A/N: This is the last part. I wanted to get this out of the way because I have an idea to start a sequel to my Nathan Gardner fic and possibly start on a Less Than Zero fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners. The only thing that is mine is the plot.
Tony's POV.
I woke up in my mansion and when I moved around to see if Pepper was here with me. I immediately stood up and found that her original other half of the bed was completely empty and cold at that. It was as if she didn't even come here. I know I didn't drink myself into oblivion, but the last I remember was that Pepper and I had an argument.
"Sir, Col. Rhodes is downstairs waiting for you. He has some urgent news he needs to tell you regarding Miss Potts." Jarvis spoke and if an AI could sound concerned, Jarvis would do.
I immediately ran downstairs, almost tripping on my own feet. I didn't care if I was only clad in my suit pants. Rhodey better have a reasonable explanation as to why he's here and Pepper wasn't. Something in his gut told him that something was definitely wrong; he just couldn't put his finger on it.
"Hey, Tony." Rhodey said.
"What's going on?"
"I think you should sit down."
"Rhodey, cut the bullshit. I don't need to take a seat. Where's Pepper?"
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what? All I do remember was last night Pepper and I had a serious argument."
"Damn it. Alright, well she's missing. We think she's been kidnapped. When I found you, you were knocked out. You don't remember anyone or anything that happened before you managed to go unconscious, do you?"
Fuck! Pepper was missing. My heart felt as if it were to just stop at hearing those words. How could I let her be taken away? I was supposed to protect her, to keep her away from my enemies. This is my entire fault. Just as things were going great, something bad just has to happen.
"Tony, don't even blame yourself. I know what you're thinking. You were knocked out cold; you couldn't do anything about it." Rhodey placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"I do remember a guy that was speaking to her at the bar before I took her to a quieter place to talk." What did Pepper say his name was? All I know is that this guy gave off bad vibes and I knew he had something to do with this whole entire situation.
"What'd he look like?"
"Tall, brown hair, blue eyes, a guy from Pepper's past." Tony said.
"I'm going to be right back, Tony. Don't do anything stupid, please."
"Like what? Look for the love of my life? I can't lose her, Rhodes." I was on the verge of tears, but I held them back. I knew Pepper wouldn't want me crying right now. She would tell me to suck it up and do something about it.
Once Rhodey I left, I brought myself upstairs to take a quick shower. I dressed in jeans and a black shirt. I went down to my workshop to begin my research.
"Jarvis, I need Pepper's personal file up on the screen. While you're at it, try researching for something about old boyfriends and whatnot."
"Will do, Sir." Jarvis replied and I was glad that he wasn't going to lecture about it being wrong to dig deep in Pepper's life. If I was going to find her, I would have to start somewhere. I was not going to give up until I find her and when I know who's behind this, that day won't be their lucky day.
"Justin, what do you want?" Pepper asked him as he sat down across from her. He had that smile on his face that would instantly creep her out. He loosened the bondage on her hands a little bit so it wouldn't cut any blood circulation.
"What I wanted in the first place, but since I can't get that, I thought maybe have Tony miserable. That'll make me feel better."
"You're an ass."
"Ooh, feisty. I knew that was one of the reasons as to why Tony chose you."
"You don't know anything about him. Please, just let me go and we can put this behind us." Pepper was beginning to get scared because if Tony ever found out that she was missing, he would go ballistic. He wouldn't eat for days or shower for that matter. She needed to tell him that she was okay so that he wouldn't panic. Though, by now, she realized that he was panicking and already doing everything to find her.
"Oh please. I escaped from prison, honey. We can't just put this behind us." Hammer said before he left the room. Pepper just screamed at him as he left and tried to move around in her seat to loosen the bondage around her wrists, but to no avail.
She needed to get out of here. She needed to be with Tony. She needed to see Tony. She can't just leave him, she just can't.
As Pepper was looking around to find something useful, she gave up. There was nothing but a table in front of her. There were no windows; she was beginning to think that this was a storage room. She sighed and forced herself to sleep.
Tony's POV.
Shit! Nothing I found was useful to find Pepper. I threw a screwdriver against the wall to ease my anger, but that didn't help. I was beginning to resort to just drink, but that wouldn't be helpful to Pepper. After all, if I just listened to her, we wouldn't be in this situation right now.
"Sir, I found some information that can be useful." Jarvis spoke and I was grateful that he had finally found something.
"Show me."
