Deshy-Alpha (IronMan) [mature content 18+ Rated M]

Tony sat down around a circular poker table, having a drink and dealing out some cards. Enjoying his man time with the rest of the guys, the smell of the nicotine and chewing tobacco not even bothering him anymore. "What, the great Tony Stark wont play for real money?" Jerry's voice cut in mid gulp of a beer that Tony had to his lips, and it only made him take another large swallow. "Oh like you can afford to Jer. Just because you're a Stark doesn't mean you can play with the big boys." Tony said playing with a black poker chip. All the people around the table had even amounts, the first bets already in the middle of the table. "Son--" "Don't you dare call me that" Tony spat spinning around and the two locked eyes in a glare that could have been mistaken for two lions coming up on the same kill. "Jerry just back off, if you wanna play you'll have to be dealt chips like the rest of us." Mark chimed in to keep the peace. Jerry stood there for a moment as Tony tore his gaze from him and turned back around, "Sure, I'll sit in for a hand or two" Jerry finally said pulling out a chair directly across from Tony. Now having to stare this man in the face Tony started getting antsy, always trying to look at others and keeping his eyes from even flicking for a second across Jerry's face. Throughout the game, Tony talked more to Mark about SI, just answering the questions he had about it since he got back from Afghan and had made the announcement that he was stopping the weapon manufacturing. Tony wasn't all that surprised to find out that Mark had some stocks within Stark, but in the smaller branches, unlike Don who invested in the hub of SI (which surprised him). "Pft, I dumped all of my stocks the moment I heard Howard left the company to you. I'm glad I did since you were thrown into a loony bin when you came back from your little vacation over there" Jerry said with a laugh, "Just goes to show that your father knew what he was doing." Tony just chuckled coldly and finished off the bottle of beer just as the folded, dropping from the game with a crap hand. "That he did Jerry. That he did" Tony stood and tossed the bottle to the trashcan before walking behind the small bar getting something he was used to. Not finding scotch, he settled for the bourbon that was in the back of the cupboard, the label from years ago, at least a decade or so, he took out a glass putting a couple ice cubes in and making his drink. He felt Jerry's eyes on him and he looked up from pouring, "What. You want a drink?" Tony asked as Jerry stood and walked right over plucking the glass that was supposed to be Tony's up from the table and taking a drink, claiming it as his own. Now Tony had a list of rules, all vital to not getting on his bad side or if you were lucky you'd just walk away with a black eye. One rule that made his top three, don't touch his stuff; the number one rule was of course, Pepper was no collateral for any deal, and no one was to lay a hand on her (that rule was set within the first year of working with her). Jerry made a face and hacked a little as he swallowed the drink. "Damn, how can you drink this stuff?" "Well it wasn't yours now was it" Tony spat quickly pouring himself another glass this time keeping it in his hand. The only person allowed to touch his stuff was Pepper, that was it. Period. Finito. "Buzz off Jer. Alright? Its Christmas, I came because my grandmother asked me to. I sure as hell didn't come for you" Tony growled and pushed past Jerry leaving the game of Poker behind and headed to an adjoining room where a huge big screen sat flicking it on the pre-game now in front of him he laid back sinking into the couch counting to ten until he calmed his nerves. "Hey, Tony." Mark called from behind him walking towards the lanai doors. "We're heading out for a smoke, wanna join us?" He twisted around in his seat looking over the back of the couch, they must not have known he quit, but then again did he even know? The offer made something inside his brain twitch, temptation, then another, he craved it. "Rain check" he said with a weak smile seeing Jerry go out too, definitely not going out there with him. Don and Miles on the other hand already had their fix and plopped down on their own spots on the couch that wrapped half way around a large ottoman in the center of it. Tony sunk lower into the supple leather couch crossing his ankles up on the ottoman getting comfortable as his eyes were glued to the screen, while Don and Miles rivaled over which team they wanted to win.

Tony felt a hand on his shoulder, noticing how feminine and frail it felt, his mind instantly flashed to Pepper, thinking it was her standing over him. A smile grew on his face and he slowly turned, expecting to see a red-haired beauty standing behind him, only to find there was just a light brown haired beauty with a familiar face. "Dee, everything okay?" He asked taking his feet down so he could fully turn to her seeing her disappointed expression full on made him worry what had happened. "I…I think I upset Pepper. I got her to hold Nikki and after a little while she just upped and left, not looking too happy about it" Tony sighed gently, starting to get a little annoyed with how Pepper was acting when it came to anyone trying to include her in the family. He shook his head and took a drink before setting it down on the table behind the couch, "I'm sorry Tony, I didn't mean to" Tony smiled gently and reached up giving her arm a gentle squeeze, waiting until her eyes met his, "Dee, this isn't your fault. Pepper is just..she needs to relax a little. She's not used to the whole family thing." He said standing to walk around to her, "Come on, before you start smelling like a bar" He said with a chuckle and walked her back up the stairs. Thankfully Tony stayed away from the source of the cigarette smoke, so he smelled more like his usual self, the cologne still able to mask it. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone give up Nikki that quick.." Deanna said, her tone a little hurt, Tony looped an arm around her shoulders giving her a gentle squeeze on her arm, "Listen, Nikki is adorable. I almost didn't want to give her up. I probably would have taken her home with me if I knew Pepper wouldn't throw a fit." "But why though?" Deanna asked shutting the door to the basement behind Tony after he stepped out. "Why would she throw a fit over something like that? Granted if my husband brought home a strangers baby I'd be a little worried" She laughed a little, "But..she just seems like she hates the idea of kids. Or even getting to know someone, I want to make her feel welcomed, not like she is just some date you brought along. Which I know she's not. I've never formally met any of your girlfriends until you vanished from the family." "Deanna, she--" Tony sighed trying to think of a way to put it, "She doesn't like plans changing or unexpected events coming into her daily life. She likes organization, and kids to her is chaos that she cant schedule. I know from babysitting your butt that nothing was ever planned" He said making himself laugh along with her. "Let me go talk to her, I'll see whats going on" He said with a smile patting her head like he used to do when they were kids.
When they parted Tony headed back up the stairs coming to her door. Not even bothering to knock he walked right in shutting the door behind him. "Pepper, what are you doin up here all alone? Did you get sick again?" He asked, not really giving away that he knew why she left but the worry was still there and honest. He walked to the bedside and sat with her, hearing what she had to say as he rubbed her back gently, before he opened his mouth. "Pepper. All they want to do is make you feel welcomed, that's all. Especially Deanna. I feel like if you were a little more receptive to her…you could get along with her so well. I'm going to be honest with you…it hurts people when you just up and leave like that, its like you're telling them to stuff it and that you want nothing to do with them." He said gently giving her a chance to speak acknowledging everything she had to say before he started again. "I'm not asking you to be part of my family but just be a part of it." Hoping she got what he was trying to say. "I think the girl time would be good for you, just like the guy time is good for me…a little." He said with a chuckle. He gave her a kiss on her lips. "There's more people out there than just me" He said with a chuckle. "As much as I don't like to share, I'd like to see you with some friends, they don't have to turn into best friends. That position is already filled" He teased resting his chin on her shoulder. "Just go back down there and open up a little, please? For me?" He asked gently pulling her lips to his in a kiss before standing to leave.

Pepper sat upon the bed, soon dropping her legs back to the ground, her hands resting upon the bed at her sides. She really had no idea why she'd just freaked out like that. If anything it had just scared her, holding the child in her hands, knowing that soon that would be her child she was holding. Though she loved Tony with all her heart, she wasn't ready for this, not yet. They still had a ton of work to do at SI and with Tony going of on missions, and her going out traveling or just being at the company, niether of them really had time to look after a child full time. she jumped, her head snapping up when the door opened, but she settled again, as she looked up to the familiar face. "Pepper, what are you doin up here all alone? Did you get sick again?" she sighed gently, looking down at her feet along with the carpet beneath them. "I.. I just .. I dont know" she hid her face in her hands, feeling his hand now on her back as he gentle rubbed at her back, the motion helping to settle her mind a little and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, looking over to the wall directly infront of them. "I just couldn't help it, holding Nikki, just made me realise what was coming... and..." she gulped hback her fear and the lump that was rising in her throat "I dont know if im ready for that" her voice came out in a soft whisper, tears burning the backs of her eyes and her throat closing up. "Pepper. All they want to do is make you feel welcomed, that's all. Especially Deanna. I feel like if you were a little more receptive to her…you could get along with her so well. I'm going to be honest with you…it hurts people when you just up and leave like that, its like you're telling them to stuff it and that you want nothing to do with them." at that she snapped back, looking at him with a confused glance, pulling away from him. "whaa..! Is.. do you think I just ran out there becasue I hate people that arnt you? You know what maybe I should never have come. You just seem to think I dont want this. I'll go home, at least leaving now I'll be able to catch a flight" She got up, pulling her shoes back on and moved for the door. "I'm not asking you to be part of my family but just be a part of it." She froze at the door and turned back to him. "well maybe I dont want any of that, Maybe I like living a solitude life" "I think the girl time would be good for you, just like the guy time is good for me…a little." "You know what, i did try to have some girl time, but they just dont get me like you do, so being myself isnt the answer around them, And i dont even know how to act around them. Deanna seems like a very nice person and i'm sorry if i upset her, but its not like i even wanted it to happen, and I'm not about to just sit with people i dont know and cry in front of them. You should think them lucky i didn't have a major freak out. Then what would they think? You know how i am with children.." "There's more people out there than just me"... "As much as I don't like to share, I'd like to see you with some friends, they don't have to turn into best friends. That position is already filled" 'maybe I'm happy with just you', she mouthed as she turned her back to him. Soon feeling him at her side again. turning to look at him with a soft look, she wasn't really arguing with him, just feeling a little frustrated, this was just as new to her as was to him. "Just go back down there and open up a little, please? For me?" She sighed gently, just as his lips met hers, but she didn't really respond to it, just let him kiss her. "I cant promise I'll open up, heck its taken me .. what fifteen years to fianlly open up to you, i dont think thats going to happen here. But I'll go back down and try to mingle... for you" she shrugged giving a slight grimace, leaning into him, resting her cheek on his shoulder, her hands linked behind his back, just resting against him, feeling so safe and happy again, just being in the arms of the one person she fully trusted with her life. He was just everything to her, so if he wanted her to try, she would, but not for herself, but for him, always for him. she pulled her head up to look him in the eye. "You just have to understand that Im not exactly stable right now, my emotions are haywire, so I'm sorry if you feel I'm acting out. I can't help it. With everything going on right now, its taking its toll. First the possible pregnancy, then being attack on the beach" she grimaced slightly when he pulled back to look at her. "I'll tell you when you get home, and now with your whole family thing. Its too much to process in such a short time. I just wish things could be better" she dropped her gaze from his, glancing down at his reactor, the burning in her throat and the backs of her eyes, increased and she felt the dampness escape from its cgae and make its way down her cheek, one single droplet.

Tony just flatlined his mouth went straight pulling at the corners and his eyes rolled before falling into narrower slits, her rambling was just incredible. And she was the one always telling him off for his rambling. Well now it was his turn to kick her back in line; figuratively of course. But if she kept this up, he would just have to get a little rougher with her just to snap her out of whatever thought process she was in that was driving her to say all this crazy talk. "I cant promise I'll open up, heck its taken me..what fifteen years to finally open up to you, I don't think that going to happen here," "Like hell it wont" He interjected with a chuckle. She was right, it did take her a long time to open up to him but even if she cant open just that little bit to make a friend. Did she even know that it got easier as it progressed? He’d hoped by now that maybe she would have. “I’m not asking you to tell them your life story Pep--” "But I'll go back down and try to mingle…" He rubbed a hand around his face, twisting his features with a groan, "Nuh uh. You will mingle. None of this trying bullshit" He said firmly hoping she would just shut it and listen, but no she continued on. Going soft on him now, great. Just what he wanted her to do...His features flattened more. "For you" He sighed and took her in his arms anyway as she leaned into him, but how could he not? He loved this woman, even if she wouldn't shut her mouth with all this crazy talk. "Well. I want you to do this for yourself too. And that's an order Miss Potts. Technically I still sign your paychecks soo.." He said with a serious tone. "You just have to understand that I'm not exactly stable right now.." "Are you ever stable? Now just shut--" "My emotions are haywire," "I'll be dammed if I don't know that much, Potts…Now can you just shut--" He started getting impatient again with her, "So I'm sorry if you feel like I'm acting out. I cant help it. With everything going on right now, its taking its toll--" "Jesus woman. Really? You cant be serious--" "First the possible pregnancy, then being attacked on the beach--" He pulled her back looking at her in slight disbelief. "I'll tell you when you get home, and now with your whole family thing. Its too much to process in such a short time. I just--" "Uggh. Pepper. Shut---." She tried talking through him and he just flat out ignored everything else she said, "Woman." He took her shoulders as her head dropped “Jesus shut up”, his hand came around the back of her neck and pulled her lips to his in a strong kiss to just shut her up already. He pulled away after a bit, making sure she had fallen silent before talking again. "Now. Listen. don't give me all this, 'too much to process' business. You worked with me for fifteen years. Me. Tony Stark. Antony Edward Stark. You can handle this. This is nothing." He said releasing his hold on her but still kept his hands near if she wanted to stay in them. "Now you're just fooling yourself. You're Pepper Potts. Amiright? The Pepper Potts." He looked at her in her eyes his hormones trying to push through, the struggle clear in his mahogany brown irises. "The beautiful.." do it, you're alone no one can hear you. "Goregous.." He leaned in and stopped himself when he realized what he was doing. "Now I'm getting carried away. Darn you Pepper" He said with a grin. "Maybe thats how I got distracted all these years. Not that its a bad thing" He poked her nose. "But seriously. Before I tackle you to this bed, lets get back on track." He said with a smile straightening the sports jacket on his shoulders, then giving her a bop on the butt so casually like nothing ever even happened.
He headed back down to the basement to find the guys all on the couch now with snacks out as the game started, The two teams came out on the ice, California's team against the Philadelphia Flyers. Tony grabbed his drink and finished it off, but it was mostly watered down from the ice and he went back to fill it again before returning to the couch. But by this time, Jerry already had a lot in his system, enough to make his eyes glaze over but that was about all it did to him, or so Tony thought. Feeling an odd vibe from him, Tony hung around the bar keeping his distance. No matter how hard he tried though he couldn't stay far from Jerry who seemed to egg him on, talking about Tony, making smart remarks about him and how the company would have been better off being handed to someone with more experience like Howard, even having the gall to say that he himself could take it farther than Tony. "Speak up Jer. Cant hear ya" Tony piped up placing his glass down rather hard on the table, making everyone look at him. Three worried sets of eyes and one menacing pair from Jerry who slowly got to his feet rounding the couch and walked right towards him. "What else do I have to say to you. What, had to go pay your date for another hour? I dunno how she stays here without some sort of compensation." he growled in Tony's face the alcohol strong on his breath mixed with a sickening tobacco smell. Tony only chuckled as the tension grew in the room, Mark was the first to break it up. "Hey hey, easy boys. Tony. Come outside with me. Cool off" Mark said pulling Tony around and to the smoking room behind the stairs. A room with an older couch and a couple arm chairs with a long coffee table in the center of them with a small t-v mounted on the wall. "Mark--" "No, Tony. You're staying out here to cool off." Mark said before Tony could get a word in as he lit up a cigarette. Tony watched him as he flicked the lighter trying to light it, staring at it like a dog gazing at a t-bone steak that was left unattended. The moment it was lit Tony swallowed hard, his brain craving the calming effects of the nicotine. His nerves were all over the place, and he felt his hands start to tremble. Seeing Tony's distress Mark took a long inhale as the embers glowed bright and offered it over to him, Tony stood there for a moment looking down at the smoldering cigarette in his fingers, robotically he reached out and took it, and took a drag from it before handing it back, holding the smoke in his lungs for a bit before slowly letting it out on a sigh. "Thanks. I needed that" He said with a sigh and counted to ten in his head calming himself down even more as he leaned into the back of the couch. Taking a couple drags from Mark's cigarette, "No problem Tony.. so whats the deal with you and Pepper? Have you asked her yet?" Mark asked handing over the cigarette to him. "Ask her what?" Tony asked taking another drag. "To marry you, ya idiot" Mark laughed and Tony choked not he smoke letting it all out in one breath. "No, we're not that far yet. We only just started dating and we're taking it one day at a time" He said with a smile finishing it off and putting the butt out in the ashtray before walking back out seeing Jerry getting agitated over something. "Tony!" He slurred with anger muttering other things that ticked Tony off, but it seemed as if he was all still there. "Ooh boy." Mark froze and Tony sighed looking over at Jerry with a glare. "What now" He growled right back, "You wanna critique something else? Wanna tell me I suck at being Iron Man?" Tony advanced on Jerry throwing his jacket off and over the back of the couch. "Oh You know I love that, boy." Jerry laughed arrogantly, "Howard was right, you would never grow up. You're still out there playing superhero. For real this time. Where's your cape at?" Jerry jeered getting right into Tony's face as he pushed him out of it, Tony expected a shove back but got nothing except backtalk. "Obediah had a better chance with the suit he made. You just probably copied it, and failed at it, as per usual." That hit Tony right in the gut, Obediah stole that suit, and Tony himself did a way better job at equipping it than Obie ever would. "Come on big guy. Or you too drunk?" "Tony what the hell is wrong with you?" Mark asked cutting him off. "I'm tired of him always cutting me up. I got it enough from my dad. You think I want more from him?" Tony shot back trying to push past him, getting past Mark the moment Jerry pushed Tony back into the corner of the bar. The corner driving into his back so hard it would leave a very nice bruise. "Son, I am far from drunk. I can hold my liquor, unlike you. You get drunk and you wanna fuck anything in sight. And that chick upstairs, what. Got drunk with her and remembered how amazing she was in bed? I gotta hand it to ya though, she's hot. Maybe when her shifts up you'll share." Tony just lay there against the corner of the bar, stunned at what he was hearing come out of this man's mouth. He was drunk, but drunk lips speak a very sober mind, Tony knew that all too well. "I mean Damn, I'd tap that, probably give her a more handsome paycheck." Tony started steaming, his back and neck starting to redden and the heat climbed up his neck around his jaw reaching over the bridge of his nose and cheeks. "Tonyyy" Mark warned as Miles and Don slowly moved towards Jerry, feeling that something was about to snap, but it now it was more like who was going to snap. Tony was right at those last few seconds on the time bomb that was ready to go off if that man opened his mouth again. "Jerry..You better shut up." Tony warned, still holding onto that last bit of sanity and rationale. "Or what? Hm? At least your father wasn't full of shit and hollow threats. He got shit done, and did it all right" Tony seethed through his teeth, he absolutely hated when people compared him with his father. "You're the reason my brother is dead! If your mother had any damn sense she'd given you up to an orphanage, make it look like you never even happened. Howard married an idiot, an idiot who thought a family was more important than the work he did. He didn't even want you, he was too in love with his work and your mother to risk such bad publicity sending you to an orphanage, so he just sent you to boarding school." "You son of a bitch. Don't you Dare talk about Maria like that in front of him." Mark shot back Tony too angered to even speak for himself now as he pulled himself off the corner of the bar, the sharp pain shooting through his jammed spine to even twitch an eyelid at. But Tony could feel the burning behind his eyes and the tightness in his chest, he saw his mother as a saint, she was the most important woman in his life before he met Pepper. Insulting her like that and Pepper in one night much less within just a few minutes, this man must have been nuts.

