"Tony! Come on!" Pepper Potts whined like a terrible two year old. The students of the Tomorrow Academy simply learned to ignore the spunky ginger haired girl whenever she was on one of her tangents, but this one was particularly loud.

"For the last time Pepper, NO!" it was James Rhodes that stepped in this time, having enough of the final member of Team Iron Man's antics.

Pepper sighed deeply and crossed her arms over her chest trying to think of a way to convince her two best friends to help her out. However, nothing came to mind, she had tried everything she could think of, but to no success. She was prepared for this, but somehow having it actually happen brought a sinking feeling in her. Just as she thought she might be able to get Tony on her side by staring him down the dreaded bell rang out signaling it was time to get down to business.

By the time school ended, the young teen was deep in thought, she couldn't just sit around and do nothing, and seems how none of her friends took her seriously, she needed a new plan of attack.

"Who needs them anyway, I can do just fine on my own," just as she finished her sentence Rhodey and Tony came to walking pace with her, each on their unspoken sides. Tony had his cloaked police scanner present on his ear that was facing away from Pepper, she had pointed out how that annoyed her, and Rhodey looking through this backpack for one thing or another.

The youngest Potts bit her lip, she knew what she had to accomplish but just didn't want to risk eternal grounding, then she couldn't help Team Iron Man.

Shaking her head as to clear it, she cursed herself, what did she really do for the team? Sure, she came up with simple plans at the last minute, but they didn't really work. Sure, she got info every now and again, but she wasn't vital, she wasn't needed, at the most she was wanted, and then again; she didn't think so. Maybe they just let her in on their 'operation' so she didn't tell the world Tony Stark was Iron Man. Pepper stopped walking and stared into space. Herself-revelation had knocked quite a bit of sense into her. All she was was a liability; she was Tony's friend and could be used against him, she could endanger them all with her stupid lurking and prying, she could….

"Pepper!" with a jolt she was thrown back into reality by a worried and annoyed looking James Rhodes.

She muttered a sorry but kept standing there, debating what to do next. She looked up and saw Rhodey just staring at her while Tony was fidgeting with the police scanners remote control.

Just as Rhodey was about to ask what was wrong Tony spoke out.

"Guys! Trouble down town! I'll meet you back at the lab." Just as he finished his sentence, the hero ducked into an ally.

Less than thirty seconds later, Iron Man flew into the sky, and in the direction of the chaos.

"Come on Pepper, Tony's going to need our help."

She didn't move

"Pepper! Did you hear me?! We need to get to the lab and…"

"Yah I heard you. Umm you go ahead, I'll catch up later, I need to go home and get something." Rhodey looked incredulous.

"Pepper, you've been waiting for some action for weeks! Tony said that there was huge…"

"I know, I know, I just really have to go home first, you need to go! Help Iron Man, its fine" Rhodey gave her a look of skepticism and worry so she quickly added "I'm fine" the look didn't leave his face, and he didn't plan on moving until a strained voice rang through his ear piece.

"Yah Tony I'm on my way." Casting one more look at Pepper who seemed a bit nervous, she gave him a shaky smile and a quick nod as if to tell him to go. This time he listened.

He just couldn't figure it out. It was so odd. Pepper would never skip out on Iron Man shenanigans. Maybe it was all in her scheme of getting them to help find that ….

"Where's Pepper?" Tony asked off-handedly. The damage done to the city was minor, and it was just a simple robbery, nothing big.

"Huh? What? Oh, um, I don't really know. By now she probably made it home, so I guess in her kitchen or her room, but then there's always the possibility of…"

"Let me rephrase that for you," Tony interrupted, "Why isn't Pepper here"

"Oh" the 16 year old genius shook his head and gave a small chuckle.

Tony Stark stared at his best friend waiting for an answer.

"I, uh… I don't know."

Pepper looked through her father's files, computer and hard copies, looking for her target.

They had to be in the database by now, it's been years, they couldn't have just disappeared.

"Where to look, hmm maybe he got out, no after that stunt and damage control, he wouldn't just disappear." Pepper mumbled to herself as she opened another paper file.

"Who wouldn't just disappear?" Pepper gasped in surprise and hastily shut the file.

"Dad, what are you doing home?! You said you would be gone for like two months! It's only been a few weeks! What happened? Are you ok? 'Pepper' did you get fired! Oh my gosh what are we going to do 'Pepper' Are we moving, do I need to pack? Wait I need a new suitcase, you know, the one I have is so childish! Pink bows? Who makes suitcases with… 'PEPPER!' The young student looked up to see her father, his spirits seemed put out, something she hadn't seen since… well she hasn't seen in a while.

"Honey, I need you to pack only the basics, like cloths, your IPod, shoes, things like that do you understand?" her father was calm, eerie calm. It scared Pepper to the next degree; her father was a calm person yes, but not that calm.

The only thing she could do was nod her head in agreement.

The frightened teen stood up and brushed by her father out the door way.

Nothing was said, she just packed her suitcase and look around her room, making sure she got everything she wanted and needed.

Placing her stuff by the door she turned to ask her father what was going, but before she made a sound, an explosion, barely missing the red head, launched debris through the air.

Pepper screamed and ran to hide. She could barely see, the smoke and dust in the air, was blinding and choking her, at the same time.

"Dad!"

"Pepper! Stay down." Was Mr. Potts' reply as he retrieved his gun from its holster;

Just as the FBI agent was going to fire, a bullet lodged itself in his chest, sending him flying five feet behind the position he started.

Again, Pepper screamed, but it was also mixed with a cry of angst.

"Hello Patricia," a husky voice rang through the air, the smoke cloaked her view, but she didn't need to see him to know who it was.

"I came back for you."

"Pepper! Pepper can you hear me? Pepper wake up! Pepper!"

Gasping for air, Patricia Potts sprang up in her bed and looked around, her breathing still heavy from her vivid dream.

"Pepper, are you ok?" Tony looked her in the eyes worry etched in his facial expression.

All she could do to keep in the tears was swallow and look away.

"What happened Pep? What were you dreaming about that got this bad of a reaction out of you?" Rhodey stood on the opposite side of her bed also looking worried and confused.

Bringing her knees up to her chest, and getting her breathing under control, she did the only thing she could do at the moment.

Cry.

So how did you like the first chapter??? Reviews please!!! Thanks for reading and, if you are like me, please review even if you don't feel like it haha hope you liked it : o)