AN: As always, MegaDiary123 was the Beta for this chapter. On behalf of both of us, I wanted to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story. We reached 100 followers and I really appreciate every single one of you for supporting this. Thank you.

All rights go to Marvel

Skye's POV

Finding Pepper turned out to be a little harder than I had initially anticipated. That was mainly due to the destroyed building that separated us. It must have been at least ten minutes, or at least this is how much time I thought had passed, since Natasha left to inform Fury before I saw the CEO. I was still clutching my bad shoulder and when she noticed me moving towards her she came running in my direction.

She didn't ask any questions, just wrapped an arm around me and led me to the car, always careful not to put too much pressure to any of my aching parts. Both of us sat on the backseats, as Happy drove us to Pepper's apartment in Malibu, the one where she would live when not in the mansion.

"How much pain are you in?" She asked when we crossed the door and headed to the living room.

"I fell on my shoulder when the explosion occurred, and the fall didn't help the ribs either" I replied honestly, knowing that Pepper would be able to detect any lies. "They are the same state as when I woke in the hospital, but with some rest they should heal properly". I sat on the sofa, the adrenaline rush had long disappeared from my system and I was starting to feel tired. I was looking at the floor when Pepper came to sit next to me and she placed a hand on my back.

"What's wrong?"

"All of my stuff where in the mansion. Do you mind if Happy drives me there tomorrow to see if anything survived?" I rubbed my eyes with my hand as my thoughts went to a particular item that I wished was still intact.

"We will go together, but now you need to get some sleep. We both do" she tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

It was my turn to pat her back. "It's okay, I'll go alone. You need to go to the Enterprises and short everything out". I could see that she was about to argue and I cut her short. "No buts. You have work to do. If you could only lend me a set of clothes to sleep in and I'll take the couch. Yes, the couch and I am not taking no for an answer"

First thing in the morning, even before Happy drove Pepper to work, he took me to the mansion. It was weirdly quiet and empty, I was at least expecting Tony to be lying somewhere on the floor, pitying himself.

I quickly made my way to my room, which was more or less destroyed. The painkillers that I had taken the same morning were still kicking in, allowing me to move my shoulder around and search for the item of interest more easily. First I went to the closet and checked every bag there. Finding them all empty, I grabbed one of them and stuffed it with my remaining clothes. I hadn't had much before, but now they were even less. I had a feeling that Pepper would take this chance as soon as she could afford a day-off and go shopping with me.

Then I started looking all over the room. Under the broken desk, or the bed. I was not sure how long I had spent looking, but it must have been long enough for Happy to come upstairs.

"We need to go. I need to take Pepper to the Industries" he said with a final tone.

"Just give me one more minute" I replied, never slowing down my research.

He sighed and from the corner of my eye I could see him unfold his arms, which he had crossed over his chest. "You know, if you tell me what you are looking for it would be easier for me to help you find it" he said and crouched next to me, searching the floor for anything that could be of interest to me.

I momentarily stopped, before resuming what I was doing. "Why do you suddenly care so much? Don't get me wrong, but I thought that you didn't like me"

He stopped what he was doing and turned to look at me. It took him a while before he found the right words to express what was on his mind. "I didn't in the beginning" he finally admitted. "But you've helped a lot since you came, both Pepper and Tony, especially Pepper. I thought I would give you a chance, so don't waste it" his tone was sincere as the smallest smile appeared on his face. "Now, what are we looking for?"

I returned the smile and lifted my gaze to meet his. "A hula girl"

He furrowed his brows as he took in what he just heard. "You mean the hula girl that you take everywhere with you?" I glanced at him with a question mark clear as day on my face. "I've seen how much you care about that thing, it was quite easy to notice to be honest…" his voice grew softer by the end of the sentence. "Have you checked the luggage that you took with you to Monaco?" He concluded.

That's it! I mentally screamed and went towards the said luggage. It was not with the other bags on my closet, since I had yet to unpack it and before the explosion is was sitting close to my bed.

"Let me" Happy said as he helped move the item, which was buried underneath a heavy rock.

As soon as I was able to, I unzipped the luggage and searched frantically inside. It was there, unharmed and whole as when I first got it. I let out a heavy sigh and sat on the floor, clutching the item on my hand. "Thank you" I spoke to Happy who was looking at the whole exchange with curious eyes.