"Woman..... Jesus shut up”, All of a sudden his lips were against her's, catching her completely off guard she went numb for a second, only to have her hormones shoot forward and her lips moved back in sync with his, her hand coming up to rest on the side of his face, the other resting upon his hip, pulling him closer to her. He soon pulled back from her, leaving her in a lust filled haze. Feeling a little dizzy from the sudden lack of oxygen. Too stunned to even finished talking. "Now. Listen. don't give me all this, 'too much to process' business. You worked with me for fifteen years. Me. Tony Stark. Antony Edward Stark. You can handle this. This is nothing." She sighed gently. "This is different Tony, Work I can handle, But family..." she sighed again, dropping her hands from him. "Now you're just fooling yourself. You're Pepper Potts. Amiright? The Pepper Potts." she roughly placed her hands upon his cheeks. "Okays, okays I get it, fine" "The beautiful.." her cheeks flushed slightly "tonyyyy" she complained, but with a smile, "Goregous.." she smiled wide, turning her head to the side, feeling him move closer to her she looked up to him, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck, waiting for his action."Now I'm getting carried away. Darn you Pepper" she dropped her pose a little, laughing gently. "Maybe thats how I got distracted all these years. Not that its a bad thing" when he pressed his finger to her nose, making her face light up with a smile, crinkling her features. "But seriously. Before I tackle you to this bed, lets get back on track." She looked up to him with a sly smile "Mm or maybe not, I like the sound of thattt!" She smiled when he tapped her ass, just fireing up her hormones yet again. She grabbed him up in another kiss, pinching his ass as she pulled away from him. "See you after the game, hot stuff" she purred, then swaggered of down the hall, decending the stairs and left him hanging.
Pepper stood just off from the doors into the family room. Not feeling ready to go back into there just yet. Watching these two converse so easily and even having a little fun, it made her feel like the cast away. No matter how much Tony meant to her, she just couldn't go back in there, not like this. She wasn't ready to open up to nay one, not even the tintsiest little bit. Tony would be the only one she would ever open up to and know the true her. Leaning back against the wall with a smile, she glanced down the hall, hearing the guys voices linguring up from the basement. At that she headed of to the room which Viv had placed herself, maybe she would find it easier to converse with her.
Pepper tapped her knuckle to the wooden door, gently, opening it up and peeped round. "You want some company" she asked a little sheepishly, seeing as her head popped up to look at her. "Sure honey, come in" Viv spoke with a smile. Pepper pushed the door wider, closing it behind her as she made her way to sit upon one of the armchairs across from Vivian. "Do enlighten me dear one, what has the world made of my grandson?" Pepper smiled gentle, leaning forward,her head in her hands as she rested them on the very edge of her lap. "You know, he's not what they all make him out to be. He's just a lost little boy with a huge heart and passion. Though he has his moments, but dont all guys?" she chuckled softly, even making Vivian smile a little. "I'm glad to hear that. It's nice to know he's not like his father. Does he work constantly?" Pepper shifted a little in her seat. "He tries to, but I do my best at making him take breaks. Though he's too free willed and has a strong mind set, it's a challenge I'll tell you that, but not impossible, I've found ways" She spoke with a smile. "Thats good, he dont need to be that way, he deserves a life. deserves a woman like you. Does he make you happy dear?" Pepper went bright pink at that, the feeling automatic and making her smile like a fool. "He does" she spoke simply, placing a hand on her cheek, feeling the heat flush, Knowing that she was incredibly head over heels for this guy. "Then promise me you'll take good care of him. Make him happy again. I miss his smile" she looked so sad at that, just wanting her grandson back. Pepper felt her heart twist. "I will, I promise you that" Pepper spoke genuinely, reaching out to place her hand over Vivian's. "I'm possibly the only woman; well other than you Vivian, that can pull at his strings, I'll keep him undercontrol" She joked lightheartedly, seeing the tiredness in her face, or maybe it was just her age, withering away her youth. her head snapped up as she heard a little comotion, making her heart quicken its pace. She stood, dropping her hand from Vivians and left her, the older woman already having dosed of again.
Pepper made her way through the house, soon coming back to the family room, seeing Deanna and Karen looking worried and on their feet. Pepper instictively went into overdrive. "Pepper, you er.. you may want to .. help" Pepper turned to look where the two females where glancing, seeing a rather drunk Jerry and Tony seeming trapped, knowing how he got in situations like that, she marched right over, blocking Tony's view from Jerry. Getting right up in is face, but not in a rude way, just so he had to look at her. Placing a hand on his face, just making her presence that much stronger. "Tony" she said sternly, not too much to make him more angry, but enough to get him to listen. "Tony, leave him be, let him be the bad person, he's a low life, your better than he'll ever be. Listen to me. He's. Not. worth it" She took his hand in her other one, pulling him closer to her. Ignoring all the snarky comments Jerry was throwing their way, untill one hit her like a slap round the face with a wet fish. "So sweetheart, how'uch he payin' ya? Wanna come spend some time with a real man?" Pepper just snapped, her hand dropping from his cheek and balled it up into a fist. How.. how could someone be so.. so revolting? It was beyond her. And to think Tony was related to this scumbag, That was just not true. she turned to look, yes look at this peice of crap, no matter how much it made her eyes burn red. "Why dont you go crawl back into whatever hole that spat you out" The more she spoke, the closer she got to Jerry, to whence she was right close to him, flicking a finger at him "You low life, no downer peice of crap" She shoved at him, placing a hand in the center of his chest and pushing him back. Only he grabbed her arm and pulled himself right back, holding onto her arm a little to tight for her likeing. Only she didn't react to it, not yet. "No one insults me, especially not anyone friends with Tony or a paid escort, talk about trash when I see one. Your just around for the ride, what's he got? a ferari on you.. or no wait maybe something better... Oh yeah, that's right nothing" He shoved her back, making her stumble, avdvancing on her again. Only now Tony stood behind her, having caught her when she lost her footing. Pepper took a hold of him, sqeezing his hand pretty tightly. Just as she felt Tony tense at her side, now tih Jerry so close, a familiar older frame came into the picture. Jerry suddenly cryied with pain. "You were invited here, into my home might i add, and this is how you act. I've had it with you Jerry, you are not longer welcomed her or anywhere near this family. You want to be alone, well bravo, now you can be forever alone, get out!" Vivian had grabbed him up by his ear and dragged him away from the room, pushing him out pretty hard, Mark and Miles taking to her side incase he tried anything stupid. Then they both escorted him out, dumping him on the doorstep, slamming the door in his face. Both boys moving back to Vivian's side, watching as Don guided her back to her little comfy room, following a little of the way.
Pepper let out a breath as soon as the guy was gone, turning to Tony, noticing the blood on the side of his face. she pushed his head to the side, fingering at the cut. "Let's get that seen too" she spoke matter of factly, suddenly switching back into her working mode, taking him by the hand and led him to the powder room, feeling him tugging back as she practically had him in a vice grip, dragging him, fighting, to the bathroom. Completely unaware of what he was saying to her.

"Whats the matter kid. Cat got your tongue?" Jerry spat shoving Tony again, trying to get a reaction from him. But Tony stood his ground this time, not needing a knot on the huge black knot that already raised on his back, which was incredibly painful; making him feel as if he aged another thirty years with how sore his back was. It even threw his balance off, even if he managed to hold his ground, he still winced with each shove or jostle Jerry gave him. "Jerry. Stop Pushing me!" Tony finally found the strength in his back to throw his weight forward, overshooting it and Jerry went back into the wall with a rumble going through the frame of that side of the house. Jerry came right back and threw a fist at Tony, the only thing really clipping him was the heavy and sharp gold rings, along with the force of the hit, nothing needing a hospital visit for, but it would leave a nice bruise and could already feel the warm blood trickling down the side of his face. Mark and Miles pushed Jerry back, leaving Tony to back off wanting to drive this guy into the ground, but he wasn't about to, this wasn't the time and place for this. He made it a goal in his mind to better himself, and if reuniting with his family then he wasn't about to ruin that chance over someone like Jerry. "Jer, you leave my mother and Pepper out of this. Why is it that everywhere you go, you always start trouble?" Tony growled and wiped the blood from the side of his face, only it gushed out more now with the delicate skin tearing more as he did so. "Oh come on Tony. You aren't a Stark if your skin is that thin" "You're right Jer. I'm Not a Stark. But hell I'm a better man than you or Dad ever would have been." Tony shot right back at him with a grin, knowing he was all too right about that, his pride actually taking a step back to admit something like that, yet it felt like it was still fighting on his side. "A man could take anything the world dishes out at him. Your dad and I, never would have let a little trash talk get under our skins. You wanna be a man now boy? Look, nows your chance. Ready to take a test?" Jerry sneered and the sound of familiar heels on the wooden steps then the wooden floor beneath his own feet made his skin get tight. Pepper came down, at the worst time possible; the last thing she needed was to get in between this. Tony's vision of Jerry's malicious smirk got cut off by the delicate yet stern face of Pepper, smelling her breath since she was so close to him. "Tony" He twitched hearing his name, she was trying to get him to take his mind off of Jerry and to back off. But seeing the look on his face told him that Jerry was eyeing up his girl, the sparkle in the man's eyes damn near set Tony on fire. "Tony, leave him be, let him be the bad person, he's a low life, you're better than he'll ever be. Listen to me. He's. Not. Worth it" Tony didn't react to Pepper's touch like he normally would. "So sweetheart, how'uch he payin' ya? Wanna come spend some time with a real man?" "You dirty son of a bitch" Tony growled just as Pepper dropped her hand from his cheek, Tony's eyes shot wide and wild the images he got in his brain made his stomach churn and he kicked the thought out of his head. "Why don't you go crawl back into whatever hole that spat you out" Tony felt her moving from him and went to take her, not trusting Jerry one bit after how physical he got already. "You low life, no downer piece of crap" A smile flashed over Tony's face when she shoved him, Jerry picked the wrong girl to insult. When Jerry grabbed her arm Tony snapped, "Hey!" He barked from where he stood, even the thought of taking a step forward on his locked back made his spine ache, but if this man hurt her at all he'd throw his back out willingly if it meant getting Jerry off of him. "No one insults me, especially not anyone friends with Tony or a paid escort, talk about trash when I see one. You're just around for the ride, whats he got? A Ferrari on you.. or no wait maybe something better… Oh yeah, thats right nothing" Tony, ignoring his back threw himself forward a step to catch her as she stumbled back accidentally overstepping and she bumped into him, letting out a painful groan at his jammed back and knotted muscles got hot under the skin. Thankfully she caught her own feet shortly after falling into him for that moment, saving him more pain with any added weight pulling on him. Not even seeing Viv enter the room until Jerry hissed and cried out with pain. "You were invited here, into my home might I add, and this is how you act. I've had it with you Jerry, you are no longer welcomed here or anywhere near this family. You want to be alone. well bravo, now you can be forever alone, get out!" Tony watched as the men followed Viv out in case Jerry got stupid again.
He saw Pepper relax a little, still not able to straighten his own tight back at all since it locked up so tight. Wincing at her touch on the tender skin on the side of his face he sighed but it caught with the pain that shot through him branching from his back. "Let's get that seen too" He looked at her with wider eyes, not seeing this side of her in a while, making his chest flutter at the familiarity. As she pulled him he felt his back twist, "Pepper--ah god" He hissed in pain trying to stop her but she had a vice grip on him. With each step he took he felt like he couldn't take another without falling from the pain that shot through him. "Pepper, easy" He begged with a hiss until they got to the bathroom was when he had to pull from her. The pain in his back just too much for him to stand being pulled around like this. "Stop!" He said finally practically bolting his feet to the floor making his arm slip from her grip. He saw the shock in her face and sighed dropping his head, falling back against the wall but quickly catching himself the pain twisting his face. "Just…give me a minute" He said finally holding a hand up telling her silently to take it easy on him. Tonight was just a mixed melting pot of emotions that just boiled over on him, having never really talked or thought about his parents in such a long time made his heart twist and his chest tighten. The physical pain mixed with the emotional pain made a sob throw his head forward but no tears fell, it was just a single lost sob. He took in a deep breath and kept his eyes on the floor, feeling a damp rag come to the side of his face seemed to just break the dam just that one crack more. He sniffed and tried to straighten himself out the best he could but got to a point very quickly where he winced again grabbing his back. He looked up at Pepper who looked a little worried, he just reached up silently cupping the one side of her jaw and cheek in his hand, running his thumb across her cheekbone with a gentle smile. "Tonight was fun." He said with a chuckle, "No really it was. Seeing my family again, and having you right there with me." He said with a gentle squeeze on her free hand, not even realizing until now that his hand had found it. He just completely ignored the little scuffle that took place just minutes ago, not letting that put a damper on him any more than it already had with his back and the nice gushing gash on the side of his face. He took the rag from her and pressed it against his head putting pressure there, "I got this..its my back that I'm worried about, can you take a look?" He asked turning around in front of the sink and the mirror above it, lifting the back of his shirt from being tucked in his pants as she pulled it up. Her fingers just grazing the nice knot on his back, right against the centerline of his back, just below the center point of his back. "Pretty bad huh?" He sighed not hearing much from her, but he smiled at his next thought, looking at her in the mirror. "You've seen worse though, right?" He asked with a chuckle as she dropped his shirt. He turned around slowly, but as quick as his back would allow and faced her, the bleeding now slowing down on the side of his head as he put the rag in the sink behind him, ignoring her as she complained about him not staying put so she could tend to him. Pulling away playfully as she tried to clean the cut, smiling the whole time. In the back of his mind, the way Jerry talked to her and about her ate away at him, but he just felt the banter a little too humorous even if it was mostly her and he just could not keep that smile off his face. He just laughed as she stayed serious, starting to get a little annoyed with him. "Oh stop it" He said with a smile and tried pulling her closer a little more. "Hey, heyheyhey" He said with a smile as she tried pulling away. "Come here beautiful" He grinned and gave her a good pull closer so she bumped against him. Leaning in he gave her a kiss before letting his head fall to her shoulder. "Okay. Now have your way with me. I'm content" He said with a smile as he just stayed put.

"Stop!" She froze feeling him put on the breaks, maiking her heart twist somehwat. Turning to look at him, her face full of the pain and shock at his sudden rejection. Now feeling like a right twat, especially being in a place where people would be more than likely watching them both. When he fell against the wall she made a hasty step forward, only to have him place a hand up to stop her. "Just…give me a minute" She sighed biting down on her lip. If he thought she was just going to let him stay like this, he was just going to have to put up with the pain and just let her help him, all he was doing was making her feel more and more pushed away. Standing there just looking at him getting edgy the more she watched him, at that she moved and got a cloth wetting it with cool water then pressed it to the side of his head. Wiping away the dried blood and stopping anymore from staining his slightly tanned skin. She twitched when the pain was clear across his face, hers just not shoing any emotion, though her eyes were wide. Leaning into his hand as he cupped her face, her eyes closing she let out a breath, relaxing a little. "Tonight was fun." At that she opened her eyes and gave him a lsight look, raising one eyebrow at him, just wondering what the heck he was going on about. "No really it was. Seeing my family again, and having you right there with me." She smiled carefully, slipping her hand from his to run it through his hair, leaning down to press herlips to his forehead, not exactly feeling in the mood to open her mouth just yet, too worried about him to even speak. When his hand came up to the rag, she looked down to him "I got this..its my back that I'm worried about, can you take a look?" With a nod of her head she let go of the rag, slipping her hand free from under his, She let him move before she lifted up the back of his shirt. Wincing ever so slightly at the bruise that had already formed, she could see with her own eyes that his spine was just knock out of place, now she felt bad for having dragged him, that much have been what he was pulling back at, she'd made him move and caused him more pain. A lump rised in her thoat, making her gulp back the sorrow, feeling her eyes start to burn, though not really with tears, just the feel of the emotion. "Pretty bad huh?" Bitting her lip she bobbed her head, dropping his shirt back down. "You've seen worse though, right?" "Maybe, though its pretty gnarly" Finally finding her voice box, though it came a little weak still, sighing as he turned to face her, not having even given her chance to sort his back out much. "Urgh turn back around fool, I need to sort ypur back pout" She watched him as he chucked the rag away, moving to take it back from the sink, going to clean the cut a little more only to have him pull away, she sighed, not really in the mood for games. Her arm froze in the air, soon dropping to her side. "Your a pain in the ass" she complained, chucking the rag back into the sink. "Maybe you'd be better of doing it yourself then" she went to move away from him. "Oh stop it" Looking up to him then with a blank expression, reaching out for her and attemtped to pull her into him, though she put her arms out pushing against his chest. "Hey, heyheyhey" "Come here beautiful" She groaned, not in the mood for the affection just yet. He pulled at her agian, a little more strength behind it this time, casuing her arms to bend and she felt with a bump into him, trying to catch herself on the counter as not to hurt him anymore than she already had. When his lips caught hers she just smiled gently, "nope" she spoke from under his lips, not letting him able to kiss her very well, though it didn't relly stop him. [i["Okay. Now have your way with me. I'm content"[/i] She chuckled sfotly "Of cpurse you are" she teased. Letting him stay put; thankfull of the mirror she was looking into, able to see his back. Lifting his short up, she ran her fingers closer to the bruise, feeling for the right part. Smiling a littlw wider when she felt him tense under her, knowing it would hurt just a little. "You gotta relax or i cant help you" She spoke with a slight laugh. Waiting for him to relax. Once feeling him go a little more limp on her she moved quickly, having lready felt for the kinck in his back, she popped it back, making him suddenly stand up right and yelp in pain, sh just smiled slyly up at him. "All good" she chuckled slightly, leaning up to kiss him. She pushed his head to the side again, getting another look at the gash on his head. "Hmm it's seeping again, Is there a first aid kit anywhere?" she asked, hoping he might remember. Though he just stood there for a little while looking at her, then suddenly turned, moving towards the cabinet and took out a small travel one. "Thanks" she took it from him, opening it up and searched for some sterri-strip. She found a line of them, breaking on of in its little plactic and then pulled it of, after drying the cut a little and pulled the skin together as she stuck the strip down. "That should do it" she smiled, tapping him on the arm, then began cleaning up a little, putting the kit back, throwing the plastic into the trash and rinsed out the rag as best she could, moving around Tony as she went. She froze when she felt him take a hold of her, looking at her with a slight worried exoression. "I'm fine Tony, stop fretting over nothing. You wanted me to be myself, so here ya go, I'm being ..me" She sighed shaking her head at him, then headed out of the bathroom, almost walking right into Miles. "Woahh!" he spoke a little shocked at Pepper suddenly being there. "ahaha give you a rfight did I?" she teased lightly. "Yeah just a wee one, though I was coming to serach for you. The blizzard is only getting worse and all flights out have been cancelled untill further notice. So it looks like your stuck here till then" He shrugged on shoulder not to sure how they would react. "I thought as much earlier, guess we'll just have to stick around then huh?" She smiled slightly, feeling Tony wrapping his arms around her, she placed a hand over one of his.

