Not surprisingly when I got to social services, my social worker, Audrey, was not happy to see me. You see, we have a complicated relationship. In general, she tries to give me a home and I then in return run away. It works for me but it doesn't work for her. I sit down and bounce my knee awkwardly.

She sighs and begins speaking, "A.J., what am I going to do with you? That was your 19th foster home in 5 years."

I shrug, "I'm not much of a people person. Plus I like seeing the city."

She glares a little at my humor, "Not funny. I have another home for you. It's in Queens. They have a son who's a senior in high school. They're willing to let you stay with them for a little while."

"Whoopie!" I say sarcastically.

"Behave AJ. Please."

"I'll try."

The drive back to Queens was mostly quiet. We pulled up to a house in one of the richer neighborhoods. Audrey turns back to me.

"Okay. The couple's name are Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. You'll be attending a middle school in Midtown that's close to their son's high school."

"Aren't all those schools for geniuses?"

"Smart kids. You'll be fine."

I give her a look.

"You'll probably be fine," she amends, "Let's go."

The Thompson's seemed nice, although I still wish Audrey hadn't left me. After she left they showed me to my room and told me dinner wod be ready soon. They also handed me school supplies for tomorrow.

I was unpacking my very few belongs when their son, Flash, walked in.

"Listen here kid, we need to set ground rules. Outside of when my parents are around, we do not know each other. I will not walk you too and from school. I will not see you until dinner. Capiche?"

"Yep. See ya around."

Dinner was nice although I'm pretty sure Flash would be a problem. My assumptions were proven correct the next day. Most of the day was boring. I didn't bother with talking with anyone because I figured I would end up leaving by the end of the week. I don't really do school. As I was leaving school I remembered that Mrs. T had asked me to walk to Flash's school and wait for her to pick us both up tonight. I was suppose to be behaving so I went. His school gets out later than mine so I just sat on the stoop waiting. I noticed a black SUV by the front of school, but I didn't think much of it.

Sure enough, he came out and spotted me. If glares could kill, I would have been dead.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here."

"Your mom said to come here after school."

"But didn't I tell you not to come near me."

I nod slowly, "Yes, but you're not the boss of me."

His smile was sickening, "We'll see about that."

He grabbed me by the jacket and gestured for some of his friends to follow. Before I knew it, I was getting the cheap beat out of me. They threw at the wall and the the dumpster. The kicked be like I was trash over and over again. At some point I heard a snap. Honestly, I didn't think it would end but then I heard someone shout, "Flash, what are you doing?!"

"Shut up Penis Parker."

Parker came over and said, "I'll tell a teacher if you don't stop. Wouldn't want to ruin your perfect rep would you?"

Flash and his goons stopped hitting me and looked at Parker. Flash growled but answered, "Fine." They stalked off.

Parker bent down and worry was written in his eyes, "Hey, are you okay?"

I sit up but almost immediately regret it. I looked down and my leg was bent weirdly at the knee. I looked at Parker and he looked oddly familiar.

"Yep. Peachy. Thanks by the way."

Parker nodded and looked down at my leg, "I'm going to get help. Don't move."

"I don't think that's possible right now."

In a few short minutes he came back with a guy. He grimaced when he looked at my knee.

"Ok kid I'm gonna…" he froze when he saw my face.

"You're the kid who brought Morgan back yesterday."

So that's where I've seen Parker. Normally I would've recognized him right away. Must have a concussion. I looked at the man and I realized it was Tony Stark.

I nod, "Yeah. You are Tony Stark. And you are her brother."

The both nod and Tony continued, "Ok well I'm gonna bring you to the hospital. Your leg looks broken. Do you mind if I carry you?"

I shake my head and he lifts me up, "The awkward one is Peter by the way. Pete, this is AJ."

