Chapter 37

"…Chief Watanabe had this to say. "Regarding the jeweler store robbery happening on Thursday night, the stolen jewelry have been returned to its rightful owner. The, bag of stolen jewelry had been returned by Spider-Man to the police, and while investigation is still currently ongoing, all of the stolen items had been accounted for. Thank you,"

"With regards to this latest development, the public opinion on the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man, has considerably changed over the following nights. However, championed by Pulitzer-winning reporter, Mr. Jameson, there are a large subset of the public that are still concerned with Spider-Man's actions. Here's what Mr. Jameson had to say, from his podcast, earlier today.

"…He doesn't even have the balls of a true criminal! You think he returned the jewelries from the thief? NO! HE IS THE THIEF! He just chickened out, after all these headlines about him getting caught red-handed! It's a publicity stunt!"

"This has been the 8PM news with WHIH News Front,"

Gwen looked up intently at the snippet of last night news, interested at the topic of the news as it concerns Spider-Man.

"Seems like you're making quite the habit of joining us for breakfast," Dr. Connors smiled slyly at Gwen, as the group sat down at the table next to them.

"Uhm, ah-haha…," Gwen laughed awkwardly, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Ms. Allan, Mr. Osborn," he gave them a small nod as they passed next to him. "Clocking in on the weekends as well I see?" he joked.

"Oh, stop it Curt," Dr. Martha slapped her husband's hand lightly. "You'll scare them away," she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Ahaha," the three interns let out a small awkward laugh as they take their seats. "We, uh, didn't expect to see you here, Dr. Connors," Liz continued.

"Oh, well, I'm pretty sure that you're the unexpected newcomer in this situation," Dr. Connors smiled warmly.

"We come here for breakfast almost every weekend," Dr. Martha clarified. "Billy loves the pancakes here, so we stop by here once a week,"

"Oh, I see," Liz nodded.

"What about you then?" Dr. Martha asked the group, whilst Harry was making playful faces with the excited Billy, who was eating his pancakes.

"Uhh, the waiter here is a classmate of ours," Harry said, in between faces. "Peter wanted to surprise her by bringing the whole gang along,"

"You mean, Ms. Watson?" Dr. Martha asked, gesturing to the kitchen, at the now disappeared red-haired girl that was serving them a moment ago.

"Uhh, yeah, MJ is a friend of ours," Gwen nodded. "At least, I think she is," she remarked.

As soon as MJ saw the group, she had quickly placed the trays she had been carrying & quickly disappeared towards the back. And while they wanted to have their fun surprising her at her workplace, the group still haven't made their order, their grumbling stomach slowly making their frustrations known.

"Who would have thought, eh?" Dr. Connors gave them an amused look. "Small world indeed,"

"Where is Mr. Parker then?" Dr. Martha raised an eyebrow as she looks over the group.

"Peter, is, as usual, being his trusty Peter self," Liz smiled ruefully as she looks over the menu for the umpteenth time.

Suddenly, the kitchen door slammed open as an excited looking MJ burst out of it. "Right! Ms. Mary Jane Watson, ready for duty!" MJ suddenly exclaimed as he turned towards them, her greasy apron now changed anew, and her cap & hair set ever so slightly off to the side, as she tries to make the look work for her.

"Right! What can I-," she paused for a moment. "Where's Peter?" MJ frowned as she looked over at the group.

"Man, Parker's quite the wanted man today, eh?" Betty remarked playfully. "Nice costume btw, Red," she smirked.

"He's a bit late, you know, usual Pete," Ned sighed softly.

MJ looked a mixture of excitement, disappointment, happiness & confusion. In all fairness, MJ herself probably had no idea what she was feeling at that moment.

"Oh, okay," MJ quickly shrugged off her thoughts. "So just you guys then," she said simply, before turning towards Gwen. "Hey Stacy," she waved, slightly awkwardly.

"Hey," Gwen waved back, an air of awkward tension hanged between them.

"Right then! Business! What can I get you for?" MJ said excitedly as she clapped her hands.

"Uhm, excuse me," Betty raised her hand.

