I want to thank everyone for reading this, especially to: oneiroitane, spidey231, ShadowWind0156, ribootz, SkysHigh and Guest. that send me their lovely review!
I hope the characters aren't too OOC and that you all enjoy this chapter as well .
Warning: Spoilers from Iron Man 2.
Note: I don't own anything I just want to write the story in Pepper Potts POV. Please don't sue me.
Once in New York, Pepper went straight to Stark Industries Buildings. She has a day full with meetings with their investors and she wants to assure them that, despite the events in Monaco and Tony's birthday party, Stark Industries was still reliable and stronger than ever. The Expo was there to prove it. It was a huge success. She had to admit, even though she was against it a first, the Expo, now, was their best propaganda, every day thousands of people visit it and scientists from all over the world were coming to show their research and innovations.
That was something, right? In this chaos that she had been living over the past week.
Convincing the investors wasn't easy. They want answers and she didn't have it at that moment: Who was Vanko? How did he manage to get that technology? How did the army manage to get the suit? What they are going to do to get the suit back? Where is Iron Man? What the hell is Tony Stark doing?
Now that is a very good question, and she wants the answer to that first and as soon as possible! What Tony was thinking?!
After a meeting that felt like it lasted forever, Pepper was resting in her office. She manage to get ten minutes of peace before Happy opens the door.
"Boss the car is ready". Spoke Happy. "You okay?" he asked walking closer to her.
"Yeah. Just tired". She spoke getting up and walking to the bathroom to check on her. "I can't believe that is only been a week that I took this job". She spoke with the driver.
He smile a little. "You will get used to the new routine".
"Tell you what, if every week turn out to be like this, I don't know if I will be able to survive!"
"You survived Tony! And you are doing pretty well so far". She gave herself one last look in the mirror before walking to her friend. "Ready to go?" Ask the driver. "It's almost time for Hammer's presentation. Natalie is waiting for you by the car".
"Yeah… let's go".
Just as Happy told her, Pepper met with Natalie at the car. As Happy drive to the Expo, the two women were working on a way to get the suit out of the hands of the army. It took them almost 40 minutes to get at the Expo.
As Happy drive to the main stage where Hammer would do his presentation, Pepper stop working to look around. The place was full! There were all kind of people there, adults, teenagers, children (Some using the Iron Mask, or with an Iron Man shirt)… They all look like they were having a good time. Once again, Pepper had to admit, even though this Expo cause them a lot of troubles, it was indeed a good thing, Tony was right about it.
Not for the first time on that day, her thoughts came back to Tony, his erratic behavior and his strange visit to the office.
"I need you too that's what I'm trying to say". She could still hear his voice saying that and the awkward moment that it follow his confession.
What did he mean by that? She questioned again, she didn't want to jump into conclusions afraid to be hurt and disappointed. But before she could start to analyze Tony any further Natalie spoke to her.
"Miss Potts, we are here".
The CEO look up and recognize the main stage entrance. Happy inform them that he would let the car parked there if they need something, and the two women enter at the stage.
Their seats were at the front to give them a better vision of the stage. They didn't have to wait much. Soon the lights went off and Hammer enters at the stage dancing. A very awkward dance. It was so weird to watch him at the stage doing that, that Pepper and Natalie exchange some glances. But even so, he had some shyly applause.
Hammer dance until he was at the center of the stage where he began his speech. And just like Pepper feared he start talking about Iron Man and how unfair it was for them not to have access to that technology.
Pepper took a deep breath. Oh God! I can't catch a break!
Hammer did some jokes and laugh alone at the stage since the audience didn't.
"Ladies and gentleman. I present to you the new face of US military" spoke Hammer introducing his Hammers Drones.
Pepper and Natalie could only stare as the drones were, one by one, present at the stage. Their design were very similar to Tony's Iron Man. After that, he start talking about the need of a man presence in the battle.
That's when Pepper had the biggest surprise of the night – so far. Hammer introduce a suit that had as a pilot no one other than James Rhodes. Pepper watch as the Mark II is displayed for the people. There was no question that it was Rhodey there.
