"Alright, everyone, listen up," Mr. Harrington announced at the end of Decathlon practice.

Peter looked up from his conversation with Ned and the others slowly stopped their own conversations.

Once it was quiet, Mr. Harrington said, "We have been personally invited by Mr. Tony Stark to come tour Stark Tower after school tomorrow afternoon."

Peter blanched. Mr. Tony Stark did what now?

"Really?" Betty asked excitedly.

Mr. Harrington nodded proudly and Betty turned to Sally with a grin.

"Apparently he heard how we did on nationals and wanted to give us a tour in case any of you wanted to work for him in the future," Mr. Harrington explained, proudly looking at the award on the wall.

Peter called bull. There was no way Mr. Stark had decided to give them a tour based on how well the did in nationals. He hadn't even watched nationals.

"Do we have to skip class?" Abraham asked, sounding more upset than Peter would have if he'd asked.

Mr. Harrington nodded.

"Only your last class of the day," he assured him. "Mr. Stark could only get us in from 2-4PM."

That was a lie if Peter had ever heard one. Mr. Stark knew Peter had PE as his last class and that he hated it. At least something good was going to come out of this. He wasn't sure if it would off set the bad, but he could hope.

"I have permission slips for your parents to sign," Mr. Harrington told them, holding up a small handful of papers. "Take one as you leave."

He passed them each a slip as they walked out the door, but instead of grinning widely like the others, Peter grumbled as he took his.

Walking beside Ned to their lockers, he didn't notice Flash until he yelled after him down the hall.

"Hey, Penis! Guess we'll finally hear from Mr. Stark that your internship's a fake."

Peter sighed and opened his locker.  Unfortunately, he hasn't forgotten about that part. Maybe he would get shot or stabbed on patrol tonight. He should do that. Hopefully a criminal would comply.

"We'll see, Flash," Peter replied, sharing a look with Ned.

Flash nodded smugly. "Yeah we will."

As Flash walked off, Peter grabbed his backpack and said goodbye to Ned.

It wasn't hard to find Happy parked near the back of the parking lot. He was parked in his usual spot and with a bit of a hop, Peter hurried over to climb in the backseat.

"Did you know Mr. Stark invited the Decathlon team to tour SI?" he asked, closing the door behind him.

Happy grunted in response, but that didn't dissuade Peter and he continued to talk about it all the way to the Tower.

"Do you think it would be too much it I let someone stab me tonight?"

Happy glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Just a little," Peter told him, "Not like—I don't want it to kill me. I just want to be stabbed a little, you know?"

Happy didn't look like he did, so Peter took his silence to mean no.

When they got to Stark Industries, Peter hopped out of the car, waved goodbye to Happy, and sprinted inside. He scanned his badge, getting a warm welcome from FRIDAY, then stepped into Mr. Stark's private lift.

"Mr. Stark is in a meeting and has asked me to tell you he will be up in approximately ten minutes," FRIDAY told Peter, "Miss Potts is upstairs expecting your arrival."

"Awesome!"

Peter grinned. It had been a while since he'd seen Pepper in person and not just in the background of Mr. Stark's video call. She always seemed to be gone or busy when he swung (sometimes literal) by the Tower after school or on weekends. Knowing Pepper was waiting for him though made him wish the lift would move faster.

When he finally arrived at the penthouse, he dropped his backpack by the lift doors and raced to the kitchen. Unlike the usual fruit waiting for him, Peter was thrilled to discover cookies.

"Don't eat them all!" Pepper called from the living room, scaring Peter as he reached for one.

Peter took three, promising to come back for more later, then walked into the living room to see Pepper.

"Hi, Pepper!" Peter said.

It had taken only one time of her scolding him for saying 'Miss Potts' before Peter had taken to calling her Pepper. As both a way to annoy Mr. Stark and after every time he was called Underoos, Peter continued to say Mr. Stark. On the rare occasion when Peter used the dreaded 'Mr. Anthony', it got the expected response.

"How was school?" Pepper asked with a smile. She set her laptop to the side and Peter happily took a seat beside her.

"It was good," Peter answered, taking a bite of his cookie. He looked down at it, wide eyed by the taste. "These are phenomenal."

