(A/N: I do not own Spiderman or Assassin's Creed. That right belongs to Ubisoft and Sony [Notice I've been saying Disney the past few chapters]).
The group was barely able to get out of the tomb alive before the security measure John had put in place really started. Peter looked behind him a few times as he ran with two teenaged boys over his shoulders to see the wildness going on behind him with platforms moving up and down and left and right.
Peter even saw beams of light emit from areas of the tomb. He swore he saw a rock completely dissipate as it went through it.
They were barely out the doors before it completely closed. As he got out, Peter practically collapsed to the ground, dropping Emmanuel and Chris who had both passed out from exhaustion and fear.
The Spider hero was content to just lay there and breathe in and out, completely exhausted from this whole experience, both physically and mentally. He laid his head on the ground as he looked up at the sky.
"Are you ok, Tiger?" Mary-Jane asked, kneeling beside him and looked at him with a worried expression.
"I'm fine...just give me a minute" Peter said as he just continued to lay down.
"Well take your time, Peter but just know we can't stay here too long. The Abstergo guards may be waking up soon. The sleeping darts we used on them will likely wear off in a short while" AC explained.
"Sleeping darts, huh? Interesting. Was that what was used on me in there? I guess that would explain why I feel so exhausted. Who took that shot by the way?" Peter said, looking between the 4 of them. Gwen, Harry and Liz just turned to Mary-Jane.
The redhead opened and closed her eyes and awkwardly smiled at her best friend who noticed and gave her an annoyed (But kind of amused look).
"Sorry about that, Tiger. It really was for your own good" Mary-Jane rationalized.
Peter couldn't really much argue with that, after what he had just learned inside the tomb. He just nodded as he got up and stretched.
"Yeah, I guess it was...I...I'm sorry about what happened in there. If...If I had really known" Peter said, scratching the back of his neck.
AC just shook his head and waved off Peter's apology.
"It's not a problem, Peter. I understand. I only wish they hadn't had brought you into their schemes to begin with. Besides, I've been through worse" AC said, holding his hand out. Peter smiled lightly and took it, shaking it.
"You did well today, Peter. Thanks to you, the Observatory is now closed to the Templars for another generation until another Sage appears" Aapo said, patting Peter's shoulders.
Peter's mood suddenly deteriorated.
"John…" He whispered, looking back to the entrance of the tomb.
"You couldn't have done anything else, Peter. He did this to himself. Though I kind of wish he didn't have to die. We would have offered him sanctuary and protected him...but I guess we have to make due what what's happened...he'll be back soon enough anyway...just not as John" AC explained.
"Hmm...maybe so...still though..." Peter said, still looking at the tomb for a moment before he turned towards his 4 friends (or maybe former friends. He had no clue at this point).
"I...I'm sorry for everything I said in there...I...I wasn't thinking. I'll...I'll just get to the boat. You guys did bring a boat, right?" Peter said, looking to AC and Aapo.
AC nodded and explained where he could find it.
Peter thanked him and picked up Emmanuel and Chris, throwing them over his shoulder. He then began to walk out of the jungle, not saying a word more.
"He's still kicking himself, the damn boy scout" Mary-Jane said, worried about her friend.
"He will be fine, Ms. Watson. He likely just needs time alone right now" Aapo said.
"But him being alone is what got him into this mess" Mary-Jane retorted.
"Just let him be for now. He's been through a lot today. He needs to rest" Aapo insisted.
The two assassins then began to lead them through the jungle and back to the boat, through all the still unconscious Abstergo officers that were deprived of their guns (Thanks to AC).
When they got back to the boat, everyone could see Shaun and Rebecca waiting on them with Emmanuel and Chris, still tied up, placed in a corner in the cockpit.
"Hey, guys. We heard from the kid. Well done!" Rebecca said, smiling widely.
"Yeah, very good job. Give all yourselves a pat on the back" Shaun said, sincerely but still sounding like a snobbish prick.
"Where's Peter?" AC asked curiously.
"Well after he dropped off these 2 numbskulls and told us what happened, he asked if there was a place he could lie down. We told him about there being a bed in the deck below so he went right down. Probably just having a nappie" Shaun explained.
"Good. He deserves one" Mary-Jane nodded.
"Alright. I'll set a course back to Miami. A different port this time just in case Abstergo's waiting for us back from the one we came from" Shaun said, getting ready to take off.
"So...have we finally earned your trust enough to tell us who you are?" Liz asked AC, still not getting over that.
AC practically froze and turned towards them.
