Pam, Pete, and Harley

by Wiggles-n-stuff

Good ol' Parker Luck. Peter Parker is living with two very attractive ladies. Both are strong, intelligent... and villains. Oh boy. Spidey is sucked into the DC verse by accident, and immediately stumbles upon the two women. How will the web-head deal with this new world, and what's the goal of the Sirens in keeping him under thumb? Cover Art by Comfort Love and Adam Withers

9. Boxing Day

Chapter 9: Boxing Day

Key: 'Words' = Peter 4th walling it

'Words'= Peter's thoughts (not 4th walling it)

- December 26th / Evening / Present -

Gotham City

"You are sure I'm not intruding, Ms. Isley?" Wanda asks sheepishly again. The Scarlet Witch is currently wearing a gray sweatshirt and black track pants, borrowed from the Watchtower gym. She has a small backpack slung over her shoulder, housing her costume. She was also wearing the web bracelet on her right wrist. Pam sighs, rolling her eyes. Her outfit hasn't changed, but that wasn't surprising. She's walking down the stairs in front of Peter, who's in his costume morphed civie clothing, arms crossed. The trio had a short and awkwardly silent trip from the space station to their home. Zatanna, who was checking up on Peter at the time, offered to take the three to the roof of the loft. After some quick farewells, the three had entered the stairwell. He noticed Wanda was growing increasingly jittery.

Peter figured this would happen. After all neither Harleen or Pamela really gave her welcoming first impressions. There were the obvious reasons, an unknown woman, a hero, and suddenly an old chum of their former patsy. He did invite her, but that could be his roomies just playing nice for his sake. 'Doesn't mean either have to actually be nice. Still I'd rather her not be alone or with people she doesn't know right now. I have feeling I'm gonna be playing goalie for a while. Fun fun.' He also had a sneaking suspicion that the girls found Wanda as intruding on their territory, both literally and physically. Harley pretty much cementing that idea.

Ivy remained silent, just heading for the door. 'She's been pretty quiet since our little breakthrough a few hours ago. I don't think the two of them have actually had a chance to talk alone, or any desire on Blossom's part. I was usually always there with them, so it's not surprising.' "Pam?" Peter asks carefully, wanting to at least get some sort of answer for Wanda.

Ivy sighs. "I won't lie and say we openly welcome you here, but Parker is a part of our home too, despite everything. So we'll be hospitable as long as are too." Pam says after she looks over her shoulder to Peter and Wanda. It isn't a harsh look, but her bluntness couldn't ever be mistaken. Peter wanted to admonish her, but he just ended up giving her a tiny smile instead. For her this was being kind, at least to an unknown stranger. Ivy is very protective of her home and those she considers friends. 'Woot! From roomie to homie, now that's progress.' She trusts Peter enough to not let someone in their home who would be a danger to her or Harley.

"Thank you, Ms. Isley." Wanda's tone was relieved, and she nodded to the other woman. 'Wanda is no stranger to being a stranger either, or getting the cold shoulder, or the bad girl mentality, protecting her own, heck even wanting to be left alone. They have a lot in common in actuality. Now if I can just get them to realize this. Might have to pull out the she was a baddie too, and kicked my butt a couple of times too, cards.'

Pam turned back round and reached for the door handle, when all of a sudden Peter's Spider-Sense buzzed a bit. "Pam be careful when you..." The warning comes to late, and the door rips open from the inside. Isley manages to let go of the handle before being wrenched forward, and instantly went on the defense.

Which wasn't fast enough as she was bum rushed, and toppled back into Peter. The group tumbles back against the stairs, with Harley's arms around their necks, hugging them for dear life. Wanda managed to take a few steps back up, and avoided the spontaneous cuddle puddle. She watches the scene in wide eyed surprise. A woman in a red spaghetti string midriff tank top, and black sweatpants practically strangling Peter and Pamela, bawling loudly.

"Ya...*hic* ya... *hic* you're finally ba *hic* back!" Harls cries as she snuggles the three together in an impromptu and oddly arranged group hug.

"Missed you too Bubbles." Peter happily wheezes out, his wind pipe being crushed.

"Harley, please it's getting hard to breath." Pam says as she puts her hands between her bestie and tries to push away for fresh air. Harley nods between blubbers and pulls away, freeing her roommates. She steps back a few paces, and wipes tears away with the back of her hands.

Peter got up first and offers a hand to Ivy. She took it with a bit of reluctance on her face. He gently lifts her up, and her hand twitches in his before she pulls it away. The trio steps into the second story walkway, with Wanda coming out last, closing the door. Peter notices that the Siren's current Parole Officer is standing near the stairs, leaning against the railing. The blue haired, blue skinned woman dubbed "Sparkles" is Livewire, or Leslie to those who know her. She is currently in a thin, white, long sleeve shirt, which went past her hands and had her thumbs peeking through thumb holes cut into it. She's wearing a pair of faded blue jeans too, holes in the knees of course.

"I can't tell you how good it is to be home. That hospital bed wa*SLAP*!" His Spider-Sense hadn't really died away since entering, and now he knew why. Harley was right in his personal space, and open palmed smacked his left cheek, hard. It didn't hurt, much, but the surprise caught him off guard. She was staring at him with anger flushed cheeks. "Yowch! What wasMMPH!" No Spider-Sense for this one, as she fists his shirt collar in both hands and pulls him down into a hard kiss. 'What is going...'

SLAP!

'Ow!' Slapping him again after she pushes him back, she quickly jumps forward and hugs him, almost desperately.

"I hate ya, ya know that?" Harley said warmly, no ill intent behind her it, as he just held onto him. It took Peter a second to get over the violent mood swings, but he closes his eyes and happily hugs her back, resting his head against hers.

"Sorry Bubbles." Parkers words are kind and relieved. His right hand comes up from her back to stroke her loose blond hair. 'Aint she cute folks? Man my cheek stings.'

The other women nearby watched with varying degrees of interest. Pam shakes her head at her long time friend's display. Peter knew she had been on the receiving end of this embrace before too, as she had the hint of a smile on that constant solid line which was her lips. Leslie just observes the scene with a schadenfreude curiosity and masochistic smirk. Oh boy she's gonna drill him on this, and he knows it. Then there is Wanda. She is outright shocked at the sudden event. The otherworldly hero looks to the other two, noting how nonchalant they appeared.

"If you'll excuse me then, I'm going to return to my real body now." Ivy says breaking up the moment. Stepping around the her roommates, she proceeds to head down the hall, until all of a sudden Quinzel glomps her from behind. Poison Ivy almost tumbles to the floor, but catches herself on the railing. Ivy slowly places her right hand on the arms crossed over her front, her face softening into an actual smile.

"I hate ya too, Red." Harleen says softly into her back, resting her head against it.

"You're being too clingy again, Harley." Pamela replies quietly but fondly, a small waver in it. Peter steps back to stand next to Wanda, his hands on his hips, and nudges her slightly.

"See, they aren't that bad once you get to know them." He whispers, leaning toward her slightly. She responds with a simple nod, even though her cheeks were red. She also seemed to have trouble looking Peter in the eyes.

"At least until you get on their bad sides." Livewire saunters up to the other two heroes, keeping her voice to a whisper. She rests with her left hand on her cocked left hip.

"Thanks for watching over her." Parker replies with a nod. To which she flashes her way too pearly whites. 'White doesn't even begin to describe them. They can literally shine, like a light bulb. I've never seen teeth so white in my life. You kinda feel like a moth to a flame when she smiles, they just draw you in. Unfortunately you end up getting the bug zapper.'

"No probs. Their old gal pals, and despite sides we still are. Like I was gonna let my favorite spaz spend Christmas alone, when I could help it." The electric woman turns back to see Harley letting go of Ivy, and the green woman heading for the Garden of Eden. "She's ditching us already?"

"Nah, she's just getting in touch with herself again." Spidey says in all seriousness, as he steps forward to meet Quinn. "So who's ready to get Christmas finally started?" He asks enthusiastically.

"Ooo! Me, me, me! This little girl right here!" Harley hops up and down a few times excitedly. Both Wanda and Leslie, still obviously trying to wrap their heads around his comment about Ivy, when he turns back around to get them pumped up too. Harley wraps herself around his left arm, smiling excitedly.

"Wait, what do you mean 'in touch with herself again'?" Livewire questions frustratedly at the ludicrous statement.

A simplified explanation later and the four were down in the living room. Peter had moseyed over to the kitchen as soon as he reached the first floor. The first thing he wanted to do, even before changing into something comfortable, was make a fresh pot of coffee. He had just pulled the filters out of the cupboard in front of him when a body presses into his back, arms wrapping around his midsection.

Pausing for a moment he smiles and sets the filters on the counter. "Pam was right, you are being clingy. What's up Bubbles?" The hug tightened a bit, and Harley's face nuzzles into his back. She lets out an unintelligible mumble into his shirt. Sighing pleasantly, he shakes his head. 'Guest company be damned to her. Harleen does what she wants, when she wants, with little care as to who's in the room. It's made for some awkward situations in the past. I can't fault her this time, and by no means am I going to push her away. This shows just how much she worries about me. I'm actually a bit surprised she's not stuck to Blossom like a Siamese Twin. I'm guessing the whole pea pod thing though.' "Still working through my Mumble to English workbook, mind translating for me?" He jokes.

"I'm not lettin' ya leave anymore." Harley grumbled louder, faux annoyance in her tone. "Last time I did ya almost died. So deal with it." A pleased smile crosses the Web-Head's face.

"GladYOWCH!" Peter starts just before she sinks her teeth into his back left shoulder, hard. He turns to see golden hair cascading over his shoulder, but nothing more. "What's that for?!"

"Mmkin soor yer reel." She says around his shoulder in her mouth. Parker can just make out what she means, and he reaches over his left shoulder with his right hand, placing it reassuringly on her head. Her are teeth starting to hurt a bit.

"Okay, okay, I got it, I promise I'm real. Please stop." He soothes, knowing this was probably an extension of the slaps earlier. Harls slowly lets up from her bite, and rests her head against his back again.

"Dummy." She huffs, before squeezing him tight and letting go. "Hurry up and get Red, I wanna open presents." She hops back a step and turns in place, halting when she sees Leslie and Wanda chatting. When Peter turns her way he sees the hard to describe stare Harleen was giving his friend. 'She's contemplating something. What, I'm not sure. But just to be safe.' Stepping up to the blonde, he placed his right hand on her shoulder.

"Play nice okay. She's been through a lot." He asks in a calm hushed tone. Harley's body slacks a bit, and she takes a breath.

"I'll be the perfect hostess, scout's honor." Quinn smiles back to him, raising her hand and showing crossed fingers. 'She's playing around... I hope.' Peter matches her smile, and pats her shoulder.

"Close enough. Just remember it's Christmas today." He says as he heads towards the stairs. "I'll be right back." He calls out to the two in the living room. 'You probably wouldn't guess it, but I'm actually pretty relaxed right now. Sure there is a whole Wanda's safety thing, but... it just feels good to be home, you know. Kinda like coming home from a vacation. You have fun, a few near death experiences, a long stay in the hospital, weird conversations with friends, and all that. But the feeling of being back home is just nice.'

'Last year at this time, I wouldn't have believed I could call this place home. Grant it I'd only been here a month, and I was still tip toeing around the pretty green lady. So you can't rightly blame me, but I was holding out hope that I'd find Wanda and we'd somehow get back home, soon. Life is rarely ever that considerate though, especially in our profession. Would I change things if I could? You better believe it, but... I'm pretty glad how things have turned out... more or less.'

