Gwen wasn't sure if she would ever put the costume on again after her Uncle Ben's death. She thought maybe Spider-Woman was better off dead. She also remembered her uncle's last words to her. Don't ever stop. She was on the fence until she heard Erica complaining about having to release Aaron Davis. She realized she'd need to talk to him about what happened to James. She went out as Spider-Woman that night and went to the building where she'd first met Miles and Aaron at. She pressed the buzzer. She didn't want to start off on the wrong foot by breaking in. Aaron opened the door. He had a beer in his hand and he looked worn down. He jumped back when he saw her.
"I'm not here to fight you, Aaron."
Seeing she wasn't making any aggressive action he took a swig of his beer.
"What do you want then? Come to gloat?"
"It's better if we talk inside."
He stepped back.
"It's not like I can stop you."
Spider-Woman walked inside and closed the door. His words were slightly slurred. He motioned to the bar.
"Do you want a beer?"
She shook her head.
"No one needs to know it was Miles who put Fisk's son in a coma."
He pointed the bottle he was holding at her.
"You know Fisk has put a six-figure bounty out on your head. You must have really pissed him off."
"I threatened to torture and kill his wife in front of his daughter. He was pretty mad."
He shook his head.
"Shit, you're cold. Why this sudden change of heart? Last I heard you were all the Prowler assaulted James Fisk."
"Because right now everyone thinks I did it anyway, the police, Fisk. The public. If Fisk finds out Miles did it, he'll kill him and he won't be gentle about it."
"So, what do you care if some black kid from the wrong side of the tracks gets snuffed?"
"Because he's just a kid. Fisk doesn't know who I am. Miles has a chance at a future. I'm trying to give him a second chance."
Aaron finished his beer.
"And what do we have to do for you to take the blame for this?"
She pointed at him.
"You make sure he doesn't waste this second chance. Working for Fisk is going to get you both killed. You keep him in line and tell him to keep his mouth shut."
Aaron reached over the bar and pulled another beer out and popped the lid.
"Fine. You have yourself a deal. Spider-Woman."
He turned to look for her and she was gone.
Gwen had to buy a new black dress for her Uncle Ben's funeral, the one her father had bought her to attend her mother's funeral wouldn't fit her any longer. This dress, she had bought with her own money, over her father's protests. She was sitting on her bed much like she had been before a funeral seven months ago. She heard her father calling out.
"Gwen? Gwen? Are you ready? Gwen, its time."
She stood up and walked out of her room. Her father was in the same black suit he had been for her mother's funeral. Erica was waiting with him. Her father had already picked up the car and it was parked out front. The ride to the funeral home was a quiet one. No one seemed to be in the mood to chat. Gwen was staring blankly at the passing buildings. She had gone over and spoken to Aunt May the day after it happened. She'd also tried her best to make peace with Peter. The death of a loved one had a way of making other things seem insignificant. The perspective made it clear Peter really was only trying to help her, even if she disagreed. He wasn't trying to hurt her. The pair had work to do, but they were talking again.
When she saw Peter, she hugged him tightly. He hugged her back. They sat beside each other much like they had at her mother's funeral. She grabbed his hand and held it for the whole funeral. Her Aunt May looked devastated. Gwen realized that Ben's death still hadn't truly sunk into her aunt. The wake was at Aunt May's house. It was a much smaller funeral than her mother's.
After the wake Peter and Gwen sat in his room. He hadn't really said much the whole day. She didn't push. The silence wasn't awkward, it just was. He was staring at the wall. She shook her head.
"What was he even doing in the Bronx?"
Peter sighed heavily.
"It's my fault. I needed… wanted more plastic coil for the 3D printer. I just had to get that mini printed that night. Just had to."
Gwen stood up and put her hand on Peter's back.
"It's not your fault Peter."
Peter nodded.
"I know. It's her fault and I'm going to find a way to stop her."
Gwen blinked at him.
"Stop who?"
Peter's voice was filled with determination as he spoke.
"Spider-Woman. She got Uncle Ben killed. She got Miles arrested. I'm going to stop her before she can hurt anyone else. Before she can take anyone else from me."
Gwen swallowed hard. This was not a good turn of events.
"Uncle Ben wouldn't want you to go down that road Peter."
He looked at her.
"Uncle Ben can't want anything. He's dead. She may as well have shot him herself. Someone needs to stop her. And it's going to be me who does it. I'll find a way."
Peter continued to stare off into space. Gwen closed her eyes and sighed heavily. She silently hoped he would forget about this eventually. Time would tell.
This series will be continued in – Spider-Woman vs Iron Man.
Author's Note:
So I've had some reviews on how Gwen got blamed for Uncle Ben's death. Because he was killed during the commission of another crime (the pursuit and attempted murder of James Fisk) legally under New York Law (and most states law) she can be charged with the murder of anyone who dies during the commission of the crime, even though she did not shoot him someone she was chasing did, in "self-defense". It sucks, but that is the law.