It's been a crazy weekend...there was a huge fire down the road from my house...the neighbours house went up and it took us almost 20 hours to put it out...and when we thought it was out, it started burning again! We got the fire out and then the guy's car went up in flames. INSANE!

Thanks for the reviews. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Peter sat on the bed in the room he'd been shown. Looking around, he couldn't help but notice that the room was somehow meant for him. It was decorated like any teen boy's dream room complete with a big screen television and gaming system, shelves full of books on his interest level and a bunch of brand new Lego sets he'd never seen before. If it had been under other circumstances, Peter would have dived into the sets and been lost in paradise for many hours.

But it wasn't a good situation at all.

Peter didn't even know how long he'd been sitting thinking and staring into space after Happy had brought him supper. Tony's idea of throwing a burger on the grill had actually meant sirloin steak, maple pecan sweet potatoes and buttery vegetables complete with a large slice of apple pie for dessert. Peter couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten such a feast, not that his Aunt May wasn't a good cook; she was. But normally during the school week, they ate simple meals like homemade mac and cheese or something like that. Sirloin steak sure beat Mac and cheese any day. Peter, despite being upset, managed to polish off the entire meal. Ever since he'd become Spiderman, his appetite was ferocious. He could pretty much eat all the time.

Laying back on the bed and putting his hands behind his head, Peter stared at the ceiling. A full stomach left him with nothing to do but think about the day and what had gotten him to where he was now. He was staying with Tony at Stark Towers, in the man's penthouse, in what looked like his own room created for him by Mr. Stark himself and currently, in his mentor's eyes, his name was pretty much mud. Tony Stark had actually threatened to smack him like some dumb little kid, and the man had said clear as day that he'd lost trust in him. Tears burned in Peter's eyes as he remembered the words. He'd really screwed up this time. Normally, he'd be more remorseful but a small part of him was angry with the billionaire inventor too, only Peter was too afraid to speak up for himself when Tony was so pissed. It seemed like the angrier the man was, the more biting the sarcasm was that came from him. Peter wasn't a huge fan of the sarcasm.

Just then his phone sounded in his pocket. Peter pulled it out to see it was Ned texting him.

Peter sat up and pushed his back to the wall so he could lean against it. He opened the text conversation and stared at it. What was he going to say to Ned anyway?

Ned: Dude, we're supposed to be working on our science experiment. I showed up at your apartment, and your aunt said you're staying the night at Stark Tower. Is that true?

Peter: It's true.

Ned: Dude!

Peter felt a smirk come to his face. He could just see his best friend since kindergarten's face in his mind's eye. Ned was always over-animated.

Peter: Did you see the story about the Ferry on the news?

Ned: Yes! What happened, Pete? The guy on the news said Spiderman and Ironman saved all those people. That's awesome, man! Why didn't you tell me about it? And why are you at Stark Tower? What's going on?

Peter: It's complicated, Ned, and I can't really get into it right now. I'll call you tomorrow and I promise I'll tell you all about it, okay?

Peter waited for Ned's response and wasn't surprised when his cell phone rang in his hands. Peter sighed. It wasn't like he didn't want to talk to his friend. He did. He just didn't know how to wrap his head around everything yet so there was no way he could explain the situation to Ned yet. Peter declined the call and continued to text. I can't talk right now, Ned. Mr. Stark and I are kinda in the middle of something. I'll call you tomorrow. I promise. It wasn't a complete lie. They were in the middle of something, just right now Peter had been left on his own to stew in his decision-making endeavours. He didn't exactly know why he needed so much time but apparently Mr. Stark liked to drag out the evitable.

Ned: Okay, Peter, but you better call me first thing tomorrow. I'm dying here.

Peter smiled. His friend was ever the drama major.

Peter: I will. Chill, dude. Talk to you later.

Ned: Later.

Peter set his phone on do not disturb. The last thing he needed was anyone else trying to call him tonight. He already had enough on his plate. He stood up and set his phone on the side table. He opened the dresser to find some new pyjamas in his size. Peter fingered them gingerly. The whole thing was just so bizarre. Had Mr. Stark intended to invite him here for the night on another occasion? He thought the man didn't want to have anything to do with him yet this room said otherwise. It would have taken planning and time to make him his own space. And Peter thought the tower was for sale anyway. Hadn't Mr. Stark said he and the Avengers were moving to a bigger facility? The compound, he'd called it?

"Jeepers, what am I supposed to do all night?" he mumbled to himself.

A computerized voice from above him spoke just then. "Sleep would probably be the best idea, Mr. Parker."

Peter's eyes widened and he spun around looking to see where the voice was coming from.

"Who's there?" asked Peter, feeling somewhat confused.

"I'm sorry to frighten you, Mr. Parker. My name is FRIDAY. I am Mr. Stark's computer interface system."