Standing before the heavy metal door that was the entrance to the Garden of Eden, Peter finds himself hesitating. His balled hand was inches from the first knock. 'This'll be the first time since that brief moment we shared all those days ago, that we'll be alone together. Not that I'm expecting anything to happen, but... Things've been a bit weird between us. *Sigh* Well... here goes something.' Knocking a few times loudly, he waits for a response. Not getting one, he knocks again a bit louder. 'Sometimes she can't hear the first knock...' Nothing, so he tries once more. "Pam, we're ready to start opening presents. You done changing?" Peter calls, trying to be funny. Silence continues to come from the other side of the door. 'Gotta brave the jungle I guess. Manifest Destiny!'

Turning the handle and pushing the door open, he sticks his head in. "You are in here, right Blossom?" She hadn't left, he would have heard her, and the lights were on inside, so what was up? "Bloss..."

"I heard you already Parker. I'll be down in a while." Pam's despondent voice carries through the foliage, unlike her visage. Again Peter hesitates, this time to abide by her words. 'What can I say? I'm the caring sort or idiot. At least she can't paralyze me anymore... by the seed I mean. Forward unto danger adventurer.'

"No can do Pam, it's Christmas, and there will be no sulking. I think we've done enough of that the past few days anyway." He steps inside the garden, and closes the door behind him. Proceeding toward her voice, he feels no ill intent on his sixth sense, but still err on the side of caution.

"Don't make me get the holiday Harlequin up here, cause you know she'll..." He stops mid sentence once he came into the central clearing. There, in the middle, sitting cross legged arms stretched down with hands inside her legs was Pamela Isley. She was staring languidly up at the tree that resided there, which at it's base was a large floral cocoon. Vines encased the human sized plant pod made up of huge leaves, attaching it to the tree. Out of the top of the pod Pamela's real head shown. Small green tendrils were burrowed under the skin in her face, but it showed no signs of discomfort. To Peter it looked like she was simply sleeping, angelic looking too. 'Wow. I was only joking before, but this is right out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Spidey-Sense don't fail me now.'

Poison Ivy didn't bother to look his way, as he stepped up to her. She was so focused on the pod, on her real body. "Blossom? You okay?" Peter finally asks, finding he was having a hard time tearing his gaze from the pod too.

"In so many words... I'm not sure." She says neutrally, as she gets up from her sitting position. Peter finally looks her way, just as she starts walking toward her suspended body. "I came in here to return to my true body, but..." Ivy trails off, reaching up and placing her right hand on the left cheek of her real face. Her thumb slightly caressing said cheek.

"But?" Peter had to ask. 'I have a feeling I'm not gonna like where this is headed. I'm getting to many of these feelings lately.'

"When I pause to think about it, to really think about it... I'm not sure if I want to." Without looking away her hand falls from her real body, and her head with it a bit. Spidey's struck with an epiphany after she admits this. 'Almost everything I know about Pam all comes back to her connection with Mother Nature. She may have started out a human, but now she's almost Nature itself. She can grow and create plant life at will, make all sorts of vegetation that defies current natural boundaries. Wheat that can survive in the frozen tundra, Oaks that thrive in the Serengeti, literal Beanstalks to the sky. She has, for the longest time, considered herself more plant than human. What she is right now, in the duplicate body, is almost exactly what she's always wanted. To truly be a part of nature, a sentient embodiment of nature. No longer the creatures she fights against.'

"I... I see." He says, uncertain of what else to say.

"Do you? In this form, I'm what I've always aspired to become. Free of the human condition, a true and unperverted part of nature. What I've... always been destined to become." She hesitates in those last words, but continues either way. Pamela turns around and faces Peter, reservation her dominate emotion. "I should be happy. I've accepted this fate since The Green first acknowledged me as a part of itself. This is the penultimate end, and now that I'm here I have the chance to shed the mortal coil permanently. All I need to do is pull that body down. So... why am I holding back? I could have done it just now, before anyone came to get me. Buried the body, and no one would have been the wiser." Suddenly her voice was wavering, her eyes pleading to him for an answer. What they were asking Peter he had no clue.

"Maybe you aren't as ready as you thought." Peter answers simply, and takes a moment to choose his next words carefully. He had her undivided attention, her eyes glued to his, looking to him for help. He sighs heavily and brings his right hand to rub the back of his head. "I've basically been in the same position you are right now, several times in fact. Each time I've had something holding me back, usually someone. They brought me back from the brink. When I died... I felt the changes to both my body and mind. Frankly it scared me. I felt myself being drawn into a consciousness that wasn't wholly my own, it was bigger than myself. Like you I hesitated. I knew what was needed of me, my higher purpose. But, I couldn't accept it, and I chose to ignore that destiny for the time being." Peter rambled, his words growing in confidence and purpose as he spoke them. "It was because I would leave behind the people I cared about. I wasn't ready to do that." He looked deeply into her black/gold eyes, seeing an awed surprise in them. "I hope that helps." He said sheepishly, suddenly very aware that they had been staring at each other for some time.

Ivy closed her eyes and let loose a held breath. A warm smile graced her face when she looks back up at him. "How is it you always have a story for everything?" She asks in a fake mocking tone, then turns back to her cocooned body. "I think you are right though. There are a few that make me want to hold on just a little bit longer." She stares silently up at herself, and for once Peter felt like not ruining the moment with a pun.

"Well, personally, I'm glad to hear that." He says after a spell, making her look at him. She looked as if she wanted to say something serious, but hesitant to say what. Parker's brows furrow slightly in concern about to bring it up, when both are startled from their silence by a loud banging on the door.

"Oi! You two done being chummy in there, cause we have one really antsy blond buggin' the shit out of your house guests. Come reign her in before I have to taze her." Leslie's voice booms beyond the door, destroying whatever atmosphere was in the Garden.

"I'll never turn down a good ol' shiatsu massage for the brain, Thunder Thighs!" They heard Quinn's voice from all the way up there.

"You got one minute before I turn her into a static cling nightmare. One minute!" Livewire thumps the metal door with her fist once again, before apparently leaving. 'Ah Sparkles, all the force of a dozen or more lightning storms with a fuze as short as a firecracker's. Such a great combination. Glad she's on the good guy side now.' Both Peter and Pamela let out exasperated sighs simultaneously. They both turn to each other at the same time with a surprised look. The surprise warped into a grin a piece.

"I should probably get out there and play buffer. You got this? I can stay and help if you need it." He asks, pointing a finger back and forth from her completely plant and real body.

"I can manage. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes." She tried to reassure, but Peter's slightly skeptical expression begged otherwise. Crossing her arms she sent him a pointed stare. She huffs in defeat when the staring contest lasted for more than a moment. "Fine, I'll contact Alec and have him monitor to make sure the transfer goes well."

"Thank you. You can never be too careful when your mind is on the line. The last thing we need right now is someone swapping your mind with theirs." He says only partially joking. Peter trusts her judgment and wasn't going to push it any further.

"I'm much to stubborn for that Parker." Pam boasts. "Now get down there and make sure they don't wreck the place. I'll be down shortly." She waves her hand in a shooing motion.

"Right, right. Just hurry up, this is still a family event and we can't start without you." He said as he made his way into the Garden, toward the door. When he exited he immediately saw the blue complexioned woman, leaning over with her hands on the rail, looking into the living room. She was obviously a bit annoyed, but not in the bad kind of way. "I heard you could practically put Supes into cardiac arrest, and here you are hiding from Harls? Kinda ruins the image, huh Shock Jock?" Peter asks sarcastically.

"Oh yeah? Well when was the last time you wanted to piss her off?" She glances at him from the side, raising a blue brow.

"Touche'." Peter relents as he stands next to her, and looks down on Harley sitting in the recliner, attempting small talk with Wanda.

'I'm wasn't kidding either. This world's Electro is both Rule 63, and considerably more dangerous than him. She's one of the few dopplegangers I've encountered that actually beat out my world's version. That being said, I really don't know a whole lot about this little spark plug. We've met once last February while I was on an errand to Metropolis for Blossom. It was a legitimate visit, I wasn't there to steal anything, just so you know. Since Pam is more or less an off-the-record employee of STAR Labs, she can't really traipse over to the other labs for materials or research willy nilly. So her trusty lab assistant, mwah, plays gopher for her on occasion.'

'This occasion had me over there when, coincidentally... does that word even apply to me anymore? Anyway, I had a run in with the baddie of the day on my fetch quest. Actually I was on site when the guy broke out of containment at the labs, so yeah I didn't just stumble upon it... I guess that is coincidence? The dude's name was Metallo, which as you can imagine speaks volumes about his originality. Grant it, sometimes we don't even get to name ourselves, but still. He was a cyborg with one hell of a grudge against Big Blue. Superman if you weren't sure. Ran on a Kryptonite power source too, which is Supes's... um heh, Kryptonite, heh. I just now got that. So bad news for Supes, very hard punching bag to me. And boy was he, whatever metal head was made of he was really hard to dent. Not quite Adamantium level, more like a titanium polymer mix of some sort. Plus he could dish out just as much as me at the time. Ten ton punches really hurt when you are the one receiving them.'

'Eventually I took our meeting to the streets, out of the building and collateral damage ensued. My agility and Spidey-Sense kept me one step ahead of him. I won't lie, I had a frustrating few months prior, and I was happy to finally have someone who could take some serious punishment. But since bad guys never really like one on one for very long, he started involving citizens. I was starting to get overwhelmed, when the big man shows up. FYI this is also my first time meeting Clark in person. Supes makes his dramatic entrance, which gets cut short by a Kryptonite beam. So I'm back on Metallo, while trying to protect Clark and keep civilians out of harms way. Boy I'm getting way off topic. Okay, long story short Livewire shows up, taps him on the shoulder and fries his circuits. My pride and ego both take a shot, but I was glad it was over. Some heroes are just better suited to handle certain villains, plus I didn't have my Electro-Proof suit handy. Left that back in my other world.'

'Superman recovers quickly, and the three of us have a little chat on top of the Daily Planet. That was the day I was offered to meet with the League. The three of us part, with me agreeing to an eventual meeting, and I return home after collecting Blossom's stuff. When I got back and told Bubbles of my Metropolis adventure, she told me more about Leslie. How she used to be a bad girl, and even was friends with her and Pam before going all cape on them. There was no bad blood because of it, obviously, but they just didn't hang out anymore. At least until this last week.'

'I learned that Sparkles was a Superman bashing radio host at one time, who was eventually canned when the station decided to change it's forte to country. She was struck by lightning and viola, now she can harness and become electricity and lightning. Best guess she's a metahuman, but again don't know for sure. Anyway she ends up in the Man of Steel's rogues gallery, but eventually her power becomes highly unstable. Superman ends up saving her with an old power containing suit of his when he was in a similar situation. Which I mistook at first thinking they were a couple because the suits were near identical in design. I got a few hundred jolts for that little comment. After he saved her she turned to our side and works for Supes now. Personality wise, I'm still learning, but she's to the point and brash from what I've experienced.'

'Honestly I'm glad she's Pam and Harls temp probation officer. She knows them personally and won't be as judgmental or suspicious.'

"It's been a while since I've hung with either of them. I forgot just how much Blondie can whine. At least it's not about that waste of flesh Joker anymore." Leslie turns to fully face him, and gave him a knowing smirk. Peter rubs the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed and avoids eye contact.

