When they were finished eating, Tony and Pepper excused themselves to return to their quarters and get some sleep before returning to Peter's bedside. Stephen hung out to linger over his meal with T'Challa, Shuri and Wanda. He wasn't in any real hurry to finish, since he told them that he had every intention of staying at the compound the next day or two while Peter came through the more critical portion of his recovery.

Besides, he wanted to hear everyone's version of what had happened, and the compound was going to be an interesting place for the next few days. Especially when it came to relaying information to the press and to the other governments of the world. Presuming the Avengers decided to do anything more than simply mention that an alien army tried to attack the earth (which they couldn't cover up) and with the help of their allies the invaders had been defeated before they had a chance to do more than head for the city and the National Guard and Army units that had been standing their ground to defend it.

"Are you staying, princess?" Strange asked, knowing that T'Challa was going back to Wakanda.

He knew because he was the one that was making the portal to send him home.

"I am not," she told him, solemnly. "I must go home and take part in the ceremonies that are upcoming."

"It is only fitting that we both attend the ceremonies for our dead," T'Challa explained.

"Steve and Carol will be attending many," Shuri said, unable to hide the excitement that she felt at being able to show Captain America what her country was like, beyond the little he already knew. "It will add to the honor of each family, of course, to have such a renown warrior come."

Strange nodded. He knew that if she didn't have instant access to Peter's monitoring devices, she might be a little less willing to leave his side, but a princess didn't always get to do what she wanted to do. Sometimes – most of the time, even – duty to her people came first.

"Let me know when you're ready."

"We will," T'Challa agreed.

"I want to go check on Peter before I leave," Shuri told her brother – and Stephen.

T'Challa nodded, not surprised by the request.

"Mother will want to know the latest news on his condition."

OOOOO

It was Natasha who was sitting at Peter's bedside when he woke, again, a motion and a slightly pained noise drawing her attention from the crossword puzzle that she'd been working on. She set it aside, reaching over and brushing her fingers against his forehead – ignoring the cloak, which was also caressing his forehead. Since he wasn't fevered, the ancient relic had full access to his favorite cuddle buddy and was taking advantage of the fact that Stephen was hanging out at the compound for a few days.

"Hey," she murmured, softly. "Awake again, huh? Don't answer aloud," she added, with a smile. "You're still not supposed to talk."

He made a show of scowling, looking absolutely adorable, despite the fact that she thought that he looked exhausted and so wiped out that he seemed to only be a shell of his normal self. It would pass, she knew. It was just a matter of making him take care, for now, and do what he was told. The boy held up his good hand, again pretending to write so she could hand him the tablet.

For how long?

"Until Stephen says differently," came the answer. "He's pleased with your progress, so far, but you know how doctors are. Cautious." She smiled, pleased to have him awake, and to have him to herself – even though she knew it wouldn't last. "Probably all the medical malpractice suites."

That made Peter smile, too.

Did he have any?

Romanoff smirked.

"I'm sure if you asked he'd tell you he hasn't, but it would be fun to watch his eye twitch at the question."

Peter smiled at that, too. he knew she loved teasing Strange, and he was all for anything that made her happy, of course.

Did I miss homecoming?

Proving that he had no idea what was going on around him, or how long he'd been sleeping. She wondered if Alec was still in his head, or if the ancient alien sorcerer had somehow been burned from his mind during the surge of power the stones had sent coursing through Peter's body.

"No, baby."

He was going to, though. It was a few days away, and he wasn't even close to being healthy enough to attend.

You are staying with me?

"Until Tony and Pepper come and shoo me away so they can have my spot. Do you hurt?"

He shook his head.

No

She had a feeling that that wasn't entirely true.

"Then go back to sleep, okay?"

I'm not good company sleeping

"Do what I tell you. You're good company no matter what we're doing. You know that."

He smiled, and reached for her hand with his good one, beseechingly, and Natasha took it in hers, squeezing it, lightly, but she didn't say anything else, instead being quiet so he would fall asleep rather than attempt a conversation. It worked, of course, and he was asleep again in only minutes.

Romanoff could have let his hand go and went back to her crossword puzzle, but she opted to just hang out, instead. The puzzle could wait, after all.

OOOOOO

They all met in the lounge.

It was a nice room, and had plenty of space. It also was the room with all the good junk food and alcoholic beverages. Despite the relatively early time of day, Drax had a drink in front of him, although the others were drinking coffee, tea or (in Quill's case) a cola.

Gamora and Mantis had joined them, along with Sirah, who was still dressed in the oversized sweatshirt and pants that she'd been wearing when she'd been brought to the compound. Mantis had offered her something more form-fitting, but the girl had clung to the clothing that she had been given and said she was comfortable and warm.

"Did you hear anything?" Quill asked Gamora, curiously.

She hadn't spoken to any of the avengers, yet, since returning from the ship, which was parked on the side of the building with an enormous mesh over it to hide it from satellites, knowing that they were all busy, and the information that she had – while important – wasn't something that was needed immediately. It could wait. She shook her head.

"Nothing too interesting. The light's spreading, though; it left this solar system and seems to be expanding, and moving faster – because it should be several years before it reaches any other populated system, and it is only a few hours from reaching the first of the inhabited planets."

"That's when things will get interesting," Rocket said.

"We could leave, though," Drax told them. "Right? They don't need us, here, anymore. There's no one left to fight."

Peter frowned.

"We can't go. All the cool stuff is happening here."

"True," Rocket agreed. "Besides, I want to see how the kid is doing before we bug out."

"I am groot," Groot agreed.

Drax looked at Gamora, who shrugged.

"It won't hurt to stay a few more days, at least."