"We have to keep you overnight, just in case, Princess, but don't worry, we will take care of you, and tell the news to your family.", the first vet replied with a warm smile.
Jasmine mewed, and went to scoot over to rest, and hissed in pain when she felt another needle into her back, and the other vet replied, "Sorry, Princess, but that was to help out with the pain. You will soon feel better, girl.".
She purred softly, and went to lay back down on the blanket, exhausted as she heard the vets leave her, latching the cage in a lock, and she sighed heavily, hoping that the vets will let Peter and the girls in...She could easily imagine that they must have been wrecked with anxiety and worry as they waited for news...By Allah, how long has it been since she blacked out?
Jasmine's family, if one could call them that these days, were in the reception area. Ben was honestly stunned with how devastated the others were about Princess. Sure, Peter for sure, considering that he knew Princess for nearly a third of his life, but for Gwen and especially Jean? They seemed to be taking it just as bad if not worse than him.
"Peter... I'm sorry...", Ben tried to apologize. Peter didn't want to say anything. Obviously wasn't his fault in any way, but still, Peter felt so much guilt since in a way it was thanks to him that Ben was nearly killed and Jasmine... for all he knew, did.
Peter and the girls recognized the bouncer, and from reading his mind while unconscious, they found out that he was the thief that robbed the boss of the underground matches, and attempted to rob Ben's car, to kill Ben, and then Jasmine saved Ben...A gunshot wound through the shoulder, a human could survive, but a cat, and at close range too...
The teenagers themselves was in shock, worry, guilt...Heck, they are all praying to Allah, Jasmine's god, for her to live...Without her, life would be a little less bright, less hopeful...They were all involved to make her happy again as much as she could be with the curse...Peter didn't even have the chance to kiss Jasmine on the lips as he had sworn to do...to show her that love doesn't have to be conditional, to guide her to all those wonderful things she would be free to have again...
Jean and Gwen were looking forward to having Jasmine appear at the prom in the spring for Peter as they were planning to ask Doctor Strange or Professor Xavier to help them somehow as the school term was already getting close to the end of November, so, getting there to the end of the year, and it will be a new school term next year.
And then the last thing they would ever hear is that Jasmine deeply cared for all of them...not romantically loved them as of yet, but affectionately loved them, and she was sad that she wouldn't have the chance to share her first time with them, but she didn't regret saving Ben, or becoming a wonderful, unique woman in her own way.
One of the vets came forward as the others prepared for the worst. However, the look on his face gave a different story. "Are you the owners of the cat?", he asked as the Ben and Peter nodded. "Good news... somehow... and I really can't believe I'm going to say this... but she looks like she'll recover.".
Peter gave out a sob of relief, "Thank Allah and God!", as the girls hugged him, and Ben asked softly, "How's Princess doing?".
"It was a close call, I can't lie, but she kept going strong as we stitched her up...She will have to wear a cast for a few weeks as the muscles from the gunshot wound that went through and through will be inflamed with pain and such, and the wounds themselves will have to heal up, so she will have to wear a cone so she wouldn't cause problems.", the vet replied.
Ben exhaled, "Oh, thank goodness...Is there any medicine we should give her at meals and such?", and the vet nodded, "Yes, one pill every morning and one every night. But for tonight, we have to keep an eye on her, just in case.".
Peter asked, "Can I go see her, please?", looking at the vet, and the vet exhaled, looking at Ben who said, "He has been wrecked all hour, doc. Princess saved my life...It would do him some good for him to see her.".
"Alright then... but just be very gentle with her... she's still in fairly critical condition at the moment. She could take a turn for the worst if we're not careful.", the vet replied.
"I will.", Peter said as he was directed to where he needed to go. "Oh, Mr. Parker, don't worry about the bill. Apparently, the owner of the cash that the man stole before he shot your cat, the owner covered the expenses. I guess as a sort of thank you for stopping the man.".
Ben was surprised yet relieved to hear that, and the girls exchanged a look, realizing that they still have the mini backpack tucked under the car's passenger seat, and that Peter has the checks hidden in his suit under his clothes.
They will have to figure out the timing on that for Ben and May's accounts, but for now, they are just happy to have Jasmine alive and recuperating.
Peter got into the recovery ward, and locked his eyes on Jasmine's cage, and walked over, "Princess?", and Jasmine looked over, purring and meowing as Peter opened the cage, and gently pet Jasmine's leg, whispering, "Thank Allah you're alright, Jasmine...I...we thought we lost you back there...".
