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Chapter 30
Pepper was a live wire. She walked back and forth at the foot of Soli's hospital bed. "What do you mean we're remembering it both ways?"
Tony shrugged his shoulders as he ate a handful of dried blueberries. He was still in his tux, but had untied the tie and unbuttoned his shirt's top buttons. He sat on top of a tall cabinet with one leg hanging off either side.
Pepper stopped and put her hands on her hips.
He couldn't help himself and looked her up and down.
She cleared her throat and pointed at her face. "Tony. I'm up here."
"Don't worry. I'll start there."
She was completely breathtaking in the evening gown that she still wore from the party. Her hair was styled and her make-up was perfect. If she was standing closer to him, he's certain he would have already lost what little bit of self-control he had left. He remembered how she had felt in his arms, and how she had smelled when they had danced at the party.
She was furious at him. Her complexion was beginning to match her bright red hair.
Tony loved seeing her like this.
"Remembering it both ways? What does this even mean?"
He grinned and quickly relaxed his face, but not in time to keep Pepper from seeing it.
"And you with that smirk!"
He laughed, "I'm not even going to try to hide it."
"You made a way to travel in time?! Are you nuts?!"
He held up his hands, "See, I've been told there is a fine line between nuts and a genius."
She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not seeing any line right now."
He teased her, "Oooo. An angry redhead."
She glared at him.
He held up his hands. "I'm sorry. I just…wow. You are so hot-"
"Tony! How in the world could you have thought this was a good idea?"
He sighed and held his hands up. "You know what Pepper? I really….I need a pass on this."
"What do you mean that you need a pass?"
He closed his eyes and became very serious. "Let's pass over the fight on this."
"What-"
"Pepper, you're only beginning to remember both sides of this. You'll probably catch up in a few minutes. I know what happens. And I know it's completely my fault. There's absolutely nothing you can say to me that could make me feel worse than I already do." He stood up. "Can I please…." He walked over and took her hands in his own. "May I please….get a pass on this?"
She nodded sadly as they embraced one another.
She felt him kiss her cheek just as he said, "You still can yell though. I mean, we could go back to our suite up here and I can make you scream."
She rolled her eyes.
He continued, "Or that cute little sound you make."
She playfully smacked the back of his head.
Delighted that he had annoyed her, "How about that, though? We still ended up together."
She smiled, "A bit of a rockier road this way around though."
"Oh yeah." He laughed and then kissed the end of her nose. "Do you think we can get him to stay long enough to see us get married?"
"That's just weird." Pepper smiled and then she covered her mouth, "On, Tony."
"Yep! Catching up." He rose his eyebrows and grinned. "So, a pass?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded that it was.
They held one another tightly.
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