"Uh…." Was all he said before Mary-Jane interrupted.
"Come on, dude. After all we've been through, you're still not going to do this one was thing for us? We're not going to see you again after this so what does it really matter?" Mary-Jane asked exasperated.
AC then turned to Shaun and Rebecca. Rebecca smirked and nodded at him while Shaun just gave him a look that said 'Just do it, you stubborn git'.
After a while, AC just rolled his eyes and removed his hood, revealing his mid twenties look with his light brown hair.
"Fine...the name's Alex Clayton. Been an Assassin since my early teens like my father was. Was born and raised in this business...this business is all I've known" Alex said, somberly.
His father had become an Assassin after his mother who had been driven to suicide shortly after Alex's birth after being blackmailed and threatened by Alan Rikkin. After his father found out that Alan had been blackmailing his mother, he vowed vengeance on him. In the process, he ran into the Assassins, learned of their customs, trained with them and became an Assassin.
His father had been with them for about 20 years and had trained him to be one for the better part of his life...until he died on a mission. Ever since, he had decided to dedicate his life to fighting every day for them as a member of the Assassin Brotherhood and dedicated himself to the fight against the tyranny of the Templar order.
"Alex Clayton...well I guess it fits the initials…" Liz said, a bit disappointed.
"What exactly were you expecting my name to be?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I dunno. Just kind of a let down, really" Liz said, shrugging.
Alex rolled his eyes. "Well...I guess I really should thank all of you...even you, Osborn. You didn't need to come but you did anyway and I think despite everything that's happened, you probably did make an impact on Peter's decision. Maybe you're not so bad after all"
"Of course I did. I love Peter as if he were my brother" Harry retorted.
"Hmm….though I do have to wonder...does he feel the same for you after all this?" Alex asked him which caused Harry to go back into doubt mode.
"Well anyway, we'd best get out of here before the Abstergo officers wake up. That'll cause a load of trouble for us" Alex said.
"Agreed. We're about to get going. I suggest everyone be seated and get ready for departure" Shaun said.
They all sat down as the boat started and started its trip towards Miami.
*One hour later*
The breeze of the Atlantic Ocean was a refreshing change from the drama and action.
Inside the cockpit was almost everyone, including the 2 Templar boys who woke up from their little nap. They were scared and annoyed, not speaking to anyone.
The only person who was out on the poop deck was Gwen. She was enjoying some alone time, waiting for Peter to come back up so they could talk. However, it was taking longer than she had hoped.
She didn't know what she was going to say to him. While Peter did say he was sorry for what he had said at the Observatory, he likely did hold some animosity towards her and probably for good reason. Plus, there was one other thing standing between her and Peter.
Speak of the devil, Liz Allen came right beside her and looked out to the ocean with her. Gwen noticed and looked at her. The last time they spoke one on one (As it looked like they were about to do now again), they were pretty hostile with each other. She didn't really want that to happen again but if she was going to be rude, so would she.
"So...ocean's pretty, isn't it?" Liz simply asked, looking out at the water.
"...Yeah. It is" Gwen said just as simply.
There was an awkward silence between them until Gwen decided to speak up.
"Uh...is that all you wanted to speak to me about?" Gwen asked, turning her head towards her and raising an eyebrow.
Liz just let out a smirk and a huff.
"No...I think you should make a move on Petey" Liz said bluntly.
Gwen widened her eyes in surprise. Just a few days ago, she was determined to get Peter back from her but now she was giving up.
"Wh...what do you mean? What's your game?" Gwen asked, narrowing her eyes at her.
Liz shook her head. "No game. It's just I'm no fool. I may not be as smart as you, Petey or maybe even your crappy ex-boyfriend but I know when I'm wasting my time. I saw the way Petey was talking about you in that Observatory place. When he talked about you, his eyes were full of fire and passion that I hadn't seen anything like from him, not even when we were together….I think he really is in love with you, girl. I may sometimes be a stuck up cheerleader but I'm not about to steal something that isn't mine so...go for it"
The Latina girl placed a hand on Gwen's shoulder and smiled. Gwen looked at the hand then back at Liz and smiled back at her.
"...Thanks, Liz. You're very nice" Gwen said, sincerely.
"Yeah...I think Petey had that effect on me...I kinda hate it...but just so you know, if it turns out he doesn't want to get together with you...I'll be coming back full swing. Thought I'd tell you that" Liz said with a wink.
Gwen should have been annoyed but she couldn't help but chuckle a little. Liz gave Gwen a side hug with an arm around her shoulder and went back into the cockpit.
