AN: Hey guys for being gone for so long. Been busy and I wanted to post this asap. So sorry for typos or grammar errors.

Chapter 17: Watch Your Step

My eyes slowly started to open up. I could hear this beeping noise that had a rhythm to it. When my eyes fully opened up I realized that beeping noise was my heartbeat. I figured I'd wake up here, if I did at all. I was in a hospital. A noisy, general hospital. If you ever wanted to hear what the world sounds like, go to a city hospital. I could hear telephones ringing, people groaning from pain, people shouting to one another, toddlers crying, it was too much!

I sat myself up feeling sore all over. Wonder how long I was out? My mom! She must be worried sick of where I am. No! What if I'm in the same hospital she works in? I clicked the "nurse's" aid button. No one came. I clicked it again. A few minutes went by. Okay, what the hell? Where are the nurses? I started to press hard on the button now. What if I was having a heart attack or started dying?

The curtain pulled back and a male nurse was there, "You're awake?"

"I'm sorry if I'm not dead," he gave me the farthest thing from an amused look. I began to undo the little sticky patches on my body. The nurse stopped, "What are you doing? You just woke up!"

"I'm fine. Now tell me what hospital am I at?" I continued to undo the patches. He grabbed my hands and looked at me in the eye, "Midtown General. Now please stop. Can you tell me your name?"

I didn't want to give him my name, but I also wanted him out of here, "Julia," it was the first name to come to my head. He nodded, "Okay, Julia what?"

Shit! I glanced around the area to see a TV playing the news. A news reporter's last name showed up, "Carpenter. Julia Carpenter," I said like it was normal. The nurse let go of me, "Okay, Julia. I'm going to go make a phone call. You just stay here and don't move. Can you do that for me?"

I nodded slightly as he started to leave, "I'll be back, don't go. I'll come back and get a number from you so I can notify your parents, okay?"

He left. Well, fuck that. My mom doesn't need to know where I am. I took off my last sticky and stood up.

Walking home was very awkward. I was still in my bloodied clothes so I took a long coat that was on an empty chair. I know people turned their heads to look at me, I could feel it, but I didn't look at them. I kept my eyes forward on the way home.

I crawled up my apartment building wall and snuck in my bath room. I turned the water on and began to undress. Blood stains were all over me and the gunshot wound was practically a scar. I tossed the ruined lab rat clothes in the garbage. I'll burn that later when I'm alone. Getting under the warm water to get clean I started to cry.

Things were becoming hard. Why couldn't everything be simple and easy like before? Now it was so unbearable that I'm not even sure if I will live until I graduate. If I ever do graduate that is. I can't go back to school again. Not if Osborn knows where I am. I have to tell mom, we can't afford to move though! Where can we go? I should have just stayed in that lab. I should have just died or why didn't I just die when I was in my mother's womb? Things would have been better for everyone that way.

I sat down and curled up in a ball as the water hit me. I can't believe I even lived through that Hell. What was with the giant Lizard?! Is that thing still on the loose? Did "Spider-Man" get him? I hate not knowing! I have to go out and find him. I need to know if he's okay. What are you talking about, Jessica? You should see if you're okay first! You just went through something a normal person would go nuts over. Slow down and just take a deep breath.

I shut my eyes and tried to think of a plan. What can I do to protect myself, to protect my mom? I could run away. Run far away from here, but where? I can't really fly out of the country, much less state so if I'm leaving this town, it's tonight or tomorrow morning by train. What if Osborn is watching out for me? Train might be out, bus? Would he look there?

I heard a knock at the door making me sit up and peek my head out from behind the curtain, "Yeah?"

"Jessica, you're finally home! I feel like I haven't seen you in days!"

Was I gone for that long? I didn't even bother to see how long I was out for, "Yeah, I am," I awkwardly said, "Be out in a minute!" I shut off the water and grabbed my towel.

When I was out, I went to my room to get dressed. My mother was in the living room by the time I came out. She stood up, "How is everything?"

I walked over to get a glass out to fill with iced tea, "What do you mean?"

"Gwen," she shrugged her shoulders.

I took a sip of my drink and then answered, "Mom, I'm not really on good terms with her right now."

My mother's mouth opened up in surprise, "Now? How can you be like that?"

"Did you talk to her?" I asked and she nodded, "Then you should know why I'm upset with her," my arm flared out. She shook her head, "Her father just died, Jess. Nothing else should matter other than you being there for her."

What?

I dropped my glass, shattering it against the floor, "George is...dead?"

