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Chapter 6 - Chapter 6 - Cradle Robber

Exton and Arcite brought dinner up from the restaurant inside of the Stark Tower. Pepper and Genie were both enjoying a lovely pasta dish and salad, while Sam and Arles ate hamburgers and chips. They were all sitting at the bar at Tony's penthouse.

Tony had introduced ketchup to Soli. They both ate chips from one container as fast as they could. Each one, trying to eat more chips than the other one. Soli had won, but Pepper suspected that Tony had let him.

"Okay, no more of that." Pepper demanded. "You two are going to get choked."

Tony rolled his eyes at her. "Or fat." He winked at Soli. "She's worried I'll get fat."

"Chips are my favorite!" Soli declared.

"My Mum would agree with you." Arles insisted.

"They are called French Fries." Tony grumbled as he wiped his hands. "English, people."

"Why? Are they French?" Genie teased.

"No." Tony mocked her. "It's a misunderstanding that never got cleared up."

Pepper rolled her neck back in surprise. "Really?"

"American soldiers during World War I had French fries when they were stationed in Belgium. The official language of the Belgian army is French. So, the soldiers gave the credit to the wrong country."

Genie giggled, "I can't believe you know that."

He laughed. "Rhodey told me that. I'm not sure if it's true or not."

Pepper rose her eyebrow, "So, Belgian waffles?"

Tony rose his hands, "Now, I can't be expected to know everything."

Pepper shook her head. "You are full of surprises."

Exton grinned at him while eating his fish and chips. He stood leaning against the cabinet, next to Legate who was eating some sort of noodle dish with shrimp. He had taken a chocolate brownie and crumbled it across the top. Then, because of the ketchup excitement, he had added a layer of it to his dish.

Pepper sat watching Legate eat it in disgust. "Are you really eating that?"

Legate looked at Pepper and nodded. "Yeah. Want to try-"

"Noooo. Thank you." Pepper immediately said.

Tony laughed under his breath.

Sam leaned over and whispered to his sister, "You kiss this man?"

Genie groaned and rolled her eyes. "Stop." She mouthed.

Pepper wiped her mouth, "Tony. I need you to go to the school tomorrow."

He sighed, "I'm busy tomorrow."

"No, you aren't." Pepper insisted. "And it's not all day."

"Ugh. Why do I need to go?"

"There are a lot of things there that you need to give me the okay on-"

"Just, throw it all out. I don't want anything there."

Pepper groaned.

Genie, sensing an argument brewing, took over the conversation. "You don't want to come see the new school?"

Tony crossed his arms and leaned on the cabinet next to Legate. "Well, yeah-"

"Well, then just come tomorrow." She shrugged her shoulders. "None of the students are there, yet. And so you won't have that… 'Oh look. It's Tony Stark' thing you hate."

Tony looked away and nodded his head. "That's true."

Legate met Genie's eyes and smiled.

Suddenly a loud pop followed by a crash on the other side of the sitting room, demanded their attention. Legate, Exton, and Sam all looked ready to strike whatever had appeared along with Tony and Arles. The man, wearing a pair of trousers and a dark oxford shirt lay on the floor looking at his Vortex Manipulator he wore on his wrist.

Everyone relaxed.

"You're late for the party, Jack." Arles told him and went back to eating.

Jack stood up and dusted himself off. "Damn it. Really?"

Sam looked at his friend and nodded his head. "Yeah. Welcome back."

Jack joined them at the bar. Upon closer inspection, he was sweaty from the fight with the Vesuos, but otherwise unharmed. "Well, it was just getting good!"

Arles and Sam grinned at one another.

Jack sighed with his hands on his hips. "Well, we won. Right?"

Tony pointed at Soler. "Soli, did."

The little boy smiled proudly. "I had help."

Sam nodded, "That's right. We slowed him down."

Jack sat at the bar and groaned. "Well, damn."

Genie asked. "How bad is the Vortex Manipulator?"

Jack looked down at it just as it threw a spark out at him and it went dead. He shook his head. "Ah. This isn't that bad."

Tony narrowed his eyes at him. "That looks…."

"Ka-put." Arles finished. "I don't know if Dad will be able to fix that this time."

Jack put the leather cover back together and smiled up at them. "Ahh. That's what we always think."

Tony offered, "I could look at it-"

"NO!" Sam, Arles, Legate and Genie all said together.

Tony looked surprised, "So, that's not a good idea?"

