Whoo, this chapter took forever to write. Just some fair warning- tons of stuff happens. I'm actually really proud of how original it turned out! Sorry if Peter or Aunt May seem OOC, or if Linzy gets a bit rambly. I hope you enjoy!

-R.E

Ps. NightOwl Fury, sorry if it's not quite what you had in mind with "cousinly bounding." That part got a little off track, but it's still there!

Chapter 19

"Aunt May, even if by some miracle that dress fits, I'm never going to wear it." I stated bluntly, shaking my head with a scowl.

"But it's so cute!" My Aunt cooed, holding out the dress in admiration.

"The skirt is way too short! I don't do short skirts, ok?"

She rolled her eyes and shoved the dress into my arms.

"Just try it on, alright? Humor me."

I groaned and elbowed my way past Peter, toppling his tower of clothes hangers a I passed.

"Aw, Linzy! Look what you did." He pouted, crossing his arms like an angry toddler. It took him another second to notice the dress in my arms, but when he did a broad grin lit up his face.

"Did she finally get to you, cuz? Don't worry, I promise not to laugh. Much." He quipped and I didn't bother holding back my most scalding death-glare.

"Hold your tongue, boy." I snapped, toppling his creation and retreating into the dressing room before he could retaliate.

He's so annoying; I swear he acts that way just to mess with me…

I turned my frown on the gaudy green and silver dress, turning over the material in my hands before giving in and pulling it on over my tank top and shorts.

(If you were wondering about the complete lack of super hero action, today is one of the few we Parkers have set aside for "family bonding time!" Unfortunately, "family bonding time" to Aunt May means "spend all day shopping for new clothes" while Peter sits around making snide remarks and clothes hanger art.

Quite frankly I'd much rather be clipping Doc Oc's toenails.

I HATE SHOPPING. )

I sighed and pushed aside the curtain.

"There, happy now?" I asked with a pout.

A giant smile lit Aunt May's face and she clasped her hands together in adoration.

"Linzy, you look absolutely wonderful!" she praised, and I huffed in embarrassment as a red flush invaded my cheeks.

"Yeah, cuz, looks great." Peter droned, not paying a lick of attention as he focused on rebuilding his tower in the shape of a log cabin. I frowned and marched over to him, tweaking his ear playfully.

"…Ow..?"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at his lack of conviction.

"We're buying it." Aunt May announced, pushing me back into the changing room.

"Wait, what?! Aunt May, there's no way I'll ever wear this in public!"

Later that night…

"I can't believe I'm wearing this in public." I moaned, leaning against Peter's shoulder in a vain attempt to hide. We were in a relatively fancy restaurant waiting to be seated, and Aunt May had practically forced me into wearing this stupid dress despite my numerous and well-presented arguments.

I even made a flip chart. A FLIP CHART. And she still made me wear it!

I shot her a look as we followed the waitress to our table, but the oblivious woman simply smiled at me and kept up her conversation with Peter.

Sighing, I slid into the booth and zoned out as the waitress took our orders.

'Something about restaurants always makes me want to read…' I thought, my hand resting on T.B as I fought the urge to dig out my current novel. 'But Aunt May always gets mad when I read while I eat.' Lowering my head onto the table, I traced circles in the water leaking from my cup. 'Come to think of it, Mom was the same way…'

Flashback (Because I can!)

"Linzy! Quit reading at the table!"

I grinned at her guiltily and slid my book onto my lap.

"Sorry mom!"

"And quit drinking from the side of your mouth! You know that creeps me out."

I rolled my eyes and set my glass on the counter.

"Yes ma'am."

I ate in silence for a while then mom spoke up again.

"So, are you looking forward to the field trip today?"

Looking up at her, I set my fork down and shrugged.

"I suppose so; I am excited that I get to go with Kass. The aquarium is supposed to be really amazing."

"Sounds nice. Are you going to bring me a souvenir?"

"Of course." I swallowed the last mouthful of eggs and hopped up from the table to hug her. "Love you!"

End flashback

We didn't know it yet, but that would be the last conversation I'd have with my mom for a long time. That very day, I got on the wrong bus with my friend Kass and ended up in a completely different world. That was the first time we ever universe hopped… and the last time I saw my family.

