Disclaimer: I don't not un-own anything.

Summary: Humanity has been lost to the ravages of the apocalypse. Nothing is left, all the Avengers are dead. Until one of them is given a second chance, by a mysterious entity. But are they willing?

Chapter 7 : Sometime later

Remember this question...

I woke up with a start. 'What?' I thought to myself. 'Remember what question?!'

"Guys! He's awake!" I heard Clint yell. His voice seemed raspy.

It was then that I took note of my surroundings. I was sitting alone in a cell.

'This didn't fucking happen last time.' I thought to myself. 'Stupid butterfly effect.'

The cell wasn't anything special. It was an average closed off cell, with iron bars on one wall.

Looking out through the bars, was a hall, running left and right. Across that hall, were the rest of the Avengers.

Bruce was sitting, back to wall, eyes closed, and breathing steadily. I seemed to be in a peaceful state of sleep, but I noticed his tense shoulders. He was awake. He was trying to hold Hulk back.

Thor was standing tall, back straight, and shoulders square. Though through his stoic demeanor, I saw his face. He wore an out of character frown, and his lip twitched every now and then. Cap standing was next to Thor. He seemed to be whispering (words of comfort perhaps?) to him. I studied Cap further, and saw fear etched onto his face.

I looked over to Clint and Nat next. They were the only ones who seemed to be normal. ish. They were sitting side by side, staring at me.

"Why the stares?" I asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. All eyes were on me, and it was very uncomfortable.

"Why the fuck are all of us in one cell except you?" Clint seemed angry now.

Natasha placed a hand on his shoulder, whispering something in his ear. He seemed to pacify himself after that.

"All of us woke up almost an hour ago." Natasha piped in, and went silent afterwards. "No one's come to say anything to us yet, so we've all assumed that you're their target."

"Just great." I complained, keeping up my narcissistic persona. In truth, I felt awful. I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I felt terrible that they were all here because of me. No time for self pity though, as my brain kicked into over drive trying to find a solution.

It wasn't Hammer, he's too much of a coward to try and capture all of us. He also isn't evil. He's just selfish. My mind racked itself for a person that currently hated me. No one else came to mind. Vanko was dead, along with Obie-diah. The 10 rings wouldn't have the tech to infiltrate Avengers tower, and wouldn't be in America at all. So, who was it?

"Tony."

My mind went on high alert. I went on high alert. Everything was wrong with that word. It was seductive. It was alluring like a siren. I wanted to run towards it. I wanted it so badly. My heart wanted to run for it. But the word. It was said with malice unlike any other, and it drive daggers into my heart. It was Pepper. My Pepper.

"Tooony."

She dragged it out this time, like a blade through bread.

"Look at me Tony."

She said through clenched teeth.

I brought my eyes to meet her's. She was standing in a dark corner of my cell. She was dressing in her usual work outfit. She was brandishing a knife. She took a step forward.

"It's time for payback Tony." She said in the same malicious tone.

In that moment, it felt as if my heart broke.

Pepper came closer to me. I felt a sharp sting in my left cheek, before a warm liquid ran down it. She had scratched me with her perfectly manicured nails.

"THIS IS FOR ALL THE TORMENT YOU'VE PUT ME THROUGH!" She screeched.

She scratched me again on my right cheek.

"I'VE HELPED YOU THROUGH EVERYTHING!" She screeched again. "YOUR NIGHTMARES! YOUR GUILT! YOUR ENTIRE FUCKING LIFE!"

I screamed out as she stabbed me in the arm with the knife she'd been holding. It was inches deep.

"ALL I ASKED FOR IN RETURN WAS YOUR LOVE!" She screamed as she dragged the knife down my arm.

Blood started to gush out of my arm, and I became dizzy. I started to sway.

Pepper grabbed my chin, and dug her nails in. She whispered in my ear. "See you in the morning you worthless piece of shit."

I blacked out. Weather to pain, blood loss or heartbreak. I didn't care. My life was officially worthless.

(A/N) What do you think people? Review your response below.