Pepper awoke in the middle of the night thinking he was still next to her, but to her dismay, after rubbing her eyes to keep them from shutting, she noticed how cold it was beside her. It was the middle of the night, 3:46 to be exact. She snuggled further into her covers and sighed.

A break. That was what he said he wanted. When in reality what they needed was to talk things out. If only he could understand that and not take it the wrong way, but he wouldn't. Her mind went to what ifs and she thought about the times where if she had been a little braver, pushed further; did this instead of that, things would be different. What if she had shown up at his doorstep the moment she found out about his parents? Would things be different? What if instead of waiting on him to come to her she had refused and took matters into her own hands? What about then? Would things be different? Her brain responded to her inquiries with a simple statement. Yes, it would. But did it mean anything at this very minute? No, it didn't. It couldn't. Because saying it did meant she could turn back time, which was impossible.

"Pepper?" Great, now he's in my head. Or at least that's what she thought until she heard him walking into her room. She stayed still, not moving an inch, to see what he would do.

"Pepper?" He stopped next to the bed and frowned. She was immersed into the blankets, her back facing him.

She turned around and laid on her back, glancing up at him.

"I'm hungry."

"Are you serious," she asked in a flat tone, sitting up. "You woke me up because you want something to eat?"

He thought about replying, but went against it. A silence filled the room as he glanced at her with trepidation.

"Please?" Tony stared at her hopefully and nudged the bed with his leg.

"There's plenty of food in the cabinets. Find whatever you want."

"But I want something hot," he said, acting like a petulant child.

She sighed. "Fine."

"Really," he asked, eyes lighting up. He took a step back and let her get out of bed.

She hated that look; hated that it got her to cave in just seconds after.

"When did you leave my room," Pepper asked, adopting a softer tone as they made their way downstairs and into the kitchen.

"About an hour ago. Didn't want to get you in trouble with your mom."

She smiled to herself and nodded. "So what sounds good? Hot pocket?"

"Hot pocket? What the hell is that," he asked, looking into the freezer.

"This?" She held it in front of his face. "You've never seen one before?"

"I've never even heard of it," he replied, taking it from her and examining it. "What's it like?"

"Kinda like a calzone. It's really good." She took a plate out and let it heat in the microwave.

He sat down and watched as Pepper did so and fiddled his thumbs, not knowing what to say.

"It's really hot, so be careful." Knowing Tony, he'd just shove it in his mouth.

"Thanks." He picked it up and sniffed it. Shrugging, he took a bite. It wasn't too bad. "This is actually pretty good. What's inside? Well, except the cheese, because that's obvious."

"It's just that and ham."

"You bought them at the market?"

"Where else would you get them?"

"Is it near the pizza rolls?"

"Yeah, it should be around that area."

"Next to the frozen pizzas inside the-"

She cut him off before he could finish, not sure why he was asking these ridiculous questions. "Tony, you don't have to make small talk. If you want to be left alone, just tell me."

Tony looked at her, lost and confused.

She grew frustrated when she saw his blank stare. "Never mind." Getting up, she made her way out the kitchen but stopped just before she did. "You know what? I actually thought we made progress last night and you're here acting like you're in hell or something."

He didn't understand. What was happening? Why was she upset?

"You're not going to defend yourself?"

"Uh, I would, if I had a clue what the hell you were talking about." He dropped his snack and stared pointedly at her. "All I did was ask a freaking question. It wasn't me trying to get rid of you, Pepper."

"Then why your ridiculous questions?"

"I was serious! Believe it or not, I don't ever go grocery shopping."

One look at Tony and Pepper could tell he had told the truth. "Oh."

"Yeah," he replied in a mocking manner. "Get off your high horse."

She sighed. What was she supposed to do? She'd been wrong and had picked a fight for no reason. "So you're telling me you only asked because you've recently stepped into a store for the first time?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No. Just surprised."

"Whatever," he mumbled, picking up his hot pocket; taking a bite.

"Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you. You didn't deserve that kind of treatment. But don't sit there and tell me you wouldn't rather be alone than be in the same room as me because I can feel it."

"Of course I would. We just decided to take a break. It's awkward."

"Our entire dynamic's changed since the benefit. You've changed."

