Author's note - Again I would like to thank all reviewers wholeheartedly for motivating me to go... on especially Highlander348 for giving me ideas that I could work on. Thank you everyone and tap away whatever you need to say. I am just an comment away :) :)

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Tring...Tring...

The school bell alarm woke him with a start.

Peter woke up with a start. He opened his eyes ... squinting in an attempt to prevent the mellow sunlight to fall on to his eyes, trying his best to adjust to the surroundings. As his vision became clearer, he found himself seated on a chair, his backpack on a table. He rubbed his eyes thinking himself to be hallucinating. Took a forced breath, to clear his mind and opened his tired eyes to the shinning world.

He was still seated on the chair and found his backpack on his desk in front of him.

"What happened last night?" he thought to himself.

He opened his backpack with a frown and found Gwen's torn shirt and her jump suit.

Then it all came back crashing into his mind. Of course ...

Gwen had gone through a terrible ordeal the previous night. She was assaulted by some low life scoundrel and Peter was there just in time to take care of him. He saved Gwen. He brought her to her home and tucked her to sleep.

Now he was fully awake. He sat upright and pondered about Gwen.

"Is she okay?" he thought. She had to be...

Now he remembered.

He came to his senses when the pearly rays of the sun fell on the blinds of Gwen's bedroom. Peter saw Gwen in exactly the same position he last saw her before he drowsed off to sleep. His chest muscles were all cramped over due to lack of blood. Gwen was sleeping on his chest. And he had to do his best to make sure that she didn't get up. Peter felt for her hands. They were warm red and alive. She was alright for now. Peter slowly picked up her head maintaining the same height as his chest was, with his palm and with the other he desperately tried to reach for the pillow that was just beside him. He shot a web from his arm and pulled it towards him. Then he carefully placed it right on the place where he had been lying and slowly set her head right at the center. She looked peaceful and beautiful. The way the sun caught her face to the morning sunlight made her look like an angel. Peter carefully tucked her under sheets and made sure she was really comfortable. Peter picked up his backpack and made sure nothing was out of place. He had to make sure so that it did not give an impression about someone loitering around in her room. Because that was the last thing he needed.

He placed the med-kit back into the same shelf in the washroom and picked up his mask that lay on the floor. He slowly walked up to the open window. Peter breathed in the fresh air that caught his olfactory receptors. He had to go before her mother decides to come in and check in on her. He took one last look at her before putting the mask back on. He had a sudden feeling that today was going to be a day ... filled with numerous possibilities.

A lot could happen. Keeping his mind halcyon, and wishing for the very best of all possibilities he took off with a smile beneath his costumed head..

And that was how he ended here well ahead of schedule. This was really gonna surprise everyone...especially MJ. Since he had never been to Tom's place. He would have to make stuff up right as soon as he comes to school.

He couldn't let all of that go awkward.

He picked up his back pack and slung it over his shoulders. He needed to freshen up grab some food or else he was sure that his stomach would cave in.

He entered his school's cafeteria. It was scanty. It was actually difficult for him to believe that at this very place there would be hordes of students talking loudly, making fun, getting in food fights( which was of course very occasional). He got himself a coffee and a few waffles.

He gulped down his coffee and took a bites of those waffles.

He spent the majority of his time thinking what it be like to face Gwen. Will the recent events spur something new in between them. Peter knew that it would not be too bad but then he must be prepared for anything. Maybe he thought, just maybe, he had some hope to just even out things that had gone haywire previously. Maybe they still had a chance. Maybe he had another shot with her. This is the least that he felt, he should deserve for saving Gwen at the nick of time. It was not like he wanted something.. not publicity.. he didn't want to be taken for granted...

Peter the headed back quietly back to his class with a hurricane of thoughts, feelings and emotions.

He waited for Tom to show up. After he showed up, he made arrangements with him enough to give himself an alibi. Content, he went back to back to his class and seated himself in his old chair, eagerly waiting for his classmates to arrive.. or maybe even too excited to meet Gwen. He could hardly keep his legs from shaking...

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The first half passed. Peter didn't get a glimpse of Gwen. Soon it was lunch time. Peter seated himself in his usual place with the same plate with the same coke and fries. It was the same thing repeating all over again.

