Featured song: Gunshot – Lykke Li

I do not own Marvel, Spider-Man, or any other characters associated with the franchise – just Hayley my OC.

Locating the burns unit in New York-Presbyterian Hospital was easy. Even though the building was a labyrinth of sterile rooms and never ending corridors full of numerous staff and sick people, Hayley could find her way through it all in her sleep.

Ever since the accident, she had been in and out of the unit multiple times a year for skin grafts and treatment. However, after five years of intensive therapies, her scars had plateaued, which meant hospital visits only occurred every six months. And even though Hayley knew the outlook for her back might never improve, she could not deny the happiness of spending less time in the unit. She loathed hospitals.

Her consultant, Doctor Jacobi, was already waiting in the reception area; he was a kind man and had been one of the first doctors assigned to her case all those years ago. Initially, he didn't seem to notice her, but a shy little wave from Hayley alerted Jacobi to his patient's arrival. He hid it well, but nonetheless, Hayley noticed the doctor physically recoil, sucking in his breath sharply. Had she changed that much in six months? The doctor probably didn't recognise her because her hair had grown and the dark circles under her eyes made Hayley look older.

Wordlessly, Jacobi turned, motioning for her to follow to his office. Once inside, he sat in his chair whilst Hayley took a seat opposite – they had been through this routine many times before it was like clockwork.

"So, Hayley, how have you been?"

"Not bad thank you," was her standard reply – she wasn't good, she wasn't bad… she was really bad, not that she'd ever admit it to him.

If Jacobi noticed her anxiety, he never let on, "Lets move you to the medical bed and we'll have a look at your back."

Hayley moved reluctantly to the bed, sat down and pulled up the back of her top and jumper – Doctor Jacobi knew that his patient was extremely shy, so always respected her wishes to not remove her clothes during his inspections.

Jacobi noted that the scar tissue hadn't changed much since their last meeting, though he was concerned how irritated the skin was around the spinal area. He identified small cuts and broken skin over each vertebral with the sores becoming more sore and severe nearer Hayley's neck. The scar tissue on her back was very thin due to the burn damage, however Jacobi knew that these sores would not occur if she were to gain a few more pounds.

"I'm going to prescribe a higher strength of the Sliver Sulfadiazine cream you are currently using, which will help with the new wounds and raw scar tissue. Your body must be growing immune to the lower dosage – you're still applying the cream twice a day?"

Hayley thought about the empty tub of cream that lived in the cupboard under her sink – she hadn't replenished it in over a year. "Yes, once morning and night," she lied, trying to give the consultant her best dazzling smile to ensure the deception wasn't obvious.

She tried to channel Harry's air of confidence and unquestionable superiority by straightening her slumped back and forcing herself to make eye contact with Jacobi – no one ever questioned an Osborn on a power trip. Fortunately, Jacobi didn't question her further; he had known the girl since she was a child and had no reason to suspect her of lying.

"I think we should also start you on a course of Co-codamol to ease the physical pain of the new sores. Also, we'll keep you on the same dose of Amitriptyline…"

"Awesome. Thanks Doctor Jacobi…" Hayley jumped up from the medical bed as quickly as possible, eager to escape.

"One last thing Hayley," said Jacobi quickly, "I want to weigh you before you leave."

Thinking nothing of it, she shrugged, removed her shoes and stepped towards the scales.

"Just a minute Hayley, I need to call in a female nurse…" the kind doctor said, hurriedly exiting to find one.

Hayley was slightly concerned but didn't have time to think on it since Jacobi returned shortly with a stern looking nurse.

"If you could remove your jumper, top and trousers, then step on the scales backwards," he sighed reluctantly.

"What? Why?"

"Standard procedure nowadays," explained the new nurse bluntly.

Hayley didn't know what to do. Sure, she had pull up her top earlier so Jacobi could see the new wounds on her back, but this was different. She felt uncomfortable in her skin as it was and getting practically naked was a huge step. No one had seen her unclothed before! If Hayley could barely look at her body then why should anybody else? Besides, she had an uneasy feeling about the situation.

