*discontinued* we're family. [& no you're not alone] (penny parker)

You're trapped.

You can't move.

You're going to die.

Everyone else is going to die.

And it's your fault.

It's all your fault.

Useless.

Worthless.

Pathetic.

Penny awoke with a gasp, throwing the sheets off of her. 

The first thought that came to her mind was:

I have to get out.

The nightmares had gotten worse ever since homecoming night, but really, she'd always had them. Nightmares because of her parents, then Skip (the thought made her breath hitch. Those nightmares were the worst of all), then uncle Ben, and now they mostly focus on all the near-death experiences she's had in her fourteen years of life. Whenever she woke up in the middle of the night, which was basically every night, she did the same thing. Patrol. 

Sliding her clothes off and her suit on, she could feel herself relax. Being Spider-Girl was her way of detaching from being Penny because right now, she really did not want to be Penny. She smiled when she saw that the bedroom window didn't even have a screen on it. Too easy, she thought to herself.

She opened the window and swung down, ran across the grass, and onto the road. 

"Hey, Karen?"

The A.I's voice came to life, surrounding Penny in the suit. 

"Yes, Penny?"

"Don't tell Mr. Stark, okay?"

"I'm sorry, Penny, but according to the ‘Sleepy-Time Spider’ protocol, I am required to inform Boss if you engage in any combat after three am."

Penny rolled her eyes, "Okay, Fri, but what if I don't engage in any combat? Like, if I don't hit anyone or get hit, then it doesn't count?"

The A.I hesitated, "Technically, I would not need to inform Boss of that. However, I strongly suggest that you go back inside, your blood sugar is extremely low and you're suffering from sleep deprivation."

"Yeah, okay, Fri. I think I'll be fine for a little bit. Thanks, though."

And with that Penny swung off, stopping a few muggings and catching a man running away with a woman's purse before she could barely even remember what her nightmare entailed. Tired and satisfied with her work, she swung back to the compound.

When Penny scaled up the wall and climbed through her bedroom window, she certainly didn't expect the light to be on.

And Mr. Stark sitting on the edge of her bed.

And the rest of the Avengers (and Pepper) standing around her room with various degrees of worry showing on their faces.

But that was exactly what happened.

And just her luck, she had already pulled her mask off. 

"Uh...hi everyone..." Penny said, looking around nervously.

Everyone's heads snapped towards her, and Tony immediately stood up.

"What the hell were you doing, patrolling so late? You barely even know this city, what if you had gotten lost? Do you have any idea how irresponsible that was?"

"Mr. Stark, I can explain, I was just-"

"Nuh uh uh, the adult is still talking. I get woken up, in the middle of the fucking night by the way, with Karen telling me that no, you aren't asleep, you're out in the middle of the night running around trying to be a hero. Listen to me, Penelope, you are a hero, yes, but you're a kid first. Why can't you understand that?!"

"I'm not a kid..." Penny mumbled,

"Oh! Oh yes, you absolutely are a kid, Penny, you're fucking fourteen! I'm supposed to be watching you for four days, and I will not return you to your aunt dead or maimed, do you understand me?"

She nodded, staring at the floor.

Tony sighed and left, with everyone following, clearly uncomfortable. The door closed without a word, but in the hallway, Penny could hear Steve scream, 

"She's Spider-Girl?!?"

Penny sighed, ignoring the yelling that was going on outside. Her breath was shaky and she could feel her chest tightening.

Good job, idiot, now they all hate you.

The Avengers just saw you get scolded like a toddler.

You're pathetic.

She quickly wiped away the tears that she didn't realize she was crying. 

Pathetic.