Day 2

---

The next day I closed myself in the workshop because I didn't want any interruptions when I worked on the suit. The suit was pretty damaged in the battle and it needed some improvements. I was absolutely certain that I wouldn't get out from there a whole week - considering that Pepper wasn't talking to me. Okay... she was talking to me, but it was all about business, and I'm so sick of it.

But what about what happened yesterday? The whole 'I'm not so sure of your intentions' thing. Hmmmm... I kinda assume what she thinks, but it's not that. So what do I do now?

I tinker with pieces I don't need, think and re-think about one little possibility which could use me some help. The whole affair with Natasha destroyed her trust and I wonder why? I never tried to hide my so-called relationship with the russian bombshell from Pepper. She was there every morning, prim and professional as always. I couldn't believe that she just didn't care. I mean, the look on her face - cold and unfriendly made me reconsider my decision of telling her that Natasha wasn't just a one night stand.

I suddenly felt a warmth spreading along my hand. I stared at the red liquid for a couple of moments before throwing away the object I had in my hand. This was absolutely wonderful. The world just simply hates me!

"Jarvis please tell Pepper that I need her here immediately." And that's how my whole world turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

Pepper rushed down the stairs (she was wearing stilettos and she didn't even fall) and punched her code with trembling fingers.

"Mr. Stark..." She started and glanced over at me.

I frowned deeply at her while grabbing my arm tightly. She must have noticed the blood stains on my white t-shirt and that's why, with a heavy sigh she walked towards the aid kit and took some bandages and the antiseptic. I suppressed a moan as a sharp pain left me breathless. My entire arm was throbbing with pain and I squirmed restlessly in the chair, waiting for Pepper who seemed unhurried by my desperate attempts to make her finish what she was doing there more faster and help me, for god's sake.

"Ahhhh!!!" I moaned against my will as another wave of pain throbbed through my entire arm.

Pepper looked over at me, her eyes doe-like and her gaze liquid. What the h- I stopped mid-thought as I heard her quiet sob. My eyes drift automatically to hers. She avoids my worried gaze as she moves towards me with the aid kit in her hand.

"Show me your hand." She murmurs, her voice raspy.

I release the grip on my arm and moan softly. Pepper takes my hand in hers and studies it carefully.

"What did you do, Tony?" She asks as she presses a wet towel over my arm. I want to answer her so badly because she's finally calling me Tony, but I don't really know what happened. If I'd tell her the truth she won't talk to me anymore and I don't want that.

"I-I uh..." I try to say but she applies the antiseptic to my wound. The sensation makes me jump in the chair and I bump my nose into her stomach. My good arm goes around her waist and I hold tight, figuring that if she's going to be as distant as she was till now it might be my last chance to touch her.

She doesn't try to push my hand away, instead she passes her fingers through my hair softly. I hold onto her more confidently, knowing that she was not going to yell at me for being me.

"You'll need some stitches." She warns and I swallow hard, thinking that God really, really hates me.

I closed my eyes and bit my lip from preventing any other moans as she fixed me up. Clenching my hand tightly around her waist I think about how this could have ended more badly. After it's all over I let out a shaky breath and reluctantly let my arm fall down from her waist.

Pepper sets the aid kit carefully on the desk and gathers the dirty towels. I risk a look at her and what I see makes my heart jump. Her eyes were red and puffy and her breathing was erratic. I sat up and ran to her. Pepper held up a hand and I stopped, feeling dizzy.

"I'm fine, Tony. Just... don't do that again, please."

I looked at her and this time I truly saw what I had done to her. The whole superhero thing - the worrying thing. She was damn scared she could lose me, and I couldn't blame her, really. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and that's why I cut myself. Yeah, I cut myself and if she wasn't here I probably must have bled to death. God, I'm such a moron.

"I'm sorry. I promise I'll be more careful next time." I whisper softly and look down at my bandaged arm.

"Keep your promises." Pepper murmurs and exits the room.

---

That evening when she's getting ready to go home I sneak through the hall and into the living room and place a single red rose by her car keys. I stay in the shadows and watch her reaction - if earlier I thought that God just hates me, this time I want to shout in happiness because Pepper had just smelled the rose while closing her eyes and doing what - meditating something, maybe - I don't really know now, because I'm too happy.

After contemplating for a couple of minutes she gathers her stuff and walks towards the exit with the rose safely in her petite hand.