Peter blinked. He shouldn't have been surprised that Tony Stark had a computer system networked throughout his penthouse. It was just something Tony would have done.

"Where is Mr. Stark?"

"Currently, he is in his workshop, Mr. Parker. Do you need him?"

Peter shook his head. "NO, no, that's okay. I just wondered, is all."

"Mr. Stark said to let you know that you can contact me anytime should you need him."

Peter nodded in response, not really thinking that the computer system wouldn't be able to read his body language. He began to pace the room. What was he supposed to do now? Maybe he should just leave and go home. Mr. Stark wouldn't even know he was gone, and he would sleep better in his own bed. No, that probably wouldn't be the best idea. More than anything he didn't want his aunt to find out about him being Spiderman. Mr. Stark had made it very clear that he would inform his aunt if he didn't agree with his terms.

Peter picked up the pillow on the bed and fired it at the wall. It wasn't fair that Stark was sticking his nose in his business. He'd been doing fine on his own before Stark found his video on YouTube. Apparently, there was no way he could bullshit a bullshitter, or so the man had said when he brought him to Germany. The man had needed his help back then or he wouldn't have taken him. Why was the billionaire being so parental now all of a sudden? He didn't seem to care so much last time. What had changed?

Peter kicked at the wall indignantly. He felt like he was trapped with nowhere to turn. "This is crap!" The wall dented and some of the drywall gave way to his foot, leaving a hole when he pulled it away. Peter's eyes widened at the damage.

"Damn it!" he muttered, stooping to look at the hole he'd left. He always forgot how strong he was since he'd received his enhanced abilities. Kicking the wall should have hurt his foot, not ruined the wall. He groaned loudly. Why did his life have to be so complicated? Somehow he didn't think Mr. Stark was going to be very impressed with the damage.

"FRIDAY, what's Mr. Stark doing now?" asked Peter, nervously.

"Mr. Stark is still in his workshop. He asked me to tell you to go to sleep. It's past your bedtime."

Peter groaned again. There was no way he could be expected to sleep with this stuff hanging over his head.

"Tell him I will when I'm good and ready!" snapped Peter, feeling grouchy at being told what to do. It wasn't even past 11 yet and the next day was Saturday. He often stayed up and watched movies with his Aunt May on Friday nights. Going to bed at 11 was almost an insult.

"Mr. Stark said he would be willing to help you get ready for bed if you would like, Mr. Parker?"

Peter's eyes widened. Wait! What? Help him get ready for bed? What was that even supposed to mean?

"NO! Tell him I'm fine."

"Very well, Mr. Parker."

"Call me Peter, FRIDAY. Mr. Parker sounds like an old man's name."

"Very well, Peter."

Peter pulled out the pyjamas and put them on much to his annoyance. He couldn't sleep in his jeans so he might as well get comfortable, although, had he been home he would have just as well slept in his boxers. Pyjamas were for little kids, not teenage superheroes. Peter wandered over to the large window in his room and looked out over the skyline. How did people even see anything from up here? From his window at home, he could see if someone needed his help. Of course, he knew it wouldn't take much with his webs to get down to ground level. That's where he really should be. People needed Spiderman. Friday nights were always high crime nights. It was totally retarded that he was stuck here waiting to talk to Tony in the morning. They could talk now and then Peter could go out and do what he did best.

But just what was he going to say? Was he going to agree to Tony's terms? Did he have any other choice? And was the man going to keep the suit forever if he refused his terms? Peter found he had more questions than answers.

"FRIDAY, could you tell Mr. Stark I'm ready to talk to him now?"

Peter waited for a response but none came. Had the AI gone offline for the night? Did computer system interfaces go offline by themselves?

"Mr. Stark said you are to go to sleep, and he will talk with you in the morning."

Peter sighed. "That's so bogus! I'm ready to talk now!" insisted Peter. Was he really, though? What was he going to say? "Tell him I want to talk now, FRIDAY!"

"Very well, Peter."

Peter stood up and wandered towards the door exiting his room. If Mr. Stark wasn't going to come to him, he'd do some searching around and find the man on his own. The Stark tower was huge but the multi-billion dollar workshop couldn't be that hard to find. Peter always secretly wanted to see what it looked like anyway. Leaving his room, he wandered down the hallway towards the upper floor elevators. He pushing the button and waited for the elevator.

"Mr. Stark insists you retire for the evening, Peter. He is busy in his workshop and does not wish to be disturbed."

"Never mind, FRIDAY; if he won't come to me, I'll look for him. What level is Mr. Stark's workshop located on?"

"The lower level, sir, but I must inform him of your presence."

The elevator came and Peter entered it still dressed in his new pyjamas. "No, FRIDAY, I would like it to be a surprise. Please don't tell him."

"Very well, Peter."

