Chapter 48

The city that never sleeps was shrouded in smoke and the wailing of sirens filled the air. High above, against the backdrop of the starless night, Nina was a lone silhouette, tracing the path of devastation in search of a single soul. The worry etched across her face was as tangible as the flames that licked the city's skyline.

"V," she called out over the din of chaos, "scan the nearby hospitals for Peter Parker."

"Of course, Miss Nina," came the calm, synthetic voice of V.

As the seconds ticked by, Nina's heart pounded against her ribcage. Images of Peter lying injured in some anonymous hospital ward filled her mind. What if he was gone? What if his body was so beyond recognition they couldn't identify him? She shook her head fiercely, pushing the dark thoughts away.

"Miss Nina," V's voice brought her out of her grim reverie, "I regret to inform you that there are no records of Peter Parker being admitted in any of the nearby hospitals."

Her heart skipped a beat. She felt as if a cold, unseen hand had clenched around it. Before despair could engulf her, V spoke up again.

"However, I have managed to trace a signal from Mr. Parker's phone. He appears to be in a residential area not too far from here."

The relief was overwhelming, washing over her like a soothing wave. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"Where is he, V?" Nina asked, bracing herself for the answer.

The location V gave her wasn't a hospital, it wasn't a bomb site, it was a name she knew all too well - Mary Jane Watson. An unexpected emotion flared up inside Nina, a blend of relief and a twinge of jealousy that she didn't expect. Peter was safe, and that's what mattered, but he was with MJ.

Pushing her feelings aside, she plunged towards the identified location, her heart pounding anew. She had a friend to find, and personal feelings could wait.

Nina, wearing her suit, arrived at Mary Jane Watson's apartment in an upmarket section of the city. Even in the darkness, it was easy to spot her. The lights in the apartment flickered as Nina knocked on the door, her heart pounding against her chest.

The door swung open and there stood MJ, her fiery hair looking almost luminescent in the dim lighting. Her green eyes narrowed as she saw the armored figure on her doorstep, recognizing the heroine known as Ivy, Spider-Man's recent ally.

"What are you doing here, Ivy?" MJ asked, her voice icy and her gaze unyielding.

"I'm here for Peter," Nina replied, her voice muffled by the suit.

MJ's gaze hardened. "Where were you when he needed you? When he was being blown up?"

Ivy stood her ground. "Peter is Spider-Man. He's not a child. He makes his own decisions, including who he needs to protect."

MJ's nostrils flared at Ivy's comment, her green eyes blazing with anger. "You should've been there, Ivy! You're supposed to be his partner, yet you weren't there when he needed you the most!"

"I'm here now," Nina retorted, "unlike some people, I don't stick around just for the easy parts. I come when it matters."

Before the argument could escalate further, a low groan echoed from inside the apartment. Both women turned to see Peter wincing in pain on the couch.

Immediately, Nina stepped into the room, gently reaching out to inspect Peter. As she did so, V's voice echoed in her ear, "Mr. Parker has sustained severe injuries. He requires immediate medical attention."

Nina's gaze hardened at V's analysis. "Can we stabilize him?"

"Yes," V responded, "but it would require you to deactivate your suit."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. Nina knew what she had to do. But doing so would reveal her identity, not just to Peter, but to MJ as well. She took a deep breath, reaching for the deactivation switch on her suit. Personal feelings would have to wait. Peter needed her.

Nina, her gaze unwavering, reaches for a spot on her suit's forearm, activating the deactivation sequence. With a series of hissing sounds, the suit unfolds from around her, revealing her true identity to MJ. The redhead's eyes widened in shock as recognition flashes across her face.

"You...you're Nina, from F.E.A.S.T.," MJ said, her voice a mixture of disbelief and surprise.

Without missing a beat, Nina nodded. "I am," she said, her attention now focused on Peter.

MJ watched, stunned, as the suit unfolded from around Nina and began to envelop Peter, glowing with a soft green light that illuminated the otherwise dim apartment.

"What...what are you doing?" MJ asked, her tone taking on an authoritative edge.

"Taking care of him," Nina replied simply, her eyes never leaving Peter.

Suddenly, MJ remembered her ambitions to unmask Ivy and tell her story to the world. But now, the revelation felt far too close, far too personal. It was as if revealing Nina's secret would be a betrayal of Peter's trust. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm.

"I won't say anything," MJ said, her voice quiet but firm.

Nina didn't respond, too focused on Peter to pay attention to anything else.