"Of course you are" He gave her a face and laughed a little as her arms came around him to lift his shirt up, using the mirror now to see his back. He could easily live with this, even if the situation wasn't very intimate just having her arms around him was enough. Feeling her fingers get closer to the knot on his back he tensed up, and even more so when she started feeling around where it hurt the most. He bit down on his lip and whimpered with a growl sucking in a deep breath. "You gotta relax or I cant help you" He let out the breath and tried his best to relax, distracting his mind away from the pain that shot through his back. It felt like it was taking forever for him to finally relax his back, while everything else went limp, it was hard for a jammed back to get the signal that it was okay to relax. The moment he went limp in her arms he felt his back be popped back in place, involuntarily making his foot slam into the floor with a yell out in pain and shoot straight up like a board. The pressure now gone on his back but the pain still throbbed hard making him a little dizzy. "All good" he heard her say but to him everything sounded as if he was under water and his ears rang loudly with how tense he got again. He relaxed the moment her lips met his, and he melt right into her again kissing her back. Not getting much since she pushed his head away and he just smiled with a chuckle, "Come on it just started getting good" He complained with a smile as she examined the gash again. "Hmm it's seeping again, is there a first aid kit anywhere?" "Hmm" He thought for a minute, not about where he last saw one, but where one would be in a bathroom, finally it clicked and he turned around, a little quicker now with his loosened back going to a cabinet finding a small travel sized one. Not as elaborate as the ones he had home, then again they could be considered hospitals in a box more than just a humdrum first aid kit. He handed it over to her and closed the cabinet, "Thanks" He nodded and leaned back with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, just watching her now, not saying much. His mind caught up on what happened, feeling horrible for his grandmother having to deal with such an event, then with Pepper being on the brunt end of Jerry's ways. Not to mention what Jerry said to him and her, all those disturbing thoughts and words ate away at him. The tender skin around the gash went numb along with the rest of his body not even bothered by her pushing and pulling at the skin to clean it and bandage it up. "That should do it" even if she smiled at him, he couldn't return it he was just too lost in his mind. He did move however to let her get to the sink and clean up. Robotically he took a hold on her waist with one hand that was flat on the small of her back, the worry about how she felt present on his face but the worst of it was twisting in his chest. "I'm fine Tony, stop fretting over nothing. You wanted me to be myself, so here ya go, I'm being ..me" He still looked at her with lost eyes as she led him from the bathroom. "Woahh!" Tony's head shot up seeing Miles nearly bumping into Pepper. "ahaha give you a fright did I?" Tony smiled, she was intimidating he could say that but she wasn't that scary. He would have made a smart comment but kept his mouth shut. "Yeah just a wee one, though I was coming to search for you. The blizzard is only getting worse and all flights out have been cancelled until further notice. So it looks like your stuck here till then" He looked to Pepper, worried for her reaction about receiving that news. "I thought as much earlier, guess we'll just have to stick around then huh?" Tony was a little taken back, happy still that she could actually go with the flow instead of fighting her way out of it, but still shocked nonetheless. He wrapped her up in his arms and rested his head on her shoulder. "I knew that snow wasn't going to stop" He said with a chuckle.
Tony heard another set of heavy footsteps coming their way and looked up making eye contact with Mark, "There you two are. I brought in your bags they're just by the steps at the front door." Mark rubbed his hands together and brushed the snow off of his shoulders that had settled there, "Damn its cold out there" He said mostly to himself and walked towards the three of them that stood there. "Once the snow stops we'll head outside. I dunno about you guys but I need a smoke after all that mess" Mark said with a sigh looking over at Miles before moving to head to the back of the house, "You comin?" Miles asked snapping Tony out of his little trance that he fell in. "Uh, yeah. In a bit" Tony replied his tone a little distant. The two left and passed through the living room getting their jackets from where they had left them. The sounds of everyone in the living room were drowned out when he put his focus back on Pepper. His gaze dropped and his eyes caught the dark finger marks that wrapped around the spot where Jerry grabbed her. Of the many things Starks were known for, having a vice grip was one of them, along with a very short and violent temper. He knew that this could have gotten much worse, and he was extremely relieved that it didn't, and just a harsh grip was all she got. He ran his fingers lightly over the dark marks with a gentle sigh looking up at her. "Well. It could have been worse. But hey, he never would have gotten far with you" Tony said with a light smile trying to make himself feel a little better, "I wouldn't allow it." He smiled and stayed silent for a moment before lifting his head up again meeting her lips with his own in a gentle kiss."Tony come on! Stop hogging her!" He heard Deanna call from the family room and he just chuckled. "Duty calls" He said with a smile taking her on his arm and walked her back to the living room. "Dee, I'm allowed to hog my girlfriend" Tony said with a grin as he walked in. "Well you never did like to share" Deanna shot back with a playful smile. Tony walked Pepper over, the edginess of the fight starting to make his skin feel tight again, like he was trapped. Even with Pepper's presence so near it was hard to shake this. Having not heard of his father since his death, here he was getting in a near fist fight with his brother. As he sat with her, he kept finding himself taking glances towards the back of the house where the guys had moved to, and he started getting shifty in his seat. Deanna could see the anxiety, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, "Tony, you okay?" Tony's attention went over to her with a sheepish smile, "I'm fine." She just looked at him. "Dee, I'm fine I promise" He said with a laugh taking Pepper's hand at his side trapped now between his leg and hers. Not even knowing how sweaty his palms were until they were against Pepper's, but by that time it was too late to pull away. After a bit he looked to the double doors that lead into the now empty dining room, "Tony..if you're looking for the guys..they're at the back of the house," Lauri said gently pointing in the direction she was referring to. Falling silent again he let Pepper's hand go but gave her a reassuring squeeze on her knee as he stood putting his jacket on. "I'll be back in a bit." He said quietly before leaving through one of the double doors to make his way through the other room, heading to the back of the house, pulling his collar up trying to chase the world around him away, feeling all the emotions that the events with Jerry brought up.
Lauri and Deanna watched as he disappeared from view, Deanna was equally worried for him and Lauri seemed to just brush it off and no longer dwell on it to ruin the mood of the night any more. "I wonder if Tony's ever seen Jeff when he was over in Iraq," Lauri said still looking in the direction Tony had gone, Deanna brought her attention back around and looked over at Pepper with a gentle smile, then back to Lauri, "They probably worked together and didn't even notice, Never did take Tony for someone to notice those kinds of details, Right Pepper? I mean you know the 'new' him better than we do probably, we only know so much about him when he was younger." She said with a smile, just trying to bring her into the conversation again. "I mean.." she bit her tongue at how offensive that sounded, "You've spent the most time around him since he took over." Feeling a little embarrassed now, she let Pepper talk, glad to hear that some of the old him was around and he wasn't completely consumed in his work. "I know its tough when my husband leaves for a tour, and with three kids running around…well one just learned to crawl. I dunno what I'd do without them, though. They keep me goin" Deanna smiled petting one son's head that sat and played with his brother at her feet. "You're a lucky girl though, Pepper. If there is one thing that he's never grown out of and we all know he never will…is being a gentleman with a big heart." "And being an sarcastic git" Lauri chimed in with a smile, "the tart." Deanna smiled and laughed along with Lauri, "Ah well what can ya do right? He's stubborn too, yes?" Lauri asked looking over at Pepper, "If there was anything that stood out like a sore thumb on him was being as stubborn as a mule."
Once in the 'den' he could hear Mark and Miles chatting away about something, to him it sounded like he was underwater; nothing processed in his brain enough to form words. Tony looked up slightly hearing their talking cease, Mark was taken back by the distant look on Tony's face. "Hey, Tony-- Tony..you alright?" Mark asked seeing the look on Tony's face, not even getting a chance to react before Tony grabbed the pack of cigarettes and the lighter from his hand. Not that Mark minded, there was only three cigarettes left in the pack, he was just more worried for his cousin than his addiction. Tony on the hand...he was worried about other things more than how he looked to the people around him. Tony walked out the deck that already accumulated a lot of snow, except for the void below the wooden shelter jutting out from the house covering the outside table and chairs for those summer outdoor lunches. He sat himself at the farthest chair from the house, back in the corner of the deck, where just some snow could get in, but he could have cared less; the colder the better. Tony sat there, while the snow blew in landing on his leather jacket and his right shoulder, he was hunched over in his seat fiddling with the lighter and pack of cigarettes in his hand. The beat matching a song he knew, just unconsciously picking up the beat, in an attempt to distract his own mind. To his frustrated demise, that wasn't working and soon the beat just got erratic until he just gave up on it completely muttering something while he was at it. He leaned back in his chair getting a view of the back yard and the back of some other houses all lit up and alive with their own little gatherings. Wondering what it might be like to just have a normal dinner, not one where your uncle eyed you down for one reason, and your girlfriend for another. A gathering where he didn't feel like he was the ghost of Christmas past, but the way he was treated by his mother's family wasn't at all the case, the feeling still lingered though. He couldn't see faces, the houses were just too far apart and all he could see were shadows and shapes moving about across windows. He put what was in his hands on the table and got up to go inside, he needed his fix, and damn him to hell if he wasn't going to get it. You promised her…Tony you promised Pepper you wouldn't. His steps slowed, thinking he''d gone far but in reality it was only a few steps around the table.

She smiled as she felt his head come to rest on her shouler, wrapping her arms over his; that rested around her waist, Holding his hands in hers. "I knew that snow wasn't going to stop" She chuckled softly. "Oh so you can predict the weather now, too? That's new" She teased lightly, just as she heard someone else approaching them, catching her attention. "There you two are. I brought in your bags they're just by the steps at the front door." Pepper smiled gently "Thanks Mark" "Damn its cold out there" "Yathink?" she teased. "Once the snow stops we'll head outside. I dunno about you guys but I need a smoke after all that mess" Pepper raised one eyebrow, so now he was smoking again, figures. "You comin?" she glanced over at miles, then up to Tony as best she could, wondering if he was actually going to follow. "Uh, yeah. In a bit" Pepper turned round in his arms, looking up to him, catching his tone, wondering what couldpossibly be bothering him. When his gaze dropped to her wrist she caught at what he was seeing, instinctivly covering it over with her hand, not wanting him;or anyone for that matter, to see it. "Well. It could have been worse. But hey, he never would have gotten far with you" "Oh really?" She asked, wondering where he was going with this. "I wouldn't allow it." "You make it sound like I would" She gave him a raised eyebrow expression,only to be caught upby his lips, automatically getting lost in the feeling, everything around her blakc out, save for him,nowjust the two together in a lovers embrace. "Tony come on! Stop hogging her!" Though it was sweet lived, being interupted by a family member. she sighed, dropping back from him, her head dropping forward just brushing his chest. "Duty calls" "Urgh duty sucks" she complained as he took her arm, leading her towards the family room, now feeling very on the spot. "Dee, I'm allowed to hog my girlfriend" Pepper grinned slyly, though a little something just for him.Leaning up to whisper to him "You can do more than hog me you know" "Well you never did like to share" Pepper chuckled softly. "well he sure shares with me" She spoke lightly and just messing around, knowing that he would be the only one to understand that though really. She followed him as he guided her over to the couch; not really having much say in not complying, just going along with it. Letting him pull her down onto the couch, sitting right against his side, leaning into him, just getting lost inside her mind, remembering all the good times they had together, before and after getting together. "Tony, you okay?" She was pulled out of her mind, not even knowing if she had just spoke that or someone else. Looking up to him, noticing the look on his face. "I'm fine."... [i]"Dee, I'm fine I promise" Pepper flicked her gaze over to the woman, not really sure what to make of it, though she knew he wasn't okay, she could tell that with ease, coming to her like second nature. And even more so when his hand found hers. It was damp with sweat, though she kept her hand in his, keeping it stuck between the two, leaning into him more. Feeling how tense he was at her side. "Tony..if you're looking for the guys..they're at the back of the house," leaning away fromhimshe looked up to his face, wondering why he was just ignoring her. She could see he was just falling back into his depressed state, now just feeling like shit. "I'll be back in a bit." She fell back against the couch as he left her, just watching as he walked away, not even a kiss on the cheek. Just a simple squeeze on her knee. Knowing he wouldn't be just 'right back' at all, she knew him all too well for that bullshit.
Pepper fell silent, retreating back into herself now that her only comfort zone was gone. Starting to feel worse and worse about this whole thing now,sub conciously fingering the dark marks lacerating her skin surrounding her wrist. "I wonder if Tony's ever seen Jeff when he was over in Iraq," Pepper just shrugged "I wouldn't even know, its not like i go with him" She looked up to catch them both looking around,not seemingto bothered by her surpressing attitude. "They probably worked together and didn't even notice, Never did take Tony for someone to notice those kinds of details, Right Pepper? I mean you know the 'new' him better than we do probably, we only know so much about him when he was younger." "Yeah your possibly right, He's not much of one to remember such things. He pretty much blanked all family out to be honest." "I mean.." Pepper looked up a little confused. .."You've spent the most time around him since he took over." "Deanna, look, dont worry about what you say. I knew what you meant anyway" she paused trying to think of something to say. "Tony's just Tony. Though he is definalty one of a kind, thats for sure. He has some wierd habbits. One being to not hand him anything, he hates it. Though its all different with me, It might be with you guys as well, since your family and all. Though he sure has his moments" She smiled gently, remembering some of the good times again. "I know its tough when my husband leaves for a tour, and with three kids running around…well one just learned to crawl. I dunno what I'd do without them, though. They keep me goin" Pepper simled inwardly, she knew that feeling all towell, Tony kept her going, without him would be, like a ocean without the water. "You're a lucky girl though, Pepper. If there is one thing that he's never grown out of and we all know he never will…is being a gentleman with a big heart." "And being an sarcastic git" Pepper chuckled softly. "He sure does.. have a great wit to him" She smiled gently starting to relax a little now. "the tart." "Hey now, lets not take it that far. He might be somethings but a tart he's not, thats for sure." "Ah well what can ya do right? He's stubborn too, yes?" Pepper looked a little taken back. "No not really, he can be adament yes, but not stubborn, maybe its just me" she shrugged lightly "If there was anything that stood out like a sore thumb on him was being as stubborn as a mule." "I guess I'm just used to it, or dont see it."
Pepper went back to minding her own buiness, letting the two converse more happily between themselves. Soon getting up to head into the kitchen, passing the guys room, but not seeing much behind closed doors. She just sighed and moved to get her self a drink. Though once in the kitchen she could not find her way around. The fridge was easy, and ther she found what she was after. The bottleof wine which she had bought. Trying to find a glass was beyond her though. Managing to find the cork screw, she got it open, taking in a big wiff of it. Almost drooling at the sheer smell of it. Sneeking a swig from the bottle, she placed it back down quickly as she heard someone approaching, wiping at her mouth;incase any had spilled over accidently; she busied herself with finding a glass, or just making it look like thats what she was doing.

