Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Characters mentioned belong to Marvel. Movieverse AU.

The end of the semester came and went; Dr. Conners was true to his word and didn't give any exact hints until about two weeks before the final. Peter for the most part had tried his best in keeping up with the work but unfortunately being a superhero and an all around geek is like being caught between and rock and a hard place. Not an easy situation. Stan Richardson won the chance of working in Stark Industries for the summer; ah well it couldn't have gone to a better egghead. Or so Peter thought. But man oh man it would have been real cool to work at a company like that. The company with the best and well renowned technological mechanics this side of the planet!

"So what happened with you winning the grand prize, Parker?"

Heaven's above that couldn't possibly be… no effing way! Peter had just been on his way to his Statistics class, walking outside in the courtyard, his mind had been wandering on what could Stan learn while working the internship, then he, Peter had wondered what it would have been like had he had been Stan instead and the things Peter could have learned. Peter had turned to the sound of the voice and blinked thinking he must have been dreaming because Tony Stark was not there catching up with him and looking at him with that--what was that expression? Disappointment?

"I guess I didn't make the cut, sir," he answered politely, "But you shouldn't worry Stan's a really awesome guy and I'm sure he'll make you proud," Peter offered Tony a polite smile to go with his reply.

Tony arched an eyebrow then dropped his gaze for a moment in thought. His upper lip lowered slightly to be covered with the tip of his tongue, a tongue Peter noticed was pink and very wet. The younger man felt his cheeks flushed then mentally berated himself to get a grip.

"You honestly think so?" Tony asked with that Peter supposed was genuine curiosity. The browns of Tony's eyes held a definite glare of contemplation, "That this "Stan" person is good asset to my company?"

No. "Yes," Peter smiled again and nodded once.

"Liar," Tony accused but now he was smiling. It was as if the older man could see right through Peter. Peter of course shook his head in denial then opened his mouth to speak but Tony had cut him off.

"Look Parker, from the first moment I saw you," Well more like your ass. Tony had thought to himself briefly, "as well as sneaking a peek into your permanent record—wait! Wait! Hear me out first!"

Now Peter flushed a bright red and had opened his mouth to protest when Tony held his hands up to calm Peter down, "You're an exceptionally bright kid and I read your thesis based on Norman Osborn's intake on quantum physics. I have to say I was actually impressed that someone so young without any real experience in handling such technology could understand and let alone keep up with it. Which was why I was hoping you would have come to work for me this summer."

Peter blinked having been hypnotized by the power of Tony's mouth. Jeez! No wonder he was such a good business man! The man really knew how to lay it on and pitch a sale! Peter shook his head, cheeks still flushed but not as bad as earlier, "Mr. Stark—"

"Tony."

"Er, Tony," Peter licked his lips and noticed Tony staring at him with an arrogant smirk. Was he gloating at the fact that he stopped Peter dead cold? The bastard… he probably was! "I do appreciate that you came all this way, but really I—" Peter was almost at a loss for words. What do you say to a man that not only is worth millions but a man who makes those millions within the span of an hour?

Reaching into the breast pocket of his suit, Tony took out a card and handed it to Peter. Peter caught dead in his tracks again took the card in silent abandon, "Here's my card. Come on by and I'll give you the grand tour maybe then you'll change your mind and reconsider," Tony smirked charmingly at Peter turned and left; one hand in his slacks pocket the other searched inside his suit pocket for his sunglasses before he entered his car. A Silver Audi. Good God, was Peter insane to actually say "no" to a man that couldn't be said "no" to?

Well so much for Statistics.

*~*

It had been about a week until Peter finally decided to give Tony a call, after all when would he get another chance like this to work in an expanding industry he loved so much? Really, how many people can say they love what they do for a living? A bike messenger slash pizza delivery boy slash photographer didn't really pay a lot these days.

Taking the card he had slipped into the drawer of his bedside table the same day it was given to him; Peter read the card over reading the glossy black letters as well as looking at the insignia of "Stark Industries" on it. Taking a deep breath Peter got up, opened the door and knocked on his landlord's door to use the phone. Lucky thing Ursula was the one that answered the door and she just smiled at him then passed him the phone. Peter thanked her gratefully then dialed the number.

The receiver picked up on the third ring.

"So tell me you've thought about my offer," came the smooth and gentle purr of Tony's voice.

How did he know? Was Tony expecting him to call? Peter could only blush deeply.

"I have," Peter managed, though he was quivering his hand gripping the phone until his knuckles were white. This was stupid. Peter could talk to him. After all Tony Stark was only a man. A good looking man. He added silently then for a moment thought maybe he said it out loud because Tony was quiet on the other end of the phone, "when would you want me to start?"

"Ah, ah not so fast Cottontail," Tony teased, you could hear that smile in his voice, "the race hasn't begun yet. First you need to come in for an interview with my top Scientists—you'll wow them trust me and if you don't I can always make them cause I'm the Boss, haha—then you get the grand tour presented by moi then we'll get you a permanent lab access pass that you'll use to clock in and out of the company not to mention a cool white lab coat with your name on it."

Peter had been blown away. It felt as thought this was a dream come true and that any moment now he was going to wake up and find that there was no job offering. Tony Stark wasn't really Tony Stark and that Peter Parker was still that geeky little struggling egghead with odd jobs half time while being the spectacular Spiderman for the other half.

"Hey Parker, you still there? You didn't die from the overload of attention I'm planting down on you? Do I need to call someone to resuscitate you?" Of course Tony was being Tony and only joking on the second half of that conversation. Peter let out a choked sound that turned into a cough. He heard Tony laugh lightly, "Tomorrow, eight AM, be prompt or I'll change my mind." Was all he said and then he hung up.

"…bye," Peter choked again still blushing then hung up the phone. Peter smiled and nodded at Ursula, thanking her again then headed back to his apartment, closing the door behind him then leaned against it.

What was he getting himself into?

...