Maybe I am wrong. Nothing feels out of place. Nothing has ever changed thought Peter.

The television that they had in their cafeteria buzz up. It had the local news channel on.

The news report said-

News reports confirmed that the assaulter of the late Captain Stacy, Gwen Stacy was allegedly attacked by a common thug. His identity has been confirmed as Bail Ulrich. He had also been convicted previously for aggravated assault and Larson. Apparently our friendly- neighborhood Spider-man was not friendly with our attacker. It had been revealed right now that during their face off Spidey had gone way overboard. The man now has 15 fractures and has said to have dislocated his shoulder. He also suffers from minor concussion and does not remember anything that had really happened to him during the past twenty-four hours. An official warrant has been issued against Spider-man. He is wanted for give a statement for justifying his actions.

Now that was new. Peter thought his alter ego to be somewhat perfect. Someone that all of New York could look upto. Thanks to his emotional overflow, he had to ruin that as well. Well, he had to work on that somehow and come clean. Maybe his image as the web slinging superhero was at stake. He had to improve it, turn it around. His life was already a mess. He thought that he had successfully created another persona of himself that he could proudly look up to.

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Gwen didn't come to school for the following week. She had gone through a very traumatic experience that most girls of her age dare not ever think off. Peter knew that he could never really fathom what was she actually going through. He had a good mind to visit her apartment all by himself and look out for her.

But no Peter couldn't do that. It would almost be like stalking her. The last thing that was on Peter's mind was to scare her as a stalker. She already had enough on her platter. He had to let her take some time off. Blow off some steam. Just for her own safely. Allow her be on her own.. spend some quality family time. Give her enough time to put into place once and for all together again. Maybe that was the best course of action for her.

For her well being ... for her safety.

Things have not improved for him ever since. Even his job as the wall-crawler was going through a rough patch. He had slowly given up interest in doing the one thing that he liked the most other than racking his grey matter for something scientific. He was completely out on ideas. Nothing to research on.

He also saw less of MJ. He seldom saw her after school occasionally at recess. Aunt May always told him about MJ waiting for him for hours but she left either getting bored or other chores to run. Peter had nothing to do. He slipped back into his room and did odd stuff now. Refilling web cartridges... tweaking so that the range of his web shooters were more.

His web shooters are a product of own genius intellect. He arranged the cartridges from Oscorp

When Peter had first designed those web shooters he already had a few ideas that he wanted to implement them. One of them was shooting web balls that had the capacity to completely immobilize a moving 1000 pound truck at break neck speed. Another was to design stinger shots that could discharge a 500 v right at the point of impact.

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On the next week, Peter was back to square one. He was again late to his class.

"Mr. Parker. This is starting to turn out to be serious now. You have never been to class on time. If things don't change I am afraid that the school will have to pull the scholarship that you are on. " warned Mr Sanders

"I am sorry. Mr. Sanders. I..."

"Mr Parker, I am not to a lorry to carry your sorries" There were snickers everywhere in the classroom at this comment.

"Any way you have your detention. You wouldn't want to miss your detention classes. Things would begin to get very rough for you then..."

That was the last thing that Peter heard . His mind travelled drifted elsewhere. He was vexed. He needed time to figure things out. But most it was Gwen. He blocked everything else. He looked at his friends and from his inner mind he could see their dull faces staring right back at him, as if trying to understand what on earth is his problem.

"Puny Parker, you need a shove up your ass. My legs are itching. Care to help me relieve myself", said David saying it loud enough for just Peter and his jocks to hear.

"BWAHAHAHA" guffawed his friends as he high fived Jillian, Remo and Flash.

"People, no more picking on Parker here. Or else would you care to join him in detention as well?" asked Mr Sanders with an edge of hostility.

The snickered softly as the three of them exchanged glances and made faces at him.

Of course , it had to be Flash again. Well this was an indirect approach was different...

"Well done Flash... Nicely rehearsed. Oh! How I long to kick your butt to relief the itching that I had been having for so long." thought Peter as slowly walked up to his desk and slumped on his seat.

