Author's note: Thanks for the reviews! Writing a new genre (for me) is somewhat daunting and it's good to have the feedback, or to know people are interested.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Tony Stark was back at the same research lab fairly early the next morning. He peeked through one of the glass panels and saw that true to his word Stephen Strange was already sitting in front of one of the display screens, going over results from the technicians who were still swarming the room. Christine Palmer was sitting beside him and while Stark watched, occasionally the two would consult a tablet that was sitting on the counter between them. Tony debated going in and demanding an update on their progress but he decided not to. For one thing, he knew when they had something to tell him, they would. For another, he didn't want to break any momentum they might have had going by interrupting them. He knew how annoying that could be first hand.

Instead, he headed back to Peter's room, but didn't make it far before he saw Ned heading down the corridor toward him. The boy was eating a piece of toast and clearly excited to have what probably seemed to him to be free run of the Avenger's facility. He grinned when he saw Tony, and stopped.

"Hey, Mr. Stark."

"Good morning," Tony said. "What are you up to?"

"Peter's asleep, so I thought I'd go see if I could help Doctor Strange with anything. Unless you need help with something?"

Tech like the Ironman suit was far more interesting than plants, after all.

"No, I'm good right now, thanks. Tell me you're having more than toast for breakfast?"

"I took this from Peter's tray," Ned admitted. "I already had breakfast."

"He didn't wake up?"

"No."

"Good. I think I'll go check on him, anyway."

"See ya."

The boy headed back the way Tony had come, and Stark watched him go for a moment before continuing on his way. He nodded a greeting to anyone who passed him, but didn't stop to chat with anyone else.

He didn't really need to check on Peter. He'd stayed with him until the sedative had knocked him out the night before, keeping him company and distracting him with some stories about being Ironman since the boy hadn't shown any interest in continuing his phenomenal bad luck at cards. A medical tech had come by with the sedative shortly after Strange had left, but it was Stark Peter had leaned on when he found his legs a little too weak to walk to the bathroom, and Stark who had hovered outside the closed door, listening with undisguised concern for any indication that the boy couldn't handle taking care of himself while the tech changed the sheets on the bed and straightened the room up a bit.

Peter had looked wiped when Tony helped him back into bed, and the sedative had kicked in quickly once he'd taken it. Tony waited until he was sure there wouldn't be any nightmares and had left. He had a few things he needed to take care of, too, and the middle of the night was always a good time to get things done. He hadn't figured on Pepper, though. She'd been waiting for him and had promptly sent him to the shower and then to bed. He had to admit – only to himself – that both had been a good idea, and when he'd woken a few hours later, he did feel better. After a hearty breakfast, he felt even better.

May looked up when he entered Peter's room, and Tony thought that she was another one could use some sleep. Worry lines only made her prettier as far as Tony was concerned, but she was clearly tired. She was seated on the edge of Peter's bed, a book in her hands but wasn't really reading it. She smiled when she saw who it was, and put the book down.

"Good morning," Tony said, walking over and glancing at Peter before pulling up a chair.

"Good morning."

"How is he?"

She shrugged.

"Sleeping. But the doctor tells me that's what he needs most."

"You should get some, too," Tony told her.

"I will. I just wanted to look in on him."

"He's getting the best care."

"I know." May flashed him a smile. "I can't thank you enough for what you're doing for him."

"You don't have to thank me at all," he said, sincerely. "It's part of the internship health care plan."

"Right." She held up the score sheet from the Gin game the night before. "Are you 'you' or 'me'?"

"Luckily I am 'me'."

"He's a lousy card player."

"So I've noticed."

"I have to take care of some things today back in the city. Would you keep an eye on him for me until I get back?"

"You don't even need to ask," Tony said. "Do you want me to have someone drive you?" He knew she had her car, but tired and distracted, maybe it was better that she not drive.

"I don't suppose Thor is available?"

He grinned.

"I'm afraid not."

"Damn."

She left not long after that, wanting to get going so she could be back if Peter needed her later, and Tony walked her to her car before heading back to the research lab one more time. Peter would probably be out for several more hours so he could spare the time to check on things before getting back to him.

The scene was pretty much unchanged from before, only this time Ned was working with one of the lab techs in a corner. Stark nodded to him when he looked over, but his destination this time was Strange and Palmer.

"Are we learning anything?" he asked, walking over to them.

Both doctors looked up but it was Strange who answered.

"Not yet, but we have started testing each of the specimens from the garden. Some will take longer than others for the results. I'll let you know."

That was pretty much a dismissal, even Tony could tell. But he didn't leave.

"Thanks."

"Did you get some sleep?"

"Yes, mom."

Christine smiled at that. Strange wasn't amused.

"Why don't you go check on Peter, then?"

Another dismissal, but Tony didn't have any reason to stay – or to antagonize either of them. Of course, sometimes it was just fun. He nodded.

"Why don't I?"

They would get more done without his help, anyway.