An Avenger Call

Chapter 6 – The little things

"OH GOD! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!" Pepper almost fainted when she saw it. Tears came to her eyes. Nice one Pepper. The world is about to break into war and you found one more thing to worry Tony. Pepper sat down in the bathroom's floor, looking at it. Her whole world fell apart. Million things came to her mind at once and quickly turned into a major head hake. Almost 2 months had passed since Thor came, but only 2 days ago they had more news. Tony went for countless meetings until he came back with the news. He already figured it all out. When he got home the only welcome she got was a kiss in the forehead without a word and then he started packing her backs.

"Tony what's going on? Are… Are you dumping me and want me out of this house?" she asked concerned, trying to make a joke without much success.

"Jarvis please ask Happy to bring the car to the front and help me"

"Yes sir."

"Tony what's going on?" she grabbed his arm and turned him to her. He made a soft grin.

"I need you to be safe, ok Pepper? And at least I know where you'll be, and you won't have to miss my calls anymore."

Pepper was confused and then it hit her. It was starting. "That's where you have been right? That's why you have been all day at S.H.I.E.L.D?" He continued packing her bags. "STOP IT! I'm not going!"

Tony turned to her surprised. "What do you mean Pep?"

"I mean… I'm not going! I have work and you think I'm just going to leave the building and the STARK Industries… I… I can't..! And it will be worse staying somewhere…"

"You'll be staying at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ok? Maria will be with you and you'll be fully protected and you will be updated…"

"No!" He smiled at her stubbornness.

"Pep is better this way! Last time they went to the middle of the city and they even turned our tower into a portal."

"Well then I'll go when they get closer."

Tony looked at her powerless. He knew that there was no arguing with her.

She shocked her head, remembering. Now he's going to kill me. She fell into her thoughts, thinking about the possibilities of this happening.

Tony took his hand from his forehead. He was feeling tired. Not physically tired, but mentally. He was worried about Pepper, and the whole situation of war too. But he was more worried about her safety and her health. She wasn't feeling very good these days, and was acting odd.

"Hey… Tony" Rhodey shook his arm. "Are you all right? You look like crap"

"I'm fine"

"Well last time you said that you were dying alone"

Tony smiled at the memory. He tapped the Arc Reactor in his chest. "Everything's all right with me."

James looked at him suspicious. "Did you fight with Pepper?"

"Ha ha… No I didn't… I kind of wish I did if that would make her change her stubbornness. I mean…"

"I'll talk to her. Maybe she listens."

"Thanks pal. Now let's get this done."

Clint went to Natasha's room. He knew she would be there. He stopped in front of the door. You look like a kid facing the first girl in his life dude. He shooked his head and raised his hand. Before he could do anything the door opened.

"Just get in"

He raised his eyebrow and smiled. She always knew of things. Natasha closed the door. "Let's just forget about it ok? I can't stand this! I'm tired of acting like a teenager who had a fight with a best friend! I want my partner back"

"No"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You might forget it, but I won't. And I might act like I forgot just for us to be ok, because we're partners and I hate not talking to you, but I haven't." He crossed his arms. Your turn.

"Are you kidding me? You're kidding right?"

"Not even a bit"

"Clint we're grownups!"´

"Exactly"

"Then…?"

"Then we're going to get things straight"

"The only thing we need to get straight is that what happened was a mistake and it won't happen again!"

"You're wrong. It wasn't a mistake. It was every bit of right." Romanoff opened her mouth and closed it again. And again. Barton smiled softly and approached her. That yes, was a mistake. With a quick act she got his arm and bent it 'till Barton was facing the floor, unable to move.

"Stay there!" she kept her voice calm but she was confused. He could feel it. She was tense, and when she softened her grip he grabbed her and they turned till he was facing her again, and this time she was the one unable to move. But he wouldn't make the same slip she did. He would not let her go.

"Listen to me, I won't give up. I'm here to tell you that. You're a hard person to get to, but I'm the one to do it ok? I know it. So you may fight" she shook him and tried to get out, without success "and try to run for the first time in your life but I won't give up on you." He gave her a quick, soft kiss before she could do anything and left.

"Jarvis, it's Rhodey. I need to talk to Pepper"

"She's at the suite, sir."

"Thank you".

He found Pepper in the couch, with empty eyes and a face white as a ghost. "Hey Pepper what's going on?"

She turned to him and smiled. "James! What are you doing here?"

"I came to change your mind." He sat down next to her. "Are you ok?"

She looked at him and tears fell through her cheeks.

"No. I'm not. I'm pregnant James!"

If James was white, than his face would be even more white than Potts' when he heard that.