Pepper eyed the table in front of her with a knowing gaze. The Avengers table was split down the middle, once more. Team America sat on one side while Team Iron Man sat on the other, the only difference was Pepper, Spiderman and Bruce now joined in. Scott would have joined but he had a birthday party to go to. Bruce sat on one end of the table, while Spiderman sat at the other end. Pepper, looked around from her spot next to Tony. But her eyes fell on the masked boy who stared at the ceiling, his plate untouched in front of him.

"You should eat," Pepper voiced causing everyone to look. Spiderman didn't respond as he continued to stare at the ceiling. "Spiderman?" she called and slowly, the boy brought his head down to where the eyes of his mask landed on her.

"Yes, Miss Potts?"

"You should eat, and please call me Pepper."

"Right, well I'm not hungry."

"Your stomach earlier suggested that you are."

The eyes disappeared as they went back to the ceiling. Pepper shared a look with Tony who was closer to the boy. Rolling his eyes, Tony nodded before looking at the kid.

"When's the last time you ate?" the scientist asked.

The boy's red shoulders lifted towards the ceiling before dropping. "I've been busy," he said softly.

"Well, you're not busy now, so eat."

Bringing his head down, Spiderman tilted it slightly. Shaking his head as if in amusement, he looked back at the ceiling. "No thanks."

"Are you allergic to something on the table?" Bruce asked. Spiderman froze slightly before looking at the doctor. He had purposely been staring at the ceiling to avoid interacting with the man he idolized. Now the man whose books he read on a daily basis back with his aunt now sat in front of him. Spiderman looked down at the food on his plate and just the smell and sight alone sent his mouthwatering and his stomach grumbling.

All eyes fell on him. "Are you allergic?" Bruce repeated.

"No, Dr. Banner."

"Please call me Bruce, and I think I speak for everyone when I say call us by our first names." Everyone around the table nodded in agreement.

"Of course they do," Spiderman mumbled.

"So, if you are not allergic to anything, then you can eat."

"I'm not going to eat," Spiderman snapped as he looked around the room. "Listen, I'm not here to have fun. You wanted me here to help you find Peter."

"We will find him, but we still have to eat," Natasha voiced as she stuffed a fork full of greens in her mouth.

Shaking his head, Spiderman stood. "When you guys are ready to start looking, let me know."

Tony stood up and just as the vigilante started to leave, he reached out and grabbed his arm. Spiderman yanked away before glaring at the scientist. "Condition number one; don't grab on me." Tony raised his hands in a non-threatening manner.

"Right, about those conditions-"

"You already agreed to them," Spiderman pointed out.

"I'm aware," Tony grumbled. "However, Pepper and I talked well, Pepper talked and I listened. You're too young but always remember happy wife, happy life."

"Tony-" Pepper scolded.

"Sorry. Pep and I talked and we came up with a few conditions of our own."

"You already agreed to my conditions, so that makes no sense."

"How about this, if you want me to continue to agree to your conditions Spiderkid, then you will agree to mine."

"Spiderman," the vigilante corrected.

"Tony," Steve said as he stood. Tony held up a hand never taking his eyes off the boy.

"Nope, don't want to hear it. If the kid can make conditions, then so can I."

"And if I don't agree to these conditions?"

"You don't even know what they are yet."

"Not the point."

Tony studied the eyes of the mask with a critical eye. "Condition one: You stay here."

"That-"

"You can come and go as you please as we agreed but when it's bedtime you stay here."

"Bedtime-"

"You're a kid, all kids have a bedtime," the scientist said offhandedly.

"That's-"

"Two: When you're here, you have to stay with one of us at all times."

Spiderman placed his hands on his hips as he shook his head. "Why?"

An amused snort filled the room from the table causing everyone to turn. Clint smirked as he looked down at his plate. "Well," Tony said capturing the young boy's attention. "Well for one, you attacked Fury. However, I'm a nice man and I'm willing to overlook that. So the reason we are going with is that this is a government building and you are a child. I personally think you will be fine, but Pep insists. Says it's a safety thing."

"Seriously? That is ridiculous."

