Chapter 1

AN: So, I was writing my Peggy/Howard story (which I will continue to update/write) when I ended up being reminded of my love of Ironwidow, and then I debated how I would write the idea I have, and this is the result. Hope you like. Let me know what you think.

The summary basically explains how this is going to work. There will be changes to the MCU, but things will be very similar in a lot of ways up until the airport battle in CACW where things will become very different.

June 12th 2010

When you've been a spy as long as Natasha Romanoff you become okay with doing a lot of things. Things that are just written off as 'doing your job', but after being undercover at Stark Industries, spying on Tony Stark, Natasha feels the need to talk to him, to clear the air. She feels this need not because she feels bad about what she did, because she doesn't, but because she has realized that she saw him when he was vulnerable, she saw past his mask; and as someone who has spent her life with a mask up she knows how much of a big deal that is.

Feeling surprised that JARVIS hasn't just blocked her from all access, Natasha has made her way through Tony's, still slightly destroyed, Malibu house, and down to his home workshop. Walking into the room Natasha is, though she doesn't let it show, surprised, to find Tony working with a little brown-haired boy, who looks to be no older than about nine.

"Give me a minute Romanoff," Tony says, an edge which Natasha can detect to his voice, and she assumes JARVIS warned him, without looking away from what he is doing "Just connect that piece there, to that piece there," Tony says as he points out what to do to the boy.

"Like this Dad?" The boy asks, as he does what his father told him, and Natasha has to fight not to react to that because it was certainly not something she was expecting.

"Exactly like that, Pete," Tony says as he ruffles his hair. "Now, we've got a new circuit board for my Repulsor," Tony explains.

"Awesome," Peter says, with a grin.

"Peter, I have to talk to Natasha, do you want to go up to the kitchen and get a snack?" Tony asks his son curious.

"You're going to have boring adult talk?" Peter asks, looking between his Dad and Natasha.

"Yep," Tony confirms.

"Okay," Peter says, putting what he is working on down. "I'll ask JARVIS to tell me when I can come back," Peter explains.

"Good idea," Tony says, and once he does Peter jumps down from the stall he is standing on and heads out of the garage, pausing at Natasha.

"Hi," Peter greats with a grin.

"Hi," Natasha says, honestly not sure what else to say, as Peter walks past her, and out of the room.

"Look at you, finding out all my secrets," Tony says, a bitter edge to his voice, as he turns to look at Natasha.

"I wasn't expecting my clearance to still work," Natasha admits, as she walks a couple of steps closer to Tony, completely side stepping his comment.

"Hadn't got around to deleting it," Tony says, honestly it completely slipped his mind. "What do you want Rushman… I mean Romanoff?" Tony asks, having clearly called her the wrong name of purpose.

"To talk," Natasha admits. "Look, I get it, you've spent your life being exactly what people expect you to be, not expecting anyone to see through the persona…" Natasha starts to say.

"That's because they never do, not unless I want them too," Tony says, knowing that for some reason that doesn't include Natasha, and that both terrifies and intrigues him.

"Which isn't a whole lot of people I'm guessing," Natasha admits.

"Do you have a point Natasha or are you just repeating what we both know?" Tony asks, feeling rather uncomfortable about the conversation.

"My point is, I know that that it can be uncomfortable when you slip and someone sees through the cracks, sees the parts you hide, and I want you to know that I have no intention of revealing what I saw," Natasha admits, doing what she would like someone to do for her if the roles were reversed.

"I kind of figured that when I read your report," Tony admits. "Thanks for that by the way," Tony says, and Natasha just gives a simple nod. "You know I saw through a crack too," Tony says, and Natasha tenses. "You may be a triple impostor, but you're a triple impostor who cares. You were fascinated by me and Rhodey because you clearly still trying to figure out what friendship, what having people to count on, means, but don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone that the Big Bad Black Widow has a heart," Tony comments, having learnt what her code name is.