Sensing her reluctance, Jacobi tried to make it easier on his patient. "If you just remove your jumper that will be acceptable," he said rubbing his nose impatiently as the nurse sighed loudly to show her disapproval at his rule bending.

Feeling slightly better, Hayley removed the black baggy jumper, smiling slightly at the faded Metallica logo. The memories of her dragging Gwen to the concert still made her smile, especially as her blonde friend hated the band and dressed in her most preppy outfit to rebel that night. Needless to say, Gwen had stood out like a sore thumb.

"Stand backwards on the scale," reminded the nurse unkindly when Hayley walked onto the apparatus. "Look straight forward and do not look at the scale." Suspecting her patient's confusion, the nurse said with a stiff smile, "Standard procedure."

Jacobi saw the numbers flashing on the scale and shook his head sadly. He didn't like to see Hayley suffering and she had gone through enough in her life as it is. However, she was clearly still hanging on to some monsters.

"That's everything," he said, "If you take these prescription slips down to the Pharmacy you can collect your medication. I'll be sending you some letters about today's findings, and I guess we'll see you in another six months to recheck your back."

"Thanks Doctor Jacobi," Hayley said slipping on her shoes, grabbing her jumper and bag in one hand and taking the medication slips from Jacobi with the other.

She darted out of the room, making her way to the ground floor, dreading arriving at the Pharmacy with every step she took.

"Declined."

"Oh really? Erm, maybe just try the cream and not the pills?" Hayley asked pathetically, already knowing what the outcome was going to be.

The pharmacist gave the ginger girl in front of her a withering look, before swiping Hayley's debit card through the cash register again. An angry beep echoed in the uncomfortable silence.

"Really declined," smirked the pharmacist – she had no patience for those with money issues.

Hayley retrieved her card quickly, embarrassment flooding her pale face. "Sorry. My, er, my rent must of just come out, and work is always late on paying me," she lied swiftly.

"Right."

"I'll be back next week with the money."

"Sure you will."

Clearly the pharmacist did not believe her; never in her life had Hayley lied so much, well, except about her scars. She didn't like being untruthful but her life was just too difficult for her to handle at the moment. Something Harry kept saying flashed through her mind; "be honest with me". She wished she could be honest, she really did, but what good would it do when no one could help her.

Hayley left the Pharmacy empty handed, knowing that she wouldn't be back. She could steal the pills from Ravencroft - that would be easy. The cream however, was the medication she desperately needed and the one Hayley would never be able to steal or afford.

Her shoulders sagged, and feeling deflated, made her way back to the subway station to return to Ravencroft.

Harry had been with his lawyer for over an hour and was pleasantly surprised that the man was staying professional in such an unorthodox environment. During his wild party days, Harry's father had employed a personal lawyer to oversee all the legal requirements for his son's illegal misdemeanours. Over the years, Harry and Mr Dave Manners had formed a pretty close professional relationship – as long as Manners was paid, he would protect his client from the worst-case scenarios.

Manners was an Ivy League man who came from a family firm of successful lawyers; his father and three brothers were all established and recognised attorneys and his sister was a debutant – she even had a fling with Harry Osborn. The firm, Manners & Sons, specialised in protecting societies elite and wealthiest, the Osborn's being one of their highest profile clients. Like his brothers, Manners was very tall, six foot, with dark brown hair that he loved to style obsessively. He always wore a three-piece suit, ever the professional in every setting – he was a regular Mr Grey. The dedication that Manners threw into every one of his clients was admirable; he had even travelled to California, Brazil and Europe with Harry to ensure the young billionaire didn't sleep with too many trashy headline-grabbing models.

They had been discussing the legality behind his charges; one count of voluntary manslaughter, murder in the First-degree, and property negligence to the state of New York. After hearing Harry's side of Gwen Stacy's death, Manners was certain that the state judge would change the charges to involuntary manslaughter and Second-degree murder, due the girl's death being unplanned, unintentional, and not premeditated. Once the lesser charges were in place, Manners would claim that Harry Osborn was a victim of circumstance with mitigating circumstances that would lead into their plea of insanity.

