Unexpected Hope
Pepper woke up first. She wanted to sleep longer. Stay in dreamland, where none of this was happening. But reality came crashing down and hit her like a truck. Also, Peter kicked her in his sleep, so she knew she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep.
Groggily, she slipped out of bed. She looked down at her son who was sprawled out on the bed. His small chest rose and fell with each breath, each time he filled his lungs with air it revealed his little belly button since his shirt was rolled up slightly. Tony was still out, unsurprisingly. He still slept like a log. Pepper noticed how peaceful he looked in his sleep. As she looked at Tony, she wondered how she was forgiving him so fast. She figured it was because he was so damn charming, especially when he was with Peter.
She hated to admit it, but he was a good father.
But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of winning. In her nightmares, she saw Peter becoming a mobster. Mugging. Murdering. Selling weapons. Dealing drugs. Running illegal gambling rings. It terrified her.
She wouldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t let mobster Tony win. Maybe, just maybe, if he could prove he wouldn’t turn her baby into a criminal she could make this work. Let Tony be the good father he so desperately wanted to be.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when she saw Peter roll over and stretch. He opened his eyes, blinked, and started to rub his eyes. He sat up, looking for his mom. When his eyes landed on her, he immediately reached his arms out, demanding to be picked up. She scooped him up quietly.
“Hungy,” Peter cried, resting his head on his mom’s shoulders. He was so hungry, he could feel his tummy rumbling.
“Okay,” Pepper whispered. “Let’s go have breakfast.”
As Pepper walked out of the bedroom holding a sleepy and hungry Peter, she saw a redhead sitting on the couch looking down. Who had access to their penthouse? Pepper could only recall Rhodey, Happy, and Natalie, but Natalie no longer worked for Stark industries.
Right?
Wrong.
Natasha heard the footsteps and knew who it was without looking up.
“Good morning Pepper,” Nat said.
“Natalie? What- what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to help you I promise,” Nat looked up, and saw Pepper’s cold eyes staring down at her.
“Hungy,” Peter cried.
“I got him sippy cups on my way over this morning. There’s milk in the fridge.” Nat commented.
Pepper raised her eyebrow but followed her instructions. She carried Peter over to the kitchen and she put Peter down on the floor to set up his sippy cup, only to have him hang off of her pajama pants. Once she closed the cap on the bottle, she held it down to Peter who eagerly reached up and grabbed it. Once Peter had his milk, he plopped down on the cool hardwood floor and tilted his head straight up, trying to get as much milk as fast as possible. Pepper looked up to see Natalie watching her.
“Tell me how Tony found me.” Pepper demanded.
“Pepper I swear I want what’s best for you and your family,” Nat promised.
“No, Natalie, you can’t possibly know – “ Nat interrupted her.
“My real name is Natasha Romanov, I’m an agent of SHEILD,” Nat explained her secret.
“Shield?” Pepper asked, more confused than before.
“Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.”
“That’s a mouthful.”
“Yea.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’ve worked for SHIELD for a long time. They sent me undercover to Stark Industries to gather intel.”
“Does Tony know?” Pepper asked.
“He does.”
“And why hasn’t he sent his mob after you?” Pepper asked scared.
“Because I work for him too. Protecting him from SHIELD.” Nat explained
Pepper paused to think.
“So, he flipped you.”
“Yes,” Nat admitted.
“I saw you over a year ago. You said you no longer worked for SI. I believed you.” Pepper complained. The hurt was evident in her voice.
“I’m sorry, I had to lie to you.”
“You’re the reason Tony found me.” Pepper realized.
Nat sighed.
“I didn’t tell him immediately after I saw you at MoMA. I don’t know why I didn’t. I guess part of me felt like it wasn’t my place, and the other part of me didn’t want to give him false hope in case we never found you. But that wasn’t how I planned on him finding you.”
“So, you ended up telling him.” A tear slipped down Pepper’s eyes.
“I didn’t, he followed me to your apartment. He saved Peter, that’s what’s important.”
“But-"
“Peter would be dead if it wasn’t for him,” Nat said, her eyes cold. Pepper shuddered in fear.
