Well guys, this is it! This is the final chapter!

Thank you so much everyone for all the lovely words of support that you haven given me! I love you all so much and am so glad that you have all enjoyed this story! I had such a fun time writing this :)

Apologies for any mistakes and I hope you all enjoy!

Part 15

"How is he?" Pepper demanded the minute Bruce stepped out into the hallway.

"He's going to be fine," Bruce smiled tiredly, adjusting his glasses. "Helen is just finishing up."

Tony felt his knees buckle and hugged Pepper close to his side. She hugged him around the waist in response, pressing a kiss to his neck as she took a shuddery breath.

"Thank god," Rhodey and May sighed on Tony's other side.

"Can we see him?" Tony asked, not caring if Bruce said no, he wanted to see his son.

Bruce nodded and jerked his head in a motion for them to follow.

As they approached the bed, tired but pleased, Helen smiled at them, finishing entering something on the machines that she had Peter hooked up to. The heart monitor beeped in a steady rhythm that was a lot stronger and regular than it had been a couple of hours ago. Peter was still pale on the bed, but his lips had a little more colour to them. They had removed his clothes and suit, a white bandage now covering the upper part of his shoulder, the rest of him covered in a blanket.

"Oh Peter," Pepper sighed, voice watering as she gently smoothed back his hair. He didn't stir or register the touch, still knocked out cold.

"Is he going to be okay?" May asked in a small voice.

She had shown up an hour into Peter's treatment, eyes rimmed red and her hair pulled into a messy bun. She had been immediately pulled into a hug by Pepper, the two women bursting into tears as Pepper explained again what had gone down.

"Peter's going to be just fine," Helen assured them. "You have an incredible son. His healing factor is amazing."

"It's sure is something," Tony managed to get our hoarsely, squeezing his son's foot over the top of the blanket.

"If he didn't have it, he wouldn't have made it," Helen said. "He lost a lot of blood with the initial shot."

"Because the bullet had been dipped in poison it distracted Peter's healing factor as he tried to fight off the foreign substance," Bruce explained. "If Peter hadn't been with Flash and he hadn't put pressure on the wound, Peter would have bled out before he had a chance to heal himself enough for the bleeding to stop."

Clint had called from the hospital after he had made Flash give him a rundown of what had happened, and they had passed the information onto Bruce and Cho who adjusted their treatment accordingly.

"We identified the poison and this IV bag here," Helen pointed to the closest hanging bag. "is the antidote. He needs more than a regular person because his metabolism is fighting it off so quickly."

"We've also got him on Cap's pain killers," Bruce added. "So, he should be out for a while."

"Thank you," Tony said, voice thick with emotions that Bruce and Cho had never seen before. "For everything."

"You've got an incredible son," Helen smiled with a nod. "I'll monitor him for the next few days, but he should be up and swinging again in next to no time."

"Thank you," Pepper said earnestly.

"I'll be around if you need anything," Helen nodded and moved away to give them space.

Tony, Pepper, May and Rhodey all pulled up a chair as Bruce excused himself to go clean up.

May and Pepper fussed around Peter, making sure his pillow was fluffed and he was tucked neatly into the bed, despite not being awake to appreciate it.

"Who did this to him?" May finally asked.

Tony had been surprised when May hadn't initially asked and wondered how she had managed to hold off for so long.

"Elizbeth Harper," Tony growled. "Obadiah's daughter."

"He had a daughter?" May asked, looking between Rhodey and Tony. "I thought he wasn't married."

"He wasn't," Tony shook his head. "He was not the paternal type either, no matter what the media said about his and mine relationship. He never said anything about having a daughter and my guess is that he wanted to keep it that way."

"So what?" May huffed. "She is just following in her father's footsteps?"

"Basically," Rhodey crossed his arms over his chest. "She wanted revenge for what happened to him. An eye for an eye."

"Both deserved exactly what they got," Tony muttered darkly.

"She won't ever be getting near our nephew again," Rhodey said to May.

