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After that short discussion with Pepper, Rhodey decided to go to his friend and have a serious talk with him about the strange things which happen in his mind. 'Not only in his mind. But in his heart too.' He thought.

Tony was working on the suit and he didn't wanted to be disturbed.

″Sir, Colonel Rhodes is at the main door. Shall I let him in.?″

″Ask him what he wants and then tell me his answer.″

At the main door

″Good morning, Colonel.″

″Jarvis, hey. Where is Tony?″

″He is in the workshop working on the suit. He doesn't want to be disturbed. What do you want?″

″Oh never mind. Tell him I'll drop by in the weekend.″

″I shall. Have a nice week Colonel.″

″You too Jarvis.″

In the workshop

″What did he want?″

″He said he'll drop here in the weekend.″

″Ouch.″

″Sir you're alright?

″Jarvis, call the ambulance and tell them I... I cut off my vein.″

At the hospital

When Tony woke up he was surrounded by Pepper.

″Hey.″

″Hey.″

″Why did you do that?″

″What?″

″Your vein, Tony.″

″Well, I was working on the suit and then... suddenly I felt something that was warm on my entire right hand. And I saw blood, many blood.″

″So, you didn't cut yourself.″

″No, how can you think of it?″

″It doesn't matter.″

″Oh yeah, it does. When are they gonna release me out?″

″In a few days. Maybe a week.″

″Whaaat??″

″Just kidding. We're out of here in a hour.″

At the mansion

″Are you okay?″

Her question was simple but instead of responding her with the affirmative he gave his best to sound serious.

″No.″

″What?″

″I'm not okay.″

″Does your hand hurt?″

″Have dinner with me. Tonight.″

″Oh, Tony, I can't. I have plans.″

She knew that he didn't like her when she has plans.

″No you don't. I release your schedule for this evening.″

But when she tried to protest he putted his finger on her lips.

″Don't. Tonight at 8. At my mansion. Don't want to present my new, achievement.″

″What achivement?″

″My hand.″

″Oh, I forgot. But you still have to go to bed.″

″I will if you will come tonight.″

″Fine. You smart ass.″

″Smart ass? I've never heard you swearing.″

″This wasn't ment to be a swear. I'm sorry Mr. Stark.″

″... Tony.″

″Okay. Tony.″

When she wanted to go he got once again her hand and kiss it gently.

″Until tonight.″

″Until tonight.″

It was now a half past seven and his nerves were really high.

″Your pulse is...″

″I know you, smart ass! Don't comment. If you do, I'm sure you'll be pleased to stay a month out of the internet.″

″You know how to say it Mr. Stark.″

″When she is at 5 km please announce me.″

The time passed by and now Tony was in his tuxedo and all the atmosphere was really... in a word, romantic. The wind was slowly hiting the curtains making them shiver at it's icing touch.

″She is at 5 km from your mansion right now.″

″Okay.″

When she was in the yard Jarvis announced him already. He was at the main door holding a bouquet of nice red roses. Suddenly the door opened in the front of Pepper Potts and there was standing Tony Stark.

″Good evening.″

He said with a devilish smile on his face.

″Good evening Tony.″

And then she was in the mansion smelling the bouquet of flowers.

″Thank you Mr. Stark.″

″You're welcome Miss Potts. But where's Tony?″

″I think he's here.″

She smiled up at him making his heart popping out of her place.

He took her hand and took her into the darkness until they reached the balcony. There was a table with two seats and it was so romantic. She'd never thought of that.

″May I have this dance?″

He hoped for an yes. But he took her hand and they were on the balcony dancing.

The music which Jarvis put was good. The lyrics completed the way he felt. And the woman was...let's simply say, in a word, amazing.

See all the stars are fine tonight.

Here are the birds, so quiet tonight.

And Titanic is calling an echo of love.

To your dreams.

And it hurts so much.

But I have to go.

Oh, it hurts so much.

'Cause you have to know.

Pepper could feel Tony's hand on her waist almost shivering. She looked at him and he was looking so charming. 'He loves you.'

And the angels sing, sound so pretty

Baby, I'm missing you.

Do you need love?

Do you feel love?

Do you need love?

Titanic echo of love.

His heart was now working again because he has in his arms the woman he loves. 'She looks so beautiful.'

″So?″

″So what?″

″What do you think?″

It may be a stupid question but she tried to remain calm when he took her hand and put it on his arc reactor. She could feel waves of love while her hand was resting on his chest. Tony looked at her intently and he could see that her hand was shaking a bit.

″You scared?″

When the question hit her ears she could not respond back. If she was afraid of the love of the man who was in the front of her, holding her waist and protecting her from any harm. She couldn't answer. The music suddenly stopped.

