Pepper

I left Tony, only because I thought that it was the best thing to do. He had his things he wasn't willing to give up, and I had my input that I wasn't willing to compromise. The logical thing for me to do was separate from him. I wouldn't have to compromise and he wouldn't have to give up anything. Turns out it wasn't all I expected it to be.

At first it was nice and relaxing, staying at a beach in Costa Rica and sipping martinis all day was a good trade. I tried not to think about Tony, I really did. But as time went on and all the glamour of my vacation started to fade; I was missing him. It was all of the little things that I found myself thinking about.

The way his body felt sleeping next to mine, our tradition of coffee and the news, the way he hugged me, the way he kissed me. God I really missed the sex too. All of these things just piled up, then he started sending me flowers at my hotel room. He paid for a whole day of pampering and even bought me a car just so I could get to the places that was on the list. Driver included. He even tried writing a love letter to me, it was very sweet, but not his strong suit.

He made sure I had everything I could possibly need, all the while giving me the space I needed too. How could I not want to return after all that? He was really trying for me. So I bought the next plane ticket to New York, and was on a flight that morning. Despite it all I still didn't know if I was doing the right thing.

So I texted Arabella to meet me tomorrow, well today, to talk about it all. She helped me a lot before, and I knew she could do it again. She had an objective point of view on the whole situation, even if she was close to Tony and I.

I sat at a table in the back of Starbucks, latte in one hand, phone in the other. I was reading emails about company events, trying to get caught up on what happened since I left.

"Hey Pepper." I look up and see Arabella taking a seat in front of me.

"Arabella! It's been too long." It really had, Tony was not the only person I missed.

"I know, but it was for a good reason." She replied generously.

"Maybe not that much of a good reason."

She looked at me confused. "Why would you say that?"

"It's just that I have been missing everyone and thing so much. It feels like a waste of a trip." I reasoned.

"No it wasn't a waste, if you hadn't gone then you wouldn't have realized somethings."

I laugh, "What things have I realized?"

"I don't know, you tell me. You wouldn't be back otherwise." Raising my eyebrows and smiling ironically I say,

"You're good." I pause to gather my thoughts. "I love Tony, a lot, I don't want to live without him yet sometimes I can't live with him. It's like I want to kiss him hard and then punch him in the face too. He frustrates me to no end and I'm positive it does it all on purpose." I'm now ranting; bawling my fist up. "But when it's all said and done, I wouldn't change a damn thing about him." I finish, relaxing my hand.

Arabella watched me for a minute, she hesitates before she speaks.

"You knew how Tony was when you made the choice to date him, I mean you knew him for years. What you need to decide now is whether you can handle him and all his blemishes, or if it's easier for you to just walk away."

"Walking away would be easier…" I start, "but with choosing to date a guy like Tony, I never take the easy way." Arabella gives me a look that says 'well there's your answer.' I wasn't going to just take the easy way, I loved Tony too much to do that. I couldn't live without him, despite his flaws. I would try and fail again and again before I ever gave up on him.

Stepping out of the elevator unto the top floor, I prepared myself mentally for the conversation to come. My heels click as I walk on the marble floor, I set my purse on the couch while looking out the window.

"Pepper?" I change the direction of my body to the kitchen, facing Tony who had a drink in his hand.

"Tony."

"When did you get back?" He feigned not knowing about my arrival.

"Don't pretend you didn't know, I'm sure you were the very first to know I caught a flight back."

"You got me."

"Yeah…" I trail off, not knowing how to start the next part of this.

"Tony?" "Pepper?" We speak at the same time, he holds his hand out.

"By all means go first." I nod slowly.

"I did a lot of thinking while I was gone, and then I talked about it. And then thought about it all over again. I know that I have conditions that you can't meet." He opens his mouth to protest. "Let me finish. You have things that you absolutely won't change and I can't seem to let you do it freely. We both have things we just won't give up, but I decided that it isn't worth losing you over. I will let you make your suits and work on your projects, as long as you keep proving that you love me as much as you say you do." He opens and closes his eyes quickly in awe.

"Wow, Pepper I did not expect that." He walks up to me and places his hands on my hips. "Did I ever tell you how perfect you are?"

I laugh loudly "A few times." He looks at me with a look of admiration, then guilt.

"I'll stop working on the suits." Tony insisted.

"No you won't." I tell him firmly. "But it doesn't matter, as long as you keep loving me." He peers down at me, a sexy smirk on his face.

"Then that's exactly what I'll do." He bends down to kiss me roughly, the need and desperation was felt from both of us. He bent down to lift me up so I could wrap my legs around his waist. Walking us down the hall to our room, he kicks the door shut behind him.