For those of you who don't know, this is an AU to my original Spider-Man story, Of Webs and Reality: The Story of Spider-Woman.

Because of the events that have occurred in both The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, things will not be the same as they are in the original Spider-Man films.

Disclaimer: I don't own Spider-Man in any way, shape, or form. If I did, Lizzie would be a cannon character and I'd have a part in the movies. Obviously, the only character I own is the OFC, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Parker.

Enjoy!

"Five, four, three, two, one. Ready or not, here I come," called Peter from where he'd been left to count.

Lizzie, who could hear her twin's muffled voice from where she was hiding, stifled her giggles by covering her mouth. She didn't want to be found. Lizzie planed on winning the game and round, thank you very much.

Their father had suggested a few rounds of hide and seek when he noticed how restless the siblings had become. He'd promised to play a round with them after he finished his 'project for the day', as he liked to call it. The only thing he had to do before sending them on their way was chose who was it and who was to hide. Peter ended up losing the coin toss, giving Lizzie the chance to choose whether to be it or not (she chose the latter).

The young girl stilled, not daring to move an inch further into the kitchen pantry. Even though four years old, Lizzie knew that as long as she went for the less obvious choice she could go unseen for minutes, even hours, if she desired. Besides, if Peter were to approach her hiding spot, all Lizzie had to do was bury herself even deeper into the tight spot she'd crammed herself in. She knew that it would only work if Peter didn't step in to further examine the dark, crowded space.

As she waited, Lizzie glued her eyes upon the white door, blinking her brown eyes every once in a while. Lizzie took this game very seriously. It was one of the very few things she actually had a chance at beating Peter (the jerk was basically gifted in almost everything he set his brilliant mind to).

Lizzie didn't know if it had been minutes or hours, but she eventually heard the sound of heavy footsteps a few feet away from where she was hiding.

"Peter. Where is your sister?" said their mother, voice full of worry.

"How should I know?" was his reply.

If it wasn't for the fear in her mother's voice, Lizzie would have stayed where she was, hidden away like a cave-dwelling monster. Opening the door, Lizzie peeked out into the kitchen's dim lighting, eyes squinted. "Mommy?" she said, making herself known.

Her mother, who had placed Peter by the stove, turned around, worry turning into relief.

"Mommy. What's wrong? Why are you scared?" Lizzie asked, innocently. "Did I scare you? I'm sorry, Mommy. I didn't mean to. Cross my heart!"

Tears clouded her mother's gaze for a split second before she wiped them away. "No, sweetie. You didn't. I just. . . . We need to get ready to leave."

"Why?" asked Peter.

Grabbing Peter and Lizzie's hands, their mother led them upstairs in a hurry. "You're going to Aunt May and Uncle Ben's."

"Why?" Lizzie echoed her brother's question.

"Because your father and I are going on a trip that we can't take you on."

Lizzie and Peter remained silent as they packed a small amount of their clothes and a couple of their toys. Even when the family of four got into their car and drove to Uncle Ben and Aunt May's house they never spoke a single word.

By the time the vehicle was parked in front of its destination, the rain had begun to come down even harder than before, as if to mourn for what was to come.

When they reached the front door, Aunt May and Uncle Ben were there, waiting to greet the small family. Before the adults talked, they placed Lizzie and Peter on the living room floor along with their luggage.

"Stay here. Mommy and I need to have a grown-up talk with Aunt May and Uncle Ben," said their father before he got up and went into the kitchen.

For the next passing moments, the Parker twins watched the quiet conversation unfold from where they stood. At one point, Aunt May looked where her niece and nephew obediently waited. Upon seeing their innocent faces, Aunt May gave a small lip smile. Pity, sadness, and love filled her kind, brown eyes. Lizzie always thought her aunt was pretty with her long, slightly curled, brown hair, gorgeous gaze which showed a motherly soul, and wrinkles which were earned after many years of smiles and laughter. Ever since she could remember, Lizzie dreamed of one day becoming just as beautiful as her aunt.