One picture showed up on the holographic screen and I knew that this was the guy that took Pepper. This was also the same guy that I found Pepper with at SI the other day. Just by looking at his picture I wanted to tear his head into pieces. I debated whether to call Rhodey or not, but just settled on not calling him until I was in my suit.
"Tony, what's up?"
"I've got a guy. His name is Patrick Dean. He's working for my company. I have a feeling this guy took her."
Rhodey sighed before saying, "Tony, if you find this guy, please, don't do anything you'd regret."
"Rhodey, the only thing I regret was not listening to Pepper last night. Now, please, keep the skies clear." I said before hanging up before he even got the chance to reply.
Pepper's POV.
I was woken up when a hand was caressing my cheek lightly.
"Tony?" I asked as my eyes began to flutter. But before I could open them, the person who was just caressing my cheek, slapped me with the back of his hand. The sound of his hand hitting my flesh was overheard in this small of a room.
"I'm sorry, Ginny." Once I saw that it was Patrick who had done it, I immediately glared at him. The one guy I only ever gave my heart decided to do this to me.
"Patrick, please, can you untie the ropes? My wrists are beginning to hurt." I asked nicely. He looked at me and just laughed. I immediately felt fear wash over me. I've never seen him like this and I was pretty sure that this was not the same Patrick I once fell in love with.
"You think I'm stupid?" I just stared at him, not wanting to answer that question. He knew exactly what I was thinking and slapped me again. I screamed out in pain and I wanted so bad to just crawl into a corner and cry.
"Ginny, stop making me do this."
Suddenly, I found the urge to just get my anger all out and Patrick was the one who I'd have to take it out on.
"Making you do what exactly, Patrick? What are you even doing helping Justin? I know you aren't like that, but it's like I don't know you at all anymore. You're not the same man I was once in love with. Patrick, do us both a favor and just leave. Leave like you did when we were together years ago. Save us both the trouble." I said, sounding more confident than I intended to.
"I didn't want to leave you…" He was breaking down, just a bit more and I can force him into letting me free. He was beginning to cry and I found the best opportunity to ask to remove the ropes that were tied around my wrists.
"Patrick, let me wipe those tears away." I said and he nodded as he let my bondage fall free to the floor. I wiped away his tears and he leaned into my touch. I didn't want to hurt him, but I needed to if I wanted to get out of here. "I'm sorry," I whispered into his ear before I kicked him in the crotch with my heel. I knew my stilettos would come in handy one day. I managed to get the gun he had behind his back and waited behind the door for Justin to come in.
"Patrick! What the hell you doing in there, man?" I heard Justin say as he was walking closer. Once the door flew open and I saw him walk in, I shot him in the shoulder as he fell to the floor. My hands were shaking at the sounds of the gunshots. I couldn't believe I just shot someone. I was broken out of my reverie when Patrick found the strength to stand up and I immediately ran outside, closed the door, and locked it as I began to look for a door that would lead me outside.
I finally found the door and ran out, gun in my hand, and a bruise on my cheek. I had no clue where I was, but I saw a car and ran over to the unlocked car. I was grateful that there were keys already in ignition and once I started the car, I drove off and never looked back.
There was a cellphone in the compartment and I took it as I immediately dialed Tony's number. I yearned to hear his voice.
It's been hours that Tony was flying up in the air and once the sun settled down and night fell, he decided to try again tomorrow early in the morning. He felt tired, hurt, lonely. He needed Pepper. He wanted Pepper.
Once the bots released him from his suit, he went to the shower and cleansed himself from everything. Once he was finished, he dressed clad only in sweats and went to the kitchen to see if there was nothing to eat. He knew that if Pepper was here, she would force him to eat. His grumbling stomach was telling him he was hungry, anyways.
Before he managed to make himself a sandwich, Jarvis spoke.
"Sir, you have an incoming call from an unknown number." Tony's eyes grew wide and immediately ran downstairs to his workshop.
"Jarvis, trace the call." Tony replied before picking up the phone.
"Tony?" Once he heard Pepper's voice, his heart stopped. He wanted to say something, but couldn't. He was shocked, relieved, anxious all at the same time.
"Pe – Pepper?"
"Tony! Oh my gosh, I don't know where I am. I managed to escape. It was Hammer and Patrick. The car just broke down. I'm scared. Tony? Tony?" She was rambling and Tony immediately suited back into his armor and left his workshop.
"Pepper, stay where you are. I'm coming now." The route was reflecting inside his helmet and he immediately called Rhodey.
