They stopped at Pepper's to get Peter's things, but they didn't stay long. It was getting late, by then, and Tony didn't want Peter's routine any more messed up than it already was by his return. The boy hugged Pepper, tightly, for a long moment.

"I'll see you, tomorrow," she reminded him, pressing a kiss against his cheek. "Thank you for staying with me while Tony was gone."

He smiled.

"Thank you for having me."

"Go make sure you have everything," Tony told the boy when he'd released Pepper. "We're not going to sneak in here in the middle of the night to get your book, or your bear."

Peter nodded and vanished into the bedroom.

"I was kind of hoping he'd leave something, accidentally," Pepper admitted with a slight smile, her eyes amused.

"I owe you."

"Big time," she agreed.

"You had fun though, didn't you?"

"He's a neat little guy," Pepper confirmed. "And very good company."

"That, he is." He hugged her, then, because he didn't know a better way to thank her for being there when he needed her.

To his surprise, she put her arms around him, as well, and held him for a moment, before stepping back, her smile amused.

"Go home."

"We could stay."

Now his expression was smoldering, but in a playful way and not trying to seduce her.

"I've had a Stark in my bed," she reminded him. "One is my limit."

Peter came out of the room, then, backpack slung over his shoulder, and suitcase handle in one hand.

"Got everything?" Pepper asked.

He nodded.

"Here."

The boy held out his hand, and she took the little Lego Batman from him. The new one that he'd bought at Batman Land. A treasure for him, but now, apparently, a gift for her, instead.

"What's this for?" she asked.

"He can keep you company," Peter pointed out. "In case you miss me."

She tightened her hand around the tiny figurine.

"Thank you."

That made Peter smile – and Tony couldn't help but smile, as well.

"You're welcome."

"We'll see you tomorrow," Tony told her, ushering his son to the door. "Thanks, again."

"You're welcome."

Pepper shut them door behind them, and then locked it, before turning her hand up to get a look at the little Lego figure she was holding. It smiled up at her, and she shook her head at just how warm and mushy she felt inside at the simple gesture.

Jesus, she was getting soft, or something.

Still smiling, though, she headed for her room, and a long, hot bath.

The Lego Batman was set carefully on the stand next to her bed for safe keeping.

OOOOOOO

"I got you a present…"

Tony's eyes widened,

"You did?"

Peter nodded, smiling, excitedly.

"But you have to wait until we get home to see it."

"Is it a new car?" Tony asked, glancing away from traffic just long enough to smile at the boy. He looked so pleased with himself. "A Ferrari?"

"You have a Ferrari."

"I could have another."

"It's not."

"Is it… a new razor?"

"No."

"A book?"

Peter giggled, happily.

"No."

"A new toaster?"

"We have the Batman toaster…"

Tony rolled his eyes.

"Oh, right. Silly me. A deck of cards?"

He was trying to make sure he didn't actually guess whatever it might be.

"No."

And it was apparently working.

"New underwear?"

Peter shook his head.

"I'll show you when we get home."

"You won't give me a hint?"

"It's white."

"A snowball?"

"It would have melted," the boy pointed out, reasonably.

"True." Tony smiled, and reached over with his free hand and ruffled Peter's hair. "I'm so glad to be home. I really missed you."

"You did?"

"Of course, I did."

Peter hugged himself, pleased.

OOOOOOO

They had to stop at the store. JARVIS reminded Tony that aside from the cleaning person, no one had been there for several days. The woman had cleared all the fresh items from the fridge that had been close to going bad, and that included milk – chocolate and otherwise. Not to mention, they were going to need bread and since they were stopping, Peter asked if they could get some chocolate pudding, too.

Tony wasn't going to tell him no.

Loaded down with a few bags, as well as Peter's things, they were both cheerful when they walked through the front door.

"Welcome home, Peter," JARVIS said.

"Thanks, JARVIS," the boy replied.

He'd been in communication with the AI, of course. He was wearing (and was still wearing) Tony's watch, and JARVIS was integrated into it, but it wasn't the same as being able to simply speak and have an instant reply at any time of the day.

"Go get ready for bed, buddy," Tony told the boy.

"I don't have to go to sleep, though, right?"

"Nope. Not yet. You still have to show me what you got me."

Peter grinned and nodded.

"Okay."

He vanished into his bedroom, carrying the luggage, and the backpack, and Tony toted their groceries into the kitchen. He'd already been home long enough to unpack his own travel bag, and there were other souvenirs for Peter waiting for the boy, but they could wait until later. He'd oooo and aww over Peter's present to him, now, and spend a little downtime relaxing before bed.

Being home was much better than being anywhere else, he'd already decided, and shook his head, once more amazed at the crazy changes that were now his reality.

OOOOOOOOO

Pepper smiled when Tony wandered into her office the next morning.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"Did you have a good evening?"

"It was nice," he assured her. "Spent time with Peter, went to the grocery store, had to force myself to not spontaneously combust when he had me try on the Batman shirt that he bought me…"

Her smile widened.

"I have one, too. It's pink."

"He told me. He also showed me the ones he purchased for everyone else, too. And then swore me to secrecy so he could surprise them, this weekend."

"Are you wearing it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course I am," the billionaire said, rolling his eyes. "He asked me to, and I said no, and then his eyes got this big…" he held his hands up to the size of dinner plates. "And I caved before his lower lip even started to quiver."

Pepper squealed with delight that she couldn't suppress.

"Let me see."

"No."

"Come on… I won't tell."

"I'm not going to strip down for your amusements," he told her, firmly. "I mean, don't get me wrong, because I could – but not just to show you a t-shirt. A t-shirt that does nothing for my ego, by the way. You want me naked, it'll be after a lovely meal and a few cocktails."

"Who said naked?" she asked, still amused. That little boy had him so wrapped around his finger. "Come on… let me see your Batman shirt."

"I'll show you mine of you show me yours."

"I wore mine Sunday. Come on…"

He rolled his eyes and then unbuttoned and took off his suit jacket. He was wearing a dress shirt, but it was pale blue and Pepper could see the faint Batman logo in black under it.

"No pictures…" he reminded her, unbuttoning the shirt, as well.

"Of course." Her eyes were amused, though, as he opened the shirt enough to show her his Batman Land souvenir. "Tony Stark, wearing a Batman t-shirt… so sexy."

The billionaire scowled at her as he buttoned his shirt back up and then reached for the jacket, once more.

"You think you're funny, don't you?"

"I'm hilarious. You can all wear them on your next mission."

"Don't think that they won't," he pointed out, sitting down across from her. "What do I have on my schedule, today?"

"Nothing. I wasn't sure when you'd be home."

"Good. Then I'm going to go research volcanoes."

"Fake volcanoes," she reminded him.

"Right. But it has to look realistic."

"Right…" she smirked. "Make sure I get to see it when you boys are finished."

"You'll be the first to know."