"This place is very impressive…"

Nick didn't bother to hide how pleased he was at the compliment. He nodded his agreement, looking around the entrance to the compound while still keeping an eye on his guests.

"That it is, your Majesty. Tony told you what we do, here?"

"He did," T'Chaka confirmed. "I understand that there are many more SHIELD people here than there are Avengers?"

"Mainly because there are far more of them," Fury confirmed.

The group at the Stark residence had had a good breakfast and had then piled into a few SUVs for the drive to the compound. After spending her evening with her parents, Shuri was ready to spend some time with someone her own age (Peter, of course) and had taken the boy's hand and purposefully had led him to one of the other cars when they'd loaded up to leave Tony's. Well aware of what she was doing, T'Chaka merely gestured for Okoye to take a seat in the same vehicle and had then gotten into the same SUV that Tony and Pepper had taken. Natasha joined Peter and Shuri, deciding that she would leave Tony and Pepper to Nick and make sure the kids stayed out of trouble.

Shuri was excited about visiting the compound and her questions were geared toward Romanoff who actually lived there. Would there be any Avengers there? What did they do when they weren't saving the world? Was she going to be able to see the incredible Hulk? Was he really an alien? Where did he live? Things of that nature which made Peter bored because he already knew the answers, so he turned his attention – and his questions – toward Okoye, who didn't want to engage the boy but found that she had little choice since he wasn't at all shy about speaking to her directly. How did one become a bodyguard for a king? Did she know any assassins? Was she married? Did she know any little kids? Did she have any kids? Did she have any little brothers and why didn't she bring them with her? Two interrogations were happening in the back of the SUV and by the time it stopped at the compound entrance, Okoye was more than ready to escape, and Natasha wasn't far behind.

"Can I show Shuri my room?" Peter asked, waiting until there was a slight lull in the conversation between Nick and T'Chaka – because that was only polite.

Tony glanced at T'Chaka. The question had been directed at him, but the answer was definitely up to the king.

"Is it safe?" T'Chaka asked.

"It's the most secure building on the planet," Nick assured him.

"Jarvis is here," Peter added – and now it was he who took Shuri's hand. "He doesn't let anyone in here that he doesn't want here, either."

"Fine,"

By then T'Chaka had a much better idea of what Jarvis was and just how impressive the AI was. He also knew some of the security protocols that protected Peter – both at home, at his school, and at the Avenger compound.

"Take her to see the gym, too," Tony suggested, knowing that would keep them busy while the adults were given a more formal tour. "We'll meet you somewhere around there."

"Okay."

Peter ran off, pulling a willing Shuri with him, and Okoye hesitated, looking once more at her king.

"They can't get lost," Tony assured them. "And there isn't anyone here who will hurt them."

T'Chaka looked at Ramonda, who smiled and caught his hand.

"I would appreciate a tour, then."

Nick nodded.

"Plenty to show you. Let's go."

OOOOOOOOO

"It is not very impressive…"

Peter scowled as he looked around his room. True, it wasn't that big, but it was in the compound and better than living in a stupid palace.

"I think it's great," he said. "Jarvis is in here, and I have bunk beds. And Legos."

"I see that," Shuri said. "You are very intelligent, though, Peter…"

"I know."

"Then why do you surround yourself with toys and childish games? Why not do something meaningful?"

"Because I'm nine," he said, frowning. "I don't need to do anything meaningful. I'll do that, later, when I'm an Avenger and a Superhero."

"You have to have super powers to be a superhero," Shuri told him, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"I have su-"

Before he could finish that particular sentence, Jarvis spoke up, probably catching something in the boy's tone and deciding to cut off any potential spoilers.

"Peter is correct. This is his time to enjoy the freedom that comes with having few responsibilities. He is learning what he will need to know when he is older and is learning about family dynamics that are still new to him. When he is older, he'll be ready to do whatever he wants to do – and will undoubtedly do great things. As will you," the AI added.

"Oh." Shuri hesitated, thinking about that. Then she shrugged. "I am going to be incredible," she said, her chin coming up. "I will make Wakanda even better than it is, already. The technology I am learning to use will make sure everyone has all that they need."

"That's a very noble goal," Jarvis told her. "Peter? Take Shuri to the gym and show her your ball pit."

"Okay."

Comfortable with taking orders from the AI, Peter didn't even hesitate. A quick glance around his room showed that everything was where it belonged (not that he was worried, since Jarvis was in his room at the compound, now, and could keep an eye on things for him) and then made a gesture to Shuri.

"Natasha and them got me the ball pit for Christmas," he said. "It's pretty neat."

"What is a ball pit?" Shuri asked, distracted – as Jarvis had intended.

"You'll see."

OOOOOOOOOO

"What are they doing…?"

Tony wasn't the only one to smile when they entered the gym at the end of the tour of the compound. Childish laughter was echoing through the large space, and they'd heard it long before they'd walked in and saw Peter and Shuri in the far corner, brightly colored balls flying everywhere as the two youngsters threw them in the air and at each other, even as they waded through those that were in the pit, itself.

"That's Peter's ball pit," Pepper explained. "He was given it for Christmas last year, and for obvious reasons, it was better to have it set up out here, rather than back in the city."

"Especially since I was living in an apartment at the time," Tony added. "Bad enough he has Giant Jenga. I wasn't going to add to the clutter if I could avoid it."

"What does it do?" Ramonda asked, uncertainly.

Her daughter looked to be enjoying herself, but she couldn't tell if there was a mechanical element to the thing and she was in any danger of injury.

"It doesn't do anything," Nick said. "But it's a good way to burn off excess energy, develop motor skills, and strengthen muscles. With a kid like Peter, who is so energetic, tossing him into the pit for an hour or so can help tire him out and get him ready for bed, on time."

The queen smiled.

"Perhaps we should invest in one," she said as they walked over.

A bright green ball came sailing out of the pit and hit Tony on the side of the head. The attack was followed by a giggle – although both assailants were hiding behind the netting that held the balls in the frame of the pit. He picked it up ignoring Natasha's snort of amusement.

"It does have a few downsides…"