The tale Manners would spin in Harry's defence was that the recent death of Mr Osborn had affected the balance of his client's mind. The depression and stress of becoming the CEO of New York's biggest financial empire had caused Harry to suffer a psychotic break. State law meant the murder charges would be dropped and changed to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility due to Harry's mind-set. This personality change had led Mr Osborn to go to Menken for a cure in the form of the untested spider venom at OsCorp industries. When Menken had refused, Harry had drawn a gun in a fit of rage and desperation.

"I have already discussed the matter with Donald Menken, and we have bought his cooperation with the defence trial," Manners informed the young billionaire prisoner. "He has agreed to say that Max Dillon, Electro, threatened himself and you in the offices of OsCorp tower for access to the electric grid. You then became distressed after Electro left and demanded access to the venom – you were watching your father's legacy fall apart."

"And what of my assistance in freeing Electro from Ravencroft?" Harry asked, though he wasn't too worried.

Smiling widely, Manners revealed the next part of his plan. "As you know, Electro killed all witnesses at Ravencroft when you broke him out, and Menken seized the security footage after he left you with the venom. OsCorp now has possession of the tapes, so you as an accomplice to freeing a known criminal will not come up in court."

"Excellent." Harry never doubted Manners abilities for a second – having his own personal lawyer was the one "present" his father had actually got right. Besides, the man was the best, he thought of everything and anything. "Menken's monthly salary will be increased for his cooperation."

"It's been taken care off." Manners then continued to explain the rest of his plan.

Manners had spoken to many of OsCorp's staff during Harry's incarceration, as he wanted to determine how much they knew and whether or not they would be able to stand trial. Harry's personal assistant, Felicia, had seen him after his transformation, and it hadn't taken Manners much effort to convince her to comply with his story. Felicia obviously fancied his client and was eager to help get the charges dropped. On the stand she would say that after discovering Harry in his altered state, she had realised that his mind was unhinged and was scared for his safety. He had then told her that Electro was going to destroy the OsCorp power plant, OsCorPower, and had to stop him – that would give Harry an alibi for his interaction with Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy.

With a concrete alibi, Manners would then explain how Harry was a victim of circumstance. Although he arrived too late to stop Electro, he discovered Gwen Stacy, an employee of his, and carried her on his glider to protect her from the damaged power plant. That was when Spider-Man began to chase him.

The people of New York praised the Spider-Man as a hero, but that had not always been the case. Gwen's own father, the late Police Commissioner, had initially been suspicious of the masked vigilante. And, hadn't Captain Stacy died in the spider's presence? Manners would use Spider-Man's anonymity against him; unable to stand trial and defend himself, the masked man could not dispute Harry's version of events. He would ruin Spider-Man, make him out as a fame hungry, glory-hogging pariah who only cared about the lime light of saving people and not their actual safety. The Spider-Man had chased and hounded Harry so that he would be the one to have saved Gwen from Electro.

"And how will you explain why I dropped her?"

"I have discovered that in the coroner's report, webbing was discovered on Miss Stacy's body, which would explain the whiplash she experienced, along with the head injury that killed her," Manners explained. "Spider-Man used his webbing to pull her body from you – his web was so fine that it wasn't caught on the surrounding news crew's cameras."

Harry smirked at Manners lies; the story they were spinning was almost as strong as a spider's web. Ironically.

"You then tried to help Miss Stacy and that was when the Spider-Man engaged you in a fight inside the clock tower and knocked you out. You were unconscious before she died, correct?"

"Yes!" Harry said earnestly. Sure he may have contributed to Gwen's death, but he had not done the deed himself – he was innocent.

The last strand Manners would weave was the insanity plea. There was enough evidence pointing to his defendant's change in mental health, brought on by his father's death and accelerated by the spider venom. Harry had been unable to determine right from wrong, they would say, the venom destroying his sense of morality and ability to control his actions. He had made the best decisions he could under these exceptional circumstances. Manners had also seen Hayley's medical reports on Harry, even the ones in her supposed locked computer files. Her evaluation of possible schizophrenia would play right into their hands, aiding his defence strategy.

