They both watched Rhodey disappear in the War Machine suit. "I can't let you resign. I refuse," Tony said, turning back to Pepper and grabbing her hands. Pepper giggled as he lowered his head to kiss her again. She let him, pulling his head closer to hers. After a few moments, they broke slowly and Tony rested his forehead on hers. They both smiled. "Can we just stay here and keeping doing this?" he asked.

Pepper smiled. "People would probably wonder where we were after a while," she said.

He pulled her closer. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," he said.

"Probably not longer than I've wanted to," Pepper replied. She waited for his reaction.

Tony raised his head and looked at her curiously. "What?" he said.

Pepper nodded. "I came close that night at the firefighters gala last year, but decided against it, obviously."

Tony smiled. "So this really wasn't weird for you,then."

Pepper shook her head. "I was being honest, Tony."

He chuckled. "And here I thought I was really going out on a limb." He thought for a moment. "So, how long have you wanted to kiss me?" he rumbled in his sexy baritone, smirking and raising an eyebrow at her.

"Ah,ah,ah, Stark," she said, waggling a finger at him. "That's for me to know, and for you to find out." She smiled coyly at him.

He smiled and kissed her eagerly. She squeaked in delight as he parted her lips with his tongue, and hers met his in her mouth. He lifted her up as he kissed her and slowly broke the kiss. She hesitated to end it, but he pulled back and she opened her eyes to him looking at her curiously. "Now are you going to tell me?"

She smiled and shook her head.

He groaned and sighed playfully as he set her back down. He looked at her sidelong. "You're going to make me work for that little piece of info, aren't you?"

Pepper giggled and nodded.

"Well, I know one thing," Tony said. "I won't be able to work in this get-up," he said, pointing to the Iron Man suit he was wearing. "And we're likely to get arrested for indecent exposure if I could get out of the suit right now and uh..." he smiled deviantly. "Probe you for information?"

Pepper giggled at his innuendo. Then she faked a serious look, trying not to smile. "Seriously, Tony? You'll have to do better than cheesy pick up lines."

"Oh, I intend to," he said slyly. He reached down to grab the helmet and put it back on. Then he wrapped his arms around Pepper's waist. "Hold on to me," he instructed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he shot off the rooftop, holding her tight. Pepper squealed and slammed her eyes shut as she felt her stomach lurch. She felt the wind rush over her skin and the sensation of them flying. Soon, she felt them dropping and landing. She slowly opened her eyes and look around. She let go of Tony's neck and stepped backwards, taking a deep breath.

"Your hotel, madam," he said. She looked around. They were now at the entrance of the Waldorf-Astoria. People were gaping at them and pointing.

Pepper cleared her throat. "So it is," she said. "I have to say that mode of transportation is going to take some getting used to."

Tony smiled and pulled off the helmet again. "I wish this were the portable suit, but, alas, it's not. So, I'll head back to Malibu tonight."

"Right, and I'll take care of the statement to the press tomorrow and fly home after my meeting with legal."

"I was thinking I'd take the jet and be back here by morning," Tony said. He raised his eyebrows.

Pepper looked at him curiously. "What! Why? That isn't necessary."

Tony pursed his lips and exhaled. "It falls into the category of you deserving better. From me," he said. "That's starting now, Potts."

Pepper smiled in astonishment. "Wow," she said. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

Tony smiled back. "I can't have you face this whole situation alone. It wouldn't be fair. Wouldn't be right." He looked at her for a second, noticing the look of admiration in her eyes. "I just have one thing to ask before I go, though."

"And that is?" Pepper said softly.

"Just one more peck to get me through until morning?" he asked, giving her a bit of a puppy dog look.

She giggled. "Oh, I'll give you more than a peck," she said seductively. She stepped closer to him and eagerly kissed his lips. She kissed him tenderly and slowly, darting her tongue into his mouth teasingly and gently biting his bottom lip. Tony smiled as she kissed him, loving the tender attention. When they broke, she whispered "hurry back" into his ear. His insides melted and his mind sparked at the sexy tone of her voice. He pulled back to look at her. She was smiling seductively.

"Oh, believe me, I will," he replied affirmatively. He looked at her devilishly for a moment before sighing. He stepped back a couple of paces. "You're not making it is easy to leave, Potts," he said.

"I didn't intend to," she said slyly.

