A/N: Four

Days had passed without much incident. After the meeting they decided that they would not tell Spiderman about the possible new revelations that they uncovered. They moved Frank to a lower part of the facility, behind multiple doors that only the team had access to. It was Bruce's idea. If what Bucky said is true, they couldn't trust SHIELD, but if what he said was wrong, then they had a member of their enemies with them. They couldn't handle an escape attempt.

Not much was said between the Avengers after that. Until it came to the day Spiderman was being released. Bruce had just explained that the boy was indeed healed and nourished back to health. The kid was itching to go too. Just as Bruce was about to go back in and announce that he could leave, Scott spoke up. "Um...can we wait a moment."

All eyes fell on him. "It's just that...I was wanting to speak with Miss Potts for a moment." Tony raised an eyebrow at the man and watched as his soon-to-be wife walked over. They walked further down the hall and allowed for their voices to drop to a whisper.

"Hi, Miss Potts. I know this is weird and all. Um..I...uh…"

"Yes?"

"I was wanting to know. Do you really think it's the best idea to bring the kid here? I mean it is the Avengers compound, and while I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to come here, we do have a Hydra agent somewhere below our feet."

Pepper smiled at the man kindly before nodding. "First, call me Pepper. Second, I agree but at this time we have no choice. This is still probably the safest place for him to be. Trust me, I'm not a fan of the idea either."

Scott nodded. "Okay. Just checking. I didn't want to be the only one you know." Pepper smiled at him once more before she started walking away but stopped when he called out to her once more. Turning, she looked at him with patient eyes. "Do you have children?"

Pepper raised an eyebrow at him. "No."

"Okay, do you know how to take care of one?"

"Not really, but that's why I have you. You're the one with the child."

"Right," Scott said as his face burned with embarrassment.

Stepping closer to the man, Pepper dropped her voice even lower so only he could hear. "It's alright if you're afraid."

"I'm not afraid, it's just I don't want to break my promise to Spiderman. I mean he's counting on me-I mean us."

Pepper nodded again. "I understand, but at the end of the day. If you find yourself not knowing what to do, we do have the others to help. Clint has kids of his own. He will be a great asset."

Scott nodded before swallowing. "I haven't been this nervous since Cassie was born."

Pepper chuckled. "Relax, you got through that. You can get through this. Now, we have to go. We can't keep Spiderman or Peter waiting." Scott nodded once more before following Pepper over to where the rest of the Avengers were standing. Scott nodded to Bruce who went through the double doors to grab Spiderman. Once the man disappeared, Steve started talking.

"Okay. Pepper and Scott will be in the car. Clint and Natasha will be in a vehicle close by. Tony, Sam and Rhodes will be in the sky. Spread out. We'll have them acting as check points. We'll have them get to the hotel and use the garage exit to get into another car where Bucky and I will be nearby. One of you will drive back here with Bucky and I following. "

Everyone nodded. As the doors open. Bruce led Spiderman out, but the kid stopped when he saw everyone in the hallway. He turned his head towards Scott who nodded at him. All eyes traveled down to the whole in his suit where his skin was smooth. No traces of the bullet hole or the surgery were present. Spiderman shifted uncomfortably before he dropped his head a little. Scott walked further down the hall and waved the kid over.

As if he were happy to do something, the kid practically ran over to him. "Alright kid," Scott started. "Time to uphold your end of the deal."

Spiderman looked down at the ground before the eyes of the mask found their way to Scott's face. "He'll be in an abandoned building in Queens, on the corner of Bright and Pacific. Be there at noon. If you come early the deal is off. Trust me I'll know."

Scott nodded and smiled. "Thanks kid. Trust me, you're doing the right thing."

"Yeah, well just so you're aware. Peter knows how to reach me. So if anything happens, while I'm gone. I'll know, and I'll take him back faster than you can blink." The threat filled the hallway making Scott stand up taller. The older man nodded.

"We'll take care of him. I promise."

Spiderman nodded before he started walking towards the door. Without a backwards glance, he ran out into the world, attached a web to a nearby tree and swung himself into the forest.

