This is for those lovelies who are hanging out for some pure Pepperony! It's pretty sweet, you were warned!

I woke up with a start, I looked around the room, I was conscious of the sweat which drenched my body.

I closed my eyes in relief when I saw Pepper sleeping peacefully beside me. Her milky white skin was illuminated by the glow of my reactor; I traced her arm with my finger.

She slowly turned to face me, 'what's wrong?' She asked drowsily.

I shook my head, 'just a bad dream.'

She pulled me down beside her, 'do you want to tell me?'

'It's nothing,' I smiled at her, I raised her chin with my hand and pulled her into a kiss, 'I need to get back to S.H.I.E.L.D.' I whispered.

'No, don't go, stay here.' She curled up against me.

I closed my eyes, it was harder every time she asked me not to go, 'I don't want to go, but I have to.'

'Since when do you answer to anyone Tony?' She looked at me with a smile.

I leaned on my elbow and kissed her forehead, 'since my usual ways nearly got you killed.' I explained as I trailed kisses along her jaw.

'You're unbelievable.' She laughed softly, she pulled me down to lay beside her, I put my arm under her and she laid her head on my chest.

I looked down at her face with mock hurt, 'that's quite hurtful Miss Potts.'

'I don't want you to leave.' She looked away.

'I need to fix this, Pep, I need to finish it so that no one else gets hurt.' I pulled her closer.

'Fix it and then come home, don't you dare leave me.' She whispered.

'I could never leave you.' I whispered back.

I lay peacefully, holding her in my arms; I knew there were so many challenges facing us. I knew there were so many things which would be thrown at me, things which would challenge me in every aspect. But these things were all worth it if I came home to her.

'Tony.'

I nodded, 'Pep?'

'Is everything better with the Extremis?' She asked quietly.

I sighed, 'it is for now, but I don't know if this was a permanent solution.'

She nodded, 'what do you think will happen if your symptoms come back?'

I didn't want to put her through it, nor myself. But I needed to be honest, there were no more excuses to lie to her, I had put in danger by lying, I had put her in danger by telling her the truth and she was resilient, she was strong. I knew she could cope; I didn't give her enough credit before.

'Honestly, I think it'll hit me harder than before, and if that happens, I don't know that I have any more ideas.'

'I'm scared.' She breathed.

'Don't be.' I kissed her cheek.

'How can I not be?' She whispered.

'Because I'm here with you now that's all that matters.'

She raised her head to look at me, she furrowed her brow; 'I don't like the sound of that.'

'What about this,' I pulled her closer to me so that my mouth was right next to her ear, 'I want to marry you, so that you know we have each other forever.'

She gasped and pulled back, 'Tony, what are you-'

I put my finger to her lips to stop her talking, I reached over to the bedside table and retrieved a small blue velvet box, I held it up above her head and I flicked it open with one hand.

She looked at it in awe, then back at me.

'I think this is the longest I've heard Pepper Potts speechless, and I'm hoping in a good way?' I said hopefully.

She sat up; I moved to sit beside her, 'you're making me nervous, say something.'

Did I just make a mistake, did I make a complete fool of myself. I still held the box in my hand as she sat staring at it speechlessly.

She took the ring out slowly and looked back at me.

I saw the smile spread across her face.

'Tony.' She held the ring in her hand, 'don't do this because you don't think you're going to make it.'

I shook my head, 'I actually bought this a while ago, I couldn't find the right time and I didn't think you would say yes, and I was terrified, and I didn't know whether it was inappropriate and then everything happened-'

Pepper cupped my cheek in her hand, 'stop, Tony, you're rambling.' She grinned, 'I don't think I've ever seen Tony Stark struggling to make sense of words.' She laughed.

I exhaled the breath which was hitched within my body, 'I'm sorry.' I looked down at my hands.

'Don't be sorry.' She took my hand in hers and placed the ring in my hand, I looked up at her, what did this mean? Why was she giving me the ring? I swallowed hard.