I can't believe that Rhodey is doing this! Why would he let Hammer use the suit like this?! After the talk we had? What is he doing?
This was a nightmare! It would only make it harder for them to get the suit back. Around her, people were applauding Hammer and the Colonel.
Hammer start his speech again only to be interrupt by a noise coming from above them. Pepper turn to look at the noise to see Tony, in the Iron Man suit, flying for the main stage.
Oh God! What is he going to do now? Thought Pepper afraid since she couldn't trust Tony's behave anymore.
Tony land next to James and people around them went crazy! Yelling, applauding, taking pictures, screaming Tony's or Iron Man's name… a complete contrast from the apathetic crowd during Hammer's speech.
She saw as Tony and Rhodey talk to each other but due to the noise of the people she couldn't hear what they were saying. Tony walk to where Hammer was and question him about something.
Pepper could only hear: "What?" "Who?" because of Hammer's microphone and she saw as the other CEO became visible tense.
There is something going on! Tony wouldn't come here just to provoke Hammer.
The following events happened fast. She saw as Tony turns to Rhodey and took a battle position and Mark II pointed a gun to Iron Man. Sudden, all Hammer's drones were doing the same.
Iron Man fly out of the stage at the same time that people starts to run in panic. Hammer was the first one that run and left the stage as Iron Man, War Machine and the Hammer drones start to fight.
In the middle of this mess, in her mind Pepper had a brief moment imagine all the nightmare and headache that this will cause them. But she couldn't worry or think about the consequences or the PR nightmare that this will do to the company. Pepper was the CEO of Stark Industries, and all this mess was happening in her property. It was her responsibility. She need to take care of this people, she need to get this people out.
Pepper decided to go to the backstage, talk with the security staff and look at the cameras. She could make better decisions and give better orders from there.
It was hard to get there since everyone was trying to walk at the opposite direction that she wants to go. But eventually she manage it. Natalie help her a lot with that.
She saw as the technicians try to reprogram the drones and were falling. Hammer was also there.
"He locked us out of the mainframe" spoke one of the guys as Pepper and Natalie approach.
"Who locked you out of the mainframe?" Question Pepper making Hammer lost his temper and try to stop them to get at the technicians.
"Go away! I've got this handle". He spoke.
"Have you?" question Pepper. She doubt. Hammer's men look just as lost as he was.
"If your guy hadn't showed up, this wouldn't be happening" spoke the man blaming Tony for this mess. Now, Tony was guilty of a lot of thing over the past few weeks, but Pepper was certain that he didn't cause this. "Go away! Thank you!" he spoke angry and turn his back to Pepper. She listen to him murmur with the security man "We need to get this bitches out of here".
Pepper could only look at him. It was unbelievable! How dare he? How dare he speak about them like that?
Natalie also lost her temper and approach the other CEO holding him by the arm and in a fast movement, she immobilized him. It was so precise, effective and so fast that it caught Pepper by surprise.
Again, she question how Natalie was capable to do all these things.
"Who is behind this?" she head Natalie question Hammer.
"Ivan. Ivan Vanko". Answered the CEO.
Vanko. Wasn't that guy that tried to kill Tony in Monaco? She remembered. Tony was also investigating him.
"Where is he?" questioned Natalie.
"At my facility".
Hammer is working with Vanko! Oh no! She knew that Tony was out there fighting and she couldn't do much to protect him. But she still could do something. She dial on her cellphone as Natalie run away from that scene.
"I need NYDP" spoke Pepper.
"No, no, no. Don't call the authorities, honey". Hammer try to talk to talk to her. Okay, now she was "honey" what happen with "bitches"? She thought sarcastically.
"Step aside" order Pepper with a firm voice. Still with the police on the line, she approach the technician. "Tell me everything you know".
The man explained to Pepper how the drones work and who programmed them. At that moment, Hammer tries to explain himself.
"Look, it's not what it looks like"
"Really?" Spoke Pepper firmly. "Because it looks like you hired the guy that cause the attack on Monaco and he is now doing the same thing here with your support and resources".
