Author's note: Alright, readers, this is it! The finale of Marvelous Web-head - Volume #1! This is a shorter chapter than the rest, but that's mostly because it's the ending of a volume rather than a huge story point. If anything, I've worked hard to get this far and I'm glad to have done so in a decent amount of time. Whether or not you enjoyed this first one, let me know your thoughts in the reviews and hopefully at some point I will get around to the next one! Seriously, I don't know how else to thank you guys other than I appreciate your support. If you can, feedback is encouraged as it really helps me stay going on this. In the meantime, enjoy!

Peter spent much of the swing back to school relishing in his victory against his first real supervillains. Never before had he believed that someone - anyone really - would have the capacity to rival his super strength on such a destructive level. Whatever Vulture and Shocker were thinking, they left their power and hate unchecked, nearly spelling doom for the city, the military, and his best friend's father. But thanks to him, the criminals were behind bars and he earned himself a new ally. After all that time he spent believing that the captain wouldn't change, there was enough hope for their newfound - albeit possibly temporary - partnership would work out for the better.

For what it was worth, he was glad to have heeded his call to be Spider-Man on homecoming night.

However, the only downside to all this was that he had major explaining to do to Gwen. If she didn't already make herself clear that she wouldn't want to be with him for disappearing on her, he feared the worst that she, of all people, would break up with him on the spot. For all he knew, though, she might have even moved onto someone else in the time he was gone. If that someone was more manly, muscular, and always there for her, he would be bummed to the max. Pushing those thoughts aside, he arrived back at his secret changing spot, and threw on Uncle Ben's tux over his red and blue spandex. Once he was covered and his gloves and mask were removed, he sprinted back into school.

Hopefully, nothing major would stand in his way of making it up to her.

Upon entering the gym to the loud music, Peter was barely surprised by the lesser number of attendees in the vicinity, assuming many of them left due to the earlier earthquake. He searched rapidly for Gwen's amazing complexion and her light blue dress that Peter would, no doubt, recognize anywhere. Though he was to climb up the wall for a better view, he instead shuffled around, barely finding anyone even remotely resembling Gwen. Left with no other choice, he butted his way through the crowd and, to his surprise, he found Gwen dancing not by herself, but with the dark skinned, buff chested, braided haired halfback, Hobie Brown. A wave of guilt and shame overcame him as he observed the way he twirled her around, Gwen laughing and looking like she was having a good time. His predictions were correct that she had moved on to a more muscular man and was enjoying the dance more so than when she was with Peter.

Seeing this, Peter slumped and strolled over to the bleachers nearby. He sank into the seat, burying his face into his sweaty palms.

Great job, Pete; ya blew it! he thought shamefully. Just when you thought you were getting closer, you pull a fast one on her and, in return, she does one on you. Let's face it, I'm just no good for her.

Peter sighed when a kind, sultry voice broke through the air.

"Why the long face, Tiger?" asked MJ, which shattered Peter's sulking streak.

Peter looked up to find Harry and MJ standing in front of him as a couple. The flashing colorful lights reflected well off their light skin and dark clothes, painting somewhat of a psychedelic image of the two of them together. This could have been him and Gwen right now, but nothing pointed to that.

"Oh, hey, MJ. Harry," he said, trying not to sound upset. "Nothing's wrong, it's just… I left again and now she's… Gwen decided to run off with another guy. I'm not even sure she wants to see me right now, that's all."

"Relax," MJ reassured. "She's been waiting for you to get back. She just got caught up dancing with other people in the meantime."

"Yeah, man, it's okay," Harry chimed in. "You can talk to her if that's what you really want."

Friendly advice from Harry and MJ, bizarre as it was, injected Peter's spirit with enough courage to look in Gwen's direction and even out his frown. If this wasn't the end, then perhaps, he had nothing to worry about.

"If you guys say so, I'll do my best," Peter said. He stood up, inhaling a deep breath to ensure he absorbed the courage his friends had provided him with. There came a sense of urgency for Peter to put it all on the line and make his move, hoping to God that nothing terrible would come of this.

