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Chapter 22 – Tea with Lewis

Jane had gotten dressed back in her jeans and tank top. She slipped on one of Lance's jumpers, and wore a pair of his socks that were much too big for her tiny feet. She hadn't admitted to anyone, including herself, but she really had felt so lost all day without him. He lay in the bed, unmoved and unconscious. She sat on the small sofa and watched him sleep. He looked so hurt, and more than once she spotted him grimace in pain.

Samuel had showed her how to reset the pain blocker that sat on his forehead, and another one on his chest and shoulder. A small, black, plastic looking device that blinked to show it was working. She had reset it several times, along with giving him a kiss on his forehead to let him know that she was still there.

A Quauthin had stayed with her and Lance all day. There had also been a steady stream of visitors and well wishers, but at the moment…she sat alone. It was the first time she had been by herself all day. What had happened to Lance when he had popped back to her flat? What would have happened to her? Why didn't his bracelet work like John had explained that hers would? Would she ever be able to return to her flat?

The sun was going down into the ocean. Jane looked out at the sunset from the small sofa in Lance's bedroom. She covered herself with a blanket that lay on the back of the sofa and willed herself not to cry. She remembered Sam's reassurances that Lance was going to be alright. She wished more than anything, that he would wake up and just speak to her.

Someone gently tapped on the door. She looked up and saw Lewis.

"Hey. Can I get you some tea?"

She stretched. Tea sounded wonderful. Someone there with her, sounded even better. "Please."

He smiled, "How do you take it?"

"Two sugars, just a bit of milk."

"Just like me. I'll be straight back." He pat the doorway and walked back down the steps.

She didn't realize how tired she had become. She was so glad someone else was with here. She felt so alone and sad. She didn't want to ask anyone to stay with her. They all were so busy. Besides, asking the famous Rose or John Smith to come keep her company? She smiled at how ridiculous the thought even was.

Within a few minutes, Lewis had returned with her tea. He sat next to her on the sofa with a cup of his own.

"Rose tells me this is too sweet, but I've only drank tea for a few years." He told her as he handed her the cup.

She thanked him.

"Was this sofa always here?" Lewis asked in surprise.

"It was….copied?" She explained, "I don't understand it. But, the guys…ummm…Aemillius?"

Lewis looked at her and nodded his head. "Aemillius and Bassanio. Those two. Yes. They are thoughtful."

"It's so much more comfortable than that chair I was in. I'm so grateful to them."

Lewis nodded his head. "Do you need anything else?"

She shook her head and sipped her tea. "I'm fine. Thank you, Lewis."

He sipped his tea and looked back at Lance lying in the bed. "And how is he?"

"He's slept all day. I was almost convinced that he never slept."

Lewis smiled, "It's a very rare thing to for us to sleep. We don't need to do it often."

"How often?"

"Depends on the individual. Lance. I think about an hour a week or so. Maybe more. Not a lot. But, when we're hurt, we need a lot more. It's how we heal ourselves."

"Wow. Just an hour a week. You are the same way?"

Lewis sipped his tea and nodded, "Well, I used to be. I find that I enjoy it and try to at least lie down for an hour or so every day. It's like….meditating. Just….be still and relax. It's rather nice."

She held her tea. "That's probably because of Arles."

He shook his head. "No. It's something, I just got used to doing over the past year. Eight hours is normal for humans, right?"

She smiled. "It is."

"How about babies? What's normal?"

"I have no idea. I know they sleep a lot." She giggled. "I believe Arles is fine."

Lewis sipped his tea. "I worried about that. But, it seems that he still enjoys sleep as an adult. I just came from there. They are staying a few doors down from here. All together."

"Arles came to check on Lance. He stayed with me for a while. He's such a ….smart, thoughtful and entertaining young man. He reminds me of Lance."

Lewis smiled. "But, not me?"

"Let's face it. This is the longest conversation we've ever had, Lewis."

He smiled and sipped his tea. "That's true."

"I'm really glad you came by."

"I know it's hard to see him like this. John and Sam assure me that he will be alright."

She sighed and looked back at Lance. "I haven't ask. And I don't know if I even want to know…."

