Chapter 14
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September 9th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
It's a Friday morning and Tony is hurrying around the compound, or at least the Avengers only area, making sure that everything is right as within half an hour the person who will complete a home study will be arriving at the compound.
"You need to relax." A voice says as Tony enters the corridor where the bedrooms are and he sees Natasha casually leaning up against the wall.
"I need to make sure everything perfect." He says rolling his eyes at Natasha.
"Perfect doesn't exist, isn't that your motto?" Natasha asks as she pushes off the wall and walks over to him, "Everything is fine Tony. Three kids younger than Peter have been living here for two months without a problem, and you obsessing is just making everything worse." She says, standing right in front of Tony so that she is blocking his path.
"Is not!"
"Tone, Hope's gone with Laura to drop Cooper and Lila of at school to get away from your obsessing, Rhodey's in the library with Peter, and I honestly have no idea where Vision is." Natasha reveals.
"Vision is flying along the perimeter of the compound looking for breaches." FRIDAY reveals.
"Thanks FRIDAY." Natasha and Tony say together,
"My point is that the compound is ready, and if you keep panicking you're not going be, which is the last thing you want." Natasha tells Tony.
"What if I've forgotten to do something?" Tony asks, being so nervous as Peter is important with him and he doesn't want to risk not getting custody.
"You haven't."
"How do you know?" Tony asks.
"I know everything, remember?" Natasha asks, actually managing to achieve her goal of getting Tony to smile, a little.
"The hidden weapons!" Tony suddenly says, "You've moved them back to the weapon vault, right?" he asks concerned.
"I did as soon as Laura and the kids moved in." Natasha says, "You're good Tony." Natasha says, reaching out and putting a calming hand on Tony's shoulder.
"Right, I'm good." Tony says, taking a deep breath.
"Boss, Mrs Franklin the person who is going to be completing the home study has just passed through the main gate." FRIDAY informs Tony.
"Thanks FRIDAY." Tony responds.
"You've got this; I know you do." Natasha assures him.
"Thanks Nat." Tony says and after taking a deep breath he heads off to meet Mrs Franklin.
A few minutes later Tony is waiting outside the entrance to the Avengers only area when a older car pulls up and a woman who looks to be in her late fifties with dark hair and a stern look gets out.
"Mr Stark." Mrs Franklin says, walking up to Tony.
"Mrs Franklin." Tony greats, giving her his best charming grin, "It's a pleasure to meet you." He says, sticking out his hand for her to shake.
"You too." Mrs Franklin responds, "So, right down to it, my first question is how this place could be considered safe for a teenager when it is a base."
"It is a base, but different areas are restricted. Peter will be living in the Avengers only area that very few people have access to and he won't have access to the rest of the base." Tony reveals as he leads Mrs Franklin inside.
"How will you make sure that Peter doesn't get into other areas of the base?" Mrs Franklin asks.
"FRIDAY runs this entire facility and knows what areas Peter isn't allowed in, don't you FRIDAY?" Tony asks.
"Yes Boss. Mr Peter is only allowed in the areas of the Avengers only areas that has been declared safe." FRIDAY answers.
"I see." Mrs Franklin answers, writing something down on her clipboard, "I would like to have a look around and then I would like the two of us to have a conversation." She informs Tony.
"Of course." Tony responds and he starts to give his tour.
Forty-five minutes later Tony has shown Mrs Franklin around the entire base, and she has spoken to Laura, and Peter, and the two of them are walking into Tony's office where they sit down.
"How many people live here?" Mrs Franklin asks.
"In the Avengers only area, four adults, three children other than Peter, and an Artificial intelligence." Tony answers.
"How old are the other children who live here?" Mrs Franklin asks.
"Twelve, six and a little over a year." Tony answers.
"And how does Peter get along with them?"
"He's really close to the twelve-year-old, Cooper, the two of them have become close friends and ever since Peter started his internship here he looked out for and spent time with the two younger children." Tony answers.