“How did that man find us?”
“Who, Hammer?”
“I think that was what Tony said his name was,” Pepper admitted, not really remembering everything Tony said yesterday.
“It doesn’t matter,” Nat said quickly.
“Yes, it does. I did everything I could to protect Peter. How did he find us?” Pepper demanded.
Nat sat there, not answering.
“Nat? I have to know.”
“You really don’t. What matters is you are safe now.”
“Did he find us through you somehow?” Nat looked Pepper in the eyes, and Pepper could see the answer was yes. Everyone knew Tony was a genius, but it slipped Nat’s mind that Pepper was also really smart.
“I am sorry that it happened this way. And I’m sorry Ben Parker had to pay the price. Really, I am. Please forgive me.”
“You want my forgiveness?” Pepper asked, the anger seeping through her voice. “Then you better make sure my son never has to join the mob. He deserves to have a normal childhood. It’s not selfish of me to ask that. It’s not just for me. But for Peter. For Ben.”
“What are you asking me to do?” Nat asked.
“To help us. When the time comes.”
Nat nodded. She understood.
--
An hour later, Tony was only semi-conscious when he reached out for his wife and son in bed. When he only felt the cold sheets between his fingers, rather than the warm bodies, his eyes snapped open. His vision came into focus, and all he saw was the empty bed. It was the all too familiar feeling he woke up to every morning for the past two years. His chest felt heavy. A sense of dread flooded him. Was everything that happened yesterday just a dream? Having his wife back was a common dream he had. But this time, it felt so real. He started to panic, fearing that he had gotten his hopes up.
His panic disappeared the second he heard his door creak open. He could hear small feet padding over to the side of the bed. He felt the sheets draped over him tug as Peter hoisted himself onto the bed. Tony could see the big grin on Peter's face when he climbed all by himself onto the bed. Tony couldn’t control the brilliant smile that spread across his face as Peter crawled over and laid down on top of Tony’s chest.
Seeing and feeling the weight of his son on his chest calmed Tony. Tony took a deep breath, watching his son’s body rise and fall with his breath. 24 hours ago, he didn’t realize how much he needed his son, the son he didn’t know about 24 hours ago. Tony felt content and secure for the first time in a long time.
“Hi Petey pie,” Tony said, running his fingers through his boy’s hair.
“I’nman!” Peter smiled up at him and rested his head back down on Tony’s chest. Peter draped his short arms around Tony's waist, his arms not nearly long enough to wrap around half of his dad’s body.
“Peter, I’m your dad,” Tony said. While he appreciated being recognized as Ironman, he really wanted the validation of being called dad.
“I’nman.”
“Dada” Tony corrected.
“I’nman!!!” Peter giggled.
“Daddy?” Tony tried.
“I’nman.” Peter rolled his eyes, getting bored of the game quickly.
“We can work on it I guess.” Tony sighed. “You hungry?”
“Mommy gib baba,” Peter explained.
“What?” Tony didn’t understand how Mommy came so easily but Daddy was a mystery. He also didn’t understand the baby talk at all.
“Milk,” Peter wined.
“Oh, she gave you milk in a bottle? Okay but-”
“Pira’ here!” Peter interrupted.
“What?” Tony was more confused. He really needed a translator for the baby talk. Maybe he could get DUM-E to translate. But probably not. As Tony sat up, Peter wrapped one arm around Tony’s neck and with the other hand, Peter pointed in the direction of the living room.
“Pira’ wif mommy!”
“Who?” Tony asked, getting out of bed with Peter attached to him like a koala bear.
As the father-son duo entered the living room, Tony understood what Peter was saying when he saw who the guest was in the living room. Tony couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Nick Fury frowned. After being kicked out yesterday, he made a point to come back the next morning. When he arrived Nat was already here, and he got to meet Pepper. Tony’s wife. Or so he had read in the files Nat had originally sent him all those years ago. Shortly after Fury arrived, Rhodey and Happy joined the mix. Fury thought he would be able to quickly meet with Stark and Rhodes to discuss the Avengers initiative he wanted to propose.
