A/N: Sorry this is a shorter chapter. I was having trouble writing what I was thinking this week. Also, yes, it is a bit late. I hurt my ankle and icing plus crutches are really time-consuming. Hope y'all enjoy anyways!

"Alex, what time is it?" I asked after finishing my fifth project of the night.

"It is currently 4:00 in the morning. For the twenty-first time, I must suggest you go to sleep. You have worked past your ultimate curfew this time, calling Boss," she replied. I was shocked. My ultimate curfew was 4:00 A.M. because sometimes I had to stay up due to nightmares or schoolwork that I didn't finish. But I hadn't stayed up this late in ages. I had lost track of time. Almost immediately, the walls collapsed to reveal a worried Dad.

"Why are you still up? Can't sleep? Nightmares? Alex was supposed to tell me…" he muttered, more to himself than me. His eyes sparked with concern.

"No, Dad. I haven't gone to bed yet. I've been working," I replied, and he openly relaxed. Of course, staying up late wasn't good, but I knew he was happy that he didn't have to worry about how I was sleeping. He handed me a cup of coffee and walked up next to me.

"What're you working on?" he asked with a smile.

"Well, um, see, that's where, well…" I muttered. I had hoped he wouldn't have asked.

But of course, he was too smart for that. He stared past me, eyes landing on the brand-new Spidey suit. "Katelyn," he started to lecture me. He started to look worried again.

"I know," I sighed, cutting him off. He gestured to the door, and we walked to my room. I got washed up and ready for bed, and he climbed into bed next to me. We sat there for an hour before I finally heard a soft snoring next to me. I, however, couldn't sleep, but I was not about to tell him that. I knew that he would stop the entire company just for me and that he'd go crazy if he knew. Silently, I kissed his forehead and went to the guest room so as not to disturb him. He didn't sleep enough; I wanted him to stay asleep.

"Fri, wake me up when he's awake."

-o-

I wasn't surprised, but I was disappointed. He didn't make it very far.

"Miss, Boss is awake. The time is 1:30 A.M. Boss seems to have suffered a nightmare and is in the kitchen," Friday said. I tossed and turned in bed, but I knew he wanted someone to talk to. I just needed to look like I was already awake so he wouldn't feel guilty. In the mirror, I pulled my hair back and put on some concealer to hide my tired lines. Hopefully, he wouldn't know I woke up for him.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a yogurt. Softly, I asked, "Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah, thanks sweetheart," he lied through his teeth. "What about you?" he asked, suddenly concerned when he realized the time.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'm fine. Just a lot going on. I was thinking about, uh, PR stuff. Peter and I were only public for a week, after all," I said, laughing half-heartedly. He shook his head.

"You two are so cute together, but he never deserved you, Kate," he said, walking over to me to ruffle my hair. I cringed. He did that to Pete all the time.

"I wish. It was always the other way around, and you know it."

He just massaged my shoulders. "Well, since we're both awake, wanna watch a movie? Dum-E can make some popcorn," Dad mused. I nodded in affirmation and we snuggled on the couch. We ended up not eating the popcorn, however, because Dum-E burnt it. I tried to rest mentally so as not to be exhausted tomorrow, but I stayed firmly awake throughout the whole thing. Dad needed someone right now, and I was going to be there for him. We watched We Bought a Zoo, and I swear I saw Dad cry a bit when the mom died. He was a softy, but he would never admit it.

-o-

Being a Stark sucked sometimes. I mean, if I wasn't famous, Parker and I could be done. But instead, we had to fake date for another two weeks before we could call it off. We kissed in the cafeteria (granted, a lot less, but still), rode home together (I always climbed to the front when no one was looking), did homework together at Starbucks to ease the paparazzi, and he came along every time I went shopping (so no one got any ideas about me cheating). It was awkward, to say the least. We'd even leave love notes in each other's lockers, but they often read "You can't be so controlling" and "I was only worried about you". Not even Ned and MJ were allowed to know.

Peter Parker, however, is not like most guys. And I was never really over him. So, it's not my fault that this "fake" dating brought us closer.

My notes got a little nicer every day. One time I even complimented his sweater. I received an "I liked your oral report" as thanks. I just wished I could see inside his head. I know that I wanted it to be real, but what if he really was done with me?

We were sitting in history when I decided how to find out. "Pete, wanna come work on homework after school today?" I asked, almost holding my breath. It had been a long time since I was this nervous around a guy, and the only one to ever affect me like this was Peter. I really liked him. I had been so caught up with losing him that I forgot how amazing he was.

"Didn't we do that a few days ago?" he questioned, looking confused. Dang it, I thought, He thinks Mom put me up to this.

"Yeah, well, you don't have to. I was just curious," I said, shaking my head at my own stupidity. We just broke up a week and a half ago! Why would he want to date me now? He was required to fake date me. Not his choice.

"Hey, what's on your mind? You've got that look again," he broke my train of thought and pulled my hair out of my face. The teacher started to walk over, so he finished quickly. "Sure. I'll call May."

My mind traveled the rest of the day. I was completely dazed and not focused at all, but none of my teachers noticed. Honestly, I think they were too exhausted to care. Eventually, during 8th period, I got a text for Pete.

She says it's cool. See ya

That was it. He hadn't forgiven me yet. But at least it was a start. I missed him so much. When the period finally ended, I met up with him at my locker.

"Hey," I said with a chuckle. Ew, who chuckles? That's disgusting, I scolded myself. I wish we had never fought. Everything was so awkward now.

"Hey! How was your last period? What was it, science?" he asked, smiling.

I smiled back. "I wasn't even paying attention."

"Ah. You just picked a random class?"

"Exactly," I said with a laugh. I needed more of this. Casual stuff. We were too serious. I guess that happens when you have a superhero and billionaire date. We headed out to the car and to the tower. On the way there, I told him I had something to show him. He should get to see it. After finishing our homework, he wanted to patrol, but I told him we had to see the surprise first. I needed him to know I was sorry.

I dragged him into my lab. "So, umm, I'm not good at feelings," I stated.

A smile broke out across his face. He mumbled a reply while twiddling his thumbs. "No, you never were, Stark."

"But," I said, rubbing the back of my neck where I was positive a blush was starting, "I guess you could save this is my apology for being so controlling." With a dramatic flair (What can I say? I'm my father's daughter) I revealed the Spidey suit I had been working on. His face turned from curiosity to shock.

"You made this for me? Why? I thought you hated me," he said, shaking his head with wonder.

"Pete…. I could never hate you. I just worry, is all," I finished. I turned around to avoid any more confrontation. "I hope we can still be friends," I added quietly.

"Of course," he replied just as soft. Most of his attention was on the suit now. It was a newer model of the Iron Spider, complete with a new A.C. function and a prototype for an off-the-grid Karen (in case of future space missions). It also had a direct connection to my suit so I wouldn't miss anything important again. Just because we weren't dating didn't mean I stopped caring for him. If I was telling the truth, I would never stop caring for him. I still loved him. Wait.

Crap. I still love him.