"Being in a relationship with you doesn't make you the center of my universe." Pepper said over the phone, sitting on the bed of her 5000 dollars a night suite in Paris. "Also, don't flatter yourself for sending me those flowers. I hate roses."

"Aww, come on, Potts. Why are you being mean? Corporate businessmen stressing you over there? Should I take the suit for a spin and kick their asses?" Tony snickered, hands typing furiously over his keyboard.

"No, that won't be necessary. I'm more than qualified to take care of myself."

"Oh-kay." Tony replied, scratching at his hair distractedly. It had been four days since Pepper left and Tony had to admit that he missed her constant scolding, but more importantly, the taste of her lips. "Miss me, Potts?"

"Don't push it." She answered, licking a spoonful of chocolate ice-cream.

Tony groaned and bit his lower lip, taking in a deep breath before spilling out what he had planned on telling her the moment she answered the phone.

"Well, I miss you. And I know that's a lot coming from a guy like me, hell, I don't even know why I said that, but I wanted you to know that, in case you missed me too, but since you don't—"

Pepper laughed at that, thinking that he was joking.

"You really want to just have your way with me, don't you?" She asked, then held her breath, already knowing what his answer would be.

There was a long pause and she thought that the connection got cut off, but then she heard Tony sigh.

"Okay. I guess I deserved that." He murmured and cleared his throat, feeling it closing up. "I'm sorry if you think this is all that is to it. Don't worry. I deserve that and much more. I guess it'll take some time before you realize that I genuinely want this to work."

Pepper was flabbergasted. She let the spoon fall down from her lips and scrunched her nose.

"I should hang up. It's really late here and I have an important meeting in the morning, so…"

She felt bad. She really did. But she couldn't handle all of this. Pepper didn't know how to react to him just yet, so she figured it would be easier for her to just ignore it for a while.

"Yeah…" She heard Tony's broken voice and she shuddered. "Bye."

But before she could reply, he had already hung up. Staring at the phone for a few long minutes, Pepper then threw it next to her on the bed, getting ready to make some final modifications to a contract. As soon as she took a hold of her favorite pen, her mind blacked out and she stared out the window, remorse filling up her chest.

"Oh, Tony." She sighed and picked up her phone, texting Tony a quick message.

I was lying when I said I didn't miss you. I need you here with me. Please hurry.

She pressed send and placed the phone next to the contract, but didn't have a chance to take a breath, before it buzzed, revealing Tony's message.

I'm on my way.

A/N: Okay. This is short. I know. But I needed to get this done with so I could get to the good part. Do you know what that is?