It was almost two days later when, Pepper found herself alone on a dark street of an unfamiliar city searching for a small hotel.

"On the right." Friday told her.

"Thank you. Am I close?" She asked anxiously.

"Two blocks." Friday replied immediately.

There were times when it seemed that Friday was not only an actual person, but quite possibly one of Pepper's closest friends. Friday was the only "person" who really understood how complicated and difficult Tony could be. Pepper felt oddly close to her, which was bizarre because Friday was a computer program. Yet, it was Friday who she relied on now. The entire time that Pepper was traveling - in the car, in the plane, and now even walking down the street, she was in constant contact with Friday who directed her, and updated her. Since she'd been awakened with Friday's cryptic message nearly 32 hours they'd been in a constant conversation.

Climbing the stairs to his room, Pepper dreaded what she might find. She had dealt with more than one downward spiral since she started working for Tony, and had seen him in various states of injury since he'd taken on the mantle of Ironman. Her usual practice was to imagine the worst, take a breath and see just how bad he was. From the very first time she'd discovered him in the lab - his suit riddle with bullet holes, a part of her was always waiting to discover him lifeless and broken. She took in a long steadying breath, and knocked, but of course he wouldn't open the door.

"Ma'am, I can't force a guest to open the door." The night manager told her.

"You can." She met his eyes trying to determine the best path forward. They'd already been in conversation for five minutes and it was clear that pleading with him would be ineffective. "Can't you?" She asked, sliding a wad of cash across the desk.

"Well, you said it was vital that you checked on him." He responded taking the money and handing her a key.

"Yes, and could you call for a doctor?" His eyes widened. "Thank you so much for being helpful."

She expected the room to be in disarray. She'd been through enough of Tony's "dark times" to know how bleak they could be. Surprisingly, the room was undisturbed other than his discarded suit which appeared to be badly damaged. Whatever battle had taken place looked horrific. Crossing the room she saw it then: the Shield. He must have found Steve, but why would Tony have the shield? According to the news, Captain America was still on the run. Panic flooded her system; what had happened?

She glanced around the room, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Tony? Tony!" She called out, and then realized that the room was freezing and the balcony door was open. Stepping outside she found him. He was lying on the ground wrapped in the bed covers, huddled near the wall of the balcony.

"Oh, Tony!" She said, kneeling beside him. She brushed a hand through his hair. "Why on earth are you out here?"

"Pep?" He had said, seeing her. "Are you really here?"

"Yes. Can you walk? Let's get you inside where it's warm." She slid her arm under his shoulder, attempting to help him rise, but he didn't budge. "Come on, let's go inside." She repeated.

"Pep? I found him."

"Let's go inside."

"Didn't matter. It's all gone to shit anyway." He blinked up into her face. "Are you really here?"

"Yes." She suppressed a sob so relieved to have found him.

"I'm okay." He told her.

"I'm not." She responded honestly. "Why on earth are you out here! It's freezing. I've been so worried about you and you look terrible." She rested a hand against his cheek.

"Not that cold, and what does it matter," He told her. "The team is gone. They are all gone and you left anyway."

"Tony, that was . . . it was the worst mistake. I never should have left. I'm sorry, Tony. I'm so sorry." She shivered. "It is so cold. Please, let's go inside."

"God, you are beautiful. And you don't even realize it." He paused thoughtfully looking up at her. "After you left it really fell apart. And I was so pissed when I heard about that auction and I thought you sold that painting. I bought it because you said you loved it. Remember? When we were in Cannes? I was so happy then. The light on your skin and your eyes were so bright and I kept thinking about forever. I was so stupid."

"I didn't sell it. You weren't stupid. It all fell apart for me, too. I shouldn't have left - it doesn't make any sense. I was wrong ok?" She shook her head, fighting tears. "I love you. Please, Tony. Come inside."

"Can we please rethink this breakup? It really sucks. I can't . . . every single thing is wrecked."

She lay a gentle hand on his forehead. "Tony, you are burning up with fever. Listen to me," She leaned in close trying to make eye contact with him. "I need you to try and stand, okay? Let's get you inside."

"Are you cold?" He asked and this made her laugh, but almost instantly her laughter turned to tears.

"Yes! I'm freezing, and am so exhausted, and worried. Please, let's go inside."

He struggled to stand and leaning heavily on her, she managed to get him inside and onto the bed.

"I don't feel great." He told her. "Hey, have you been crying? What's wrong?"

She wanted to laugh but he was so feverish and she was still so worried that she just said "Just lie back". She pulled as many blankets as she could over him. "They are sending up a doctor and then we will get you to a hospital, okay?"

