*Set after Peter Parker (2012) has defeated Doctor Osborn and his lizard formula. Even though Peter promised Captain George Stacy he would stay away from Gwen, he cannot help but become involved in her life. The story kicks off right after he arrives late to class after telling Gwen They cannot see each other again.*

Before you read, allow me to state that (a) this story was originally written when the film came out on my old account, and it got some great reviews. However, due to health issues I forgot about it after several chapters and never finished it. I have decided, under the guise of a new account, to not only continue it, but to go back and re-write some of the earlier parts that my younger self could not quite convey as well as I feel I can now, and (b) Spiderman in these stories of mine are -always- played by Andrew Garfield...always.

Promises (revised edition)

Chapter One.

As the bell rang for lunch, the hallways became crowded and loud. Peter, having arrived late to class was forced to stay back. "I'm sorry I was late to class…again," said Peter as he stared at the ground. "I have had a lot going on lately with the death of my uncle, it's just been tough".

"I know it has Peter, and don't worry I will lay off the work load for a little while until you get you head around things ok" the teacher explained, the look of worry clearly shown on her face.

"Thanks, I will make up for what I have missed...well if there is nothing else I have to go".

Peter picked up his bag and headed for the lockers. Before he reached his locker, someone jumped on his back and rubbed his head.

"Hey Parker, how's it going, coming to basketball practice tonight"?

"Sorry Flash, I got stuff to do. It's not really my game anyway." Peter said with a sigh. He could say Flash wanted to protest, but didn't, giving him a pat on the shoulder and sympathetic look he walked off down the busy hallway.

Ever since Uncle Ben's death Flash has been surprisingly civil towards me, Peter thought to himself. Never the less he was hardly the type of person he wanted to be around. It's not like he was a bad guy, he just…wasn't really Peters sort of guy. Too much muscle and not enough brains, if he were to be honest about it. After bumping into a few talkative friends, Peter made his way to the benches looking out towards the football field. He had decided to sit on the far left, while the few people who were around and not on the field were sitting on the other side of the seating complex, this is where he could be alone. Peter watched the players on the field, knowing he could probably outplay them all but, knowing he would never be able to use his powers to humiliate the jocks, as much as he wanted to. It was not that long ago that he had sat here and kissed the girl that meant more to him than anything. Nevertheless, he had promised he would keep her safe, and the only way for him to do that was to leave her alone. It's for her own good, he would tell himself, over and over again. But each time he had more and more trouble believing it. Who better than to protect her than Spiderman? No, no…he would only need to protect her because he was Spiderman. I will always have enemies and people out to get me, he thought quietly to himself. So lost in his own personal debate that raged within him, he didn't hear the footsteps behind him.

"Do you mind if I sit here"? Asked Gwen with a small smile on her face, though she was obviously in pain just being here.

"Um I…I suppose " Peter stumbled as he battled his feelings that brewed so violently within him, just sitting here was killing him. Sometimes, he wished he could just be a normal kid, and embrace the things…or people, he loved.

Gwen took a seat next to Peter, she simply sat quietly, pretending to watch the commotion out on the field. She didn't need enhanced senses to detect the tension that was slowly growing between them. Finally, she turned and looked him right in the eye. "Peter, please talk to me..." she said, holding back tears.

"I don't need to talk Gwen, you know I promised your father…and he was right to make me do so. I am a danger to you and the last thing I want is to put you in danger. What if something happened to you? I would spend the rest of my life miserable and guilt ridden knowing it was my fault. I can't have that…" he tried as hard as he could to sound like he meant what he was saying, but the cracks in his sincerity were slowly starting to show. It was those big sad eyes she gave him, those big sad eyes that were filled with love and anger and desperation and hope that he would come back to her.

"I would rather make my own choices!" she snapped suddenly, but she quickly recovered and looked down to the ground. "I know the risk of being with you and it is worth it. I don't doubt for a second that it will be dangerous and that we will both have to make sacrifices…but it's what I want. I know you only want the best for me; you are the best thing for me Peter, the safest place for me to be is right by your side".

The whole weight of the situation was almost crippling, the one thing he wanted the most was sitting right next to him and he couldn't reach it, but should he go for it…brake his promise. Maybe she was right, but then again…he was so confused, his heart was almost at breaking point.

It seemed however, that Gwen could see this, so once more she gave him those big sad eyes, looking right at him. "Look Peter, you don't have to give me an answer now okay, if you want to see me again and…talk this over some more then drop in sometime this week...I think you know which window it is". With that, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before walking off to the last period of the day. For a long moment Peter sat there, unsure of everything. With a sigh he picked up his bag and headed for class, but he was off in his own world, lost, thinking about her. Always her.

It was just after five o'clock when Peter finally arrived home. Like usual aunt May was sitting at the table waiting, ever since Uncle Ben she was always so worried about him. "What took you so long to get home? Asked aunt May in a rushed tone, quickly walking about to him and giving him a hug.

