Gwen woke up. She was stiff but the abuse she'd suffered from shrapnel the evening before was healed. Her sleep wasn't great. The pain got in her way. She wished she'd had the foresight to bring painkillers with her. She was starting to think she should make that part of her standard crime fighting get up. She sighed and started pulling on her golf clothes. She'd chosen a collared golf shirt and a sports skirt. She'd confirmed her chosen outfit met the dress code for the tournament. She snagged her Spider-Woman costume which she'd scrubbed clean last night and hung over the shower rod to dry. She stuffed her bracers and costume into a space at the bottom of her golf bag that was usually reserved for golf balls. She couldn't leave it just lying around the hotel room.
Gwen's phone buzzed. Adam had texted her asking her if she was ready for breakfast. She responded she was and made her way down to the hotel's restaurant. As she passed through the lobby she saw video of her confrontation with Sin-Eater. CNN was trying to figure out who the man with the shield was and who was in the pink Iron Man armor. She sighed when she saw the scrolling text declaring that the Sin-Eater and Spider-Woman were still at large. She muttered to herself.
"Save a bunch of people and they want to arrest you for destruction of property."
Adam appeared beside her.
"What was that?"
Gwen glanced up at him.
"Nothing. Hey how is it going?"
He motioned to another television as they passed it.
"Were you involved in that."
Gwen sighed and nodded. Adam's eyes went wide as he saw the recorded video of the explosion that had nearly killed her and Captain America.
"Were you in the armor?"
Gwen sighed and pulled him close she whispered. She'd been dancing around the subject for a while but he'd figure it out eventually. He was no idiot.
"No Adam. I'm the one in the Spider-Woman costume."
He went pale after doing a double take of the explosion they had just replayed.
"Oh my god, are you alright? Should you be up?"
Gwen rolled her eyes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm fine. I heal fast, remember. Now let's forget all of that and pretend I'm normal so your parents don't freak out at breakfast because you look like you've seen a ghost."
He nodded but still looked a bit concerned.
"How do you just… carry on?"
Gwen shrugged.
"What else am I supposed to do, hide in a cave and brood like Batman?"
She waved her hand dismissively. Adam rubbed the back of his head. He whispered as they walked.
"I don't know but like, you were in an actual explosion. He was shooting at you. You got hit by a missile! Maybe you should be at the hospital."
Gwen stopped in her tracks and grabbed the front of his shirt. She pulled him down with more strength than he could resist.
"Keep it together Adam. I'm fine. I beat Iron Man, not much chance a religious wingnut in non-powered body armor can hurt me. If it wasn't for a couple of amateurs showing up, I'd have been fine. I got distracted."
Adam looked down at her.
"How do you do it?"
Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"How do soldiers do it? How do police? How do EMT's? How do firefighters? It's like my uncle told me before he died. I have great power, so I have great responsibility. They're just human. A lot of innocent people could have died last night. I think of them. We're going to be late for breakfast, come on."
She grabbed his wrist and tugged him along with her. He stumbled still unaccustomed to the strength she wielded. The pair's arrival was so delayed that Adam's parents had already been seated and ordered for the four of them. His mother stood up and hugged Gwen. Gwen hugged her back. Gwen winced when she felt the pressure on her lower back. Maybe she hadn't healed completely. She sat down. Adam slipped into the seat beside her. Gwen's pained look hadn't gone unnoticed, and Adam's father looked at her with concern in his eyes.
"Is everything alright Gwen?"
Gwen plastered a smile on her face.
"Everything is fine, I just tweaked my back during my boxing lesson yesterday."
Senator Thomas looked at Gwen with a bemused smile.
"Boxing?"
Gwen shrugged.
"A gift from Mr. Stark. He says a girl living in New York needs to know how to protect herself."
He chuckled.
"He isn't wrong about that, he's wrong about the stopping weapons manufacturing though. A lot of people on the hill aren't happy about him doing that, or him keeping his Iron Man suit to himself. And now someone has a knock off?"
Adam's mother swatted at the Senator's arm.
"No business talk. We're having a nice breakfast with Adam and his girlfriend. Not for the discussion of US defense planning."
The senator smiled and nodded.
"Yes dear."
Adam glanced at Gwen. Her wince of pain had him worried. Gwen ignored his glance and smiled at the senator.
"Senator, I'll let Mr. Stark know. So, who do you think is going to win the tournament today?"
He laughed.
"You sound pretty confident."
Gwen smirked.
"I've seen Adam play."
Adam gave her a shocked look.
"Wow!"
He sunk in his seat when he realized he was playing against someone with superpowers. He sighed.
"She might be right. I wouldn't make any bets against her or her partner dad."
The senator chuckled.
"Adam, you better keep this one close. She'll take you places. Gwen, how did you come to be Wilson Fisk's partner? I was surprised when Adam said he had partnered with Tony Stark."
