THIS IS AN INTERLUDE PEOPLE, Peter's narration continues in the next chapter. For now, let's hang out with Gwen for a bit. This chapter will eventually make some people happy. Enjoy! - Darthkvzn

-"You sure you want to stay here?" -asked my mom, sparing a nervous glance at the lavish room I was in.

-"I do. Besides, Dr. Cho wanted to run some more tests. See what can be done about...y'know." -I trailed off, staring accusingly at my useless legs.

My mom's eyes glazed a bit, but she sobered up quickly enough. She walked over to me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight bear hug. "Keep us in the loop, sweetie. I'll bring you some clothes later today."

I smiled. "I wish my brothers could visit…"

-"Oh, honey, don't worry. I've got enough stories about the Avengers to keep them entertained for at least a week. I'll send them your love." -she said, sparing a last, meaningful look at me. I shooed her gently, and she held up her hands in defeat.

Once alone, I cried.

I tried to put on a brave face for Peter. I really did. And no, I didn't blame him at all for my situation. Like I'd said, my decisions were my own, and so were the consequences. Damned if they hadn't put half of my life plans on indefinite hiatus, though.

College in London was scrapped for sure. I'm sure they would've understood my situation if I wanted to explain, but the truth was, I didn't want to go anymore. I hate to say it, but I felt...lesser, now, a very unpleasant feeling for someone who'd prided herself on being her own, tough-as-nails, independent woman. Realistically, I knew I could still be the Nobel-worthy scientist I wanted to be. Tons of people with disabilities had managed to achieve their dreams in life. It just...didn't seem quite possible at the moment for me.

Ms. Potts ('Pepper, sweetie, I insist') had talked to me about this. Her experience with the arc reactor her chest was now cursed with. How she'd coped with being the victim of an attempted murder, and what she could tell me about her own experience. She'd warned me, about the depression, the anger, and the hopelessness of your body -your being - being fundamentally changed.

It helped. It wasn't nearly enough, and my illogical mind was screaming that she could still walk, even fight crime, but it did a little bit to assuage my fears.

-"Miss Stacy, is there anything I can do for you?" -came the worried disembodied voice of FRIDAY.

I wiped my puffy eyes. "No, no. Thank you FRIDAY, I'll be fine."

The AI hummed like she didn't believe a thing I said, but let the matter lie. I picked up my phone, returned to me by Colonel Rhodes along with me clothing, cleaned and pressed, and completely devoid of my blood, which somehow made it a little bit more disturbing. I had about a dozen missed voice mails, most of which were from Mom. One was from Flash, though, which surprised her, since he was supposedly off in deployment.

She pressed play on it. "Hey Gwen. Heard about your...thing. I'm so sorry. Pete tells me you're better, though. I can't say I know how hard this is for you, but I want you to know you're so much braver than I could ever be. And I'm in the goddamn Army, so you know that means something. Take care of yourself, Knee Socks."

I smiled fondly. Flash was a jerk, but he'd found his heart of gold in time for his condition not to be permanent.

-"Worried friends, Lady Gwen?" -asked a man softly.

I turned to find the God of Thunder giving me a small smile. So, about a regular, human-sized smile.

-"Mine and Peter's. He's off fighting a war he shouldn't have to." -I said.

The asgardian nodded. "Ah. Such is the case for many, not only here on Earth."

Awkward silence followed after my nod. "We've met, y'know?" -I blurted out.

He smiled. "Yes, of course. I was not certain you would remember. I assure you my addiction for the Poptarts has come under some measure of control since then."

Oh. Thor was joking. With me. I laughed a little harder than was appropriate, but he was cool with it.

-"Good to know. I guess we'll cancel the intervention."

Thor boomed a laugh. I noticed he was holding a small, intricately carved box made of a dull, golden metal I'd never seen before. The thunderer nodded, handing it to me.

-"What is it?" -I asked, curious.

-"Open it, and find out. It is a gift from the All-Father."

My eyes widened. Why would the king of Asgard send me of all people a gift? Thor must've noticed my confusion, because he gave me a reassuring smile.

-"You wonder why he would bestow upon you a gift." -he stated.

I nodded slowly, glancing upwards. "It's not that I don't appreciate it, but I'm just...me."

-"I cannot claim to know the motivation for this particular gift. Lord Odin very rarely turns his gaze to Midgard, even if that has increased, of late. But I do know that he has bestowed great gifts upon worthy mortals every few centuries." -he mused, remembering some hidden story.

I didn't know what to say, so I just acted. I opened the box, which revealed a small, black stone with a crude spider design and some nordic runes etched into it.

Well. For a box that fancy, the pebble was slightly underwhelming. Thor must've been used to mortals not getting asgardian gestures, because he gave me a knowing grin.

-"The simplicity of your gift's design betrays its power. You hold a Norn stone, though not one I've seen before. They are objects of great power blessed by our gods." -he said reverently.

Whoa. Pebble or not, having something blessed by some god's gods was somewhat impressive.

-"I don't know what to say."

-"Nor do I. It is an unprecedented gift, capable of great evil or good. I do not yet know its purpose, but I have no doubt you will use it responsibly." -he said, still in awe.

I shook my head. "I can't accept this, Thor. It's too much." -I said, trying to give it back.

The man rejected it. "Regardless of how powerful and dangerous Norn stones are, they are not to be given lightly. The All-Father may not see as much as Heimdall, but he does know more of what the future holds. I cannot fathom that my father gave you such a gift without there being a condition to it."

I grabbed the stone. It didn't feel any different than others I'd held, I supposed, nor was it the most beautiful little rock I'd ever seen. But it was cool, and, as I soon discovered, was attached to a chain to be worn as a choker.

-"What's the catch, then?" -I asked.

Thor shrugged those massive shoulders. "If I knew I could not tell. Odin usually hands these blessings himself, but I fear his old age restricts his movements. His impending visit to Midgard will likely send him into the Odinsleep shortly after."

I nodded as if I had half a clue what he was talking about. He found this satisfactory, apparently, because he bowed over his hammer and walked away after that. I wasn't sure exactly what I should do about it, but wearing it seemed like the diplomatic thing to do. I mean, I didn't know if Odin was watching, after all.

I rolled over to the rather large bathroom. I looked a mess, still clad in nothing but a hospital gown and some lip balm. I put the collar around my neck, and when the clasp closed the circle, darkness consumed me.

CLIFFHANGER. Yep, went there. Any guesses or theories as to what is going on with Gwen's side of the story? Share them with me! We'll be back to our regularly scheduled Spidey next chapter - Darthkvzn