I'm so sorry guys... I know it's been way too long since my last update but I hope you'll forgive me because of all the fluff in this chapter.

Please leave a review, I want to know how I'm doing. Love you all and happy reading - the next chapter will be up soon )

It felt like hours until Pepper broke the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I never thought I'd hear that from you and believe it...", she whispered breathlessly.

Tony held her close, and he couldn't deny that he was genuinely happy right now. But he also knew Pepper didn't deserve how he treated her. The sky was still full of ash and Tony knew they wouldn't be allowed to fly back with the jet. His suit wasn't an option either, because he wouldn't survive the long trip. They had to get home to find a cure as soon as possible, but it was his duty to have Pepper safe and strong enough to stand the long trip back home.

He pulled back and kissed her forhead softly.

"How are you feeling, Pep?"

"A lot better", she said and caressed his cheek with her hand. "You saved my life, Tony... And... I don't know how to ever thank you for that."

Tony kissed her palm and smiled at her lovingly. Yes, he did save her life... Yet he wasn't able to save his own. This was crazy, here he was, confessed his love to Pepper and she returned his feelings. Even though he couldn't enjoy it at all, always thinking about what would happen to him. But he wouldn't give up that easily.

"You don't have to thank me, Pep... I would've done everything to get you back and save, but...''

He softly brushed a strand of strawberryblonde hair behind her ear and drowned in her ocean blue eyes, which were looking back at him with a loving expression. He sighed and finally continued to speak:

"You know, we have to get back home... But I have to make sure you're okay and I also don't know how yet...'',he stumbled and Pepper placed a finger on his lips to make him stop talking. She was really confused about his behaviour. Tony Stark was never babbling like this, but focused and precise.

''Tony... I'm worrying more about you than me at the moment. Would you just... just talk to me and tell me what's wrong with you? Is it because of me? Us?" Tony looked at her and felt incredibly guilty for making her think that she was the problem. She could never be. In fact, she was the only reason he was fighting to survive. There was no way back, she had to know and maybe she could even help him.

"Let's take a walk along the beach...", he finally said and kissed her forehead softly. He felt so close to her, yet so far away. A thousand questions ran through his mind and he wasn't even able to answer one of them. What would have happened if he had never become Iron Man? What if he had found his love for Pepper much sooner? Maybe he would'nt have gotten in that cave in the first place. Maybe he could have a family right now... with her...

Don't be ridiculous Tony... You only became the man she loves because you were in that cave. Because you realized, that there are things more important than yourself.

He was torn from his thoughts when Pepper asked carefully:

"Ummm... Tony? I would love to go to the beach with you, but I still have nothing to wear..."

Tony took a moment to look at her body, which was still covered in the thin blanket. If he thought about it, he admired her for being this comfortable around him, due to his reputation. In fact, she was so much more of a woman than any woman he had ever been with before. Finally he realized he was staring at her absently and focused back on her current clothing problem. He went to Thomas' drawer and a handed Pepper a large lumberjack shirt and black Boxershorts a few minutes later.

"I know it's not perfect...", he said and smiled. "But don't worry, you'll look stunning either way"

Pepper blushed, but smiled back and changed quickly. Tony couldn't deny that he loved their flirting banter, but right now it broke his heart. He waited and watched her change silently. When she had closed the last button of the shirt she looked up at him insecurely and nervously played with the hem of the shirt. Tony smiled and caught her hands before he kissed her softly.

"Told you so...", he mumbled when he pulled back. Pepper blushed even more and leaned up to kiss his cheek before she mumbled back:

"Let's go..."

She took his hand and Tony silently followed her downstairs. For a short time, Pepper was confused, when there was no sign of Thomas, but she didn't question it. They left the house and Pepper whined as the ground hurt her bare feet. Tony immediately turned around and lifted her in his arms to carry her the way to the beach. Pepper could not help but be reminded of the last time he had carried her that way, but instead of cold and empty she now felt loved and cared for.

As they had reached the beach Tony set her down, wrapped his arms around her body and held her as close as humanly possible. Pepper hugged him back and could feel his heart beat fast against her own.

Tony didn't know where to start. He knew she would freak out and he didn't want to do this to her, but he couldn't hide it any longer either. He took a deep breath and pulled back.

"Pep... I", he looked at her with a hurt expression and sunk down, sitting in the sand in front of her. He rested his head in his hands and couldn't supress a sob escaping his lips. Pepper kneeled down next to him and pulled him to her, Tonys head rested on her shoulder as he clung to her like his life depended on it.

"Talk to me Tony. I know something is wrong, and no matter what, we'll find a solution... together"

As she lovingly held him, Tony seemed to relax and finally mumbled:

"No, we won't. As much as I want to..."

He pulled back from her embrace and stood up, walking down the beach a few steps. The water hit his bare feet and he felt the morning breeze on his skin. Right now was the moment that would decide over his faith. Would he spend his last days with the woman he loved? Or would she leave him, out of fear of what would happen to him? He turned around to see that she had also stood up and looked at him questioningly. Tony took all his confidence together and approached her, taking her hands in his.

"Don't freak out Pep, alright?"

Pepper just stared at him as he lifted his muscle shirt and gasped when she saw the nearly black lines all around his arc and his torso. Her gaze went from his face to the arc and back, her lips trembled when she whispered:

"Is that...", she had to take a deep breath to continue. "Is that what I think it is?", she asked and their eyes met. Tony could see the desperation in the deep blue and the pain when she continued:

"Is it... It's poisoning you, isn't it?"

Tony only nodded, but as he wanted to pull her close she fought him back.

"That's why you fell unconcious... that's why you acted so weird... That's the reason you told me you love me..."

She couldn't believe it. Now, when everything had finally fallen into place she would loose him. This time she let him approach her and he caressed her cheek, making her look up at him. Her blue eyes filled with tears when they met his and Tony whispered:

"I meant it, Pep..."

"I know...", she stumbled and kissed him desperately, couldn't fight back the tears running down her face. Tony pulled her closer, his hands on her waist. He didn't want all of this to happen, but he was glad that Pepper didn't run away. The kiss tatsed like salt, but he didn't care. Their tongues entwined in a sensual dance and neither of them wanted it to end ever again. Pepper melted into Tonys body, didn't had the strength to pull back, because she knew if she did, reality would hit them again. It was when she couldn't hold back the sobs any more that they had to break apart and she cried into his shoulder.

"Shh Pep... I will find a cure, I promise... I won't leave you, I need you, remember? You're all I have and I will do everything to stay alive... I promise."