Peter hid his face, embarrassed that he'd been caught. Lizzie, however, continued looking at the people whom she loved the most as they got up and gave each other brief hugs. When they began walking towards the twins, Lizzie tugged on Peter's sweater sleeve. He had just looked up when the others entered the room.

"Daddy?" asked Lizzie. "Where are you and Mommy going?"

Stopping in front of his son and daughter, he told the twins to follow him. Once they reached the center of the living room, he kneeled down to their level and said, "You two are going to stay with Aunt May and Uncle Ben for a little while."

"I wanna go with you."

"Me, too," agreed Lizzie.

"No," said their father without missing a beat. Reaching out his large, calloused hand, he brushed Peter's bangs and kissed the top of his head, lingering longer than need be. Bringing his lips away from Peter, he turned his attention on Lizzie, doing the same as he did with her sibling. When he was done, he got up and led them towards the others.

Their mother didn't waste a second. Getting down on her knees, she brought her babies in for a tight hug. Bringing herself away, she stared at their sad and confused faces. She began to play with their hair and began to list off things her in-laws already knew. "They don't like crusts on their sandwiches, and Lizzie likes her's cut into the shape of a heart. Peter likes to sleep with a little light on, and Lizzie can't sleep without her stuffed dog, Scruffy. He's. . . he's in her bag."

"Mary," interrupted her husband as he helped her get back on her feet. "Come on."

"Oh, gosh," she silently sobbed as she was led to the door.

"Mommy?" called Lizzie, eyes full of concern for her mother.

Lizzie's mother looked at her. At the sight of the little girl, she lost it. As tears fell from her eyes, she forced herself to look away from her daughter and continued moving forward, never looking back.

Peter began to follow his parents. "Dad," he begged.

Their father looked down at Peter, his innocent, trusting eyes pleading him to stay. All their father could think to say in response was, "Be good." And then he turned and disappeared into the cold, wet night.

When the door was closed, Peter walked up to it and stared out at the man he looked up to. Aunt May, worried for her nephew, bent down and placed her hands on top his tiny shoulders as she watched her brother-in-law drive away.

Going up to her uncle, Lizzie pulled on the bottom of his shirt. "When's Mommy and Daddy coming back, Uncle Ben?"

Uncle Ben looked down at the brunette. He too wondered when they'd return. "I don't know," he told her, truthfully.

Lizzie glanced down at her new pink and white shoes. Why would her parents leave she and her brother in the care of their aunt and uncle without telling anyone when they'd return? This was the question that remained in the four-year-old's mind for the next thirteen years of her life.

Yes, fans of Of Webs and Reality: The Story of Spider-Woman, Lizzie will be slightly different personality wise and very different appearance wise. No, I do not know if she will become Spider-Woman in this story. I do apologize. It is an AU to OWaR, after all.

I will try to post the next chapter as soon as I can.

One more thing before we part. How many of you have seen the new film? Wasn't it freakin', super, mega, awesome?! Max's character is the most tragic story I have ever encountered in all my readings and movie watching. I wanted to cry (and I almost did) and hug him tight. I can't believe how cruel people can be!

My father, who was my date to the movies yesterday, was kind enough to let me rant and get all of my feelings off of my chest. During this, he shared a comment that I think is absolutely amazing: "It just shows that we should appreciate others who are treated like he was; that we should accept them and acknowledge their abilities and their value as a person. If people had done that to him [Max], if they had given him the appreciation and credit he deserved, what had happened to him wouldn't have occurred."

Lesson of the day (and film): Don't treat others like crap, and don't make them feel invisible. People have feelings and should be treated with respect. You never know if that person needs a friend, a smile, or to be treated like a human being. Even a simple 'hello' or a 'how are you doing today?' could make their day or week.

So, peace out, my lovelies.

~Edited 06/25/14~