whuz up peoples?! So is anyone else besides Kcrella and I suffering from a serious case of IM3 withdrawals? If so go to YouTube if you haven't already and the clip of his sexy dancing is there. It's certainly helping me. lol. Four days since i last left you and im back again, as i said and this should put us back on the track i had originally intended. So i hope you like it, thanks again for all your reviews.

read, enjoy, review :)

Chapter 13: Make-up or Break Up?

DAY 8: 3/28/13: WEDNESDAY

When Pepper woke up the next morning she felt the absence of Tony's presence and his arms. For a moment she questioned why he wouldn't be there but a pang resounded in her chest and she remembered hurting Tony. He'd said he'd forgiven her but that clearly didn't mean he wasn't still hurting from her cutting words. With a sigh she got up from the bed and walked around their suite calling out for him but found neither him nor a note. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand in their bedroom and found a text instantly putting at ease a bit.

Gone w/ Rhodey 4 the day. B back 6. Love you.

~The Definition of Sexy: Tony Stark~

3/28/2013 7:23 a.m.

Another pang resounded in her chest and she texted him back.

Love you too. Have fun.

"You become what you believe. You are where you are today in your life based on everything you have believed."

3/28/2013 9:05 am.

No reply came. She put her phone back on its charger on the nightstand and went to take a long shower and cry before eating breakfast. After having cried herself out for a half hour in the shower, Pepper arranged to eat breakfast with her friends. It was after all only ten and Nelia would still be sleeping or just waking up. Pepper looked through her clothes and selected a sleeveless yellow blouse with a button chest pocket and a pair of denim shorts along with her gold sandals. She kept her hair down, applied some make up, grabbed her purse, and took off for her friends hoping to temporarily have her mind distracted.

XxxxxSpring BreakxxxxxxX

He hated the feeling sitting in his heart, hurt. Even though he had forgiven Pepper that didn't mean everything would immediately go back to the way it was. How could they? He couldn't just pretend her words hadn't cut straight through and penetrated his heart. Forgiveness didn't mean the end of the problem; it meant the start of a resolution. But Tony didn't see how his hurt could be put to and end and he knew seeing Pepper wouldn't help so he took the easy way out and ran before she could ever even awaken, taking Rhodey with him so he wouldn't do something stupid as easily. They'd been wandering aimlessly going from place to place for hours before Rhodey finally questioned him.

"Tony, what's up with you? Why are we going everywhere and nowhere?"

They were inside Yankee Candle smelling all the different candles. Tony sighed and pulled Rhodey aside. "I…it's Pepper. We were out on the balcony last night when she started talking about her ex and what if she had given him another chance and she basically accused me of being a selfish and heartless bastard."

"Ouch. Did she apologize?"

"Yeah and I said I forgave her, which I do, but…"

"But what?"

"I can't face her Rhodey, every time I see her face in my mind or think of her it…my heart…"

"Feels like it's been stabbed and gutted then ripped out?" Rhodey finished.

"Yeah." Tony said softly.

"You need to talk to her and tell her how you feel. It's not going to go away and let you move on if you don't tell her."

"Yeah but-"

"No buts. Look Tony, I know you love her but everything isn't always going to be sunshine and rainbows especially for her since she's in a relationship with you; but this is actually what people go through in relationships and marriages. You hurt the person you love but you can always come back. You just have to have the courage to let that wave wash over you."

"Mom always said to me, 'Courage is an Angel'." Tony reminisced. Rhodey smiled and clapped Tony on the back. "Thanks buddy." Tony said with a grateful smile.

"Anytime."

"Since when did you start watching Dr. Phil?" Tony asked playfully not expecting an answer.

"Two days ago." Rhodey answered seriously. Tony just shook his head and walked out of the store.

XxxxxxSpring BreakxxxxxX

Pepper lit the candles and finished setting the table. To try and apologize she made dinner; chicken parmesan, rice pilaf, and green beans. She also planned to give him the gift she kept forgetting about that she had gotten him back on Sunday. It was just a cheap promise ring that had come in a pair that would remind him that she was his and he, hers until the time in which he proposed. The table was set for two with just the light of the candles and kitchen light as a small box sat beside his flute glass of Pinot Noir. She had also prepared some truffles and strawberries for dessert with some help from her friends earlier in the day. She lost track of time as she prepared everything and it wasn't until she heard the door that she bothered the clock, 6:23. She quickly did a mental inventory to make sure she was ready and looked herself over once. She held her breath as the door opened and Tony walked through.

"Hi." He spoke softly.

Pepper released the breath and replied, "Hi." Just as quietly.

They remained where they stood for a moment, each not sure what to do or say. Then simultaneously they both took a step and spoke, "We need to talk." They both chuckled and Pepper blushed a little nervous and embarrassed.

"I made dinner for you so we can talk while we eat." Pepper said nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and shifting her feet.

"Sure. Let me just change so I don't stick out." He replied easily gesturing to her dress.

"Oh uh yeah sure."

Pepper served up their food as Tony changed and poured the wine into their glasses. She sat down just as Tony came out.

"That was quick." She said noting his suit and tie.

"I can change quickly when I want to." He joked.

He sat down and they ate in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Tony commented how good the food was and it wasn't until he reached for a drink he noticed the small box.

"Oh, that's a uh gift. I got it for you on Sunday and I uh keep forgetting to give it to you." Tony opened it and a small smile appeared. "It's a promise ring. I thought about how we talked about getting married in the future so I sorta thought this could be our pre-engagement type rings. That we promise to solely love each other. I have mine on already." She explained shyly.

Tony set it down and said, "I don't understand. Just yesterday you were talking about your ex now me. I don't know what you want. Then you go and say I'm heartless. I don't…I'm hurting Pep, really bad. I don't want anyone but you and I thought you felt the same until you started bringing him up." Tony said letting just how hurt he was shine through his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Tony. I didn't mean to say that at all or give you that impression. Ben is my past, you are my future." Pepper said begging him with her eyes to understand how truly sorry she was.

"This is the present." Tony commented.

"You're all I want today and any day for the rest of my life. And I don't for one second think you're heartless."

"Then why'd you say it?" He choked out.

A tear slipped from Pepper's eye and she said, "Because I was frustrated and angry that you weren't understanding and I didn't know how to make you see my side of things so I…so I said that. I'm sorry I hurt you Tony, I feel so bad making you hurt like that." She cried. Pepper got up to leave but Tony got up and reached her before she could disappear and held her as they cried together. "I love you Tony, forever."

"I love you too Pepper." Tony whispered through his tears. He wiped away her mascara laced tears with his palm and thumb and she wiped away his and for a moment they just look at each other before leaning in and meeting each other in a comforting, apologetic kiss.

As they pulled back Tony rest his forehead against hers and held her close to him. He whispered in the air between them, "I think I'm going to need tour help putting on that ring." Pepper just chuckled and Tony smiled but they made no effort to move from their spot in each other's arms.

XxxxxxSpring BreakxxxxxX

So i'm set to see you next week but not friday for sure as i'll be at a friends party from noon friday to 2 on saturday. So perhaps earlier in the week or on Saturday? not sure but neverthe less you shall have your chapter. So leave me a review please guys.

Message for Kcrella: I'm almost done so we need to start planning for Change of Events ;) can't wait! :)