the biggest local paper for about forty years by now. It was a surprise that he'd insisted to do the interview with Tony. Actually, someone else had asked us in the first place. When I'd asked Tony about the sudden change, he'd just shrugged. However, I'd noticed that he'd looked slightly worried. And a look at Obadiah had confirmed this. There was concern in his eyes.

I'd tried to find out more about McMurtry, but it wasn't so easy. He'd done so many interviews in the past years, there was far too much information. Only one article caught my attention. Many years ago, he'd talked to Howard Stark. Just a few years after Stark Industries had been founded. Was this the reason why Tony and Obadiah looked troubled? Because he knew about the weapons? Slowly, I was getting worried too.

The interview would take place in Tony's office. Next to him, Obadiah and me would also be there. Tony had insisted on it, though I didn't know why. However, Obadiah had looked relieved. Apparently, the thought that Tony might have to talk to McMurtry alone disturbed him.

And me too, when I saw the man in person for the first time. He wasn't tall, with grey hair and he used a walking stick. I remembered that he must be nearly seventy years old and had an injury on his leg, which prevented him from walking normally. He would have looked like a harmless, nice man, if it hadn't been for his eyes.

They were grey and cold. There was no other way to describe it. The first time he looked directly at me, I had to stop myself from taking a step back. I'd never seen someone look this calculating, as if he was already trying to figure out how to get all our secrets.

The interview started harmless. A few questions about Stark Industries, how the projects in LA were going, if there were any problems with the new earth reactor and what Tony planned to do next. Tony answered all those questions effortlessly and slowly, we were all starting to relax. Maybe this interview wouldn't be so bad after all. But then I looked at McMurtry again and doubted it. I just knew that this man was planning something.

"So now tell me about your tower in New York. I've seen it some time ago when I was in the city, it wasn't finished back then. But I bet it looks incredible now." McMurtry changed the subject and smiled at Tony.

"Well, I can't judge how other's see it." Tony started to answer the question and kept talking about the new project there. At his first words, I couldn't stop myself from feeling proud. I'd already expected him to show off with his name on the building, but Tony didn't mention it a single time.

The interview continued smoothly. McMurtry was well-informed and all his questions presented Stark Industries in a very positive way. After about thirty minutes, he put down his small laptop on which he'd taken notes. "That was my last question, Mr. Stark." He declared and closed the device. "The interview is officially over."

"Well, we have to thank you, Mr. McMurtry." Tony replied with a smile. Next to him, Obadiah nodded.

"You will send us the article a few days before it will be published, right?" Obadiah asked politely.

McMurtry nodded. "Of course, we always do that. And if there's something you don't like, we can talk and change it." He was really nice, but why did I still have the feeling that something bad was going to happen?

"That's good." Tony said.

"I have one more question, if that's alright. Just out of personal interest, it won't appear in any article I write." McMurtry said suddenly and Tony exchanged a look with Obadiah, who'd tensed at those words.

"Of course." Tony replied and suddenly, he didn't sound so relaxed anymore. And honestly, I'd stiffened as well. I hoped no one could see my uneasiness.

"I'm sure you know that I knew your father." McMurtry started and in this moment, I would have loved to tell him to shut up. When I'd read about him writing an article about Howard Stark, I'd just known that this would happen! In all those past weeks, Tony and I had talked about many things. But he never mentioned his parents or the weapons and I'd never dared to ask, fully aware of his reaction the last time it happened. And now this man wanted to talk about this! When I glanced at Obadiah, I noticed that he was also looking worried now.

"Yes, I do." Tony was still talking calmly, but he was frowning at McMurtry now. "And what do you want to ask? Everything about him is long in the past."

"That's what you tell everyone." McMurtry agreed. "But I've been wondering if this is really true. Of course you've stopped producing weapons and have changed the entire structure of the company. You've turned Howard's dream upside down by doing this, I have to add. But don't you still feel like you stand in his shadow, Mr. Stark? After all, he made you famous. And not yourself. You got the company after his death."

For a few seconds, we all stared at him silently. McMurtry smiled. "I'm sorry, but I just had to ask. I've always been curious about you, Mr. Stark. Especially since you started to produce clean energy. And then I got this opportunity to talk to you..." He shrugged. "Are you trying to make amends for all the lives your weapons have taken? You must be responsible for the deaths of thousands of people."

When I heard this, I flinched. Luckily, no one paid attention to me. I would have loved to reach out and take Tony's hand, but this wasn't possible now. Instead, I glanced at him and saw that his face was a blank mask. My heart started to beat faster and I felt afraid. What were the words of this man doing to him?

"I think that were enough questions for one day." Obadiah said loudly and stood up. "I think it's time for you to leave. After all, you have to write an article, Mr. McMurtry."