"What?"

"What did this to him? Do you know?"

"It was a creature that someone has hired to….well….bring someone back to them."

"The same one that was at Tony's last night?"

"No. That one was eliminated. This was another one. They saw the video of you and Stark, and figured you probably knew where Soler was."

"Soler? You mean that little boy that lives with Tony?"

Lewis nodded his head. "That's the one. He's what you call a Khlere. He's the only one I've ever met. They are very rare. I thought it was just a creature of legend, but John assures me it's true. They can channel electricity into their body and fire it."

"He can do that?"

"He can. His father, Mageer, had designed a ship to be able to channel electricity and drain it from surrounding ships and planets. Amazing bit of technology. For many years, everyone thought it was the ship, but now I think it might have just been him. Soli can do some amazing things."

She looked confused. "So, Soli….isn't from here?"

"Most of us aren't. Tony met him at a hospital on….. Andromeda. They have been together since then. Soler's father was in a battle with all of us a few days ago. He sacrificed himself to save our home planet."

"Wow." She said breathlessly. "A real hero."

Lewis nodded his head. "A story that will be told for generations. Soler's father, has became a legend in our world. Even if, officially, we're not supposed to tell the story. My children, will never forget it."

"That's remarkable. It's hard to even believe. There are….people. Other worlds. Problems. Wars. All going on outside of our little world."

"Oh, entire worlds with history and very unique cultures."

"It's amazing. How many planets have you been to, Lewis?"

He sipped his tea and shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. I've never thought about it."

"Why wouldn't you think about that?"

"It's just a common thing. For example, how many cities have you ever been to in your life?"

She nodded her head. "See, I understand that. You're right."

Lewis smiled at her. "Are you taking care of yourself? What have you ate today?"

"Rose brought me some lunch. And then, Genie brought me some tea. Everyone has been so kind to me."

"Lance has a very thick shell. If you've managed to crack it to become part of his life. It's no small feat."

"He told me he hadn't gone on a date in decades." She grinned.

Lewis chuckled, "Longer than that. Lance is a man who always told us he was focused on his work. He's eligible for a promotion now, but he will have to enter something we call the Trials, and pass them. I'm sure he could do it, but he's decided to wait."

"Why?"

"The Trials are something you need to be completely sure you want, before you start them. He simply doesn't want it right now."

"Because of me?" She asked.

Lewis shook his head and looked down into his cup of tea. "No. Because of me. Because of Arles. He feels it will put pressure on Arles to become a Quauthin. To become a Primus, himself."

Jane looked confused.

Lewis looked back at her, "Not because of you. You could probably convince him to do it. But, I won't ask you to do that. The decision has to be completely his."

She smiled as she looked back at Lance. "That sounds like the story he told Arles. About….the man who didn't want to be King."

Lewis nodded, "Yes. Lavatch. Our father."

"So, not that it matters, but…"

"Which one of us would have been King? That's what you're going to ask." Lewis smiled.

"It really doesn't matter, I'm just curious."

"And it's normal to be. It's a story that the entire galaxy tells their children. They find it, odd….that a man would step back from such a role. But, Lavatch had never wanted to do it. He was the son of Lovell, who told him, and the entire family, that he had always felt….bullied into that role. He didn't want his children to feel that way. He had always enjoyed building these powerful ships, weapons, and such. Most of our homeworld still operate using his creations."

He looked back at her smiling at him.

"Wow." She said quietly.

"Lance is just like him. He can work that sort of thing out in his mind. It's no surprise that he and Stark have become such friends."

"Yes. I've seen Tony hand him specs on something. He will work it out and hand it back to him. Tony asked him why he is even a bodyguard, because he's so good at engineering."

"He's really good at being a Quauhtin, too. But, Tony is right. Lance is just like Lovell. In fact, Lartius, the current king of our world, gave us all of Lovell's….hmmm…specs and plans for his projects about 18 years ago. Lance studied them and even spoke to me about leaving the Quauthin. He wanted to finish Lovell's work, and create some of his own."

"Why didn't he?"

