Chapter 3
Gene shows me to the car parked in the very back of the cave.
"Just reverse back and the wall will open automatically" Gene says as I look over at him.
"How am I even going to get your car back? If I take the armour?" I ask quite curious. Gene puts a hand through his head thinking.
"Just get the armour, and we'll go back for the car some other time. I'll get my maid to pick it up" Gene says with a small smile as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a necklace with a amethyst gemstone, it was silver with a single amethyst and silver surrounding it.
"isn't it a bit early for romantic gifts?" I say jokingly as Gene just rolls his eyes coming up behind me and putting the necklace on.
"If you phase or see any immediate danger, just hold the amethyst and squeeze. It'll protect you" Gene says quite seriously. I smile nodding my understanding.
"How will it protect me?" I ask curiously holding it gently.
"It will teleport you back here" Gene says smirking as I just nod pulling out the keys from my pocket.
"Are you always this prepared?" I ask in a jokingly manner as Gene just smirks.
"When it comes to your safety, yes. But be careful your friends don't detect it. Its made of Makluan energy" Gene says as I just nod opening the door of the car and putting the keys into the ignition as Gene comes closer and I wind down the window.
"I've always loved you Pepper" Gene says as I nod unsure what to say or do.
"Its too late" I whisper reversing the car as the cave opens and I head out. The map on the passenger seat. After driving for about 30 minutes, Gene's directions were pretty précised though he didn't know where the armoury was, he pointed me in the direction of Rhodey's house. I take a turn to the armoury put park over a km away from it. I walk to the armoury, entering to find both Tony and Rhodey standing around. "Pepper, what took you so long?" Rhodey asks as I just shrug.
"Got lost in traffic" I say casually as both just nod.
"Pepper we need to stick together" Tony says finally giving me eye contact as I just look away.
"I'm going on a vacation with Dad! He never wants to spend time with me! And do we really need to worry about Gene? I mean he helped us defeat the Makluan overload" I say trying not to be too bias.
"Yeah but all he cares about is power!" Tony says sounding agitated.
"Well im going to go on vacation with my dad, and I'll take my rescue suit If I do run into any problems" I say heading towards the armour as Tony just sighs.
"Pepper can we talk?" he asks as I just shake my head.
"You said all that you needed to say" I say as he stands in front of me and I just sigh.
"Fine!" I say angrily as I follow behind him as he takes me to his room.
"Pepper, when did you get that necklace?" Tony says touching it as I turn away.
"If you want to talk to me, talk to me" I say feeling frustrated as Tony just sighs putting a hand through his hair.
"Pepper, I love you I do. And the reason I didn't want to is because of all this iron man stuff. I don't want to endanger you more than I already am. But honestly you and I both know you can protect yourself, with the armour" Tony says as I hear an explosion through the armoury. Both Tony and I look at each other and race towards the armoury to get the suits. We see Rhodey in his suit fighting a massive robot. Ultron. Ultron turns towards me with a shallow smile.
"Pepper Potts. Finally, I've found you" it says. I shudder running towards it to get the armour. I wish Gene was here, I couldn't just leave them to fight Ultron. Tony follows close behind me as I race towards the robot. Tony starts distracting it as I skid underneath and head for the suits. I put on my suit contemplating whether or not I should help them. But then again, didn't Gene say it would only attack if I was around? I sigh as I grab hold the necklace and squeeze. I feel myself disappear, and land back right on the couch that I was sitting on an hour ago. Gene comes into the room looking surprised.
"Pepper! You are only supposed to use that in the case of an emergency" Gene says shaking his head.
"Ultron was there, and I used it and I let Tony and Rhodey by themselves and-" I say as Gene puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Pepper, remember I told you that Ultron is smart. It only goes after its target. I'm just glad you managed to get out of there" Gene says as I just nod.
"But what must Tony and Rhodey think?" I say my hands on my head stressing out.
"Pepper it doesn't matter. What matters is you're okay" Gene says rubbing my shoulder. I take off my suit and put it on the table for Gene.
"I'll see if I can modify the suit. But Pepper go get some sleep" Gene says as I just shake my head.
"But what if something happens?" I ask as Gene shakes his head.
"I would never let anything happen to you" Gene says as I blush.
"Let me show you to your room" Gene says as he shows me to this massive room with a double bed.
"Wow. This is amazing!" I say as Gene just smiles.
"Get some sleep Pepper" Gene says as he kisses my forehead.
"Thank you Gene, for everything" I say blushing slightly as Gene nods closing the door behind him.
(*)(*)(*)
Tony POV
I see Pepper just vanish into nothingness and I look over at Rhodey shocked. What just happened?
The robot shrinks in size and disappears.
"What the hell just happened?" I ask angrily.
"I don't know man. But that robot thing was after Pepper only" Rhodey says as I just nod, putting a hand through my hair.
"But why Pepper? And how did Pepper just disappear like that? Did she know it was after her?" I ask myself but even Pepper wouldn't have that tech.
"I'm not sure man, im really not sure" Rhodey says as he looks at the computer confused.
"What is it Rhodey?" I ask.
"Makluan Energy was detected, here. Just a minute ago" Rhodey says.
"When Pepper left?" I ask worringly as Rhodey nods his head worringly. What the hell was going on?