"You're welcome" he got up and offered me his hand to help me up as well, which I took without a second thought. We soon were back in the car, some of the clothes that survived in the trunk, and we headed back to Pepper's apartment to pick her up. "Why do you care so much about the hula girl by the way?" Happy asked and from his tone I could tell that he was contemplating whether he could ask or not.

I looked down at the shaking girl, a smile playing on my lips without my intention as memories flooded my brain. "It was a gift" the feeling that spread through my body kept me all warm and fuzzy until we picked Pepper and reached the Industries building.

Pepper went to her office and I headed to the computer lab, just to check how everyone was working. So far I had only worked from my office in the Stark Tower, or the smaller one, that now was probably smashed, in the mansion. So, even though I was the head of cyber security, I had yet to meet any of the people who were kind of working for me. I had to reassure Pepper that I would not work, just supervise and make notes as to potential changes that might needed to take place.

And so I did. For about thirty minutes before I got bored to death, not being able to touch a computer and all, and I headed upstairs to where the CEO's office was.

I was almost at the secretary's desk when I noticed Natasha on the other side of the room and rushed to her side. She was not as relaxed as she had been the previous days. "Good morning, Natalie" I said with the steadiest voice I could master.

She looked at me, then her clock and back at me. "Good morning, indeed, Skye. How is your shoulder?" We entered the building's elevator.

"Healing, slowly. Thank you for your concern" I replied politely and waited for the doors to close before truly looking at Nat. "Are you okay? You seem a bit on edge…" I immediately asked, concern leaking into my expression. She titled her head to the side, with a silent question and I scoffed. "Please, I know you better than most people do" I disregarded her. "I'm guessing Tony knows?"

She straightened her back, holding tightly the documents in her hands as she coughed to clear her throat. "He does, and I wouldn't be surprised if he came over at some point today. Did Potts ask where I was?"

I saw the, clear as day, change of subject but didn't push her any more. "No, actually she didn't. I think she was too shaken up by what happened to truly process your disappearance". Supposing that she wanted to reach her office, which by my calculations was only one floor away, I quickly added before the elevator doors opened again. "If he tries anything, he will have to do with me" I tried to reassure her and just like that we were back at our role play.

Of course, it turned out that Natasha was right and Tony did come into the building. For better or worse that was while we were getting ready to departure back to New York because we needed to make an appearance for the Stark Expo. Especially since Hammer Industries would have the main pavilion for tonight, making a big presentation.

We met Happy on the way to the office, who was carrying our luggage and I send him a small smile, which he returned. It seemed that we had made progress.

"Ms. Potts?" Natasha asked as she opened the door to the office.

Seeing Tony there, I could tell why Pepper suddenly seemed so relieve by our presence. "Hi, come in"

Natasha moved closer to the office as she announced "Wheels up in 25 minutes", her eyes never leaving Tony's form. When she received Pepper's "Thank you", it was Happy's turn to speak.

"Anything else, boss?" He asked and was clearly looking at Pepper, but Tony couldn't help it and replied on top of her.

I had remained silent during the whole exchange, observing carefully and ready to intervene in case Tony went out of line. He looked between the three of us. "I lost all the kids in the divorce" he said, always making fun of a serious situation as he laughed. He turned his head from one person to the other, until he met my eyes and I shook my head. Then his face grew more serious and his chair was facing the desk where Pepper and Natasha were. "Are you blending in well, Natalie? Here at Stark Enterprises?" My sister shot him a glare. If looks could kill then Tony would have been dead by now. "Your name is Natalie, isn't it? I thought you two didn't get along" he pointed between the two women.

"No, Tony. They get along just fine" I said defending Nat as I had promised.

"Oh, it's just me she doesn't care for". Then he turned his head to me. "Since when did you start using first-name basis with me?", he curiously asked.

"Since you lost the little respect I had for you" I simply replied and Pepper found that moment to cut in.

"Actually, while you're here, maybe you and Natalie could discuss the matter of the personal belongings" she waited to get the affirmative from Nat and then her eyes pointed to the exit, a clear sign for me to follow her. First Pepper went out of the room, followed by Happy and me at the end. I could hear Tony speaking to Natasha before the door was even closed. And I had to muster all my self-control not to get back in that office.