Sam shook his head. "No way. I don't know exactly what happened, but you aren't allowed to even touch the Vortex Manipulator."

"Well, that's in the future." Tony reasoned. "I've not done whatever, yet."

Jack grinned, "Which is the sort of thinking that got us into that trouble. Oh, I can't wait for that!"

Tony laughed and rubbed his hands together. "Oh yes! I love this shit."

Pepper shook her head. "I'm going to go ahead and say that I think you should stay away from that thing, Tony."

Tony groaned and crossed his arms. "There's no harm in looking at it, Pepper."

Genie shook her head. "Do you see what you've done, Sammy? You know if you tell him no, he only wants it more."

Tony rose his eyebrows and grinned proudly. He knew he was annoying Pepper which only made him that much happier. "How about that, Pepper? I have a reputation."

"Good to know that you're consistent over the years." Pepper insisted.

Tony rolled his eyes.

Jack slapped the bar. "Anyway! Am I in time for dinner?"

Exton nodded and looked in the bag sitting next to him, "We have some cheese sticks, a hamburger, and…" He held up a container. "What was this?"

Tony held his hand out. "That's mine. Salmon Tartare Cone. The chef downstairs is….experimenting."

Exton handed the container to Tony. Jack decided he would have the hamburger.

Arles took one and tried it. "That's really nice. I would suggest a bit more….shallot. And less lemon zest."

Genie grinned at Arles. "Have you made those?"

Arles shook his head. "No. But, they were at a party once. Really nice."

Pepper watched Tony. "Is that in a tiny, ice cream cone?"

Arles grinned, "No, Pepper. It's similar though."

Tony offered her the tray. "Want to try one?"

For the second time that evening, Pepper held out her hand and quickly said, "Noooo…. Thank you."

Tony held it out to everyone, "It's not bad. Anyone want to try it?"

Legate took one and tried it. "Oh, I really like that."

"Sorry." Genie smiled, "That doesn't encourage me to try it at all."

Legate held his hands out in mock surprise.

Jarvis spoke, "Captain Rogers is here to see you-"

"Oh, hell! Tell him I'm not here." Tony groaned.

Pepper looked surprised, "What's with you?"

"I just ate. I don't want to be sick."

"You are being a pain-"

"I don't want to see Captain Perfect-"

"He's not-" Pepper started.

"How are we going to explain all of the kids?" Tony asked.

Jack laughed, "YES! I'm one of the kids!"

Genie rolled her neck back. "The biggest child of us all."

Jack winked at her. "You know it, Rose Junior."

Genie laughed.

Pepper pointed forcefully at Tony. "He is on the Department of Defense committee-"

"I don't care if he's on the suck my-"

"Ah!" Pepper stopped his sentence.

Sam and Arles looked at one another and chuckled.

Tony threw his hand up and sighed.

Pepper spoke. "Jarvis. Let him come up."

Tony rolled his eyes and groaned loudly. "$100 bucks says he wants to see you, instead of me."

Pepper rose her eyebrow. "Jealous?"

Tony rubbed his chin. "Maybe a bit."

Pepper giggled, "Then, you're on. $500, though."

Tony snapped his fingers at her. "Done."

"Maybe a drink would help?" Sam asked.

Tony closed his eyes tightly. "Nope. I'm not drinking."

Pepper sat back. "Well, I am. Could you pour me a glass of wine, please?"

Genie smiled, "That does sound lovely. Me too, please."

Tony busied himself pouring both of the girls a glass of wine.

The lift doors opened and Captain Steve Rogers walked into the penthouse. He stopped as he stepped inside and lifted both of his hands. "I apologize for interrupting your dinner."

Tony sat down a glass of wine in front of Genie and Pepper.

Pepper smiled, "Not at all. Have you eaten?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

Tony leaned back on the cabinet and crossed his arms.

Pepper held her hand out to him, "Well, come in and take a seat."

He stood next to the bar and smiled. "I'm fine standing, thank you ma'am. I'm sorry, but I can't stay long."

Tony rolled his eyes at the politeness.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had….company." Captain Rogers' eyes caught a look at Genie. He appeared to be suddenly struck in awe at her beauty.

Pepper smiled. "Yes, these are friends of ours. This is-"

Jack pointed at himself. "I'm Captain Jack Harkness."

They shook hands.

"Captain, huh?"

Tony nodded, "How about that? Same rank and everything."

