Thank you all so much, some really lovely reviews. Onwards and upwards.

As promised, a quick update.

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An hour previously.

''The cradle will restore his arm; it is actually mostly a surface injury, some nerve damage but that will repair. He requires rest to recuperate but will recover fully. Something protected him- I wonder how that happened?'' Dr Cho looked at Thor who blushed.

''Well, you know I just shared some power to help out. It was only polite,'' The God smiled meekly.

''Thank you Thor,'' Steve didn't know what else to say- there were no words adequate.

''You are most welcome my captain. I think Ale is in order,'' Thor suggested; embarrassed by the praise- didn't they know he was now unworthy? Protecting Tony was the least he could do in light of his previous complete and utter failure to live up to his birth given legacy.

''Come on big guy; let's give these people some space. We'll get you a beer, you've earned it,'' Rhodey pulled him away.

Steve sat next to Tony's bed and took his hand, he stroked the warm skin with his thumb and bowed his head; taking a moment.

Bruce and Dr Cho left- leaving the couple alone.

''Did you see him? Please tell me he was real,'' Tony's voice was hoarse but he had only one thing, or person, on his mind.

''Yes Babes, he was real. I saw him, held him, he's really back,'' Steve stood and looked into his husband's hope filled eyes.

''You are not just saying that,'' Tony blinked rapidly, tears threatening to spill.

''I would not do that my love. Peter has come home,'' Steve smiled and kissed him gently on the lips.

'' He's home, he's home,'' Tony repeated over and over to himself.

''Yes he is home but now you have to rest sweetheart, please go back to sleep,'' Steve urged and Tony nodded.

''I will be here when you wake up. I love you so much, so very much,'' he said as Tony drifted off.

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Steve woke up with a jolt as a soft hand shook him. He looked into Pepper's concerned eyes.

''Pepper,'' he rose and hugged her.

''Pops,'' Morgan was staring at him, her eyes brimming and he pulled her up into his arms. He hugged her, rubbing her back in circular, soothing circles.

''Is Daddy okay?'' she asked as she sat up, the threatening tears retreating, wrinkling her nose adorably. Steve kissed her and cradled her head- drawing some much needed comfort.

''He looks real bad Pops,'' Harley was standing staring down at Tony- his face tight with fear and shock.

''I brought them, thought it would be safer here. Things are bad out there,'' Pepper explained tightly and Steve nodded.

He put Morgan down and stretched, taking a moment to collect himself. He had to be strong and calm- his children needed him to set the example- all of his children.

He was relieved his kids were here, that way he could protect them; keep them safe during what was bound to be a difficult few days, weeks, months- who knew how long?

''Thank you,'' he said and Pepper nodded. She glanced at Tony and her distress was obvious; Steve embraced her again. They looked at each other and Pepper nodded, she had this. She was back in control.

Steve turned to the kids.

''Harls, he is gonna be fine. It looks worse than it is,'' Steve went to his son and placed a reassuring arm across his shoulders.

''Okay,'' the young man nodded, not convinced.

Steve noted the fuzz on his face- it never failed to amaze him that his kid was now shaving. Not every day much to his disgust, he was too fair for heavy growth, but he still had to shave. He was becoming more of a man everyday- he was now only a few inches shorter than Steve although he was gangly, his muscles not yet fully- developed.

''Is it true?'' Pepper asked Steve suddenly and he knew exactly what she meant.

''Yes, it's true,'' he was vibrating with love.

''Oh, I really wanted it to be true but I didn't dare hope,'' Pepper's eyes filled with tears.

''I know, it's unbelievable,'' Steve was still coming to terms with the fact their years of suffering were over; that their endless prayers had finally been answered.

''What's true?'' Harley asked and Steve looked at Pepper with a grimace. How to explain this?

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''No one lives here anymore,'' Peter said from the doorway. Silence descended- it was not their place.

''Starkson! Oh Starkson! It is so good to see you! I missed you!'' Thor swept Peter up and twirled him around. The God had been restrained thus far but now he had to express his delight at the return of his adored munchkin.

He had mourned long and hard; grief at the loss of his people, his home, this child, so much loss. It had devoured him, all but destroyed him and he had numbed the pain with alcohol and food.

''Hey Uncle Thor,'' Peter giggled as he hugged his neck and Thor sniffed back tears; it had been such a long time since a child had laughed in this room and he had enjoyed a hug from his much treasured boy.