"Good," May nodded firmly, her eyes darkening at the thought.

They made themselves comfortable around Peter's bed, Tony wrapping an arm around Pepper and pulled her against his chest. She sunk into him and Tony drew comfort in her steady heat and the way she played with his fingers.

"You did it," Pepper murmured, tilting her head up to look at Tony. "You brought him home again."

Tony kissed her deeply, toying with the ends of her hair. When he pulled away, she was smiling at him beautifully.

"We did it," Tony murmured back.

An hour later they were all jolting in their chairs as Peter stirred, lips smacking together as he sluggishly opened his eyes.

"Kid?" Tony asked, perching on the side of the bed.

Peter rolled his head towards his voice and blinked sluggishly at him. His eyes were glassy as he blinked slowly at them. He stared at them for a beat, before his eyes were widening.

"S' issster stark?" Peter slurred.

Tony's heart clenched at the title, but his son was awake, so he planted a smile on his face. "Hey kid. You with us?"

Peter blinked. "What are you doin' here?"

"Sweetheart? Do you know where you are?" Pepper asked, taking his hand in hers, careful of the IV in his hand.

"S Pepper Stark!" Peter gaped at his mother. "' wha' are you doin' here?"

"We're here for you, sweetie," Pepper smiled, gently smoothing back a stray curl. "How are you feeling?"

"S'okay," Peter hummed, eyes fluttering briefly shut before they opened again. "Floaty."

"That would be the painkillers," May chuckled from the other side of the bed.

Peter rolled his head and stared at his Aunt for a moment before his eyes were widening once again. "Aunt May!"

"Hey," May smiled.

"S'SSSSStarks are here!" Peter grinned loopily. "Did you see?"

"Yeah, I can see that," May grinned at Tony and Pepper who were looking at Peter fondly.

"May," Peter said, his voice growing serious. "May, you can't give them the date loaf. S'not good."

Tony snorted, hiding his laughter into his hand. He coughed as Pepper elbowed him in the stomach and fought to keep his face straight. He didn't dare look at Rhodey, but he could tell his best friend that he was trying to keep a straight face himself.

"I won't," May promised, her amusement a nice replacement from the worry she had been sporting.

"Why are they here?" Peter asked and then he whispered. "Did Mr sark find out I took apart one of his phones? M' I in trouble?"

"No baby," May giggled. "You got hurt, do you remember?"

"I got hurt?" Peter's eyes widened.

Tony was kind of glad his son was high as a kite right now because he knew later he wouldn't be having nearly as much fun later when the drugs started to wear off.

"Yeah you did," Tony said, drawing Peter's attention back to him. "You scared the hell out of me and your mother. Not cool."

Peter's brows furrowed in adorable confusion.

"My mum?" Peter slurred.

"That's right," Pepper smiled. "But you're going to be okay, honey."

Peter blinked at her and then looked down at their linked hands. "S' holding my hand."

"I am," Pepper said. "Does it hurt?" She went to remove her hand, but Peter squeezed them loosely and she paused.

"Noooo, S'feels nice," Peter cried quietly. He looked back at Peter, blinking slowly. "YOU'RE MY MUM?"

Everyone jumped at the sudden yelling and Rhodey snorted into his fist.

"Yes," Pepper grinned, eyes shining brightly.

"'at's so cool," Peter breathed. "Does Mr Stark know?"

Tony snorted again. "Yeah, kid I know. I was there and had something to do with it."

"You did?" Peter gasped. "What did you do?"

"Did you give him the birds and the bees talk?" Tony asked May, eyebrows raised.

"Peter, honey, Tony's your dad," May chuckled.

Peter's mouth dropped open as he dragged his gaze to Tony. "You're my dad?"

"Sure am, kiddo," Tony smiled, heart melting at the adorableness that was his kid. It immediately turned to panic though when fat tears started rolling down Peter's cheeks and he started crying softly. "Pete? What is it? Are you in pain?"

"S got a family," Peter sobbed.

