Author's Note: This is the SEQUEL to Right There With You so I would recommend reading that first.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Marvel and their original creators. Everything else recognizable also belongs to their original owners. I do not claim to own anything; this was written for entertainment and not for money. I'm a poor Marvel fangirl; this is how I live my life.

Chapter 1
Fade Into Me

Tony waited to make sure Bruce had made it into the airport okay before pulling away and making his way back to the tower.

"Did you get back okay?" he asked Steve as pulled on the expressway and started making his drive back to Manhattan.

"I did, but there might be a little problem..." Steve faded off.

"What kind of problem? Are you alright?" Tony could feel the mixture of confusion, nerves and awkward through the bond that Steve was projecting. Relieved that one of those feelings wasn't pain, it didn't really calm him down.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I followed every direction you told me to."

"Then what's the problem?" There was silence through the bond that made Tony just slightly more nervous. "Steve?"

"There's a woman standing here by the name of Virginia Potts. I'm not exactly too sure who she is."

"Shit," Tony vocally cursed. He had forgotten about Pepper. He started to speed the car a little faster, hoping that he wasn't heading for the shitstorm he was anticipating.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes tops. She's not a danger, well unless I did something to screw up the company. Again."

"Sure thing."

As the elevator to the top floor ascended, Tony nervously tapped his foot as he tried to figure out the best way to handle this situation. He just couldn't come right out say "Oh hey, look! I found my bonded guess you're single now!"

Even though he's positive that's going to happen just not in those exact words.

As the elevator reached the floor and doors slid open, Tony took a deep breath before stepping out and making his way towards the two other in the room.

Steve was standing to the side of the bar, leaning against it. His eyes quickly finding Tony's as he walked in.

Pepper was standing a little further away to the side of the Loki-sized hole in the middle of the floor.

"Hey Pep! Wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

The look that he received from Pepper was one that was incredibly familiar and Tony knew that this wasn't going to be easy.

"Could you explain a few things to me, Tony?" She asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

Tony could still feel the nerves and fear coming from Steve and sent him back comfort, hoping that it will help him calm down slightly.

"Explain what?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"The floor, the windows, the tower," she listed gesturing to each item before she turned to Steve. "And then explain who this is and how he knew how to get in here?"

Tony sighed. "Where should I start?"

"Do you want me to be here for this, I could-"

"I want you here," Tony sent him as he looked over at the man, making brief eye contact.

"How about you start where you flew through some kind of portal in the sky and then a few seconds later you're free falling?" Pepper requested, her eyes brimming with tears.

"It was an alien invasion," Tony said simply.

"You're kidding me."

Tony shook his head and shrugged. "Considering the things we've seen in our lives, aliens aren't that surprising. They're also to blame for what happened here."

"What did exactly happen here?" Pepper asked as she turned in place, trying to take in all the damage of the tower they had just got up running a few days ago.

"The Hulk decided to have a little tantrum and used the guy running the alien show as rag doll. That's what at least caused the hole in the floor," Tony explained.

"And the windows?"

"I was thrown out the window."

Pepper stared at him, trying to absorb everything that he had just told her. Afraid that she would faint, she carefully made her way to the one couch left intact and lowered herself into it.

"I can't do this anymore, Tony," she sighed, looking over at him.

"Do what?" Tony asked, slightly confused.

"This," she said, gesturing towards the damaged tower. "The superhero antics, the fighting, the problems and not knowing if you're going to stop ever getting yourself into situations like this."

"It's not like I did this on purpose," Tony mumbled, ignoring the glare Pepper sent him. "What are you trying to say?"

Pepper ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "We should go back to what we were before."

"And what exactly was that?"

"We both made that deal on not finding our soulmates, that we would be happier with each other. I just, we should go back to being friends. I still love you Tony, but this is just too much work."

The room fell silent as Tony looked away from Pepper and over at Steve who had been still and silent this entire time.

"What did she mean the deal about finding your soulmates?" Steve asked.

Tony winced before replying. "We just thought we'd never find our soulmates and settled for one another."

"And now?" Tony could feel the nerves increase as Steve asked him the question. He looked at Steve once more before turning to Pepper.

"I'm going to have to agree with you," he said, surprising her. "We had a good time together but it was obvious we weren't made for each other."

Pepper smiled and stood up, walking over to Tony and kissed him on the cheek. "You're still one my best friends."

"And you, mine."

Pepper then turned to Steve. "Want to explain who this is now?"

Tony nodded and gestured for Steve to come closer, remaining silent until the two of them were standing only inches apart.

"Pepper Potts, I would like for you to meet Steve Rogers," Tony said, smiling at the both of them.

Pepper hesitantly held her hand out and as the two awkwardly shook hands, realization took over. "Wait! Steve Rogers as in Captain America Steve Rogers?" she asked, looking over at Tony.

Tony grinned and took Steve's hand in his own, watching the blond's blush darken. "He's my bonded."

Author's Note: This story will not be following MCU canon after The Avengers. Basically I will not be incorporating Iron Man 3 or The Winter Soldier. I would like to know what you, the readers, would like to see! All critiques and comments are welcomed!