A tear rolled down my cheek and I brushed it aside quickly before Aunt May or Peter noticed.

I've never done too badly on my own; I've always been an only child, so I guess I'm just kinda used to being alone. I just… I try to hide it, but I really miss my family. Even though I've been adopted as a Parker, I'll always be Linzy Keeper. There is absolutely nothing I can do to change that… even if I am starting to get a little too attached to my surrogate family.

I blinked.

"Um, Aunt May, where's Peter?" Ask a standard question…

"Bathroom." Get a standard answer.

Right that second, my watch started vibrating.

"Excuse me for a moment..."

Jumping up from the booth, I tugged on my skirt in annoyance and rushed to the ladies' room. Once I was secured in an empty stall, I hit the red button to greet Director Fury.

"Yes sir?"

"You're not going to be happy, Linzy."

"Pardon?"

"It's Frances."

"…"

"…"

"Okay, tell me where she is. I'm on my way."

Frances bared her teeth at the darkly clothed SHIELD agents and clenched her hands in anger.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she screeched, the agents scrambling to avoid being knocked off her feet at the sound of her sonic scream. The girl turned and slammed her fist into the nearest car, the glowing energy blasting the vehicle into smithereens and causing shrapnel to fly haphazardly into the surrounding area. I stood, rooted to the cement. Was that crazy looking creature really Fi? Her hair was longer, and ragged, with a badly painted diamond taking the place of France's scar. Her eye crackled with an evil yellow light when she used her powers, and her voice sounded painfully raw.

"F-Frances?" I asked, quietly at first, and then raised my tension-filled voice. "FI!"

The flying girl turned her head, surprise and anxiety flushing her face as she recognized my voice.

"NO!" she yelled abruptly, and I found myself jettisoned backward into the building behind me. "YOU CAN'T BE HERE! YOU CAN'T SEE ME LIKE THIS!"

My back cracked loudly and I sank to the ground with a groan.

Why do buildings have to be so hard?! That really hurt!

"Frances, why are you doing this?"

My voice was barely above a whisper, but I knew she could hear me. Her eye sparked and her breath audibly caught in her throat.

"I…I…YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND! YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND!"

The SHIELD agents took advantage of her distraction and started to fire their stun lasers at her back. Frances threw a dirty look over her shoulder and hastily constructed a sonic shield. Once the blasts stopped, she flew towards me and tossed me over her shoulder in a surprising show of strength.

"What are you doing?!" I demanded in shock, gasping as she again took to the sky. I struggled against her hold for a moment, before giving in and slumping in defeat.

'I can't believe she's kidnapping me…' I thought in annoyance, my scowl deepening as more yellow static erupted from her eye.

There was only a split second where I could adequately feel angry before I was hit in the back of the head.

Then I was much too unconscious to do anything but sleep.

The first thing I was aware of when I woke was the strong scent of mildew in the air. My hair was sticking to my neck and I was sweating profusely, but the worst part was the throbbing lump that had emerged on the back of my head.

"Ow, what hit me?" I moaned, trying to soothe the pain with my fingers.

"That…would be me." Frances replied. I turned my head to see her sitting a few feet away, her head resting in her hands.

"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT ABOUT?!" I yelled, yelping as my head throbbed in protest.

Fi grimaced and turned her head slightly to the side. I immediately felt guilty at her look of loss.

"Erm…sorry…what I meant to say was, "what just happened?""

She met my worried gaze with blank, tired eyes. Then she started to cry.

I stared, completely at a loss. What was I supposed to do with a crying super powered future villain who just kidnapped me?!

Sheesh.

I sighed and leaned forward, enveloping her in a hug. The poor girl started to cry even louder, and she wailed into my shoulder with a ferocity that made my heart clench.

"Listen, Fi," I started when she finally began to calm down, "I have absolutely no idea what led up to all that craziness. What I do know, however, is that you're my friend. Whatever it is, we can face it together, ok?"

I held her at arm's length and searched her still-watery eyes. She sniffed and nodded, and I reached into T.B to pull out my handkerchief.

"Here." I said, offering the small cloth in hopes she'd stop crying. She smiled and took it, dabbing it against her eyes delicately.