″Do you need love?″

His question was simple.

″When I told you that you're the only one I've got I meant it.″

She didn't answer and his eyes were looking so intense that she couldn't focus anymore. The words coming from his mouth broke her heart.

″When I was back in Afghanistan... and I was...″

″Tony...″

″...tortured, they put me under water and I... I could hear you screaming my name.″

″You don't have to tell me all of this if you don't consider that is right.″

″You're the only one I can truly trust in any moment. I was stupid, selfish and... the most of all, I didn't know how much you meant for me. Until then. I realized that I do not have anyone but you. If you do not have any feelings for me, please tell me so I can stop doing this.″

His words hit her so hard that she thought she'll never hear him saying those words again. The pain in his eyes was so tough. A tear came down his cheek and she wiped out with her finers.

″And when I told you were the only one I got too I meant it.″

Titanic echo of love.

″I love you.″

If he had to do anything else he would run off the ocean not to hear her answer. She bit her lower lip and then she smiled at him making his heart hoping once again.

″Why didn't you tell me this before?″

″I... I don't know. I couldn't but if you do not love me I'll just... just...″

Baby, I'm missing you.

Without a word she put her hands on his back and brought him so closer that she could feel his breath. His hands were shaking. Mostly because she didn't say anything. He'll wait a thousand years just to hear an yes but she took his hands and put them around her waist and he leaned forward. Suddenly the best thing on the whole Earth happened. Her hands through his hair and his lips on hers. They couldn't separate one from each other so they went to the nearest wall. Tony still holding her while she touched his arc reactor.

″I loved you from the first time I saw you.″

The best feelings in the world hit him so hard that he kissed her once again while his hand was slowly going up and down her hip.

″So...″

He could hardly say anything because of the effort what he was doing while kissing her on her neck and lips. His tongue easy slipped into her mouth and slowly playing with hers.

″What... do...you... say?″

″That... I... accept.″

Breathing more heavily than two minutes ago, he slipped his hand through her hair and looked at her eyes.

″I do not want to lose you.″

″You won't Mr. Iron Man.″

While taking a shower, he constantly saw flashbacks of what happened last night. 'She doesn't love me.'

″Well, sir if I may, she does.″

″What? Who asked you? She does what?″

″She loves you, sir.″

'Well, that I did not know.' And without hesitation he turned off the shower and he went in his room completely naked. His room was completely... cleaned? But who...?

″Jarvis, who did come in my room and cleaned it?″

″When you were taking the shower, Miss Potts called the Cleaning Service and they did all this fantastic job and you didn't had to move one finger.″

″That's enough Jarvis. Where are my boxers? I left them here. God, where are they? Jarvis can you tell me?″

″Did you checked in the wardrobe sir?″

″Why you smart ass?″

″I'm just your AI. Remember? You programed me to know everything that occurs in this mansion.″

″Yeah, yeah. Stop flattering yourself.″

So, he did find his red-hearted boxers and he went to the kitchen to take something to eat. On the table was a Burger King meal and a note. Tony hesitated for a second but he thought it'll be better to know now what she's up to.

If you need something, just call me. I'm at the company fixing your schedule. And please eat your meal so you don't have to starve to death until I get there.

-P

″This won't fucking help me!″

″Sir, are you okay?″

'No. I'm not.' he said under his breath.

″I'm broken can't you see?″

″Do you love her, sir?″

″More than life itself.″

″Then why don't you say this to her?″

″If you'll say a word of this to her. I'll kill your... your... wires.″

″I understand very well, sir.″

After two weeks

″I'm really concerned about him Rhodey. What can I do?″

″Let him that way.″

″I think he's... he's just acting like a jerk.″

When this words hit Rhodey he could notice even through the phone that she was sobbing and sniffing.

″Are you okay, Pepper?″

″No. I mean I think he's acting like this because of me. I didn't accept his offer. I think he's mad on me.″

″What, Pepper, what offer?

″He... when was the Firefighter's benefit, we've almost kissed. And then...″

″Why didn't you tell me this?

″And before the press conference... he asked me if I remember that night. And I... I said that I do.″

″And?″

″Two weeks ago...″

″What?!″

″He tried to kiss me on my neck and he touched me on all my body. Well, not all of it but on my waist and back and... I think he tries to make me be his...″

″Girlfriend...″ Rhodey completed.

