Peter was leaning against the wall of the room he and Aiden were housed in. They had taken refuge in some obscure cottage within the park that was straight out of a fairytale. If seven dwarfs pranced in whistling the song 'Heigh-Ho' Peter probably wouldn't even bat an eye. Add to that the fact that he was becoming familiar with the plants. He observed them, you know, the way a scientist does. He hypothesized that they were sentient. He tested his hypothesis. They responded to different modulations of the human voice. Sometimes aggressively. But only towards him. Peter had never been so quiet in his life. The plants creeped him out. And not in an abstract scientific way. Just the normal heebie-jeebies way. Aiden took a liking to plants. He talked to them while Peter observed. Peter couldn't hear what Aiden was saying. But that was beside the point. It was the reaction of the plants themselves that Peter was interested in. The vines brought Aiden fruit. Very sweet apples amongst the spoils. Peter tasted them first and since he didn't keel over à la Snow White, he let Aiden eat them too. But he came to a conclusion: the plants were not to be trusted.

Then something started to happen that sent his spider-sense into high alert. A sweet scent permeated the room. After a moment when he finally found the source of the aroma attack, he felt like he could just melt into a puddle. The vines moved his body about like a puppet to lay him down on a bed of leaves. But he couldn't react to what was happening. Because he was in a dream. It had to be a dream. Aiden was talking to a plant creature of some sort that had a humanoid shape. And everyone knew plant creatures that pretended to be people didn't exist. Peter was only hallucinating. Aiden was fine. Safe and sound. Peter had nothing to worry about.

The last thing Peter heard was a melodic voice telling him to sleep. So he did.

A sharp scent hit his nose. Peter lifted his hands to cover his face as he scooted away from the smell. It wasn't pleasant.

"Ugh! What is that smell? Turn it off," Peter said as he hit a wall and opened his still unfocused eyes.

"It's peppermint," said a deep baritone.

"Ugh! I hate peppermint," Peter said in disgust, finally dropping his hands. His vision cleared and he realized he was talking to Batman. "What are you doing here?" He looked around and didn't recognize the area. It looked like an enchanted forest. He was leaning against a tree. "What am I doing here? Is this—Is this Neverland?"

"We're in Robinson's Park."

"Uh, right. I remember that," Peter said and rubbed his face. Neverland? I said that to Batman. He probably thinks I'm an idiot man-child. Well, so does everyone else. Alright, so no biggie there. "So where's Robin and—Wait! Where's Aiden?" Peter said looking around frantically.

"He's back with his mother," Batman told him and he had a slight frown on his face. Peter noticed.

Uh-oh. Here comes the bad news.

"You've been missing for two days."

"Missing?! Two days?! How did that happen? The last thing I remember is that Robin left us in Snow White's cottage. And I was waiting for the dwarfs but they never came. Then the vines fed us apples. And then the Good Witch told me to go to sleep. And there was a humanoid plant creature talking to Aiden," Batman hummed, "but Aiden was perfectly safe so I decided I should sleep because I was very tired. But then again I probably dreamt the entire thing. Because all that sounded very stupid. And I assure you I'm not a stupid man—"

Batman held up a hand to stop him from talking. "You were drugged."

"Drugged?" He ran a hand over his hair. At least he doesn't think I'm stupid. Or maybe he does and he's just being nice? Ugh! "Is that going to show up on my bloodwork? Because I may need a new job and new employers frown upon drug use," Peter said and Batman ignored the quip.

"Let's go," Batman said, holding out a hand for Peter.

"So what's going to happen now? Are Mila and Aiden safe? The reason I ended up in this situation was because the mob was after Aiden and even the Great and Powerful O wanted to kidnap him. And Todd thought Poison Ivy's funhouse of vines was the most secure place to keep a child safe. Since Aiden is safe I guess he was right. But seeing that I was knocked unconscious not so safe for adults. Thanks for looking for me, by the way. How long do you think I'd still be conked out if you hadn't found me?"

Peter looked over towards Batman who just kept walking through the park as if he hadn't heard a word. Though Peter knew he was listening. Maybe taking mental notes. Peter had to wonder what his thought process was. To be classified as the world's best detective the amount of information he processed had to be exhausting. That's why Peter liked thinking aloud best. It was his way of giving his brain an outlet so that it didn't burn out.