Mark watched him from the room he stood in, still kind of lost in what had just happened. He wondered what had gotten to Tony, the realization coming through when he remembered the fight between him and his uncle. Mark thought he seemed okay with it all, clearly that wasn't the case not with the look Mark caught from Tony before his smokes got snatched up. "Maybe you should go check on him.." Miles suggested quietly from where he sat looking up at Mark then back outside to Tony. Miles was barely able to see much of him, the vapor from the cold air that was let in against the heat of the house fogged up the window panels. Mark sighed and braced himself on the back of a chair that was near him, essentially turning his back on the family member outside fighting his own internal battle. "Why am I always the one to go help him? I haven't seen anyone else in this family step up to the plate to help him" Mark said harshly. "I've been there for him since his parents died up until he dropped off the face of the planet--well as far as out of our family anyway." Mark had a point, he'd been there for Tony for a few years, though not enough to count on a full hand. Not to say that he didn't try after Tony withdrew himself from the family and took over Stark Industries, for years he tried calling him, even tried to see him, but Tony was always either away on business or he was 'booked'. Granted Mark was always there for him even as kids, being at his side no matter what happened; yes even the great Tony Stark was bullied for being such a brainiac at a young age. For a while Tony was the nerd that would always get shoved into a locker or on an unlucky day--a trashcan, one day he found out that he could use his knowledge to his advantage, and that was when the Tony Stark everyone knew was born. Along with the publicly thick-skinned, hardhead that Pepper had to put up with a lot. "Mark..It seems like you're the only one he'll listen to, you are closer to him than me" Miles spoke quietly again then instantly wished he could take that back with the look that Mark gave him. "Oh like you've tried to get closer to him. At all, Miles." Mark snapped harshly at him, "Why don't you go give it a shot? Maybe if someone newer tries to be there for him, it'll be good for him." And with that Mark walked out to the kitchen for a much needed drink, leaving Miles sitting there to make up his mind to be there for someone that treated him like a brother when all Miles did was treat him as a cousin. In all honesty, Miles was a little scared of Tony -- rather opening up to him and to let him in, unsure of how Tony might react to all the attention.
Seeing as Mark left, it was now up to Miles to get through to Tony, fighting with any family member was not easy, even if you hated them fighting only made one feel more separated from the family. What really put the icing on the cake was having a fight like that with family that was loved there to witness it all. Tony was sitting back in his chair tucked away in the corner again, a layer of snow resting on the ice cold leather jacket, feeling so torn away from everyone including Pepper which only pained him more. A lit cigarette burned away at his lips after he took one drag after another robotically, tilting his head back blowing the smoke out as it was taken by the wind right into Miles' face when he walked over. "Gee, watch where you aim that, man" Miles joked, of course being a smoker he wasn't bothered by it, but in all honesty he just didn't even know what else to say to him. Tony remained silent, taking in another lung full of smoke before letting it out on a sigh as he stood moving to the railing, now with no protection from the shelter that was above his former spot at the table. Luckily the wind was blowing the smoke away from his body, keeping the smell off him, even with his back turned to Miles it was still swept away with the falling snow. "Tony…" Miles spoke nervously, "I uh--I came out to see how you were doing.." Tony chuckled, very little traces of humor lacing it. Miles was never one to have such communicational skills when it came to situations like this, but bless him he still tried at times and it was downright humorous. Usually this was Mark's area of expertise, but Tony (for once) was feeling generous and would throw him a bone. Miles lit up a cigarette too, now feeling the nerves, his footsteps heavy on the wooden deck -- similar to Tony's own footsteps and they stopped just at Tony's side but Miles stopped just under the roof, not one to brave such cold that Tony chose to endure. "Well, I got in a fight with my dad's brother, got my back knocked out then back in again by someone who would gladly like to snap my neck a few times throughout the day, all in front of the rest of the family, Merry Christmas. Mom's probably doing barrel rolls in her grave," Tony said with just a little bit of humor as he put the cigarette out in the snow that accumulated on the railing. "Well..I can say thats the most excitement we had at dinner in fifteen years," Miles said with a chuckle taking a drag as Tony braced his hands on the railing ignoring the ice that bit at his skin. Tony's head slowly fell at the thoughts that took over him, thoughts of what his mom would say or even do if she had been here at this very moment. Missing her touch and her voice more than anything in this world, sure she'd probably give him a nice slap in the face for acting like such an idiot. She'd done it before but always came around, they both did later on and would share a tender mother and son moment together. Howard always thought that she should have disciplined him and left it alone, like it would turn him into a man, instead the technique turned him into someone with severe trust issues and a nasty temper. Maria could see where that was taking her son and put a stop to it, hoping that it wasn't too late, she passed by the skin of her teeth. The temper and trust issues were already imbedded in Tony, but just as his mother started to break all that down she was gone. "You miss her huh?" Miles said finally after the longest silence he's ever experienced with Tony who just stared into nothing. "'Miss her' doesn't even begin to describe it, Miles" Tony said gruffly, tears threatening to strangle him, he sniffled and quickly wiped his nose, trying to play it off but poorly doing it. Miles put a firm hand on Tony's shoulder, his own chest getting tighter too but the tears already gathered in his own eyes. "She was like a mom to us too, bud." He said with a tight voice that made Tony look up seeing the glisten in his eyes, feeling his own eyes start to swell. "She woulda had my head for what happened in there" Tony chuckled weakly. "Oh, I'd be more worried about Jerry. Brother in law or not she would have tore him a new one," Miles laughed a little even getting a laugh from Tony who thought about how that would all play out. Miles put an arm over Tony's shoulders giving him a reassuring tug, "You'll be alright, Tony. She's got an eye on ya." "Yeah, I'm a little worried about what she'll have to say when I see her" Tony laughed feeling a little better but it was only bitter sweet, "I've made that woman flip in her grave, the old mans probably havin a good nap unless the stocks drop. So I could easily give him a little shock now and again." "Yeah, Howard was..a hard ass. But he's your father Tony, you gotta stop acting like he never even loved you the slightest bit." "I could have spent a few rounds into that ol' mans grave at some point," Tony growled slightly running a hand through his hair, "But I think Mom would haunt me for that," he chuckled lightening up a bit.
Mark walked into the kitchen only to find that Pepper had been caught in the act, knocking back the bottle of wine. He chuckled seeing how she tried to make it seem as if it never happened, "Don't worry, your secrets safe with me" He said with a grin, "You beat me to it though, props for that." He watched her for a moment before pulling out his phone at the chirp of an email, quickly sending a reply before shoving it back in his pocket, only to have it chirp again with another email, "Jesus. I bet with Tony this is like ten times worse huh? I mean here I am just being a project manager and i get one email after another..Well you probably are at the receiving end of most of the emails right?" He chuckled, "Then I say you're the one that deserves a drink and a night out, and he should be the one cooped up in that mansion of his." Mark reached around to pick up a dish that held M&Ms and began snacking away at them, offering them out for Pepper, letting her pick too. "Tony's pretty upset about the whole fight, I just hope Miles doesn't say something to get his head bitten off," Mark sighed gently looking over and seeing the worry over Pepper's face starting to grow as he went on, "I--I don't think its anything to worry about though" He said tentatively, "believe me we were in the same school and he's been in much worse fights. The cool air would do him good, but he's not very good at talking about these sorts of things huh? He never was really, not since his mom died." Mark shrugged and popped a couple more pieces of candy in his mouth, "I guess it was because he felt like no one would ever be there for him again, and yet here we are. And here you are, maybe one day he'll swallow his pride and accept that." Mark took a stance against the counter that was identical to Tony's, the small of his back on the edge of the countertop with his arms over his chest with both of his feet out in front of him on the floor; his whole posture just reeking of Tony. Except the hazel eyes and lighter hair threw it off just that much to distinguish the two; but they could easily pass for brothers with their build and looks. "What about you? How are you feeling? Tony probably didn't even ask ya did he?" Mark scoffed and shook his head. "One of these days he'll learn." He watched her again for a minute just thinking before speaking up again, "What do you say we join the party again, hm?" He asked with a smile getting a glass, "And save some for the rest of us missy" He teased taking the bottle from her with a grin (a very Tony-ish grin). "We like to enjoy the hundred dollar bottle of wine now and again" He smiled pouring her a glass before pouring his own. Smiling as she spoke up again, "Don't worry, I didn't forget them" Mark said grabbing two more, carrying them in his hands while Pepper took the bottle with her seeing as Mark had no free hands left.
Walking back into the family room with Pepper ahead of him as he let her go in first, he handed the two glasses off to Deanna and Lauri before making sure Pepper was settled. "I'm gonna go see whats happening with these two, probably causing trouble like the old days" Mark said with a joke to lighten the whole rooms mood a little more and a few resounding chuckles filled the air, Mark turned and walked back towards the other part of the house to find Tony and Miles who were just coming in the door. Before Mark could open his mouth he had his nearly empty pack of cigarettes and lighter shoved back in his pocket. Tony was surprised that he only went through one, he expected himself to kill the rest of them off, spending at least an hour out there. "So are you good now? You're not going to ignore her anymore?" Mark asked with a look bearing down on Tony who took a step back to look at him. "I'm fine..you know I got a lot on my mind, Mark" "Still no excuse. Have you seen the way she looks at you, I mean really look? The least you could do is pay attention to her, and just not up and leave her without saying anything." Now Mark was grilling him, and Tony's defenses were down. Tony knew he was wrong for doing that, there was no excuse; he wasn't about to fight any of this. There was a long pause and silence, Miles felt a little uneasy but this was Mark's specialty, to make things sink in and not have a second thought for busting someones balls, and it just so happened to be Tony's; The ball buster of ball busters. "What would your mom think of that, Tony? Hm? I know where she'd be…standing right where I am grillin your ass, just like I am." Tony sunk back into himself, he was right and Tony just took it all in as he went on. "Your mother would have fell in love with Pepper, I can tell you that straight up. But by the way you've been ignoring her here-- and I cant even imagine how it is back in LA with your sparkly little life you got going there-- you have another thing coming." Mark knew his words hurt, but it was the hurt that one learns from. Tony just stared at him with hard eyes, "Why is everyone bringing her up tonight? Jesus. Haven't I been through enough already?" "Tony," Miles broke in, "We only wanna see you make her proud--" "And it seems like bringing her up is the only way to get through to you" Tony put his hand up, none of his actions aggressive or negative. He knew he deserved this, "I am making her proud, I mean look where I stand now, CEO of Stark, running it better than my dad ever did--" "You're still trying to make your father proud Tony, all of that is trying to live up to what Howard was. That's not making your mother proud. Going out there and showing the woman out there how much you love and care about her is what will make her proud. Maria could have cared less about that damn company, for gods sake it sucked her husband and a father away from her family. Do you understand what I'm getting at here?" Tony sighed and nodded while Mark picked him up in a hug and a pat on the back, "I'm not trying to bust em on you Tony, I'm just trying to make up for the fifteen years of not hearing from you, and not being there to keep you in line." Tony chuckled and gave him a hug back, but giving him a smack on the back of the head, something they always did to each other as kids, always sneaking some sort of abuse in with the mushy stuff.
Tony walked out with Miles and Mark, both caught up in a conversation that was not entirely off topic from what they were talking about; mostly about the times they had with Maria when they were younger. Tony had already removed his jacket and put on some cologne that Mark offered up to take the smokey edge off, mostly from how close Miles was with his cigarette and the wind had changed blowing it right on him. Tony entered the room and his eyes immediately searched for Pepper, not expecting to see a wine glass sitting in her hand. What in the hell…Tony played it cool and moved right over to behind the couch where she sat plucking the glass from her hand giving her a look that gave off a friendly vibe but to her she knew that look, the look of What do you think you're doing? He took a smell of it and smiled, "Mmm smells good. Picked a good one dear" He said with a smile leaning down giving her a kiss on the cheek before walking around to sit with her, "Sorry if i smell smokey, Miles doesn't know how to keep his smoke to himself" He said with a chuckle draping his arm over the back of her shoulders as he took a sip from what was her glass, still with a lipstick mark around the rim. His eyes shooting wide at seeing her grab the bottle, the room filled with ascending tones, of 'ottos' and other similar jeers. "Oh boy, playin with fire now Tony" Mark jeered from where he sat with Karen. "Remember what I told you though Pepper, save it for the rest of us peasants." He teased taking a sip from his own glass. Tony just sat there, not even knowing what to do with himself he couldn't say anything, chances were Pepper didn't want anyone to know about her pregnancy, but he wasn't about to sit there and let her drink an entire bottle of wine. Unless that was what she wanted--rather what she didn't want; a baby. The thought of her even killing someone made his stomach churn, but the thought of killing an unborn baby because she didn't want it..that nearly made him sick. He bumped her with his knee, not very noticeable to the rest of the people who were now caught up in each other again. He leaned in putting his lips to her ear, "Watch it, sweetheart. Okay?" He asked then pulled back to give her a pleading look, he's been through enough already tonight, the last thing he needed to know was that she was doing that to herself and their unborn baby. He sighed gently and rested his head down on Pepper's shoulder after he brought his arm back around to take her hand at her side, letting out a yawn from the wine making him even more tired than what the meal did for him. He scooted and snuggled a little before he found a happy spot at her side and relaxed again while his thumb glided over her skin as he held her hand.

"Don't worry, your secrets safe with me" she laughed awkwardly "what secret?" She grinned as she turned round to face him. "You beat me to it though, props for that." "Mmmhm kinda get used to it living with Tony. Gotta keep sharp" the smile turned gentle, now being a little more serious. Leaning back against the counter as she watched him carefully, unsure on what to say, dropping her gaze to her feet. "Jesus. I bet with Tony this is like ten times worse huh? I mean here I am just being a project manager and i get one email after another..Well you probably are at the receiving end of most of the emails right?" Pepper chuckled lightly "Its much much worse yes, but you'll get cool down periods, make the most of it. Keep on top of them and you'll be fine" [i]"Then I say you're the one that deserves a drink and a night out, and he should be the one cooped up in that mansion of his." "ahaha if only it worked like that. I dont get out much anyway, never have been one up for it" She shrugged it of like it was nothing. Soon a bowl was placed under her nose looking down she waved it away, not really in the mood for M&M's."Tony's pretty upset about the whole fight, I just hope Miles doesn't say something to get his head bitten off," She knew he was, placing a hand over her face she sighed, she should have gone after him, but she also knew he could have gotten snappy with her if he was in one of his moods. She snappedup when she heard him saying he'd left Miles with Tony, pushing away from the counter "What.. You.. you left him..oh god" "I--I don't think its anything to worry about though" She sighed gently, maybe he was right. "believe me we were in the same school and he's been in much worse fights. The cool air would do him good, but he's not very good at talking about these sorts of things huh? He never was really, not since his mom died." She sighed gently "No he dont like to talk about it, in fact he never talks about anything. I've usualy just left him to his own accords really, but kept an eye on him at the same time" "I guess it was because he felt like no one would ever be there for him again, and yet here we are. And here you are, maybe one day he'll swallow his pride and accept that." she sighed gently "Yet he still dont realise that, no matter how much i try, he just pushes me away like im going to hurt him. I just hope he does realise I'm not here to hurt him" She dropped her gaze to the floor, twidling her thumbs. [i]"What about you? How are you feeling? Tony probably didn't even ask ya did he?" She smiled inwardly, chuckling without emotion. "No he didn't, but I'm okay thanks, just a little shaken up, Nothing I cant handle" She smiled gently "One of these days he'll learn." "Yeah I hope so, I just hope it dont take evrything crashing down around him to finaly realise that" She grimaced slightly. "What do you say we join the party again, hm?" she shrugged "I guess so" She pushed away from the counter, taking the bottle of wine "And save some for the rest of us missy" She gave him a look, she hadn't even drank that much and yet he was inclining she wasn't sharing. "You should be glad I'm not Tony" she shot back at him, taking the glass of wine he poured for her. "what about the others?" she asked, just curiously. "Don't worry, I didn't forget them" "Good" she said matter of factly, taking a sip of her wine, grabbing the bottle as he followed after her back to the family room. Sitting back upon the couch in the spot she had just been in. Placing the bottleof wine upon the small side table next to her. "I'm gonna go see whats happening with these two, probably causing trouble like the old days" Pepper smiled gently looking up to Mark. "Alright" She spoke, though really just for herself.
Pepper sat there, the voices around her drowing out as she slowly got lost in her mind. Soon snapped out of it when the wine glass was taken from her, causing her to look back, up over the couch, seing Tony she gave him a stink face. Not too happy by the way he was not letting her enjoy just a small drink. "Mmm smells good. Picked a good one dear" She just turned back round "Mhm" she mumbled,feeling his lips press into her cheek, letting him kiss her even if she wasn't feeling it. "Sorry if i smell smokey, Miles doesn't know how to keep his smoke to himself" "Really he likes to share? Nothing wrong with that" She spat back with a slight bitter tone. She grabbed the bottle not having it, ignoring all the jazz it pulled up. "Oh boy, playin with fire now Tony"... "Remember what I told you though Pepper, save it for the rest of us peasants." "I'm just getting another glass, since someone cant be bothered to get his own" She didn't moveright away,just sat there with him at her side, kind of unsure on what to do with herself. The bump on her knee brought her attetnion back to Tony "Watch it, sweetheart. Okay?" she breathed heavy and turned her look away from him, feeling him take her hand and snuggle into her she got up and walked back into the kitchen to grab a glass, a little pissed that he didn't even offer to get her one. It's not like she couldn't drink at all, he was acting like she was the addict. All she wanted was another drink to calm her nerves.
Remembering where Mark had taken the glasses from she went to take one, though with her hand bandaged she didn't get enough grip on the glass dropping it on the ground with a significant smashing. "Shit" she pulled herself upright, placing the wine bottle back upon the counter, leaning donw to start cleaning up the bigger shards. "Now now what are we doing" She looked up regonising the voice, even smiling gently, though it was more a caught in the act kind of smile. "Sorry, I dropped a glass" "That does not matter honey, what I'm moreconcerned about is that you're getting yourself a drink. Has my whole family lost their manours." Pepper chuckled lightly. "No, just Tony stole my drink, He's the one thats lost his manours" She laught without emotion,not paying attention, slicing her hand open with the shard of glass. Sucking in a breath as the pain lanced through her hand.

Tony was able to catch himself when she moved from him, all he was trying to do was put himself in a better mood then she starts up making him turn sour again. He sat there for a while before dumping his glass of wine into the flowerpot by the couch leaving the glass on the table, "Tony" Mark barked at him and Tony snapped his head around. "Mark, I've had it with her attitude tonight. This is a problem between her and I. Please just stay out of it" Tony growled continuing his walk to the kitchen. His footsteps getting quiet as he leaned in the doorway, looking right at his grandmother and Pepper who was on the floor, "…What I'm more concerned about is that you're getting yourself a drink. Has my whole family lost their manors?" Tony scoffed in his mind remaining quiet as his annoyance built inside him, making his skin go hot again. The two completely oblivious to the mood Tony brought into the room, "No, just Tony stole my drink, he's the one thats lost his manors" Oh was he now? Caring for a pregnant girlfriend was poor manners--rather no manners at all according to her? He rolled his eyes "fongoul" He muttered under his breath, knowing that Pepper wouldn't know what it meant (or maybe she did, it wasn't an uncommon phrase) but his grandmother sure wasn't unbeknown to its meaning, for she snapped around bearing down on him with a glare "How dare you..In My house..". Tony just stood there with a hard look on his face, not even taking the consideration that his grandmother was in the room. "What? I thought I didn't have manners," Tony hissed staring right at Pepper while Viv marched right to him and landed a slap right across Tony's face, the force behind it stung his thawing skin still icy cold from standing out in the snow. And with how loud it was the noise in the living room ceased for a brief moment. "How dare you talk to me like that" Viv seethed through her teeth. Unfazed by the sting in his face, his temper slowly climbed again, he moved from Viv and away from them both now keeping his hard eyes locked on Pepper. "I'm allowed to do what I want--" "Absolutely not in this house or in this family! Because of you, she is standing here with her hand sliced open. And that's not even the start of it, you never offer her a drink, or when she does have one you snatch it away like its yours. Not even offering her anything at all, making sure she's alright" Viv broke in, "If your mother--" "If my mother this, if my mother was this, if she was here--I've heard it already. I get it!" He barked, "Things would be different if she were here, but she's not!" The hurt was so present in his voice, her passing now killing him inside again for the first time in fifteen years. "So now can everyone stop bringing her up!? There is nothing she can do." "I will talk about my daughter whenever I please" Viv growled at him, "And to whomever I please. Now you listen to me, if you don't start paying more attention to her, you can get out--" "I have been paying attention to her" "Then why is she--!" "She's like this because one, she gets pissy when things don't go her way. Two, the moment I start showing I care about her in front of other people its 'too much' and she takes off. You know heaven forbid I tell the world how much I love her--" "Well you're not doing a very good job at--" "And three. The only reason I took her drink, and didn't offer her another is because she's pregnant. There. I said it. I'm not letting her drink too much because hell its my baby too. Unplanned or not, I still care" His words faltered with the hurt and anger that laced his words like venom. "And if she doesn't want my concern then why do I still stick around? Hm? Why Pepper, Holy shit maybe because I actually love you that much that I'm willing to put up with your attitude just as much as you put up with me for fifteen years. I always try to be there for you, and make myself feel better too. And you just up and walk out like that. Not saying a word, or pulling me aside to tell you that something is bothering you. You are always on my ass for it, but no matter how many times you do it I don't hound you about it, plus in your mind its okay for you to get away with it. Remember that I told you it hurts people? Well now you can see it first hand. Thanks a lot" Tony started walking to the door to leave the kitchen, "Howar--Antony!" Viv tried catching herself but it was too late. Tony stopped for a moment and scoffed, waving a hand at them over his shoulder and continued yanking his jacket from behind Mark's back that he leaned back on, "Jesus, Tony. Tony!" Mark spun around seeing him rip his jacked over him, the leather able to hold against the force he used. "Leave me alone!" Tony barked marching towards the front door, not even caring that Pepper tried to block him from leaving, he just walked right past and slammed the door behind him making the house shake with the force of it. Stepping out into the blizzard he zipped up his jacket and started walking, trudging through the deep snow that was already at the middle of his shins, the once plowed and shoveled sidewalks were layered with deep snow, not even once taking the chance to notice the clumps of snow that went into his shoes and up his pant legs. Now Tony almost wished he had his suit at hand, just assemble it and take off to god knows where.
Viv stood there in shock, a shaky hand over her mouth and tears glistening in her eyes. Staring in the direction to where her grandson disappeared in such a hurt rage. "Viv..My god what happened" Lauri came to her mother's side trying to calm her down. Viv clamped her eyes closed and she shook her head, "I cant believe I called him--" She choked as Miles came to her side too. "Forget it, sit down before you fall over" He said gently guiding her to the armchair, "Dee go get her water." When Deanna got up to go to the kitchen, Mark was left standing there, unsure of what happened or what to even do with himself, seeing Deanna return handing off the glass of water to Viv he stance hardened, now furious with the way Tony acted but also worried that he just walked right out on the family in such a storm. The next noise that filled the house was a loud creek and snap from the wind that howled outside, "Boys..go to your room," Deanna told the two. "But--" "Go" She said again this time with much more harshness in her voice, the boys obliged and headed upstairs, delaying their steps as they headed up. The room fell more quiet now; quiet enough to hear the ice that hit the windows, sounding like tiny shards of glass. Hysteria finally hit Viv, her breathing shot through the roof and she grabbed Miles' arm making him jump, "Mom. What is it?" Lauri asked kneeling at the arm of the chair, Viv moved quickly to stand only to have hands guiding her back down, "He's out there. My baby is out there" she cried, "I'm going out to get him" She fought against the hands the best she could. "Not in this storm! Viv, please just stay down." Miles said gently holding her down as she tried pushing them away. "No! This is my fault. I never should have laid a hand on him like that" she cried putting her face in her hands. Mark looked to the door then back at Viv and the family. "I'll go out. I'll get him" "No Mark! You're not driving in this!" Karen objected seeing him go for the keys in her jacket. "Karen, if no one is going out to get him who will? He'll freeze out there or get hit by a car. No one can see in that mess" He pulled on his coat, "I'd rather bring home someone with no fingers or toes and alive rather than a dead body" Hearing that Viv began to sob while Mark turned to head out the front door. Passing Pepper he stopped just as he reached for the door, "You wanna come with me?" He asked, knowing the risk of endangering someone else in weather like this, but he hoped she'd go so he wouldn't end up coming back with a black eye. He figured Tony would keep his cool with Pepper around, and he wouldn't have to use a lot of force to get him in the car.

