<div class="floatleft">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/Shalymar/Avatars/PepperandTony2.jpg)</div><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 15pt;"><strong>Name:</strong> Pepper Potts<br/><strong>Title:</strong> Chairman &amp; CEO of Stark Industries<br/><strong>Location:</strong> Tony's Personal Lab<br/><strong>Time:</strong> 6:58 PM Thursday<br/><strong>Tags:</strong> Tony Starks</span></span><br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">While nothing excused what Tony had done, and history had proven that she wasn't one to back down. Pepper also knew when to choose her battles and the weight of his words and the look on his face told her this battle could wait, for now.<br/><br/><em>"Pepper... Loki is back."</em> Those words hit her hard. Pepper had been scared before, terrified even. But when she had learned what Iron Man, Tony, had done, her heart had nearly stopped in her chest. They teased each other about the next building having her name on it, but she didn't care about buildings, she cared about him. Always had.<br/><br/>She shared that look for a moment longer before she embraced him. She didn't speak and just held him. When she stepped back, the tenderness, while wasn't gone, was replaced by the determined and stubborn woman he knew and loved.<br/><br/><strong>"Then you have work to do, and we will get it done."</strong> She tore the faxed papers up and into the trash beside them and looked at him. <strong>"Note I said WE there."</strong> She looked back at him. <strong>"We are a team, and I am not just talking about the Avengers, I am talking about us. I can't fly, I don't have a super powered suit, I don't have super strength, or be able to do half the things anyone of you can, and have done..."</strong> This was one of those times when he needed the encouragement as well as the kick in the ass. She looked at him and took his hand. <strong>"But I can, and will support you Tony, just like always. You have friends who want to help, all you need to do is ask. You will be ready. It is what you do... and you do it well."</strong> It was going to take all of them to face this threat or any other threat.<br/><br/>Letting those words sink in. She knew he was not the type to ask for help, but this wasn't the time nor the circumstances for him to take it all on alone. It would take a collective effort, and Pepper... she would do her part. Even if that was just to be a sounding board for him to vent to. She gave him a light, not chaste but quick and gentle kiss. <strong>"Oh, and you can count on me turning into a monster that will make the Hulk look like kitten play if you ever pull a stunt like this on me again."</strong> It was a reminder that while she would let it drop, she wouldn't forget it and next time, well there better not be a next time.<br/><br/><strong>"Now, quit feeling sorry for yourself, it is not a very attractive quality on you. There is work to get done, remember."</strong> She gave him a smile that was all for him. She wouldn't let him give up, or give in and it didn't matter what he did or didn't find, she would stand behind him every step of the way. <strong>"Where and what do you need of me?"</strong></span></span></div>