"This is very important, Nico."

"I know, father. I won't let you down."

"It's your grandfather's honor."

"I know."

The boy smiled, though, despite the seriousness of the conversation. He'd never been to the United States – and he was excited. His father couldn't miss it, and the man hugged him, close for a long moment.

"Don't get lost."

"We're going to be staying at the hotel that connects to the convention center," he reminded him – and his mother. "We can't get lost."

"Take lots of pictures of the Avengers," his little brother said, squirming with excitement at the thought.

"As many as I can," the boy promised. "We will only get to see them the one day."

"Do you have everything?" his mother asked, looking more nervous than anything.

"Yes."

"We can't just bring it to you if you forgot."

"I know." Another smile – and now he hugged her, as well. The flight was being announced and the airport was always busy but seemed even busier with all of the families saying goodbye to their students who were leaving for the international academic competition. "I'm set."

"Do you think we should give him more money?"

"I'm fine, Mother," he assured her.

"Bring me back a present!" his brother told him.

"I will."

"His name is Peter Parker," his father reminded him as he handed the boy the handle for his suitcase. He also had a backpack and a carryon – all of the kids heading to the United States did – and rested his hand on his son's head in something of a benediction. "Don't forget."

"I won't."

The you man named Nico turned and joined his classmates, boarding passes in hand.

OOOOOOOOOO

"Maybe we should wait another day…" Tony said, looking pained – although Peter looked excited and that was always a good thing. "You know… just to make sure everything is set."

"Everything's set," Pepper told him. Her hand was resting on Tony's arm but she was watching Peter, as well. She was also looking around the lobby of the hotel. There were several people there, but they were all expected, and they were all being watched, carefully. "And Peter's ready. Right?"

The boy grinned and nodded.

"I am." He hugged Tony. "Really."

Even as he said it, he heard his name being called and all three looked over to see Ned hurrying toward them, dragging a huge wheeled suitcase and waving. Behind him trailed his mother who was looking around with interest, cheerfully.

"Isn't this awesome?" Ned asked, excited.

He was going to be away from home for a week, too, after all.

"Yeah." Peter was catching his excitement, of course. "I heard the Australians are here, now."

He'd know as soon as things happened, after all, since he had Karen to keep him appraised on what was going on. She'd keep track of things and if anything happened that Tony or SHIELD needed to know about (that they didn't already) she'd pass it on to them for handling.

"Sweet. I wonder if they brought anything interesting."

"Like what?" Tony asked, curiously, as he and Pepper greeted the boy's mother when she caught up to him.

"I don't know," Ned replied. "A crocodile?"

It was Pepper who smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Do you really think they brought a crocodile?"

"Maybe?"

"Are you sure you need him?" Ned's mother asked Peter with a smile. "I hear the alternate for the sciences is a pretty smart guy."

The boy shook his head, pleased that she was teasing, because it meant that she was relaxed and that would help Tony relax a little, too. Pepper seemed alright, but Tony looked like he was ready to change his mind and take Peter home.

"MJ seems to think we do," Peter confirmed. "Otherwise we only have Flash."

And himself, of course.

"The rest of your team is coming today?" Tony asked.

"Yes. They're supposed to be."

"And you're staying in the hotel, right?"

Peter nodded.

"Yes." He'd already promised that he wouldn't make any trips outside the protective perimeter that SHIELD had set up for him. Peter understood why Tony was nervous, but he was excited, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make his father less concerned. "No sneaking out – no matter who suggests it."

He looked pointedly at Ned, who shook his head.

"I've already been warned that I'll be in danger of being flayed alive if I so much as stick my nose outside the hotel and convention center," the boy told them, giving his mother a sidelong glance that made it clear who'd threatened him. "There's going to be plenty to do here, really. We won't have any reason to leave."

Tony looked at Peter who nodded his agreement.

"He's right. We're not going to go anywhere."

"Good. Okay." He was going to have to go, because the more he stood around thinking about all the terrible things that might happen, the more inclined he was to change his mind – and that wasn't an option, now was it? "Romanoff is going to be around. If you need anything – or if anything comes up – call her. Or have Karen contact her."

"I will."

"We're going to be fine," Ned assured Tony. "We'll settle into the room and then meet up with the rest of the team as they arrive. Practice tonight until dinner, and then we'll look around and see who we can meet and mingle with."

"No French girls," his mother said, making the adults all smile.

"They aren't coming in until tomorrow," Ned told them.

Pepper hugged Peter, while Ned allowed a hug from his mom. Then Tony caught Peter in a rough hug, as well.

"Do you have enough money?" he asked.

"Yeah." There was a gift shop in the hotel – and one in the convention center – so he might do some shopping and see if he could find something for Tony and Pepper. "Don't stress this, okay/"

"I'm not." He slapped Peter's back and released him. "Mom and I are going to be at the tower, this evening, if you need anything."

"Why are you going to the tower?" Ned asked, curiously.

"So they can hover," came the reply – only it was from Natasha Romanoff, who had walked up in time to hear the question.

"We aren't hovering," Tony denied. "We have a meeting with some Asian market handlers, and since we're in the city, we'll take care of it at the tower."

Pepper nodded her agreement, and caught Tony's hand.

"We'll see you at the compound on Wednesday."

Both boys grinned at that.

"Yeah."

That was the day the competitors were going to have their chance to tour the Avenger facility. Peter and Ned weren't excited about the tour, they were looking forward to watching all the other kids during the tour. It was fun to be on that side of the excitement, too.

"Stay out of trouble," Tony told his son – and Ned.

"We will."

Ned nodded his agreement.

"I'll keep an eye on them," Natasha promised.

Both boys smirked. Peter was amused to see Tony smirk, too.

"Who's going to keep an eye on you?" he asked.

Romanoff chuckled, and rested her hand on Peter's shoulder, both boys and the superspy watching as the parents turned and headed for the lobby door.

"Your room is ready," she told them. "I want you guys to go get settled in and stay close to your room for now."

"Why?" Ned asked.

"So she can watch all the other people as they arrive," Peter told his friend. "We lay low for a while and then she doesn't have to worry about watching us, too."

Natasha smiled.

"Something like that."

"Is Stephen coming?" Peter asked.

"He might, later, but not right now." She handed both boys key cards for their room. "Go unpack and stay out of trouble."

"We never get into trouble," Ned assured her.

"Right."

She was still smiling, slightly, when Ned and Peter entered the elevator. Then she turned and went back to the concierge desk where Steve and Barnes were watching the lobby traffic.

She had a few things to take care of before she could begin to relax.