Anthony "Tony" Stark (i_amironman) wrote in we_coexist, @ 2008-08-03 12:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | pepper potts, tony stark |
Awakening (Pepper)
His arm had slapped against side of the bed when he'd rolled over, an urge to get out of bed suddenly washing over him. This had been the first time ever in the history of Tony Stark's long list of women that he'd been the one to wake up alone. No, not alone. He knew Pepper was around the house, probably sleeping soundly with their new baby curled up in bed with her. He'd been wrong to just leave that night and expect her to watch Salt all by herself. He should have stayed home and took up his new mantle of father to watch her with Pep. But he hadn't. He'd grown weary of sitting inside idly. Tony Stark intended to take the City head on as he'd left to discover what he could about it.
Then he'd found Cameron, and the witty banter encased in alcohol had ensued, and it was like old times. He was acting like old times. Somewhere in the back of his mind he could hear Yinsen's voice urging him to not waste it. In the blink of en eye, he'd reverted to his playboy shell and lost himself in another woman when he had one at home waiting for him that would have done anything for him. Why had he run to another?
Because honestly, Tony was terrified of what would have happened. It was easier for him to sleep with someone he had no emotional attachment. He could brush her off. Pepper was a different case entirely. There would have been no brushing her off if he'd have initiated a kiss. There would have been a mingling of minds, tongues, possibly their bodies. But most definitely, their hearts. Pepper deserved better than him, but he knew that he was what she wanted. The level of loyalty and affection transcended employer and employee, even mere friends. Then why couldn't he bring himself to just say it?
He climbed out of the bed and stretched, though he had slept well, Tony instantly looked weary. He'd glanced over to the bedside table to see Cameron's card sitting propped up by the lamp, but he'd just left it there for now. He didn't care to even read what it said. After showering and shaving, Tony dressed and walked down to Pepper's current bedroom in the house and didn't find her. Huh. That was strange. Maybe she was already downstairs at work. It was after nine after all. But he didn't hear the television on as she sometimes did just for background noise. He peeked into her office and didn't find her hard at work with her nose pressed against the computer screen.
"Jarvis, do you know where Pepper is?"
"Sir, she left in the middle of the night and has not returned."
"What? Left? Where did she go?" a nervous look spreading over his features.
"I am uncertain of her location. She left when she saw something she didn't like on the workshop security camera," the AI said in a very sarcastic tone.
Damn. He hadn't expected that to happen. She was out there somewhere, there was supposedly a murderer loose, and it would be all his fault if she was dead.
As he stood there, Tony felt claws attacking his bare feet, and he jumped to evade the swiping paws. He scooped up what looked like a very offended Salt, the kitten giving him a strong glare that said "you hurt Mommy's feelings". He sighed as he pet the kitten, trying to get her to calm down. "Yeah, I really screwed up, didn't I?" He lifted the kitten up to stare at her. "I don't suppose you know where she went, do you?" Salt just stared back at him and mewed mournfully. "Didn't think so."
He carried the little bundle of fur around with him, trying to figure out what he should do. This place gives you whatever you want. "Jarvis, search any kind of phone book registry for this place to see if Pepper Potts has a phone or address listing."
"One moment, sir." Twenty seconds passed and Tony felt like his heart would fail in those long seconds waiting for what he hoped was a positive answer. "There is an entry for a Pepper Potts, sir. 246 Providence Drive. Building 327. There is a phone number listed. Would you like me to dial it?"
"No, I'm going over there and straightening this out."
"Perhaps you should wear the Mark III. It is probably the only thing that's going to ensure you do not get injured."
"That mad, huh?"
"Quite."
He sighed and set Salt down on the couch. "Be a good girl. Hopefully, Daddy will be back with Mommy. If he hasn't already fucked up too badly."
After searching for a bit and finally finding his trainers, he pocketed his keys and thought it best to take a different car than the one she'd seen him bending a woman over.