Chapter Thirty-Two

Peter had hoped to be able to speak to Tony following Bruce's instructions that he was good to go. But much to his confusion his mentor remained MIA and he was hard to get ahold of even though they were in the same compound. Peter couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated. It seemed Tony was actively trying to avoid him, especially since he had found out about Scott and the role he had played in Peter's torture.

Through the past three weeks ever since he had been in the Avenger's compound Tony had only visited him once or twice and that was only to check on his chart before quickly disappearing. The other Avengers had visited him much more often during his long stay at med bay especially since he couldn't really do anything, and his friends couldn't visit. At least one of them was there almost every day with a gift or to show him a cool trick they learned.

Through Happy's big mouth he had learned Bucky had killed Scott during an interrogation procedure. When he heard the news, he had felt like he could once again breath even though it was technically unethical to wish someone's death. Apparently, Scott had, had some hatred towards his dead parents and had used Peter as a way to get revenge. When Bucky had visited him the following day after Peter had found out he had simply told the Winter Soldier, "thanks" not quite sure how to thank him for killing the man who had been torturing him. Bucky had simply smiled and ruffled his hair. "Anytime, kid."

"Friday, where is Mr. Stark?"

"Mr. Stark is at his laboratory. He does not wish to be disturbed. By anyone." Even though Friday said the words kindly the words still stung. He wanted desperately to see Tony, especially since he hadn't seen him in weeks. He didn't know why, but he felt Tony was avoiding him. His cheeks flushed at the thought, could Tony be avoiding him because he secretly blamed him for what happened with Scott? Any other sane person would have immediately told someone what was going on, but Peter had secretly hidden like a scared kitten.

Maybe he thought Peter was too stupid to even be a part of the Avengers.

"Peter? What are you doing here in the middle of the hallway?"

Peter looked up and saw Bruce looking at him with a quizzical expression. "Oh, I was- "he trailed off. "I was looking for Tony, but Friday says he's busy. It almost seems like he's avoiding me somehow."

"I don't think he's avoiding you," Bruce said kindly. "I think perhaps he's feeling guilty about everything that happened to you."

"Why should he feel guilty? It's not his fault."

"Tony is Tony. He recruited you for the Avengers, gave you that fancy new suit. He feels he's responsible for you. You came to HQ several times while Scott was in the picture, he might feel like he should have noticed what he was doing to you beforehand."

"That's stupid. He shouldn't feel guilty. It's not his fault."

"I know." Bruce gave him a wry smile. "Give him time, you know Tony sometimes he wants to carry the entire world on his shoulders. Why don't you go to Training Room #1. Natasha needs a sparring partner."

"Really?" Peter perked up. It had been weeks since he had put on the suit, and he was dying to feel it once again on his skin.

Bruce nodded. "Really, just don't overdo it. Natasha knows this as well. Your suit is in your room. I had Friday sent it over. Take it easy, Pete. Otherwise, Tony will have both of our heads. You know how he gets."

He gave a humorless laugh. "Sure thing, Dr. B."

After putting on his suit he quickly went up to Training Room #1 where the red headed agent was waiting for him. "You showed up."

Peter raised an eyebrow as he tried to say coolly. "Was there any doubt?"

"I need a sparring partner and Bruce said you were available. Don't worry I'll go gentle. No weapons."

"I don't need anyone babying me." Peter replied irritably.

Natasha barely blinked. "Just following orders, kid."

"Sorry, I didn't mean- "

"It's ok, if I've been cooped up in HQ for weeks, I would be irritable too. Let's get started."

It turns out Natasha's "easy mode" was Peter's "difficult mode" even though his spider abilities had slowly started coming back it seemed he barely seemed to block one of Natasha's kicks before her thigh was wrapped around his neck.

"Never lose focus," Natasha told him as she pressed her knee against Peter's chest. "That's how you lose an eye. Trust me."

"Is that how Fury lost his?"

"Probably."

Peter was about to push Natasha off him when he heard a booming voice. "What the hell are you doing? Get off him!" Natasha and Peter looked up and saw Tony standing on the railing with a furious expression on his face. His cheeks were red from yelling.

Natasha calmly stood up as she helped Peter up, not caring about Tony's screaming. "Bruce gave him the ok. He needs to start training again so he can get his skills back."

"He just got discharged and in case both you have forgotten, Peter you almost died three weeks ago. Are you that desperate to meet Jesus?" He turned to face the younger superhero. "All I'm saying is take it easy. You don't need to have Nat sitting on your chest two days after you were hooked on to monitors."

"But I feel fine," Peter protested. "Bruce even said-"

"I don't care what Bruce said, you're still in recovery." Tony snapped as he looked him over as if Peter were going to start bleeding out at any moment. "I came to tell you since Bruce gave you the ok, you're free to go. You don't have to stay in HQ anymore if you don't want to."

A small "oh" escaped Peter's lips, although a small part of him was glad he could go back home to his own apartment and eventually back to school, he would miss having the other Avengers around. It was like having a huge slumber party. Before Peter could even say anything, he left the training room.

Natasha ran a hand through her hair. "Sorry, kid I didn't mean to get you into trouble. Are you ok, I didn't hurt you or anything did I?"

"No," Peter said. "I guess I should get packing so I can go home."

"Ask Happy if he can take you home, otherwise I'll give you a ride on my motorcycle."

Two hours later Peter was back in Happy's car on the ways to Queens. Happy looked in the review mirror with concern. "You ok, kid?"

"Yeah," he said shakily. "It's just, I know it sounds stupid, but I feel Mr. Stark is avoiding me. I feel like I've upset him somehow and I don't know-I don't know how our relationship can go back to how it was before Scott I mean. I know it sounds stupid, forget I said anything."

Happy looked at him with concern. "You're not stupid. I know Tony's been acting odd, the whole Scott thing hit him hard. All I can say is, kid be patient with him. He'll come around, both of you are equally stubborn."

-End of Chapter Thirty-Two-