He looked impressed. "United States Army?"

Jack shook his head. "No. That with Tony is Legate and Exton."

They both nodded at him.

"And then this is Sammy."

Samuel stood up and shook his hand. "Sammy. And this is…ummm."

Arles nodded, "I'm Les. And this is….Sara." He said looking back at Genie.

"Sara." Captain Rogers said slowly with a grin on his face.

Genie looked up at him and smiled. "It's nice to meet you…"

"Captain Steven Rogers." He nearly tripped over himself to shake Genie's hand.

Sam glanced back at Legate, who had also noticed how much Genie had caught the Captain's attention.

"What do you want?" Tony asked.

"Ummm. We probably need to speak in private, Mr. Stark."

Tony rubbed his hands together and looked back at Legate and Exton. Legate sat his container down and wiped his mouth.

Tony said, "I don't speak in private. Come on, Legate. I might need you to break someone's arms."

Legate cracked his knuckles and followed Tony and Captain Rogers into a small office that sat just feet away from there the rest of the crowd continued to eat. They closed the door.

Pepper shook her head. "I wish I knew what they were saying."

Sam grinned. "Phase in there and tell us, Exton."

Exton grinned and shook his head. "I can't do that. It's against oaths."

Sam mumbled his disappointment, "Legate would do it."

Jack laughed under his breath. "Yeah, he would."

Meanwhile, in the small office….

Tony sat down behind a desk. Captain Rogers and Legate sat down across from him.

"Okay, what's on your mind?" Tony asked.

"Well, I had another sighting of the rogue Cyberman over in Afghanistan today. Only about an hour ago."

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "And I need to know that….why?"

"Because we have orders to shoot it down." He told him flatly. "I came to ask if you have made any progress on something we can use for that."

Tony was immediately thankful he hadn't brought Pepper into this meeting. "Shoot it down?"

"Yes. It destroyed a huge weapons shipment that was delivered to the enemy today-"

"So…..I'm having trouble understanding this. Why would you want to shoot it down? Seems like he's on your side."

"It doesn't matter what side it's on. A rogue Cyberman is still a Cyberman. Do you know what this could do? To morale of those serving there?"

"I have ears on the ground. It all seems positive to me-"

"That's not part of this discussion." Captain Rogers insisted.

"Well, you brought it up."

"So, do you have-"

"Yeah, I've got something. You'll have it in 24 hours." Tony agreed and rubbed his lip.

Captain Rogers nodded, "Thank you."

Tony noticed that the Captain didn't move from the seat. He seemed to be deciding on whether or not he wanted to ask him something or not.

Tony rose his eyebrows, "Was there something else?"

"I should let you get back to your guests." He insisted and stood up. Then he immediately sat back down on the edge of his seat. "Well, may I ask you a question?"

"Does that one count?"

Legate laughed under his breath.

Captain Rogers smiled and pointed towards the door. "Sara? Who is that?"

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "She's a friend. Why?"

"How well do you know her?"

Tony crossed his arms. "She's the daughter of a close friend of mine."

Captain Rogers grinned and nodded his head. "Do you know if….."

"If what, man?"

"If she's seeing anyone?"

Tony shook his head. "I really don't kn-"

"Yes." Legate told them.

Tony looked back at Legate. "Yeah?"

Legate looked back at Captain Rogers. "Yes. She's involved with someone."

"Serious?" Captain Rogers asked.

Legate crossed his arms and looked to be sizing up this guy. "Yes. She's quite serious about him."

Captain Rogers groaned and threw up his hand. "Ah. Well, alright. You never know if you don't ask." He looked back at Legate. "Thank you."

Legate didn't say anything to him, but continued to glare.

Tony watched as he got up and started towards the door. He turned and pointed at Tony. "Thanks, Tony. 24 hours?"

"Or less. I'll call them right now." Tony picked up the phone on the desk.

Captain Rogers nodded his head. He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him. Tony sat down the phone. "And Legate. We need to talk."

"About what?"

"You, are the guy with Genie-"

Legate laughed under his breath. "That's mad."

"Then who is it? I'm willing to bet it is the guy I'm looking at."

Legate shook his head. "I'm at my limit with bets today."

"A Quauhtin not betting? This must be really serious-"

"You don't know that-"

"I know you looked like you were about to break that guy's arm-"

"You had asked me to do that!"

