Iron Man

Roulette of Life

Part Three

"I am ready to answer your question."

A smile spread across Virginia's lips and with the snap of her fingers Pepper's office disappeared as they appeared in the Lobby.

A chill filled the air that sent shivers up Peppers spine. For when she looked down a few inches away from the main door, there laid her body in a pool of blood.

Pepper had to admit this was weird, so this was what an out-of-body experience felt like, Pepper thought as she continued to look down at her body.

"Am I dead?" she asked.

"No, your body wants to quit, but your will is keeping you alive. Hence why I needed to come and find out why you are fighting so hard to stay here." Virginia said.

"I got this way because of work…. if only I hadn't been so foolish oh well, I can't change the past," Pepper said.

"True, but I believe you said you were ready to answer my questions, so tell me Pepper is working all there is to life?" Virginia asked.

"No, it's not I always thought it was, but now I see that work is just a part of life that people use when they are afraid to pursue their dreams. Whether it is exploring the world or even going on a date with a special someone in their life. Life is meant to be filled with wonderful memories, some maybe be good and some maybe bad, but that is to be expected when experiencing the trials this world offers. Work is just an excuse everyone leans on as an excuse to hide from life I know I did." Pepper finished as she wiped away a few tears.

Virginia nodded to hear such strong words. All she could do was smile. It filled her heart with such joy that a light formed around both Virgina and Pepper. No longer did it feel cold and damp, but warm and bright.

"I've been waiting to hear those words for such a long time from you," Virginia said.

"What?" Pepper asked, confusedly

Putting her hands on her hips Virginia shook her head as she twirled around transforming into a younger version of Pepper with long curly red hair, a simple white shirt and blue jeans, along with black faded sneakers. Pepper's eyes widen, as did her mouth. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. There stood herself from her college years. Virginia smiled, prompting Pepper to smile back as well.

" Virginia Pepper Potts, while you only went by Pepper, mostly. You seem to forget about me when you left college. Work, work, work that's all you ever seem to do never once did you ever think of doing anything else," Virginia said folding her hand over her chest, "I thought when you landed this job with Tony Stark and finally became his girlfriend that I could sneak in a thought or two of travel and fun but you pushed me away and kept working."

"But now I'm forced to listen. It might be too late though," Pepper said.

" It's never too late," Virginia said, pointing to the double doors.

Pepper turned around to see Tony bust through the doors and drop to his knees by Pepper's body. He wanted to touch her face, but didn't think it would be wise. So all he did was look at her with glassy tears in his eyes. While Happy was on his cell phone with 911.

"Pepper….. I can't lose you," Tony said.

Dropping to her knees by Tony's side, Tears trickled down cheeks. Pepper reached out to touch Tony's hand, only for her hand to pass through his.

"Tony... I'm so sorry I let the work keep me from you, but not more. I promise that if I survive this, I will not let it run my life ever again," Pepper said.

Virginia took a step forward, placing her hand on Pepper's shoulder. Looking up at her younger self, Pepper smiled. Virginia helped her up to her feet and took a hold of her hand. Looking behind them she noticed the darkness steadily form around them. Soon she could no longer see Tony or Happy. After a while only she and Virgina stood in darkness but this time there was a light off in the distance.

Looking to Virginia, she could see through her body Pepper's eyes widened as she grew worried. But Virginia merely shook her head, clasping Pepper's hand.

"It's time for you to go back, don't worry about me I am a part of you so I will always will be around now go," Virginia said before disappearing.

Wiping away her tears, Pepper started moving toward the light in the darkness.

"Pepper, please wake up,"

Soon Pepper took off into a run toward the light. As Tony's voice grew louder and louder, determination filled Pepper's spirit more than ever to make her way back to him.

"Hang on Tony I am coming,"

No longer would her work would bog her down, she would manage it so she would have the life she wanted.

The light grew and grew until it shattered the darkness, and she disappeared.

A gasp escaped Pepper's lips as she stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling. Opening her eyes, she sat up and looked around the room. Front he monitors, pale white walls to the window and Tv down to the medical bed. She smiled when she spotted Tony's head resting on the bed beside her hand, sleeping soundly.

Wincing, she raised hand a little as she gently played with Tony's hair. After a while this caused him to stir, looking up a gigantic smile spread across his lips as he engulfed Pepper in an enormous hug. Wincing once more, Tony finally pulled away, much to Pepper's delight, noticing her discomfort as Pepper smiled goofily.

"Sorry, I'm so glad you're okay," Tony said.

"As am I," Pepper said.

Helping her set up in the bed, Tony watched as Pepper reached up and touched the bandage wrapped around her head.

"You hit the back of your head hard, and lost a lot of blood lucky the doctors could stop the bleeding and stitch you up," Tony explained.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Two weeks,"

Two weeks, Pepper thought, gritting her teeth as another wave of pain surged thru her body. Her mind wondered how Stark Industries was doing. Did each department turn in their reports and attend the meetings and what about the quarterly reports. But Pepper stopped herself from thinking of it any further. Tony smiled, for he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't worry, everything is fine in the office. Getting better is your top priority now," Tony ordered.

"Yes, and maybe a vacation, too," Pepper added before coughing.

Pouring some water in a glass, Tony handed it to her. Nodding in thanks, Pepper took a few sips before putting the glass down on the table.

"A vacation, huh?"

"Just the two of us?"

"Of course,"

"Okay, I'm game, but under one condition."

"What is it?"

"Under no circumstance do we even think about work."

"Deal,"

Tony and Pepper smiled as he leaned in, giving his girlfriend a deep kiss. Smiling, Pepper let Tony keep kissing her. She couldn't wait to get out of here, for her Life was truly about to begin.