"With the insanity plea, usually the defendant is referred to mandatory clinical treatment until they are certified safe to be released back into the community. Seeing as you have already been confined to Ravencroft, this will aid us in getting you released quickly and permanently," finished Manners, positively beaming with pride at his mastermind plan.

Harry was also smiling, extremely happy with his lawyer, "Very good Manners, very good. You will be rewarded greatly when I am released."

"Thank you Mr Osborn. Though, I must reinforce that by pleading insanity, you will have to undergo psychiatric evaluation. We have the one from Miss Carmichael, but I will need to bring in an additional three psychiatrists to do more reports."

"And what is wrong with Hayley's evaluation?" Harry sneered, his eyes darkening dangerously.

"Nothing at all sir," Manners said quickly, "Its just, can we trust her? She doesn't have the medical standing at Ravencroft to have carried out that report. The three I have found have already been paid, and are experts in their field with the qualifications and their own practises to prove it." Still sensing his client's disdain, Manners continued, "Miss Carmichael may be an excellent therapist, as you have said, but her report and testimony will not hold up in court by itself since she is employed as a nurse."

"Fine," agreed Harry, seeing the lawyer's point. However, they weren't done talking about his therapist yet. "Although Hayley does not need to bought off, I have another matter concerning finances I need you to take care of for me."

"Of course Mr Osborn, is it to do with the girl - "

Manners and Harry quickly stopped talking and turned to see the cell door opening. Both glared angrily at the unseen intruder before softening their gazes upon seeing a flash of copper hair swishing in the doorway.

"Oh! I…I'm so sorry…I didn't realise…" stuttered Hayley, cheeks glowing red at her intrusion.

Getting to his feet, Manners went to shake the girl's hand, "Pleasure to meet you Miss Carmichael. I am Dave Manners, Mr Osborn's lawyer."

"Oh right! Hello, nice to meet you," Hayley spoke, slightly surprised at Doctor Scott's efficiency at allowing Harry to see his lawyer. The pair shook hands, "You can call me Hayley."

"Hayley, be a doll and give use another fifteen minutes," drawled Harry, eyeing the girl strangely, "Besides, I don't think 'Metallica' is what nurses usually wear hmmm?" He chuckled as Hayley glanced down at her clothes in horror – clearly her mind was on other things. "Why don't you change into something a little more appropriate?"

Hayley nodded, slightly dumbfounded at being given a direct order by her patient. The two men watched her leave, stumbling over her feet as she closed the door and left them alone once more.

"Cute," said Manners, "I can see why you like her."

"Mm? Yes, well, she is rather remarkable…" Harry spoke like he was in a haze, still staring at the spot where she had been standing. "Now, back to those finances…"

Harry stayed in his seat as Manners swanned out of the cell, feeling slightly more at ease knowing that his trial was in good hands.

His time with the lawyer had left him rather tired from all the legal talk, but he perked up when Hayley slipped in after the Manners' departure. Now that she was no longer covered up in that ratty shapeless jumper, he could part take in one of his favourite past times – drinking in Hayley's dainty figure. He looked at her hungrily as she took up the seat opposite him; due to the familiarity between Manners and Harry, the chairs were closer to each other than usual. However Hayley made not move to change their close proximity, and Harry took it as a sign that she was growing more comfortable around him.

"So, where were you Metallica? In a mosh pit?"

"I think I preferred it when you called me Ginge."

"I'd rather call you by your name. It suits a beautiful woman like yourself…Hayley." Harry watched the girl flutter her eyelashes shyly and shift uncomfortably in her seat at the compliment, "As much fun as it was seeing Manners, I did wonder where you were. Missing our usual time, not like you at all."

"Sorry, I had a…er…an appointment at the…the bank," Hayley lied, avoiding those narrowed suspicious blue eyes.

Harry crossed his arm over his chest and flipped the hair out of his eyes in a nonchalant manner, "Oh? Cheryl mentioned that you were at the hospital. I was so worried about you doll."

Caught in her lie, Hayley didn't know where to look; she may have just destroyed the little trust Harry did have in her. "Well, er, yes I was at the hospital, but I went to the bank first," she said trying to salvage the situation.

He smirked at her pathetic lies. "Why were you at the hospital?" Harry asked, straight to the point as always.

