A/N: Am sorry for the late update. The festive season is becoming increasingly chaotic and not to mention, expensive when buying extravagant gifts for loved ones. I hardly had time to write this between work and shopping but I managed when I finally had some free time today. Enjoy the chapter. I'm sorry if the characters seem out of character this time around. This chapter was a little rushed.

It was quiet when she got home that evening. The windows were darkened and that familiar light that always emerged from the workshop was strangely dimmed. She frowned at the thought of what father and son were up too as she casually smiled and waved as Happy drove off. She had to admit that it was expected seeing as she left the two of them to their own devices on a Saturday. But in her defence, managing a company over the festive season was always hectic and chaotic.

She stepped up toward the front door and squinted a little when the lights blinked on. She hoped that he was responsible enough to ensure that him and their son consumed something other than junk for their daily supplements. She really didn't want to have to deal with a hyperactive father and son after a long day at work.

"My apologises Mrs Stark," Jarvis' animated tone sounded from the speaker as the lights dimmed to a less brightened tone.

She smiled briefly at the AI and greeted, "Thank you, Jarvis."

"You've returned just in time, I think," Jarvis replied.

"Oh...for what?" she asked as she stepped into the house. She caught a glimpse of a dimmed light emerging from the lounge and she really hoped that father and son hadn't fallen asleep in front of the television again.

"I think it's better if you saw for yourself," Jarvis answered.

"Oh no...This doesn't sound good," she sighed as she kicked off her shoes. "Should I be afraid?"

"It's best if you see for yourself."

"Where are they?"

"Kitchen."

"Thanks Jarvis," she said softly and slowly made her way to the kitchen, "Oh and security protocol A46 for the night."

"The usual..." the AI sounded.

"Watch some movies if it gets boring, I'll handle Stark senior and junior for the night."

"I'm not sure how you do it, Mrs Stark. They are quite the handful when they're together."

"A lot of practice," she said as she smiled, "And a lot of love."

She rounded the corner of the hallway and stepped into the kitchen. She paused and blinked quite blankly at the sight before her.

The counter tops and walls were covered with smeared doughy like substance. The handle to the fridge door was covered with dripping egg and on either side of the kitchen stood father and son. She blinked again as she stood rooted to the floor between father and son.

She very carefully and slowly turned her eyes to Tony who stood with his hand paused in the air as if he were about to throw something. She gazed over to his hand and noticed a very well rounded egg sitting in his hand and she raised a brow at him. She noticed the dough plastered to his hair and the flour staining his black shirt and she regarded him pointedly.

"It's not what it looks like," he said seriously, his expression intent and resolute as he attempted to lessen the severity of the situation.

She narrowed her eyes at him before she turned her eyes to Jared who looked ready to bolt from the kitchen.

"Well?" she asked simply.

"I'm sorry," Jared said softly as he lowered his eyes to the floor.

"Tony..." she started and stared at the only other adult in the room, "What on earth were you two trying to do?"

"Bake a cake," Jared answered softly.

She raised a brow and turned to her son. "A cake? Couldn't you two have gone and bought one somewhere?"

"Yeah but..." Jared mumbled and looked to his father.

"We were going to make a cake for you," Tony explained and casually wiped a chunk of dough from the counter top.

"And?"

"Daddy spilt the dough mixture," Jared answered swiftly.

She raised a brow and glanced to the ceiling. "He spilt the mixture on the roof as well I presume?"

"It was sort of an angled spill," Tony explained theoretically as he motioned the direction of the incident.

"Ah..." she murmured. Two could play this game, she thought as she kept her brow raised at Tony. "Those type of spills are always unexpected."

He nodded coolly.

"Well..." she remarked as she swiftly placed her hand bag in a sheltered corner of the kitchen. She glanced toward Tony and smiled endearingly as she stepped toward him.

She was amused when he leaned back as if expecting the worst from her. But she carefully leaned toward him and grabbed the egg he had left on the counter top moments ago. She turned to Jared and smiled before she casually smashed the egg at the side of Tony's head.

"And that's how the cookie crumbles," she murmured and smiled at him.

"Mhmm..." Tony cooed, "Egg... Nice raw egg."

She smiled but frowned the instant she felt two eggs being smashed at either side of her head.

"That was totally uncalled for," she muttered.

"Jared, get the tray of eggs," Tony yelled and laughed as he pounced to the other side of the room. "It's war."

"That's it, you're both going down," she remarked pointedly as she made her way to them throwing every ounce of cake mix she could get her hands on.