"It doesn't matter. Steve's gone. Everything is gone." He told her bleakly. He raised his hand and pointed a shaky finger at her. "You are gone. Nothing matters."

"I'm right here." She responded.

"It's all gone." He said again, and then there was a knock at the door, and the doctor stepped into the room.

She found herself back, pacing the halls of a hospital, again. This time she didn't even try to focus on work, she simply paced as the doctors fought to curb the infection that raged through Tony. In all that time, he was never fully conscious. He would sometimes call out to her in his delusion and she kept reassuring him.

"I'm right here." She would tell him again and again. She gave up all pretense of keeping it together and sat near his bed in tears, waiting. It was two days before he was stabilized enough to truly be awake and coherent.

She was sitting beside his bed, as she had sat beside Rhodey just days earlier, staring out the window, when he finally woke, and turning his head, said softly, "Pepper? You are here?" Her eyes widened, flooding again with tears and she rose immediately to stand beside him.

"You woke up!" She said, smoothing the covers over him. She kissed his cheek which was no longer burning with fever. "Of course I'm here."

"How did you find me? Where are we?" His eyes grew wide.

"Siberia. I came to the hotel, remember?" She told him, reaching for his hand. "Friday called me."

"I don't remember anything." He looked up at her. "You came to Siberia."

"Honestly, I don't know why you are surprised. You know I would bust down the gates of Hell if you were trapped inside." She confessed, overcome with exhaustion and emotion.

"Still clingy, I see." He raised an eyebrow at her, but seeing her tears, he added gently, "Honey, I'm fine, ok."

She nodded, and fought for control. "Well, do me a favor and listen to the doctors so that we can make sure that's actually true."

He reached out for her hand and squeezed her fingers. "I'm okay." He repeated. She nodded, unable to speak, and he continued, "Wait, what about Rhodey? Is he okay?

"He's doing better." She responded after a minute. "The doctors said that as soon as you were stable enough, we could transfer you to the same hospital."

"Hospital? Oh, I don't think I'll be here much longer. I feel fine."

"You do?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I've got a little headache, I guess."

"Right." She sighed, and crossing the room, poured some water into a cup. "Are you thirsty?"

"No. I . . . What about everyone else? Has there been any . . ."

"Worry about all that later." She cut him off retuning to his bedside. "You need to rest and heal. You broke six ribs, have a serious concussion, and a very serious infection. All you need to do right now is rest."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Sure," She moved back to stand beside him, brushing an escaping tear out of her eyes. "You are fine."

"Easy, Potts." He told her. "I'm fine."

"I know. You should rest. Close your eyes."

"You should rest." He told her, but she could hear the exhaustion in his voice. "Don't get me wrong , Pep, you are still the most beautiful woman on the planet, but you kind of look like hell right now."

"I kind of feel like hell," She said tearily. "You kind of . . . You stress me out sometimes, you know that?"

"Yeah," He agreed. "Sorry about that."

"Just," She shook her head, fighting to regain control. "Do me a favor and listen to the doctors for once."

He nodded his head very slightly, grimacing from pain even as he did. "Don't cry, honey. I'll behave."

"No, you won't." She leaned over, and kissed his forehead and keeping her face close to his said, "But I'm gonna stay right here, and make sure you do."

"You know, for an ex-girlfriend, you are pretty committed."

Here she did cry, a sob escaping. "Don't be a jackass, Tony. I was never your ex-girlfriend. You and me are . . . we just are. We are forever."

His eyes clouded, "Stop crying hun. I'm okay." His face grew dark and sad, and then he said in a near whisper, "He killed them both, Pep. He killed my mom! Why? I don't know . . .how am I supposed to . . ."

"We'll figure it out. Just rest, okay?"

She furrowed her brow confused. Who killed them both? His parents? His parents died in a crash. But before she could ask him any questions, he was asleep again.

Precisely six days after waking up in the hospital, weak and barely stable, Tony discharged himself. They had flown home two days after he'd woken up, and she'd one of the biggest fights with him to get him admitted to a local hospital. It was only after she'd burst in stormy tears that he'd agreed, and then four days later, he'd checked himself out. She'd been surprised he'd stayed that long. "Friday?" She'd asked as she'd pulled through the main gates. "Can you locate Mr. Stark."

"He is in the lab and requested he not be disturbed."

"Oh, i'm not a disturbance," She told Friday, as she made her way downstairs, and pushed open the door to the lab.

"You know some people come home from the hospital and rest." She said as she entered the room.

"Hey, Friday! What happened to protocol? You were supposed to warn me." He said looking up from his computer station.

