Peter watched as Steve left the lift. He didn't want to talk to anyone or explain what had happened, instead, he wanted to be alone, to think. Peter saw Steve turn around and looked at him, he pressed the close door button and then pressed the button for the seventh floor. He didn't look at Steve as the doors closed, he ignored them and waited until he could collapse on his bed.

Peter lay there thinking for a good ten minutes. Thinking of the whole day, thinking of what Connors had said, thinking of Steve and how he rushed in to save him.

Peter realised that, since leaving the prison he was feeling much better, and not in the sense of feeling happier but stronger. The wall must have been dampening my powers, he thought. But why had it taken leaving the prison to notice? In theory, it could be that it only took away a percentage of your strength causing said strong person to be weaker. Peter theorised. Yet he had noticed Steve standing straighter once they were out of the prison so maybe it took more from him. Peter didn't know how much Steve could lift, he hadn't looked into it but Peter knew his limit was just over ten tons of weight, Steve might have been less so if the power dampener took away twenty five percent of his strength Steve would be a lot weaker than Peter but it would be too small for Peter to notice.

Peter sat their contemplating this theory before his mind trailed back to what Doctor Connors had asked of him. To complete his research, give others limbs, help those with problems they didn't ask for, no one asks to be born without an arm or have a leg blown off. Peter could do that or reverse the serum. Take away any residual effects of the Lizard that were still with Connors. Maybe take away the lizard mindset, save Connors from himself. If he helped Connors than Connors would be fit and healthy again to work on his projects, then Peter could help him and it would be the same man he helped before!

Peter sat upright quickly, ignoring the dizzy spell. He would need all of the notes on the serum Connors had injected himself with. He would need a lab and he would need specific ingredients.

"Jarvis." Peter called out. After about an hour of not using his voice it croaked little.

"Yes sir?" Jarvis responded.

"Has Tony ever hacked into OsCorp?" Peter asked.

"Many times." The AI responded in what sounded like a sighing voice. Peter brushed it off, computers didn't have feelings.

"Has he ever downloaded the notes of Doctor Curt Connors?"

"Yes, shortly after Doctor Connors attacked the city as a giant lizard, mister Stark attempted to replicate his research and complete it."

"Did it work?"

"No, he missed spending his time tinkering on his suits so gave up after a week." Jarvis sighed again.

Peter cracked a small smile.

"So, Tony has the research and all of the equipment, right?" Peter asked.

"Yes, he keeps two mice as pets and that's all he got out of it."

"Jarvis, could you please direct me to this research. Is anyone in any of the labs?"

"The labs are empty and the research is accessible at any time via a holo-screen. Will you require a private area to work in?"

"Yeah, please. Is there anywhere that Tony or any of the others go?"

"There is a room next to lab 3 where Mister Stark puts all of his unfinished projects he promises he'll finish later. He goes in their occasionally to put things away that he'll never touch again but otherwise, it is empty." Jarvis informed Peter.

Peter jumped up.

"Jarvis, can you please show me the research done by Curt Connors. Can you also list everything I'll need and put a tick by it if you have it." Peter instructed.

"Of course, sir." Jarvis replied. Seconds later a large holo screen appeared in Peter's room. Next to it was a smaller screen with a list. It had a gamma machine, lizard gene, hydrogen gas and many other machines or ingredients of either gases or substances. Somehow they all combined to make the formula running through Connors blood system.

Peter ran around all three labs, grabbing things as he went and putting them in the room of projects to never be touched again. He would always check with Jarvis if something would be missed. Most of the time it wouldn't be but if it would, even a little bit, Peter would leave it until he needed it.

Peter ran around from floor to floor grabbing things on the list and more which he thought would counteract already given effects to reverse the serum.

Peter ran himself into exhaustion. It was four am before he stopped and went to bed. He had written four pages of notes, compared his work to Connors notes and got anything he might need into the room he would work in. Finally, he lay down to sleep and was out like a light. His sleep was filled with nightmares and horrible thoughts. The Lizard ran through his mind and destroyed every happy memory that his mind tried to bring up. Finally, Peter was released from his prison of nightmares at around nine in the morning.

Peter got up and stretched, feeling his bones click into place. Peter went to the bathroom, showered and brushed his teeth. As the minty foam built up in his mouth he looked at his neck. Yesterday there had been a large hand shaped bruise on his neck. It was fading quickly. It wasn't as dark as it had been. Peter would have to cover it up for a while until it wouldn't be suspicious that the bruise had gone.