"Only you would have a handkerchief, Linzy." She hiccupped, and I grinned in response.

"Yeah."

We lapsed into silence for a while and sat there awkwardly.

"It… it started a few years ago." She whispered, so quietly I didn't hear her at first. "My… someone I was close to…was angry that I was…was overweight. They… well, they hurt me."

I bit my tongue as a wave of calm swept over me. I felt my emotions grow distant as the familiar feeling of detached attentiveness took over.

"I got defensive. I…fought back. These powers just appeared out of nowhere- they saved me! But…"

Her fingers crept up and glossed over her scar.

"I killed them." She grimaced, not meeting my eyes. "I didn't mean to, but I killed them. And ever since, my emotions have just… gotten out of control! Any little thing can set me of… I get so angry… and afraid. So afraid!" At this point she started sobbing again, and I pulled her into another hug. This time I didn't let go.

"Please, don't hate me! I just get so scared! I- everyone leaves me! As soon as they know-" she hiccupped again and my sleeve was soaked with tears.

"I could never hate you." I said quietly, my voice muffled by her matted hair. She didn't speak up, so I continued, "Believe it or not, you're my friend, and I'll always do my best to be there for you. So stop crying, ok? You've had a rough past-" My voice hitched, and I shook my head. Lord, this is messed up. Give me the words to say… "You've had a rough past, but it's what you do now that matters. Don't let your mistakes define who you are."

So I sat there, the sobbing villainess encircled in my arms. By the time she stopped crying for good, I felt drained like I always did when such an emotional event occurred. My own consciousness crept back in and the empty feeling that helped me think departed.

"You're going to be ok." I asserted sternly. She nodded once.

"Yes ma'am."

I grinned at her sarcastic remark, then patted her on the head.

"Alright, Fi, I better get going now. My Aunt is probably wondering where I am." Not to mention, Nick Fury probably thinks I died.

"O-Ok. Um, Linzy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. And, uh, I'm sorry I kidnapped you… and stuff…" she trailed off awkwardly. Social skills, 0. Why do I always end up with the awkward ones?

" S' alright, FI. Just… call me next time, instead of knocking me out and kidnapping me. Trust me, I'll come."

She looked up at me with eyes filled with disbelief and hope. I laughed quietly and staggered to my feet.

I can't really hold a grudge… I'm too much of a softie for that. Besides, being mad wouldn't help anybody.

With a little wave, I exited the room and found myself in a nondescript alley. With a loud huff, I leaned back against the wall and craned my head back to look at the sky.

"That was unpleasant." I muttered. I somehow always end up as the dumping ground for other people's emotions. I don't usually mind it, but I already felt guilty for lying to Frances, and now I felt even worse. My hands unconsciously wound themselves into my thick brown hair. It was getting longer. When I first popped into this universe, it was only a little below the ear. Now it was lightly brushing my chin and the split ends were blaringly- at least to me- obvious.

With a jagged sigh I detached myself from the wall and swayed down the alley, my footsteps making loud echoes as I walked.

"T.B? Do a scan and make sure no one's watching. I need to go hero."

'Oh, you totally stole that line from Ben 10.'

At first I merely snorted at his reply, but then I stopped in confusion.

"And just how do you know about that..?" I asked.

'Erm…well… I've kinda been watching episodes of a lot of TV shows and movies to keep me occupied…'

I shook my head to clear my negative thoughts and breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, that made tons of sense. I don't talk to him all the time, so he has to have somethingto do. Then another thought struck me.

"But wait…"

I scrunched my eyebrows together in annoyance- the thought wouldn't form. It was as if something were blocking me from figuring out what It was I was about to say. In the end, I just gave up and put on my suit. It must not have been that important if I forgot it, right?

I sucked cool air through my teeth as the fire that accompanied the application of my suit faded into nothing. It almost was nothing, now. I remember the pain had been a lot worse at the beginning.

Pulling T.B inside out and buckling him around my waist, I activated my boots and jetted off into the sky.

Why was I feeling so reminiscent today?

I arrived back at the restaurant sooner than I expected.

"Hey, sorry I stepped out. A friend of mine was having a…personal crisis…" I said, guiltily rubbing the back of my neck.

