While Tony was speaking, Pepper was desperately trying to reel in both her growing anxiety and bring to heel her unwanted anger. Unfortunately both were mounting within her, due to the seeming futility of this place and the helpless position her unexpected condition put her in. Never before had she wanted to avoid the man she loved so unconditionally, not even after his suit had unintentionally attacked her, or that time he had told the entire world their address, or that time-

Distracted, she didn't realize he had approached her until he was already there, her thoughts turned inward and her need for control muting awareness of the world around her. With the sudden touch came a startled gasp, eyes coming up to his in frantic surprise.

Then the sleeves of her yoga shirt started on fire.