The Field Trip
When it was announced that the twenty seniors with the highest grades had the opportunity to go on a field trip to Stark Tower the entire school was buzzing. They would spend an entire day on tour there and then stay the night in guest rooms then they had an opportunity to be interns for the day after, choosing a department and being allowed to help out. Those on the list were ecstatic and those that didn't make the cut were morose. Strangely enough when the list was posted Parker’s name wasn't there, despite him being the top of the school by a long shot. Oddly enough neither were Ned or Michelle's even though they were almost right behind Peter in grades. When someone asked Peter why he laughed.
“There is so little point in me going on that trip it’s not even funny” was his response as he walked away while Ned nodded and Michelle scoffed. Another puzzle piece of Peter Parker that no one truly understood, not that anyone dwelled on that fact. The prospect of a Stark Industries tour was by far a more important topic of conversation.
Permission slips were handed out along with NDAs five pages long to be signed by both students and parents. Teachers pushed the importance of making a good impression because who knew if they would get the opportunity to work at SI after graduating college. Strangely enough the teachers seemed to gravitate towards Parker more than usual, many students heard the whispered praise and thank yous they gave the boy, which Peter seemed to brush off with a smile and a ‘least I can do’. No one really knew what that was about but that was usual where Peter Parker was concerned and so it was forgotten. Until the day of the field trip when it all made sense, every overheard conversation, every answered phone call at inappropriate times, all the understanding from the teachers. The Field trip explained them all, perfectly.
The field trip started on a Thursday (as usual for Midtown Thursdays were the Day things happened) all those that were going had handed in their slips and signed the non-disclosures and were now on the bus. The atmosphere was rich with anticipation and excited chatter, Peter, Ned, and Michelle hadn't shown up at school and no one was the least bit surprised. When the bus arrived, everyone clambered out towards the tower grinning and bouncing in place. They were led inside and told to wait at reception until their tour guide showed up. Badges were handed out and rules were explained, keep your badge visible, don't wander off, and behave appropriately. All easily followed rules. Their tour guide was a twenty something year old intern name Lara, she explained their timetable for the day, which was incredible.
First up a visit to the avenger’s museum, then they got a meet and greet with THE Tony Stark, then they would be shown the robotics and testing Labs, stop for lunch then the biochem department and finally marketing and PR. The idea being that the students got the chance to understand how SI worked and whether they would be interested in working here, and so they could pick a department to intern for the next day.
The group spent thirty minutes in the museum oohing and ahhing about how cool it was before piling into an enormous elevator and being told by FRIDAY that ‘Boss’ was in one of the main shared labs.
When the doors opened no one was prepared for the utter chaos inside, various employees were working at tables on one side of the lab glancing nervously towards the mess on the other side of the room. Where papers and charts were strewn everywhere, beakers sat half full and some were fizzing, holographic screens were projected and in the middle of it all was Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Two of the worlds most renowned scientists, geniuses and pioneers of the science community looking like homeless bums. Their clothes were rumpled and stained, they had bags under their bloodshot eyes and hair like they'd been running their hands through it. They were arguing animatedly with wild hand gestures and curses.
When the group entered a middle-aged man in a white coat immediately made his way over and ushered the group towards the more civil side of the lab.
“I'm so sorry but they've been at this for days and I don't think anyone, but mini stark could stop them now.” He explained to the group quietly, Lara just signed loudly and nodded before answering.
“Is he on his way?” The man nodded before speaking to the students and teachers as they stared in fascinated horror.
“Hello midtown high, I am Dr Mathew Galtrow and I’m one off the head scientists here at Stark Industries. I apologise for this but unfortunately science binges are quite common around here and you're looking at the tail end of a very long one.” The students seemed to understand easily, hell they'd been through finals they know exactly what it’s like when you reach the point that the two men in front of them were at.
Dr Galtrow continued in the same hushed manner.
“It’s a good idea to keep noise to a minimum at the moment and hopefully baby boss will be here soon” he told the group.
A few students put their hands up slowly and the Dr nodded encouragingly for them to ask questions as long as they're quiet.
“Who's mini stark and baby boss?” One student asked quickly.
Lara answered with “our lord and saviour” at the same time as Dr Galtrows “the reason I still have my sanity”
The two looked at each other chuckling quietly before the Dr continued,
“He's one person but honesty he's the reason this place is still standing most of the time, and he’s the only person that can handle Stark and Banner when they get like this” The students nodded along but were no less confused, that is until the elevator opened and revealed none other than Peter Parker, in a fitted suit. Galtrows muttered “Oh thank god” as Parker exited the elevator.