Gwen glanced around for the food that they were waiting for, hoping she'd be rescued. She wasn't. She looked back at the senator.
"Sorry, a bit hungry, umm, you know family friend. Well his daughter's got leukemia and is not able, he bought me those clubs, he knew I didn't have any when we were going to golf. He asked if I'd like to help him win some money for a charity and I said yes."
"He bought you those? He must be a really close family friend."
Gwen shook her head.
"No, I just did a favor for him, he had umm, problems in his organization and I helped him gather the evidence he needed to put a stop to them. It was nothing just some data analysis pretty simple for me but saved him a lot of money. Can't get into the details really, non-disclosure and all that."
The senator nodded.
"What did Stark Industries think of that?"
Gwen shrugged.
"There was no conflict of interest. I didn't develop any technology for Mr. Fisk. I just used my knowledge of data forensics."
Their food arrived. Gwen was happy because it stopped the conversation in its tracks. Adam's father was always so curious about her work she wasn't sure if she should be concerned. Adam's parents paid for the meal, and everyone started getting up. Adam spoke up as they were about to part ways.
"Hey guys, I'll see you at the golf course. I'm going to take my car and give Gwen a ride."
He nodded. Adam's mother hugged Gwen. Gwen returned the hug. By this time, her back had fully healed and she felt no pain. Adam decided to continue their earlier conversation on the car ride to the golf course after a few false starts.
"I couldn't do what you do."
Gwen glanced at Adam.
"You don't know that, not until you're in the situation."
Adam got quiet. Gwen gave it fifteen minutes and she looked at him when they were stopped a red light.
"Is this a problem for you? I'm not going to stop, ever, not for you, or anyone else. I've already given too much up for this."
Adam looked at her.
"I didn't know you were Spider-Woman. I just need to get used to that idea. That's all. It's a lot. You were in an explosion. It would have killed anyone else but here you are sitting beside me with not even a scratch."
Gwen sighed and looked out the window of the corvette and the pair fell into silence. That silence continued onto the golf course. Wilson Fisk and Gwen were paired with Tony and Adam. Kingpin picked up on the distance between the young couple. Gwen had played chess with him a handful of times and they had a frenemy thing going on. She hated that she could see humanity in him. Especially where his daughter was concerned. It was easier when she could believe the bad guys were mustache twirling thugs. She was starting to realize that real life was never that black and white. When they were waiting for Tony and Adam to catch up Wilson looked down at Gwen he towered over her by over a foot. He spoke in his deep voice.
"This is a friendly match. You're taking it a bit seriously on your boyfriend."
Gwen glanced up at him, she hadn't realized she'd been giving Adam the cold shoulder. Or vice versa. She shook her head.
"Has nothing to do with the game."
Wilson put his hands in his white golf pants pockets.
"Ah, young love. So much drama."
Gwen blushed, she realized he was right. He nodded. He made an affirmative sound hmmph.
"My daughter's last boyfriend. So much drama. She had a meltdown because it took him three minutes to respond to a text message. I know it wouldn't be so pedantic with you. Care to talk about it? It would appear we are far enough ahead of our competition we have time."
Gwen shook her head.
"It's a silly argument. He doesn't understand why I go out of my way to help others… no that sounds wrong. He is not a bad person; He just doesn't understand. I don't think you would either. No offense but you don't seem like the self-sacrificing type."
He smiled.
"Very blunt, but also true. So, you have a philosophical difference of opinion. Interestingly deep for teenage romance. As I would expect for someone with your intellect."
Gwen looked up at him again.
"Why did you ask me to be your partner for this?"
He chuckled.
"I like to win of course. Also, my daughter suggested you. She appreciated the flowers you brought and the autographed Spider-Woman photo you brought her. How is your friend doing these days? That explosion last night came refreshingly close to ending her."
Gwen shrugged.
"She's recovering. She has an excellent medical team."
He frowned.
"What a pity."
Gwen gave a slight roll of her eyes.
"I'd think you'd be more concerned. Those weapons the cartel got on the streets are being used against your people."
He nodded to Tony and Adam as they approached. He looked down at his clubs and went about selecting a putter.
"I am very concerned. They are causing instability and instability is bad for business. People like to know they're safe when you promise they'll be safe. My associates like to know their goods will arrive when they are promised. Have you reconsidered your position on becoming my protégé?"
Gwen was selecting her own putter. As they spoke.
"I appreciate the offer, but I must once again respectfully decline."
He nodded and moved towards his ball she walked beside him.
"I hope you'll reconsider your decision one day, someone as smart as you could go far in this line of work. Ah, one day your idealistic outlook will dull, and I will have a place for you."