MJ felt a pang of something she couldn't quite name. Jealousy? But why would she feel jealous? She wasn't in love with Peter, not anymore. But seeing Nina taking care of him stirred a strange emotion within her. An emotion she couldn't understand, much less explain.

As she watched Nina caring for Peter, MJ couldn't help but feel an odd mix of resentment and admiration. It was a feeling she wasn't used to, and one she would need to confront, sooner or later.

Nina watched in rapt attention as the suit's soft green light seemed to pulse in rhythm with Peter's heartbeat. The suit was doing its work, mending and healing Peter's injuries. V, ever diligent, was monitoring and reporting his condition in real time.

"Peter sustained heavy injuries," V reported, its calm and reassuring tone echoing in Nina's earpiece. "There are multiple contusions and fractures. The right femur has a severe fracture, with several minor ones on his left tibia and fibula. Ribs six through eight on the left side are broken. He also has a moderate concussion."

Nina clenched her jaw, a hard knot of determination settling in her stomach. "Alright. Can the nanites fix it?"

"The suit's nanites are programmed to assist with healing," V explained, "They are capable of accelerating the mending of broken bones, reducing inflammation, and promoting the production of new cells. However, there is a limit to how much they can do for injuries of this magnitude."

As V spoke, Nina could see the suit adjusting, the nanites within it shifting and buzzing as they began to work. They swarmed the areas where Peter's bones were broken, forming a sort of cast that immobilized the injury and allowed the healing process to take place more effectively.

Despite the uncertainty, Nina found herself amazed by the suit's capabilities. Watching it work, seeing the process unfold in front of her eyes, it was almost like magic.

"Okay, how long will it take?" she asked.

"The suit's nanites are efficient, but this level of trauma... it will take some time. I estimate several hours at least for the bones to mend. The concussion will require longer, careful monitoring."

The words filled the room, bouncing off the walls and sinking into Nina's mind. It was going to be a long night. She turned to look at MJ, the silent observer of this whole ordeal.

"Don't worry," Nina said, her voice soft, "Peter is strong. He'll pull through this."

She turned back to Peter, watching as the suit's nanites continued their work. The night was still young, and Nina was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure Peter made it through.

Nina and MJ were seated across from each other in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. The quiet hum of the nanites working on Peter was the only sound that filled the apartment.

Nina was the first to break the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "I messed up."

The confession hung in the air between them, raw and heavy. She looked at Peter, his pale face relaxed in healing slumber. "I got too distracted, too focused on myself. If I had been there..."

MJ watched Nina, her thoughts conflicting. She found herself not wanting to comfort Nina, not wanting to absolve her of the guilt she was feeling. This was what she had wanted to do, to protect Peter. But here she was, helpless, while another person stepped in to do it for her.

But as much as she hated to admit it, she also saw the strength in Nina. The girl who had been volunteering at F.E.A.S.T, who always had a joke or a smile ready to ease the burden of those around her, had transformed into this... hero. She was strong, and in many ways, MJ envied her.

"You're strong, Nina," MJ said, the words spilling out before she could stop them. "Stronger than me, at least."

Nina looked at her, surprised. "MJ..."

"No, let me finish," MJ said, meeting Nina's gaze with a fierce determination. "I've always wanted to be the one who could stand next to Peter, protect him, just like he does for me. But you... you're already doing that. You're what I wanted to be."

Nina was quiet, her eyes wide. She looked at Peter, then back at MJ. "MJ, it's not about strength or power. It's about love. Peter... he doesn't need a protector, he needs people who love him, who care for him."

"And you care about him, don't you?" MJ asked, her voice quieter now.

Nina didn't answer, her silence saying more than any words could.

The room fell into silence again, the two women lost in their own thoughts, bound by the shared worry for Peter. It was going to be a long night, and only time could tell what the dawn would bring.

Nina sat alone in the dimly lit room, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The steady rhythm of Peter's breathing was a quiet soundtrack to her internal turmoil. She looked over at MJ, who had fallen asleep curled up on the couch, her face soft and innocent in slumber.

She then turned back to Peter, a sense of uncertainty washing over her. Did she love Peter? She didn't know. Could it be just a simple crush? Perhaps. Or was it something more? A deeper connection that was only now beginning to surface?

As Nina found herself lost in these thoughts, she remembered Yelena's words. "You miss what's always in front of you. Try giving attachments a try before dismissing it." Nina sighed, feeling a weight on her chest. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to navigate this maze of feelings that were suddenly overwhelming her.

