Peter looked nervously at Chris as they walked into his apartment building. His Aunt May was supposed to have arrived an hour earlier, and Peter couldn't stop the anxious feeling in his stomach. May was going to go ballistic about the beer.

Chris looked around the entry hall and Peter turned red.

"You alright, Peter?"

"It's not much, but it's a good home, and-" Chris smiled and shook his head.

"It's a much nicer place than my first apartment with my wife."

"Really? But your dad owns- and you're the VP of the company. I thought-?"

"It's my father's company, and while I appreciated his paying for things when I lived with him, once I moved out, I wanted to rely on myself. That meant just using my paychecks from the Air Force. I could only afford a one bedroom apartment in a run down place, and that's what I had to offer my wife. As my rank increased, so did the paycheck. Eventually, I was able to move Katherine and Scott to a new home that was in a nicer part of town."

"So you've actually worked for your money? No handouts?"

"No handouts- unless you count my parents randomly bringing us groceries when the paycheck was small and the bills were high. And even then, I only accepted because my pride didn't extend to my kids going hungry. Now enough about me. Let's head up to your place." Chris motioned for Peter to take the lead and Peter opened the door for the stairwell and started the long journey to the fourth floor. They arrived at his apartment and Chris put his hand on Peter's chest to stop him after noticing the door was ajar.

"What-?"

"Sh," Chris said in a hushed voice. "Stay in the hall."

"But Major Summers, I-"

"Out. Here."

"Yes sir." Chris gave Peter a small nod and carefully pushed the door further open.

"Mrs. Parker?" he called. "This is Chris Summers. I've brought Peter home," he said as his eyes took in the visible parts of the apartment. He didn't receive an answer and went further inside, keeping his steps light.

"Mrs. Parker?" he said again. He opened a door and peered inside. He immediately covered his face as he backed away while a woman screamed.

"Get out! Get out of my home! I'm calling the police!"

"Ma'am," he said, his eyes still covered. "I'm delivering your nephew home. I- The door was open and I wanted to make sure he was coming into a safe location." He turned and gave May privacy to redress, and for the man with her to throw on some pants as well. Not long after he turned, he heard a throat being cleared.

"Who are you?" May demanded. "Where is Peter? And where is Tony Stark?!"

"Pete!" Chris called. "You can come in now!" Peter entered the apartment and saw his aunt.

"Hi Aunt May," he greeted.

"Who's he?" May demanded.

"This is Scott's dad-"

"Chris Summers," Chris said. "Mr. Stark was called away for a meeting that Ms. Potts refused to let him out of, and he asked me to take Peter home. I saw the door was open and I wanted to make sure there was no crime occuring. I apologize for intruding." May stared at him for a moment before turning to Peter.

"Hi honey. How was your weekend?"

"It was good," Peter said, shooting Chris a quick look. "Scott and I played some video games."

"How was the party?"

"I…"

"Peter, his friends, and Scott learned alcohol was being served at the party, and that there were no adults."

"Oh, Peter," May said, disappointed. "Tell me you didn't."

"They called for a ride home immediately," Chris said, patting Peter's shoulder. "I was very impressed, honestly. I don't know if I showed the same restraint when I was their age."

"Really?" May asked, her eyes raised.

"We were there maybe half an hour," Peter said. "Flash was being annoying and once we found out that Liz's parents weren't there like she said they'd be, and that she was passing out beer, Scott called Major Summers and we went back to Mr. Stark's place."

"I see. I'm proud of you, Peter." May kissed his head and then licked her thumb to wipe away a smudge of lipstick. Peter groaned as Chris quietly laughed.

"Not in front of Scott's dad, Aunt May."

"Don't worry about it, Peter. I'm nearly forty and my mom still does that in front of anyone she can. She's even done it in front of Rhodey."

"I think I'd die," Peter said jokingly.

"No, you'd just hide for a while," Chris said with a chuckle. "Alright, son. Thank you for including Scott in your weekend. I know he appreciates it. I'll see you at Tony's the next time you visit."

"You live with Tony?" May asked. "I know he and Peter work together in his lab as part of his internship, but I didn't think he'd opened up his home to others."

"He's helping my father and I bring our West Coast shipping company to New York, and is letting my children and me stay with him until other accommodations can be made."

"Like he'll let you leave now," Peter said, grinning. Chris winked.

"It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Parker. See you later, Peter."

"Bye, Major Summers." Chris walked out of Peter's apartment and made his way out of the building.

Scott stood up straight, still panting, and wiped at his face. It was getting cooler outside, but after running three miles with Captain America, all Scott wanted was to jump into a pool and cool off.

"Your endurance is getting better," Steve praised.

"Thanks," Scott wheezed. Steve chuckled and handed Scott a water bottle.

"Slowly," he reminded the teen. "Too fast and you'll get sick like last time." Scott nodded and took a small sip. "Better?"

"Yes sir." Steve drank from his own bottle and swatted away a fly.

"So how did the party go Friday night?"

"It didn't go," Scott said, his chest loosening. "We got there and it was more than the decathlon team and there were no adults and the host was passing out alcohol. Mr. Hogan brought us back."

"And… before?" Scott's shoulders dropped.

