SOFTENING THE BLOW
In Nick Fury's safehouse, Peter is given a new bandage on his forehead, compliments of Beast, who had now began tending to the young man's chest injury by sewing in new Adamantium stitches to replace the six that popped out. Also present was Gwen, who stood nearby, holding the roll of the steel-based thread, just in case he needed more.
Peter, however, wasn't even paying attention to the pinching feeling of the stitches being put in, for he was too busy looking at the big screen and watching in both shock and sadness at seeing the Patriot defeat Ms. Marvel. "No…"
Both Gwen and Beast heard Peter's sorrowful comment, and as such, they turned and looked at the screen, with Gwen herself sharing in Peter's disbelief of Ms. Marvel's defeat, and his disgust with the Patriot, knowing that the armored Thunderbolt must have cheated to win the match.
As for Beast, he was just as disturbed by the outcome of the match, but he still buried those feelings inside him and went back to sewing in Peter's new stitches, for he was almost done and couldn't stop now.
Back in the Garden, everyone in the building, including the announcer, were all waiting for the arrival of the victorious Patriot, who still had not shown up. Suddenly, the announcer heard someone speaking to him through his earpiece, and what he heard caused him to nod his head understandably. "Oh, all right, I understand," he said to the person on the other line, then turned his attention to the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been informed that the Iron Patriot had just been transported to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helocarrier for some minor repair work on his suit. So while we wait, let' go right on ahead with our half time show with the lovely and talented…IRON PATRIONETTES!" With that said, the announcer ran off the stage to allow fireworks to ignite. At that moment, the beautiful Iron Patriotnettes, USA bikinis, and all, soon appeared on stage and began their dance routine, earning them loud cheers from the male spectators.
Meanwhile, back in the teleportation deck of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helocarrier, the Iron Patriot himself had just been beamed on to the ship, with Zemo waiting for him, along with two other agents carrying a hovering U-boat.
Upon seeing his 'welcoming committee', the Patriot stepped off the teleportation pad, then mentally commanded his armor to open it's front entirely, allowing Norman Osborn himself, S.H.I.E.L.D. jumpsuit and all, to step out of it.
With Norman now out of the suit, the two agents quickly rushed in, placed the armor on the U-boat, and pushed it out of the room for some minor repair work for the next match, Norman and Zemo alone.
"Well, Norman," said Zemo in a pleased tone. "It would appear that victory is close at hand."
"I never doubted it," Norman replied with his unsurprised, stone-faced expression. "I trust that you've already found new recruits to replace the original, and disappointing Thunderbolts?"
"But, of course," Zemo answered back. "However, I must ask, do you wish for your son to remain on the team despite his failure?"
Norman allowed a bitter scowl to appear on his face as he gave Zemo this answer. "That weakling is no son of mine. But should we decide to test new super-soldier serums, once we have the government's full support, he'll make a fine human lab rat." With that said, Norman walked past Zemo and out of the room.
As for Zemo himself, he couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing his 'partner's' attitude towards his own son. "I'm liking him more and more each day," he thought. "Such a shame that I'll have to cut our partnership short once the opportunity presents itself."
Meanwhile, back in Nick Fury's safe house, both Nick and Sharon watched the half-time show just as Beast and Gwen had just finished wrapping new a bandage around Peter's upper body to cover his scarred chest and were just now proceeding to help him put his shirt back on him.
A disgusted Sharon was the first to speak her mind on the Iron Patrionettes' performance. "Geez, and I thought Stark was bad."
Nick heard Sharon's remark, which was obviously a reference to Tony's 'Ironette' dancers and was not surprised to see that she wasn't too keen on it, as he heard that most women weren't. "Yeah, well, feel free to let Stark know that, Carter," Nick replied, then turned and walked over to Peter, who by now had his shirt back on. "And getting to Stark and the Avengers all hinges on you on keeping Osborn busy in your match, kid. As well as the rest of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, who I know ill be watching the tournament. Bottom line, we're all counting on you."
Hearing this caused Peter to let out a sigh filled with both annoyance and exhaustion, he finished putting both of his gloves on. "Great…no pressure or anything."
It was here that a very worried Beast spoke up. "Yes, well, even with the extra padding over your new stitches, Peter, I'm afraid that they can still pop if you're not careful. So, with that in mind, I urge you to be more cautious this time and avoid the 'charging in headfirst' mentality."
An equally concerned Gwen used her left hand to lightly touched Peter's right shoulder, and as he turned to face her and make her thoughts known to him by giving him a stern expression. "He's not wrong, Pete!"
"Yeah, I know," Peter replied as he placed his left hand over Gwen's then turned to Nick. "And don't worry, I'll keep Gobby and the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. busy so you guys can focus on the plan." It was here that Peter turned back to the still anxious Gwen with a small smile. "And I'll be careful while doing it. I promise."
Gwen wasn't exactly thrilled with Peter's carefree answer, especially in regards to fighting the armored, and psychotic Norman and didn't want him to get any more injured than he was right now. Nevertheless, she moved her hand from Peter's shoulder and placed it on top of his hand, and gave it a small squeeze as she gave him this firm, yet gentle reply. "You better!"
