even heroes have the right to bleed.

Laurel blushed a bit, suddenly embarrassed by the forwardness of just taking over Peter's lap. "I'm sorry, you just looked so comfy," she said, biting her lip as she pushed her hair back. Laurel should have known better than to just make herself welcome on his lap. Peter already thought she was weird enough as it was and she was only making things worse.

---

"I was fine, Katie," Steve breathed out, sighing softly because he almost raised his voice. He took a deep breath and rubbed his fingers against his temples as he spoke. "I'm fine, Katie. I'm not helpless." After living the first half of his life totally helpless and the second half helping others, the idea of going back to the way things were before terrified Steve, and the fact that Katie already thought they had just upset him even more. "I'll make sure you're reassigned no later than this afternoon," he said as they approached the hospital wing, where Katie could get her ankle checked out. "I'm sure you can make it back by yourself. I've got some tests to go do."

Peter shook his head, letting out a quiet chuckle. "Laurel, it's fine. I'm just not used to it," he said, speaking quietly. That was a lie. He was used to it. Granted, it had been a long time since Gwen had positioned herself exactly as Laurel had, but he was used to it. It just hurt to have someone that close. He looked away for a couple of seconds, not wanting to her notice that he wasn't exactly in the moment. "I've been told that I'm pretty comfy before," he said, opting to lighten up the situation instead of making it even more awkward for the two of them.

---

"Steve, I didn't -" Katie's voice cut off as she stared up at him. She hated this. She hated the feeling that was currently pooling in her stomach. She just wanted to make things right with him. "I didn't mean it when I said that you were helpless. Just because your powers are gone doesn't mean that - You're far from helpless." She ran a hand through her hair, her heart dropping when he said that. "I don't want - Whatever you want to do, Steve." She kept her gaze on him for a couple more seconds, having a feeling that by this might be the last time she saw him for awhile.

"Well, whoever told you that was a very smart girl," Laurel said, blushing nervously as she placed her hand just on top of Peter's knee. The last thing she wanted was to make Peter feel uncomfortable, but the closer she was to him the better she felt. He made it easier to just forget about everything that had happened and put her mind on something else.

---

"I'm just trying to do what's best for both of, Katie," Steve said shortly, biting his lip as he looked at her. Things were getting too uncomfortable between them and they'd never be able to work properly together, not with Steve knowing what Katie really felt about him now. Things were hard enough as it was without needing to worry about what Katie thought about him.

Peter averted his gaze, trying his hardest not to tense up as he thought of Gwen. "She was," he coughed out, trying to cover up the way his voice caught over those two simple words. He'd managed to push that memory out of his mind most of the time, but there were still moments where it came up like a wave, washing over him. His jaw set as he pressed his lips into a thin line, attempting to force himself to relax. Nothing good would come out of him getting upset, especially in front of Laurel.

---

"Of course," Katie said, looking away from him. What was best for the both of them. She wasn't quite sure what to think of that. She bit her lip for a second before looking up at him, sighing softly. "Even if I didn't always act like it, Steve, I did enjoy working with you. A lot. But um, if you think it's best, then who am I to stop you?" She kept her voice quiet, not wanting to sound like she was attempting to pick a fight. "I guess that I'll see you around, then?"

Grace didn't fail to notice Peter's little cough and she bit her lip gently, assuming he had just gone through a bad break up or that they were fighting. She immediately felt bad for bringing it up, never even questioning whether or not he had a girlfriend. Even though there was nothing going on between them, she couldn't imagine a girlfriend would just be okay with them falling asleep together. Laurel cleared her throat nervously before speaking. "Is she your girlfriend or something?"

---

Steve knew he couldn't say anything else to Katie without getting emotional, so he nodded his head softly. "I'll see you around, Katie." He walked away from her with a sigh, knowing she'd be find now that she was at the hospital wing and someone could look at her ankle. He planned on getting back as quickly as he could so he could talk to Fury before she got there. He didn't really want to change agents, but he knew it would be best for both of them.

Peter kept his gaze forward. He hated this part. It was always awkward when someone asked if he had a girlfriend and he replied. Because usually that meant that they asked what had happened, and how was he supposed to talk about that? Not only had she died - at his hands - but it was Spiderman. How was he supposed to discuss that? "She was." He repeated his answer from before, unsure as to how far Laurel was going to question him. He didn't want to just start offering information when she didn't want to know that much.

---

Katie schooled her features, composing herself like she'd been taught when she was in training. If he wanted to switch partners, fine. It was his choice. She was ignoring the stinging hurt that was tapping away at her chest as she walked forward, wincing as the pain grew worse. But she'd take focusing on the pain over focusing on whatever was going through her head. She explained what had happened as the medics came over, already getting ready to wrap up her ankle.