Even those childish jokes were beginning to get on his nerves. He knew that he should remain calm and not risk of doing something stupid thereby compromising his own identity. But he really couldn't help it at times.

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His class hours once again drifted before his own dreamy eyes.

Peter skipped lunch that day. He thought of skipping his classes that day as he had only literature classes in the second half. He suddenly realised that he had detention classes that he couldn't afford to loose.

"Ok. I will be there to attend them." he thought.

He decided to slip through the emergency exit. As he neared the door , he heard a commotion. It was a cheerful one.

Peter heaved a sigh.

He just can't keep this inquisitive nature of his at check. Everytime he sees a commotion or finds anything curious to his mutated mind, he has this sudden urge, to know the matter... what's happening. Even if it is not at all his concern, he seems to fall right in the middle of it all. And most of his problems start there onwards. Peter already used to have these urges to know things... but these urges have been multiplying within him exponentially since the spider bite. He cursed this nature of his as he walked on to the centre of brouhaha.

Just then, among the constant squabble, chattering, speaking, Peter pushed his way around, his conscience brimming with curiosity. As was making his way through, he could partly make out stiffles and cries of joy. Peter was now literally on the brink of an emotional breakdown. As he tried to squeeze his way through the crowd, he could make out a familiar frame of a girl he had known.

Peter thought " Please let it be Gwen. Please...".

He had to get a better look.

He moved his head around and stood on his toes trying desperately to find a gap between the other students.

She had the same golden head and the way her bangs fell over her forehead made Peter

It was Gwen. It really was Gwen Stacy.

He could make out girls and boys alike pitying her and trying to console her but Peter of all knew better. Nothing could ever heal that scar that had tainted her near perfect image. He could almost see the pleading between those eyes to take her away from all the squalor.

Still with a forlorn smile on her face, she faced her friends.

Peter, for once, was glad that she had finally come to school. He could now see more of her at least and make sure that she was alright if not be with her.

Peter smiled. It was a genuine one without any dark thoughts .. without any malice.

God, he could feel his facial muscles moving around aligning themselves against Peter's original expression replacing the scowl and the sour pity face he always wore around.

Right then his eyes met Gwen's. It was as if he was seeing a new persona of Gwen.

She still the Gwen Stacy he knew but there something about her. She looked soft ... somewhat looked vulnerable.

Gwen smiled at Peter. The one smile that was to die for. For Peter, it was his million dollar smile ... the same one that she first gave him when they had met. That had what triggered the spark between them then..

It was like reliving those same moments once again. Peter had this sudden overwhelming power confidence seeped into him like red wine filling his body with renewed vigour. Giving him purpose. Something to really look forward to in the near future. That was when he realised that he had this thing with her that could never ever go away no matter how much he suppressed down his heart. The more he suppressed the more it lashed out at his like an untamed wild spirit . .. trying desperately to give him purpose that he had been rejecting it for so long. Peter realised this was his destiny... his future. It was with Gwen.

Gwen Stacy.

Peter looked for any ounce of courage that he had been residing in him. He gathered all of them and pushed through the remaining four or five layers of people to face Gwen. He had to be sure. He couldn't let his mind tricks on him... get any signal from her. He knew that this was not particularly smooth of him but he knew that it was worth trying.

Soon he was face to face with her.

Her friends, classmates all paved a path for Peter. They knew that he had a history with her.

Peter Parker was a dorky nerd but people knew that he was very serious with her. They respected him for that.

That was what Peter thought.

But the main reason is the formidable relation that she kindled with all her classmates. They were protective of her .. maybe a bit too overprotective. They respected her enough to not to make fun of her choices. She had this mutual respect that put her under a "no-bitching" list.

Soon Peter stood right infront of her and her friends giggling and smiling trying to give both of them space. The crowd slowly dispersed behind them. The very thought of leaving school flew right out of his head the minute he saw Gwen She was clad in her usual ponytail, formal shirt , a half sleeveless sweater and a skirt with penny loafers as her preferred choice of footwear with scanty makeup.

But she still had some bandages on her wrist that she tried desperately to hide.

