#73 promise

Come Home

He had been gone for days; too many days for him to come home in one piece. Pepper managed to get through the day as best as she could. Holding her head high, she took charge during meetings, holding back the flood of emotions bottled up inside of her. She wouldn't let her guard down, not here, she had to remain strong.

Night time was another story. Pepper would drive back to the mansion, her eyes full to the brim with tears, hoping each time that he would come home that night. It was the same routine each night that passed. Shower, attempt to eat something, then head straight down into the workshop, eventually falling asleep on the well worn leather couch, comforted by the scent that lingered in the cushions there. She jerked awake with every new sound she heard; hoping that it was Tony finally coming back to her, her heart broke a little bit more when she realized it was usually just the bots puttering around the workshop. Tony had been gone for days before, but he had always managed to call, to let her know that everything was ok, that he would be home soon. Now it had been four days, four painstakingly long days with no contact what so ever. Something had to have gone wrong, she just knew it.

Pepper fell asleep to the sound of her own soft sobs, her tears sinking into the plush pillow, mixing her scent with his own. A crash rang throughout her ears, causing her body to flinch, her eyes frantically looking towards the pad. Tony was being supported by robotic as they pulled and pried at his battered armor.

Pepper rushed over and released the helmet from his head; blood was steadily seeping from a gash above his right eye.

"Oh my god Tony!" She pushed the hair back from his eyes to getter a better look at his wound.

"Pepper?" Tony's voice was quiet and raspy, his breathing ragged.

The bots managed to set him free from his titanium alloy prison, leaving him on wobbly legs and leaning heavily on Pepper.

Pep…Pepper…I couldn't…I tried…Pepper…" Tony was gasping between shallow breaths.

"Shh, it's all right Tony, don't try to talk now," Pepper gingerly led him over to the couch and began to peel away the neoprene suit from his body. A mixture of sweat and blood made it stick slightly to his skin, Tony hissed in pain each time she would reach a sticky spot of his suit, trying her best to slowly pull it down over him. Pepper grimaced as she slid the liner down over his mid section. His side had already turned to shades of black and purple, and he had most likely broken a few ribs. Once she managed to get the suit completely off him. Scrapes, cuts and bruises littered his beaten body, and the wound above his eye was still oozing blood. Pepper did her best to sponge him off-he could take a proper shower later-and then she began to patch up his many injuries. Tony would wince each time she touched him, and it tore her up inside to see him in so much pain. She guided him down in to the couch cushions, placing a blanket over his wrecked figure. Tony reached out and gripped Pepper's hand lightly, his lips moved slightly but no words came out.

"Shh," Pepper placed a finger over his lips. "Sleep Tony, I'll be here when you wake up." Holding onto his hand Pepper slid down onto the cool workshop floor and let her head fall back against the couch.

Tony groaned as he tenderly touched the bruising over his ribs. It had been a rough couple of days; Fury had him halfway around the world, taking care of a group of New Age terrorists. Tony's communications got knocked out by the end of the first day, along with a decent amount of damage done to the Suit. By day four he had everything taken care of. He was very tired, very beaten and in a hurry to rush home to Pepper. Tony's eyes wandered and noticed the slender figure slumped down on the floor, her small hand clutching his; he squeezed it gently, causing her to stir.

"Tony?" Pepper turned to face him; dark circles lined her worry-ridden blue eyes.

"Hey," He whispered, trying his best to give her a heartfelt smile, but it even hurt to do that. "You shouldn't be on the floor Pepper; you're going to get sick."

"I didn't want to leave you," She released his hand and placed her hand on his chest. "I'm going to get you some painkillers, and then we need to get you up into bed."

Tony nodded, watching her walk away. "She doesn't deserve this," He thought "She deserves to be happy, not spending her nights worrying if I'll make it home alive."

Pepper returned with his pills and helped him sit up to drink them down with a glass of water. Tony rested on her for support as they made their way up to his bedroom and he gladly welcomed the softness of the mattress against his aching body. Pepper climbed up beside him, not touching him to avoid aggravating his injuries.

"I'm sorry Pepper, I'm so sorry," His hand searched for hers atop the down comforter. "My communications got knocked out; I couldn't get in touch with anyone."

"It's all right Tony, I'm just happy you made it home."

"It's not all right Pepper; you shouldn't have to go through that, I shouldn't have to put you through that." Tony's voice cracked as he swallowed the lump building in his throat.

"Tony…" Pepper sat up and gently moved closer to him, "I'm always going to worry about you. This is who you are, I may not like what it does to you, but you are a good man, and you are doing amazing things." She brushed the hair from his forehead, "Don't blame yourself Tony, just promise that you'll come home to me." Pepper smiled weakly as Tony brushed a tear from her freckled cheek.

"I'll always come home to you Pepper, You're the reason I hold on, and I'd be nothing without you."

"And I'll always be waiting," Pepper bent down and gently kissed the lips she had missed so much during the last four days. Tony pulled her down and held her to his chest.

"Tony be careful, your ribs." Pepper tried to pull away, his grip around her only tightened.

"I'll be fine." Pepper relaxed in his arms and he placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Thank you Pepper, for everything."

"You're welcome Tony."

Tony never wanted to let her go, he wanted to just lie there forever and keep her in his arms. He meant every word, as long as Pepper Potts was in his life nothing would stop him from coming home to her.

Nothing.

A/N big thank you to CSIClue who is acting as my beta, I love you! I gave you two nice and fluffy chapters, it was time for some good old pain and comfort, I know, how mean of me, but come on I did give you a sweet ending! As always let me know what you think, it makes me happy and want to write more!

Much Love

-Shelly