"Our world was invaded shortly after that. I had no idea he had even survived. I had been here, on Terra…or Earth, for a few years. John found him, Legate and a few others, and brought them here with us. I'll never forget the first time I saw him. He was stronger than I remembered. More….I just don't even know. Lance. More Lance."

She nodded, "How long were you apart?"

"Several years. I'm not even sure."

"You couldn't speak to him? That strange way you lot can speak in your heads?"

He smiled and shook his head. "We were not joined together, then. Lartius has only recently insisted that we, the family, are joined together."

"All of those years? Where was he?"

Lewis smiled proudly, "My brother was on Kaitos. With Legate. They saved many from the invasion using a tool that Lance had put on Legate's ship, and their quick thinking. It was brilliant. They established a colony, which thrives still. I've not been there, but Lartius tells me it is rather impressive. Lance is the reason they have drinking water, electricity, and even a protective force field. Legate, served as ruler there. But, only after he tried to give that role to Lance. Lance served as Legate's Quauthin, while they were there together."

"Wow. Legate? That kid that is here now?"

He laughed. "Yes, the same. Legate has told his brother, Lenox, that he would prefer for him to rule when the time comes. Lenox, is like all of us. We hope it's something we don't have to worry about for a long while. A very long while."

She watched him sip his tea. "So, Lenox will rule."

"Unless he decides he doesn't want to. It's still possible that one of us will end up with it. It has to be someone from the family. That's the only requirement."

She shook her head. "Wow. Amazing. I have to say, I admire the way you guys look at that."

Lewis sipped his tea. "We know it's something that has to be done. It's mad. I'm reading these stories to Arles from here about royalty that killed one another to be the leaders of their world. I just can't even imagine that. That's not something we would do. Entire families destroyed. I just can't imagine someone wanting that so much, that they would harm one of their own for it."

"Family is important-"

"The most important thing. The reason you wake up, and take each breath."

She smiled proudly at Lance. "Pete said he had just been promoted."

Lewis laughed, "He has. And it was a hell of a thing."

She giggled, "Oh yes. He told me what you lot did."

Lewis looked back at her, "It was with love."

"So, this promotion that he doesn't want."

Lewis sipped his tea, "It's not something to worry about. Lance is a young man. He has plenty of time to make that choice. Not everyone does it, and he doesn't have to."

She turned and looked at Lewis. "And I'm going to ask-"

"Oh, no. I have a big mouth and I can't even blame medication anymore." Lewis groaned and rubbed his face.

She bit her lip and rose her eyebrows. "And….how old?"

Lewis sighed. "I shouldn't tell you that-"

"And, why not?"

He smiled, "He's as old as I am. We were born at the same time."

She rolled her eyes. "Doesn't count, Lewis. Seriously, this isn't a big deal. I know he's not from here. You, lot, are not from here. I seriously do not-"

"218 years old." Lewis sighed and looked back to see her reaction.

She shook her head and waved her hand. "Alright. I did ask."

"And you're alright with that-"

"He must see me as a child! How could-"

Lewis pointed at her, "No! He sees you as an adult. Not much different in age than he is. Don't worry about that. Age, between species, it's…..a fluid concept. Life expectancies are so different throughout the galaxy."

"Alright. Well, that makes sense."

Lewis sipped his tea and noticed the grin on Jane's face. "What is that, then?"

She grinned back at him, "He asked me to move in here just this morning."

Lewis smiled, "Really?"

"I told him I would consider it. He told me, right before he left, that he was going to return to convince me. Well, Lewis. I'll admit to you. I'm convinced. I don't feel safe going back to my flat. Not ever."

Lewis nodded. "I've copied your things here, already. It's a thing we can do with the ship. Your closet, computer, camera and everything….I put it in the spare room."

She looked surprised, "Really? My stuff is already here?"

"I thought you would feel that way, and know my brother well enough to know that he's not going to allow you back there, at least on your own, for a while. I didn't know where you wanted it, but if you need help moving anything, just ask me. Or one of the guys. We'll get you sorted."

She smiled, "Thank you, Lewis."

He smiled back at her. "You are most welcome."