Peter knew he had to start talking before the uncomfortable silence makes it more awkward and difficult to start up a conversation before his mustered up courage fails him for real.

"Hey Gwen. ", said Peter thinking hard,

"Hi Peter. Long time isn't it?" said Gwen, as colour rose to her cheeks.

"Not that long, if you know what I mean.."

Peter felt his cheeks grow hot. He flustered.

"Way to go Pete.. that was very mature indeed and way ahead of inappropriate.." thought Peter.

Peter didn't know how to respond. He thought of asking her how she had been, but that was what most people would ask her. He had to try a different approach... he wanted her to see him different from the rest...that he had to become someone else. He had to become something else. Someone who had instilled confidence that she could look up to without the slightest doubt. Peter wanted to be such a guy.

"I am sorry .. I didn't want that to come out so bluntly . Shit, I am a total screw up. I am going hyper ain't I?" said Peter feeling more and more angry at himself.

He knew , he was loosing it. The only chance that he might have made is slowly slipping out of his hand. Peter was so focussed on scoring this thing straight and right that he completely lost track of what was appropriate.

Gwen took a step in front of Peter.

"Peter, I am really glad that you had come swinging along the other night. Who knows what could have happened right there. "

Now this was good for Peter. He knew that. But he was rusty. Geekiness kicking in every time he tried to thing of something creative or even sensible in his thinking standards.

Peter instinct was telling him to take a take a step back but his mind was headstrong. He stood right there. He was using ever once of his strength to keep a straight face from becoming distorted but soon he could feel beads of sweat roll down leisurely down his forehead. He knew that it was not the heat. It was her.

"Yeah i am glad to have found you right on time."

"So what's been going on these days? How have the classes been going?"

"Nothing that you can't cope up but feel free to ask if need assistance of any sort." said Peter trying to sound formal. Maybe he did.

Gwen Smiled at him

"Yeah I will, thanks"

Peter could feel things smoothen. He wasn't finding much difficulty. His pistons firing up smoothly enough to think safely.

"After you ..." said Peter as he tried to gestures her forward towards the stairs.

"Well, thank you. Peter" said Gwen. Kept her head down and allowed her bangs to cover the side of her face. She was blushing pretty bad, Peter could make that out for sure. He could even see her lips stretch out to the side of her face.

"So far so good" thought Peter.

"Maybe I am finally doing it" he chuckled to himself as he tailed her back to her class.

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Peter forgot to bunk classes and stayed throughout his literature class hours. After the final bell, he thought maybe he should check on Gwen.

He found her sitting in the school library. Her mind completely engrossed what ever she was trying to read. It was a advanced book on biochemistry.

Peter approached her.

"Hey Gwen, You are not leaving ?" he asked.

"Oh no, I have to finish catching up. Seems like I have to work overnight" said Gwen chuckling nervously.

"Hey listen, I have this detention class that I have that I have scored. Why don't you wait for me right here. We will go together. I will drop you off."

"Still scoring detention classes I see. Typical of you. But you know what, you don't have to do that.. really, I will be safe this time. I won't follow that path I assure you."

"No Gwen, wait for me. I won't let that happen. You dare not leave without me. I won't take no for an answer. You get me".

Something in Peter triggered his protective nature fiercely.

Even Gwen seemed rather taken aback.

Gwen gave Peter a curious and confused smile. "Ok Ok alright I wait for you."

So after making arrangements Peter went on to his class, absolutely certain that she won't leave without him.

Peter thought himself to be the best protection that she could possibly have. She needed something concrete to stand up to. He was her best bet just like Spider-man was to Peter.

Just as he left the library, he saw MJ. MJ as usual waved at him wildly. MJ was just like the playful counterpart, the easy going version of Peter. Petr always found it difficult not to actually smile when she was around.

He waved back at her. She gave a hug.

"You alright? I heard the commotion outside during lunch break. You should know that I am really glad that Gwen is fine." said MJ with a slight tenderness and understanding in her voice.

"And I have heard that you making moves around with her. Good for you I didn't think you would ever be able to that after you went all dark and moody." retorted MJ being slightly cryptic at the same time.

It was her expression. It was so different. Was it jealousy? He couldn't place it.

