Disclaimer: All characters other than some friendly nurses don't belong to me.

Warnings: I don't know for sure yet but there might be some swearing in the next few chapters so I'm rating it to be sure.

This fanfiction will be set in the Iron Man 1 movie, I hope I find the inspiration to continue it through the second movie and the avengers. If there are things unclear don't hesitate to ask me about them in a review, I'll always try to answer them.

So I now proudly present Life isn't always fair! Chapter 8

Alan was released the next morning, under the condition that he used the mask during the flight home and went for a check-up at his own doctor next week. Tony wanted to return as soon as he could but he had a promise to keep.

And those damn blue eyes wouldn't let him go out that promise. So they compromised.

He had promised a father and son sightseeing, and they would as long as Alan kept the nasal flowing high and Tony carried him everywhere so he wouldn't tire himself out.

They didn't speak about the Tracy situation, even though both knew that the other knew.

The flight back was not as fun as the flight to New York, Tony kept a sleepy Alan on his arms listening to every breath Alan took from behind the mask that covered half of his face. Once again he was remained how fragile his son was.

Burying his face in the blond hair, Tony started to sing very softly a lullaby one of his nannies used to sing when he was feeling down, but slightly changed to fit.

Sleepy head

Going off to bed

Going off to slumberland

When western skies turn red

Sleepy head

Going off to sleep

Into the Woods of Dreams so deep

Sleepy head

Day is almost done

You've learned so much from the day

And night has just begun

Sleepy head

Follow your own light

Into the Woods of Dreams tonight

Into the Woods of Dreams

We go each night

Gathering golden fruit from every tree

And if a night mare thunders thru

Why, just hold on to me

Sleepy head

Tired little child

The woods are very lovely

So mysterious and wild

Sleepy head

May I go with you Into the Woods of Dreams so true

Slowly Alan nodded off and Tony set back cuddling Alan close. Without Jarvis here to keep an eye on Alan, the father was afraid to close his eyes. He really needed to install his A.I. in the plane, he thought with a yawn. He hadn't slept last night in the hospital.

Listening to the calm breathing of his son, Tony didn't stand a chance, even if he was trying to fight sleep as long as he could. But in the end his eyes closed without his permission and he joined Alan.

Even though Tony hated everything about Jeff Tracy, he allowed Pepper to finish the deal. He was a little worried that Alan refused to speak about anything Tracy but John. The six year old would either run off or ignore the conversation every time he brought them up. Remarking was that when John called to the office one morning to ask how Alan was, the boy wanted to speak to the other blond.

Pepper had taken Alan to her office since Tony had a business meeting and listened with a smile as Alan happily told John about the math problem he had trouble solving and the Tracy asked for a video call so he could explain it to the little fellow.

This started Pepper's pestering in sending Alan to the gifted school in L.A. and because Tony was more scared of that woman than he was of any other thing, he strapped Alan Anthony into his car seat for the trip to CalSi.

With Happy behind the wheel, Tony had time to watch the Disney version of Robin Hood in the back seat with his son.

"Daddy, can you teach me to shoot with a bow and arrow like Robin?" asked Alan around his thumb.

"I make different kind of weapons Tony 2, I don't know how to use a bow." Explained Tony, chuckling at the chasing scene. "Besides, you don't need to learn to fight. You have me to protect you, and if I'm not there someone who I trust will, like uncle Rhodey or uncle Happy."

"Okay." Accepted Alan focusing back on the movie. He snuggled against Tony's fingers combing through his hair. For a moment wondered Tony for how long his son would have complete trust in him like he did now.

The movie had ended fifteen minutes ago, when Happy opened the window.

"Name and purpose of your visit?" the security officer asked.

"Tony Stark and his son for an acceptance interview." Happy said.

Looking at his list the man nodded. "Yes. Drive down this way and park your car at the left, have a nice day and good luck."

"You too."