Tony grinned, "I was just kidding that night the Vesuos came in here, but, you really are a cradle robber aren't you?"

"I don't understand that term." Legate shook his head.

"Does John know?"

Legate laughed under his breath. "Know what? I don't know what you are talking about-"

"Do you really think I'm going to tell him?"

Legate looked back at Tony. "There are….rules. If it was me-"

"Oh, a shit storm of trouble. I know about that. What the hell are you thinking? I'm right, aren't I?"

Legate looked at his bracelet, stood up, and headed to the door. "Nice chat. We'll do it again, soon."

"Fuck that." Tony insisted. "Jarvis seal the door."

Legate dropped his head and put his hands on his hips. "I'm tried to withstand torture, Stark. You won't get this out of me."

"That's actually interesting you say that."

Legate looked back at Stark. "Why?"

"That's what you would say if you were the one Genie was seeing."

Legate nodded his head and turned around. "Or. Maybe you haven't stopped to consider that I'm bound by Oaths. A lot of them. And her privacy would include me keeping it quiet.. who she is seeing. That is, if she had asked me to."

Tony thought as he bit his lip. "Touché."

"It's interesting you jump right to me and her though. I'll have to tell her about this. She will find it amusing." Legate smiled.

Tony still wasn't convinced. "I'm usually right-"

"About a lot of things, man. But….I'm sorry. I can't tell you anything on this subject." Legate chuckled as he held out his hands.

Someone knocked on the door. Tony asked Jarvis to open it and Genie jumped at the surprise of Legate standing right in front of her.

Legate laughed, "I'm sorry. You caught me on the way out."

She giggled and held her chest. "I'm sorry. It was just…a surprise to see you standing so close."

Legate smiled, "What did you need?"

"We're going to be late-"

"Oh!" Legate remembered. "The concert! I had almost forgotten!"

Genie rolled her eyes. "You have really been distracted today. Everything alright?"

Legate ran his hand through his hair, very aware that Tony was watching every move he made with extreme scrutiny. "Yeah, this thing with John….Rose."

"You know how they are. It's not something any of us should worry about."

Tony still sat behind his desk. "What concert is this?"

Genie smiled, "The Black Eyed Peas-"

"Oh! I know them. Where are they playing?"

"I'm not even sure." Genie admitted.

Tony had already picked up his cell phone. "I'll give them a call."

Genie clapped in excitement. "Oh, wow! Thank you, Tony!"

Legate turned to face Genie, and with his back to Tony he mouthed, "He knows."

Genie looked at Legate in surprise. She asked quietly, "Really?"

Legate nodded.

"Hey! It's me. Where are you playing tonight?" Tony asked the person on the phone.

He leaned against the desk and laughed. "No, I don't want to sing. I'm busy tonight. But, I have some friends who are coming to see you guys."

He ran his hand through his hair as the person spoke on the phone. "Yeah. Cool. I'd appreciate that. Thanks."

He ended the call and smiled at them. "And that's done."

Genie danced from her excitement. "I'm thrilled! Thank you!"

Legate chuckled at her. "I'll go tell the guys."

She smiled. "Wonderful!"

Legate left the office.

Tony walked over to her and grinned. "I hear you are seeing…some guy."

She smiled, "Yes."

"What's he like?" He asked as he closed the door quietly.

She held her hands behind her back and smiled. "He's brilliant. Kind. Strong."

"You said you could tell me anything. Can you tell me this?"

He eyes met his. "Could I tell you later? Please?"

He crossed his arms and looked at her seriously. "I want to make sure this is a good thing-"

"It is a good thing."

"Gene. You're young."

She laughed, "I'm 24!"

He rose his eyebrows at her. "Gene. Is it Legate?"

She exhaled slowly. "Please don't ask me about this-"

"He could get into a lot of trouble about this."

She covered her face and groaned. "Uncle Tony-"

"That's right! I'm your Uncle. I only want the best for you, Gene. And personally, I hope it is him."

"You do?" She asked in surprise.

He laughed, "Well, hell yeah. He's a great guy! Has really strange taste in food, but…"

She giggled at him.

"…my Pepper thinks grapes are comfort food."

"I do, too. That's completely her fault." Genie admitted.

"Gene. If this is Legate, you need to …."

"I know." She whispered.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Tony opened it and saw Samuel's face.

"And concert time! Let's go!" He smiled.

Genie smiled back at her brother. "Right."

They walked back into the kitchen together.

