The next morning I was a bit sore, but other than that I was okay considering the events of last night. I didn't know if I could say the same for Peter, and hoped he wasn't too bad after the fight. Hopefully the gratification of getting Vulture behind bars on his own would be a dominating feeling.

I got up and changed into some leggings and a tank top to workout. This was the first day in a long time that I felt like myself, which was weird timing but I wasn't complaining. The file on my parents and what had happened to my family... it took so much of me away and I was glad to see it returning little by little.

"Good morning Rey, good to see you up and moving," FRIDAY said. I smiled to myself.

"It's good to be up, FRIDAY." I put my hair up in a small ponytail and walked out of my room and down to the indoor gym. Someone told me at one point, the gym was filled with SHIELD and Avenger recruits nearly 24/7. As I walked into it, I see those days were long ago.

I started doing some basic stuff, focusing on abs today. My workout started smoothly and I was thrilled to be back into my old routine. It was all going well.

"Good to see you're back in here," someone said. I paused my crunches and turned to see who walked in. "I hate to interrupt."

I smiled. "No, it's fine, what's going on?" I asked, standing up and grabbing my water bottle slightly happy for this impromptu break. Tony was there in a suit, something I wasn't quite expecting which is why I asked my question.

"Well, someone tells me you might need a new phone." He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled a newer looking phone out. "I made sure it was a little more plane-crash proof."

My face turned a light shade of pink and I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand while reaching out to grab the phone with the other. "Thanks. What should I do with the other one?" I asked and tucked the new phone into a pocket in my leggings.

With a shrug, he said, "You can just bring it to me whenever and I'll see what I can do with the salvageable parts." I nodded. "Now, the real reason I'm here..."

I titled my head to the side and crossed my arms. "Is everything okay?"

He quickly nodded. "Yeah, yep. I've just got the kid coming over to the compound cause I think I want to make him an Avenger. Got the press ready to go in a pressroom and a suit for him and everything. Maybe even a room."

"Wow," I said. "That's a lot. You think he'll go for it?"

Tony hesitated and I watched his hands fidget around. "That's part of the reason I wanted to talk to you. The kid seems to like you, even asking for your help- yes I know about that. I just want to make sure everything is perfect."

I nodded and thought for a second. "Well, definitely ask him behind the scenes first. It gives him more of a chance to really answer how he wants. He may say he wants to be an Avenger, but that's a lot of responsibility for a kid."

He nodded, taking everything in and I could tell it was genuine. This was important and he wanted Peter to have his chance to answer honestly. "You know, you and Wanda were basically kids. Fresh adults and all that," he commented quietly.

At first I was trying to understand what he meant by that. But he kept going. "I never wanted that. This job is stressful for me and I'm nearing 50. For you and her... you guys already had a lot and then you were taken into this."

I had made a mistake. "Tony, no, don't do that. You don't have to blame yourself. I'm not sure about... her, but I wanted to be a good guy. I hated the life I had been forced to live with Hydra and so I wanted to do everything I could to get far from it morally. Everything that happened after that, yeah it sucked, but I had the choice to get out of it and I didn't."

We were quiet before I stepped forward and put my hands on his shoulders. "Keep going with the plan. Ask Peter and let him make a decision. He knows the Avengers, he knows you. He knows what he'll be getting into."

Tony nodded along and I removed my hands from his shoulders. "You're a lot smarter than you know," he said with a small smirk. "Go get changed into something nice, I want you there at the press conference. It's in an hour and a half."

I smiled, grateful for the invite, and hurried back to my room. I didn't have a wide selection of nice clothes, but I had a suit that Nat and I went and got one time. The memory made me smile, but then it went away just as quick. I pulled the suit out and put it on my bed so I could change into it after I showered.

After my shower I did some hair and makeup (using the few things I remember learning a year ago) and got dressed. I slipped some black heels on, and with one last glance in my bathroom mirror, I nodded and made my way to the public entrance of the compound, the one where all the conference rooms and such were.

When I got there, I saw Happy and Peter standing and staring out one of the large windows, watching a Quinjet take off. "Cool, isn't it? It's even cooler when you're inside one of those things," I said.

The two turned around to look at me. Peter was ecstatic- he looked like a kid in a theme park. "Miss Silva! Or, Miss Rey or- I don't know what to call you," Peter said and rubbed the back of his neck.

I smiled at him. "Rey is good. How you doing after last night?"

He shrugged. "Don't feel as sore as I thought I would, so that's a plus," he joked. We laughed, even Happy cracked a small smile, before another voice joined the conversation.

"Oh, there they are." You all turned to look at Tony as he walked up, hands in his pockets as if this were a super casual event. Minus the suit. He had a huge smile on his face. "How was the ride up?"

Happy nodded and said, "Good."

Tony looked between Happy and I and said, "A minute with the kid." I nodded, understanding he needs this one-on-one time. There was a small discussion between the two men. "How about a loose follow," Tony offered, then was walking up to Peter to walk and talk with him.

I walked alongside Happy, blocking out the conversation ahead to just walk silently. "What are they saying?" Happy asked in a whisper. I laughed and shook my head. "Aw, come on, I know you can hear them if you wanted to."