"True. That guy... he's just wrong on all levels." 'Understatement of the freaking century.' He agrees, and at that moment caught Harleen's eye. She waves up to him happily, and motiones for him to come down. Peter reciprocates with a wave and a nod.

"Understatement of the frikkin' century. 'Heh.' At least she's traded up well. Be good to her, Itsy Bitsy, she needs a lot of it. They both do." Leslie warns with a somewhat kind smile.

"I know. Trust me I know." Parker says contentedly, and walks around Willis. "Alright, let's get this party started, shall we?" He grins as he heads to the stairs.

"Bout time." Leslie throws her hands up in the air with a grin.

'Christmas last year was so different than this year. It was a much smaller, less enthusiastic affair. Harley was her usual pep and spitfire, but both Pam and I were in very different mindsets. Pam still hung out on the hate me side of the fence, so she didn't feel like playing along with the pointless human ritual of cutting down trees and exchanging meaningless gifts. Me, well I had been running ragged the last month trying to be the biggest thorn in Black Mask's butt as I could be. Add to that I was attempting to find a day job, and my T runs with Harls and or Selina, and you can imagine I wasn't the most festive minded.'

'Apparently the few times of me as my evil alter ego got me on the board as a criminal threat working with the Sirens. Most likely hypnotized by Poison Ivy, but a viable problem. Luckily there weren't any run ins with Bats since the first in either suit. But I had the feeling he was keeping a close watch on Spider-Man, especially since all of a sudden I seemed to have a rather directed vendetta against Black Mask. Just so you know I didn't, but Selina kept me pointed in the right direction.'

'Actually I had a run in with a higher paid employee just a few days prior to Christmas. It was one of the more memorable events of the month I'll tell you that.'

- Dec. 18th / Late Afternoon / One Year Ago -

Gotham City

"What is up Gotham PD?" Spider-Man shouts as he soars onto the scene via web line. He'd just followed the sound of squad car sirens to a bank robbery currently in progress. 'I'd just gotten out of a job interview with Gotham County High School, which I'm glad to say went well. So I was in a pretty chipper mood at the moment. Not that I'm not usually, but you know, job interview jitters and all that. I was so worried I'd be turned down for a substitute teaching position. Finding out they liked and wanted to hire me, it just made me all sunshine and rainbows.' Letting go of his line Spidey drops onto the still being constructed street blockade, disregarding his vigilante status. The officers on scene drew their guns, leveling them at the costumed man. Spider-Man quickly threw his arms up in surrender, but noticed that none of them were encroaching on him. 'An improvement, trust me.'

"Still on the Naughty List I'm guessing." He joked while trying to find any recognizable face in the group. One of the men actually snickered at his comment, and the Wall-Crawler turned toward him. With his hands still raised Peter pointed both index fingers toward the man, and nodded upward. "This guy gets it. Thanks man." He said jovially.

"Quit laughing Dave!" The brunette woman next to him spat, effectively shutting him up and snapping him back to attention.

"Awww, don't bully him just cause he likes my joke." Spider-Man pleaded on Officer Dave's behalf. "So can I join in on playing cops and robbers today, or what?" He looked around, catching that Officer Dave had to stop himself from laughing again. Tires screeched to a halt behind defensive line, and a voice called out to the Web-Head.

"That was fast, even for you." Detective McKenna commented as she practically flew out of the driver's side door, and quick walked to him. He noticed that her right wrist was in a brace.

"I happened to be in the neighborhood. And you know I can't resist the sweet sound of the siren's call. How ya been Mel? How's the hand?" Spidey asked as if he wasn't under the bead of dozen or so guns and their owners. 'About a week and a half ago I had crashed another of Black Mask's little shindigs, and was waiting for Mel to show up with the paddy wagon. FYI I have her digits. Strictly for business of course, but I totally have 'em. She gave me her number after about my fourth or fifth Mask bust. Something about wanting me to stop calling her at work and embarrassing her. I guess the rumor around the steno pool was that we were secretly having a tryst, and I was her guilty little vigilante pleasure.'

'So I call her when I break up a thing, and she comes with the cavalry to take them in. I'd normally just drop them off somewhere visible for someone to call in, but these busts tended to have upwards of fifteen guests. Carrying them is a hassle then, so yeah calling's easier. Okay back to the original topic, so when she got there she was ambushed by some half giant guy I somehow missed. Probably cause he was wetting his pants and crying for momma when I showed up. Anyway, he tried to take her hostage, and she strait up clocked the guy in the jaw. Now in my profession you see women and girls beating the crap out of guys twice their size all the time, but the punch Mel hit him with made my jaw hurt. She fractured a few fingers and dislocated her wrist, but the guy went down like a sack of bricks. Melody both impressed and scared me that day. So now you know.'

"Better now that it's just the damn brace, thanks. But did you really need to send the card?" Mel grumbled as she saddled up next to him, observing the scene. Peter smiled under his mask, his arms still in the air.

"Of course. I missed the guy and you hurt yourself because of it. It was the least I could do. Unless you want me to come in person next time?" Spider-Man teased, but the scowl she had just grew larger.

"Do it and I'm capping you in the knee." Mel hissed venomously, but kept it quiet enough so only he heard it.

"Right, rumor control, gotcha. So can I help here, or do I just sit back and" SPIDER-SENSE! Spider-Man grabbed McKenna suddenly, and jumped them back onto a squad car a few feet away as a bullet tore into the pavement where they just were. All guns on him were back toward the building now looking for the assailant, and officers took cover quickly. Spidey's sixth sense instantly focused on the shooter on the third floor of the bank, the barrel of high powered rifle sticking out from between blinds. The Wall-Crawler let go of the woman in his arms, and in a flash raised a set of devil horns toward the window. Launching a web ball, he hit the gun square on the tip of the barrel, cementing the muzzle closed. "You okay Mel?" He asked quickly, looking her over once with his blank lenses.

"Ye...yeah." She stuttered, obviously shaken by the sudden movement.

"Phew, good." He looked back to the bank. "Nobody shoots at the good people of the GPD without getting on my bad side." Peter shouted up to the unseen robbers. Parker turned back to McKenna, and nodded to her. "Be back in five minutes." Then he jumped off the car roof, and web lined up to the window the gunman was just at. Spider-Man gracefully corkscrewed feet first into the window and was gone.

- Six Minutes Later -

The gunfire and panicked shouts finally died down. The red and blue clad hero wiped his hands clean after tying the group of seven robbers together in a neat pile in the bank lobby. Tapping the side of his mask, a digital clock appeared on his right lens, and he let out a huff. "Ugh. I'm a minute late cause you just had to try and run." An angry muffled shout came in response, as the biggest of the team struggled against the web rope holding them all together. "Yeah yeah, I've heard it all before." Peter rolled his eyes under the mask and went to the front double doors. He easily raised the metal gate in front of them, and unbolted the doors. He pushed them open and stood on the stairs in front of a large gathering of Gotham's finest.

"And problem solved." SPIDER-SENSE!

"HEADS UP SPIDEY!" A voice yelled from above as the sound of a jet engine ignited. Spidey whipped his head up just in time to see a plane engine, modified to be like a flying motorcycle, and looked like an old timey spaceship, almost on top of him.

"HOLY...!" Parker dropped onto all fours, as the vehicle revved and pulled out of the dive bomb at the last second. He looked up watching the cops diving away as the rocket bike thing flew just over their cars, and then pulled up toward the sky before hitting the building behind them.

"TAG YOU'RE IT!" Somehow the rider's voice managed to carry over the engines, as they sped away from the scene. Spider-Man's way to wide lenses watched the crazy person round the street, before he launched a line to the building they just disappeared around.

"Guy's are tied up inside. Gotta go, apparently I'm it, and I hate being it." Spider-Man called to the police, before he launched himself into a speed swing, throwing his feet forward for momentum. 'Is it so much to ask to just break up a heist? A simple heist, some small talk with the cops, and swing away feeling accomplished for the day?' 'Yes, yes it is.' Peter thought as he raced to catch up with the madman on a screaming metal deathtrap.

Spider-Man practically flew over the next ten blocks, attempting to find a sign of the rocket rider. They had effectively managed to disappear before he even got to cruising speed, swing style. "Why am I getting flashbacks of chasing Gobby through New York. Really gotta think about investing in a jet pack. Stark! Stark's good with that thing. If I ever see him again, I'm gonna ask for a new Iron Spider su..." SPIDER-SENSE!

"On your left!" The rider's voice shouted over the wind. Spidey quickly fired a line to his right and yanked hard, barely avoiding being bug squat on the rocket bike. It sped by, and he finally got a decent glimpse of the pilot. By the pronounced chest she was a woman, 'Give me a better way to distinguish boy from girl at a glance, and I'll gladly look for that first. Until then...' with long wind whipping red hair underneath an old brown pilots helmet and goggles. She wore a black shirt under a brown aviator jacket, with gray-ish form hugging jeans, and combat boots. She blew right past him, not even attempting to slow down, but if he saw right she was blowing him a raspberry.

"Oh no you didn't!" Spider-Man growled, and pressed his left hand Web Shooter pad down hard. The propulsion mechanism put everything it had into the shot, and it payed off as the web line tagged the rocket just behind her left foot. "GotcHAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Parker was yanked forward mid arc, giving him a slight case of whiplash.

The woman felt the extra weight on her bike, and looked behind her. She saw a red and blue clad hero hanging on for dear life, and her smile only grew. "I'm getting a wonderful case of deja vu right now baby! Let's see how you match up!" The woman shouted back, and then revs the rocket faster, taking a hard right corner around a building.

"I HATE DEJA VU!" Spider-Man yells as he's whipped toward an office building. Releasing a line with his free right hand, it attaches to the water tower on top of the building roof. He tugs it hard, and then lets go into a kicking swing. The yank was just enough to propel him and crest the roof, away from danger. Spider-Man swung left straitening from turn and continued being dragged along.

'This little joy ride continues for a long five or so minutes, and I'm put through my web swinging paces. Trying to figure out a way to safely stop her and her rocket at those speeds, while playing chicken with all manner of building and building paraphernalia, is not particularly easy. I had sore arms for a few days after.'

High above the streets of Gotham a roaring sound tore across the darkening sky. Followed close behind by the drowned out shouting of Spider-Man. The rocket bike soared over the buildings, taking corners at random, attempting to rid itself of it's unwanted passenger. The driver of said rocket bike was laughing happily, watching her stow away hang on for dear life by a single steel strength strand of webbing.

"I've gotta hand it to ya, you are even more persistent than the Bat! I love it!" The driver shouted back over the jet engine, taking a hard right, whipping Spidey toward a large statue atop a roof. The Wall Crawler's Spider-Sense hadn't stopped annoying him since he hitched a ride with the dizzy dame. Luckily he was used to breakneck speeds, and his reflexes were inhuman.

"I'm doing better than Batman! Sweet, but uhh can we stop now?! My arms are getting sore!" The Web-Head yells, forward swinging his body into a bent over shape, the point of the outreaching hand on the statue passing by his stomach by mere inches. He managed to climb halfway up his tethering line, but was still a ways from getting to the rocket. Just a bit closer and he could try his plan of action. The piloting woman dove toward the busy street, and Spider-Man's blank eyes narrowed. 'Perfect.' He thought. She let off the gas for the fall, and just as Peter crested with his line, he let go. Facing downward he jackknifed and went into free fall. He had about ten stories to work with, which was more than enough if he timed this right. Throwing his hands forward he let out a line with both shooters, connecting to a building on both sides of the street. He pulled hard, launching himself toward the rocket bike faster. Spider-Man repeated this once more, quickly gaining. The wind drowned out any noise, as he thrust forward both hands again.

