A/N: Okay! Here we go with a new story. The intention on this one is fluffy happiness but things write themselves sometimes so we'll keep the rating up there just in case. Just so everyone who doesn't follow me on social media knows, I am having some major foot surgery early February so don't panic if you don't get a chapter the 6th,7th and 8th at least.

OOOOOOO

The rain was coming down in buckets, but it didn't matter to Pepper Potts. She liked to drive in all kinds of weather. Well, not snow or ice, but everything else was fine. The rain was always nice, as far as she was concerned, since the aftermath tended to make for sunshine sparkling off even the most mundane items like leaves or power lines and the waning clouds would make for a beautiful sunrise the next morning, she was sure.

She pulled into the Avenger compound and saw the garage door open automatically. The sensors on the mechanism recognized the arrival of the sedan and opened without her needing to push any buttons. Which was a nice touch. Even better, when the door opened, she saw that Tony and Peter were both standing in the garage, leaning against Peter's Pontiac and obviously waiting for her.

It was quickly becoming the best time of the day for her, and she smiled even before she stopped the car beside them. Tony opened her door for her and leaned in to take her bag, using the motion to steal a kiss at the same time.

"How was the drive?"

"Wet and soggy," she replied, handing over her bag and getting out of the car. Pepper hugged Peter when he stepped forward and she ran her hand along his cheek – but it was a habit, more than anything. He wasn't sick, or fevered, and he looked healthy and happy. "Did you hear from Ned?"

Peter nodded.

"Yeah, he's bummed."

"He only failed the parallel parking?" she clarified.

"He hit the car in front of him," Peter said. "It's an automatic fail of the whole test when you do that."

"That's too bad. Does he need anything?"

Peter shook his head.

"His mom is making his favorite dinner to drown his sorrows in – and he can retake the test next week."

"We'll bring him out here for a little more practice before then," Tony offered as they headed out of the garage. "He's a good driver."

Tony knew; he was the one that had been teaching him, after all.

"He's fine," Peter assured them both.

His friend was far too cheerful to stay depressed for long, after all. Besides, he wasn't going to be able to drive once he got his license anyway. Not right away – and only if he was out of the city. Ned knew it. It was just the thought of failing that rankled him.

"Meet us in the lounge in half an hour?" Tony asked Peter. "We'll have dinner and talk bad about the person who gave him his test."

Peter nodded, and headed for his own rooms, but his watch chimed for his attention before he even made it that far. Speak of the devil.

"Hey, Ned. How's it going?"

"Alright. My mom said to tell you that she is making cinnamon rolls and should I bring some to school for you tomorrow or do you want to drop by here after school?"

"I'll come by. That way I don't have to share them."

"I bet you wouldn't mind sharing with MJ…"

Peter blushed, and was glad Ned couldn't see it.

"Tell your mom I'll come home with you tomorrow."

"Okay. Is Pepper home, yet?"

"Yeah. She just got here."

"Did you ask her?"

"No. Not, yet."

"It's not that big a deal, Peter. She's going to say yes."

"Yeah." He hoped. "I'll ask her at dinner."

"If you don't want to, I can have my mom bring it up with her…"

"No. I'll do it. Thanks, though."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

He disconnected the communication channel and changed his course. There wasn't anything in his quarters that he needed before dinner, and he didn't feel like hanging out there. Instead, he headed for the lounge. If nothing else, he could help the bartender if she needed anything.

OOOOOOO

"Did you have a good day?"

"Yeah. Tinkered on the suit for a while, helped Steve and Natasha put the new array in the Quinjet. Wrestled my favorite wrench away from Jack."

Pepper frowned.

"How did he get hold of your wrench?"

"He's mischievous, Pepper. It's what he does. How was your day?"

"Busy. Meetings and phone calls. I'm glad to be home."

"I'm glad you're home," he told her, his arm going around her waist as they reached their quarters.

"Does Peter have any homework?"

"I asked, he said it's done."

"Did he Spiderman today?"

"No. We hung out, waiting to see how Ned did on his test."

"How did he hit a parked car?"

"When's the last time you parallel parked?"

She smiled.

"I hate parallel parking. I never do it if I can avoid it."

"Well, he's never had a problem with it," Stark said. "He probably just got overly anxious."

"Poor guy."

"He'll survive. He's tough." He sat down on the bed and watched her change out of her dress and into a pair of jeans, which he thought looked just as sexy on her. "Peter seems a little distracted, though."

"Oh?"

Tony shrugged.

"Yeah. I thought it was the Ned thing, but he was anxious earlier, too. Before Ned's test."

"Did you ask him about it?"

"Of course."

"And he said…?"

"He assured me that he's fine. Everything is going well at school and his grades are proving that."

"He looks okay."

"He looks great."

"Girl problems, maybe?"

"Maybe. We'll sound him out at dinner – unless you don't see it. I suppose I could be looking for trouble where there isn't any to be had."

Peter had been doing extremely well. Especially for someone who was balancing so much in his life. No nightmares, only the occasional sleepwalking and none of them had seen any indication of a panic attack. He looked serious, sometimes – but he was a serious kid, so that wasn't something for them to worry about. It helped that he had a steadying support base. Between Tony and Pepper keeping him on a regular schedule – as regular as they could – and the Avengers always willing to help him with whatever he might need, even if it was just a quick word or (in Natasha's case) a hug and some flirting, he had the people around him that he needed to keep him from flying apart when things got hectic.

Which they did, sometimes.

"Well, we'll-"

She was interrupted by Tony's watch chiming – which told him that someone was trying to communicate with him. He held up a hand.

"Hold that thought." Then pushed the proper button. "Stephen?"

"Where are you?"

Pepper frowned, because even over the communications line, Strange's voice sounded odd to her.

"At the compound. Want to come to dinner?"

"I'd love to, but I have a different problem."

"What's up?"

"Can you come to the sanctum? Wong will make a portal in your workroom."

"Sure."

"And bring Dr. Adams, please. Ask her to bring an air cast when you come."

"What?" Now Stark frowned, looking at his watch as if it would allow him to see Stephen's face. "Why?"

"Just bring her, Tony. And don't dawdle, all right?"

"We'll be right there."

He ended that call, and called the compound doctor. There were three of them, but it was Adams who was on shift right now. Tony was impressed that Strange had their schedule memorized. Or maybe it had been a lucky guess. He doubted that, though. The doctor replied immediately saying that she would be right there. And Tony looked at Pepper.

"Don't look so worried. He didn't call 911, he called us. It's probably nothing."

"You might take Natasha with you."

There was a knock on their door and Tony was impressed by how fast the doctor had responded. He opened it, though, and found Romanoff standing on the other side.

"You're going to the sanctum?"

"Stephen called you?"

"Yeah."

Stark looked at Pepper, and shrugged.

"We'll be back as soon as we know what's going on. Looks like you'll have a chance to see what's going on with Peter. I'll see what's going on with Stephen."

She smiled.

"Good luck."

"You, too."