"I just had some study to do, that's all. I think I might go to bed early tonight, I have tests tomorrow".

"Peter…" she said, gently stroking his face. "Have you talked to Gwen?" she asked, carefully stepping around the subject knowing how delicate it was.

"Y-yes, I mean, we spoke…sort of. I just, need time to think." Peter replied, holding his hand against hers for a moment, feeling the love he had for her pour out.

With a smile and a kiss, Peter strolled up to his room and sat down on the bed, closing the door behind him. With a loud sigh his face sunk into his hands, there was only once place he wanted to be right now but should he? The feeling was so strong, he craved to be with her. No, not yet…just wait." He thought, pulling off his top and jeans, throwing them into the cupboard and hitting the light switch, he collapsed into bed. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, but his dreams were filled with here…always her.

He woke up early the next morning, looking over to his clock. Thursday, 6:50am. Ugh, I don't feel well…Peter curled up, face in his hands he let out a sigh and drifted off back into a semi sleep semi awake state. That is, until aunt May came knocking on the door. She poked her head in, seeing Peter curled up as though he was in pain. She knew he was hurting, but wasn't sure what to do about it.

"Peter…?" she asked,

"I'm awake I just…I don't feel that great" he said, rolling over to face her.

Aunt May put a hand to his forehead, stroking his face. "You haven't had a day off since Uncle Ben's funeral, why not stay home today, hm?" she said giving him a smile.

He took a moment, head swirling with ideas until finally giving in. "Yea I think you're right, might be best to take a day oh hey?" he said giving her a smile and falling back down into bed. Not just a day off school mind you, but off being Spidermand…couldn't do me much harm to rest up a little, he thought to himself.

"I will let you get back to sleep, enjoy yourself dear" she said, closing the door and heading back down stairs.

The day passed quietly, Peter spent most of it in bed. Though he kept them hidden, he wore many bruises under his clothes, hidden from sight. If aunt May were ever to see…she would go mad, but they were there and they hurt. Peter stood before his bedroom mirror that hung on the back of the door. Wearing only his boxers he turned slowly, examining the scars and purple marks that blotched his back and upper body. Each one a memory, each one a reminder. The pain stopped bothering him a while ago, but they were still hard to look at. There was one, which he got during his final encounter with Doctor Osborn in his mutant form. A large scar across his chest that hadn't healed properly and probably never would. The tissue around it had healed but it was there, a painful chasm in his chest from where he failed to save Gwen's father…that is when he got it. Every time he saw it, he felt the pain and the embarrassment that came with that loss. He quickly picked up his shirt, slipping it on and getting back into bed. Aunt May had brought up some breakfast half an hour before so there wasn't really much else to do, not that he wanted to do much. I wonder what she's up to he thought, mind once again drifting off to be completely devoured by her. Almost like an answer, he phone gave a quick buzz from under his pillow. It was a message from Gwen.

Gwen: You're not at school, is everything okay?

Peter: Don't worry, Spiderman is just taking a day off – things are a bit much at the moment, needed a break.

Gwen: Alright, as long as you are okay. How's aunt May doing?

Peter: She's handling it as best she can I suppose, I don't really know what to do…how to fill that hole…

Gwen: I know what you mean, mum is…struggling. But she has me, just as aunt May has you, she will be fine.

Peter: Thanks, Gwen. How's school?

Gwen: Is that even a question? Haha, Mr Smith is pushing us on those economics papers, and science exams are coming up so they are riding us about those. Not that you will have much trouble.

Peter: Well…maybe I can…

Gwen: Maybe you can what?

Peter stopped, holding his breath his mind was racing unsure of what to say. He had to make a decision, does he leave her alone, or break his promise and go to her…the only place she will be safe, is by your side, he said to himself, picking up the phone.

Peter: Maybe I will 'swing' round sometime and help you with some study.

Gwen: I'll leave the window open x.

And with that, he put the phone on the bedside table. His mind was made up, and there was nothing more to it. He fell back down into his bed, allowing himself to once again drift off into sleep.

The alarm clock blared and he hit the button on the top harder than he meant to, hearing the springs inside bounce around. Friday. Ugh. He was feeling better, but lucky for him it was a pupil free day, some sort of teachers meeting. He slowly got up, grabbing a towel and moving towards the shower. As he turned the water on, he removed his shirt. Placing his fingers at the top of the large scar on his chest, he followed it down towards his lower stomach, ignoring the burning pain. He closed his eyes, wishing he could forget, stepping into the hot water. After a good half an hour, he got out and got dressed, finally racing down stairs to find aunt May sitting in the kitchen reading a book.

"Good morning, dear" she said with a full faced smile.

Peter leaned down, kissing her, "Morning" he said, somewhat happier than the day before.