"Appreciate it," Natasha admits, feeling pretty uncomfortable, and in that moment, that moment of frightening honestly for them it is like something shifts between them, something changes.

"And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about Peter," Tony says, his voice turning even more serious.

"I did research, deep research, I found nothing that said you have a son," Natasha admits, honestly a little impressed that Tony managed to keep that fact a secret considering how public his life is.

"Good, that's what I want," Tony admits. Feeling glad because he realizes that if Natasha couldn't find out about Peter then chances are no one will.

"Does he live with his mother?" Natasha asks curious as she saw no sign of Peter when she was uncover.

"No, his maternal uncle and aunt," Tony reveals, and Natasha sees, just for a second, a look of pain pass over Tony's face. "I met Peter's Mom, Mary, in my twenties, we were friends, worked together. We knew we weren't going to work in an actual relationship, but we still had fun," Tony admits. "When she got pregnant, I knew the childhood I didn't want for my son," Tony reveals.

"Your childhood," Natasha realizes, and Tony nods.

"All I was ever seen as is Howard Stark's son; I wanted something different for Peter," Tony admits. "I didn't want him to be smothered by the public, to live a life in the spotlight; I wanted him to be able to just be himself, with no pressure, whatever that may look like; I wanted him to have a normal life," Tony admits. "When he was two his mother got married, Richard was a good man," Tony admits, and Natasha can tell what he isn't saying.

"What happened to them?" Natasha asks curious.

"They were killed when Peter was four," Tony admits. "He was with me that night, I got the call," Tony says, and he clearly doesn't want to go into detail. "Ever since Pete has lived with his Uncle and Aunt in Queens, away from the spotlight, having the closest thing to a normal life he can have. I spend as much time as possible with him," Tony explains, knowing he has made a point of spending even more time with him since Afghanistan.

"Who else know?" Natasha asks, though she can guess at least a couple of the people.

"Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, my godmother, a couple of old family friends, I'm assuming Fury," Tony admits, as he would be more shocked if Fury didn't know. "Now you," Tony says, it being hard to tell how he feels like that.

"I won't tell anyone," Natasha says, making a promise that she will do everything in her power to keep.

"Appreciate it," Tony says. "Do you want to meet him? Actually?" Tony asks curious.

"Sure," Natasha says, being pretty sure that this a big deal.

"J, tell Pete he can come down," Tony requests.

"Yes Sir," JARVIS answers, and less than a minute later Peter walks back into the lab.

"Pete, I would like you to meet Natasha Romanoff. Natasha, this is my son, Peter Parker," Tony introduces.

"It's nice to meet you," Peter says.

"Nice to meet you too, маленький," Natasha says, and because he speaks a little Russian Tony can't help but smile at what Natasha has called him.

"Are you Dad's friend?" Peter asks curious, trying to make sense of things, and as he asks Natasha and Tony exchange the briefest glances.

"Yeah, she is," Tony confirms, and Natasha feels a swell of emotion that she can't quiet place at that.

"Cool," Peter says, "Dad, can Natasha stay for dinner and movie night?" Peter asks, looking excited.

"Um, I'm not sure she's…." Tony starts to say, sounding uncertain.

"I'd love to," Natasha says, cutting Tony off, as she can tell that Peter wants her to stay.

"Yay!" Peter says excitedly, "I'm going to go decide on the movie," Peter says, before heading out of the garage.

"You really don't have to stay," Tony assures her.

"It's okay, I want to," Natasha admits, and the two of them once more exchange looks.

A few hours later Tony, Natasha and Peter are on the couch in the living room watching movies together. For Natasha it is a very new experience as she hasn't had many chances to just watch movies; not given her life.

"Sir, Colonel Rhodes is here," JARVIS says, just as the front door opens.

"Uncle Rhodey!" Peter says excitedly as he jumps off the couch and runs to his godfather, who picks him up.

"Ohh, you're getting so big," Rhodey says as he picks up Peter, and swings him around.

"I'm nine next month," Peter says proudly.

