Once again, sorry for the long wait on this chapter. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 4

Peter stood on the street in front of his apartment building, still awestruck with everything that had happened this weekend. He had quite literally fought with his childhood heroes, and for some of them he had fought against them. Which was still awesome! He had stolen Captain America's shield, and webbed up Falcon. He'd fought side by side with Ironman and War Machine (tectonically he was the Iron Patriot) but who was nit picking. Peter felt like he was on top of the world right now, I mean seriously, he was basically an Avenger.

A mental image popped into the boy's head, of him standing on a stage waving at a crowd of people all shouting, "Spiderman! Spiderman!" Ok maybe he was getting a little ahead of himself, he'd only gone on one mission. But it seemed to be enough to think that he was good enough; even Tony Stark said that he would call him about the next mission. Peter grinned to himself, barely able to contain his excitement. "They're gonna call me," he murmured to himself, his body shaking a bit with his exhilaration. Finally, he had gotten some confirmation that he'd done something right, that he made a difference. Maybe Aunt May would finally be proud of him. Sure she didn't actually know what he'd been out doing, but she did think that he now had a Stark Internship, and having an internship with thee Tony Stark, had to be something right?

Peter practically ran up the stairs to the apartment, his super strength coming into effect as he was carrying two very heavy bags. One of them contained the Spiderman Suit that Tony had made for him. The man was actually letting him keep the suit! This was the most awesome weekend of his life! He set one of the suitcases down on the ground so he could use the free hand to unlock the door.

Upon stepping inside, Peter was greeted with the same musty odor he was always greeted with. He actually didn't see anyone around when he first walked in. "Hello?" Peter called out, wondering if anyone was even there. Henry was usually seen lounging on the couch at this time, but he was nowhere in sight which was a little weird.

"Is that you Peter?" May's voice responded from the direction of her bedroom.

The teen's face broke out into a smile. He was all ready to answer any of her questions, about the weekend. She was sure to have some, "Yeah!" he called back setting the suitcases down and shutting the door behind him.

May came walking down the hallway towards him, carrying an armful of liquor bottles and cans. "I'm so glad your back," she responded sounding relieved. Peter almost felt touched, that she was worried about him. He had reassurances that he was fine on the tip of his tongue that were quickly silenced with her next words. "The recycling is getting out of hand, since you've been gone. So you need to sort, and take it out before going to bed tonight." The woman dropped her armload onto the counter that was overflowing with glass and plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. The recycling was one of Peter's designated chores he had to do every day, and it seemed that no one bothered to do it for him while he was gone.

With that being said, his aunt went back into her bedroom and closed the door. Peter couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened by the welcome he got. Sure he wasn't expecting a big welcome back party, but he at least thought he'd get more than just a 'good your back, get to the chores because your behind on them.' So with a heavy sigh, the teen went to work on rinsing out and sorting the different recyclables. It only took a couple of moments before he was grinning to himself again. Maybe it was little premature to expect so much from his Aunt, but tomorrow at school was sure to be different. When he told everyone that he met thee Ironman and had an internship with him. He could finally become popular!

Peter went to sleep that night, imagining what school would be like the next day. He fantasized Liz Allan, hanging off his shoulder with wide admiration in her eyes, asking Peter was it was like to be in the presence of Tony Stark, and begging for details about his new internship. When he woke up the next morning, Peter eagerly stuffed his new suit that Tony had made him, at the bottom of his backpack. His 'internship' that he was supposedly doing after school everyday, was more or less going out patrolling as Spiderman. At the end of the day he was supposed to call Happy and give a summarized report of the afternoon. Sure he wouldn't be actually fighting side by side with any of the Avengers like he had done that weekend, but knowing that he could be called in on another mission as any time caused his heart to soar. So he had to make sure he stayed in shape and all, so he was ready when that call came. Maybe it would come today even!

Mornings were always Peter's favorite time of day, because no matter what day it was he was always guaranteed to be alone. Between the hours of 6am, and 10am, both his aunt May and Henry were working their jobs. He referred to this four hour time slot as his sanctuary time. Yes on weekday mornings he didn't get that much time before heading off to school, but it was nice always being able to eat breakfast in peace everyday. And he took full advantage of this time on weekends and during school holidays.