"What are you plans for Peter's schooling? This compound is pretty far away." Mrs Franklin admits.
"Considering everything that has happened I don't think it would be fair to move Peter's school and so he'll continue going to Midtown. I'll take him into the city." Tony answers, not sure whether it will be by driving or some other means, though taking a helicopter to the Tower and letting Peter make his own way from there seems to be the most logical solution he can think off.
"And if you can't?"
"Then one of the other Avengers here have agreed to. We've agreed to make sure that one of us is there to take Peter to and from school, just like we agreed with the younger children." Tony explains.
"I see." Mrs Franklin answers, "You're an Avenger Mr Stark, what do you plan to do if an attack or danger comes to this compound while Peter is here?"
"There are secure areas of this compound that I would prefer not to discuss given security matters, but I will say that Peter will be safe, that is my highest priority." Tony reveals.
"Okay." Mrs Franklin says, once more writing something, "I believe that answers all my questions, I'll show myself out." She says, standing up.
"You can't. As part of the security features FRIDAY won't let you leave within an escort because you're a stranger." Tony says standing up and Mrs Franklin looks surprised, "Like I said security is tight around here."
"Is that for everyone?" Mrs Franklin asks.
"Just people who aren't in the system or who aren't considered a frequent visitor." Tony reveals and Mrs Franklin nods as she is shown out.
About five minutes later Tony walks into the library where Peter, Rhodey, Natasha, Hope and Laura still are.
"So, how'd you think it went?" Peter asks as Tony sits down on one of the couches.
"Hard to say." Tony admits, rubbing his eyes, "I think there was things she like and things she didn't." he reveals.
"Have you got a hearing date yet?" Rhodey asks curious.
"Yeah, the fourteenth." Tony answers.
"Next Wednesday." Natasha realises.
"Yep."
"And if they don't let you have full guardianship, will I have to leave here right away?" Peter asks worried.
"I don't know for sure that it will be right away, but it will be pretty soon." Tony answers and Peter looks upset.
"We'll be there Tony, do whatever you need." Hope assures him.
"Thanks Hope." Tony says as the group drift into silence.
September 14th 2016. Courthouse.
Afternoon.
Honestly for Tony he is pretty sure that not many days have felt as long as this one. As all morning he has sat behind a desk and listened to someone from child services, talk all about the mistakes he made in his past and how all of the things he done, and the person he is, all backed up by the report Natasha wrote when he was dying, makes him the worst choice to be guardian as Peter.
The past couple of hours have been slightly better as he spoke to the judge explained as much as he could, which even he could tell didn't go as well as he could have, and social worker Brooks spoke on his behalf and so did Pepper, Rhodey and Peter himself and now Laura has been invited up.
"Now Ma'am I understand that due to safety concerns due to who you are married to it is agreed that you would only use your first name and not mention your husband, correct?" The judge asks.
"Correct." Laura answers.
"Okay, please say what you would like to say." The Judge requests.
"Two months ago Tony Stark opened his home to me and my children, and for weeks before he had personally doing whatever he could to help us and keep us safe." Laura reveals, "My children have grown to see Tony as an Uncle and I honestly believe that he is completely deserving of that privilege. In the short time he has known them Tony has been a positive influence in my children's life and I've seen him be a positive influence on Peter. Tony cares about Peter, and from what I've seen, the way he's been with not just Peter, but my own kids, I fully believe that Tony will be an incredible guardian to Peter." Laura reveals.
"Thank you Ma'am. Please return to your seat." The judge requests and so Laura gets up and walks to where people are sitting where Pepper, Rhodey, and Hope are and she sits down with them.