"Do I detect a note of…dare I say joy?" aunt May teased with a wink. "What has prompted this sudden change in mood, not simply another day off school I take it?"

"Not quite, I…I am seeing Gwen later on. She needs help with her science study for the exams…" he let the words hang in the air a moment, still trying to accept his decision.

"Well it's about time young man" she said, standing to give him a hug. "You have no idea how much better it makes me feel to see you happy."

This was the first time in a while that Peter had seen his aunt smile, and he took it as a good omen that he was on the path to making the right decisions. He quickly picked up some food, grabbed his washing and headed back up to his room. It may have been a day off from school but he actually did want to pass his exams, and despite what everyone thought – even he needed to study.

The next several hours passed quietly, he sat at his desk with music blaring through his ear phones as he filled in papers and wrote up mock essay's on a range of topics. It wasn't until he looked down at his watch when he realised the time. "Oh, crap." He said out loud to himself, "It's already eight o'clock." He closed his books and put on a long sleeve shirt and jeans. Before jumping out the window, he needed to make sure there were no 'loose ends'. He headed down stairs where aunt May was watching television.

"Aunt May, I am just going to go over and see Gwen alright?"

"Okay" she replied, "But you be careful, either stay the night or come home before midnight." She said, the slight note of worry present in her tone, but she didn't want to stand in the way of him seeing Gwen.

"Yes Ma'am" he said, with a quick salute and a smile, closing the front door behind him. Once he was outside, he pulled his sleeves up where he had concealed his web-slingers. With a quick run up, he vaulted into the air and was flying over the rooftops that made up his neighbourhood. He only lived a few minutes out from the city, and that is where Gwen lived. It was a lot easier to mauver with all the large sky scrapers. It took him another ten minutes to arrive at her block, and he could see her building and…her room. The light was on, and the window open just a crack. With a few quick leaps he landed on the fire escape outside her room but made barely a sound. Moving up towards the window, he looked in to see her desk scattered with papers and work which was most likely attempts at study. And there she was, in bed. The main light in the room was off, but the bedside table lights were on, giving the room a dull glow. Very slowly, he pushed open the window and climbed in over the desk and chair. He was sure she would have heard him, but she must have dozed off. He stood there for a moment, looking down at her, taking in her full beauty. He wanted this, and no matter what he did or how hard he tried he could not fight the urge to be near her. Quietly, he unzipped the jumper he had on and placed it on the floor sitting down on the bed, putting his hand on her waist. Slowly, she drifted out of her sleep and rolled over, looking up to see him. Those big sad eyes suddenly were restocked with happiness at the site of him.

"You came" she said, wrapping her arms around him. "I…I really didn't think you were going to come." She couldn't help but let out a small cry of relief at being proven wrong.

"Gwen" Peter said, looking into her deep blue eyes and placing a hand on her face, "I will always come, no matter what." And with that, he leant down and finally, after what had seemed like an eternity, embraced this wonderful person whom he lived dearly. Her kiss was like a drug, he could never get enough of it, and was addicted. Gwen moved her hands up his arms, cupping his face. She didn't need anything else, she had him and that was enough.

"Will…you stay the night?" as she asked bashfully, her face going a little red as she looked away, trying to hide it.

Peter pulled her hand up and kissed it, "There is nowhere else I would rather be." He was filled with a warm sensation as he was finally allowed to indulge in his most passionate love. Their lips met once more, and Peter couldn't help but let the small smile at the edge of her lips free the heavy burden that had weighed down on his shoulders. He slowly moved into bed, removing his baggy jeans – wearing only his boxers and shirt. Gwen moved a hand down his chest as she went to pull his shirt up, but he suddenly placed his hand on hers and looked away as if shamed.

"Peter, what's wrong?" she asked with a concerned tone, "have…I done something to upset you...is this too much?" she asked slightly more worried she had somehow ruined the most perfect of moments.

Peter tried to hide his pained expression, but he understood that eventually she would see – it was pointless to hide it. Slowly, he lifted his shirt up and off, throwing it to the floor. There, for her to see was the large scar across his chest. Gwen looked at it, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. She very gently placed a hand on it, looking at him.

"Does it hurt?"

Peter tried to keep a calm face, but couldn't help his emotions. "Yes…all the time. It isn't the only one, but it is the worst." He watched her expression, waiting to see her reaction.

Instead of saying anything, she gently stroked his cheek, kissing him while still holding her hand over the scar. "I love you" she whispered. "All of you, including your scars." She let her hand roll down his chest, taking in the warmth of his body while once more tasting his lips.

With the night to themselves, they embraced one another in their love. Allowing all the pent up emotion and tension that had existed between them over the last few weeks to simply vanish into pure bliss. Things were exactly how they were supposed to be, Peter thought as he held onto Gwen as if he let go for even a second he may risk losing her.