Chapter 18

Peter seemed happier and brighter now that he was out of the wheelchair and his healing abilities kicked back into motion. Tony was pleased to see that the kid would come home smiling whether it was from school or coming home from Ned's. In fact, Peter asked again if he could have Ned stay a couple of nights at the tower. To Peter's surprise, Tony said yes! One day while Tony and Peter were in the lab, Peter decided to ask a question.

"Hey, Dad. Um, could I ask a question?" Peter asked nervously while finishing up a project.

"Shoot." Tony said as he was screwing something in with his screwdriver.

"W-would it be okay if I went back out as Spider-Man?"

Tony nearly fell over in surprise. He stopped what he was doing and put it on the table. He walked over to Peter. "Did you just ask me if you could be Spider-Man again?"

Peter nodded, biting his lip nervously. "Yeah, I think I am ready. The world needs me."

"Yes, but I also need you."

"Please, dad. I promise to be really, really careful!" Peter begged.

Tony rolled his eyes, "Fine, you can go."

Peter's face lit up and jumped up to hug Tony, "Thank you! Thank you! I am going to go tell Ned."

"Hey, you tell that guy in the chair, he better keep careful tabs on you, or he won't get that car!" Tony yelled as Peter made his way back up the stairs.

"Whatever!" Peter yelled back, which just made Tony laugh in response.

At dinner that evening, Peter announced he would be going out as Spiderman tomorrow.

"Can I go?" Morgan begged.

"No, not yet squirt." Peter said, "Maybe when you are a little older, I can take you for a swing."

"Yay!" Morgan yelled.

Tony and Pepper both giggled at Morgan's excitement. Unfortunately, Peter going out as his other self, meant they needed to lay some ground rules. The kid would stay out until early morning if they let him.

"Pete, I don't mind you going out as Spider-Man. However, we need to talk about some ground rules." Tony said in a rather serious tone.

Peter just groaned in response.

"There is a curfew especially because you are still in school. One a.m. on weekdays and two on weekends."

"But!" Peter attempted to argue.

"Argue and I will push the curfew back an hour." Tony stated.

"One and two are fine." Peter grumbled.

"Also, school comes first before your other self. I see those grades fall and the city will see no spider-ling swinging across. Got it?"

"Okay. Anything else?" Peter asked which almost sounded like a whine.

"Yes, actually. Have fun, spider. The rules are only to protect you. Small neighborhood crimes, spider. I hear about a certain spider in something big, we will have a conversation you won't enjoy."

"Small crimes only. When can I do big crimes?" Peter asked.

"Maybe and only maybe if I go with you. However, if I tell you to stay in place, you better do it." Tony pointed at Peter.

Morgan was getting fidgety at her place because she was done ages ago. "Can we watch a movie, daddy?"

Tony smirked, "Absolutely but only after you take your plate to the sink."

"Aww, it's too far." Morgan attempted to get out of having to do it.

"Well then I guess it's 'too far' to go watch a movie." Tony said with his eyebrows raised.

Peter joined in, leaning closer to Morgan, "See if you had spider skills you could just use your webs. But since you don't like everyone else in the world, you should do it the human way."

Morgan stuck her tongue out at Peter. Tony figured he could bribe her with something.

"Mo, if you take your plate to the sink, I will let you go with Peter to the toy store and you could get that barbie car that you have talking about forever." Tony said.

"It's not a barbie car, it's a house."

"Car, house, plate to sink." Tony said as he pointed from her plate to the sink.

She finally gave in and took her plate. When they were all finally settled on the couch and Tony in his chair, Morgan made her way over.

"What you thinking?" Morgan knew her dad was distracted about something.

"I am fine, looney-tune."

"Can I have a juice pop?"

"Sure. What flavor do you want?"

"Um, blue raspberry!"

The movie had ended about 30 minutes earlier. Tony had Morgan in his lap who was fast asleep, and Peter had fallen asleep on the couch next to Pepper.

"Do you think Peter is ready to go back out?" Pepper whispered.

Tony was just getting up with sleeping Morgan in his arms, "He will be fine as long as he follows the rules."

"I just hope he is ready emotionally. He hasn't asked about seeing the therapist or going to the cemetery." Pepper responded in motherly worry.

"He is fine, Pep. He knows he can talk to us besides he is a whole lot better now than he was last week." Tony said before exiting the room with Morgan.

Pepper stayed on the couch and gently caressed Peter's curly hair. She gave him a light kiss on the side of his head. "Peter, you need to wake up."

He didn't stir so she just continued caressing his hair until Tony came back.

"He hasn't moved." Pepper whispered.

Tony went over and gently picked Peter up. "Come on spider, time to catch some z's in your web." Tony made his way to Peter's bed and laid him down gently. Peter rolled over and made a small whimper. "Shh, Pete. It's okay. I am right here." Tony took the kid's shoes off and laid down next to him until the kid was sound asleep again.

Peter opened bleary eyes when he noticed that Tony was still laying down next to him. He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with thankfulness that Tony had taken him in. He was just his intern. Peter went downstairs to get something to eat when he noticed Pepper in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Peter. Would you like for me to make you something to eat?" Pepper asked.

Peter sat down at the kitchen island "Yes please. Can I ask you something?"

Pepper turned to meet Peter's eyes, "Of course, Pete. You don't have to ask if you can ask me something."

Peter smiled but blushed momentarily. "Could y-you or Tony take me shopping?"

"What for?"

"Um, I have outgrown almost everything that Tony brought back from my apartment."

Pepper chuckled, "You getting too big too fast! Of course, you know Morgan will probably want to go to."

"Thank you."

Author's Note: Thank you everyone for being patient while I work on this story! Spider-Man action to come! I have realized posting three times a week for the same story is not easy for me. Therefore, I will probably go back to every Monday. I will let you know for sure. I see this story taking a turn for the better but be prepared for bumps in the road, just like life.