Peter spent a few minutes in his room once Tony had left. The headache was already fading, even without taking anything for it, and he assumed that it had been from the stress of dealing with someone as antagonistic as Flash. He realized that the tingling from his spider senses was also gone – or was at least so low that he couldn't feel more than just a very, very low murmur that he could ignore. He took a couple of painkillers anyway and then did as Tony said and asked Karen where the tour group was and went out to join them.

Ned was the first to notice him – aside from Steve, of course. The boy was getting suited up to play laser tag with several of the others, and he looked over when Peter joined the others in the ready room.

"What happened?" Ned asked, quietly – for him, walking over to join Peter. "Did you really get in a fight with Flash?"

"No."

Peter saw MJ and a couple others looking at him, and wondered what they had heard.

"Mr. Harrington said he was caught where he wasn't supposed to be."

"I'll tell you later, Ned, okay?"

His friend looked around and realized that it probably wasn't the time or place for the discussion – and knew that Peter would tell him, so he just had to wait. He shrugged, and nodded.

"Okay."

"Why aren't you in the simulator?" Peter asked.

He'd assumed that Ned would spend the entire trip proving to the others just how good he was at it. And he definitely was. Too bad he got motion sickness so easily and would almost certainly never have a chance at really flying the jet.

"I figured the others could have their turns," Ned told him, shrugging. "It's not like I can't play with it any time I come over."

"True."

"Come play laser tag with us."

He looked over Ned's shoulder and saw MJ beckoning for him to come play with them, too, and blushed.

"Yeah. Okay."

Ned didn't notice, but Steve's smile was amused when Peter walked up to the table to get a laser tag harness on.

OOOOOOO

Tony was right.

The rest of the day was much more enjoyable without the constant sniping Peter had endured that morning. He and the others played laser tag, and it had really become exciting for the others when some of the handlers joined in. They were going to be able to go back to the school and tell the others that they had played laser tag with Captain America, Hawkeye and even with Tony – who cheated outrageously and activated the Ironman suit and 'killed' everyone on the opposing team with a single shot that rebounded and ricochet several times and left Peter as the only one standing on his team.

After the expected protests, he grinned and shrugged, and allowed a reset so they could all start again. Peter laughed – which had been the whole point of Tony doing it – and they had played several games before finishing the tour with a snack in the lounge and a chance for the students to relax a little and even mingle with the Avengers in the setting that Peter saw them most often.

Then they were all rounded up and put back on their bus, with all of them thanking Tony and their handlers for what had been a really good time.

Being a good host, Stark stood beside Peter, watching the bus pull out, his hand casually on the boy's shoulder.

"That wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be."

"No."

Well, it had started even worse, but the day had definitely ended on a high note.

"How's the head?"

Tony was clearly thinking about the beginning of the day, as well.

"It's fine. Thanks."

"Nothing lingering?"

"No. I'm good."

"Good. I'm going to go check in with Pepper and let her know how it went – she thought sure we were going to lose someone and allow them to blow the place up."

He rolled his eyes, amused that she could even think such a thing.

"Because we've never burned down a building before, or blown anything up," Peter said, smiling.

"You know… you used to be such a nice, likable kid… what happened to that guy?"

"I'm still that guy. Sweet, innocent…"

"A sixteen-year-old smart ass," Tony told him, ruffling his hair, affectionately. "Go find something to do, okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks for letting them come out."

"I didn't have a choice, remember? Hustler…"

Stark winked and turned to head toward his quarters, and Peter headed the opposite way, going to his own. He did have a few homework assignments that he could work on – or he might just go play a video game or watch a movie.

OOOOOOO

"Hey, this is pretty nice…"

Strange looked over Natasha's shoulder at the state room that they had just entered and had to agree. The room was much larger than he'd expected, considering the size of the ship that they had just gotten on. It wasn't one of those giant cruise ships that catered to a thousand souls at a time. This one held about 200 and was promising to be a much more intimate experience. The crew had been very friendly, and had welcomed them aboard with smiles and promises of a relaxing evening and all sorts of entertainments throughout the cruise.

Their room was dominated by a bed, but there was also a bar, a desk with a chair, a couple of upholstered chairs and even a mini fridge complete with snacks of all kinds. There was a large flat screen TV that was attached to the wall, and the decorations were light colors with prints of the same scenery that they could see just by looking out the window – or going up on deck.

"Yes, it is."

The bed was all that mattered just then, as far as Strange was concerned.

They had been traveling all day. The first flight to Seattle was crowded and bumpy – although they were in first class – and he'd managed to spill a glass of wine on himself and wasn't able to do anything ore than mop it up with the napkin that Natasha had handed him, since there were so many people about, going back and forth among the people in the cabin.

When they'd changed planes to go to Alaska, a simple thought allowed him to acquire a clean shirt as they walked through the terminal and they'd waited almost an hour before the flight had boarded. An hour with his arm around Natasha's waist, watching the other travelers and trying not to fall asleep.

Strange was not used to traveling. Not like they were traveling, anyway. For him – and Wong – a trip to London, or to anywhere, really, was as quick as a thought, and it was really easy to get used to that instant mode of transportation. And to forget how inconvenient it could be to be stuck on a plane for what seemed to be endless hours, among screaming kids and babies and arguing couples.

The flight from Seattle to Anchorage wasn't so bad, but he hadn't been able to sleep then, either. Natasha had brought a book to keep herself occupied, and had simply tucked herself up against him to read while they flew. Strange could have popped himself in a book, but he'd been engaged in conversation with the woman across the aisle from him – a well-known physicist that even Stephen had recognized. He might not have said anything to her other than hello, but her companion had gone to sleep even before the plane took off, and she'd looked for conversation with the person sitting closest to her – and had been intelligent enough that Strange had been willing to be roped into a conversation.

Consequently, by the time they'd found their luggage, a transport to the cruise ship and their stateroom, he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep.

"I wonder how their tour went," Natasha said, setting her luggage down on one of the chairs.

"It's Tony," Strange said with a shrug. "It either went amazing and the kids are all headed home with crazy stories to tell, or they blew the place up."

She smiled.

"Steve wouldn't let that happen."

"True."

"I think I'll check in with Peter. Just to be sure."

The doctor sat down on the bed with a tired sigh.

"He's probably fine. If something had happened, Tony would call you and let you know."

"Or he wouldn't – to avoid interrupting my vacation."

"So don't interrupt your vacation," Strange said, pulling off his shirt and then reaching for her hand. "If they need you, they'll call. Right?"

"Yes."

Maybe.

"Good."

"You're not worried about the sanctum?"

"Wong will call if he needs me."

Maybe.

She hesitated, but then sat down next to him. She just wasn't used to having no responsibilities and taking an actual vacation.

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I'm right," he assured her, laying back on the bed and closing his eyes. He'd rest them for a minute and then see about taking a shower before finding something to eat. "I'm always right."

She gave an indelicate snort and leaned back as well. The bed was soft, and comfortable – and the company was good.

"I'll call and check in with Peter later."

He fell asleep before he could think of a reply, and she wasn't far behind.