The police had stormed the gardens just shortly after their arrival on the scene, and Gwen had known she couldn't let them find Peter in the condition he was in. Her mind raced in circles, as she silently debated with herself about the best way of getting Peter out safely, and to a hospital where he could be properly taken care of.

That's when she'd heard it. The voice that carried with it the answer to all her problems—or so she'd hoped. It was a voice that she knew all too well, and as it rang out across the grounds, barking out orders to officers as they entered through the gates, she felt as if heaven itself were offering her a helping hand.

A squad car sped through the crowded intersections of Manhattan with its lights and siren on full blast. In the backseat of the car Gwen Stacy sat with an injured Peter Parker. She cradled his head in her lap, and tried to keep him as comfortable, and stable, as she possibly could.

Peter stirred in her arms. His head rolled from side to side as if he were unconsciously trying to shake himself awake. He moved his broken arm without meaning to, and the painful action caused him to scrunch up his face in silent agony.

"N-no," he mumbled pathetically. "I-I have to go back…have to stop him."

Gwen stroked his cheek, and tried to calm him so that he would not move around too much. "Sshhh." She whispered softly. "Try not to move."

"The people…" Peter mumbled. "Gwen…Please…Help me." he begged in a quiet, almost inaudible voice. A tear ran down Gwen's cheek as she sat, and listened to her boyfriend suffering in his own dream-like world.

One Lieutenant Francis 'Frank' Sanders manned the driver's seat of the squad car. Lt. Sanders was a friend of the Stacy family, and had been for years. He and Gwen's father had been partners in their early days on the force, and had remained the best of friends even after their respective promotions split them up.

Lt. Sanders peered at Gwen and Peter curiously, via the rearview mirror, and tried to make sense of what he saw. "I still can't believe it." Sanders said, as he checked on his passengers. "All this time he was a kid…we've been chasing after a kid."

Gwen didn't say a word in response. She gently stroked her boyfriend's dirty cheek, and prayed that his injuries weren't too severe. She needed him to be alright.

"And your father knew about this?" Sanders continued, as he pulled the car through a red light, and around a right turn.

Gwen did reply then. She gave a slight nod in Sanders' direction. "He knew." She said somberly. She knew what Sanders was thinking then, and so wasted no time in clearing the air about Peter and the importance of his dual identity. "Mr. Sanders…no one else can know about this." Gwen said quietly, not yet looking away from her boyfriend. "My Father died believing in him, and if his friendship meant anything to you…then you have to promise to keep this a secret. Forever."

Lt. Sanders was quiet for the longest time afterward. Then he spoke at last, and his voice was soft and sincere. "George Stacy was the best partner and friend I ever had…or could ask for." He started. "If he trusted the kid, and if you trust him—then I guess that's all I need."

Gwen looked up at Sanders then, and a silent understanding passed between them in that moment. Then a thought occurred to her as she looked back down at Peter.

"We need to get him out of that costume before we reach the hospital." Lt. Sanders said. It was as if he had read Gwen's mind.

She nodded gratefully at the older man.

Later…

Aunt May rushed up to the nurse's station on the third floor at the hospital. Gwen had phoned her almost an hour before to let her know where Peter was. May Parker had seen on the news, of course, the coverage of the incident at Osborn Gardens, but she had not been prepared for the call she received about her nephew.

"Where is he!" Aunt May demanded. "My nephew, Peter. I need to see him."

The head nurse looked up from the computer she was currently absorbed into. "Peter who?" she asked, as she bit down on the piece of bubblegum she was chewing.

"Parker." Aunt May said at once, panic evident in her voice. "Peter Parker—he's my nephew. He was admitted just over two hours ago."

"Its okay, Berta. I'll take this one." A voice said from just off to the right of the nurse's station.

A kind looking nurse with light brown hair approached her from just down the hall to the right. She extended a hand to the frantic woman, and smiled reassuringly. "Hi, I'm Lauren. You must be May Parker." The woman said sweetly.

Aunt May took the woman's hand and shook it unconsciously. "Yes, I am. But-"

The woman motioned for Aunt May to follow her in the direction she'd just come from. Aunt May did as the nurse asked, and followed.

"We've taken good care of your nephew, Mrs. Parker." The kind nurse reassured Aunt May as they walked down the long hallway.

"I-Is he…is he alright?" Aunt May asked, worriedly.

"He's banged up pretty good, but he should be back on his feet in no time." The nurse replied with a sweet smile.

"How bad is it?" Aunt May asked next, as she shifted her purse from one arm to the other. The thought of Peter being injured in anyway was almost too scary for her to even think about.

"He broke his left arm, and cracked a few ribs. Our biggest concern is the mild concussion he suffered." The nurse replied softly, with a soothing sort of smile. "He also has a few minor cuts and bruises, but those are nothing to worry about." She added.

"Can I see him?" Aunt May asked. "Please, he's all I've got."

The kind nurse smiled, and gave a soft chuckle. "Of course."

"Thank you." Aunt May replied gratefully.

"You should be proud of your nephew. What he did was very brave." The nurse told Aunt May a few moments later. "The officer that brought him in said he protected the young woman he was with."

Aunt May only nodded in response.

They finally reached their destination, and the kind nurse showed Aunt May into the room where Peter was fast asleep. Aunt May stepped into the room, and the nurse stayed near the door.

Peter was sound asleep in the hospital bed he'd been parked in. There were several wires, and small tubes running from multiple points on his body to machines that monitored the functions of his most important organs.

Gwen had taken up residence in a chair on the far side of Peter's bed. Her hand rested on the covers next to his, and her eyes were fixed upon the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Aunt May stood just inside the door for a moment surveyed the scene silently. Then she stepped forward, and made her presence known to the younger girl. "Gwen," Aunt May said quietly. "Gwen, dear."

Gwen looked up at Peter's Aunt, and smiled a tiny, exhausted smile. "Hey Mrs. Parker." She greeted the older woman sweetly. "I couldn't just leave him." She added, as she shifted her eyes back to her boyfriend. "Not after everything that-"

Aunt May nodded, and gave an understanding smile. "I know dear. I know." She said in a soft voice. "I appreciate you staying with him."

Gwen nodded. "Thank you, but I wanted to. I…I…L-"

Aunt May had moved around to Gwen's side, and had gently placed a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. It was a gesture of understanding and comfort. "I understand." She said quietly.

…TBC…