Pepper just sat amongst the floor, staring at her hand as the crimson fluid rose at the tear in her skin, just watching as it slowly filled her palm. "How dare you..In My house..". the tone of Viv's voice made Pepper snap to, looking over in their direction, now fully worried at what Tony might do. If she made him feel trapped or threatened he would freak, Pepper knew as much. "What? I thought I didn't have manners," Pepper sighed gently, knowing that he was taking this all into context way to seriously. The sound of skin hitting skin made her flinch. He kind of derserved that in all honesty, the way he was acting today was just not right. "How dare you talk to me like that" Pepper just sat on the ground and listen carefully, wishing that he would just grow up already. "I'm allowed to do what I want--" "Absolutely not in this house or in this family! Because of you, she is standing here with her hand sliced open. And that's not even the start of it, you never offer her a drink, or when she does have one you snatch it away like its yours. Not even offering her anything at all, making sure she's alright" she sighed gently, resting her head back on the cupboard doors, not really wanting to be in the middle of another fued again today. "If your mother--" "If my mother this, if my mother was this, if she was here--I've heard it already. I get it!" .... "Things would be different if she were here, but she's not!" The pain was clear in his voice and in made her heart twist. "So now can everyone stop bringing her up!? There is nothing she can do." "I will talk about my daughter whenever I please" Peppers head began to spin, the raised voices and arguing making her feel like shit. "And to whomever I please. Now you listen to me, if you don't start paying more attention to her, you can get out--" "I have been paying attention to her" "No you havent" she mouth quietly so they wouldnt here her. "Then why is she--!" "She's like this because one, she gets pissy when things don't go her way."[/i] "Nope thats you mister" "Two, the moment I start showing I care about her in front of other people its 'too much' and she takes off. You know heaven forbid I tell the world how much I love her--" "Well you're not doing a very good job at--" "And three. The only reason I took her drink, and didn't offer her another is because she's pregnant." Pepper flinched when he said that, now it was out there and there was nothing she could do about that. "There. I said it. I'm not letting her drink too much because hell its my baby too. Unplanned or not, I still care" "all i wanted was one. One glass, and I cant even get that anymore. Hell you do what the hell you want and dont even care" She mumbled to herself. "And if she doesn't want my concern then why do I still stick around? Hm? Why Pepper, Holy shit maybe because I actually love you that much that I'm willing to put up with your attitude just as much as you put up with me for fifteen years. I always try to be there for you, and make myself feel better too. And you just up and walk out like that. Not saying a word, or pulling me aside to tell you that something is bothering you. You are always on my ass for it, but no matter how many times you do it I don't hound you about it, plus in your mind its okay for you to get away with it. Remember that I told you it hurts people? Well now you can see it first hand. Thanks a lot" Pepper got to her feet around the time he was halfway through talking, inching closer to him, trying to reason with him. "Yeah just blame all this shit on me... Tonyyy!" She called to him, moving to the door. "Howar--Antony!" Pepper stood in the middle of the hallway, sighing when he just waved them both off, watching him as he snatch the jacket from behind Mark. "Jesus, Tony. Tony!" .. "Leave me alone!" Pepper sighed gently. Why he was acting so much like a child was beyond her regontion. she moved towards the door, blocking his path "Tony please just.." she sighed as he just moved past her and walked right out into the cold, slamming the door behind him, making her flinch with the sheer force he used. She pressed her back into the wall, sliding down to the floor with a sigh of defeat. How could she even help him when all he did was act like this. He claimed that he loved her, but then he treated her like this. Okay's she had just gotten up and walked of, but he had just stolen her drink from her. Not even asking her if she wanted another, or atleast something else, and anyway it was fine to drink wine when you are pregnant. Heck you could drink anything just as long as it wasn't excessively. Though she kinda destroyed that already since when she'd come home from the beach that day she had polished of a whole bottle, where was he to stop her then? why now infront of his whole family? Did he not want them to see how much she could easily drink. Or was he just trying to keep it on the low. If he wanted her to loosen up, she was going to need a drink.
Pepper sat on the floor for some time, just wollow in her self pitty. Until that was a familiar voice broke through to her. Her brain automatically thinking Tony had walked back in. She looked up with a blank expression, seeing Mark twisted her heart, wishing that he was back. "You wanna come with me?" She sighed "Urgh sure, Let me just put some jeans on and change my shoes, why dont you grab some blankets or something" "Alright, thats fine with me" He vanished through the family room, as Pepper moved to her bag. "Dont go Pepper, it's too cold to risk it" She looked up seeing Deanna standing next to her. "Then who else? Cause he'll just put up a fight and to be honest, they'll just make him worse. If i dont go" she swollowed past the lump in her thraot "He might not come back." "But Pepper, let the boys go, it's not safe.." "why because I'm pregnant. boo..who. I've picked up all the broken pieces that was left behind, I've been at his side for fifteen years. He trusts me, even if he doesnt show it exactly in the norm. He does, he'll only listen to me, and I'm not just about to let him freeze his ass of, So bite me, I'm going and you can't stop me" Deanna sighed and headed back into the kitchen, not having much more to say. At that Pepper pulled the first pair of jeans she layed her hands on, and luckily Tony had packed her 'snow' heels. Pulling on her jeans, leaving the dress over the top, she pulled on her other shoes, just as Mark came back handing her a long thick coat. "Thanks" she took it from him, as he held a few blankets in his other hand. At that they both headed out into the storm.
Pepper climbed into the back of the car, so used to it. Taking the blankets from Mark as he handed them back to her. "I'm sorry for the way he treats you Pep, He needs to learn to grow up" "Mark, it's fine. I think seeing his family again is just too much for him to handle right now. This is not him at all" she sighed, glancing out the windows as he pulled slowly out of the drive. The snow crunching under the wheels, compacting together under the wieght of the vehicle. "He's actually usuly very caring" hse stated matter of factly. just going back to look out of the window. he couldn't have gotten very far in this weather, it was practically just white over, so much snow falling at once. They drove down one way first, not having even seen a single person out. Knowing that they ahd gone too far for him to have gotten in such a short time. As they turned around, the back tires spun on the snow, loosing traction. Pepper looked up over the back, trying to see if she could get a look, though it was a little difficult. Mark kept on revving the enguin, just trying to get some pull. They were stuck for some time, just giving Tony a clearer distance. In the end Mark got out of the car, Pepper climbed into the front and as mark pushed she revved the enguin, finaly managing to get it to shift. They both went back to their original positions and made their way back up the same way they had come and headed up past the house the other way. Slowly traveling as they went, the window wipers on full, but the snow was just too heavy. The further they went, the more Pepper began to think this was pointless, loosing all hope, when she saw a dark spot in the snow out the cornor of her eye. At that she darted from the car, even before it had even stopped, she stumbled but ran, dropping to her knees in the snow. Brushing it all away, there she found a rather cold Tony, he was still concious for her pulled away from her. "Tony.. please dont" She tried to pull him up, but he just pulled away from her again. "Tonyy.. Just get up out the snow. I'm not letting you freeze to death, I dont care if your being a stubborn mule right now, just suck it up and get in the car" While Pepper was trying to get him to move, Mark had slammed on the breaks, making the back end swing out, leaving it dangerously in the middle of the road as he grabbed a blanket, dashing over to the two. "Come on Tony, stop acting like a child, you cant go on like this, you'll loose everything if your not careful. I have no idea why this amazing woman is still with you if you act like this. Thats gotta mean something man" Mark tried to make him listen also, handing over the blanket to her.

The longer Tony walked, the colder he got, he'd already lost feeling in his toes that were practically frozen, his fingers started to go too and his whole face was numb from the ice and snow that blew right into it head on. He felt his hair freeze solid almost and he could only imagine what he looked like with hypothermia setting in. Instinct told him to keep moving, and keep his blood from freezing, until he could no longer feel the strength in his legs. Once they were gone he stumbled and fell to the deep snow hands first, the ice biting into his already frozen skin. When he finally looked down, he saw how red his fingers were, all the way down to the knuckles, his fingertips even starting to grow dark. He could only see colors through the ice that hung on his lashes, obscuring most of his view. He shivered violently and his teeth clattered away as he wrapped his arms around his body, tucking his hands away in the only warm spot left under his armpits. He pulled his legs up and curled into a ball where he sat, trying to keep the last sliver of warmth left in his body, but with the hunk of metal that sat in his chest chilled him right through, sucking out whatever heat was left. Even in such a tight ball, the violent shivers shook him like an abandoned puppy on the streets of New York; alone, cold and scared. He sat there long enough for a layer of snow to cover him, his skin and clothes no longer warm enough to melt the flakes, now they just stuck to him and his violently trembling frame. His ears picked up the sound of a car trying to get through the snow, all of his joints frozen, the most he could do was move his eyes, seeing the bright headlights he froze again thinking that this was it, he was frozen to death and now it was time to face his mother at the gates. He strained his ears to hear Maria's voice again, hearing footsteps running towards him he felt his chest tighten. The familiar touch made him flinch away, it wasn't his mom, he moaned quietly and pulled away more into himself and into the bush he sat, the pressure of branches against his back thankfully protected by the heavy leather jacket; without it his rescuers would have a bigger problem on their hands. Unfortunately the bush he chose to fall into was a thorny one, with half inch to 3/4 inch thorns that latched onto his bare neck the more he pushed away. "No." He said, his voice barely coherent with the way he shook. "Tony.. Please don't" "Get away…" He whimpered, but the figure stayed put, pulling on him. "Tonyy..Just get up out the snow. I'm not letting you freeze to death, I don't care if your being a stubborn mule right now, just suck it up and get in the car" He moaned again through the chattering of his teeth and fell heavy as she tried pulling him again. Now with blood trickling down his neck and freezing just above his jacket he saw a more masculine figure come over making him retreat further into the thorns. Hearing his words only in mumbles Tony clamped his hands over his frozen ears, a layer of ice already forming over his skin. "Shut up!" He cried hoarsely falling forward on his hands and knees. Trying to pull himself up to his feet only to find that they were no longer there, each time he tried pulling his feet under him he would fall, until he fell flat on his stomach in the snow. "Tony!" Mark yelped and tried grabbing for him only to have his grasp slip on the icy leather jacket, the layer of ice thin but slick breaking off his jacket. Feeling someone pull at his jacket, Tony pulled his arms from it, now even more exposed in the blizzard, feeling like his skin was on fire, he fumbled with the buttons at his shirt, his frozen fingers not even able to receive the message from his frantic brain. He finally got a numb grasp on one side of the shirt meeting at the buttons, giving it one hard yank and three buttons flew off to be lost in the deep snow.
Mark stared wide eyed at Tony's back, seeing a bright blue glow reflecting in the snow on the ground and the snow that fell. No one outside of Tony's little circle of friends knew of the reactor, this was probably not the best way to reveal it. "What the hell…?" He said in shock seeing Tony pull himself up against a dark lamp post, his body turning so now they stared each other in the face. Tony stared right back with icy eyes, all of his features turning blue, a darker blue than the one that engulfed his face from his reactor shining brighter than ever in his chest as his heart pounded away to keep the blood from freezing in his veins; making the light pulsate, getting dim to the point that it was close to going out then shooting right back up lighting up the night. "Are you insane!?" Mark finally broke out of his trance and threw himself at Tony with the extra blanket just as Pepper came around with the other one. Mark pulled Tony's shirt around to close the snow out from his bare chest just as Tony fell into him too weak to stand. Even still Tony tried pushing away, using every ounce of strength he had left, "No! No I wanna see mom!" He cried, "I w-want m-m-mom" He stuttered through the shivers that rocked him. Mark's heart twisted in his chest, Tony was too confused and beside himself to realize that his mother was dead, and had been for fifteen years. "Get--get m-mom" He whimpered again. "Pepper get his feet out of the snow" Mark said trying to hold it all together, seeing a grown man like Tony cry for his mother like that was just almost too much to bear. Mark linked his arms under Tony's armpits holding up most of his weight as Pepper took his frozen, ice covered legs from the snow. "Alright, just walk him to the car, we'll stick him in the back. Just pull him in on the other side" He instructed, struggling to hold Tony up with how bad the chills were that hung on him, and now his feet started to thrash, "Come on, don't kick her" He prayed softly as Tony mumbled away asking for Maria. Once at the car, Mark managed to open the back door on the passenger side to start moving him in, "Pepper go around and pull him in." Once the other door was open Mark struggled but handed him off to Pepper as she pulled him in, Mark picked up Tony's legs and put them on the seat, having to bend his knees for him so he could fit before closing the door and racing to the driver side. Tony felt arms around him, bitterly familiar (bitter only because they weren't who's he wanted them to be) he still tried pulling away from them, but he was too weak to make much of an effort now. Still at this point, Tony didn't even know that Pepper was the one at his side, not even focusing on her voice as she spoke to him. He couldn't see her either, not with all the ice on his lashes. With the heat that blew straight on him, his nerves began to get less numb making his skin burn like it'd been set on fire. The pain clear on his face and in the way he twitched, the shivers now practically permanent, his body locked in that state, He finally could open his eyes and he stared right up at a painfully familiar face, seeing his mother before he saw Pepper. The rapid change in temperature and the hypothermia making him delusional. "Mom?" He asked but the face didn't respond, he stayed quiet for a moment, trying to focus on the blurred face then asked again. "Mom.." He blinked slowly, feeling the ice crack against his skin as he shifted a little, he curled into the body where his head rested, trying to take a hold on the jacket. Taking in a deep breath he knew that smell and the realization hit him, "Peppeerr" he croaked now unable to cease the chills that shook him.

Pepper watch him as he just pulled further and further away from her, the cold was already seeping through her clothing, her legs catching the most of it, the denim not goodd at keeping out the cold, if anyting it let more Hugging her coat closer shoving her hands inside the blanket she held, Just as Tony fell flat into the snow, gasping, but not even being able to help him. Glad that she had come with Mark, god knows what might have gone on with this behavour of his. She wacthed in bewilderment as Mark tried grabbing for him, only not getting much grip on his leather bound jacket. watching as he made a grab for him again, only to have his arms slip out and Mark held up en empty jacket. Pepper watched with wide eyes as tony got himself upon his feet, leaning against a post as he tried pulling at his shirt, then the sound ofbuttons popping caught her attention, seeing that Tony was practically striping in the cold. She was frozen in place, unsure on how to react to this. He was being very unreasonable. "What the hell…?" She shook her head to snap herself out of her little trance, seeing the blue from his reactor hitting the snow around him, just made her worry even more. If that light went out, she'd have a bigger issue on her hands, and no way of being able to help him. "Are you insane!?" yep he is insane, he always has been. Pepper moved forward wrapping him up with her blanket as Mark wrapped him up also, making sure to cover him over until they had him in the car. "No! No I wanna see mom!"... "I w-want m-m-mom" Pepper sighed gently, knowing if they didn't gethim home soon, he'd start to procure hypothermia. "Get--get m-mom" Pepper just shared a look with Mark, her face crushed with the way Tony was acting, more heart felt pain for him rather than affecting her. "Pepper get his feet out of the snow" She waited for Mark to get a firm grasp on Tony first, then grabbing hold of his legs, she placed them around her waist, struggling a little with the sheer weight."Alright, just walk him to the car, we'll stick him in the back. Just pull him in on the other side" "Of course" she spoke without emotion, starting walking backwards with him to the car, only to almost lose his legs as he began thrashing, catching her in the gut, but she kpet her posesure, even leaning away from his thrashing limbs a little. "Come on, don't kick her" Pepper just tugged his legs closer, letting Mark walk towards the car, with her following, almost going sides ways. Mark spun round to grab the handle, opening up the passenger door. "Pepper go around and pull him in." She dropped his legs without a word, marching round to the other side and climbed in the back seat, Taking hold of him as Mark; struggling a little, passed him over. She pulled him right up against her, shifting over to the other side. Mark pushed up his legs making his knee's bend as he shut the door.
Pepper held him close to her, even as he struggled away from her, just making her hold him tighter to her. She pulled him as close as she could manage, pulling the blankets around her also, feeling him shivering at her side, She pulled his shirt open under the blankets, slipping of her coat wrapping her arms around his cold torso, just trying to give him a more direct heat, instead of waiting for the heaters to seep through the thick blankets and his clothing. "Mom?" When she heard him calling for her again, it made her go numb all over, to behonest it was quite hurtful when he thought of her like that, surely he would know the difference. She just looked down at him, even trying to wipe away the ice crystals upon his eyelashes. "Mom.." when he asked again she just looked away from him, trying not to let it effect her more than it should. She felt him as he leaned more into her, making her relax a little, feeling him pull on her jacket."Peppeerr" She smile gently, feeling her eyes begin to burn. "I'm right here babe, never left you" she whispered to him, kissing the side of his head. Still feeling how cold his outer core was, she slipped of the jacket and took her dress of, pulling the blankets right around them both as she pushed his shirt back, pulling him more into her, pressing her more warmer torso against his, sucking in a sharp breath as his colder skin came into contact with hers. She held him close, soon feeling his arms come around her, holding her closer to him, twitching as his frozen hands touch her much warmer skin along the small of her back. She soon felt his shivering subside, though could still feel the more deeper inner shivers rocking his body. The car soon came to a stop, making Pepper look up. Mark turned round to them both "You wait here okays, I'll leave the car running for the heaters, i'll just go in and get a bed ready and hot water bottles, Or rather get one of them to do so. I wont be long" "Alright, I'm not going anywhere dont worry" She smiledd gently, resting her head upon Tony's. Though she could barely feel him with her anymore. His heart rate had dropped significantly, along with his breathing dropping. She shook him withher shoulder "Tony..!" she asked, worry lacing her words, shaking him again, but no responce came through. She pulled him away from her as best she could, checking the reactor, her heart dropping; in relief; a little when she saw the reactor still glowing. She looked out over to the house waiting for Mark to appear again.

