Pepper had just been moving to set the basin down again onto the tabletop when Tony's voice startled her and she gave a little start. Turning her green eyes in a snap towards him, she looked down at his face...and realized his eyes were still closed shut. But his words were far, far too concise for him to simply be muttering in his sleep.
He'd heard every last word she'd said.
Sinking back down onto the bed alongside of him, she listened now as he tried to put sentences to his feverish thoughts. Her stomach felt like it might be twisting inside of her and she lowered her head to look down at where her hands were clasped against her lap.
"I'm not going to leave you, Tony," she assured him softly with a little smile on her lips as she glanced up at him. "I don't really think I could, even if I wanted to."
Reaching out, she placed one hand on top of his and gave it a squeeze. "You should get some rest."