Tony shook his head and put his helmet back on. "See you in a few hours," he said. The face mask slammed shut and, suddenly, he shot up and out into the night. Pepper watched until she couldn't see the trail behind him anymore. She sighed, already missing him and anxious to be with him again. Reluctantly, she pulled her eyes from the sky as she turned to go through the revolving doors of the hotel and head up to her room.

XxXxXxXxXx

Pepper heard a knock on her hotel room door. She slipped her heels on and walked to the door to look out of the peep hole. Much to her delight, it was Tony, carrying a dry cleaning bag with one of his trademark black Hugo Boss suits in it and a small travel bag slung over his shoulder. He had come back as promised. She opened the door, and he smiled. "Morning, gorgeous," he purred.

"Good morning, yourself," she said. He walked in and hung his suit in the nearby closet inside the door, and dropped the travel bag on the floor next to it. He walked to her and wrapped her in his arms, bending to kiss her eagerly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into his kiss, sighing.

When the kiss broke, Tony pulled back and smoldered at her. "Miss me?" he asked.

Pepper smiled. "Only if you missed me back," she replied.

"Oh, yeah," he said nodded affirmatively. "Like crazy."

Pepper smiled in satisfaction. "Good," she said sweetly.

Tony smiled at her teasing him. He unwrapped his arms and stepped back, holding her hands. He surveyed her from head to toe. She was wearing a white sheath dress and black blazer with a long pearl necklace wrapped once around her neck to make two strands. Her hair was up in a high twist and her ears were adorned with round diamond and pearl stud earrings. She looked like a corporate knockout to him. "You're looking very CEO-ish today. Ready to kick some reporter ass?"

Pepper chuckled. "Well, considering the mess that we've made in this city, I thought something conservative would be the way to go."

He held up a hand in defense. "Can't say I'm complaining," he said. "You look beautiful. And ruthless. But mostly beautiful."

She smiled and he gave her another peck on the lips. He stepped away to grab his suit and his travel bag. He walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Pepper, closed her eyes and shook her head slowly in disbelief at what had transpired between them in the last few hours. It felt like yesterday was an eternity ago, and she had gone from complete confusion and torment over Tony's latest antics to completely understanding the reasons why he'd done the things that he'd done. He was dying, she thought. Her heart ached at the thought of him never possibly having the courage to tell her if things hadn't happened the way they did. He said he didn't want to worry me, but at what cost?, she thought. What would have happened if one day she would have found him, alone and lifeless? What then? She was still angry that he hadn't said anything to her, thinking he was protecting her. Why didn't he see that all he was doing this whole time was shutting me out?, she thought. Her brain burned with visions of the mess his death would have created, and the pain and guilt he would have caused her if he had died with his secret and she had been oblivious to the need to try to help him in anyway. We need to address this, she thought. I need him to know he'll have to tell me things, good or bad. No more hiding. No more lone-ranger bullshit if we're going to be together!

Pepper cleared her head and turned to gather her computer, her chargers, and her phone. She flipped on the tv as she worked. It was tuned to the local news channel. Pictures of the events of last night plastered the screen and the anchor was talking about all of the destruction and the casualties. Pepper grimaced. A picture of Justin Hammer popped up on the screen and Pepper watched intently as she listened to the anchor speak.

"Weapons mogul,Justin Hammer, has been taken into custody for charges including reckless public endangerment, manufacturing and use of weapons of mass destruction, aiding and abetting a fugitive, 10 counts of homicide, and 20 counts of assault so far. The date of the hearing for Mr. Hammer has yet to be set..."

Pepper muted the tv as the story concluded. She sat down heavily on the arm of the sofa in thought. It was striking just how wrong things could go when the Iron Man suit fell into the wrong hands. She'd never really thought about it before. Sure, Obadiah Stane got his hands on the original suit, but he didn't mass produce them. This time, an army was built, and it was run by a complete buffoon. A power hungry buffoon who rarely had the capability to build something without any massive bugs in it. She was beginning to understand the core reason why Tony was so protective of Iron Man. It wasn't just about him wanting to keep it to himself. He was also trying to protect everyone around him. He'd had his own weapons used to do harm to innocent people before, and it was obvious that he didn't want that to happen again. She smiled in admiration at the nobility of his work and how fiercely he'd fought to protect it.

Just then, she heard the bathroom door open. She turned to look as Tony stepped out. He looked very dashing in his suit, with a red tie and matching pocket square. His hair was combed back accept for one arrant curl that had flipped forward on his forehead. Pepper walked over to him and he smiled.