SP-IM-SP-IM-SP—IM

Tony rolled from underneath one of his old junk heaps in his workshop. As much as he liked new toys, he enjoyed his old toys just as much. He'd been tinkering around with an old '69 charger for a while now. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with it but he enjoyed the nostalgia that it brought him. Tony rose to his feet and wiped his hands off on a rag he kept in his back pocket. His mind would not rest this evening. His thoughts kept coming back to Peter. What was he going to do with the kid? Was it even ethical on his part to not inform his legal guardian of his activities? Tony didn't have a problem with putting the kid under his wing, but he just wasn't sure how much of a pain in the ass the kid was going to be. He hadn't even had time to discuss matters with Pepper. She usually was the voice of reason but she was away on business and wouldn't be back until the following week. Somehow, Tony was going to have to figure this one out on his own.

Tony walked over to the mini-fridge and grabbed out a bottle of water. He wanted to stay stone cold sober tonight as he deliberated how he was going to handle tomorrow. He'd made up his mind about a few things but as time went on, he waivered too. He still didn't know why people chose to have kids when they had to do such dreadful things as discipline. The fun and games were alright but dealing with the disobedience? Not so fun!

"How's the kid doing, FRIDAY?" asked Tony for the fifth time in the past hour. FRIDAY was able to monitor Peter's activities and listen in on what he was doing. She wasn't so much a snoop as a good babysitter. "Has he fallen asleep yet?"

"Peter is not asleep yet, Mr. Stark."

Tony frowned as he looked at his watch. It was nearly 11:30. Weren't kids supposed to be asleep this time of night? Didn't they need like 10 hours of sleep or something to help them grow?

"Why isn't he sleeping, FRIDAY?" he felt compelled to ask. "Is he sick or something?"

An odd noise from outside his glassed-in workshop captured his attention and he soon understood why Peter Parker wasn't sleeping. Coming down the steps looking a little sheepish was the teenager himself. The kid stopped when he reached the foot of the steps and stopped cold. The fifteen-year old's mouth dropped open and he stood to stare in complete wonderment as his eyes feasted on the billionaire's magnificent workshop. Tony sighed loudly in exasperation as he quickly swept away all his open computer holograms. The kid was going to drive him into an early grave if he didn't learn to follow instructions and respect his wishes.

Tony walked over to the glass doors and pushed a code to allow Peter entrance into the room. As Peter walked in, the boy's eyes drank up his surroundings, all but forgetting about why he'd come down to see Tony in the first place.

"W-wow, Mr. Stark! This place is unbelievable!" stammered Peter, walking around and taking in everything in complete awe.

Tony's hands went to his hips as he walked behind Peter. The kid just kept spinning in circles as he took in everything in the workshop. Tony didn't know if he should break the trance the kid was in or not. It was almost amusing to watch. Tony felt a tinge of regret that he hadn't invited the kid before, under different circumstances. The Stark Internship had been a ruse for the kid's aunt but the truth was, the kid was brilliant and Peter could probably learn a lot from Tony.

"I think I've figured out what the problem is, Pete," said Tony suddenly, bringing Peter's trance to an end causing the teenager to spin on his heel and turn and face Tony. "You are physically incapable of following directions."

Peter blinked.

Tony walked towards him and stopped directly in front of him invading the kid's personal bubble. He stared at the teenager long and hard, enough so that the boy self-consciously swallowed and took a step backward.

"FRIDAY, did I not ask Peter to retire for the evening?"

"Yes, Mr. Stark, you did ask Mr. Parker to retire for the evening."

"I thought so but it was worth asking just in case, for some reason, I may have been imagined it."

Peter licked his dry lips. "I-I'm ready to talk now, Mr. Stark."

Tony scratched the side of his head. "Well, I'm finished talking, kid. I have talked myself blue in the face tonight and wanted some time to cool off."

Peter looked away, looking more uncertain than when he had first entered the room.

"I…uh…well, I just wanted to tell you that…umm…not that I like the whole idea but since you kinda…I actually don't think my aunt would approve…umm, but I know she wouldn't approve of me being Spiderman either…and so, yah, I guess I agree…that is, I accept your rules, Mr. Stark only maybe you won't use that gauntlet contraption because….well…er…it kinda freaks me out, sir."

Tony crossed his arms as he listened to the kid ramble and trip over his words. Tony wasn't sure what to make out of what he said. Between the rambling, shaking and cracks in the kid's voice, it was hard to discern.

"You seriously need to learn to speak English, Kid. Can you repeat that but a lot slower and coherently?"

"It's a deal, Mr. Stark. I will stick to your rules if you promise me not to tell my Aunt May."

Tony nodded. "Alright." He held out his hand to his young protégé. "Shall we shake on it?"

Peter reached out and firmly shook Tony's hand, a small smile touching his lips.

"Okay, now that that is over, how about you sit down on the sofa over there and the two of us with come to an agreement on how I should punish you."