Thank you everyone that send me your sweet review and PMs. Your words were really sweet and inspire me to keep writing.
I hope you all like this chapter.
Pepper drove to Stark Industries thinking about Tony's new motivation. She still didn't like it. The idea of him fighting the crime made her blood run cold. But after their talk and confessions at the workshop she could understand a little bit more of what set this new attitude off. Again, she thought, Tony was being noble. More than she ever thought that he could be.
When the main building of Stark Industries came to her view Pepper stop thinking about her boss and started to focus on her mission. She wanted to get in and out fast. Preferably without being seen by anyone, especially Obadiah Stane.
Pepper walk past the secretary's' desk, thankfully they were empty, and she walk fast to Tony's office and slowly opens the door. Pepper gave one last look behind her to make sure nobody saw her, and then close the door securing her privacy in the room.
She sat at Tony's chair and opened his computer. She made sure to follow every instruction that he gave her. She connected the lock ship at his computer and saw a message of "security breach" show up at the screen.
She concentrated and seconds later, she was able to find the files that Tony was talking about.
Curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to open some of those files before copy them to Tony's drive. Just like Tony told her, all the proof was there. Information's of the weapons that Mr. Stane sold under the table. She already knew that, Tony had already told her about Obadiah's betrayal, even so, seeing those file made everything more real.
But there was something more. A new project that Stane also was trying to hide. Pepper open the file and saw the blueprints of the project. She couldn't help to notice how similar it was from Tony's suit.
Then a new file came to her attention. She opened the video file hoping to see some more of his super-secret project, but instead what it opened shocked her even more, so much that she felt like the world had turn upside down.
In the video, there was terrorists holding guns pointing it to a man whose face she couldn't see due to a bag on his head. But Pepper didn't need to see. She was pretty sure she knew who this man was. Even so, when one of the terrorist took out the bag from the man's head her heart stop at the view of Tony and how beaten he was. She felt nauseous.
What is this? There was no video! The terrorist send a video to Obadiah and he kept it quiet?! Why?! Why would he do that?
One of the man in the video was saying something, but Pepper couldn't understand what it was. She open the translation program and wait for the computer do its job. Seconds later, she started to listen in English what the man was saying.
"You did not tell us that the target you paid us to kill was The Great Tony Stark".
The man kept talking but Pepper wasn't paying attention anymore.
"…the target you paid us to kill" It was all that she was thinking.
"…you paid us to kill" Obadiah's betrayal was worse than what Tony could imagine.
How could he do this? It was Tony! The son of Obadiah's best friend. The boy that he saw growing up. Tony was many things. He made them crazy on regular basis. But kill him?!
Obadiah has gone insane! That's the only explanation because she refuse to believe that he never liked Tony. She couldn't believe that. It would be devastating to think that after all these years he just tolerate Tony because he had to.
Pepper couldn't stop staring at the screen. She couldn't take her eyes off Tony's image. He was beaten and bloody and… oh god! He look so lost!
She remind herself that he was okay now, safe at his house and that she needed to copy this. Tony needs to see this. He is in danger. If Obadiah was capable of making a plan so elaborate as it was Tony's kidnap, than he was capable of many worse things!
The computer started to copy and she was trying to calm herself. What she was going to do once she left this office?
I need to go to the authorities. No. Tony needs to see this first, but what if-
"So…" A voice from the man that she was fearing interrupt her thoughts. Pepper look up scared. How long was he there? Did he heard the video translation? Does he know that she knows? "What are we going to do about this?" he spoke entering at Tony's office.
He knows! She panic. But when he left the door open she try to calm herself. He is not going to do anything here… there's too many people around. Stay calm.
She was always a terrible liar, and she knew that. Question was, does Obadiah knows? How well does he know her? Will she be able to play him?
He walk to Tony's bar and took a glass of whisky, smiling casually and saying something about Tony's good taste in things. Pepper took advantage that he was distracted and turn the screensaver on to hide the screen while the files were being copied.