"You told me not to disturb you, boss." Friday responded.

"I said that I didn't want to be disturbed!" He gestured toward Pepper.

"Miss Potts isn't a disturbance." Friday explained.

"It feels like she's taken sides, doesn't it?" He asked Pepper. "It seems like it's two against one."

"Well, we have an understanding." Pepper said smiling, an eyebrow arched at him.

"I had a hunch." He turned back to his computer. "No need for panic, okay. I won't over do it. I'm just trying to get this finished for Rhodey. It's just a prototype, but I think it's a good start." He moved to the side so that she could see his computer screen.

She leaned in for a better look. "You built him legs? Tony! When did you have time?"

"Uh, well, I put it together this morning and I guess, I was thinking about it yesterday so . . ."

She sat in the chair beside his desk. "You exhaust me, you know that?"

"Well, it might be that concussion you had." He told her.

"That was you." She reached down into her bag which she'd set on the floor. "Here," She said, handing him a white paper bag. "You forgot your meds." She set the bag on the edge of his desk.

"You better keep an eye on those." He nodded at the bag. "I don't have a great record with self-control."

"That's true." She agreed. She studied him, as he had turned back to the computer and his work.

She had been so relieved when he'd first awoken in the hospital, but she didn't truly trust that he was alright, until the doctors said that they had his infection under control. Tony was uncharacteristically quiet in those first days. It didn't seem like he wanted to talk about anything, and she was about to push it. He thanked her nearly daily for coming to find him, and staying with him. Honestly, though she wasn't really sure where they stood. She knew he had fought with Steve and the Soldier - Bucky. She understood this battle had devastated him and shattered the team completely. But he hadn't told her why or ever explained what he meant when he said, "He killed my Mom." She knew better than to push and didn't really know what her role was anymore. It was always easier to slide back into the old routines. "Will that be all, Mr. Stark?"

He surprised her by breaking from routine. He turned from his work, and moved closer to her.

" 's not all." He responded decisively. "I've been meaning to . . . You've been so good to me, again, and I . . ."

"It's okay Tony, I know you don't like talking about . . . things. It's fine."

"No. That's not. I'm not doing that anymore, okay?" Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Look, I'm gonna level with you. Truth be told, I'm pretty much a walking disaster right now. If you think I was a mess before - well, this is bad. I'm serious, Pep. I can't . . ."

His raw honesty shocked her. "It's okay. We can . . . You are okay.

"No, I'm not." He corrected her."I want to be straight with you, okay? I'm not . . . You are too important and I screwed that up before - after New York, and I'm telling you. This. Is. Bad."

"Okay," She said, as concern flooded her system. "Tony, look, whatever it is, we will figure it out."

"I'm going to tell you everything, but first, I just want you to understand that I don't expect. I mean. . . I heard everything you said before when we broke up. I was listening. I've been thinking about it for a long time. And I realized I never really thought of things from your perspective."

"Oh, you don't have, to. . . You've been through enough."

"No, you've been through enough, and God knows you deserve so much better." He sighed. "And I don't want you to think that this is because I'm having a mental breakdown - because that's kind of where I'm at, sweetheart. I'm not joking. Imeant what I said - you don't owe me anything, and I don't expect you to just . . ." He sighed. "But it turns out I really can't . . .without you things are just so . . .Look, were right, family is important to me, but Pep, you are my family. You always have been - even when I was a total jackass and couldn't see it." He reached forward, taking her hands in his. "I have absolutely no idea what happens next, and am pretty confident the only thing I can promise you is trouble but I just know that whatever it is, I can't face it without you. I tried, and things just fell apart."

She was looking down, unable to meet his eyes, but finally taking a breath, she looked up with teary eyes and said, "Tony . . ."

"Oh God, no!" He burst out, interrupting her. He pushed himself up from his chair releasing her hands. "It's too late. I took too long to figure it out." He paced away from her. "Well, makes sense. You deserve better than all this. Everything else has gone to shit, so losing you too, really fits the narrative."

"No, Tony." She crossed to where he was standing, and put her hand on his arm. "Jesus! You are so high strung. LISTEN for two seconds, would you?"

"Right." He said, turning toward her. "I'm listening."

"You've been through so much, and I didn't want to take advantage of that."

"Advantage."

She blushed, suddenly shy, "Breaking up was stupid. I can't . . . I was hoping that we could just forget about it, okay? I was hoping I could come back home."

"Yes." He said decisively, pulling her in for a hug.

"Everything fell apart for me, too." She said burying her face in his shoulder. "It turns out - I'm horrible at breaking up with you."

