"Wow. I'm surprised you don't have rehearsal today," Peter said as he swung his backpack on his shoulders.

"Mrs. Paulson is sick so," I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm surprised you're not jetting out of here like you usually do."

"Well, I thought that I should… you know make sure you're okay walking home and everything."

I couldn't help, but awe at how adorable that response was. "I've been doing it for quite some time now. I'm a big girl."

"Yeah, but I wouldn't want you running into any trouble."

"Me? Trouble?"

"Yes. You. Trouble."

"I can't recall getting into any."

"Oh really?" He shut his locker and turned toward me. "The one time you went into the bank while a robbery was going on and got hit in the face."

I closed my locker and twisted the dial. I couldn't come up with anything to say since that did happen. And technically, it was my fault that I got hit in the face. I practically asked for it.

I let out an exaggerated sigh, "Fine. You win this round, Parker."

He thrusted his fist in the air with a cheer, making me snort.

"So. You ready to go?" He asked.

I quirked a brow. "I thought we're waiting on Ned?"

"Yeah. Well, he said he had to ask Mr. Harrison something about decathlon."

I nodded before heading toward the exit.

"Hey princess!" An arm wrapped around my shoulder, making me huff in annoyance. "I was thinking since Mrs. Paulson isn't here, we should practice at my place. There's a scene I want to run through." Daniel had a sly grin on his face.

"I don't think sh-"

"I wasn't talking to you, Parker. So, wanna go?"

Getting out of his grasp, I stood a bit closer to Peter, "Sorry. I have prior engagements to attend to. Let's go, Peter." I grabbed his hand and hastily made our way outside.

I let out a sigh of relief when I turned to find him not trailing behind us.

"I'm sorry about that. He's been so persistent lately. It's getting pretty annoying."

"He hasn't been trying anything else, has he?"

"Thankfully not. I would probably kick him in the shin."

We made it to the subway station and waited for ours to arrive.

Looking down, I noticed that our fingers were intertwined. I quickly let go, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was still holding your hand." My cheeks burned in embarrassment.

"It's okay. I didn't mind."

With those words alone, I felt my heartbeat faster.

"You're not doing anything right?

"Besides walking home with you? Nope, I'm free."

"You hungry?"

"Always. This rabbit food diet Phoebe has us on is dreadful. Why?"

"You'll see." He laced his hand with mine and started leading us across the road.

I laughed at the excited look on his face.

Stopping right in front of a corner store, I looked up at the sign that read Delmar's.

The bell chimed as we strode in.

"Hey Mr. Delmar!" Peter waved as we stopped at the front of the counter.

"Ah Peter! How's it going?" Mr. Delmar greeted with a wide smile. "And who's this niña hermosa?"

"I'm Ophelia. Nice to meet you, sir." I held out a hand for him to shake.

"Ah! A pretty name for a pretty girl. So, what will it be? We got the best sandwiches in Queens."

I looked at the menu to see a lot of delicious options.

"What do you recommend?" I asked, turning to Peter.

"We'll take the #5 with extra pickles and could you squish mine down real flat? Thanks."

"Coming right up!"

I looked at him, merely blinking.

He must have felt my gaze as he stared back.

"Y-you like pickles, right?"

"Yeah. Pickles are good."

"Ok. Cool."

Looking around, I saw an adorable ginger cat chilling on the counter. Letting go of his hand, I made my way over to the cat.

"He's adorable! May I pet him?" I asked Mr. Delmar.

"Of course!"

Combing my fingers along his fur, I felt him purr in delight.

His big eyes opened as he stretched. He hopped off the counter and started rubbing against me. Crouching, I continued to pet him.

"Aren't you a handsome kitty?" He continued to purr.

"I think Murph likes you," Peter stated as he crouched next to me to pet him.

"I'm glad because I think he's pretty cool."

"Two #5's."

Looking up, I saw Peter looking at me with a look I couldn't describe.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked, tentatively touching my face.

"Hey Peter. Did you want these sandwiches or not?" Mr. Delmar asked, peering over the counter.

That snapped him out of his stupor as he shot up to his feet.

"Oh! Uh. Yeah, so it's $5?" Peter said, digging for his wallet.

"$10."

"Here you go, Mr. Delmar." I handed him the amount needed.

"Wait. Wait. I got the cash right here." Peter hastily pulled out a crumpled bill.

I giggled at his flustered state, "It's okay. You can get the next one."

He grabbed our sandwiches as we said our goodbyes.

"Okay. Prepare to have your mind blown." He perched us on the vacant bench in front of the shop.

Unwrapping the sandwich, the smell of pickles and ham invaded my senses.

I took a bite and my eyes widened at the taste.

"It's good, right?"

"Super good!" I said after swallowing. Taking another bite, I stopped midchew and saw the same woman directly across the street from me on the bench.

She was looking directly at me. My eyes widened as she gave a little wave before taking her leave.

This is a completely different way than I'm used to. This must be much more than a coincidence.

"Lia?" A hand waved in front of my face. "Are you okay? I was calling your name a couple of times." Blinking, I turned toward Peter.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. I just… thought I saw someone." Not wanting him to worry, I shot him another smile and continued to eat.

With Phoebe and Cole gone, it's a lot easier sneaking out at night.

I hung around the alleyway near the corner store where Spidey wanted us to meet for nightly crime fighting.

Looking at the time, it was already almost midnight.

"Sorry I'm late. There was a mugging back on 26 and Farragut."

"That's okay. Did you hear anything while swinging over here?" He shook his head. I sighed.

