A/N: This takes place in Avengers: Age of Ultron. This is just me speculating on whatever will happen and because I want Pepper to be in that movie.

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or its characters used in this story. What is written here is for entertainment purposes only. I do not make any profits from it.

"Ultron and company approaching. Impact in T-30 hours."

The group drew a collective breath. They all watched the computer monitor show a series of dots representing Ultron and his drones coming at them from miles.

The next thing Pepper knew is that she was being dragged by Tony to who knows where in the farm house they were hiding in.

"Tony," she tried to catch his attention.

But he wouldnt stop. He proceeded to open every room they passed, almost as if he's searching for something.

"Tony, we have to go back."

More doors.

"We can't just leave them there. We need to come up with a plan."

Tony gave no indication that he heard her until he finally led her to a study.

Pepper looked around. She suddenly realized the reason why Tony led her away from the team. He was trying to draw her away from the line of fire. Which was useless really because if Ultron found them in the farmhouse, she'd be dead too.

"Tony, you can't!" Pepper cried, moving to the doorway but Tony blocked it.

"You can't leave me here!"

"Stay here," he instructed.

Pepper shook her head. "You can't just pack me away for safekeeping like I'm one of your toys! I want to help! And if this house gets blown up, I'm still going to be here. I'm still going to die with all of you! The least you could do is let me help!"

Tony shook his head. He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something but then decided against it. He brought her close and placed his forehead against her's.

"I love you. More than you can possibly imagine. And- please, Pepper. Trust me. Just... Just stay here."

And before she could grab hold of him Tony had locked her in.

"Tony!" Pepper banged at the door.

She huffed. She couldn't believe this. She should've just kept extremis in her that way Tony would allow her to join the fight. Times like these, she really wanted her own suit or her own set of assassin skills.

A few minutes later, her boyfriend returned.

"If you're looking for a goodbye, you're not gonna get it," she told him bitterly. She had her arms crossed over her chest.

Following right behind Tony was Nicholas J. Fury.

Pepper rose from the chair she was sitting on. "Tony, what's going on?"

"Why don't you tell me, Miss Potts? Stark here just told me that you have some valuable information about Ultron that you didn't want to share with the group."

Pepper frowned in confusion. "Information? I don't-"

"I just said that to make you come here," Tony admitted, a bit in a hurry.

Fury glared at the avenger. "You mean to tell me that you dragged me here for a super secret meeting that has nothing to do with Ultron?"

"Yes."

The look on Fury's face was enough to make Pepper forget she was ever angry at her boyfriend and instead be scared for him.

"Stark," Fury began

"I need you to marry us," blurted Tony.

Forget pity. Pepper was downright surprised and confused.

"Marry you? We're close to getting our asses blown away in 30 hours and you want to get married!?"

Tony didn't reply.

"Did you even ask the girl to marry you?" Fury turned to Pepper who shook her head as an answer to the question.

"Stark, I think you got this proposal thing all wrong."

"Believe me. He's done it about 5 times and he still can't get it right," Pepper stated.

Fury turned to open the door. "I haven't got time for the drama in your love life, Stark! I have a war to win!"

Tony pushed the door back with a growl. "No. You will marry us. Because Ultron is coming."

The name sent a shiver down Pepper's spine.

"He's coming and he's going to kill us. And I'm not sure if we're gonna win this. Which is why I need you to marry Pepper and me." He paused to look at her. "Because if I'm going to die today, I want to die a married man. I want to be married to this woman in this lifetime. Now. Because I love you, Pepper. And I want to take care of you even when I'm gone-"

"Don't say that-"

"You'll own Stark Industries-"

"I don't want your money!"

"It's not my money I'm giving you!" Tony cried, "It's me. My life's work. I'm giving it to you to protect it. To remember me when I'm gone. Because those damn piranhas in the board are going to eat you alive when I don't have a named successor. They're going to strip the company bare. Everything we've worked for, Pep. Everything we tried to protect and achieve! I need you to protect it, to take care of it. Because honey, it'll take care of you too if I don't make it out alive."

Pepper felt her eyes sting as she tried to hold back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

"As sweet as this all sounds, Stark, I still can't marry you two! Do I look like I'm a damn priest or a city official licensed for this damn event?"

"Jarvis already signed you up online. Everything's covered." Tony took Pepper's hands in his. "All that's left is to say I do."

Pepper smiled. Abandoning trying to look brave, she let the tears spill and in that moment, Fury has never seen her more vulnerable.

"Please, Nick. I don't think I can handle not being married to this jerk a minute longer."

Fury's mouth twitched. He can't believe he's doing this. Reduced to a minister.

"Fine. Stark, do you swear to love this woman amidst all the death threats, palladium poisoning, terrorist attacks, and wars that will grace your mortal life?"

"Hell yeah."

"Miss Potts, do you swear to love this cocky, arrogant son of a bitch?"

"Yes."

"Even though I have no idea why you would, by the power vested in me by Jarvis and the internet, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Tony leaned in to his wife.

"Not now! When I leave the room!"

But Fury's protests were in vain. Tony had pressed his lips firmly to Pepper's. He pulled her closer and tugged at her clothes. They might just skip the reception and go to the wedding night too.

Fury rolled his eyes and turned to leave.

Pepper pulled away to catch her breath. "You know, five proposals and you still haven't gotten it right."

"But you still married me."

"That I did."

...

"Where the hell have you been?" Steve cried angrily, "We really needed your input on these strategies-"

"We got married!" Pepper beamed. Her hand tightly held Tony's.

"I-" Steve was at a loss for words.

"Without me?!" Barton demanded.

"Well, it's about time you finally said yes, Pepper." Bruce chuckled.

"Congratulations, Stark," came Steve's voice. Genuinely happy for them.

Before any of them could do or say anything more, Tony had ushered Pepper out to a private jet waiting outside. It was to send her to to his house in Japan, hopefully far away from Ultron as possible.

It crossed Tony's mind that if they didn't win this fight, there would be no hiding Pepper from Ultron.

"Tony, you have to let go of my hand," said Pepper, breaking him from his morbid thoughts.

She was at the the steps leading up to the plane.

Tony looked down to their hands still clasped together. If he let go, he probably won't see her again.

He took a breath and said, "Promise me you'll stay alive."

Pepper shook her head. "You have to let go of my hand. I won't be able to do it so you have to."

"Promise me."

"You know I don't make promises I can't keep."

"Pepper," pleaded Tony.

"I love you. That's all I can promise." She kissed him again. "Now, let go."

Tony did as she asked and let go of her hand.

"I promise I'll fight to the death to keep him away from you," Tony called as she walked up further to the plane.

That's what I'm afraid of, Pepper thought. She restrained herself from saying it and instead said, "Just try to come home to me! We still have our honeymoon to get to!"

Then she finally entered the jet.

A/N: The end! Thanks for reading, you guys!