"I'm right here babe, never left you" he curled up the best he could, his muscles still not responding very well at the signals from his brain, but he could feel the pressure of her lips on the side of his head, feeling the warmth well up inside him. Making his more violent chills cease, finally letting himself relax, tensing though at feeling the soreness of his muscles from being locked up so tight. He felt her moving next to him, but his eyes closed now unable to see or know what she was doing, not until he smelled more of her. He forced his frozen lids open to see a nearly naked chest and torso leaning down over him. That was enough for him to come around, his eyes shot wider and a grin tried pulling at his lips. He had yet to find his voice again, instead he showed his thoughts wrapping his arms around her waist the best he could in a small space. Feeling her chest push against him with a sharp breath as his hands touched the sensitive area on the small of her back, retreating for a moment until she relaxed before placing it back letting it warm against her skin. He lay there for a while nestling more into her finally relaxing again enough to stop his trembling, he tucked his head into the bend at her waist just in that little heat pocket ignoring the burning sensation in his skin now, the blankets and cloth hurt him the worst, but her skin was like silk, not causing him the least bit of burning pain. "You wait here okays, I'll leave the car running for the heaters, I'll just go in and get a bed ready and hot water bottles, or rather get one of them to do so. I wont be long" Tony sighed gently feeling extremely tired all of a sudden, even more so from when he was picked up; just sheer exhaustion took him over. Or was it bliss? "Alright, I'm not going anywhere don't worry" Yep, it was bliss, though she took it as something different, feeling her tense again. The longer he reminisced in the thoughts of her, the deeper he slipped away from her; which was a cause for concern, it felt like he was taken from his body and a few feet was put between him and his own body. "Tony..!" He remained still, his eyes flicking behind his lids now and again. He wanted to react, but the action was stalled from something that was blocking him. His head began to hurt with how hard he tried to open his eyes again to show her that he was there, and he was listening. Finally with the more he pressed on his body began to respond again, his eyes fluttered open and he stared right up at her, only to find that she had been looking away, worry twisting her face and flooding her eyes. He could feel everything again, his body began responding but he was still incredibly cold with the ice and snow that now melted and hung in his shoes and on his clothes. "Y-you know.." He said his voice still shaky from the chills that rocked his core. "I-I en-enjoyed the view before." He said with a weak but cheeky smile. "W-what do I get..i-if I told you I was s-still cold?" He teased weakly with a light laugh, tucking his arms between his body and hers.
Just when he started feeling warmer he felt the rush of ice cold air hit him and it made him curl up again with a groan right back into Pepper's lap. "Oh comeon i just got comfy" He slurred, Mark and Miles looked at each other with confusion, wasn't this guy just on the breach of becoming a popsicle? And now here he was acting like this again. "Tony, you have to be the most bipolar man I've ever met. I thought you grew out of that ADHD." Miles said with a light chuckle keeping his jacket closer around him. "Ha ha very f-funny" Tony shivered, feeling another gust of wind sweep through the car he pulled even tighter with a shudder and a grunt with his whole body tensing. "Close th-the damn d-door" He growled pulling it closed with his heel in the handle. "Jesus. Nothing stops this guy." Mark sighed shaking his head walking around to the driver side opening the door and killing the engine, "There, now you have to get out." Tony groaned and latched onto Pepper again as the door at his feet opened again, "Nooo" He groaned in protest. "Come on dude, you think she's gonna stay out here if we take you inside?" Miles asked with a chuckle, "Come on, you need to get inside" Miles said this time with a firmness and a pat on his butt to get him moving, which didn't do much, "Come on Iron Ass." "Man." "Whatever," Miles reached inside and helped him sit up with an arm over his shoulder while Mark came around to take his other arm except Miles waved him away, "Get Pepper, I got him." Mark turned back to the car just as Pepper moved to get out extending his hand down to her, "It's icy..just watch it" He said holding her hand until she got to the sidewalk, he looked up seeing Miles struggle to keep Tony headed towards the house, pushing away at his help not wanting anyone else to see him at his weakest like this. All of these events that happened tonight were the past Decembers wrapped up in just a couple hours, and his poor family saw enough of it, hell Pepper saw more than he wanted her to see or even experience. He felt the cold bite at his thawing, raw skin, even now with the water that sat soaking his clothes and his hair began to freeze again. "J-just go. Don't t-touch me" He snapped and walked behind Miles then through the front door, ignoring all of the worried faces that stared him down as he slowly ascended the stairs. Viv watched with regret, feeling like the reason he left was her fault, she laid such a hand on him and told him to get out. Her cheeks were moist with tears and she retreated back into herself with the knitted shaw that was over her shoulders. Tony stopped on the steps and turned his head around looking at Pepper from under his lashes waiting for her to come up, only to have Mark follow. He sighed and looked finally to the faces that looked at him with concern and worry, something he didn't expect, he expected to see anger and hate on their faces after such an episode. His own eyes were cold, not in emotion but still darkened he pulled his blanket around himself, blocking the light from the reactor and keeping what heat he could close to his body. When he looked at his grandmother his head dropped, he couldn't look her in the face, not after the way he treated her..and he felt so embarrassed for doing so, throwing a fit over something as silly as it now seemed. But at the time he genuinely worried for Pepper..and the baby. He wasn't the brightest in that area of life, that being where life essentially began. He may have a way with kids but when it came to caring for them before they were born…he had no idea what to do, and he heard all of the horror stories of the damages the mother could cause, some unintentional. It scared him..and fear portrays itself in different ways with different people, and with being Iron Man (in his mind) fear meant fight. He took in a deep breath just as Pepper reached his side motioning him to continue up the stairs, but he stayed put swallowing his pride, "Sorry I ruined all of this" He said finally, able to get it out clearly even with the shivers that shook his core that made his back begin to hurt. The room was dead silent, the wind that howled outside made the house creak and pop, "Come on Tony" Mark said quietly walking behind Pepper and Tony up the stairs to the bedroom that had been set up for him to recover.

"Y-you know.." Pepper relaxed immediatly at hearing his voice, her heart jumping a beat. Smiling down to him. "I-I en-enjoyed the view before." Pepper just chuckled, glad to have the old Tony back in her arms. Resting her head ontop of his, she smiled wide."W-what do I get..i-if I told you I was s-still cold?" She pulled back up again, looking down to him, chuckled still resounding inside her chest. "Nothing, you just get to hug me closer. But maybe later if your still cold I can think of something you'll like." she spoke with a sly smile. Going back to leaning down on him, smiling gently.
She sat like this for a little while, just reminicing in his closeness, something she had missed dearly all day. All she wanted was to be next to him, for him to hold her, but he had other ideas completely. When the door opened, she shuddered a little at the sudden blast of cold air. Though she chuckled as she practically felt him jump into her lap. "Oh comeon i just got comfy" She ran a hand through his hair "We can get comfty again in the house, where its warm" she kissed the top of his head, whilst making sure the blankets covered her over. She wasn't really ready to have his family members seeing her half naked. "Tony, you have to be the most bipolar man I've ever met. I thought you grew out of that ADHD." Pepper laughed gently. "He's never grown out of it" She nudged him playfully. "Ha ha very f-funny" Wrapping her arms back round him as she felt him shivering again, the last thing he needed was another round of shivers, they only just used too much energy. "Close th-the damn d-door" Pepper chuckled, shaking her head as he slammed the door closed with his foot. "Tony!" she complained, her voice higher pitched then normal, a small amount of laughter lingered within her complaint. "Dont be so rude, they're just trying to help you" She stated lightly, rubbing her hand over his back.
Pepper gave Mark a gentle smile as he came round to the front and opening up the door, turning the enguin of. "There, now you have to get out." she smiled dropping her gaze down to the familar darker brown hair guyed. "Come on before we both freeze together" she teased, trying to push him up away from her. The side door opening again only made him grip tighter to her, she couldn't help but smile, no matter how much she wanted to get inside. "Nooo" Chuckling softly, she managed to prise his grip from her. "Come on dude, you think she's gonna stay out here if we take you inside?" "Ah of course I'm not staying in here, forget that shit" "Come on, you need to get inside" Pepper tried pushing him away from her more so, but with him going stiff it made it harder for her to move him. "Tony come on, stop acting like a child" she said a little more seriously, but still kept it light. She felt him tense when Miles slapped his ass, she laughed gently. "Come on Iron Ass." "Man." "Whatever,"
As Miles moved to pull Tony from the car, she kept a hold of him untill she was sure Miles had a firm grip. Taking on of the blankets and wrapped it around herself, grabbing her dress up holding it under the blanket with one hand, the other holding it together. "Get Pepper, I got him." She twisted round, placing her legs out of the car first and just as she was pushing herself up Mark held a hand out for her, taking her dress in the hand holding the balnket together, she reache out and took his hand, letting him help her to her feet, feeling the ground move under her feet; or rather she sliding a little on some ice. "It's icy..just watch it" "No shit sherlock" She chuckled slightly, moving to the path with Mark guiding her, letting her go as she was back upon the pathway. she watched Tony as he fought with Miles, soon letting him go Tony wanting to be seen strong, just like always. she sighed, but smiled gently, glad to see him coming back into himself, but she wished he would just accept the help once in a while, it would do him some good. "J-just go. Don't t-touch me" She sighed gently again.
She headed inside not shortly after the other two. Seeing the rest still gathered inside the kitchen door way, some spilling out and into the hall. They was everyone was watching Tony just made her heart stop. This could go two ways, either he would snap again, or he would see past It and carry on his way. When she looked over to Tony she saw him pause, turning to look for her, finally his eyes landed upon her and she smiled gently to him, Picking up her step and made her way to the stairs. Turing round a little as she felt herself being shadowed, finding Mark walking up behind her, Grabbing up their bags as he came. As she accended the steps, she kept eye contact with him, a light smile spread over her lips as she went, Stopping just upon the step below him, looking right up at him. Then motioned for him to carry on, Only he just seemed to not notice that, staying put. "Sorry I ruined all of this" She smiled gently "You ruined nothing" She spoke softly just for him to hear, taking one step up to be level with him, wrapping an arm around him and leaned into his side. Walking up the stairs with him like that, going a little slowly, but managing fine. Mark seeming to be a little impaitent with them. "Come on Tony" . They reached the top of the stairs, Mark leading them of into a larger room, one with a large four poster bed, settled right in the middle of the room. Mark set their bags down, moving towards the door and paused turning back to the two. "If you need anything just give us a shout. And no funny buisness" He gave Tony a look, knowing he was the one to more than likely start it all going. Pepper let Tony go, sitting him on the edge of the bed. Waiting for Mark to leave. "We'll be fine, but thanks" She turned and smiled gently over to him, feeling Tony grab hold of her, his head resting on her back. As soon as Mark was gone she dropped the blanket from around her, turning round to him. "Come on" She reached down to him, pulling him up and towards the bathroom. Only he refused, pulling her down onto the bed next to him. "Okay, then not, how about you climb into bed" She asked gently, moving to pull his rather soaked jeans from him, undoing his belt and button, pushing him down onto the bed, she managed to pull them from him, tossing them into the cornor of the room. Seeing him shiver, she ran her hands over his legs, trying to use firction as a warming aid, only then noticing a trail of blood over his skin. Thus remembering the slice in the center of her palm. "Shit" she spoke out of context. Seeing him sit upright out the cornor of her eye. His hands coming around her, as she stood ther holding her hand in her other. "I guess I forgot about this" she pulled her gaze from staring at it and over to Tony, sighing gently. "Let's get you sorted first though" She went to move away, only to have him take a hold of her hand, making her turn back to him.

"If you need anything just give us a shout. And no funny business." Tony looked up with hard eyes, but they sparkled playfully, "Don't tell me how to live my life. That's her job" He said nodding his head at Pepper before plopping down on the bottom of the bed, sitting on the very edge so he wouldn't soak the mattress with the water that drenched his jeans. He slipped a little but was caught by the wooden lip of the bed and he looked over at Pepper, "We'll be fine, but thanks" he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer as his head fell to her back. Hearing the door shut he felt the blanket from around her fall over his head. "Heey" he sang quietly with her bare stomach under his hands, he pulled the blanket from him letting it fall to the floor, "Come on" he got to his feet when she pulled at him, realizing where she was going he bolted his feet to the floor, "Mmnuh uh" He fell back to the bed with her next to him, "Okay, then not, how about you climb into bed." "Will you s-stay?" He asked with a gentle smile, though it faded when she moved away. Returning just as fast when she reached for his pants, "Mmm I l-like where this is going" He grinned but feeling the air hit his skin he shivered when she pulled them from his pants. "M-maybe not so--m-much, n-now" He chuckled and felt goosebumps tighten his skin as he began to shiver again. Feeling her hands rub at his legs, they were just too soaked to really do much other than slide over his slick skin; but it was still her caring touch. "Shit" He sat up right, wincing at his achy muscles, "What" he didn't notice the trail of blood on his leg until he looked down with wide eyes. "Damn, was that--" He reached out placing his hands on her hips pulling her closer to him. "I guess I forgot about this" He looked at her with regret in his eyes, "Well I'm the one that didn't care that it happened…" He said softly with a sigh averting his eyes just as she looked at him, he was just so embarrassed by the way he acted, there was no talking him out of it. "Let's get you sorted first though" He looked back at her taking her good hand before she could get away from him. "Forget me. I'll live. I have all m-my fingers and toes. I'm f-fine" He said with the residing chills still making him stutter. His other hand came around just as he moved to stand with her, ending up being closer than he anticipated, he took her bleeding hand, not even caring that her blood now ran down his leg and now his own palm. "Maybe i can help a little tonight..b-being your own personal ice pack" He said with a smile, holding the back of his hand against the gash in her hand, that being the coldest, other than his face, but he figured enough blood was spread, plus he couldn't look at her in the face. He wanted to, but with the way he flipped at her and his grandmother, and the way he's been treating her by ignoring her most of the time..he just couldn't do it. If he let his wall down now, all he would do is become a broken record of 'I'm sorry's', the thing was…I'm Sorry meant that one wouldn't do it again and how many time can someone apologize for the same thing when it no longer does anything? "I ruined everything." He muttered turning his head to the side, "I think I'm the one that isn't the type for family" He said with a weak chuckle then falling silent again for a while. The warm light of the candle light in the windowsill mixed with the blue glow of his reactor, he could finally look at her, the warm light bringing out her red hair and freckled skin that he loved so much while the blue hue of his reactor casted its light from under her chin, lighting up her eyes that he always found himself getting lost in. He began to back away from her, but he kept his hands in hers, his gaze dropping for a moment as he turned but he looked over at her as he walked from the bedroom to the bathroom directly across the hall. Doing so without saying a single word, but he had a gentle face that took any edge off of the silence. Just as he got to the sink he put his hands on her hips and lifted her up on the counter sitting her down, a more playful vibe coming from him now. More than anything at that moment he wanted to press his head to her chest, and just fall asleep to the sound of her heart beating away in her chest, for once not even wanting sex (all that much) from her; not like earlier. He ignored the comment she made about him being so quiet, in all honesty he felt like if he opened his mouth it would all come out in word vomit, things that weren't true but felt he deserved, and of course tears would most likely follow. He wasn't going to cry in front of her, his pride now wouldn't allow it. He knew how much he loved her, and that part of him just nagged and nagged at him, not giving up.
He began bandaging her hand, having done this enough to himself that he could look away as he wrapped her up, his eyes meeting hers. "I want you to be honest with me, sweetheart. Okay?" He asked gently, his eyes going soft as he looked back down at her hand wrapping it slowly now, "Do you--" his chest got tight, "Do you ever feel like I cant do any of this right? I always end up screwing things up" He said letting it out on a breath. When he finished off the bandage he put himself between her legs and he rested his head on her chest listening for a heartbeat. "I look back at what just happened, and I cant believe how stupid it was to act like that over something like that. You should be allowed to have a drink yes, but--" He sucked in a breath as she put her arms around him. "But you have to remember..my whole life was work, machines, weapons..things that aren't life. I mean yeah I've watched all the movies and TV shows…I didn't exactly have any guidance at the most crucial point in my life. Hearing that you pregnant…I got scared." He whispered starting to tremble again with nerves now more than the cold that still clutched him, these shakes felt worse than nearly freezing to death, there was no stopping these. "I mean--" he felt her unbutton his shirt and pull it off putting it in the sink, then a soft towel being rubbed over his skin to get the cold water from his body, which did take the chill off and the touch was soothing. When he felt her stop he looked up, "don't stop, that feels good" He said with a grin that flashed across his face for a brief moment. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is…I don't know what to do..maybe its because men are just completely clueless when it comes to pregnancies, but I just don't want anything to happen when I can be there to prevent it.." He said looking right in her blue eyes, even if they weren't on him right at that second he managed to catch them. "I guess..being who I am..when I'm scared I feel like everyone is out to get me and I feel like I have to fight or something will happen." He fell silent again and braced himself on the countertop with a hand on either side of her, as he shook down to his core again. "But I feel like fighting will make me lose more than what I want to gain, or even lose what I'm fighting for in the first place." He looked up again staring her dead in the eyes. "I'm just trying to protect the one thing I cant live without."

"Well I'm the one that didn't care that it happened…" She rasied an eyebrow at him. "No one did Tony, not just you" She spoke gently, running a hand through his hair; her good had that was. "Forget me. I'll live. I have all m-my fingers and toes. I'm f-fine" She chuckled softly "As do I, but I'm also nice and warm, you on the other hand arnt. Come on" she felt him take her other hand gently in his, pulling himself to stand, pretty much brushing right up against her. "Maybe i can help a little tonight..b-being your own personal ice pack" She smiled gently "I'd rather be your personal heater" she bopped him on the nose with a finger, just glad that he was finaly coming to terms with himself again. She chewed on her bottom lip when he rested the back of his hand in her palm, making it sting at first. After some time it subsided, the sheer coldness of his hand numbing the pain. Making her worry for him even more, wrapping her other hand over the top of his, trapping it between hers and using her heat to warm him. She stood there feeling the cold encasing him, stepping a little closer to him, making her shiver a little. "I ruined everything." She pulled back to look at him. "Why do you think you ruined everything? No ones perfect Tony" She took his other hand in hers. "I think I'm the one that isn't the type for family" She sighed gently, wanting to look into his eyes, though she didn't want to push him too much either, so she just looked to the side of his face. "Your more than the family type Tony, you just dont see it yet" she spoke softly , pressing her lips into his temple as she stood there with him against her.
When he finaly looked at her she gave him a very soft gentle smile, lifting her hand up to cup his cheek, running her thumb over his cheek bone as she looked up into his deep brown eyes. Just standing there in silence along with him. When he began pulling away she shot him a look, but changing it as he kept his hands in her's, pulling her from the room and towards the bathroom. She looked down the hall, just making sure no one was around, still not exactly comfortable being half naked in front of others. The distance to the bathroom wasnt that far and as soon as she was inside she felt a little more at ease. Feeling his hands go right toher waist, pulling her right up onto the sink, she smiled down to him. Resting her hand on the side of his face as she scooted to the edge of the counter. "Tony you alright, you're awfully quite?" When he didn't reply to her she just left it, dropping her hand from his face. Sitting there in silence, untill his hand took her's pulling back her attention. watching as he fixed up her hand. She caught his gaze with her own, the look on his face making her worry a little. "I want you to be honest with me, sweetheart. Okay?" She sighed gently "Tony now your scareing me" she placed her other hand on his shoulder. "Do you--" ... "Do you ever feel like I cant do any of this right? I always end up screwing things up" She laughed without emotion "Tony what are you talking about. I dont think you can't do anything right. So what if you screw up, Think of how many suits you have made, Take the first, what was wrong with that? So then you recreated and it was better. But then you made a third and that was even better. If you hadn't made small mistakes you would never have made another suit." She took her hand back when he was finished with it, resting her arms over his shoulders as he pulled closer to her, his head soon rested upon her chest. "I look back at what just happened, and I cant believe how stupid it was to act like that over something like that. You should be allowed to have a drink yes, but--" She took a deep breath not sure what to say "But you have to remember..my whole life was work, machines, weapons..things that aren't life. I mean yeah I've watched all the movies and TV shows…I didn't exactly have any guidance at the most crucial point in my life. Hearing that you pregnant…I got scared." She ran a hand through his hair. "Sweety, it's fine. You just have to ask, you know I'm always here for you" Feeling him tremble, she automatically went to thinking he was shivering from being so cold. "I mean--" She let him talk as she slowly began to take his shirt from his back. Dropping it to the ground as she grabbed a towel, reaching over him, then slowly began running the towel over his back and arms, stopping to look at him as he never finished what he waqs saying. "don't stop, that feels good" she chuckled nervously, holding the towel over his shoulers, leaning towards him with a slight grin. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is…I don't know what to do..maybe its because men are just completely clueless when it comes to pregnancies, but I just don't want anything to happen when I can be there to prevent it.." She smiled gently "It's fine now quit with the mushy stuff, your freaking me out" she teased "I guess..being who I am..when I'm scared I feel like everyone is out to get me and I feel like I have to fight or something will happen." "will you shut up" She slapped him lightly but he just didn't seem to even notice it. "But I feel like fighting will make me lose more than what I want to gain, or even lose what I'm fighting for in the first place." ... "I'm just trying to protect the one thing I cant live without." "Good for you" She teased him again, grabbing the towel and covering his head, roughing him up. She dropped the towel to the floor. "Are you quite finished now" she placed her hands on either side of his face, smiling, squishing his face togther and rolling her hands over his cheeks, laughing when he pouted his lips. "Stop being a grouch and just have fun" She held his face still in her hands, leaning forward and pressed her lips to his. Slipping down from the counter, wrapping her arms around him. "Let's.. go.. back to the bedroom" She back out of the door pulling him along with her, backing up all the way untill she fell onto the bed, pulling him down next to her, then standing, to pull her jeans of, right in front of him, resting a hand on his shoulder to keep her from falling over. "still feeling cold?" she asked with a smile, moving to pull the covers back, then placing a hand upon his chest, pushed him back, climbing into the bed, pulling the covers over them. Snuggling right up close to him, wrapping her arms around him. Laying there for some time, soon feeling rather cheeky. she ran her hands down his back and round the to the front, teasing at his waist band of his boxers. "Is someone else cold too" she asked in a slight baby-ish tone, pinging the band against him, leaning into him. "If you're still cold i can think of another way to make you warm" she spoke with an alluring tone, Rolling him over and laying on top of him, she purred slightly curling up on his chest, resting her head just under his chin.

