Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything but the idea. I do NOT own any of the Marvel Characters. I repeat: I own NOTHING, but the idea - all characters belong to MARVEL.

Warning: A little out of character for Tony, sorry.

Summary: Tony is taking care of Peter while Steve is out in the field. After months of no communication from Steve, Tony begins to worry, but Steve has a habit of being on time.

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Just in Time

Peter hiccupped as Tony rocked him back and forth in front of the window. He smiled down on his son's wide-eyed face and he bent over to kiss his cheek. With Steve out in the field, fighting the good fight, it was up to him be there. He couldn't work in his lab with Peter down there. He could hurt the baby. Tony stood up as Peter dozed off and put him in his self-rocking crib. He yawned, watching Peter's sleeping face. He grinned, sleepily, before getting up and leaving to his own bedroom. Tony plopped down on the mattress and was suddenly out like a light.

The next morning Tony woke up to the sounds of his child crying. He ran to the nursery to find no one else in the room. Peter was just waking up. Tony wandered over and picked him up, rocking him once more. Without Steve around the house just seemed down and gloomy. He kept waiting for the day Steve would come home, but that didn't seem likely with the way things were going.

For the next few months, no word came in about Steve's unit and Tony grew concerned; it would be Peter's first birthday tomorrow. Worried thoughts raced through his head: Would Steve be home to celebrate? Would he be home at all?

Peter cooed and wrapped his fingers around Tony's thumb. He was growing so fast and Steve was missing it all. Tony grinned, wearily, at Peter and started crying. He couldn't stop no matter what he did. Peter stared up at him with the most confused look the baby could conjure up.

"Don't worry about me Peter." Tony sniffled.

Peter hiccupped.

"I'm fine honey." Tony laid him back down and sat in the spare rocking chair, his mind running wild with worry over Steve's wellbeing. He leaned over the crib and sighed at Peter. "I love you, kid."

The next morning, Tony woke up not to Peter's crying, but to the absence of weight in the crib. He shot up ready to spring into action but what he saw made him fall back in his seat. Steve, in his suit and all his glory, stood behind the crib holding an amazed Peter. Peter's eyes grew huge and he giggled causing Steve's face spread into a welcoming grin.

He looked up and smiled. "Good morning Tony."

"Steve . . ." Tony barely contained his tears.

Steve walked around the crib and kissed Tony's forehead. "I'm home."

"I'm glad you made it."

Steve looked down at Peter then placed him back down in the crib. He turned and pulled Tony up into a hug. "I'm sorry I was away for so long Tony." Tony clung to his husband and slowly began to rock the both of them back and forth. "Next time, I won't lose communications like that."

"You better not." Tony mocked anger before he smiled again. "I'm just glad you're safe."

They faced Peter and pulled his blanket over him as the child dosed off again. "Happy Birthday Peter." They whispered in unison.

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