"What do you want Brant?" MJ frowned at her antics, as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"You didn't call us sir & ma'am," Betty said, mimicking an atypical Karen's tone. "That was rude. I'd like to see the manager,"

"Oh, you wanted to see the manager?" MJ said politely, looking apologetic as she does so. "Oh wait, let me, uh, find him if he's… oh here it is," she said before quickly reaching into her pocket. "Here's the manager, 'ma'am'," she said as she pulled her hand out from her pocket & flashed Betty her middle finger. "Now start ordering before I make your orders for you," she glared.

"There's that Red we know & love," Betty said, giving MJ a playful wink.

"Right, I'll have, what Billy's having," Liz said as she thumbed down the menu. "Pancake with Maple Syrup,"

"Right, Pancake, Maple Syrup, Bacon & Cheese with Sunny Side-Up," MJ quickly jotted down the order.

"And I'll hav-,"

"Woah, woah, that was not what I ordered," Liz quickly stopped the conversation.

"Uhh, yes it was," MJ looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Come on Allan, leave it until everyone's put in their order,"

"But-,"

"I'll have a hamburger & fries combo," Glory quickly called out her order.

"OK, Hamburger Fries combo, with Bacon & Cheese with Sunny Side-Up," MJ quickly noted down.

"Yep!" Glory nodded excitedly.

"Woah, woah, woah, that was not what you ordered," Liz quickly interjected.

MJ looked back at her innocently. "Whaaatttt? Of course it was," MJ continued.

"I'll have the peanut butter & toast," Betty said.

"One Peanut Butter & Toast &-,"

"No," Betty interjected. "That's all,"

"Tch," MJ frowned as she clicked her tongue at her friend. "What about you Harry, Ned, what you having?"

"Bacon & Fried Egg," Harry said

"Fried Cheese Tortilla for me please," Ned added.

"Okay, Bacon & Fried Egg, with additional Cheese & Chili Fries, and a Fried Cheese Tortilla with extra Bacon, extra Cheese & extra Fries," MJ smiled warmly.

"W-wait," Harry stopped her as he hears the repeated order.

"Shut up Osborn, I'm trying to gain some extra commission here," MJ growled at the now whimpering Harry as he nodded to the extra orders that MJ had put in.

Gwen couldn't help but chuckle at her friends' antics.

"So, what will you be having, Stacy?" MJ turned towards her.

Gwen quickly closed the menu, & shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, I'll have whatever you recommend," she replied, before staring back at MJ.

They stared at one another for a moment, before MJ jotted down on her clipboard. "Chili fries, okay?"

"That would work, yeah," Gwen nodded.

*Store Bell Chimes*

Suddenly, Peter slowly walked in from the front door, his windswept unkempt hair plastered across his forehead, as he sheepishly looks around for his friends.

Before anyone could say anything, a high-pitched yell came out from the young boy seated at the table next to them.

"Big Bro Pete!" Billy called out excitedly.

As Peter slowly made their way to the table, Gwen quickly realized, MJ had suddenly disappeared.

"Hey everyone, sorry I'm late," Peter smiled sheepishly as he approached the table. "It's a jungle out there, I had to beat an old lady with a stick to get here," Peter joked.

Billy's mouth opened in distress as he listened to Peter.

"No, no, no, no, no, it's a joke, Billy," Peter quickly tried to explain to the young boy. "No one beat up anyone, it was a joke,"

"Peter," Dr. Connors smiled warmly as Peter approached.

"Dr. Connors?! Dr. Martha! What are you doing here?" Peter smiled, surprised by the presence of his two mentors.

"As you can see, Breakfast," Dr. Connors gestured towards the plate in front of them.

"Right, of course," Peter smiled sheepishly, as he shakes Dr. Connors hand.

Dr. Connors seemed slightly taken aback by Peter's sweaty hands. He quickly wiped his hands on his pants. "Did you jog all the way here?" he chuckled slightly, as he notes the beads of sweat on Peter's forehead.

"Huh? Oh, uhh, yeah, kinda," Peter laughed awkwardly. "Gotta get that morning cardio in," he continued.

"At 9AM?" Ned said, confused, as Peter took his seat next to him.

Suddenly, once again, the kitchen door slammed open. "Ehem, Ms. Mary Jane Watson, ready for duty!" MJ exclaimed once again, her hair now draped over one of her eyes, as she turned towards the now-seated Peter. "Oh, hey, Peter, didn't see you there," she shrugged, playing it off nonchalantly.

