Thank you all for sticking with me! In the coming chapters we'll get some insight into what happened during most of month two at the group home, along with seeing if and how Pete recovers.

Some of the Avengers characters are a bit out of my writing comfort zone so feedback is always appreciated!

Onward.


For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, John found his property host to, and he could only really assume, the Avengers. He didn't recognize the woman sitting across from him, nor the red suited guy who'd simply disappeared the moment he stepped into the house, but he was sure they were part of the same team.

Along with those two, an entire team of scientists had invaded the house and were apparently going over every inch of it. The woman simply smiled at him from across the table. She looked calm and collected and he was certain he did not.

"Do you know who I am?" She questioned calmly, a perfectly pleasant smile on her features. John merely shook his head. He could guess, but she wasn't as much of a public figure as some of the others. "Good. That's good. See, I'd be really bad at my job if you knew who I was. Now you however…" She lifted her Stark issued phone, "John Henly, 34- never married." Her eyebrows arched at that. "Never been in trouble, well except for that drunk and disorderly but hey, those were college years, right?" John seemed to visibly gulp. "You're credited with one of the most successful homes for older boys in foster care, so please explain to me. What. Happened. To. Peter."

At the same time, Lang was talking in her ear via their communicator, "Oh God…It's like…Everywhere…So…so gross."

She ignored him, not showing a hint of distraction on her features as she stared the man down.

"Listen we didn't…We took care of him! I swear, look, I don't want any trouble okay? Okay?"

This wasn't helpful and she sighed, running a hand through her once again scarlet colored hair. "Let's start somewhere, shall we? When Tony Stark took Peter he was outside." John nodded, "What happened?"

"It was just…you know, boys fight. Peter'd had some trouble with a few of the older boys. We were doing yard work, Peter was helping spread the mulch. Greg said Peter started it- a few of the boys confirmed Peter threw the first punch but obviously Greg got the better of him. I was breaking it up when...when they…" When they dropped out of the sky and took the kid.

She made a mental note to make sure the crew took samples from the yard. "Okay, so they got into a fight, before that fight Peter got hurt, his right side. Did he get pushed or fall?"

John shook his head with a shrug, "I don't…I don't know anything about that, he was a little under the weather, but he never mentioned falling." She saw no lie from him, she was trained to get detailed information from the toughest of sources. John was not one of them.

"Oh my god!" Came Lang's voice, "I think…I think I'm stuck." He didn't sound too panicked though, so she wasn't off to his microscopic rescue.

"Okay, let's talk about that. You knew he was sick?" She questioned, her voice still calm and gentle.

"Yes...yes and we took him to the doctor, twice in fact." She was silent, letting him continue, "We see this sometimes, these kids they come to us in all sorts of shapes. Emotional stress, it can affect their immune systems. First time I took him in, doctor thought that was the case, off season flu. He seemed to get better for a little bit and then declined again so I took him back. Doctor wanted to draw blood- see if he could figure out what was going on, Peter refused. I tried to talk him into it, we just wanted to help, but he wouldn't have it." It made sense to her, Peter knew he was different and from what she'd learned, there hadn't been a lot of investigating exactly how his mutation worked or potentially showed up in blood panel. "His social worker was here too. At the end of each month, we were doing everything we could for him. I swear!"

Lang would eventually get himself unstuck by returning to his regular size, commenting on the oil that seemed to be everywhere, residue left behind from the cleaning products used throughout the house. Nat continued her questioning until the crew had samples of everything as well as all of Peter's personal belongings loaded up, confiscated laptop included.

Back at the Tower, Tony had barely left the room overnight. One or two bathroom breaks given the copious amounts of coffee he'd consumed was about all he took, plopping himself down in the chair and remaining. The longest conversation he had was with Friday when he'd ordered a room to be readied for the teen once he was well enough. Because he would be, he had to be. Bruce and Strange traded out throughout the night and thankfully, there were no surprises with Pete's health.

No one dared suggest Tony retire for the night and Steve himself supplied a few cups of coffee while Iron Man kept up his vigil. Come morning he stirred awake to the sounds of the two doctors having a bit of a confab. He drew in a breath trying to clear his senses as he sat up a bit straighter in the chair. "What?" he questioned, blinking the heavy sleep from his eyes.

"We were reviewing Mr. Parkers readings. We've had him on continuous dialysis overnight and he's responding surprisingly well." Strange actually did sound a little surprised. "We still don't know exactly how this will all play out," As far as his missing abilities or whether permanent damage to organs had taken place, "But I'm comfortable lifting sedation and seeing if we can get him to come around." Bruce nodded his agreement to that idea, which is what they'd been discussing before Tony woke.

