Author's Note: I changed a lot in this chapter. Mostly cause of the family interaction. I own nothing.

6. What Next

Piper climbed out of the ceiling in the deserted hallway and raced back into the cafeteria. MJ was cradling Harry's head. Piper knelt down next to them.

"Harry?" He didn't stir. Piper buried her head in her hands.

"This is all my fault." She heard footsteps and looked up to see Norman Osborn quick step up to them. What was she supposed to say? She couldn't think of anything but her mouth didn't seem to get the memo.

"Mr. Osborn, I… I'm sorry." Norman picked Harry up and began to carry him towards the ambulance.

"Why apologize Piper? What could you have done?" Piper looked down at her feet.

The intercom came on announcing that students should report to their homeroom classes until further notice. Piper stuck her hands in her pockets and trudged down the hall.

"Worst day ever." She heard someone tap on the inside of a locker as she passed it. Flash whispered.

"Spidey? I'm ready!" She felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth.

"Ok. That helps a little." School was released early that day so that repairs could begin on the cafeteria. Piper's phone buzzed as she searched the parking lot for the black sedan that Happy always picked her up from school in. She glanced down at it and grabbed MJ's arm. The text read,

'I'm at Belleview Hospital and it's really boring here. Room 22.' It was from Harry.

"MJ! Come on we're going to see Harry." Piper dragged MJ to the sedan and yanked open the door. MJ grinned and hopped in. Piper slid in after her and grinned leaning forward to talk to Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's, and her personal driver.

"Happy take us to Belleview hospital!" Happy's eyebrows rose.

"Is everything alright Miss Parker?" Piper rolled her eyes, he still wouldn't call her Piper.

"Yeah we're ok. We're going to go visit Harry!" Happy nodded and drove. Soon they arrived at the hospital and were escorted to Harry's room.

"Hey hero, how are you feeling?" Harry smiled rubbing his head.

"There's still a bit of ringing in my ears but they say I'll be fine in a few days."MJ grinned and hugged Harry. They were adorable when they got along, which wasn't often. Norman Osborn turned to Piper.

"Strangest thing Piper, those villains seemed to believe Spider-girl goes to your school. Do you know anything about that?" Piper laughed slightly and joked.

"Yeah I think she sits next to me in French class." Norman raised an eyebrow and Piper rubbed the back of her neck.

"No sir I don't know anything about that." MJ nodded in agreement and Norman nodded slowly before turning and leaving. The three of them talked about who spidey could be for a while. Happy tapped her on the shoulder after a few hours talking and laughing with her friends.

"Your father called he wants you home." Piper sighed and nodded. She turned back to Harry.

"I gotta go, dad wants me home. MJ you want a ride?" Marry Jane shook her head.

"Nah, I'm gonna take the bus. Can't have you getting grounded because you were late." Piper rolled her eyes.

"That was one time." They laughed and said goodbye to Harry with promises that they would be back to visit him tomorrow. Piper slipped into the back of the sedan. Piper arrived at the main floor of Avengers tower to the sound of J. Jonah Jameson ranting on the television.

"In a shocking betrayal of the justice system she claims to uphold Spider-girl today led known super criminals in an attack on innocent school children. Believe me ladies and gentlemen it gives this reporter less pleasure than I imagined to say I told you so. It is the opinion of daily bugle communications that the police should issue a warrant for Spider-girl's arrest! And that nothing short of deadly force should be employed in the pursuit of Spider-girl!" Natasha nudged Steve and jerked a thumb at the doorway where Piper was practically steaming. Steve quickly turned off the television entirely. Tony made an annoyed noise.

"Hey I was watching that!" Piper rolled her eyes and set her backpack down with a thump to get her dad's attention. Tony leapt to his feet and rushed over to her.

"Are you ok!? By the time we heard what was going on it was already over! Did they hurt you?" Piper smiled slightly as every member of the avengers watched the pair. Natasha's eyes zeroed in on the spot of blood on her sleeve from where she had whipped her bleeding ear. Piper caught her eyes and shook her head slightly.

"I'm fine, those psychos never touched me. They were just after Spider-girl." Tony frowned deeply.

"I'm starting to think Jameson is right about her. Leading a group of super villains into a school! That is just asking for trouble, for someone to get hurt!" Piper flinched slightly but Tony didn't notice. Steve did and looked at Tony reproachfully. Piper shook her head at him. This was part of why she didn't want her dad to know. He would panic. Tony seemed to notice that something was wrong.

"Are you sure you're ok Pipes?" Piper nodded and sighed.

"Yeah dad, I'm just tired. I'm gonna go to my room and do my homework." Tony patted her on her shoulder as she turned back to the elevator. She went up two more levels to her own floor and made her way to her bed room. She didn't even bother turning on the lights as she threw her bag across the room its contents flying everywhere. She sat down on the bed and felt the tears stinging her eyes. She tried her hardest to do what was right, to help people but everyone called her the villain, even her dad. Piper looked down at the floor and the eyes of her mask stared back up at her.

But they're right. You can't even protect your friend, and you led them to the school in the first place. And if you can't even protect the people you care about how are you gonna be one of the greats. They can train you all they want but it won't do any good if you're too thick to do anything right. There was a knock at her door and Natasha stepped inside holding a piece of cake.

"Hey kiddo. I know you aren't ok, what really happened?" Piper picked up her mask and explained the day to Natasha, everything starting with Fury's sales pitch for Shield. When she was done Natasha looked her over.

"What do you think you should do? Shield has made quite a few heroes over the years, look at Hawkeye, but this has to be your decision." Piper nodded staring down at the mask in her hands. Natasha hugged her with one arm before setting down the slice of cake on her desk and leaving her to her own thoughts.

She sat there for a long while before making her decision. She set the mask down and began to change into her costume.