"Wait. What?"

Eric smiled, not at all surprised by the uncertain expression on the billionaire's face. He wasn't surprised at Pepper's, either, of course, and was quick to explain.

"No parents allowed at tryouts," he told them. "It's important that the coaches have the time with the kids, alone, and that there can't be any accusations of favoritism. Either because a parent is famous," and he gestured to Tony. "Or because the parent might seem to be somewhat intimidating." And now it was clear that he was referring to himself. "They get their positions based on what the coaches see them doing, not what their moms and dads say, or do."

"We can't leave Peter alone," Pepper said. "What if something happened?"

"You can hang out in the stands," Eric assured them. "That's where I'll be, too. And you can have SHIELD around – just not close to the field. It'll just be little kids and coaches, there, so he'll be alright."

Stark didn't look reassured, but he didn't argue, either. He looked at his son, who was still smiling in excitement.

"Are you okay with that?"

"I'll be with him," Ned reminded Pepper and Tony.

"I'm good," Peter said, nodding. "It's fine."

Tony still hesitated, but he finally nodded. And then pointed at the bleachers that were on the left side of the small stadium that was being used for the tryouts for the team – and would be used for all of their practices and home games.

"We'll be right up there, alright?"

"Yeah."

"Have fun," Pepper told him.

He nodded, and grinned, but seemed to understand that Tony was worried about him.

"I'm good," he said again.

"I know, pal." He handed his son a smaller version of the equipment bag that they'd purchased. This one held Peter's cleats and his mouthpiece in case it was needed. "We'll be nearby if you need anything."

"Okay."

He grinned at Ned and the two boys left, turning and heading out to the field where a small group of youngsters were gathering around a smaller group of coaches.

Tony and Pepper turned and headed with Eric toward the bleachers, joining other parents and relatives who had also come out to the football tryouts.

"What do they do?" Pepper asked, as they seated themselves. She smiled, politely, to a dark-haired man that was sitting alone on the bleacher, just above and to the side of the one that she and Tony seated themselves at with Eric. The man hesitated, but then he returned her smile, looking at her, Tony, and then Eric before turning his attention back to the field. Pepper assumed that he was a lone father watching his son (or daughter) like they were. "How do the coaches decide which kids do what?"

"They'll separate them by size, first," Eric told her. "Then they'll talk to each kid and see if they have any experience, and what position they're interested in playing. Sometimes the kids don't have a clue what their options are, so they help guide them to a position that will work for them and allow them to have the most fun."

Sure enough, they saw the children already getting divided up, and it was easy to see that it was by size. Ned went to one group, and Peter went to another. They were too far away to hear what was being said by anyone, but each coach had a clipboard, and they started talking to individual kids, making notes. Tony and Pepper watched, intently, when the coach reached Peter, and the little boy was gesturing, excitedly, making both of them smile.

OOOOOOO

He hesitated, looking at Stark and his wife without them realizing that they were being observed. He could just sidle up to them and strike a conversation, maybe feel the guy out to see what sort of person he was. He wasn't completely sure that he was ready to show any of his cards, yet, though, and instinctively knew that it wasn't really the time. Stark was watching Peter, and was going to be pretty distracted. Bucky was surprised that there weren't more SHIELD people watching them, honestly, but he decided that the two who were in the parking lot were almost certainly watching the comings and goings of everyone – and probably had Romanoff or Fury on speed dial if something came up.

It wouldn't, though. Bucky hadn't seen anything out of line as he was entering the place, and his instincts had been honed to near perfection by so many years of doing his keepers' bidding.

He decided to wait, and watch. The time would show itself, and he'd make his move, then. Besides, it was almost pleasant to be doing nothing more menacing than watching some little kids play football. He wished he had a hotdog, or something.

OOOOOOOO

Not really surprising any of them, Ned was put with the bigger kids and from the gestures that he was making, he was plainly telling the coaches – and everyone else that was listening – that he wanted to be blocking people, or running through their lines.

"He's been researching famous defensive linemen," Eric said, his eyes on his adopted son. "But he said that he wants to be on whatever side of the ball that Peter is on, so they can play together, at the same time."

"Peter told me that he wants the same thing," Pepper replied. "He said that if Ned plays defense, he'll ask to be a safety, and if he goes to offense, he'll try for receiver."

The boys had had a couple of phone conversations about the topic during the last week, so it wasn't really a surprise.

"Will they accommodate that?" Tony asked.

Eric shrugged.

"Probably."

They went silent as they watched the conversation with Peter end, and the boy turned to talk to a girl who was standing beside him. He offered her the football that he was holding and the two started playing catch. A few others joined the activity and they killed time while waiting for the coaches to finish talking to the remaining kids. Then a whistle blew and they were all gathered together into a large group, again.

"They're going to spend today and tomorrow sorting the kids into their positions," Eric said, reminding them that this wasn't even close to his first football team. Several of the kids that he and his wife had fostered had wanted to play – as had their biological son when he'd been younger. "Then they'll start actually teaching them the positions in the next few practices."

One practice a week wasn't much, but it was plenty for Peter, who was just happy to be playing, really. And enough for Tony, too, since he and Pepper did have a pretty busy schedule most of the time. And they were both committed to going to all of Peter's practices and games, because it was new for him, and new for them.

"Uh oh."

Pepper's soft comment drew Tony from his thoughts and he noticed what she'd already noticed. Two of the oldest (presumably) and definitely largest of the boys were in Ned's face, and the smaller boy wasn't backing down. Again, they couldn't hear what the words were, but it was a certain bet that they weren't asking him for a cupcake recipe. Eric had already stood up, waiting to see if he was going to be needed, when one of the boys pushed Ned, just as a coach was turning their direction, as well, hand coming up to get his whistle. Ned pushed back, and then both boys jumped on him, taking him down in a heap – and Peter was immediately part of the pile, jumping on the back of the biggest of the two and grabbing him from behind.

"Shit."

All three headed for the bottom of the bleachers."