Chapter 7

Author's Note: Okay, I am on a roll tonight! I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. Enjoy!

A week had gone by since Tony had taken Peter to the arcade center. It seemed as though on this day that Peter had woken up in a bad mood. He wasn't really sure why, maybe it was because he had registered for the SAT's which meant more all-night studying sessions. Probably the real reason why he was in a bad mood was because Flash had been bugging him the last couple of days at school. It was Wednesday, so if he could just make it through the next couple of days without Flash bugging him too much. Peter had half a mind to play hooky from school, but that would only get him grounded by May and a long, long lecture from Tony. Ugg! Adults…. Sometimes, Peter couldn't understand why adults were so strict about school.

The day had gone pretty well, but by lunch Peter was in a really bad mood. It had gotten worse as the day went on and Peter was pretty sure he had either made everyone around him miserable or they ticked him off for no real reason. Either way, Ned wasn't sitting with him at lunch, like he usually did.

Flash came over to Peter, "Hey, I went to that new arcade center. I bet you couldn't even get in."

"Why would you say that?" Peter asked, not sure where the conversation was going.

"Cause you're a poor, stupid kid." Flash stated.

Peter rolled his eyes, "If I was, would I be at this dumb school dealing with you?"

"You're only here because Stark paid for you to be here." Flash retorted.

"Well, maybe you should go ask the school secretary. So, would you please shut-up and leave me the hell alone?"

"Woah, Parker Barker, what's with the attitude? Where's your fat friend?"

That did it. That was the last straw.

Before Peter realized what he actually did, he punched Flash. Hard. Hard enough to break his nose. Flash was screaming in pain. The teacher sent Peter to the office immediately, which of course, Peter put up a fight. Ned was surprised by Peter's reaction. He hadn't seen Peter act like that, since, well, ever.

Peter sat in the office, not realizing that he had a really bad headache, which was probably caused because Flash had managed to throw a punch.

The principal called him in, "Peter. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Peter remained silent.

"Peter, staying silent won't help your case."

Peter just glared at him. This day had gone from bad to worse.

"Okay, Peter. Since you refuse to talk, I have no choice but to suspend you for the rest of the day today and tomorrow."

"This school's a bunch of B.S." Peter replied angrily.

The principal looked shock and sternly said, "Peter. If you don't want to end up with three days of suspension, I suggest you can it."

After a moment of silence, the principal picked up the phone, "Who should I call, Peter?"

"Um, my aunt is working, and she doesn't keep her phone on. You can call my emergency contact."

The principal looked at the name, "Tony Stark?"

"I have an internship with him." Peter said moodily.

Tony was busy down in the lab, music blaring. He was really looking forward to seeing Peter after he got out of school. He wanted to do upgrades to Peter's suit. FRIDAY came onto the speakers.

"Sir, you have a call coming in from the school."

Tony looked up confused, "FRIDAY?"

"Peter's school, sir." FRIDAY clarified.

Tony sighed, "Stark."

A few moments of silence, "Can I speak to Peter?"

Another moment of silence, "He said no? Tell him I will be right there to pick him up."

Tony made his way to the principal's office. The secretary seemed shocked that the Tony Stark was standing in front of her.

"I was told to come pick up Mr. Parker." Tony said.

"He's in the office still. I will let them know." The young secretary said, as she picked up the phone.

A moment later, Peter came walking out of the principal's office, looking angry. Peter's headache was so much worse, and a bruise had formed on his head.

Tony sighed, "Come on, Pete. Let's go."

Peter walked right past Tony, not saying a word. When Peter got to the car, he got it in and slammed the door. Tony wasn't sure what to do about Peter. Peter made the effort to show that he was going to ignore Tony, by putting his earbuds in. Tony rolled his eyes at the attitude. The car ride was practically silent. When they got to the tower, Tony held his hand out to Peter.

"Take the earbuds out or hand me the phone. Your choice, Pete." Tony said firmly.

Peter huffed and took the earbuds out, staring at the ground.

"Pete, I am not going to lecture you. I can see that you are really angry, and I want to help you through this, but I can't do that when you won't talk to me."

Peter didn't say anything. He took the chance to look up at Tony. Tony didn't look mad, he seemed more concerned.

"Pete, you can either go to your room on this floor or you can come down to the lab." Tony offered. "If you don't want to do either, let's sit over here on the couch and talk."

Peter burst into tears and stood there like some helpless kid. Tony went over to him and hugged him as tight as he could.

"Shh, Pete. It's okay, everything's okay."

"I-I am sorry. I am s-sorry."

"Pete, I am not mad at all. Everything's okay." Tony whispered in Peter's ear.

When Peter had calmed down, Peter explained that he had woken up in a really bad mood and what happened to get him suspended.

"I know I shouldn't have punched him, and I know I shouldn't have lost control." Peter said.

"Pete, I understand why you did it, but you're right that wasn't a smart move."

"I am sorry." Peter said.

" I know, Pete. I promise I am not mad. If I am ever mad, I will tell you." Tony said, as Peter relaxed more into Tony's side.

Tony looked down at the young, hurting teen. "Does your head still hurt?"

Peter shook his head and yawned. The day had worn him out.

"Why don't you take a nap, kiddo, and then afterwards you can come down to the lab."

Peter nodded his head and then asked a question that he had been dying to ask, "Do we have to tell May?"

"Yep. Face the music, kiddo."

"But, Mr. Stark, she'll ground me and then I won't be able to come over." Peter whined.

"Who says you can't be grounded here?" Tony stated.

"Uh…" Peter was confused.

"Pete, we could tell May what happened. She can lecture you all she wants. I can tell here that since the school called me, I could finish the whole thing and keep an eye on you."

"So, would that basically mean I wouldn't be grounded, or would I actually be grounded?" Peter asked.

"Eh." Tony shrugged his shoulders.

"What does that mean?"

"It just means eh."

"Mr. Stark." Peter said, like Tony sometimes did when Peter wasn't exactly being truthful.

"Get some rest while I order pizza and while I call May."

"But I am not really tired. Could we order pizza and go down into the lab?" Peter asked hopefully.

"Listen up, genius." Tony said, as he began to tickle Peter mercilessly. "If you're asleep, you won't have to face a lecture from your unusually attractive aunt."

Peter continued laughing and ended up falling off the couch. Peter attempted to ruffle Tony's hair or swat him on the head for the aunt comment. He failed when Tony grabbed him around his waist, put Peter on his lap and began tickling him again. Peter laughed uncontrollably, until he could hardly breathe. Tony stopped, letting the kid get up.

"Learn your lesson?" Tony asked with a hint of seriousness, but really teasing.

"Sure, Tin-Man." Peter said breathlessly.

When Peter was making his way to lay down onto the couch, Tony grabbed Peter gently and had him between his knees.

"Pete, if you ever have a bad day, like you did today. I want you to call me and we could talk about it. Okay?"

"I don't want to bother you."

"You're not a bother, kiddo." Tony said gently. "Now lay down, you look like you're about to fall asleep standing up." Tony patted Peter's back, as Peter made his way to the other end of the couch.

A few minutes later, Tony could hear the soft snores of the teen and he knew the kid would be hungry. But first, he would have to call May and then pizza.

Lord, help him. At least, the kid would get out of a lecture and being grounded. He would never tell Peter that he wasn't grounded. Just make him think he was.