"What did he say?" Pepper asked.

"He said we have to go to an abandoned building in Queens. He said to be there at noon. Any sooner and the deals off."

Everyone looked at the clock that hung on the wall.

10:00 am.

"Alright, we have two hours. It's in Queens, so we should probably leave in thirty," Steve announced earning nods from everyone. As everyone disappeared to get ready, Tony grabbed his fiance's hand.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

Pepper nodded. "Yes. If I can handle you, I can handle a child."

Tony faked offense as he pulled her in close. "I'm sorry to involve you in all of this Avengers stuff."

"Tony, I'm involved with you. That makes me involved with 'all this Avengers stuff.' It's fine."

Tony shook his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I love you."

"If you really loved me, you would sign those papers I left on your desk two weeks ago."

Tony chuckled before pulling away, leaving her standing alone. "Do you hear me Tony Stark?"

The echo of his laughter was the only thing that remained after he disappeared around the corner.


Pepper Potts was not one to be trifled with. She is a very organized person. So when a plan is made, she expects it to be followed to the letter.

Pepper sat in the van in front of the abandoned building that Spiderman had told them. The clock on the dashboard read: 11:59 am. The man behind the wheel stared up at the building while fiddling with his earpiece that was in. She couldn't hear what was being said but Scott nodded in answer to someone on the other end.

"Got it Cap," he said out loud confirming her suspicions. He looked at her and nodded.

It's time.

Together they looked at the dashboard and watched as the time changed to noon. Together they opened their doors and exited. Scott came and stood by her side as she surveyed the building. "Ready?" he asked as he stared at her. Looking up to the building once more she nodded and allowed for him to lead her inside.

The inside was no better than the outside. The smell of mold clung to the air as the wall seemed to crumble under just one look. But it wasn't the state of the place that caught her attention. It was the boy sitting in the middle of all of it. Every part of her being wanted to yell at him to move away from the unsafe structure but she held back. Scaring the child will not work, Virginia Potts, her brain scolded.

Looking to Scott he seemed to be at a loss for what to do. Nodding, they walked towards him together. All was calm until, Scotts foot hit a piece of rumble and the kid turned towards them. He stood frozen watching them with cautious eyes. She took this moment to observe him.

He seemed a little small for fifteen, or perhaps it was the way he was hunched into himself. His brown hair hung down to his shoulders in a shaggy state while the front hung low in his face. A long shirt hung around his skinny frame, as if it was to drown him. His brown eyes peeked at them from under his hair. Scott and Pepper exchanged a look before looking back at the boy. Nobody moved. Scott, out of nowhere, jumped and his hand flew up to his ear. A gentle reminder that they are to grab the kid and get out, no doubt.

Leaving him to deal with that, Pepper looked back at the boy, who now fiddled with the straps of a bookbag. Stepping a little closer, she gave him a smile. "Are you Peter Parker?"

Hesitation showed on his face as he looked towards the broken door behind him. No doubt that was the way Spiderman exited. Turning to her, he took a breath before nodding.

"My name is Pepper Potts, and this is Scott lang. Spiderman said that you would be coming with us."

Peter nodded once again before he took a hesitant step towards her. He stopped for a moment as if he were thinking about leaving but he didn't. He started walking again until he was within arm's distance of Pepper. She gently placed a hand on his back but he jerked out of her grasp causing her to jump in surprise.

"Sorry. Do you not like to be touched?" Peter opened his mouth but closed it and shook his head. "That's fine."

"Hey we have to go, guys are getting restless. Tony is even talking about coming in here if he doesn't see you in the next thirty seconds."

"Tell him I'm fine," she said, rolling her eyes at his overprotectiveness.

"I did but he didn't seem convinced."

Shaking her head she looked down at the kid. "Are you ready?"

Peter nodded and followed as Scott led them out the building and into the high New York sun. Pepper watched as Peter shielded his face before continuing to walk only to be stopped by Scott. She noticed the tension in his shoulders as he looked around. Without warning, he spun and pushed them back into the darkness of the building. A rock caught her foot and as she started to fall, a firm hand grabbed hers, holding her steady. She looked up to thank Scott but found him at the entrance. Following the hand to the owner, she found herself staring into the eyes of Peter.