Legate was typing something on his wrist. "What number did you have, Arles?"

Arles showed Legate his arm.

Tony sat down at the bar next to Pepper.

Soler jumped on Exton's back and laughed.

Tony asked, "Where the hell are you going, Soul Man?"

Pepper grabbed Tony's hand, "They are taking him."

"So, no Star Wars?" Tony asked.

"I told him we could watch it later." Pepper said encouragingly. "Have a good time, Soli."

Soli laughed as Exton spun around with the small boy on his back.

Tony grinned, "His first concert. Well, have fun. Keep a close eye on him for me."

Exton laughed, "Of course. We'll have two more Quauhtin already there."

They popped away.

Jack Harkness threw his hands out. "I need a lift. Sam? Arles?"

Sam waved Jack over to him. The three of them popped away.

Legate looked up, "Alright, everyone is gone. Exton says everything is secure there. Genie, you are with me."

She smiled and took his arm. "I could pop myself there."

He nodded his head as he typed something on his arm. "You certainly could. But, I'm the last one here. So, just go with me."

Tony pointed at Genie. "Think about what I said. I'll be at the school tomorrow."

Genie blew him a kiss and they popped away.

Tony covered his face and groaned. "Oh, these damn kids. I need a drink."

Pepper rubbed his back. "What's wrong?"

He looked back at her with his face propped on his fist. "Do you really want to know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Why do you think I ask, Mr. Stark?"

He grinned and looked her up and down. "Well. Mrs. Stark. I'm thinking, I'll just tell you later."

"Later?"

"Yeah, it's all just theoretical at the current moment."

She laughed and sipped her wine. "I'm looking forward to it."

"You knew he had came up here to see me, didn't you?"

She smiled, "It was theoretical."

He watched her drink the wine. "You are beautiful. No pearls today?"

"Diamonds." She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear so he could see the small diamond ear rings.

He smiled. "I knew you would like those."

She finished her glass and sat it back down on the cabinet.

"Another one?"

"No. Maybe later."

"Well, I needed to talk to you about something."

"Okay, changing my mind about having another glass of wine."

He grinned and poured her another glass. He sipped some of it and handed it to her. "That's really good."

She grinned, "'97. Perfect amount of sun and rain. My favorite."

He watched her sip the wine.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" She asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing bad. Ummm. I talked to Pete, earlier."

"About what?"

"About Soli. If we're going to keep him, we should probably make it official."

"Well, of course we're going to keep him. There's no 'if' about it."

He grinned back at her. "Right."

"How are we going to do that without telling everyone about him? About us?"

He shook his head. "That's the part I'm fuzzy about."

"Did you tell Pete?"

"No."

She relaxed. "Well, that wouldn't be that big of a deal."

He looked back at her in surprise. "Really? Warming up to this?"

"I'm not answering that. I've been drinking." She insisted.

"Phhh. One glass."

"Two!" She insisted.

He rolled his eyes. "You need about three more to use that as an excuse."

"Why aren't you drinking?" She asked.

He bit his lip. "We're not talking about me."

"Maybe we should."

He groaned and rubbed his face with both of his hands.

"Tony. I love you for this. I know it's not easy."

He looked back at her. "It's not that hard. It's just, Soli needs someone. When I brought him home, I promised myself I would be what he needed."

"The father that you needed."

He took her hand in his. "Yes."

Pepper couldn't hide her surprise at his words. She watched as he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it.

Tony continued, "Pete can process his identification through Torchwood. But, he only has that title. Not a name. And since we're his parents…."

"Yeah?"

"Pete suggested that we name him."

Pepper smiled. "Interesting. Something I never thought I would ever do."

He returned her smile. "That makes two of us."

She laughed and covered her mouth. "Wow."

"So, I'm thinking Soler. Because that is his name. 'Chaomlean', sounds like that lizard."

Pepper laughed and sipped her wine.

"I'm thinking he should have something that sounds like he's from here, to avoid problems."

"That's a good point." Pepper nodded, "So, what do you have in mind?"

He played with his wedding band as he spoke. "I thought, James."

"After Rhodey?" She smiled.

He looked back at her. "And your Grandfather."

She thought, "Soler James Stark. That's rather hard to say."

He nodded. "Yeah. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it?"

"Well, I like James. Maybe we can add something else to it. Make it-"

"Easier to say. Yeah." He agreed and rubbed his chin.