"Good for you" just before his expression changed he had a towel being roughed up over his head, not entirely in the mood for games. When the towel fell his expression was clear on his face, he wasn't very happy, "Are you quite finished now" he huffed, his eyes narrowing when she squished his face. "No" he pouted speaking the best he could with a squished face "Stop being a grouch and just have fun" "Make me" He pouted just before she moved in for a kiss. He kissed back, his mood doing a complete 180 leaning into her as she pushed against him coming down from the counter, his fingers looping in her belt loops at her hips. "Please..make me" He said gruffly arching his neck down and pulling her hips into his. "Let's.. go…back to the bedroom" at the sound of that he went like a wet noodle, now putty in her hands as she pulled him along, his mind going fuzzy until he fell onto the bed shaking him from it. Coming back just in time to catch her pulling her jeans down off her right in front of him not even feeling her hand on his shoulder. "Still feeling cold?" "W-what do I get if I say yes?" He sounded so distracted, even more so than what he was at the time, his eyes sat wide on his face as she moved closer, instantly finding her cleavage, out of habit more or less, but when life gives you lemons…you stare at them. When she pushed him back he hit the bed with a grunt on his face, before he could get up she was already weighing down on him. "Meerh" He muffled into the sheets before he turned over to lay on his side a little more to look at her. Draping an arm over her side he traced small circles on the small of her back, smiling gently at her as little rays of blue light peaked out, catching her eyes and he gave her a look that said I know you're up to something... Feeling her hands trail down his back and around the front of him he felt goosebumps tighten again at his skin, his toes curling the moment she reached the waistband of his boxers. "Is someone else cold too" His head fell to the bed with a thunk, "Yes and no" He whined playfully, smiling as she snapped the waistband against his skin. "You minx" He purred peaking an eye out to look at her as she leaned into him. "If you're still cold I can think of another way to make you warm" the tone of her voice made him swoon, again turning into putty in her hands letting her roll him over he looked up at her for a moment with a smile. "Oh I'm sure you can, kitten" He smiled draping an arm over her back making long, slow strokes down the length of her back, nestling his head into the pillows. His other hand found one of hers, tangling his fingers up with her own as he lifted it to his lips placing gentle kisses on each finger tip from her pointer to her ring. Saving a longer kiss on the ring finger he looked at her with a gleam in his eyes, whether or not it was from the light of the reactor, the love that flooded them shown just as bright as it always has.
He laid there for a moment before pulling her up so she laid her head on his pillow and she now fit in the crook of his arm against his body. "Hmm. I'm craving some hot chocolate, and coffee….and cake, ice cream, cookies.." He twisted so that he was partially over her, encasing her in the space between his body and an arm that now rested by her shoulder with his hand holding him up. "And Pepper" He smiled leaning in giving her a long kiss. "But only two things would help me at this point, the rest will keep me awake all night." He yawned politely turning his head away so he wouldn't blow his breath in her face before he turned back to her. "And I will go mad if I am wide awake with no workshop or anything to work on" He said with a chuckle laying his head down her chest, pulling the blanket back feeling claustrophobic under the comforter, but he kept it high on them as best he could with his head obscuring the path past the start of her sternum as it rested practically across her chest. His arm sat around her waist and he hugged her closer to him, sighing contently letting his mind drift a little away from the ordeal that happened. For some reason going back to the boat trip from New York back to LA, maybe it was his conscience reminding him of a warm place, perhaps taking a trip to the islands where it was always warm and sunny. He chuckled a little at the memories of when him and Pepper were on the boat, playing their little games to 'pass time'. "I was just thinking of the boat trip back from New York, and your little games you played--well we played" He said with a chuckle feeling his face get hot at remembering how she had him wrapped around her little finger when she asked to drive the boat and asked him to show her. "You more than me though," He grinned. "You always sprang em on me when I least expected it. You must have been a cat in your past life, I swear. Ambushing me and all, and yet here I am loving you more and more each day" He said with a teasing tone getting cut short by another yawn. "Maybe when it gets warmer we'll go out again, just you and me. Maybe Hawaii, Find a little cove somewhere, drop anchor.." He said with a grin getting caught in his thoughts again. "Mmm, that warm weather sounds lovely right about now." He snuggled into her finding the warm spot and staying there with the blanket tightly around him and her. "You want another shot at driving the boat?" He asked with a grin looking up at her with a wink before resting his chin on her shoulder. "I know you do" He teased sneaking a kiss on her jaw. "I know you probably don't like being spoiled but..let me spoil you. Please. I want to" He said with a soft look in his eyes. "So either you agree or I spoil you anyway."
Then his mind flickered again, triggering the playful kid inside him. He snapped his head around, with a sly smile now growing steadily on his face as he looked at her, with a bright gleam in his eyes. "Pep," He moved his toes against her legs under the covers, "Are my feet still cold? I cant tell" He said grinning even wider as she tried squirming away from his icy feet, but he just kept at it. Even tangling his toes with hers, "Oooh thats a warm spot!" He laughed as she tried pulling from him still but his toes clamped around hers the best they could, either way his feet never left her warmth. "You're not giving me a clear answer," He sang and now his hands came in the mix as he moved over her, his thighs were even cold as they touched her own. But the moment he brought his fingers into play he knew that there was no getting away from them. He started at her stomach, turning his hands over pressing his icy knuckles into her sensitive stomach, "What? I'm making you cold?" He asked with a laugh now running his hands up stopping just under the rim of her bra knowing she'd kick him with how cold that would feel. "Nah, you're a redhead, redheads never get cold" He grinned, "Well as far as temperature" he teased still teasing the sensitive spot under her breasts with his icy finger tips. Then he got another sight of a more sensitive spot that would surely make her giggle like an idiot, he brought a hand up just to her neck and danced his fingers around there making her head clamp down on his hand on that side "Ahaaa" He sang, "gotcha" He laughed teasing her on both sides of her neck making one swift movement he brought one hand down to her waist, resting his fingers on the high point of her thigh on the inside feeling the heat radiating from her he grinned softly and laughed as she screeched like a dentist drill only to go again with his other hand. "Mmm waarrm" He said with a smile letting his head fall to her chest.

Pepper lay with him for a while, until he shifted, pulling her higher up on him so her head now rested upon the pillow right next to him. "Hmm. I'm craving some hot chocolate, and coffee….and cake, ice cream, cookies.." She giggled softly, loving how he got such wierd cravings at the most insignificant timing. "You and your food, I swear food comes before me sometimes" She chuckled away to herself. "And Pepper" At that she looked up to him, just as his lips found hers, breaking all the humour inside of her. when he pulled away her laughter still shone through, in the form of a huge smile. "But only two things would help me at this point, the rest will keep me awake all night." She laughed again, making her back arch up a very small amount, resting a hand on his arm. "And I will go mad if I am wide awake with no workshop or anything to work on" She grinned playfully, leaning closer to him. "You've always got me" she spoke playfully, running a hand down his chest as she beamed up to him. Just as his head came down to her chest, smiling inwardly she just wrapped an arm around him, sighing contently, closing her eyes, with a huge smile plastered across her face as he lay right close to her. She snuggled down when he pulled the covers back a little, pulling him closer to her. She almost began to dose off, just too comfortable to stay awake much longer, though his voice broke through to her, breaking her from her little trance. "I was just thinking of the boat trip back from New York, and your little games you played--well we played" She peeped through one eye at him. "Oh really" she teased with a smile. "You more than me though," She chuckled softly, just getting a few flashbacks from it."You always sprang em on me when I least expected it. You must have been a cat in your past life, I swear. Ambushing me and all, and yet here I am loving you more and more each day" She chuckled without emotion. "Thats what us cats do, we slowly pull you in, then just snatch you away with our affection. Always having you wrapped around our little fingers" She smiled huge, just messing him around a little, roughing up his hair a little. "Maybe when it gets warmer we'll go out again, just you and me. Maybe Hawaii, Find a little cove somewhere, drop anchor.." "As much as i love the sound of that, we have work still you know" She smiled up to him, running a finger over his lips, loving the way he looked when he was so caught up in his mind, She reached up to him, pecking her lips to his, but only managing to catch his bottom lip. "Mmm, that warm weather sounds lovely right about now." she chuckled softly "Thats only because you're still so cold. " She smiled as he snuggled down into her, still being able to feel how cold he was. "You want another shot at driving the boat?" she smiled, remembering how that had gone the last time, she'd pratically rubbed agsint him just flaunting it in his face. "I know you do" She chuckled brifly "That might not be all i want" she spoke with a smile, wrapping her arms around him. "I know you probably don't like being spoiled but..let me spoil you. Please. I want to" she shifted a little to look at him better. "So either you agree or I spoil you anyway." she smiled softly up to him, moving a hand to cup his face. "I can live with that" She leaned closer to him "Just dont go crazy" she smiled then pressed her lips to his. Soon leaning back into the pilows, closing her eyes and just reminiscing in the moment.
"Pep," She made a noise much like a groan, but more in the sence of letting him know she had heard him. Her eye's suddenly shot wide when she felt his cold feet against her leg. "Are my feet still cold? I cant tell" "Jesus Tony, their freezing" She tried pulling away from him only he pulled her in to him catching her feet with his, linking them with her toes. "Oooh thats a warm spot!" "Arghh!" she shuddered slightly, curling her toes up a little. "You're not giving me a clear answer," raising an eyebrow at him she gave him a dirty look. She opened her mouth to speak only he moved against her, his thighs against hers so cold she gasped, then as his hands came down to her stomache, making her suck in a breath, twitching away from his hands. "What? I'm making you cold?" His hands ran higher up on her, making her skin crawl a little from the sheer coldness, but also in a way that it was setting of her hormones. Feeling where his hands stopped she looked down at him, almost giving him a look of 'dont you dare'. "Nah, you're a redhead, redheads never get cold"... "Well as far as temperature" She sighed as he kept his hands slightly under her bra, getting a little low on patience with him, when his hand came up to her neck, making her clamp her head down onto it. "Ahaaa"... "gotcha" "Ahahah" she mocke rolling her eyes "Very funny" she spoke without emotion, just as she was about to move away from him, she felt the icey tips of his fingers brush high on her inner thigh making her squeal, hitting a sensitive spot and having cold hands was never fun. "Mmm waarrm" She shuddered "Gahhh, I wont be warm if you keep this up. Thats it your going for a warm bath" She rolled him over,now stradling him, grinning down to him, dropping forward with her hands resting on his shoulders, in a way of pinning him down. "No more games from you Mister" She grinned, leaning in to peck him on the lips, then rolled off of him and to the ground, grabbing his hand and pulled him from the bed. She pulled him into her, wrapping her arms around him "It's no good if we're both cold, now is it?" She grinned playfull, pinching his ass, then turned and pushed him along towards the bathroom. She shoved him into the bathroom, closeing the door behind him as she headed back to the bedroom, grabbing up his wet jeans and placed them on the heating, then grabbing his bag she pulled out some clean, ry clothing for him, grabbing a towel of the box at the bottom of the bed she headed back into the bathroom, catching him as he was pulling of his boxers, she just grinned, closed the door and flicked the lock on. "Here, nice clean and dry clothing" She smiled placing them on the heated towel rack along with the towels. Moving to the tub she checked the heat of the water, feeling it a little colder than prefered she turning the cold water down a little. She looked up just as she saw Tony pouring stuff into the tub. "What are you.. "She gave him a look then shook her hea with a smile "Bubbles, really?" she chuckled softly. "Trust you"

"Gahhh, I wont be warm if you keep this up. Thats it your going for a warm bath" He grinned as she forced him down basically pinning him to the bed, "Oooh, so if I say no…will this continue?" He winked beaming up at her with a playful gleam in his eyes. "No more games from you Mister" "Like hell" He teased just as she kissed him, "mm well thats one craving down" He chuckled sitting up when she rolled off of him, finding himself being pulled by the hand he obediently followed. "Its no good if we're both cold, now is it?" He lurched away from her pinch on his butt with a yelp, "Well, we don't have to be cold ya know, I mean there are ways to get warm" He purred just before he was being pushed out the door towards the bathroom again. This girl really did have him wrapped around her little finger, but in no way was he 'whipped' if he didn't want to do something, he would refuse to do it, even if it was her that asked. Then again, chances are she wouldn't ask him to do something crazy, she would just expect him to do that on his own. He laughed when she closed him in the bathroom, now feeling alone and still longing for her closeness, but he knew she'd be back. He turned the water on letting the tub fill, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror as he turned, he saw one of the small blood trails from his neck remembering enough of his ordeal that he'd fallen into a thorny bush, with a sigh he turned on the sink taking a dark wash rag and cleaning them from his skin. It seemed silly to clean ones self before getting in the tub but he just wanted nothing to do with any bit of what he could remember before he was nearly turned into a human capsicle. He didn't remember much from it, or even what he did after he started getting delirious, and he hoped that Pepper would at least clue him in somehow, he hated being in the dark and even more so if it involved Pepper in any aspect. All the times he'd gotten drunk, she'd always brief him on what happened after he blacked out or gotten too drunk to remember anything. Well almost all of them, he was still in a grayer area about the incident in Oklahoma, sure she told him he got aggressive..but what did he do? What did 'aggressive' entail? He kept thinking and he robotically began to undress again, not having much with just his boxers, he heard the door click open but didn't turn, knowing who it was and not having to worry about being walked in on by anyone else who hadn't seen him naked. "Here, nice clean and dry clothing" He looked up giving a silent thanks as she went to the tub and he bent down looking in the cabinet under the sink finding what he was after; who in the world takes a bath with no bubbles? To Tony it just didn't feel right, he felt even more naked than he already was without it. Unscrewing the cap he poured it into the tub and it foamed instantly with the churning water. What are you….bubbles, really?"…"Trust you" He screwed the cap back on and chuckled, "Is there anyone on the planet that doesn't take a bath without bubbles? Certainly you enjoy a nice bubble bath now and again, Miss Potts" He said with a smile giving her a nudge with his hip just before putting a foot in the tub, the heat burned him a little at first but he quickly let it melt into him.
He looked up to see her back getting further from him, his hand came up only to catch her bra at the clasps on her back, "Hey, I'm not done with you yet" He teased and pulled her gently towards him again letting her fall into his arms a little placing a gentle kiss on the side of her face. Keeping a finger curled around the strap he lifted his other foot into the tub pulling her down as he went down. Letting her sit on the edge of the tub, but that still wasnt enough for him, he craved her closeness after the events that happened, feeling so close to death he feared that the fight was the last time the two of them would ever have a chance to say anything to each other. Sure, he was still going off to be Iron Man and save the world, but those goodbyes always were on a good note with the promise of a return, unexpected ones scared him the most. He sat up again taking the hand that rested around her waist and the other that was in the water with a layer of bubbles and undid the clasp on her bra letting it fall from her as he pulled it off, then did the same with her underwear, not waisting a second as he pulled her down on him. "I could get used to this" He said with a smile leaning his head back sliding further down into the tub, the warm water made him relax and warmed him through and with her it only did so much more for him. The bubbles thick and deep enough to trap the heat over his chest, also create a prismatic light show with the bubbles refracting the light of his reactor beneath it. "You always have the best ideas, Potts" He said quietly with a content smile as he looked over to her, "Would have rather liked it if we were back home…at least that water wouldn't get cold" He purred in her ear tucking his head under hers. "So here, our time is limited" He said with a gruff chuckle letting his now hot breath wash over her skin and puff some bubbles away. He pulled his head away and laid it back on the back of the tub with a gentle look, holding little emotion. "So..what happened after I left? I-I don't remember much about it, I barely remember getting in the car." He said gently, "And try not to sugar coat it like you did with the whole incident in Oklahoma-- which you still have yet to tell me about. Point is..I don't like being in the dark when you're involved." He said softly stroking her back gently. "I guess it scares me, because I dont want to do something I'll regret, and if I did..I want to make sure it'll never happen again."

"Is there anyone on the planet that doesn't take a bath without bubbles? Certainly you enjoy a nice bubble bath now and again, Miss Potts" She chuckled softly looking over at him, as he bumped her with his hip. "Actually I prefer bath salts" she smiled gently, watching him as he climbed into the tub, pausing a little, possibly finding it a bit too hot at first. She turned away from him, only to have him grab at her, only managing to catch her bra strap, she smiled. "Hey, I'm not done with you yet" Letting him pull her into him, she kept a smile on her face, turning round in his arms, beaming up to him, just as he stepped up into the bath and pulled her down, so she sat on the edge of the tub, his hand dropping to around her waist. She dropped a hand into the water, running it back and forth through the bubbles, keeping her mind busy. It had been a long time since she been in a bath tub and she wasn't going to change that now, though cause she was so caught up in her mind she didn't even notice it when he began undressing her. The removal of her underwear to fast and then she gasped as she felt the water around her, going a little tense, she gripped onto the edge of the bath tub. "I could get used to this" She breathed heavy, just trying to keep herself calm, but nothing was really working. when she felt him slide further down she stayed sat up, her eyes wide and her knuckles turning white, with how strong her grip was upon the tub. "You always have the best ideas, Potts"... "Would have rather liked it if we were back home…at least that water wouldn't get cold"... "So here, our time is limited" She tensed up when he tucked his head under hers, still breathing heavy to try and keep her nerves at bay. "So..what happened after I left? I-I don't remember much about it, I barely remember getting in the car." ..."And try not to sugar coat it like you did with the whole incident in Oklahoma-- which you still have yet to tell me about. Point is..I don't like being in the dark when you're involved." .. "I guess it scares me, because I dont want to do something I'll regret, and if I did..I want to make sure it'll never happen again." she couldn't stay there anylonger and she turned around moving to get out only her caught her, stopping her from escaping. "We'll talk about it later okay" she looked away from him biting down on her lip and tried pulling from him only he kept a tight hold on her. She looked at him then when he made the remark of her running away all the time. "I'm not running away, You pulled me into the tub. I never said I wanted it" She sighed gently trying to pull free from him only he tried pulling her back down to him, making her slam her hands on the egde of the tub right beside his head. "No I dont like bath tubs Tony...I... I tried drowning myself okay" At that he let go of her and she got from the bath tub, taking one of the towels, wrapped it around herself and walked out the bathroom, leaving him there with her words floating around his mind.
She was so caught upin getting away from the bathroom that she hadn't even noticed the extra person in the landing hall. Walking right into them, strong arms grabbed a hold of her, stopping her from falling on her ass. Looking up she was practically looking into Tony's face, though everything much paler. "Sorry Mark, didn't see you" she spoke without any emotion. "It's fine Pepper, but you look pale as hell girl. What's he done this time?" she gave him a look. "Why is it everything is his fault? Give the guy a fucking break" She pushed past him and went into 'there room', Only to have Mark stood at the door way. "Where is he? We half expected you to come back down afterwards" Pepper kept her back to him as she pulled her bag up onto the bed, searching around for the underwear. "Well he asked me to stay and he's in the bathtub getting warm" She found what she was aftertaking them from the bag and turned to face Mark. "He's... He's in the bath. Whatthehell!" Mark almost stumbled backwards at hearing that his cousion was actually in the bath tub, one of the hardest tasks for them when they were much younger. Tony never wanted to get in the tub and he always won that fight. Pepper stood at the door now, holding it with one hand and pushed Mark out with her other. "yep, go look with your own eyes, cause Im getting dressed here" She closed the door on him, moving back over towards the bed and pulled on her panties under the towel then dropped it to the floor as she put a bra on, pulling her arms through the loops, then fell back upon the bed, perching just upon the edge.