He eyed Gwen and Hobie as the song transitioned, Hobie turning to her and taking her hand. The halfback exchanged a goodbye with Peter's potential love and raised her hand to his mouth, kissing it. As he walked away, to Peter's relief, Gwen rubbed her hand in disgust indicating she felt he crossed a line there.

Then as Peter neared her, his eyes locked with her's, catching Gwen by surprise. Maddening her gaze, she folded her arms at him, causing Peter to flatten his expression so as to not look like nothing was wrong. Once he stepped within six feet of her, he lowered his eyes, grasping his arm and trying to find the words to say.

"...I know what you're gonna say-" Peter started before Gwen interrupted.

"Unbelievable! You promise you wouldn't abandon me again and what do you do? Just that!" she snapped.

"Gwen, I-I'm sorry. I know that's probably not gonna cut it, but-"

"Don't, Peter," she said, transitioning her hands to her hips. "Unless you can come up with a good explanation, I'm ending things here."

Peter slumped. The weight of what transpired in front of him was enough to make him think of what the responsible thing to do might be. So many times he had contemplated the idea of telling at least one person his secret identity knowing it would be the biggest weight off his shoulders. And since he wanted to win Gwen's trust so he could love her, perhaps he had no other choice.

He had to come clean or else this was the end.

"Gwen, I've given you many explanations and, the more I thought about it, the more I realized they weren't good enough. I'd tell you what's really going on, but I can't risk it in a crowded space. Perhaps it's better if I show you outside," he finally spoke up.

"Show me what exactly?" she prompted.

"You'll see," he stated cheekily.

Taking her hand lightly, Peter led Gwen out of the gym and into the low lit hallway that took them out towards the front entrance. Upon emerging into the cool night air, the sounds of the fountain poured lightly and the crickets chirped softly. Peter took Gwen to the nearest wall on the edge of the courtyard, attempting to lighten the mood by snapping his posture directly toward her.

"Okay, I know you're gonna think I'm crazy, but…" he searched rigorously for the words. "I've had these crazy changes happening to my body over the last few months. It's been happening ever since around the time I lost Uncle Ben."

"Peter, didn't puberty happen already back in eighth grade for me and you?" Gwen asked concerningly.

"Yeah, well… No, it's not exactly puberty. See it was kinda like a second puberty for me and… You know what? Watch this!"

Kicking off his Sunday shoes, Peter expanded the spider-like hairs in his feet and fingers, leaping onto the wall and sticking to it without falling. Speechless, Gwen stood amazed at what she witnessed.

"No way! You can climb on walls?!" she asked in a shocked fashion.

"Not only that…" Peter trailed off before turning to shoot a web to the wall.

"Are you serious? You're… You're Spider-Man?!" she asked, shocked.

"The one and only," he said, perching on the brick exterior. "What do you think?"

"I… I don't know what to say. I-I'm sorry, Peter," she choked, dropping to her knees so hard she could have busted the concrete. "If I had known, I wouldn't have been so hard on you and I-I just… I hope you can forgive me."

As she spoke, Peter sprayed a web line out from his web shooters to stick to the upper end of the wall. He hung upside down at eye level with her.

"Hey, shhh," Peter suggested softly, planting a finger on her chin to raise her face. "It's okay. I totally forgive you. I know it's not everyday you hear that the guy you've known since middle school is the city's big shot hero and I know you have every reason to be mad at me, but… I don't know. What do you think?"

Gwen stood up, contemplating what she might say to him. Peter climbed up his web to meet her gaze, bracing for imminent rejection.

"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't be so sure. Since it's you, though, I think I just found my new favorite superhero!"

"You mean… You're not mad at me?!"

"Of course not! You were honest and that's a step in the right direction," Gwen said.

"Does that mean…?"

"Yes."

