Chapter 26

Author Note: Hey readers! I am back with another chapter! This chapter is a lot lighter, but not everyone's life is blissful forever. Right? Also, make sure to continue checking back, as I plan to have 2 more one-shots up in the next couple of days and another chapter of this story out no later than the middle or end of next week!

(six months later)

The days were long or at least it felt long to Peter. He had done so well and had improved so much in the last six months. Patrols had all gone well, his grades were improving from where they had been. This was probably because Tony had Peter stay home for the last six months. Tony was glad that Peter was getting better, he did not have to make a counselor appointment in the last six months. Tony and Peter spent many hours in the lab, which would lead to Tony carrying a sleeping teenager up to his room. Peter had taken on big brother responsibilities with Morgan, which was great because Pepper and Tony could go out for an evening.

Tony and Pepper had just returned home from an evening out and saw Peter sitting on the couch with a movie on and his laptop. Morgan was sound asleep in his lap.

"Hey, Pete." Tony whispered.

Peter took his earbuds out and smiled, "Hey dad, y'all have a good time?"

Tony sat down next to Peter, "Yeah, yeah, it was good." Tony noticed Peter's laptop.

"What are you working on?"

"College applications and a beginning resume." Peter whispered, not wanting to wake Morgan up.

Tony pointed to Morgan, "How long has she been asleep?"

Peter looked over at her and then looked back at Tony, "About an hour and a half."

Tony went to pick Morgan up when she moaned and muttered a 'no.' Tony couldn't help but chuckle, "Pete's working, baby." He then proceeded to put Morgan in her own bed and went back to where Peter was.

Tony closed Peter's laptop, "Take a break."

Peter rolled his eyes and instantly laid his head on Tony's shoulder.

"How are you feeling, kiddo?"

"Tired." Peter burrowed deeper into Tony's shoulder.

"Go to sleep." Tony paused for a moment when Peter seemed to tense.

"Have you been having nightmares again?"

Peter nodded.

"You should have told me, spider."

"It's been almost a year since…. I should get over it." Peter mumbled.

"It doesn't matter."

Peter yawned, "M sorry."

Tony maneuvered himself so he was facing Peter. "I am not looking for an apology, Pete. I am here to help you."

Tony felt the kid shudder and a sniffle, "Hey, c'mere." Tony pulled Peter in for a hug and let the kid cry himself out. He figured Peter needed it and waited until Peter pulled away.

"You okay?" Tony asked.

Peter nodded and wiped his eyes, "I need to finish this application."

"It's late, Pete."

"I know, but I just want to finish this." Peter practically begged.

"Okay, okay." Tony put his hands up and went to the kitchen. He handed Peter a soda and Peter smiled in return.

Just as Tony got settled back on the couch next to Peter, Morgan came trotting back in sleepily. Tony raised an eyebrow.

"Mo, what are you doing up?"

Morgan came right over to Peter and held her arms out, like she was wanting to be held. She did not say anything. Peter smiled and set his laptop aside, letting Morgan climb in his lap. Peter kissed her on the cheek,

"Why are you up?"

"I wanted you." Morgan replied sleepily.

"Yeah, but you're supposed to be asleep in your own bed."

The next morning, Pepper went into the living room and saw all three asleep on the couch. She couldn't help but smile. Morgan was sent off to school and Peter was sent to do his schoolwork. Peter really wanted to do something else other than schoolwork, but he really couldn't help the urge to want to leave. It was a strange feeling because he knew he shouldn't even be considering going out, without permission.

"FRIDAY, where's Tony?"

"Sir is in his lab." FRIDAY responded.

Peter got up from where he was working and grabbed his phone and backpack. All he really wanted to do was to go outside and visit May, more or less. He really hoped Tony would understand his need to go out. He made his way to the elevator when FRIDAY stopped him.

"Peter, if you intend to leave the premises, you must inform Mr. Stark."

"FRIDAY, I was just going downstairs. Honest." Great, Peter had lied before he could stop himself.

"Very well."

"So please don't tell Dad." Peter requested.

"Yes, sir." FRIDAY responded.

Peter had successfully made his way out of the building and he ran right into Happy.

"Where you headed squirt?"

"Oh, just wanted to move outside to do schoolwork." He had lied again. Wonderful.

"Does your dad know?"

Peter nodded.

When Happy had gone back inside, Peter made his way towards the cemetery. He was walking so it would take about an hour.

Peter made it to the cemetery, and he was surprised that Tony hadn't called him yet. Tony was too involved in his work to notice that Peter had left. Peter found his aunt and uncle's grave and sat there, thinking. He hadn't even noticed that a couple of tears had been running down his cheeks. He must have lost track of time because his phone was ringing. He didn't want to answer it because he was in a world of trouble. He let it ring and ring, tears still coming down his cheeks. It must have been awhile later because a voice interrupted him from his thoughts.

