Author's Note: Hello, hello, readers! Welcome back to the next chapter…CHAPTER 17 of Raise Me Up! So…this doesn't mean the story is over. Trust me, it's far from over, but I write my stories in a notebook first because it's easier to carry around before I type the chapter on the computer, so I'm currently finishing writing Chapter 18 and at the tail end of this notebook I have, which I feel is an accomplishment, so YAY ME! Anyway, welcome back to CHAPTER 17, so….Peter talks to Tony and Pepper about something…and he makes some…pretty big decisions. What those decisions are...you'll have to read to find out…BUT before we get to that…REVIEW REPLIES!

SapphireRuby24: It should come in the next few chapters! There are some things that need to happen first, but I hope you enjoy it!

Megan844: I know, right?! I love writing the bonding moments for the three of them and the Iron Dad moments! Hope you continue to like it!

Trombonesarah: You're welcome! Thank you for reading! And yes, all is well! Work has been busy, but it's all going well! Hope things are well for you too!

SpaghettBoy: LOL! Indeed! That was definitely not cool. Glad you liked it!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.


Chapter 17

Peter and Tony enjoyed their lab time together until Pepper came down to pull them away from the nanotechnology project to come eat lunch, while she was on a break. The three of them sat down to eat at the counter in the kitchen, and Pepper and Tony could easily see that something was on his mind. To be honest, Tony noticed that Peter looked like something was bothering him during their lab time, but he was clearly trying to hide it.

With one look at Pepper, the billionaire decided to try his luck. "Oh, so, Pete, how did your call with Ned and MJ go?" Tony asked.

"Oh, umm…it went well," Peter replied with a small smile.

Tony and Pepper couldn't help but look at each other with concerned looks on their faces before turning back to Peter.

"Are you…sure, sweetheart?' Pepper asked. "Y-You don't sound all that excited."

"And you're not doing your usual word vomit thing," Tony added with curiosity. "Something on your mind?"

Peter thought for a moment as he stared at his sandwich and salad thinking about what he talked about with his two friends…about how Spider-Man would be affected, the press conference, and hanging out with said friends. "Not…not really," Peter began, "I mean…I mean, yeah, but…it…" he shrugged, "it's kind of stupid."

"It's not stupid," Tony said patting Peter on the shoulder. "Come on, bud, spill your guts."

Peter gave a small smile to Tony and Pepper before it fell away again. "Well, uh…I was talking to Ned about the whole press conference thing and the pictures before MJ called," he began, "and he was asking about how it would change…you know…Spider-Man." He saw a look of understanding pass over Tony and Pepper. "And when he did, I guess I realized that…I hadn't really thought much about it since…since May died, you know?"

"Sweetie, there's nothing wrong with that," Pepper said placing a hand on Peter's. "It's only been two weeks since the accident."

"She's right, bud," Tony said as he stood up and knelt down next to Peter wrapping an arm around the kid. "You had a lot going on since May died. There's nothing wrong with you taking a break for a bit. In fact, I'm actually glad you have been on a break."

"Really?"

"Yeah, do you remember what we talked about that one time you went out on patrol after not getting enough sleep? When you put on that suit, you need to be on you're a-game and ready to focus…both physically and emotionally. You needed time to heal after May died, and like Pep said, that's perfectly okay."

"And when you do want to put the suit back on," Pepper added, "it has to be your choice and yours alone, not because someone wants you to."

Peter nodded listening to his guardian and his fiancée. "Thanks, guys," he said. "It's just…" his nightmare flashed back into his mind, "I couldn't save May, and the whole reason the accident was because of my senses… W-What if…?"

"Peter, first of all, remember what we talked about," Tony said squeezing the teen's shoulder. "The accident was not your fault. It was because of the other guy's choice. That had nothing to do with you."

"I-I know, I know," Peter said, "and I'm trying to tell myself that. But then…when I'm out there as Spider-Man, what if I fail to save someone? Then it's on me."

Tony sighed. "Bud, I understand where you're coming from," he said after a moment of silence, "and there may be times where that happens. However, think about who would have a better chance when you are out there."

"He's right, Peter," Pepper said, "and…I know I didn't know May for long and we didn't know Ben. But…I know for a fact that they wouldn't want you to live in fear and let it stop your job as Spider-Man."