My mom tilted her head at me, "You didn't know?"

I covered my mouth as I felt my heart start to sink. Captain George Stacy is dead and I didn't find out about it until now. I didn't have my phone with me, Osborn probably got rid of that, so I had no way of knowing. Gwen got a hold of my mom and told her and my mom probably thought I've been with her this entire time. All of this was turning into one sad mess that I couldn't just cover up anymore. I looked to my mom and her face was becoming alarmed, "Jessica, where have you been if you just found out about George?"

Oh no... Do I have to tell her right now? Okay, here it goes, "Mom, I'm Spider-Woman."

"What?"

"Yeah, I know. It's me."

My mom shook her head, "No, I mean I don't know who that is."

"The red and yellow crime fighter that sometimes teams up with Spider-Man?" I think this was sounding familiar to her, "I go out at night and stop bad guys from doing crime. Using my powers."

My mother started to rub her forehead, "You're saying that after I told you to keep your abilities a secret, you go out and use them? Knowing that it's dangerous and you might piss off the wrong person?"

"I already did, I pissed off Norman Osborn...who I found out is my biological father," I said the last part slowly. The look she gave me, I could see that shocked her. I don't think she was expecting me to find out about that secret. I quickly glanced away.

I was scared to look at her, I was scared I would break down. I blinked away my watery eyes and took a deep breath, "I-I was captured by him, made to be a prisoner when he told me," I pointed to my wrist, "He had me in a cage and took blood out of me. He wanted to keep me there so I could heal his sickness that he has," I gripped the counter, "I hope he dies."

Finally, I was able to see my mom and her face read fear. I continued, "I was shot in my shoulder, I guess an artery got hit and I bled. A lot," I was remembering that cold feeling I got, that dead feeling, "I thought I was going to die there, but I didn't. I escaped and I'm back here with you!"

She covered her eyes, but let out one sob. I just shook my head, "I came home, back to you. Back to this family. And I don't care what my genes or whatever say. You and Jonathan, dad, are my only family. He loved me like I was his and he helped me get through all of that, Mom. I never should have gone snooping, I should have let it go and just not question anything."

My mom came over and embraced me. She hugged me like never before and was shaking, and I let her, "I'm so sorry! I'm sorry you had to find out that way," She started to comb my hair back, "Maybe it's better you found out the truth."

I felt a tear escape me, "How?"

She gave me a loving smile, "Because now, you really do know who your real father was. The one that was actually there, cared, loved."

If that was the one good thing to come out of all of this, I'm glad it was that. She was right.

When she let me go, I remembered George, "Gwen! I have to go see her. Despite everything going on between us, I need to go. What did she say exactly? When did you talk to her?" I ran to my room so I could head over to my friend.

My mom went to dry her eyes, "She stopped by two days ago."

I stopped to turn around. I was gone for two whole days? My mom continued, "She wanted to know where you were so she could tell you. The funeral was supposed to be later today. I wanted to go, but I had work. Maybe I should call-."

"No! Don't!" I quickly ran to her. I took her by surprise. I placed my hands on her shoulders, "Don't go, Mom. I don't want Osborn finding you. For all we know he is watching this place. If anything, go to work. Stay in public, government owned places.'

My mother nodded after a moment and then whispered, "I'm supposed to be protecting you."

I looked down at my feet, "Well, now it's my turn to do the same. I have to go do a few things first," Like say my good-byes to Gwen. I have to run away from this city. No one I love would be safe.

She cupped my hand, "Then be safe! No more of this 'Spider-Woman' stuff, got it? We'll have to move or leave or something." She won't like it, but I'd have to run away from my mom too for her to live.

"Okay, then," before she was done my mom said, "Oh! Gwen gave this to me. She wanted you to have it again," my mom walked to my bed and picked up a folded up red hoodie. She handed it to me, "You left it at school?"

I held the hoodie and smiled at it, "I left it in my locker," hugging my old friend a glanced up at my mom, "I have to get ready to go."

I dressed up in a black, long-sleeved dress with black flats and my hoodie over that. My mom did tell me how George died. That Lizard I ran into at OsCorp killed him. George was trying to help Spider-Man stop that monster from turning the entire city into reptile people and that's when he got stabbed by the thing's claws.

George died protecting this town, a hero, and all without a mask. I couldn't help but feel guilty. If I hadn't got scared I could have taken out that Lizard when he was chasing me. All I know is that a good man died for no reason.

