Chapter 24 [Forest Hills Hospital]

Peter emerged from a nearby alley. He staggered from Explosion's impact. Snapdragon's fears had basis in fact. Concussion blurred his vision. He managed to get to the street. "Who put the world on spin? Wow." He rubbed his forehead. "Gwendy. Aunt May. I can't stop." He ground his teeth. He forced himself to the street and sidewalk along its side.

"Peter Parker?"

He felt a hand supporting him. "I…know…" He looked up to find Jasmine there. "Princess?"

"Yes. I heard about Miss Stacy, your aunt and you, my Friend. You should be inside as well." Consternation pretzeled her mouth into a deep frown. She checked her hijab. I told him to take care! By the Prophet! He will kill himself! She'd streaked back to the Consulate. There she'd changed clothes. Her father's private car idled a few feet away. "ABDUL!" She motioned toward her bodyguard.

A hulking tan skinned man with closely trimmed dark hair and a beard sprinted toward them. "Is this Mr. Parker?"

"Yes. We should get him inside." Jasmine assessed Peter. She deduced that he wouldn't stay down. Research on him and Spider-Man taught her as much. "If something happens, we are in the right place. Yes? He deserves our best aid today. He is our friend." She waited for the glass doors to slide apart.

"I can do this myself." Peter forced himself to stand straight.

"You can relax! You are most fortunate to be alive! Half of this city is searching for you! Do you know that? Look at you!" Her eyes narrowed at Peter. "You will sit!" She pointed at the chair. Her head shook at him. "Abdul, watch him!" She stalked up to the reception desk.

"Wow. She…I don't know what I did. She has more important than…" Peter gulped. "Don't…mean…disrespect."

"I know. That is our Princess. She has big heart." Abdul guided Peter into the chair. He saw Jasmine push a wheelchair. He ground his teeth. He knew better than to tell her not to do something herself. "Now, stand. We will bring you there, Mr. Parker."

"Service before all else, Peter. I believe you understand that." Jasmine helped him into the wheelchair. "Now come. They said Room 317. Then I will make sure you are taken care of." Did I not tell you to keep your head down last night?

Peter stiffened. He kept his eyes straight ahead. Realization, however, dawned on him. Prim and Proper Princess's veneer concealed Ninja/Mutant/Warrior. She's Snapdragon? Seriously?

I am. Now you know my secret as well. Don't you? It is all right. I know you are trustworthy. Jasmine patted Peter's shoulder. Now you sit back. We have you. Miss Gwen is waiting for you. Is she not? Smirk crossed her face. She led them into the elevator.

[Room 317]

Monitors flanked Aunt May's bedside. Bloodwork rushed off to the lab for analysis. Nurses watched vitals from their station. Dr. Bromwell rushed toward their side.

Eyes watched….

Gwen sat just feet to Aunt May's right. Emotions clashed and crashed within her mind. Panic and Inadequacy raced her heartbeat. She attempted deep breath after deep breath. She'd left Father behind to watch and listen for the patient on the phone. She wanted to see Peter and her home again. She needed to see her boyfriend's mother figure open her eyes anew.

Heartbeat pinged weak blips across Monitors' screens.

Respirator pushed air into elderly lungs.

Come on, Mrs. Parker! You can do this. Peter's going to walk through that door any minute! You'll see! Gwen looked at the door. I wish Dad or he would come through it. I just hope he got out okay.

"I just let the folks at the Bugle know." Jean observed Gwen and the unconscious patient. She'd file a report concerning the bombing's effect on Aunt May. Arighatto probably doesn't care. Just what he's done in the past twenty-four hours alone… One day he will. "Good news. Your Dad's there with Lex Luthor and a blonde girl. I'm presuming that's Chloe Sullivan. I ran into them at the museum last night."

Relief eased Gwen's mindset on that front at least. "Thank You, God." She bit her lip. "And Peter?"

"The lady on the phone didn't know. We'll find him, Gwen. There's a manhunt out for him right now. Your Dad isn't going to let my Dad let it go." Jean's hand brushed past open pack in her pocket. Craving pushed for Tobacco yet again. Commotion in the hall drew her attention. "What now?" She set her jaw. "I'm really not in the mood." She stalked toward the door. Shock stopped her in place. "Gwen!"

Gwen sprang to her feet. Tears streaked her face. "PETER!" She hustled toward him. Feet seemed Yards and Miles to her. She threw her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're safe! Oh wow! I…."

"Hey, Pretty Lady." Peter grabbed onto Gwen as well. "I…I made it. I was warned just minutes before the bomb exploded. I blacked out…after that. Princess Jasmine and…her bodyguard helped me up here. I was scared when you disappeared last night." He smashed his lips down on hers.

Instinct pressed her lips harder down on top of his. Energy flowed back and forth between them. Mutual relief lightened hearts and souls. Akin to Monsoon across Desert, Amor's warmth and energy buoyed them up. "Mrs. Kent and I appeared back at my house. You took off too. You just had to take a chance with those pictures! Didn't you? I heard you tried to call last night."

"Someone had to say something." Peter's eyes moved past Gwen and toward Aunt May. "Aunt May! I heard. Has anyone…?"

"They took blood and ran tests. We're waiting for word. Meantime, you might want to call the Bugle." Jean took out her walkie talkie. "Dispatch? This is Lieutenant deWolff."

"Dispatch. Go ahead, Lieutenant."

"Dispatch, please note that Peter Parker has been found. Repeat. Peter Parker has been found. He is here with us at Forest Hills Hospital. Copy?" Jean put her finger up to Peter and Gwen.

"Yes, Lieutenant. I will note that. Thank you. Dispatch, out."

Jean put her walkie talkie back in her coat pocket. "That's taken care of. Glad that you both are on your feet." She considered Jasmine. "Princess." She offered a diplomatic bow. "Respectfully, did you have him back at the Consulate?"

Jasmine shook her head. "No, Lieutenant, we did not although I wish we had. I appreciate your concern and agree with what you have said. Be assured that if we had, the Consul and I would have let your officials know about Mr. Parker's whereabouts. I came across him on the street just outside of this hospital. Might I recommend a safe haven for them and Miss Stacy's father as well? I would not risk them going to Mrs. Parker's house. He will know and look for such things."

"Agreed. We'll figure out a safehouse and keep them there. I'd say the same for the Kents, Miss Lang and especially Miss Arighatto." Jean mulled over that thought.

"I have a suggestion if you wish to hear it. My sister and I had planned to go somewhere that is very secure. I know the residence's owner has several guest rooms." Jasmine looked toward Aunt May. "She is still weak."

"I can't leave Aunt May, Princess." Peter wheeled himself to Aunt May's bedside. His hand smoothed her hair. "What happened?"

"She was watching the news while we were talking on the phone. She saw the footage from your apartment. She didn't answer Dad or me. We brought her here. Dad…" Gwen looked up to see Clark, Lana, Miranda and Martha watching from outside the door.

Seemed that the gang was catching up to them….