"How do you plan on protecting him, Tony?" Pepper raged as she dropped the news articles onto Tony's desk. Tony sighed as he held Peter tighter, almost shielding him from Pepper as if she would reach over and hurt him. "The world knows about him now and we don't know who is after him or what people want with him."

Tony sighed and held the two-year-old tighter. They went to an empty park for Peter's birthday. Pepper couldn't make it so it was only Rhodey, Jarvis, and Happy, everything was fine, they had a good time, never once did he see a paparazzi.

"I'll keep him safe," Tony whispered and she shook her head.

"You think I don't know you're dying?" She had tears in her eyes now. "You think I don't think that thing is killing you?" She pointed to his arc reactor. "So no, you aren't protecting him for much longer, so tell me who is."

Tony turned away from her, looking to his sleeping son. He had to protect Peter, he couldn't just leave it to Jarvis, Pepper even disapproved of Jarvis, who took great offense, as did Tony. "Figure it out, Tony." She left and Tony held Peter to his chest as he cried.

"I won't leave you, Pete," Tony whispered as he clutched the child. His nightmares were getting worse and the thought of losing Peter constantly haunts him. " I'll never hurt you as my dad did. I'll do better. I'll keep you safe." Tony kept whispering as his son gripped his shirt, looking up with sleepy eyes.

"Why sad?" Peter asked, confused as to why his father was so sad. Tony shook his head and kissed Peter's hair.

"Nothing." Tony closed his eyes.

He would keep Peter safe. No matter what anyone said, he would keep Peter safe.

_____

"Jarvis makes a list of surgeons who can remove the shrapnel if this doesn't work," Tony said as he threw wires down the hole he made, he was rebuilding his Malibu home, while Peter was sleeping, to create the element he rediscovered.

Jarvis, who was downstairs making sure everything would run smoothly, chuckled, and scanned the internet while he arranged the wires. "You don't think this will work, sir?" Tony smiled at hearing Jarvis' laugh and shook his head.

"We never know J. Plus I need to see Peter go to kindergarten, can't have kids messing with him." Jarvis raised an eyebrow, an amused smile on his face.

"Are you planning to threaten them by breaking their crayons?" Tony laughed this time.

"Most likely. Whatever keeps the kid safe." Jarvis nodded and fell silent. He hopes this works. He hated seeing Peter hurt when Tony would leave for simple things and if Tony left permanently....

Jarvis shook his head, focused on the plans in front of him and the list he was making. Tony would live because if he knew his creator, and he did, he would find something, anything to be alive and stay with Peter.

And if Tony couldn't find it then Jarvis would. He loved Tony and he would make sure he kept living.

"Sir, Miss Potts is calling," Jarvis called out when he saw the incoming call. Tony sighed and nodded, so Jarvis passed her through.

"Hey pep, what's up?" He tried to be calm, tried not to think of their conversation just a few days ago.

"Tony." She looked pained and almost sorry. "I don't think Peter should be staying with you for a while. I've sent Natalie to pick up Peter by tonight." Tony and Jarvis both dropped what they were doing.