Hey guys :) As always, thank you for the kind reviews, I'm really happy that you like this story.

Here we go with Chapter No. 3 :)

Tony couldn't sleep... His sleeping habit was already a mess, but the jetlag made it even worse this time... Well, that and the fact that Pepper was sleeping so peacefully next to him. She woke so many emotions inside of him, even if he could only see her back and he couldn't control himself. Sometimes he wished he would be the old Tony Stark, who had no problem to behave like an idiot and still get any woman in his bed. But Pepper was different. He didn't want to sleep with her like he did before with all those meaningless women.

Tony watched her sleeping body. She lay there without a blanket, because of the heat, her top had rid up and he could see her naked lower back - he couldn't resist.

Carefully, he shifted closer to her body and hoped he would not wake her. The closer he got, the faster his heart beat and he shivered. She smelled amazing and it made him loose the last bit of self control.

He held his breath in tension when he carefully wraped his arm around her hip and pulled her as close as physically possible.

Her hair tickled his cheek, but he didn't care. Tony could feel her heartbeat, her breath, but most of all a deep warm feeling in his belly he hadn't felt before with anyone else. He didn't want to move ever again, holding her warm body close, but he knew his feelings wouldn't be returned. He hadn't been a very nice boss after all. Yet she was lying in his arms peacefully as if they had done this all the time. Tony sighed and finally closed his eyes. For the moment he would take what he could get.

Pepper woke up in the middle of the night - it was pitch-dark and even with the best effort she couldn't see anything. But soon, something else catched her attention. Tony was spooning her and had his arm wrapped around her hip. Pepper smiled at herself - she couldn't deny that it felt wonderful to be this close to him, even if she had doubts how their relationship would change. She was working a long time for him already, but she never thought about a romantic relationship with him. Not that she wouldn't be in love with him... just the way he treated women didn't make him the best boyfriend material.

How he treats other women... with you he was always different... she thought. That was right. Of course he had made a move on her several times, but just on partys when he was drunk.

Tony sighed and Pepper flinched when he instinctly wrapped his arms closer around her body. Where her top had rid up she could feel his warm skin and muscles against her back. She shivered and snuggled closer to him. What should she do now? Pepper wanted him... but she was sure he didn't feel the same. She sighed and closed her eyes - she could only wait.

When she opened her eyes the next morning, she was a little bit disappointed, because the warm body next to her was gone, but when she looked up, she saw him standing in the doorway only in his boxers and smiled softly.

''Good morning'', he cheered, without looking away from her.

''Good morning... what time is it?'', she asked and sat up.

''6:30 am'', Tony answered and closed the door quietly.

''Wow... that's early for you''

Pepper was surprised that he was so happy despite the early hour. Tony had experience with long nights, even though he had spend them - thankfully- more with the suits than with other women the last few months.

''Why are you up already?'', she asked and twitched her top in place.

Tony stared at her till Pepper raised her head and grinned at him. Tony asked, if she did this on purpose. He wanted to persuade himself that she wanted to seduce him, but he just couldn't believe that.

He couldn't think of an answer and just smiled at her, hoping that she would feel what happened in his mind.

Pepper stared in his eyes. She didn't know what happened to her, but a warmth spread through her the longer she looked at him. Tony shifted closer and Pepper shivered.

What are you doing Pepper?

Just kiss him, what can go wrong?

He's just using you like all the others...

''Pepper, I...'', Tony stuttered and shifted even closer, but Pepper shook her head softly and placed her hands on his chest to stop him. Tony's seducing expression changed to his puppy face and Pepper had to hold herself together strongly not to melt into it.

She stared at him for what felt like hours, until she whispered:

''Let's get ready..''

''Okay...'' he whined and pulled back.

Pepper smiled cautious, the air between them was as thick as honey and she was embarrassed , didn't know how she could get out of this situation without hurting him.

She softly touched his arm and smiled - it was like little electric shocks shot through Tony's body and he was short of breath.

''You should change Tony, you can't get breakfast like that...''

Tony only nodded and left the room.

Pepper held her breath till he had entered the bathroom and couldn't hide a sob escaping her throat. What the hell had just happened? Was it really possible that he had tried to kiss her? But she had pushed him away... with a good reason.

Don't be ridicoulus, Pepper, the unbidden voice in her head spoke up.

Of course it was the right decision... Tony is -

Charming...

Funny...

Handsome...

Succesfull...

Perfect.

He makes you feel like you're the only person he still opens up to.

Pepper shook her head to stop the thoughts that flashed over her now.

He is irresponsible.

But he is a hero.

He is reckless and hopelessly lost without you.

You need him at least as much as he needs you.

He acts like a child.

You love him...

Pepper didn't know what to do. Since Tony had left she was afraid how he would react when he came back. She had spoiled everything... It wouldn't be the same between her and Tony.

While she stood there and struggled with her own mind she realized Tony had been gone for a long time already and went to look for him. Slowly, she walked down the hall, their guestfamily was nowhere to be seen and knocked at the bathroomdoor.

''Tony... Is everything allright?'', she asked and tried to sound not to sternly. Nonetheless, she didn't get an answer. Pepper was anxious and rushed back to their room to get a coin to open the lock. She opened the door and gasped. Tony was lying on the floor unconsciously. She kneeled down next to him and shook him - without success.

''Help!'' she cried out, but no one came.

''God, Tony, come on...''

She stood up and held a towel under the faucet till it was soaked and pressed it on Tony's forehead.

She sat next to him for what felt like hours, until he finally groaned and opened his eyes.

His head ached like hell, but the pain quickly vanished when he opened his eyes and looked in her ocean blue eyes. Her hand held a cold towel on his head and he groaned, but raised his hand and placed it on top of hers.

Pepper gasped when he touched her, but didn't pull back.

''Tony... what happened?'' she asked carefully and looked at him.

Tony ignored the dizziness when he sat up carefully and Pepper supported him. She was really anxious.

Tony took a deep breath and mumbled:

''Pepper, don't worry... I...''

He couldn't end the sentence. It got black in front of his eyes and he only heard Peppers gasp, before he fell unconscious again.