"I know," Rhodey says.. "I'm going to be at your party," Rhodey assures the young boy, and as he does he notices who is on the couch. "Romanoff?" he asks surprised. Not sure what he is more shocked about that fact that Natasha is on Tony's couch, or the fact that Tony looks quite comfortable around her.

"Hey Rhodes," Natasha greats, like there is nothing wrong with her being on Tony's couch.

"Dad, now that Uncle Rhodey is here can we play Uno?" Peter asks curious as his father didn't want to play it with just the three of them.

"Sure Kid," Tony says smiling at his son, and so Rhodey puts Peter on the ground and so he runs up to his room.

"Should I ask what is going on here?" Rhodey ask curious, as he walks towards Natasha and Tony, trying, and failing, to make sense of things.

"Nat popped around for a visit, Peter invited her to stay," Tony explains simply.

"Of course he did," Rhodey says, not at all surprised as he knows what Peter is like, though it is slightly surprising to see that Natasha agreed to stay, and honestly he has about a hundred more questions.

"He's a hard kid to say no too," Natasha jokes, though there is a level of seriousness to her voice.

"You don't have to tell me that," Rhodey admits, as Peter hurries back into the room.

"Can we play now?" Peter asks curious, looking between the three adults.

"Sure, Kid," Tony tells his son, and the four of them start to play uno together.

Hours later Tony has just put Peter to bed, and knows Rhodey is asleep in one of the guest rooms, and he is walking into the living room where he is surprised to find Natasha still sitting on the couch.

"I honestly thought you would be gone," Tony admits, as he walks over to Natasha.

"I thought that would be rude," Natasha admits.

"And you wouldn't want that," Tony jokes. "You know you didn't have to stay this whole time," Tony admits, as he sits back down next to Natasha.

"I wanted too. You've got a pretty great kid there, Stark," Natasha admits.

"And you've got a fan," Tony reveals. "Pete wouldn't stop talking about you all the way upstairs, it made his bedtime story interesting," Tony admits, and Natasha can't help but smile, a real smile.

"I should go," Natasha says, a few moments later, though she makes no effort to stand up.

"You can stay if you want, there's plenty of room," Tony explains.

"Maybe next time," Natasha comments, and with three simple words she makes it clear that this isn't going to be a one-time thing. "Here, if you or Peter need anything," Natasha says, putting a piece of paper, which has a number on it, on the couch next to Tony as she knows how he feels about being handed things.

"Your number? I already have that," Tony comments, picking up the paper.

"Not this one," Natasha says, standing up. "See you around, Shellhead," Natasha says, smirking slightly, before walking away.

"I hope so, Nat," Tony mutters, too quiet for Natasha to hear, as she walks away.

Five Months Later

Ever since she met Peter Natasha has seen the nine-year-old more than once and has actually spent more time than she expected to with Tony and Rhodey. Having spent the last few hours being debriefed about her recent mission Natasha is returning home to her small apartment.

As she hangs up her jacket, and secures her weapons one of Natasha's phones start to ring, and because she has several it takes her a several moments to figure out exactly which one is ringing.

"Hello," Natasha says, finally answering the right one.

"Hey, I've got someone here who wants to talk to you," Tony's voice says, and Natasha hears the sound of the phone being passed to someone else.

"Nat!" Peter's excited voice says.

"Hey маленький," Natasha greats, with a slight smile. "How are you?" Natasha asks curious.

"Good!" Peter says excitedly. "I got an A+ on my science test," Peter reveals, and Natasha can hear the pride in his voice.

"That's great," Natasha says, even though she isn't surprised as one thing she has learnt is just how smart Peter is.

"I'll show you when you come to thanksgiving," Peter tells Natasha, who is a little confused as she didn't know she was invited to thanksgiving.

"Pete, you've got to invite her first, Buddy," Tony's voice says.

"Oops," Peter says. "Nat, will you come to our New York place for thanksgiving with me, Dad, Uncle Rhodey and Aunt Pepper?" Peter asks curious.