The students were both shocked and not at the same time as Peter walked straight over to the two dishevelled geniuses and levelled them with a hard stare, Tony looked up and brightened.
“Petey pie you look good where've you been?” He asked with a smirk.
“Where do you think Tony” Peter responded in a cold voice.
“Uh hot date?” Tony asked innocently.
“No Tony I was in a board of directors meeting, which you were supposed to attend” was the direct answer.
“No time for meetings Underoos too much science to do” Tony said while gesturing around himself, Banner at least had the sense to look sheepish under Parker’s glare.
“Jesus how long have you been at this, when was the last time you slept? Or ate?” Peter sniffed suspiciously “or showered?”
Both Banner and Stark looked at each other and shrugged noncommittedly. Peters sighed loudly and looked up.
“Friday?”
The AIS voice rang through the room.
“It has been 71 hours since either Boss or Dr Banner has slept for more than an hour or showered and 10 hours since either had ingested anything but coffee”
Tony gasped dramatically and put a hand to his chest putting on a fake offended tone and stating “betrayal of the highest offence, how dare you I created you” before he collapsed against Dr Banner as if he had fainted.
“Friday nap time protocol please with an ETA” peter said
“Of course, Peter, ETA 3 minutes” Friday responded.
Peter shrugged out of his jacket at laid it across a nearby chair before taking off his tie and placing it on top, he started speaking as he rolled up his shirt sleeves.
“Right, here's what’s going to happen, you are both going to go upstairs eat a proper meal, shower and then go to sleep for at least six hours. Have I made myself clear”?
Peters voice was low and firm, like he was speaking to sugar high children, both Banner and Stark started to protest but Peter just held up his hand and spoke again.
“That was not a question, the only thing you get to decide is whether we do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Stark stared Parker down for several moments before speaking. “You'll never take me alive”
Peter met his glare and raised an eyebrow.
“Hard way it is, Friday time please”
“30 seconds Peter” at this point everyone from Midtown was extremely confused, and things only got weirder when Peter suddenly grabbed Stark and hefted him over his shoulder as he walked towards the elevator. Stark was cursing and kicking up a storm, but Peter just held tighter and kept walking. Just as he reached it the doors opened and revealed none other than Captain America and The Winter Soldier. Without hesitation Peter dumped Stark into the Captains arms and spoke.
“Take him upstairs, food, shower and sleep in that order. Man handle if necessary” the Captain nodded with an amused smile as Stark flailed before stepping back into the elevator, while Peter addressed them again.
“Thanks Steve, I owe you one, Bucky you're with me” Parker turned back and walked over to Banner with James Barnes on his heels.
“Right Bruce which is it, easy or hard?” Parker crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow in question. Banner leaned back in his chair with a raised eyebrow of his own.
“If you put me over your shoulder I'll hulk out” he stated with an air of finality. Peter snorted and opened his arms wide.
“Please do, the big guy loves me and at this point he'd probably be easier to deal with. You'd only damage your research” Peter had him there and he knew it, Banner grumbled but stood up. Peter put a hand on the back of his neck and rubbed soothingly while speaking in a low voice.
“Come on Bruce it’s not so bad you need the rest, I'll help you with whatever you guys were working on once you've both had some sleep okay?”
Banner perked up at that and nodded as Barnes put a hand on his shoulder to lead him away.
“I'll hold you to that” Banner responded as he entered the elevator.
The doors shut and Parker exhaled loudly as he ran a hand over his face.
“Jesus Christ they're like toddlers” he exclaimed before looking at the ceiling in frustration.
“Right Friday can you send Bruce and Tony’s schedules to Karen please?” He asked.
“Of course, Peter” Peter put a hand to his ear and the school group realised that Peter had an earpiece in.
“Karen did you get that?” He spoke to the voice people assumed only he could hear.
“Ok meld their schedules with mine and pull it up on the nearest holo screen show me where there’s overlaps”
A screen nearby lit up with some sort of daily schedule and it was packed, overlaps here and there. Parker walked over to it and stared intently as he continued to talk to the voice in his ear.
