Going Their Own Way

A/N: Hi all those wonderful people who viewed my story! I must say I'm really disappointed with the low response but never mind. I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever but I was really busy with the demand for more for my other 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' stories- 'Forever and Always' and 'Daughter of Hera'. So now that I've churned out a few chapters each, I felt ready to give more to this one. Now tell me, who doesn't like a daily dose of Pepperony? Exactly, everybody needs some. So here's this chapter to satisfy your daily needs! Also this chapter is a little above T.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers franchise, the lucky Stan Lee does…

There was a reason Tony Stark hated hospitals. He had ever since he had to spend the night there when his parents died. Landing in one after falling from the portal- he was trying to save the world single-handedly. What else to expect? - had cruelly reminded him of that reason. The clinical smell, trays of equipment, stark white walls and sterile, itchy scrubs were unbearable to him. Sighing, he tried to sit up in the uncomfortable bed. A sharp pain in his back forced him down again. I really don't learn from experience, do I? , he thought. He looked up as the nurse came in.

"Good morning Mr. Stark. How are you today? Do you feel any better?"

"Morning. I've been better though the pain in my back has reduced a little."

"That's all right. I'll just do the routine checks." She took all his vitals. "Looks good. I'll take this to the doctor, but I don't think you'll have to stay beyond this evening." She smiled and left.

Tony pumped his fist and settled down. He was looking forward to going back to the lab and working on the suit. It had been dented badly and a lot of the system was damaged. Jarvis had done as much repair as he could but he couldn't trust Butterfingers to do the mechanical work. He'd probably end up making the situation worse. He ran a hand through his hair. He was missing Pepper and wanted to see her again. He knew she was alright-he'd been keeping tabs on everyone through a wristband he'd snuck in- but he had to see her face-to-face before he relaxed completely.

He switched on the TV and settled down to wait for the evening.

Virginia 'Pepper' Potts was not having a good day. She'd had to take care of Tony's work for the Board (She almost always had to fake his signature and was getting pretty good at it too). She had to handle her own work as his secretary. She'd woken up late (bloody alarm clock) and hadn't had time for her morning cup of coffee. By the time she reached the office and got to her room, she was already way too cranky and had chewed out the poor guy who brought her the mug. She was too pissed off to apologize. Then, the damn photocopier got jammed and the printer stopped moving. She had to copy out all the work by hand. Her tights got ripped and she couldn't find the spare one she'd stashed with her. Yeah, worst day ever.

The only thing she had to look forward too was that Tony was being discharged that evening. She hadn't been able to visit him with Happy because of the work load. She missed him desperately. That's what happened when you were in love with your boss. It wasn't the best combination. She also wanted to punch him for scaring the living day-lights out of her when she saw him falling like that on the live news coverage. Trust the press to be there even though their lives were in danger.

He'd probably spend most of the next few weeks repairing the suit and adding new alien-resistant features. And then he'd push off all his paperwork to her. Obviously. And she wouldn't be able to say anything to him because he would look at her with his adorable brown eyes and black hair. Well, might as well get ready to work extra hours.

"Hey Tony. How're you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks Happy." He slid into the car as Happy opened the door for him. He wasn't looking too bad even if he said so himself. The only visible sign of any injury was the broken arm and a few scratches here and there. The cover story was supposed to be that he'd been buried under debris but rescued soon. He hoped the press would lap it up.

He was silent throughout the drive to the tower. It wasn't that late, only 7 PM but he wondered if Pepper would be there. He hoped she would because he'd need her by his side to make it through this crisis. He'd have to deal with the Board about the property damages and the cost of repair. Honestly, they could be like sharks sometimes. He wondered how his dad had ever put up with them. He'd probably been boiling over with contempt over the ignorance of these so-called 'high-fliers'.

They reached the entrance and the doorman opened the door. "Good evening Mr. Stark."

"Good evening Billy. How've things been?"

"Quiet, sir. Not much for me to do."

"That's good. Thanks, Bill."

"Anytime sir."