"Well?" he said. He held out his hands, expecting her praise.

She giggled. "You know you look good," she chided.

"Good? " Tony pouted. "All that work, and I only only get a 'good'?" he teased. "I'd better go back in there. I've apparently got more work to do." He made like he was going to go back in the bathroom and Pepper grabbed his arm. She pulled him close and kissed him deeply, his scent of expensive cologne and just pure Tony igniting her insides.

When the kiss broke, she sighed and murmured, "I meant handsome, gorgeous, debonair, stunning." She pecked his lips again. "Are those enough adjectives for you?" she asked playfully.

"Mmmmm, you're getting there," he teased. He smiled and pecked her lips. She turned to grab her things, and Tony went into the bathroom to grab his.

"I just watched the story about last night on the news. Hammer's got quite a list of charges," she called out.

"When's the hearing?" Tony called back.

"The date hasn't been set yet. I think they're still waiting on the reports from the hospitals. But the casualties are up to 10 counts of homicide, 20 counts of assault."

She didn't hear Tony respond. She looked at the bathroom entrance. He walked out slowly, carrying his travel bag. His lips were pursed and he was frowning, deep in thought. She watched him as he walked over to her. He looked at her thoughtfully. "You were almost one of those, Pep," he said quietly, setting his things down by her's.

Pepper's heart sank at the sadness in his eyes. "Yes, but I wasn't!" she reassured. "You saved me, Tony. Remember?"

He smiled softly. "Thank God for that," he said. He looked at her for a moment in thought before speaking again. "I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost you."

She searched his eyes and they gazed at each other in silence for a few moments. "Well, I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you," she replied. She waited patiently for his response. Tony's eyebrows raised as the realization of what she was saying hit him.

He smoothed a hand over his goatee and cleared his throat. "Yeah, about that..." he murmured.

Pepper stepped to him and squinted, folding her arms. "Yeah, about that," she repeated testily. "Tony, why didn't you tell me?"

"Pepper, I tried," he said. He put his hands on his hips and looked away. "I just..."

"Tony," Pepper said, interrupting him. "I know that you haven't had much experience in the way of..." Pepper stopped herself. Tony looked at her, waiting for her to finish her statement. "Relationships," she said carefully, unsure if the word would send him running. She hesitated, but Tony stayed calm. She continued. "...but it's about trusting someone enough to communicate everything to them. Not only all of the good things, but all of the bad, too. That most certainly involves telling them if you're dying..."

Tony cut her off and put his hands on her shoulders. "Pep, I know," he said. "And I'm sorry. Really! I know it wasn't fair to you to keep you in the dark. Okay? No more secrets? I promise. You're right. If we're going to make this work, we have to work together, right?" Tony looked at her hopefully.

"Right," Pepper whispered, slightly surprised at his humility about the subject.

He bent his head down and kissed her gently. Slowly, he broke away and looked at her, his eyes soft. "Pep?"

"Yes?"

Tony thought for a moment longer. "I..."
Just then, there was a knock. Pepper startled and walked briskly to the door. The bellhop was there to take her bags. "Your car is ready, madam," he said.

"Thank you," she said.

She looked back at Tony. He smiled gently, and she smiled back, regretting not being able to hear the rest of what Tony was trying to say to her. He walked over to put his bag on the luggage cart. He reached up and squeezed her shoulder. She gave him an apologetic smile. He shrugged and smiled back as they followed the bellhop out the door and to the elevators.

Once inside, Tony reached for her hand. He placed it inside the crook of his arm and patted it protectively. She smiled and touched her head to his shoulder tenderly. She realized, at that moment, they'd have plenty of time to continue their conversation later. For now, she just wanted to enjoy being in his presence.

XxXxXxXxXx

I am still working to finish "A Very Pepperony Christmas in New York", but I was chomping at the bit to get this one posted! So I decided to just do it. (Side note: if you've been reading Pepperony Christmas, this is the fic that was referenced a couple of times, for instance with the "wine country" reference when Tony is giving Pepper a massage before she leaves to go back to L.A., as well as some other juicy little moments. If you haven't read it, no worries! You can read this one independently!)

I hope you all enjoy it, and as always, I welcome your feedback! Love all my little reviewing lovelies! You guys make it all worth it! :D I will update as often as possible! Thank you!