Laurel could tell that, whoever this girl was, she was a sore topic for Peter, so she thought she better not ask any more questions for the time being. As long as she knew he didn't have a current girlfriend that would get angry and hurt her, that was enough for Laurel. She took a breath, suddenly feeling uncomfortable lying on Peter's lap, and sat up.

---

Steve was back at the lab in just a few moments without Katie holding him back, and he found Agent Fury as quickly as he could. IV still in hand, Steve walked over to Fury with his features stern as he spoke. "Agent Fury, I'd like to put in a formal request for a handler change. Agent Roth and I are no longer effective as a team."

Peter pushed all thoughts of Gwen aside. Those thoughts almost always came back, though. Usually at night when he was lying alone in his bed, half asleep, and he'd think of her smile. Or her laugh. And then the memories came flooding, the happiness, the arguing... The end. But he forced himself to stop, instead quirking a brow as Laurel sat up. "So you want to grab something to eat?" He questioned, nodding in the direction of where he thought the kitchen was. He couldn't really remember. "You should probably eat something since you haven't had anything since before the break in."

---

It hadn't taken long. All they did was wrap up her ankle to give it support and some pills to take away the pain. Within minutes she was walking down the hall, heading into the lab. As soon as she rounded the corner and was in the doorway she froze, hearing Steve's words. He was serious about this. She kept silent, her expression blank as she waited for Fury's response. They argued, sure, but for the most part they seemed to work well together. But she also understood. She wasn't a 'team player', exactly like what he said. She knew that. She just hadn't realized that it was such a factor.

Laurel decided that Peter's former girlfriend was off limits, whatever had happened, and she nodded her head at the idea of food. "I would like that," she said, nodding her head at him. She just realized how hungry she was. Having pre-PTSD was tiring. "What are you in the mood for? I have lots of stuff in the kitchen or we could go out."

---

Agent Fury looked at Steve with confusion written all over his face. Steve knew he was going to have to do some explaining, but he hadn't really planned ahead for it like he should have.

"I'll get the paperwork," Agent Fury said as he looked Steve up and down. "Does this have anything to do with what happened today?"

Steve shook his head slowly as he pressed his lips together. "It's a combination of a lot of things, sir."

Peter smiled at her, realizing just how hungry he was. He hadn't eaten in hours either, and usually he was starving as it was after running around as Spiderman. "I'm up for whatever you want. I could literally eat anything," he said with a grin, shrugging his shoulders. He was never picky, Aunt Mae having practically forced the picky eating out of him when he was a kid.

---

There had been a large part of Katie that had been hoping that Fury would tell him that he was wrong, that Steve couldn't just ask for a new partner. But her heart dropped in her chest when she heard him. She cleared her throat, wanting to make herself known - and refused to look anywhere near Steve's direction. "They told me to take it easy for a couple of days, but other than that I'm good to go. Do we have anything yet on what happened?" Her tone was formal, the one she used when working a mission. She couldn't show that this was getting to her.

Laurel smiled at him before standing up from the sofa. "Let's go to the kitchen and cook something up then." She had never been a good cook, but she hoped she could whip up something for her and Peter that wouldn't make him runaway screaming. She still hadn't thought about what she was going to do that night since she couldn't keep Peter from his life forever, but she was sure it was going to be a long one.

---

Agent Fury insisted he watch a few more tests before he went to get the transfer paperwork, which Steve agreed to. He just hoped he wouldn't be too tired to fill it out when it came time, because he was becoming exhausted. Steve watched as Katie walked up to him and Fury, the same expression on her face that she always had. "Not that I've heard," he said shortly, "and I'm assuming I'd be one of the first they'd tell."

Peter nodded his head, moving to get up from the couch. He ran a hand through his hair in a vain attempt to get it to look somewhat neat, but he knew that it was useless. His hair always looked like he just woke up. He followed her into the kitchen, leaning his hip against the counter top was he watched her. "You a good cook?" He asked, hoping to make conversation.

---

"In that case, I'd like to be able to go question the men that we took in," Katie said, avoiding looking at Steve, even if she wanted to. "I have a feeling that at the minimum one of them would know at least part of the plan, and I'd like to get in there before the locals do," she said, making a face at the thought of the police force messing things up. "Also, I'd prefer to go alone, if that's alright."

"Not at all," Laurel said with a laugh as she shook her head. Peter was in for a real surprise if he thought her meal was even going to be the least bit edible. She hoped it wouldn't be enough to scare him off, though. She had plenty of other qualities that were great at doing that. "Are you?"

---

Steve would never admit that he wanted to question the men too, because that would mean admitting that Katie had a good idea. He wanted to know what they'd done and why they'd done, but he also didn't think he'd be able to hold his composure well enough to be in that situation. He didn't want to get back to the testing either, but he didn't have much choice. As Katie was talking, Steve simply walked away and back towards the young scientists who were ready to poke and prod him once again. He knew Agent Fury would get he and Katie the forms to sign as quickly as he could.

