Hi guys, back again! Sorry for the wait. Hashed this chapter out on the plane, as I am flying off for an end-of-exams holiday. Should have lots of time to create further chapters for you guys. Just wanted to say thanks for all the feedback and support I have received on this story, but in particular a massive thank you to AkaDeca, who actually gave me the idea for this chapter. Hope it turns out the way you wanted! Enjoy, everyone.

Due to his uncomfortably frequent brushes with death, Peter had spent a fair amount of time thinking about the afterlife. He had imagined it all. Heaven, Hell, Nirvana, Elysium. In fact, he'd always secretly hoped that if the worst came to the worst, he would end up becoming one with the force. He quite fancied the idea of popping up unexpectedly to give sage advice to Ned. Yes, he'd had some thoughts on the matter. But although he'd imagined hundreds of different scenarios, ending up at the avengers compound had definitely not been one of them. At least, he didn't think so. He peered around in confusion. Where before there had been nothing but rubble, there were now pristine walls and sleek, modern surfaces. Peter hadn't spent much time at the compound, but he knew a kitchen when he saw one.

"Argh!"

Peter winced, momentarily distracted by a sudden pain in his chest. It felt like someone was electrocuting him with a very small cattle prod. He clutched a hand to his chest and squeezed his eyes shut. He gasped as his ribs seemed to contract. Wasn't the point of dying was to make the pain go away? Then, almost as soon as it had arrived, the pain was gone. He bent over slightly, trying to catch his breath, and was surprised to see that he was still in his spider-suit! He patted it down gingerly, but miraculously it seemed to be in perfect condition. He breathed a sigh of relief. Mr Stark wouldn't moan at him about having to fix it. Then Peter remembered where he was, and the swift realisation that he would most likely never be seeing Mr Stark, or anyone else again, was more than a little hard to handle. Blood rushed to his head and he staggered a little. He spun around, looking for a stool, or a chair, or something, just so he could sit down for a minute. He almost choked on the yell that threatened to escape from his throat when he realised someone was standing roughly two metres away.

She was standing with her back to him, dressed head to toe in what Peter thought looked like a Star Trek uniform. Or something. Her hair was for the most part a deep red, yet the ends were blonde, and she was calmly and methodically making what looked very much like a peanut butter sandwich.

"Are you hungry?" She said, putting the final touches to it, and turning around.

"I can make another if you want."

"Urgk" was all the elegant response Peter could muster. Black Widow smiled slightly, said

"I'll take that as a no then" and took a bite out of her sandwich.

Peter felt the bright red of shame creeping up his neck and settling firmly in his ears. Battling utter mortification, he managed to force out

"...Hello. I'm Peter." He raised one hand in an awkward half-wave, then glanced at it askance, and hurriedly tucked it behind his back.

"I know." Said Black Widow, leaning back against the counter on her elbows. "Tony told us all about you. Don't worry," she smiled fondly, "all good things."

"He talked about me?" Wondered Peter, more to himself than anyone else. He felt a little surge of warmth in his chest, but it was soon overtaken by a wave of worry. He wondered what was happening to Mr Stark. And May. Even Ned. He hoped they weren't too mad at him. He hoped they were ok.

"You know," Said Black Widow in a conversational tone, "I don't think we ever got introduced. I'm Nat."

"It's- uh- it's nice to meet you. I saw you in Germany, but- well- we didn't exactly meet, then." He broke off with an awkward chuckle. Peter was dying inside as he listened to himself stutter pathetically in front of the actual Black Widow. Or, Nat. But still. She was so cool, and she probably thought he was a moron. Luckily, she didn't give him much chance to wallow in self pity before she attacked him with yet another casual question.

"How did you get here then?"

That was a good question. It made Peter pause for a moment as he tried to think. How had he got there?

"I'm not really sure." He said thoughtfully. "I mean, I used the infinity gauntlet if that's what you meant. Honestly I thought that would kill me. Are we- are we dead? Is this some kind of... purgatory or something?" He looked at her in shock. "Are you ok, did- did something happen to you? Can I help?"

Nat stared at him with a curiously intense expression in her eyes. "You used the infinity gauntlet?" She said softly. Peter nodded cautiously. "Yeah. It hurt."

"Did we win?" She asked. Her words were calm but behind her eyes Peter could see a storm of emotions. Grief, fear, and hope.

"Yes." he said, and the storm abated.