"I was so happy when he came home". He spoke walking close to her to look at the computer screen. Thankfully, images of the Tony's Red Hot were playing; with a little lucky he wouldn't make any movements to interrupt the screensaver. "It was like we got him back from the dead. Now I realize, Tony never really did come home, did he? He left a part of himself in that cave. It breaks my heart".
Pepper wanted nothing more than to hit this man. How can someone be so fake, so deceiving! But she force herself to smile polite.
"He is a complicated person" she spoke hoping that he would be satisfied with that, but he keep looking at her waiting for her to continue. "He's been through a lot. But I think, he will be alright".
He drank his whiskey and silently look at her. Pepper wonder if he knew she was trying to play him, to buy some time. He look at her from top to bottom, his look was making her even more nervous. She needed to get out of there. Now!
"You are a very rare woman". He spoke and she gave him a flat smile. "Tony doesn't know how lucky he is". She smile nervous. Where did that came from?
"Thank you". She started to get up from the chair casually to not mess with the computer and take the screensaver off. "I better get back there". Carefully she took Tony's drive from the computer and hid it at her hand with the newspaper. She started to walk to the door.
"Is that today's paper?" she froze at his voice. He saw it! She feared. "Can I?" She gave him the paper making sure her fist were close securing the drive. "Puzzles" he joked.
"Of course". She gave him a dry smile and started to walk again, leaving him behind.
When she was sure that he had stayed at the office, she started to walk fast. As fast as she could. She needed to get out of there. Somewhere safe. As far away from him as possible. She needed to call the authorities.
She was walking down the stairs and saw Stane look at her from the top.
If he didn't knew then, now he knows. The look he was giving her… she was sure if looks could kill, she would be dead already.
"Miss Potts". A man called her when she reach the end of the stairs. She look up and recognize the man. He was a government agent. Authorities! Couldn't be a better timing. "Did you forget about our appointment?" he asked her politely.
Pepper look up, Stane was still there, she keep walking fast and made a sign for the Agent to follow her.
"No. Right now". She told him and he started to follow her. "Your office".
They walk together for the parking lot of Stark Industries and she enter in his car. A black sedan.
"So many things happened that I don't even know where to begin!"
"Where is Mr. Stark?" he asked turning the engine on. "I need to talk to him-"
"This is more important. I will explain everything but right now there's a man on that building." She pointed for the Stark Industries main building. "That needs to be arrested".
On the way to Agent Coulson's office Pepper explain to him the stories that Tony had told her about the cave. What the terrorists wanted, and most important, how Tony made his way out.
The Agent didn't seem impressed by her revelations. When they arrived at his office, she insisted that they look at the drive on her hand. The Agent gave a quick look at the files and the video.
"Now you understand what I'm talking about?" Pepper asked. "You need to arrest him. He is gone crazy, he-"
"Miss Potts we will take care of this. But right now we need to alert Mr. Stark. Call him". He order her and turn to another agent making arrangements for their action. Pepper didn't pay attention to that and started to call for Tony. She called directly to the mansion knowing that he, not JARVIS, would answer.
It rang one… It rang two… It rang three…
Come on Tony! Pick up the damn phone!
On the fourth ring Tony finally answered.
"Tony?" she called, but he didn't say anything.
"Tony? Are you there?" She insisted, but nothing. No sound came from the other side of the line. "Hello?" but the phone got disconnected. She frowned. Agent Coulson was still giving orders to his subordinates. Pepper try to call Tony again, but this time nobody answered.
Something is wrong!
"Did you talk to him?" Agent Coulson asked her.
"I can't reach him. He answered but was in silence and now he is not even picking up the phone". She said in panic trying to think what could have happened with her boss.
"Miss Potts we need you to come with us to Stark Industries".
"I- I need to get to Tony".
"This can't wait. If Obadiah manage to power his suit we are all in great danger. " She thought for a second.
"Okay.. but I need to make a phone call". They started to walk back to the garage while Pepper was dialing Colonel James Rhodes's phone.