"Hey! That's not what happen!" Try to talk Hammer using an intimidating tone of voice. But Pepper didn't flinch and stare back at him as she spoke with the technician.
"Can you understand his program? Can you see his command?"
"I can try" spoke the man as he start typing as a mad man. A few moments passed and the three of them were in silence. The only noise was the technician typing and the drones outside.
"Each set of drones it's communicating in its own unique language". Explain the technician.
That was clever. Vanko made everything he could to make it hard for them to hack and stop their actions. But this is a man that manage to do a copy of the Reactor. He could not be underestimate.
"Choose one set of drones and focus on them". Order Pepper and the man try to do what she said.
What Hammer was thinking when he ally himself with this terrorist?
She knew that Hammer wants to take the place of Stark Industries and Pepper always thought that Justin, at some point, envy Tony for his success and natural charisma. But to make an alliance with a terrorist? The same man that tried to kill Tony? She never thought that he was capable of that!
She sat closer to the technician and watch him work for a few moments. He was trying, hard! But he was falling.
"What happen?" he ask moving his hand away from the keyboard. "The codes are being rewritten… I haven't done anything".
Pepper came closer to the screen and saw the numbers and letters appearing by themselves.
"Is it possible that someone else is hacking into the system?" she asks still looking at the screen.
"I… I- I think so". He spoke nervous.
It's gotta be JARVIS.
"But it's only…" spoke the technician, "… it's only in one drone… see all the others here?" he pointed at the other screen. "There's nothing going on here".
"Well then, focus on them. Try to hack them"
"Okay" he murmured and moved himself to the other screen and start to type again.
Pepper watch for a few more moments as the codes were being written on the screen thinking that was JARVIS doing the job, until the message "System access" appeared in front of them.
Seconds later Pepper saw as a video screen shows Tony and Natalie's face.
"You got your best friend back". Spoke Natalie to Tony. That made Pepper frown.
Did she just hack into the system? Pepper thought too surprised to voice her question. Natalie was always surprising her. How she is able to do that? And where is she?
"Thank you, Agent Romanoff" spoke Tony.
Agent? She is an Agent?! And Tony knew that? Thought Pepper feeling a little betrayed. Why Tony didn't told her that Natalie was an Agent? That explain a lot of Natalie's abilities…
But her surprises were far from over as she kept listen to their conversation. Both, Tony and Natalie, seem to be unaware of her presence.
"Well done with the new chest piece". Spoke Romanoff. "Your vitals look promising".
Why is she talking about Tony's health? What was wrong with his old chest piece?
"Yes!" Spoke Tony sounding relieved. "For the moment, I'm not dying".
What?! What?! - "Wha-… what do you mean with that?" She manage to voice her concerns and make her presence known by the two of them. "'You are not dying'? Did you just say you're dying?" Pepper already could feel her heartbeat increase just at the idea of Tony dying.
"Ahhh.. Is that you?" Question Tony. His relaxed and relieved tone were gone now and he answer to Pepper a little nervous. " No, I'm not… Not anymore anyway"
"'Not anymore'?! What's going on?" Question Pepper raising her voice. And Tony start to spoke trying his best not to sound nervous.
"I was going to tell you… but I didn't want to alarm you".
"You were gonna tell me?! You really were dying?" she question almost screaming. Tony dying?! How? Was it something wrong with the reactor? That's why Natalie mention it?
"…You… didn't ... let me-"
"Why didn't you tell me that?" she question again interrupting him.
"I was gonna make you an omelet and tell you!" he spoke also raising his voice.
"Hey!" spoke Natalie for the first time since Pepper decided to make her presence known. "Save it for the honeymoon. You got incoming Tony".
At that moment, the only thing that Pepper could think was Tony. He was dying! He was sick! She didn't notice! And he didn't tell her.
So that's what he was hiding from me all this time?! Why?! She thought feeling hurt.
"Great!" he murmured. "Pepper?"
"Are you okay now?" she question him with a voice full of worry.
"I'm fine. Don't be mad. I will formally apologize-"
"I am mad!" How could he not tell he that?! She was beyond mad!