"Hey MJ, sorry I'm late," Peter flashed her his signature awkward grin.

"Ehh, it'll be fine as long as you give me a big tip," MJ shrugs.

"Wow, why did you suddenly change your hair like that?" Betty smirked, as she teased MJ.

"Coz I can do whatever I want," she quickly flipped her finger at her, before turning back towards Peter. "So, what will it be?"

"Err, bacon & eggs," Peter said after he quickly thumbed down the menu.

"Right, Bacon, Eggs, & I'll add in some cheesy fries," MJ said simply. "Don't worry, it's on the house," MJ rolled her eyes when she sees Peter opening his mouth.

"Oh, thx," Peter smiled awkwardly. "But, you don't have to, it's okay, I don't want to-,"

"It's no trouble at all Pete," MJ shrugs her shoulders. "Don't worry about it,"

"Oooh, then were all of our extras, on-the house as well?" Harry said excitedly.

"No," MJ said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"And that's your Bacon & Egg, & the Cheezy Fries," MJ said, as she served the last of the group's meal to their table.

"Thanks," Peter nodded.

"Sure, don't worry about it," MJ smiled softly, before turning towards the kitchen. "Enrique! I'm taking my break now!" she yelled back towards the kitchen, to which a series of loud Spanish words came back. As the noises continue, one of the other waiters, Sally, beamed towards MJ and gestured for her to go ahead with her break.

"Right, what are you guys doing here?" MJ asked as she took a seat next to them.

"As you can see, cheerleading practice, obviously," Betty joked, earning a small snigger from Dr. Connors.

"Apologies," he quickly put his hand up in apology.

"You're lucky Billy's here, Brant," MJ flashed her a quick, fake smile.

"You're lucky 'Enrique's' not here," Betty retorted, with a fake smile of her own.

"Ookaay, save it for the garage, ladies," Gwen quickly exclaimed, breaking up the pair.

"Aww man, and it was jut about to get good as well," Glory sighed jokingly, smirking at the girls.

Betty gave her cousin a quick side-eye before quickly giving her a hard pinch on the cheeks.

"Oww-Oww-OWWW! Let go man!" Glory yelled out as she slapped Betty's hands away. "What was that for?!" she frowned, softly massaging her reddened cheeks.

"Cheek for cheek," Betty shrugged, a soft smile playing on her lips as she does so.

As the pair of cousins continued their squabbles, MJ turned to look at Peter with the corner of her eyes, catching his eyes & looking at him questioningly.

"H-hmm?" Peter paused momentarily, slightly taken aback by MJ's continued stare. "W-well, I kinda asked everyone if they were available this weekend to come over," Peter said, rubbing the nape of his neck as he often does. "Coz, u know…, you said you wanted us over," Peter hesitated slightly. "And since Dr. Connors gave us the weekend off, I just thought…,"

MJ looked over at the married couple in surprise as she listens to Peter. "Oh? You mean for that internship?" she frowned slightly.

"Uhh, yeah?" Liz said in unison with a nodding Peter.

"Wow Red, way to show how much you care," Betty lets out a small chuckle as she bit into her toast.

"R-right, uhm, sorry bout that," MJ looked apologetically at Peter, before glancing over towards Gwen. "I, uhh, must've missed it, or something,"

"Oh, no, it's okay," Gwen quickly said, noting the apologetic look on her friend's face. "I don't think I actually told you to be fair," she continued. "What with…, you know...,"

"Right," MJ nodded softly, before pausing.

"B-but, wow! So, wait, you're all interning, at OSCORP?" she continued, her voice a mix of awe & disbelief.

Peter beamed as he looked over at his fellow interns. "Yep, all four of us," he grinned proudly.

"Even Harry," Ned smiled contently, before patting his friend softly on the shoulders.

"Hm? Yea-Wait-Hey! What do you mean 'even Harry'?" Harry grumbled as the understanding kicks in.

"I-I see," MJ nodded, before smiling back at them. "So, Mr & Mrs Connors, you're like, their boss then?" she smiled sheepishly.

Dr. Connors let out a small chuckle, as the conversation turned towards him & his wife. "Well, yes. But it wouldn't be a stretch to say that your friends here have probably surpassed even me in terms of ingenuity," he smiled warmly.