The woman at that moment pulled out of her dive bomb, which gave Spidey his shot. Two lines zipped through the air, sticking both the woman's hands to the bike controls. Her hands squeezed on the gas when they got glued to the controls and she yelped loudly. He pulled one more time, right as she put on the gas, and Spider-Man landed on the bike in a sitting position wrapping his arms around her midsection. The sudden extra weight tilted the rocket's nose up, and the two blasted off toward the sky.

"Tag." The Wall-Crawler said triumphantly into the red head's ear as they ascended. She spun her head around and came face to face with his mask. Her surprised expression turned into a wide smile, and despite her cemented hands she leaned back into him pressing herself against his body.

"Aww I got caught." She cooed, and Peter felt her rub her back on him. 'Yeah that was awkward.' He felt a blush burn underneath his mask.

"First thing you need to know about me is I'm the Tag champion. Now what say we take this conversation earth side?" Spider-Man said when he located the ignition switch, and reached for it.

"But we are having so much fun up here." The woman pouted cutely, then looked down to see his hand on the kill switch. "Oh, you're not gonna do what I hope you're gonna do?" Her voice and smile grew almost sensual.

"Umm... yyyyes?" Spidey said unsure of her meaning as he turned off the engine. The turbine sputtered out, and the rocket slowed about ten stories above the closest roof. As the rocket leveled out, and started to tip forward the mystery woman threw her head back on her left shoulder, and started laughing.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" She screamed joyfully, as they began plummeting toward Gotham. "YYYEEEAAAHHHH!"

"What is wrong with you lady?" He shouts, reaching forward to grab at the webbing on her hands. She keeps herself against him and leans forward with him, but stops hollering and looks to him from over her shoulder.

"Roxy."

"What?!" He tears the webbing free, and the woman between his arms quickly and nimbly spins around on the bike, so she's facing him. The next thing Peter knows is she is hugging him tightly around his chest, practically melding into him. Her lips draw up to his right ear.

"My name is Roxy, babe." Her sultry voice sends a little shiver up Spider-Man's spine. 'You ever have a woman straddle you mid free fall, and she's enjoying it? Yeah I didn't think so. It's quite the experience.'

"You're name is gonna be Street Pizza if you don't stop squirming and hold on tight." Spidey commands, and she instantly locks her legs around his waist, and snakes her arms around his neck.

"I know you won't let me." She says looking back over her shoulder to the approaching buildings. The Wall-Crawler doesn't respond as he shoots two lines, one from each shooter, onto both sides of the front of the rocket. He lets the fluid slow as he touches his wrists together, and connects the two strands.

"Hang on." He felt her limbs pull together around him a bit more, and unsticking himself from the machine, he lets it fall from them. Spider-Man throws his arms apart, and a wide solid web parachute it formed. The bike breaks hard in the air, and slowly descends toward a nearby roof. Meanwhile the two blow right past Roxy's rocket, and continue toward the roof lines.

"YAAAAAAHOOOOOOO!" Roxy cheers in free fall. Spider-Man's lenses quirk in a questioning look, before he looks to pick out a web line shot. Suddenly Roxy pushes back from him staring strait into his masked face. "I'm just about there. Only one more rush." Peter's sixth sense starts dully buzzing.

"What are yo..." SPIDER-SENSE! His mask eyes shoot open. The red haired stunt woman lets go and back flips away from the hero.

"Catch me Spider. Catch me!" She laughs as she spins in the air to face the ground in a parachutist's form.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" She passes by the roof line of the nearest structure, and he aims his right wrist toward her. SPIDER-SENSE! A little hiss and dribble of webbing come out of the empty cartridge. "SERIOUSLY!" He switches arms and takes aim. SPIDER-SENSE! 'You've got to be kidding me!?' He screams mentally as the device on his wrist sputters empty. 'Empty web fluid cartridges happens a lot more than you'd think, and I'd like. Kids, don't try this next stunt at home.'

More adrenaline pumps through his veins, and their fall seems to slow as he tries to figure out how to save the crazy woman. The building they are falling next to is smooth glass paned, the building right across the street is smaller and the roof is coming up in a few stories. 'Guess what I chose to do.'

Spider-Man rolled right in the air to get a bit more distance between him and the office building. Tucking his arms against his side, he speeds up his fall at an angle toward the giddy woman. He reaches her in a second, tackles her mid air and wraps arms around hers, trapping them at her sides. They fall toward a window, and Spidey juts out his legs. As soon as his feet make contact he glues himself fast to the slippery surface, it cracks instantly, but he's faster and springs off. The glass explodes inward to the office, 'Don't worry the lights were off, so no one was working. But I'm pretty sure the janitor's hate me now. Random side note contractors love me.' and he and Roxy soar above the street to the roof across the way. Bringing his right hand up behind her head he holds it against his shoulder, and makes sure his back is to the oncoming rooftop.

Peter shut his eyes in anticipation, his mask mimicking him. SPIDER-SENSE! 'I KNOW THIS IS GONNA...'

CRANG! 'Yep, knew that was gonna hurt.'

Spider-Man's back explodes in pain as it rams into a metal shed, and his body dents it inwards. 'Good news, we hit something solid that didn't crumple under the stress. Bad news, I hit something solid that didn't crumple under the stress.' The metal structure groaned in protest, as Spider-Man holding Roxy slipped out of the human sized dent, and somehow landed on his feet. Parker wearily opens his eyes, trying to steady his vision. His arms fell from Roxy, and she steps back grinning like an idiot. 'At least I think she was, I couldn't quite tell. But the hooping and hollering kinda gave it away.'

"That was amazing! WHAT A RUSH!" The stunt woman shouts to the night sky. Peter wobbles backward, his head still disoriented from the hit. Deciding that he should probably be sitting to stop the spinning, he plops down on the roof, and leans back against the heavily dented shed. His right hand goes to his head, attempting to steady his rolling eyes. 'Sure I've taken harder hits in my life. But when you are expecting it and not holding someone who would most likely die, yeah it's something totally different.'

"Could you turn down the crazy for a minute. I'm trying to stop an oncoming headache, thanks." Peter grumbles, and to his surprise the other occupant on the roof settles down. His left lens opens up, along with the corresponding eye, and he sees Roxy sauntering up to him. Stopping at at his feet she bends down at the hips, her hands tucked under in between her thighs, and smiling cutely at him. Doing that also gave him a rather unobstructed view into her tank top. 'And suddenly the headache disappears.'

"Awww, did I cause that hun? I'm sowwy, but you got to admit that free fall catch was just... exhilarating. You know what I mean right? The rush! the death defying feats! The last second saves! It's what we live for, me and you." Roxy practically swoons, off in her own little world. Peter just stares up at her unabashedly weird-ed out by her.

"Lady you are a special kind of nutter butters. That was an incredibly stupid stunt you pulled back there, you coulda been killed." Spider-Man reprimanded, only to be met with a sly grin. Her eyes sparkled with the kind of mischief that belied being seductive. She pulled her left hand free, and reached forward tracing that pointer finger down his right pectoral. Again Parker involuntarily shivered under her touch. 'Do I even have to defend myself at this point?'

"I knew you wouldn't let me though. You'd pushed yourself to the brink and saved me last minute. The thrill of victory and cheating death." He finger turned into an open palm flat on his chest above his heart. "You're heart is beating like crazy, and so is mine, it's such a turn on."

Both Peter's mask lenses widened in disbelief. "Whoa there, Roxy." He grabs her outstretched wrist with his left hand, and pulls it away from him. "Sure I love some of the benefits of my job, but I'm not some thrill fetishist. Besides my Aunt says to stay away from girls like you. Sorry, not interested." 'You're such a hypocrite.' Roxy's face looses a lot of it's luster, and she rolls her eyes, blowing some red hair strands from her face. She pulls back, and crosses her arms.

"Typical. Last time I try with a hero. It's Batman all over again." Her seductive demeanor changed to indignation in three seconds flat.

'Wait, you hit on Bats?" Spider-Man said chuckling in disbelief. "Talk about barking up the wrong belfry." Slowly the costumed hero starts to get to his feet, still snickering, and not looking up. The unmistakable cock of a gun's hammer silences him. SPIDER-SENSE! Slowly Spidey raises his head to see the barrel of a hand gun pointed three inches from his face.

"Yeah thanks for reminding me of that mistake. Oh well, live and learn. Sorry about this babe, but my bosses are getting a pretty annoyed by your presence." Roxy says exasperated, like she really didn't want things to go this way. The Wall-Crawler carefully brings his hands up.

"I gather from your tone, that you don't want to do thi..." SPIDER-SENSE. Out of nowhere a low whoosh passes above Spider-Man's head, and the tip of a small metal rod hits Roxy square between the eyes. Her head whips back and she's immediately knocked out. He lunges forward and catches her before she hits the ground, and gently lays the woman down instead. Next he disarms her, and pulls the gun's slide completely off. Then turns around to see who threw the baton. He barely looks up when a few feet away is another woman dressed in a purple costume and cape. She somehow slipped right by him without him noticing, and was already retrieving her metal stick. 'Three... Two... One.'

"OHMYGOD!" Spider-Man yelps and involuntarily jerks back. 'Where the hell were you on that one Spider-Sense?!' He yells mentally. The costumed woman jumps a little too, not expecting the reaction, then fixing him with a stare.

"Seriously?" Huntress asked, quirking a brow at him in disbelief. 'Only I didn't know who she was at this point, you know, first meetings and all.'

"Sorry, I'm just still not used to being snuck up on so easily. Do you guys all go to the same ninja school as Batman or something?" Peter quips while catching his breath, and resting a hand on his heart.

"You're kidding me? You fell nearly fifty stories, used a metal box as a cushion, stared a gun down, and I'm what spooked you? I reiterate, seriously?" Helena said in further exaggerated disbelief, titling her head slightly.

"Oh, I had those handled, no problem. Back's a little sore, so I'm gonna need to get a good stretch before bed tonight, but yeah handled." Spidey dusted himself off to accentuate the point, then rolled his head with his hand on his neck. "I doubt she was gonna shoot anyway. Didn't seem like she wanted to, coulda talked her down from it."

"I can already tell I'm not gonna like you. Is it so hard to say..." She was saying as she put her hands on her hips.

"Thanks for the save by the way. I'm Spider-Man." Peter finished for her, and stepping up to the Huntress offering his hand. She scowled when he interrupted, and just scrutinized his gesture when offered. He waited for a little while, valiantly holding his hand out to her. "Don't tell me you went to the same finishing school as Bats too? What is with the good guys in this town? I'm getting more love from the vigilante hating cop. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss Wingman already."

"You talk waaay too much, you know that?" She finally said in an accusing tone, her scowl turning into a full on frown.

"It's on my resume. Not my fault everyone skims the skills section." He continued without missing a beat, causing the purple suited woman to let out a sigh of frustration.

"If I tell you who I am will you just shut up." Vie stated as more of an absolute than bargain, military pointing at him. Her eyes bore into his mask, daring him to make a quip. 'It begins.'

"No promi..." Huntress's stare turns into a withering glare. "... Okay, okay, I'll stop. Sheesh, no sense of humo..." She clears her throat, and Peter knows it's time to stop. Continuing holding out his right hand, his left goes up and rubs the back of his head. "Right... Um hi, I'm Spider-Man."