"Oh Pete," Tony said, feeling as if a horse had kicked him in the chest. "Yeah, buddy. You have a family."

Pepper leaned forward and kissed Peter's forehead. "Shhh, it's okay sweetie."

Peter sniffed, head rolling to the side and he was passed out again, his breathing evening out once again.

"This kid," May shook her head, wiping the stray tear that rolled down her cheek.

Peter scrunched his nose as something tugged in his hand and struggled to pry his eyes open. They were so heavy with tiredness that he simply wanted to fade away but the sharp uncomfortable tug on his skin had him blinking slowly. His eyes locked onto a woman he had never met who was gently fiddling with an IV line that was connected to his hand.

Drugs. That is why his body was so heavy. This woman was drugging him. She must work with Harper!

Peter forced his body though the sweet fog and bolted up, grabbing the woman by the wrist, pausing any further movement. She screamed in shock, but Peter ignored her, forcing her back with a shove. He grabbed the IV, yanking it out of his skin with a hiss and jumped to his feet. He swayed as he stood, body tilting to the left as he struggled to gain his balance.

"Peter!" the woman gasped, reaching out to steady him but he stumbled out of the way and fell down hard. His shoulder jolted and his hissed as pain radiated through it.

"Peter."

Peter jolted at the familiar voice, more pain shooting through his shoulder and turned to see Bruce crouching down beside him.

"Doctor Banner?" Peter frowned, his heart beating rapidly in his chest and a wave of confusion swept over him.

"Hey, it's okay," Bruce helped him sit up. "Easy, easy, you're okay."

"Peter!"

Peter turned to see Tony running over to him, falling to his knees as his hands came to steady Peter. "Bruce, why the hell is he on the floor?"

"I startled him," the mystery woman spoke. "I wasn't expecting him to wake up again so soon."

"She was drugging me," Peter said, scrambling back into Tony's chest. "She works for Harper!"

"Whoa, easy kid, easy" Tony soothed, hands supporting his back. "No, this is Helen Cho, she works with us."

Peter stopped backing into Tony's chest, slumping and panting hard. "What?"

"Hi Peter," Helen smiled, not looking the least bit offended that he had just accused her of drugging him. "I'm so sorry I startled you. I'm Helen. I'm a doctor."

"She's one of the best. She helped heal you," Tony said, his voice a soothing rumble that vibrated against Peter's back.

"She's… she's not with Harper?" Peter asked.

"No, kiddo. She is one of the good guys," Tony promised.

The fight left Peter's body and exhaustion took over and he sunk into Tony's embrace.

"Alright, let's get you up," Tony grunted.

With the help of Bruce, they got Peter back onto his feet and back into the bed. Peter slumped against the pillow, leaning into the hand that smoothed back his hair. His eyes drooped but he forced himself to keep awake, confusion still clouding his mind.

"M' sorry," Peter said.

"Hey, no apologies," Tony said, dropping a kiss to the top of Peter's head. "You were scared and just followed your instincts."

Peter nodded but guilt was starting to churn through his stomach. "Sorry Doctor Cho."

Helen smiled over her shoulder at him over her shoulder as she fiddled with the IV line. "Not the first time that's happened. You were a lot gentler than the Captain the first time he came out of surgery."

Tony and Bruce both winced.

"That was a nightmare," Tony mumbled.

Peter was intrigued by what the Captain had done but the pain in his shoulder had him asking "What happened?" instead.

"What do you remember?" Tony asked gently.

Peter brows furrowed as she struggled to place the events. "I was at school. Flash was there. We – we went out onto the football field." Peter brought his hand up to touch his bandage, but Tony's callused hands stopped him from touching it. "She shot me!"

"Yeah, she did," Tony growled. "The bullet was laced with poison."

"Oh," Peter blinked. That explained why he hadn't been feel all that great and why everything was so hazy. "Wait, is Flash okay?"

"He's fine," Tony assured him. "Clint took him to the hospital. He's got a couple of bruises from where you landed. You passed out before hitting the ground, but he'll be fine."