Lifting sedation meant a change of IV bags and then waiting for the drugs in his system to wear off. "He's doing really good Tony, better than we hoped." Bruce offered, comforting words as Steve entered with a plate that would be shoved into Tony's hands, breakfast. Tony would set it down on the nearest hard surface much to Steve's displeasure.

After the Cap got the same update he nodded, "That's good. Good to hear. Nat's on her way back with the team, Lang seems to think he knows what's the issue." Steve wasn't sure if he bought it, "Peppermint oil. Says it's a natural insect repellent."

Bruce squinted in thought, blinking once, then again. "I suppose it's possible…but we're talking obnoxious amounts of exposure."

Steve shrugged, "Scott's pretty convinced, says residue is on everything, hard surfaces, clothing, you name it. Nothing noticeable to the naked eye but…" but to an Antman it was everywhere. "They're bringing back samples of everything just in case."

"Good." Strange commented, still focused on his work, "That wouldn't explain the allergic reaction, not if he'd been exposed to that all along." But it would, in theory, help them understand the toxins built up in Peter's body.

Tony was unusually quiet during the conversation, simply listening and watching. Refusing to miss the moment Peter would come around even though that would be hours yet. After adjusting the teen and ensuring vitals remained stable, Strange nodded to them. "I must return to the Sanctum." He explained simply, unable to leave it untended for too long. He and Wong the only two left to defend it. "Contact me if you need any additional assistance." And with that he would take his dramatic leave.

"Show off." Bruce would comment, looking over Peter's lines one more time, as the wizard disappeared through his portal. Every hour on the nose he'd check and recheck. It wasn't exactly necessary, but Bruce knew it would give Tony some peace of mind. This whole medical world was an area the billionaire was not an expert in and so he'd look to Banner for guidance. True, Bruce hadn't pursued medical as a primary but it was one of his many degrees, not exactly licensed to practice medicine but then again, no one was fully equipped to handle enhanced human medical needs.

Natasha, Scott and the rest of their team returned, samples immediately taken to the lab. Bruce wouldn't work with them now, he didn't want to risk cross contamination. Careful as he could be there was always the chance of bringing back some irritant that would upset Peter's progress. No one from the away team was allowed anywhere near the medical wing, Scott complaining loudly as he and his suit were greeted with a biohazard decontamination shower. That had so not been a part of the deal, but Tony Stark wasn't taking any chances- even if Scott had no intentions of going into medical wing.

By late afternoon consciousness began to return as Peter pulled himself from sleep, vitals shifting first and drawing the attention of both Tony and Bruce. The former was on his feet in an instant, moving back to the bedside while the latter continued to watch vitals, glancing between the teen and the screens on various monitors.

"Kid?" Tony wondered, voice a bit rough, Peter began to shift, and a careful hand moved out to rest on his shoulder, holding him still at the same time, "Easy…Easy kiddo, you're okay." Brown eyes opened, blinking into focus as his breathing quickened. Bruce kept an eye on O2 readings.

"Mr…Mr. Stark?" His voice was whispered and hoarse at the same time, trying to glance around and unable to muster up the strength to sit, not with Tony's hand keeping him down.

"Yeah Champ. That's right. It's me. You're okay, you're safe. We're gunna get you better, okay?" His tone was soft, a compassion Bruce knew Stark had but rarely showed and yet here it was shining through.

"Hi Pete." Bruce called from the foot of the bed, "I'm Doctor Banner." He waited until the boy's eyes shifted away from Tony and over to him, offering out a smile, "Can you feel that?" He put his hands against the teen's feet and watched him nod slightly, "Alright can you push for me?" Peter did, showing motor function. Rounding the bed, opposite Tony, he held out his hands, "Can you take my hands?" It took a little effort, but Peter did raise both his arms to take the Doctor's hands, his limbs felt like lead weights. "That's really good, give me a squeeze?" He requested, and Peter complied before Bruce let him set his hands down.

All the while Tony watched in silence, eyes focused entirely on Bruce and how he responded to each little test result. "Alright Peter, are you hungry?" Bruce wondered finally, and Peter took a moment to consider before nodding. "I'll go get you something." He offered, giving Tony a bit of a look before stepping out.

"Hey kiddo, how about we get you sitting up?" Tony offered, and when Peter tried to move he continued to keep a gentle arm on him, "No no, wonders of technology, let the bed do the work." He suggested with an attempted smile, simultaneously hitting the button that would allow the medical bed to sit Peter upright.

