This had to end now. It didn't matter if he would have married her, she never would have consented. It didn't matter what he wanted for her, no matter how nice it seemed, because she didn't agree. She made her own decisions and she lived with them. That was real life. That was being grown up.

He was as much caught up in fantasy as she was; just because his didn't involve superheroes or sword fighting didn't make it more valid or worthwhile. Certainly not here, were the lines were so blurred. And he wasn't supposed to understand her. He never had. He had been a replacement, and Pepper was only just beginning to realize how true that was. "I'm sorry," she said, only now her voice came out stronger. She had a job to do. "But there was nothin' for you to understand. An' maybe I shoulda told you about it, but I didn't. It was my choice and it's done. As for me tellin' you what's important...." She looked around then, her eyes lighting on the improbable flock that had come to her rescue without her ever having to ask. "You don't believe in it, Roger. You never will. There wouldn't a been much point in tryin' to explain."