Her glare softens from withering to distasteful, and she still hesitates shaking his hand. The long staring contest ends when she acknowledges the gesture, but only with a curt nod. "Huntress."

"Nice to meet you Huntress." He returns the nod, pulling his hand back.

"You'll excuse if I reserve my judgment about that. No offense." The dark haired woman says as she turns to look down at the unconscious Roxy. Digging into a side pocket on her utility belt she pulls out a pair of cuffs, and kneels down next to the stunt woman. Silently she rolls Roxy over and proceeds to cuff her, leaving Spider-Man to ponder her words. 'What did I tell ya? Our working relationship started off a little rocky.'

"None taken... I guess. So are you working with Batman, or an independent? Cause I'm getting the feeling that he's spreading rumors about me." Spider-Man says as he starts swinging his torso around to knock loose some kinks in his spine.

"Yes and no. I'm with the Birds, but we do work with him occasionally." Vie stands up after finishing with the bad girl. "As for rumors, you are pretty much causing those yourself. You show up out of nowhere and nobody seems to know you. Then within a few weeks of being here you suddenly have a hard on for Black Mask and his operations. You put two and two together, if you can."

Peter says after places a finger to his chin. "It's fish right? Two and two equals a fishy." He snaps his fingers in revelation.

"In less intelligent terms, yes. So much so that we are keeping an eye on you now too." She say unperturbed by his antics.

"Wow, you guys are weirdly guarded against new guys. I'd use paranoid if it didn't sound so derogatory." Spider-Man mused.

"Force of habit and comes from experience. Some of the team were on our way to that robbery you broke up, when we saw you taking off with this adrenaline junkie. So we decided to follow. I just happened to be the one in the area when you finally took her down. Good thing too, because it looks like you have a problem with placing trust in criminals with breasts." 'Heh heh, if you only knew.' Helena explained. "Which reminds me, where's her ride?"

"I like to call it chivalry, and somewhere up there, I'm pretty sure." Spidey's tone turned a bit indignant, but he quickly relented it, as he pointed across the street and up to the taller building's roof.

"Chivalry and chauvinism are pretty much the same thing." Huntress retorted, before suddenly put her right hand up to her ear. She nodded twice, saying "Right", "You're sure?", then "Understood" dejectedly, before looking to him again and dropping her hand. "Oracle would like to meet you. Are you free tomorrow night?" Helena's tone was mildly contemptible, but Peter understood why. 'She was very suspicious of my actions at that point, they all were. Again I don't blame them, and besides this was the first step in becoming friendly with the Birds.'

"I'm sure I can move some crime busting around. I just hope you'll be there so we can continue this riveting repertoire, Madam Huntress." Spider-Man flourished into a bow, making her narrow her eyes at him.

"Ugh, this is a mistake, I just know it. Top of Wayne Tower, nine pm." With that little bit said Huntress turned on her heel and headed toward the side of the roof she came from.

"Gotcha, and I await our reunion with baited breath." He said in his most cheesy charming voice. Helena said nothing as she neared the edge of the roof.

"Don't forget to get her rocket down too." Huntress jabbed, before hopping off the roof. The Web-Head looked up to the tall buildings across the street, and his lenses upturn dispiritedly.

"And left with clean-up, typical." 'Yup that was my first meeting with any of the Birds of Prey. It went just as good as you probably thought. I mean at least she didn't try to beat me with her bo staff until our next meeting. Would still be a while, several team-ups, and a handful of visits to the Bird's lair until she begrudgingly minded my presence.'

'Oh, but wanna know the icing on the cake...'

- Dec. 19th / 8:10 am / One Year Ago -

Gotham County High School

"I'm glad we could find a substitute so quickly, considering my maternity leave starts Friday." The Science teacher, Mrs. Addison, said to Peter Parker, as they walked down the halls of the school. She was a kind looking woman, with bun-ed up brown hair, and soft gray eyes. She liked Parker from the moment they met earlier that morning, science being their ice breaker.

Currently they were headed to the Science Room, so that she could show him her curriculum plan for the next few months. The pace was slow because of her pregnancy, but it gave them time to chat and Peter a chance to meet some of the students.

"Me too, but more for my need of a job." Peter chuckled. "So is it a boy or a girl?" He asked genuinely curious.

"We want our little bundle of joy to be a surprise. Though..." She started when a teenage boy stopped in front of the two of them, with a smirk.

"A bunch of us are hoping it'll be a boy. Especially since the odds are two to one in the class. We'd make a pretty penny, isn't that right Mrs. Addison?" The older teen with jet black hair, and a cocky smile said. He has a black backpack slung over his shoulder, and was obviously on his way to class.

"You know my stance on betting Tim. But yes my AP Science Class has a pool going on my baby's gender. One which Mr. Drake here started himself." Mrs. Addison playfully scolded the teen, who just smiled innocently back at her. Peter chuckled and had the feeling that the students really held her in high regard. "Tim, this is Mr. Parker. He'll be my substitute while I'm away on maternity leave."

"Nice ta meetcha Mr. Parker, welcome to GC High." Tim introduced himself confidently, and held out a hand. 'I liked Tim Drake from the moment I met him. Way to smart and cocky for his own good, but a good kid all around. Turns out our Mr. Drake here is actually one of the several adopted kids of billionaire Bruce Wayne. And no, that didn't sway my opinion on him being one of my favorite students.'

"Back at ya Tim, and thanks." Peter smiled back and shook the teen's hand. Just then the first period bell rang, and the young man saluted before taking off.

"See ya in class, Mrs. Addison, Mr. Parker." Tim called as he merged into the shuffling crowd of students.

"Nice kid." Peter mused out loud, but caught Mrs. Addison shaking her head a bit, even though she had a smile.

"Watch out for Mr. Drake, Peter. He's very smart, but has a mischievous streak three miles long." The older woman said as she started toward her classroom again. Peter followed, intrigued by what she said.

"I'll keep that in mind." Peter looked behind him, catching the boy's shock of black hair just before it disappeared into a classroom. 'Take my word for it, she wasn't lying about him.' Within two minutes the two were standing outside the Science Room, with Mrs. Addison rummaging in her purse for the keys to the door.

"As long as a teacher is in the room it's kept unlocked, otherwise a student needs special permissioOOPS." Mrs. Addison pulled the keys out of her bag a bit to fast and they flicked forward out of her hands. Peter moved to catch them, when another hand snatched them expertly out of the air in front of him. From the slender wrist, small hand and long well maintained nails, he could guess the catcher was a woman. His gaze went up from the pulled back hand, which was now twirling the keys around her index finger by the keyring. The hand was attached to a rather attractive woman, with long wavy black hair and shocking blue eyes. She was wearing a flattering violet colored sweater, black dress pants, and holding a stack of books in her other arm.

"Well good morning to you too, Gail. How are you today?" The unknown woman, Peter had to guess was a teacher too, said playfully.

"Just fine, only a bit of butterfingers on my part, thank you. Good morning to you too, Helena." Helena handed over the keys, as she looked Peter over once.

"And who might you be?" Helena asked Peter kindly with a sweet smile.

"Peter Parker, substitute science teacher. A pleasure to meet you..." Parker trailed off, extending his hand. Helena's smile grew, and she took his hand.

"Helena Bertinelli, English Lit, and the pleasure is mine." 'Dun dun dunnnnn. Yep I work with her, and we got along waaaay better at school, at least until she found out who was under Spidey's mask. Anyways, I hear Blossom's door opening, time to get back to the celebration at hand.'

- Dec. 26th / Evening / Present -

The Loft

During the time in between leaving Pam to do her thing, and her just coming out, Peter had rescued Wanda from the uncomfortably forced small talk between her and Harls, by way of getting leftovers ready. The former was attempting to be friendly and the latter probably had little nice to say. Animosity was evident, but well in check on Harleen's part. She still wasn't happy that it was for Wanda's sake that Peter almost died a second time here in this world. Plus Peter had a sneaking suspicion she didn't like an unknown woman who he was friends with invading their holiday reunion.

Either way now Leslie and Wanda were again chatting in the living room, as he and Quinn prepped some food to go along with the coffee. Harley perked up when she heard the Garden door open.

"There you are Red! Hurry hurry, I wanna get this Christmas rolling finally!" Harleen enthusiastically spouts as she pokes her head out of the kitchen. Peter pokes his head out too, placing his right hand on the blond's head to keep her from bouncing all over the place. He notices Pam is in her red bathrobe, and she is heading toward her room.

"You've waited nearly three days, you can wait a few minutes more while I put some clothes on Harley." Ivy scolds with a small smile. She enters her bedroom with no more discussion.

"Oooohhh! But I wanna open presents now!" Quinzel pouts childishly, to which Parker ruffles her hair some.

"We can give her two minutes to dress, then I'll let you get her yourself, kay? C'mon lets get the food out to the table and get some music going." Peter says before patting her head again, then heads back into the kitchen. Her bottom lip sticks out and she whimpers slightly.

"Fine." Quinn grumbles, but just as quickly her switch flips, and her personality is back to cheerful. She practically bounces back into the kitchen with her roommate.

Trays in hand, he enters the living room. That's when he notices Wanda staring right at him. As soon as she catches his gaze she quickly turns back to the talking Leslie. 'Hmm. Probably thinking to much on this, but I've been randomly catching her watching me since I left Eden. I hope she's not too uncomfortable being here with people she doesn't know.'

By the time everything is set out and some holiday tunes are playing, Pam was out of her room and coming down the stairs. She had on her favorite green sweater, along with black pajama bottoms, and had her hair in a base-of-the-neck ponytail.

"YAY! Finally! Presents, presents, presents!" Harley cheers loudly right next to Peter and Wanda, who both flinch a bit away from her. The three were on the couch, Peter figuring he'd sit next to his auburn haired friend, hoping to alleviate some for her discomfort at being here. Livewire was originally on his left, but Harley quickly pulled her off and moved her onto the recliner. The next thing he knew Quinzel was leaning against him, trapping his left arm in a rather possessive hug. 'Even I, known to be denser than Adamantium, can tell when a lady is being territorial. Bubbles felt intruded upon by Wanda just by sitting next to me, and was making it blatantly obvious she felt that way. Broad side of the barn obvious. At least she's still playing nice, and not trying anything.'

Harleen pulls herself away from Peter, and hops up over the couch to Ivy. "C'mon slow poke." She threads her right arm through Ivy's left, and pretty much pulls her the rest of the way.

"Harley I can..." Pam tries to argue, but her fiend was having none of it. She whips the plant woman around the side of the couch, making Isley spin around and land on the couch next to Peter. He actually catches Ivy before she falls on him. Isley's back rests against his chest for a moment, with his hands on her shoulders, before she moves herself to the cushion next to him. Peter notices the slight look of embarrassment on her face from the forced action.

"Nuh uh, we're doin this thing. And I'm Santa!" Seemingly from nowhere she produced a fake white beard and a Santa cap, effortlessly applying them. She then bounds toward the amazingly decorated tree. 'I'm glad Blossom agreed to the tree. It's fake of course, but the kindness is not lost on me.' Like a busy bee Harley begins sorting out the myriad of presents under the tree. She scoops up arms full at a time, and sets them in front of Peter and Pam, and a pile in the middle of the room which was hers.

By the time the presents were distributed, she was beaming a big child-like smile, while sitting in a ring of gifts. There weren't a great deal of them, about ten for Harleen, eight for Peter, and nine for Pamela, but that didn't diminish Harleen Quinzel's joy. With Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" on in the background, one wouldn't be able to tell it wasn't actually Christmas. "Everybody ready?!" Harls anxiously asked, looking around the room. "Well too bad, ah can't wait no more! BANZAI!" True to her word, she literally begins ripping into the first present. Shredded wrapping paper flew away from her.