"Hello!"
"James! Thank God! I need you to check on Tony"
"What? Pepper I can't I have-"
But Pepper didn't wait for him to finish and stated to explain everything to him.
"Please go over there and make sure he is okay". She asked.
"Okay. Okay… I'm going there now. I'll call you".
"Thank you Rhodey". She hang up the phone feeling a little more calm now that someone was going to check on Tony. "I know a shortcut". She told the agents and enter at their car.
They drove at full speed to Stark Industries, taking only a couple of minutes to get there.
"It's here". They get out of the car and Pepper opened the door of them using her card key. "Sector 16…" she search and finally found the entrance that she was looking for. "It's over there," she pointed.
When they arrived at yellow door Pepper try her card key but it was rejected. Weird. Her card had access to all sectors of Stark Industries. She tried one more time.
"Access denied". Again!
"It's not working".
Agent Coulson took something from his colleague and trapped it at the door.
"You might want to take a few steps back". He told her and the device turn red. Pepper run back and protected her ears waiting for a huge explosion. But compared to the noise she was expecting it was relative low, but effective. The door was open. She and the agents entered at the place.
"We are looking for a robot suit" spoke Agent Coulson to his agents. "Find it".
They started to walk around. She let the agents at the front. Her heart was racing fast. All Pepper wanted to do was get out of there and see if Tony was okay. Rhodey still haven't called her. But they need to deal with Obadiah first. And if they arrest the suit now than it would be less danger to get the man that planned Tony's death.
The sector was dark but Agent Coulson was able to find an iron suit.
"You were right" he spoke. Pepper look at the rudimental iron thing. It wasn't as classy as Tony's.
"I thought… it would be bigger" she spoke. Agent Coulson and the other agents started to deal with this suit when a noise caller her attention. She walk a little further into the sector.
Pepper felt like she was in a slow motion. At a dark corner of the room she saw it's eyes light up and then it stand up. Pepper could see the armor now. It was big. Way bigger then Tony's.
She felt a rush of adrenaline on her body and everything started to happen really fast! She scream and started to run while Obadiah, in that suit, run after her. Pepper could hear the agents firing against it but it was useless, the thing keep going. She run as fast as she could in those heels. Luckily she had some experience having to deal with Tony's "emergencies".
Once she was out of the building, Pepper was lost. She was alone and terrified!
What now? What do I do? What can I do?
She couldn't see the agents anymore. Pepper didn't know if they were alive or dead. How could Stane do this? She didn't know how to answer that, her mind was running fast remembering the man that she met almost 9 years ago, the businessman, Tony's mentor and father figure; and the man she saw today, the one capable to elaborate a sick plan to kill his best friend's son, that attack government agents and try to kill her. Was he always this psycho? Or somewhere on the way he changed? She didn't know.
Her phone started to ring and she automatically answered.
"Pepper". She heard Tony's voice on the other side of the line. It's amazing how his voice could calm her nerve a little bit! If he called, he was okay right?
"Tony! Are you okay?" she asked turning to the building entrance waiting to see any signs of the agents.
"I'm fine" he answered and that's all she needed to know. She started to talk to him, trying to explain the situation.
"Obadiah, he's gone insane" but Tony was also speaking to her, she didn't know what exactly he was talking; the only thing that she manage to understand was Tony asking her to get out of there.
At that time, when she finally shut up and heard him, she felt the ground shake, she turn her head to the source of it. Again, things seems to happen in slow motion. A couple feet behind her Obadiah manage to make his way out of the building destroying the ground. He emerge from it staring at her. Pepper look at the cold expression of the armor suit but could feel the hate emanating from it's eyes.
There was no way she could run now. Nowhere to hide. Pepper had frozen as Obadiah pointed a gun for her.
"Your services are no longer required". He spoke sarcastically. So this is how she was going to die?
"Stane!" she heard a yell coming from behind her. Pepper and Stane turn to see a small armor suit coming for them at full speed.