"Thank you."

He released her as if she were made of molten lava. Backing away, she noticed the look of self hatred enter his face. The same look she sees on Tony all the time. Opening her mouth to assure him that it was alright, Scott came and cut her off.

"A police car was cruising nearby, and Natasha thought we might have a follower but it turned out to be nothing. We can leave now."

They both looked to Peter who once again hesitated. "It's okay, we won't let anything happen to you. I promised Spiderman," Scott voiced for the first time to the boy. Peter seemed to weigh the words before nodding, and for the second time, they exited the building. The sunlight hit them immediately, only this time, they managed to get into the vehicle.

Scott started the car and glanced in the mirror. "Uh...kid. This vessel does not move until all passengers are buckled in."

Pepper glanced back to see Peter buckling his seat belt. Once he was done, he went back to clenching the backpack that now sat in his lap. Turning to the front, Scott pulled into traffic, while mumbling something about people having no patience.


Up until that moment everything was going good. Besides Scott driving in circles a few times, to make sure they weren't being followed nothing exciting had happened. Pepper occasionally looked back at the boy to make sure he was alright. Besides the occasional head nods, he had yet to speak.

Give it time Pepper. The boy doesn't know you.

The hotel that was acting as their check point came into view when Scott let out a very colorful word. Sending a look his way, he saw him glancing at his side mirrors.

"Something wrong?" she asked in a low tone so the teen in the back couldn't hear.

"Maybe. I don't know. Natasha and Clint got cut off by an ambulance and a sting of police cars."

"Are they following us?" She asked as she glanced out the side mirror and the road.

"No, they're headed the other way. Clint and Natasha are a little ways behind us. We only have our boys in the sky until we get to the hotel."

Pepper looked up at the sky as if she were expecting to see someone but couldn't. "How far are we?"

"It's just around that cor-" he trailed off as his hands gripped the wheel tighter.

"Scott? What's going on?"

"Sorry. Tony says we may have someone following us. It was a blue car but it turned off down a different road."

Scott turned the wheel and whipped the car into the parking garage a little too fast. A thump in the backseat alerted Pepper to the minor behind her. She turned and caught sight of him picking himself up off the window where his face made an impression. She gently slapped Scott's arm in warning.

"Sorry," he said as he pulled into a parking spot. "But hey we made it."

Shaking her head, she turned to the kid who was watching them through narrowed eyes. "We're changing cars, then we will get you somewhere safe."

Peter nodded once as he unbuckled his seat belt. One by one the doors slammed shut as the occupants got out. They all met at the front of the car and started walking when a voice called out.

"Peter?"

All heads turned as a woman stood not far away. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail as he brown eyes looked at him in what was awe and hope. Pepper looked at the boy who was frowning at the woman. Scott stepped forward. "I'm sorry ma'am but you have the wrong child."

The woman shook her head and walked forward causing Pepper to step in front of Peter. "No. I know that's Peter. Peter Parker."

"Ma'am, I think it's time you leave. You have the wrong child," Pepper said her voice held firm as she gently pushed Peter away and towards the car that was waiting, already forgetting how the boy said he didn't like being touched.

The woman quickened her step. "No, please. Give him to me. He's in danger. I can protect him."

Pepper now placed a hand on Peter's rigid shoulder and all but pushed him towards the car.

"Ma'am. Please stop." Scott called as the woman rushed towards them.

"No! Give him to me!" the woman shouted as she reached for Peter. Scott grabbed her hand but didn't expect what happened next. Pepper watched as the woman grabbed Scott's arm and flipped him over, slamming his back against the ground. Not stopping there, the woman rushed towards them. Pepper gave Peter one final push before yelling at him to run.

