Merry Christmas
and have
a Happy New Year
Chapter .4.
Monday…
The Weekend had passed by uneventful. Tony had spent the nights in Peter's rooms after he had nightmares. Peter always babbled out apologies to him about waking him up. But Tony would always so it was fine that he would always be there for him.
Peter's injuries were healing. He had started walking a couple of steps yesterday. Doctor Cho was pleased with his progress and impressed with how fast his healing ability was.
Today Tony was going to Peter's school to talk to the Principal about Peter's schooling. Tony knew he couldn't take Peter with him as Peter wasn't ready he just had to make sure he would be back quickly he didn't want Peter to be without him much at the moment.
They were eating breakfast with the Barton's and Lang's. And Tony knew he had to tell Peter who was still quiet.
"Pete I need to go out today kiddo", Tony says to Peter
Peter's head snaps up with alarm. He didn't want Tony too leave. What if he didn't come back?
"Pete what is it buddy? I'll only be gone for a few hours", Tony tells him softly
"What if you don't come back?" Peter whimpers
"Oh kiddo. I promise you I'll be back as soon as I can. I'm just going to your school to sort your situation out", Tony replies giving Peter a hug
Peter grips him tightly.
"Please don't go", Peter begs
"I have too Pete. But I promise I'll be in contact with you. You can message me the entire time I am away", Tony promises Peter
"How long?" Peter whispers
"Just a couple of hours Spiderling and I'll be back and we can watch movies", Tony promises
"We will have a good time Peter. We will help you", Laura tells the upset teen
"Peter we can play games! It will be fun", Cooper tells Peter
The other kids all say their agreement. Peter half loosens his grip on Tony.
"It will be fine Buddy. I'll be back before you know it", Tony tells Peter comfortingly, "Be brave for me"
"Ok Tony. I'll try. But can I text you?" Peter asks nervously
"Of course Little Spider. I expect you too", Tony says pulling away
"Alright", Peter says still unsure
"You'll be ok", Tony tells him getting up
It pained Tony to leave Peter so soon. But he HAD to go to this meeting with Peter's School Principal. He goes to his car and Happy was waiting. Tony gets in a little nervous at leaving Peter with how traumatized he was.
"Step on it Hap. I want this over quickly", Tony orders
"Sure thing Boss", Happy replies knowing why
He had seen how clingy the kid was. And wasn't surprised that Tony was reluctant to leave the kid. Tony leans back in his seat. He tried to relax but his phone rang.
He looks at the caller ID and sees it was Pepper. He groans. He didn't need this at the moment.
"Miss Potts", Tony says in greeting
Happy looks at Tony in concern through the mirror. He knew how much Pepper had been grating on his bosses nerves right now.
"Tony. I am calling about the paperwork I have sent you and all the meetings you have missed…", Pepper says going on and on
"Miss Potts…", Tony tries
"And not to mean the designs to the R&D Department…", Pepper continues on
"Pepper!" Tony yells getting fed up with her ranting
"What Tony you have a company?" Pepper asks
"You know why I haven't been doing the Paperwork. I am busy looking after Peter. That is the same with all the meetings I am NOT leaving Peter all day at the moment", Tony replies
"You have a company Tony", Pepper reminds him
"I know that! But YOU run the Company. They can live without me for a couple of weeks I have important things going on", Tony tells her running out of patience
"I told you, you couldn't handle a kid…", Pepper starts
"Miss Potts! I suggest you stop there! Peter is more important to me then everything else going on! The R&D Department are doing fine. We are currently decades in front of the competition. As for the Board YOU can handle them. And tell me if they piss me off I might do something they will regret. The paperwork I am getting through to you as I have it in my email. I will get to it at my leisure, and when Peter is ok. YOU will handle everything else and you need to get over your displeasure at me", Tony rants to Pepper
"Tony…", Pepper starts
"No Miss Potts! That is enough. Don't contact me unless something URGENT happens. Good day Miss Potts", Tony tells her hanging up
Tony nearly throws the phone in anger.
"You ok Boss?" Happy asks
"I'll be fine Hap. If Pepper decides to get over her grudge with me", Tony replies
"It was not your fault Boss what happened between you", Happy tells him
Tony lets out a bitter laugh, "Sure it isn't Hap. According to her everything is my fault"
They spend rest of the drive in silence. Tony going through the stack of emails Pepper had sent him. She really didn't realise that he was serious about taking Peter in. He would try to get that through to her if she ever got over her grudge with him.
They pull up to Midtown School of Science and Technology in record time.
"Stay here Hap. I'll be back", Tony tells his friend
"Sure Boss", Happy replies
Tony walks into the office. Luckily class was in session and nobody but the secretary and the principal will know that he was here.
"Mr Stark", the secretary stutters at seeing him
"I am here for an appointment with Principal Morita", Tony tells her
"Of course Mr Stark. This way", the secretary says motivating for him to follow her
She knocks on the door.
"What!?" a voice barks
"Mr Stark is here for you sir", the secretary says
"Oh, oh send him in right away", the voice says turning pleasant
"Thank you Miss Beans", Tony says seeing her name tag
Tony walks in to find a man that looked like a man in pictures he had seen as a kid. That was to be expected as the man here was a Grandson of Jim Morita a Howling Commando who was in the war with Rogers.