"Mr. Stark…" Peter began again and Tony cut him off with a quick 'ah ah'.

"Peter, listen to me. I know it's in your blessedly altruistic heart to want to apologize right now. I can hear it in your voice. And while it is such a redeeming quality to be so humble I need to know that you understand. Okay? I need you to know that you did nothing wrong. You have nothing to apologize for. I can…I can only imagine what you think of me, and you know what? I deserve it." He closed his eyes, bowing his head slightly at the weight of the guilt. Cycling a breath of air before looking back to the teen, "So no apologies, not from you. Okay? Cause I gotta get a thousand of them out and I can't do that if you're trying to do the same." Peter had no chance to reply before Bruce returned, protein shake complete with straw sticking out in hand.

"I hope you don't mind chocolate." He offered with a smile, Peter didn't- in truth he wanted more, real food, but he'd take what he could get and a shake it was. Thankfully he was able to hold it himself even though it took some effort. By the time he was finished his eyelids were drooping shut, Tony taking the bottle from his hand before any remaining liquid could spill when his grip loosened.

The dark-haired man sighed when they laid Peter back down, Bruce taking his hourly blood sample to go test. "He's doing okay Tony. We got food in him, blood panel comes back better each time." Peter wasn't showing advanced healing at this point, but he was recovering at normal human pace and that was nothing to scoff at. For all they knew, Peter's loss of powers and illness could be unrelated, nothing in the books said superpowers had to last forever right? Radiation did have a half-life after all. Bruce hoped that wasn't the case, as much as powers could be a curse, losing them along with everything else this teen had endured might be worse. "I'll sit with him, why do you go get showered and changed. Grab something to eat too." Tony looked over and seemed hell bent on ignoring the suggestions, so Bruce pulled out the secret weapon the entire team would be able to use against him, "Can't take care of him if you're not taking care of yourself."

Tony glared for several seconds before sighing. "Fine. Half an hour. I'll be back." And he would be, even if the others tried to waylay him as much as possible. He wouldn't say he ran straight to his room to shower, but he did walk with a purpose, dressing down comfortably in a simple t-shirt and jeans when he was done cleaning up. When he emerged, Nat was there with a cup of coffee for him and he eyed her suspiciously. He had good reason to, she looped her arm around his and tugged him towards the common area for food, with the promise of information finally winning him over.

"So…" Tony grouched as he ate after hearing Nat's explanation of events. "You're saying they aren't to blame because they didn't realize he was dying?" No, sorry, the billionaire wasn't buying it.

She knew he desperately wanted a boogey man, someone to paint a target on, something tangible he could defeat. "I'm saying, they didn't intentionally hurt him. Well, except for Greg Johnson- and he'll be thinking twice before picking another fight with anyone." She smirked there, physically harming the teen was out of the question- it was just a schoolyard type fight after all, there was art in a good psychological scare and having seen Peter's state, it was well deserved- especially when she found out how it started. Some off-color comment about Peter's relatives killing themselves to get away from him, no wonder the kid started the fight when he was sick, such a comment would rile her feathers too.

"So. We're saying this is because he's allergic to Altoids? Seriously?" Tony had to question, shoveling his food in and slightly less than his normal dignified way.

"Peppermint oil. Little bit more direct and potent." She shrugged, "It's possible. It's not something toxic to a normal person, but he's not normal. If I substitute the oil with something we know to be more harmful…everything lines up." It wasn't expected, in their line of work things were using more...well deadly-deadly sounding at least. "How is he?" She wondered, watching the other as he finished off his meal.

"He woke up. Had a protein shake." He shook his head with a sigh. "He's tired. I don't even know if he really understands what's going on, he was still pretty out of it."

She listened, "But he woke up. You know that's good. You'll let me know if you need anything brought to you right?" She wondered, willing to be his assistant if only to make his vigil easier.

He fixed her with a somewhat suspicious look, "You're not going to try and stop me?" From staying as close to the teen as he could.

"You try to drown your guilt at the bar, I'll put you down faster than your nanotech can form." She made that point clear. "But if you want to sit with him…" She shrugged, who was she to stop him?

The rest of the day and night was spent with Tony lingering in Peter's room. The teen woke a few more times and each occasion Bruce had a shake ready for him. He still seemed lethargic and subdued and while Tony was worried, Bruce assured him it was to be expected.

