The next chapter! I'm sorry that you had to wait so long, but I've been quite busy the past weekends. I've got so many stories and so little time. And next to my fanfictions, I'm also writing something on my own at the moment.

I hope you like this chapter and please let me know what you think! As always, thanks to everyone who read the last chapter and left a review! You're awesome!

I don't own the characters or places!


"So how does it feel?" Steve asked later. They were alone in the room. Pepper had left right before Bruce wanted to run some tests on Tony, having to deal with important issues for the company. And after he'd noted that everything was fine with Tony, Bruce had left as well. Tony knew that he wanted to give him and Steve some privacy. And most probably, Natasha was also waiting for him somewhere.

While Steve asked this question, Tony was walking around slowly. He'd decided to return to his room today, but Steve had stopped him before they could leave.

"The Extremis?" Tony asked and looked at him in surprise.

Steve nodded. "You've been nearly dying and now you're alright again. I know how strange such a feeling is."

Tony chuckled when he noticed that it was true. After all, Steve had also been an experiment. Just like he was now. "I feel fine." He said simply and shrugged. "I don't feel the pain, which is strange. Because I know that it should be there. I looked in the mirror and saw everything. But I don't feel it."

Steve frowned at him. "It's still strange to know that they injected you this substance. I mean, it killed people." It had nearly killed Pepper.

"As I said, we were working on it for months. Now I'm really glad about it. Sometimes, I thought of stopping. After all, Pepper wouldn't like it."

"I'm glad that you didn't stop." Steve said seriously.

"I think we all are." Tony muttered and chuckled. "But that wasn't the main point why you wanted to talk to me in private, right?" He knew Steve too well to believe that this was the only reason.

Steve smiled uncomfortably. "I forget how easy you can read me."

"So what is it, Cap?" Tony asked lightly and raised his eyebrows.

"You're going to be a father." Steve said slowly and now Tony understood why he wanted to talk to him in private. After all, Steve knew that Tony hadn't felt ready for children yet. They'd talked about it a few days after Pepper left New York. "And you always said that you didn't want it yet."

He nodded slowly. Back when Pepper had informed him about the new situation, he'd been quite overwhelmed. First the Extremis and then that. But now he could see things a little more clearly. Tony ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, that was quite a surprise."

Steve narrowed his eyes. "You're not that happy anymore?"

Tony hesitated. "I'm not so sure." He admitted after a few moments and sighed. "It's all too much right now."

"I understand how you feel." Steve said softly. "So much happened to you in the past weeks, I think it's normal that you feel overwhelmed."

"It's not just that." Tony muttered and began to walk around aimlessly. "I'm not sure if I can be a good father. If I can be a father at all."

"Tony…" Steve began hesitantly, but Tony held up his hand to stop him.

"Let me finish first." He asked and Steve nodded. "You know how difficult our lives are. We're superheroes and part of the Avengers. We're always out there, trying to save the world. Trying to make it a better place. It's like we're not meant to settle down permanently. Yes, I know that the tower's our home, but there are always longer periods in which we aren't here. It has even been difficult to find time for Pepper. Time in which we could be alone, without anyone bothering us. I've planned to take more time for her, but until now, it didn't work. Most of the time, one of us has more important things to do. She has Stark Industries and I have Iron Man. Do you think that will change once we have a child? Can it even grow up like everyone else?" He shrugged. "What are we supposed to do?"

Steve walked towards him and placed a hand on his arm. "You will figure everything out. We will figure it out, together. Because we're a big family, aren't we?" He smiled slightly and slowly, Tony relaxed.

"Do you think so?"

Steve nodded, looking more confident than Tony felt. "Maybe the childhood won't be normal, but together, we can deal with it."

Suddenly, a thought came to Tony's mind. "Uncle Steve." He muttered and chuckled at the sound of it.

Steve's eyes widened slightly. "You don't mean that."

"Why not?" Tony asked. "You're my best friend. And Pepper likes you too. I bet she would be fine with it."

"And what about Rhodey?"

"Can't out child have two uncles?" Tony grinned when Steve shook his head in disbelief. However, he got serious again quickly. "That doesn't mean that I feel ready for this. I could have waited much longer."

"I think you're never ready for this." Steve said thoughtfully.

Tony sighed. "I've got to think about it for some time. Trying to wrap my thoughts around it. Doesn't work right now."

Now he could see the concern in Steve's eyes. "Are you sure that you're alright?"

He forced a smile on his lips. "I'm fine." Physically, he was fine. He felt good, considering everything that happened. But emotionally? "Maybe I just need to be alone for some time."

"Peter wants to come over later." Steve told him. "But I'm sure you already knew that?"

Tony nodded. "He said so yesterday. Poor kid has been worried like crazy. I promised to do something with him. Maybe watch a movie. Do you want to join us?"

Steve shook his head with a smile. "That's something between the two of you. I'll join you next week for the training session. Even though I'm still thinking that we should postpone it."

"I feel alright, Steve." Tony emphasized every word. "But if it makes you feel better, I'll just watch. But don't beat the kid up again." He held up his hand threateningly.

"Of course not. I'm always careful with him."