The blonde girl gave a deep sigh. It didn't seem like he was coming up anytime soon. She needed to speak to him, to clear up the air between them.
She went back into the cockpit and looked to Rebecca.
"Would it be ok if I went downstairs to see Peter? I...need to talk to him" Gwen said to the tech woman.
Rebecca just smiled.
"Nah, you go right ahead. Though he may still be sleeping and I don't really know if it'd be a good idea to wake him" She smiled.
"I'll be careful" Gwen said, nodding at Rebecca. She turned to Mary-Jane who smiled softly at her, knowing full well what this talk would entail.
Harry slightly grimaced, also knowing what it'll entail as well. He kinda knew it would probably always turn out this way. Gwen was always in love with Peter, not him. He was just kidding himself when he thought he could make her fall for him instead and it came back to bite him in the ass. However, he knew it was probably better this way.
"Alright. He's all yours" Rebecca said, winking at Gwen who blushed.
Gwen went out of the cockpit and went to the downstairs deck. There was a door that she assumed went to the bedroom. She lightly turned the knob and creaked the door slightly. She then slowly made her way inside the small bedroom.
It wasn't much to look at. Just a bed and some room to walk in and out of the room. Gwen could see Peter laying down on his back with his eyes closed on the bed below her.
Gwen bent down on her knees and examined him. His hair wasn't in the ponytail like it has been the past few days. His hair went back to the ruggedly look it had been for as long as she's known him. His clothes were also a mess as well. His shirt was untucked from his pants, his button down shirt was undone to where she could see his white shirt underneath. She could see outlines of his abs and muscles underneath which caused her to blush.
The girl wanted to run her hands through his hair but she didn't want to disturb him while he was sleeping. However, after a few minutes, she saw and heard him give a big sigh.
"You're terrible at being inconspicuous, I hope you know that" Peter said, opening his eyes and turning towards her with a hint of a smirk.
"Oh, Peter! You're awake...how...how long have you been awake?" Gwen asked, flushing terribly, very embarrassed.
"After you started walking down. The steps are pretty loud" Peter said.
"...Oh….sorry" Gwen said sheepishly as Peter waved off her apology.
After a period of silence, Gwen spoke up again.
"Hey, uh…do you mind if I...lay in the bed with you. I...I'm pretty tired" Gwen asked, thinking some physical contact would help her.
"Uh...no. That's fine. D...do you want me to leave? To give you more space?" Peter asked, starting to get up.
"Oh, no, no! Stay. I just want to lay down" Gwen said, kind of insisting.
"Oh. Ok, then" Peter said, shifting over to make room for Gwen as she got into the bed with him.
At first they just layed down together, giving each other space until Gwen started moving closer to him. Peter didn't object but he did notice.
Gwen kept moving closer until she turned her body around, placed an arm over his torso and laid her head on his chest.
"Comfy?" Peter asked, almost joking causing Gwen to chuckle lightly.
"Sorry. I...I just need a pillow. Do you mind?" Gwen asked, looking up at him. Peter shook his head no.
They stayed like that for a while before Gwen turned her head back up to Peter.
"How are you feeling?" Gwen asked, curiously as Peter looked up to the ceiling above them.
Peter gave a sigh and proceeded to answer.
"I feel played. I should have known it was too good to be true. Things like these usually are...and I guess people like that always have an ulterior motive" Peter answered stoically.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Peter. I know it couldn't have been easy" Gwen said, sympathetically as she caressed his chest.
"It's just...there's so few people I can count on in my life right now...I grew up with both my parents dead...my uncle was shot and murdered...my aunt's here for me but who knows how long she has left in this world. Mary-Jane's also here for me but she'll be going off to college soon like I will and I likely won't see her as often...maybe not at all. You know how people make new friends in college and forget about their old ones in High School...I have a feeling that'll happen with me and her" Peter said, his eyes getting gloomy at the thought of losing practically his only friend.
"That's not true, Peter! She came all the way out here because she was worried about you and not just her. Me, Liz and Harry came as well. We're all your friends, Peter. We love you" Gwen insisted.
"Hmm…." Peter simply said, not really responding to the question. Gwen sensed a bit of tension so she decided to ask another question that was on her mind.
"So...do you hate me, Peter?" Gwen asked, looking up to the brunette boy.
Peter shook his head. "No. I don't….I'm sorry for what I said in there, Gwen. At the Observatory. It was uncalled for"
"No, Peter, it wasn't. I completely deserved it. I led you on and I left you alone with a broken heart. I shouldn't have done any of that. I'm really, really sorry" Gwen asked, looking up guiltily at Peter.