She smiled gently, 'yes, Tony.' She held her left hand out.

I felt my senses rush back to me, 'yes?' I grinned.

'Yes.' She smiled.

I nodded, I fumbled with the ring, I couldn't stop my hands from shaking, I took her hand in mine and I pushed the ring on gently. Her eyes remained focused on mine.

'Breathe Tony.' I heard her say.

I mindlessly nodded; I continued to grip her hand in mine.

Finally I moved closer to her and knotted my fingers through her hair and pulled her into a kiss. She reciprocated and deepened the kiss.

She ran her fingers through my hair, 'I love you so much.'

'I love you too Pep.' I finally managed.

'You did well Mr Stark.' She laughed softly.

I cocked my head and smiled, 'really?'

She nodded, 'yes, that was perfect.'

'I had it all planned out, it was going to be on the beach, after I gave you the necklace, it was meant to be really romantic.' I explained.

She shook her head, 'this was more than perfect Tony, it was natural and honest.'

'I'm just glad you're still here, you didn't run away.' I said with a grin.

I collapsed against the back of the bed, all the energy and nerves had worn me out completely, I leaned against the wall and I pulled her against me.

'Yes, and you're still here, I am actually still quite shocked to be honest, you never even mentioned the M word.' She sat between my legs and leaned against my chest. I ran my hands up and down her arm.

She held her hand up and marvelled at the ring, the gold band held a breathtaking red diamond surrounded by twelve white diamonds.

'Well this is definitely typical Stark.' She looked up at me and grinned.

I took her hand and ran my finger over the diamond, 'only the best for you.'

'It's amazing Tony.' She smiled.

'I tried to get a hold of the Moussaieff Red Diamond, but apparently the Gemological institute of America doesn't sell their exhibits.' I shrugged, 'this is the next best thing.'

She looked up at me, 'well, next time I suppose.' She laughed.

She turned to face me, 'you can't go back to S.H.I.E.L.D now.' She said quietly.

I took her hands in mine, 'you know I have to Pep, the sooner this is over, the quicker I'll be back.'

'I know, I'm just worried.' She looked down at her hands.

'Don't be, it's just one guy, but I need to do this because it's my mess.' I lifted her chin to look at me.

'Ok, but hurry.' She grinned.

'I will, don't worry.' I planted a kiss on her lips.

I got up and made my way to the bathroom, I got showered and got ready, I pulled my jeans on and sat beside Pepper on the bed.

'I have to go,' I kissed her forehead, 'but as soon as this is done, we're free.'

She nodded, 'I know, just be safe.' She wrapped her arms around my neck.

'Always.' I kissed her neck, 'I'll be back soon, I promise.'

I pulled away from her, I kissed her cheek again.

'Jarvis, review the stats for the mark forty seven, if everything is green I'm suiting up.'

'The Mark forty seven is at one hundred per cent capacity sir, vitals are looking good too.' Jarvis replied.

'Good, inform Fury I'm on my way.' I said with a nod.

'Congratulations are in order sir.' Jarvis added.

Pepper looked at me and smiled, 'thank you Jarvis.' She smiled.

I stood by the window and called on the armour, piece by piece it began assembling itself around my body. I left the face plate open and held my arms open for Pepper.

She stepped closer to me and leaned up on her toes to kiss me.

'Please be careful.' She whispered.

I nodded, I gently took her hands in mine, I looked at the diamond on her finger once more, 'I'm coming home to you.'

With a final nod, I closed the face plate; I stepped out onto the balcony and took off into the sky.

Everything was as it should be. I couldn't be happier, Pepper's smile was etched in my mind, she was happy, and more important than that, she was happy with me.

I flew through the sky with a sense of exhilaration, of pride and joy for the future. Everything would work out, I just needed to finish this off and we would be safe. The challenge was upon me, and now more than ever I was determined and driven to work hard to save the future.

Hope that was good :D After this, we get into some kick ass action!