Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, their lives, the actors, their lives, the movies, the comics. Zilch.

Author's Note: Alright guys. Before I let you guys read I will apologize for any typos. This one's full of Pepperony. Every now and then you have to throw it in for the shippers. Me being one of them, do not have a problem with writing more of it. So let me know if you guys think we need more. Thank you guys for reading!

Watching Iron Man 2 as I post this. Whiplash is about to break out of prison. See you guys soon!

Pepper was nervous as Happy pulled the car up to the rounded drive way. Judging by the darkened interior, she was certain that Tony wasn't home yet, and it always made her anxious not knowing where he was. It used to be that she could ask Jarvis for an update on his whereabouts and his vitals, but Tony had reprogrammed his AI to not disclose such information to her. Pepper had been furious and had fought him on every point of his argument, but he insisted it was for the best.

'What good would come out of knowing every gory detail, Pep? What if I'm on a classified mission and you let it out that I was bleeding to death in a no-fly zone? You could potentially start a world war all on your own.'

After she had blown out a frustrated breath and crossed her arms across her chest, Tony had agreed to compromise. 'Let's come up with a plan, then. Say…a code.' She had tapped her foot on the floor of his workshop waiting for him to continue as he swallowed the lump in his throat that had formed from her intense glare.

'Let's say you want to know how I'm doing. All you'll do is ask Jarvis how's the eagle flying and he'll reply with slow and steady if I'm hurt but alive, soaring high if I'm unscathed, or EOG if I'm too hurt to even get in the air.' She hadn't been a huge fan of his system, even thought it was corny, but she had agreed to it because it would keep her connected to him during his missions.

'I just want to know for sure to avoid me going crazy wondering if you're alive or not.' She had finally commented as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

'EOG?' She asked as she pulled away.

'Eagle On Ground.' She nodded in understanding and hugged him to her.

So as she stepped through the doors of the mansion, and realized that even the lights that lead to his workshop were completely off, she had her cue to find out how he was doing.

"How's the eagle flying, Jarvis?" Pepper walked through the door in the dark and set her bag on the bench next to the entrance along with her coat.

"Slow and steady, Ms. Potts. Welcome home." Though it wasn't the phrase she had hoped for, she knew it was better than hearing he was severely hurt and lying in a pool of his own blood.

"Thank you, Jarvis. Have Dummy and Butterfingers prep the emergency kits." She commanded as she walked upstairs to their bedroom to change out of her work clothes, and into something more along the lines of natural fabrics.

"Right away, Ms. Potts."

"Jarvis, lights please." Happy shook his head as he made his way into the mansion with bags of take-out in his arms. It had become a customary procedure to help Pepper with the take-out as she made her way to the workshop, in the dark, to aid the injured hero on days when he had missions. And though it was not on his list of tasks and duties, Happy was always content to help his friends in any way possible. Within reason, of course.

"You would think that by now you would turn them on yourself, Jarvis."

"I am programmed to be an efficient and energy-saving system and I run this house as such. The switching on of electrical appliances is a task I must carry out upon request, sir."

Happy rolled his eyes and placed the bags on the kitchen island. "Too long of an explanation, Jarvis. You could have easily said that you can't do it without permission."

"Well sir, it wouldn't require per-"

"Mute." Happy shook his head and laughed to himself as he sat on one of the stools.

Not too long after Happy had situated himself with a plate and some utensils did Pepper make her way back down the stairs. She secured her hair in a ponytail as she spotted Happy in the kitchen. "Happy…"

Like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar, Happy turned when he heard her voice with a fork full of chow Mein in his mouth. Literally. "Hmm?" He coughed a bit as he tried not to choke on the noodles.

"Go ahead and start without us. I'll be right up." She peered into the kitchen just in time to witness a very flushed Happy Hogan fumbling for a napkin to conceal his Chinese-take-out-stuffed mouth. After failing to locate one, which was obviously readily available and in the paper bag in front of him, he shrugged and nodded embarrassedly. "Never mind." Pepper laughed softly and shook her head before she walked right back towards the stairs that led to the workshop. "Enjoy!" Happy shrugged again and stabbed a piece of broccoli before sighing at the explosion of flavors that were bursting in his mouth.