She looked into her tea, "I really, just don't even know what I'm going to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't feel safe going back to the flat. But, I have all of these appointments-"

"Call your clients and explain that you have had a….umm…..security breach."

She smiled. "Security breach, huh?"

"That's what it is." He reasoned.

She giggled and looked back into her cup of tea. "You remind me of Lance. That sounds like something he would say."

"I have it." He snapped his fingers, "Tell them, you have had to go out of town….unexpectedly for the next few days to deal with a family matter. That's the truth. That will give you some time to think. But, I will tell you that you will have your own detail with you, anytime you go to the studio. You're not going to be on your own in there."

"A bodyguard for me?"

"Absolutely."

She sighed. "I don't know how that will work. That will make my clients nervous."

"Quauthin can phase. We can be in many places at once, or disappear in the shadows. No one, but you, will even know there is anyone there."

"You're talking about that…ghost like thing…that Lance can do."

Lewis chuckled, "I suppose it does look like a ghost. Yes."

They sat sipping their tea for a few minutes. The room had become dark.

Lewis stood up and turned on a lamp. "There. That's better."

She smiled at him. "Thank you."

"So. My brother will be fine. I suppose I should keep you company by telling you embarrassing stories about him."

She giggled, "I probably shouldn't believe what you say. He's warned me about Tony and John."

"That's good advice." He told her as he sat his cup down on the floor.

"There is something I would like to ask you."

"Ask me anything." Lewis smiled warmly at her.

"All of you are Qua…..it's a funny word."

"Quauhtin. Yes."

"Does it mean something?"

"It's known throughout the galaxy as the race of people who protect royalty and influential families. Just like….people from….. Jalikapo are known for their beauty. They also never lie. Genie's father was from there. That's the reason I always go to her, if I need the truth. Even if I don't want to hear it."

"Really?"

"That's the reason her eyes are that odd color. That's something common with them. But, she doesn't know. John feels that it will frighten her at the moment."

She looked back at Lance and smiled. "Lance. Is that even his real name?"

Lewis smiled proudly, "He is Lance. But, he also has a title. Well, all of us do. It changes with each promotion. We don't have…the second name that you lot have here…"

"A surname. He said it was Smith."

"Oh, he lied. I use Smith, too. Hell, John does too. When we speak of one another, it's always with a title. Never just ….'Lewis' or 'Lance'."

She nodded. "What is it?"

"My brother is the 'Honorable Praetor Lance of the Prime Guard of Terra'. I think that's what he's adopted. He's dropped most of it."

"What was the entire thing?"

Lewis thought. "I don't really remember the entire thing. Isn't that terrible? It wasn't in English anyway."

She smiled and looked back at Lance. "I'll have to ask him."

Lewis propped his head up on his fist and looked at Lance.

"What's yours, Lewis?"

He chuckled, "I dropped a lot of mine over the years. You have to. Otherwise you end up with one like John currently has. 'Primus of the Prime Guard of Terra, Princeps of Plentitude, Jalikapo, Andromeda, and Nimiset. Guardian to the Princess Ashena and associate to her father, the King Clagl. Advisor to the leaders of Terra, and Doctor Johnathon Alexander Storm Smith."

He looked back at her confused face.

He smiled, "That's why I just call him John. It's a lot easier to say."

She laughed. "Storm?"

He rolled his eyes. "That a long story. Rose tells it the best."

She smiled and sipped her tea. "You, Lewis, are interesting."

"How do you mean?"

"I've ask you several questions that you've managed to dodge answering. Don't think I've not noticed."

Lewis chuckled as he looked back at her. "Yes, I have."

She sat down her tea glass on the table and wrapped the blanket around herself.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, the sun had just set and it had finally stopped raining. The warm air had moved in and it was comfortable on the island. Tony Stark was walking barefoot through his and Pepper's island home wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top.

"Pepper?" He called.

He walked into their bedroom and found Pepper pacing the floor and talking on the phone. She put her finger over her lips.

He sighed, and put his hands in his pockets. He watched her walk back and forth. Her hair was down and she wore a pair of shorts with an oxford that she had rolled up and tied in the front. He rubbed his chin as he followed her long legs up to where the shorts started, and daydreamed about what he would find there.