"…when I'm not fending off a Hammeroid attack".
"Fine". She told him. When this is over, she will demand an explanation out of him. How dare him?!
"We could have been in Venice" he spoke trying to light the mood and making Pepper roll her eyes at him.
Moments later their connection is cut off. Pepper could only pray that Tony, who was dying a few moments ago, was strong enough to deal with the drones. Rhodey is with him. She thought trying to calm herself. He is going to be fine.
"I can't" spoke the technician. "I can't hack here. I don't know what language to use!"
"Try Russian" spoke Hammer getting impatient. "I told you this already!"
Pepper made a sign for the man to do what Hammer says. At that moment the Police Officers finally arrive.
"Miss Potts" spoke the office.
"That's your guy here" she spoke looking at Hammer who seems surprise that she was pressing charges against him.
"What?"
"You are under arrest sir". Spoke the officer.
"What? I'm trying to help here" spoke the CEO as the office turn him around to handcuff him.
Pepper watch as Hammer starts to laugh. Does he think that this is funny?!
"I see what you are doing" spoke Hammer. "Good. Very good. You are now thinking like a real CEO… Taking out the competition".
What?!
"Mark my words Potts… I'm going to see you again real soon" he threaten her as the officers walk him away. Pepper keep staring at him. She didn't want to show any fear or weakness.
When Hammer was out of sight another group of officers came to her.
"Miss Potts, can you tell us exactly what happen". Pepper told him all she knew so far. How Hammer was working with a terrorist, how they planned to destroy the Expo and Iron Man. After that, she ask the officers help to evacuate.
They start to walk out of the main stage as they talk about the relocation of the people that were present.
"We set a perimeter. We have men searching for people hiding in every building and escorting them out in safety".
"Good! Good!" spoke Pepper. "We will take care of everyone that was hurt by this… it's our responsibility".
"We haven't found bodies yet… But there's a lot of wounded people".
"My god!"
"Are you coming with us?" Ask the officer.
"No, I'm gonna stay until the park is clear". She couldn't leave. Those people are her responsibility. How could she be in safety when they weren't?
The officers left to put their plan into practice and she look around. The scenario was very different from what it was early that night. The park was now empty. Some buildings destroyed. There were some drones down everywhere. One of them was actually a few meters from her. She took a few steps to look at it.
How could Hammer do this and think that he is not gonna to be held responsible? Because he is rich and powerful? She was going to do everything in her power to make him answer for his crime, and wipe that smug smile on his face as the police were walking him out.
Pepper start to call everyone! Their lawyers, public relations, their financial department… they need to do a statement and also get the money ready to help the people who were hurt by Hammer. She could only hope that there wasn't a major fatalities among them.
She was still on the phone with their PR working on details for the statement when a noise caught her attention. It was coming from the drone next to her.
"Work on that Sam… I'll call you back in a few minutes" she spoke hanging up the phone and giving one step closer to the thing to see what was going on.
The chest reactor of the drone was now blinking a red light. The beeping frequency was increasing at each second.
Oh My God… Could this be-
She didn't have time to think when a figure came next to her and hold her by her waist just in time for the drone blow up.
It took Pepper a few seconds to realize that that figure was in fact Iron Man. It was Tony. She look down and saw the flames of the explosion a few meters from them. All the Expo was now being consumed by the fire as the drones explode.
Tony flew them away as fast as possible and Pepper try not to think that the only thing that was keep her from falling was his arm around her waist.
She almost die! If Tony didn't show up, she would be dead because she wouldn't have time to run.
Tony flew them for a roof of a building nearby. The second Pepper could feel the ground of her feet she try to get away from Iron Man's embrace. She needs space. She needs air. She had almost die and God knows what happened to the people that were still at the Expo.
She pushed Tony away with all the strength she had. Tony gave a step back and took the Iron Man helmet off at the same moment that Pepper look at what remain from the Expo.
What now? What to do now? How she was going to deal with it?
I can't… no this s too much… look at this!
"I can't… I can't… I can't take this anymore". She spoke nervous still looking at the Expo consumed by fire; she couldn't stop her body from shaking.