A loud crash came from within the shop as Pepper descended the stairs, which forced her to speed up. she nearly fell when she missed a step. As she typed in her code she saw Tony struggling to stand on the platform beneath him. At a glance she saw the armor was heavily riddled with holes and pieces of metal and what looked like glass that protruded from several spots on his body.

"Tony." She made her way towards him in a hurry and realized he was talking to Fury.

"I'm telling you I agree with you. This is guy is the real deal. We need to pull our resources together. There's no saying what he's capable of." Pepper stood in front of him and waited for the machines to free him from the damaged suit. Her eyes watered every time she saw him like this, it never got easier, but she was thankful that so far it hadn't gotten worse either. "We'll talk later. Yes, I'm sure I'm alright. Nothing my girl can't make better." He winked down at her as soon as the helmet was dismantled and allowed his face to be seen.

What Pepper saw was a man who always sported a brave face despite the pain he felt. His eyes were red and his face was slightly cut from the beating he was sure to describe to her. In too much detail of course, while she silently listened and felt the anger rise at the thought of someone being so determined to hurt him. But she would never stop supporting him, or cleaning his wounds, never. Because Tony Stark was her world and anything she could do to be there for him she would do.

"Hey beautiful." Tony grimaced as he tried to step off of the platform and failed. The neoprene suit he wore also full of tears and holes.

"Hey." Pepper stepped closer to allow him a shoulder for support as he stepped down. Gladly he accepted her help and draped an arm around her shoulders. She sat him down on the leather couch. "Tylenol now or later?"

"Now, please." Tony's head dropped on the back of the couch and his arms fell limply at his sides. He closed his eyes while he breathed deeply and let it out with a sigh.

"How do you feel?" She handed him a glass of water and two pills for his pain.

"Not too bad. My body stings a bit. Shouldn't be too bad, though. Except for the hairline fracture on my rib." He smiled as he opened his eyes to stare at the ceiling.

"A fracture? Tony! That isn't something as insignificant as you just made it sound. You need a doctor."

"Pep, I'm ok. Jarvis said it'll heal on its own. No big deal." After he took the medication he set the glass on the table next to the couch with a visible frown.

Pepper moved to sit in front of him on the rolling chair that had quickly become her station on nights like this. "Here let's get you out of that." She helped him into a sitting position so she could unzip his neoprene suit.

"Couldn't wait to get me out of my clothes, huh Pep." Tony's grin went unnoticed by Pepper as she helped free his arms carefully from the tight confines of the outfit. When she said nothing, not even a smart remark about not flattering himself, he took his hand and cupped her cheek to force her eyes to his. "I'm alright, Pepper. I promise."

"I know. I'm sorry." She looked up with a small smile. "You just have to let me deal with it on my own. This never gets easier. I'll never stop worrying about you." Dummy got closer to Pepper with the first aid kits before it, and she began to cautiously clean his wounds.

A small grin flashed from Tony. "The worried girlfriend. Are you wildly conflicted and crazy about me, still?"

She nodded almost laughing softly. "Always." As she continued to apply antiseptic on a particularly deep puncture wound on his left oblique, and once Tony recovered from the sting with an audible groan, he gently took her hands in his and pulled her towards him.

Pepper's hands went to rest on his chest on either side of the arc reactor when her face stopped inches from his. "Thank you." Tony whispered as he threaded his fingers through her hair to move her in.

"For what?" It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to hold his gaze. She wanted to close her eyes to prepare herself for the kiss she was anxious to give him.

"For taking such good care of me. For supporting me. For everything." They inched closer.

Once again, Pepper nodded. "No problem." At the end of her sentence, she finally moved in and closed the distance. Their lips met in a soft yet firm kiss, and they sighed into each other, thankful that they could enjoy each other's warmth. It was hard for Pepper to pull back when Tony tried to deepen their kiss, but she did because she was very aware of his condition. "You're hurt."