"Normally I would take some time to ponder my decision, but I don't have to." The judge reveals, making Tony feel that that either means something very good or very bad, "Mr Stark there is no doubt that you are well liked, and respected, but when it comes to being the guardian for a child that's not is most important." He says and Tony feels his heart sink at that, "What is important is personal character." He says and Tony feels his heart sink even more but before the judge can say anymore one of the court officers come up to him and says something to the judge, who whispers something back causing Tony to look at his lawyer who looks just as confused, "Well there seems to be someone else who is demanding to speak on behalf of Mr Stark." The judge reveals, causing Tony to become surprised, "Normally I wouldn't allow it, but as this the person who wrote the personality assessment on Mr Stark that is being used against him I would like to hear what she has to say. Bring in Miss Romanoff." The judge requests and the door at the back open and Natasha walks in, full of confidence, wearing a fully tailored suit, her face giving away nothing, not that one would expect it to.
"Nat." Tony mutters, his voice sounding both shocked and glad as truthfully he was a little hurt when Natasha said she would stay with Vision at the Compound to hold down the fort.
"Miss Romanoff." The Judge greats.
"Your Honour." Natasha responds, her emotionless mask firmly in place.
"I am very interested in hearing what you have to say, please say what you have to say." The judge requests.
"Of course." Natasha says, "Five years ago I was sent undercover to conduct a personality assessment on Tony Stark, at the time I called him obsessive, I said that he was prone to self-destructive behaviour, and that he was a text book narcissist, the Tony Stark of five years ago wouldn't be suitable to be a guardian to a fifteen-year-old boy, but that's not who Tony Stark is today." Natasha says, causing Tony to wince and look down at the ground at first, seeing his hope of getting custody of Peter slip away, but then as Natasha says the last few words he looks up and sees that Natasha doesn't have an emotionless mask firmly in place, it's the opposite he can tell that that she clearly means what she is saying, though he isn't overly sure if anyone else can.
"The Tony Stark of today is kind, and protective, and does everything he can to look out for everyone he cares about and makes up for his mistakes, he doesn't give up, but you don't see that. You don't see the past the genius, billionaire playboy, philanthropist image he puts forward, but I do."
"Nat…." Tony mutters to himself, feeling amazed.
"There is something I say about myself, that's true to Tony too, and that's that he's not everything to all people all of the time, but he has been there for Peter. He has been whatever Peter needs him to be. In the past three months, while Peter has been undertaking an internship at The Avengers Compound I have watched as Tony become a mentor to Peter, I've watched Peter learn from Tony and grow because of his guidance, and I've watched as Tony started to care for Peter like a father, even if didn't want to admit that to himself, and because of that I know that not only will Tony be a good guardian to Peter, but that he's the best person for the job." Natasha says, looking out at the people her eyes on Peter and Tony before she turns back to the judge, "Don't let your mistaken assumptions of Tony Stark prevent you from seeing who he really is, because that will hurt Peter, and after everything he's been through he doesn't deserve to be hurt anymore." Natasha informs the judge.
"Thank you Miss Romanoff." The Judge says and with a nod Natasha gets up and heads to the back of the room, "I believe I will take some time to consider this. Court will re-join tomorrow at nine am for my verdict." The judge says, banging his gavel and Tony quickly turns just in time to see a flash of red-hair disappear through the door.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Peter asks, looking between Tony and the lawyer.
"I believe it is a good thing, Mr Parker." The Lawyer says, "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr Stark."
"Yes, thank you." Tony say and the lawyer gets up and heads out of the room, and as he does Tony and Peter walk over to Pepper, Rhodey, Hope and Laura, "That just happened right?" he asks them, "I thought I had lost for sure." He admits.
"So did I." Hope reveals and the others nod, "The judge clearly wasn't a fan."
"But then Nat…" Tony starts to say with an amazed look, "How'd she know that they were using the report she wrote against me?" he asks, looking between the others.
"Before we left this morning she asked me to give her an update when we had a break, I did at lunch." Rhodey explains, "I really didn't expect her to come down here." He admits, "But I'm glad she did."
"Yeah, me too." Tony admits, being pretty sure that his chances of getting custody have increased solely because of Natasha.
"Tony, I have to get going." Pepper says.