Suddenly, the conversation stopped when Misty Knight walked in and approached Gwen in particular. "Gwen, I just got off the phone with your dad," said Misty, who seemed somewhat hesitant, something that generally wouldn't associate with her usual cool and calm personality. "And while he's glad that you were saved in Japan and out of harm's way, he still isn't too keen on you being here with us. Which is why he's coming over here to pick you up, so you might want to come with me outside to meet him."
Naturally, Gwen was annoyed by her father's overprotectiveness. But at the same time, she understood that he has a job to do in coordinating his officers to keep the crowd under control and felt that the only way he would be able to do that more effectively was to be by his side so he could see for himself that she was fine. As such, Gwen answered Misty by reluctantly giving her a nod of acknowledgment.
As for Peter, he was reminded of how Gwen was put in harm's way back in Japan, and more importantly, remembered the conversation he had with Wasp on the dangers of sharing his superhero life with someone else. And upon hearing that George was going to pick her up, Peter realized that this might be the only chance to tell Gwen of such dangers…and let her go for the sake of her safety. And so, with a heavy heart, Peter gently grabbed hold of Gwen's hand and addressed Nick and the others. "Um guys, could you excuse Gwen and me for a second?"
Nick and his comrades were confused at first, but when the eye-patched S.H.I.E.L D. Director saw Peter holding Gwen's hand, as well as the sadness in his eyes, he had a feeling on what Peter was planning. After all, this instance reminded him of how he rescued a former girlfriend from getting kidnapped by H.Y.D.R.A. agents and had to end their relationship for her own good. With this assumption, Nick gave Peter a small understanding nod. "Sure kid, just make it fast," he told the young man, then turned to Misty and the others. "Come on, let's let these two kids have their moment." With that order, Misty, Sharon, and Beast all followed Nick out of the room, leaving Peter alone with Gwen, with Peter looking heartbroken for what he was about to do.
Gwen was left utterly confused. "Peter, what is it?"
"Gwen, listen…" said Peter as he took a moment to stand up from the bed, winding in pain, then gently takes Gwen's hands and helps up to her feet. "I've been thinking, and…it might be best if you stayed away from me from now on."
Needless to say, this left Gwen completely confused. "Peter, what is it?"
"Gwen, listen…" said Peter stood up from the bed, wincing in pain in the process, then took both of Gwen's hands to help her up to her feet as he gave her this heart-wrenching answer, and try as hard as he could to soften the blow…though he knew it would be impossible. "Gwen listen, I've been thinking. And it might be best…if you stayed away from me from now on."
"What?!" Gwen exclaimed. "B-But I thought that you-!"
"I do!" Peter chimed in as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I do love you, Gwen! I adore you! But if my match with Harry has taught me anything, it's that when people like Norman know that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are the same person, then he'll use any dirty trick to get to me…including the people that I care about!" The saddened Peter briefly turned his head to his still sleeping aunt. "Like how he tried to use Aunt May," as he continued, Peter looked down at the floor as he remembered his former opponent and best friend. "How he used Harry..." He then looked up at the still distraught Gwen. "And how he used you. Look, Gwen, I will bring Osborn down for what he's done and make sure that he never hurts anyone else ever again! But I now know just how much trouble this costume attracts, and I won't have you get hurt or killed because of it. So, it's best that we just…go our separate ways." Peter then closed his eyes and hung his head in shame, knowing he must've destroyed Gwen emotionally and hating himself for it. "I'm so sorry."
Naturally, Gwen could feel her heart shatter upon hearing these words. For one thing, she felt so angry; she wanted to slap Peter silly for after telling her that he returned her feelings, only to shoot her down by pulling the 'heroes can't have relationship' excuse before they even had a chance to be together. But at the same time, given what she had just gone through throughout this whole ordeal, she couldn't say that he's wrong when it comes to her life being put at risk. But despite this sound point, the fact that Peter didn't let it be HER decision to stay made her all the more furious, as well as hurt.
Suddenly, Misty walked in after seeing George Stacy's car pull up to the front of the safehouse and saw the destroyed looked on Gwen's face, knowing that Peter must've said something to upset her. Nevertheless, she still had to let the girl know. "Gwen," she said softly, causing both teens to turn and look at her. "Sorry to interrupt, but your dad just pulled up."
Gwen, while fighting the urge to cry, took a deep breath and gave Misty a somber nod. "I'll be right there," Gwen told the detective, and as she watched the detective leave the room, she turned to a sad Peter. "Good luck in your match, Pete…and goodbye." With that said, Gwen quickly turned away from Peter and walked down the door, finally allowing tears to go down her cheeks.
For Peter, watching the love of his life, leaving felt like a knife slowing piercing into his heart. And what was worse, he still had to speak to another important woman in his life. One whom he kept his life as Spider-Man a secret from since day one. As such, he turned his attention to his sleeping Aunt May and walked over to her so he could speak to her for what could be the very last time.