"So..." Peter ventured, "if you don't mind me asking...why are you here? And what is 'here' anyway?"

Nat shrugged. "Beats me. It's not like I was expecting white clouds and angels, but this is... strange. And as for why I'm here... well," she grinned wryly at him, "I suspect it's for the same reason as you, spiderling. The things we do for love." Then her face fell as she realised what she had said. "Why did you do it? I'm not saying you're not brave, but... how did you do it? I would have thought Tony would use the infinity gauntlet himself before he'd ever let you anywhere near it..."

Peter gulped and looked away. He had never been very good at masking his emotions, and when he saw the look on Nat's face he knew she could see straight through him.

All of a sudden her face became impossibly weary.

"He tried, didn't he." It wasn't a question.

Peter thought about trying to deny it, but he knew it really wasn't any use. He couldn't lie to a trained spy, after all. And he was probably still too in awe of the Black Widow to attempt it with any semblance of dignity. "I stole it from him." He said after some hesitation.

"Oh, Peter..." she sighed. "Do you know what that will have done to him?"

Peter couldn't stand the pity and disappointment he could hear in her voice, and felt the urge to defend himself. "Well what was I supposed to do!" He exclaimed, crossing his arms and trying his best not to glare at her. "He would have died, and at least if I tried there was a chance. I have super strength, you know! I mean, it turns out I was wrong, but... well..." he gazed at her and tried to make her understand. "Doctor Strange told me he had a kid."

Nat's brow furrowed in confusion. "Strange told you that?"

Peter nodded. "Yeah, just before Thanos and his army arrived. I just figured..." he took a deep breath, and rubbed the back of his neck. "I just... I couldn't let him throw it all away. It wasn't... fair."

Nat's mouth twisted in agreement. "I won't argue with you there, spiderboy. In my experience, fate doesn't deal in fairness." She moved towards where Peter was standing, and, quite unexpectedly, placed an arm round his shoulders. He was a little unnerved by being in such close proximity to the Black Widow, but after a moment he relaxed and leaned into the half-hug, grateful for the comfort. "You know," she said, pulling away and looking at him earnestly, "I'm sure they're very proud. What you did was incredibly brave." She grinned down at him. "Besides, not many people can say they saved the universe before their 16th birthday."

Peter let out a weak chuckle. "I guess. You think they'll be mad at me?"

Nat actually laughed at that. It was a sound that Peter was almost (almost) surprised to hear from her. "Probably." She said bluntly. "But I think eventually they'll understand." The next words that came from her sounded as though they took considerable effort to form. "I got here through a... similar situation. The soul stone." She clarified, seeing Peters confusion. "It required a sacrifice. Clint has kids too."

"I'm sorry." Said Peter. He didn't know what else he could say. They lapsed into a subdued silence. Peter didn't regret taking the infinity gauntlet. Not even a little bit. When he saw what Tony was about to do he had acted on instinct. It was just like when he had stolen Captain America's shield, and once he had it in his grasp he became even more certain it was the right thing to do. Even before he knew about Tonys' family he's sure he would have done the same thing. And then, once he knew... Peter, better than anyone understood what it was like to grow up without a father. First his dad, then his uncle Ben. He couldn't subject a little girl to that. It changed you, and not necessarily for the better. If he was being totally honest with himself, he was actually a little jealous of her. She had Tony Stark for a dad. No, Peter didn't regret that part. However, he did wish he could have seen May once more. She probably would have yelled, and then she might have cried, but it would have been nice to explain. May deserved that, at least. Peter realised with shame that he had never even told her about Spider-Man. Oh, she would be so, so mad when she found out. He was just imagining the dressing-down she would give Tony when she found out, when Natasha spoke up again.

"You should know," she started, then stopped abruptly. She seemed to fight a brief but intense internal battle before making up her mind. When she did speak, it was carefully measured.

"You should know, that Tony never stopped looking for ways to bring you back. It all but consumed him at first. Damn near killed him. When he found out Pepper was pregnant, I think that saved him. None of us ever expected such a change." She let out a humourless bark of a laugh. "The great Tony Stark, settling down as a family man. He was able to let himself move on a little, I think. Don't get me wrong-" She said hurriedly, glancing down at Peter "he still looked. But he pretended like he wasn't. I think it was easier for everyone that way."