"You think they would be happy to see me do it?"

"I do because I know Tony and I would be happy to see you pick it up again."

"When you're ready, of course," Tony added.

Peter smiled at Tony and Pepper feeling their confidence and even May and Ben's confidence in him. He wouldn't be able to save everyone, but…so many people in Queens would have a better chance of surviving with Spider-Man. Peter Parker might not have been able to save May and Ben Parker, but Spider-Man could still save the people in Queens. However, he should do it when he was ready and when he was at the top of his game, so he could figure that out. "Thanks, guys," he said. Another thought occurred to him. "Umm…actually, there was one other thing that came up."

"What is it?" Tony asked.

"Well, Ned and MJ were talking about hanging out again," Peter said, "and we haven't decided when that would be yet. But I was wondering if—I mean I know I can always go to them to hang out—but I was wondering if…maybe they can come…here…maybe."

"Of course, buddy," Tony said, "you know I've met Ned and MJ when they came over to May's."

"Same here, we would love to have them, but just make sure you give Tony and me enough notice."

"Done, I can totally do that. Thanks so much, guys!"

"You're welcome, buddy."


"You know the drill if you need anything," Tony said as he and Peter walked down the hall after finishing up in the lab for the night. "Just have FRIDAY get me and Pepper or come get us if you want."

"I know, Tony," Peter said with a smile. "Thanks." He walked to the doorway of his room bud stopped short when he saw his backpack near his closet door.

Tony saw what he was looking at as he walked over to his backpack. He knelt down while his guardian stayed at the doorway and unzipped his backpack…taking out the Spider-Man suit. "You really think I can still be Spider-Man, Tony?" he asked staring at the suit.

"Of course, I do," Tony said with a smile. "Pep and I know you're capable, but I want you to be 100% sure you want to get back out there."

Peter looked at the suit again. It had been two weeks since May died, and he liked the idea of getting back out there. However, if he went back out there when he wasn't ready, he wouldn't be able to do his job as a superhero. "Maybe just a few more days of a hiatus wouldn't hurt," he said.

Tony smiled feeling the pride swell in his chest. "I think that's a very mature decision," he said.


It was a Sunday night when Peter decided to try patrolling again. As soon as he, Pepper, and Tony finished dinner, he went to his room to change into his suit, and when he was ready, he ran back into the living room with his mask in hand.

"Well, well, look who's back," Pepper said smiling as she and Tony saw the teenaged vigilante.

Peter couldn't help but blush at Pepper's compliment. "I got to admit," he said. "It feels good to be back in the suit."

"Good to see you back in the suit," Tony said with a smile, "but before you go off swinging off to Queens…we need to review and/or revise the ground rules."

Peter couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Okay," he said reluctantly.

"Number one: be home by 11," Tony began. "If you're going to be late, text me and Pepper as soon as possible so that we don't pull our hair out, and you're only allowed to be late if something goes down."

"Done, same as always," Peter replied. That was one of the main rules he, May, and Tony established after May learned the truth.

"Okay, number two: text me in the middle just to let us know that you're still alive and when you're on your way home," Tony added.

Peter nodded. However, he couldn't help but feel a small pang in his heart. Before the accident, he was supposed to text both Tony and May when he was on his way back home from patrol and in the middle to check in.

"Number three: you contact me if there's an emergency," Tony added. "I don't care what it is or what time it is. You call me, and I'll be grab the suit to get to you."

Peter nodded with a smile on his face. "Got it, Tony," he said. So far, he was feeling the normal…the new normal settle in, and there was a part of him that liked it. Tony and Pepper were keeping him grounded, and he appreciated it. "Thanks."

Tony smiled in return and pulled Peter into a hug. "You're welcome," he said as Peter returned the gesture. "Go get 'em, Spiderling."

"Alright," Peter said as he pulled away and made his way toward the window, "I'll be back by 11. See you later."

"Good luck, sweetheart," Pepper said with a smile.

"See you later, bud," Tony added.

With one last smile, Peter ran out and pulled his mask on and jumped off cheering the entire way as he fired his webs from building to building swinging toward Queens.


Peter found himself a roof to perch on as he scanned the area. He finally made it to Queens under an hour, and he was itching to get to work.

