Seconds after the doctor left the hospital room, Pepper looked back at Tony who was scratching his hand without even having an idea of what he's doing. When her eyes locked with his, nothing happened. They just starred into each others eyes until Pepper finally broke eye-contact, letting her gaze wonder on his hands.

″What happened?″ She asked in a low tone.

″What supposed to happen?″

″After... you know. The incident in the garden.″

He turned his head, feeling suddenly embarassed that she brought up that fact. Tony closed his eyes, as tears threatened to fill his eyes. He wanted to say something but he couldn't.

He simply nodded.

The situation was awkward.

″I'm not blind, Tony.″

Somehow, Pepper managed to say between tears.

″Please, -″ He begged her.

Tony turned now his head, now facing her, but his eyes were still closed. He didn't wanted to show her his real feelings.

″-I'm... I just... don't want to see you sad. Please, don't cry.″

When the last words escaped his mouth, Pepper walked slowly to his bed and silently put her hand over his forehead, making him shiver, yet again. Not as if this wasn't enough. He didn't really know how he managed to stay calm through all of this, but now it felt like losing a battle.

″Tell me what bothers you. I really don't know how I can manage this thing.″ She said between sobs.

He cleared his throat and opened his bloodshot eyes. Now it was Pepper's turn to shiver at that sight.

″You know... I wanted to -″

He stopped when her hand touched his in a gentle way, making him look at their hands.

″- I knew straight from the night on the roof that I, um... well, I really didn't know how this worked, I never felt it.″

He said vaguely.

″Before.″ He added.

He swallowed hard before starting again.

″Something happened when I came back from Afghanistan. You standing there, waiting for me. It was simply overwhelming. I didn't know how I was supposed to live after, you know... I planned. Before. But it was different. Much more different after I got home.″

Suddenly she entwined her fingers with him, making him more confident.

″When I heard about the Paris party, I though it would be so damn boring with all those investors and business people around me that I would get more probably a walk down the Champs-Elysees, than being around them.″

Her eyes were following every gesture his body made, ensuring his is comfortable with this situation. But he was entirely not.

″I thought at a better option than that. And my mind drifted back to you.″

His eyes closed again.

″When we walked after the dance, I thought we could... you know, I could make it up for you. For leaving you on the roof that night. I'm sure you remember.″

Pepper chuckled.

″And if you would've reacted differently, I would've told you right there that I love you and the only thing I wanted the most in the world, was you too love me back.″

Her heart twiched when his words hit her like a hammer.

″And if that would've happen, -″ He swallowed hard again and cleared his throat.

″- I would've taken you back to your hotel room and the next thing...″

Tony opened his eyes and looked in hers.

″I was going to tell you that I can't live without you.″

″And I only wanted to make love to you all the night long. Just you and me. Alone in the bed, all the night. Without fearing of what is going to happen the next day.″

A tear escaped his eyes and Pepper quickly wipped the little drop of water from his cheek.

″I love you.″ He said with a groan.

″And I wish you could love me the same way I love you. Now please, leave.″

Tears rolled down her face and she turned to leave but before closing the door she said:

″I love you too, idiot bastard.″

He groaned once again and burried his face into the pillow, thinking. Oh yes, Tony Stark was thinking. Was it true what she said earlier? Did she loved him back? Or he dreamed?

Reviews if you want to see the next chapter soon enough.

Because if you don't I have to cancel it till January.

And I think that wouldn't be great for you.

Thank you all for reading.