Exhaustion got the better of him at some point and he drifted off. Well it was exhaustion or perhaps something slipped into his coffee by any number of possible suspects. Nat being at the top of the list. Either way. The following morning Peter was awake again, watching Tony sleep as Bruce moved about the room, checking over the IV bags and other machinery. Finally, Peter's gaze tore away from the sleeping billionaire. "He looks like crap."

Bruce had to chuckle softly and Peter's expression morphed-mortified at what he'd said. "Don't worry. You're right." Tony's iconic facial hair was starting to fill in from the scruff he hadn't bothered tending to in the last few days.

"You...you're Doctor…" Peter drew a blank.

"Banner. But you can call me Bruce." Recognition passed through Peter's eyes, but the teen said nothing, he didn't even look fearful-something Bruce had come to expect. "How are you feeling?"

Peter had to blink, considering, "Good...really good." A lot better than he had in a long time."...Hungry. Like...Like real food hungry." And Bruce found himself helpless to deny those puppy dog eyes. No wonder Tony acted the way he did.

"Well, let's see if we can't get some real food into you." Bruce offered, adjusting the machine to stop dialysis without bothering to mention what the machine was, no need to stress the kid out. His blood work had continued to improve, Bruce felt confident in unhooking the machine. He'd continue to closely monitor the recovering teen but for now he sent off a quick message for food to be brought, something bland but filling. "Pete, I don't want you stressed but I need you to know that Tony had to tell me who you were. It was important to ensure we were treating you in the best way possible." The teen tensed slightly but merely nodded. What was done was done and this was Bruce Banner after all, he had an alter ego of his own.

"Do...Do you know what happened?" He asked, uncertain. Bruce shrugged.

"I was gunna ask you." He chuckled softly. "We know some things. And honestly they seem a bit farfetched but given my experience in the 'you've got to be kidding me' category...It's possible." Peter merely blinked at him and he continued. "We think you were exposed to something that negatively impacted your specific mutation. There's a lot of testing we have to do to be sure, getting you better first is our current priority. It's possible that this...toxin," Because Bruce refused to say peppermint oil when talking about something potentially lethal. "Is the cause of your power loss." Peter didn't really seem to understand. "Think of it like this. A normal person gets exposed to something toxic, now the dose isn't much but if it builds up over time eventually they'll get sick right? Their system won't be able to fight forever and we'd see their health decline. Does that make sense?"

Peter nodded, it did and he was beginning to see the correlation.

"While ridiculously improbable it's possible that you were exposed to something that was toxic to your mutation."

But he was getting better, did that mean- "So... I could...you know...I might be…" Spiderman again.

Bruce sighed, "I don't want to get your hopes up, we really don't know, but this morning's scans showed some acceleration beyond what we would expect for a typical recovery, so that at least seems to be a good sign."

"What's a good sign?" Steve questioned as he entered, plate in hand. Peter blinked over, wide eyed and shifting.

"You-You're…" Peter glanced between Steve and Tony, worried. He didn't remember much, certainly not Steve being there or carrying him.

"Brooklyn." Steve answered with a gesture to himself before holding out the plate to entice the hungry teen, "And you're Queens." Without skipping a beat he added, "And we're all on the same side. Promise."

Pete wasn't certain and glanced to Bruce. Bruce hadn't been in the fight so he must be neutral, he nodded to confirm that everything was alright and only then did Peter relax.

When Tony woke next it was to the sounds of hushed laughter. Voices trying not to get too loud but failing. He felt groggy, unusually so- scrubbing a hand over his face he dragged himself from sleep before taking in the rest of the room. Peter was sitting up in bed, more color to his features than Tony remembered. Steve and Bruce were also perched on either side near Peter's legs with the bed tray between them and the sounds of cards being played. "What's going on?" He was still a little foggy, getting the sinking suspicion he had not been sleeping naturally.

"Tony, he terrible at poker." Steve was chuckling, the teen glancing up from the cards to the billionaire. Peter had been up before, Tony there to help him through the first few sessions, but he'd been groggy and quick to fall back to sleep after his shake. Now he was awake and alert and eyes locked with Starks before the teen instantly deflated.

"Alright. That's it. Out you heathens." he ordered the other two adults, he could see the thoughts running through Peter's head, could only imagine what he was thinking and he knew he had to stop it now, now before it got any worse. "Me and Pete need to talk."


There you have it! I hope my last chapter is made up by this one. Pete's awake and losing at poker. Spiderlings heal rather well when removed from a toxic environment.

Of course physically healing means we need to work on emotionally healing next :)