"I'm glad you like them," Pepper said, watching Peter quickly finish his first cookie and start another. "Have you had any tests recently?"

Peter nodded, not wanting to stop eating his cookies to give a verbal reply.

"I bet you did well."

Peter nodded again.

"Are you just going to eat the cookies instead of talking to me?" Pepper teased.

Peter blushed and finished the cookie that was in his mouth.

"Sorry," he said, crumbs falling from his mouth.

Pepper just laughed and shook her head.

"You can have the rest if you really like them," she told him.

Peter's face lit up.

"Really?"

Pepper nodded and he jumped over the back of the couch in his hurry to get to them. He brought the plate of 18 cookies back into the living room with him and grinned down at it. He would have to finish them before Mr. Stark came in or else he would have to share.

* * * * *

Peter was trying to convince Ned to break his arm. It was time to load the bus and leave for Stark Tower, but Ned was not willing to help him get out of the trip. No criminal had shot, stabbed, or otherwise maimed him last night much to his distress, and Ned seemed to have joined Team Criminal instead of Team Spider-Man.

"Peter, you'll be fine," Ned said as they boarded the bus.

Behind him, Michelle shoved him forward before he could escape and he stumbled up the stairs. Frowning, he sat down with Ned behind him and Michelle in front of him.

"I don't think you understand," Peter grumbles, pulling out his phone to send May one last text before he died.

Even May thought he was being ridiculous. Pepper was the only one who seemed to understand his distress, but even she hadn't agreed with him getting injured to avoid it.

Walking past, Flash laughed and grinned down at Peter. "Can't wait to see Penis embarrassed by Tony."

Grumbling even more, Peter sank down in his seat. He tried to hide for the whole drive to the Tower in hopes the class would forget him, but he had no such luck. Ned poked his shoulder and Michelle tugged him to his feet as they arrived, leaving Peter with no other option but to grab his backpack and follow the class inside.

At the front desk, Happy was waiting for them with guest badges. He handed out the badges, skipping Peter, and explained to the class how the security worked.

"If I can't see your badge," Happy grunted, giving Sally a look when she covered half of hers, "Then you'll be sent outside."

Walking through the security gate, Happy demonstrated how to scan their badge.

Overhead, FRIDAY said, "Hogan, Harold. Full clearance."

In awe, the students quickly filed through the gate.

"Guest badge," she said, a green light coming over the security gate. "Level 1 pass."

She repeated the same thing for each of his classmates until it was Peter's turn. With his heart in his stomach, Peter stepped forward and scanned his badge before tucking it back into his pocket.

"Peter Parker," FRIDAY announced as he passed. "Full clearance. Welcome back. Mr. Stark will be joining your shortly."

Peter felt his cheeks heat up and looked at the ground to avoid the stares from his classmates.

"Thanks, FRI," he muttered.

Ned and Michelle followed after him and once they were through, Happy led them over to where Mr. Stark was apparently meeting them. The whole walk over, Peter could feel eyes on him and he shifted uncomfortably. Everything about this trip was suspicious and he wondered what Mr. Stark was up too.

"Welcome, Midtown nerd kids!" Mr. Stark said, as they walked into the room.

Whispers erupted at his presence and Mr. Stark smiled.

"Wonderful job at your competition," Mr. Stark said, waving them over to take a seat. "Very proud."

"He's proud of us," Cindy squealed quietly to Sally. Sally looked just as excited and Peter rolled his eyes, catching Mr. Stark's eyes in the process.

"Ah, Peter! My favourite kid," Mr. Stark said, pulling Peter into a side hug.

Peter froze. Mr. Stark was hugging him? He was definitely dreaming. Or maybe this was a nightmare and Mr. Stark was about to turn into a giant evil lizard and try to kill him. Peter couldn't be sure.

From the front, Flash exclaimed, "You know Pen-Peter?"

Mr. Stark frowned and released Peter who scurried for cover beside Ned and Michelle.

"Yes," Mr. Stark said coldly. Looking away from Flash, he clasped his hands and smiled. "Let's begin our tour."

