AN: Okay, I know not much happens in this chapter, so I'll make sure the next is more exciting.

Disclaimer: Look at the last chapter.

Peter POV

I thought that everything was going to be simple now that Dr. Connors had been returned to normal. I thought that I could continue dating Gwen and just ignore the promise I had made. I thought that I would defend the city of New York and catch any "bad guy" that I came across. I thought I was done mutating. But now as I stare at my red eyes in the mirror I know I was wrong.

They had turned that color ever since I had gotten shot and stayed the same blindingly brilliant red since. Why did my spider-sense go off when the gun was pointed at the girl and not myself anyway? Was it because subconsciously I knew that I was still in danger because I would save the girl no matter what? Was it because he planned on shooting me after he killed the girl?

"Peter?"

I turned my eyes to the door, and they widened in surprise. I automatically locked the bathroom door, answering, "Yes, Aunt May?"

"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

I quickly tried to think of an excuse as to why I couldn't leave the bathroom. "No, Aunt May. Um…I'm sick. Puking. Yeah, I can't come out because…I ate a burrito and it made me sick to my stomach."

"Oh," she let out, startled slightly. "Well are you alright? Do I need to call the doctor?"

"No!" I said a bit too quickly. I breathed slowly, trying to calm myself before I said anything else. "No, Aunt May. Really, it's fine."

"Alright then. Let me know if you need me," she fussed, worry still coating her voice.

"Alright," I murmured, turning back to the mirror only to be haunted by my own reflection. I was honestly frightened. Sitting on my face were two red eyes. They were my eyes. It wasn't just any red either. It was so bright that it almost glowed, and yet so rich that it still reminded me of liquid pools of blood. They were the eyes of a true spider.

I pulled out my phone, dialing a number as fast as humanly—or in my case inhumanly—possible. It only rang twice before Gwen picked up. "Hello?"

"Hey, Gwen. It's me," I said into the phone, holding it in my shaking hand. Afraid of dropping it, I lifted to other hand to hold it as well, but that just made it shake harder, so I settled on gripping it tightly with my right hand.

"Oh, Peter! Did it fade? Are you alright?" Gwen questioned. She sounded even more panicked than I did, and that's saying something.

"I'm fine, Gwen, but the color didn't fade. I need you to go get me some brown contacts," I told her. "If money's a problem, I'll pay you back."

"The money's not a problem," she replied. "I just don't know where to get contacts."

"Uh…" I tried to think of anywhere that might sell them. "Try the costume store at the corner by that giant toy store."

She was silent for a moment, but eventually complied, "Alright. I'll get a few of them, alright?"

"Sounds good," I agreed. "Meet me at my window. It won't be hard for you to sneak in since my bedroom's got that tree leading up to the window.

"'Kay." With that she hung up, and I felt immensely guilty. I can't believe I ever pulled her into this. I can't believe I was stressing her out now because I was some freak. She deserved better than me.

I sighed and opened the door slightly, listening carefully. It sounded like Aunt May was in the kitchen, so I chanced it and sneaked up to my room, shutting the door behind me with a soft click.

I sighed and collapsed onto my bed as soon as I was sure Aunt May wouldn't be able barge in and catch me with my new spider addition.

The contacts that Gwen was bringing me were only a temporary fix. What was I supposed to do in the long run? What was I supposed to do if my eyes weren't the only thing that mutated? Wait, Dr. Connors already knew my secret identity, and he was a scientist. His work dealt with genes too. I decided there was no way he wouldn't help me and that I would have to approach him about it as soon as possible.

While I was caught up in my thoughts, there was a rapping at my window. Wow, either Gwen had moved fast or I had been contemplating what to do for a long time. I got up and unlocked the window, sliding it up and helping her climb in. I closed it behind her, and then spun on my heel, keeping my eyes lowered. Finally, I raised them to meet her own, and all she did was stare.

Was she afraid of them? Of me? I didn't even want to think about, and I closed them quickly, fearing the worst. I felt her hand touch my cheek, and I opened my eyes to see her gazing at me with sadness. "Peter, stop. I'll love you no matter what you look like." She smirked then, pulling her hand back to her side. "Red eyes and all."

I grinned and countered, "Glad to know."

Her smirk left her face, and I could tell she was being completely serious as she pulled out a handful of contacts. "I got four of them. I hope they work alright."

"Me too," I whispered, taking one container and approaching the mirror to put them in.

Before I had a chance to though, Gwen mumbled, "Peter?"

I glanced back at her. "Yeah, Gwen?"

She sighed and looked away. "I know what you're going to say already, but please, you don't know what's going on with your...yourself, and I don't want you to get hurt. Be careful, please."

I just watched her for a moment longer before smiling slightly. "Gwen, I'm going to protect the citizens of New York. I have to."

Gwen looked away. "That's what I thought."

I was letting her down again. I really wasn't good enough for her.