He watched Happy drive away and turned to the elevator doors. He stepped inside and cringed when he heard the elevator music. He made a mental note to himself to change it as soon as he could. The elevator dinged and he stepped out. He surveyed the floor. Fortunately, this tower hadn't been damaged much. Almost all of it was already repaired. He was glad; he couldn't bear unfinished living spaces. The living room was much the same as ever. A bar to the side and the rest of the area covered in couches and armchairs, along with a TV.

He headed through the connected doorway to the kitchen. It was a modern area, with lots of appliances he knew how to use- he had built them himself, after all-but never did. He wasn't much for cooking. There was a glass and chrome dining table with eight chairs, two of which were rarely occupied. He headed up to his bedroom. A huge bed was up against a wall with a closet on the adjacent wall and a TV opposite. A bathroom was attached to the room. He dropped his bag next to the bed and walked down the hallway. A movie theatre was on the left with a huge wall-to-wall screen and plush sofas and beanbags scattered around. A snack station stood at the back. There was a games room to the left, with a hot tub on the balcony and video games, a pool table and a bar in the room. He glanced down the stairs to where he knew his lab would be undamaged, with all his projects safe inside. He'd sent the suit there.

He went up to the roof, to the big pool. He needed to unwind. He changed into his costume and dived in, swimming rhythmically. It was how he maintained his body. He was on his 25th when Jarvis spoke up.

"Sir, Ms. Potts is looking for you. Shall I send her up?"

"Of course Jarvis. Please get some dinner sent up too."

"Right away sir."

He got out and had picked up a towel when she entered. He looked at her and felt like all his worries melted away. He smiled at her. She looked so beautiful, even like this when she was worn and wearied. They walked up to each other and he stopped, expecting a hug. He got a slap instead.

"Anthony Stark, how dare you scare me like that? Do you know how worried I've been? Not being able to see you because of all…" He let her voice fade away. She looked so cute when she was being a mother hen. He could just melt in her baby blue gaze.

"Tony, are you listening to me?" Her sharp gaze softened as she looked at his guilty face. "This can't go on, Tony. You have to think of m- other people before doing such rash things. It wouldn't be good for the company. The Board would create uproar if they found out about the truth. What if the suit got into the wrong hands? You don't want that."

"Pep, this is important to me; you know that. I created weapons of mass destruction; I killed people! This is my chance to put right all the wrong I did."

"But not like this; not by putting yourself at risk like this. Yinsen wouldn't have wanted that for you."

He looked down. "Pep? You know when I was going up with that missile? All I wanted was to say goodbye to you, just in case we didn't make it. I asked Jarvis to call you up but you didn't answer the call. I-I felt so alone. I wanted you there with me despite the fact I knew I'd get you killed if you did. Was that wrong?" he said, looking at her with an emotion she couldn't figure out.

"No, Tony, it's alright. You did the right thing. You saved us all from a fate worse than death itself. You're a true hero." With that, she leaned in and kissed him softly. He pulled her in gently and deepened the kiss, seeking entry with his tongue. What had been sweet before was swiftly getting rough and passionate. She pulled off her coat and shoes and reached up to twine her hands in his hair. He slipped his hands under her shirt and around her waist, trying to tug off her clothes. That's when alarms began going off in her head but she ignored them. She knew this was right; it was what she wanted. She helped him take off her clothes and his trunks. He picked her up and carried her down to his room. Suffice to say it was a pleasurable night.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Rise and shine, Pep. Get dressed, I've made breakfast."

Pepper groggily opened her eyes. At first, she thought she was dreaming. Then she registered what he'd said and shot up straight. Tony Stark, making breakfast? She looked at the clock. 8 o'clock in the morning. What was he doing up so early? He never got up before noon, usually nursing a headache from staying up late working in the lab.

She took a shower, got dressed and went to the kitchen, where she was greeted by the sight of Tony making eggs and bacon in a pan, with a toaster popping out toast. He looked back and gestured to her to sit. He slid a plate of food towards her and added two slices of toast. Then he plopped down into the seat opposite and his plate towards himself.

"How was your night? Did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Very good, thank you." She smiled.

They chewed for a while.

"Hey Peps?"

"Yes Tony?"

"I love you."

"I know Tony, I know."

A/N: Sooooooo, how'd you like it? Tell me in a review!