"Peter! Peter!"

Peter looked up and saw Rhodey staring at him. Peter jumped back and his eyes widened. He stood up and before Rhodey could say anything, Peter began to ramble.

"U-Uncle Rhodey, what-what are you doing here? I – I mean…"

"Zip it. Go to the car. Let's go." Rhodey said angrily.

The car ride was silent. Boy, Peter was in for it.

Rhodey took Peter to Happy, who silently led him to the elevator.

"What were you thinking, Peter?" Happy said, as they rode the elevator.

"I don't know." Peter mumbled.

"Well you better have a better explanation than that for Tony. He's not happy, to put it lightly."

Peter hung his head. He was so dead. The elevator came to a stop and Tony was practically at the door. His face and his eyes were angry and full of disappointment.

"Thank you, Happy." Tony said, his tone short and voice clipped.

Peter stood with his head down. Tony had a good grip on Peter's arm and was not about to let him go in a hurry. The elevator door closed, and Tony looked over at Peter. The kid looked scared and guilty. Good. Tony thought, he should be after the stunt he pulled. Tony let go of Peter but pinned him with a look of 'don't move a muscle.'

"I don't want to hear excuses and I don't want apologies. Not yet. I want a good reason as to why you snuck off. Again." Tony said.

Peter was too scared to say anything. He had a good reason, but probably not good enough for Tony.

"Speak up, kid."

"I-I don't know." Peter mumbled still looking at the ground.

Tony sighed, "Go to your room and I will be there soon."

"Yes, sir." Peter said, as he made his way to his room.

Peter laid in his bed with tears in his eyes. He heard a soft knock on the door and was surprised to see Morgan walk in.

"Hey, Mo." Peter said.

Morgan shushed him, "Be quiet. Daddy and Mommy said I couldn't come in here."

"Are you crazy, Mo?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
" I am fine, sweetie. Better go before they catch you or you'll be in time out for a long time." Peter whispered.

Morgan left after giving Peter a hug. Peter laid back down on his bed, waiting.

To Peter's surprise, he was called to dinner by Pepper. When he made his way to the kitchen area, Tony seemed a little less angry. Dinner was a little awkward and quiet.

"Go to my office, Peter." Tony said after dinner was over. They made their way into the office. Pepper had whispered to Tony not to be to hard on Peter.

"Over here, Smalls." Tony said, as he waved in the direction of his desk. Peter sat across from Tony and waited. Waited for whatever Tony was going to dole out. Tony noticed that Peter was shaking slightly. He got up and knelt in front of Peter and saw Peter's face full of guilt and even seemed scared.

Tony sighed, "Pete, I am mad, but I promise I won't kill you."

"I am sorry, Dad."

"What you did today scared me. It can not happen again. At least you had the decency to take your phone with you and leave it on. Why did you go out again without telling me?"

"I just wanted to visit May and Ben and I needed fresh air." Peter stated sadly.

"I get that. I really do but sneaking out isn't the way to go about it." Tony stated firmly, but not unkindly. "Look at me, Pete."

Peter slowly did as he was told.

"If you pull a stunt like that again, I'll make you wear a tracker."

Peter looked ready to argue, but was stopped by Tony's next statement.

"No. Don't think for a second that I won't do it." Tony stated seriously. "You are so lucky, spider because I am giving you a free pass on that threat. You can thank Pepper cause she saved your hide. But that also means, she won't save you next time. Got it?"

Peter nodded furiously. Boy, he missed that bullet.

"However, it doesn't get you off the hook. You, young man, are grounded until further notice. No lab either. You do not leave this floor, unless myself or Pepper is with you. If you so much as step a toe outside of this floor without one of us, you'll have a tracker on before you can blink."

Peter gulped, knowing Tony was serious.

"Pete, I am not here to make your life miserable. But when you broke the rules, you made it that way. I love you, Pete, and I just want to make sure you are okay."

"I know." Peter whispered, tears threatening to come out and a lump had formed in his throat.

Tony sighed again, but it seemed sadder than an angry sigh. The kid seemed so forlorn and upset "C'mere." He pulled Peter to his feet and enveloped him into a hug. "I love you kid. I hope you know that."

"Love you too. M sorry. Won't do it again." Peter mumbled.

"I know bud. I know." Tony said, as he rubbed Pete's back.

A knock at the office door interrupted their hug. It was Pepper.

"Everything okay in here, boys?"

Pete looked away to gain his composure back.

"Yeah of course." Tony answered helping to hide Peter.

Pepper smiled, "Pete, would you like to come play a family game with us?"

"What game?" Peter asked.
"Monopoly."

Peter's face lit up, "Of course. I am better than Tony." Tony tried to smack Peter's head but missed because Peter was too quick.

"That kid." Tony rolled his eyes.