He lined up and took his shot, the ball rolled into the hole. Gwen did the same. Then the pair waited for Tony and Adam to take a couple of putts each before they sunk their own golf balls. After their next drives the pair rode in a golf cart to the next green. He continued their conversation.
"Do you have any more intelligence on who's selling them now that the cartel has been wiped out?"
Gwen shook her head.
"No. You know everything I do."
"And Spider-Woman does she know anything?"
Gwen shrugged.
"She doesn't tell me everything. I'm just a resource to her."
"It would seem she and I have much in common."
Gwen winced internally and hoped that would never be true.
"Except she helps people, and you use them."
He smiled.
"It is refreshing to be around someone who is so honest in their opinion of me. I always know where you and I stand."
Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"I make sure to call you out on your bullshit as a rule."
He laughed.
"Yet when you spoke to my daughter you said nothing of my real business."
Gwen shrugged.
"Its not her fault her father is a crime lord. In what world would upsetting her and giving her something more to worry about make the situation any better? It'd be like kicking a puppy."
"I appreciate your sensitivity to her situation. I was surprised after the threats your associate levied against her that she'd sign an autograph addressed to her."
Gwen shook her head.
"She would never hurt an innocent person. She was trying to scare you. I told her how sick your daughter was and her first question was, is there anything I can do to help?"
"Ah a bluff. A risky gambit. I underestimated her. I will not do so again. At least she tempered my anger in the moment so I was able to avoid making another mistake."
He looked at the green as he stopped the cart.
"Our day is coming to a close it would seem. I suspect we're in the lead by a large margin. While we wait, I was wondering if I could broach a sensitive subject."
Gwen gave him a curious look.
"More sensitive than what we already discussed?"
"It is about your aunt. I understand she is in the hospital. I know the costs of medical treatment can be prohibitive. I wanted to offer financial assistance."
Gwen shook her head.
"I'm taking care of it. Mr. Stark pays me very well."
He smiled.
"Of course. As he should. Could I trouble you for a favor?"
Gwen's eyes narrowed.
"Depends on the favor."
He laughed.
"I was hoping you could visit my daughter again; Her friends have been distant."
She relaxed slightly and nodded.
"I can stop by."
"Thank you, Gwen, I appreciate that. Your last visit helped her morale."
Gwen shrugged.
"I'm sure I could get my associate to visit, if you were to give your word you wouldn't try to have her killed. There is also the slight problem with her being wanted for murder."
He frowned.
"I am genuinely sorry for the losses you have suffered because of my son and his associates. It is a messy business. Shooting when there are innocents involved. Admittedly there was a certain amount of careless disregard of life on both sides of that encounter, but your uncle's death was regrettable and wholly unnecessary. I believe I am ready to call a truce with her for my daughter's sake. A visit from her would make my daughter very happy. Provided your associate is as discrete with our actual relationship and business practices."
"I trust her to honor that. She's not a monster. Well, she might be under the mask, like sixty percent of her DNA is spider."
He chuckled.
"She very well could look like a monster."
Tony and Adam finally caught up to them and the four of them finished off their round of golf. Kingpin and Gwen had indeed won the day. Meaning the prize, a large portion of the funds donated by the various companies to participate went to the children's hospital and cancer research. Wilson shook Gwen's hand, and they parted ways with a promise to share a lunch over another chess game soon. Adam drove Gwen back to the hotel the pair were still quiet. Adam finally broke the silence.
"I'm sorry Gwen."
She glanced at him.
"For what?"
He seemed somewhat confused when he responded.
"For whatever is making you give me the silent treatment?"
Gwen quirked her head to the side and crossed her arms.
"Ah, you're the one giving me the silent treatment."
Adam blinked a few times as he went through the newly turned green light.
"I am?"
Gwen rubbed her face with her hand.
"You've been ignoring me all day."
Adam pulled up to the curb next to her walk up.
"I thought you were ignoring me because you were mad. I just wasn't sure what for."
Gwen sighed.
"We suck at communicating apparently. Could you give me a ride to my friend's boxing gym after I get showered and changed? I was going to Uber because I thought you were mad…"
He nodded. Gwen got out he leaned towards the passenger window.
"Wait, mom and dad wanted to have supper with you tonight."
Gwen shook her head.
"Sorry, no can do, have to go see Aunt May with Steve and then Tony is having an Independence day/birthday party tonight. I said I'd go and hang out with Martha so she wouldn't freak out."
Adam blinked a few times.
"Can I come?"
Gwen paused and turned back and leaned down.
"Sorry, Martha's erm different. I'd be ignoring you and you don't know anyone… you understand right?"
Adam sighed and nodded.
"Okay, but sounds like fun, I hear Tony Stark knows how to throw one hell of a party."
Gwen shook her head and pulled him closer. She kissed him full on the lips.
"And I'm going to spend it in Martha's room helping her pretend it isn't happening. It's going to be a boring night."