"Name him after you. Anthony-"

"No way."

"Edward?"

"I don't like that name, I don't want to put it on him." He shook his head.

"We could name him after your favorite Captain." She teased.

"Steve?"

She sipped her wine and giggled.

He laughed and rubbed his face. "Oh, that's worse. What was your grandfather's middle name?"

"He didn't have one. What was Rhodey's middle name?"

Tony thought for a minute and tapped the top of the bar. "I know this. Umm…."

Pepper watched as he rolled his eyes in his head and thought.

He snapped his fingers. "Rupert!"

"No, it wasn't." She insisted.

He laughed, "Yes, it was. Lieutenant Colonel James Rupert Rhodes. I saw it on his military ID card. And nearly died from laughter."

"Rupert. Oh my God." She laughed.

"Edward, it not much better."

"How bad did you harass him about this?"

"Oh, so much." He looked back at her. "I wonder what he would say about all of this?"

"I miss him, too." She pat his arm.

He cleared his throat. "So, Rupert is out?"

She sipped her wine. "Yes, not Rupert."

He looked back at her. "So, think about it. Let me know what you come up with."

"Of course." She smiled. "We should probably ask Soli, too."

"That's a good idea." He nodded and looked her up and down again. She looked beautiful wearing her dark skirt suit. She had already taken off the jacket and draped it on the back of the chair. Her heels lay on the floor. She had to be wearing stockings as cold as it was outside.

"You know, Pepper. I was so worked up last night on the ship that we never got to explore pearls and black lace."

She smiled. "That's true. You seem relaxed now."

He took her hand in his and kissed it. "I am."

"New plan working out?"

He nodded, "So far. Doctor Sam has…..an interesting approach."

She smiled, "I'm glad."

He leaned over, caught her lips with his own, and kissed her. He slowly brought his hand up to her cheek and felt her hand on his lap.

He smiled at her. "So. A concert is about two or three hours."

"I can keep you busy that long."

"You think I'm relaxed now, huh?"

She pulled his head back to her lips and started to kiss him again. He moved his hands slowly down her body to her hips. So caught up in their kiss, he gently gripped her waist.

She jumped, "Ah!"

He threw his hands out to his side. "What happened? What did I do?"

She covered her face. "Nothing. It's nothi-"

"Nothing doesn't jump and shout. What's wrong?"

She closed her eyes tightly. "I'm, a bit…bruised."

"Why?" He was so confused.

She covered her mouth and looked back at him. "Tony. This isn't a big deal."

He was frantically replaying the last 24 hours in his head. What had happened that would have caused this? Then he remembered him having the panic attack and how he had gripped her so tightly.

"I did this." He realized and looked shocked.

She took his hand. "Tony, I know you didn't mean to-"

He became furious with himself. He dropped his fist on the bar. "But, I did. I hurt you. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you would react this way."

He couldn't look at her. He bit his lip and shook his head. "Pepper. I'm so sorry-"

"I don't want you to apologize. Tony. This wasn't your fault."

"Well, it wasn't yours!"

"Tony. Stop. Look at me."

His eyes met hers. She caressed his cheek. "Tony, I don't blame you-"

"Well, I do-"

"Then stop! This wasn't your fault!" She insisted.

He sat back and rubbed his mouth. "I can't believe I hurt you. How bad is it?"

"I haven't looked."

He sighed. "Pepper, I'm so sorry."

She laid her forehead to his. "Hey. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would be like this. I'm not angry. Please, don't be angry at yourself."

He looked back at her. "I can't even believe this-"

"Tony. Kiss me."

"I'm so….." He grit this teeth in his anger.

She put her finger over his lips to make him stop talking. "Tony. I still love you. Nothing will change that."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and met his lips with her own again. She felt him relax a bit. "Tony, don't dwell on this."

"I'm so sorry."

Anxious to change the subject, Pepper told him. "Tony. We were headed upstairs."

He looked in her eyes. "Will you, at least, let me look at it? See how bad it is?"

"If, you kiss it."

He grinned. "Kiss it?"

"Every inch of any bruise that is there."

He smiled and nodded his head. "New plan. I'll kiss every inch of you, and use that dermal regenerator I have-"

"Oh, I love it when you talk science." She teased.

He smiled at her and then became serious. "Pepper. I really am so very sorry."

"Then take me upstairs, and make it up to me."

He met her eyes and they both smiled at one another.

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