An apt chapter title. Sending best wishes to all in these very worst of times.

Have struggled to write , so many distractions as is the case for us all.

However, this story is finished so I will post it even if no-one reads, don't know why but am compelled to. I started so I will finish is my mantra.

Stay Home! Stay Safe! Stay Strong!

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Peter stood watching chaos, complete and utter chaos unfold before his eyes. What did he do?

He had done it again, despite all his assurances to his parents he had come alone; he had to admit he could really do with some back up right about now!

The Vulture had disappeared but he had caused a lot of damage- damage that threatened all the souls on board the Ferry.

The boat was breaking apart, the blue laser cutting through it like a hot knife through butter. If Peter didn't do something quickly then people, an awful lot of people, would die, and it would be his fault.

''Get me an X-Ray of the boat and target all the strongest points,'' he yelled at Karen.

He flew rapidly, webbing what he could; there were flames and screams as he swung around- blocking out the terror in those screams.

He stood breathless as his webs held, relieved that he had appeared to halt the impending disaster.

''Great job Peter, you were 98% successful,'' Karen told him and he frowned.

''98%?'' Peter had hoped for 100% but maybe that would be enough? Then the webs began to break, more screams filled the air as the metal creaked and split.

Water began to flood the broken hull and Peter webbed himself between the two pieces and tried to hold it together, his body protesting; the weight too much even for him.

Then the tension eased, the boat righted it-self as the two parts came back together.

''What the hell?'' Peter exclaimed as he fell to the ground, the muscles in his arms and shoulders aching beyond belief.

''Go home Spiderman!'' His Dad's voice made Peter freeze as he looked over to his side; Iron Man and his Iron Legion had come to the rescue.

''I..I.. can help,'' Peter managed to say, his stomach sank to his feet; this was bad, this was so bad.

''You have done enough, now go home!'' came the ominous reply.

Peter nodded and webbed away but he didn't go home, he wasn't sure he would ever go home again.

He found a vantage point where he could watch the rescue from a safe but hidden position.

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''FRIDAY, where is Peter?'' Tony asked as he flew back to the tower.

''I have no data on Peter sir.''

''No of course you don't,'' Tony grumbled to himself.

What did he say to Steve? He was going to freak out, Peter had stolen his suit once again ( whatever he did Peter always found it, he now knew Karen was responsible- he had made sure that ceased forthwith ) and faced the Vulcan alone- he barely made it out alive. Tony had been alerted there was an issue when he called Peter to remind him that it was Morgan's birthday and he had to be home on time, the call had been declined.

Then Tony learned what was happening through TV news of all things, it had been the closest of calls on all fronts.

He could not ruin their daughter's first birthday so he would make an excuse then track down Peter via Ned.

It was the best he had.

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Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday Morgan! Happy Birthday to you!

The room was full of Avengers, Pepper, Coulson, even Fury who was back for another visit.

Steve blew the candle out and then placed a huge slice of cake in front of his daughter, who smeared it happily around her face. Harley helped her which made her squeal and clap her hands in delight.

''Where is he?'' Pepper asked quietly as she pulled Tony discreetly to one side.

''I don't know,'' he admitted and Pepper groaned.

''I saw it Tony, it's all over the news,'' she said and the man grimaced.

''Does Steve know?'' he asked and Pepper nodded towards his husband who was walking very purposefully over.

''Yeah, I think he does,'' she replied with a flinch.

''I lost him, I told him to come home; I couldn't leave but had to get him out of there. Now there's no trace,'' Tony pre-empted the inevitable question.

''Oh my God, what do we do?'' Steve's face was lined with worry, intense worry.

''You do nothing; you stay here and enjoy the party. I will find him, I will,'' Tony promised.

''And I will assist,'' Thor appeared next to them (he had returned specifically for the party); he was as concerned as them.

''See Iron Man and the God of Thunder are on this, between us we can find one small kid. He will be home before you know it,'' Tony exuded false bravado despite the fact he had no idea where to even start the search, although Ned was an obvious lead.

''Trust us my captain,'' Thor helped out and Steve nodded uncertainly, he had no real choice did he?

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''I have money for a hotel, shall we get a hotel and stay up all night, play video games and eat crap?'' Peter suggested and Ned rolled his eyes.

They were at his house, his parents away for the night- Ned was with his cousin who pretty much let him do as he pleased. Peter had showered and changed, the only sign he'd been involved in a major incident was a small bruise on his cheek, even the ache in his arms and shoulders had eased.

