CHAPTER 2

THOSE LEFT BEHIND

[ FIVE YEARS AGO ]

Peter Parker's life was something that he would narrow down to a tragedy. His parents were dead, his uncle was dead, Aunt May had a rough time coping up with grief and financial issues and the constant bullying he was forced to go through was not helping.

It was hectic but being Spiderman had started to become the most important thing in life (after his aunt) and he was fine with it. Every time he stopped a thief or saved a person from being seriously hurt, he heard his uncle's voice loud and clear- "With great power comes great responsibility."

Great responsibility indeed.

But this story is not about Peter Benjamin Parker whose life used have much happiness and love. This is not even the story of how Peter lost that light in his life. No.

This story is about Felicity Jamie Stark and what happened after he fell in love with her when she punched him in the face.

The most amazing meet-cute ever, right?

But to get to the ending- you really need to start from the start.

Peter remembered it like yesterday- the day he met her. It was the first day of sophomore year after his 'trip' to Germany and Peter was waiting at his locker for Ned when a black haired girl walked up to him.

"You're Parker," she declared, her blue eyes analyzing him. He didn't know who she was- Tony Stark's daughter was Tony's Stark's biggest secret.

"I-um-yeah I am," Peter stuttered, surprised that such a pretty girl would even look his way- much less talk to him, "Peter Parker."

Then she punched him.

He had seen the fist come for his face but he couldn't stop her considering there were multiple witnesses who would then start to wonder how that happened to skinny peter.

Holding on to his bleeding nose, he caught the girl's face getting red with anger, attention or both.

She leaned right next to his ear and then whispered, "That's for sending my friend's to jail, Spiderman."

Peter's eyes had flared considering no one should know his secret. He assumed that she might be friends with one of the drug addicts he helped arrest yesterday.

"Who are you?" he snarled in a low voice- making sure none of the student of Midtown High were listening.

"Felicity Stark," she finally answered and Peter noticed how much she looked like her father- except of her eyes, "I am sure it's a pleasure to meet me."

She walked away as Peter watched- oblivious to Ned's cry for help or Flash's taunts.

Over time, Peter had fallen in love with her- hard.

She became his rock when things became hard and she was hers.

Peter had never gotten a chance to grieve all that he had lost- most of all his innocence but she gave him that.

Sure, Felicity hated Peter when she first met him but Peter had a way of getting just about everyone to like him.

In everyone's eyes, including Felicity's over protective dad, Peter and her were just meant to be.

Maybe that's why losing her was so hard.

"Hey babe," Felicity said as she kissed Peter one more time, "I have to go now."

Peter pouted.

"I don't want you to," he said as he marveled in her hug.

Felicity laughed, "Well, then you can tell Morgan why I didn't come then."

Peter looked at her, worry etched on his face, "I am not sure if you should travel alone Fee- it's dangerous."

The Stark daughter rolled her eyes, "Please- My father is Iron Man while my boy friend happens to be Spiderman. I have also been to space."

"See!" Peter pointed out, "You are a magnet for danger... Just stay."

"Nope."

"I will miss you?"

"Not gonna work, Parker," Felicity said.

Peter sighed, "Then let me come with you."

Felicity looked at him sharply- "You better not leave the campus Peter. I get you that you are a genius, but College is important so complete your work."

"Fine," her boyfriend rolled his eyes.

She kissed him once more, "I love you."

Peter smirked, "I'll say it back when you return to me."

Tony had to be the one to tell Peter.

Peter had been in his dorm room, thinking about what he would write on his English essay that was literally half his grade. Felicity had been gone a day already and Peter was wondering if he could finish his work early and surprise the Stark's tomorrow morning.

Peter had been jumpy all morning- he had promised himself that he wouldn't switch on his phone till his work was done. Felicity had told him she wouldn't be calling till she reaches and if it's anything important, she would ask Tony's AI to contact Karen.

Crash!

Peter jumped around, ready to attack the person who was the source of the noise when he came face to face with his mentor.

"Mr. Stark?"

Tony looked a wreck and Peter stiffened- the worst scenarios running through his head, but none as bad as what had actually happened. The last time Tony had stood in his room like this was when he had been recruited to fight Steve Rogers in Germany.

"What's wrong? Is someone hurt? Is there any mission because then I can't go home because Felicity disabled my suit so I can finish my- Mr Stark, are you crying?"

A tear had slipped through Tony's eyes and his face suddenly resembled one that Peter was very used to- a face full of grief.

Peter's heart started to beat faster by the minute.

"Who?" 

Mentally Peter started to cross off the locations in his head. May was in Cabo with Happy for a mini vacation, Ned was in his own dorm room in MIT while MJ was out at a party in New York. Felicity was supposed to be at home but if she was- then why was Tony here?

His eyes widened as his breathing quickened. Running to his bed side table, he took his phone and switched it on.

Fee

7 missed calls

Fee

I love you (09.37)

I am so sorry (09.37)

Please pick up the call (09.35)

PETER I NEED HELP! 911! (09.34)

Peter's hand shook as he gulped and cursed himself- Why would he ever switch off his phone? He is so stupid-

"Look kid-" Tony spoke and Peter had almost forgot he was there.

"Please do- don't say it," Peter's tears were flowing, "It's not true."

Tony bit his lip, "She would want me to."

"I CAN'T HEAR IT! ALRIGHT? I- I can't lose her Mr. Stark. She is my entire world."

"She's gone, Pete."

Tony finally hugged Peter. They both needed it today.

Slowly, Tony told Peter everything- beginning with the phone call and till what FRIDAY had found till now. It was Hydra.

"I love her."

"I know you do, Pete, and so do we."

"I- I didn't say it back."

[ TWO MONTHS AGO ]

"Ohh!"

A blonde woman had just sat inside her car, riddled with mysteries that just never seemed to try leaving her. As of now, the Starling City Vigilante was lying in her back seat.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Felicity," The person said and though he sounded very familiar, Felicity was looking for an escape. Her identity was her biggest secret.

"How do you know my name?"

The man removed his hood to show Oliver Queen, her boss.

"Because you know my name."

Oliver Queen was the man under the hood.

Seemed like Felicity came back to the one life she had been trying to escape.