"MJ I am really sorry. I know that I have cutting myself out. But I promise you it won't happen anytime soon. I promise you that. And by the way how's Harry doing? I know I shouldn't have left him when he needed both of us" said Peter trying to sound apologistic.

"Well, he felt bad at first. But soon we started talking you like we were actually ... um...you could pouring our hearts out".

MJ blushed slightly.

"Does that mean you and Harry?.."

Peter tried to make a gesture by intertwining his fingers.

"I don't know yet.. but I could see it.. maybe. We would make a great couple, don't you think?" She asked excitedly. Peter could see that she was genuinely happy.

"Yeah of course".

Peter smiled.

"Anyway I have a date with him right now"

"Wow good for you. Listen I have got to catch my detention class or else Mr Sanders will be upset real bad."

"Ok then see you again. Bye"

Peter waved his arm at her as he picked up his pace ..

Peter knew that she meant well although she might not be around to hang around him everyday but she was like a sister to him. She knew how he felt and always had the exact right things in her mind to make Peter feel good. Peter felt blessed ...but Harry with MJ?. This he didn't understand basically because of the buzz in his head.

Well who's he to judge right?

But somehow whenever he thinks of him, he gets goose bumps and along with it the continuous buzzing in his head. He did not have that feeling for a very long time since Dr Curtis Connors. So it was something worth worrying.

He had to be careful about MJ spending too much time with Harry.

Peter kept all those thoughts aside as he jogged up to attend his detention class.

Peter went away happily to greet Mr. Sander because he knew that he would be going with Gwen then. It was not a date but it was the next best thing that he had in his life right now.

Walking side by side with Gwen.

His relationship with Gwen was the only one that had lasted quite for sometime after the sudden mishap that shook New York changing their lives for real.

Gwen was his first flame.

"Old flames really do die hard I guess" thought Peter.

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As Peter jogged up to attend his class. He was happy.

Happy at himself for being successful at accompanying Gwen home. He knew that this was the beginning...

This was the precursor to start to something great in his life. He could almost imagine himself to be with Gwen. Her sun kissed face beneath the evening sun ... staring at her lovely cerulean eyes made Peter ecstatic. The very thought of again smelling the air doused with her smell made his heart flutter with a very a strange feeling that he hadn't had for a very long time. May be somewhere deep in his heart he had missed it for so long that all of it was somehow.. somewhere lost in the echo. He wanted it back. He wanted all back again.

He was too happy... too good to be true. Seemed almost surreal to him after the events that took place in his life.

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His detention was a breeze. He nodded his head to almost everything Mr Sanders threw at him. Be it five pages of essay regarding with critical analysis on"Macbeth" added to his extra homework, he took all of it without defending or even protesting in any way.

Peter tried very hard to hide his grin... he could barely contain the excitement. He had to make a straight face.

It was torture for him .

But soon it was over.

He thanked Mr Sanders and tore out through the hallway.

Take it literally...Peter himself was surprised to see such ferocity in his thigh muscles. Its like he could leave dust behind the way he runs ...his emotional aspect making him stronger beyond his imagination. He knew that it was all in his mind. But somehow it brought out the stronger self pure brute and raw strength within him.

He sprinted through the corridor till he saw the library the sound of his footsteps echoing in the corridor. Gwen was still sitting inside and looked straight at him as his eyes scanned around for her.. She smiled. It was like she had been expecting him for quite sometime..

Peter now slowly jogged to the library. The table where Gwen had previously sat was now a stack of books neatly arranged. Peter looked at them. His eyes went wide.

"Did she just went through all those books.? He thought.

Goodness she was a greater bookworm than himself.

He always thought himself to be the greatest geek there is along with the highest book worm quotient ...so far, but seeing the table, he doubted if he ever even held that record . Gwen was way ahead of him... in the book worm category... not in the geeky one.

Gwen was smart. She was too smart for Peter. She was quick witted ...not like Peter.

Peter wonders how come she among all people went for puny "him" from all other jocks who were almost perfect specimens of human...(before his genetic alteration due to the spider bite of course!)