They couldn't stay there; Peter was surprised his dad hadn't already arrived.

''I am not gonna say no to that dude, though Pete you sure?'' Ned knew full well his friend should go home.

'' I can't go home Ned, I really fucked up this time,'' Peter replied plaintively and Ned nodded- no argument from him.

''You're gonna have to go home sometime,'' he replied.

''I will worry about that tomorrow, we can get a real nice hotel,'' Peter pulled a bundle of bank notes from his pocket.

''Wow!'' Ned's eyes went wide; he had never seen that much real money before.

''Come on, we'll hang out at some arcades, grab some food then go to a hotel,'' Peter opened the front door.

''Oh and dude, hoods up all the time, even inside, '' Peter reminded his friend, very aware of cameras.

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''Starkson has a talent for espionage, '' Thor commented as they sat side by side, eating Do-Nuts and drinking coffee after many hours of fruitless searching.

Ned's house was empty, the family obviously away visiting. Hacking the city cameras had not helped; so many kids Peter's size, all wearing hoodies- Tony now officially hated hoodies- he was banning them from his home forthwith.

''You think?'' Tony groaned as his phone bleeped again, it was getting harder to field Steve's constant texts.

''Where now?'' Thor swallowed the last Do-Nut in one go.

Tony had no reply.

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''How old are you? And where did you get this much money? '' The cop looked at them; Peter bit his lip trying to stall for time.

It had never occurred to either boy that two children with near a thousand dollars in hard cash would arouse suspicion when they tried to check into a five star hotel alone at ten o'clock at night. The police had arrived within five minutes.

'' Boys, you are not walking away from this; you are obviously not homeless so somewhere you have parents freaking out through worry so how about you tell the truth so we can get you home where you belong at this time of the night?'' The cop was being nice and Ned turned to Peter who threw his hands up.

''Sir, if you let us go, we will go home. We will,'' Ned said and the cop smiled.

''So son, you don't appear to be listening. You have two choices here; you tell us the truth and we take you home or you come downtown with us, we book you in, put you in a cell and call Child Protective Services. So what's it gonna be?'' The cop hardened his tone.

''You won't believe me if I tell you where I live anyways so I guess the cell,'' Peter took the obstinate route. Ned stared at his friend; that was crazy.

''Are you kidding me?'' The cop rolled his eyes in despair.

He looked at his partner who shrugged, so what did they do now? Their sergeant would not be happy if they brought these kids in, they had law suit written all over them. They were clean, well-kept and one of them was wearing very expensive clothes, very expensive clothes indeed; his sneakers alone cost several hundred of dollars.

''Yes he is, he is totally kidding. Tony Stark, how are you doing tonight?'' Tony held his hand out as he walked over to them.

Ned stared at Peter who froze in horror, what the hell?

''Mr Stark, how can we help you?' 'The cop was stunned and not a little intimidated.

''This is my assistant Ms Potts and our family lawyer, they will enlighten you,'' Tony smiled again, oozing charm; then he threw warning eyes at Peter who gulped.

''Shall we speak over here?'' Pepper worked her magic and they all walked away bar Tony.

Tony stepped closer to Peter and placed his hand on his arm.

''Do. Not. Even. Think. About. It.'' He said in a very low voice that Peter would never disobey so he stayed put despite the strong urge to flee.

Several tense minutes ticked by.

''We done?'' Tony asked pleasantly as the others returned.

''Yes, everything is in order. Have a good night,'' the cop nodded and he walked away with his partner.

''What on earth were you boys thinking? Where did this come from?'' Pepper held up the bundle of money.

''You been breaking into my safe again Ned?'' Tony asked caustically.

Ned went scarlet and looked to his friend to save him from the Stark wrath.

''It was me not him, it's not like you even know how much money you have, '' Peter was belligerent.

''Oh kiddo, you really need to rethink your strategy; I would go for contrite and remorseful if I were you. Did you even remember it's your sister's birthday?'' Tony was controlled but his eyes were filled with fury.

''Whatever,'' Peter retreated, no he hadn't, he had not remembered that.

''Shall we go home? Pops is worried sick, not that you appear to care,'' Tony took Peter's arm and guided him to the car, not loosening his hold for a second.

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They dropped everyone home; finally it was just the two of them.

''Peter, you gonna talk to me?'' Tony tried one last time.

''No,'' The recalcitrant boy replied.

''Good luck with that approach with Pops, your choice,'' Tony was done, he was so done. Maybe Steve, with his oh so special relationship with this boy could get through to him?