"Tony!" Pepper spoke as the red suit hit the big grey one. Both of them ended up destroying Stark Industries' wall and in the streets while Pepper stay alone in the parking lot. She watched hopeless as they fight with each other unable to help Tony.
She felt her heart literally stop when Stane hit Tony with a missile causing a huge explosion. But seconds later she was able to see Tony's suit in the air. Tony was right, the suit is more resistant than it looks.
Pepper was alone, afraid, she couldn't see Tony anymore. She was scared of what Obadiah could do to him. Tony's suit proof to be resistant but Obadiah's was just so big! She didn't know how long she was there when Tony called her again.
"Potts" Pepper heard Tony call her whispering her name.
"Tony!" relieved to hear his voice again.
"We have to overload the reactor and blast the roof". She narrowed her eyes trying to understand what he was saying. Blast the roof?!
"How are you going to do that"? She asked.
"You are going to do it" he whispered.
What? He can't be serious! She thought while Tony gave her the explanations of how to explode the reactor.
"Wait until I'm out of the roof and press the button" he finally spoke. Pepper was never an adventure person; she did not have enough courage for adrenaline things. But this situation was different. This was for Tony's sake. Tony's life was in danger. He was fighting a crazy man and needed her help to defeat him. It was all or nothing, and for Tony she would do anything.
Feeling a rush of adrenaline take over her body, Pepper entered in the building again and did what Tony told her to. She could hear the noises of their fight on the roof. When she finally did it, she look up to see Tony standing at the glass roof.
"It's ready Tony, get out of there," she told him though the phone but Stane shot the glass trying to kill Tony. When the glass shards stop falling she look up to see Tony trying to hold himself and avoid Stane bullets at the same time.
"Pepper!" he yelled now that he no longer had the helmet on his head. "Hit the button!"
"You told me not to!" she yelled back. That were his orders right? Get the reactor ready to explode and wait for him to leave! If she hit this button he while he was still there she could kill him.
This isn't happening! I can not be responsible for his death! – She thought as she heard one of Stane's missile hit one side of the roof.
"Just do it!" Scream Tony louder.
"You will die!" she cried looking at him. Stane shot again. This time the missile hit a little more closer to Tony. It was a matter of time until Stane finally hit him.
"Push it!" Tony yelled.
I'm sorry Tony! She thought crying as he did what he said and started to run off the building.
She heard a huge noise followed by a blue light and screams! Seconds later the whole building around her went black without of power. That little peace didn't last much longer until the reactor and the building around it explode. Some flames came to the parking lot and Pepper felt hand around her waist pushing her away from the fire. She look to see and recognize Agent Coulson.
"Are you okay?" he asked her but she didn't pay attention, Pepper was looking at the roof searching for any movements of Tony.
"Tony… he is upstairs". She cried. The Agent turn his attention to where she was looking.
"Fire escape" he pointed. Pepper didn't have to be told twice. She climb up the stairs to the roof followed close by the Agent.
When they got there, Pepper saw Tony unconscious on floor. The light of the reactor on his chest was flashing, struggling to keep on.
"Tony!" Pepper yelled.
"We need to get him off this suit". Spoke Agent Coulson with a calm voice that only men trained like him would have in moments like this.
"I- I don't know how to do this". Pepper told him nervous. "Tony!" She called him, but it was worthless, the scientist didn't move. Coulson look around Tony looking for a way to get the suit out. "I- I'm going to call JARVIS. He can give us some instruction". She spoke already dialing the number.
"Good evening miss Potts" The British computer answered.
"JARVIS. I need instructions to get Tony out of the suit".
"I lost contact with Mr. Stark when the suit came with 2 percent of battery"
"2 percent?" That means that Tony was close to death.
"The suit requires energy Miss Potts. Take out the suit and the reactor should have enough energy to keep Mr. Stark safe".
The A.I. system gave her the instructions of how to take the suit off. Agent Coulson followed her orders and minutes later Tony was free of the metal suit, the light on his chest became more stable but he was still unconscious.
