Tony was practically climbing the walls of Pepper's hospital room as he waited for her to wake up. He put his head in his hands and sat down heavily in the chair next to her bed. His mind was racing. He and Pepper had been dating for almost a year and a half, yet the guy that attacked her said that they'd dated a year ago. His breath was shuddering and he was embarrassed to find that he was on the verge of tears. He was beyond frustrated and he was tired and worried and confused and angry.

A hand weaving its way into his hair made him stop his mental tirade and he raised his eyes to find Pepper staring at him, a small smile on her face. Tony sighed in relief and his hand found hers, their fingers twining. "You saved me."

Tony nodded. "Yeah, I got there just in time. He could have really hurt you." Tony paused. "The police have the guy who did it. Who was he?"

"My ex-boyfriend. His name is Kyle Simons."

"Yeah. Natasha interrogated him, got him to admit to quite a few things actually. He told us that you guys were together and you left him a year ago. Pep, we've been dating longer than a year."

Genuine shock painted Pepper's face. "Tony, I wouldn't do that. We were together in college. We ran into each other last year and he was a mess. His wife had just had a miscarriage, or so he said, and I tried to help him through it. We talked on the phone some, went out to lunch once, but we weren't dating. I stopped talking to him only a couple of weeks after because he got kind of creepy. He came over too often, just showing up without calling, leaving me gifts on the doorsteps. I told him to cut it out or I'd call the police. I got a few hang-up calls after that, but nothing recently."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have made sure that he never touched you ever again."

"I know, Tony, but I thought that he was just upset after what happened with his wife and he looked like he needed someone to help him through it."

"But look what happened now. You're in a hospital bed, bruised and broken and all I really want to do is have Thor beat his face in with that magic hammer."

Pepper chuckled, grimacing as it caused her pain, and Tony scooted closer to her. She smiled at him. "So, what did Natasha get him to admit to?"

"Well, she didn't exactly get him to admit it so much as she told him that she knew and he started screaming things at her, proving that she was right."

"What did he do?"

"He may have kidnapped three other women and he may be currently keeping them in the basement of his barn because he thinks they're his."

Pepper raised her eyebrows and Tony was delighted to find that the movement didn't bring her pain. "Alright, I didn't expect that. He is married, isn't he?"

"Yeah, married with a son, actually."

"He cheated on his wife?"

"A number of times according to Natasha. Apparently, Natasha's been watching him for a while, trying to find the women."

"Huh. I didn't know that."

"Yeah, me neither. And Simons didn't either from the look of complete and utter horror on his face when she listed off all these facts about him."

Pepper smiled. "That sounds like Natasha."

"Yeah. Did you know her and Legolas are together?"

"Doesn't everyone?"

Tony pouted. "Am I the only one out of that loop?"

"I think so."

"Did you know that they're married."

Pepper considered the information. "Now that I think about it, it makes sense, but I haven't thought about it before."

"What do you mean 'it makes sense'?"

"Well, they both wear wedding bands, they're always together, they're closer than should be possible for two unattached humans to be, and when one gets hurt, the other is never more than a couple of feet away."

Tony pondered this before nodding his head in agreement. "Okay, I'll give you that."

"What are they going to do find the women?"

"They're going on a raid now, Natasha and Clint are leading it."

Pepper smiled. "Good. I'm happy something good came out of this after all."

"As glad as I am that those people will be safe, I'd much rather it would have happened without endangering your life. I kind of like you right where you are. Next to me."

Pepper squeezed Tony's hand and he detached himself for a second to pull the ring box out of his pocket, getting out of his chair and sinking onto one knee as he opened the box, showing a ring with a gold band with six perfect diamonds set in a circle. "Virginia Potts, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the entire world and becoming my wife? I know I'm volatile and self-obsessed and I don't play well with others, but I need you and I love you more than words can express. When that asshat was attacking you, I was terrified I was going to lose you and that was the worst thought that has ever crossed my mind and I pray I never have to think it again because it might just break my heart and kill me. If I were to lose you, I don't know what I would do; it would just break me. So, marry me?"

Pepper leaned forward slightly, pressing her lips to his in a chaste kiss. "I thought you'd never ask." She grinned and Tony gathered her into his arms, mindful of her wounds and glad it wasn't her left wrist that was broken because it was on her left ring finger that the ring belonged. Sliding that ring onto Pepper's finger, Tony was happier than he'd ever been.

A/N: So, I originally planned for this to be longer, but I'm thinking it may have just more chapter to it and then maybe an epilogue if you guys want. Leave me a review to let me know what you think.