A/N: Just wanted to remind people before I mention Peter or anyone playing chess in the story – which they might, of course – that I had him playing chess before the A4 title was announced, so I'm not using chess references because of the title. And I cannot wait for April. Also, I hope no one is annoyed by the slow buildup to the actual trip part of the story. It's his birthday, it should be celebrated on the day as well.

OOOOOOO

Dinner was in the lounge as it normally was. Since Pepper preferred to eat there, they ate there. It wasn't as boisterous as the commissary usually was, since there were less tables and there was a lot less shouting to get the attention of your seatmate, which made it more intimate. Usually. This time there were several people around a couple of tables that had been pushed together, and many more people would stop by and tell Peter happy birthday, or congratulate him and ask to see his license.

He would simply grin and pull it out for the person to admire, and would then put it back in his pocket when that person had moved on. The meal wasn't anything special, but it was – purposely – one of Peter's favorites, and when they were done eating, the bartender had produced a very large cake in the shape of the Pontiac, with white frosting and the words Way to go Peter! crossing the windshield.

"It's not a birthday cake," Tony reminded him when Ned asked where the candles were. "We'll save that for Saturday."

When the cake had been distributed among not only the people at their table but everyone in the lounge who wanted a piece, they cleared the dishes and discussed the plan for the next morning.

"I don't want you guys up late tonight," Tony told Peter and Ned. "We're getting up fairly early and I don't want a lot of grumbling."

"Okay."

"Steve has put all of the supplies that we're taking with us – except for the outerwear that we'll need while snowmobiling into the cabin – into a drop crate. Bring your bags to the jet pad this evening so he can add those to the inventory, and then we can get it loaded. We can't land the jet safely at the cabin, but when we get there, we'll drop that crate so everything will be waiting when we arrive."

"Won't it break in the fall?" Ned asked, before MJ or Peter could.

"We'll use a guidewire," Steve told him from his spot beside Natasha, who was also sitting next to Stephen Strange, who had come for dinner and to make sure he was in on the plan for the next day, as well. He wasn't going to be able to just pop himself in and out of the cabin with MJ accompanying them – unless he wanted to allow the girl to know what his abilities were, which he didn't feel like dealing with – so he had brought his bag to be added to the crate and had joined in the celebration of Peter's driver's license since he was there. "That way we can drop it where we want, and make sure we don't damage anything when we do."

"We do it all the time," Barton assured them.

"Once we drop the crate, Clint's going to land at a small clearing we found that isn't too far away – a couple of miles, or so – and then we will take to snowmobiles to get to the cabin."

Ned and Peter both grinned, enthusiastically, and even MJ couldn't hide her excitement at the idea of snowmobiling for the first time – although she tried.

"And then I will come back for you guys at the prescribed time Monday morning," Clint added, licking frosting from his fingers.

"Who's flying home with you?" Peter asked curiously, aware that for any lengthy flight, the rule was there was supposed to be a copilot.

"Nick has volunteered for that honor," Tony told him.

"He can fly?" Peter asked, surprised.

"He can do a lot of things that might surprise you, Mr. Parker," came the director's deep voice from right behind him. They all turned to see that Fury had joined them in the lounge, and was walking over with a plate that had a slice of cake on it. "Flying is one of my least impressive abilities. Happy birthday, by the way."

Peter smiled. He'd felt the gentle warning he normally received when someone he knew was close, but it rarely gave him any indication who it was – Natasha being the exception. He always knew when she was close at hand. Ned told him it was probably because she was Black Widow and it was one spider recognizing another, but Peter wasn't so sure.

"Thanks, Nick."

A small, neatly wrapped package was fished from a pocket and dropped on the table in front of him.

"You're welcome. I'll see you guys in the morning."

He nodded a goodbye and left without another word, munching on his cake as he did.

Peter picked up the gift, but Tony reached for it and took it from him and handed it over to Steve.

"No presents until Saturday," he said, winking at the boy, cheerfully. "You can wait until then."

"What if it's an ice cream bar?" Peter asked.

"It isn't."

"It might be."

"You really think Fury would give you an ice cream bar?" Natasha asked, amused at the attempt to circumvent the gift rule.

"He might. I do like ice cream, after all, and he knows it."

"It's not an ice cream bar," Pepper assured him, also amused.

"How do you know?" Ned asked.

He was as familiar with Pepper as almost all of them – except Tony and Peter, of course. He spent a lot of time in the car with her going to and from the compound on the weekends, especially lately, and they talked. A lot.

"He told me what he got him, to make sure it's not a repeat gift."

"Oh." Ned shrugged. "Sorry, Peter. I tried."

Which made Peter smile and give him a what can you do look.

"Any questions?" Tony asked the entire table. When they all shook their heads, he nodded and looked at the kids. "Drop your bags at the jet pad before you get too involved in the video games, and be in bed by 11, okay?"

"Yeah."

"We'll have breakfast at 8 and be out of here by 9:30 or so."

Ned and MJ nodded, as well, and Ned stood up. He was eager to play Peter's VR system until bedtime – and Peter was always willing. MJ shrugged and stood up as well. She wasn't the gamer that they were, but she liked the VR system. It was fun. Not something she could for hours at a time like they could – but, then, no one seemed to be able to do that like they could.

They said goodnight and left.

Tony looked at Clint.

"You sure you don't want to just bring the family to the cabin for the weekend? There's room and Steve's bringing Jack, so you guys could bring Nick Furry."

Barton shook his head.

"MY daughter would drive Peter crazy."

"Lila has a crush on Peter," Natasha told Stark, smiling.

"What? How? She hasn't even met him."

"She's talked to him on skype," Clint said. "And he's very charming with her – which only made it worse. He wouldn't get any time with you guys if she came with us."

"The offer stands until morning," Tony told him.

"Thanks." Barton stood up, and so did Steve. "I'm going to go make sure we've got the guidewires situated, and I'll make sure the crate gets loaded tonight. You guys need me to take anything for you?"

"We're all packed," Pepper told him. "Tanks."

Hawkeye and Steve left, leaving Tony and Pepper with Stephen and Natasha.

"Cup of coffee and some Pinochle?" Stark asked.

The others agreed. It was a good way to spend an evening, and far more relaxing than trying to defeat a bunch of VR bad guys with a glowing stick.