Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Phoebe and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Listen With Your Heart Chapter 26

The following day Phoebe awoke in her home all smiles happy that she and her father got to spend some time together the night before. Because of this Phoebe isn't too disappointed after she finds that he'd left the house earlier before she'd even risen. Phoebe is sure that everything is all right just as he implied to her last night so she's not too worried about it.

Phoebe was glad to run into Peter during a free period at school. She thought it a good opportunity to spend time with him, but he was acting odd. He kept looking at her strangely and when she pressed him about it Peter merely waved it away. He quickly explained that after school he was planning on following a lead on the Lizard's location. He'd be going into the sewer systems to try and track the creature after he spotted multiple smaller reptiles slipping into grates underground the other day.

Phoebe knows there's no way in hell she can talk him out of it because of the dangerous risks involved so instead she wishes him luck warning to be extremely careful.

After school Phoebe leaves a message at home incase her dad wonders where she is and heads over to Gwen's place to work on some homework.

In Gwen's room the two of them are halfway through their assignments when they receive an unexpected visitor to their party.

A light banging on the window causes both girls to turn investigating the cause of the noise.

It's Peter wearing his costume, but is lacking the mask and wearing his retrieved backpack. From where the two are sitting they can't yet see the full damage he sustained from the confrontation he had with the Lizard underground.

Smiling, motioning her head for him to enter her domain, Gwen said "Come in. You should maybe, uh, consider coming in through the lobby. Also, my father is under the impression you require psychiatric attention."

Peter laughs tiredly as he slips inside through the window.

It's then that Phoebe finally sees the deep and bloody claw marks on his chest along with the cuts and bruises on the rest of his body.

"Oh my god," exclaimed Phoebe, dropping her books on the bed.

Phoebe's reaction instantly makes Gwen pay closer attention.

Leaping from her chair, Gwen said "Peter. What happened?"

Groaning as the girls ease him into a nearby, Peter joked "You should see the other guy. The other guy, in this instance, being a giant mutant lizard."

"You actually found him," said Phoebe, checking over his wounds.

Nodding, Peter gasped "Yeah and let me tell you…That thing is viscous. I don't know how the NYPD is gonna handle him on their own."

Speaking of which.

Footsteps approach from down the hall as Captain Stacey gets closer.

"Hey, Gwen, Phoebe, do you guys want cocoa Howards, making some cocoa," he asked.

Gently shushing Peter Gwen moves toward the door before her dad can step inside.

Opening the door a crack in order to stick her head out, shaking her head, Gwen said "No, Dad, I don't want cocoa. Neither does Phoebe. We're really busy right now and can't be disturbed with our homework. Honestly I'm 17 years old."

"Okay. I just remembered somebody saying last week her fantasy was to live in a chocolate house," said Captain Stacey, amusedly.

Peter muffles a snort where he's hiding behind the armchair just in case. Phoebe flicks Peter in the foreheads to get him to shut his mouth.

"Well that's impractical," rebuffed Gwen, closing the door and opening it again a moment later. "And fattening."

Barely containing his laughter, Peter said 'Chocolate house?"

Gwen scowls, rolling her eyes in embarrassment. As if she wanted anyone to hear that.

Sticking her head out once more, apologetically, Gwen said "Sorry, dad."

"It's good," insisted Captain Stacey.

"I just…I can't, um, have cocoa right now because I'm work…I'm doing this and…I have, uh, cramps-," stuttering Gwen, struggling to find a valid excuse for him not to step foot inside her room. "I feel kind of pukey, feeling a bit emotional and a little crying. It's brutal. You don't want to know. Trust me. It's like bad."

Say no more. Captain Stacey gets the idea and it's not the sort of stuff any dad really wants to hear.

Dropping it Captain Stacey books it out of there with his tail between his legs before he can hear anything else.

With the coast clear Phoebe immediately took a trip to the bathroom for some bandages and antiseptic while Gwen stays with Peter to try and clean his chest the best she can. It took a few minutes for Phoebe to return. She didn't want Captain Stacey to catch her with this stuff or else he'd ask questions she'd have no chance of answering. That would give her away and Gwen's brothers would rat them out just o have fun.

Luck is on her side and Phoebe made it back perfectly fine.

Apparently it isn't with Peter and Gwen.

Obviously the two lovebirds had been deep into an intense conversation until Phoebe stepped into the room and then they shut right up.

Brow furrowed in bemusement, Phoebe said "Am I interrupting something?"

"Uh, no, not really," said Gwen, shaking her head in denial.

Not believing them for a second, but assuming they were about to kiss instead, shrugging, Phoebe said "All right. If that's the way you want it."

Phoebe then turns her back to them as she begins to prep the bandages with antibiotics.

Here Peter and Gwen exchange an uneasy glance. While Phoebe was absent Peter had shared information about the Lizard that he's determined to keep between them for as long as possible.

For if Phoebe ever discovers that her own father is the Lizard terrorizing the city it would destroy her very soul.

Unfortunately soon the choice will be taken out of his hands and there will be nothing Peter can do to stop it.

Authors Note:

Merry Christmas everyone! Here is our present for the holiday!

Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

I've been meaning to get back to this one for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. I'm very satisfied and happy about it.

I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, A Revolutionary Romance, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8th Loser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D

By the way Rorschach's Legend and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender are the newest additions to my profile. If you're a fan of Watchmen and the new series on HBO coming up soon then I recommend that you check it out. Since it was just recently uploaded I really would enjoy hearing other peoples thoughts on the subject matter so far. So feel free to do so if you have the time.

I have other grand news! I was a patron at New York Comic Con! Ah! I'd been dying to go for years and now I had the opportunity. The Jokers from Impractical Jokers have been here along with Tom Hiddleston and so many others. Over those few days I actually got my picture taken with a couple of other actors/actresses and some really great panels. It really is so exciting there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime so there's no way in hell that I was going to waste a single second of it. No one ever should with something like this. Ever! ;D

For future preferences I highly recommend that you all keep an eye out for when tickets for New York Comic Con are available for purchase again for next year. This is a huge event and you should jump on it whenever you have the chance.