Gwen rolled out of bed in the early hours of Sunday morning. She couldn't sleep anymore. Her physical injuries were healed, but even with the pep talk from Steve at the diner she still felt mentally overwhelmed by her recent near-death experiences. There was also a concern about what was floating around in her body. Her dreams had been nightmarish, what if scenarios. The worst of them was that she was currently harboring some unholy alien parasite-nanite hybrid cyborg thing that she would soon give birth to like she'd seen in some weird anime Peter would watch sometimes.

She pushed away the nightmares and had a shower. Completely contrary to her usual habits she decided to go to the diner and church this morning. If the last week taught her anything, maybe a little divine intervention might help, because she sure as hell wasn't getting stuff right on her own. She put on her typical church outfit which was as modest as she would typically go. The diner was barely open when she sat at her usual table. Mary, a waitress who Gwen had seen when her and her family would stop here for breakfast after church was on shift.

"You're in early. What can I get you kiddo?"

Gwen would always be a kid here. She'd been coming here since she was a baby and most of the waitresses were lifers.

"Three farmer's breakfasts please. And tea."

Mary wrote down her order.

"Expecting more?"

Gwen shook her head.

"Well, I'll get the order in, might be a while, Hank's still heating up the grill."

Mary wandered off and came back with hot water, cup and a teabag she leaned on the bench across from Gwen.

"You're kind of popular with the Avengers I hear. In here yesterday with Captain America, Iron Man a couple of weeks ago, what's your secret?"

Gwen started steeping her tea.

"Honestly, it's sort of a secret, but I make a lot of Spider-Woman's gadgets, so that's how I met Steve. I work directly for Tony at Stark Industries."

Mary smiled.

"Good for you. I guess you helped save the world then. Maybe we should have your picture on the wall."

Gwen blushed and shook her head.

"No, they're the real heroes out there risking their necks."

Mary shook her head.

"Don't sell yourself short little Gwen. Sometimes it's the people in the background doing all the heavy lifting. I'll go check on your order."

Mary grabbed the tv remote and turned on the TV. J. Jonah Jameson's face appeared on it. Mary scoffed and went to change the channel giving Gwen an apologetic look.

"Sorry, one of our late-night regulars love this guy. Pure trash."

Gwen held up her hand.

"It's okay, leave it on, I want to see how he turns Spider-Woman helping save the world into a bad thing. It has got to be a marvelous work of fiction."

Mary chuckled and put the remote down. Gwen watched the TV her eyes went wide in shock. At his next words.

"Well folks. You'll rarely hear me say this, but I was wrong about Spider-Woman. If Captain America thinks she's one of the good guys, then so do I. I hope one day she'll take the mask off so I can thank her personally, face to face. So, let's talk about her this morning. Who do you think she is? What do you think she does when she's not swinging around the city fighting aliens and crime? Looks like we have a few callers. Hello Sam, what do you have to say about Spider-Woman?"

Sam sounded like an older man; He had the typical Brooklyn accent.

"Well, I know she's got to be a Christian girl. I was nearby that fight she had with that guy, the one the cops are calling Sin-Eater. She was flinging bible quotes right back at him. I think she and Captain America might have something going on. There was this explosion. She and him were wrapped up around each other like they know a thing or two about getting close, if you know what I mean."

Gwen gagged a few times thinking about that. Not that Steve was unattractive but way too old and he felt more like a big brother than someone she'd date. JJJ held up his hand to the camera.

"Slow down there, Sam. I saw that video she posted. It looked more like she was trying to protect him. Could be she's more durable than he is. Let's take our next caller. Becky. What's your take on Spider-Woman?"

Becky had a Jersey accent.

"I think she's married with kids. Probably a good Irish Catholic girl. You seen some of those comic books, the costumes they have the women wearing. Hers covers every part of her, no skin. She's a good Catholic girl I tell you. Probably has two kids. Stay at home mom. Wish I had a body like that after two kids."

JJJ laughed.

"Okay, okay. Thank you, Becky. Next caller, Peter, one of the fans of my show."

Gwen blinked a few times. She recognized her cousin Peter Parker's voice immediately.

"She's not a hero. She's a murderer. She killed my uncle. She killed all those people in that truck the other night. Where was she when the Avengers were rescuing civilians? She was being a glory hound fighting Loki. As if she stood a chance. Why are you making her out to be a hero? Huh? What's she paying you? Who's forcing you to? I thought you wanted the truth to be out there!"

Peter hung up. Gwen shivered at the venom in his voice. JJJ blinked a few times.