He thought her words were supposed to comfort him, but unfortunately they had the opposite effect. He saw the horrified look Tony gave him when he had stolen the gauntlet, the desperation in his eyes, but he had never imagined it was so bad. He supposed Tony felt responsible for him. Peter's guilt threatened to engulf him when he remembered that moment on the whacked out spacecraft. He had said it was Mr Starks fault and- oh no. No wonder Mr Stark felt so guilty. And then Peter had gone and died on him again. Now more than ever Peter wished he could go back and explain. Apologise, even. Or maybe just to see them again. Yeah. He thought he could settle for just a glimpse. His distress must have showed on his face, because Nat looked stricken, and tried to comfort him.

"I didn't mean it like that, it wasn't your fault. I never- oh shit, I'm sorry Peter. I just meant- I thought it might make you feel better to know there were people out there who care about you." She looked anxious, and Peter could tell she meant it. She was still intimidating, but there was an earnestness about her that Peter trusted instinctively. Even on top of the whole assassin thing.

At least he wasn't alone.

"It's ok," he muttered thickly. "I'm sorry, I was just... remembering. Things. It's not on you, I promise. You know, I even- ARGH!" The pain was back, and ten times more intense. Peter clawed at his suit, but he couldn't get it off, and it was burning, he was burning, what was-

"Peter?" Nat's voice had risen at least an octave in panic. "What's happening? Where does it hurt? Talk to me, spiderling, tell me what's wrong!"

Peter slumped forward involuntarily, and felt her catch him easily. There was pressure on his lungs and it hurt so bad but he managed to choke out "heart" and tapped his chest weakly.

"Ok. Ok, you're ok. Come with me, you're ok."

Peter was vaguely aware that he was being moved, but it felt like something was squeezing his heart in an iron grip, and he was lost to the pain.

He wasn't sure how long it took for the pain to subside. He blinked as he saw Nat's head hovering above him. "How do you feel?" She asked, a strange look in her eyes.

Peter pushed himself into an upright position cautiously. He found himself on what appeared to be one of the living room sofas. He took an experimental breath. The majority of the pain had disappeared, but it still felt as though a couple of elephants had taken up temporary residence on his chest.

"Bad." He croaked. He was increasingly puzzled when he saw that Nat looked... pleased?

"Peter," She said, eyes widening, "I wasn't here that long before you turned up, but I had time to test a few things. I can't be hurt." She leant back and spread her arms. "I can't feel pain. Trust me, I tested it. I don't know what I'm doing here, but Peter... I think someone's trying to wake you up."

"You think... I'm alive?" Peter didn't want to hope, he almost didn't dare... but... who was he kidding, it was too late for that. The corners of Nat's eyes creased in a smile, a real, genuine joyful smile, and Peter thought he had never seen anything so beautiful.

"Yes Peter, I think you're alive. Or at least, you could be. The next time you feel the pain starting, just shut your eyes and go. Don't fight it."

Peter's emotions were a horrible mix. "If I try..." he stuttered, "if I... go. What will happen to you?"

Nat smirked. "Don't you worry about me, Spiderboy." She reached out and patted his shoulder reassuringly. She winked. "I can take care of myself."

Peter nodded, and tried to look braver than he felt.

It wasn't long before he felt the first shock. At this point he was practically unable to speak, but he looked up at Nat, and attempted to convey something.

"Shhh." She shook her head and helped him lie down, stroking his hair soothingly. "Close your eyes, spiderboy. Close your eyes and go. I'm going to be ok."

Beyond the pain, Peter could feel a tugging sensation somewhere in his abdomen, like a strand of webbing reeling him in helplessly. He closed his eyes. He could feel his hair being stroked, and he could faintly hear Nat saying something.

"Do me a favour and say hi to Clint from me, yeah?"

He felt a sharp jerk on the phantom web, and then, darkness.

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.

"DO IT AGAIN!" Yelled Doctor Strange at the defeated Doctors and Nurses as they hovered over the boy lying motionless on the bed. "DO IT AGAIN, HE'S NOT GONE YET."

When nobody moved, Strange gave a grunt of exasperation and grabbed the defibrillator from the exhausted doctor. The pads were already in position. He turned the dial to the highest setting, and stood clear as the device administered vicious electricity to Peters chest.

The room stood still and horribly silent. Then, with what seemed almost like deliberate dramatic effect, the heart monitor sparked to life, and started beeping steadily.

"Welcome back, Mr Parker." Said Strange.