Tony had all but toned Ross out as he spoke. After all, it was something he himself had wondered about for quite some time now. There was a need for regulation, for a higher governing body. As they were, it seemed that their actions fell back on America, even though they truly were a private party who just happened to have a few veterans and an ex American Arms dealer. It wasn't until Ross added his last statement that Tony started to take offense.

"This of course, will have to include you all. Including the Stark kid." Ross said, looking directly at Tony.

"Excuse me?" Tony said, offended fake grin playing at his face. "You said it yourself, he is a kid. He can't sign international contracts upheld by the UN. Each nation in it upholds the doctrine that contracts signed by minors are invalid." Tony crossed his arms, "Besides, he has never caused any damage. But he has saved lives."

"Nobody is denying that, Mr. Stark. But he's an enhanced individual. He has operated as an Avenger." Ross argued.

"With us. But no, he is not." Rhodes spoke up. "We wouldn't put that kind of pressure on a young boy."

"These Accords are going to be ratified with or without your approval, folks. I'll leave this copy. You all think it over- But know this. If you don't sign, consider yourself retired. Any continued operation outside of this-" He gestured to the document he'd just laid on the table, "And you will be an international criminal." Ross did not stay after this statement, and he shut the door behind himself as he left the conference area.

"Tony?" Steve spoke up, looking at Tony, who had his face twisted in thought. "You're awfully quiet over there."

"I want to agree with him, honestly." Tony confessed. "I have to tell you all, I was ready to sign."

"Was?" Natasha ask.

"Peter." Steve guessed. Tony snapped and pointed.

"He is just a boy. A remarkable boy. MY remarkable boy. But-" Tony scoffed, scattering the stacked copy of the Accords across the large conference table. "I will not give on that. He simply cannot sign, nor should he be expected to."

"Well, maybe there is some other way?" Clint called from his spot in the corner. "Believe me, I understand looking for even the most creative of ways to keep your child safe..."

"I'm going to speak to them..." Tony said, standing up.

"Who?" Steve ask, looking his teammates over as Tony walked over to the coat rack and grabbed his suit jacket.

"The United Nations." Tony said definitively, walking out. Natasha looked to Steve, who looked from her to Sam and Rhodey.

"Someone should-" Sam started to speak, but Rhodey cut him off.

"Call Pepper? Already on it." He said, phone to his ear.

Peter had been standing outside the door of the house where he had grown up for at least fifteen minutes. Happy was propped up against one of his father's black Audi cars, waiting patiently, playing Angry Birds on a tablet. He wasn't sure what to say, or how to even move forward from what had happened. His heart was still so full of so many mixed emotions in regard to his mother's sister. Finally, he knocked.

It was a few breathless moments before the large white door swung open and May stood before him. Her face went from indifference to surprise and joy, but she did not move forward to embrace him, and he could sense her apprehension. "Oh, Peter." She sighed, as if she'd been holding her breath since he'd stormed out.

"Hey, Aunt May." He said quietly. He wrapped one arm up and gripped his opposite elbow, closing himself off. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure Happy was still there. He was indeed, he'd simply moved back into the car and appeared to be watching something on the screen in the dashboard. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," She said, stepping out of the way, "You don't have to knock. This is still as much your home as ever..."

"Yeah, thanks..." He replied, internally cringing at how awkward he felt. He moved on into the living room and paused as she shut the door behind him.

"So, Mr. Stark has a body guard on you, huh?" She commented, meaning Happy. Peter shrugged.

"Happy is head of our security team. He's usually with me or Pepper, depending on who has Dad with them. Not as big of a need for a protector when you have an Avenger around." Peter explained, annoyed that she brought Happy up at all. It seemed off to him that she'd find Tony giving him a body guard odd.

"Happy?" She ask, almost seeming amused.

"Harold. He goes by Happy." Peter added. "I think in an ironic way, honestly." He sat down on the edge of the couch, unsure what to do with himself. By all reasonable accounts this place should be home. He used to come in, toss his school bag and lay down on this very couch to watch television. But he didn't feel like that anymore.

"So-" May said, sitting in an equally awkward fashion across from him. "I've missed you, Peter." She blurted at once.

