Chapter 15

The next few days had gone by with little to no problems. Things were looking up for Peter. Tony had allowed for Peter to invite Ned to come over and spend a few days, which Peter is anxiously looking forward to. Lord, help Tony- more teens in the house. Just what he always wanted. Peter was calling Tony, dad, and while Peter wasn't overly fond of his new nickname- spider, he didn't say anything. Life was good. In fact, as Peter told Dr. Zhago a couple of days ago- Life was better than it had been in a long time. He felt safe at the tower and with his new family. More smiles and less tears according to everyone around Peter, including Peter. School was- well – it could be better. If it hadn't been that Peter is currently sitting in the principal's office again, thanks to- you guessed it, Flash. Why is it that just as things seemed to be going good Flash had to ruin it? Peter's thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock at the office door. A moment later, Tony stepped in the room. Worry and anger written all over his face.

"Mr. Stark, thank you for coming so quickly." Principal Morita said, as he held out his hand.

Tony sat down in the chair next to Peter, whose face was quickly bruising, "May I ask what happened?"

The principal sighed. "It appears that I can't get a story out of either of these two. From the looks of it, I would say a fight broke out. If they refuse to tell me, I will have no choice but to give them both detentions and since both of them have been suspended once before, neither will be on the decathalon team for the remainder of the semester."

"I am not on the decathalon team anymore." Peter stated immediately.

Tony looked at Peter surprised but didn't say anything. They would have to have that conversation later. Right now, it seemed more important to get the facts.

"Would it be alright if I talked to my son in the room next door?" Tony asked, pulling his son to stand next to him.

"Yes, of course." Principal Morita said.

Tony and Peter made their way into the next room. Peter stood in the middle of the room, waiting to be yelled at. He knew it was coming, he just knew it. However, the yelling never came. Instead, he felt himself being pushed into a chair.

"Gees, Pete. You look like you're about to pass out." Tony said as he gently pushed Peter down into a chair.

Peter didn't say anything, not sure what to say.

"Want to tell me what happened?" Tony asked kindly but desperate to know.

"It was my fault, dad." Peter took a deep breath in.

"Go on."

"Well, F-flash made some really awful comments to the other kids at the lunch table about me. H-he said I was just your next charity case and that he figured I wouldn't last long. I would be thrown out or something. Ned tried to stand up for me and told him to shut up, but Flash came over and started making fun of him. Dad, I couldn't just stand there and watch my friend being berated by a bully, so I-I hit Flash first-really hard." Peter said, not wanting to look up at Tony's face.

Tony took in a deep breath and whispered, "Pete."

"Dad, I am sorry. I am sorry. I know I shouldn't have hit him. I won't do it again, honest." Peter started sobbing as he kept apologizing and making promises.

"Peter. Peter." Tony said, trying to get this now crying teen's attention.

"Spider, I understand why you hit him. We really need to work on your control of emotions when it comes to fighting. How bad is Flash hurt?"

"I broke his jaw, right shoulder, collar bone, and his nose." Peter said, wiping away at the remaining tears.

Tony rubbed his hands over his face, clearly frustrated. "Alright. Come on, spider. Let's go face the music and get out of here."

After telling what had happened, Peter walked away with a week out-of-school suspension and Flash did too, for that matter. Tony took Peter home and sent him to his room, with an ice pack on his face. During family dinner, Tony informed Peter that they would start "training", while he was suspended. Pepper nearly fell over when she was told what happened. After an hour of being lectured by an unhappy Pepper, Peter and Morgan were allowed to look at the stars for a couple of hours.

"Should I get them a telescope?" Tony asked as he helped with dishes.

"You want to reward your son with a telescope?" Pepper asked in disbelief.

"No, I want him to be able to look at the stars as much as he wants with Morgan but in a safer way."

"Fine, but since he has been suspended don't get him one yet." Pepper said.

"Oh, when I said training, I meant he gets to do a lot of unfun stuff this week for causing trouble. He gets to wash all the cars tomorrow."

Pepper laughed. "You really think he will wash all 20 of your cars?"

"Yes, because I really want to get him a telescope after he does this list that I have in my head."

"I have to wash all the cars by myself?" Peter asked as he was eating breakfast at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.

"Yes, my suspended spider."

Peter groaned.

"After you wash my cars then I will get you started on the next task and then once that's done you will be free for the rest of the evening. Of course, you will have to be in bed by 9 and your phone in my hand."

Peter groaned louder this time. He was suspended, having to do all of these ridiculous jobs, early bedtime, and he had his phone taken at night? Really!

So, as one can imagine, Peter spent the rest of the day washing all the cars. He was nearly exhausted when he finished the last car. What amazed Tony was the kid's work ethic. He never complained once as far as Tony knew. Dang, May raised a good kid. Tony really hated being so hard on Peter for getting suspended, but he needed Peter to understand the consequences of what could have happened if Flash had been more injured. Seeing that Peter was utterly exhausted, Tony held off on the second job of cleaning windows in the tower. Instead, he let Peter eat, shower, and watch a movie. When 9 o'clock came around, Tony didn't even have to send the kid to bed because he was already sound asleep against Tony's shoulder.
"Come on, spider. Time to sleep in your own bed." Tony whispered as he picked the kid up and put him in his own room.

The so-called long list of chores lasted until Monday. Monday morning came and Peter woke up on his own accord. He realized he hadn't been woken up by a blaring alarm. Instead, he had slept in and was being awoken by the smell of bacon in the house.

"Dad." Peter stated as he slid onto his stool at the kitchen island.

"Yes, spider?"

"If I cleaned the whole kitchen for you, could I go see Ned when school gets out? Pleeeaasssee!"

Tony chuckled, "Yes of course you can, just make sure he has time."

Peter bounced up and gave Tony a quick side hug, "Thanks, dad."

"Wait!" Tony called out.

Peter turned wondering why he was being stopped.

"School doesn't let out until 3:15. How does going out for lunch with Rhodey sound?"

Peter's face lit up at that. Lunch out with Rhodey always seemed to turn comical. At least, that's what they all expected when they went to lunch. However, things don't always go as planned. Why is that? At least that's what Peter thought right before everything went black.

Author's Note: Sorry this so late! I have been out of town today celebrating my parent's anniversary. I left y'all with a cliffhanger and you will have to wait until the week after Christmas to find out what happens! I won't be posting next week in order for everyone to spend time with their families.