"Mr Stark it is a honour to meet you. Please take a seat", Morita says shaking Tony's hand
"You too. Your Grandfather was a great man I was told", Tony replies sitting down
Morita looks at him shocked, "You know about him?"
"Of course. My Dad talked about all the Howling Commandos", Tony replies honesty
He was being honest. Actually all his father talked about other then Rogers was the Commando's.
"Now onto why I'm here. I am here about Peter Parker", Tony starts
"I am surprised Mr Stark. Of course there were rumours going around that Mr Parker knew you. But we just thought it was kids being kids", Morita replies
"Peter was my personal intern. I am now in the process of adopting him", Tony replies truthfully
"That is a surprise Mr Stark. What can I do to make this easy on Mr Parker in these tragic circumstances?" Morita asks
Tony begins to talk about changing Peter's emergency contacts. Which Morita sent for. Tony but his contact numbers as well as Happy's then Laura and Maggie's as he didn't have no other friends at the moment that weren't on the run and Pepper wouldn't be off help at the moment.
Tony felt and heard because of his hearing aids his phono buzz as they were talking about Peter's classes.
'Tony, Peter is not coping well. You might what to text him', - Laura
Tony was immediately concerned.
'Hey kiddo you ok?' – Tony writes
He went back to his discussion with Morita when his phone buzzed again.
'Will you be back soon?' – Peter texts
Tony frowns noticing how Peter didn't answer his question.
'It will be soon Spiderling. Just a few things to finish up with your principal', Tony types
"I need your staff to sign NDA forms for Peter's safety you understand?" Tony asks him handing over the forms wanting this over with quickly
"Of course", Morita replies
"I would like you to hold a staff meeting mentioning Peter's situation. And have them all sign those. You can send them to my lawyer once they are down", Tony tells him
"I will do one at the end of the day. Anything else Mr Stark?" Morita asks
"Yes I would like Peter's school work sent to him so he doesn't fall behind. As I don't know when I will send him back to school yet. Is won't be ready for a few weeks to come back", Tony informs him
"I will have all the work sent to him by the end of the week. But tell him there's no rush given his situation", Morita agrees and makes more notes
Tony feels his phone buzz again he quickly looks at it.
'Tony you need to come back Peter is having a panic attack', - Laura writes him
Tony knew he now had to go.
'Tell him I'll be there soon' – Tony types
"I need to go. Something has come up. If you can send those forms to my lawyers and have that homework sent to Peter. Anything we haven't covered you can reach me with my contact details", Tony replies
"Of course Mr Stark. I'll get everything ready. It was an honour to meet you", Morita says to him
"Thank you for your understanding", Tony say to him
"Tell Mr Parker we are deeply sorry for his loss", Morita says as they shake hands
"I will. Good day Principal Morita", Tony says working out briskly
He tries not to hurry to the car.
"Boss you ok?" Happy asks
"You will drive the car back. I'm taking the suit", Tony tells him
"What is wrong?" Happy asks
"Peter needs me", Tony says simply activating his watch
His armour goes over him and his launches himself into the air.
"Sir you have a call coming through from Mrs Barton", JARVIS tells him
"Put it though", Tony orders
"Tony?" Laura asks
"How is he?" Tony asks
"Doctor Cho had to give him a mild sedative he is still very upset though", Laura tells him
Tony swears that wasn't good.
"Tell Peter I'll be back in 15 minutes", Tony says
"I will hurry", Laura replies hanging up
"JARVIS put all power into the thrusters", Tony orders
"All power is going now Sir", JARVIS replies
Tony felt himself rocking through the sky. He pushes himself so he arrived at the Compound in record time.
The suit immediately retracts and Tony hurriedly rushes into the building.
"JARVIS where is Peter?" Tony asks
"He is in the living room sir", JARVIS replies
Tony hurriedly takes the elevator to the living room. His eyes land on Peter who was trembling on the sofa with Laura's arm around him.
Tony goes over and kneels on the floor.
"Hey Spiderling", Tony says softly putting a hand on Peter
Peter's head snaps up and looks at him with wild eyes before throwing himself at Tony. Tony catches the teen and hugs him close.
"Shh Little Spider I'm here. I'm back", Tony replies softly
"I thought something happened too you", Peter gasps out clutching Tony's top tightly
"I'll always come home to you Pete. I won't leave you", Tony promises rubbing Peter's back
"I am so scared. What will happen to me if you leave me like Aunt May?" Peter asks crying
"Shh there is nothing to be scared off. I'm not going anywhere. You will NEVER be left alone Kiddo", Tony promises rocking him
"He is right Peter. If, and I don't mean anything is going to happen to Tony, but if it does you will have us", Laura says to him gently, "You will never be left alone. Cooper, and Lila already see you as their brother"
Peter shudders in Tony's arms but Tony just talks to him softly. He feels Peter slowly relax and see Peter's eyes begin to close.
Soon he was asleep still clutching Tony. Tony moves them onto the couch and has Peter leaning on him. Laura grabs a blanket and puts it over Peter.
"What happened?" Tony asks softly
"I think because of losing his Aunt his is terrified of losing you. Since you have taken him in. He might have some separation issues that might need someone to see too", Laura suggests quietly
"I will arrange a therapist. God knows he needs it after all he has been too", Tony replies quietly
"You are good with him Tony", Laura states
"I hope so. I hope I can be the man he needs, can lean on and depend on", Tony replies
"You already are"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)