"I've noticed the past week that it's been pretty quiet. Do you think it has anything to do with us?" He asked as we walked along the streets.

"It would be nice if it were, but I feel like something big is going to happen. Just a hunch though."

He hummed in response. "I know! How about I swing us around? It'll be a lot faster than just walking."

Before I can say anything, we were already flying. I screamed and clung on to him. "A little warning would have been nice!"

"Sorry!"

I saw smoke billowing in the sky, "Do you see that?"

"Yeah! It looks like an apartment complex is on fire." He webbed his way over.

Landing on the ground, I ignored the shaking feeling in my legs, and I turned toward him, "What's the game plan?"

I saw the fourth floor was ablaze.

Many people were already outside.

"Are you all alright?" I asked, heading over to the huddled group.

They nodded, still in shock of what was happening.

"Did anyone call the fire department?"

"They're on their way."

I nodded, "You guys stay here. We're going to check the building."

"So, there's 8 floors. I'll take floors 4 through 8. You'll take 1 through 3."

With a swift nod, I ran inside the building.

"Anyone here?" I searched the opened apartments. Seeing a door closed at the end of the hall, I rammed my body against it. Why do they make it look so easy in the movies? With a fourth try, it slammed open. "Hello? Anyone in here?"

Checking all the rooms, I found an elderly woman asleep in bed. I shook her shoulder, "Ma'am?"

Her eyes shot open, and she gasped, "Who are you? And why are you in here?"

"There's a fire on the fourth floor. I'm helping with evacuation."

Once she heard fire, she was already out the door.

Racing out the door, I climbed the steps to the second floor. The smoke was starting to fill the stairwell.

"If anyone is here, please evacuate the building!"

Why weren't the fire alarms going off?

Checking each door, everything was clear.

Once I reached the third floor, I heard screaming and crying. Jiggling the doorknob, I rammed it again and again until it gave in. I opened the doors and didn't find anyone.

"Is anyone in here?" The crying became louder. Opening the closet, I saw a little boy holding his dinosaur figure in his arms. "Where's your mom, little guy?" He curled tighter into a ball. "Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you."

"Are you a superhero?" He asked, sniffling.

"Yes, and I am here to rescue you. My name is Mesmera." I held out my hand tentatively. Wiping his tears, he placed his small hand in mine. "What's your name, little guy?"

"I'm Bradley."

I wrapped my arms around him as we made our way out.

The ceiling caved as fire erupted from the floor above. I shielded him in my arms from the flames, seeing as our only exit was blocked.

Looking out the window, the fire escape wasn't an option.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

More of the ceiling collapsed as his cries grew louder. Seeing no other option, I made my way back into his apartment.

Running to the curtains, I ripped them off and started to tie them together.

The smoke started to billow in behind the closed door.

"Wanna help me get all the blankets in the house? We're going to make a ginormous rope."

He nodded and got down before running off to a room. I followed him to see his room.

Opening his closet, I rifled through to see other blankets and gathered them in my arms.

"Where's your parents' room?" He ran out with his dinosaur blanket and opened the door next to his.

I heard him start to cough.

I got to work faster, "Do you know how to tie knots?"

"Mama makes me do cub scouts. I got my badge and everything!" He grabbed the blankets from me and started to tie them together.

Snatching the blanket off the bed, I saw a scarf hanging off the back of the door.

Seeing him tying all the ends tightly, I was very impressed. I guess being a cub scout is useful.

"You're doing great! Here. I'm going to tie this around your face just to protect you from the smoke." Tying it around, I made sure it was covering his nose and mouth.

I heard a loud crash. Seeing the ceiling collapse in the kitchen, I hoisted him on my back and grabbed the makeshift escape rope.

Running to the living room, I tied the curtains to the blankets. Unlatching the windows, I slammed them open.

Looking around, I couldn't see where I could tie the end to get us both down.

"Bradley. Cover you face. I'm going to break the window really quick." I felt him bury his face into my back.

Pulling the window down, I wrapped the blanket around my fist and punched it until the glass broke. I shook the glass off and tied it on the window.

"Hold on tight. I'm going to get us down."

Carefully, I slid out the window. I'm glad that gym class made us climb rope otherwise we would be doomed.

Grunting slightly, I slowly descended.

"Look! There's the other hero!" Someone yelled as cheers erupted.

"You okay, Bradley?" I felt him nod.

"Mesmera!" I saw Spider-Man appear right next to me on a web with a hand out.

"Take the kid. I can get down."

I felt the weight lighten as I continued downward.

Hopping down, I landed on my feet and sighed in relief.

"Bradley!" Someone yelled. I looked up and saw a woman run and grabbed the boy in a tight hold.

I smiled at the reunion.

"You okay?" Spider-Man asked as he made his way over to me.

"Yeah. Just a bit out of breath. Were there any others?"

He nodded, "I saved an older couple on the fourth floor and a dog."

Sirens blared as the firefighters arrived.

"We should go," I said.

"Right."

As we swung through the city, we landed back at our meeting point.

"Wow. What a rush."

"Yeah. We make a pretty good team."

The eyes of his mask widened, "Really? I mean.. yeah, we do. Great job, partner." He held a fist out.

I laughed at his awkwardness as I bumped mine with his.

"You know. You remind me of someone."

"Really?"

I nodded as Peter's face popped up in my mind.

"He's a pretty cool dude. Awkwardly funny at times."

"He does sound like a cool dude. What's his name?"

"Pe-"

A scream rang out in the night. Looking over at him, we did what we do best: take out the bad guys.