"Now Peter, I am sorry about your uncle but after I reviewed all the facts, it is clear that was the work of a hardened criminal that she was trying to stop from hurting even more people. You are right. I want to report the truth, and the truth is, I was wrong. Spider-Woman is a hero. The reason the other Avengers could rescue those civilians was because she and Thor kept Loki distracted and focused on them. On to our next caller… Loki? This ought to be good."

JJJ sounded sarcastic as he answered the call.

"So, Loki, how are you calling us from a prison cell?"

Gwen shuddered when she heard his voice. Once again, easily recognizable.

"Magic, you arrogant, pathetic, little human. They have you droning on and on here in an amateurish attempt to torture me."

JJJ was obviously trying not to laugh. Unlike Gwen he had no idea he was talking to the real deal.

"Well Loki, what do you have to say about Spider-Woman?"

Loki's smug voice responded.

"Simply that she is a foe I underestimated and will not do so again. See you soon, on your knees, little spider. You will reconsider my offer. I will need a worthy Queen."

Gwen went pale, but then realized once again, that was his game. Trying to get into people's heads. The line went dead and JJJ looked at the camera.

"Well, that wasn't creepy at all, sounds like someone needs some professional help. The Daily Bugle, your source for the truth, will be back after this commercial break."

Gwen shook her head at the Ionic Blue supplement that JJJ was shilling. Protection against flus, COVID and colds. Her breakfast arrived.

"Did you hear that guy who thought he was Loki?"

Gwen frowned.

"It was Loki."

Mary gave her a strange look.

"How do you know that?"

Gwen shook her head.

"It's Classified."

Mary put her hands on her hips.

"Really?"

Gwen shrugged.

"It's the truth. I'll tell you another thing, he has a really punchable face when you combine it with his voice."

Mary walked away, shaking her head. Gwen dug into her breakfast and listened to the rest of JJJ's show. It devolved into the kind of talk that irritated her. The standard conservative neo-Christian fundamentalist talking points about how homosexuals and trans people are ruining society today. Mary was obviously getting fed up with him and switched the tv to another morning show. She brought Gwen her bill.

"Good God that man likes to hear himself speak. At least he's not calling the aliens an inside job."

"Give him a week. Or see what the conspiracy nuts start spewing, you'll hear him say it. He knows his audience."

Mary nodded and patted the bill.

"Take your time dear, you need more tea?"

Gwen shook her head.

"Thanks Mary, need to get going if I'm going to get to church on time. See you around."

Gwen paid for her meal and gave a good tip. Mary came by and picked it up.

"Hey, does your friend Spider-Woman do autographs?"

Gwen pondered her question.

"She's been known to under the right circumstances."

Mary seemed a bit hesitant. Gwen motioned for her to continue.

"Go ahead Mary, she's actually really nice."

Mary nodded.

"Well, my granddaughter Alisha, she's eight, thinks Spider-Woman is fantastic. Says she wants to be her when she grows up, wants to go out dressed as her on Halloween. Spider-Woman, this, Spider-Woman that."

"I'll see what I can do. Would a video from her do if she won't sign something?"

Mary looked excited by the prospect. Gwen smiled.

"I can definitely arrange that. Keep an eye on her channel"

Gwen stood and waved and walked out of the diner. She'd have to skip her usual church because it was St Patrick's Cathedral which was inside the Chitari perimeter. So, she went to the local parish. It was where she would go typically when she couldn't get a ride anyway. It would mean she'd probably see MJ, Peter, Flash, Liz amongst others. She was rather surprised to see it was already filling up. Gwen was about to enter and was eyeing a nice distant seat at the back to avoid any unwanted attention or unpleasantness. She thought she was home free when Father Thomas called out her name.

"Gwen, we haven't seen you in a while. Are you doing alright?"

Gwen smiled sweetly.

"Hello Father Thomas, Sorry, just so, busy with work. I know I know; I should be resting on Sundays, but I mean I'm sure God wants me to go to university one day."

Father Thomas smiled.

"Well, you are forgiven, I have a way you can make it up to the Lord, we could use an alter server today."

Gwen's shoulders slumped. The father smiled even more brightly.

"Of course, we also need a Lector today. Mrs. Shane is at the hospital with her son who was hurt in recent events."

Gwen glanced at the church which was filling up rapidly.

"There's so many here Father, and I'm out of practice."

He nodded.

"Yes, but I'm sure you want to do penance for missing so many masses."

Gwen sighed.