I knocked on the door and waited there like all the other times I've come over. But this wasn't like all the other times. This was much worse. The door gently opened and I saw Helen peek through. Her eyes were red from crying, "Hi, Jessica."

"Hi," was all I said when she opened the door. I walked in and saw she was wearing all black, "Gwen is locked away in her room. She's been taking this worse than anyone."

Can you blame her? I frowned, "I'm sorry for your loss, Helen. I wanted to be here when I heard," Helen embraced me taking me by surprise. I gently patted her on the back, "I'm glad you're here. You're strong, Jessica, Gwen needs you now more than ever."

She let me go and gave me a sad smile before she left. Looking down the hall at Gwen's door made my heart heavy. I headed toward her room and gently knocked, "Gwen? It's me," I heard some shifting, then finally a voice, "Don't come in here, I don't want you seeing me like this."

"Gwen, I don't care how you look. Just let me in so I can talk to you better."

"No, I don't want to talk," I heard. I leaned against the door with my hands, "Then I'll stay out here," I said, "I know things have been rocky between us, but I don't care about that now. I just want to be here. You would do the same if I was in there and you were standing right here."

There was silence until there was shuffling around. The door cracked opened and I saw her there, "Hey," my voice was soft. Gwen was trying not to cry, but it wouldn't matter anyway. Around her eyes were swollen.

"Are you gonna let me in?" I asked. She slightly nodded and opened up the door allowing me to enter. On her floor were different pictures of George and her, a lot of happy ones when she was little.

"I wanted to find one," she said, "to take with me today," she finished, wiping her eye. I glanced down at the floor again, "Do you need help?"

"I could use help," she said right before wrapping her arms around me. She hugged me tighter than Helen did and Gwen broke down. I hugged her back, letting out a tear of my own, "Everything's gonna be okay," I said, "I know things look bad now, and I'm sorry. But you can get through this. You're like your dad, Gwen," she looked at me, "How?"

"You're strong. I know you might not think it right now, but you are. You're will is strong. You could take the easy way out of things at any moment, but you don't because you are strong enough to handle it. You can overcome the worst of anything and still be the best."

I let out a huge sign, "Gwen, I know I don't tell you this, at all, but I love you. I love you for that reason. I wish I could be more like you every day."

Gwen embraced me again, "I wish I could be like you too. You're brave. You're not a coward to stand up for what you believe in. And I love you too."

I smiled as a pit in my stomach grew. I was going to tell her about my plans. I had to, she deserves a good-bye, "Gwen."

She let go of me again, "What?"

Looking at her sad eyes I almost didn't want to tell her, "I'm leaving."

"What?" her lips parted. I bit mine, "I'm going away for a while," putting my head down, "Things have gotten bad."

Gwen tried to see my face, "Are you leaving with your mom?"

"No," my words escaped my mouth, "I have to leave by myself."

"What happened?"

I finally looked up at her, "I don't want to bring you into it. Just know that I have always thought of you like my sister and that it's not my intention to leave you alone at this time, but I'm doing this to keep you from harm."

She let out a small sign, "This is bad. Where will you go?"

"I don't know yet. All I know is that I have to leave, tonight if possible."

"Are you coming to the funeral?" she seemed scared that I would say no. I grabbed her hand, "Of course I will."

During the service they shot gunfire into the air, like a tradition. Each one of those bullets they shot in the air I would flash back to when I first met George. Back to the first time he asked me the repetitive question and I gave the repetitive answer.

"So when do I expect to see you on the police force?"

"After I get out of high school!"

The rain crashed down on us as we left the church. I was holding my umbrella, it was bright yellow so I felt awkward holding it up while everyone had black or blue ones. I stood next to Gwen the entire time. She did reach for my hand when he was buried. The worst thing about all of this is that Gwen's going to go through what I did all those years ago. She doesn't deserve that. No one does.

Something felt wrong, like something was missing. Looking around, I realized Peter was nowhere to be seen. You'd think since him and Gwen have gotten close he would be here. I turned around and looked up at the cathedral. Someone was there, but it wasn't just anyone.

Peter Parker was at the top clinging to the wall like…no. So suspicions were right? How didn't I see that sooner? The back board in gym, the way he talked, moved, it all connected. Peter Parker was Spider-Man. I stared up at him and he did to me. We have to talk, soon.

When we got to the sidewalk Gwen turned to me, "So are you leaving right now?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

She glanced down at the ground as her face became sad, "Do you have to go?" I sighed, "I'm sorry, but I can't let anyone get hurt because of me," Jonathan was killed over me, I'll be damned if Gwen or my Mom did.