Jasmine licked his hand, giving him a look, and Peter sighed softly, "I know, I know...You would have regretted it if you hadn't leapt in and saved Uncle Ben as he's like a second father to you and me in a way...Jean and Gwen, they translated everything you said for me back in the car...You...you are a hero, Jasmine...A true princess..".
She purred, licking Peter's cheek, and Peter chuckled warmly, "Don't worry, we're waiting for you at home...Just rest for tonight, have those people keep an eye on you for anything...At least you're sure to be without an injury like this in the dreamworld, and all...We will talk, okay?".
Jasmine nodded, meowing softly, realizing that Peter heard her supposed last words, and Peter smiled softly, "Good...We will pick you up in the afternoon after school, Jasmine.", leaning in to kiss her gently on the forehead, watching the cone.
He smiled at her, stroked her paw, and then closed the cage door, and waved at Jasmine who purred and then curled up carefully as she went to tactfully drink out of the water bowl, and have some sleep.
"How's she doing?", Jean asked as Peter took a deep breath. "Alright... certainly a bit lively than before, but... I'd rather wait a bit before we can be sure, like the doctor warned and all.", he sighed.
"Hard to believe...", Gwen shook her head. "And if not for her... we might have to be planning for your uncle's funeral since that guy clearly was willing to kill for the car.".
Jean exhaled, "Or even our Peter here to want some revenge if the man took off.", knowing that sometimes Peter doesn't think before reacting.
Peter widened his eyes before exhaling with a deep sigh, "Okay, you may be right as it was highly possible for her to be injured more than what she got, but still, I didn't, and Uncle Ben laid the guy out...".
Gwen replied, "All the same, we have to watch ourselves...Believe me, I would be angry and scared and hurt if it was Jean...", sighing, looking at Jean who squeezed her hand...
"This is all my fault though...", Peter sighed. "I was the reason we were all even out here in the first place... I was just so desperate to get the money that I didn't think of something else that might have been in a less dangerous area of town or less reputable...".
The girls looked furious, and Jean looked at him, "Peter Parker, it isn't your fault! We never knew that a robbery would take place, or that Ben would be at the wrong place at the wrong time, or that our Jasmine would be a literal hero in a cat's body.".
Gwen nodded, "She's right, Pete! So, don't think that, and besides, it already happened, and the past, we can't change a thing. Did we say the same thing to Jasmine, already?".
Peter nodded, sighing again, "You're right...", before looking back at the sound of the vet hospital doors opening, seeing Ben come out, and Ben smiled at them, "Gave my phone number, so they will call me when Princess is ready to be picked up, and I know you, Peter...I will text you so you can pick her up tomorrow afternoon...Girls, you better call your parents, since I doubt that Gwen didn't take the bus to the mini mall...".
Jean nodded, "Yeah, that's right, I better get back to my car...Can't get a parking fee or something...I'm too exhausted to drive home after this...Gwen's dad is fine with me coming over, but yeah, we better let them know... And I'm sure your Aunt May is worried already, wondering what is taking you so long to come home.".
"You doing alright now, Peter?", Ben asked as Peter gave a small nod. "Yeah... I'll be fine... just... really need to rest after all the mess of tonight... I don't think I'm going to sleep well.", he admitted as Ben nodded.
"Can't say I blame you... my life nearly flashed before my eyes for a moment there too.", Ben told him. "But hopefully, things are alright now, Princess will make a good recovery and that we can hopefully move on from this nasty night.".
Peter sighed deeply, "Yeah.", and glanced at the girls who gave him a hug each, and smiled at him before heading for Jean's car, pulling out their phones to call their parents respectively.
Ben patted Peter's shoulder, "Let's go home. Tomorrow afternoon, Princess will be home again, Peter, you will see.", and Peter nodded, heading to Ben's car.
Indeed, May was beyond worried when Peter and Ben came home and was beyond horrified when she heard about what happened.
It was definitely a rough night for all to sleep, and when the trio came to school the next day, grateful that it's Friday, and they will be free from this for a while, they tried to manage through the classes, and Flash was even scared out of his wits when Peter gave him a glare when he came to annoy and taunt him again, even after knowing that Peter didn't have a girl which was surprising to him as Peter should have one already, considering his new looks and all.
"You think after embarrassing him and all that, he'd get the message to back off and stop trying to mess with you.", Gwen rolled her eyes as the group ate lunch. "Old habits die hard, I guess...", Peter said as he took a bite of his food.
"Still feeling like shit from last night?", Jean asked as he nodded. "Yeah... I know you girls told me not to blame myself, but... it's hard.", he sighed.