He found a turtle neck jumper hidden in his pile of clothing. He had never warn it but it had been a present so he had always kept it. Somehow it had travelled here with him and he was very grateful.

Peter went down to breakfast. Natasha was wandering around in a sports shirt and leggings. She looked like she had had water poured over the top of her. Clint came around the corner, also in sportswear, looking no better although he had a burst lip.

Natasha saw Peter as he walked in and eyed the turtle neck suspiciously but didn't say anything. Bruce was reading his paper as always and Tony was nowhere to be seen. Peter looked around, neither was Steve.

Peter grabbed the box of Cheerios, a bowl, spoon and milk and then sat them on the table where he proceeded to eat his breakfast in silence. Bruce looked up and eyed the teen. He could see the bags hanging from his eyes and see the purposeful cover up of his bruise.

"Good morning, Peter." He said causing Peter to jump a bit. He must have been deep in his thoughts. Bruce hid a smile.

"Morning." Peter grumbled back. Natasha raised an eyebrow at Bruce, silently asking 'is he always like that?'

Bruce looked at her a then discretely tilted his hand side to side which sent the message 'sort of, occasionally.'

"How are you this morning then?" Bruce asked out loud. Peter shrugged

"'m okay." He mumbled. Bruce raised an eyebrow at Peter.

"Want me to have a look at that bruise?" he asked.

Peter waved him off as he took another mouthful of cereal and then went back to his thoughts.

They sat in silence, well, Natasha and Clint sat on the sofa in the next room discussing each others fighting flaws, but otherwise, it was silent. And then the lift doors opened and that all changed. Tony stepped out with Steve who looked tired but he had showered. Natasha already theorised that Steve had gone for his morning run, showered, got call from Tony through Jarvis and was now disagreeing with the man.

"All I'm saying is it could be good for you. You know, extra protection, more weapons. You can keep the boy scout colours, the shiny shield but it'll make it better!" Tony said as they stepped out of the lift.

"Tony, thanks for the offer but no, I don't want a new suit, especially a metal one. I'm perfectly happy in the suit I have." Steve argued.

They walked forwards. Tony was too into the discussion to acknowledge others in the room but Steve waved at Natasha and Clint and received nods. They walked into the kitchen and Steve waved again. He got a smile from Bruce and a nod from Peter.

Tony kept talking the whole time, noting the pros of creating a new armoured suit for Steve. He was only brought out of his thoughts when an eraser hit him dead centre on the back of his head. He spun around and glared at Clint who was still talking with Natasha. The only difference was the slight elevation of the side of his lip.

"Seriously Katniss, an eraser?" Tony glared.

"Sorry but your nattering was driving me crazy." Clint shrugged, his smile increasing slightly.

"Alright, enough, it's too early for an argument." Steve butted in. The both crossed their arms and glared at each other like two children who had just been told off.

Steve grabbed an apple and sat down. He stared at the turtle neck but didn't say anything. He could tell Peter wanted to be left to his thoughts.

Tony, on the other hand, wasn't as subtle.

"So Pete, what's your plan for today." Tony asked as he slumped down into a seat.

"Um, homework I guess." Peter said shrugging.

"Boooooring" Tony droned. His face then lit up. "Why don't you show the old man that photo album you found?"

Steve looked at Peter in surprise and Peter looked back dumbfounded. Why had he not thought of that, how had he forgotten it?

"I'd love to see it if Peter wants to show me." Steve said honestly. Tony's grin then had a glint of evil in it.

"While you're at it, why don't you invite your girlfriend over?" he suggested. He was definitely enjoying himself. Steve raised an eyebrow at Peter, silently asking if Tony was pulling his leg or Peter actually had a girlfriend. No one said anything, it was very awkward.

"Well?" Tony said, "she should come over and meet your new family, I'm sure she wants to meet him!"

Peter was about to say something when his phone rang. He completely forgot it was in his pocket!

Peter pulled it out and saw that the caller ID said Gwen. His face must have given it away because Tony burst out laughing.

Peter answered the phone and showed Tony the middle finger. Tony only laughed more. Peter got up to leave.