"Are you scared?"

"Am I scared? You bet your ass I'm scared. I think what scares me the most is that I might be forgotten."

"No, you could never be forgotten," she embraced me, "Thank you for being my best friend when I needed it."

"Thanks for accepting it," We let go of each other and I turned away, "Bye," I heard her whisper. I waved over my shoulder, "Good-bye."

Walking off into the rain was harder than I thought it would be. The rain just got heavier and heavier with each step. Is that how my life will be? Each step will be a heavy burden? Each step will be dangerous? I'll have to watch out for myself and watch my step along the way. I did have to make a stop before I went home to pack up.

I knocked on the door of Peter's house, it was still pouring out. He opened it, "Hey," he greeted.

"What the fuck are you?" I greeted back. He started to feel insecure. Okay, maybe I should have said "Hi" first. Peter shrugged, "I—I don't know how to explain myself."

"You're Spider-Man. I watch the news," I lied about that last part. He doesn't need to know about me being Spider-Woman.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" he asked nervously.

"Who am I going to tell?" I smirked, but then my face fell, "Does anyone else know?"

He nodded, "Just you and Gwen," she knew? She knew and didn't tell me. Well I didn't tell her about me so I guess that's fair enough. Gwen could always keep a secret, "Why weren't you with us at the funeral? She needed you."

"It was my fault," he said feeling guilt-ridden, "I could have saved him, but I was too late."

We were silent for a moment; he wasn't the only one responsible for George's death. I would have been there to help, if I wasn't stupid enough to get caught by Osborn that is. Then no one would be feeling like this.

"Gwen told me about you two, the night we went over," I think he thought I was going to get mad at him again, but instead, "I am sorry about what I said," I meant that. Being an asshole to him was really uncalled for, "I really do hope the best for you both."

Peter was quiet, but then sighed, "I don't know what I'm going to do. The last thing Captain Stacy told me was to keep Gwen out of this."

You could leave like I'm doing or, "Let her choose," I said. Peter gave me a confused look, "what do you mean?"

"Rest his soul, but it's not really up to George. It's up to Gwen. If you love her you will let her make her own choice. She knows about your other life, Peter. So I'm sure she knows the consequences."

"But I don't want her to get hurt," he said. I know Peter is trying to do what I was, but the difference between me and him was that I had Osborn after me and with a big company like that I was as good as dead. Everyone around me was. Peter was just a guy going around playing hero, he wasn't hurting anyone.

"It will hurt more if you don't do this," We fell silent again until I spoke, "Be good to her. And be safe out there," referring to him being Spider-Man, "That's all I ask. You're my hero remember?"

He smiled at that, "Yeah, I won't let you down," this was the last time I will see him. I stepped closer to him and pressed my lips on his cheek, "Bye, Peter," I really do wish things turned out differently. He seemed surprised when I did that, but didn't make a big deal out of it. It wasn't romantic; I only did it as a farewell. He waved at me, "See you around."

"Yeah," you won't see me for a while.

On the way home I felt like I was being followed. Don't tell me OsCorp wanted me back so soon? I wasn't even out that long and already they wanted to capture me. I could see his people were dressed up in these black suits looking like the Men in Black with their black sunglasses.

I had to shake these guys or at least get rid of them until I can leave town. I walked down a subway station, they followed. I leaned against the wall and waited for the place to clear up. We ended up being the only ones after a while. There were six of them. Perfect.

I pushed myself off the wall, "So, fellas. Are you here to take me back to that prison?" they didn't speak. They acted like I wasn't even here. I walked up to one that was holding a cup of coffee and smacked it out of his hand, "Hey! I'm talking to you!"

He pulled out his pistol and aimed it at me, "Hands in the air and there will be no problem."

"You think I'm afraid of bullets?" I kicked up. My foot connected to his chin, sending him to the floor the other five came to surround me, "Freeze!"

"Never!" I started swinging and kicking all over the place. Hitting each one to the ground made me feel powerful that I was smiling to myself. When they would fight back I would just counter there attacks. When the last one was on the ground he held his hands up, "We don't want to hurt you!"

"Right you just want my DNA," I kicked him in the face. I booked it for my place once I knew they were unconscious. I've overstated my welcome here in New York City.

AN: Okay, I will post the epilogue on Friday. Why Friday you ask? Well because of "the Amazing Spider-Man 2" of course! After that it's game over guys, this story is done for. Audios guys!