″I don't know what to think. I mean he did other things to get me that way but he didn't do this until then.″

″What if he loves you, did you think at this possibility?″

″And when I pushed him aside... he went like crazy. He closed himself in his bedroom and he took a bottle of scotch and threw it on the wall. And when I went there, he was acting like I wasn't there and...″

″Whoa. Slow down.″

″When I helped him get in his bed he took my hand and he told me that I don't leave him. He looked desperate. So I accepted only for his sake. And I went to his bed and he...″

″He took my waist and moved closer to me.″

″I...I think he loves you.″

This was the truth for Virginia Pepper Potts. Her boss was in love with her and she was in love with her boss. What can she do more?

It's been three weeks since the highly disputed press conference when Tony Stark announced his new position. In which he was Iron Man. But he was convinced that in all this time, his beloved assistant, Pepper Potts didn't said a word to him. And that's why he was almost all the time in his workshop improving his suit.

″Show me the specs to the Mark III.″

″As you want, sir.″

″We need to improve the left repulsor.″

″Of course sir, estimated time to finish, 4 h.″

″So, you'll handle it. I think I'm going to see how's Pepper.″

The broken glass stood there on the floor of the workshop from almost a month and he thought that he had many bruises from the glass on his hands and feet.

″Jarvis, clean up this mess, will you?″

″Yes, Tony, just go and let me handle it.″

The mansion was pretty the same and he didn't worried to much about the hole in the roof of his living room. 'I'll send someone, someday.' His bedroom was in a total mess. Since he didn't bring girls there anymore, he thought he could let the bed like that at all time. The master bathroom was fine. He didn't went to much in there just for the human needs and in the mornings when he took a shower. And now was the perfect time for one. The cold water hit his back and he shivered at the touch of it.

The cold shower was a benefit after all those nights spent in his workshop, full of oil and grease on his hands and clothes. Now he was looking pretty much the same as he did 5 months ago when he was the playboy Tony Stark. When he chose his underwear he was sure that the read boxers will do it. The Armani suit was just cleaned up last week and he thought he'll surprise his assistant going at the company. Which, normally he didn't do at all time. The silver tie was at her place and he was ready to go. The keys at the Audi were somewhere in the house he thought.

″Jarvis, where are my keys?″

″In your bathroom, sir.″

″Bathroom you say. How the hell did they went there?″

″I think the last time you've been actually drunk, they were placed there by your own hands.″

″Thank you Jarvis, for reminding me of that.″

″You're welcome, sir.″

Once the keys were in his hand, he went down to the garage and brought his Audi R8 to it's speed limit down on the highway. It was a hot day of July and the sun was burning into his eyes. The road to his company was blocked by some cars placed in somewhat position that he couldn't pass through them. When he realized that there was a kind of protest he opened his door and went outside.

″I'm sorry, can you take your car out of my way?″ he asked politely.

″Hey, dude, he's Tony Stark. Iron Man himself. But without the suit. Where's your suit, Stark?″

″In a safe place, now can you just?″

″Oh yeah. For Iron Man yes.″

″Thank you.″

With that said, he was once again in his car speeding down the road to the parking, beneath the company building. The man who was checking the parking tickets took his sunglasses off when he saw Tony.

″Good morning Mr. Stark.″

″Good morning, whoever you are.″

He parked his car on it's usual place and then rushed up to the stairs. The stairs took him in the main hall. He didn't come to the company since the press conference and he was sure that the workers won't talk with him. But he was wrong.

″Good morning Mr. Stark.″ from everywhere.

He didn't respond them with a goodmorning, but he shook his head. 'I need to go to the office, see where's Pepper.' He said to himself while shaking his head once again. The office was at the top floor. The elevator took him in 10 seconds there and he was surprised to see no one at that floor. Instead of asking someone why he was alone there, he went to Pepper's office.

″You're all I have too, you know.″

She wasn't there.

″Shit.″

He went straight to his office and he took the phone to call the main floor.

″Stark Industries, with what can I help you?″

″Tony Stark.″

″Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Stark. I didn't know that this was you.″

″Where's Miss Potts?″

″She left an hour ago. She told me that she has something to do at her apartment and then she'll go to your mansion.″

″Did she mentioned when?″

″No, sir.″

″Thanks.″

″You're welcome Mr. Stark.″

With that said, he rushed himself out of the building and went straight home. He made a new record, while driving with almost 350 km/h. Her car wasn't there. 'Good. I can phone to a flower shop to get her something nice.'

″Athens Flower Garden, can I help you with something?″

″Yeah, I'd like a nice rose bouquet with a note on it.″

″What is your name sir?″

″Tony Stark.″

″Oh my dear God, Iron Man himself?″

″Yeah, himself. Point Dume, Malibu.″

″The flowers will arrive in a half an hour.″

″Thanks.″

″You're welcome Mr. Stark.″

″Jarvis, let me know when Pepper decides to come in.″

″Your orders, sir.″

After ten minutes, Jarvis's voice sounded in the whole mansion.