"Heh heh. Wow." Peter chuckles reservedly, a bit ashamed at his roommate's enthusiasm. "Hey Bubbles, did you even see who..."

"It's from Red. Thanks Red!" Harley finishes immediately without losing focus on the task at hand. A second later, and with everyone watching in amused silence, she holds a rather fashionable black off-the-right-shoulder, mid-arm length sleeved shirt. Along with it was a pair of light blue bell bottoms, with an embroidered red diamond on the right front upper thigh. The blond ogled the clothes for a moment, her light blue eyes sparkling.

"I'm glad you like them Harley. Merry Christmas." Pam says happily. 'Now that's a heart warming smile if I've ever seen one.' Harley brakes out of the stupor a moment later and smiles ear to ear at Ivy.

"Hey let me get a better look at those girl." Livewire asks, and Quinn proudly holds up the articles of clothing for display. "Daaaaamn. Pammy next time I go shopping I'm taking you with me." She joked, and Isley shot back a smirk.

"Wouldn't that damaged your cape status?" Ivy asks slyly.

"Nah. Since Webs here can get away with living with you two, and still be in the Leagues good graces. I think a shopping spree would get me, at most, a finger wag from big blue." Leslie turns her smirk to Peter. "Isn't that right?"

"I do make it look easy, don't I?" He retorts. Leslie barks out a laugh, and chuckles come from the rest of the group. "Okay okay, let's get back to the task at hand. Are we taking turns, or..."

"Red's turn." Harls interrupts again, and anxiously watches Poison Ivy.

"My turn I guess." Ivy shrugs and selected a present. She begins opening it carefully, and to Harley's chagrin, slowly. The closer the red head got to finishing the task, the more excited her best friend got.

Peter took the lull and turned to Wanda. Quietly sipping on coffee, she had a small smile but distant look. 'What kind of idiot am I? Geeze you invite her to a party with no one she knows, and of course she's too kind to refuse. Now she's surrounded by people she doesn't know happily opening presents. And the one person she does know, me, has been focusing on everyone else. I should know better, hell I've been in this exact situation at least a dozen times.' Peter laments before he speaks up.

"Wanda, you doing okay?" He whispers to her while the others were engrossed in presents. Ms. Maximoff shakes her head slightly, as if coming out of thought, and gives him a bit larger smile.

"I'm fine Peter. Please don't worry about me." She says softly, and not at all convincing.

"Nice try SW, but I know wallflower reflex when I see it." Peter kids as he reaches for his coffee on the table. Taking a ginger sip he smiles warmly to her. "You feel out of place here, and I don't blame you for one second, but trust me it'll get easier. After all, you got me here, for all that helps." He laughs softly before sipping his drink again. A genuine smile replaces the forced one on Wanda, which she used her cup to hide behind.

"And I thank you for it, truly. It'll just take time, but having you here will certainly help." She practically whispers, but Peter catches it and nods, a faint blush on his cheeks.

"This is uhh lovely Harley, thank you." Ivy's faltering words bring Parker back around to the task at hand. As he turns he notices what he believes to be a sidelong glare from Harls, aimed at Wanda. Just as quickly the look vanishes.

"Oh what'd you geEEEHHH..." The tiny blush on his face explodes, and he whips his head back the other way. Wide eyed he tries to calm himself down after seeing a spaghetti strap red negligee held up in Pam's hands. He did notice that the material was practically see through. Leslie's hysterical laughter follows this up.'My poor heart.' His eyes meet Wanda's, who has a dainty hand covering her mouth, a look of mirth vainly trying to be hid. 'Oh yeah laugh at the awkward guy in the room. Thanks Wanda.'

"I knew you'd like it." Harleen chimes in before laughing herself, and Peter isn't exactly sure who it was meant for.

"Come on Parker, it's just clothing. Be an adult would you?" Pam adds, but not until after she stuffs the nightgown back into the box.

"Easy for you to say. I'm not waving my underware your face, am I?" He manages to squeak, finally turning back around. Poison Ivy squints apprehensively at him for his comment, and opens her mouth to reply.

"I wouldn't mind. Take it off! Take it off!" Harley cuts in whooping her arm in the air. Everyone turns dumbstruck to the blond, except Livewire. She's laughing so hard she fell out of the recliner, holding her sides.

The next hour was spent opening presents, and jokes at Peter's expense. Parker's gifts ranged from simple to oddly adorable, in his opinion. Harleen got him a black and red leather jacket, with the black on the sleeves and sides, and the red taking the middle, collar, shoulders, and back. It even had a small stripe of red going down the sleeves to the end of the bicep. There was a large embossed spider-like emblem covering most of the back, matching the red in color. Peter was a bit curious as to why he needed a riding jacket when he had a perfectly good brown jacket, but he didn't argue.

He of course got some customary clothing, some of which seemed to be designed for showing off his body. Pam got him a new laptop, one he'd been looking at for a while, oddly enough. Peter thanked her repeatedly for the gift, as it was practical and needed for his research and school related work. The oddest of his gifts came from Harley, in the form of a stuffed animal pig dressed up in a Spider-Man costume.

"I call, him Spider-Ham!" Harls announced proudly, and continued to say she made it by hand after the idea just popped in her head. Peter awkwardly looked at the gift, and thanked her, but noticed the snickering from the others. He even found himself chuckling, finding the gift enduring after a bit.

Pam's last gift to him left him at a brief loss for words. It was a gold metal utility belt. Not just any belt she said, it was actually one of Batman's. Peter's jaw fell open, and he stared at her in disbelief. Apparently Batman lost this one to Ivy some time back, and she'd been keeping it as a trophy of sorts. "You'd be surprised how many Batman ends up loosing during his escapades. There is actually a rivalry of sorts among our community about who has collected the most of them. I have three more, but this was the first." Ivy explained. Harley grinned and admitted to having two herself, and one from a Robin. Peter couldn't help but bust a gut.

Harleen ended up with several more outfits, and a bottle of sweet smelling self-made perfume from Pam. Quinn had Parker test the scent, and it smelled like a field of flowers on a sunny day. How, he couldn't say, but that's what he smelled and he liked it. She got a year pass to the zoo from Peter, so she could visit her babies whenever she wanted. Ivy got her a large red fleece Snuggie (Which she was currently wearing). The big one was a book of hand written activity coupons courtesy of Peter.

Despite the childishness of the it, Harley found them unbearably sweet, announcing that they would be using the web slinging session at the soonest opportunity. Peter was both embarrassed and flattered by her reaction. Honestly he wasn't sure what to get her, but she was always making this or that by hand, and he figured he'd give her something similar.

Ivy was gifted some more clothing, courtesy of Harley. Some of which continued to make Parker blush scarlet. She received a Princess Bride DVD from Peter, to which she coyly huffed at him. Quinn's last gift was a framed picture of the time she and Peter ambushed Pam. They hugged her between them, sandwiching her cheeks between theirs. There was a good round of awes and laughter once he told everyone that the painful burning rash he got on his cheek after was worth it.

Peter's final gift to her, coincidentally the last of the presents to be opened, was unexpected to say the least. Inside the box was a set of papers. The women around him stared in disbelief, until he explained that they were the rights to a four acre plot in the Amazon rainforest. He had to pull some strings and apply for some research grants with S.T.A.R. Labs, but he got her a patch of land, under her fake identity, for research purposes to further her 'studies'.

Pam, Leslie, and Harleen's mouths fell agape when he said he actually had a meeting with Bruce Wayne to gather funding. Peter explained that it was a hard sell, but since Wayne was a known philanthropist and his company is always looking to further medicine, among other things, he agreed to allocate funds to acquire the land. Of course actual results would have to be produced in a five year period, but until then it was Pam's to do with what she wished.

Isley was understandably speechless from the amazing gift, and at that moment her emotional stronghold crumbled. Her eyes shimmered, and the papers trembled slightly with her hands while she looked down at them. "Parker... I... this is so... thank you so much." Ivy turned to him and smiled serenely up at him, something he nor the others were expecting.

"Damn girls, even I gotta admit you've got a keeper here. I'd suggest putting him on a short leash pretty damn quick." Willis joked in amazement, watching the green skinned villainess acting completely different with a man, willingly, and with no intent other than to do so. Peter blushed noticeably, even more so when Pam's gold ebony eyes watered. They held in them the shine of unreleased tears and a tenderness. Along with the emerald hue on her cheeks he was at a loss for words. 'My god... she's... no shut up brain, don't ruin this.'

"You're very welcome, Blossom. I'm... I'm glad you like it." He stammers, besides trying not to. Ivy was about to say something when a pouting whine stopped her. Both turned to see Harls looking like a sad puppy.

"Awwwww! That's not fair. All I got was a coupon book, and Red gets a homestead! You're playing favorites Petey!" She accuses with puffed out cheeks. Peter's right hand goes to the back of his head, and he chuckles awkwardly. Quinn stands up and starts to stalk toward him. Quickly Peter throws his hands out in front of him in a placating manner.

"Wait wait, I actually have a few more to give out. I was just waiting till we were done here." 'Pouty Bubbles can be just as dangerous as Angry Bubbles. Good thing I'm not done yet.' Standing up from the sofa, he steps past Wanda, who looks solemnly. 'A really good thing I'm not done yet.' He thinks, worried about that sad smile, as he moves into his room.

He comes out a few seconds later, a simple brown paper wrapped bundle, under his left arm and a small square box in that hand. Next he goes over to his hung up coat, and retrieves the thin small rectangular box he had in there. Curious stares followed him, minus the Scarlet Witch, who was focusing on her drink. He rounds back to the living room, and stops in front of Harleen first. Pocketing the rectangular box he hands her the paper package tied with twine. "Here's the big one, Bubbles. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Petey..." Harley coos, taking the gift.

"Go ahead. Open it." He smiles with a nod. Unlike the rest of her gifts, she carefully pulls loose the twine bow, and gently unwraps the paper. Peter took a moment to look around the room, as all eyes were now on the former sidekick. His gaze rested on his fellow dimensional traveler again. She still had the same forced smile as before. 'I hope this'll help.' He pats the pocket with the rectangular box inside. Coming back to Harley he's just in time to see the present revealed. It is a solid black what appeared to be wet suit. She blinks a few times, then looks up to him wordlessly questioning. Peter breaks into a big smile.

"Imagine your Harley Quinn costume." He instructs. Harley's right brow raises, but she closes her eyes and concentrates either way. Parts of the suit began to bleed to red, and in a few seconds she is holding an almost complete copy of her costume. "You can look now."

Opening one eye, it immediately sparkles realizing what the gift is. She gasps excitedly, looking from the suit to him a few times, making absolutely sure it was what she thought it was. She squees when he just nods yes in confirmation.

"Yup. I managed to finally duplicate the TGUS's in my suit, and made you one of your own. I know you've wanted one since we first met, *SPIDER-SENSE* soOOF!" If he hadn't had sticky feet and fair warning, he was sure her glomp would have dropped them both back into the tree. Wrapped his arms around her he holds her up as Harley peppers his face with kisses.

"OhmygodPetey! Iloveit! Iloveya! Thankyathankyathankyathankya!" She gets out between kisses.