When we get to the hospital they check me in and the doctor takes me up for x-rays. Turns out I had a patellar fracture, bruised ribs, and a concussion. And Audrey wonders why I don't stay in foster homes. The doctor wrapped my ribs and put a splint on my leg so I didn't move it too much.

The nurse had just left to call Audrey when there was a knock on the door and Peter and Tony walked in.

I look up in surprise, "You guys are still here?"

Peter smiles goofily, "Yeah. We wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm great, " I look at Tony, "you pick up your kids from school?"

"On special occasions. Is someone coming to get you?" Tony asks worry clearly in his voice.

"My social worker probably. You guys can go if you have a place to be."

Peter grabs a chair by my bed and smiles, "We'll stay until she gets here. What's your favorite Star Wars?"

Turns out, Morgan talks just as much as her brother. Tony had some input, but it was mostly Peter. At some point, Peter and I fell asleep because when I started to wake up I heard voices. It was Audrey and Tony.

"You're just going to send him back to another foster home?! Look what happened with the last one!"

"Mr. Stark, I assure you I will find the best placement for AJ. His last home had an issue we weren't aware of and Mr. Thompson is being punished accordingly."

"Can't you make sure he's going to good people?"

"I try but you of all people should know that people hide their true selves."

I can practically head Tony's glare when a new voice chimes in, "He for doesn't have any relatives?"

I recognized her as Tony's wife.

"No. His mother died and we never knew his father. He has no one."

The room's silent now. I was wondering if I should open my eyes when Tony speaks quietly, "We'll take him."

"What?! Mr. Stark you barely know this child."

"I know but I know what it's like to be alone and no one deserves to be alone."

Pepper backs him up, "He'll be taken care of. We can fill out all the paperwork before he leaves. Plus, can you find anyone else who will take him?"

I hear Audrey sigh, "This is highly unconventional…"

"I fly around in a suit of armor. Everything about me says unconventional."

At this point I decide to let them know I'm awake. I slowly open my eyes and look around. Peter is passed out next to me and Tony, Pepper, and Audrey are all standing and talking by my bed.

Audrey smiles when she sees me, "AJ, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Sore," I answer honestly, "Where am I staying tonight?"

She raises an eyebrow and I know she knows I was awake for the conversation, "We were just discussing that. Mr and Mrs. Stark want you to stay with them."

The surprise on my face was genuine. For some odd reason I thought they would take it back as soon as I woke up. Guess I was wrong.

I look at them, "Why?"

"Honestly? You look like you could use a break," Tony answered.

"Plus," Pepper continued, "Morgan really likes you. She talked about you nonstop for the rest of the day. We also have plenty of room at hour house."

Audrey looked at me, "Do you want to?"
I pause to think about my answer. On one hand, they seem pretty genuine about helping me out. On the other hand, they could be like every other foster parent I've had. Honestly, I have nothing to loose plus the kid's cute.

I nod, "Yeah. That seems okay to me."

Audrey smiles, "Okay then. I will go get you two paper work for emergency foster parents. I'll be back as soon as possible. Although, you guys might not get to leave with him for a couple of days."

"That's okay," Pepper says, "I need to get his room ready plus the doctor wants him to stay here for monitoring."

Audrey nods, "Okay, well I'm off. Feel better AJ."

"Bye Audrey," I say.

After she leaves Pepper smiles at me warmly, "You should get some rest. We can talk more in the morning."

I nod and gesture towards Peter, "Shouldn't someone wake him up? He's been here all afternoon."

Tony chuckles and nudges him, "Up and at em Kid."
Peter shoots up and then rubs his eyes, "What time is it?"

Tony glances at the clock, "A little past midnight. We should get you back to May's."

Pepper nods and looks at me, "We'll be back by the time you wake up in the morning."

"Ok, see you guys then. See ya later Peter."

He grinned as he walked out, "See ya later J."

Tony waved as he followed Pepper and Peter out, "Night kid."

As soon as my door closed and my lights shut off I stared at the ceiling and asked myself, "What have I into?"