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PIECES OF TIME

"Sometimes we all get, some
kind of haunted." —Taylor Swift
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"BUENOS días, mi estrella... cómo dormiste?" Miguel's voice echoed in her mind, tormenting her when she suddenly woke up from her nightmare. Panting faintly at the horrible dream she had, feeling the other side of the bed empty and cold. A constant reminder that Miguel was no longer here. Hugging herself at the lack of warmth she once was greeted with, thinking at the bittersweet memories. She sighed softly as she got up, still feeling sore from her injuries from last night's incident that involved an army of Spider bots.

"Bien... ¿Huele a... churros? ¿Hiciste mi desayuno favorito?" Aurelia asked him while chuckling softly when she felt Miguel kiss her nose delicately. Sniffing the sweet scent, sighing contentedly before smiling and pulling him close. The woman shook her head to get rid of the thoughts invading her mind, going to the kitchen to make some coffee. She put on the coffee machine to her preferred settings before deciding to get ready for the day. She went back to her room and took out her computerized mirror to activate her A.I. while glancing outside through the window.

"No... los compré de Dona Teresa. Pero si hice tu chocolate favorito para los churros. Espero que te vas a gustar." Miguel told her as he held Aurelia up from the bed, carrying her over his shoulder without warning. She immediately yelped in surprise at the action before she was seated at the dining table. Freshly made churros and a mug with dark chocolate were waiting for her, taking a small bite before smiling warmly. It was her favorite breakfast because it reminded her of her late grandmother back in Spain.

"Gracias por lo menos, mi cielo." Aurelia said as she appreciated him while giving a small kiss on his cheek before enjoying her breakfast. Savoring the taste as Miguel sat on the other side of the table, drinking his coffee while his gaze never wavered. At first, she continued to eat the churros, dipping them in the thick hot chocolate before glancing at him. A small smile appeared on her lips as she asked him, "Porque me miras así, Miguel?"

"Porque no puedo creer que en dos semanas... serás mío." Miguel teased her as his right hand reached over toward her left one. His fingers caressed hers as he fidgeted with the ring he proposed with a month ago. A sudden knock abrupt her delusions as the woman puts on her maroon leather jacket. Wearing black jeans and a white T-shirt as she made sure to hide her suit or anything else that she wasn't supposed to have. She placed the computerized mirror in her pocket as she went to open the door, to find Peter Parker giving a small wave.

"Lia! I have another assignment for you. If you choose to accept it, of course." Peter asked her, entering the penthouse apartment and placing a file on the table. Aurelia glanced at the rather thick stack as her eyes flickered up to him, grabbing the file. Flipping through the notes and photographs before staring at their target's name, Alistair Smythe. Peter sat down beside her as he took out his camera of the most recent shots he got of Smythe.

"Smythe? As in the heir to Smythe Industries? The son of Spencer Symthe?" Aurelia questioned as she stood up momentarily, placing her hands on the table. The woman didn't need to look any further as she was very familiar with the target... unfortunately. A slight glare appeared in her eyes as Peter took note of that.

"Yes, look I have a reason to believe that he's making something before the grand opening ceremony in three weeks," Peter explained as he took out his phone that showed Spider Slayer's recent sightings along with some shots of her alter ego, Phantom-Spider. Biting her inner cheek softly, she didn't realize that her friend had been tracking her for some time now. Taking a mental note to be careful considering he was getting closer to uncovering her secret.

"And why would he need to do that?" Aurelia remarked, hearing a bit of her accent as she went to the kitchen to prepare the coffee, offering some to Peter who politely declined. She shrugged her shoulders and served herself, adding sugar and creamer to her drink. She took a long sip from her mug, sighing softly at the sweet coffee while glancing at her friend.

"Because a certain spider interrupted his last presentation at the Charity Ball, although technically it was the Green Goblin's fault...." Parker recalled as he took her computer which was slightly opened to look up something. The woman mentally thanked herself that she had logged out of her private account.

"Can't you just interview him? I'm sure he would love to boast everything about himself." Salinas suggested as she saw him turn the computer around with the recent article Eddie Brock made. The headline contained an atrocious title but the article itself tried to explain how big corporations continue to exploit the weak to bring profits.

"Even if I work both ways... I don't think he's the type." Peter affirmed as he shrugged his shoulders slightly, getting a piece of gum from his jeans pocket. They've been partners in crime for five years ever since Aurelia started her little detective agency and needed a photojournalist... that's when Peter comes in. At first, it was something temporary but eventually, they became close friends– and because he discovered that he could also help Phantom-Spider. Although, the woman knew that Parker had a tiny crush on her alter ego.

