I never understood parades. They were loud and noisy. It was always so crowded. Nobody could actually see is absolutely no reason why people should like parades. Yet, we still through them during times of celebration. At least it was as good time as any to get free food and pick a pocket here and there. Ah! The life of an orphan. It's exhilarating no?

I should probably introduce myself. My names A.J. Diaz and I'm 13 years old. Unlike half the population, I'm actually my age. I'm a Snap survivor. It's only been like six months since the Avengers have brought everyone back, and the world's slowly starting to get back to normal. Hence the parade being thrown for our "saviors" even though I highly doubt that any of the Avengers are actually here. Who knows though? I kind of miss the quiet. I'm not much of a people person as you can tell. Again, the only reason I decided to venture out today was to pick pocket for money.

I am walking down my favorite alley counting my spoils when I look up to see a young girl. I was going to turn around and head the other direction when she spotted me. We both stare at each other for a few minutes. I internally sighed. I knew I was gonna end up helping this kid.

I decide to break the silence, "What are you doing in an alley all alone?"

She looks at me wearily.

"Are you lost? Where are your parents?"

"Mommy and Daddy told me not to talk to strangers."

"Well I'm trying to help you. Do you want help or not?"

Whatever internal debate she was having, she decided to give it up because she obviously wanted help.

"I was walking with my big brothers when I saw blueberry lollipop on the ground and I went to pick it up. I started walking in the direction they were going in but I couldn't find them or hear them. I ended up getting pushed from the crowd and I decided to wait here. They'll find me."

I snorted, "How would they know to look here?"

She shrugged, "They just will."
I looked her up and down, "How old are you?"

"Almost five."

"What's your name?"

She hesitated and looked upset.

"Calm down. I just wanted to call you by something, Half-Pint. My names A.J. by the way. Where were you guys going?"

She scrunched up her face in concentration, "To meet my mommy and daddy somewhere. I think in Queens."

I chuckled, "We're already in Queens. Is there anywhere in Queens you guys normally go?"

She nodded, "My brother's apartment."

I sigh, "Okay...Do you know where this apartment is? I could take you there."

"Um...it's close to Delmars cause we walk there all the time from his apartment."

"Could you show me the route if I get you there?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay then, Half-Pint, let's go. We're only a few blocks away."

I decided to take her my the parade route just in case someone spotted her. She happily talked the whole ten minutes it took us to get to Delmars. She was pretty cute and funny. I kind of felt bad for her brothers. From the way she talked about her dad, he sounded pretty protective of her. Those two were probably dead for losing her. As we approached Delmars she stopped and smiled.

"I know where we are now!"

"Really? That's great. Where's your brothers apartment?"

She looked around and pointed, "We go straight for awhile and then we'll be outside the apartment building."

I sighed. I had so many plans for the day, and it did not include this, but I would feel bad for ditching a four year old. I nodded and we began walking.

Apparently Half-Pint was done rambling about nonsense because she looked at me as we walked and asked, "What are your mommy and daddy like?"

"My mom died and I never met my dad."

She looked at me curiously, "So where do you live?"

I shrug, "Here and there. Next question."

"What's your favorite color?"

"Gold."

"What's your favorite food?"

"Cheeseburger."

She smiled, "That's mine too!"

I smiled a little at her joy. We were about to continue the conversation, but we were approaching an apartment building that had a bunch of cop cars out in front of it. There was a woman with strawberry blonde hair yelling at the police officers and a man with dark brown hair also yelling. Off to the side were two teenage boys, a woman with straight brown hair, and a man who was pacing back and forth with curly brown hair. They all wore worried expressions on there faces. One of the boys spotted Half-Pint and she grinned and waved at him. He indicated to the others and woman yelling turns to her instantly. She ditched me and ran towards them as the woman, presumably her mother, shouted, ''Morgan!"

The man also turns and I immediately recognize him. The family hugged and Morgan was covered in kisses. She was also being quietly scolded I think, but I couldn't really hear. She then pointed at me and I waved awkwardly. I slowly made my way over to them as her parents looked at me.

When I reached them, she looked at her parents and said, "Mommy, Daddy, this A.J. He helped me find you."
I smiled nervously, "Uh...hi."

The woman smiled, "Hi. I'm Pepper Potts Stark and this is my husband Tony. Thank you so much for bringing Morgan home. We were worried after her brothers told us they couldn't find her." She said the last part by glaring at the two teenage boys who liked pretty guilty yet relieved that she was ok.

Tony nodded, "Yeah. Thank you. We owe you."

"It was no problem Mr. Stark. I just spotted her and figured she could use some help. She pretty much knew how to get here."

"Yep," Morgan said popping the 'P', "Can I go say hi to Petey and Harley?"

Pepper nodded and she ran to see her brothers.

As Morgan left one of the cops walked over to us and I immediately recognized him. I would've groaned out loud if I wasn't standing next to Iron Man.

Detective Wilson walked over and smiled, "Hello A.J. How ya doing?"

Tony looked at us both, "You two know each other?"

I nod before answering the question, "You know I was having a pretty good day. I helped a little girl find her family and met the Starks. Are you really going to end it so terribly?"

Wilson turned towards Tony and Pepper, "He's a regular at the station. Most of the time for pick pocketing."

Wilson looked at me now, "How many wallets do you have on you?"

"How many wallets do you have on you?"

"A.J."

I grumbled underneath by breath as I handed him the five wallets I had snagged early today.

"Happy now? I would've returned them."

Wilson gave me a look, "You always return them without the money."

"At least I give them back! Plus I just helped a kid. Do you really have to make me spend the night in jail?"

"I think you could let it slide Detective," Pepper said while looking at me with pity.

Wilson sighs, "Fine. I won't mention how I found the wallets. But I will still have to take you with me and call your social worker."

"What?! You could just drop me off at my foster home and put this incident behind us."

Wilson raised an eyebrow, "When was the last time you were there?"

"Last night."

"Really cause they reported you missing a month ago."

"Why Detective Wilson you check up on me? I'm touched!"

Wilson rolled his eyes and pointed to the car, "Go."

"Can I say bye to the kid?"

Wilson was about to tell me no when Tony jumped and said, "Yes. Morgan, come over and say goodbye?"

The little girl bounded over and hugged my legs, "Bye A.J.! Thanks for bringing me to my parents!"

I bent over and hugged her back, "No problem Half-Pint. See you around."

I shook her parents hands and climbed into the police car.