"O-oh, okay" MJ nodded, slightly confused by what Dr. Connors had meant.

As the other girls looked over at the interns for an explanation, Harry quickly shrugged his shoulders dismissively.

"Don't look at me, I'm just here for the ride," he shrugged.

"That makes two of us," Liz chimed in softly, as she smirked playfully at Gwen & Peter.

"That makes thr-," Gwen tried, before being cut-off by her fellow interns.

"Boooo," Harry jeered, before he was joined by Liz. "Fake humility, booo,"

Gwen opened her mouth to argue, her face turning quite red at the pairs antics. "I-Im serious!"

"Booooo," Harry & Liz jeered louder. "Don't lump yourself with us idiots," Harry continued, to which Liz responded with a questioning, raised eyebrow at him.

"Well, don't go lumping me as an idiot," Liz glared jokingly at him.

"It's okay buddy, I got your back," Peter quickly chimed in, placing a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulders as he offers himself up for the role of idiot#2.

Harry looked at him cringingly, before taking Peter's hands off of his shoulders. "Dude, just-, just don't man," he sighed heavily, at the expense of a confused looking Peter.

Dr. Martha smiled warmly at their antics. "Like Peter said, we've given them the weekend off. It's the least we could do after what they did," she explained.

"Sounds like a big deal," Glory looked over curiously at the married couple. "What'd they do?"

"Well, we're still in the testing phase, but…," Dr. Connors said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's just say, by the time you graduate, I wouldn't be surprised if your friends here are invited to join us when we receive the Nobel Prize for the breakthrough of the century," he continued proudly.

The other girls looked over in surprise at each other, with Ned the only one looking content & smiling proudly, seemingly whispering softly at Harry, before getting a sharp ribbing from his friend.

"W-wow," MJ managed after a momentary pause.

"Your friends could possibly be the smartest group of youths I have ever had the pleasure of knowing," Dr. Connors continued unabashedly. "Especially Ms. Stacy here. It's not my place to say this, but, she definitely made her mother proud," he continued, making Gwen blush profusely in her seat.

"I see," MJ nodded, Gwen catching the briefest look of contemplation from her, before she smiled back at them.

"Wowww Blondie, look at you…," Betty teased. "Breakthrough of the century, huh?"

"I-I got lucky," Gwen shrugged, fidgeting uncomfortably at the attention that she's getting. "I just stumbled on something, accidentally,"

"Well, still, that sounds pretty damn amazing Stacy," MJ smiled proudly at her.

"K, changing topics!" Glory interjected suddenly. "Speaking of amazing, we did not, in fact, got the weekend off from the professors," she continued excitedly, gesturing to herself & Betty, and then to the pair of professors. "I mean, it's not as amazing as winning the Nobel Prize, buttt….," she gestured excitedly at Betty, signaling for her to complete her sentence.

Betty rolled her eyes, the slightest hint of embarrassment crept onto her normally disinterested look. "I got us a gig to play at tomorrow night," she said simply.

"Oh, oka-wait, What?!" MJ exclaimed as hers & Gwen's face suddenly lit up as they processed the news.

"It's over at Juliet's," Betty shrugged. "One of the acts backed out at the last minute. Said they'd pay us around 500 if we can fill in for them,"

"T-that's amazing!" Gwen said excitedly, as she beamed happily towards MJ.

"Yeah,"MJ grinned happily, their previous disagreement seemingly forgotten. "Wait, why are you only telling us this now?"

"Eddie literally just told me about it last night after she called us," Betty pointed at Gwen with one of Glory's fries.

"We thought it'd be a great surprise!" Glory beamed excitedly. "So, SURPRISE!" she exclaimed, grabbing the attention of the other customers.

Betty quickly smacked her cousin in the back of her head(Oww!). "Idiot," she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Glory rubbed her head, wincing slightly from the pain. "Anyway, we're thinking since Gwen also said she got the weekend off, we literally have the whole of today & tomorrow to practice," she continued, still excited. "Right?" she looked over expectantly at Gwen.

"Sure!" Gwen quickly said, joining in with their excitement. "I'll, uh, I'll go back for a bit & take some clothes over," she continued.