“Stark why are you laughing?” Fury asked with frustration.
“Peter called you a pirate! Ahhhh that’s funny because it’s true.” Tony continued laughing, while everyone else looked at Tony with bewilderment. Even Peter was confused.
“He pira’,” Peter said as if explaining it again would help everyone else who didn’t seem to get it.
“He sure is Pete,” Tony laughed and kissed his son’s forehead.
“Stark,” Fury interrupted, “We need to continue our discussion from yesterday. You know, the one that got interrupted.”
“Alright fine, but he’s hungry, I need to feed him,” Tony explained, walking towards the kitchen. He paused. “Oh Happy, can you go pick up everything we need for Peter?”
“Now?” Happy wined and stood.
“Yes now,” Tony rolled his eyes. Peter watched and tried to imitate the eye roll as dramatically as possible. Tony grinned while he watched his son copy him, and planted a kiss on his boy’s cheek.
Pepper got up and went to Tony. She put a hand on his shoulder and he turned.
“I got him, go, this sounds important,” Pepper said.
“Stark, I have a busy day,” Fury added.
“Alright, fine Pirate, you win.” Tony placated.
Tony huffed out in annoyance but handed over his son. After dropping a kiss on his son’s temple, he added a kiss to his wife’s cheek. While his lips were still against her soft cheeks, he whispered out,
“I love you.”
--
“So, let me get this straight,” Rhodey started, “You want us, the Stark Mob, to run this Avengers initiative? Use Ironman technology along with other enhanced and powerful humans to suppress other mobs, but disguise it as being earth’s mightiest heroes?”
“Close,” Fury explained. “SHIELD is up my ass about shutting down the Stark Mob. Those above me think we have enough evidence to put you and all your associates away for good, but I disagree. I think we can come to an agreement. Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste Ironman’s true potential?”
“I will never work for the government,” Tony grunted and folded his arms across his chest.
“You won’t. SHIELD –”
“Can’t afford to pay my fee I know,” Tony joked.
“Tones,” Rhodey warned.
“You’re on thin ice Stark, and I’m offering you a solution.”
“So how would this work?” Tony asked, focus apparent.
“You stop other mobs. There are things we can’t do within the law, but there are some gray areas. That’s where you come in. Get rid of rival mobs, like you did with Hammer. You get rid of mobs that are dangerous to society, which is all SHIELD wants. And you benefit because- “
“Because we inherit their market share,” Tony concluded.
“Exactly,” Fury explained.
“And what do you want in return? You could be fired, or worse, thrown in prison for setting this up.” Rhodes asked.
“Same thing that you want. Money. Power.” Fury explained.
“You’re as corrupt as our triple agent,” Tony remarked with a grin on his face. Nat rolled her eyes, while Fury and Rhodes ignored Tony.
“But how does the heroing come in?” Rhodey asked.
“You want the public to like you right?” Fury probed.
“I wouldn’t say we want…” Tony argued.
“Yes, you do,” Nat interjected. She had been quiet, letting Fury take the lead, but he wasn’t getting the point across. “You want the public to trust the Avengers. We live in a time where mobs are randomly killing people. People want to feel safe. The Avengers can provide that. If you give the people hope, they will give you power. You think power comes from taking, but the most powerful people are given their power.”
"You think our mob can give people hope?" Rhodey asked.
"I know so. People need something to believe in right now. They need hope to hold onto. Hope and trust go hand in hand."
“You’re saying if we convince the world to trust us, we will be invincible. Untouchable.”
“Exactly,” Nat confirmed.
“So, we do a few good deeds, save the day all while destroying and stealing our enemies’ business, and the world will follow us?”
“It will,” Fury added. “How could SHIELD justify taking down the Stark Mob, when they are the heroes in the Avengers that give our citizens hope. The people will protest and call SHIELD the bad guys if we try to touch the precious Avengers. But you won’t be able to do this alone. Ironman will need help.”
“What are you suggesting?” Tony inquired.
“I have a few friends who are ready to join the Stark mob.”
“Let’s set up a meeting. We will decide if they can join.” Rhodey stated.