"I think I can make that work," Natasha comments. "What time?" Natasha asks curious.

"Nat can come, Dad! Nat can come to thanksgiving," Peter says and Natasha can't help but smile at the excitement in Peter's voice. "Dad wants to talk to you; I can't wait to see you!" Peter says, and without even saying goodbye Peter clearly hands the phone back over to his Dad.

"You've just made a little boy's day," Tony reveals, once he has gotten the phone from his son.

"I'm happy too," Natasha admits.

"I'll text you all the details. It will be the three of us, Pepper, Rhodey and Happy," Tony explains.

"Sounds good," Natasha admits, and as she stretches a bit she can't contain a little wince.

"You okay?" Tony asks, a hint of concern in his voice as he heard the wince.

"Yeah, nothing a hot shower won't fix," Natasha admits.

"How showers can work miracles," Tony comments. "Well, I guess I better let you go," Tony says, even though he would like to keep talking to Natasha. "I'll see you next week,"

"See you next week," Natasha says, before hanging up.

A week later, having had to come up with an excuse as to why he can't join her friends Melinda May and Phil Coulson at Clint Barton's farmhouse with his family, Natasha is arriving at the address Tony gave her, and honestly she isn't at all surprised to find a rather nice apartment.

"Go right in, Miss Romanoff," JARVIS's voice says, and because she has gotten so used to him in recent months she isn't at all phased.

"Thanks JARVIS," Natasha says, and she walks straight into the apartment.

"NAT!" Peter yells excitedly as he runs up to Natasha and gives her a hug.

"Hey маленький," Natasha responds, as she returns the hug.

"I'm really glad you're here," Peter admits.

"I'm really glad to be here," Natasha assures him, as they break apart. "Where is everyone?" Natasha asks curious.

"Kitchen, it's this way," Peter says, as he leads Natasha to the right place, and as they get closer to the kitchen they run into Pepper, though Peter hurries forward, leaving the two woman in the hallway.

"Ms Potts," Natasha greats, with a simple nods.

"Call me, Pepper, I'm no longer your boss," Pepper says, and the two of them exchange looks and nods, almost like an understanding passes between them. "Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?" Pepper asks curious.

"Nope," Natasha admits.

"You're going to have fun," Pepper says, with a laugh, it sounding almost like a warning, as the two of them head into the kitchen where Tony, Rhodey, Peter and Happy are.

"Finally, everyone's here, now the party can begin," Tony comments.

"Somehow I don't think we have the same idea of what a party is," Natasha responds.

"That's because you're too conservative," Tony tells Natasha, actually causing her to laugh, as she walks over.

"I've been called a lot of things before, conservative isn't one of them," Natasha admits, with a smirk which clearly says 'there's a story there'.

"Oh, I'll bet," Tony says, laughing a little, raising an eyebrow, looking intrigued.

"If we want to eat today, we should get started," Rhodey suggests, being the one responsible adult.

"Well I for one definitely want to eat," Happy comments, and everyone gets to work.

Over the next couple of hours Natasha understands why Pepper gave her warning, but despite that fact she also had a really good time, and she feels something she doesn't feel that often; that she belongs, is apart of something.

August 10th 2011

For the eight months that follow Natasha joining Tony, Peter, Happy, Rhodey and Happy for thanksgiving the six of them have spent quiet a lot of time together which has resulted in Pepper and Natasha becoming pretty good friends; despite their rocky start.

It is a Wednesday night and Peter, Tony, Rhodey, Pepper, and Happy, along with Sharon Carter, and Hope Van Dyne are at the top floor of Stark Tower, a building in New York which is still being built, but is safe enough for them to spend time in the top floor.

"Dad, where is she?" Peter asks his father, looking upset.

"I'm sure she'll be here soon, Pete," Tony says, needing to believe that as in the over a year he has known Natasha she has always been somewhere when she said she would be. "She's probably just got held up," Tony says, trying to think of a excuse.