"Yes Father. I'll be the Lector."

He smiled.

"I'm so pleased, you have such a beautiful voice. Do you know the readings?"

Gwen nodded.

"Yes Father, Samual and Acts."

"Excellent. I'm so glad you came this morning. It such a blessed day to give thanks to the Lord."

Gwen made her way to the front of the church. She avoided looking at Peter, MJ, or Flash while she ensured the bible was prepped for the readings properly. One too many times she'd been pulled into this role and it hadn't been.

The church was really crowded. It was standing room only. She mused an alien invasion sure had a way of helping people find Jesus.

She went through the psalms, readings and led the hymns, because apparently the cantor wasn't there either. All Gwen could think, every other bloody person in New York was. Her penance done according to Father Thomas she took part in the eucharist. Because apparently in his eyes her saying sorry was a confession. Even with having to take an active part in the mass, Gwen felt a bit better. She had a really hard time believing in God at this point, for all she knew he could be some arrogant asshole who spoke with a British accent and called himself a God but was from some stupid advanced planet somewhere. Even with her lack of faith the energy of the mass had buoyed her spirits.

Gwen was on her way out of the church after helping tidy up after the mass and encountered Father Thomas again. She was the last straggler the younger alter servants having done the minimum and rushed off. He smiled at her.

"Thank you so much for your help today, Gwen. If you ever need to talk, you know we're here for you. This is a hard time. Both in life and in faith. With what happened this time last year, and this business with those things raining down in the city."

Gwen nodded.

"I know father. I will ask for help if I need it."

He glanced in the direction of the confessionals.

"I see a lot of weight on your shoulders. You know what you say in confession is strictly confidential. There are no circumstances where I would be allowed to speak of you even confessing. Think about it, you do not need to carry these burdens alone. The Lord wants to help you."

Gwen smiled.

"Thank you, Father. I'll see you next Sunday."

He waved as Gwen left the church. She rolled her eyes when he couldn't see her and muttered under her breath.

"Hi Father, Forgive me for I have sinned, It has been a year since my last confession, I'm Spider-Woman and I beat people up, how are you?"

She exhaled a long slow breath before heading back to her apartment. A thought occurred to her. She hadn't heard from the band at all in what seemed like forever. She tapped the holo-display on her phone and scrolled to find Lana's text. Her eyes went wide when she realized there were forty-six messages. They ranged from hey, practice on the fifth, to panicked, and even more panicked requests to see if she was alright. Gwen winced. She realized it might look like she died in the attack. The last message was a little less panicked and a little more angry, it was from Saturday Morning: I know you're alive! Some woman named Victoria called from Stark Industries they want us to open a charity show and told me you suggested us! Do you know who they have playing? This could be our big chance. You know what we can't do? We can't do it without practicing! You better answer me or else! Gwen was blushing as she quickly typed a response. Sorry Lana! My phone got smashed. I'm just getting it working again. I can be at practice today! 100% Sorry! Won't happen again. Lana responded immediately, Good.

Gwen hurried home to get prepared for band practice. She'd let her non superhero life slide too much in the last week or so. Maybe losing her newfangled costume and bracers or rather absorbing them wasn't terrible. She didn't really feel any ill-effects and she'd gotten the scans and tests to Tony. That was a future her problem. She left her apartment through the window and webbed the window shut at the bottom and jumped down the fire escape and rushed to their practice space. The band were already waiting for her. Lana sighed heavily.

"Finally! Let's get started. Have a new set list to learn."

Gwen did her best to be present for the entire practice session. It wasn't hard. The beat was easy for her. It is what gave her mind focus. It was easy to forget the trials and tribulations of the last few weeks. When their practice came to an end everyone looked pretty happy with themselves. Lana walked over to Gwen.

"Hey Gwen, when you seemed to ghost us I was pretty worried. I wasn't expecting you to be so on top of the music today. Good job."

Gwen smiled at Lana.

"Thanks, look, I'm sorry. You know I work for Stark Industries, and it's just been chaos since the attack."

Lana put her hand on Gwen's shoulder.

"I get it. You have a job. The thing is, being in a band takes commitment, especially if we're planning on going places. We need you to be present and here for us, especially if this charity gig you got us kicks off our careers."

Gwen nodded.

"See you tomorrow after work for more practice. The concert is in two weeks. We need to be at the top of our game."

Gwen pulled her backpack over her shoulder.

"Don't worry. I know where my focus needs to be. See you tomorrow."

She waved to Lana and her other bandmates. She headed out into the streets.