"Oh, let's talk first." Tony says to Pepper, "Don't wonder off." He tells Peter, who rolls his eyes as Tony and Pepper walk away from the others, "Thank you for being here, for what you said. It means a lot to me." Tony says once they are far enough from the others that they can't hear what they are saying.
"You don't have to thank me Tony, we're still friends I'll always help you." Pepper says, smiling at Tony.
"You're amazing, Pep, and a better friend than I deserve." Tony responds, completely meaning that.
"Now, that's just not true." Pepper tells him, "I'm happy for you by the way, you and Natasha." She says.
"Me and Natasha?" Tony asks, being completely confused, "What do you mean me and Natasha?"
"You don't have to protect my feelings. I'm happy for you. I think you're good together and she clearly cares about you and…" Pepper starts to say.
"Wow, wow, wow, back up, you think Natasha and I are together, like dating?" Tony asks surprised.
"Well yeah." Pepper answers, wondering why Tony is being so strange about it because he's never been one to hide his relationships.
"We're not." Tony quickly says, "We're just friends, good friends I'd say. Nat would never see me that way, and…." Tony says, but Pepper just laughs, "Why are you laughing?" he asks confused.
"You'll see." Pepper says simply as she just hugs Tony, "I got to go, I'll be here tomorrow." She says before she places a kiss on Tony's cheek and walks away, leaving Tony in a shocked state as he tries to figure out why Pepper would think he and Natasha were together.
"Tone?" A voice says about a minute later snapping him out of his thoughts, "You okay, man?" Rhodey asks concerned.
"What, yeah, I'm fine." Tony quickly says, "Let's head home. We've got to pick up kids on the way, don't we?" he asks Laura.
"Yeah, we do." Laura confirms.
"I've arranged for us to go out the backway, just in case." Hope reveals as while they have so far managed to keep what Tony is doing under the radar she wouldn't bet on that lasting forever.
"Thanks." Tony says and the group drift into silence as they walk.
September 14th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Evening.
A little while after they left the Courthouse, having stopped on the way to pick up the kids, everyone has arrived back at the compound, and as he asked FRIDAY where he would find Natasha Tony is walking into one of the gyms where Natasha is beating a punching bag.
"You disappeared quickly from the courthouse." Tony says as he walks over to Natasha.
"I didn't like the idea of Vision being alone, thought I better get back." Natasha explains as she takes hold of the punching bag and stops punching it.
"Right." Tony says with a nod, "Thank you Tasha, for what you said." Tony says, showing how grateful he is, "I saw my chances of getting Peter slip away and then you spoke, and I have hope again." Tony reveals, completely meaning that, "Thank you." He says sincerely.
"I just told the truth you don't have to thank me." Natasha tells him, "Peter belongs here with you, with us, and I couldn't let a report I wrote five years ago be used against you."
"Especially when you wrote it when you were pissed at me for not telling you I was dying beforehand." Tony comments with a smirk.
"I wasn't pissed." Natasha says, rolling her eyes.
"Sure you weren't." Tony says, looking amused, "We picked up food on the way home. Everyone's in the dining room." He explains.
"Then we better join them." Natasha says.
"That we should." Tony respond and the two of them head out of the gym, "Will you be there tomorrow?" Tony asks curious, "I'd really like it if you were."
"Sure." Natasha answers and the two of them drift into silence as the walk.
A little while later everyone is in the living area quiet enjoying their dinner together.
"BOSS, Media outlets have gotten words that you were at the courthouse today." FRIDAY informs everyone.
"Do they know why yet?" Tony asks, sounding concerned.
"Not yet, Boss. It looks like they are trying to find out though, and they are speculating." FRIDAY reveals.
"No surprise there." Rhodey admits.
"Really not." Tony admits, "Okay, thanks FRIDAY, keep me informed." He requests.
"Of course Boss." FRIDAY responds.
"Everyone's going to find out about me, aren't they?" Peter asks Tony.
"Maybe." Tony answers, "But I know you don't want a lot of people to know so I will try to keep things as quiet as possible."