"Okay that's cool and all, but I'm obviously out of the loop. So someone wanna fill me in on what tgoosywhatsits are?" Livewire asks, looking to Ivy for answers. As the red head explains, to the best of her ability, Peter manages to pull Harley off of him. She hugged the suit tightly and quickly exits the living room. In a flash she's running upstairs to her room, shouting that she "Just has to try it on!". 'I never would have guessed that kisses could hurt. There's something to say about her enthusiasm. Boy I hope I don't bruise.'

Peter shakes his head, and once again glances over to Wanda. She has a small blush adorning her porcelain face, though now she seemed disappointed. Even if she hid it well. 'Just hang on a minute more Wanda.' Pam is next and he bends at the hips dramatically, holding out the small violet box. "And for you, m'lady." He said in his best Westley impersonation, which wasn't all that great. 'Can't all be winners, but wait till you hear my Andre the Giant.'

Poison Ivy stops talking with Livewire, when the small box is presented. Peter caught the devious smirk of Leslie's directed at Pam, from the corner of his peripheral. Ivy takes the small box while eying him.

"I know it's nothing like owning your own chunk of rainforest, but I wanted to get you something a little more personal. I hope you like it." He ran his right hand's fingers through his hair, as Pam looked up at him dubiously. Staring at the box and judging what could be in it, she carefully pulls the lid off.

Inside is a small inch by inch jeweled Ladybug hair barrette, centered on a simple red clip. The Ladybug's outer shell is silver metal encrusted in tiny clear zircon stones, with black ones for the spots. It's shell was spread, revealing a red jewel for the body. It was a simple gift not nearly as expensive as it looked, but once again the queen of green is at a loss for words. The shock jock got up and moved next to her friend, checking out the small charm. She whistles and turned her shockingly blue eyes to Peter.

"Seriously guy, if you were anymore the sweet you'd give me diabetes." She shakes her head with a cocky grin. Peter chuckles at feeling both insulted and flattered at the same time. "Well say something? He's just standing there like a damn goober." Leslie nudges Pamela's shoulder, bringing the woman from her staring contest with the barrette. The emerald flush in her cheeks had returned when she looked up to him.

"It's lovely... Thank you." She says sincerely with a smile to match. Taking the hair clip from the box she ran a finger carefully over it. It wasn't new, it had some age stains on it, but it shined in the light of the room, especially the colors coming from the tree lights.

"You're very welcome Blossom. You've probably stolen stuff much nicer though." His joke had a second guessing tone.

"Yes, yes I have... But... this, this is something else entirely. I adore it Parker, thank you." She admits openly, in front of everyone present. 'She actually likes it, thank Thor. That's a scared load off my mind.'

"Sappy much? God feel like such a third wheel, am I right Wanda?" The former DJ groans looking to the Scarlet Witch for support. Wanda nods almost mechanically, looking somber.

"Well I hate to burst your bubble Sparkles, but you're gonna be the only one feeling like that here in a second." Peter says grinning, and moves to the woman from his world. Pulling out the long case, he presents it to her. The look of utter surprise on her was reward enough for him. 'It may have been mean to make hers last, but even I can times some surprises perfectly.'

"Oh come on!" Leslie griped. "Seriously!"

"Seriously, Sparkles." Peter looks over his shoulder at her smirking, then back to Wanda. "You didn't think I'd forget you, did you? Merry Christmas, Wanda." Spidey says. Wanda slowly and carefully set her coffee down on the end lamp table next to her side of the couch. She turns her green eyes up to Peter's. Disbelief racking her expression, though hope slowly emerges in her gaze. He nods in affirmation, and she shifts back to the box. "I hope you like it." He says softly, as she takes the case from him.

The box squeaked open, revealing a necklace. The pendant in the center was a silver circle around the symbol for Chaos, eight arrows pointing outward in a radial pattern. A red string material made up the necklace loop. Oh so delicately Wanda removes it from the box, holding the pendant in her palm.

"I'm not sure if the symbol is the same in this dimension as ours, but the arrow star represents chaos, and the ring around it symbolizes control. I wanted it to mean that you own your powers, not the other way around. I also wanted it to mean that I forgive you for what happened here, before, and anything in the future, because you're my friend." 'I had to do some research to come up with the design, occult definitely not my forte. Considering Wanda has always worried about her level of control, and whether her powers are what define her. A small token of my understanding and trust. I wanted to show her that it is Wanda Maximoff, not her powers, that I was seeing. That and showing her that I trust in her ability with her powers. Man, how come I can never be this eloquent when I actually try to speak?' Peter found himself embarrassed by his own cheesy delivery. Before he knew what was happening, Wanda had jumped up and pulled him into a hug. She buries her head into the crook of his neck and openly cries. At a loss of what to do the Web-Head just hugs her back.

"Peter... Thank you so very much." She says during a break in sobs.

"You're welcome Wanda." He soothes, as he let her release all her pent up frustrations on him.

The festivities continued well into the night. After presents were opened and people were fed, the party fell into watching television, swapping stories, and idle chat chat. Harleen proudly wore the suit Peter made for her for the rest of the evening, enjoying attempting to change the colors, and succeeding with surprising efficiency.

Leslie teased Peter vehemently about where her Christmas present was, considering he seemed to produce one for Wanda out of thin air. He eventually gave in and told her he would get her something tomorrow. She smacked his shoulder playfully hard, and said he was an alright creepy crawly.

Wanda, after her emotional spell, calmed down and tried to actively be a part of the group. While there were the occasional fang bearings from Harley, she took it in stride, even enjoying herself. She actually ended up placating Harley with beguiling stories about her own adventures, and small displays of her magic.

Pam actually ended up suggesting they watch the Princess Bride. She willingly joined in on conversations, but slowly started to regress back into her quiet self. Something her male roommate noticed, but couldn't get her to explain why. Though he was happy that she was wearing the hair clip he got her. She was the first to retire for the evening, which no one debated besides Harley.

Finally around three in the morning the party could officially be called over. Peter lays awake on the couch, his hands under his head. Looking down to his chest he takes in the sight of a comfortably passed out Harleen on top of him. The slight drooling on his shirt, only a little less enduring. During the night alcohol got involved, mostly wine, but she and Leslie got good and tipsy. He admitted Harls had one of the cutest goofy drunk sleeping faces, and he decided to let her sleep where she fell. 'Which was on me.'

A few minutes ago Leslie wobbled herself upstairs to Harley's room, claiming her bed since "Blondie seemed happy with her body pillow.". That left him awake and alone with his thoughts. Having a few days to sort out his new and old memories was a godsend, as he was sure that would have been keeping him awake now. As it was he was just enjoying the soft rhythmic breathing of the contented Quinzel, and staring out through the second story windows into the snowless night sky.

A finger taps his shoulder, and Peter tilts his head back to see Wanda, upside down and looking down at him. She had changed into some blue checkered pajama bottoms and a white shirt of his. "Are you sure it is okay for me to take your bed? I don't want to intrude any more than I already have." She whispered to him, keeping her voice down for Harley's sake. Peter cracks a smile and glances down at the blond sleeping on him, before returning it to the daughter of Magneto.

"I doubt I'm going anywhere. Besides I was gonna let you take my room anyway. So no worries." He says quietly back, a small smile came to her upside down face. "Though I wouldn't mind if you could snag us a blanket from the closet over there." Carefully pulling his left hand from under his head, he points towards the door small door next to his room. Wanda nods and went to grab one.

A few moments later she returned, a spare blanket in hand.

"Thanks." He grabs the offered the cover, then notices the apprehensive look on her face. "Wanda?"

"Peter..." Wanda starts, looking away from his brown eyes. "... I... I want to thank you again for... everything you've done for me." Her right hand comes up and grabs the pendant on her new necklace. "You even got me this gift, not knowing if I was even on this world. Yet I've cause you nothing but sorrow and danger. I don't deserve such kindnesses. How..." Peter chuckles lightly at her words, stopping what she was about to say.

"Wanda, like I said earlier, you are my friend. It's nothing for me to do this for a friend." She opens her mouth wanting to protest, but he continues. "I know what you are going to say, but despite everything that's happened, you are. We all make mistakes, and if I've learned anything in the crazy worlds we live in, it's that having a friend, a person who cares, can mean the difference between life and death." Peter pauses, thinking back on his words, and realizing a implication that could be taken from his words. "Not saying I'm just being your friend because you need one. Honestly I am your friend, I'm not trying to manipulate you or anything..." It was Wanda's chuckling that stopped him this time.

"You talk to much at times, you know that?" She says with a relaxing smile.

"So I'm told." Peter's own smile widens. "Still my point stands. You've got a friend in me, to quote Randy Newman."

"And it means the world to me that you are. I may never be able to repay your kindness, but I hope to try." Wanda says the last part softly, even for whispering.

"Happy to be." Peter's face is suddenly covered in auburn hair, as a pair of lips press themselves to his right cheek. His eyes go wide, staring up at the very close proximity face of Wanda. She pulls back with a warm smile, accented by a rosy blush.

"Thank you." Wanda says breathy before walking to his room. Peter blinks owlishly, mind trying to catch up with what just happened. Her voice brought him slightly out of rebooting. "Goodnight Peter." With that his room door closes, and once again he's left to his thoughts, his suddenly scattered thoughts.

"Night..." He says back. His eyes look down to Harley's sleeping face, then his head falls back against the arm rest. Throwing the blanket over him and the sleeping woman, he stretches out his right arm above his head, and shoots an organic web ball to the light switch for the living room. Bullseye and the lights are killed. '*Sigh* Worry about it tomorrow Parker. Sleep now, worry later.' Harley grumbles a bit and smothers her face further onto his lower rib cage, arms tightening around him. Peter brings his arms over her sleeping form, and finally closes his eyes.

CHAPTER 9 END

~ Something new for my readers ~

Next Chapter Preview

"It's not often we all get together, and I hope we can put our differences aside for at least tonight." The man in a sterling white business suit and black skull mask, says over the large conference table. Directing the last part to one red headed individual in particular sitting at the far end.

"I'm not up for your soap box pandering Roman, what do you want?" Another man in a business suit gripes, his half scarred face twisting further into impatience, if the coin being flipped in the air faster was any indication.

"Yes, I'm hosting a gala tonight, and would very much like to get back to it. I do try to make my mission to appear at legitimate events, Mask." A portly, long nosed, penguin suited man agrees.

"Heh, must be hard keeping such a big nose clean, eh Penguin?" A third man chortles, his oversize green top hat, swaying slightly on his head.

"Mock my entrepreneurial enterprises all you want you Tetch, but at least I have them. I'm not in the gutter begging for work like you." The man dubbed Penguin snipes back, a toothy grin on his face. The green hatted man jumps up from his seat, ready to pounce, when one of the two women at the table clears her throat.

"I'm not hear to listen the bickering of your poor egos. Can we return to the reason we are here?" The woman with long jet black hair, and a trench coat demands.

"Agreed." Poison Ivy's tone is venomous. Her eyes never left the man who called this meeting, understandably suspicious of his invitation.

"If I may, why are you even here, my dear? I thought you despised the cold?" Cobblepot asked his tone more demure, attempting to be a gentleman of high standard. Ivy's withering glare rested on him, and he sat back in his seat. His gaze turned to the cross armed figure standing directly behind her. Tenebrea's blank black masked face turned ever so slightly to focus on the smaller well dressed man. A bead of sweat formed on the Penguin's forehead.