"Yes, I could, but this is their moment. Tony's trying to be a dad to Peter right now and I don't want to eavesdrop on that," I said. Happy grumbled but didn't say anymore on the matter.

The other two stopped in front of a wall, causing Happy and I to take a few more steps and pause to see what it was. A panel opened to reveal a high-tech Spiderman suit. It was impressive and I was impressed with how much work was put into it.

"When you're ready, why don't you try that on and I'll introduce the world to the newest official member of the Avengers, Spiderman," Tony offered loudly to where Happy and I heard as well.

We looked at each other, eyebrows raised, then looked back at the kid and the suit. He had a big decision to make, and you stepped up to show him support.

Peter walked forward and looked at the suit in awe. "So, after the press conference, Happy will show you to your room- your new quarters- which he's- he's next to Vision?"

"Yeah. Vision's not big on doors. Or walls."

Tony scoffed, brushing off Happy's comments. "You'll fit right in," he said.

I stepped up to comment. "Of course, only if you choose this. You do still have a choice, Peter," I reminded him.

"Yeah, you still have a choice," Tony said in agreement.

There was a brief pause where Peter turned back around to face you guys and you knew exactly what his answer was. "Thank you, Mr. Stark, but I'm- I'm good," he answered.

Tony, however, was slightly confused. "You're good...?" he questioned. "I... how are you good?"

"I mean, I-I-I'd rather just stay on the ground for a while. Friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Somebody's gotta look out for the little guy, right?" Peter said.

I watched as Tony removed his stylish glasses and stepped up beside him. "Remember, it's his choice," I reminded him, then leaned in to whisper, "He's just a kid, Tony."

He was still struggling, but nodded lightly. "Last chance, yes or no?"

"No," Peter answered.

Tony nodded. "Alright, well then, Happy will take you home," he said. He didn't sound hurt at all, which made me sigh in relief. I looked at the kid and smiled at him to which he smiled back.

"Feel free to come by, though. I don't care if Tony's butt-hurt or not, you're a good kid to have around," I said nonchalantly. But to be honest, I felt like Peter treated me somewhat normally compared to others who thought I was a glass that was one bad thing away from shattering completely. Maybe I was, but I didn't want to feel like that.

Happy walked up. "Mind waiting in the car?" He then gestured between himself and Tony. "We need a minute." He didn't make a gesture towards me at all so I figured I'd just stay.

Peter looked back to Tony and said, "Thank you, Mr. Stark."

They shook hands and Tony responded with, "Yes, Mr. Parker, very well."

"See you around," Peter said. He smiled at me and gave me a wave, to which I returned happily. He started to walk away, back the way he came, when suddenly he stopped and turned around. "That was a test, right?" he asked. "There's, uh, nobody back there?"

Tony nodded. "Yep, you passed." I knew that was a lie. "All right, skedaddle there!" Peter turned back around left with a small skip in his step that made me smile, but I still knew Tony was lying.

"Telling ya, he's a good kid," Happy said lowly. Tony just threw his hands up and smiled at Peter's retreating figure.

The door suddenly opened behind me, causing me to turn around. Pepper came out of the room where many voices were asking questions. "Where's the kid?" Pepper asked.

"He left," Happy answered instantly.

She sighed and continued. "Everybody's waiting."

Tony turned towards her and tried to help the situation. "You know what, he actually made a really mature choice... just surprised the heck out of us," Tony said and gestured to himself, Happy, and I.

"Did you guys screw this up?" Pepper immediately asked.

"He told the kid to go wait in the car," Tony said back, throwing Happy under the bus. I sat back and watched this, laughing to myself.

"Are you kidding me?" Pepper asked as she walked up to the man in question. He fumbled for a moment before Pepper continued. "I have a room full of people waiting for some big announcement! What am I going to tell them?"

Tony shook his head as if this weren't a big deal. "Think of something," he offered. "How about, uh... Happy you still got that ring?"

My eyebrows shot up and I looked at Tony in shock. "Ring?" I asked.

Happy started feeling around his pockets and said, "Are you kidding? I've been carrying this thing since 2008." He pulled a ring out of his pants pocket and we all stared at it.

It was silent as we all stared at the ring with various expressions. Pepper looked a little weirded out, Tony looked a little scared of it, and I was just still super surprised. "Okay..." Tony managed to say, although it sounded a bit strained.

"I think I can think of something better than that," Pepper said.

Tony jumped in and said, "Well it would buy us a little time." Pepper smiled and stepped forward, bringing Tony into a kiss.

She then stepped away and started walking towards the doors again. "I can't believe you've had that thing in your pocket," she said.

Tony hurried behind her, trying to get the door but she got it Forst and walked back in. He got to the door and turned back to face Happy just as he tossed the ring over to him, which he caught nicely. I sat there in continued shock as Tony slipped inside and the door shut.

"Well that's interesting," I said. Happy just chuckled and walked away. "Drive safely!"

He waved back at me and I looked over at the doors. Would it be worth watching the proposal even if I might get caught by some reporter? Yes.