"Thanks Tony." Peter says, "But if you do get custody you're going to have to give a statement, right?" Peter asks as it would make sense.
"I might have to, but I'll be vague and I'll make it clear that you have no interest in being in the spotlight." Tony explains and Peter nods as the group drift into silence as they eat.
Hours later as he tinkers in his lab Tony's mind keeps going back to what Pepper said and honestly for the life of him he can't figure out why she would think he and Natasha were together. Yes, what she said about him was amazing and he is completely grateful, but that was for Peter, to make sure he would live with them.
'But that wasn't the first time she said something like that about you' annoying voice in Tony's head says, which he has to admit is true.
"Nat's just my friend." Tony says out loud, though his voice certainly doesn't seem to convincing as the truth is he isn't completely sure that there is a word for what Natasha is to him as he is pretty positive that he wouldn't have gotten through the last few months without her, and she's someone he is completely comfortable around, "She'd never want to be with me." Tony realises, believing that completely and putting an end to his thoughts.
In her room Natasha is lying in her bed thinking about the events of the day. Honestly she isn't completely sure what compelled her to make her way to the city and then demand to testify all she knew is that she couldn't let it be her words that were used against Tony.
Tony wasn't completely wrong when he said that she was pissed at him when she wrote the report, though she would say that she was more hurt than angry as after everything they had been through she couldn't believe that he didn't tell her, or even Hope, Rhodey, or Melinda, that he was dying. So, in some ways that might have come through in the report, the report that she had to write as if she hadn't known Tony for over a decade, as if she didn't know how to see through the mask he wears so well.
Even though she isn't completely sure where her words came from Natasha does know that she meant them completely and does not regret saying them, and she is pretty sure she never will.
September 15th 2016. Courthouse.
Morning.
It being clear to everyone who knows him that he is nervous Tony, Natasha, Rhodey, Hope, Pepper and Peter are waiting to be let into the courthouse where the verdict of Tony's custody hearing will be given.
"Calm down." Natasha hisses to Tony, "I know how important this is for you, but you've got to relax. There is nothing you can do right now."
"I know. I still can't help but worry." Tony admits.
"Try." Natasha says simply and the group once more drift into silence.
Ten minutes later everyone has been shown into the courtroom and Tony, Peter and his lawyer are sitting at a table together while Natasha, Hope, Pepper and Rhodey are sitting in the gallery together.
"All rise." The court officer says and everyone stands up, "Be seated." He says and everyone sits down once more.
"Custody cases can be complicated, but the one thing that everyone has to focus on is what's best for the child, or in this case teenager." The Judge says, "Mr Stark, your public persona says one thing, the reports that people have written about you says another and what yourself and other said say a hole other." The Judge says, "What has intrigued me the most is what Miss Romanoff has said, she wrote the rather, unflattering, personality assessment of you and then defend you becoming Mr Parker's guardian yesterday. I believe that Miss Romanoff was telling the truth both times, and in this situation I've come to realise that I must trust the judgement of those around you, those who have seen the way you and Mr Parker have interacted rather than my own." The judge reveals and as he does Tony becomes pretty sure that things are going to go his way, but he doesn't want to get his hopes up, "Because of that I am granting Mr Stark permanent guardianship of Peter Parker with adoption being possible in a year." The judge says and Tony and Peter, both feel relief wash over them while the others who are sitting in the gallery all feel relief too, "Court's dismissed." The judge says banging his gavel.
"Thank you." Tony says, says to his lawyer.
"You're very welcome Mr Stark." The Lawyer responds, shaking Tony's hand.
"So, it's over. I won't be taken away?" Peter asks Tony.
"Nope, looks like you're stuck with me kid." Tony putting his arm around Peter.
"There are worst people to be stuck with." Peter says with a small smile and he and Tony head over to where Rhodey, Hope and Pepper are.
"Congratulations Tony." Pepper says with a smile.
