The morning was a lazy one – especially considering it was the middle of the week.

Pepper and Tony played cards at the corner table all the while surreptitiously watching as Peter and Shuri went over and sat down at the table with Sirah and the guardians. They couldn't hear what was being said – they were too far away for that – but Sirah was looking interested, and Gamora wasn't the only one looking pleased with the resolution.

"We'll hammer out the final details with T'Challa when we see him, today," Tony told his wife.

"He's coming?"

The billionaire affected an innocence that she definitely didn't fall for.

"I didn't tell you?"

"Tony…"

He looked at his watch.

"Don't you have a conference call, or something?"

"Yes." She finished the hand that they were playing and got up, leaning over and kissing Ironpig on the top of his head. "Don't do anything foolish while I'm gone."

"Whaaat?"

Pepper just shook her head and went to the door. Tony smiled when he saw Peter get up and walk over to join her. He said something that Tony couldn't hear, and Pepper put an arm around the boy and the two left, while Shuri walked over to Tony's table.

"She is not leaving the compound, is she?" Shuri asked.

"No. She has a conference call that she can't get out of. Luckily she can do that from our quarters."

"Good. For a moment I was worried that she had found out what was happening."

Tony smiled.

"Did you sic Peter on her to make sure she stays?"

"No." she sat down. "He said he wanted to spend time with her before everyone else comes."

Tony approved, of course.

"Good. Sirah is on board with the idea of living in Wakanda?"

"She appears to be. If you approve, we will take her back to Wakanda when we leave this evening."

"I approve," he told her. "But really, even if I didn't, she should still go back with you – if that's what she wants. Maybe I'll see if Steve wants to go so that he can see that she's settled and satisfied. He's pretty concerned about her future, after all."

"He is welcome to come – perhaps Carol will be interested in joining him."

She, of course, was pleased with the idea. It was Captain America, after all.

"Feel free to ask him," Tony agreed. "If he says no, tell me, and I'll send him."

Shuri smiled at that.

"I will keep that in mind."

She was pretty sure that between her and T'Challa, Steve would come to Wakanda.

"Good. Chess?"

"Certainly."

OOOOO

"So, are you going to tell me what you and Tony have under your sleeves?" Pepper asked her son as the two walked back to her quarters.

"It's a secret."

He wasn't as good at pretending to be innocent as Tony was.

"Is it crazy?"

"Depends on your definition of crazy, I suppose."

"He isn't flying me anywhere?"

"No. You said you didn't want to go anywhere," Peter reminded her.

"I also said I didn't want anything extravagant…"

"I know."

"And yet… there will be some, won't there?"

"Maybe."

Pepper smiled, tilting her head as they walked so she could touch his.

"You two are amazing."

"We think you are, too. How long will your conference call last, do you think?"

"An hour, or so. You sure you want to hang out? It's not going to be very interesting – and it's going to be in French."

"No. I'm fine with that. I'll stay out of the way."

She touched his hair, and only released him when they walked into the living room area of their quarters.

"You're not in the way," she assured him. "You can sit beside me, if you want."

She pulled up a display and sat down on the sofa, patting the space beside her in invitation – which Peter took her up on. He didn't sit, though, instead choosing to stretch out on the sofa and rest his head on her leg.

"It's alright?" he asked, uncertainly, but clearly hoping for an affirmative.

The toddler was practically wriggling with happiness at the contact. And at the idea of having her to himself.

"It's perfect." Pepper rested her hand on Peter's shoulder. "Friday? Will you please let the others know that I'm ready?"

A moment later the display lit up, and Pepper was able to see herself in the corner of the screen and a few other participants in the forefront. From his position, Peter was able to see everyone – although he only recognized two people that Pepper worked with at the tower – and none of them could see him. He didn't mind. He shifted just enough to make sure that the injured hand wasn't pinned under him, and then closed his eyes, listening as the meeting started, and having no trouble following along, even though the conversation was, indeed, in French.

OOOOOOO

Wong walked into the lounge exactly at noon. Tony wasn't surprised to see him, as Friday had advised him the moment the sorcerer appeared in Peter's quarters. The billionaire greeted him, as did Shuri, who was still at the table playing chess.

"Stephen isn't back, yet?"

"No, not yet." Tony wasn't concerned. "It's a lot to get organized. I'm sure he'll be here at the prescribed time."

Wong nodded, looking at Shuri.

"And your people? Are they ready?"

"My brother says they are ready when we are."

"They have more people to get organized than Thor does, but T'Challa is a king, and they're used to taking orders and have a bit more discipline than the Asgardians do."

"True." Wong seated himself at the table. "Stephen tells me Peter returned the time stone."

"He did – and the mind stone is back where it belongs, as well."

"And the space stone?"

"Goes back to Asgard with Thor, tonight, I think – provided Peter is up for it."

"Good. They should be separated as quickly as possible, now that Peter can take care of it."

"Are the stones so dangerous?" Shuri asked, curiously.

She was vaguely aware of them from what she heard around the compound – she knew they were cause of the bright light that had apparently healed the world's injured and sick and that Peter was responsible, but she didn't really know that much – and was always ready to learn something. Especially when it was something that affected Peter.

"In the wrong hands? Absolutely. In Peter's? Not as much – but they were never intended to be together."

Shuri nodded.

"The guardians are taking one with them when they leave."

"The reality stone will go to the collector. He will be able to keep it safe, there."

"And they'll charge him a fortune to get it back," Tony added. He winked at Shuri, silently telling her that he was fine with her being in on the conversation they were having. "And that will leave two to get rid of. The soul stone and the power stone."

"Thanos destroyed the protectors of the power stone," Wong reminded Tony. "What are you planning on doing with it?"

"No clue," Stark admitted. "And we have no idea how to put the soul stone back where Peter got it, so we'll have to wait on those." He looked at his watch, and stood up. "Pepper's going to be wrapping up her call, soon. We should get the Wakandans here and in place before she's done." He bowed, slightly, to Shuri. "Highness? Call your brother, please and tell him we're ready."

Shuri nodded, her dark eyes excited.

"Of course."