*Sheepishly waves* Hello...it's been awhile...again. Life is busy I'm not gonna lie. This chapter has been sitting nearly complete for a long time but I just couldn't bring myself to write anymore. This isn't my favorite chapter honestly but I have the outline for the rest of the story done so I just gotta fill in the details. Possible time jump to come...

As always, please review :)

Kate gripped his arms to bring his attention to her. "We need to leave now." She insisted firmly. "They're going to be looking for us and we can't let the building get caught in the crossfire."

Peter nodded quickly, snapping out of his daze. He tossed her jacket over as he grabbed their backpacks. They were gone from the apartment within minutes.

Jumping into the driver's seat, Kate pulled away skillfully navigating the icy streets. They drove in silence for a long time, Kate occasionally glancing at Peter as she got them out of the city.

"I'm fine, Kate." Peter after the most recent sideways glance, voice distant, lost in thought.

"Mmm…" Kate pressed her lips into a thin line, not sure how to handle this one.

Peter rubbed a hand over his face. "Really, I'm fine." He said straightening up, sounding more in control. "We'll catch him again."

"He'll slip up eventually." She said confidently. "Others are watching closely as well. He'll face justice."

When they pulled up to the compound, Natasha was waiting for them. Getting out of the car, the two teens shrunk just a little under the Widow's intense stare as they waited for her to say something.

Natasha smirked slightly. "Come on." She said tilting her head slightly.

The two hurried to follow her, Lucky running up to follow. The fluffy dog hugged close to Kate's legs, looking up at her with love as his tongue lolled to the side.

Kate reached down and scratched his head as she walked. "Nat, what are we doing about Fisk?" She asked as they walked towards the common area.

"At the moment, there isn't anything we can do." Natasha replied calmly. "We have to pretend that it's business as usual until we have something concrete to charge him with."

"Something tells me Fisk isn't interested in waiting for that to happen." Kate replied.

"How so?" Clint asked as they walked into the common area.

Kate sighed, glancing briefly at Peter. "The Tracksuits tried to corner me last night. Said their boss wants a word." She said, crossing her arms, subconsciously protecting her ribs.

There were a few worried looks exchanged among the team. Clint raised an eyebrow at her, a silent question.

Kate nodded that she was okay.

"They aren't stupid enough to attack at the school." Natasha said after a moment. "Fisk won't risk something like that fresh out of jail."

"Are you benching us again?" Peter asked.

"No." Steve replied. "The opposite actually, we need you both involved in this."

Tony didn't look happy but agreed. "There's a lot of unrest with Fisk's release, there are other players that initially filled the void and now there's going to be a power struggle." He said leaning against the back of one of the sofas. "We're all going to be spread thin handling it."

"More than that," Steve commented looking at the two. "You both had a direct hand in bring about his arrest last time. You're more than capable with this."

That was shocking to the two, hearing the praise coming from most of the team.

Kate looked at her brother, who had a permanent frown in place. What do you think? Kate signed at him.

Clint sighed and signed back. I think you guys will be targets to draw him out. Kate furrowed her brows slightly as she waited. But I think you can handle it.

Kate smiled at her brother who half smiled back. "So, what's the plan then?" She asked looked at Steve.

"Right now, it's business as usual." Steve replied.

"Plan on going back to school when the weather clears." Tony instructed. "For tonight, don't leave the compound."

The teens nodded.

…

Despite the Kingpin's looming threat, they were able to have a fairly normal remaining day. Kate was hovering, occasionally helping, in the kitchen while Sam cooked. Peter worked in the lab with Tony for a while. Later that evening, the teens had taken up a large section of the living room to work on their homework so they could be ahead on it before they had to start patrols again.

The news was playing in the background, a few of the adults watching it while the teens worked. Kate and Peter were listening, but most of it was repeat information.

Kate looked up briefly when they spoke about the attorneys from Nelson & Murdock who had originally been on the persecuting side in previous trials against the Kingpin. There wasn't a lot of information and nothing she didn't already know.

"What did you get for this?" Peter asked pointing out a problem in their chemistry book. "I ran it three times."

"Uh, I got the same thing." She replied grabbing her notebook.

Both made a face as they went over the problem. Finally, Kate leaned back and asked Bruce, showing him the textbook. He confirmed that the book was wrong.

Eventually, Kate yawned, the lack of sleep catching up quickly. She leaned back against Natasha's knees, who was lounging on the sofa next to Clint.

"Time for bed." Natasha said in a mildly teasing voice as she ran a hand soothingly over Kate's curls. Kate hummed in response before Natasha gave a little nudge with her foot. "Come on, before you fall asleep like that."

Kate groaned in protest, but she and Peter gathered their books. He was fading just as quickly as she was. Standing, he held out a hand to her, pulling her to her feet. They bid everyone good night and headed for the door.

"Separate beds!" Clint called out loudly causing Natasha to smack him hard in the chest while Thor laughed.

Kate flipped him off behind her back as she walked, too tired to argue with him.

Peter walked her to her door, not intending to stay tonight knowing Clint would probably check to make sure they were in their own rooms. "Good night." He said pulling her into a tight hug.

"Night." She replied hugging him back. "You gonna be okay?"

Peter nodded. "Tony said that we have to swing by the office tomorrow to meet with the lawyer; there's documents that need to be signed to make the adoption official." He said quietly.

Kate looked up into his chocolate brown eyes. "And how do you feel about that?" She asked.

Peter was quiet before he offered a small smile. "Ask me tomorrow?" He offered.

She nodded. "If you want me to come, let me know." She said gently.

"Thanks Kate." He said pulling her back into a hug.

"Sleep well." She said holding tight. "Call if you need me."

She felt his nod. "You too. See you tomorrow."

…

See you tomorrow turned out to be see you at 2:00am. Peter woke up in a cold sweat, feeling like he couldn't breathe. Within maybe 30 seconds, his door opened, and Kate walked in dressed in pajama pants, a tank top, and his zip hoodie. She didn't question him, just scooched him over and wrapped her arms around him as they lay back on the bed, creating a comforting weight on him.

"How did—"

"I told FRIDAY to alert me if something happened." Kate replied simply.

Peter felt guilt settle in his chest. "You don't need to—"

"Shh." Kate said simply not accepting what she knew he was going to say. "Go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

Feeling too shaky to argue, Peter wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and closing his eyes to let his other senses take over. He could smell her citrus soap and the very subtle scent that came from the feathers of her arrows. He could hear her gentle heartbeat. He could feel where his hands pressed against her back, the hoodie separating them. Finally, he pressed a kiss to her temple as he felt his heartrate begin to return to normal. He started to drift off to sleep as the wind began to howl outside with a renewed storm.