Tony was flying back to California in the Iron Man suit after just completing a mission. A huge goofy grin painted his handsome face as he replayed, over and over, what had taken place before he left.
Tony kissed Pepper's belly button and then began a trail of tickling licks and open mouthed kisses up her stomach, between the valley of her breasts, her chin, and he stopped when he reached her face. A soft ghost of a smile was on her lips. She placed her fingers on the arc reactor and then pressed her palm firmly against it.
"Iron man." A ghost laugh escaped from Pepper's throat.
"I AM Iron Man." Tony smirked down at her.
"No man is made out of Iron." Pepper said quietly, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"I am if your with me, Pepper. The Indestructible Tony Stark who just happens to also be Iron Man."
Pepper's eyes met his. "I love you, Tony Stark."
Tony felt an elated shiver shake his entire body. They had been together for a little over a month but neither one of them had actually spoken those words. Tony always figured it was a mutual feeling they both shared but the power and impact of actually hearing Pepper say it was like the most potent drug. He knew he didn't deserve her love but the selfish part of him wouldn't let her go. Tony truly was indestructible with Pepper next to him. Alone he would crumble and the Iron Man suit would be reduced to nothing but scrap metal.
"I love you, Pepper Potts."
Pepper unlocked her front door and walked into her house. She tossed her keys on the kitchen counter, not caring when she missed and they landed on the floor. A huge grin was spread across her beautiful face and she felt light headed in the best way possible. She kept replaying what had happened between her and Tony earlier. Jarvis informed her that Tony would be back from his mission in three hours and fifteen minutes. Pepper decided this was enough time to stop home, take a quick shower, grab a few things, and head back to Tony's to be their when he got back.
Pepper practically floated up the stairs into her bedroom. She wasn't even paying attention to what she shoved into her duffle bag.
"Nice evening?" An unfamiliar voice asked from the shadows.
Pepper whipped around, her heartbeat speeding up. A tall lanky man with slicked back salt and pepper hair and a devious looking smirk stepped out from behind the curtains. Pepper's glance flicked over to the open window. She hadn't even noticed it and she was never one to leave anything open, on, or unlocked before she left the house.
Pepper could feel her fight or flight instincts begin to kick in but before her brain could make a choice, Kearson took one long stride towards her and covered her mouth with a rag doused in chloroform. Pepper could barely get the chance to struggle as the chemical wrapped itself around her senses and the world around her disappeared.
Kearson Dewitt gently lifted Pepper up into his arms and laughed with sheer excitement. This was going to be more fun than he thought.
Tony landed in the workshop. The bots easily dismantled his suit. Once he was free he looked around expecting to see Pepper there but the entire place was empty. He quickly rushed up the stairs ignoring the minor aches and pains that shot through his body.
"Pepper!" He called out.
"Sir, Miss Potts left aproximately three hours and forty-six minutes ago." Jarvis informed Tony.
"Where did she go?" Tony filled up with fear. He hoped like hell it wasn't because of earlier that night. He thought things were fine.... shit better than fine. Things couldn't have been more incredible.
"Miss Potts said she was going home to retrieve a few items and that she would be back by the time you returned."
"Then where is she?"
Before Jarvis could answer Tony's question a loud beeping noise came through. "Sir, I have an incoming video message for you."
"Put it up on the screen." Tony said. He really wasn't in the mood for business right now.
The large flat screen television turned on and Tony watched, curiously, as an unfamiliar man stared out at him.
"Tony Stark. Iron Man himself." Kearson Dewitt clapped gleefully. "You don't know me but I'm sure your familiar with my father."
Tony's face scrunched up in confusion. He had never seen this man in his entire life and he sure as hell didn't know his father.
"Since my father died and Iron Man came swooping in to save the day I made it my number one priority to take that stolen creation down."
Tony watched, completely bewildered. He never stole the idea for the suit. Iron Man was HIS OWN creation.
"I wanted you gone as well but finding out Iron Man and Tony Stark were one, just made my job that much easier. I wondered for so long what weakness could an indestructible man have? Then it hit me." Kearson moved away from the camera and Tony's eyes went wide with horror as he saw Pepper lying on the floor behind the man. She was unconscious and her hands and feet were tightly bound together. Kearson stooped down next to Pepper and ran the back of his hand across her cheek. Tony felt a pulse of rage rip through his chest. "I must say this is going to be so much more satisfying than I imagined. An angel. An absolute angel." Kearson leaned down and pressed a kiss against Pepper's temple. The screen went fuzzy and then black.
Tony felt his legs give out from underneath him and he fell to his knees. Hot tears stung his eyes. "Pepper." He whispered out in a strangled sob.
TBC....