"Thanks Pepper." Tony says, smiling back.
"Reporters are everywhere out there." Natasha reveals as she walks back over.
"Of course." Tony says, with a sigh, "Zoo out there?" he asks.
"Of course." Natasha responds, "I have a plan if you want to hear it." She suggests.
"Always." Tony responds.
"You, Pepper and Rhodey head out the front, give your statement, and Hope and I will take Peter out through back. I already know a way where we won't get stopped." Natasha explains.
"Of course you do." Tony says, not sounding at all surprised, "That okay with you kid?" he asks Peter.
"Yeah." Peter says with a nod.
"Okay, see you at home." He says to the others, though his eyes are lingering on Natasha.
"See you at home." Natasha responds and while she, Peter and Hope head out the back way Tony, Pepper and Rhodey head out the front to face the media circus.
September 15th 2016. Wakanda.
Afternoon.
In Wakanda Clint is doing what he has been doing to pass time, flipping through TV channels as he does Clint once more sees a familiar face.
"EVERYONE GET IN HERE." Clint yells and Steve, Sam, Scott and Wanda come running into the room.
"What's going on?" Steve ask.
"Stark." Clint says simply and everyone turns to the TV where they see Tony standing in front of a lot of reporters as Pepper and Rhodey are standing off to the side.
"Morning all, now seeing as how you stalked me to find out what was going on I figure you must be curious." Tony says and everyone in Wakanda notices Pepper give Tony an annoyed look, "I was here today as it was the second day of a custody hearing, and I am very happy to reveal that I have been granted permanent custody of a fifteen-year-old by the name of Peter." Tony reveals, causing everyone in Wakanda to exchange shocked looks, "Now, unlike me Peter would prefer to stay out of the spotlight, and you will respect that." Tony says, there being a forcefulness to his voice that not many people have heard, "If I discover that any member of the press has been trying to get to Peter whether to get Photos, information, or any other reason then I promise you that you will not like the action I take, good morning." Tony says before walking away.
"Did Stark just threaten the media?" Scott asks, sounding shocked.
"Looks like it." Steve says, sounding surprised, "Why would Tony even want custody of a kid?"
"I don't know, but he would have to have an ulterior motive." Wanda admits, "I'd be worried about this Peter." She admits.
"Peter." Clint mutters.
"Clint?" Sam asks curious.
"When I talked to the kids, Cooper and Lila both mentioned someone called Peter. It sounded like he was a friend of theirs." He reveals.
"Huh." Steve says, still sounding surprised and the group drift into silence as they all try to figure out why Tony Stark would apply for custody of a fifteen-year-old.
September 15th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Evening.
"Boss, you're wanted in the kitchen." FRIDAY reveals as Tony is in his lab where he has been working for a little while.
"Who wants me?" Tony asks as he continues to tinker.
"Everyone Boss." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay, I'll be right there." Tony says, needing to just finish connecting something before he goes anywhere.
A few minutes later Tony walks into the kitchen where he finds Natasha, Peter, Rhodey, Vision, Hope, Laura, Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel sitting in his high chair.
"What's going on?" Tony asks as he walks over.
"Well, considering it's official that Peter is going to be living here now I thought we could all cook dinner together." Laura explains.
"A lot of us can't cook." Tony reminds her.
"True, but if we work together we should be able to prevent any major mistakes." Laura explains.
"Make sense." Tony admits as he heads over to the sink to wash his hands.
"That's what we through." Hope reveals.
"What can I do?" Tony asks once he washes his hands.
"Help Jim." Laura instructs and Tony nods and heads over to his best friend.
"FRIDAY play some music." Tony requests as he does.
"Yes Boss. Any requests?" FRIDAY asks.
"Something appropriate for the kids." Natasha requests, being pretty sure that at least some of Tony's music doesn't fall in that category.
"Yes Miss Romanoff." Friday answers and music starts to play.
As it does the group of eight work together to cook dinner and then once it does they all enjoy eating what they made, as a family.