Gwen took the back of her hero's head and pulled his lips toward her's. Once their lips met, Peter rested his chapped lips onto her glossy ones, his chin fitting perfectly around her nose like two halves of a heart-shaped locket. In an instant, Peter experienced the most amazing dopamine rush he had ever felt, his brain receptors and body turning on pleasantly. He could not believe what it was like to finally kiss the girl he liked - his fantasy since he became a teenager.

The two held their lips together in the most amazing, longest lasting kiss Peter had ever felt. Knowing she knew he was Spider-Man and that she was still attracted to him couldn't have compared to anything else in his life up to that point. Perhaps there was hope for him to be in a relationship after all.

After a few seconds, Gwen pulled away, her lips smacking sexily as Peter struggled to open his eyes. Although the kiss was over, he relished the feeling.

"How did that feel?" Gwen asked.

"Like someone cares for me despite my flaws," Peter commented, opening his eyes.

"I wouldn't consider Spider-Man a flaw of sorts."

"I meant my awkward charm, my tendency to be late, you know, that stuff."

"None of that matters to me."

"Y-you really mean that?"

"Of course… No matter what happens, you'll always be my little Peter."

Peter smiled hearing this. To know she still cared was more than enough.

"So does anyone else know yet?" Gwen asked, throwing her hair behind her head.

Technically, Captain Stacy must have figured it out after he dropped a hint, but, other than that, no one else witnessed a big reveal like she did.

"Not really," Peter stated plainly. "You're the first person to witness my big reveal. I mean, your dad changed his mind and helped me take down two different bad guys just now if that counts."

"Did you actually tell him though?"

"Not exactly. Gonna leave it for him to figure out."

Gwen blushed, her rosy cheeks turning as red as the strawberries that were no doubt used to create her perfume scent. "Thanks, Pete," she said happily. "That makes me feel special."

Peter hopped down from his hanging position, taking Gwen by the shoulders and meeting her right at eye level - her heels elevated her to be the same height as Peter in sock feet.

"You are special, Gwen," Peter said lovingly. "I wouldn't tell that to anyone else."

Hearing this, Gwen simply smiled, folding Peter into her embrace as the night breeze picked up. The wind rustled the sides of her dress as well as their hair, painting a wonderful picture between two growing lovers. The breeze gave them both goose flesh, though they kept each other warm physically and mentally. If this was how hero life would look for Peter from now on, he gladly accepted it.

Oscorp Tower had never been so trashed in the time since Norman Osborn built the establishment. Broken window glass scattered about the vicinity and machines were either damaged or destroyed in the midst of the Criminal Deputies' raid on the facility. With the standards he set for the company, Mr. Osborn himself would, no doubt, put his employees to work hard to get everything back in tiptop shape even though it was after hours for most people. Digging people and other things out of the rubble the supervillains caused was top priority even if others wished to go home. Due to the unprecedented state of affairs, many casualties resulted from the event, including Oscorp security guards and a few military personnel. This would be bad news for the families involved and the Press would likely give Spider-Man a bad rep due to not showing up in time to help everyone.

On the other hand, Captain Stacy and his unit got to work on rounding up every criminal present at the scene during the raid. No matter what they did, major or minor, they arrested and threw the squads of criminals to be hauled off to Rikers Island Prison. Given all that their leader did to orchestrate the raid, this was no surprise.

Simultaneously, various news crews showed up, waiting their turn to report the aftermath of the incident to the public. The New York 1 news reporter, Whitney Chang, in particular was eager to begin her take knowing Spider-Man was involved. Cameras rolled as she stood with her microphone in hand adjacent to Oscorp workers, including Norman Osborn, who were present at the scene.

"This is Whitney Chang reporting live in the aftermath of the recent criminal gang raid on Oscorp Tower," she reported. "Criminals at the scene are being apprehended while personnel, from Oscorp employees, law enforcement, and military guests have all been accounted for. Several reports of casualties and property damage have also been reported. Company CEO, Mr. Norman Osborn, has been affected by this tragedy. Mr. Osborn, what do you have to say on the matter?"