Gwen patted his hand, "Hey, don't worry, Jasmine will be back to her old self in no time, you will see, and Jean is driving us to the vet hospital as soon as your uncle texts you that she's ready to be picked up. Ben knows that she's a smart cat so we will settle a blanket and all for her in the warehouse, and that you'd need some alone time to cuddle with her or so Ben thinks...".
Jean nodded, saying quietly, "With her injury like this, it's risky to bring her out, so we will go in and talk with her and all.", and Peter blinked softly, "Is that possible when it's daylight? You usually do it at night when most people are sleeping, almost no thoughts at all to bother you.".
"I'm getting better at filtering out any 'unnecessary noise' in terms of thoughts; besides, being at the warehouse means there's not as many people close by.", Jean said.
Gwen nodded, "She has a very good point there, Pete.", and Peter exhaled, feeling a bit better...He doesn't have to wait for night to come to talk with Jasmine, but he still needed to hug her, to see her human form, to ask her permission to kiss her on the lips...
He hopes that it's similarly realistic for emotions in the dreamworld like the outside world, not that he never had been kissed on the lips as of yet by any of the girls.
Jean patted his other hand, "Just two more hours of school, Peter, and we will get her.", and Peter gave her a soft smile, "Yeah...", as he focused on finishing lunch as there is 10 minutes left to eat.
The rest of the school day came and went fairly quickly. Peter was lucky that despite his body, his mind was as sharp as ever, maybe even a bit more so perhaps. Once class was over, Peter checked his phone and sure enough there was a text from Ben. 'Vet says she did well and is ready to come back now.'
Peter gave a sigh of relief, and the girls heard him, leaning over to read, and relieved smiles adorned their faces, with Jean replying, "Let's go get her.", and Peter nodded, texting Ben back, 'Going to get her. Need some time to cuddle with her before Aunt May fusses over her, and you spoiling her with treats.'
Peter and the girls went into Jean's car, and headed off from the school parking lot, intently taking shortcuts in traffic and such to make it sooner to the vet hospital. Peter then heard his phone ping, and glanced at Ben's next message, 'Understood. Just be gentle with her, Peter, and make sure to learn of her checkup schedule, along with picking up her medication too.'
He responded back, 'Yes, sir. I will bring her home for dinnertime.', and he leaned back against the seat with a small sigh, and Gwen asked, "You okay, Pete?".
Peter gave her a small smile, "Uncle Ben's cool with it. He's right...I have to be responsible...With great power comes great responsibility...", and Gwen looks at him, "We'll share the responsibility, Peter...She's part of all of us...", with a firm nod.
Peter shook his head. "What exactly did I do to deserve you two amazing young ladies?", Peter asked as Jean blushed. "Peter, don't say stuff like that! You're making me all flustered with your charm there.", she laughed.
Peter chuckled, feeling a bit better after hearing that Jean and Gwen are going to share the burden of taking care of Jasmine, not that they aren't upset about it, for it meant more time with her in a way.
In good time, they got to the vet hospital, and after parking, the trio got out, and headed inside, with Peter replying to the receptionist, "Peter Parker, here to pick up Princess.".
The receptionist nodded, "Be a few minutes.", pressing a button on her phone to her headset, "Chris. Princess's owner is here.".
After another nod, the receptionist looked up at Peter, "Alright, he's getting Princess, and the medication. The next checkup I can do for you is next week Saturday morning, 10 am.".
Peter nodded, "I can do that, ma'am.", and the receptionist smiled, "Alright, then...", before taking an exhale, "After Princess is completely recovered for a month or less, do you want to completely spay her? We noticed on her history files that she is partially spayed.".
"No, no way. She has been that way for the last five years, and it never caused her any trouble.", Peter shook his head fiercely, not wanting to traumatize Jasmine over that. It was enough for her to be in grief over the loss of her ovaries...
To lose her womb, she would completely hide in her shell forever, and it would take all of them to help her for ages, as the only thing by then would be her to be human again, and who would then know how she'd react if she sees her beloved friends pregnant in the future?
"If you insist then, young man...", the receptionist said. "Just wait one moment then, we'll get her.". Peter waited for a few minutes, practically on edge as he was practically itching to hold Jasmine in his hands once more, to make sure she was truly alright and safe, and then to get her out and finally be in her true presence once more.
Jean and Gwen rubbed his shoulders from either side of him, comforting him, and they all looked up to hear the creaking door from the back, and Peter looked so relieved to see Jasmine cuddled up in a cozy blanket, the vet smiling warmly as Peter got up instantly.
"There you go, Mr. Parker. She behaved quite well overnight and all day...She is definitely a princess in her own way.", the vet chuckled warmly as he gently passed Jasmine into Peter's arms as Jasmine meowed and purred loudly, nuzzling into Peter's chest.