"Hi Gwen." He said. Tony stood in the doorway blocking his path. Peter tried to slip around him but it wasn't working.

"Just ask her." Tony said in an unnecessarily loud voice.

"Sorry, I can't hear you, an idiot is talking too loud." Peter said causing Tony to scoff.

"Peter, what is going on over there?" Gwen asked. "What do you need to ask me?"

Tony kept repeating, "just ask her" until, finally, Peter did.

"Miss Stacy," Tony called loudly, "I want to ask you over for dinner but Peter's being rude. Do you want to come over?"

"Is he being serious?" Gwen asked.

"Yes." Peter grumbled. Peter finally pushed past Tony and started walking towards the lift. Tony just laughed.

"Do you want me to come?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure." Peter mumbled.

"Pete, what's wrong. Why are you angry? Do you want me to come or not?" Gwen asked.

"Gwen, everything's fine, I swear." Peter said. Tony scoffed in the background. "I would love to see you but only if you want to come over. If not I'll go to yours."

There was a moment of silence.

"When should I come over?" Gwen said.

"Come around three. I want to discuss a project with you." Peter said. Gwen didn't question him. Normally when he brought up random things like a project that she didn't know they had, it meant Spiderman.

They said their goodbyes and Peter looked at the nearest clock. He had a few hours to kill.

"So...?" Tony asked, prompting Peter.

"She's coming over for dinner. Please don't be a pain." Peter begged. Clint burst out laughing and Peter could hear Bruce laughing in the other room. Finally the lift arrived and Peter went up to his room.

Steve finished his apple and then decided to head upstairs. How did Tony know about this but not him? He would have normally assumed that Tony hacked into some record somewhere and found out but Peter didn't seem surprised that he knew and he had avoided eye contact with Steve. So Tony had found out through legal means. It looked as if he had told Tony, so why hadn't he trusted Steve?

Steve called the lift and was surprised when he saw Pepper inside.

"Hi Steve." She said cheerily.

"Good morning, Pepper." Steve said as he walked in. Steve was silent.

"Steve, which floor are you going to?" Pepper prompted when Steve didn't say anything or hadn't pressed any buttons.

"Oh, floor seven please, Jarvis." Steve said.

"Of course, sir." Came the automated voice.

"What's wrong?" Pepper asked sympathetically.

"Did you know Peter had a girlfriend?" Steve asked.

"Oh no, how did you find out?" She asked. It wasn't an oh no you shouldn't know that, it was oh no, you found out the worst way possible, didn't you.

"Tony." He said. Pepper sighed.

"I spoke to Peter about it. I told him to tell you and I seriously think he was planning to, but in his own time." Pepper said looking into Steve's eyes.

"But why would he tell Tony and not me?" Steve said. He looked like a puppy that had been kicked. Pepper actually laughed though causing Steve to be incredibly confused.

"He didn't tell Tony." She laughed. "He was in the room when Peter got a call and he accidentally put it on loud speaker. She screamed at him through the phone. She had heard about his house burning down but he didn't speak to her for a week."

"So Tony found out by accident?" Steve clarified. Pepper nodded.

"Bruce too. Bruce was there as well. He said that after Peter finally got away from Tony, Tony did his normal thing and found out everything about her." Pepper said. Steve breathed a sigh of relief.

They finally noticed that they had arrived at floor seven. Steve said thank you to Pepper for her reassurance and then went over to Peter's room. He knocked.

"Come in." Peter's voice shouted through the door. Peter opened the door.

"Hi Peter." Steve said trying not to be awkward.

"Oh, hey Steve." Peter said blushing slightly. He felt embarrassed about the whole phone call thing.

They sat in silence.

Finally, Peter spoke up.

"Did you want to have a look at the photo album?" Peter asked.

"Yes, good plan." Steve said and they both moved around the room. Peter grabbed the old album with Peggy in it and brought it to his bed. He and Steve went through the pictures. Steve would talk about how pretty Peggy looked, even as she grew older. He would say a few stories like how he met her and her reaction when he came out of the machine that had changed him.

"...and the first thing she did was automatically try to touch my chest." Steve laughed.

"Seriously?" Peter grinned. "So all I have to do is get myself some serum and the girls will all fall for me?"

Steve laughed some more.

"I thought you already had a girlfriend." Steve said.

