The cab pulled up to George Stacy's impressive home outside of the city as Peter jumped out and jogged to Gwen's door - opening it carefully for her. She smiled as he took her hand - pulling her to his chest.

"Did you ever talk to my dad the other day about that mob guy?" Gwen asked as they made their way to the front door; placing her hand in his.

"Oh, uh no. He wasn't in his office when I stopped by. Must have been on a call."

"Oh." Gwen turned as her father came to the door and opened it quickly - smiling at them both. "Ah, Gweny you made it." He kissed his daughters hair before shaking Peter's hand. "Peter, good to see you again." He assured - allowing them entrance to his home.

Gwen shed her heavy coat; taking Peter's jacket as he stood beside her wearing blue jeans and a fitting blue sweater, looking handsome as ever. Their eyes met - smiling brightly at each other. A minute later two rowdy boys came running by - stopping to hug their sister.

"Peter this is Howard and Simon." Gwen looked up as her mother and other brother entered the foyer. "My mom Helen and my other brother Philip."

Peter waved to everyone; smiling.

"Everyone this is…" Gwen met Peter's dark eyes, catching the slight nod. "…my boyfriend, Peter."

"Boyfriend?" Helen asked with a smile; clasping her hands together. "Such a handsome young man. Congratulations you two - I'll get the wine!"

"Mom!" Gwen protested; laughing as she placed her arm in Peter's and pulled him towards the kitchen. The youngest two Stacy children went on their rambunctious way as George shared a look with Philip and followed them into the kitchen.

X

"Wow, Mrs. Stacy this is delicious!" Peter assured with a mouthful of lasagna as Gwen grinned at him from across the table. She was smitten, studying him carefully as he took a sip of wine. Helen beamed at the compliment - taking a bite of salad. "Im glad you like it, Peter. It's Gwen's favorite dish."

He met Gwen's sapphire gaze; taken back by her beauty as she searched his face - placing her palm on her chin as a smile spread across her soft lips. Suddenly all he could picture was his mouth on hers - the way she tasted; the way she made him feel.

Peter swallowed hard as Gwen turned her attention back to her salad; picking at it with her fork as her father cleared his throat.

"So, Peter. What are your plans? Your goals in life?" Captain Stacy asked casually; pulling everyone's attention to the head of the table. Peter took a long drink of wine before answering. "Bioengineering. I start at ESU in the spring. Right now I'm working as a freelance photographer for…." Peter swallowed his words; sighing. "Jonah Jameson, unfortunately. He was the only person hiring."

George laughed at the thought. "You poor boy. Jameson is the worst. All that propaganda he slings about Spider-Man. He's the disgrace!"

"I agree completely, sir. Today I showed him a picture of Spider-Man right after he'd saved a kid from getting run over by a cab and he said… he's just… he's ridiculous." Peter huffed; taking a quick bite.

"Spider-Man saved a kid today?" Gwen asked softly - watching Peter as he nodded; meeting her gaze. She looked at him like a girl in love - her chest tight at the thought of Jonah Jameson's blasphemy and Peter saving a helpless kid - sacrificing so much for those less powerful than him.

Captain Stacy cleared his throat again as he looked between his mesmerized daughter and their dinner guest. He watched Peter grin at her knowingly - just as smitten as her.

Gwen took a long sip of wine; turning her attention back to her father.

"How's work, daddy? Any closer to busting those dirty cops?"

Captain Stacy tensed at the question before pouring more salad into his bowl. He knew which of his men were helping Fisk because he was allowing it; to keep his family safe.

"I'm afraid not. Their covering their tracks pretty well. Still have my leads though. Any day I'll crack the case." He assured with a smile; causing Gwen to giggle like she always did as a child when he said that to her. "I know you'll get to the bottom of it soon, dad."

Peter took another drink of wine - keeping his mouth shut as he listened to them talk. He knew that Fisk had threatened Captain Stacy's family if he didn't allow his bidding to be done but surely the father of four had a handle on the situation and any day now he would put Fisk behind bars.

One could hope.

Peter glanced up at Gwen; who was staring at her father as he spoke - a proud smile on her beautiful face. He could never tell her what he knew about Captain Stacy. It would devastate her and he loved her to much to do that.

"Peter?"

He caught himself staring at Gwen, turning to her father quickly. "Bioengineering? Is there a high demand for that field?"

Gwen blushed as he gave his attention to her father and she stood to clear the table. Peter couldn't help but glance at her as she walked past him; placing her hand on his shoulder as she took his empty plate to the kitchen.

X

"Gwen, honey - Peter is just lovely. You'll come back for dinner soon I hope. The boys miss you terribly and your father worries when you don't check in."

"I know, mom. I will - I'm just trying—-."

"I know, I know - you're an adult now living your life. We just miss having you around."

Gwen hugged her mother gently; smiling at the pretty blond. "I love you, mom. I promise we'll come by next week. I'll text you."

Peter emerged from the rest room; smoothing the front of his sweater as his eyes met Gwen's. She stood beside her equally beautiful mother with a matching smile; pulling her coat on quickly.

"Peter, it was so nice to meet you. Such a lovely young man, you are. Our Gwen is a lucky girl."

Peter pulled his jacket on quickly and turned to Gwen; brushing a strand of blond hair from her shining eyes. "I assure you, Mrs. Stacy - I'm the lucky one."

Gwen's chest tightened at his words.

"Peter, good luck with ESU and Jameson. Take care of my Gweny, you hear?"

"Absolutely, sir."

Peter shook Captain Stacy's hand; waving to her brothers as they hurried out the door to their waiting cab. Gwen placed her arm through Peter's; pulling him close to her side.

"I hope that was okay. Sometimes my parents are… a lot."

"They're great." He assured with a grin; opening the door for her and allowing her to scoot in before he followed after. As he settled in beside her Gwen kissed him suddenly; quickly on the side of the mouth before their driver could protest. He turned to look at her in the dark cab; her eyes searching his.

"There's something about you, Peter Parker."

Peter smiled.

X

"I should go patrol for a few hours. See if I can find out anything else about Kingpin." Peter mumbled as they stood in front of Gwen's apartment door - her smile fading into a pout.

"Nothing I could do to change your mind?" She asked innocently enough; pulling him close to her. "A lot of things actually." Peter kissed her quickly - causing Gwen to step up on her toes to close the space between them.

After a long moment Peter pulled away gasping; shaking his head as a sly smile spread across Gwen's beautiful face.

"Gwen…" He groaned; taking in a deep breath as she ran her hands down his chest. "Alright Ace, who am I to come between you and protecting the city." She finally assured, kissing his lips again quickly before she turned to open her door.

Peter could only watch as Gwen disappeared into her apartment and closed the door gently; leaving him alone and breathing heavily in the hall.

X