"Ummm," Peter looked at Tony sheepishly. "I had to tell him I was Spider-Man."

"I know," Tony said. "Don't worry, he won't be telling anyone and your mum will get him to sign a NDA."

"Where is mum?" Peter asked. "And Aunt May! Are they okay? Did Harper do something to them?"

"Whoa, easy," Tony soothed. "They're both okay. You're the only one who got hurt. Everyone's fine."

"What happened to her?" Peter asked. "Harper, I mean."

"She's locked up," Tony said firmly. "You don't ever have to worry about her again."

"Why did she do it?" Peter asked. "What did I do that was so bad?"

Tony sunk down on the edge of the bed, cupping Peter's neck with one hand and holding Peter's hand in the other. He looked at his son firmly and said, "You didn't do anything. None of this is on you."

"Why did she take me?" Peter asked desperately.

"This all stems from when you were first taken from us," Tony explained. "She was Obadiah's daughter, which was a huge surprise let me tell you. It's how Obadiah was able to take you and make you disappear. Everything was under her name. Since I hurt her father, she wanted to hurt me."

"S'not your fault," Peter said, wincing as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Tony's. "It's not."

Tony sighed but pressed back, quickly darting forward to place a kiss on the tip of Peter's nose. He chuckled when Peter went crossed eyed at the action and gently lowered Peter back against the pillow, heart tugging at the slight hiss Peter gave.

"Hey Cho, how we going on those pain killers?" Tony asked.

"I've got a new line set up," Helen said, appearing at the other side of the bed. "I have to re-insert the needle so Peter, this might sting a little."

Peter winced as the needle was inserted and re-taped onto his hand, but the drug's effects happened quickly, and he slumped further down onto the pillows. "Whoa."

Tony and Bruce both chuckled.

"You'll feel a little weird but that's totally normal," Bruce said.

"Don't go," Peter started to slur, reaching out and used his sticky powers to keep Tony in place.

Tony made himself more comfortable on the edge of the bed, gently bringing the blankets up further. "I won't go. I'll be here with you when you wake up."

"Mum too," Peter said, eyes drifting shut. "Don't forget mum."

"She'll be here too," Tony promised.

Peter nodded and let himself fall back into the sweet nothingness.

"You two are so embarrassing," Peter moaned, cheeks flushed pink but there was an excited glint in his eyes that told Pepper he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Us? Embarrassing parents," Tony scoffed dramatically. "Did you hear that, Pep?"

"Sure did," Pepper smirked, reaching out the wipe at Peter's cheek at the imaginary dirt on his face. "He couldn't be possibly talking about us though."

Peter squawked, slapping her hand away gently. "Mum!"

Peter had been able to leave the med bay within 24 hours of him being shot. He stayed home from school for one day before he insisted that he go back and not let Harper keep him metaphorically locked up.

Pepper and Tony had supported his very mature decision but were still hesitant to let him out of their sight and so they insisted on dropping him off to school themselves and walking him into the school.

"Hey Mr and Mrs. Stark!"

The family turned to see Ned hurrying to them, beaming widely at his best friend. As soon as Ned reached them, he and Peter did their complicated handshake before they were hugging each other tightly.

"Dude, you're okay!"

"Yep," Peter beamed.

"Dude, what was it like getting shot?" Ned asked, wide eyed.

"10 out of 10 don't recommend, Ned. It hurt. A lot," Peter said straight-faced.

"No shit," Tony scoffed.

Pepper elbowed him in the gut. "Don't swear. Hi Ned, how are you going?"

"I'm good," Ned beamed. "Happy Peter is okay."

Peter nudged Ned, giving him another wide grin. "Dude, you were a total hero."

"I was, wasn't I," Ned nodded. "Hey, I didn't even need a hat!"

Pepper shared an amused grin with Tony before shaking her head. "Alright, sweetheart. Have you got everything you need?"

"Yes mum," Peter moaned, gripping the straps of his backpack.

