Saving Grace

Sixty Seven

Peter went home around ten minutes later, assuring Grace that he was already beginning to heal and would be fine by the morning — Monday at the latest. She went back to the Tower, and Tony and Pepper got back less than an hour after, as Happy had called them as soon as she took off.

They were relieved that she was okay, and she had to relate the whole story to them, though she saved the conversation on the Cyclone for later (well, actually, for Harley, whom she called after getting ready for bed).

Peter managed to conceal his visible injuries from May, telling her Ned's mom dropped him off early because he started feeling sick. She grilled him for a few minutes, asking him about his symptoms, then, when his answers weren't entirely believable, came to the conclusion that Peter said he was sick simply because Grace wasn't at the dance and therefore he wanted to go home. Peter readily confirmed her suspicions.

By Monday, Peter and Grace have been talking about as much as they ever have, though she's been moving and unpacking all her stuff at the new compound. Other than that, life is back to normal.

Almost.

"It looked so insane," Ned says as he Peter walk down the hallway. "That whole- like, it was just crazy. He was just like, 'Zzzz,' and you were like, 'Ah!'" Peter laughs, but tells him to be quieter. Ned continues anyway. "And then I just hit him with the, 'Pew.' It was so cool."

Peter smiles. "You saved me. It was awesome."

And then they see Liz at the end of the hallway, with her mom and MJ. Ned frowns. "I just wish I didn't have to leave Liz to do it, you know?"

Peter pats him on the shoulder. "I know, man. Maybe you can work it out, though — go talk to her."

Ned hesitates, then nods, walking towards her as her mother and MJ walk off in different directions. "Hey, Liz."

She turns. They are tears in her eyes, but she waits for Ned to reach her. Peter stands off to the side, watching.

"Liz, I'm so sorry," Ned says earnestly.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time. At the dance," Liz replies coldly.

Ned is at a loss. "Liz..."

"That was a pretty crappy thing to do, Ned," she says.

"I know," Ned replies. "But I... I mean, your dad... I can't imagine what you're going through. If there's anything I can do to help..."

Liz shrugs, fighting down tears. "I guess we're moving to Oregon. Mom says it's nice there, so that's cool. Anyways, Dad doesn't want us here during the trial, so..."

"Liz, I..."

"Bye, Ned," she says. "It was fun while it lasted." She looks over at Peter. "Bye, Peter." Peter raises his hand silently, and then Liz turns and walks away with a single, regretful glance back at Ned.

Peter can only see Ned's back, but he knows that he's hurt. "Ned-"

Ned turns around, wiping his eyes. "Well, we don't want to be late to Decathlon practice, do we? Let's go."

Peter sadly lets him change the subject and follows him to the library, where the rest of the team is gathered at a table.

Mr. Harrington sits at the head of it, smiling. "Congratulations, Decathlon national champions." As everyone cheers, he holds up the trophy. "I'm gonna have to put this back in the trophy case soon, but we'll keep it just for motivation right now at this practice. I'm a little ahead of the game, but we'll need a new team captain next year. So I'm appointing... Michelle."