Pepper is a wreck. She hasn't seen or even heard from Tony almost twenty days. She hasn't slept or ate well in all that time, worried sick about what had become of Tony when he got on that ship. Or had he vanished too? It's late at night when his message comes through-Friday's voice sounding from the ceiling and stating that she had a message coming in on the secure server from the Boss-Tony.

Heart in her throat, she throws her covers off and runs to the main room where the others are still trying to plan their next move-if there is a next move. One look at her face and Steve works out that she's heard from Stark. They can go and get him. With help from Rocket, Banner, and even some from Pepper herself they're able to pinpoint the signal and Carol wastes no time before shooting off into the night sky.

For the first time in nearly twenty days Pepper can feel hope rising in her chest. Rhodey stays with her out in cold front lawn, also eager to see his best friend. It's almost five in the morning when Carol returns with the Milano in tow, lowing it to the ground.