Tony stop staring at his helmet and gave one step closer to her.
"You can't what?" he asks.
This was too much. She couldn't deal with all of this. Run a company, politicians, villains, corrupted CEO's, babysit a reckless Tony Stark, and most of all, almost dying situations (hers and Tony's). No, she was just human. "I can't take this". She spoke giving one step closer to him.
"What? Look at me!" Complained Tony.
"I can't!" She insisted. "My body literally can not handle the stress". It was true. She barely slept that week. She didn't have time for it… and when she did have, her brain wouldn't let her rest always thinking about a solution to whatever problem they were facing at that time. "I never know if you're gonna kill yourself or wreck the whole company…" because Lord knows that happened more than once or twice just this week. She complained feeling her blood run faster from all the adrenaline.
"I think I did okay!" Tony try to defend himself. Didn't work well since they could hear an explosion coming from the Expo as soon as he spoke.
"No! I can't. I quit. I'm resigning". When she spoke, Pepper could already feel herself calming down. This was for the best. This was for her sake. She already could feel her shoulders lighter. "That's it". She took a moment to look at Tony that was really quiet looking at her. She couldn't read him right now. How would he feel? She wonder. Mad? Disappointed?
"What did you just say?" he questioned giving one step closer to her. "You're done?" he ask quietly.
Pepper didn't trust her voice right now, she didn't want to disappointing him, but she just couldn't do this anymore!
"That's surprising" spoke Tony walking closer to her. "No, actually it's not surprising. I get it. You don't have to make any excuses-"
"I'm… I'm not making any excuses" she spoke also giving a few steps closer to him.
"Well you actually were making excuses" he interrupt her.
"No I wasn't-"
"you don't have to-"
"I'm actually very justified-"
"Listen" he spoke taking her hand to get her attention. At the gentle sound of his voice and his touch, Pepper calm herself and stop talking. "You deserve better".
He was looking at her with such intense eyes! It's been such a long time since she saw his eyes like that, she had to break the eye contact with him and look down at their hands connected. For a moment, she wished that Tony wasn't using the suit so she could be able to feel the skin of his hand on hers.
But Tony keep talking. "You've taken such good care of me".
Her heart melt when she heard that. She knew he was grateful but hearing him say out loud for her… she wasn't expecting that. And he kept talking: "I've been in a tough spot, but you got me through it… so…"
Yes. She remember Tony's bad days: The alcohol, the self-destruction acts, reckless decisions. She was there for most of them, trying to make him see reason. Not to mention this week!
"Thank you" she spoke looking in his eyes. "Thank you so much for understanding Tony".
He avoid look at her. Pepper knew it would be hard for him to "lose" her. But that doesn't mean they wouldn't see each other anymore. She wants to leave the company, not his friendship.
"Lets… let's… let's talk clean-up" he spoke trying to focus on something else.
"I'll handle the transition… it'll be smooth" it was the least that she could do. He already has a lot of trouble ahead of him now.
"What about the press?" Questioned Tony. "What are we going to tell them? Because, you only had the job for a week so-"
"Well with you it's like dog years" she complained looking at him. "It feels like the Presideny-"
Pepper didn't have time to finish that thought. With a fast movement Tony push her for him and lay his lips on hers. When Pepper realize what was going on she just close her eyes to feeling of his lips.
His lips were on hers. His lips. On hers.
Finally!
They open their mouth to make the kiss more intense as Pepper run her hand through his hair to his chest. How she wanted to feel his chest! If only he wasn't wearing the Iron Man suit.
God! He tasted so good! It was the only thing that she could think about. The feeling of his goatee against her skin… the heat of his mouth… the taste of his tongue. His very talented tongue. He was a good kisser as she suspected that he was.
Her blood was running fast again… but now for a totally different reason.
Tony Stark was kissing her. She was kissing him back. She waited so much for this! She spend years desiring and imagining how it would feel like… but reality was so much better than her dreams… Right now, she couldn't care less about the rest of the world. This was about them. She never want this kiss to end. But unfortunately they both need air.
