Don't Leave Me Here - Starker

15

Tuesday morning. Back to their regularly scheduled routines. Peter's first class started at ten, and Tony would be running in and out of meetings all day.

However, both heroes were feeling extremely sluggish, as they'd stayed up the night before. Playing tag with Roo around the lab in their suits had quickly turned into three in the morning. And Friday was the only reason  they were up and moving that morning.

After rushing through his morning routine, Peter sprinted to school, ignoring Happy's opposition to his plans. When he arrived, he'd spared only a few minutes before his first class was set to start. But he caught a glimpse of Flash being escorted down the hall by a teacher, which made his hectic morning, a bit better.

And Peter was thankful for only having two classes for the day, as he was feeling slightly anxious for the night ahead, making it difficult to focus on his classes. After talking with Tony the night before, he'd chalked up enough courage to go out on patrol. While he was rattled with nerves, he was excited too.

Besides, if Tony knew Peter was nervous, he would only worry more.

It was only eleven, and Tony had already zoned out of an entire meeting, causing Pepper to notice something was off with the man.

Had he checked the diagnostics since last night, and ran them again to rule out that Friday hadn't malfunctioned? Had he remembered to feed Roo? Was he completely sure that Peter's suit was ready? Even though he'd made it, and it was his own technology. Unfortunately Tony's brain offered him no rest since the moment he'd woken that morning.

"Tony, this new expansion project is very important for us. I need you to focus, yes?" Pepper asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Sorry Pep. Late night yesterday. I think I need to grab another coffee." He replied nonchalantly.

She nodded, eyeing him skeptically in response, but chose not to pry much further for the time being. However, after a few more meetings, and Tony still not managing to contribute more than a few sentences to their conversations, Pepper had had enough.

"Okay, we can speak more on that subject next week. This expansion takes priority for the time being." She said concluding the meeting. "Okay, good bye!"

She sighed, slamming the lap top closed and glaring daggers at the man staring out the window. "I hope you have a good explanation for me, as to why you're not participating today."

When he met her stare, his face fell. He hated disappointing her, especially because he knew she was working so hard on this.

"I'm sorry Pepper." Tony sighed. "I know you've been working hard on this. I didn't mean to ignore it and-"

"No- Tony. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you." She sighed, cutting him off. "But obviously something is bothering you."

Tony nodded slightly, confirming her thoughts. "I might be feeling a little- anxious today."

"I'm well aware. You're in your head- a little spacey, and fidgeting consistently. Do you want to talk to me about what's going on?" She offered.

"Really- I'm okay. Peter wants to go on patrol tonight. The first time since-" Tony mumbled.

"Since May. Is he doing okay with that? I know how difficult these few months have been."

"I think he's okay? He wants to go, but he nervous about making a mistake. And I'm nervous about him being ready and the suit, and if something were to go wrong it would-"

"It would be okay, because those suits, are your technology- your mind. If you've only done even a third of the testing needed, I know Peter is the safest Spider in all of New York." She said, offering him a smile.