Pepper spoke to someone. "Well, that's exactly what he meant."

He looked confused. He pointed at himself and whispered. "Me?"

She pointed at him warningly. "No! He doesn't want to do that."

Tony watched her and crossed his arms. "Who is that?"

"Ugh. I'm sorry, I have another call." She ended the call she was on and groaned.

He grinned, "Liar." He took the phone from her hand and tossed it on the bed.

She was exasperated, "It's the damn press. They want you on television for an interview."

"About what?"

She rose her eyebrows at him. "Did you tell the press that President Howard Shepherd is the reason Rhodey was able to get you out of the desert?"

He nodded his head. "Yes, I did."

"Why? You know they all ask you about that. That's what this is about. They want to interview you, just about that."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Suffering and drama. The press loves that stuff, you know that. That's the reason they always ask you about it."

He ran his hand through his hair. "Well. I could do it."

"Tony, you don't want to do that. You won't even talk about that with me. A reporter would just….hang your feelings out there to get a higher rating. A job promotion. Don't you see? They are using you, and I won't allow them to do that!"

He grinned and put his hands in his pockets. "You're right."

"If you want to talk about that, I'm always here-"

"No! It was a moment of insanity. I don't."

She took his hand in hers. "Tony. You are doing so great with everything."

"Not really-"

"Don't think about this. Don't let this bother you-"

"It's not bothering me." He shrugged his shoulders.

"That's what you would say if it was!"

He pointed at himself and shook his head. "I'm not upset about this!"

"Yes, you are!" She insisted.

He rolled his eyes at her. She was completely wound up at the moment. He scratched his face and tried his best to hide his smile. Her Irish temper was getting the best of her, and he loved it.

"Are you smiling?" She demanded.

He laughed under his breath and held out his hands to her. "I'm sorry. You are just so pissed right now."

She groaned, "Tony."

"And it's not at me!" He grinned at her, "It's turning me on. I won't lie."

"Tony. You've come so far. I just won't let them-" She covered her mouth and closed her eyes tightly.

He quickly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. "Woah. Woah. Woah."

She began to cry as he held her tightly. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and pat his chest. "I'm okay."

"Bullshit." He insisted and didn't let go of her.

She wiped her eyes. "I. Am. Fine." She covered her face and said quietly, "I'm fine. Everything is fine."

He sat down on the end of the bed with her. He lay back, grabbed a tissue from the shelf headboard and wiped her tears. "Look at me." He said quietly.

She looked in his eyes.

"You are not fine. And it's okay to cry."

She bit her lip and tears fell from her eyes again. She took the tissue and wiped her face. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Pepper. Don't let these blood suckers get to you."

She sighed and sat up. "I don't even know why I'm so….angry about this."

He took her hand in his. "What else is going on?"

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "This….with Soli."

"That's enough to scare the hell out of anyone."

"Lance is a tough, scary guy! How the hell did that happen to him?"

Tony kissed her hand. "I need to go check on him. John says he's going to be fine."

"They won't stop until they get him. Will they?" She asked him quietly.

"They won't get him. I won't allow it."

"Where is he?"

"He's at John's. Playing with the kids. Younger kids. I was hoping he would wear himself out, so he could sleep better tonight. Legate just took him over there."

She wiped her tears and shook her head. "Tony. I never thought …."

He smiled and laid his forehead to hers. "Neither did I. We have a little boy, Pepper."

"Gosh, and I love him so much." She closed her eyes and tears ran down her cheeks. "Just the thought of someone wanting to hurt him…"

"Oh yeah. It makes my blood boil." He sat up and rubbed his face. "These things, Pepper, they are scary. It's alright to be frightened of them."

She exhaled. "I feel like a…..terrified child."

"You've never been allowed to be a terrified child. You've always had to be the responsible adult in every situation. It's okay to let someone else take over. Let someone take care of you. Pepper, I won't let them hurt you. And I won't let them hurt him. These Quauthin are sworn to protect all of us. Let them do their job. Let them be in charge of this."