"Did I forget to mention my ex-boyfriend?" She points out, thinking about how to approach the target. Aurelia met him after she knew Miguel, but it was more like a college fling between them. But once Spencer Symthe passed away, Alistair took over his father's company and they grew apart.

"No, I haven't forgotten... look you have to do this for me, Rory. You're the only one that Phantom-Spider trusts...." Peter told her seriously, touching her right shoulder to emphasize his point. She felt guilty of keeping her identity a secret from him, but the last time she told someone... they died in her arms.

"Alright... so what exactly do I need to get?" She glanced up at him, still feeling his hand on her shoulder. Gently moving it off while taking the computer to investigate any potential events besides the grand opening of the Robotics facility of Smythe Industries.

"Just some files... anything that seems different. Look, I heard he's going to unveil a new prototype that is supposed to be part of this year's convention–." Peter explained briefly as he glanced at her computer, curious what she was looking up.

"And you think that's just an undercover setup for something else," Aurelia concluded as she pondered about Peter's explanation. His phone beeped as Parker glanced down to read the message, inhaling a short sigh before picking up his camera on the table.

"Exactly, look I have to head out for work. But before I go... guess who just became a Reporter at the Daily Bugle?" Peter showed out a small smirk, taking out his reporter tag proudly.

"Reporter? Congrats, Pete! You deserved it after working there for five years." She congratulated him, embracing him in a short hug with a soft chuckle. Considering he was about three years younger than her, Aurelia saw him as a brother she never had.

"Yeah... all I needed to do was suck up to Jameson's ass all those years. I'm still the only one that can get great shots of Phantom-Spider." He bragged, sporting a small smirk on his face. Aurelia rolled her eyes discreetly as she got up from the table towards the kitchen, getting a concha de fresa, a Mexican sweet bread wrapped in a napkin. She handed it to her friend since she didn't want him to leave without eating something.

'There's a reason why...' The young woman pondered as she strolled beside Peter towards the front door, opening wide for him. However, he stopped for a moment as he turned to glance at her with a soft expression. Both had a mutual understanding as she returned a small smile to him. Softly bidding farewell, she called out to him while he walked away, "Cuidate Peter! See you later!"

Steadily shutting the door as she leaned against it, her eyes glistening at a framed portrait by the bookshelf. It was her and Miguel together the day he proposed to her in Mexico, both smiling at the camera as his arm wrapped around her shoulder. They spent that night slow dancing by the beach while basking in the moonlight, enjoying each other's company thinking that they would spend their lives together. Her hand subconsciously went to her necklace, fiddling with her engagement ring through the chain.

Today marks two years since Miguel O'Hara's death.

His death was part of the reason she made her own detective agency– to find the person responsible. It was the day of their wedding when tragedy struck, an unprecedented attack by the Empire State Building. The wedding venue was only four blocks away from the building, and at the time Miguel knew that she was Phantom-Spider. Saving civilians and preventing the army of Spider bots from spreading through Nueva York, she failed to protect the one person she loved.

Finding him pinned underneath the rubble as he tried to help her like he always did. But the last person Miguel saw was Phantom-Spider, not Aurelia Salinas. She saved Nueva York from a bomb that Spider Slayer planted in the building but at a devastating cost. But she couldn't tell anyone the truth... that she was the one that killed him. Not even his younger brother, Gabriel O'Hara. And she swore to never tell another living soul about her secret, a burden that she will always carry till the grave.

An incoming message came on her computerized mirror, snapping Aurelia awake from her melancholy heart. Retrieving her device from her leather jacket, she placed it in the center of the dining table while she finished her breakfast. Getting a chocolate concha in a brown bag from Dona Teresa's Panaderia from across the street, savoring its sweet and fluffy texture with a satisfying hum. The message had a vague description of the upcoming event from Peter, briefly skimming over the details as her A.I. was getting activated.

Initiating Sub-System... Sub-Routines Active... A.I. Protocol Active...

"Welcome back, Miss Salinas. Is there anything you would like for me to do?" Her A.I. called B.A.N.D.I.T, who strangely has an Australian accent questioned. A few messages popped up as she reached over to the mirror to expand the hologram screen.

"Bandit, I've told you to call me Aurelia or Lia. It's not that hard..." The woman remarked as she saw it was a few invitations to events and messages from her friends. Deciding to reply to them before heading out, multitasking between eating and answering the texts.

"And yet, I've chosen not to acknowledge the request, Miss Salinas." The A.I. replied in a cheeky tone, Aurelia rolling her eyes silently as it was futile to argue. Sitting on the edge of the table, her fingers tapping on the hologram screen.