"She's here because we have prior dealings to discuss, and I'm offering her an olive branch." Black Mask explained, earning a chuckle from both the scarred man and Tetch. Mask's gaze rest on Tenebrea, whom faced him too. The stare down goes on for a tense moment. "What I called you here for is I'm placing a bounty out on Spider-Man, and the offer is extended to you and your organizations. This comic book reject is putting my operations down left and right, and my men in prison faster than I can bail them out. Somehow he knows where to hit me, and I want that stopped." Again Mask's eyes fall on Ivy, and they harden slightly.

"Batman is enough to deal with without a super kicking down my doors." Roman slams his fist on the table, every word he utters seemingly pissing him off more.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Temper temper Masky, my boy. Don't take it out on the defenseless decor. I'm sure we all understand that annoyance the Arachnid brings us." A voice that made most in the room tense, made it's presence known. The Joker, followed by a scarecrow looking character, entered the room wagging his finger at the mob boss. The Clown Prince of Crime casually sauntered toward Poison Ivy, but stopped a about five feet from her when Tenebrea stepped between them, arms out at his sides. The psychopath's disturbing smile split ear to ear, his eyes reflecting the nondescript black mask. "Well well welly well well, you must be the infamous Tenebrea." Joker paused stepping up to Peter, putting his face inches from his mask, green eyes looking him up and down. "I've heard so many wonderful things about you, though I thought you'd be taller. Oh well." The madman thrust his hand out in between them in an offer, but Tenebrea didn't flinch. Joker's hand held out to shake an inch from T's sternum. "Welcome to the club." A chill ran up Peter's spine.

Preview End

A/N: Two words: Holiday. Humdrum's. That is the reason for this taking so long. I noticed last year around this time that I had trouble writing. I really tried to change that this year, and actually I had over half this chapter done half way through January, but then I hit a snag: The character's gifts. I had a pretty clear idea what some of them were gonna be, but I wanted the gifts to be personal without being, stereotypical and typecast. I like to think a lot about a person can be told by what they get you for a gift. Some of the gifts may be odd from some standpoints, but think of who is giving it and what we know of their personalities. That is why I took so long in finishing the chapter. How did I do?

Anyways this chapter got even more character development out of the way, and more back story explained. BTW Peter still doesn't know Bruce Wayne is Batman, FYI. From here we will be rolling back to Flashbacks being the main focus, with action coming up quick. I hope you liked the preview, cause I'm gonna start doing those.

I also want explain something to my readers about the continuity of this story. The story is an amalgam that takes place in the main DCU New Earth, before New 52, and before Flashpoint and Final Crisis. I will also be taking from the DCAU Justice League, JLU, Batman: TAS, and Superman: TAS, along with a few more. Welcome to Earth-49. As for the Marvel side of things, I originally wanted it to be the mainstream 616 universe, but in actuality our Spidey is from Universe 6116, a new universe created for this Fanfic. 6116 happens to have the same MCC (Marvel Comics Continuity) of 616 up to Peter and Wanda leaving, which happens before Ends of the Earth, but after Spider-Island and AvX. Hope that helps.

An announcement some of my readers may already know. To all my Seattle, WA readers, and folks going to be there March 27-29th, I'll be at Emerald City Comic Con those days. I would absolutely love to meet any of my readers and talk with them. I should be pretty easy to find... if by easy I mean finding one cosplayer in an ocean of fellow cosplayers. Anyways Friday I will be cosplaying as Ralph from Wreck it Ralph, and Saturday I will be cosplaying as Ghost Rider. I hope to meet some of you, and if you cannot find me PM me here, Ill have my phone with me and we can arrange a meet at the con. As added incentive I'll be giving out spoilers for the coming arcs in Pam, Pete, & Harley. Don't worry anyone who cannot meet me, I'll give you the same spoilers at the end of my next chapter.

And with that we wrap up another chapter of PP&H. I hope it was worth the wait. As always thank you for your support, reviews, and favs. See ya next time.

~ Wiggles

ShadowEmperor77: Thank you kindly, and I've been keeping vague about that answer. As of right now it's unknown.

MEleeSmasher: Again I'm sorry to make you wait, but here it is. As for the Spider-Verse... heh heh.

Jebest4781: Thank you, and yeah things are getting complicated for Spidey. Even he's starting to notice the distinct changes in the girls' attitudes toward him. As much as I like harem endings, I am basing this in a reality standpoint. While I can't say it won't happen, I can't say it will either.

RoninS636: Nah, your not a broken record yet. I wont deny that time travel is a great prospect, and I have thought on it, as with most of the suggestions you gave. But you'll just have to wait and find out., sorry.

The Hero named Villan: There is actually a New York in the DC verse. Believe it or not Gotham is actually supposedly a neighboring city to New York, kinda like how Jersey is. Location wise I didn't find many details, but I guess originally Gotham was supposed to be DC's New York. Yes there is an Anansi in the DCU, and he's a bad guy. There may be something I can do with that, chuckles evilly.

Nerfhearder69: M you say? Hmmm, not that I haven't thought on it. You never know.

BioshockerN7: Love the username BioshockerN7. And yes, yes there will be plenty of fan hitting shit going down soon.

HaywireEagle: Update, unfortunately just one, like this one. Again sorry for making you wait Haywire, but I want the chapter to be great, and sometimes my muse breaks up with me, and I have to make up with her. I hope you like the building tension between the ladies and more heartwarming stuff, cause here it is.

Cerberus13: Wonder no more, here is how things went down. Yeah, when someone you think is neigh invincible admits to dying, and having his memory and powers removed and replaced. It really puts things in perspective that your bad stuff might not be so bad after all.

Wanderer No.96: Of course we will. We are barely out of the first month of them living together. Flashbacks will abound my friend.

EroSlackerMicha: It goes to show just how much they care for Peter when they play nice with an potential love interest intruder, but there is more to this too. Thanks for reading.

The Third Biker Scholar: Fluent girl speak, there is such a thing?! I kid, but thank you. I want emotions to be as real and grounded as possible in this story. Love or even like doesn't come easy to some people, especially people with past's like the protagonists in my story. More so if one throws in a monkey wrench like me, by bringing back an old emotionally vulnerable old friend, who is the only one who knows you from the other world, and just happens to be the opposite gender. Thank you for reading.

MegaDragon520: Thank you. I was worried about how to do the Flashback talks. Since the focus of the story is Peter's perspective, I had to find a way to integrate other's flashbacks into his perspective. I'm glad it worked out so well.

FateBurn: We'll have to wait for a Wanda Harley confrontation, which will most likely happen off screen since she'll place nice when Peter's around. Pam... well without spoiling it, budding feelings can his rocky patches.

Hollowichigo12: I have given most all the women in this story a reason to like Peter, haven't I. The harem route is on the table, but I can't say if it'll happen.

Mashot Tito: Maybe.

MF 22: No worries MF, it happens. Yeah someone will probably get hurt, but that doesn't mean they will fly off the handle. At least I hope not, only time will tell. Relationships between heroes and villains have always been difficult, especially for those that seem hopelessly bound to have them fail. Using Wanda as an example, she's been married twice, engaged once, had multiple love interests die, and who knows how many relationships fail because of her powers. It is difficult, comics made it distinctively so, and I believe they are right. So all I can say is watch the story evolve.

Yup, Pete's back to peak capacity, and yes he can make his own webbing, but will he use it all the time? Depends really. Habits can be hard to break. He'll come up with something, he usually does.

Bael92: It went better than expected, but everyone was pretty much running on fumes, minus Harls. Can Peter keep playing peacekeeper? We'll have to find out.

Hikari no Suzaku: Thank you. I've actually been wanting Leslie in there for quite a while. She'll be around for a bit too.

Blue Soki: I could. I very well could.

Marco2o: Welcome. It sucks ASAP turned out to be little over 3 months.

Tylerbamafan34: I'm starting to think my idea of filler is skewed, since everyone says the last chapter wasn't. Oh well, good to know I don't know filler, right? You did not miss anything, that as established is Livewire, former Supes baddie and in the DCAU girlfriend of both Pam and Harley.

Angel of Atonement: Glad to hear it. Hope this one is too.

Blizzardfang: No worries, shit happens, and I won't blame you for it. Thanks for reading and glad to have you on board.

Tarix: Happy you like it. Here's more.

Chaos-Guard: Sooo your saying you want a Morlun fight? Hmmm.

Arhiman The Exile: It really means a lot to me that people can find my story on a whim, not even usually liking this character or that idea, and enjoy it. Thank you so much for your review. Here is more.

DhanaRagnarok: Was it a thousand times worse? I hope the long delay gave you time to get all the chest beating out of your system Dhana. Lol. As always thanks for reading and reviewing, enjoy.

Rakjo: Unfortunately that's the problem, I tend to have plenty of time, but the motivation likes to leave and not come back. Hopefully my chapters are worth the wait.

Guest #1: It's on the way... eventually. Remember timeline wise "The Incident" happens just a few weeks before Christmas. So we still have a whole year of backstory. I hope you'll enjoy the ride till then.

Devil Rebel: Not so many antics, but plenty of territorial marking lol. Thanks for reading.

Paperman0: Well get your fill, cause Bubbles be hogging the spot light in this one. And thank you for your support and confidence boost.

Star Iron: It is a slight possibility. But like you said, it's hard for someone not to get hurt, even with What If's. I can try my best, because I love all these characters and I want them to be happy. Only time will tell. And thanks for the kind words, the best may be stretching it, but I certainly want it to be memorable. Thanks for reading, and I hope you bear with me till the end.

Anonymous: Yes.

TheWickedTruth: . . . . . . *drops to knees* Please, please Wicked, I must know more. Let me see your words, let me read more than the same six words and comma. I'm close to begging now.

Cool: Delivered.

Cashagon: Well to each their own. I mean I have a soft spot for Wanda in the comics, and I think she needs more love. But that is just me, and some other folks. As for the estimated time until release idea... I can't in all good conscience do that. Because the way things go I'd just end up disappointing folks when I miss a deadline. I'm frequently tardier than I want to be. So sorry no.

Anonymous #2: Aye, that it does.

Im ur misconception: I'm also a very long time in producing this response and chapter, so no worries. *Sits down next to you and pat your head*

Anonymous #3: Didn't I already get this?

Anonymous #4: Interesting dialog.

The Black Mage of Phantasm: Wow, you flatter me Mage. When I got your review it just lit up my day, and I'm not ashamed to admit I was giddy for a while. Well written reviews are always a great boon for me, and really help my motivation. Not to say smaller ones aren't, because they mean just as much, but this is spectacular. I want the readers to be able to follow the story, and while I may not leave an overly large amount to the imagination, I feel its enough to get the picture moving. To be honest I'm really glad you like the romance parts, I always worry the most about those. Thank you for your support, and I hope to hear from you again.

Nekochan1994 (#1-3): He left with a full contingent of web fluid cartridges in his belt, so immediately no. As for future needs, well Ivy is a chemist of sorts, and he works for STAR labs. Bats was probably thinking "Who da hell are you?". Selina may be flirty, but I think she's a one hero woman. And yes I think the ladies are indeed growing attached to Pete.

RadicalRyuu: Indeed I will. Because T is badass, and badass needs more screen time.

Djett4: Sorry for the wait, and thank you.

Guest #2: I seriously wanted too, but life, you know.

Vahn: Nope he kept them because of Mephisto's One More Day deal. It horribly backfired, and now we have a full operational Death St...err Spidey. Well they certainly would one of the teams that would miss the Wall-Crawler. If it helps I just needed those flashbacks for explanation purposes. So there shouldn't be too many in the future. Thanks for enjoying, have some more.

Anonymous #5: This is how all those Japanese tentacle pron animes start. Lol.