Broken
Part One: The Beginning
Leaning back in her chair as the morning sun warmed her skin, Pepper Potts sighed.
With Tony away on Avengers' business, she was left in charge of monitoring things in the New York city branch. Happy's face held a huge smile the moment they arrived in the city. Tony told her how he and Peter's aunt were becoming an item. She was glad for him, for he finally found someone.
Taking a sip from her mug, she unfolded the newspaper and nearly spit out her coffee after reading the headline.
"Woman hospitalized in a fatal robbery attempt."
Looking down at the picture, her eyes widen for even with the multiple bruises on her faces she knew who it was.
Sitting at the front desk with a copy of the newspaper in front of him, Happy's heart dropped. Tears filled his eyes as he took a deep breath and looked away from the paper.
He had talked to May a few days ago. She was so excited he was coming back to New York. They even had a nice dinner planned, along with a movie. Looks like all of that would have to be on hold.
A hand touched Happy's shoulder. Glancing up, he noticed it was Pepper. Her tearful eyes and quivering lips told him she already knew.
"I'm so sorry," Pepper said.
Happy merely nodded, wiping away a few tears.
"Let's go to the hospital," Pepper said.
"What about your meeting?" Happy asked.
"Oh, that it's been postponed," Pepper said. "Now get up, we are heading out" "
Happy rose to his feet and followed Pepper outside. He was about to bring the car around when Pepper pulled out her keys and shook her head.
"I'm driving follow me,"
Happy nodded as he followed Pepper to her silver sports car.
Within moments, Pepper slipped into the driver's seat and Happy into the passenger seat. Buckling their seat belts and slipping the key ignition.
Driving the car out of the parking lot on to the main road. Pepper kept her eyes on the road. As a warm breeze brushed across her skin, it felt nice getting away from the office, even if it wasn't for a good reason. Glancing at Happy, she smiled, for he was fast asleep. To have someone you care for hurt it's hard to think or do anything else.
Stopping at the red light, a flicker from above cause Pepper to her head. She looked up at one of buildings before shrugging it off.
The moment the light turned green, she drove on as the flicker she saw before followed them.
Pulling into the hospital parking lot, Pepper pulled up front. Giving Happy a nudge, he opened his eyes, followed with a yawn.
"We're here sleepy head," Pepper said.
Happy looked around, stretching. Opening the door, he looked back at Pepper.
"Thank you for this," Happy said.
"Don't mention it. Why don't you go inside? I'll be there shortly."
Happy headed inside the moment she turns the corner, her phone vibrated in the coaster. Pulling into a parking space and turning off the car, Pepper unbuckled her seat belt. Just as she was about to grab her cell phone, Peter Parker jump right into the passenger seat.
Jumping in her seat Pepper let out a yelp as she looked into, he eyes of the teenager.
"Way to give a girl a fright, Peter," Pepper said, placing her hand over her chest where her heart was.
"Sorry about that, Ms. Potts," Peter said.
Picking up her cellphone, she glanced at the name before showing it to Peter.
Sighing, Peter sunk himself lower in the seat as Pepper held the phone up to her ear.
On the helicarrier in the hallway tony lean on the wall outside the conference room with cell phone up to his ear.
"Hey you," Pepper said playfully.
"Hey uh, I heard about the kid's aunt," Tony replied.
"Yeah, Happy and I are at the hospital now."
"Any word from the kid?"
Pepper glance over at Peter, who shakes his head.
"No, not yet," Pepper lied.
"Okay, keep me in the loop."
Tony glance over to the door, spotting Bruce motioning at him. Tony nodded. He wanted to stay, but duty calls.
I gotta to run," Tony said.
"Take care." Pepper said.
"You too."
Still in her car, Pepper placed her phone back in her purse before looking back at Peter. From his dry blood stains that trickled down to his jeans, followed by an unflattering odor. she also noticed the bags under his eyes. He still smiled.
"I'm sorry about what happen to your aunt," Pepper said.
"Thank you," Peter said.
"Why didn't you want Tony to know where you are?" Pepper asked.
Take a deep breath, followed by a cough. Pepper handed him a mini water bottle from her cooler.
Nodding in thanks, Peter twisted off the cap and took a few sips before opening his mouth.
"I want to find out who did this to my aunt, but I can't do it alone." Pepper paused. "So, I was wondering..."
"If I could help you find out who did this," Pepper finished for him.
"Exactly."
Pepper sighed as she rubbed her temples. She may not have a headache now, but she could feel it forming. There are so many things wrong about this. One keeping Tony out of the loop would be impossible. She would have to lie something hated to do. Two, where would they start? She didn't have a knack for crime solving, but she guess she could try it.
Lastly, what if it gets dangerous what then? While Peter is spiderman what if this threat is even bigger than him?"
Guzzling down a water, Pepper sighed once more.
"I don't know. I need to think about this."
Peter nodded as he took another sip from his water before laying back in the passenger seat. After a few moments, Peter closed his eyes, finally able to get some sleep.
Pepper looked on in silence, shaking her head.
"Rest Peter, after everything you've been through, you deserve it."
Inside the hospital sitting beside aunt May in ICU. Happy gently took a hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. Glancing around at all the tubes and monitors around her, he wished he could do more. Sighing, Happy took a deep breath.
"Hey it's me, I know we had plans, but it looks like um they will have to put on hold." Happy said pushing a smile across his lips. "But don't worry, I'll do my best to keep an eye on Peter, so focus on getting better, okay?"
Letting go of her hand, Happy stood up. Pepper should have been here by now. Leaving the room and heading outside of the hospital, it was time to find out where Pepper was.
A content sigh escaped Happy when he spotted the car with Pepper in the diver seat, but as he grew closer to the car, he noticed someone was in the passenger seat. Approaching cautiously, he made it to Pepper's window. The moment he saw the kid, his heart was at ease. Happy step back as Pepper got out of the car.
"You found him,"
"More like he found me," Pepper said, shaking her head.
"What is it?" Happy asked.
"He wants me to help him find out who did this to his aunt."
"Sounds like him. I say we do it,"
"Happy," Pepper lingered.
"I promised his aunt I would look after him and I will not break it."
"Pepper sighed. "Fine, and if it gets dangerous?"
"We contact Tony."
Leaning on the car, Pepper couldn't believe she was thinking about doing this.
"Deal," Pepper said.
A yawn escaped Peter's mouth as he opened his eyes and looked over and noticed Happy.
"Hi Mr. Hogan"
"Hey kid, sorry about your aunt," Happy said, getting in the driver's seat. "I hear from Pepper you want her help" "
"Yeah," Peter said, sitting up.
"Well, you got it where both going to help you." Pepper said, sitting in the back seat.
"Thank you both," Peter said, followed by a smile.
"Don't thank us yet we still done know where to start," Happy said.
"Easy, at the beginning Aunt May's and I's apartment," Peter said.
"Let's go," Pepper said.
Closing the door and turning on the car, Happy zoom out of the hospital parking lot. With Mr. Hogan and Ms. Potts in his corner, Peter hope they could help him find who did this and stop them once and for all.