The Avengers were all present when they walked into the family room, watching the coverage of the near miss Ferry sinking that had blanket news coverage.

''I didn't need your help!'' Peter rounded on Tony who stilled for a second then he threw his hands up.

''You and I kid will speak in the morning and you are not going to enjoy it. I refer you back to the park! Right now I am taking this and I am going to my lab. No-one disturb me!'' Tony snatched the back pack from his son's hand and stormed away.

''I am going to bed,'' Peter did a carbon copy of Tony and flounced away.

''Seriously Steve, you go beat that kid's ass or I will,'' Sam spoke for all of them.

''I will do it. Starkson requires a severe lesson in obedience,'' Thor was distraught, they could all see that.

''Stand down big guy. I have this,'' Steve assured the God who nodded; secretly relieved as it was extremely doubtful he could carry out his threat.

Steve didn't knock, he threw open Peter's door and strode in.

''Go away! I don't care what you think. This is what I do now and I did not need Dad's help. I was fine,'' Peter said instantly, he was hanging from the ceiling.

''Get down from there! You have until the count of three. Front and centre now!'' Steve pointed in front of him and Peter did not move, instead he scowled.

''One,'' Steve barked out and Peter began to waiver, he was making this worse but Pops was so angry.

''TWO!'' Steve yelled this time and Peter dropped down in front of him.

''Pops, I…''

''Oh no, no excuses, I am not listening. You were told, I told you, Dad told you and you disobeyed both of us, so there is no excuse,'' Steve was done with excuses, reasons; Peter was twelve years old and a child therefore when he was told no, it was no and if he ignored that, there were consequences.

''Pops, I was helping! It went wrong but your mission's go wrong sometimes too. You don't need to do that, I'm a Super Hero! '' Peter began to plead. Super Heroes did not have to answer to their parents- it was ridiculous!

'' No, you're not! Not yet! Only one punishment fits this crime kiddo. You have more than earned a spanking.''

''I'm too old and no- one does that anymore. No-one!'' Peter tried guilt as he was desperate to avoid this.

''You are not too old and I know that Ned is spanked, we are not discussing this!''

Steve sat down and turned Peter over his knee. He was careful but his son's actions required a harsh response, so it was harder and longer than in the past. Peter was contrite and smarting by the time his father was done.

Steve sat the boy up and held him on his lap as he cried.

''I thought I had killed everyone. If Dad hadn't come then they would have died. It would have been my fault,'' Peter finally spoke to him and Steve sent a prayer of thanks upwards.

''Bubba, you were trying to help but you did it the wrong way,'' Steve cupped his head and pulled him against him, kissing sweaty curls.

''How? What did I do wrong?'' Peter hiccupped. He didn't understand why every time he tried to help, be a hero, it was a disaster and he ended up the villain. Every single time these days!

''Bubba, we talked about this, you agreed yet you still went alone. None of us ever go alone, we are a team and we need each other. We all make mistakes and that's what back up is there for; you have to have back up. You have to be smarter than this Peter,'' Steve spoke quietly and Peter sniffed.

''Dad was my backup,'' he whispered.

''Yes Daddy was your backup but he was only there through error. Bubba, listen to me,'' Steve sat Peter up and took his face in his hands.

''You are not alone but you are not ready to be part of the team yet. You have to train with us, learn what to do, to follow orders, how to take minimal risks with the best outcomes; plus sorry Bubba but you also have to grow some, a lot actually. Sweetheart, you have to graduate Super Hero School,'' Steve smiled and Peter laughed.

''That's kind of lame Pops,'' he wiped his face on his shoulder.

'' Yeah maybe but it's still true,'' Steve kissed his forehead as he held him close, so relieved he was in one piece and not injured.

''Dad's real angry with me, he's gonna kill me,'' Peter sniffed loudly.

''Yes Daddy is angry with you; you defied him so you are going to have face him yourself. Take responsibility for your actions,'' Steve stood by his husband.

''But you did it already,'' Peter looked at him with a silent plea in his eyes.

''Oh no Bubba, that is on you,'' he shook his head, he was not interfering.

Then he placed Peter on his feet.

''Want some cake and ice cream?'' he asked pulling Peter under his arm.

''Yeah, that sounds good,'' Peter looked up at him.

''Sorry Daddy, I know I scared you,'' he said softly and Steve pulled a long suffering face.

''You are forgiven! Come on before Harley eats it all,'' Steve slung Peter over his shoulder and carried him to the family room as he yelled in protest.

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