"Standard check-up…for…er…for women stuff!"

"Of course," his smile waning slightly in annoyance at her persistent lying, "I do worry about you, you know. Especially with Kinsey."

"Kinsey? My patient Kinsey? What about him?"

"I don't like how he looks at you."

"How he looks at me?" Hayley spluttered.

"No man should look at a woman like that," Harry enforced sternly.

"What about the way you look at me?"

Leaning forward in his chair, Harry put a hand on her knee darkly, "Do you not like how I look at you?"

"Sometimes." When the hand on her knee tightened, Hayley squeaked, "I mean, it's just, no one's looked at me like that before, like…"

"Like they want you?"

Hayley's eyes widened at the truth behind his bold words, which only made him smile further, running his hand slightly higher up her leg.

"Only I look at you like this, Hayley," Harry murmured, skimming his other hand up to her neck to cup her jaw, "Only I want you...I need you."

Staring into her eyes to make sure that she knew the difference between sincere want and murderous lust, Harry took her lips in a predatory kiss. They tasted like honey, sweet and erotic in their blatant hesitant innocence. The way she trembled beneath his lips was a euphoric feeling that could only be compared to the high he got from taking cocaine. Hayley was his substance, his poison, and his drug.

Their position was slightly awkward, both sitting opposite each other on chairs. He wanted her closer, wanted to feel her fragility in his arms. Wasting no time, Harry placed both hands behind her lower back, gripping her steadily, and pulled her towards him, hard. Her surprise at his dominance resulted in a high-pitched squeal that only made Harry smirk and chuckle at her virtue. With Hayley now on his lap and straddling his legs, Harry continued his assault on her kissable lips. He was certain that she could feel how hard he'd become beneath his clothes.

Hayley never knew how they got to these moments, only that she never wanted them to end. She adored how Harry would hold onto her hair as they kissed, wrapping his fingers in her auburn ponytail. It allowed him to guide the intensity of the kiss, something that inexperienced Hayley was grateful for because she had no idea where to place herself. When she followed suit and began to grip tufts of his floppy hair, Harry let out a guttural moan before tugging at Hayley's ponytail again. She thought she'd done something wrong, but all Harry wanted was to slip his tongue into that pure mouth when she gasped at his dominance.

When their lips finally broke away from each other they were both breathing heavily.

Harry leaned his head against her forehead and held her tightly so she couldn't leave him even if she wanted to. "You're light as a feather. If I wasn't holding you, you'd float away…" he whispered.

He waited for the girl to respond but when nothing other than her shallow breathing could be heard, something inside him switched. Yanking her ponytail with force, Harry ensnared her body closer to his, crushingly wrapping his arm further around her dainty waist.

"Ow! Harry you're hurting me…"

"You want to leave me don't you? I can see it your eyes, you'd rather float away than stay here with me!" Harry snarled, staring down darkly at her horrified expression as he continued to pull her head back at a painful angle. "Your going to leave me like everyone else! I saw how Kinsey looked at you…"

Seizing her chance, Hayley tried to take control of the situation, "How…how does Kinsey look at me? Harry, how does he look at me?"

"Like he wants to hurt you."

"But you don't want to hurt me though Harry," Hayley said softly, her voice cracking slightly due to her fear. She removed her hands from their stiff grip on his shoulders and gently began to stroke his face, "I need you Harry, and you…you understand me. You wouldn't hurt me, right Harry?"

Hayley felt the hold on her hair and waist slacken, and took the opportunity to slowly right her head to its natural and less painful position. Her fingers continued to caress his slightly rough face, hoping her touch would sooth him. Harry stilled and closed his eyes in bliss, though his brow furrowed, alerting Hayley to his indecisive mind.

"I won't ever leave you Harry. I won't hurt you, I promise," she said honestly, hoping to get through to him with her sincerity.

Nothing.

No response.

Sometimes actions spoke louder than words.

Turning her soft caress into a firmer clasp, Hayley held Harry's face in her small hands. And when his eyes remained closed, she decided to do something that frightened her more than his anger. With all the courage she could muster, Hayley pressed her lips to his, initiating a kiss for the first time. She moved them delicately trying to coax a response from Harry. Hayley knew she'd have to be bolder so slowly dragged her tongue over the grooves in his bottom lip before softly nibbling the plump skin.

