Tony collapsed on the bed next to Pepper. they were both panting and staring up at the ceiling trying to regain themselves. Tony pulled up the sheets around him and Pepper who had no trace of clothes left. Tony wrapped his arms around his girlfriend. Pepper lied her head on his bare chest and for a while they just lied there taking in each other's presence.

"Words cannot describe how much I love you." Tony mumbled while kissing the top of Pepper's head.

"It's ok..." Pepper said quietly. She then looked up at him and grinned. "I think I've got a pretty good idea." Tony smiled and ran his fingers down her spine and back up again.

"Pepper,"

"Mmm?"

Tony hesitated for a moment while he rubbed her soft back.

"I'm sorry." he said, his voice strained.

"Tony..." Pepper said worriedly as she turned to rest her forearms on his chest to prop her up to look at him. It was a look that was familiar to Tony, he saw in painted across her face a lot when she was worried about him.

"For what?" she asked. Tony looked down at his arc reactor as he spoke quietly.

"For failing to protect you like I should've." He said.

"Noooo, no Tony." pepper said leaning her face centimeters away from his, forcing him to look at her.

"It's not your fault, this whole situation wasn't on anyone." Pepper told him. Well, he did invite a terrorist to their house but she didn't bring that up. he tried to speak but pepper stopped his words with her mouth. When Pepper pulled back, she saw Tony's face relax.

"Alright, let's go clean up and start towards New York, shall we?" Pepper suggested. Tony nodded and kissed her one last time before she pushed herself off of his body, letting the sheet fall from around her body. Tony whistled, getting a pillow to the face. he chuckled and began picking up the clothes scattered throughout the room.

The plane ride had been fine. Tony hadn't said much but he calmly lied in Pepper's arms the entire way as she stroked through his hair. She had informed a very ticked off Rhodey what their plans were and invited him to come visit the tower if he pleased. He said he would gladly later that night, but he couldn't stay long which Pepper didn't mind. She really still wanted alone time with Tony.

Despite the calm plane ride, arriving at the Tower was a different story. As soon as pepper stepped out of the Taxi doors, Tony was clinging to her as tightly as he could. He had the hem of her shirt gripped tightly in one hand and he was crushing her left hand in the other. She didn't mind, though. She just kept talking to Tony to try to get his mind off of being in New York.

"Welcome back, sir." Jarvis greeted as soon as they got in the Tower.

"Jarvis..." Tony said, although there was no doubt that his voice wavered. "Always a pleasure."

"The pleasure is all mine, sir." Jarvis responded. "Hello Miss Potts."

"Hey, Jarvis." Pepper greeted as she led Tony who was slightly loosening his grip to the elevator.

"See? Not so bad." Pepper reassured him. Tony nodded and lifted his grip on her but kept an arm loosely around her waist.

By the time it had gotten dark out, they had the fire in the fireplace crackling with warm sparks that made the tower feel homey. the bright city lights glimmered out the big glass windows that Tony was thrown out of only two months ago. He didn't want to think about that, though. He found it easy not to when pepper was underneath him on the big couch in front of the fireplace. He was curled up on top of her, using her steady rising and falling chest as a pillow. She had one hand rubbing his back and the other playing with his tousled hair like she loved to do. She watched him as he stared into the fire as if he was hypnotized. His eyelids would close further and further every minue until they were completely closed. tony would never let himself fall asleep though. He always forced his eyes back open.

"Baby, it's ok, go to sleep." Pepper would tell him.

"But... but..." Tony started to say, but he eventually drifted off, lying heavily on Pepper and occasionally moaning or nuzzling her in his sleep.

"Anyone home?" Rhodey's voice boomed through the room as he entered the penthouse.

"Shhhh!" pepper quieted him quickly, glancing down at Tony who hadn't as much as stirred in his sleep.

"Oh.. whoops." Rhodey whispered. He set down wine and bread on the coffee table that he must've picked up on the way there.

Rhodey went to the kitchen and returned with three glasses.

"No harm in celebrating kicking ass..." he muttered as he poured three glasses.

"I don't think you are going to need the third glass." Pepper chuckled as she looked down at Tony, fast asleep and curled up on her chest. "He's completely out of it."

"It's about time." Rhodey said. "He was running on his tenth wind or so."

"I know," Pepper agreed while she reached to the back of the couch to retrieve a blanket and spread it over her peaceful boyfriend. He shifted a bit and nuzzled her neck while mumbling making Pepper smile. He probably wouldn't like the idea of letting Rhodey see him all vulnerable and sleeping like a cat on her, one of his pride things, but he needed the sleep.

"Hey, I'd love to stay..." Rhodey said quietly while glancing over at Tony. ", but I've got to get back to base."

"It's ok thanks Rhodey. " Pepper said. Rhodey nodded and stood up.

"Tell Tony I say hello." he whispered.

"Alright see ya Rhodey." Pepper gave him a small wave.

Rhodes gave a curt nod and left, leaving Pepper and Tony alone in the Penthouse. She looked down at him, smiling as he slept. She loved when his hair was messed up perfectly as it was now. Occasionally he'd bury is head further into Pepper but for the most part he was still, a dead weight on Pepper's chest. She pushed his hair back and kissed his forehead before starting to doze out.