"Weird?" Tony asked after pulling away from Pepper who was gasping for air after his unexpected kiss.

Well, you did kind of expect it, for years now, Potts. She said to herself. Was it weird? Oh who are you kidding? You almost got caught in an explosion and he flew while his arms were around you and now you're on a roof. HE LOOKED FOR YOU. You're way past from weird.

Pepper let out a breath, her eyes glued on his lips, not really hiding that she wanted him. "No, it's not weird."

"It's not weird, right? Run that by me again." Tony said as she let her emotions take over once again and leaned in for more.

Years of holding back and pretending that what she was to him was only professional and she shouldn't let herself be one of the women he usually went out with, Pepper finally admitted to herself that she will never be just his assistant nor his friend. She loves him and she knew exactly when it began.

And just at that moment when their lips touched, she remembered when she got a call from Rhodey saying that Tony was taken in Afghanistan and couldn't be found.

"I swear to God, if I find out that you guys are messing with me." Pepper answered her phone with a yawn. Rhodey calling at 3:35am Malibu time, which means it's 3:05pm there. "Are you guys drunk and calling random people? It's 3AM here and I have to get to SI tomorrow early."

Rhodey wanted to say that they were messing with her. He wished that was the case but, he could never lie to her. Anybody but Pepper. If anyone deserved the truth about Tony Stark, it was no other than Virginia Potts.

"Have you checked the news?" Rhodey said, trying to hide his nerves. "As I said, 3AM." Pepper grunted as she sat up, "I was busy with paperwork. You know how it is when the boss isn't around. Now tell me why you're calling me at this hellish hour of the night."

Pepper wasn't usually like this. The minute she hears about the news she would've run and opened the TV and her laptop to know. But she didn't mind at this time, when Tony left for Afghanistan a new round of papers to sign and go around the company came her way.

Rhodey sighed, "Pepper, they took him. We couldn't find him."

Her eyes went wide, "What? —Mr. Stark? – Who? —Why couldn't you get him?" she told as her voice went from calm to panic.

"I'm sorry. We're doing everything we can to find him."

"You better be. That's your job." Rhodey heard her voice break. "It's your job to protect him Rhodey!" Tears went down her cheeks, "Please find Tony."

His heart broke when she said his name. Being the professional person she is, she only called him by that name when the both of them are alone or when she's mad at him. Mostly when she's mad and trying to push him out of his workshop.

"Pepper…" Before he could continue she interrupted him, "I'm sorry." Pepper sniffed and he could hear her pulling herself together, "That was… unprofessional."

That statement made him smile a little, "It's okay. I just wanted to let you know that's why I called. Better from me than the news at 7am, right?" He let out a breath, "Anyways, I have to get back, we're having a meeting about his search."

"I understand." She said plainly. "Okay Potts."

"Oh, and uhm, Rhodey?"

"Pepper?"

"If you have anything on him?"

"You'll be the first to know. Always."

He was about to say something to her but the line was cut. Rhodey knew Pepper, he also knew that she cared for his boss not just as her employer but as something more. He always noticed how she moved around him and how she smiled when he said something funny and he wasn't looking at her. He also knew how his best friend looked at her when she comes in the mansion, how his face would lit up when she was around him, he also knows how happy Tony becomes when Pepper comes over the weekend wearing sweats and leggings as she works on his living room.

Pepper would never wear that when Tony had visitors, not even when Rhodey was around. She only did that when it was the two of them. She was comfortable with him, even with that attitude of his.

Rhodey looked at the caller ID once more, "Anthony Stark, you are one lucky man. I hope you know that. Pepper loves you, I hope she knows that too." And he put his phone inside his pocket and walked into the room.

Meanwhile on Malibu, Pepper is still sitting on the side of her bed realizing that she might not be able to tell Tony what she really felt about him.

"I was here first, get a roof." Rhodey said as Tony and Pepper tried to deny the obviousness of what their friend just saw. As if they could lie to the person who knew the both of them were in love with each other before they even knew themselves.

After Rhodey flew away and as Tony noted to give him hell for stealing his suit when he comes over, Pepper just couldn't help but giggle.

"Something funny, Potts?" Tony smiled at her, realizing that even amidst stress she looked heavenly.

Pepper looked at him in the eyes, "I just realized how awful we look." She laughed again, "You got grease on my clothes and I remember the last time you did that I didn't speak to you for a week."

"Oh, I remember… God you nearly killed me that time, Pep." Tony put his arm around her waist as they walked towards the stairs of the roof, "But you have to admit, me running around the workshop all greasy and chasing you was fun."

She rolled her eyes as she remembered his childish ways, "It was, not until all the papers on my hand were thrown around after just organizing them." She placed her arm around him as well, guiding him as they went down, "Plus Dummy and Butterfingers thought they were in it too and also went around and knocked stuff over."

The both of them giggled their way out and found Happy waiting for them outside with an ambulance. But knowing Tony Stark, he would never ride an ambulance and Pepper had no choice but to say "fine" and ride in their car so they could go home.

"Okay, go take a shower in your room and I'll go see you after." Pepper said as Tony got out of the suit. "Wait, how about you? I mean, you also need a shower… I think…" He asked.

Pepper smiled, she already knows where the conversation is headed. "I will TOO, take a shower. BUT in the guest room that I think is already labeled as my room since I have some clothes and stuff in it for years now." She put her hand on his chest and one hand around his waist and stepped closer, "I said, I will see you after."

He let out a breath, eager to just feel her lips again. "I just… Uhm… Conserve water…" He said and she touched his lips and he couldn't help but swallow the lump that formed in his throat, "You look adorable, baby." Pepper said and went closer and gave him a long, sensual, and mind blowing kiss.

All he remembered next was Pepper going upstairs with a smile that he wouldn't be able to take off his mind.

"I fucking love you, Pepper Potts and you're finally mine."