Peter let out a laugh when she said that, liking the honesty. "Probably better than you are," he said, moving away from the counter and towards the refrigerator. He might not have been the best cook around, but he knew his way around a kitchen pretty well. "Do you want me to make us something?" He asked, quirking a brow at her, waiting for her go ahead. He figured that just opening her refrigerator and cooking for her would be a bit presumptuous, and that was the last thing that he wanted to be.

---

Agent Fury went to respond when a scientist walked over, a frown on his face. "You can't leave just yet," he said, motioning for her to follow him to the other empty table. "You were exposed to the gas as well. We'll have to run tests on you to make sure that it didn't change anything." Katie stared, shaking her head at him as her heart started to pound. Having people poke and prod at her was her biggest issue. "Agent Roth, you can either agree or we'll sedate you immediately."

"That would be lovely, actually," Laurel said with a smile, happy that they wouldn't have to eat her horrible meal. She sat up on the countertop, swinging her legs below her as she looked at him. She still couldn't believe how sweet he had been to her. He had definitely gone above and beyond the call of duty. "Maybe I can learn something from you."

---

"Alright, let's get this over with," Steve said, laying flat on the metal slab so they could begin running tests again. The scientist who was hovering over him shook his head as he motioned for Steve to get up.

"We're finished with the sedentary portion of the test," the young man said, "now we need to test your physical strength, stamina and intelligence."

Steve sighed as he sat up from the slab, knowing this was going to be the most difficult part. He knew that he had changed for the worst when his powers got taken, but now they were going to see exactly how much.

Peter grinned, and headed over to cupboard, opening it up. He searched for a couple of minutes before finding what he was looking for - a box of mac and cheese. He held it up to her for her approval. "You mind having this?" It was fast and easy to make, and virtually impossible for him to mess up if something happened. "I don't know. I'm pretty expert at making boxed macarroni and cheese," he said, laughing.

---

"You better sedate her," Fury said, causing Katie to tense up. She was an agent of SHIELD. She didn't need to be - The thought cut off at the pain of the needle being expertly pushed into her skin. She winced, refusing to let herself react too much due to her pride. But within thirty seconds she was already relaxing and smiling, the drugs taking over. Her gaze went to Steve, and stayed on him.

"That sounds perfect," Laurel said with a laugh, nodding her head quickly. "I can't imagine a better meal." He was being so sweet to her, even though it was far beyond the reach of his job, and she couldn't imagine why his mystery girl would have passed up on a guy as incredible as him. That was a thought she'd have to keep to herself though, because she didn't want to upset him by bringing her up again.

---

Steve took one look back at Katie just in time to see her falling into one of the scientist's arms before he carried her over to the metal slab across from Steve's. She looked so calm and peaceful like that, almost sweet in a way, which was so opposite of how he'd come to know her when she was awake - loud and feisty. He stood up from his place on the slab and followed his own scientists over to where he'd spend the next few hours testing.

Peter chuckled, shooting her a wide grin. He searched through the cupboard for a pot and filled it up with water, setting it on the oven. He turned it on before looking over to her, leaning up against the counter. "You can't imagine a better meal? My aunt would be horrified. I mean, she was when I told her that," he said with a laugh, looking down at her with a smile.

---

Katie blinked lazily, disliking the way that her muscles just relaxed. The thought floated away, the drugs making it hard to focus on just about anything. Her gaze, however, followed Steve as he walked, a small smile on her face. Her eyes drifted shut after a couple of seconds, her body completely relaxed while the scientists began to insert the IV.

Laurel watched as Peter got everything set up, her stomach getting more empty by the second. She didn't really want to eat a ton and look like a pig in front of a stranger, but she didn't really think she was going to have a choice. "I'm assuming she's never had the joy of eating an entire pot of mac and cheese at four in the morning while you binge watch on Netflix."

---

Steve was already worn out from the tests and it had only been a few hours. He could tell by the scientists "hmm"s and "ahh"s that they weren't really making any progress, and he was beginning to wonder if they would ever figure out what happened to him. He couldn't imagine a worse hell than being stuck in this body after having one that was so great. He could already feel the changes in his mind, as though he wasn't as smart as he was before.

Peter looked over to her, pouring the macaronni in once it was boiling. He let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Oh God, no. Well, she hates the boxed stuff anyway, says it's an insult to her homemade stuff. And she's usually waking up at four in the morning, not binge watching anything," he said with a laugh, shaking his head at the thought.

---

After awhile Katie started to wake up, her eyes blinking a couple of times as she tried to remember where she was. She looked over, furrowing her brow as she looked around the room, her gaze landing on him. "Steve? How is he?" Her voice was thick from the haze of the drugs. She yawned, struggling to sit up. She forced herself to clear her mind, wanting to cut through the haze.