After parking, Alan waited patiently for Tony to walk around the car and release him from the belt, he wasn't allowed to do it himself after he wanted to grab koda by the other door and he crawled over the seat while Tony was driving.

It had earned him two swats on his backside and no desert so the kid thought twice about taking the protective straps off.

Tony swiftly lifted him from the car and helped him putting the breathing pack on. The new one had a protective cover around it so it couldn't break and Tony had made it in the form of a superman logo much to Alan's delight.

"Mr. Stark?" a man walked up to them, his dark curly hair was a mess but his eyes were friendly. "And this must be our possible new addition? Hello, my name is professor Charles Edward Eppes, but everyone calls me Charlie, I'm the math tutor every morning at campus."

"I'm Tony and this is my Alan Anthony." Said the father proud.

"It's very nice to meet you," Charlie smiled shaking both men's hands. "I'll be your tour guide today. First I'll give you a tour over the campus then we have lunch in the cafeteria where you have the chance to meet several of our students. Afterwards Alan Anthony can go with one of our students for class to see if he likes it and we can go over the security and other things children don't care about."

"Sounds great. Happy, you can leave now, I call you when we're ready to head home."

"Very well sir." Happy tapped his head and disappeared back in the car.

Alan wiggled to be put down and held his father's hand as they walked after Charlie.

"So from what I read from your file send by Miss Potts, you're turning six in September but haven't been to school yet. You received home tutoring am I correct?"

"Yes sir." Nodded Alan. "Daddy who's miss Potts?"

"That's aunt Pepper Tony 2." Laughed Tony. "But don't call her that."

"Okay." Alan had to walk fast to keep up with the two men.

Charlie smiled down at the kid. "And you're working on fourth grade course work?"

"Fifth grade," corrected Tony. "Yesterday we were working on four digit multiplications and the use of basic algebraic functions such as exponents and order of operations."

"That's very good, do you like to learn Alan Anthony?"

"Yes," beamed Alan, "Dad is always really proud when I learn something new and it's really cool."

"Then you'll fit in very well." Grinned Charlie. They walked over the campus, Charlie showed them the science lab, the library, gym, the playground, swimming pool, the college rooms and tutor rooms. The professor told about the curriculum and extra activities the students could enjoy out of class. There was the option of full time boarding school, in which the student only returned home in vacations. Then there was the part time, in which the students returned every weekend. And last there was also the choice of home schooling, the student lived at home and went to college at choice, the lecture would be available online for the students.

At one o'clock, they entered the cafeteria where students and teachers were eating their lunch.

Alan was looking wide eyed around until his eye fell on a familiar blond eating pasta with several others. Letting go of his father's hand he ran over to his friend, ignoring the calling of his name.

"Hi John." He smiled up.

John frowned confused pulling the little guy on his lap. "Alan Anthony, what are you doing here?"

"I'm visiting, dad wants to see if this school is safe for me."

Tony stood at the table, his arms crossed before his chest. "Alan Anthony Stark, what did I tell you about running away."

"Not too." Alan said guilty, holding out his hands to be picked up, he cuddled to his father's side, something that whatever he had done made Tony forgive the him. "I'm sorry Daddy."

"Holy sh… that's Tony Stark." One of John's friends exclaimed. "May I have your autograph?"

"Mr. Frews, I believe you and the headmaster has had a conversation about this before didn't you?" Charlie said disappointed. "We don't ask students or their guest for anything not related to our studies."

"I… uh… I wanted his autograph on a contract so I could run my co-ships at Stark industry?" the boy said looking up hopefully.

"Nice try, but you get yourself to the headmasters office, I believe the deal was one day community service for another autograph?" asked professor Eppes.

With a sigh stood the boy up and left the room mumbling that he didn't even got his autograph but only the punishment.

"The astronomy kids tried to do the same with my dad." said John, "It was really annoying but after a while they stopped."

"We try to focus on the child's first name rather than what his parents did." Said Charlie. "John, as it seems like you know Alan Anthony, would you like to take him along for the rest of the day?"