That ignited a spark deep inside Harry. He attacked her lips with renewed vigour, groaning deeply, clutching at the back of her neck to deepen the kiss.

An outside knock from Colin made the pair freeze, their session time together over.

"I will never leave you Harry," she said, untangling her body from his.

She gave him a small shy peck before smoothing out the creases in her clothes and tidying her hair.

When she reached the door, Hayley turned, "I will never truly leave you."

After the door closed and his therapist had left, Harry remained sitting in the chair, marvelling at what had just transpired. Sure, they hadn't talked about his "feelings" in this session, but he much preferred their other activities.

He smiled, a true childlike smile, barren of the Osborn superior persona; for the first time in his life Harry no longer felt alone.

Another long day full of mixed and strange emotions, Hayley was quickly realising that ever since she had met Harry Osborn, her life had changed. No more was she a wallflower, a shy hidden mouse, a blip on people's radars. She had become an important central part to somebody's life. Someone relied on her. It was an unusual feeling, one with weighted responsibility, but it some how made Hayley feel good.

She now had a purpose.

Once again, Hayley dodged Mr Boothroyd, racing up five flights to escape her landlord's justified persistent demands for her overdue rent. After her card decline at the hospital, she was dead certain that her bank account did not have the necessary funds to pay the old man. It scared her, as Hayley knew that Mr Boothroyd had every right to call the authorities and evict her for evading payment for so long.

She shrugged of her Metallica jumper and threw it on the moth-eaten sofa along with her handbag. The bag rattled, a reminder of the stolen pills she had managed to snatch after meeting Harry's lawyer. Her crimes were always done with the best intentions but that didn't mean they were right.

A heavy knock rattled the door. If Mr Boothroyd had made the long climb up to her apartment then it must be serious.

Shit, Hayley thought bitterly.

Her deceptions couldn't last forever.

Slowly opening the door, Hayley plastered a false smile onto her face and began to plead with the old man, "I'm so, so, so sorry Mr Boothroyd, I know I still haven't paid you…"

"Calm dear, calm down," the landlord said kindly, "Your rent has been take care of."

"What?!"

"A young man came to see me and provided me with a cheque for your outstanding rent."

"What? Who?" Hayley started to freak out – this was amazing, a dream come true, but everything comes with a price right? Nothing is free.

"The young man wished to remain anonymous, but he was tall with brown ruffled hair…he said he was a friend," Mr Boothroyd explained.

He too was surprised at the generosity of the mysterious man, however he understood that his tenant was struggling and really didn't want to evict her. So, he had asked no questions and took the payment gratefully.

"Well, now that that's been taken care of, I thought you should know that there have been some muggings this past week. Two of my tenants on the lower floors have had their apartments broken into. So be careful dear," the old man warned before slowly leaving down the stairs.

Hayley felt like she was going to faint, the landlord's cautionary tale falling on deaf ears. The shock of knowing that some wonderful person had paid her rent debts made her want to weep in happiness.

Shutting the door and sliding to the floor in astonishment, Hayley could only think of one name, one person, one friend who could possibly be the mystery benefactor;

Peter Parker.

DUN DUN DUUUUNNNN!

I did a lot of research for the section with Harry's lawyer – the laws for murder are different in the UK, you're innocent until proven guilty unlike the US, so I made sure to get that part as accurate as I could. Hope you enjoyed it! We've got to get Harry out of Ravencroft!

Also, because I'm from the UK, I find it crazy that people have to pay for healthcare in the US and other countries! Like seriously it's terrible :( - in the UK, everything to an extent is free on the NHS! I have a medical condition and, if I had to pay for all my treatment and medication, it would be ridiculous! It makes me sad that some people cannot get the treatment they deserve like Hayley.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter my lovelies, all your reviews make me smile and I feel literally amazing when I read them so maybe…. more reviews? I love hearing your reactions and takes on what is happening or what might happen in the story – you all inspire me so much :3