This morning however, Peter was itching to get to school. He couldn't wait to go tell his best friend Ned about the weekend. Obviously he couldn't say the majority of what he did while in Germany, because that would compromise his Spiderman identity, and probably get Tony Stark in some trouble. But he could still tell his friend about how he met Ironman, and the pretend Stark Internship he was now in. Ned would probably piss himself with excitement. So because of this, he woke up a half hour earlier than his alarm clock, and ended up leaving the apartment early also. It didn't really help in getting him to school any earlier because by the time he got to the subway station his early train had already left and he had to wait for the next one to come around.

Just like when he arrived home the night before, walking into school that morning proved to be exactly like it normally was. Everyone completely ignored him, expect for Flash Thompson who shouted his regular insults. He was less surprised by this, then he was last night. It's not like any of his classmates were aware that he was whisked away by Tony Stark last Friday. "Where were you this weekend, I tried calling you like a hundred times!" Ned's somewhat annoyed voice spoke over his shoulder, just as Peter was pulling his first period books out.

A wide smile broke out on Peter's face, and he turned around to face his friend. He opened his mouth, an excited explanation on the tip of his tongue when the bell rang. Disappointment plunged into his stomach, making him almost feel silly for feeling it. Seriously, there was no reason for him to feel so disappointment about not getting to lie to his friend yet. Because that was exactly what he was going to do, tell a big lie about what he did this weekend and how cool it was. "I'll tell you later," Peter replied, shutting his locker door and the two headed towards their classroom.

Figuring it was best to wait until lunch time to talk to Ned about his weekend. Peter had no intention of saying anything when they walked out of their first period class. Ned would surely have a million questions for him, and that could take awhile. He really didn't need his friend to be whispering questions to him during class. But the moment the bell rang, and the two exited the classroom, the other teen was on him. "All right, so what were you doing over the weekend?"

Peter opened his mouth, planning to tell Ned that he would tell him at lunch time because there just wasn't enough time to hash it all out in the ten minutes they had between classes. But his excitement got the better of him, "I was hanging out with Tony Stark!" he whispered barely able to conceal the excitement that wanted to burst from him.

Ned was not as good as hiding his emotions as Peter was. After halting in his tracks, he screamed out, "WHAT!" causing almost every head in the hallways to look towards them.

"Shh!" Peter quickly shushed his friend, suddenly uncomfortable with everyone's attention on them. Maybe he wasn't ready to reveal that he was on speaking terms with Tony Stark. "Not so loud."

"Sorry!" Ned's voice went down to a whisper, it was a loud whisper full of excitement It wouldn't be hard if anyone wanted to continue listening in. "But are you serious! Tony Stark!"

Peter began telling his friend about coming home from school last Friday to find Mr. Stark in the apartment talking to his aunt. He told the complete truth up until the part where Tony figured out that he was Spiderman. After that it was the same made up story that he had told Aunt May, about the billionaire recruiting him to join an internship at Stark Industries, and being on a 'retreat' all weekend for training. Ned just goggled at him, at a complete loss of words even when Peter finished his story. It was almost a full two minutes before the other teen found his voice to start asking questions. Unfortunately by the time this happened class was just starting which caused Peter give him friend a sharp shush when he began speaking. Ned looked a little put down at being unable to ask Peter anything, but remained quiet as their teacher began speaking.

Unsurprisingly Ned wasn't able to stay silent for long. About fifteen minutes into the lecture the other boy leaned over and whispered, "So what are you going to be doing during at Stark Industries?"

Peter let out a puff of breath. Really he should have known better then telling his eager best friend who fanboy's over Ironman as much as Peter did, all this information right before class. He should have just waited for lunch time. "Shh- Not now Ned," he hissed over desperately hoping that the teacher wouldn't hear them whispering. The last thing he needed on his first day officially doing Spiderman under the guidance of Tony Stark, was to get detention that would make him late. What would Mr. Stark think?

"Do you think you'll get to work on any of his iron suits?" Apparently Ned didn't seem to understand the sensitivity of the circumstances. For the next three classes, he did nothing but whisper different questions and assumptions to Peter about what Tony Stark was like, and what working for Stark industries would be like.

By the time lunch came along, Ned had exhausted most questions, and was back into a stunned envious silence. The silence continued all through waiting in the lunch line, and it didn't break until they had sat down at their normal lunch table. "Do you think you could introduce me to Mr. Stark?"

Peter had to think about that question for a moment. He figured with all the missions he'd being going on in the near future, he'd be spending plenty of quality time with Mr. Stark. There would probably come a time when he could ask the man to meet his friend. "Yeah probably."