MJ blinked in silence for a few moments. "O-okay, I guess this is happening then," she said, more to herself than anyone else. "Okay, great. Y-yeah, sure, let's do this," she said excitedly.

Gwen quickly beamed in excitement as she looked over at her band mates, before turning to a now beaming Liz, who's flashing her a double thumbs-up.

"Sounds's exciting," she smiled happily.

"Oh, since we're already here, you guys wanna join us?" MJ offered to the others.

"H-huh?" Peter blinked in surprise as MJ turned towards him.

Peter turned towards the other two boys, who looked as surprised & confused as he was. "I-I mean, I don't think we'd be of much use…," Peter offered weakly.

"It'd help us to perform in front of a crowd?" MJ offered.

The boys stared at each other for a few moments.

"Ahh, yeah sure, why not," Harry eventually lets out a defeated sigh. "I don't actually have anything better to do this weekend anyway," he smiled.

"O-oh," Ned hesitated for a moment.

Betty suddenly smirked as she eyes Ned mischievously. "Come on Leeds, I'm sure Glory here would love if you could join us as well," she said innocently. "Right?"

"Huh?" Glory raised her eyebrow in surprise. "Uhh, yeah, I guess? I don't mind," she said, looking slightly puzzled.

"W-well," Ned paused for a few moments. "I-I guess I could drop by with Harry later,"

"Nice," MJ smiled. "So, three out of three?" she looked expectantly at Peter.

"H-hmm?" Peter smiled awkwardly. His eyes glanced over and caught Gwen looking expectantly at him as well, to which she quickly turned away & feigned disinterest.

"I-I guess, I'll try & drop by if I have the time," Peter relented after a few moments.

"Nice!" MJ beamed excitedly. "Allan?"

"Sorry, I can't," Liz smiled apologetically. "I have cheerleading practice this weekend," she sighed. "But, I guess I'll drop by for the show tomorrow night,"

"Oh, okay. Sure, that's cool," MJ nodded.

"What's a 'geeg'?" a young boy's voice suddenly called out.

"Hmm? A gig?" Dr. Martha mulled to herself for a moment. "Uhh-,"

"It's like a music show," MJ beamed playfully at Billy. "Where different people from all over come & sing, or watch,"

Billy's eyes quickly lit up as MJ continued her explanation. "And Big Sis Jane & Gwen's gonna sing?" he said excitedly.

"Well…," Gwen smiled awkwardly, before MJ chimed in.

"Sure, both Big Sis Jane & Gwen's gonna be there," she smiled.

"Mom! Can we go over& watch?! Pleaseeee!" Billy pleaded excitedly.

Dr. Connors & Martha hesitated slightly as they looked over at the teenagers in front of them.

"The more the merrier?" MJ smiled awkwardly as she turned towards Gwen for support.

"MJ! Work!" a loud, manly voice suddenly called out from the counter.

Gwen looked over at the grumbling Enrique, and gestured towards him. "Sounds like your boss's looking for you,"

MJ shrugs noncommittally as she waves him away. "Dont worry about it, he loves me," she rolled her eyes, before getting up.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm getting back to work Enrique," she yelled, before turning towards the group. "K, guess that's it for me," she sighed. "Meet you guys at the garage after lunch?"

"Sure," Betty waved her away, focusing more on her phone.

"MJ! Counter!" Enrique yelled.

"I'm coming already! Sheesh!" MJ yelled back in annoyance.

"Oii! Cuidado con lo que dices," he growled in Spanish.

"Lo que sea," MJ rolled her eyes towards him. "No hablo español, estúpido," she said, before flashing him her middle finger, to which her boss suddenly lets out a hearty chuckle as he made his way back into the kitchen, smiling all the way back after their interaction.

"Hmmm," Billy frowned as he watched MJ made her way towards the counter.

Gwen turned towards the young boy. "Hmmm? What is it Billy?" she asked.

"Hmmmmmmm," Billy looked over at his hands, before suddenly forming it into a fist & suddenly turning up his middle finger.

"NO NO NO NO NO!"

"Well, as pleasant as that was, I'm afraid we have to be on our way," Dr. Connors smiled warmly as he looked over at his wife. "We still have work to do over at the lab I'm afraid," he continued as he stood up. "It was nice meeting you all,"

"Ohh, uhm, I think we should be on our way as well?" Gwen looked over questioningly over at her friends.