“It’s not up for debate.” Fury said.
"Yes it is, I'm making it up for debate," Tony argued.
“Trust me, you’ll like them,” Fury added.
--
After giving Peter some cereal and bananas, Peter was restless. He ran all over the living room, trying to get his mommy to chase him.
“Mommy ou’side!” Peter demanded, patting his hand on the windows.
“You want to go out?” Pepper asked.
“Play! Play!” Peter cried and pressed his face against the window.
“I’m not sure Friday will let us go outside.” Pepper sighed. If she knew anything about her husband, there was no way he was going to let her just walk out of the tower. Especially not with Peter.
“Nooooooo,” Peter cried. “I wanna play.”
“I know baby, let’s just play inside.”
“Nooooo,” Peter cried, tears starting to flow. He couldn’t help it, the idea that he couldn’t go outside was devastating. He burst out sobbing, the tears dripping down his face and staining his shirt. He tilted his head back, and his wails filled the room.
“Friday?”
“Yes, Mrs. Stark?”
“Friday, really? After all these years? Please, call me Pepper.”
“Boss has insisted on the formalities. I can call you Mrs. Boss if you’d like.”
Pepper rolled her eyes. Another battle for another time.
“Can I leave with Peter for the park?”
“Unfortunately not Mrs. Stark. Boss has given me strict orders to not lose sight of you.”
“Hmmm,” Pepper thought. “Isn’t Peter’s happiness a priority?”
“Of course, as of 2:30 am this morning, Boss has altered my programming to make Peter my priority.”
Pepper smiled. She had an idea. A crazy one, but she figured it might just work. She hoped it would.
“I think it’s important to consider his mental health, Friday.”
Friday paused.
“I require further information to follow your train of thought,” The AI sounded confused.
“Well, Peter is currently throwing a tantrum yes?” Pepper asked. She looked down to see her son was still wailing on the floor.
“That is correct,” Friday confirmed.
“If you let me take him to the park so that he can run around, he will be so happy. It will end his tantrum, and he usually goes to the park with me on weekends. Part of raising a child requires physical activity anyway, so going to the park to play is critical for his physical and mental health, right?”
Friday paused again.
“I can see your point.”
“So can you open the elevator for us? Since Peter is a priority, I think he needs this.”
Friday paused for a long moment, and Pepper could hear her own heartbeat ringing in her ears.
“Very well Mrs. Stark.”
Pepper grinned when the elevator doors dinged. It stayed wide open, waiting for the mother and son to be ready.
“Okay Peter, let’s get your outside clothes on. And shoes. And a sweater.”
Pepper quickly changed out of pajamas. She quickly gathered what Peter needed from the guest room, and Peter followed close behind. He was already tugging at his pajamas, hoping to try and help get himself ready. Pepper effortlessly changed him, and Peter plopped down to put his shoes on. Once Pepper tied his shoes, Pepper quickly swooped him up and he wrapped one arm around her neck. He pointed to the elevator and squealed.
“Bye bye!” Peter sang.
“Yes, bye bye,” Pepper confirmed as the elevator doors closed and descended.
As Pepper walked out of the tower, she grinned. She could not believe that had worked. It seemed way too easy. She hugged Peter close as she continued walking down the street. She glanced around. She recognized no one in the sea of people on the street.
Yesterday when she left May and Ben's apartment with Tony, she had lost all hope. But now, her hope was back, and it fueled her fire. Tony and his mob would never control her.
She didn’t have time to second guess herself. She picked up the pace. So many thoughts were swimming in her head. Maybe she could get to Queens. If she could find May, she could explain everything. Maybe they could get a rental car and skip town. She had to see May. She had to make sure she was okay. She had to help May because Pepper felt so guilty about what happened to Ben. She wanted to make things right by May.
At the same time, she felt bad about leaving Tony like that. She knew he would be devastated, which made her worry. There was no way he would be foolish enough to let her just walk out of the tower with Peter. Leaving the tower had been easy. Too easy. Friday’s blind spot seemed so obvious.
There was no way Tony would have allowed her to slip away so easily.
Right?