While he led the group out of the room, Happy stayed near the back where Peter, Ned, and Michelle stayed. Much to Peter's disdain, when he tried to duck and run, Happy grabbed him and turned him back around.

"Ah, come on, Happy," Peter whined. Happy shook his head. "You're not invited to my funeral."

Happy raised an eyebrow and Peter huffed, forced to follow the group around the Tower for an hour and a half. When they had half an hour left, Mr. Stark returned them to the room they started in and let them ask him questions.

"Yes, Eugene," Mr. Stark said, calling on Flash.

Flash's face turned multiple shades of red followed by confusion.

"How do you know my name?" Flash asked, looking at him curiously and lowering his hand.

"Stupid question," Mr. Stark said blandly. "Why wouldn't I know the name of my kid's bully?"

Peter's head snapped up so quickly that his neck popped with the quick movement. His eyes widened but Mr. Stark only gave him a brief glance.

That's what this was about! How had Mr. Stark found out about Flash bullying him?

"Your kid's bully?" Flash stuttered weakly.

Mr. Stark nodded.

"Yeah, you know, Peter Parker," he replied, his eyes not leaving Flash's.

From the back row, Peter slowly slid out of his seat and tried to crawl towards the door.

"I believe you call him Penis Parker, though."

"I can explain!" Flash cried desperately, but Mr. Stark wasn't interested in listening.

"Nope," he said, holding up a hand to stop Flash.

He walked over to Peter who had successfully made it to the door only to be guided back to the centre of the room. As Mr. Stark threw an arm over Peter's shoulders, everyone stared in silence.

Peter couldn't breath.

"Mr. Stark, maybe you shouldn't—"

Peter didn't get to finish.

"Eugene Thompson, you're gonna stop bullying Peter, okay?" Mr. Stark said, leaving no room for arguments.

Flash gulped and nodded vigorously, copying Peter's earlier attempt to sink into his seat.

"If I get reports of you even thinking about him, I'll ruin your academic career, got it?"

Peter frowned and glanced at Mr. Stark.

"I don't think you can—"

"I can," Mr. Stark said, interrupting Peter.

Peter sighed and made a note to apologise to Flash on Mr. Stark's behalf. God, was this how Pepper felt?

"Yes, sir," Flash squeaked.

Mr. Stark nodded, satisfied.

"Alright, you're all dismissed," he said, waving them away.

Hesitantly, the group got up and followed Mr. Harrington out and Happy back down to the front desk. With Mr. Stark's arm still around him, Peter didn't even both trying to follow them.

"I talked to your teacher," Mr. Stark told him, "You're staying here."

"Of course I am," Peter muttered, letting Mr. Stark lead him over to the private lift. "How did you even find out about Flash?"

"Your friend Ned got concerned after he beat you up two days ago," Mr. Stark said and Peter paled.

Of all the things Ned could have told Mr. Stark, he told him about Flash beating him up?

"Yeah, don't lie to me again," Mr. Stark said, giving Peter a firm look. "I was suspicious anyway, but Ned just confirmed my fears."

Peter sighed and Mr. Stark turned to look at him worriedly as he asked, "Did you think I'd be upset with you?"

"No, I was worried you'd threaten him like you just did," Peter replied, giving Mr. Stark a look.

Mr. Stark smirked.

"I toned it down," he assured him. Peter didn't believe that. "Pepper wanted me to show up in my Iron Man suit and blast him out of the building."

"What?" Peter cried. That was probably the worst thing he could have done!

"Yeah," Mr. Stark said. Proudly, he said, "I told her that was illegal and I'd just threaten him. She wanted me to threaten his life, but I'm pretty sure that is illegal too and I didn't want to deal with that whole legal thing."

Mr. Stark waved his hand to demonstrate the 'whole legal thing' and Peter snorted.

"You two are the worst," he muttered, shaking his head to himself.

Mr. Stark smiled down at him as they reached the top floor.

"If you keep coming back, you must have some tolerance for us."

Peter shrugged.

"Maybe I'm just using you for your money and fame," he replied, raising his eyebrows.

Luckily, Mr. Stark didn't believe that for a minute and Peter knew it. He was just glad he was close enough to Mr. Stark to joke about it.