"I'm alright. Besides, a make out session with you is well worth any pain I might feel."

"Later. I promise. Right now you're going to let me clean you up and bandage these wounds." She pecked his lips quickly before he could initiate any further action and she resumed her handy work.

In between gasps of pain from Tony, and low I'm sorrys from Pepper, they shared their day's events. Small chuckles came from Tony as Pepper told him that Happy suggested she stop hanging around him because she was beginning to sound like him.

"I agree with him about the goatee." Pepper laughed as she carefully taped a bandage over his injured arm. "I mean you would be beautiful still, I'm sure. But that would be weird." She laughed again.

"Don't worry…I'm in no hurry to look like an Irish man with a red goatee."

"Good because I like you without facial hair anyway." Tony smiled and stared at her as she finished patching him up.

"There. We're all done for tonight. Your legs are just superficial cuts, I can clean those after dinner." He looked down at her accomplishment. Patches of white bandages covered most of the deeper wounds.

"Thank you, babe."

Pepper stopped putting the equipment away when she heard him speak the words. Shyly and slowly she turned in the chair. "Babe?" Her face graced with an inquiring gaze.

Tony looked up from where he examined his ribs. His eyes wide with horror. "No?"

"No what?"

"Hang on…what?"

"Tony."

"Yeah."

"Yeah? You just said no."

It was safe to say they were both completely confused and nervous from the exchange. They both chuckled softly. "Wait." Tony put his hand up to stop her from speaking. "I fail to understand what just happened here. Clarify, please."

"You called me babe."

"Right. And you had a look on your face that suggested that was not something you wanted to be called."

"Wrong. I was curious as to why you had called me babe." Pepper smiled widely.

"It came out naturally." He shrugged with a smirk.

"I don't mind it. It's just still very new."

Tony leaned forward slowly, ignoring the light pain he felt in his ribs, to take Pepper's hands in his. "Terms of endearment are crucial to a relationship, I hear."

"I agree." She squeezed his hands. "You've called me baby before. I just got caught off guard with babe."

"So you like baby better? Because I don't mind saying baby. At all. I think it's hot." He grinned mischievously.

"I like either one. But I must admit I still like it a lot when you call me Pep."

"But that's a nickname." He paused at the thought. "Of a nickname. Or a shortened nickname? Whichever, but it's still not a term of endearment per se."

Pepper nodded in agreement. "True. Well I like all three. I guess it's up to you and what mood you're in." She laughed under her breath.

"Alright. My call then. Just try not to look so scared next time."

"I wasn't scared." She argued. "I was surprised."

"Mortified is more the word you're looking for." Tony moved to stand with her hands still in his.

"Pleasantly surprised."

"I'll accept that." Tony grinned through a small grunt. "So what's your term for me? I just realized you don't have a nickname for me." He walked towards the elevator with one hand laced with hers.

"Hmm." Pepper tapped her chin with her index finger to pretend she was deep in thought. "Jerk comes to mind." She beamed.

"Ouch." Tony covered his arc reactor with his palm. "That hurt."

"You should be used to it by now." She laughed as she stepped in to the elevator.

Tony shook his head. "Nope. Still feels new." He used her words from earlier.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine." Her arms looped around his neck, but she was careful not to put too much strain on his body. "How about I call you babe when the occasion calls for it. Let me work on the nickname. I like your name as it is. Tony is a great nickname. Unless you want me to start calling you Anthony."

"No. I'm ok with Tony for the time being." He laughed. "Now what are we eating for dinner?" He kissed her nose.

"Well, if Happy hasn't completely run off with the goods...then we're having Chinese."

"Mmm. He better not have. I'm famished. I will tackle him, I swear."

They both laughed as they stepped out of the elevator and waited for sign of Happy.

To be continued…

Hope you guys are still into the story! Btw, still getting updates for Iron Man 3. I'm a masochist...what can I say. Still anxious as heck! Please let me know if you guys hear anything new.