"Everything going alright?"

Pepper smiled, looking at Peter, who was watching her, excitedly.

"Everything is great. We spent the day with Batman and company, and then came home and had pizza. Now we're just settling in to watch a movie. How are things going for you?"

"We've landed at our destination – which I'm not allowed to divulge…" he made it sound as though someone was listening over his shoulder, but he sounded more amused than annoyed. "And have settled into quarters that are smaller than my closet. Quarters that I have to share with Sam, I might add."

She didn't feel too bad for him, and her tone made it clear.

"All the more reason to not hang out any longer than you have to, then."

"That's an understatement. Is Peter available?"

She saw the boy's eyes light up and knew that he heard Tony's question.

"He is." She handed the phone to him. "Someone wants to talk to you."

Peter was quick to put the phone to his ear, but then realized that the call went to video so he could see Tony, now, and the billionaire could see him, as well. He pulled it back, looking at the image on the small screen as if seeing him for the first time in months, rather than mere hours.

"Hi, dad."

If she'd been charmed by the call, before, the way Tony's expression softened was so endearing that she actually felt her eyes sting.

"Hey, buddy." Tony's smile was warm. "How are you?"

"Good."

"Is Pepper beating you?" the billionaire asked. "And just telling you to say that she's being nice?"

Peter giggled, looking at Pepper – who rolled her eyes, dramatically.

"No. She took me to Batman Land, today. It was neat. I got another Lego Batman – and a Bruce Wayne."

"That's great." He didn't quite sound as enthusiastic as Peter did, but who did, really? "Are you ready for bed?"

"Yes." He looked down at his Ironman pajamas. "But I don't have to go to bed, yet. We're going to watch a movie."

"What one?"

"Space Camp."

He hadn't heard of it, but that wasn't unbelievable. And he was sure that Pepper had checked it out before approving it.

"Alright, then. You watch your movie and then get some sleep, okay? I'm going to see what there is to do around here."

"Okay."

Tony smiled.

"I love you, Peter Stark."

Peter shivered and wrapped his arms around himself, but only for a moment, since it made it impossible to see Tony in the call.

"I love you, too."

The call ended, and the boy handed Pepper her phone back to her.

"That was nice," she said, setting the phone on the coffee table. "He really seems to miss you."

Peter nodded, and Pepper realized that the little boy's eyes were suspiciously damp.

"I miss him, too."

Impulsively, she gathered him into her arms, bringing him onto her lap and immediately feeling his arms go around her. There was a soft sniff, and Pepper made a soothing noise, rubbing his back, tenderly.

"You're so good for him…" she murmured.

"I am?"

The question came from somewhere near her collarbone, and was muffled, but it made her smile.

"Yes. You keep him from doing dumb things and getting himself into trouble."

Another sniff.

"I didn't know that."

"Because you didn't know him, before."

"Before what?"

"Before he met you."

"Oh." There was a long silence. "What was he like before he met me?"

Pepper smiled, very much aware that she wasn't going to answer that question, honestly. Not as honestly as she might if she were speaking with someone older. Definitely not when replying to someone sitting in her lap because he missed Tony.

"A little reckless," she told him. "Not as careful as he is, now. He has a son, now," she added. "That means a lot of responsibility."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"A very good thing." Pepper kissed his cheek, and then blew a raspberry into his ear, which made him squirm and giggle – a much happier sound. "Do you want popcorn for the movie?"

"Yes." He leaned back, and while his cheeks were moist, his eyes were fairly happy when he looked at her. "Can I help make it?"

"Of course."

OOOOOOO

Not surprisingly, Peter fell asleep during the movie. Remembering what Tony had told her about making sure that the little boy wasn't put to bed before the right amount of time had passed for the movie to be over so he didn't wake up thinking that he'd been cheated, she simply allowed the movie to play while she did a little research online, looking for activities for them for the next day.

She rather liked the idea of going for a walk in the park, and wondered if their security detail would allow it. It was too late to call Happy and find out if he'd ask, but she could wait until the next day. There wasn't necessarily a rule that said they had to do something, but the little boy was stuck in classes all week, and she was stuck in meetings all week, and some fresh air wouldn't kill either of them. She made a few notes of other possible activities, and when the credits came on, she picked up the remote and turned the TV off.

Peter was sleeping with his head on her leg and a blanket keeping him warm, but she slipped carefully out from under him and went into the guest room to pull the covers back before she picked him up and carried him to bed.

He roused as she settled him, placing the stuffed bear into the crook of his elbow.

"Is the movie over?" he asked, looking sleepily up at her.

"Yes."

"Did you like it?"

"I did." Pepper smiled to find herself in the position she was in. Children weren't something that she had time for, of course. They definitely weren't in her plans any time in the near future. Of course, she had Peter to spoil and cuddle, now. That was plenty, she supposed. "Go back to sleep, alright?"

"Okay." He closed his eyes, but his hand reached out and held hers for a minute. "Night, Pepper."

She couldn't help it; she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Good night. You know where I am if you need anything."

"Yeah."

She watched him as he fell asleep, again, and then tucked the blankets, unnecessarily, around him and the bear, and then left, turning the light off, but leaving the door cracked, just a little.

Just in case.

Then she went out into the living room. She cleaned up what little mess they'd made with the popcorn, and made sure the dishes were in the dishwasher, although there weren't enough to actually require any washing, yet. Not ready for bed, despite the active day that she'd had, Pepper went through her apartment and shut all the lights off, but stopped at the guest room door and leaned against it, watching Peter sleep.

She didn't need to; he looked comfortable and there wasn't any indication that he was sick, or anything. She just thought that it was pretty restful to watch him. He was so little, even for eight, and so crazy good for Tony. It made her determined to be sure that the little boy had a good time with her.

Not to impress her boss, but because she was fond of Peter.

Pepper finally decided that she was tired, and went to bed. But even as she drifted off in her own room, she was still somewhat listening for any indication that her guest might need anything. There was nothing, though. With the bear tucked into his embrace, and aware that he was much loved – even asleep – Peter was sleeping, dreaming of the adventures of Batman and Ironman and the little boy that was their sidekick.

Whether they knew it, or not.