"Can you upload last night's footage against Spider Slayer?" She asked calmly while the footage logs appeared from her spider suit. She took a sip of her coffee while her eyes focused on the many video files.

"Of course, one moment...." B.A.N.D.I.T responded as it clicked on the file and expanded the image. Enhancing the footage while eliminating external noises so that she could only hear her voice. This time the army of Spider bots attacks the American Museum of Natural History, trying to retrieve Adamantium, a rare metal that is stronger than Vibranium. Trying to find clues as the mastermind himself rarely battles with her. Mainly because the last time– she nearly killed him.

"Rewind the last fifteen seconds and zoom in there," Aurelia demanded as something caught her eye, thinking she might have found something. She stares intently at the hologram as her A.I. listens to her command. Freezing the image and noted that one of the Spider bots appeared slightly different, almost as if it was bigger. That's when she realized that it must be the main one he uses while the others are simply decoys.

"It appears that you received quite the injuries, perhaps I should scan–." B.A.N.D.I.T addressed as the footage showed how she took several hits along her abdomen and arms. Aurelia glanced down to lift her shirt, a large web of gauze wrapped around her waist.

"That won't be necessary–!" The woman interjected, widening her eyes slightly as she tried to deny the request.

"Scan complete." Her A.I. announced after a split second, ignoring her pleas as a diagnostic popped up on the hologram.

"La neta..." She muttered under her breath, sighing through her nose before taking a glimpse at the screen. A few red dots indicated the injuries she sustained as a list of medication was recommended for her.

"Two large lacerations along the right side of the abdomen and left forearm, slight internal bleeding on your chest–," B.A.N.D.I.T advised, however, she turned off the diagnostic monitor within a split second. Getting up from the table, Aurelia walked to the full-length wall mirror by the front door. Noting that some blood seeped through the web of gauze, getting some medical supplies to patch it up.

"Bandit, that's enough. Good thing I can heal myself, I'll probably be back to normal in a few hours. And... there's nothing that Vivaporú can't fix." She remarked playfully, removing the used webs that Aurelia made since it withstands more than normal gauze to replace it but getting some of the gel over her lacerations. Softly hissing through the pain before wrapping it with her sterile organic webbing that acted as a bandage.

"You do know it's a myth right, mate?" The A.I. retorted in a snarky tone, causing Aurelia to mutter some words in Spanish before heading back to the table to put away the mirror in her leather jacket. However, B.A.N.D.I.T simply transitioned to her computer when a notification popped up, "It seems Smythe is having a press conference in two hours at the Hall of Science. Any chance Phantom will make an appearance?"

"No, civilian form would be better. Don't want to attract any unnecessary attention." Aurelia insisted firmly, heading to the left corner of the dining room towards a small closet. Digging through the clothes before unlocking a hidden compartment to find the other gadgets she's made.

"If I recall, wouldn't Smythe recognize you if you attend?" B.A.N.D.I.T mentioned sarcastically while Aurelia placed the item she needed in her pocket.

"...Yes but that's part of my plan. Just send me the–." The woman nodded her head faintly, heading to her computer while the location was sent to her computerized mirror. She logged out of her device as she glanced around her penthouse wondering if she was missing something.

"Done. Anything else?" The A.I. answered in a monotone manner that caused her to let out a small chuckle. She put on her leather boots before grabbing her shoulder bag and placing it on her left side.

"Not at the moment... what would I do without you Bandit?" She teased her A.I. as she moved towards her balcony to admire the view of Nueva York. It was probably her favorite place out of her penthouse considering it was one of the tallest buildings in the city.

"Dunno, hopefully not trade me for incompetent A.I." B.A.N.D.I.T asserted as Aurelia shook her head at his response.

"I could never... you're the only one I need, Ban." The brunette woman declared as she went to the ledge of the balcony. The ever-growing flora of Nueva York has been evident throughout the city, making it seem like it's some kind of paradise. Glancing down as the building overlooked Central Park, deciding to take a few steps back.

"Thought so. Miss Salinas... are you attempting to jump off the balcony?" Her A.I. questioned as it detected an elevation in her heart rate.

"You worry too much, Bandit. Come on, I have work to do..." Aurelia reassured him, at that exact moment she sprinted to the other side of the balcony. Once she was near the ledge, she stepped onto it before she jumped off the thousand-foot building. The wind brushed through her hair as she fell towards the ground before creating a large web as she teleported through.

If only she knew that from this point on... her life was going to change forever.