"Rhodes, I found her. Follow suit and let Jarvis text you the routes. Bring back up just in case and an ambulance." He hung up quickly and went flew twice his speed. When he arrived at the destination, he immediately recognized Hammer Industries' company building. He knew Hammer was behind this all and once he found him, he was going to make him wish he never had done this.
Tony immediately spotted the car that had broken down and found her sitting in the back with her knees up her chest. Tony's heart broke at the sight of her being terrified. Pepper was never scared and he wished that she would never have to feel scared again.
"Pepper?" Tony's helmet flew open to reveal his face and once Pepper heard his voice, she came out the car and went over to him. She immediately clutched him to her and just held on tight.
"Pepper, look at me. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Tony asked as he lifted a gentle finger under her chin to make her look at him. Tony could see the bruise on her cheek and he did his best to not let his anger get the best of him, or until she knew Pepper was safe with Rhodey.
"I'm sorry, Tony! I should have listened to you. I'm sorry." Pepper wrapped her arms around his neck and immediately kissed him. This was what they both were yearning for.
The sirens were coming closer and once they spotted Rhodey, Pepper ran up to him and hugged him.
"Pepper, stay with Rhodey."
"Where are you going?" Pepper asked.
"Going to find these guys." Tony said before he gave another gentle kiss on Pepper's lips and flew into the building.
Tony went through every floor and once he tried to open the door for the storage room, he knew that they had to be in here. He swung the door open and found Justin on the floor, blood leaking out through his shoulder and Patrick just in a corner.
"You should have thought twice before you messed with me." Tony told Patrick and him by the collar. "Tell me, were you the one who hit Pepper or was that Hammer?"
"You hit her? Damn, why did you do that? You're an idiot." Justin said as he was holding onto his shoulder.
Tony hit Patrick in the gut and dropped him to the floor as he fell unconscious. Tony referred his attention back to Justin and took him by his collar as well.
"You know better than to play games with me, Hammer." Tony said, holding him by the neck against the wall. "Especially if Pepper's involved. Think twice before you try me, Justin." Tony dropped him to the floor, making his sure his wounded shoulder landed first. He heard Hammer yell out in pain, but he could care less.
The police came in and put their hands behind their backs and handcuffed them. Tony immediately left and went back to Pepper. He saw her in the back of an ambulance and was wrapped in a blanket. Tony walked over and thanked the men who were treating Pepper.
"I want to go home, Tony." Pepper said and Tony wondered whether or not it meant his house or hers. "Yours, Tony. Wherever you are, that's where my home is," Pepper said and once she said that, he kissed her passionately. He was never going to leave her again.
Once they reached his mansion and the bots removed his armor, Pepper told him to take a shower as she took a shower in a spare room. She walked into his room only clad in his old MIT shirt and found Tony standing out in his balcony, only clad in his boxers, his elbows resting against the railing and looking out into the ocean.
Pepper wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and Tony was startled, but once he realized that it was Pepper, he turned around and faced her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and went back inside as Jarvis closed the glass doors for him. Pepper led him to the bed and fell atop of him. He moved to the middle of the bed while Pepper was still straddling his waist.
Pepper leaned forward and began sucking on his neck. She nibbled on his ear and heard him whimper in pleasure. Pepper's hands were caressing his chest and once her eyes found the arc, she immediately smiled. She held up her necklace and Tony smiled back.
Pepper found the hem of his boxers and removed it from him as his growing erection was pressing against the inside of her thigh. Tony's hands found the end of her – or rather his – shirt and threw it over her head. Pepper lowered herself onto him and they both moaned aloud. They felt complete, whole and Tony immediately knew that Pepper was his better half.
She rolled her hips around his member as Tony's hands were caressing her sides and decided to rest them on her hips as she began to go at a quicker pace. Tony rolled them over and thrusted into her slowly, savoring the feel of her.
After a couple of more thrusts, they both moaned aloud and fell back onto the bed. Tony pulled out of her and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. She was resting her head under his chin and he knew that this was the right time to admit that he was in love with her.
"Pep?"
"Yeah?" She looked up at him and her blue eyes met with his brown ones, they both knew what was coming.
"I love you," Tony said for the first time.
"I know. I love you too," Pepper smiled and kissed him. Tony never felt better in his life and he was glad that Pepper felt the same way. He was also glad that she was in his arms right now and safe. He felt the butterfly feeling in the pit of his stomach and smiled.
"I love you," he repeated once again to her sleeping form. He gave her a kiss atop of her head and drifted to sleep.