A/N: I'm sorry. But here's a chapter and the next one is almost finished. If anyone notices errors with the medical stuff, I'm not a med student, just send me a message or review and tell me what's wrong. Thanks! Oh and please review with your thoughts. They both get a bit OOC in this so be warned.
Tony sat, and sat, and sat with no one giving him a second glance. For three hours Tony sat with no word on Pepper. Finally, Tony got up and asked the least busy nurse he could find about the status of Ms. Virginia Potts. The nurse, after telling him off for bothering her when was so busy and being a family member, finally let Tony know that Pepper was in ICU on the 7th floor of the hospital and had just gotten' out of surgery. After thanking the petulant nurse, Tony ran to the nearest elevator and began cursing at how slow the elevators were. When he arrived on the 7th floor he ran to the nurse's station and began trying to persuade the head nurse to allow him into Pepper's room. In the middle of what he thought was a very impressive argument, Tony felt tap his shoulder. He turned around to see a bald, bespectacled man in his early 40s carrying a leather briefcase.
"Mr. Stark," began the man, "my name is Wilson Henry. I'm Ms. Potts' personal attorney."
"Look, my actions were in her interest-" Tony began feeling accused.
"No, no, Sir. You have nothing to apologize for. That's why I'm here." Mr. Henry motioned to two chairs sitting near a window. Tony walked with him and sat down.
"Mr. Stark, as Ms. Potts' attorney under these circumstances, I am required to tell you that Ms. Potts previously recorded documents that she felt were necessary in case something of this nature were to unfortunately happen." Mr. Henry then he opened up his briefcase removing an envelope and handing it to Tony. Tony looked up at the man praying that these papers were not her Will. Tony wasn't sure what he'd do if Pepper died as a result to something could have prevented. Opening up the envelope, he unfolded the crisp paper, and to his slight relief, read that three years ago, Pepper had granted him Heath Care Power of Attorney.
"Wait, wait. What does this mean?" Tony asked.
"Sir, you have the right to make health care decisions for Ms. Potts if she is unable to." Mr. Henry explained.
"Why did she do this?" Tony asked in disbelief that Pepper would trust him something as important as this.
"I really couldn't tell you, sir. All she stated was that she didn't want it to be anyone else."
Tony sat and thought about why in hell Pepper would let him be responsible for her life.
"Does this mean I can see her?" asked Tony.
"Yes, you will also be updated on her by the doctors and staff."
"Thank you," Tony offered his hand but the man did not take it. Instead he gave him nod and got onto the nearest elevator.
Tony sat down in the chair he had just previously occupied and thought about what had just been thrust upon him. He quickly gathered his thoughts and proceeded to Pepper's room. As he approached, a doctor came out of her door in purple scrubs.
"Mr. Stark, I'm Dr. Rachael Reynolds." She shook Tony's hand. "Ms. Potts is extremely lucky you found her. Her injuries cover a wide range and though her surgery went well, we'll still be watching her closely. Her leg is broken in two places, her foot has several broken bones, she has three fractured ribs, and a broken pinky finger. Right now she is still unconscious but the anesthesia from surgery may still be affecting her. She is very lucky. The extent of her injuries does not reflect the trauma. It could have been a lot worse. She has a concussion but it's very mild. We're still going to take her down for a CT scan to rule out other brain injuries or damage that we may not have seen." Tony just listened in shock. Because of his stupid decision, Pepper could have brain damage.
"Can I go in and see her?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes, but we're going to be taking her back out for the CT scan in a few minutes. You can wait in her room while we do the scan if you wish. And I want to warn you, her face is injured and is beginning to bruise. I know you brought her in but it looks different now."
Tony nodded and watched as Dr. Reynolds walked away. He turned and grabbed the door handle, taking a second to compose himself again, and entered.
Pepper was laying in the hospital bed, all manner of tubes and wires attached to her. Tony walked over to her side. Her face had an oxygen mask but he could see several small cuts as well as a large gash that ran from the top of her left ear to the middle of her forehead. Her left leg was in a cast from her mid thigh to her toes and her left hand was splinted around her pinky finger. Tony searched her face for a sign that she was really alive. The heart monitor was beeping but he wasn't sure if he believed its rhythm. He just stood there watching her.
'How could I have let this happen,' he asked himself. 'I'm the one who should be hurt, not her.'
Tony wasn't sure what he would do if she had permanent injuries from this. He walked closer to the bed and reached out to touch her hand with his index finger. Pepper's hair was pulled back untidily, her body was mangled, and she was wearing a hospital gown but Tony could think of time when she looked so beautiful. A knock on the door made him turn. Dr. Reynolds and two nurses stood in the doorway.
"We'll bring her back in a few minutes, Mr. Stark." Tony again just nodded at the doctor in reply. They pushed her down for her scans and when they had left Tony found a seat by the window and peaked out at the stars. He had never been a religious man but he prayed anyways. Tony Stark was an individualistic narcissist but if ever he wanted help, and not for himself, it was now. Tony prayed for ten minutes but ended up in an argument with his self about how he could have kept Pepper safe. He laid his head in his hands trying to prepare for the worst. He would have to make her medical decisions for her if she was unable and truthfully, that scared the hell out of him. Tony was so worried that he didn't notice when the nurses brought Pepper back in. Dr. Reynolds touched his shoulder to get his attention. He looked up, his stomach in knots.
"Mr. Stark-" she began but Tony raised his hand in protest.
"Please call me Tony," he asked.
"Sure, Tony," she obliged, "after running the tests we've determined that Ms. Potts should have no permanent damage from her injuries. As far as her prolonged state of unconsciousness, I'm not sure what to expect. She seems to be breathing normally. When she regains consciousness, we'll move her out of ICU and watch her from there."
Tony stood and looked over at Pepper in concern but deep relief. He prayed a silent thank you to whoever had been listening.
"Thank you, doctor," Tony said feeling the relief relax his body.
"Please, call me Rachael," Dr. Reynolds asked. "Do you want me to have a cot brought in for you to sleep on?"
"No, I'll be fine, thanks," he replied. Rachael turned to leave but addressed Tony a last time before leaving. "She wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been for you, Tony."
After she had left, Tony scooted his chair over next to Pepper's bed and sat down. He lifted her hand placing his protectively over hers before laying his head down and submitting to sleep.