Not wasting any time, the boy took off down the parking garage. Turning to the woman who was set to go after him, Pepper grabbed her but the arm. Spinning on her heels, the woman reached for Pepper, no doubt to do the same move that she had on Scott. Ducking under her arm, Pepper twisted around and smashed her foot down on the woman's ankle causing her stumble back in pain. But not for long.

Head down, the woman rammed her head into Pepper's stomach causing her to fall back. As the woman glared down at her, she reared her fist back but a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her off. Scott stood just a little ways behind her. Using the force he briefly had, he swung her around and slammed her on the ground.

"Doesn't feel so good does it?" he huffed as he rushed over to help Pepper up. With his other hand, he held the ear piece. "Guys we have a problem. Crazy woman tried to grab the kid and now he's nowhere to be-"

Scott's voice cut off as an arm wrapped around his neck, cutting off his air supply. Pepper rushed forward, grabbing the woman's hair and pulling it until she released her hold on Scott, but instead she threw her foot back. Seeing it coming, Pepper grabbed the foot and pulled until the woman fell, taking Scott down with her. Rolling over, the woman kicked out her other foot, and Pepper went down in an ungraceful heap. Wasting no time, the woman wrapped her legs around Peppers body before getting up and mounting the other woman.

Not wasting anytime, the woman threw punches at Pepper's face, unfortunately for the woman Pepper blocked every punch. Throwing a fist out, it connected with the woman's face causing her to rear back. Not wasting a second, Pepper pushed her off and started raining down punches. Blood flowed from the woman's split lip as Pepper didn't show any mercy.


Peter ran. That's what Pepper told him to do. Every ounce of his being told him to stay and help. To stop all the fighting but, one look in the nearest car's window told him not to. He wasn't wearing his mask. He already messed up by grabbing Pepper when she almost fell in the building. She used his strength. So he ran.

The sound of fighting could be heard behind him as his footsteps carried him further away. He rounded a corner as the street came into view. Throwing his backpack on, he picked up the pace only to run right into a pound of flesh. Gravity took over as it pushed him to the ground, but a pair of hands grabbed him before he hit the pavement.

Standing before him was a man in a suit staring at him with curious eyes. He released his hold once he felt Peter was standing up right. "Slow down kid. Where's the fire?" When Peter didn't respond the man raised an eyebrow.

"Okay. I'm going to assume you're Peter?"

At the mention of his name, Peter started to take flight but the man had other ideas. He grabbed his arm and held him where he was with a firm grip. "Now hold on. No need to have ants in your pants. I was told to come and get you. Where's Pepper?" The man looked ahead as if he were expecting the redhead to make an appearance. When Peter didn't respond the man shook him slightly.

"Where is Pepper?"

Would this man recognize his voice as the voice of Spiderman? That's the reason he hadn't spoken yet.

Of course not. You haven't met him before, his brain argued.

Maybe he was in the hospital room.

Peter looked the man up and down, quickly ruling him out as a nurse or a doctor.

The man gave Peter another shake, pulling him out of his thoughts. He spoke again, his voice firm. "I'm going to ask one more time. Where is Pepper Potts?"

"T...That way. Fighting."

Without a word, the man dragged Peter to a car and all but threw him in the backseat before jumping into the driver's seat. Slamming his foot down on the gas pedal, he launched the car forward and back the direction Peter just came.


The sound of screeching tires filled the air followed by the sound of slamming doors. Hands grabbed her, pulling her off. Pepper lashed out at the unknown source.

"Friendly fire! Friendly Fire!" a voice called out as she was pulled back. Looking away from the woman, Pepper's eyes landed on Scott who was not standing in front of her.

"Where's Peter?" She asked immediately.

"He's in the car," the voice behind her said as she was dragged away and pushed into leather seats. Scott followed behind. Slamming the door shut. Pepper looked around the vehicle until her eyes landed on a scared looking Peter.

"Oh, sweetheart it's alright. You're safe," she assured him. His eyes shot straight to the man behind the wheel then back to her. The message was clear.

"Oh, he's a friend of mine. Peter this is Happy Hogan. Happy, meet Peter Parker."

The driver looked in the rearview mirror at the boy.

"Nice to meet you Peter."