"Something Virginia Potts can't do?" He teased her. "I'm stunned. I thought you were perfect at all things. You are human after all." He kissed her cheek. "You are perfect for me, however."

"I can tell you are still taking those drugs." She said leaning back and kissing him. "I mean it, Tony. We can figure it out." His eyes grew misty with tears, and she kissed him again.

"Just so you know," He said as he continued to hug her tightly to him. "I was 100% prepared to beg, so you might have missed a golden opportunity."

"I love you, Tony." Was all she said in response. "And I'm not going anywhere."

He buried his head into her shoulder, and after kissing her once more, released her but still holding tightly to her hand, led her across the lab to the small sitting area. They sat down together on the couch.

"But if you are going to come back home, and to be clear there is nothing I want more, there are some things you should probably know."

"Okay," She said feeling strangely anxious.

"First and most important," He cleared his throat, awkwardly, "I love you, too. I want to be super clear about this. You are everything and always have been." He smiled at her. "I know - shocking - I expressed an emotion clearly and directly." He shrugged. "I, uh, well I took your advice and have been talking to a therapist." He blushed at this. "And next week I'm supposed to spend a few days at a retreat in India - it's this whole healing past trauma thing I'm working on."

"You've been home for four days!" She responded in surprise, her voice thick with tears.

"Well, I'm a quick learner, and I convinced my therapist to provide 24-hour support." He shrugged his shoulders. "It seemed like my bare minimum."

"Anything that brings you peace. I'm 100% for that." She said. "I'm glad."

"See, I listen." He winked at her.

"Sure."

"You give me about ten years or so and I am wholly cooperative." He kissed her fingers. "I'm serious about making some changes, Pep. I'm out of my depth with this mess and I want to do right by you."

She squeezed his hand. "I'm here."

"I can't express to you what that means." He told her seriously. "And I know you've got questions."

"You don't have to . . ." She looked up at him. "You don't have to take care of everything in one day." She laughed.

"No, I do. I'm not one for half-measures." He released her hand and stood nervously. "So, uh, the thing is that it turns out my parent's crash wasn't an accident."

Her eyes grew wide at this, and she watched as he struggled to continue.

"It was planned, and uh, it was, it was Barnes who, well, he killed them both." He cleared his throat. "And Steve knew about it."

"I don't understand. There was a crash."

"He ran them off the road."

"But why?"

"Well, here's a shocker. . . turns out my Dad was a part of SHIELD."

"What?" She was truly shocked.

"I guess as hard as I try, I can't seem to end up just like him." He shook his head. "So it wasn't an accident, and Steve knew that."

"Tony, I am so sorry."

"Yeah and," He continued, his voice ragged. "He chose not to tell me - chose Barnes. That's how I ended up in Siberia. That's what the fight was about."

"You trusted him." She said sorrowfully looking up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "I don't understand. Why would he do that?"

"I don't know and I don't even care." He gasped. "But after I saw what happened I just felt so betrayed, you know? I just lost it."

"You saw what happened?" She interrupted, rising and moving toward him. "Tony, what do you mean?"

"It was all part of - they wanted to bust us up - which they did. There was a video of it - they wanted me to find it. And so I saw it - saw that he ran them off the road and then when that didn't kill them, he . . ."

"YOU WATCHED IT?" She wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, my God, Tony, no."

"My mom was crying. I could hear her crying." He held tightly to her, sobbing.

"I'm so sorry." She told him again and again.

Eventually, he drew in a deep breath, and then stepped away from her, quickly, wiping his eyes.

"So, I've got kind of a low-level simmering rage that I'm trying to figure out." He met her eyes. "I'm not gonna pretend that I've got things together. I don't. I don't know how to navigate all of this. But if you are willing, and I promise that I'm going to keep talking to you about all of it, but if you are willing to consider it, I want to be with you because it turns out I'm really, really bad and breaking up with you, too."

She laughed at this, even through her tears. "Okay." She nodded her head, her arms open wide, as he stepped into her embrace.

"I'm sorry I'm a mess." He told her.

"Stop saying that." She said, kissing his cheek. "Really horrible things have happened to you, and you are trying to navigate them. It's complicated. I don't mind complicated. I love you. We are going to figure out and make sure that you have whatever you need." She could feel him relax at this, some tension leaving his body.

He leaned back, meeting her eyes, "There's only one thing I really need. You know what that is, Miss Potts?"

"What, Mr. Stark?" She found herself smiling despite the seriousness of their conversation.

"Forever." He smiled. "You and me, forever. And that will be all."

"Done." She said brushing a hand across his face before leaning in to his kiss.