"Yeah sure," Betty shrugged.

"Yes please," Liz nodded, freshly finished from sending a text from her phone. "I'm already running late for cheerleading practice," she sighed.

"Sorry," Gwen winced apologetically.

"Nah, it's fine. The others usually come late anyway," Liz smiled, relaxed.

Dr. Connors smiled warmly at them. "Alright then, you can be on your way. I'll pickup your bill," he beamed.

"Woah! Seriously?" Glory exclaimed excitedly, which earned her a light chuckle from Dr. Connors & Martha.

"Well, between you & me, OSCORP pays quite well," he joked, before making his way towards the line at the counter.

After a few moments, as they watched Dr. Connors head to the counter, and the rest of his family walking out towards their car, Ned suddenly exclaimed.

"Free breakfast! Talk about a great start to the weekend!" Ned said excitedly.

Liz smiled at his antics. "Yeah, not a bad start," she agreed.

Peter lets out a small chuckle as they talked. "So, you're heading straight to Midtown after this?" he asked Liz.

"Hmmm? Yeah," Liz nodded. "Ughm that's another weekend of 'not' training for the Decathlon," she lets out a long sigh, as she eyed Peter skeptically. "Glad to see you're as bothered about this as I am Peter,"

"Ah-ahaha," Peter laughed awkwardly at Liz's accusations.

Suddenly, as they were talking, a loud set of gruff laughter rang out from the counter. As Gwen & her friends looked over, they saw a group of rough-looking guys leaning over towards MJ who was manning the counter.

"Come on, how much you make in a day here anyway?" one of them grinned sleazily towards MJ. "You come with us, and I can pay you 3 times what old Enrique gives you in a month. I mean, you know what they say about Red-heads in bed, eh?!" he said before whistling and laughing loudly with his friends.

Liz frowned in disgust as they stared at the group from their table. "Great, losers & lowlifes incoming," she said in disgust.

Before they could say anything after, Dr. Connors suddenly stepped to the front, between the group & MJ.

"Doctor?" MJ looked at him in surprise.

"Hey man, are you blind or something?" one of the thugs suddenly stepped up next to Dr. Connors. "Can't you see we were in front of you?"

Dr. Connors turned towards the thugs & feigned surprise. "Oh, apologies, you wanted to pay? I thought you were waiting for your mothers," he continued innocently.

"What the hell?" One of the men turned to his friend in disbelief.

"Apologies, I thought you were children," Dr. Connors offered out his hand apologetically. "You were definitely behaving like one,"

"Apology accept-,"

"No, you idiot, this guy's calling you a bitch," one of his friends shoved Dr. Connors slightly.

"Hey! He didn't call you a bitch," MJ stepped in from behind the counter. "He said you were behaving like children. Big difference, capiche?" she continued.

"Big words coming from half a man," another of the thugs said smugly, noticing the missing hand on Dr. Connors.

"Half-a-man, funny. I heard that's what your girlfriend called you behind your back when she was sucking him off," MJ smirked as she flipped off the rest of them.

"What'd you say?"

"Oii! What is problema?" Enrique suddenly came out, pan in hand as he hears the commotion.

One of guys eventually dragged his friends back, eyes still glaring at MJ & Dr. Connors.

"No problema, senor," he said mockingly, before throwing a 100-dollar bill to the counter and taking his friends with him.

"That was tense," Ned whispered to the group as Enrique turned towards MJ and giving her an earful, before the pair of them then seemingly had a pleasant conversation with the now-leaving Dr. Connors.

"Yeah, you get guys like this in New York all the time," Betty lets out a long sigh as she turned back to her phone.

"Tell me about it," Gwen & Peter said in unison.

As Gwen & her friends made their way out of the diner, she immediately turned towards the loud yells & cries of a familiar-sounding young boy, ringing in the street.

Frozen in place, was the sight of Dr. Martha, clutching Billy tight to her chest as they looked in horror into a nearby alleyway, shielded from outside view.

The whole group turned to each other momentarily, before immediately rushing towards the mother & child.

What greeted them was the scene of Dr. Connors, held up against the wall, his face bruised by the group of thugs in front of him.