“Karen, honey, can you text Pep and ask when she’s getting back from Japan. I feel like I've adopted a five-year-old, and ask her if she’s heard back from the board yet” Peter started rearranging the schedule on screen with his hands putting things to the side and moving various slots up and down.
“Ok Karen can you message Sam and tell him I won’t make training today, then tell Wanda that I'll have to reschedule our lunch and tell them both why please.” Peter nodded to the voice before putting his hands on his hips and looking at the schedule while still speaking.
“Friday, can you push that deadline for robotics back 24 hours I'll get it done later, then let marketing know that I'll be attending that meeting for Tony but push it forward an hour. Tell R&D that I'll wander through in a bit and see if I can help with that project their struggling with. Also, can you send me Bruce's notes for his presentation to the Chem department, so I know what I'm talking about”
The response was an immediate “Of course Peter, was there anything else?”
“Yeah, let me know through Karen when Bruce and Tony are asleep, then inform me when they wake up, and limit their caffeine intake until further notice. Also reroute any of their important incoming calls to me until they’re back to full capacity”
“Right away Peter” Friday said and somehow the robotic voice managed to sound fond. Peter smiled at the camera. “Love you Fri, I'd be lost without you and Karen. Oh, and I owe Buck and Steve big time, so any suggestions on that front?” He asked while looking over the screen in from of him. Friday responded sounding even more fond of the boy in front of them.
“Well, I know that the captain has been asking Boss to upgrade his bike for the last few weeks and the Sargent is getting tired of his complaining” The response seemed to perk Peter up immensely.
“Well okay then, can you have his bike moved to my machine workshop and I'll get right on it. Thank you, Friday,”
Parker rubbed his face again before going through the schedule one more time.
“Okay first up, meet and greet with Midtown….” Peter stopped and seemed to look around the room for the first time since he entered, spotting the school group he stared blankly for a few seconds before he uttered “shit” and sighed as he walked towards them and plastered a smile on his face.
“Hello Midtown. I can see you're all confused so let me reintroduce myself to you. I am Peter Parker-Stark, Tony Starks adopted son, the heir to SI and the CEO in training. I hope you know that this information hasn't been released to the press yet and you have all signed NDAs. I'd also like apologise but as you can see Tony won't be able to make the meet and greet but I'll see what I can do about getting you in to meet some of the other Avengers. Friday can you ask around for that please?”
“Right away Peter”
Peter sighed and looked around at his peers before he slumped slightly, and his press worthy smile slipped.
“Look guys I know you probably have a million questions, but I really don't have the time right now I'm running on four hours sleep and now have the workload of three people to deal with today so can I get a rain check on the Q&A please?” Parker’s face was so hopeful that the everyone agreed with a nod. Parker smiled gratefully and held his finger to his ear as whoever Karen was spoke to him, “thanks guys” he directed to the teenagers before nodding and speaking to Karen.
“Yeah, put them through. Hey Rhodes what’s up man…….nah I just got him to sleep after a three day work binge is it important?…….oh well I'm sorry he missed you…..well why don't you come to dinner tonight I'll try get Cap to make his chicken Alfredo…….yeah sounds good thanks…. Bye Uncle Rhodey.”
Peter ran a hand through his hair before opening his mouth again “Friday can you…”
Peter started but the Ai interrupted him.
“I've already asked the captain and he said he was more than happy to cook for dinner”
“God you’re the best thanks Friday” Peter cocked his head and seemed to listen to the voice in his ear before speaking again.
“What no Karen I don't love Friday more than you how could you even ask that…..baby girl please don't be like that my love for you and Friday is equal” The midtown group found themselves more than a little bemused as Parker reassured whoever Karen was about his love for her in a placating tone. Today was shedding a lot of light on the mystery that was Peter Parker.
Peter turned to Dr Galtrow “Is there any chance I can leave whatever they were working on with you? I should probably go reassure Robotics that I will actually meet their deadline, then I'm gonna have to go to R&D before that meeting with Marketing”
The Dr put a hand on Peter shoulder and squeezed gently.
“We got this Baby Boss go do your thing” Parker snorted and shook his head.
“God I gotta do something about these nicknames they just keep getting worse” Galtrow grinned and patted Peter on the back, as he walked away, he threw a “good luck” over his shoulder. Peter smiled ruefully before turning to speak with Lara.
“I'll let you get back to the tour” he gave her a fist bump before turning to the group.
