A/N: So… I couldn't see any reason not to start the next story in my own AU since I already have it rattling around in my mind. As most already know, I like to update. This story is the camping trip from the Special Treatment story. If you haven't read that, you might not understand the relationships I've developed, so take the time to read it, first.

Disclaimer: Obviously I'm not making any money off the Avenger characters.

OOOOOOOOOOO

"Got everything?"

Strange nodded to Wong, and then shook his head, looking dolefully down at himself. Normally impeccably dressed in a suit, he was now wearing jeans and a t-shirt, with an unbuttoned flannel shirt over it. Hiking boots that were so new they still needed some breaking in and thick socks completed his current ensemble.

"I must be out of my mind," the doctor said.

"Yes."

That just earned him a dark look, and Strange was good at those.

"Are you sure you don't need me here?"

"You don't have to go."

"Of course I do. I lost the bet. Unless you need me, or you can think of some reason that I shouldn't go. Then I'll call Tony and tell him we need to reschedule."

Wong shook his head, and shrugged.

"Can't think of anything."

"Damn."

"Besides, do you really want to reschedule? It's already getting cold at night. If you wait any longer, you'll be building an igloo instead of pitching a tent."

"I was thinking next summer."

Wong snorted.

"Go on. Have fun. You deserve a vacation."

"A vacation is a sandy beach and an alcoholic drink in my hand."

"It's time with Peter, though. You know you're looking forward to it."

Strange didn't look convinced, but he was looking forward to some time with the boy, that was true. He picked up the bag that he'd dropped at his feet when he'd met Wong at the bottom of the stairs and looked over at the cloak.

"Are you coming?"

There was only the briefest hesitation before the relic flew over and draped itself over Strange's collar. It wanted to see Peter too, but it wasn't convinced that camping was the time to do it. Obviously it decided that the chance of getting dirty was probably worth it.

Then they were gone.

OOOOOOOO

"Are you sure about this?"

Tony Stark grinned, and then nodded.

"Of course. When's the last time you've seen me make a bad decision?"

Pepper gave him a look that he was very familiar with, and Natasha didn't look any more convinced. She was leaning against the tailgate of the pickup, watching as several coolers were being loaded into the back of the truck. There was already a good selection of camping equipment loaded into the truck, and – of all things – a canoe. Natasha doubted that Stark had ever been in a canoe before, and she knew that Peter never had. Needless to say, there were also three lifejackets in the back of the truck, as well.

Before Pepper could actually respond, though, Peter came out of the building, a heavy bag in his hand, and walked over to them. He grinned, excitedly, and tossed the bag up into the bed of the truck, easily. Natasha couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, despite her own uncertainty.

"Got everything?" she asked the boy.

"I think so."

"A jacket?"

"Yeah."

He'd made a list, with the help of Steve Rogers, and had checked it as he'd packed the evening before. He was as confident as he could be that he had everything he'd need.

Stark looked at his watch, and then looked around.

"Stephen's late."

"Maybe he changed his mind," Pepper told him.

"He's here," Peter said, feeling the tingle that meant magic had been used nearby.

Sure enough, an instant later the Cloak of Levitation was zipping through the air toward the boy and then as Strange came from the building's doorway, it wrapped itself around Peter's head and shoulders, humming cheerfully in his head.

"Sorry I'm late," Stephen told them, walking over, also carrying a bag. He would have added 'but I didn't want to come', except that Peter looked excited, and he didn't want to spoil that enthusiasm by being an ass about the whole thing. "The cloak wasn't sure if it wanted to come."

"Why not?" Natasha asked, reaching out and touching the fabric in greeting.

"I'm pretty sure that it doesn't understand exactly what we're going to be doing – or why."

"It can learn as we go," Tony assured him, taking Strange's bag and tossing it into the back of the truck next to Peter's. "Are we ready?"

"I am," Peter said, still grinning.

"You take care of these guys, Peter," Pepper told him, giving him a smile and then hugging Tony, who returned the hug and then added a kiss, well aware that he wasn't going to see her for 5 days. Even though he didn't miss her, yet, he knew he would.

"I will."

Tony looked at Strange.

"Got your phone?"

"Yes."

"Give it to Pepper."

"What? Why?"

"No phones or tablets. Remember?"

"No. When did we agree to that?"

"We talked about it last night."

"I wasn't here last night," Strange reminded him.

"Oh. Well, majority rules. Peter and I agreed, so you are outvoted. "

Stephen scowled.

"What if something comes up?"

"We all have watches for emergencies – here, or there," Tony reminded him.

The doctor sighed, thinking that he should have come the night before, but he'd had a few things to take care of before being gone for five days. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Pepper, who took it, and then gave him a hug, as well.

"Please keep him out of trouble," she murmured softly to him.

"I will," he assured her.

"Who's going to keep him out of trouble, though?" Natasha asked, also stealing a hug from Strange, and pressing a kiss against his cheek.

"That's Peter's job," Pepper told her – and them. "He has enough common sense to rein Tony in when he comes up with a dumb idea."

"If you get into any trouble the no magic thing is off the table," Natasha told them, reaching over and pulling Peter into her arms and then keeping one arm around him while she pinned Stark and Strange both with a look that spoke volumes. "I don't want to see a single bruise on this handsome face when you guys get back. Understand?"

"He'll be fine," Strange said.

"Tony?"

"We'll watch him. You know that."

She did. But she just wanted to make sure that they understood what her expectations were.

Tony opened the driver's door, watching as Peter and Stephen got in the truck, and then turned to Pepper, his look full of love – and just a little of his usual cockiness.

"We'll be off the grid, but if you need anything, call. Okay?"

"I will. Have fun."

Stark got behind the wheel and started the truck. Without another word, they drove away.

Pepper turned to Natasha.

"Am I wrong to be a little worried about them?"

"About three guys going into the woods, when only one of them has ever been camping – ever – and that was a weekend trip in a cabin?" she asked, shaking her head. "What's there to worry about?"

The two grinned, and went back into the building. They weren't that worried, really. It was Ironman and the most powerful magician in the world, after all.

They'd be fine.