"Oh, that's alright. Didn't even notice you were gone." Aunt May replied, looking concerned.

"Now what's wrong?"

"Well, Peter hasn't come out of the bathroom yet. I'm getting worried about that boy…"

I sighed and stood up.

"I'll go check on him. Be right back."

If she was so worried about Peter that she didn't notice my hour-long absence, I had to do something- even if it meant I had to ask some random guy if my cousin's in the bathroom... when I know for sure he's not.

"Hello? Anyone in there?" I asked, poking my head in the door. Mercifully, there was no reply. I stepped inside and asked again, louder.

No one.

"Alright, I'm coming in."

It only took a few seconds for me to confirm my cousin's absence from the restroom.

"Ok, scratch that. Time to call Fury."

Do do do, 3rd person point of view…

Rewind a few hours, and we find our favorite web-slinging protagonist having an awesome day. Not only had breakfast consisted of a healthy tower of chocolate chip pancakes courtesy of Linzy, but the shopping trip had awarded him a brand new pair of sneakers and a hilariously blushing cousin. He was really looking forward to this special meal with his family… so of course Murphy 's Law just had to intervene.

"Hey! How stupid are you dorks? Robbing a bank in broad daylight? Really?" Spiderman called, webbing one of the robber's feet to the floor.
"Aw, come on, Spidey! Can't you just turn a blind eye for once?"

Peter rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Um, let me think about that. NO."

'And as soon as I'm finished up here, its straight back to my family for some much needed R and R-'

"HELP!'

'-or not.'

Shooting one finial web at the robber, Spiderman turned and shot off into the sky, following his spidey sense to the next crime scene.

So, returning to the whole "Murphy's law" thing. One crime in one hour? Typical. Five crimes in one hour? Abnormal, but still within reason. Ten crimes in one hour? Only today.

"Ugh. What's with these guys? It's like the whole world is scheming against me today…"

"I know what that's like. Need some help, Spidey?" the arachnid whipped around and relaxed when he saw who it was.

"Oh, R.E. what's up?"

The colorful green and purple hero landed on the concrete and walked closer, shrugging her shoulders easily.

"I called Director Fury earlier and he said you were up to your ears in petty thieves." She glanced around at the six thieves already webbed to the wall. "I think that was a bit of an understatement."

"Aww, so you DO care! Just when I was starting to think you were some sort of anti-social recluse…"

"Ooh, knows a big word, thinks he's some kinda big shot. Nice one, Webbed wonder." She shot back playfully, placing her hand on her hip.

"Webbed wonder. Haven't heard that one before…"

"I'm sure."

Spiderman tilted his head to the side. "So, are you really here to help? If so, you're not doing such a great job." He said, pointing at the robber who'd sprinted past R.E without her noticing.

"Oh really?" she asked in an amused tone, snapping her fingers at the exact moment a trap net snatched up the robber and dangled him from a lamppost. Spiderman sagged in disbelief.

"Wha-? How-? You didn't even turn around!"

"I'm just that good, Spider. I'm just that good."

He sputtered in indignation and shot a web at a building in the distance.

"Yeah, well, I could do that too, if I had too."

R.E chuckled and patted him on the back.

"I'm sure you could, buddy. By the way, this doesn't have anything to do with what Director Fury said before about me being a leader, does it?"

Recap:

"Pfft. Fury's pet~" Spiderman sang, and I was behind him in a second. I grabbed his forearm and bent his arm behind his back.

"Ah! Uncle! I'm sorry- Uncle!"

I released him with a smile. My cousin can be so stupid sometimes.

"Anyone else care to comment?" Fury asked, and they all shook their heads. "Good. Maybe I should make you the leader, R.E."

"Hey- no take backs!" Spiderman said, pointing at fury. He turned to me and repeated himself, still pointing. "NO TAKE BACKS."

I shook my head quickly and held up my hands. Fury was putting me into some dangerous waters with his choice of words.

"Um, no. I'm more like the easily-annoyed-older-sister type. Heh heh…" I laughed it off uneasily. Kass would have a cow and die laughing if she ever heard me say that, but she'd definitely agree.

He opened his mouth to lie, then thought better of it.