Wanting to distract herself, she reached for the remote and turned on the TV, keeping the volume low so as not to disturb the others. The news anchor was reporting on the bombing attack Peter had been caught in, a solemn look on her face.

"This tragic event seems to have been directed at Norman Osborn, one of the attendees of the ceremony," the news anchor was saying. "The motives behind the attack are still unclear..."

Nina listened attentively, a sense of dread creeping up her spine. The fact that Peter had been involved in such a brutal attack was already horrifying, but the added dimension of a potential target made it even worse.

As she was engrossed in the news report, Peter shifted in his sleep. His movement caught her attention and she quickly turned the TV off, her focus immediately going back to him. His breathing seemed to have gotten heavier, his face contorted in pain. Nina quickly moved to his side, concern etched on her face. Was he having a nightmare? Or was it the after-effects of the bombing?

Nina reached out and placed a comforting hand on Peter's arm. "Peter?" she called softly, her voice filled with worry. "Peter, are you okay?"

She was met with no response, and her worry intensified. Was it too soon to think that Peter was out of danger? Had she been too naive to think that everything was going to be okay?

Nina was left with more questions than answers, and as she sat there, watching over Peter, she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that clung to her like a shadow.

Nina's hand was still on Peter's arm when she closed her eyes, exhaustion and emotional upheaval pressing down on her like a heavy weight. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, anxiety and worry mixing with a touch of relief. She let out a soft sigh, whispering under her breath, "Please be okay, Peter..."

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice, barely audible. "Nina..." Her head snapped up, her heart pounding in her chest. Peter was awake. Her eyes filled with tears of relief and a wave of emotions she had been holding back surged forward, threatening to consume her.

But the moment was fleeting. She quickly regained her composure, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand. Taking a deep breath, she started to speak. "Peter, you've been hurt... badly," she began, her voice trembling slightly as she explained the situation. "You were caught in a bombing at the ceremony. You're stable now, but..."

Peter tried to sit up, his eyes reflecting the confusion and fear that his weak body couldn't express. But Nina gently pushed him back down, not wanting him to strain himself. "You need to rest," she insisted, her tone gentle yet firm.

She continued her explanation, detailing the aftermath of the event, the devastation that had been caused, and how she had found him at MJ's place. Peter listened quietly, his eyes never leaving her face.

"And... and that's everything," Nina concluded, her voice almost a whisper now. She looked at Peter, her eyes full of concern. "Do you remember anything about what happened, Peter?"

He blinked at her, trying to process the information she had given him. His brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to remember the events leading up to the bombing. "I... I'm not sure," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "Everything... everything's a blur."

Nina nodded, understanding. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, trying to offer him some comfort amidst the chaos. "It's okay, Peter," she assured him, a soft smile on her face. "You're safe now. And we're going to figure this out together."

Peter winced as the flood of memories returned, a pounding headache erupting at the forefront of his mind. He clutched his head, his brows furrowed in pain, but started speaking. He began to piece together the day's events, from his run-in with Mayor Osborn to the moment Officer Jefferson Davis, the man who had saved his life, was awarded for his bravery.

"I remember... Mayor Osborn was giving an award to Officer Davis," he explained, his voice filled with a raw edge of pain. "He... He had saved me, pushed me out of the way of a construction truck using his patrol vehicle."

His gaze flicked towards Nina, a spark of hope in his eyes. "Is... is Officer Davis okay?" he asked, hoping against hope that the man who saved him was alright.

Nina's heart clenched at his question, and she bit her lip, grappling with the right words. Finally, she spoke, her voice filled with a somber tone, "Peter... Officer Davis... he didn't make it."

Peter's eyes widened, a mix of shock and sorrow etching onto his face. His hand tightened into a fist, his nails biting into his palm. "I... I can't believe this... All those people..." he muttered, his voice choked.

He'd faced enemies, he'd been in dangerous situations, but nothing like this. The reality of such an attack, the loss of innocent lives, hit him hard. His eyes misted over, a storm of emotions threatening to break loose.

Nina watched him, her heart aching for his pain. She reached over, her hand gently closing over his. "Peter," she said, her voice low and firm, "We'll find whoever did this, alright? We'll bring them to justice."

He looked at her, his eyes filled with a determined fire. He nodded, clenching his jaw. "Martin Li," he spoke, his voice steadier. "He was there... I saw him transform. He's behind this."

Nina's eyes widened. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fit together, and now, they had a target. But first, Peter needed to recover.