"It's alright, Gwen. I understand. You needed to look after Harry" Peter said, beginning to cover his arm around her back, comforting her.
"...Right...Peter...I want us to be together for real this time. I...I think...no. I know I'm in love with you. I always have been and I want to be with you like we should have been at the end of summer last year...if you'll have me" Gwen said, looking hopefully at him.
Peter raised an eyebrow and looked down at her.
"I...I thought you and Harry were still together" Peter said, wondering.
"No. I...I mean...we called it off days ago. I think we both knew there was really nothing but air between us" Gwen said, lying.
"Oh...I see...well...I mean I don't know. I really do love you too, Gwen. I do but...I don't really know if I'm really ready for any sort of commitment right now considering what happened...maybe I just need some time alone" Peter said, laying his head down and looking up at the ceiling.
This caused the blonde to smack her hand down on his chest.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Peter asked, looking back down at Gwen who had an annoyed expression on her face.
"Peter Benjamin Parker, you being alone is exactly what caused something like this to happen. I let you be depressed all summer and it led you into the arms of the creeps tied up upstairs. I'm not going to do this again. We both admitted that we love each other so the only logical conclusion is that we belong together and so help me, I'm going to make sure we're together by the time we're back home" Gwen said then went into action.
She then began placing rapid fire kisses all over Peter's face including his cheeks, his head, his chin, his lips, everywhere where her lips could make contact.
"Gwen, what are you doing?" Peter asked though he said it with a bit of a chuckle. It tickled a little.
"I had this plan for a few days now. I'm going to cover your face with kisses until you forgive me and get together with me. No exceptions" Gwen said then went back to kissing.
"I think this kind of falls under a sort of abusive relationship" Peter said with a smirk.
"Well you better get used to my abuse because I plan on doing it to you every day from here on out" Gwen said as she continued kissing.
Peter had to admit, he could get used to it.
After a few more minutes of 'encouragement', Peter finally gave in.
"Alright, alright. I forgive you and I love you too...and I would be delighted to be your boyfriend" Peter said, grinning.
Gwen's eyes grew with happy tears as she heard those words.
"Finally" She thought. She then grabbed both sides of his face and practically smashed his lips with hers in a deep, passionate kiss.
They stayed like that for who knows how long. A minute, two, three. They weren't keeping count. They just kept focusing on them as if they were the only people in the world.
Peter was kind of ecstatic as was Gwen. They were finally with the person they had wanted to be with for so long. At that moment, any sign of hurt, heartbreak and sadness washed away from Peter and was replaced with nothing but warmth and a bit of an afterglow. He was finally whole again.
After what seemed like forever, they parted and looked at each other before giving light laughs.
"You weren't really tired at all, were you?" Peter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nope. You?" Gwen answered then asked her boyfriend (She loved saying that to herself. Peter Parker: Her boyfriend).
"Not really. Just needed some thinking time" Peter answered back and they both laughed again and started cuddling with each other again.
As time went on, Gwen's mind started to shift back to her future relationship with Harry. She was with Peter now and that was good but she didn't really know if she could forgive him for everything he put her and Peter through. There was going to need to be a long talk between her and Harry about this but for now, she felt Peter needed to know if they were going to establish trust between them (Which is kind of ironic considering she just found out he was Spiderman, a pretty big secret if she said so herself but she let it go).
"Uh...Peter...there's something you need to know...it's about Harry…" Gwen said.
Peter looked to her and raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?" Peter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well...he...he knew about the agreement we had a few months back. He used his dad's death to guilt me into staying with him" Gwen said, giving Harry up. She felt Peter had a right to know.
Peter didn't really react to it or at least the way Gwen had thought. He just stared blankly ahead and gave a sigh then shook his head.
"You're taking this a lot better than I thought you would" Gwen said with a raised eyebrow.
"I think I've kind of known for a while actually, since Monday. Emmanuel and Chris said that was probably the reason why. I guess considering how long they've been spying on me, they would know that for sure" Peter said. He had considered it for a few months actually but to have it confirmed really stuck to him.
"Peter, I know he's been a jerk but he came all the way out here because he felt bad about everything and wanted his friend back. I know that's no excuse for what he did but that accounts for something at least, doesn't it?" Gwen tried to reason with him.
"Are you asking me to just kiss and make up with him after everything he put me through?" Peter asked, looking down at her with a raised eyebrow.
"No, of course not. I just wanted to make sure you knew that. I think he really is sorry" Gwen stated.