When they broke the kiss she couldn't tear her eyes from him.. his eyes… his lips… she wants to kiss him again, over and over and never stop.
They stare at each other for a few seconds and Pepper couldn't control the smile on her face.
This feels so right!
As if he was reading her mind, Tony ask her: "… weird?" she could tell by his voice that he was apprehensive, afraid even.
"No, it's not weird" she answer him already getting herself closer to him to kiss him again and proof her point and his eyes light up at her answer.
"It's okay right? Run that by me again" he murmured inches from her lips, and she was more than happy to do what he ask. She met his lips and hold him by his neck to push him closer to her. She wanted to feel him… all of him… and now that they cross that line between friendship and lovers she never want to stop touching him.
"I think it was weird" spoke a voice coming from behind them making Tony and Pepper break their second kiss. They look up and saw Rhodey sitting at the roof, pretty close to them.
When did he get here? Wonder Pepper.
"You guys look like two seals fighting over a grape". Spoke the Colonel but with a smile on his face.
Tony was speechless and Pepper started rambling.
"I… I… I have just quit-"
"Yeah" spoke Tony supporting her. ".. so we're not-"
"You two don't have to do this…" spoke the Colonel smiling even more at the couple. "I was here. I heard the whole thing".
My God! He was here since the begining?! Questioned Pepper starting to get nervous.
"You should get lost" order Tony
"I was here first! Get a roof". Joke Rhodes making Tony laugh. The billionaire hold Pepper by her waist and push her body closer to his. She didn't complain. Actually having him this close was reassuring. This was just Rhodey. Their friend. She don't need to feel nervous because he saw them. At that thought Pepper start to relax and hold Tony back by his waist as he and Rhodey tease each other. She look at their interaction and felt glad that they were capable to resolve the issues between them.
"Look," spoke the Colonel more serious now. "I lost my car at the explosion so I'm gonna use your suit for a minute okay?"
Tony hold Pepper closer to him before answering. "nope. Not okay".
"It wasn't a question" spoke the colonel already flying out of the roof leaving Tony and Pepper alone.
They look at the sky as Rhodey disappear on the dark sky.
"How are you gonna resign if I don't accept?" question Tony taking her hands on his. She laugh. "I can't do this without you" he spoke gently. She smile at him.
"Tony I-"
"Hey" he interrupt her as he push her closer. "I believe we were in the middle of something here" he spoke as he kiss her one more time. She really could get used to this. Kissing him would easily become her new favorite thing.
When he broke the kiss he look at her with a serious face. Pepper couldn't help the smile on hers. She felt like a teenager sharing her first kiss with her crush. "Look," spoke Tony serious. "I have a lot explaining to do.. and after I do that if you still want to resign I wont stop you… but just… hear me out… before you make a decision".
He had those puppy dog eyes on him again and she just couldn't say "no" to him.
"Okay" she spoke gently.
His smile grow as he gave her another kiss. He end that one giving several small kisses on her lips.
"I have another idea…" he spoke giving her another quick kiss. "How about we live in this roof… like never leave this… we don't need to get back"
At hearing his crazy idea Pepper couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"You would get bored"
"Of you? Never". She smile loving at him and run her hand caring through his hair. She always loved his hair.
"we need to get back"
"Own" he complained. "Did you hear anything that I said?" At her look, he let out a small smile. "Fine. Let's get back. Hold on me".
"What?" she ask scared. Does he really want to fly her down?
"What? It's faster this way" he spoke. "I'm not gonna drop you Pep".
Still reluctant, Pepper step closer to him and put her arms around his neck as Tony hold her through her waist.
When she couldn't feel the ground under her feet's anymore Pepper try to focus on anything but the fact that she was flying. Feeling her discomfort Tony start to speak comforting words for her.
"Relax Pepper, I got you… we are almost there".
It was so easy to focus on his voice, she already could feel the panic leaving her body when all the sudden she felt the ground again.
"We're here…" spoke Tony smiling. "Easy right?" she look at him and let her arms drop from his neck and let them rest at Tony's lower waist. Tony, also, didn't let her waist go.
At that moment they met Happy that just park the car next to them.