"Hello, Peter, welcome back," Karen said.

"Thanks, Karen, it's good to be back," Peter replied with a smile.

"Would you like me to scan the area?"

"Yes, please, give me anything you can throw at me."

"Very well, but I would like to remind you that I'm only an AI. I cannot throw anything."

Peter chuckled sensing the smile in Karen's voice. "It's just an expression," he replied.

"Noted," Karen replied. "I'm detecting a bank robbery about 4 blocks from your current location."

"Ooh…some action, let's do it," Peter said with a smile on his face before he took off swinging from the buildings.


Oddly enough, it was the same break near his and May's old apartment, and Peter was able to catch the robbers just before they could escape. He webbed the group to the glass doors of the bank and waited for the police to arrive on the scene, and as soon as the cops rounded up the criminals, the teenaged vigilante was about to leave when…

"Hey, Spider-Man," one of the cops—Officer Benson—shouted to him, "welcome back to Queens. We were starting to wonder if you'd left."

"I could never leave good ol' Queens," Peter said smiling under his mask. "It'll take a lot to get me to leave." With that said, he took off swinging through the city again before finding a spot on the roof of a building.

"Excellent work, Peter," Karen said under Peter's mask.

"Thanks, Karen," Peter replied. "It felt good to be back in action again. Tony was right. I just…wish May could see me now."

"I'm not detecting May Parker's current location," Karen replied having heard Peter's wish to speak to his aunt.

"Oh, no, no, I didn't mean it like that, Karen," Peter said quickly feeling the sadness inside him. Usually, during patrol, Peter would usually not only check in with Tony but with May as well. Sometimes, he would send a text when he stopped the smaller crimes to keep her sane, but now…now he realized that he would never be able to do that again. She was gone. "T-That's why I haven't been in the suit in a while. My…my aunt May passed away."

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Peter," Karen said sadly. "May Parker was a great lady. I was quite fond of her."

"Thanks, Karen," Peter replied. "She was quite fond of you too."

"You know, Peter," Karen said, "I have some recordings of May."

"Recordings?" Peter perked.

"Yes…there's only a few from when you had your mask on," Karen replied. "Would you like to see them?"

"Sure, pull up the first one," Peter said as he made a hammock of his webs to relax. "While I'm watching, keep your scanners going for anything suspicious."

"Of course, Peter," Karen replied. "Playing video recording of May Parker from October 31, 2016."

Peter couldn't help but smile at this. It was the first Halloween after Ned and May learned he was Spider-Man…before he and Tony started becoming closer. It would only be a few weeks later when Tony invited him to Stark Tower to recognize his internship.


"Well, guess who I'm going as," Peter said as he walked out of the room to see Ned and May in the living room.

"Oh really?" May said laughing. "That's not obvious at all."

"What? People will be dressing up as Spider-Man," Peter replied incredulously.

"Yes, but not with a costume Tony Stark designed," May said with hands on her hips.

"I think it looks great," Ned said standing next to May nodding in approval.

"Wha—Don't encourage him," May retorted with evidence of a smile. "Baby, seriously, put on the costume I ordered for you. No one will suspect anything with that one."

"Aw, come on, May," Peter said clearly joking.

"Don't make me call Stark," May said. "I don't know him very well, but I know he would back me on this one."

Peter laughed. "I'm totally messing with you," he said. "I'll go change."


The recording stopped the minute he took his mask off that night, and he lifted his mask to wipe the tears from his eyes. He remembered that night clear as day, and there was a part of him that wished the video lasted just a few minutes longer…had given him more time to hear May's voice and see her smile and laugh. Thankfully, he remembered his AI mentioning that there were a few recordings of May in his suit.

"Thank you, Karen," Peter said after a moment sniffling as he wiped his tears.

"You're welcome, Peter," Karen replied with a smile in her voice. "If I may, perhaps, Mr. Stark will be able to set up a protocol to access these videos of your aunt whenever you wish."

"Yeah, I'll have to ask him about that," Peter replied as he pulled his mask back over his face, "but that can wait until later. We still have some work to do."

"Of course, I'm detecting a car-jacking in the area," Karen said.