"Well...to be honest, I don't really know if I still want to be friends with him. That's not me saying I'm done with him, that's just me saying I don't know" Peter said, shaking his head.
"That's completely fine, Peter and just know whatever you choose, I'll be here for you...whenever you need me" Gwen said, nuzzling her head into his chest.
"Thanks, Gwen" Peter said, smiling resting his cheek on the top of her head.
They stayed like that for a while until Gwen suggested they go upstairs and join the others.
"Hm...well…alright. Can I come up a bit later. I...I don't really know if I'm ready yet" Peter said, still a bit fidgety about what was said.
"That's fine but just remember these guys are your friends, Peter. Why don't you come up in another half hour or so?" Gwen asked her boyfriend.
Peter nodded. "Yeah...sounds good. Thank you"
Gwen kissed his cheek and got off the bed. She proceeded then to leave the room and go upstairs to the upper deck.
She went to the cockpit and gestured for Harry to follow her. Confused, he got up and he walked out to the back of the boat with her.
"You don't thin she's...you know…" Liz attempted to ask Mary-Jane if Gwen wanted to get back together with her before she got the message.
"With him? After all they've been through? No way...though I have to wonder myself what exactly they're talking about" Mary-Jane said, raising an eyebrow at the pair of them leaning against the edge of the boat.
"So….how'd it go with Peter?" Harry asked, thinking he already know together.
"Good...we're together now" Gwen said with a wide smile. A smile he never saw when they were together. He nodded with a sort of sad smile.
"Congrats" He said, sincerely.
"There's...something else. I...told him...about...you know...you guilting me into staying with you" Gwen said, trying to find a subtle way to tell him but said it bluntly when she couldn't find one.
Harry cringed at what she said.
"You really had to tell him?" Harry asked.
"Harry, he had a right to know. Besides, he was probably going to find out sooner or later anyway" Gwen said
Harry sighed. He guessed she had a point.
"Maybe...how did he take it?" Harry asked.
"Well….I'm not sure, really" Gwen said, looking down at the ocean beneath her.
"...He doesn't want to be friends anymore, does he?" Harry asked, somberly.
"I'm not sure, Harry. I tried to fight for you but...Peter's hurting right now for a lot of reasons. He needs time to think" Gwen answered.
"...What about you? Gwen, I can handle you not being my girlfriend but I don't want to lose both you and Peter both as my friends" Harry said, desperately wanting to keep them in his life.
"I...I don't know, Harry. What you did was...just wrong on so many levels. Peter and I shouldn't have conspired against you, I know but you deliberately made the both of us miserable just so you could keep me as a trophy of some kind" Gwen said with a slight glare.
"I didn't want you as a trophy, Gwen" Harry said, defending himself.
"Then why did you guilt me, Harry?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I...I don't know...I...I really enjoyed our time together and was really falling for you...although I guess you didn't feel the same. Anyway, I really liked you and thought that maybe I could show I could be just as good or even better than Peter...though I guess I was just kidding myself...Peter was right. I am a selfish prick" Harry said, looking down at the floor and feeling sorry for himself.
Gwen looked sympathetically at the boy and gave him a little side hug.
"No you're not, Harry. Maybe you were but you're not now. You came all the way here just to help Peter out when you could have just stayed home at your mansion. If anything, you're twice the man you were before" Gwen said, smiling up at him.
Harry smiled at Gwen.
"Thanks...so...does this mean we're cool?" Harry asked.
"...Yeah...it does...though, Harry...if I have to be honest...I'm really not sure about whether or not we can still hang out together" Gwen said, suddenly getting serious for a second.
"...What do you mean?" Harry asked in a neutral tone.
"...Well...I've been thinking about this for a couple of days. Peter needs to make a decision on whether or not he wants to make amends with you. I also need to show that I'll be there for him to love and care for him like I should have during the summer. Peter...Peter needs me, much more than you ever did. If he doesn't want to be friends with you anymore because of what's been going on over the past few months, well…." Gwen said, trailing, not having the heart to finish her statement.
Harry looked back down, his mood dampening again.
"...I understand... I guess I deserve that...just promise me one thing, Gwen...no matter what he decides: take care of him, please...it's the least he deserves" Harry requested, a slight tear forming in his eye.
Gwen smiled at Harry and lightly kissed his cheek.
"Thank you, Harry. I will...and despite everything...I think you proved yourself to be a good friend. Not the very best friend...but a good one" Gwen said. Harry then left her alone to go back into the cockpit, leaving the blonde alone to contemplate her thoughts.