"But Nat said she'd be here an hour ago!" Peter objects, and just as he does the elevator opens, and Natasha, who was clearly on a mission as she is still wearing her tactical gear, has a cut on her head, and is holding a large wrapped present, hurries in.

"Pete, I'm so sorry, маленький," Natasha tells the boy, and then she sees who else is there. "Sharon?" Natasha asks shocked as she recognizes Hope Van Dyne as well.

"Hey Nat," Sharon great, not looking at all phased.

"You two know each other?" Tony asks. "What am I saying of course you do," Tony says, realizing he should have seen that one coming.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," Natasha tells Peter as she hugs him.

"Are you okay? You look hurt?" Peter asks worried.

"I'm fine, better now," Natasha comments, not wanting Peter to worry about her. "I have this for you," Natasha says as she hands a present over to Peter. "Why don't you open it," Natasha suggests, and Peter happily takes the present over to the couch where Pepper, Rhodey and Happy are, as Tony, Hope and Sharon walk closer to her.

"The medical area is still a work in progress, but should be stocked enough if you need it," Tony tells Natasha, trying to hide his concern, as he keeps his voice quiet as like Natasha, he doesn't want Peter to worry.

"Thanks, but I'll be okay," Natasha admits, giving Tony a reassuring look, one that he isn't sure he should believe. "How exactly do you two know each other?" Natasha asks, as she looks between Tony, Hope, and Sharon, and because he recognizes Natasha changing the subject, Tony frowns, feeling his concern grow.

"My great aunt is Tony's godmother, we've known each other my whole life," Sharon explains, purposely giving the simplest explanation without going into details.

"Hope's parents were friends with my parents, our Dads had a huge falling out; We stayed in contact," Tony explains, knowing that by now Natasha would have released who Hope is.

"Mainly to piss of my dad," Hope comments, with a grin, but that doesn't mean she hasn't enjoyed having Tony, and since he was born Peter, in her life. "It's nice to meet you," she says to Natasha.

"Nice to meet you too," Natasha responds.

"THIS IS AWESOME!'" Peter yells, sounding excited as he finally gets the wrapping paper off.

"What did Nat get you, Sweetheart?" Pepper asks curious, and Peter shows Pepper, and everyone else.

"Is that a nerf Iron Man repulsor?" Rhodey asks shocked, looking at Natasha, wondering where she would have gotten something like that, as last he knew it wasn't something that exists.

"Yeah," Natasha confirms.

"Okay, that is awesome," Tony says, climbing over the back of the couch so that he can sit next to Peter. "Oh, and look there's two of them," Tony says, sounding glad.

"Can we play?" Peter asks his father, looking at him.

"After dinner," Rhodey answers, before anyone has a chance too.

"I think you owe someone a thank you Bud," Tony tells his son, and Peter gets up and hurries over to Natasha, and hugs her.

"Thank you sooo much, Nat," Peter says, as he hugs her tightly.

"You've very welcome, Pete," Natasha assures him as she returns the hug and ruffles his head, smiling because she is glad that he is happy. "After dinner I'll show you the best way to use it," Natasha promises.

"Awesome," Peter says with a grin. "Dad where's dinner?" Peter asks, it being clear that he wants to get dinner done so that he can play.

"Uncle Rhodey and I are going to get it," Hope explains, trying and failing to hide her amusement.

"Thanks Aunt Hope," Peter says happily.

"We won't be long," Rhodey says. "Why don't you go open more presents while we're gone," Rhodey says before he and Hope leave, and that is exactly what Peter does.

Despite the pain she is in, Natasha does her best to help Tony, Rhodey, Pepper, Happy, Hope, and Sharon make sure that Peter has an incredible birthday celebration, one which ends with a nerf battle. During the epic battle it isn't clear who has more fun, the ten-year-old or the six adults.

AN2: IMPORTNT: FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORY BEN WAS MARY'S BROTHER, NOT RICHARDS