[Tony replies faster than she expects, the words practically leaping out of him. She looks away from him, away from the child still asleep on his chest, and curls her arms protectively around her front. Yes, they had just gone through this, and it's as much reason for Pepper to hesitate as it is for her to have made the suggestion at all.]
Tony-- [She starts when he does, stops and swallows. They have to be careful, because Elicia is right there, and she doesn't need to hear this. So when she tries again, Pepper keeps her voice purposely low, trying to whisper so she won't wake the girl.]
We're not going to just leave her. Not if she needs us. [Because even with all the reasons why it's the worst idea, Pepper won't turn away. She will not abandon Elicia, even with everything that implies. But Pepper isn't thinking of Tony taking the place of Elicia's father, or of Elicia as the child they'll never have.
She's thinking of a little girl who cried, and begged them not to abandon her.
Who looks at Tony and sees a hero. That's why they came.]
Re: [action]
Tony-- [She starts when he does, stops and swallows. They have to be careful, because Elicia is right there, and she doesn't need to hear this. So when she tries again, Pepper keeps her voice purposely low, trying to whisper so she won't wake the girl.]
We're not going to just leave her. Not if she needs us. [Because even with all the reasons why it's the worst idea, Pepper won't turn away. She will not abandon Elicia, even with everything that implies. But Pepper isn't thinking of Tony taking the place of Elicia's father, or of Elicia as the child they'll never have.
She's thinking of a little girl who cried, and begged them not to abandon her.
Who looks at Tony and sees a hero. That's why they came.]