"HEY! LET HIM GO YOU-!" Gwen started to rush towards them, before she felt her hands being held back by Liz's trembling hands.

"G-gwen, d-don't," Liz whispered slowly, feeling scared at the sight before her.

Gwen quickly glanced towards her friends, their face a mix of fear, confusion & false bravado.

To her surprise, Peter did not show the same fear as the others, his face showing a calm anger as he stepped between Billy & his mom, and the scene in front of them.

"What is it now man…," One of the thugs seemingly growled as they turned towards the group. "What, you kids got a death wish or something? Just walk away. We're trying to teach this cripple a lesson," he rolled his eyes in annoyance, a pair of knuckle dusters wrapping both his hands.

"Kids, d-dont-," Dr. Connors whimpered as he looked over towards them.

"Oii freak, who said you could talk," the thug who was holding Dr. Connors up, quickly punched him in the gut.

"DADDY! NO! STOP!" Billy cried out at the sight of his dad being beaten in front of him.

"That's what you get for showing of-,"

"I SAID LET HIM GO!" Gwen yelled out as she brushed away Liz's hands and stepped forward.

"Oh my god," the man with the knuckle-duster groaned in annoyance before heading over towards Gwen. "What you gonna do huh? You're gonna yell at us until we stop?" he said mockingly before trying to push Gwen down.

*tingle*

Gwen quickly swatted away his hands, glaring at him, daring him. The man looked quite surprised as he rubbed his now sore hands from being swatted away by Gwen.

"Okay, I'm all about equality," he grinned menacingly before throwing a big haymaker towards Gwen.

*tingle*

Before she could react, Peter's hand quickly shot out & grabbed the man's hands, and held it in place.

"What the fu-, AAAAGHHHHHH," he started before suddenly screaming out in pain and crumbling to the floor, clutching his hands.

"H-hey! What do you think you're doing?!" one of the thugs yelled out, grabbing a nearby baseball bat as he growled menacingly towards them.

"I-I CALLED THE POLICE!" Harry suddenly yelled out, holding his phone up high in his hand.

"911, what's your emergency?"

The thugs looked at themselves as the looming threat of the police hanged over them. After a few tense moments, the man holding up Dr. Connors lets him go, and signals for his group to leave, before coming over to the hunched down man, and picking him up.

"Saved by a bunch of kids," he said mockingly as he passed by Dr. Connors. "Cripple freak," he continued before spitting at Dr. Connors feet.

Dr. Martha & Billy quickly rushed over to Dr. Connors.

"Oh honey, a-are you ok? How bad is it?" Dr. Martha mouthed softly, cupping her husbands face in her hands.

"It's fine, it's fine," Dr. Connors softly reassured them, as he gingerly gets back onto his feet. "They stopped them before any real damage was done," he said softly, before smiling softly at Gwen & her friends.

"DADDY!" Billy continued crying out as he hugged his father tightly.

"There, there Billy, it's fine, there's nothing to worry about," he softly pats his sons back, as he coerces him to let go. "I'm fine, see? Daddy's fine," he smiled reassuringly at his son.

"Dr. Connors," Peter quickly walked over to his side, hoping to help him.

"It's okay Peter, I am fine," Dr. Connors reassured them.

"Luckily you & your friends came by when you did. I imagine I wouldn't have gotten of so lightly if you didn't come along," Dr. Connors continued, managing to smile weakly in spite of his condition.

"Are you ok sir? Would you like us to call you an ambulance?" Glory offered.

Dr. Connors held his hand up. "No need, like I said, I am fine," he smiled weakly. "I imagine most of the damage was done to my pride, rather than physically," he winced, before momentarily letting his emotions show as he looked down at his hand.

Dr. Connors then turned towards Billy. "I am sorry Billy. Your dad has shown you such a pathetic side of himself," Dr. Connors smiled warmly as he held Billy in his arms.

"N-no, D-dad. Y-you're n-n-not p-pa-pathetic," Billy managed in between sobs.

"I'm sorry Billy," Dr. Connors said softly, hugging his son tightly in his arms, hiding his tears from the child. "I swear Billy, just a little longer, and I will fix this. I'll fix myself," Dr. Connors said in between his own tears. "I will create a world without weakness,"