As they passed a grove of trees, Peter saw the Batmobile and whistled in appreciation.

"Get in."

"Sure, why not? I could go for a ride in the Batmobile," Peter said as he climbed into the vehicle. "Not that I normally accept rides from strangers. But since you're Robin's sorta dad I guess you're not a stranger? Plus you just saved me from sleep and an enchanted forest. So that makes you safe in my book. And it's not like you're not the best company. Nobody likes a chatterbox. Am I right?"

Peter looked over at Batman who had been busy turning on the Batmobile and typing something into his gauntlet. Wait. Was Batman texting? Did Batman text? What Peter wouldn't do for Batman's phone number. He'd text him every day. Twice a day even. Just to say hello or something equally inane. Batman seemed like he needed casual, maybe humorous, social interactions to balance him out.

The seats had automatic seatbelts. They locked Peter in place. And before Peter knew it, Batman had gunned it. They were out of the park and rushing through the streets of Gotham in less than sixty seconds. It was late afternoon by the looks of it. Batman drove him straight to Mila's place without saying a word. Peter had a lot to say still. He especially had a lot to say when he was nervous. And he hated awkward silences. But the force of the speed kept him from speaking out of sheer awe. When they stopped in front of Mila's place Peter's face lit up in excitement.

"Oh my god! Can we go again? Please. Please. Please."

"Maybe some other time," Batman said and the passenger door opened up. Peter could've sworn he saw a hint of a smile on Batman's face for a second. "For now, there's a very worried woman and child waiting for you."

Peter's seatbelt retracted. And Batman pointed to the house.

"Right. Hey, really, thanks for finding me and waking me up and giving me a ride home. I appreciate it. Have a good evening," Peter said in a rush as he climbed out of the car. He heard a grunt from Batman but he didn't turn around. He hurried to the house. His heart was hammering in his chest. His heartbeat was loud to his own ears. He was nervous but eager to see Aiden. He had to see with his own eyes that the boy was safe and sound.

As soon as he walked into the living room he heard Mila gasp.

"Peter!" She stood up and quickly made her way to him.

"Aunt Mila," Peter said, the title slipping out on its own accord. He walked up to her and hugged her. He was happy she was safe. Then he turned at the sound of pitter-patter coming down the stairs. "Hey, buddy!" Peter laughed as he scooped up the boy.

"I knew you were safe. I knew it. They promised. And I told my mom and the police. But they didn't believe me," Aiden said in a soft voice sounding close to tears. Peter had never heard the boy say so much all at once.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here now. Batman saved me and brought me home," Peter said, grinning. "Have you ever ridden in the Batmobile?"

Aiden shook his head and wiped his eyes.

"Oh man, buddy. It was awesome!"

"Batman," Mila scoffed. "About time he did something right."

Peter chuckled. "You have no idea how happy I am that the two of you are okay."

"The boy goes missing for two days. Two days. And he's worried about us?" Mila said and shook her head. "You hear him, Aiden?" She cursed in German and wiped under her eyes carefully to not smudge her make-up. Aiden chuckled and hugged Peter tighter. "You must be hungry. Come. I have plenty to eat."

"What about you, Aiden? You hungry?" Peter said looking over at the boy. He didn't miss the dark circle under his or Mila's eyes. They'd truly been worried about him.

"Uh-huh," Aiden said with a nod.

Mila looked back and smiled at her son. She was grateful that Peter had returned. Aiden had been refusing to eat. And no matter how often he'd said Peter was safe, he still refused to have a meal.

Peter scrunched up his face. "Why do you smell so funky, buddy?"

Aiden pulled a face and looked away from Peter once he was settled into a chair.

"Tell him how you refused to take a bath or eat or listen to your mamà until Peter returned. Go on, tell him," Mila said with and sighed dramatically.

Aiden wrung his hands together. "They wouldn't listen. So I refused to listen to them."

"Oh, boy," Peter said to himself and turned Aiden's face towards him. "You can't do that, Aiden. Your mom can't take care of you if you don't listen to her. I know that sometimes it could be frustrating when you feel like you're being treated like a child. But you are a child. And you have to trust that your mom hears you and is doing everything in her power to resolve a situation. You don't want to cause her more worries on top of the ones she already has right, buddy?" Aiden shook his head. Peter smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "For now, let's eat, and then you need to wash that funk off."

