A/N before the story: I've decided to stop with the songs because it's more ruining the story than helping it. P.S. last chapter because I feel this story is not doing me justice. If anyone wants to take this story in their own direction in a sequel, feel free, just accredit me in doing so.

Tony grabbed the last of his things and loaded them into his car. After taking one last glance at the place where he thought he would be an escape for him.

"Thanks for your advice, Roy." Tony said as a last goodbye effort.

"Anytime, Stark, anytime." Roy shook Tony's hand and then Tony got in his car and began the drive back to the city.

~…~

Once Tony reached the outer limits of the city, he looked around and a smile grew on his face. He hadn't realized how he had missed home. He didn't think he'd be seeing the place for a long time, and he didn't think that once he returned he'd miss the place so much. Though, it was a little evident considering the boy hadn't left the city his whole life.

Tony got out of the cab and looked around, holding his bags as he took in the sights that he had so missed on his time away. He let everything soak in for a minute before he walked inside the Rhodes house.

Once he got inside the house, he looked around for anyone who was home at the moment. The area seemed to be empty, but once he set his stuff down and walked into the living room to see his two friends sitting on the couch. They hadn't realized he had come in, and they were in the middle of a conversation. So Tony backed up, hid around the corner of the nearby wall, and listened.

"I just can't believe he would brush us off his shoulder so easily like that," Pepper said.

"Well I just think he's having a hard time with everything that's been going on lately and he was just confused. He didn't know where to turn. You can't really blame him, Pepper." Tony smiled. Good old Rhodey, he thought. There was a long silence and after a while Pepper sighed.

"I kinda miss Tony." Tony smiled wider, yet the statement sent his mind reeling. She misses me? Because to be completely honest with myself, he thought, I missed her a lot too.

Tony stepped out and said, "Well I think I can solve that problem." Pepper smiled widely with excitement and jumped out of her seat, ran over to Tony and sprung onto him with a hug.

"Tony! You came back! I can't believe it! I-I mean, I…" Tony chuckled.

"It's really good to see you too, Pep." He said. Rhodey then walked over to him.

"It's good to have you back, man." He said, patting Tony's shoulder. The three took a seat on the couch.

"So? Spill! What compelled you to come home?" Pepper asked excitedly. This brought a rosy blush to Tony's cheeks.

"Well after you two left I laid down on my bed and thought for a while. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I just wasn't where I really wanted to be." As Tony explained this, he stared straight into Pepper's eyes. He fully, one-hundred percent meant what he said and furthermore, meant every word of the message hidden in his words when he looked into her eyes at that moment.

Then Rhodey's phone went off (it was his mother) he got up and went to answer it in the other room; leaving Tony and Pepper sitting across from each other on the couch. It was awkwardly silent for a moment before Tony spoke up.

"Y-you know, Pepper, I-I had other reasons for leaving college," He began. Pepper's gaze then showed curiosity as she tilted her head and furrowed her brows.

"I…missed you too." He stated simply. Pepper smiled and hugged him once more. This time Tony embraced her and held onto her as long as possible. He never wanted to let her go.

"Tony, I…" Pepper paused, nervous. "I love you." She stated quietly and simply. Tony smiled. Yet instead of responding, he grabbed her arms, pulled her close and kissed her. It was long and deep and Tony was glad he did it. Pepper practically melted into him, slumping her shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck and immediately kissing back.

They parted moments later and Tony smiled, keeping his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

Yeah, Tony thought, it's good to be home.

Sorry for the beyond crappy ending, but I just needed this story finished. It's not really the best story ever made, soo, just go ahead and criticize…review?