Maybe Peter shared a mutual common interest in making new scientific development and their common shared scientific intellectual prowess was what pulled them closer somehow. But this was somewhat different. He could feel it...straight in his bones.. This time he would make it work...somehow...

It was some very powerful wishful thinking.

"You done?" asked Peter.

"Yeah.."

"What was that detention all about?"

"Its just Mr. Sanders. I don't think I was living up to his expectations. "

Gwen stared at Peter.. a long hard look. Her lips were lopsided now. It was like as if she was trying to tell Peter why are you even trying to hide your flaws?

He are so predictable

"Ok. Alright . I hate literature. It hates me and I hate it altogether. Byron makes my blood go cold, Robert Frost makes me neurotic .."

"Ok hold on now.. You know that you are going hyper again... You haven't changed a bit have you" said Gwen with an exasperated sigh.

"Shithead Parker.. you are a real screw up aren't you?" Peter scolded himself

"Guess I think I like this attitude of yours when you fumble all over .. racking your brains so hard.." said Gwen unable to contain the laughter that was building up.

It was soft like a small child. The sound of her laughter was bright and cheerful like dandelions in summer days that blossomed up on a quiet field.

"Okay then. Um, all of your stuff is packed? I see. Then lets go. Wouldn't want to keep anyone waiting don't we?" said Peter as swung his backpack onto his other shoulder.

"Yeah lets do it."

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Soon they were walking slowly briskly . Peter as usual, taking time to understand what could he talk about again. Come on he couldn't be silent their entire way. He is on his path of reconciliation... on a path to do something right

He couldn't let this chance go waste.

"So Peter, what's our web slinger up to these days?" Peter was thrown off guard at this sudden remark about spider-man.

Gwen already knew that Peter Parker, the high school nerd was Spiderman.

She had invited Peter over to her place. Peter kissed Gwen at the same time revealing his identity to her. When the lizard aka Dr Connors planned on using lizard DNA to create a entire new breed of his own version of perfect species – "A world without imperfections" as he dubbed it, Gwen helped Peter to create an antidote to the lizard serum that helped him prevent an create an outragous species of life form. Gwen's father, late Captain Stacy had successfuly delivered the antidote to Spiderman but was impaled in the process. But with his dying breath he made Peter a vow to keep himself a way from Gwen's life to keep Gwen out of the action that he has to face everyday. So Peter had to stay away from her.

"Fuck all of it, we have a short life isn't it?" Peter always said this to himself.

He was ready to take this step on his own. He felt confident with him around nothing bad would befall Gwen. He would be absolutely certain about that.

" He's fine. Goes out occasionally if he has nothing up his platter." said peter running his fingers through his unkept hair.

"Oh. Good for you."

"Gwen I need to tell you something. Well its more of a confession. I can't hold it.". Peter couldn't believe that he had actually said that out aloud. Gwen looked at him. This time really seeing his soul.

Peter took this as his cue to continue.

"Gwen you have never left my head for a second ever since we last spoke. You must know the guilt that I have to go through everyday when I look at you. It always seems to me that I am lost cause ...as if I have failed you... it wasn't that I hated you. No, I hated every second of my time when I could have been spending time with you. And Gwen you know the pain that I went through of being away from you yet when you were so near to me nearly drove the crap out of my mind... I am sorry for being so very blunt to you. I ignored you and hurt you. Its all my fault. I have no right to say this but do you think you could forgive me."

Peter was stunned at the words flew out of his mouth. Like something was controlling him. And before he could realise, tears fell from his eyes. They were like giant droplets of water that looked as if it had waiting for so long... so long for this outbreak to happen and it could be free and unhindered from his tormented unreasonable mind and mingle itself to the rest of the earth so that it could seek solace.

Peter was sobbing like a small kid in front of her. He wanted her to know the pain that he had to endure everyday. This continual routine of saving people has been a serious ordeal for him.

No matter how much he tries to take things lightly, he just couldn't ignore the obvious facts.

Peter Parker was spider-man and except Gwen no one else knew of his secret. So Gwen was the only one to Peter could freely speak to confide in her and she had proved to be a good listener. Peter wanted her back.. desperately... desperation trying to divulge his inner self.