"Perfect, show me the way," Peter said as he stood up on his makeshift hammock. With the route set, the teenaged vigilante took off swinging from the buildings. It wasn't long until he realized that he was swinging around his neighborhood…his old neighborhood, and he wasn't too far from where the car-jacker was. However, he quickly perched himself up on a building and looked across the street only to see his old building on 15th Street…his and May's old building. Peter stared at it. It had been a week or so since they stopped in front of the building before taking May to the cemetery.

The teenager swung across the street and crept along the building until he found very familiar windows…the same windows he came home to every night after patrolling. He looked inside only to see that he was indeed looking into May's bedroom noting that the window to his left was his. It was dark. There was no sign of anyone currently living in the apartment. His own room was empty when Tony had his things moved to the Tower. However, May's things were left untouched…waiting for him to be ready to move them. It was completely empty…no sign of May, and his heart felt a pang of sadness knowing that his aunt was not there any more.

He knew at some point that he would have to go back to the apartment to take care of the rest of May's things. Tony was paying for the rent until Peter would give the okay, and he made sure the teen knew that there was no rush. However, Peter also knew that they couldn't wait forever. Sooner or later, they would need to look through May's things.

"Peter, the car-jacker is still in need of being dealt with," Karen suddenly said. "You must go."

"Uhh…right, sorry," he said before taking off in his intended direction.


Peter stopped one more car-jacking before his curfew, and after sending a quick text to Tony and Pepper that he was on his way home, he set off to do just that. The sight of his and May's old apartment empty and dark was still fresh in his mind. The video of May helped a little bit, but there was still a pang of sadness that came with the nostalgia. However, it didn't stop the small smile on his face as he swung toward Stark Tower as it stood in the distance. As soon as he was close enough, he grabbed onto the wall of the tower and climbed up toward the penthouse, and he made it up to the windows leading into the living room, where he found Tony and Pepper sitting on the couch in their pajamas on their tablets. The teen smiled to himself before opening the window causing his guardian and his fiancée to look up.

"Hey, welcome back, Underoos," Tony said smiling and putting his tablet down.

"How did it go?" Pepper asked as Peter sat down in between them on the couch.

"It went good…great actually," Peter said with a smile on his face. "I stopped a bank robbery and two car-jackings. The police said that it was great to have Spider-Man back, and…it…it actually did feel good to be back. In a way, I felt closer to May and Ben."

Tony couldn't help but smile as he ran a hand through Peter's sweaty hair. "I'm sure they were really proud of you, buddy," he said. "You're certainly making Pep and me proud of you."

Peter smiled. "Thanks, Tony," he said. The memory of the empty apartment flashed into his mind. "Umm…there was actually something else I wanted to talk to you guys about."

Tony and Pepper looked at each other and then back at Peter.

"What is it?" Pepper asked.

"Ummm…well, while I was swinging around tonight," Peter began, "I…I passed by my old apartment."

Tony and Pepper both nodded in understanding.

"I-I saw how empty it was," Peter said as tears formed in his brown eyes, "and how…she wasn't there…she's never going to be there."

Tony sighed sadly as he wrapped an arm around Peter. "I'm sorry, buddy," he whispered into Peter's curly hair. "I know that must've hurt."

"Yeah, it did," Peter said sniffling, "but…I did…think of something."

"What, sweetheart?" Pepper asked.

"Well, I-I know it's May and my home," Peter replied as he wiped the tears from his face, "but I hated seeing it so empty…and dark. I-I would hate to see May's things just sitting there. I think…I think I'm ready to go through her things and…empty out the apartment."

"Are you sure?" Tony asked. "It's only been two weeks, buddy."

"You can wait a little longer if you want," Pepper said.

"No, I…I want to do it," Peter replied. "If I don't, I…I may never be ready."

"Okay," Tony said nodding, "but…if you ever change your mind, there's nothing wrong with that."

"Thanks, Tony," Peter said with a sad smile.

"We can call for a moving company in the morning," Pepper said with a small smile. "We'll get it scheduled for the day after the 4th."


Author's Note: Annnnnnnnd that wraps it up for CHAPTER 17, guys! Next chapter is CHAPTER 18, and it's the 4th of July and Peter is finally ready to go through May's things at the apartment! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and stay tuned for the next one! Don't forget to read and review! Thanks, guys!