Pepper nodded, sniffing softly. "I know, it's not your fault." Her tears came faster when he kissed her forehead, and she closed her eyes tightly to stem the tide, holding to him tightly. "It's your job, I understand..."
She didn't want to tell him how much she'd worried, though she had a feeling he'd figure it out. In the course of their conversation, she'd have to let him know, anyway. Pepper just selfishly wished she could spare the both of them.
Slipping her hand into his, Pepper asked, "Can we sit? I want to talk..." she swiped a shaky hand across her cheeks, pulling him gently toward the couch. "Is there... anything you can tell me about your mission? How it went?"
It didn't matter; he was here and he was safe, but she had this need to know that he had been okay. To know anything.