″She'll be here in 45 minutes.″

″Thank you Jarvis.″

″You're welcome sir.″

The flowers arrived at time. They were a nice white rose bouquet, of course, with the note on it. Tony. He shook his head while reading his name. It sounded weird. 'I think I'll put them in her office.' he said to himself. With all of that done, he just waited Pepper to arrive, waiting for her in the bedroom. When Jarvis announced him that her car was just passing the main gate he started to breathe hard. 'What if she doesn't like them?' The questions started to hit his head so heavily that he tried to focus on something else. His bed. He needed to make his bed. 'God, if she'll enter here, she'll see what a mess.' And he took a pillow from the floor and put her on the bed, gentle. In 5 minutes all the room was fully arranged and all the things were in their places. Jarvis announced him once again that she was in her way to her office. 'She doesn't say a word to me. Not even now, after 3 fuckin' weeks.'

″Sir, your heart pulse is raising, are you okay?″

″Shut it Jarvis.″

Pepper Potts was at her office in her boss's mansion. She never thought that life would be so hard especially when your boss announces in the front of America that he is Iron Man. She was too busy to notice the bouquet of roses on her desk. Without wanting it, she got up to reach at her purse when she suddenly saw the flowers. 'God!' She reached out and grabbed them. They were so beautiful. She wondered who put them here. When her hand found a note, she picked up and saw something that was incredibly wrong. 'Tony.' Pepper put them down when she saw his name on them. But still holding that note. She couldn't believe that after three weeks he incredibly remembered of her. Suddenly, she felt some hands on her waist and she turned to face her boss.

″Do you like them?″

″God, Tony, you scared me.″

″You still didn't answered.″

″Yes, I like them. But why did you bought them?″

″For you. I think it was obvious.″

His hands were still holding her waist. She could feel his fingers on her back.

″Why are you avoiding me?″

He pulled her closer to him.

″I... I don't.″

Now he was so close to her that she thought this was inappropriate and dangerous for both of them. But she let him hold her that way. She could feel his scent. His perfume. He wanted her and all of the protection walls which she carefully constructed over the years were now falling down.

″Tony... I...″

She constantly remembered her that she was in love with him. But when she was there, in his arms nothing was quite the same. His arms were so strong and she couldn't resist him. He dressed like that especially for her she thought. But still, she couldn't. She didn't want to be one of that girls. A one night stand and nothing more in his memory. For him, it wasn't that way. If he could gave her more, and if she'd let him.

His lips an inch of hers. His hands slowly moving on her back. She gasped when his fingers

touched her neck.

″If I were Iron Man, I'd have this girlfriend who knew my true identity...″

He leaned forward and touched her neck with his goatee. The sensation which this gave her was speechless. Without thinking, she pushed him aside.

″She'd be a wreck.″

″Tony, I... I can't do this.″

He looked at her disappointed and he slammed the door into the wall. He didn't look back to see her face. He just went to his room, took a bottle of scotch and went to his bed. Ravishing all the sheets and then he took off his tie and he throw it on the floor. Pepper was terrified. She was sorry for saying that and as soon she saw him slamming the door and ran off there, she want to take it back. All that she said to him. When she realized what she did, she went straight to his room.

The door was locked.

″Jarvis, open the door.″

″Yes, Miss Potts.″

When she opened the door, she saw something... a hurt man. He was crying. He had tears in his eyes. Pepper could see in his eyes that he was begging her. He was more than alone. He didn't look at her. He ignored her. He took another bottle of scotch and in a moment the bottle was in the air and then slammed into the wall. All the alcohol was on the wall and on the floor.

″Tony, I'm so sorry. I didn't...″

In a moment Tony was in his feet and he stood in her front. He sobbed. He looked desperate.

″Let's get this cleaned.″

Tony said nothing. He just followed her into the bathroom and she washed his face and then she helped him get into new clothes. Clean ones. And then she made his bed and cleaned the floor like it was new. Then, she took him in his bed.

″You need to rest.″

And then she turned to leave. He instantly catch her hand and she turned back to him.

Suddenly he was more helpless than ever.

″Don't leave me.″

″I'm sorry Tony but it's already 11 p.m and I need to get something done.″

″It can wait till tomorrow. I need you, can't you see?″

He was bleeding inside. His heart was no longer useful. He thought he'll die. Then without a word she closed the door and then she closed the lights. His heart was now functioning again. And the next moment she was in his bed. Pepper felt his warm and his hand grabbing her waist taking her closer to him.

They went asleep in each others arms. When Tony woke up he was more alone than ever.