"Finally! Where you guys have been?" ask Happy worried. "I've been driving around trying to find you! Nobody knew where you were! I thought I lost you at the explosion".
"Avoiding explosive Hammerroids". Spoke Tony. "You should go back to the house". He spoke looking at Pepper and still not letting his arm go from her lower waist.
"We still need to work on a statement" she spoke also not moving away from him or moving her arm out from his lower waist. Happy stare at them for a moment frowning.
"We can do that from the house. It's a mess here!" Spoke Tony still trying to convince her.
"What about you? Are you okay?" she move one hand to his exposed neck where she could see a black line there. "What is this?"
"I'm fine! Really! Hap take her to the house" he look at her and unconsciously push her closer. "I'll meet you there".
"Okay… But I'm going to take a look at you… and you will explain everything thing-"
"In details… yes". He turns to the driver that were now watching them with a smile on his face. "Hap?"
"How did I miss that?" spoke the driver smiling. "When did this happen?" he ask taking a step closer to the new couple.
"What?" Both ask making the driver smile grow.
"Yeah, you two can't play that card anymore! Finally!" he spoke excited. "I'm so happy for you guys".
"Hey the hero always get the girl". Spoke Tony proudly making Pepper frown.
"Excuse me?" she asks.
"I've got you". He simple spoke. "I've got you, literally speaking".
"Don't think so-"
"Explosive Hammerroids-"
"Do not get too confident".
"I still got you". He pressed his hands that were still at her lower waist as if to try to make his point. "Even after everything that happen-"
"We might not wanna talk about this right now". She interrupt him. "I'm still mad at you for not telling me that you were dying".
"What?" Ask Happy. "What do you mean by that?"
"Okayyy… I guess thats my leave". Spoke Tony, letting her waist go. "I'll meet you at the house". He spoke to Pepper and the second later he was flying out leaving Pepper and Happy at the Expo.
"Can you explain what did you mean by that?" ask the driver.
"Apparently Tony was dying.." spoke Pepper starting to walk for the car.
"Like dying, dying?" question Happy as he open the door for her
"Yeah…"
"...What?" holding the door open.
"Yeah I don't know the details because that's what he was hiding from us".
"Asshole" murmured Happy closing the door.
-o-
During the ride Pepper start to make phone calls again. They had a lot of damage control to do. After she finished Happy inform her that they were almost at Tony' s mansion and his adventure with Agent Romanoff. The more he told her the more Pepper was intrigued and impressed by that woman.
She has to be a SHIELD agent.
After Happy finish his story, for the first time during that ride, the car was silent.
Alone at the back of the car, Pepper almost started to freak out about kissing Tony. It was Tony! Tony Stark! Her former boss, her best friend, playboy… but the atmosphere between them during that kiss was so natural… so right. She was already starting to think about them as a couple. This kiss… what does it mean?! Would he want to try something serious with her? Or this was just a fling?!
All her old fears and some recent were on her head when a thought came to her mind... more specific the conversation that she heard earlier that night.
Tony was sick, Tony was dying, and he made sure everyone around him was so busy so they wouldn't notice it. He made her CEO because he was dying, so the company would be with someone he trust… that fight with Rhodey, at his birthday party, he provoke that, so James could get the suit and continue his work with the Iron Man… that conversation with Happy about his cars… was he asking so he could know what car the driver would want more, would take care?
Another moment came back to her mind. The moment that she shared with Tony on the jet. Oh my God. That omelet.
"It's a great place to… be… healthy" she could still hear him say that. But that day she was so tired! So worried and mentally exhausted. She didn't notice how hesitant he was when he spoke that.
He made preparations for his death when all this time they thought he was being childish… he knew exactly what he was doing.
How could I been so blind? She remembered all the times that he avoided her contact. He didn't want her close enough to see those black marks… what the hell is that?! Why would he do that?
"We are here" spoke Happy bringing her back to reality. She step out of the car. Her body was screaming for sleep and rest but she was determinate to confront Tony about, Romanoff, Vanko and most important, his almost dying experience.
I'm waiting for your review ;)