"You too!"

"Yeah, me too," Peter said with a chuckle and pinched Aiden's nose.

"Good. I don't like having to smell either of your odors," Mila said sounding annoyed. She served them both full plates of food.

As they ate, Peter refrained from asking anything about what had happened. Mila didn't seem inclined to talk about it in front of Aiden either. Peter didn't blame her. So it wasn't until after they'd had their fill of food, had washed up, and Aiden was taken to bed that Mila filled him in on what had happened.

Casamento got word of his nephew's miraculous return to the world of the living. But instead of fearing it like his men did, he decided to use it to his advantage. He made arrangements to speak to his lawyer who after hearing what he had to say investigated the matter. The lawyer then moved to appeal the conviction but was denied by the courts. Freddie Rios had been one step ahead and had informed the DA of Peter's special circumstances. Casamento was not deterred and involved the FBI who took Mila into custody to question her for having falsely accused her ex-husband of murder. Mila had called in her attorney and after a full day of questioning, they released her. But the damage had already been done.

Casamento used the opportunity to sow distrust in Mila's men. Which explained why Arman abandoned Aiden and Peter at the zoo. He, like many of the men who worked for Mila, went into hiding thinking she'd turn them in for things they'd done in the past. Casamento also sent out his men to abduct Aiden. And had spread rumors of Falcone's involvement. Though that was far from true. Falcone didn't know or care what Mila was up to since, according to him, had no business dealings with the wretched woman.

When Aiden and Peter went off the radar, Casamento's men were all taken into custody by Batman, Robin, and the Red Hood. But Casamento went missing. At the time of his disappearance, guards and the prisoners in the adjacent cells mentioned a tremor. The prisoner that was in the cell that faced Casamento's mentioned that the floor beneath Casamento opened and he was pulled into the ground. Casamento screamed in fear for help and then was gone.

When Robin returned to Poison Ivy's hideout to check on Aiden and Peter, Peter was missing. And Aiden was being babysat by a humanoid plant creature. And in the corner of the room, Robin saw a cocoon made of leaves. He opened it up in a hurry thinking Peter was inside only to find a half-dead Casamento. Aiden insisted that Peter was safe but he had no idea where he'd gone.

Poison Ivy was questioned about her involvement but she had nothing to say on the matter. Batman told Gordon that he didn't think she was even aware of the situation. The humanoid plant creature couldn't be questioned as his life-span came to an end suddenly. Batman surmised that the plant creature had only come to be to protect Aiden. Whether Poison Ivy had the power to control the plants while locked away in Arkham miles away was a question that would remain unanswered. Or so Gordon told Mila when he explained to her what they knew and had no answers as to Peter's whereabouts.

"Imagine my surprise when you waltz in on your own accord when no one could say what happened to you," Mila told him and Peter rubbed his hair.

"I wish I could give you an answer about where I've been. The last thing I remember is being in the hideout with Aiden. Batman woke me in the park. He said I'd been drugged. I think it was the plants. I don't think they liked me," Peter said with a grimace that made Mila chuckle.

"Yes, yes. Aiden said that the plants put you to sleep. He didn't say much more about it than that. He couldn't give an account of what happened to you. Almost as if he was afraid to say. I didn't want to press the issue. I'm glad he's talking again and didn't want him to stop so I decided he'd said enough about the matter," Mila said looking ashamed. But Peter understood. If the only way to find him was to pressure Aiden, it wasn't worth it. He agreed.

"I'm happy for your return. And that Aiden was right when he said nothing had happened to you. I was worried about what it would do to him if you were not found. We've only known you for such few days and you're already an integral part of our little family. Now, come, no more talking. It's time to rest."

"Rest? I've slept for the past two days," Peter argued. Then he stood and wrapped an arm around Mila's shoulder as she walked to the stairs. "Thank you." He kissed her on the top of her head. "Rest easy, Aunt Mila."

"Don't stay up too long," Mila chastised with a small smile and made her way upstairs.

Peter sat on the sofa with his head in his hands. Oh boy, oh boy. What have I gotten myself into? The worst part of it all is that I see them as family too. And I still have no idea what I'm doing here or why. Not only that but I don't feel any urgency to get home. Somehow this place is my home. What is happening to me?

A/N: Someone asked how old Peter was. He's around twenty-two, I suppose.