There conversation was suddenly cut short by someone coming over to their table and slamming a hand down in front of their food trays. "Hey Penis," Flash Thompson, the school bully who had been after Peter since the second grade, greeted them. He wasn't much of a physical bully, that beat Peter up everyday. Thought it had happened a couple of times. Usually the bullying didn't get any more physical than being shoved into a locker. No Flash was more into the verbal bullying, that included name calling, mud slinging, and gaslighting. All of which reminded Peter too much of how his aunt treated him. It made most day's almost unbearable, because if he wasn't at home then he was constantly getting verbally put down by Flash and his friends, and if he wasn't at school then he was verbally getting put down by May. It made that four hour sanctuary time, the only thing he could live for. That and being Spiderman. Neither of them responded to the bully so Flash continued, "So listen, I need you and your girlfriend hear to find a new table to sit at."

The jab at Ned was what got Peter to make eye contact, by means of a fierce glare. "Why? This is where we've always sat, and you've never had a problem before?"

"Yes… but me and my groupies here have decided to switch tables." Flash pointed at the table next to them, where every eye at the table was watching the exchange. "So you two sitting here is a direct violation of code 4900, that all pathetic scumbags like you are to sit at least three tables from where we're sitting."

Peter could have rolled eyes. That was the dumbest thing he's ever heard. He knew for a fact that there was no code 4900, and more then half the school would vouch on that. But he and Ned were completely outnumbered, and he wasn't in the mood to get into something as silly as the lunch table they were sitting at. Ned did not seem to agree though. Just as Peter was about stand up and leave the table his friend shouted out. "You better leave us alone now Flash! Peter's got friends in high places."

Oh God Ned no! Please don't bring this up to Flash. A smirk crossed over the bully's face, one that made it clear Flash did not believe Ned. He played along however, "Really now… high places you say…" Flash's gaze turned from Ned onto Peter, who had blushed a deep crimson once again aware of how many other kid's who were listening in were not looking at him.

"N-No- No not really," God why did he have to always stammer so badly when he was being put on the spot. It made him look far too weak. Peter stood up from the table with his food tray in hand, "It's ok Ned… we'll just find a new table."

Ned reached out and grabbed Peter's arm to stop him from leaving the table. "Peter no! After what you've done this weekend, you shouldn't have to put up with this shit anymore." If Peter didn't know any better he would have thought that Ned was talking about what he did in Germany with all the Avengers

"Really Ned it's fine…" Peter spoke in a firm voice, trying to give his friend the look that said he needed to drop it.

"Now wait a second Penis…" Flash placed a hand on Peter's chest to stop him from moving away from the table. "Now I'm curious… what did you do, get sworn in by the Mafia? Your little brotherhood buddies are going to come and solve all your pathetic problems." The bully's voice dripped with sarcasm, and the people nearby that was listening began chuckle to themselves causing Peter's cheeks to flush.

"Even more terrifying than that," Ned short back, now on his feet as well. Peter silently pleaded for his friend to stop, and not mention the name that he feared he was going to mention. "Tony Stark!"

The name of the well known billionaire being called out caused everyone in the general vicinity to fall silent so they could listen in on what was being said. "Really now?" Flash raised his voice level up to an even higher pitch, causing anyone in the cafeteria that wasn't already listening to turn their attention onto them. "Tony Stark?"

"Y-Yeah- Yeah," Peter's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, as he began telling Flash about the Stark Internship. This was certainly not how he wanted the whole school to find out about the internship that really wasn't an internship at all.

"So your saying that Tony Stark is your buddy now. Gonna come to your rescue like some damsel bitch that can't handle their problems. Well Penis Parker, why don't you prove it! Have your precious Tony Stark come to your rescue when I do this-" Flash unexpectedly punched the underside of Peter's lunch tray, causing it and everything on the tray to fly up into his face. The next thing that Peter realized was his entire face, head, shoulders and chest covered in his lunch which consisted of Jell-O pudding, potatoes, gravy, mystery meat, and corn. The entire cafeteria erupted in laughter, and Peter could only stand stone still, watching the food drip from his face down his shirt. "So where's Tony Stark now Penis?" Flash continued to taunt loudly over the hoots and laughter. Peter did the only logical thing he could think of. He ran.

Poor Peter… Sadly it's only going to get worse for our little spiderbaby.