"Yeah, I do, and even if I had the serum I'd still fall for her. If I didn't I think she'd kill me!" Peter exclaimed causing Steve t laugh again.

"You should hear what she did when I got my shield, the first thing she did was shoot at me." Steve said with a mocking look of fear on his face.

"She sounds terrifying." Peter laughed.

"She was," Steve said with a fond smile. "She was terrifying and beautiful and I loved her."

They kept going through the picture and then when they got to Ben and Richard Peter told all of the fond stories he had of them. He told of all the wonderful moments he remembered with his parents. He said any childhood stories Ben had told him of the brothers and he told Steve about his life with aunt May and uncle Ben.

"I wish they were still here." Peter said sadly.

"So do I, Pete." Steve said embracing Peter in a one armed hug.

"I'm sorry about not telling you about Gwen, I was going to." Peter insisted.

"Don't worry, Pepper told me how Bruce and Tony found out. I'm guessing they weren't the best of reactions so you wanted to wait before you had to tell someone else." Steve assumed. Peter nodded a confirmation.

"Also, Peter. I'm sorry for not getting to you sooner yesterday." Steve said sadly.

"It wasn't your fault." Peter said firmly.

"I know, I just want you to know, what Connors said yesterday about finding you and coming after you, I want you to know that I won't let that happen, no one in this tower will." Steve said honestly.

Peter looked into his eyes and saw only truth. Peter nodded. In thanks and Steve gave Peter a proper hug. Thanked him for showing him the book and got up to leave.

"Hey Steve, why don't you keep the book." Peter said and he tossed the book over. Steve caught it and thanked Peter again before walking out.

"Sir," Jarvis's voice called out. "There is a miss Gwen Stacy in the front entrance."

"Don't tell Tony!" Peter called out as he ran out of his room. He almost bumped into Steve as he went.

"I'm sorry sir, it's a bit too late." Jarvis said.

Peter apologised to Steve without stopping. He ran to the lift and saw as the numbers went down, down, down. Probably carrying Tony to meet Gwen. Peter ran to the stairs and took them four at a time. No one was watching so it didn't matter. He couldn't just jump through the gap running through the middle of the stair case because someone might see him if they're using the stairs. Peter got to the second floor when he almost ran into Gwen. He stopped himself just in time and enveloped her in a hug.

"Hi Peter." She said, blushing slightly. He then noticed Pepper walking with Gwen, smiling.

"I thought I would save Gwen from Tony since I knew he would try to get there first. I also know that Tony doesn't take the stairs." Pepper said with a sly grin.

"Thank you so much, Pepper!" Peter cried out.

"Is Tony really that bad?" Gwen asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yes." Peter and Pepper said at the same time. The difference was that Pepper was grinning and Peter looked serious.

"Anyway, I'll leave you two alone and find Tony. I'll keep him occupied." Pepper said, her smile turning from sly to something that made Peter shiver with grossness.

Gwen and Peter started walking up the stairs once Pepper had gone.

"So, Peter, what's this project you were talking about and why are you wearing a turtle neck?" Gwen asked. For the next two floors Peter explained what had happened the day before with Doctor Connors. Peter didn't look out of breath at all but by the end of it Gwen was both physically exhausted and mentally too.

"So which are you going to do?" she said breathlessly. "Cure him or find the cure for others?"

"Cure him. Once he's better I can work with him to improve his work. I don't think I can do it without him." Peter explained. Peter went through all of his theories he had been through last night and in the early hours of the morning. Gwen would occasionally give pointers or notes.

By the time they got to the seventh floor, Peter was giving Gwen a piggy back and she had stopped breathing heavily.

"First, I want you to meet Steve. If you meet anyone in this tower first, other than Pepper, I want it to be Steve." Peter said, stopping outside the door that would lead to his and Steve's floor. Gwen nodded and then squealed slightly. Peter raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry but I'm about to meet Captain firkin' America because my boyfriend is related to him!" Gwen explained. Peter shrugged and lead the way through the door, Gwen followed holding Peter's hand. Steve wasn't in the living room area.

"Okay, this is our floor, well, Steve's floor but I live here too." Peter explained.

"You have your own floor?" Gwen asked, exasperated. This was amazing!

Peter took her on a tour of the room, showed her the kitchen and his bedroom and told her of some of the other floors. Peter had told Gwen about most of it before but seeing made it easier to believe.