John bit his lip. "I would love too but I'm not sure if Mr. Stark thinks that it's the right idea."

"Why not?" asked Charlie confused.

"The last time John was watching Tony 2, I had to rush to the hospital where my son had to spend the night because he stopped breathing." Tony said with a set jaw.

"It wasn't John's fault." Said Alan softly still seated on Tony's hip.

"No I was his younger brother who almost killed you."

"I like John." Said Alan, his wide eyed puppy eyes on full power. "Can I go with him? Please daddy?"

"I can't say no to those blues," Tony groaned, narrowing his eyes at the elder blond. "but if even one hair is hurt on his pretty head…"

John swallowed. "He'll be fine." Charlie said.

And he was. Both Alan and Tony returned with a good feeling about the school and Pepper quickly took care of the necessaries.

Before Alan was completely enrolled, he, and Tony, had to spend two weeks on campus where he was tested on every subject so the school knew on which grade he could start in every class. A week after, a letter arrived with the results.

"Dad! Dad!" Alan was jumping on the bed in an attempted to wake his father. "It's here, it's here!"

With a groan Tony turned on his side. "Jarvis, what time is it?"

"Seven thirty." Announced the A.I.

"Tony 2, go watch TV or something." Mumbled Tony in his pillow, "I shouldn't be awake yet."

"But I wanted to open the letter with you." Landing on his behind, Alan looked sadly at the hill of blankets.

"Letter? What letter?"

"From school." Announced Alan, crawling over so he was seated against his father's belly.

"Well, I do want to know if my son inhered my brains. Jarvis, you might want to inform the dinner we're early today." Tony sat up against his headboard, Alan quickly climbed on his lap and ripped the letter open.

These results are private and only for the eyes of Alan Anthony Stark and/or his guardians.

English language

Mid fifth grade

Mr. Stark has a strong concept on the language. Some words are still heard to pronounce but at reading level he's reaching the sixth year. His handwriting can use some improvement as his speaking.

Mathematics

Sixth grade

Mr. Stark can solve difficult math problems in his mind, I have no trouble allowing him in the six grade and with the right support he will soon be ready to go to the seventh. His geometry is slightly behind on the rest and will need some work.

History

Third grade

Mr. Stark knows the basic line in our history but need to focus more on the details. With some study he can easily go along with the third years.

Social Science*

Third grade

Mr. Stark has enough knowledge about several subject, but like history needs to work on the details.

Science

Sixth grade

Mr. Stark is very advanced at the subject of science. He didn't have trouble explaining several subjects that wouldn't be mentioned until university. Earth science needs some focus.

Visual and performing arts.

First grade

Since there is no real exam for the visual and preforming arts, we like to enrol Mr. Stark at his age group. He will start this class in September.

Health

Fifth grade

With his medical history, Mr. Stark has enough knowledge of safety, nutrition and physical activity but he misses the specifics. Nice to mention, he was very clear that under no circumstances he's allowed to accept candy or drinks from strangers because there could be grown up stuff in it called drugs and alcohol, and if he ever start smoking his father would send him to bed without bedtime story so he would never dare that.

Physical education

First grade

Since there is no real exam for the visual and preforming arts, we like to enrol Mr. Stark at his age group. He will start this class in September.

Overall review

Visual and performing arts 1th grade

Physical education 1th grade

History 3th grade

Social Science 3th grade

Health 5th grade

English language 5th grade

Mathematics 6th grade

Science 6th grade

Chosen elective courses

Technology

Sixth grade

Spanish

First grade

* social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion and sociology

"You are even smarter than me Tony 2. I believe this has to be celebrated with pancakes!" Tony said proud, ruffling Alan's hair. "Go get dressed. And don't forget the letter, I'm sure that uncle Happy and aunt Pepper want to see how smart you are too."

Alan was beaming as he ran out the room and Tony grabbed a quick shower before his son returned.

Thank you all for favoring and reviewing ;)