“Alright guys enjoy Stark Industries and pay attention to what’s going on, I have no hesitation in telling you that there’s a reason your here. I pulled some strings to get this tour going because most of you are on an SI watch list for possible future employees” Peter grinned at the shock on his peers faces before picking up a Stark Pad and walking towards the door. He didn't get far before Lara called out to him.
“Actually, Petey we were heading towards Robotics now any chance we could tag along with you. It might be good for these guys to get an idea of what it takes to run the company?”
Peter shrugged in agreement, “Sure but if you want to know that you're better of talking to Pepper I just help where I can”
Every employee in the room seemed to scoff and roll their eyes in perfect sync, and Dr Galtrow called from a few tables away. “Peter your more hands on than Tony is” to which Parker blushed and beckoned for the group to follow him as he started speaking to Lara again.
“You do realise that tagging along with me is going to throw your whole schedule, right?” Lara nodded but seemed unconcerned.
“I think it will be worth the educational experience” Parker nodded again as the group followed him into the elevator and up one floor to the Robotics lab.
From there the tour turned into shadowing Peter, which no one had any issues with, and wow did it explain everything. Parkers constant exhaustion, the phone calls, the work on his Stark pad. Hell, even as he walked the guy managed to be typing away, constantly flipping between emails, blueprints, and presentations from what those closest behind him could see. He always seemed to be in demand, people called out to him from labs and workshops asking him to go over equations and formulas. Giving him folders to review or inquiring about a projects approval. It was batshit insane this kid who had just turned eighteen was practically running SI, and he was doing a damn good job. His peers watched in awe as he helped solve equations that they could never begin to understand, as he walked into a room and found whatever problem that have been plaguing the employees in moments and fixed it. And they watched as Peter Parker was exactly the same kind-hearted person he was at school, he would stop to congratulate someone on their new baby, or ask how someone's partner was, or wish happy birthday. This was a man that knew everyone personally and he cared. That care for them showed in their admiration of him, wherever they went the workers would smile at Peter and nod, he was not only well liked, but respected.
The students of Midtown were in awe, hell even the teachers were impressed, and they had known what Peter was doing since the start of the year but knowing and seeing are very different things. Peter Parker was a multitasking mastermind; he could keep up entire conservations about chemistry while typing out an email in Japanese. He would answer any questions posed to him by his peers or SI employees while debugging three pages of code. He was elbow deep in the guts of a robot and still had a ten-minute phone call in Russian. This fucking kid was beyond what any of his classmates ever could have imagined, they watched Parker give one of the most impressive in depth presentations of biochemical wastes and how to reduce it they had ever seen. Only finding out after the fact that it was Bruce Banners presentation and Parker had only revised the notes for half an hour before hand. They watched him sit through a meeting with marketing that he wasn't even supposed to be in and yet he still managed to ask hard hitting questions and point out issues they could have down the road that no one else had thought of yet. And yet he was still beyond humble with his success, this fact was cemented for the students after a phone call with none other than Pepper Potts.
The group was trailing Parker through the Bio Chem department when he suddenly put his hand to his ear in a gesture that the teens had recognised as Peter talking to either Karen or someone on the phone.
“Yeah baby girl put her through……hey Pep how was Japan?…….oh thank god Tony is being impossible, he orchestrated a three day science binge and manipulated Bruce into it just to get out of the quarterly meeting with the board……..oh you have no idea I'll get Friday to send you the video…….oh thank Christ I was freaking out the whole time, I'm more that slightly convinced they hate me…….uh cause I haven't even finished school and I'm already in training to take over the company……..don't start this again Pep I barely do anything I mostly just wander around the building like a lost puppy……..sure Pep frankly I don't mind as long as the meeting went well…..I'm a terrible judge of that and you know it”
Everyone listened to his conversation shamelessly, as they walked past a lab an intern waved for Peters attention and he changed route to enter, still speaking with Miss Potts as the intern pointed to a whiteboard full of equations with a pleading look, Peter simply nodded and picked up a pen adjusting the complex equation while continuing his conversation.