"Three: You have to take care of yourself."

"Meaning?"

Tony's amused face turned serious as he looked Spiderman up and down. "We can see your ribs through those pajamas you're wearing."

Spiderman looked down and sure enough, you could see his ribs sticking out, a little, but still noticeable. Looking back up at the man, Tony gave him a knowing look.

"They're not pajamas," Spiderman objected as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Not the point. Taking care of yourself means getting rest and all that, but most importantly eating. Oh and look at that, we have food." Tony turned to the table full of food and had a Vanna White moment that managed to get a chuckle out of the kid. Spiderman shook his head slightly before looking at Tony.

"And if I don't agree?"

"These are easy and reasonable," Pepper pointed out as she stood and came to stand next to Tony.

"Besides," Bucky voiced from the table. "How are you supposed to know if our intentions are innocent with finding Peter if you don't stick around?" The comment received nods from everyone in the room.

"And. If. I. Don't. Agree?"

Tony narrowed his eyes as his mouth opened but Pepper stopped him by placing a hand on his chest as she stepped forward.

"Spiderman, you're a kid. While in our care we only want what's best for you. The fact that we can see your ribs is an indication that you are not being treated well at home."

The innocent comment made Spiderman drop his arms. "I'm fine." His voice carried venom causing everyone to be on alert. Sensing the sudden mood change, Pepper nodded. "Of course. We'd just like to keep it that way."

Spiderman looked around the room at the avengers before his eyes landed on the food that sat on the table. Steam lifted into the air from the food as the smell filled his nose. It has been a year since he has eaten a home-cooked meal. Surviving off stolen junk food was not working.

"Food's not that bad Spidey," Sam called from his spot at the table. Glancing around the room once more, he released a sigh.

"Fine, I agree. As far as staying here, I can't."

"And why's that?" Tony asked with a frown.

"Because I have...um.."

"The kid might have family, he needs to go home to at night," Steve interrupted.

"Yeah."

"I could talk to the 'rents for you," Tony offered.

"Uh...no...that's okay. I can just let them know, I'll be at a friend's house for a project. I'll check in occasionally."

Steve being the righteous person that he is frowned. "I don't think lying -"

"Excellent!" Tony smiled as he clapped his hands together. The loud boom of his hands coming together caused the young man to jump. All eyes fell on him but one look from Pepper suggested that they drop it for now. Once everyone was back at the table, they all resumed eating except Spiderman. Pepper looked at him with a confused look.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, um…" his voice trailed off as the face under the mask grew hot as all the eyes in the room fell on him.

"What's wrong?" Rhodes asked.

"I can't eat, at least not without removing my mask."

The room went silent as they all looked at one another. Not one of them had considered that. Bruce looked at the boy carefully before swallowing.

"Can you remove the mask from the suit?"

"Yeah, but I'm not-"

"No. I don't mean take the mask off, but if it's not attached to your suit, you can lift the bottom of it over your mouth and possibly your nose."

Spiderman hesitated for a moment before grabbing the bottom of the mask. Would they be able to tell it was him from his chin, mouth, and nose? All eyes remained on him as he took a deep breath and lifted the mask over his mouth. Dropping his hands all eyes remained on him before they all looked away, one by one. Holding his breath, he waited for someone to say something but when nobody did, he lifted his fork and started to dig in.

When the green beans fell into his mouth something came over him and he started inhaling his food. Each time he swallowed the food, which was surprisingly good, a feeling passed over him. Kind of like when he is swinging through the streets of New York. The feeling of power. The quiet buzzing of the air conditioner slowly became a loud and continuous roar. The scraping of forks and knives across the plate became more noticeable. Even the tiny buzzing of the fly that was flying above their heads.

"Hey, short stack, slow down before you choke," Clint called as he stared at the boy in awe. Spiderman ignored him and continued shoveling food in his mouth. His body hunched over his plate in what Pepper considered a protective manner. It was as if the boy was afraid someone would take his food from him.

She glanced at Tony before looking back at the boy who put bite after bite in his mouth, not even stopping to take a breath. Tony reached over to place a hand on the red and black arm but before he could even touch him, Spiderman jumped out of the way.