"You don't think I know that? My parents were assassinated; that changes a person." He didn't understand how she didn't think it would. "And I said I'd work on it. What else could you possibly want?"

"You won't let me in or let me take care of you because you think it's not my job, that in some way it puts a burden on me if you did, but it doesn't. I can promise that."

"I'm not gonna sit down and pour my feelings out on a silver platter for you, Pepper. It's not who I am. If you want a boyfriend who does that, then go find one, because it'll never happen if you're with me. Quit having these expectations because chances are I won't live up to them." His eyes locked with hers a second longer before he got up and left for the front door. The ball was in her court. It was her decision to accept him as is or find someone else that had no problem giving her what she needed.

She sighed, not sure what to do. His emotions seemed to be on a roller coaster ride these days. He could go from sweet, mad, charming to downright rude in an instant.

"So is there any truth to the rumors going around," Kristin asked as Pepper took a seat across from her at the table in the quad.

"I still can't believe someone overheard everything. It's embarrassing."

"Pepper, stop exaggerating. It's just bits and pieces. All anyone knows is that he beats up your ex and comes out seething after."

"We had a fight," she admitted. There wasn't a point in hiding what the entire school knew. "I don't know what to do. He's distant, he's moody and distracted. I feel like I could lose him at any second."

"Don't think about it like that. I mean, Tony is still around. That helps."

"Only to apologize and he only does it because he thinks it makes up for what he did and it doesn't. What if he's tired of me?" It was always something she feared and now it seemed to be coming true.

"That's just stupid. Everyone sees how he looks at you. He knows you only do it because you care."

"Try the exact opposite. He thinks I do it because I want to control him. He made that pretty clear."

"I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"Hey, you know who I just ran into in the hall," said a voice behind her back. It was Scarlett. Kristin had introduced Pepper to her during the first week of school and they both instantly became friends. "Rex. There's gonna be a party tonight and you'll never guess where." She sat the flyer down and let them read it.

"Oh. My. God." Pepper annunciated every word; then was at a loss of words.

In big bold print read: TONIGHT - 11PM. PARTY OF THE CENTURY. MUSIC, FOOD, BOOZE, POOL. GUYS BRING YOUR TRUNKS, GIRLS...OPTIONAL.

Kristin turned to Pepper, still shocked. "Is he serious?"

"It's nothing new," Scarlett piped in. "He's always had these kind of parties."

"Yeah, but this time he has a girlfriend," she shot back, gesturing to Pepper.

Scarlett turned to Pepper. "What are you going to do?"

"Hey, pass these around," Tony said, shoving a stack of flyers into Rex's chest. "And make sure one gets to Pepper."

"What is it?"

"Party after the game tonight."

"Seriously? You're finally hosting another party? It's been forever."

"Months in fact. But, yeah. I'm in a good mood."

Rex laughed. "Got it. I'll spread the word for ya."

"Great," he smirked.

"What are you doing," asked a voice as Rex rounded the corner and was out of site.

Tony glanced at his friend, who had an unimpressed look on his face, before giving a flyer to a group of passing girls.

"Guys bring your trunks, girls...optional," Rhodey yelled.

"You're welcome."

Rhodey rolled his eyes when he heard Tony's smug tone. "Has Pepper seen this? She's going to flip out and kill you."

"She will. It's not like she's not invited. Hey," he called out to several volleyball girls. He gave them his signature smile and handed them each a flyer. "Party at my house tonight. Bring a swimsuit." The girls giggled and blushed. "But if you decide to go all natural I'm fine with that, too."

That was enough. He grabbed Tony's shoulder and dragged him off to the side about to smack some sense into him.

"Back the hell off!" Tony broke free and stared at his friend angrily.

"What are you doing? You're acting like a total-"

"Prick," he finished. "That was what you were going to say, right?" He straightened his jacket and glared at Rhodey. "I'm gonna do what I fucking want for a change. If you don't like it, don't show up."

"I don't think I can do this." She thought she was strong enough to walk through those doors, but now she wasn't. She turned around and looked at Kristin and Scarlett. "Let's just go watch a movie."

"We're already here and we all agree that you should confront him. What he's doing isn't right. It's disrespectful; it's insensitive. Remember what we talked about, Pepper. We'll be here to help you out."

"That doesn't make me feel better," she informed Kristin.