"True words." McMurtry said and stood up slowly. However, his eyes never left Tony. Then he glanced at me before he turned around and followed Obadiah to the door.

"If your last questions appear in that article, it will never be published." I heard Obadiah whisper.

"I know. That's why I asked them after the interview. As I said, I'm curious." McMurtry said and then I couldn't hear their conversation any longer since Obadiah closed the door behind them.

I stood up immediately and walked towards Tony. He was still staring at the door darkly.

"Tony?" I asked hesitantly and knelt down next to his chair. "Are you alright?"

For a few seconds, I thought that he didn't hear me. But then he turned his head to me and nodded. "Everything's fine." He muttered and it wasn't very convincing.

"No, it's not." I replied softly and reached out to touch his hands. Luckily, he didn't pull back. "Don't listen to him, please. It's not true."

"What do you mean?" Tony asked slowly and I could hear the anger in his voice. "That I'm a murderer?" He laughed dryly. "That's true, Pep. And it still haunts me in my sleep, even after all those years."

I already opened my mouth to say something, but he was faster. "It's all true. I've got everything just because of my father. And I can't stand it! He's still controlling my life, even after all those years!" When he released his hands from my grip, he did it really carefully. But that was the last slow movement he made.

Tony jumped to his feet abruptly and I couldn't stop myself from flinching at this sudden movement. "I just can't get rid of him!" He shouted and began to walk around. "I'll never have peace! I tried so hard to ignore all this, but it always comes back!" He kept shouting angrily and I could just stare at him silently. I'd never seen him this angry.

When I couldn't stand seeing him like this any longer, I stood up and blocked his way. "Stop this!" I said quietly, but determined. "Tony, you have to calm down. You're wrong about all this. Everything you are and did, it's all from your own work. And not your father. You've made yourself famous because you're just brilliant." For a few moments, I had the feeling that he was really listening to me.

But then his expression darkened again and he shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I need to be alone for some time." Then he turned around and stormed out of the office, leaving me alone.

For a few moments I considered following him, but I knew it would be of no use. So I sat down and waited for Obadiah to return. Hopefully, he had a plan now.

It turned out that Obadiah didn't have a plan. He was also at a loss what to do. So we did the only thing we could in this moment. We continued to work, even if it was hard to concentrate. I considered calling Tony a few times, but Obadiah said that it wouldn't be a good idea. Most probably, he wouldn't answer the call anyway.

In the afternoon, my phone rang. I took it immediately, thinking that maybe Tony was calling. However, another name appeared on the screen. I answered the call.

"Pepper, what happened?" Rhodey's voice sounded worried. "Tony called me and asked if we want to go out this evening. He said something about problems at work and that he just needs to forget everything for a while."

At this, my heart seemed to stop beating. Forget everything for a while? But didn't Tony promise me to stop drinking? In short words, I told Rhodey about the interview and what happened after that.

He was silent for some time. "I'll talk to him. Everything will be alright, Pepper."

Just that I knew it wouldn't. Images from the last time someone had mentioned his father and the weapons flashed through my mind. "Where are you going?" I asked. "Maybe I can talk to him."

"Do you think that this is a good idea?" I could hear the doubts in Rhodey's voice.

"He'll talk to me, I know he will." Why did it sound like I didn't just want to convince Rhodey but also myself?

Rhodey named the place they wanted to go. It was the same bar like last time. I started to feel sick at this.

When I arrived at the bar in the evening, I had to shiver despite of the warm weather. The entire day, I've been thinking about the interview this morning. After my conversation with Rhodey, I'd tried to call Tony. However, he didn't answer my calls and ignored my texts. Even JARVIS told me that Tony was busy at the moment. I also considered driving to his house in Malibu, but I didn't even know it Tony was there. Happy was still in LA, Tony had ordered him to drive me home after work. So he also didn't know where Tony was.

Breathing in deeply, I walked towards the bar and opened the door. Inside, it was already crowded. The air was hot and it smelled of alcohol. The music was really loud and I could see many people on the dancefloor. Also a group of women, maybe a hen party? They already seemed pretty drunk. Just like everyone else in here.

Suddenly, it felt like a really bad idea to try to talk to Tony here. Why didn't I tell Happy to drive me to Malibu after work?

Finally, I stopped Rhodey at the bar. He hadn't seen me yet, his eyes were fixed on something at the other end of the room. And when I followed his gaze, I froze.

All at once, my whole world seemed to be crashing down.

There was Tony. And he was kissing a woman who had her arms wrapped around his shoulders.

Just in this moment, they let go of each other and Tony looked around. His gaze landed directly on me. And then I noticed that Rhodey had turned to me as well.

Without hesitation, I turned around and ran. I just had to get away from here as fast as possible.