She wiped her tears.

He kissed her forehead. "See, this isn't even about me. I can take care of myself and fight my own battles-"

"Oh, no. No." She insisted. "You fighting your own battles involves lawsuits and settlements."

"When has that happened?" He rolled his neck back in surprise.

She dropped her hands and looked at him seriously.

"You know, you're rather scary when you give me that look. It's a sexy scary."

She smiled in spite of herself.

He grinned, "I love it when you look scary at me."

She smiled and shook her head. "Tony….ugh. You are impossible-"

"To be mad at for long."

She kissed his lips and looked into his eyes. "Thank you, Tony."

"I want to show you something. Do you have minute? I'm sure it will make you feel better."

"I bet I can guess what it is." She rose her eyebrow.

"I bet you can't." He took her hand and walked down the hallway with her. She imagined that he was going to show her plans to something he had been busy drawing all afternoon, since they had been there. Or Soli's math that they both had been working on with him. But, instead, he led her out to the outside deck. The moon showed brightly and everything outside was wet. She was grateful she was barefoot.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I think you'll love it." He told her. He walked past the pool and to the end of a long dock. Small lights illuminated the deck so they could see where they stepped. The water was black because of the cloudy night. She watched him take off his shirt and toss it behind her. "Can you get wet? In this?"

She giggled. "Well…."

He put his hands on his hips. "See? I walked right into that, didn't I?"

She laughed and covered her face. "Oh my God. I'm starting to act like you. What the hell is wrong with me?"

He laughed and jumped into the water. It was only up to his shoulders. He wiped the water out of his face and held out his hands. "Come here. It's not deep."

She took off the oxford she wore, and he saw she was wearing a white bra. It formed her breasts perfectly.

"Why don't you just wear that sort of thing all of the time?"

She laughed and shook her head. "It's a bra-"

"So! Just….well….even go without it, sometime. Maybe. In a white shirt. A wet one."

She rolled her eyes. "This water is dark."

"It's because it's night. It's fine."

She looked down at him. "Are you sure? Swimming in the ocean here?"

He groaned and pointed forcefully at the water. "Get your ass in here, Mrs. Stark!"

She stepped off of the dock and landed in the water. She splashed him as she got in. He rubbed the water out of the face and reached out to hold her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him. She started to float and he picked her up and held her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. They snogged for a few minutes when Pepper felt something large brush against her leg.

"Oh my God! What was that?" She held him tightly.

He laughed. "Pepper. I promise I'll never let anything hurt you."

"That could be a shark!"

"That's a great idea! That's what we can call him."

"Are you telling me that's a shark? I'm getting out."

Just as she said that, a dolphin jumped out of the water about seven feet away from where they stood. Pepper's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Did that really just happen?"

He laughed, "It's been here since this afternoon."

"Oh wow. What does Soli think?"

"Soli wasn't sure of him at first. But, he will let him hang onto him and swim all over the place. He loved that. I don't know if I've ever seen him smile so much."

Pepper laughed. "That's amazing."

"He told me it was way better than working on his maths."

Pepper grinned, "Of course it is."

The dolphin jumped out of the water again a bit further away from them. It looked magical with the moon's reflection against the water.

Pepper said quietly, "That's just…beautiful."

Tony didn't take his eyes off of her as she sat in his arms. "You are beautiful. I love you, Pepper."

She could see her reflection in his eyes. "I love you, Tony."

"Thank you for taking care of me all of this time."

She smiled, "That's my job, Mr. Stark."

He rolled his eyes. "And now it's mine. Mrs. Stark."

She laid her forehead to his.

"You don't always have to be strong. So…powerful. Let me take care of you."

"How do you mean?"

"With everything. I want you to always be happy. I want to make sure, that I'm doing this right."

"You are doing a great job at this Tony."

"You sound surprised by that."

She giggled, "You have surprised me."

"You know, a headmistress of this….school told me that people need to hear something seven times before they remember it."

She continued to lay her forehead to his. "What do I need to remember?"

"I love, love, love, love, love, love, love you. I always will."

She giggled at him. "I'll never forget that now."