Scarlett sighed. "Look, let's just see what he's up to. If it's nothing, we'll leave. He'll never know we were here."

They both look at Pepper and waited.

Pepper bit her lip as she looked at the gate in front of her. She was sure there was nothing going on. After all, she did trust him. There was just the nagging voice in the back of her head that wanted to know what he was up to. "Okay," she said, dreadfully at that.

"Tony's gonna be shocked."

"Wonder what he'll do when he sees her." The two of them ran to catch up to Pepper, but they all were stopped at the door by a group of football players standing guard.

"Clothes off. Or you're not entering," one of them stated.

"What?!" Both Kristin and Scarlett seemed shocked. Pepper, on the other hand, did not.

"Tony's rules."

"That's not necessary," said Rhodey, quickly walking up to them. He was so glad Pepper had came. "I'm sure Tony wouldn't like it if you refused his girlfriend at the door."

Pepper shot him a look of relief as none of the players objected.

"Wait, rules don't apply to her only," said the player on the left.

"But we didn't bring our swimsuits."

The first football player spoke again. "Clothing's optional, right?"

"Just wait here," Pepper said to her friends. "If I'm not back in ten minutes, just leave."

Kristin and Scarlett were concerned.

"I'll be fine. I'll have my brother take me back."

"Be careful." With a word of caution, they said their goodbyes and parted ways. Kristin and Scarlett back to the car and Pepper towards the pool party.

"You look like you could use a drink." She turned around. He was blonde, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. "I saw you wandering around. You looking for somebody?"

Pepper smiled. "Kinda."

"You're the only chick here dressed."

"And?"

"And I'm wondering how you pulled that off. Tony runs a strict program."

"Let's just say I'm special."

The blonde hummed. "Right. I'm Chris." He extended his hand out, glad she accepted.

"Pepper."

"Pepper? How original. You attend Atlas High? Please don't tell me you're a freshman."

"What if I was?"

Chris leaned against the wall and shrugged. "I'd be disappointed." He handed her his unopened can of beer and pointed at her. "You look like someone who's hard to crack. Which is great because I love puzzles."

Pepper scoffed. "You gotta do better than that."

He laughed, embarrassed. "That wasn't supposed to be a pick up line. Let me explain. I'm a Psych major. We're doing profiles."

She cast her head down, her cheeks reddening.

"It's my fault," Chris said, taking responsibility. "I should had phrased it better, but don't be embarrassed. And I would have asked if you wanted to get out of here, but something told me you'd say no. Probably because you have a boyfriend. Who's in...water polo? Basketball? Baseball? Football? Yep. Bingo." Her expression told him that. "Good news is that I know where they are, but the bad news is that they're doing body shots off the cheerleaders at Rockwell High. You sure you wanna subject yourself to that? I wouldn't."

"Well, lucky for him, I'm the confrontational kind of girlfriend."

"Yeah, I guessed that, too." He gestured Pepper to start walking with him to the North end of the area. "So how special are you to Tony?" She glanced at Chris and faked confusion. "It's just I heard he was single again. You're having troubles with your boyfriend. Not that I'm saying you're that kinda girl, but I'd think about it."

"I'm not interested. Plus, I'm sure he's found some other girl."

"Yeah, he was sort of plastered earlier. But I've got to say, he knows how to have fun."

Her stomach churned at those words. "Are you saying you saw Tony leave with a girl?"

"No, but I wouldn't be surprised," Chris said, oblivious to her stomach rioting again. Her hand had squeezed the beer can and she could've sworn she felt it pierce her skin. "There were girls all over him, but he didn't look too interested."

She breathed a small sigh of relief and looked around. Chris had been telling the truth. In the middle of the crowd was a girl in a bikini lying down on a table and a guy was doing a shot off her stomach. She heard someone call another female name, who proceeded to take her shirt off, to which all the men whistled and hollered. One look at her body and it would make any girl envious.

Everyone waited in anticipation, as did Pepper. The man holding the microphone was handed a folded piece of paper. "Looks like it's Stark's turn!" Everyone proceeded to applaud and scream expect her.

Yes, I'm cruel for leaving it at that. But how many of you actually think he'll do it? Well, it turns out I'm editing the next chapter as we speak and it will be finished within the week, so stay tuned for a quick update!