"As careful as with me." Tony muttered. "I was covered in bruises after our first sessions."

"But you got better fast." Steve threw in.

Tony laughed dryly. "You're just saying this to make me feel better." He muttered but smiled slightly. "I'll just go to my room now. I'll see you for dinner. JARVIS, when Peter arrives he should come to my personal quarters."

Slowly, he started to walk towards the door, Steve right next to him. "Where's Pepper?"

"Mrs. Potts has an important meeting with the counsel of Stark Industries." JARVIS informed them. "It will take a few more hours."

"That's good." Tony muttered thoughtfully. He really needed to be alone now.

He could feel Steve's worried glance on him but decided to ignore it.


Later that evening, he was sitting in the kitchen together with Peter and the other Avengers. They were having dinner, however Pepper was still missing. The meeting with SI took much more time than expected. Tony suspected that they wanted to make new changes she didn't like again. Maybe he should show himself soon. That would make it easier for her. At least for some time.

He didn't tell Peter about Pepper's pregnancy yet and Tony was glad when no one else mentioned it. The only others who knew about it yet were Bruce, Natasha and Steve.

After lots of time alone in his room, Peter had ripped Tony out of the dark thoughts. They'd watched a terrible action movie and then they'd joined the others for dinner.

Tony was glad to have the kid around. With him, everything seemed to be much easier. He enjoyed Peter's company. He could always make him laugh. Soon, Tony would make a few more changes on Peter's suit. For safety reasons. And Spiderman needed another update.

He knew that Peter was still feeling a little uncomfortable around all the Avengers, but slowly the kid was getting used to it. Right now, he was telling a story about his time at school. Tony wondered if the others found it as entertaining as he did, but a look at their faces told them that they did. Slowly, the kid was searching his way in all their hearts.

"I think we should celebrate." Thor said when Peter finished his story. "After all, we beat Hydra and Tony is with us again."

"We didn't beat them yet, Thor." Steve reminded him carefully. "There are still more facilities left."

"But we have their leaders and the headquarter is destroyed." Thor threw in. "Our victory is close enough. We won't have more problems."

Tony exchanged a look with Steve and from the expression on his face he could tell that his friend wasn't completely convinced, but then he shrugged.

"Alright." Tony said and grinned at the others. "We didn't have a party in such a long time."

"But not today. Or in the next days." Bruce threw in quickly. "You still have to heal, Tony."

He rolled his eyes. "You heard the doctor." He exclaimed loudly. "But as soon as I'm better, we're having a party."

"Will I be invited as well?" Peter asked curiously.

"Of course." Tony said without hesitation. "You can also bring your friend, Ted."

"Ned." Peter corrected him firmly.

"Whatever." Tony muttered and smiled slightly. "I bet that will be great."

"We still have to deal with Hydra." Steve threw in thoughtfully.

"Tony isn't ready for that yet." Bruce explained.

"I meant Strucker." Steve said the name carefully, just as if he was waiting for Tony to break down or something like that. "I bet he's got more information that could be useful for us."

"You want to make him talk?" Clint asked curiously.

When Steve nodded seriously, Natasha chuckled. "I always thought you preferred talking to someone calmly. I bet it won't work with Strucker."

"That's why I wanted to ask you to do it with me." Steve admitted slowly.

"And what about me?" Tony asked incredulously. "I want to be there as well."

"Do you really think that this is a good idea?" Steve asked doubtfully. "I mean, after everything that happened…"

"After that, I have the best reason to talk to him!" Tony exclaimed loudly. "Or does anyone here wants to disagree?"

When no one said a word, he nodded with satisfaction. "You won't do this without me, Steve." He said seriously and after a few moments of hesitation, Steve nodded.

"And we have to look at the scepter more closely." Bruce changed the subject and this caught Tony's attention. "I didn't do anything yet, I wanted to wait for you."

Tony grinned. "I bet that will be fun."

"Just don't destroy anything. That thing is dangerous." Clint muttered uncomfortably and in this moment, they all remembered very well what happened the last time they had to deal with Loki's scepter.

"We're always careful." Tony tried to calm him down, but Clint didn't look convinced. In fact, they all looked sceptical.

"Sir, Mrs. Potts is on her way." JARVIS' voice echoed through the room and suddenly, the uneasy feeling in Tony's stomach was back. And with that all his doubts he'd tried to forget in the past hours.

"That's great." He muttered and noticed that he sounded absent-minded now. "But I just wanted to accompany Peter to the car. I'll see Pepper later." With that he stood up and gestured for Peter to follow him, ignoring the surprised glances the others threw at him. Only Steve looked concerned.

"What was that about?" Peter asked when they were standing in the elevator together.

"Nothing. Just wanted to accompany you." Tony said lightly and next to him, the kid relaxed. "I've been thinking about making more changes on your suit. Spiderman really needs an update."

Peter stared at him. "But you just changed something a few weeks ago!"

"Doesn't mean that I can't do it again." Tony grinned at his excitement. "Just come over again soon. I'll be here. It's not like I could leave this building in the next days anyway."

"I have few projects for school, but I think I can manage coming after that." Peter sounded impatient now, as if school was bothering him very much. Somehow, Tony understood this feeling.

