A year to Remember. Part 2, the Internship

"What do you think they need?", Ray asks the group, all 5 midtown interns together towards a press room at the tower. Them exchanging looks of confusion that inevitably land on MJ. "Don't turn to me, for the first time in history I'm as clueless as you are". Abe shrugs, "whatever it is, must be important. Sam emailed me yesterday night to come in today". All the boys just realised that this isn't Abe's usual working day, only worrying them further about whatever this meeting is for. "And you haven't heard anything?", Ned asks Peter who looks confused, "From Tony Stark?"

He shakes his head, "Haven't seen him since Monday".

They land into a quieter and segmented gossip, except for MJ who went back to her book, heading to the 5 empty office chairs on the audience side of the platform. The room is otherwise empty. A desk with top tier microphones set up top, the rest of the usual press seating scattered to the walls of the room.

It's about 5 minutes later when Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Sam Wilson and Pepper Potts walk in, the last of which takes a second to comment. "Ray, MJ. Helen couldn't be here as she's on call, but she'll meet you two afterwards". MJ nods, Ray providing the more polite and verbal response, the meeting starting once he's done. "You five nervous?", Tony teases, 4 out of 5 nodding while MJ gives him a death glare. Sam chuckles at it. "Relax kids, you're not in trouble. Closer to the opposite actually".

Once more they fall confused, exchanging more concerned glares and shrugged shoulders. Tony snaps his fingers calling them back. "Listen up- I sound like Cap", he mumbles the second part, only Peter's super-hearing catching it. He holds his laugh. "Over the past month we've seen your skills, your dedication and your exemplary work. All five of you have both impressed and the real surprise befriended all of us", he gestures to the three mentors besides him. "So we, and a couple more friends, have planned a sort of surprise and reward for you".

The interns perk up, even MJ lowering her book, though more suspicious than excited. "So we were hoping if tonight you'd join us and the rest of the Avengers for dinner". Tony drops that bomb, MJ narrowing her glare on the man while the rest of the teens sit agape. Excluding the snickering mentors you could hear a pin drop.

"That's the only reason you're doing this?", MJ challenges before the group can cheer, them now agape and aghast at her bluntness. Tony, at Nat's insistence, had a contingency. "No. The rest of the Avengers have heard about you in passing and also wanted to meet you. That's how we settled on what your reward was".

MJ knows there's more to it, she saw right through his deflection and knows very well that Peter is the reason they even planned this to begin with. Pointing this out however would risk Peter's group chat and that's a line she promised not to cross. "I see Stark. Good to know". Besides, what better opportunity to toy with them than that.

The excitement and panic had quietly settled already thanks to this diversion. Ned — both to Peter and MJ's surprise — rose his hand first. "Is this formal? Do we need to go home and change?". Tony shakes his head, "If you've seen Legolas, you'd know right now you're already dressed better than he will be". Ray, Ned and Abe scrunch their eyebrows; the nickname. "He means Mr Hawkeye", Peter explains, he'd gotten used to them, even if he still confuses one or two. "Good kid!", Tony commends.

"And when does it start? Is it immediately after our internships or what are we doing today?", Ray's turn to ask. Pepper taking this answer. "You still finish at 4:30, but we meet back here before dinner at 6. What you do with that extra hour is up to you".

"And when does it end?", Ray adds, wanting to pre plan his journey back home. "There's no defined ending, but we hope you're able to stay until at least 9. We'll also be arranging transportation afterwards". Ray nods and smiles, thanking Pepper for the answer and ride.