Steve's door opened once they came out of Peter's room and Steve stepped out. Gwen subconsciously moved closer to Peter.

"Gwen, this is Steve, my great grandfather – " Steve looked a little sheepish at the phrase. " – and Steve, this is Gwen, my girlfriend." Peter introduced them.

"Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you." Steve said, holding out a hand. Gwen shook his hand and relaxed.

"Peter's told me so much about you, it's great to finally meet you." Gwen smiled. Steve raised and eyebrow at Peter who just shrugged in response.

Steve talked with them for five or so minutes before wandering off to go and see the others. Peter grabbed his note book with all of his theories in it and too Gwen to the roof. It was wonderful. The glass walls kept the wind away leaving only the warmth of the sun. They sat there until the sun set, discussing different theories, hypothesise and debating the best way to go about these theories.

Finally, after eight o'clock Jarvis's voice came through the floor.

"Dinner is ready." Jarvis said. Gwen screamed and jumped up. Peter had gotten used to it so he rolled around, laughing and giggling. Gwen kicked him numerous times shouting, "It's not funny!"

Peter finally led Gwen downstairs, silently praying that no one would be an idiot at dinner.

When they reached the normal food floor Peter saw Natasha and Steve discussing something in hushed voices. Steve looked angry at something. When they saw Peter walk in the discussion was dropped. Natasha walked over.

"Hi, I'm Natasha, you must be Gwen." She greeted. Natasha and Gwen shook hands and said all of the pleasantries: how are you? I like your such and such. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Natasha then showed the way to the table. They said hi to Steve again and then Peter introduced the others.

"Gwen, this is Bruce Banner." Peter said.

"Mister Banner, I am a huge fan. I can't say I beat Peter but I've read you research several times over." Gwen said shaking his hand. She was smiling like a fan girl.

"Nice to meet you too. I must say, you two are the first teens or people under forty actually that have had an interest in my work." Bruce grinned.

"This man over here is Tony Stark." Peter said once they had finished talking. Tony got up and walked over to Gwen.

"Nice to meet you Gwen, you sound a lot nicer when you're not shouting." Tony said grinning. Gwen blushed profusely. Pepper, who had been sat next to Tony before he got up, cleared her throat slightly and Tony dropped his smile slightly.

"Anyway, why don't you tell us what you were doing on the roof?" Tony asked quirking his eye. They all sat down and Peter noticed someone missing.

"We were working on a school project." Peter said with a shrug. He had become a decent liar since becoming Spiderman.

"What? Nothing juicy?" Tony whined. Tony let out a small yelp but no one knew why. Pepper just started eating some chicken chow mien.

Dinner was quickly interrupted when Clint fell graciously out of the air vent. Gwen did a small just but that was it.

"What? No screams?" Clint asked sounding upset.

"Sorry Clint. It looks like the parlour trick is getting old." Natasha said with a small smile.

Clint grunted and walked over to Gwen.

"Clint Barton, nice to meet you." He said.

"Gwen Stacy." She replied.

Dinner was Chinese take away. Bruce and Gwen kicked off immediately, Clint taunted Tony but Tony only grumbled responses. Peter was sure it had something to do with the fact that Pepper was sitting next to him and last time he checked, she was wearing very pointy stiletto shoes, they'd probably cause a lot of pain if dug into a person's foot.

Gwen mentioned her apprenticeship at OsCorp causing a heated discussion between Tony and Gwen over which was better: Stark Industries or OsCorp. Peter was very proud that Gwen didn't back down. Gwen did admit that she applied for an internship at Stark Industries but was declined. This started a discussion on what she wanted to do, what her plans were, so on and so forth. By the end of the evening, she had a position at Stark Industries if she wanted and Tony's respect.

After dinner Peter suggested walking Gwen home. He grabbed his coat from his room (and stuffed his suit in an overly large pocket.

"Peter, I could drive her much quicker and it would be much safer." Steve protested once Peter came out of his room.

"Steve, seriously, we'll be fine, I wanted to hang at her house for an hour or two. I'll text you when we get there, I swear." Peter said. Steve sighed giving in and the two of them left.

Peter stayed to his word and texted Steve as soon as they passed the intimidating door man. Peter then bid Gwen goodnight, donned his costume and set out for an evening patrol.

I need to do this more often! Were his only thoughts as he swung out f the window and off into the night.