"You heard?" Steve nodded. "I should have let some of the excess out before we went. That was my fault."

"Do you understand why I've suggested you stay here now?"

"Yes sir," Scott said, sadly. "But the glasses Mr. Stark made-"

"Tony is a brilliant man," Steve agreed. "But even his suits have malfunctioned. I just don't want to see anything happen to you, Scott, and that means…"

"Staying here," Scott finished. He looked at Steve, glad the visor he was wearing could hide the tears filling his eyes. "I won't be going to school with Peter next semester, will I?"

"I don't think it would be safe for the students, or for you."

"I understand, Captain Rogers."

"I'm sorry, Scott. I know you were looking forward to it-"

"I hadn't really talked to my dad about it, so no harm done, right? And it's in the city and it'd be hard to get there and back every day. Staying here is for the best for several reasons."

"Good man," Steve said, patting Scott's back. "I knew you'd get it."

"Are we done? My dad should be back soon from dropping Peter off, and we're supposed to- He said he needed to talk to the four of us about something."

"We are. Take it easy for a bit and be ready to go again tomorrow."

"Yes sir," Scott said as he started moving away from Steve.

"And Scott?" Scott stopped and turned. "If your dad suggests school?"

"I'll tell him I'm not comfortable enough with my eyes to go." Steve nodded and Scott left and went to his room. He switched his visor for his glasses and then stripped out of his workout clothes and down to his underwear. He moved to the bathroom and realized the door was locked on his side and the water was already running. He sighed, grabbed his clothes, and left to go into Chris' room. He knew Chris wasn't back yet, and his shower would be free. He opened Chris' door and hurried into the bathroom.

When Scott finally turned the water off, he heard voices in Chris' room. He dried off and pulled his clean boxers and pants on and opened the door with his shirt in his hand. The voices stopped and he saw Chris looking right at him.

"Hi Dad," he greeted. "Sorry- Lex was in our shower and I'd just finished training with-"

"Scott," Chris said, his voice stern. Scott turned and saw Chris was on the computer, video chatting with a strange man, and a résumé in his hands.

"Sorry," he said quietly. He left the room through the adjoining room to the living room, not wanting the stranger to see him. He pulled his shirt on and ran a hand through his wet hair.

"Scott, Mr. Stark would like to talk to you in your room," he heard his AI announce through his glasses.

"Uh, ok? Just a second." He left the room and went down the hall to his own room and closed the door. Seconds later, his phone rang and Scott answered it.

"Hey Voldy."

"Mr. Stark," Scott greeted. "Is everything ok?"

"I was… Well, I was hoping to ask you that."

"Everything's fine that I know of, sir. How's India?" He heard some movement and then a sigh.

"Look, I know you saw what happened Friday. I- I've been trying to get in touch with your dad all weekend, and now that I'm set to leave in a few, I…"

"I'm not getting involved, Mr. Stark."

"It's that bad, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Friday- I tried to get Friday to ask him to call me, but she said he was talking to other men and women-"

"Seriously, Mr. Stark?"

"Scott, please. This is awkward, but you're the only one who knows the two of us well enough-"

"Dad's doing interviews. You know. For pilots. So we can stay here."

"He is?"

"Yeah. And… I don't want to talk about my dad's private life like that. It's awkward, ok? But between you and me… Dad's been a lot happier since Friday night."

"Has he talked to you four about it?"

"No sir. I overheard him talk to Peter, though, and he said that he wanted the two of you to talk first…"

"I've been trying to talk to him-"

"You're also out of the country for a business meeting and I'm sure he didn't want to distract you."

"Shit. Look, I'd never ask for you to keep a secret from your dad, but do you think that maybe we can keep this to ourselves unless directly asked?"

"I-" There was a knock on the door and Scott turned to see Chris stick his head in.

"I'm sorry, Scotty. I had three interviews scheduled online today- Who're you talking to?"

"I- Um. It's-"

"Just tell him I called to make sure the tech is working."

"It's Mr. Stark," Scott said. "He was asking about how my visor was during training today."

"You mind if I-?" Chris said, holding his hand out.

"Mr. Stark, my dad wants to talk to you."

"Shit shit shit. Alright. Sorry, kid." Scott handed Chris his phone.

"Tony? Yeah, I know I haven't…" Chris rubbed his forehead. "No, I wasn't avoiding- You were talking about how important this meeting was and I was trying-" Chris rolled his eyes. "You called my kid to check up on me, didn't you?"

"Dad-"

"We'll talk once you get back and sleep off the jet lag," Chris said. "Now I have some more interviews to do." Chris hung up and handed the phone to Scott.

"He thinks you're not interested-"

"And that's my business to discuss with him, not yours, Scott Christopher."

"I'm sorry." Chris sighed and went to Scott's dresser and grabbed the controllers to one of Scott's game systems that was least played.

"Three days."

"Yes sir." Chris nodded and walked out of Scott's room.

"Mr. Stark sends his apologies, Scott," Friday announced in his room.

"Tell him it's not a big deal, and that's really one of Dad's lighter punishments. He's not mad, he's just… making a point. And tell him I look forward to seeing him when he gets back."