He'd made the call already, giving her a lame excuse that he needed to talk to her about business. Yes, part of that was true, but the other part was more so she wouldn't ask any questions. You don't just tell someone on the phone that you're dying and need to discuss plans for what needs to be done after. Despite his arrogance, he felt he owed it to her after how long she'd worked for him. 

And that she was more his friend than his employee.

Tony played everything out in his mind. What words he would use, her reaction, the conclusion, it all played out like a movie. He wasn't looking forward to any of it, but, it was going to be done regardless of the outcome.

He was going over files with JARVIS when he heard the noises on the keypad outside his workshop. Tony spun around to see her opening the heavy glass door with a mixed expression on her face. It was a look of worry, perhaps since she didn't know how he would look. 

"You wanted to see me?" she spoke softly, bringing her clipboard up flush against her chest. 

He nodded, hooking his foot onto the leg of another chair to bring it closer before patting it. "Grab a seat, we have lots to discuss." 

"I'd rather stand, if that's all right." she replied in a flat, businesslike manner. 

At the moment, Pepper Potts was having an inward battle of how to treat her employer. There was that side that worried about him and what the weeks of excessive binge drinking were doing to him. She always knew he loved his scotch, but to see him looking and acting the way she did was more than just concerning.

Then there was the anger that came of that. Why didn't he trust her enough to tell her the reasons behind the drinking? The answer was the same as it always had been. He was not only a professional when it came to technology, he was also expert in building walls. His work was what made him what he was presently, and that's the only Tony Stark anyone needed to see. 

Acknowledging her decision with a slight nod, he flashed a brief smile. But, before he could get open his mouth to speak, she was speaking first.  

"Tony, what is going on? I need to know, if only so that I know what to tell everyone at the office. They keep asking and I don't know what to tell them." she blurted out.

"I'm dying." he answered quietly.

From that point on, the two chased each others sentences. Typical of them on any given day.

"That's hardly an excuse. Everyone dies, Tony. If you need a few more weeks to get out of this.. this funk..."

"Are you listening to me? I'm trying to tell you.." 

"Because it is a funk, just like it was when you came home from the cave and sprung the news..."

"...something important and you just cut me off like you usually do."

"... that you were closing the weapons division. You remember that, right, Tony?"

"... Yes, I do, but this is completely different. And if you..."

"So, if it's a few more weeks you need, I'll push everything back like I usually do."

Tony stopped and stared at her. Instead of continue the verbal war with her, he simply opened his shirt and showed her the dark spider veins coming from his arc.

Her eyes grew big. "Oh my God! Tony, what is that? What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm dying, Pepper."

"... You're WHAT? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was trying, but you know, you.. you don't really listen." he pointed out while twisting his face into a shrug.

"What do you mean I don't listen?! ..."  she replied, her voice shaky. "I've been listening this whole time!" 

"Obviously you didn't because I'm pretty sure I covered this part of the conversation at the beginning..."

"So, what do we do? Who do I need to call? Tony we'll get you help."

"We can't, Pepper. There is no one that can help."

"No one?"

Tony shook his head. Right then, he wished he was somewhere else.

"Why can't you fix it?"

"I'm trying. But, if I can't come up with something in time, then I want to go knowing things are in order. Which brings me to the first reason I asked you to come." A pause. "As CEO, I get to appoint my successor.."

"Tony, this doesn't have to be discussed right now. Actually, I would rather not..."

"And I want that successor to be you."

Her head flipped up and her face drained of all color.

"It makes sense. You already know the company inside and out. It will be an easy transition..." He looked up. "Are you okay? You look like your going to be sick."

"No," she said in a small squeak. "I'm not. I'm about a minute away from having a MASSIVE HEART ATTACK!!"