"Geez, kid!"

"You're more wound up than Steve when Tony lets loose a whole book of curse words," Clint snorted which earned him a glare from the first Avenger. Shaking his head, Steve turned and looked at the kid.

"Just slow down."

After a moment, Spiderman nodded. His eyes took in the room once more before he slowly sat back down. Pulling his plate near him once more, he continued to eat, this time at a slower rate. The eyes of his mask looked around the room before landing on Pepper. Nodding in encouragement, Pepper turned back to her food and resumed eating.

The rest of the meal went smoothly, for the most part. Nobody really spoke so the only sound was the utensils on the plates. Once everyone was finished, they all casually went to various locations. Spiderman pulled his mask back over his face, then proceeded to stand in the middle of the room awkwardly.

"Uh...what about the mission?" he asked.

Steve looked him over from head to toe. "We'll start first thing in the morning. Preferably when were all relaxed. Spiderman opened his mouth to respond but Pepper came over with a smile on her face.

"Why don't I show you where you're going to be sleeping."

"Uh…"

"It's part of the conditions remember?"

Instead of answering, he just followed her. They ended up in a room with large windows and a queen-size bed. The white walls stood bare and besides the bed, the only thing in the room was a tv.

"It's been a minute since I've slept in a bed," Spiderman mumbled causing the CEO to look at him. Her gaze softened as she turned to him fully.

"Spiderman, I need you, to be honest with me. Can you do that?"

He looked at her but under his mask, he stared at her with an offended expression. He settled for nodding. "Are you being treated well at your home?"

"Yes," he whispered. When he didn't offer any more than that she nodded.

"Okay. I want you to tell me if you aren't. I know Tony and the others only seem like they care about the mission but I'm not them. To me, you're a kid, a kid that seems to be neglected. I want to help."

Clearing his throat, he looked down at the ground. "Seems like an awful lot for someone you just met."

She flashed him a smile. "Nonsense. But I do want you to feel safe here."

"I feel safe alright. I mean I'm in the same building as the freaking Avengers," his voice got a little high and cracked as he tried to contain his excitement. Another smile stretched across Pepper's face as she looked at the human spider who appeared to be trying his best to stay still.

"I'll leave you to get settled. If you need anything, just left FRIDAY know and she will alert one of us." When he nodded, she turned to leave but a small voice stopped her.

"Miss. Potts."

"I told you to call me Pepper."

"Sorry."

"It's quite alright. What do you need?"

"Um...you guys are already doing so much but I..uh..nevermind."

"Spiderman, you can ask me anything. Remember, I want you to feel safe here."

"It's stupid really."

The CEO leveled him with a look that caused the boy to squirm. Lifting an eyebrow, she stared at him expectantly. "Uh...can you make sure that nobody comes him here." Both eyebrows lifted at the request.

"It's just that wearing the mask for long periods of time, kind of makes me feel like I can' breath. Plus, I don't want them taking my mask off while I'm sleeping."

She hesitated after hearing the request but nodded nonetheless. "Friday?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Lock this room down. Nobody is allowed to come in except Spiderman and me. No even Tony."

"Done."

"I won't allow anyone to come in except me. You're still a kid after all."

Spiderman nodded and watched as Pepper left the room, throwing a goodnight over her shoulder as she shut the door. The moment he heard the soft click, he reached up to take off his mask but stopped. Looking to the ceiling, he spoke. "Um...Miss. Friday?"

"Yes, Spiderman?"

"Do you have a camera?"

"Yes, I have cameras spread throughout the compound."

"Um...Do you have a camera in this room?"

"No. I do not."

"Okay, thanks."

"My pleasure."

Grabbing the bottom of the mask he lifted it off his head and, Spiderman transformed into Peter with one motion. Throwing the mask on the bed, the fifteen-year-old took a deep breath before eyeing the giant bed with hesitation. He started to climb on it but an image of Savannah and her brothers sleeping on the hard ground of the tunnel flashed across his mind. Backing away, he laid on the ground allowing for sleep to take control.