"Maybe just a little." he replied sheepishly, holding his thumb and index finger close together to illustrate his point. He turned and started to swing through the city, and R.E kicked on her boots and followed after him at a brisk pace.

"Uh huh. Trust me, arachnid, I wouldn't want your job for all the money in the world." She confided, leaning back so she was flying lying down. " Like you said, I'm just an "anti-social recluse." I wouldn't do well leading others. Besides, pretty much all of you are older than I am."

"We are?" he asked in surprise.

R.E made a strangled sound and face palmed. "My oops. No more personal stories for you, Spiderman."

"Yeah, about that." He started, and R.E rightened herself in preparation. "How come we don't know who you are? I mean, everyone else on my team knows my ID, and I know theirs, but you-"

"-Let me cut you off right there." she interrupted. " You see, I made a deal with Fury. If he kept my identity secret, I'd join this team. That's just how it's going to be. I understand that that may make you uneasy, but I assure you that both Director Fury and Agent Coulson know my true identity. They wouldn't have let me join SHIELD otherwise."

Unbeknownst to him, Linzy's face was contorted with guilt under the colorful mask. It was only a half truth. Fury had asked her to join their team before she'd ever confessed her identity…but Peter didn't need to know that. Yet.

"Well, all right." He sighed, looking ahead again. " I guess I can trust you then?"

"I hope so. That will make this team work much better."

They traveled around the city for another few minutes in amicable banter and stopping a few more crimes before they finally felt satisfied that there'd be no more trouble that night.

"Bye Spiderman. See you for tomorrow's training session?" R.E asked, waiving her hand.

"Maybe!" he retorted as he swung around the corner and disappeared into the night.

R.E came to an abrupt stop, her hands dangling loosely at her sides.

"I hate lying to you, Peter." She whispered. Emotion swelled in her chest and she sank to the ground, landing heavily with a sob.

"I'm just really good at acting like I don't."

Linzy's POV

I stood there for who knows how long, wiping away tears and waiting to ensure Peter and I don't get back at the same time.

'Linzy, are you ok?' TB asked quietly, and I drew in a ragged breath of air.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Its just… it's not the easiest thing in the world, being an universe hopper. Not like I have a choice in the matter… you know how it is."

'Yeah…'

I remained silent and guarded my thoughts as best I could.

'Sometimes, like now, I just get so tired. Tired of acting like I'm ok when I'm not… tired of following along with whatever the heck is going on around me. That's why…'I blinked back unshed tears and leaped into the sky recklessly. 'That's why I'm sure I was never meant to be a universe hopper. I bet Kass had some sort of weird, radioactive thing going on that dragged me into it to. Come to think of it, Kass and I have been growing apart lately…'

We've been to at least four other universes, but only this time had Kass chosen to stay away from me. She rarely calls, and when she does it's only because Valentina reminds her to. Valentina. 'It's all my fault she got dragged into this messed up mess...' I thought with a sigh. 'Even though technically, I should blame Jay Bird.'

By this point I'd arrived back at the restaurant. I reverted back to my regular self in an alley about a block away, then took the rest of the way at a light jog.

"Linzy! There you are!" Aunt May exclaimed when I reentered the room.

"Sorry Aunt May, I couldn't find him." I apologized in a choked voice. Clearing my throat, I continued speaking. "I went all the way home to check, but he wasn't there."

"That's because I was in the bathroom." My annoying cousin said as he decided to make himself known. He smirked at me from besides the booth and looked slightly embarrassed.

"Right." I sighed as I ignored the lie. "I guess I just wasn't looking hard enough."

For now, I'm just going to have to do my best and not let life pass me by. 'Cause even though this isn't my world, it's still my home. I've made friends and family here…

Peter smiled at me and grabbed my arm, pulling me into the booth seat and ruffling my hair in the process. I gave in and smiled softly, elbowing him in the side.

And for now…

Aunt May laughed at our antics and started to tell a story about her first date with Uncle Ben, which caused Peter to shift into his comedian mode and attempt to make funny jokes. I laughed at the appropriate moments, trying to convince myself to relax and enjoy myself.

I'm going to try to hold us all together,

even if it ends up tearing me apart.

Please remember to review!