When Pepper woke up, she felt awful. Headache, bad feeling in the stomach, burning throath, everything. Not really awake she opened her eyes to see Tony, but then remembered that he was on a business trip to Hawaii. Why Hawaii? So damn far away of her.
With a sigh she stood up and dressed herself. Then she slowly walked into the kitchen, grabbing the newspaper and in the same moment checking her schedule for today. Three meetings. Shit. How should she survive this.
When Bruce stepped in, she greeted him, trying to sound normal. But even she herself noticed how weak she sounded.
„Are you okay, Pepper?" he asked worried.
„Yeah, it's nothing. Don't worry." Bruce looked sceptical.
„I'm okay!" She said when he felt her forehead to check if she had fever.
„No, you're not. You're burning, Pepper." While he said that, Natasha and Clint stepped in.
„What's going on?" Natasha asked.
„Pepper is sick." Bruce answered.
„No I'm not. I have maybe a light flu, but really, it's nothing. Either the way, I have to go to work now. I have a pretty important meeting with the managment in ten minutes so I gotta go."
„Cancel it. You can't go when you're sick." Clint insisted.
„It's an important meeting. I can't just cancel it!"
„I'm pretty sure I can." Damn, she had not even heard Steve coming in. But, to his credit, he was probably right. Nobody in the managment would fight with Captain America.
„Okay." Said Natasha, taking over the command. „Steve, you cancel that meeting. And clear her schedule for the whole day, and don't look at me that way, Pepper, you are not going anywhere when you're sick. Clint, you get her to ly down on the couch, I'll get some blanket and you Bruce look for some medicine."
Before Pepper was able to protest, Clint had carefully lifted her up and carried her to the couch. Natasha disappeared for a moment and came back with some blankets and pillows, and Pepper could hear Steve calling somebody, probably from the managment. Then Bruce came in with a cup of tea.
„That's peppermint tea. Helps with nearly everything."
Realizing that nothing would stop the four Avengers from taking care of her (Thor and Jane were on a trip to New Mexico) Pepper decided to relax and enjoy it. A day of was not that bad. In fact her last real day of had been the suprise trip to Paris with Tony, so she probably really needed a break.
The other four sat down next to her and decided to watch a few movies. James Bond got picked. They started with the very first one, since Steve had never seen any of them.
About noon Clint slipped into the kitchen silently. After about 20 minutes he came out again and brought some really good smelling soup with him.
„His soup is great. Best thing I ever ate." Promised Natasha.
And she was right. The soup was great.
Pepper looked around and smiled. She was really lucky to have so good friends.
When Maria Hill came to the Avengers tower that evening to find out why none of the four Avengers who were at home attended to the meeting that was set for the evening or picked up the phone, she found them all curled up on the couches. Pepper had one on her own, Natasha and Clint shared one, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her waist, while Steve and Bruce sat on chairs. They were all fast asleep, while the TV played another James Bond. Maria smiled and reported back to the HQ that everything was fine.
AN: Sorry for the delayed update! I hope you liked it!