A/N: SOOOOO… It's time for another addition to this mini-collection. Yay…?

THANK YOU, so much, for your reviews and love! They mean more than you'll ever know. (HUGS)

Awkay, folks. It's time to get to the actual story. Let's jump a little forward in time. (In this one Peter's about ten-years-old, possibly eleven.) I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy the ride!

(PS: To anyone wondering… The previous chapter took place during 'Iron Man 2'. I wonder if Tony will ever find out that he met Peter long before he MET him, during that Expo disaster.)


Lights


Peter Parker's second near death experience came far too soon after the first one. On the kind of a sunny, relaxed day when no one would've seen it coming. On the kind of a day when nothing bad was supposed to happen.

It was Saturday and Peter was hurrying back home from Ned's. Because he was late for dinner, again. It was becoming a habit and he was mad at himself for that. Especially because he knew full well how much May and Ben always worried about him.

He'd apologize profusely as soon as he made it home, he decided firmly. Then he'd explain, as calmly as he could from his excitement, what kind of a new 'Star Wars' LEGO-set he'd put together with Ned. They'd have to understand how cool that was, right? At least Ben appreciated a good 'Star Wars' LEGO-set.

Despite his haste Peter stopped obediently to a red light. He was still a kid but old enough to know how bad things could get if one defied the traffic of New York. Which didn't keep him from humming to the music he was listening to and tapping restlessly with his foot. May always teased him about his inability to hold still for even a second. (Then she kissed the top of his head to lessen the impact, and he pretended that he hated the gesture.)

The light changed to green and Peter's foot twitched once more to step forward. Until he noticed the car that was speeding forward, defying all traffic rules. The about forty-years-old woman in front of him, who had her eyes on her phone, didn't notice.

Peter reacted instantly. His arm shot forward without any thought, grabbing her shoulder. "Hey, be…!" He never had the time to finish.

The woman was startled by his gesture and jumped forward. Once again Peter operated without a thought. He took a calculated risk and grabbed her again, swirling her out of the way. Unfortunately she was much bigger and heavier than he was. His actions broke his own balance.

Peter stumbled to the pavement. He groaned when his side, back and head suffered the brunt of the impact. Somehow, despite the initial shock, he had the time to jump to an awkward, half-standing position. (Maybe it was the famous adrenaline rush.) And then he saw the car he'd almost forgotten. Only a breath away from him.

Oh man, this is gonna hurt…! was Peter's last coherent thought for a while.

Only, it didn't hurt. Not right away, anyway. Peter was far too disoriented to feel pain when his eyes fluttered groggily halfway open. He didn't even quite know what was going on.

He lay on something far too hard and wanted to get up. But he couldn't move any more than he could think. It was difficult to see, too. He must've broken his glasses somewhere along the way. The realization made a stab of guilt rush through him. Those were new glasses, and they cost way too much.

There was a painfully loud, screeching sound. (Years later, when he was older, Peter would recognize that as the car which hit him speeding away.) He shuddered and whimpered, tried to turn his head but couldn't. No part of his body was listening to his commands. It was freaking him out.

Peter whimpered again when he heard voices everywhere around him. They sounded muffled, like there was cotton wool in his ears, and he panicked. Where were those people? He wasn't the type that asked for help easily, but… He was pretty sure that he needed help now. If only he would've been able to push that plea through his lips…

Had he been a little more coherent, or perhaps a little less innocent, he might've wondered why no one was helping him, anyway. But Peter was who he was, and he wasn't able to think at all anymore. The last thing he saw before drifting away was the incredibly bright blue sky.


Peter wasn't entirely sure where he drifted. But all of a sudden there was bright light everywhere. It embraced him, cocooned him, invited him.

Until he heard a voice. "Oh, honey…" His mom sounded just like he'd remembered. "I miss you, sweetheart. And I can't wait to see you again." He could've sworn that he felt the brush of a familiar hand. "But it's not time for that yet, Pete."

Something inside Peter jumped. He missed her, so, so, so much. Usually even thinking about her hurt so much that he preferred not doing it at all. But now, comforted by her voice… He smiled. At peace. Even if only for a moment.

Peter had no idea what happened next but the bright light was fading away.


When Peter woke up, for real, the room around him was way too white and smelled horrible. And yes, he was hurting. Like, a lot. But that was all okay.

Because May was there, right beside him. His mom had faded away, somewhere in that bright light. But… He wasn't alone. May was there. And she was crying.

Peter whimpered, unable to stop himself. "Don't…", he croaked. (What happened to his voice?) "May, please don't cry."

He must've said the wrong thing, because May started to cry even harder. Then hugged him as tightly as she could with him still laying down. Peter shivered, because it hurt. Then wrapped his arms around her the best as he could. It seemed to help, because her sobs began to subside.

His head, foggy from injury and medication, concluded that perhaps she'd missed him, too.

"May?" he murmured as soon as he found at least some of his voice again. "I'm… sorry I was late, for dinner… Again."

A bizarre sound erupted from May. At first Peter was startled, worried that she'd started crying again. Until he realized that she was laughing hysterically.


Weeks of healing passed by, until it was another Saturday in the Parker household.

"May?" Peter hesitated, his spoon freezing to a bowl of cereal. "Do you think mom knows that I miss her? Even if I… forget. For a moment, sometimes."

May, who'd been rinsing dishes, shuddered. It was the first time after their deaths Peter mentioned either of his parents willingly. (Which hadn't kept her from hearing and breaking her heart over all those nights he cried himself to sleep.) She swallowed thickly, her eyes growing misty. Then did the only thing she could think of. She wrapped her arms around the boy she already loved as her own and pulled him close. "Oh, Pete…" She sounded choked and decided that she didn't care. She would've wiped her eyes if she had free hands left. "She knows, love. And wherever she is… She's proud of you."

That marked the first time Peter relaxed to her touch. And if they both cried, just a little… No one would have to know.


TBC


A/N: Awww! Poor, poor Peter. (whimpers) Thank gosh he wasn't left alone in the world, even without his parents.

And people… When a kid gets hit by a car? HELP! (groans and facepalms)

SOOOOO… Was that ANY good, at all? PLEASE, do let me know! Hearing from you ALWAYS makes my day.

Until next time, folks! I really hope that you'll all stop by for that one.

Take care,


MLAkittenz: I'm SO HAPPY that you enjoyed the tale! (BEAMS) It happened during 'Iron Man 2' (OH, that lovely little scene!), so he was somewhere between 8 and nine and a half years of age. Such a tiny little Spider! (smiles fondly)

I SO agree! Peter's ALREADY so much better than Tony, such a pure-hearted little darling. He just doesn't see it, and it makes him even more adorable. We'll see what happens in the final bit of this mini-collection… (winces)

I REALLY hope that you'll keep enjoying the ride!

Massive thank yous for the review! Until next time.