Bless The Broken Road

The Aftermath Of A Reunion

Whilst Peter lay fast asleep in Peggy's arms, light snores filling the room from the adorable little kid, Tony and Peggy talked. They spoke in hushed tones about the practicality of Tony taking in Peter. Lawyers were called and game-plans were made. In the end they decided that Tony would take Peter back to Malibu to live with him but every other weekend they would fly out to England to spend time with Peggy (along with various and frequent phone calls to be made throughout the week).

The idea would be to hide Peter's true identity, create a new birth certificate where his birth year is changed so he could fit in. For all matters public, Peter would be Tony Stark's son. It was all Peggy could think to make Peter safe in a world that would easily lock him up and call him a freak for going 55 years without ageing a day. The last thing they wanted was for the little boy to be nothing more than a kidnap victim for the rest of his life. Peter deserved a chance at being normal.

They were just finalising their plan, planning everything out to the T when a sudden pounding on the door echoed around the apartment. The fist was unrelenting on the door, banging loudly and without pause.

May stumbled back into the living room, looking confused as the sound carried on. In the shock of such violent knocking, she managed to miss the boy tucked into her grandmother's embrace. "Gran, do you want me to answer it?"

Before Peggy could even reply, a loud bang sounded through the apartment as the door was busted open. May screamed, ducking down as the door fell to the floor with a resounding clang. Tony was immediately up on his feet, trying to shield Peter and Peggy as men and women in black uniforms with guns on their hips marched into the small space. They all looked pissed off to be there.

"This is the 'or what' we talked about earlier, Stark," Fury walked through the agents, a large scowl on his face as he stood before them with his arms crossed over his chest. Peter had been woken up now, beginning to shake and whimper at the sight of several agents and Fury standing so close. Peggy just held him tighter, trying to shush him.

"How'd you know i'd come here?" Tony shot back, refusing to move despite how Fury close. He had to hold his ground and protect Peter.

Fury rolled his eye, giving Tony an unamused look. "Where else would you go? You aren't the only genius, Stark."

"I don't know who the hell you think you are!" Peggy roared from the sofa, giving Fury a look of utter anger. Her jaw set tightly and her eyes seemed to light up in flames as she glared at the man. "But you cannot barge on in to my house!"

"Ma'am," Fury spoke more softly, looking around Tony's figure to see Peggy. "My name is Director Fury, as i'm sure you're aware. I work with SHIELD."

"Don't you 'ma'am' me, Director Fury," Peggy yelled back, placing a hand over Peter's ears as she continued to yell. "You have no right to break into my apartment like this unannounced."

"Actually we do. Mr Stark here kidnapped the child in your arms when he was in our custody. It will be easier for all parties involved if you hand the boy back over to us. We promise, Agent Carter, you can have routine meetings with the child but he needs to remain under SHIELD custody."

"And what, this is your final decision, Director Fury? You believe that you can break into my house and then force me to hand over my son willingly?"

"Agent Carter, i understand your emotional ties but it is for the boy's best that—"

"You seriously believe that i will even listen to what you think will be the best for my son, Director? Especially after you failed to inform me about finding him?"

"You were going to be informed—"

"Oh really? And when would that be?" Peggy continued to glare. "When i was dead and conveniently not a problem anymore?"

"Agent Carter," Fury ground the words out. "Your son isn't normal, he needs to be kept in SHIELD's company to ensure the best for his health."

"Don't you tell me if my son is or isn't normal. You think this . . . event defines him? Peter's story doesn't start and stop with his abduction. My son will live out the rest of his life in a sense of normalcy that you believe he is incapable of."

Fury sighed, seemingly giving up. "You're 84 years old, Agent Carter— you think you can raise your son?"

"Oh heavens no," Peggy shook her head sadly. "I couldn't do parenting justice in my old age. But Anthony can and he will."

Fury turned his gaze to where Tony continued to stand protectively above the pair. The man gave the billionaire an unamused expression. "This is serious?"

"As serious as can be," Tony nodded, crossing his arms and upholding his stare at Fury. The man was looking for weakness but Tony wouldn't provide it.

"You think you can raise a child, Stark?"

No, Tony thought. "I can try," he shot back with as much confidence as he could muster. Trying was all he could do.

"He will," Peggy cut in, stroking Peter's hair. "I'm sure Anthony's lawyers will be more than happy to answer the rest of your concerns Director Fury but as for now, i would like to enjoy my time with my son without your intruding and rather insulting remarks. Good day."

Peggy turned back to Peter, giving him a tight smile as the boy snuggled in closer to her chest. She brushed some hair out of his face, kissing the top of his head. The rest of the SHIELD agents and Fury were forgotten as Peggy put her attention only on her son.

"Stark," Fury nodded his head towards the door. The rest of the agents were filing out of the small apartment, grumbling things under their breath. Tony followed Fury to the door, frowning. "I hope you know what you're doing." Fury spoke once they were alone and out of Peggy's earshot. The bald man stood outside the apartment whilst Tony lent on the doorframe.

"Does anyone?" Tony shot back with fake gusto.

"Like i said Stark: the kid isn't like one of your robots. Parenting is more than just a few wise crack jokes and a nickname here and there. It means sacrifice."

"What would you know, Fury?" Tony frowned, his fingers going white as they clenched at the door handle tightly.

Fury shrugged, giving Tony a look. "Sure, i'm just an old man with no experience. But i do care Stark— i want the best for that boy."

"And you don't think that is with me?"

There was a pause as Fury considered the words. "You have potential," Fury nodded slowly. "I just don't think you understand what true sacrifice is, yet."

Tony didn't know what he was meant to say to that. His entire life he's never loved anyone apart from his mother. Howard had cut it close but the snide comments and indifferent attitude had made it too hard. Tony had never held a proper relationship where he put his partner's needs before his own. He's never had to stop and think about how his actions would affect other people.

Peter was going to completely change that.

Tony decided he liked that.

"You're wrong about me," Tony shot back, glaring at Fury as the man slowly started to retreat.

"Maybe," Fury admitted. "I guess we'll see."

Tony watched as the man walked off to the large black van that the other agents had vanished into. The second the large doors closed, the van came to life as it vanished down the old English road. He stood there watching nothing for several seconds before quietly closing the door and retreating back to where Peggy and Peter sat.

Peter smiled widely at Tony when the man entered the room. His small face came to life, lifting out of Peggy's chest to show his brown orbs and dazzling smile to the genius. Tony couldn't help but admit his secret heart grew at the sight.

For better or worse, Tony was committed to the kid now. He was going to be the best father he could to Peter, completely changing his entire lifestyle to provide the kid with an almost stable environment. He would be everything that Howard wasn't.

He was going to prove Fury wrong.