Gwen looked at him. She herself was on the brink of losing herself seeing Peter so vulnerable. She quickly went towards him and put her arms around him almost jumping on him.

"God, Pete how I have missed you? And of course you are forgiven. I thought you to be so irresponsible and I blamed you for my father's untimely death. But now I know. You know, it was hard for me too and after that you moved far ... far away from me and that for me was the last straw "

Gwen said it with a quiver in her voice.

Peter didn't need to analyse her that she was sorry for everything in her own way... it was all an act of karma.. everything was against them but Peter knew for them to remain together they had to fight for each other.

She hugged him hard just like the last time when he had saved her from the clutches of that mad man. It was same as before. No matter how hard she tried to play it cool and how much she tried to ignore Peter, her affections towards him had unknowingly magnified somewhere deep inside of her.. Peter could see that. Her desperation had finally let go all those strings that were pulling her... controlling her.

Peter was so glad that she had finally opened up. He could feel the vibrations that were moving from her body to his own as it tried hard to mingle with his body's resonance. It was almost like a sweet lull that was comforting in its own twisted way. The familiar way... the way she put her arms around was good for Peter

Both of them were survivors of the real original cruel world . Both Peter and Gwen had suffered great deal. And it was time for them to face it together.

Gwen slowly pulled away from Peter's grasp and looked into Peter's eyes.

A love guru was not required to tell that they were smitten over each other.

Peter and Gwen smiled. It was as if they had known each other for a long time. Like two distant lovers that had been united after years of hardships...they had finally found themselves again.

Peter thought of kissing her or was that too soon?

He didn't know. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. Somehow they had found themselves and he didn't want himself to be the reason of their fall out.

She said she wanted him ..right?

But who knew.

Maybe she missed him just like good friends miss each other... not like boyfriend or girlfriend.

For Peter it was well and good. Maybe this is how they should end up.

He wanted nothing more.

"Peter" said Gwen and Peter had to reluctantly let go off her. He was staring at the black grey pavement underneath his feet.

Peter felt humiliated.

Maybe he overdid it. He took a step behind and looked at the hard cold pavement.

This very thought sickened him and made him want to disappear beneath the pavement underneath his feet.

He knew that Gwen would say something and Peter was ready to take it all in. He took a deep breath and held his breath waiting for her to speak up.

"Peter I have to go to the tower, you know I have an ongoing research about the dna and rna hybrid characteristic transfer with the other scientists that I am still working on." Gwen said with her eyes turning

"Huh..?" blurted Peter confused as ever.

"Well, this is a some kind of an on going research that we all interns have taken in" said Gwen giving him a nervous incredulous laugh and drying her eyes at the same time.

"It is some sort of a miracle cure for incurable diseases. Concept is almost similar to cross species genetic "

"Um ... Ok, then I will accompany you to the tower " said Peter with a small but an adamant tone.

"You know, you really don't have to it" said Gwen looking away from him.

" I know, please Gwen, just consider it to be a token of my own gratitude and any way I won't be able to move around all by myself if I am constantly worrying about you."

"Peter... I ...um.." . Gwen moved closer to him and that was when he felt the world fade away beside him.

His whole body ached and he could suddenly feel the hollow seething emptiness inside filling up. He was more cautious than he had ever been ... be it the faint glow of her skin beneath the orange sunlight to the way the light caught the faint blue beneath her eyes and more than anything else her mouth.

The crescent shape of it. The dying evening sunlight cast a heavenly glow on her face. Peter could almost feel the way her lips would curl around his mouth.

Peter leaned down at her and brushed his lips against her.

As momentum took on, Peter could feel the intensity of their kiss increasing many a fold. He slowly brought his palms to her face as he forced himself a bit on her. Gwen kissed back with more passion.

He knew this was the moment.

The moment of his own redemption.

Nothing else mattered to him.

Both of them kissed hotly as people around stared at them.

Gwen slowly pulled herself from Peter's grasp as she gaped to suck in the fresh air. Both of them smiled as Peter touched her forehead lightly with his .

He knew he needed her more than ever. She was his stabilizing agent for his reactive spider mind..