"Tony" Pepper whispered holding her tears kneeling next to him. Was she responsible for this? For his death? He told her to push the button, and she did, even though she knew he could die. But that's what he wanted right? To stop Stane. The only way. Right?
She hold his head on her lap and she could feel his chest moving. A wave of relief invaded her body.
Thank God! He is alive.
"Help is on its way" spoke Coulson somewhere next to her. She didn't care enough to look. Pepper was far more worried with the man on her lap now. He was so beaten! In more than one way. Stane betrayal was deep. And Tony already had trust issues, and he had trusted the man with everything he had, and yet, Stane tried to steal his company and kill him, twice. And from what she heard them talking during the battle, he was never a Tony's fan.
She run her hand through his soft brown hair and watch as he eyebrows frowned. He slowly open his eyes and Pepper smiled relieved to see those puppy dogs' eyes again. He took a moment to look around him, and ignoring the mess of destruction around them he gave Pepper a charming smile.
"I don't know what I did, but I would gladly do it again if that means that I would wake up on your lap one more time" he spoke and Pepper let out a small laugh.
"No. And don't get too comfortable, this is a one time thing".
"You do realize that I just fought against a giant iron suit right?" he tug his head further on her lap and took a deep breath smiling content. "I think I earn it. Let's not get out of this roof like… ever". Pepper laugh again at his attempts.
"Nice try. You need medical attention and-"
"No"
"Tony".
"No hospitals".
"Tony, you need to-"
"What I need is a new chest piece and I will be good as new. I'm almost out of power. Stane stole mine. This is the old one". Pepper narrowed her eye. "The one that you left as a gift for me". He saw as Pepper jaw drop at her realization. "It save my life. Thanks Pep".
Not trusting her emotions to answer him she simply smile and nod at him. He smile back at her. Both were lost in the moment. Staring at each other unaware of the fuss around them. Until a voice took them out of their world.
"Mr. Stark"
Tony look at the voice and recognize the Agent.
"Yeah. Yeah. You are the guy from that agency with a strange and huge name". Pepper let out a sigh still smiling at her boss behave. Agent Coulson just smile at him.
"Come on. Let's get you on that helicopter". He pointed at the silent and black helicopter a couple meters from them.
Pepper look confused. When did that helicopter land?
"Yeah about that…" spoke Tony struggling to get up. "I need you to drop me at my house". He hold on Pepper for support as they started to walk.
"We need to debrief you". Reply Coulson fast.
"You are kidding right?" Spoke Pepper visibly showing her disagreement. "Look how beat he is".
"I understand Miss Potts. But we still have a lot to talk with Mr. Stark and after tonight my boss want to talk to him in person".
"You guys can do all the talk you want with him after he got medicated and patched up".
"I wouldn't argue with her if I were you. She is badass. It's scary sometimes". Quietly spoke Tony and Coulson only smile. In response, Pepper gently hit his shoulder making Tony smile back at her.
"Very well". Agreed the agent. "Then I'm going with you… We have a lot to deal after this".
During the fly back to Tony's house, he took a nap on Pepper's shoulders. The fight was fast and in silence. When the helicopter landed on Tony's heliport, Pepper woke him up and she and Coulson help him out.
Once inside the house Tony gave JARVIS orders to prepare a new chest piece while Pepper run for the first aid kit.
"Miss Potts" Coulson quietly called her when she was back with the kit. "Is there a place where I can work while I wait for Mr. Stark".
"Oh yes. You can use my office". Pepper showed him the way and make sure he had everything he needed. After that, her attention were back on Tony that were at the workshop working on the new reactor.
"Take your clothes off" she spoke as she entered the shop. Tony spin his chair to look at her and smile.
"Pepper I don't know what kind of man you think I am… but at least buy me a drink first".
"Very funny…" She spoke seriously. "Take them off". She pointed at his pants.
"You know…" he get up and start to do what she said. "I waited almost 9 years to hear you say that! So how this is going to be?" he asked taking his shirt off and getting close to her using his best charming smile.