''Food! You require sustenance,'' Thor sat Peter on a stool, dropped a hefty kiss on his auburn curls and placed a plate full of pizza down.

''I am starving!'' Peter tucked in and smiled gratefully as Sam got him a can of soda.

''You look different,'' Peter said to the God who laughed heartily, patting his rotund stomach.

''Starkson, I have regrettably somewhat let myself go but tomorrow I shall be hitting the gym. Get myself ship-shape,'' Thor tousled Peter's hair and the boy giggled again.

The adults exchanged warm smiles; Peter did not seem traumatised- far from it. It gave them hope for the future- maybe the adjustment would not be as difficult as they feared.

''How long has it been? Everyone keeps saying they missed me, how come?'' Peter asked the pertinent question- as always on the ball.

''How about you ask your Pops that?'' Clint knew he would not want anyone else talking to his children about this.

''Where is Pops? Where is Dad?'' Peter looked around and he was disgruntled; had his parents abandoned him yet again?

''Starkson, eat, eat,'' Thor deflected as they all were.

Peter took a mouthful of pizza then looked contemplatively at the brooding man to his side.

''Are you still bad?'' Peter addressed Bucky whose face clouded; he loved this child and hearing him call him bad cut like a knife.

'' Uncle Bucky was never bad Pete, it was a misunderstanding. Your father wouldn't want you being rude now would he?'' Sam stepped in.

''Which one?'' Peter didn't think that was entirely true.

''Both of them,'' Sam replied firmly.

Peter eyed Bucky suspiciously then shrugged; returning to his pizza.

Sam patted Bucky on the back. The soldier gave a tight smile- he had some bridges to build before he was greeted the way Uncle Thor had been which was what he longed for.

The elevator pinged and a silent group of people stepped out of it.

''How is he?'' Sam asked instantly and Steve tensed then nodded.

''He's going to be fine but it will take a while for him to fully recover. He's heavily sedated so won't wake up until tomorrow.''

The adults all relaxed instantly, tension flowing from the room.

Peter saw the sleeping child his father was holding and he gulped- that could only be Morgan. His sister appeared to be about five or six, had it been that long? How could that be?

He stared at the younger man standing beside Steve, he knew it was Harley but his brain refused to accept that fact. Suddenly, this felt like a living nightmare and Peter turned abruptly away staring down at the pizza which was now making him feel sick.

He was so tired, bone tired; weary to his core and just wanted to go to sleep; hide from this crippling confusion.

Steve saw his youngest son's reaction and his heart sank- how did he explain this? Explain that the world had moved on, they had moved on, lived their lives without Peter; convince him that they were overjoyed he was back with them where he belonged.

Thank God they had decided not to adopt again- that would have been impossible to justify and deeply hurtful to his returned son.

Steve was frozen with indecision- unsure what to do. Then Pepper took control-calmed the anxiety ridden atmosphere with action.

She approached Peter tentatively, resisting her natural instinct to gather him in her arms and shower him with love.

''Hey honey,'' she said softly touching him gently on the head and he looked up at her, his eyes anguished as he crashed down to earth; reality hitting hard.

''No one lives here anymore and everything feels all wrong Aunt Pep. It's all different?'' he said plaintively and her heart broke for him.

''I know sweetheart; you have a beautiful new home. It's by a huge lake and you are going to love it, there is so much to do there,'' Pepper tried to ease the blow as she stroked back the hair from his glistening eyes.

''How can it be my home if I have never even been there? This is my home or it was but all my things are gone. I don't think I have a home anymore,'' Peter said very clearly; his voice faltered as his throat thickened with tears-tears of crippling anxiety and angst.

Pepper looked over at Steve who immediately handed Morgan to Harley. He had warned his eldest son to hold back- drawing on his own experience- he remembered the fright, the stupefying fear; the disconnect, the feeling of being adrift, lost. A stranger in a strange land.

''Bubba, how about we take a walk huh?'' He placed his hand on Peter's shoulder, he felt him stiffen but he persevered nonetheless.

''Come on kiddo,'' Steve took his boy's hand and to his relief he didn't pull away. He just nodded and slipped off the stool.

''I'll make some coffee,'' Pepper said, needing something to occupy her.

''That would be great thanks Pep,'' Steve said over his shoulder as he led his silent, grieving son away.

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