He kissed her. She felt him hold her tightly as he licked her lips and slowly sipped his tongue in her mouth. She sucked his bottom lip and managed to catch his tongue in her mouth and suck it a few times. It caused him to moan.

She felt him unfasten her bra and rub her back. He whispered, "Do you want to go back inside?"

The dolphin swam around them. Pepper reached out and touched it. "This is so amazing."

He laughed and turned his head to watch the dolphin swim away. It jumped again as it got into deeper water. She could make out the smile on Tony's face.

"I love it here, Pepper."

She put her hand on his cheek, which made him look back at her.

She smiled, "Let's go inside."

He popped them into the bedroom. They were dripping wet. He held his finger up to tell her to wait. "Hang on a second."

He disappeared into the bathroom and grabbed a towel. When he had returned, she was completely nude. He wrapped the towel around her and dried her off. He watched her breasts bounce as he rubbed her skin with the towel.

She laughed. "Tony. I'm up here."

His head went to her one of her nipples and he began to suck it. He massaged the other breast. She pulled off his wet shorts. He stood up and looked into eyes. "Don't look down. I'm not very impressive at moment."

She laughed at him. "Maybe we should continue this when you're warmer."

He caught her lips with his own again and pulled her close to him. He rubbed her back and smiled at her. "Let's get in the bed. You feel cold."

"You just want to make out?" she asked in surprise.

He smiled, "I've been dying to make out with you."

She started to kiss him again. He walked slowly as they snogged, and pulled the duvet back. They climbed into the bed together, held one another's nude bodies and continued with their kiss.

He lay on top of her and looked into her eyes. "I need to ask you something."

"Oh, God. What is it?"

"I want to tell someone. Well, everyone, about us."

"We agreed to keep it-"

"Yeah, I know. So, I'm thinking…just one person. That's it."

"I bet I can guess who you want to tell."

"I doubt it." He kissed her lips again quickly.

She could feel his hands warming up on her skin as he held her.

"I should tell you, that I told someone." Pepper admitted.

He smiled, "Oh, I know. She called me yesterday morning."

Pepper closed her eyes and laughed in disbelief. "Oh my God. She didn't."

"Well, she called your phone. I answered it thinking it was mine….so….we had a nice conversation."

Pepper covered her face and groaned. "Oh, wow. I worry what she said to you."

He leaned down and kissed her neck. "It was good. Well, except the part where she threatened to send the IRA after me."

Pepper pointed at him. "You should take that seriously."

"Phhh…..some crazy wine maker has that much pull with the IRA? I'm more worried she'll come after me with a cork screw."

Pepper teased. "Live in fear, Mr. Stark."

"I'll tell these Quauhtin to keep a look out." He smiled at her as he looked her in the eyes. "What do you say?"

"Are you impressive yet?"

He chuckled and looked down at himself. "Getting there. You don't like making out?"

She held her hands out, "Well, you're talking to me!"

He crashed his lips into hers. She sipped her hands under the duvet and rubbed his package between both of her hands to encourage it to become stiff. He moaned at her touch.

"That's helping." He whispered, "That's what you want?"

"That's what I always want."

"Oh…..I love you." He said breathlessly as he kissed her neck and chest.

She continued to kiss him as he teased between her legs. "This is all for me?"

"All of me, is for you." She told him. "My sex drive is way too high for the amount of sex we're not having."

He sighed and laid his head to her forehead, "We can work on that. Yes."

"I want it. All of it. So much that it makes you throb when you have flashbacks of what happened later."

Tony couldn't believe what he was hearing. "It's throbbing now."

"You know how to fix that."

He sat up, "And that did it!"

She laughed as he pulled her over to the edge of the bed. He stood beside of the bed and put himself inside of her. She laid her legs on his shoulders and he roughly pounded into her.

She didn't hear his moans, because hers were so much louder.

"More." She begged.

He continued to stroke inside of her. "Oh, you feel so damn good."

He hit just the right spot and she shouted.

He grinned, "That's it. More of that."

