Disclaimer for all chapters-I Do Not Own Characters. Marvel Owns. Wish I did, but I don't, so don't sue me. -K

Day 4

I lie in my bed, motionless, comatose. Rhodey had called, but I hadn't answered, afraid of what might have happened. My emotions were warring for dominance when it rang again. What happened? I need to answer! What if Tony was found? But- what if he was….dead…and all they found was a….b-body…..

Rhodey chose for me. The voice mail picked up, and I hesitantly pushed the answer button.

"Pepper, will you please pick up?"

"I'm here, Rhodey."

My voice was hoarse and cracked from the lack of talking and the endless crying.

"Pepper! Oh thank God, I've called you five times in the last hour!"

"I'm sorry, Rhodey."

"It's all right. We have news…about Tony."

I winced at the sound of his name, and then shuddered, fearing what he would say.

"We've been looking, but we haven't found anything. It's nigh impossible to find anyone in these caves."

"C-caves?"

"Yes, the terrorists are hiding out in caves near where the demonstration took place. We think he was taken there."

Images of Tony in a dark cave huddled in some cell, not seeing daylight for who knows how long….

"What can I do?"

"Nothing. The military are taking care of the search. You can't come here, Pepper. You have no training and it's too dangerous. I'm sorry."

Irrational anger rose to the surface of my mind, influencing my words. How dare he say that I can't come help Tony! I need to! I don't have to go out in the field, but I want to be there, knowing immediately what is happening, rather than hidden away in my empty apartment, helpless.

"You don't understand, Rhodey! I NEED TO BE THERE! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING! NOT HIDDEN AWAY HERE, HELPLESS! I need…I need…."

My voice faltered, my anger died. The familiar grief and pain took over. I cried silently, sobbing now and again.

"Pepper, I know you hate doing nothing. Especially if it's about Tony. I'll keep you updated as much as I can. Why don't you go to Tony's house and stay there for a while? It would be easier to contact Jarvis and he can give more detailed information about the search. Alright?"

I stopped crying, at least for the moment. Rhodey would keep me updated. I wouldn't be here, not knowing anything. And I would stay in Tony's house, with Jarvis to help me. To help me look for Tony.

"Alright."

Day 5

I packed a bag with clothes and some things I would need. I didn't bring much, since some of my things were already in Tony's-wince-house. Sometimes I would need to stay the night to get him up in the morning, so I left some things at his house just in case. I came out of my room for the first time in days.

I walked out my front door, then turned back and locked it. I was not dressed to perfection as usual. My hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail and my eyes, slightly red, had no makeup. My face was still pale, and I had only jeans and a ratty old sweatshirt on.

I walked down the stairs slowly, one step at a time, till I got to the parking garage where my Audi A5 waited. It had been a gift from Tony on my birthday that first year I started working for him, the only time he had remembered.

I walked out to the driveway of Tony's house. I had been working for him for about a year, and we had already developed a friendship. I liked him, liked working for him, it was never dull. He had said to come out to the front, because he had a surprise.

I wondered what it was, sometimes he liked playing jokes on me, and I hoped he hadn't, not today. It was my birthday, and I had things planned, and didn't have time to go back to my apartment to take a shower. I came through the end of the walkway in the front of the house, and saw a gorgeous silver Audi. Tony was standing in front of it, grinning like a little kid.

"Whose is this?"

I said, reverently stroking the hood. His grin widened.

"Yours. Happy birthday, Pepper."

I ceased my movements on the car, shocked.

"But-you got me a car? For my birthday? It's too much!"

He laughed lightly.

"Technically, I didn't get you the car. Stark Industries did. This is the car the company gave you. I just upgraded it a little."

"What did you do?"

"I gave it the fancy silver paint job, upped the speed, and downloaded Jarvis into it."

He said, looking pleased with himself.

I looked at him, smiling slightly. Then I did something that surprised both him and me. I reached up and wrapped my arms around him. He started it a little, tensed slightly, and then relaxed and hugged me back. I pulled away after a couple of seconds.

"Thank you. It's beautiful."

He smiled brilliantly at me.

"You're welcome. I didn't want you to drive around in that old piece of junk forever."

He said, referring to my old Toyota Corolla.

"Hey! I loved that 'old piece of junk' as you call it."

He laughed at my indignant expression, than after looking at him for a couple of seconds, I laughed too.

It was the best birthday I ever had.

I started to sob quietly as I got in the front seat, remembering that day. It had been so wonderful, one of my best days with Tony. I pulled out of the garage and down the street, heading toward the highway, still crying silently. I needed him to come back, alive and well, before I lost my self forever.

Rhodey's POV

I sat in the helicopter silently after my phone call with Pepper. She sounded horrible, like she was barely surviving each day without Tony. It broke my heart when I heard her start crying. I knew she was in love with him, and that's why she was so grief stricken about possibly losing him. We had been searching for days for my lost best friend. I didn't want to dwell too much on what might be happening to him, because I would lose it. And I can't. Not unless I want to find him. I needed to, for Pepper, and for myself.

A/N- Yes, I will be throwing in some other POVs, mostly Rhodey's for now. I will update soon. Promise. R&R, reviews are love! -K