"Now, if you need anything, just call okay," Tony said seriously.

"Yes, we've been over this," Peter said, pleading with his eyes for them to let him go. "Ned and I are going to be late to class." He started backing away, pulling Ned with him.

"What? No kiss for your old man?" Tony teased.

Peter rolled his eyes but darted forward quickly to pull them both into a tight hug. "Love you, bye." And then he was pulling back and racing into the school with Ned by his side.

"Do you think showing up here at the end of the day with a giant collection of balloons would embarrass him?" Tony asked as he watched Peter disappear into the school.

"I think a giant teddy bear would be more embarrassing," Pepper suggested, a tiny smirk on her face.

Tony turned to her, a handsome smirk on his lips and his eyes glinting behind his sunglasses. "God I love you."

"I know," Pepper shrugged demurely. "I love you too."

Tony took her hand and they started walking back to the car, ignoring the stare from the students and the other parents that were milling about the front of the school. She gave her husband a wink as he opened the car door for her, and she slid into the passenger seat. A moment later Tony was behind the wheel and pulling into traffic.

"One day I'll get Nat to pick up Peter," Tony grinned. "The kid will die."

Pepper laughed and placed a hand on Tony's knee, smirking as his leg tensed and his fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter. "This is a good look on you."

"What? Being conniving?" Tony asked.

"Being a dad," Pepper smiled softly.

"Well," Tony shifted in his seat. "You heard Peter, he's got a family. He's got us and with family comes embarrassing parents which apparently we are." He cleared his throat, keeping his gaze firmly on the road. "This is good."

"Yes, it is," Pepper agreed. "I love you."

Tony glanced at her, expression softening. "Love you too."

"Hey Losers," MJ nodded at them, joining them at Peter's locker.

"Hey MJ," Peter grinned.

"You look happy for someone who got shot not too long ago," MJ remarked.

Peter shrugged, no longer feeling any pain from the bullet wound. It had healed up nicely, not even leaving a scar much to his disappointment. "I feel good."

"Hey, what happened to the lady?" Ned asked, keeping his voice low. "Is she in jail now?"

Peter nodded. "Yeah but like, not regular prison. Actually, they wouldn't tell me where they sent her but apparently, she's never getting out again."

"I'm glad you're okay," MJ said, punching Peter in the arm. "Don't scare us again."

Peter rubbed his arm, a light flush coming across his cheeks. "I won't."

"Good," MJ nodded.

"Are you two having a moment right now?" Ned asked, smirking. "I can go…"

MJ rolled her eyes and Peter groaned. "Ned!"

"Stark!"

Peter turned at his name and saw Flash walking over to him. He looked much better than the last time Peter had seen him; clothes pristine, hair gelled down.

"Flash," Peter greeted. "Ummm, how are you?"

Flash shrugged. "I'm okay." He looked at Peter's shoulder and blinked. "Are you?"

"I'm fine," Peter nodded. "Umm, thank you. For helping me. You, uh, saved my life."

Flash blinked and nodded, finally tearing his gaze away from Peter's shoulder. "Glad you didn't die."

"Is this happening right now?" Ned whispered.

"We need to work on our project during lunch," Flash said. "Since we missed a couple of classes."

Peter nodded. "Sure."

"Meet me in the library after you've eaten," Flash said. With one last look at Peter's shoulder, Flash turned and walked away.

The three of them stared at his retreating form until his disappeared into the crowd.

"This has been a very surreal year for me," Peter said. "And we aren't even halfway through it yet."

"I'm mean, it can't get any worse," Ned said.

"No," Peter agreed, a smile coming to his face at the thought of what he had gained.

Yes, it had been difficult to start off with, but he had a family now. Parents who wanted to embarrass him at the front of the school, and Aunt who loved and supported him, a kick-ass uncle who would totally help him prank his dad, and a group of superheroes' who would do anything for him.

He was Peter Stark now and he wouldn't trade that for anything.

THE END

And that's it! Once again thank you for your support and happy reading!