Pepper Potts shared in shock as Tony stood in front of her a sleeping boy held tightly in his arms. When he had called saying he had a surprise this was the last thing she expected. For her the image just seemed out of place. Where in the world did he get a kid? No a better question would be 'Who gave it to him?' Tony could barely take care of himself much less another life; after all that was her job. To fulfill every need Mr. Stark had and right now that was clearly sleep. The dark rings under his eyes made him look older than what he was as he stifled back a yawn.

"I know what your thinking, Pepper, and before you get mad and yell just think about it. You always said I should be more responsible…" Pepper cut him off quickly as she ran her hands through her red hair in frustration.

"When I said that I didn't mean for you to run out and get a kid. You can barely dress yourself for Pete's sake." Unknowingly she had man a joking pun making Tony bit his bottom lip as he fought back a smile. "Oh this isn't funny, Tony!"

"But you don't get it. You said 'for Pete's sake'. That is his name, Pepper. Peter Benjamin Parker. So technically, You're right. This is for Pete's sake. Just look how cute he is.." He pulled the boy away from his chest offering him to Pepper. If she held him it would be all over and he knew it. She always did have soft spot for kids, puppies, and all sorts of cuddly things.

She took a step back causing a small frown appear on Tony's face. "This isn't some project that you can lose interest in, Tony. This is a life time commitment. This is someone else's future, and I'm not sure you can do this…" She trailed off seeing the building disappointment on his features.

"You're right, Pepper. I can't do it…alone, but " He quirked a halfway smile giving the most adorable face he could muster. "I won't be alone. I'll have you…"

Pepper sighed reaching for Peter gently placing him in her arms. In reflex he wrapped his arms around her neck hold on for dear life as he slept no doubt dreaming of whatever it was five year olds dream of. That was all it took. "Fine, but…I'm getting a raise for this."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Good luck getting Rhodey and Obadiah to agree to this. That is going to be a challenge in itself."

"Well, Pepper, you know me. I could never turn down a challenge."

"No, Tony." stated Rhodes as he watched Peter roam around Tony's office exploring. "You're not keeping the kid." His face held a firm 'no your not going to do this' look that Tony knew all to well. He couldn't get mad at the man after all he was only looking out for him.

"Why does everyone keeping thinking that I'm asking permission? Cause that is not what I'm doing. I'm just..Peter don't touch that." The boy instantly took his hand away from the computer keyboard a reddish tent forming around his cheeks in embarrassment. "That's a good boy..Now then.." He noticed Rhodes staring at him intensely. "What?" He said putting his arms up.

" 'That's a good boy?' Tony, It's a kid not a dog."

"I know that I was just offering praise. You know good job..keep up the good work. Etc…Come on Rhodes. I need you to be with me on this one too. Pepper is…"

The door to the office opened slowly Obadiah's bald head coming into view as he stepped inside. "Tony, you called? What is this all about I was in a very important meeting with.."

Rhodes interrupted him stating the just facts as he always did. "He adopted a kid."

"WHAT?" yelled Stane in a big booming voice startling Peter just enough so he bumped into a priceless statute that Tony had brought back to Stane as a gift. It shattered silencing the room for a split second as Peter began to panic. "Look What he did! Tony, you can't keep the kid. I.." He took a deep breath trying to cover up his outburst. "Give him to me and I'll find him a nice home and you can visit."

Tony shook his head. "You scared him…" He walked over to Peter picking him up as he was instantly clung to little 'I'm sorry' coming from him every few seconds. "It's okay, Pete. No worries. I can buy a new one."

As Rhodes watched them something stirred inside him. This was the first time he had actually seen Tony happy without the help of alcohol or a pretty girl. The kid wasn't so bad really; just like to explore and so what he got into a few things. He could be broken of that pretty easily Rhodes guessed anyway. "You're really serious about this, Tony?"

"I have never been more serious in my life, Rhodey. Cross my heart and hope to die."

Stane was starting to get worked into a huff now. This couldn't happen he wouldn't allow it. "Tony if you think I can stand by and let you take the life of another in your hands your wrong. Pepper basically changes your diaper for you..this isn't .." Rhodes shook his head up a hand in front of Obadiah face to silence him.

"So what is my new nephew's name?" Tony suddenly grinned widely before wincing at the sound of the slamming door as Stane marched away.

"Well that went well…"

"Tony, with you…. when doesn't it."

For the first time in forever Peter spoke. "So does this mean I get to stay?"

Rhodey walked forward ruffling his messy brown hair. "Of course. Can get rid of family after all.."

Peter grinned widely as he jumped from Tony's arms into Rhodey's in an almost glomp.

"See, Rhodey, I think you're his favorite uncle already.." chuckled Tony as he watched his 'family.'