"Just let me know when you want to come. Happy will get you then."

Peter grinned. "That's awesome, Mr. Stark!"

"How many times did I tell you that it's Tony?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, yes. Sorry." Peter muttered sheepishly.

Suddenly, something else came to Tony's mind. "Won't that project for school take place in two weeks? You know, the one where I should accompany you?"

Peter nodded hesitantly. "Yes, it is. But with everything that happened you really don't have to do this."

Tony crossed his arms. "Why not? Just because I got beaten up it doesn't mean that I'll hide in the tower for the next weeks. I'm already feeling much better. And I promised, didn't I?" He smiled mischievously. "After all, we wanted to show off in front of your schoolmates."

And then something he would have never expected happened. Peter took a step forward and hugged him tightly. Just to let go of him again as fast as possible, an anxious expression on his face. "I'm sorry!" It was obvious that he feared that he'd hurt Tony.

He laughed. "I'm not made of glass. As I said, I feel fine again."

Peter didn't look convinced. "How is that even possible?"

"It's a rather long story. I can tell you the next time you come over." Tony offered and Peter nodded eagerly.

When they arrived in the garage, Happy was already leaning on the car, waiting for them.


Later, he was already lying in bed. He would never admit it, but the events of the day had left him quite exhausted. Apparently, the Extremis was really leaving his system. Otherwise, Tony suspected that he would have felt better.

After saying goodbye to Peter, he didn't joint he others in the kitchen again. He was tired and next to that, he didn't want to talk to Pepper again. Not when she was so happy about being pregnant and he didn't know how he truly felt yet.

The sound of the door ripped him out of his thoughts, but he didn't open his eyes. After a few more moments, he felt Pepper sitting down on the mattress next to him. She wrapped her arms around him carefully. Most probably, she didn't want to wake him. And then he felt her placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

Suddenly, he felt really guilty for not going upstairs to see her. He couldn't blame Pepper for all this. It wasn't her fault, after all. Of course they'd agreed that they were not ready yet…

Holding back a sigh, he wrapped his arm around her. "You're still awake?" She whispered quietly and when he opened his eyes, he saw that she was looking at him thoughtfully.

"Couldn't sleep." He muttered and smiled slightly.

"Tony, what's wrong?" Pepper sounded concerned now. "Are you still feeling ill?"

"I'm fine. You don't have to worry, Pep." He whispered and kissed her quickly. Unfortunately, his attempt to distract her didn't work.

"You're not. It's like you're separating yourself from me."

"You're just imagining that." He told her. "Why should I do that? Today was just a long day, nothing more."

"But you spent time with Peter and the others." She sounded unhappy now.

"Because you've been busy with the company."

"You didn't come to the kitchen again after you accompanied Peter to the car."

"I was tired."

"And then you couldn't sleep." She didn't sound convinced.

"Too many thoughts running through my head. That happens sometimes."

"Will you tell me what's really going on?" Now she was frowning.

"Nothing." Slowly, Tony had to accept that he would have to tell her about his doubts.

"Tony. Please tell me what's going on?"

He sighed. "I really hate it when you do that." He muttered and sighed. "Why can't you just drop the subject?"

"Because something is bothering you." She said simply. "And I can't stand not knowing what it is."

"It was all too much, nothing more."

"That's just normal, after what happened to you –" She started, but Tony interrupted her again.

"I don't mean that. I can deal with it. No problem. You know I did that before."

His heart broke when he saw the realization on her face. And the sadness that went along with it, along with pain. "You mean…"

"The pregnancy comes really unexpected."

"But you said that you're happy as well."

"Give me a few days. I need time to process this." Very slowly, she drew back from him and he didn't try to stop her.

"I really didn't want this. I've accepted your decision to wait."

"I know." He said simply. "And we'll figure it out. But I need some time. I'm sorry, Pepper."

"Don't you want to be a father? Do you think we can't do all this?" Pepper sounded really hurt and there was something else in her voice. Was she afraid?

"It won't be easy. You've got the company and I have Iron Man. Doesn't leave much time for children."

"Then we'll just take the time." She said sternly.

"You know that it's not that easy." He muttered. "I can't just say no when I'm needed. Just like you can't say no to the company."

"Oh but I can." She insisted. "Then someone else will have to deal with Stark Industries."

He stared at her. "We don't have someone who can replace you."

"We will find someone."

"I won't trust anyone else with my company." He said sternly and now she looked at him with wide eyes.

"You didn't care about that before."

"Now I do." He said simply. "But it's fine when you want to concentrate on the family. Then I'll just be Iron Man and run SI next to that. JARVIS and I will manage that."

"Tony, you can't to that." She was whispering now and there was an incredible sadness in her voice. "You also have to be there."

"When you abandon the company, I don't have another choice." He muttered and sat up slowly. "Let's not talk about it right now. You need sleep. After all, you've got a meeting tomorrow morning."

"How do you know that?" She copied his movement and frowned at him.

"I was curious." He said simply and stood up. "I can't sleep right now. Goodnight, Pepper." He ignored her protests and left the room without hesitation. Even if it pained him to do so.