Typical. – Pepper thought fighting a smile. She was so happy to see him well after the nightmare that was today, so relief that his heart was still beating that he was walking around like the erratic puppy that he is; so glad that she didn't kill him when she pushed that button, that she decided to tease him a little. She put her free hand on his chest reactor and pushed him for the couch next to them.
"You are going to lay there like the good boy you are-" she spoke in a low voice with only make Tony smile even more.
"This is getting good". He murmured excited and did what she said.
"While I'm…" she spoke letting her face get close to his body, she paused to look at him and saw the he was looking at her with anxious wide eyes and "…going to… spay antiseptics on your wounds" she spoke spraying some of the medicine at his injured skin at the same time.
"Ouch! It hurts!" he cried.
"Don't be a baby you need this". She continued her work. "It's rather this or the Hospital. Your choice".
"You tricked me!" He pouted. She smile at her victory and at his cute frustrated face.
"Well, you better get used to it if you want to keep flying that thing".
After Tony was medicated, Pepper started to call for Stark Industries Public Relations. They needed to explain what happen at the factory.
It didn't take long after that and Tony already had his new chest piece. Rhodey met with them that night while Pepper, Tony and Agent Coulson work at their cover story.
"I will finish work on the details and I will meet with you tomorrow". Spoke Coulson getting up. "After that, my boss would like to have a word with you Mr. Stark". Tony nod in agreement.
"The press conference is scheduled at 9am". Informed Pepper.
"I'll be there". Spoke Coulson before he leave the mansion leaving Tony, Pepper and Rhodey alone.
"Are you okay?" quietly question the colonel. Pepper look at Tony who just gave them an empty smile and nod.
"Yeah of course" he reassured his friends but none of them bought it. "I beat up an iron monster… I'm like… a superhero!" then he started to speak excited. "We should start thinking about names for my secret identity. What about Redtanium? Or I could paint an SS for Super Stark at the suit! Then again my identity wouldn't be secret if it has my name on it"
They let Tony ramble about super-hero names for a while knowing very well that it was his coping mechanism. They laugh at some stupid names he pointed out.
"You are not a superhero". Spoke Pepper after a while and Rhodey nod in agreement.
"I am!" spoke Tony.
"Really?" Questioned Pepper smiling at him. "What's your superpower?"
"I'm super smart".
"That's not a thing Tony". Spoke Rhodey. "You don't have super powers therefore you are not a superhero".
"I'm super rich, like Batman, who also don't have super powers… so it opens a precedent for me to be a superhero".
They joke for a while more. After that, Tony had already gone to his room to change into something more comfortable when Rhodey decided to leave.
"I'll meet you tomorrow" he spoke with Pepper.
"Thank you for your help".
"You don't need to thank me". He look at the stairs where Tony had disappeared a while ago. "Take care of him. He is far from okay".
"I know… I'll be here tonight".
"Call me if you need anything".
After Rhodey was gone, Pepper went to check on Tony at his room. His door was open and she quietly entered. He had his back for her and was facing at the window quietly, his head a little down. She watched him for a few moments before knocking at the door making her presence known. Tony quickly try to pretend that he was busy.
"Hey" he look at her.
"Rhodey went home". She told him.
"Mkay".
"You need something?"
He gave that empty smile at her again and she questioned why did even try to hide it from her.
"I'm good Pep".
She decided not to push him. He was under too much stress today she didn't need to add more. He will speak when he feel the need to, it was always like this.
"I'm going to sleep on the other room-"
"Your room" he smile. "It is yours, you know that". She smile in agreement.
"Call me if you need anything Mr. Stark".
"Good night Miss Potts…"
Pepper left his room and went to hers. She took a long relaxing bath and put her pajamas on.
Oh god! What a day!
She tried to calm herself down to get some sleep but she still had a lot of adrenaline running through her blood.
After hours reviving every second of that day, sleep got the best of her and she finally drift to the dreamland.
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