Sif and Gwen strode through the busy sidewalks of New York, Gwen leading, Sif following quickly behind her, all but stepping on the back of her heels.

"For someone with short legs, you do not lack speed." Sif chuckled carelessly, sipping on her iced coffee Gwen bought her.

Gwen returned her laugh, glancing over her shoulder, struggling with her bags, "thanks, I guess.. When you're born and raised in New York, you gotta move fast or you're eaten alive."

Sif seemed struck by this, her eyes widening, before glancing behind her and walking along side Gwen, keeping her pace, "truly?"

Gwen laughed, "no no, not like that. It's a human thing. It just means you'll be taken advantage of, or overlooked. You have to keep up."

Sif mulled this over, taking another sip of her iced coffee. Gwen's phone chimed suddenly, and she reached for it, barely slowing down any. She glanced at it a few moments longer and stopped. Sif kept walking, only noticing Gwen was not beside her a few steps forward. She walked back, "What is it?"

Gwen didn't look away from her phone, "Pete was in the hospital."

"Is he alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine, he's out.. they just thought maybe he had a head injury or something.."

"Should we go see him?"

"No, he's at work now apparently."

Gwen tapped on the phone, seemingly sending a message, then turned the screen off and stuffed it into one of her heavy bags.

Sif took the bags from Gwen, wanting to help. Gwen muttered a quick thanks.

"Do you know what was the worst part? It wasn't even Peter who told me, it was his Dad. I don't even get a call or a text or anything saying 'Oh hey, might have a brain injury, heads up'. Nothing. Natta."

Sif took another sip before looking at her straw and offering it to Gwen. She grabbed it and downed the last bit that was left.

"Perhaps this is too much on you, Gwen. You are only human." Sif offered, and they began to walk again, this time at a much more docile pace.

"He's human too. I can handle it, he just needs to let me handle it."

"Well, he is not completely human. This is the path he has chosen; the path of a warrior. You cannot hold this against him. Injury is to be expected." Sif said almost proudly, chucking the empty plastic cup in a nearby trash can.

"It's not that he gets injured, it's that I don't seem to be a part of a huge chunk of his life. And I can't protect him or help him at all when he's out there."

"But you cannot be a part of that area of his life. You would get injured. He is super-human; you are merely human. Perhaps you are ill-suited for each other, after all. He probably did not tell you to prevent you from worrying. Or acting such as this." Sif said shrugging.

Gwen stopped again, "Acting such as this? I'm acting fine, he's the one throwing himself into the line of fire."

Sif stopped as well, looking back at her. "I am sorry, Gwen. You worry for him. He knows the burden he places on you, he did not tell you of this injury because he did not think it was worth the trouble it would cause you."

"Oh what do you know? What are you, bullet-proof?" Gwen asked.

Sif didn't respond. Gwen stared at her, waiting for an answer.

"Maybe.." Sif forced out, wanting to end the awkward silence. Gwen felt a laugh press out of her, Sif quickly joined in the laughter, though not fully understanding why.