If they thought that they were going to be able to just go from the float to the car that Carol had parked at the edge of the chaos that was the end of the parade route they were definitely mistaken. Not when it was Captain America. Add in that Peter Parker was with him? A kid that was as unavailable as anyone the press had ever come across? It was a temptation that the parade sponsors couldn't resist, and the news made sure to have a reporter and a camera crew waiting when the float came to a stop, and everyone riding it started dispersing.

"Captain Rogers!" the reporter – a small, unassuming blonde woman – called his name as she stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop or run him over. He stopped, of course, a hand immediately going protectively to Peter's shoulder and to keep the boy from moving forward without him. "Can we have a quick interview, please?"

The press was very much aware – still – that it had been one of their own who had been involved in the attempted abduction of Peter, and was being very careful to keep themselves below the radar when it came to the boy. That was a relief to SHIELD, and Tony in particular, but something like this was just too good an opportunity to completely pass up.

Steve looked at Peter, who smiled, nervously. He wasn't worried about the press – and nothing was setting his spider senses off, either, so it wasn't some kind of set up for something more nefarious, but he hadn't really had a lot of time with the press beyond his initial introduction, so he was glad that it wasn't him the woman wanted to talk to.

"A short one," he told her, knowing that it was his responsibility to be more available to the press than most of the Avengers were – but also aware that Peter was his responsibility, as well, just then. He gave her a winning smile, going into interview mode, automatically. "How are you enjoying the parade?"

She smiled, too – and it was a slightly relieved expression.

"It's a beautiful day."

"Yes."

"What did you think of the new balloon?"

"It's incredible," Steve assured her. "And quite an honor."

She looked at Peter.

"How about you, Peter? Did you enjoy the parade?"

"It was fun," he told her. She wasn't even as tall as he was, he was surprised to see. It made her a little less intimidating. "I've never been on a float, before."

He'd had fun, though. True, he hadn't recognized anyone in the crowd – and there were so many people that they all blended together, for the most part. But the little kids had been so excited. Not to see him, of course, but to see Steve and maybe the other military people on the float with them. And they screamed with excitement every time someone had thrown out a handful of candy. Peter had been fairly liberal with his supply of candies and the little bag he'd been handed at the start of the parade was empty, quickly. Luckily, the parade organizers had known that would happen and each float had plenty more little bags stashed on them, and another bag had been passed over to him by one of the assistants.

"Where's your father?" the reporter asked him, purposely using the term because it was – technically – true, and sounded better than saying where is Mr. Stark, or where is Ironman. Reporters were quick thinkers when they were trying to get a good sound bite. "Is he here, at the parade?"

Peter shook his head, but it was Steve who replied.

"Not this time," Rogers told her. He smiled and kept his hand on Peter's shoulder. Not to keep the boy in place, but as a reminder (not to her, but to anyone who might be watching the live feed) that Steve wasn't going to put up with any foolishness as far as Peter was concerned. "He's back at the compound, making Thanksgiving dinner."

She smiled at that.

"I heard he burned down a cooking school."

Peter blushed, but Steve's smile turned amused.

"He's being supervised." He made a show of looking at his watch. "We'd better get going."

The reporter nodded, unwilling to argue and clearly pleased with what little interview she'd managed. It was far more than the others had gotten, now wasn't it?

"Thank you. Have a good Thanksgiving."

"You, too."

He hustled Peter away, politely ignoring the rest of the reporters and media who had started trying to crowd around but were thwarted by others in the crowd.

"Good job, Peter," Steve said, turning the boy toward the next street over, where he knew Carol was parked and waiting with the car already running.

"I didn't say much," Peter pointed out.

"Leave them wanting more," he told him, slapping his shoulder. "Tony would agree, I'm sure."

Peter shrugged at that and then concentrated on getting through the crowd. Of course, Steve was a lot bigger than he was, so it was really just a matter of following in his wake.

OOOOOOOOOO

"Seriously?"

Pepper wasn't the only one to smile at Tony's annoyed outburst.

"It's a well-documented fact," she reminded him. "The press is going to know all about it."

"Yeah, but still…"

He wasn't quite as annoyed as he sounded – although he'd been a bit worried when the reporter had stepped in front of Steve like she had. There hadn't been any doubt that Rogers would stop, of course, but it had still been worrisome. Nick had been watching, too, though, and had pointed to three different people in the crowd around them, confirming that some of those people watching in the crowd were SHIELD and weren't going to allow any foolishness.

The interview had been quick and Stark was glad – although he could have done without the comment about his cooking abilities – or the results of Peter's cooking class incident. He snorted, though, inwardly amused at the way Peter had blushed – although you had to know him to see it since his cheeks were red with the cold of the morning. Tony wasn't the only one to watch him, though, but all of them could see that the interviewer wasn't worrying him as much as it was the adults, and that he'd clearly had a great time, despite the crowds of children.

Or maybe because of them, Tony thought, idly scratching Ironpig's head as he watched the reporter end the interview and turn the attention back to the next passing celebrity.

Everyone knew Peter liked little kids, after all, and what made kids happier than having candy thrown at them?

"But still…" Pepper said, rubbing his shoulder, lightly. "Are you done with MJ's pumpkin chucker?"

"Friday's finishing the assembly, as we speak," he assured her, not even needing to check the progress since the AI had already told him when it should be completed. "When she's done, I'll put the finishing touches on it and we'll be ready for tomorrow."

"What are you going to do with Pete's?" Stephen asked, curiously. "You're not going to toss it, are you?"

"Of course not." He was too interested in seeing it at work, after all. "We'll take it with us."

"Do Jack and Gina have that many pumpkins?" Natasha asked.

"They have assured me that there are plenty," he replied. "If we don't toss them around, they're just going to rot on the ground."

"As opposed to rotting on the ground in a million pieces after being tossed across the field?" Bruce asked, sarcastically.

He was enjoying the day, immensely, and had every intention of going to the farm with the others, the next day. Now that he trusted his alter ego, he was finding that he was able to do much more than he had been – and was truly thankful for it.

Tony rolled his eyes, but it was a good day, wasn't it?

"I'm not a farmer, Bruce," he pointed out. "Now, am I? Maybe they fertilize better if they're broken up."

"They don't fertilize, at all," Pepper told him – and the others. "Jack told me that the deer will eat them."

"It's easier to eat if they're in smaller pieces," Stark told them, smugly.

He hadn't known that, but he wouldn't admit it, of course.

Now it was Pepper's turn to roll her eyes, making those who saw it smile, too.

"Do you suppose we should take Ironpig…?" she asked, already knowing the answer she was going to get. "From he research I've done, I think he's pretty much as big as he's going to get, and he-"

"He's still a baby, Pep," Tony interrupted, his hold on the piglet tightening, almost unnoticeably – unless you knew him. "You can't turn him loose in a barnyard filled with strangers. What if he gets stepped on by one of the horses, or something?"

"I suppose that's true."

"It is."