“So I spoke to Marketing about the launch of the next Stark phone…….yeah it went really well I raised a few issues so they're gonna work on those and get back to me…..I'll have Karen send you the short version…..pretty much, how was the meeting with the Japanese investors?……excellent that should increase ours stock a couple points……okay I'll email the Tokyo office with the details, so what time are you home?…..awesome Rhodey’s coming for dinner and Caps making alfredo…..so you'll be home in time for that?…..okay I'll make sure Tony can't hide from you….. yeah just don't tell him I said that…..okay thanks Pep I gotta go the interns are staring again…haha love you too business Mom bye”
Peter stood back from the board as the whole room looked on in awe of what he'd done, well all but the Midtown students, in truth they didn't understand anything on the whiteboard let alone what Peter had changed. The interns however looked both ecstatic and embarrassed, the one who had waved Peter into the room walked over and spoke.
“Thank you so much we would have taken days to get that sorted” peter just shook his head and smiled.
“Nah it wouldn't have taken that long you just needed fresh eyes, you guys over work yourselves” he said while he put a hand in the intern’s shoulder. “You guys should take a break, you know eat and all that”
The group of interns looked sheepish but nodded and gave out a chorus of rather entertaining thanks yous.
“Thanks Bambi”
“Thank you, Lil Stark,”
“You’re the best Junior”
Peter shook his head in fond exasperation.
“God the nicknames honestly” he waved goodbye as he left the room chuckling under his breath good naturedly.
The students of Midtown had followed along quietly as Parker walked through each department and offered his help. They had watched as he gave out his knowledge and praise easily and they were shook. To their core. It suddenly dawned on these students that this kid was the next big thing. He was going to be the next Tony Stark and these students could go on for the rest of their lives and say, ‘I went to school with him’.
Parker stopped and listened to Karen, who his peers had found out was another Ai, before he turned to address the teens around him.
“So, I've got about 45 minutes before I have a conference call with some investors and I'm starving plus you guys were due for lunch over and hour ago. How about we all break for lunch, and I'll answer some of your no doubt innumerable questions?” Parker had a small smile on his face as he looked around at the rest of his peers. Who had just noticed how hungry they were and were nodding along in agreement.
“Well alright then let’s go” Parker led them all to the elevator again and when the doors opened it was to show a fully functional food court. With every kind of fast food and dining restaurant imaginable.
“Get whatever you want it’s all free for you, part of the tour” Parker stated before walking off in the direction of a sandwich shop. The Midtown teens took his advice and scattered to find food, after they had picked up what they ordered they found Peter sitting at a table large enough to fit the group eating a sandwich and chatting with Lara. After the entire group was seated Parker looked around the table and waved lazily.
“Alright ask away” and ask they did, why did Stark adopt him? how did they meet? why didn't anyone at school know about this? Parker gave them quick to the point answers, then the teens got the shock of their lives when someone asked if he knew all the Avengers.
“I mean I live with them so yeah, but they're also like family and they're the ones who've been training me in self-defence”
The whole table stared at him for a few seconds blankly until Peter took mercy and kept talking.
“Guys Tony and Pepper are my adopted parents, and The Avengers are one big family I've known them all for years. They've been giving my martial art lessons because when the public find out who I am it'll make me a target.”
Suddenly it all clicked into place for the teens, why Peter could fight, why he was in such good shape, he'd been training with THE Avengers. The group of kids were shook once more.
“Do you think we'll get to meet any of them?” Cindy asked quietly. Peter nodded with a grin.
“Oh I didn't mention, cause of Tony being a dumbass and ruining what should have been a meet and greet for you. The team decided to invite you guys for dinner tonight, you'll get to meet whatever Avengers are in the building”
The table was silent once more and Parker burst into laughter at the looks on all their faces before he sobered and shook his head while checking his watch.
“Alright guys I gotta go I have a conference call with a few investors, I'll see you at dinner I guess” Parker gave the table another smile and wave before walking to the elevator and disappearing. The entire table was silent for a minute as they processed their day so far when Abe suddenly spoke.
“You guys know how Peter lends everybody clothes at school yeah?” Everyone nodded, confused as to why he was bringing it up.
“What do you think are the chances that they belong to The Avengers?” He asked in a contemplative voice, everyone was silent again as they thought about it. Now that they knew for a fact that Peter was close to the Avengers it actually made sense.
“Oh my god I wore Hawkeyes sweatshirt” Camille suddenly stated sounding a little panicked, the students suddenly thought back to when they had borrowed clothes from the boy and paled as they realised who it had belonged to. Unbeknownst to them upstairs Clint and Sam were watching the footage and laughing their asses off.
“Oh I am so bringing this up at dinner” Clint yelled in glee. He did not in fact bring it up, it was forgotten.