# 11 - "I almost lost you" Kiss

"J.A.R.V.I.S., what time is it?"

"It is 7:15 pm., sir."

"Pepper didn't come in while I was in the shower, did she?"

"No, sir," the A.I. replied.

Tony dialed her number. He waited impatiently while it rang. He heard a click. "Hey, Pep. It's..."

"You have reached the voice-mailbox of..." It was the voice he wanted to hear. However, he wanted to speak to the real thing, not a recording.

Tony waited until the beep and left his message. "Pepper, where are you?!" he began. "You're late and you're never late. Call me!" He doubled-checked for a message saying she would be delayed. There hadn't been a call or text to let him know she was working over. Frustrated, he tossed his phone on the bed. Tony searched the bedroom for a note she might have left him that morning. Again, he came up empty. "Can you put a trace on Pepper's phone, J?"

"It appears to be off, sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied. "Shall I call her?"

"I just tried." Tony picked his phone off the bed and went down to the workshop. He needed to find something to do or he would go crazy. He turned on the television and grabbed one of the new gauntlets off the workbench. He wasn't particularly interested in watching anything. He just needed background noise.

"We're going live to the scene of a multi-car pile-up on the freeway," the male news anchor said. "What can you tell us, Julie?"

"It's a mess, Bob," the on-scene reporter said. "Traffic is backed up for at least two miles. Police, fire, and rescue personnel are on site. Sadly, there has been one confirmed fatality...the driver of this car."

Tony looked up from his work to see the car the reporter mentioned. He froze as he watched the mangled remains being loaded onto a rollback truck...a white Audi. His blood ran cold and he couldn't breathe.

"The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time until the next-of-kin can be identified."

"J.A.R.V.I.S.!" he yelled. "Find out where..."

"The rest of the accident victims are being taken to Memorial Hospital for medical care," the reporter informed.

Tony tossed the gauntlet on the workbench. "Shut off everything," he called to J.A.R.V.I.S as he ran to the garage. He jumped into the first car he came to and grabbed the keys from under the visor. Within the seconds, he was roaring down the driveway toward the hospital.

"They didn't say it was Pepper," he said to himself. "It's...it's not Pepper. It can't be Pepper." His mind raced as fast as his car. The reporter said they would notify the next-of-kin. That would be him...right? Being who she was, Pepper would have all the necessary paperwork in order somewhere. He hoped he wouldn't need that. "Be positive, Stark. You won't need it," he tried to convince himself. There was not question she was his better half. She was the love of his life. It wasn't just that she made him a better person. She made him want to be a better person. "Girlfriend" was far too inadequate for all she was. Pepper was his...everything. He was her... He was Tony freaking Stark. That's who he was. Iron Man! That's all they need to know. The whole world knew he and Pepper were together. They had to tell him."It's not Pepper," he repeated. "It can't be Pepper. She can't leave me."

The hospital was a picture of chaos. People in uniform milled about the lobby and entry ways. Worried friends and family filled the waiting room, most of them looking for answers like he was. Medical staff hurried around like someone kicked over an ant hill. Near the registration desk, Tony saw a young man in a white coat carrying a clipboard. He seemed as good a place to start as any. "Excuse me. I'm looking for..."

"Name," the man said curtly.

"Tony Stark. I'm looking for information on..."

He flipped up a few pages on his clipboard. "There's no one named 'Stark' on my list."

"I know that Dr...Mitchell," Tony said, reading the name on the coat. He was beginning to get irritated.

"Then, why are you here?"

The flippant comment and smug look were more than he could bear. Tony snatched up the man by the lapels. He shoved him against the desk and lifted him off the ground. "I know there isn't anyone on there named Stark. The only name I want to find out about is Potts. Virginia Potts."

"O-okay." Mitchell struggled to get the clipboard between them. "Wh-what was the name again?"

"Potts," Tony repeated. "P-O-T-T-S. Virginia."

"Tony?!" Tony's head snapped around in the direction of the voice part of him thought he would never hear again. "Tony, put him down."

He released the man's coat and turned to face the voice. Tony made a beeline for where Pepper stood. Without a word, he kissed her until they were both breathless. "You're not dead," he said, holding her close.

"No, but for a reception like that, maybe I could play dead more often," she joked. When she realized he wasn't laughing, Pepper pulled back enough to look in his face. She saw what others wouldn't be able to see. Tony Stark would rather die himself than let anyone else know how frightened he'd been. Then again, Pepper Potts wasn't just anyone else. "Why did you think I was dead?"

"The news. They showed this white Audi that was demolished and said the driver died."

"It wasn't me. The car is pretty banged up, but, thankfully, we both survived."

Tony reached and touched the bandages on her face. "You're hurt."

"Just some scratches from broken glass and a couple bruises from the air bag," she assured him. "I've been checked out and I'm fine."

"I tried to call. I left a voice-mail. J.A.R.V.I.S. tried, but he couldn't track your phone."

"It's broken. I had it laying on the seat and it was tossed around in the accident. I have what's left of it in my purse."

"I'll make you a new one. I'll get you two. All I want to know is that you're okay."

His concern made her smile. "I'm fine."

Tony touched the bruises on her cheek and kissed her again. "When can I take you home?"

"They gave me discharge papers," Pepper explained. "The nurse said I needed to see someone at the registration desk. You remember where that is don't you? Where you roughed up that poor intern?"

"Oh, c'mon. I didn't rough him up. I just..." He heard Pepper laugh. "I was just anxious to find you."

"I know and it's sweet." Pepper held up the papers in her hand. "If you will let me go, I will take these to be processed and you can take me home."

"I will take you to get your paperwork done, but I am not letting you go." Tony released her from his embrace and took her hand. They walked to where she could be discharged. When he had to let go of her hand for her to sign her name, Tony stood behind Pepper with his hands on her hips. The woman at the desk gave Pepper copies of everything she signed. "Are we done here?" Tony asked.

"Yes," the woman answered. "Feel better soon, Miss Potts."

"Thank you," Pepper said.

"Let's get you home," Tony said, again taking her hand. True to his word, he did not release her until they reached the car. He opened the door and deposited her safely inside, not allowing her to fasten her seat belt or close her door.

"You do realize," Pepper began once he was inside the car with her, "that 'taking care of me' and 'playing doctor' aren't the same thing, don't you?"

"That's what you think," Tony replied with a saucy wink. He kissed her hand, then cranked the engine and pointed the car in the direction of home.

Author's note: Okay. I admit it. This may not have been the best prompt choice for this scene. However, I saw the idea on Tumblr, loved it, and wanted to use it. If it's a flop, nancyozz holds full right to say "I told you so" as much as she wants. There may be another, darker #11 to come along later. Anyway...I liked it and thought it turned out well. That's all that matters, right? Now...to hear what you think. Reviews would be AWESOME! This is fun! I promise I'm working on the requests (really, AthenaMay, I am). As always, thanks for your support. You guys are great. PEPPERONY FOREVER!