Natasha was used to being one first ones up in the morning. So when she found James eating breakfast, needless to say she was a little surprised.

It was 7:30. Pepper wouldn't be seen until about 8, since she had to be at Stark Industries by 8:30. Bruce was usually up around 9, and Tony never got up until 10 at the earliest. So Natasha found it a little unusual that the real child of the Tower was up and wide awake before everybody else.

James sat at the dinning room table in make-shift pajamas: and old rock band t-shirt from Tony and a pair of shorts that came all the way down to his ankles. James looked up from his cereal bowl and smiled. "Morning," he said casually, as if this were the most regular day in the world.

Natasha stared at him "Hi," she managed "you're...,"

"James," he finished.

Natasha swallowed. "You're my...,"

"Yep," James confirmed with a nod and a familiar smile.

"What are you doing up?" Natasha asked.

"Breakfast," James hefted the box of Frosted Flakes off the table "want some?" he offered.

Natasha sat down nervously at the table while James casually poured her a bowl. "Thanks." For a while, they ate in silence.

"How come you left last night?" James asked.

Natasha looked up from her bowl "What?"

"Last night," James repeated "You were outside my room, but then you left. Why?"

Natasha started to feel a little embarrassed. And not just she was a world-class super spy who got caught by a kid "I, um, I just didn't want to wake you."

"I'm a light sleeper," said James "runs in the family."

Natasha became silent as he took a long look at James. A thin, small tugged at the corner of his face. Just like Natasha's.

"Morning you two," Pepper greeted as she and Bruce entered into the kitchen, getting their morning fix of coffee.

"Morning," James said kindly

"Didn't expect to see you up this early James," Bruce commented.

"Me and Mom always get up early."

Natasha felt the urge to jump right out of her skin. Mom. "I have to go meet with a contact," Natasha said coolly as she rose from the table "I'll see you guys later," and she left without another word.

James frowned. "That was weird."

"Not really," said Bruce in between sips "Natasha's always been a bit of free spirit. She just comes and goes as she pleases."

"Hopefully she'll stick around long enough to get to know you a little," said Pepper "So James, I was that we could go shopping today. We don't how long you're goin to be here and you only have the one set of clothes. If we leave now I should still be able to make my meeting at 11:30."

"Can Tony come with us?"

"I'm going to need here Tony here," said Bruce "The sooner we can figure how to work that orb, the sooner we can you home."

"Ok," James said. A sly smirk grew on the ten year-old's face "Hey, you guys want to see something funny?"

Pepper's eyes narrowed. "Like what?'

"Follow me." James hopped down form the table and went into living room. He grabbed the tablet controller form the glass coffee table and pulled up a security feed from one of the main bedrooms.

Pepper frowned "That's Tony."

"James, what are you up to?" Bruce asked.

"You'll see," he said in a way that reminded the adults that they were dealing with the son of the Black Widow. James kept tapping frantically at the tablet in his lap, grinning mischievously as he put on the last of the finishing touches. "And 3...2...1,"

The sound of a giant air-horn blasted through Tony's bedroom, causing the billionaire to jump right out of his bed and cry out in a shrill shriek.

James cracked up, bursting with laughter as he watched Iron Man scramble on the floor, his face locked in a state of shock and confusion. James sighed as he hoped off the couch and headed to his room. "That was good. I'll be ready in a minute Pepper."

"How did you do that thing with the speakers back home?" Pepper and James were shopping a local Target, buying James all the bare essentials he would need while he was staying at the Tower, along with few toys to keep him from going nuts.

James smirked as he remembered his recent prank on his surrogate uncle. He shrugged modestly "I'm the son of a two Avengers, one who is a world-class super spy with a genius billionaire for a godfather who loves pulling pranks on people. Plus I'm from the future," he said in a low voice "so all the tech in that place is pretty much out-of-date to me."

"Fair enough," said Pepper "So what's it like, growing up with a family of superheroes?"

"Awesome," James said obviously "it's like every kid's dream. But I would like it if mom was home more often."

"What do you mean?" Pepper asked, remembering her talk with Tony last night.

"Mom still goes on missions alot," James explained "usually by herself. She tries her best not to stay away for to long. But I still miss her sometimes."

Pepper was really hoping that she wouldn't haven't to tell Tony that he was right about this one. "Who looks after you while she's away."

"Dad usually. He doesn't go away on solo missions too much," James said "and most of the time he's back by the next day."

"And your dad is...?"

"Sorry, Aunt Pepper. Bruce said not to tell you guys anything that could change the future," James reminded "telling you guys who my dad is would probably only make my mom act even more weird."

Pepper frowned. Natasha seemed fine this morning.

"But I can tell you one thing," James said with a smile "Out of all my aunts and uncle, you and Tony are my favorites."