She teased her breasts, which make him only pound harder inside of her. The scene overwhelmed his senses. His hips were tired. His back screamed, but the pleasure he was giving her and was worth every stroke. He held onto her legs and continued.

"Don't stop." She begged.

He closed his eyes and put all of his focus, and attention in his strokes. He couldn't stop. She was enjoying so much.

"You're all mine." He growled.

She cried out. He stopped and kissed one of her legs that still on his shoulder. They were both covered in sweat. He found himself completely out of breath. He didn't pull himself out of her and took a deep breath.

"Oh wow. Could you hand me the wipe?"

She reached over to the shelf in the headboard and pulled out a package of after sex wipes she had brought with her. She handed him a few. He pulled himself out of her and cleaned them both up. He tossed them in rubbish and climbed back into the bed next to where she lay. She pulled the duvet over both of them.

"Now, I'm exhausted. And I have to go get Soli."

She rolled over to face him. "But, was it worth-"

"It's always worth it. Never think it's not."

She rubbed his chest and felt him relax. "It's not that late-"

"For him it is. He's going to be tired." He told her with his eyes closed.

She kissed his lips. "I'll call Rose and have John bring him. Are you alright?"

"I'm alright."

She propped her head up on her hand and looked at him. "You're not. What's wrong?"

He opened his eyes and looked surprised at her. "Now, how the hell do you know that?"

She rose her eyebrows at him. "I always know, Tony."

He sighed and rolled over on his back.

"It's not something with me, is it-"

"No! God, no." He insisted.

She rubbed his chest, "Then, what is it?"

"I had another one of those damn panic attacks."

She sat up and looked at him. "When?"

The duvet fell off of her chest, exposing her breasts to him. He looked back at her and grinned, "This is the best angle."

She sighed, "When, Tony?"

"One last night, after you and Soli went to sleep." He rose his hand and cupped her breast. "And another one this morning."

She was trying to stay calm about the entire thing. She took his hand and he brought it to his mouth to kiss. "I haven't told John. I know that's the next thing you're going to ask me."

"You need to tell him."

He closed his eyes and sighed. "He'll want to look in my head again. I think it's because of what happened last night."

"Is this why you are asking about telling someone about us? You want to tell John, don't you?"

"Nope!"

"Tony, you can tell him. If he needs to look in your head to fix this-"

Tony covered his eyes and sighed.

"You never came back to bed last night. Did you even sleep?"

"No. Soli was frightened. I stayed downstairs on the couch and held him, so he could sleep."

She sighed, "This is why you probably had the panic attacks. You haven't rested. Well, wait, did Soli see you-"

He shook his head and rubbed his face. "No. He didn't see either one. No one did."

She looked out of the window and took a deep breath. She wasn't sure what to do.

"You keep telling me how far I've come. Pepper, I really haven't-"

"These things take time." She told him encouragingly.

He groaned. It was clear he was disappointed. "I'm just tired of being sick. It's been years since I could honestly tell someone that I'm alright."

"Tony. You just need to sleep. Are you taking that medicine-"

"No. It knocks me out as much as the other one did."

She weaved her fingers with his. "Take the medicine. I can call for help if I need to. You have to sleep. And that seems to work. How bad was this panic attack? As bad as the last time?"

He shook his head. "No. It was worse."

She leaned down and kissed his lips. "You, are exhausted. Take the medicine, and sleep."

He closed his eyes and groaned. "Fucking medicine. It's always some…medicine with me."

She pointed forcefully at him, "And you're going to take it! Don't make this worse, Tony-"

"How could it be worse?" He threw his hands out.

She glared at him. "You, could piss me off about this."

He looked at her and considered what she had said. "Fine. I'm not going to piss off the Irish lass."

She smiled, "Wise move there, Mr. Stark."

He rolled back over to face her. "I need a few minutes, then I'll get up and get that medicine. It's, just there, in the bathroom."

"I'll get you some clothes. Just lay there." She rolled over and stopped. Then she rolled back over and kissed his lips. "I need a few minutes."

He smiled and grunted, "Oh yeah."

She caressed his tired face. "That was amazing."

She kissed his lips as they lay in the bed and continued to catch their breath.

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