Whitney stepped aside to make room for Norman as he stepped up to the camera.

"Thank you, Ms. Chang," he commented. "Osborn Industries, I can assure you, is not responsible for these recent events. It was merely a side effect of leaving ourselves vulnerable to attack during such an important showcasing. Oscorp, as some of you may know, is on the verge of a breakthrough and a rather large army of organized criminals decided they wished to ruin our big moment. This is only a minor setback, however, as I'm certain we will be more prepared next time."

"You're certainly lucky you had the police and Spider-Man of all people to come to your rescue. Tell us, what is your opinion on the recent so-called 'Web-head' emerging in our city?"

"He's a force to be reckoned with, I'll say that much, though I personally feel he shouldn't go snooping around in other people's business. He might get involved in affairs far too personal for his safety."

"This has been Whitney Chang reporting live from Oscorp Tower. Now back to you."

Once the last of the criminals were gathered, Captain Stacy stood amongst his unit of men and women congratulating them for all they had done on tonight's mission. After addressing what he had to say to most of them, he pulled aside one officer in particular, Officer Stan Carter, for his diligence and persuasion in allowing Spider-Man to join in on tonight's mission. Upon shaking the man's hand, he locked eyes with him and prepared what he was about to say.

"Officer Carter," he spoke up. "I must say that with all that you did tonight, you really are an inspiration to this unit. Keep it up and I'll promote you and Officer Watanabe to co-chiefs of police."

"Thank you, Captain Stacy," Officer Carter said, nodding. "It was my pleasure. I'm only certain you found something new in including Spider-Man on the operation?"

"He's a valuable asset, that's for sure, but it may be a temporary partnership unless the mayor says otherwise," the captain affirmed. "Until then, I thank you for your kind suggestion and apologize for rejecting it beforehand."

"Not to worry, sir," Carter responded. "Water under the bridge."

The captain finished his firm handshake with his officer, cementing their comradery and allowing Carter to realize how appreciated he felt amongst his unit. "Very well then," Stacy continued. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some transmissions to take care of."

"I understand. The scanners must be in a lot of chaos right now," Carter joked.

Stacy and Carter broke off, the captain returning to his cop car nearby. The sound of the various police transmissions and staticky voices rang true from his walkie and scanner sitting on the dashboard. No doubt Officer Carter was correct about the chaos taking place. Upon taking his seat on the driver's side, he tuned into the visual display of text listed across his scanner so that he could deduce what priorities needed to be addressed immediately.

It wasn't until one particular transmission reached his eardrums that his interest piqued.

"Incoming parole for inmate Dennis Carradine," the officer said in his distorted transmission.

Captain Stacy turned his walkie in to respond to the transmission. "Pardon me, officer. Did you say Carradine?"

"Affirmative," the speaker replied.

"Who's giving the parole?" Stacy inquired.

"Wilson Fisk of Fisk Industries."

That name alone struck a chord in Captain Stacy. A chord that, while a little uncertain, gave him some relief that a big businessman had willed to give an infamous inmate a second chance.

"Forward that parole and allow Fisk to have him under our jurisdiction. If he tries anything nasty, we'll be the first to know," Captain Stacy affirmed.

"Copy that. Over and out."

Captain Stacy then cut communications with the officer and transitioned to the next one. While dealing with the remaining transmissions over the next few hours, his thoughts raced with what forwarding the parole might mean for those involved. Given that he knew the family personally, it would only be a matter of time before Peter and May Parker found out and were outraged by his decision. After what Carradine did, though, Fisk may have been an ideal businessman to put him through a rehabilitation program. Unless, of course, Fisk had ulterior motives for what to do with Carradine, surely he had nothing to worry about.

Hopefully nothing would result in Captain Stacy making the same mistake he did the night Ben Parker died.

Thank you all for reading Volume #1 and hope to see you all in the next one!