"I missed you, too. I want to try and fix things." Peter said, swallowing the lump building in his throat. "But-"

"But?" May ask.

"My dad is amazing. He does and he does, for everyone he knows. He owns a Fortune 500 company and I have never had to ask him to make time for me. He always has it. Whenever I need, whatever it is." Peter shook his head.

"I wish I could take it back. I hate myself for denying you time with your father Pete, really. I thought I was doing right." She was crying now, but Peter just listened. "I wanted to do what Mary told me, to be a good Aunt to you, raise you to be a good kid. I think I did okay at that, at least."

"You did, and I understand all of that." Peter said. "I just want you to understand why I am so hurt."

"I do, I promise I do." She said. Peter moved over and sat down next to his aunt, and the two embraced.

"I really did miss you, too, May." Peter said they pulled apart. "I was hoping I could maybe crash over here every now and then, like on weekends?"

"Anytime!" She smiled.

It was later in the evening when Happy finally dropped Peter off at home, and he wandered the house a bit before finally giving in and just asking FRIDAY where everyone was. The AI informed him that his father was off property and that Pepper was watching the news in their bedroom. So Peter got himself a bowl of ice cream and wandered into the room, where he found Pepper in her pajamas, cross legged on the bed, watching a few different news channels with the sound muted and subtitles on. She was also scrolling through her phone. She glanced up and smiled warmly at Peter as he jumped up on Tony's side of their king sized bed and braced against the headboard, digging into his ice cream.

"How was your day, kiddo?" she ask, putting the phone to the side.

"Pretty good. I made up with my Aunt May." He said quietly. Pepper smiled even wider.

"That's so good, Pete! I know how hard that must have been, but I know May loves you, and just like all of us, she was just trying to do what was best for you." Pepper replied.

"Just like all of us?" Peter said before shoveling a large bite of cookie dough ice cream into his mouth.

"You should really turn on the news story follow feature on your phone..." Pepper said, picking up the remote and clicking on one of the news casts, making it take over the entire screen, "Even if you just follow 'Stark', you need to keep posted" she said, then she turned the sound back on so he could listen.

'...Mr. Stark went on to explain that he cannot and will not support such an endeavor that would violate something so precious as the rights of a minor. His speech did not fall on deaf ears, as many witnesses report that he did ask those present on council if any of them were parents, and if they had ever had to take a stand for their children. The motion to rewrite the Accords with Avengers representation passed with nearly ninety percent support from...' Pepper muted the TV once again.

"What?" He asked, confused. It was, after all, the middle of the report.

"The Sokovia Accords, a document meant to be signed by the Avengers and any other enhanced persons operating in a crime fighting fashion, was drafted by the UN to regulate all enhanced persons, as they call you all, had included you, Peter, in the clause. But Tony was furious. He rightly did not agree with some parts, and the biggest beef he had was that you're a minor, and you don't have any reason to be included. So, after talking briefly with the team, he basically stormed the UN and demanded to speak before the special council, and he had some demands met."

"Oh." Peter pondered. "Demands?"

"Well," Pepper adjusted, laughing a little at the chocolate mess Peter had on his face, "He first and foremost wanted you and any others under-aged to be exempt until age eighteen. He also wanted a second draft of the legislation done with someone there to represent the Avengers and their interests as well. Tony had talked the entire flight with Steve, and they decided Tony needed to point out that the Avengers were something new and unique. They could not be handled by someone simply on the outside looking in with no real knowledge of their dynamic. The UN agreed to run a second draft that works better for both parties."

"Woah..." Peter said, amazed. "Dad's mind works so fast..."

"He was ready to simply sign it. He agrees they need someone calling their shots, making sure they stay in check... Then Ross said you had to be included and it snapped him out of it." Pepper explained. "He was furious."

"Well," Peter said, "It sounds like that is a good thing, if there was other stuff that would hurt the Avengers in it."

"Yes, exactly." Pepper said, glancing at Peter's snack bowl. "Was there anymore of that ice cream?"

So, this is sorta filler, but its all important. The next chapter gets into the action.

I hope everyone is still enjoying the story! Thanks for reading!