"We'll talk about it later okay" He looked down at her, pretty annoyed that she always ran away from him like this, like he was trying to probe into her life, when in reality he was just trying to pry into his own. She went to get up but his grip got a little firmer, ready to ask what was up before he let her leave only she just kept pulling, "Pep, will you stop running away from things like this? It drives me nuts" "I'm not running away, you pulled me into the tub. I never said I wanted it" "So, you don't like taking baths.. Why didn't you just say something, Pepper? I wont have your head for it" "No, I don't like bath tubs Tony…I…I tried drowning myself okay" at that he froze, letting her go instantly. Granted if he knew that he wouldn't have pushed her thus far, but then again who just openly tells their boyfriend about something like that; certainly not Pepper. He sat there for a moment before getting out, the water starting to chill anyway. As the water drained he started drying himself off with the extra towel before starting to get dressed again, managing to get his pants on before someone else entered the room. "Hey bubble head" Mark chimed leaning on the doorframe, Tony only looked up at him with a weak smile as his mind went insane over what Pepper just broke to him. "Surprised to hear you were in the bathtub, why is it so easy all of a sudden?" He added with a chuckle. Tony sighed with a shrug, "Just grew up I guess, plus I had to get rid of the chill.." Tony's tone was distant, he stared at the floor for a bit before pulling a t-shirt over his head. "You alright other than that?" Mark asked noticing how lost he seemed. Tony looked up and gave him a pat on his shoulder, "Its nothing I cant handle." Liar his conscience shot at him. "We'll try to be down soon.." With that he walked out past him back towards the bedroom, leaving Mark to head back downstairs.
Finding the door closed Tony sighed gently, slowly turning the knob and walking in seeing her at the end of the bed back in a bra and underwear. He let the door close before walking over to her, nervous of how she would react to how insensitive he was about the whole situation, so he hung back a little at first. But he did have questions, none were at all appropriate to ask about the ordeal she faced that day she decided to do such a thing. Sure, at times Tony considered such an act on himself, but he never acted upon it; for once his pride worked with him, if anything it was what kept him alive as long as it did. "Pep…Sweetheart I'm sorry" He said tenderly, kneeling down in front of her, "I can understand why you didn't say anything, I was an ass for pushing you like I did." He looked up at her, not sure how long he could hold her eyes with his own. He stood again and moved now so that he sat behind her and she was between his legs with his arms at her sides, ready to wrap around her if she fell back into him. He sat there for a while, feeling the air around them grow dense with her emotions, he could feel that she was lost in the memory of that day which was not healthy at all to think about, so he thought of something even more unhealthy that could make it a little better. "Hey, want me to go downstairs and get you something?" He asked not getting much of an answer, "Ooh how about some cake? Cake makes everything better," He said with a smile leaning his head around to look at her as she nodded, "Cake it is then" He grinned leaning in placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before getting up to head downstairs. When he walked through the door of the kitchen Viv had her back to him, oblivious to who had just entered the room. His heart sank a little more, remembering the way he treated her and how he practically blew up at her, also his cheek began to sting at the memory. Not seeing anything out he knew that she was the one to ask, but he couldn't find his words, his mind froze up, the only noise that came out was when he cleared his throat. Viv spun around and her eyes locked on Tony, aged and morose. "Antony.." Tony bowed his head stuffing his hands into his pockets, "Hey gam.." He said hoarsely now wishing he could just run back upstairs. Before he could say anything else he felt the grip of his grandmother wrap around him at his waist, making him pull his hands from his pockets and return the gesture; oddly confused at this point. "Antony..I'm so sorry" She mumbled into his chest. Tony's breath caught, now he wished he could slip away and run upstairs, the reactor glowed right through the cotton of the shirt where her head now rested, crap crap crap crap his mind went wild when Viv pushed him back with her eyes staring right at the light. "An--Antony!" She exclaimed quietly pointing at the device in his chest. "Gam..Gam calm down" He said as gently as he could with her starting to get hysterical. "W-What is that?!" She practically screeched and her mind went haywire, "He turned you into some kind of experiment didn't he!? Damn that man to hell" she growled. "Gam, Howard didn't do anything other than suck up my child hood. This was all me, just calm down." Tony said taking her shoulders, he had no idea how to explain that this thing was keeping him alive. Here he was back at step one, except this time it was with his grandmother and not Pepper. "Do you remember hearing about me in afghan?" "I choose not to remember such things Antony" her voice was tight with the threat of tears. "I got this over there.." "Its a bomb?!" "No, no its not a bomb" He cut her off before she could assume much more, "this saved my life, without it I wouldn't be here today. And neither would Iron Man. I can assure you, its a hundred percent safe" He said with a gentle smile hoping to take the edge off, and it seemed to work as he saw her breathing slow and the color return to her face. The last thing he wanted was his grandmother passing out.
"Now, on a better note--" "Where's Pepper? Have you apologized--?" "Yes gam, she's still not feeling too hot" He said with a shrug but Viv just glared at him. "Then why on earth are you down here?" She hissed, "You should be upstairs with her--see this is what we're talking about with you, Antony." Tony chuckled and shook his head. "I don't see how this is funny!" She hissed. Tony broke in again to save his hide from getting tanned again, "Gam, I came down her just to get her something to make her feel better. Have any desert left?" He asked going over to the fridge leaving a flustered Viv behind him. "How can you think of food--" "It's not for me, like I said. I swear" He said with a smile looking over at her, "Sweets always made her feel better on a crappy day." "Top shelf, theres some Apple pie left," Viv said with a smile, now glad that her grandson was doing as he was told, enjoying it while it lasted. "Oh wait," She piped up just as Tony shut the fridge taking out the tray to cut her and himself a slice of it, "What?" He asked putting the slices in the microwave to heat up a bit. Viv took a larger tupperware container from the freezer, the heavy plastic made it hard to see what was inside and the curiosity took Tony over, "Whats that?" He asked as she opened it up with a proud smile. She looked up at him just as the timer went off on the microwave, "I made ice cream, it goes so well with the pie, she'll love it" "Wait--you made ice cream?" Tony asked with surprise and Viv nodded. "By hand," She smiled pulling out two bowls while tony went for the utensils. "It looks amazing, might have to order a case or two" He teased with a wink. Viv placed a bowl of ice cream on each plate with a spoon, "You will get a quart and that is it. I cant keep up with the supply and demand" She said with a smile, "Are you alright carrying it up?" Tony nodded, "I got it, thanks." With that he headed from the kitchen and back up the stairs pushing the door open with his elbow, "It's not cake, but it smells like it'll be better" He said with a sheepish smile handing a plate off to her as he sat on the bed with his, "Gam said she wants you to let her know what you think of her ice cream" He said with a smile taking a bite of the gooy Apple pie. He turned so now he faced her sitting indian style, giving her enough room to do the same.

Pepper fumbled with the edge of the quilt untill the sound of the door opening caught her attention, pulling up her gaze, she smiled softly at seeing Tony walk through. Though it faltered a little as he hesitated in the doorway, making her worry about him a little. She watched him with curious eye's, wondering why he was acting so sheepish about it, if anything she just wanted him to grab her up and never let her go. She began to twitch a little the longer he stayed at a distance from her. "Pep…Sweetheart I'm sorry" Her smile grew now that he was knelt infront her, placing her forearms over his shoulders she gazed down to him. "Don't be" she spoke softly running her hands through his hair on the back of his head. "I can understand why you didn't say anything, I was an ass for pushing you like I did." She chuckled softly "You didn't push me, you had no idea, don't blame yourself I wont have it" She smiled down at him, then pressed her lips to his forehead. The memory soon flooding her mind unwillingly. With a sigh she leaned back into him; now that he sat behind her. Resting her hands on his thighs. She remembered being alone in the house, maybe around the age of fifteen give or take, her parents were never there for her, they always had 'stuff' that was more important than her. Basically her life was shit, she wasn't the most happy child, school was fine she had firends and she was even a little popular, her grades good. It was just her life, never having anyone to take her problems too, both parents always away, this brought her into a deep depression, but if you were to ask of her friends this, they would say the complete opposite in fact. She came across as happy, independent and bubbly. But this was not the case, deep down she was hurt, lost and felt unloved, deserted like no one ven cared about her. Then one night when her parents were out, she just suddenly got the urge to end her life, having seen it been done in a film by drowing ones self in the bath tub, This is what she tired, only her aprents were home sooner than anticipated and then.. they found her, pulling her from the tub. Only she lashed out at them, shutting herself in her bedroom, and not talking to anyone for a few days.
Tony suddenly pulled her from her mind, having zoned out compeltely not even remebering where she was untill now. Hey, want me to go downstairs and get you something?" She took in a deep breath sitting up a little. "Huh.. what" she spoke softly as if she had just fallen asleep. "Ooh how about some cake? Cake makes everything better," She smiled gnetly as she turned rpund to get a better view of him. "Sure" she psoke with a nod to her head. "Cake it is then" Leaning into the kiss, she watched him as he left her there.
Once he was out of the room she got to her feet, searching around for her dress that she had had on before hand, she found it still entangled with the blanket, tugging it free she pulled it back over her head, sitting down upon the bed again. She half expected him to come back quickly, though he was gone for some time, causing her to get a little bored. She picked the blankets up folding them up and placed them at the end of the bed upon the box that was situated there. She just went around tiding things up a little here and there. It wasn't too long before he came back and she was sat upon the bed again. "It's not cake, but it smells like it'll be better" She smiled up to him. "Well I wanted cake" She teased taking the plate from him as he handed it over, uncrossing her legs as he sat next to her. "Gam said she wants you to let her know what you think of her ice cream" She looked down at her plate, not really in the mood for pie, but she prodded at it with her fork a little, turning so she had one leg up on the bed and the other upon the floor still. "Well i gues i got to try it then, though I'm not really in the mood for cold, someone kind of already ruined that, didnt they now" She placed her plate away from her. "Well about that question you asked before." She sighed dropping her gaze upon the bed. "Nothing happened really Tony, though you didn't exactly help, you gave us a nice fight, nothing huge, just kept mumbling on about stuff, mainly your parents. We; Mark and me, we lifted you into the car, you thrashed a little then, but dont worry you never hurt either one of us. Though you did call me Mum a few times, that was.. interesting" She smiled, leaning towards him with one hand resting upon his knee, her other taking the plate from him, moving it out the way as she moved closer to him, kneeling upon the bed with the one leg that was already there, her other foot now flat on the ground and she placed a hand on his leg, pushing it down with her weight somehwat as she leaned into him, pulling his lips to hers in a bruef but rather passionate kiss. "Dont worry though, I found it quite cute" She smiled playfully, going back to how she was sat but a little closer to him now. "And about the whole ordeal with the bath tub, dont fret over it. It clearly wasn't meant to be, since I guess i was supposed to end up at your comapny, otherwise I'd never have met you, now that would be disater" She smiled, handing him back his plate and took hers, taking a fork full of the pie along with some ice cream and robvotically place it into her mouth chewing it though not really tasting much, just doing the motion out of habbit more than anything. "We should possibly head back downstairs soon. They might be thinking we're doing something else" a playfull smile fell across her features, brightening up her palour face a little. "So what ya say, we go downstairs or.." she teased, leaning into him a little tauting him, making him move closer to her only to pull away from him with a slight laugh, as she slipped from the bed still holding her plate in her hand.
slipping on her shoes she headed from the room, not even looking back to see if he followed and just walked down the stairs and headed into the kitchen where she placed down her plate with the half eaten pie, the place now empty, apart from herself. Turning she saw him come in through the door way, beaming right over to him. Leaning against the counter, she watched him as he waltzed right on over to her, pinning her against the top, she chuckled softly resting her arms over his shoulders. "Hahha defiantly wish we were home right about now" she half whispered into his ear, running her hands through his hair, grabbing a handful of it and gently but forcily pulled his head back. "Cept we aint, so no more until then" she teased, slipping out of his grasp and headed slowly into the family room, walking with a sway to her hips, just completely taunting him with everything she had to offer.

[center] As he munched away at the food on his plate he caught a couple glances, each time her mood changed and his as well. "Well I guess I got to try it then, though I'm not really in the mood for cold, someone kind of already ruined that, didn't they now?" He grinned shooting her a wake, "Hey, that's what I'm here for" He teased. "Well about that question you asked before…Nothing happened really Tony, though you didn't exactly help, you gave us a nice fight, nothing huge, just kept mumbling on about stuff, mainly your parents. We; Mark and me, we lifted you into the car, you thrashed a little then, but don't worry you never hurt either one of us. Though you did call me Mum a few times, that was…" The more he heard the more he sunk into himself, but the moment he heard what he had called her he turned bright red, "Stupid" "Interesting" He turned away a little, completely embarrassed still that he called her mom; her of all people. But the more he thought about it, was it really that bad? A woman that he idolized and looked at with such admiration, being confused for the one he was in love with. He leaned in robotically, but was snapped out of it when their lips met, as brief as it was it was just enough to make him reconsider being so embarrassed. "Don't worry though, I found it quite cute" "Really? Or are you just saying that to make me blush even more..cause that's working" He said with a sheepish grin that was one that couldn't be kept in hiding. He scooted forward a little, bringing himself closer to her, "And about the whole ordeal with the bath tub, don't fret over it. It clearly wasn't met to be, since I guess I was supposed to end up at your company, otherwise I'd never have met you, now that would be a disaster" "Well, naturally I will worry its like telling water not to be wet. But you're right..I don't think I would ever be able to find someone like you if I lived for a hundred more years." He said affectionately watching her take a bite of pie and ice cream. Setting his mind at ease, at least she was feeling better, but he was still a little skeptical about her being so okay about it. "We should possibly head back downstairs soon. They might be thinking we're doing something else" "But..But I wanna be doing something else" He said with a grin leaning back slightly as she leaned into him, seeing if she would take the bait. It seemed to be working well the more she taunted him but just before he was going in for it she pulled away, pulling out a sigh past his lips with her. "Urgh, fine" He said with a roll of his eyes and his head, keeping everything over dramatically playful.
He plopped back on the bed, "Come on pleease" He beckoned hearing her shoes on the floor now as she walked towards the door. "Please!?" He called after her hearing her footsteps get farther away as she headed down the stairs. He hauled himself from the bed, springing to his feet and making his way down the staircase and making a beeline for the kitchen, the same smile never leaving his face the moment she made eye contact with him. He shot a wink her way and waltzed right over pinning her against the edge of the counter. "Haha definitely wish we were home right about now" His head fell next to hers melting with her hot breath that washed over his ear, moaning as her hands ran over his head. Grinding his teeth when she pulled his head back, "Keep this up and I'm firing the jet up" He growled with a smile. "Cept we aint, so no more until then" "Psft, yeah okay" He said with a chuckle, like that was going to happen. He brought his head back forward only to catch her swinging hips as she headed back towards the family room. "Will you stop" He groaned playfully gripping his hair but styling it back the best he could since the gel practically froze and washed away from the ice.
He snaked right up to her before she got in view of anyone and his hands grabbed palm full of cheeks, getting a good enough grip to make her stop. "So you are just going to tease me like this, then leave me hanging?" He asked with a gruff voice in her ear. "Typical Potts. Very.." He leaned in and nipped her ear, but decided to linger speaking through his teeth that were gently nibbling on her lobe, "Mmm, sexy" he purred in hear ear just as his hands came around her waist pulling her butt right into him. His lips moved down her neck just to where the dress started, "Now..why don't we go back upstairs and call it a night a little early tonight?" He spoke with his lips against her skin. Even if she wasn't buying it, he was still going to try. "Does the being cold excuse still get me anywhere?" He teased giving her a kiss on her cheek. "Well what will it take? I miss my Pepper love time" He said with a slight baby tone, but she didn't really seem to buy it and he was getting sexually frustrated. "Alright, thats it" He came around front and slung her over his shoulder. "Come along" He said with a grin holding her down as he headed back out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. Not before Mark catching him coming from another room close by, "You two still up to no good?" He teased as Tony continued up the stairs. Tony chuckled and patted Pepper's legs, "Goodnight Mark." He called back down to him just as he got into the bedroom. Kicking the bedroom door closed they were now cut off from the rest of the house but even then with the kids on the same floor there had to be some privacy.
When he got to the bed he leaned forward making her fall down to the bed with a bounce, getting his shirt off in record time before catching her lips with his. The bed level with his hips making it easy access, just like in Quantico with their little random act of love in the dining room. He pulled her hips right into his before planting his hands down on either side of her on the mattress with a hard passionate kiss only growing as his body began to get waves of goosebumps. Trying to keep everything as quiet as possible, knowing he of all people would have a tough time with it, though he wasn't so sure about Pepper. The pressure of it all making it that much more exciting for him, adding to the hormones the adrenaline surged through him like waves crashing against the sea wall. His lips began to burn with her teeth grazing them so much and even with the bites she gave him which he only returned along with his tongue dipping into her mouth. His hands found the hem of her dress and ran up under them making it rise higher and higher on her until she was forced to sit up and he helped it the rest of the way off, dropping it off the bed as he pressed his hands flat against her back. Biting her lip as he moved her back on the bed so he could kneel down and straddle her as much as his jeans would let him, she didn't exactly pick the most flexible pair he packed, which was fine since they'd be off shortly anyway, and with how tight they were and now were getting he couldn't live with it much longer. "Am..I changing..your mind?" He asked breathlessly with a smile locking eyes with her then crawling up so that her head was on the pillows, and his hands running up her sides then around undoing her clasps and pulling her bra from her leaning down giving her chest some needed attention from him as he went for her waist, his fingers curling around the waist of her underwear. "Lets just see how flexible you are Miss Potts" He whispered with a rugged tone. He backed off enough to let both of her legs come up in front of him as he pulled them straight up while he pulled her underwear off. Now it may not seem like much, but there was plenty of time and opportunities to test her flexibility, but he wanted to save the extreme stuff for his own home, it was much more special there.
He wasted little time between getting his pants and boxers off before pushing into her, draping her legs over his shoulders. The more he pushed forward, the further her legs bent back towards her head. His hands clamping down on the heavy headboard of the bed giving him more leverage to pull himself forward as his head dipped down meeting her lips once again to keep her quiet, as well as himself with the new access he'd gotten with her legs hiked up so high. He felt her start to chuckle against his lips, one that was highly contagious and he soon tried to hold his own chuckles back. Certainly sex wasn't funny, unless he missed something. He pulled back from the kiss and let her legs fall from his shoulders, close to killing the mood but not entirely. He still smiled keeping inside her not giving up on her yet, "Come on share the joke" He said with a chuckle, though she just giggled away, giving him a sensation that made him cringe with all the different muscles tensing around him. He twitched and gave her a look, "Stop it!" He hissed with a smile, "You'll wake the kids" He said barely able to get it out with his own laughing fit, and now he began to hurt the longer she went on giggling while she was around him. Finally it was too much and he ended up pulling out from her as it hurt more and more, even the sensation still hung making it throb painfully. "That hurt!" He whined quietly and fell to her, his torso landing between her legs and his face on her stomach while his hands clasped around him to ease the pain, praying it wouldn't get any worse or he'd probably start crying. "You killed it!" He mumbled into her stomach just before lifting his head clamping a hand over her mouth. "Shh!" He laughed beaming up at her.