- How's it going, guys? Hard to believe it's almost the end of August and the summer but time flies when you're having fun. Now if only time went by fast when you're bored as hell...

- I have to admit this one's a little short but good ideas are running a bit low in my head right now. I wanted to write one more chapter here in Canada before I go back to the Orient...something I must do with a very heavy heart. It's one of those situations where I have no desire to return but I have to.

- I understand a bit of how people in the armed forces feel whenever they have to leave their homes for who knows how long but unlike me, they don't have the guarantee of coming back. I have no right to complain in such a case but all the same...it hurts to leave the place I've called home for so long again.

- Anyways, I apologize for my little rant. I just had to let out a bit of what I'm feeling at the moment. Please enjoy!

...

While it didn't happen as often as he liked, there have been times when Peter got the opportunity to appreciate the wonderful sights Mother nature provided. Right now was one of those moments and the fact that Sable, Hope, and Anya were here with him made it all the more better.

But the early morning proved to be very deceptive...for while the skies were cloudless for the first time this winter, it was still very cold with all the snow piled on the ground. That alone would've been fine if it wasn't for the wind expelling a chilling blast of sub-freezing air every now and then.

As such, the two teenage superheroines and Sable hugged themselves very close to Peter for warmth. Anya cutely sneezed from the chill in the air and his arm instinctively held her closer.

"You okay, Anya?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I just can't believe we're all wearing two layers worth of sweaters with a jacket on top and I'm still feeling a little cold."

"How come you're not shivering like we are?" Hope inquired, savoring the warmth emanating from Ms. Sablinova and Peter.

"I don't think it's too bad but that's probably because I've been in much colder places than this." He said with bemusement, "...You know you guys can go back inside if it's really too cold for you."

Sable shook her head. "The cold doesn't bother us much...but we would like to know why you're here on my roof by yourself."

"Oh...well, there isn't really a special reason. I just wanted to see a sunrise today...it's something I used to do with my Uncle Ben when I was younger." Her beloved explained.

Anya and Hope looked at their mentor, wondering who his uncle was while the Symkarian Queen nodded in understanding and laid her head on Peter's chest.

"Do you wish to be alone?" She whispered.

Peter gently pecked a kiss on Sable's forehead, making her smile. "...Would you like to join me in seeing the sunrise?"

The Queen of Symkaria sighed happily. "As long as it's with you, Peter. I'd love to."

"Uh, Peter?" Hope asked, slightly shivering. "Can we stay with you too?"

"Of course...but are you sure? I wouldn't want you both to freeze." He said with concern.

The two teenage girls simply shared a grin before they hugged Peter even tighter.

"I don't think the cold's going to be much of a problem and besides, I've always wanted to see a sunrise...I've just never been able to wake up early enough to do so." Anya admitted with an embarrassed smirk.

Peter and Sable chuckled at her words before a tiny ray of light hit their eyes. They all looked out into the horizon and saw a familiar hue of bright orange and yellow slowly ascending higher into the ice blue sky.

As the warm rays of the sun began to shine down on them, his memory recalled the last time he saw such a spectacle with his uncle...

"The sunrise is beautiful, isn't it?" The kind old man asked, opening the window in their kitchen.

A twelve year old Peter smiled in awe at the majestic sight before them. "Does it always look so cool, Uncle Ben?"

"You bet it does, Peter." The elder Parker said with a chuckle as he picked up his nephew. "I love watching the sun come up but it's even better when I'm seeing it with you and your Aunt May."

He looked at his uncle with curious innocent eyes. "Why is that, Uncle Ben?"

"...Mother Nature always looks more beautiful when you're sharing the sight with the ones you love, Peter. You'll understand that one day."

He opened his eyes and reflected on those words now. The expressions of fascination on his young student's and Sable's faces as they bore witness to one of the most magnificent sunrises ever made his lips curve into a fond smile. His heart blossomed with joy and pride upon seeing their genuine admiration as they watched the bright Sun take it's rightful place in the sky.

'You were right, Uncle Ben...it is more beautiful.'

The Symkarian Queen turned to look at her beloved Peter. "Did you say something?"

"...Nothing." Peter lovingly kissed Sable while his hands ruffled Hope's and Anya's hair. "Everything's just perfect."

...

- I've never written a flashback scene before so I'm hoping I did okay with it. Some may have noticed that my recent updates have all been set in the winter and the simple reason for that is because I miss the sight of snow. I actually like the winter season but since I'm going to be in the far east for a while, the closest thing to snow I'll see is probably going to be ice cream.

- It's gonna be wierd to celebrate Christmas without pine trees and snow. Don't worry, I'll still be writing when I'm over there...it's one of the few things that helps keep me relaxed. Thank you all for reading and as always, reviews are welcome whenever possible.