Chapter 14: R

This is the last chapter. This story has kept it going and made its way slowly to the top. But before it can reach the top, I think I'm going to have to pull it down and put a stop to it. This story had been fun the first couple of chapters but after that, I'm sure you guys agree, it started to get boring and I'm just going to have to end it here.

Thanks so much for putting up with this story and going in every way to review.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but this story.

It was weeks before Tony and Pepper were allowed to leave the hospital. The doctors checked up on them every day making sure to give them the best care in the house. They knew Whitney, and knew being in her hands was as good as being in the hands of a hungry lion.

Physical therapy came along and ended up getting the two of them in perfect health. They might as well have been Olympic competitors.

But no one seemed happy. After the cops came to take Whitney away, the trio seemed a bit down. Even Pepper didn't even try to sound upbeat.

"Today's the day guys!" Rhodey said coming in with a smile. "I just talked to the nurses and doctors. You guys are free to go!" Pepper and Tony were on their beds, sitting on the edge. They looked up at him, but didn't return the smile.

"That's great. It's about time we get out of here." Pepper said with a frown. Tony nodded.

"Yeah." Getting to his feet, he slipped on his jacket and patted Rhodey on the shoulder. "Let's go."

…

As they left, the nurses and doctors waved goodbye wishing them well and telling them to visit. Staying in a hospital for two weeks can get anybody to make friends and have a long-term relationship.

"I'm going to miss them." Pepper said with a sigh. "Not the hospital though." As the teens walked outside, Tony closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. The warm air had a slight cool breeze, and that breeze suddenly lifted his spirits.

"That felt good." Tony smiled. "Let's go."

On their way back, Tony and the gang passed by the Police Station. Pepper and Rhodey continued to walk but Tony stayed back. "Tony?" Pepper came back. "What's wrong?" Tony was looking deeply at the sign above the department. The sign at first was something he honored and respected. Iron Man gave him the opportunity to respect the men who dedicated their lives to protect the city from crime. But now, the crimes they stopped seemed nothing more than miniscule compared to what he had to deal with.

"Nothing. Let's keep going, I have to do something at the armory." Tony took Pepper's hand and put on a smile. Turning his back on the Police Station, he quickened his pace.

"It's about Whitney isn't it?" Rhodey asked. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Tony shrugged.

"Depends on the time and day. She was my best friend. When I was a kid all I did was go play with her. She was my everything when I was young. I never had friends and since I was homeschooled, I never had the opportunity to talk and socialize. But she talked to me and became the one girl I looked forward to. Hard to believe how much things have changed."

…

Once in the armory, Tony immediately walked to his Iron Man suit and let the armor wrap around him. "Tony?" Pepper asked alarmed. "What are you doing?"

Tony flew into the air. "Doing something I should do. It'll haunt me if I don't." He took off into the air.

"What is he doing?" Pepper turned to Rhodey.

"He's going to see Whitney. I guess one last time."

As Tony flew to the Helicarrier, he didn't know what to think. What to believe. What would he see? What would happen when he saw her? All Tony thought about what Whitney's face; her face just before he attacked her. He never thought he could ever see so much revenge in one person's eyes.

As the Helicarrier came into view, Tony contacted it. "This is Iron Man coming in." When he got the all clear, he landed on the port deck. Nick Fury came out, his hands behind his back.

"Welcome back to the world of the living Tony." He smiled as Tony removed his faceplate.

"It's good to be back Fury."

Nick led Tony in. All the members of SHIELD seemed on edge as Tony entered into the carrier. "What's up with them?" He asked.

Nick sighed. "They think you're here for vengeance. They think you want revenge, and my people just want to stop you in case you do." Tony frowned.

"I hope they know that I'm not here for that. I just want to talk to her. Don't even worry, I'll take my suit off before I see her, if it makes you feel better." Tony said with a smirk. Nick nodded as he took him to the cell chamber.

Tony did as he promised and removed his armor. Placing it in lock down he waited as Fury opened the door. "The isolation door, five doors down is the cell you want. She will be waiting."

…

Tony walked in carefully eyeing all the other isolated criminals. Most of them were mutants, the ones he captured and caught. As they gave him the stink as he walked, but Tony ignored all of them.

That's when he reached the cell.

She looked like a mess. Her hair didn't fall around her shoulders in curls, but instead as a rat's nest around her head. Her eyes were red; it was hard to believe she was crying all this time. Whitney was a hot mess.

"Hey Whitney." Tony said gingerly. In an instant she perked up. Running to the cell doors she grinned.

"Tony! Oh Tony!" She placed her hands on the magnetic fields of the cell. Tony, without meaning to, took a step back from her.

"Yeah. It's me." He waited as Whitney's eyes racked over his body.

"I can't stop to say how sorry I am. I'm so-"

"No. Don't… Whitney I came here to talk to you. That's it. Just here me out." Tony said. Whitney's face fell as she nodded.

"Okay." She sat on the floor looking up at Tony, as though he was about to tell her a story.

"I don't know why you felt so much revenge. I don't know a lot of things. But, all I know is that you've changed. And I just wanted to say… I forgive you. I forgive you for what you've done to me." Tony looked down at his toes before looking up at her.

She smiled weakly. She wiped away a tear. "Thank you Tony. Thank you…"

Yes… The weirdest ending but this is the best I got! Thank you again for putting up with this story and reading it to the very last sentence! Thank you so much… All of you! REVIEW! :D