Well, guys... Thank you to all who were reading this, I really felt honoured by you. I will end 'One night' here, cause there is so much more to write and it would crash the limit I think. So if you enjoyed this story I'd really appreciate if you'd check out the sequel 'One day' (who thought...) The first chapter will be out in a few days.

I love you all, thanks for reading me :)

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Pepper had been confused when the nursed had brought Nilia in her room, but they had told her it would be good for both of them. She sat on her bed, didn't know what to do. The nurse had told her she was free to go, but she was still unsure what to do. Tony hadn't been there when she had woken up, of course he hadn't. He had brought Nilia back... and he had killed Melodie... well, at least that was what the nurse had told her. And that his therapy had failed... He wouldn't remember... ever... But somehow it didn't seem to affect her anymore. her heart was to full of sorrow and sadness and regret for never used chances that her will to fight had been killed.

'Some people say: 'While there is life there is hope' but there is no life left. He don't know me anymore and all we had built together is gone. All i have left is to move on.' Pepper thought. 'It could have stared so much earlier.'

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I lied in my bed that night, I was cold and exhausted like hell, but I couldn't sleep. The clock already read 4.13am and I sighed. I could replay everything from this evening... The look on Tony's face when I had nearly kissed him... 'Yes, Pepper... nearly. Why couldn't you just lean in...'
I did... He hadn't. He was the one who obviously hadn't want it to happen. But why had he danced with me? His hand on my bare back, his eyes all over me...

''You look fantastic, I didn't recognize you...''

''You dance great and smell great...''

I turned around for the fifth time, now staring at the wall on the other side of my bed. So many thoughts in my head... What would have happened if I had kissed him? If he would have wanted it too..? Would he be here now? Would I be with him? Probably without my nightgown?

'Stop thinking like that, Pepper...He's your boss... he flirted with you and left you on that roof... you waited for hours and he didn't came back... This is never going to work'
But I knew that I loved him... I had known for so long and I couldn't just ignore that feeling, every time he looked at me with those lovely eyes...

I turned around again, closing my eyes and tried to think about something else than my crush on my boss... This was embarrassing...

Pepper couldn't cry anymore, she didn't want to think about Tony anymore. There were no tears left and he wasn't part of her life anymore... She had to move on. Head high, view straight and marching on. No more regret, no more denying, no more love. Ever. Pepper sighed and went to the bathroom, making herself presentable, creating the facade of her usual, tough self and realized that she hadn't any clothes with her... She didnt want to wear the things she wore in captivity and she couldn't go outside with the hospital gown. Pepper sighed and called for a nurse, who smiled at her and said:

''What can I do for you, Miss Potts?''

Pepper sighed and answered: ''I want to leave, but I don't have any clothes with me... Is there a possibility that I could get something?''

''I can organize something, don't worry. Just a few minutes...''

Pepper sat back down onto the bed and stared at the wall when a voice startled her.

''Why are you leaving?''

It was Nilia. She had come into the room and stood in front of Pepper now. She softly smiled at the little girl and sighed.

''I'm sorry, hun... I can't stay...''

''Where is Mr. Teddy? Why is he not making you better?''

She looked at Nilia and shook her head...
"I don't know where he is, sweetheart. But you have to go back to your room or the nurse will be mad at you."

"But i want to stay with you." She pouted. She looked just like Tony when he did this.

"No baby girl we'll bring you to your room."
With those words she took Nilia in her arms and carried her over to her room.

"Do you and Mr. Teddy fight?" The little girl asked.

"No. We... I... just. Don't... no we didn't fight." she said and thanked the nurse who came in with the clothing, a simple jeans and a t-shirt.

''I don't know what happened. But he's a good man... give him a chance.'', Nilia said, but Pepper didn't answer and went into the bathroom to change. Before she left completely she said:

''You don't understand that... I... I can't...I'm sorry... this is not your fault and I don't want to leave you alone, but...'' She trailed off. "Just be nice and behave, honey."

Then she left. Left the hospital, Nilia and Tony behind. Outside the cold air made her feel at least a little bit more alive again and she recognized the engagement ring which was still around her neck with the necklace. She pulled it off and looked at it... she knew she couldn't keep it. This chapter of her life was over forever. She took a cab and rode to the coast. She walked along the pier. Looked at the waves and the ring in her hands. Funny here where it all began, where she first met the real Tony, it would end.

I sat outside on a bench at the pier, enjoying my sandwich for lunch and the warmth of the sun on my face. It was exhausting to be Tony Starks PA... very exhausting... But at least it was better than dragging papers from floor to floor all day.

I couldn't believe he just asked me a week ago... He didn't even know who I was... Probably he'd just try to get me into his bed and fire me afterwards... But I knew that was not going to happen. I was Virginia Potts and I would show him what I could do... I would show him that I was capable to be the best PA he ever had... Even though I couldn't deny that he was very attractive... I worked for him for 6 days now, and already caught my mind by thinking about what would it be like to be one of those flings he brought home nearly every night... No... no, no, no... I would not start my second week of work with lusting over my boss. That was inappropriate and...

Well, If I really thought about I didn't want to be one of those one-Night-Stands... I didn't want to imagine how they felt when they woke up alone... I could be happy to be the PA that – strangely enough – got at least a little respect from him... But I still couldn't deny that I wanted to know how it'd feel to wake up with him...

''Enjoying your lunch, Pepper?'', he startled me with that voice that sent shivers down my spine, but I tried to ignore it.

''Yeah... If I'm right, I'm still on my break, so...''

Tony smiled his usual Stark smile and sat down next to me. I looked at him, confused and after a while I just get back to eat my sandwich, trying to ignore him staring at me.

''You know why I hired you, Pepper, don't you?''

I took the last bite of my lunch and looked up at him again. Did I know? He offered to sleep with me when I came into his office and after I resigned he asked me to become his PA... I didn't know what that meant, but it was a big opportunity for my career and I was willing to took this chance. I sighed and stood up, smiling softly and said:

''Well, whatever it is, it's your decision... and it's your company. If you don't mind I'll go back to work now...''

Before I left I could hear him mumble:
''You're different, Pepper''

Pepper looked at the ring one more time and threw it into the ocean. A new life in front of her. Now she stood at the crossroad which decides how her life would go from now on. Three ways in front of her, no way back. Sure she was hurt and sad, but somehow she felt little regret. And then she took it: The turned on her heel and and walked into her new life. Straight forward, never looking back. She could breath and she could fly. She was free. And today would be the day her life was about to begin.

Maybe leave a review on your way out? And check out the sequel :D

At least a big THANK YOU! To Pepper Potts-Stark who has always been a very big help for me :D