Chapter 13

When she woke up, she was back in the white room.

Alaina got tired of waking up to that ceiling pretty quick.

"You're up."

She turned, facing Tony, who was sipping on his coffee. She felt a pang of pain come into her mind. "How long was I out?"

"A couple days."

Her pale eyes widened as she made a move to get up, but her body protested against her moving.

Tony got up from his seat. "Hey, hey… Don't push yourself, kid. You almost shut down an entire section of your brain."

Alaina laid back down. "I have to get to Peter.."

"Don't worry about him, he's fine." Tony reassured her. She sighed in relief. "Did he do it? Did he stop the Vulture guy?"

Tony nodded. "Yup. He's about to arrive anyways, I told Happy to go fetch him."

Alaina tried to sit up again.

"Hey, seriously, relax. You need to rest while you recover." Tony told her, trying to make her lay back down. Alaina shook her head.

"I really… I want to see him." She said, forcefully.

"Kid, please just rest up. I'll make sure Peter drops by to see you when he gets here."

Alaina calmed herself, relaxing on the cot, which seemed fairly more comfortable than she remembered.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

oOo

It was a couple hours later. Alaina couldn't take it anymore. She got up, feeling a little bit dizzy at first, but refocusing after a moment. She got off the cot, feeling the cool tile underneath her bare feet. She was wearing a hospital gown of sorts, but she didn't care. She opened the door and left the room.

oOo

The quinjet flew off, Peter watching it in awe. Happy chuckled beside him.

"You really don't see that everyday."

Tony approached them, a smile on his face. Peter rushed to the billionaire. "Oh there they are, How was the-" "Is Alaina okay?" Peter asked, frantically.

Tony sighed, "Yes, yes, she's fine. We had to do a little brain surgery to fix her cerebellum, but other than that she's fine. She wants to see you."

Peter nodded. "When can I see he-" "Hold your horses, kid. Happy, can you give me a minute?"

Happy nodded, waving and walking away.

Tony playfully punched Peter's shoulder before putting an arm around him.

"Sorry I took your suit. I mean, you had it coming. Actually, it turns out it was the perfect sort of tough-love moment that you needed, right? To urge you on, right? Wouldn't you think?"

Peter shrugged. "Yeah, yeah, I guess so."

"Let's just say it was."

They stopped in front of a door. Peter took a breath. "Mr. Stark, I really-"

"You screwed the pooch hard. Big time. But then you did the right thing. Took the dog to the free clinic. You raised the hybrid puppies…" Tony scrunched his face. "Alright, not my best analogy… but I was wrong about you. I think, with a little more mentoring, you could be a real asset to the team."

Peter froze. "To… To the team?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah, anyway," He pointed to the door. "There's about fifty reporters behind that door. Real ones. Not bloggers."

He pushed a couple buttons to reveal a brand new Spider-Man suit made out of shiny armor.

"When you're ready, why don't you try that on? And I'll introduce the world to the newest official member of the Avengers, Spider-Man."

Peter was at a loss for words. "I…" He chuckled, amazed by the turn of events.

"Yeah, give that a look."

Peter approached the suit, marveling at the possibility.

"So after the press conference, Happy will show you to your room. Your new quarters, right next to Alaina's and Visions. He's next to Vision?" He turned to Happy who was trailing not far behind.

"Yeah, Vision's not big on doors." Happy said, smirking.

"It's fun."

"Or walls," Happy added.

Tony turned back to Peter. "You'll fit right in."

Peter hesitated, then took a deep breath and smiled at the billionaire. "Thank you, Mr. Stark, but I'm good."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "You're good? Good? How are you good?"

Peter rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I mean, I'm… I'd rather just stay on the ground for a little while. Friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Somebody's got to look out for the little guy, right? Plus, I'd like to really spend some time with Alaina. As teenagers. Ya know? Normal teenagers."

Tony took off his sunglasses. "You're turning me down? You better think about this." He pointed to the suit. "Look at that. Look at me. Last chance, yes or no?"

Peter smiled. "No."

"Okay, it's kind of Springsteen-y, working class hero vibe that I dig. Uh, Happy will take you home, yeah?"

"Yeah, do you mind waiting in the care? I need a minute."

Peter nodded. "Yeah uh… What about Alaina? Can I see her before I go?"

Tony nodded. "Sure kid. Down the hall, take a left and down the stairs is the medical wing."

Peter nodded, running off towards where Tony told him.

oOo

He was rushing down the stairs when all of a sudden, Alaina came crashing into him.

"Woah! I'm sorr- Alaina?!"

Alaina choked out a sob, wrapping her arms around him and clinging onto him for dear life. Peter let out a breath, hugging her back just as tightly.

"You're okay! I was so worried a-and I know Tony told me you were okay, but I just… I couldn't wait and I needed to see you so-" Peter cut her off by kissing her passionately, closing his eyes and holding her close. Alaina's eyes widened, but slowly shut as she melted into the kiss, tangling her fingers into his hair.

After what seemed like an eternity, they pulled away.

"You're okay.." Peter breathed, a tear running down his cheek. Alaina nodded, her own tears streaming down her face.

"I am. You can't get rid of me that easy, Parker." She choked a joke out, making him sound out some sort of laugh. He kissed her again, gently this time.

"I'm sorry I avoided you… I-I just… I was so confused and wrapped up-" "It's fine, Peter, I'm sorry I left without saying anything." She said, cradling his cheek in her hand, He reached up, holding his hand on hers. This.

This was so right.

Alaina, the girl that crashed into his life like a wrecking ball, the girl who threw herself into harm's way to save him, the girl he was holding in his arms. This was right. This was everything he ever wanted and never knew he needed.

"I love you." He said, genuinely. And he meant it.

Alaina let another tear roll down her cheek, but her lips tilted up into a huge smile. "I love you too." She whispered, kissing him again.

There they stayed, holding each other in the middle of the staircase.