Inside the military-blocked private airport,
Pepper Potts stood emotionally, holding a takeout bag with cheeseburgers.
It had been three months.
Three months since Tony was attacked and kidnapped in the Middle Eastern desert.
During this time, anxiety, grief, and despair had constantly weighed on her.
Though she had always been Tony's assistant—dealing with all kinds of "garbage" in his life,
even the most trivial matters required her attention.
Even birthdays had to be planned around Tony's schedule—
she still hoped for his safe return.
While the world saw Tony Stark as a selfish, arrogant bastard,
Pepper knew better.
To her, he was more like a child who refused to grow up.
Thank God, Tony was back safely.
She couldn't imagine the pain and torture he must have endured these past three months.
"You could wait in the car, you know. It might take a while for Tony to arrive," Happy said, looking at Pepper standing there with the burger bag. "Besides, it's pretty windy today."
"It's fine!" Pepper's eyes were slightly red, but she smiled and shook her head. "He's been kidnapped for three months. Maybe he's missed us terribly during this time."
"So I think… when Tony returns, he should see us first."
Happy nodded.
If anyone in this world understood Tony best,
it was undoubtedly Ms. Pepper Potts.
As time passed, a plane slowly landed.
When the cabin door opened, Pepper saw Tony—wearing a black suit jacket, his left hand bandaged, supported by Colonel Rhodes—walking down.
Seeing Tony approach, Pepper smiled.
He had clearly lost weight.
As he stepped off the plane and saw Pepper waiting,
Tony noticed her reddened eyes immediately.
But just as he was about to reach her, a group of people pushed a stretcher toward him.
"Are you kidding me, Rhodes? Tell them to get lost," Tony said, shaking off Rhodes' support.
He walked step by step toward Pepper, who couldn't hide her smile.
"Hmm… red eyes? Crying for your long-lost boss?"
"Tears of joy. Glad I don't have to find a new job. I hate job hunting."
Same old Tony. Same familiar banter.
Good. Even after three months of captivity and torture,
Tony was still Tony.
"Alright, but your vacation is over."
Back in the car,
Happy glanced at Pepper through the rearview mirror. "Where to, sir?"
"Happy, head to the hospital first. Let's get Tony checked—"
"No!" Tony cut her off.
"Why not? Tony, you need a doctor to examine you now."
"I don't want to, and I don't have to."
"Tony, your health is the priority. You need to go to the hospital—"
"I've been trapped for three months, Pepper. There are only two things I want to do right now!"
Tony looked into her eyes, dead serious. "First, I really want to eat two cheeseburgers."
"Cheeseburgers?"
Pepper handed him the bag. "Two cheeseburgers, right here."
"Wow." Tony stared at the bag for a few seconds. "See, Pepper? I knew you got me."
He eagerly grabbed a burger and took a huge bite, savoring it. "You have no idea how much I missed these in that cave for three months."
"Thanks to Mr. Superman for reminding me."
Pepper shrugged. "I was so overwhelmed by your return, I almost forgot how much you've suffered these past months."
"Mr. Superman reminded me that I should bring two cheeseburgers."
"Mr. Superman?" Tony paused mid-bite.
"Who's Mr. Superman? A new friend of yours? Since when do you have a friend named Mr. Superman?"
Suddenly, the cheeseburger didn't taste as good.
Pepper had a friend named Mr. Superman?
Damn.
It felt like his best friend had found a better friend behind his back.
Like coming home from a business trip to find your house robbed!
Okay, bad analogy.
"Can't I have a social life?" Pepper smiled at Tony's expression. "Even as your personal assistant, Tony, I have the right to make friends, don't I?"
"Of course. No one said you couldn't." Tony shrugged, pretending to be relaxed.
"It's just… there are so many scammers out there. Who knows what kind of guy this 'Mr. Superman' is."
"Tony—"
"Okay, okay, I'll drop it!"
Hearing Pepper draw out his name, Tony swallowed the last of the first burger.
"There's one more thing I've been thinking about in that cave. I want to—"
"No, you can't just come back and start—"
"It's not what you think."
Seeing her misunderstand, Tony said, "I want you to hold a press conference. Immediately."
"A press conference?"
"Yes!"
Gone was the "jealous" act. Tony turned dead serious. "Don't ask why. You'll find out soon. Just do as I say, Pepper."
Then he said to Happy, "Drive to Stark Industries!"
Alright, once I announce my decision to the media,
I'll find out more about this "Mr. Superman"!