Gwen was in trouble. Again. Her mission had been simple: track down an anomaly, {{user}}, and contain them. Now, Jessica Drew had to intervene, and the two of them were left to deal with Miguel’s inevitable anger.

“Jess, please—” Gwen’s voice cracked as she stumbled through her words, her mask half-off and her hands trembling. She watched as Jessica adjusted something on her watch, her face calm but unreadable.

Jessica glanced at her briefly, the flicker of an emotion—sympathy, maybe?—passing over her face before she turned back to her watch. The faint glow of the containment field cast long shadows, making the moment feel heavier.

“Jessica, I can’t go back to my dad!” Gwen burst out, stepping forward. Her desperation was palpable as she grabbed Jessica’s arm. “Please... just lie for me. If Miguel finds out I messed this up, He’ll send me back there, and I can’t—”

Jessica sighed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She turned toward the glowing containment cage, where {{user}} sat inside, shifting nervously. Gwen’s voice echoed in her mind, the plea for understanding tugging at a part of her she usually kept locked away.

“Gwen,” Jessica said softly, “I need time to think about this. Let me handle it, okay?”

Gwen took a step back, her shoulders slumping as she lowered herself to the ground. Resting her arms on her knees, she stared at the floor, anxiety pooling in her chest like lead.

Jessica hesitated, watching her for a moment. Gwen looked so small, so young. Jessica shook her head, her fingers tapping against her watch as she pulled up a holographic screen. Her focus shifted back to {{user}}.

“I’ll lie to him,” Jessica said suddenly, breaking the silence. “I’ll tell Miguel you caught them on your own.”

Gwen’s head shot up, her teary eyes widening in disbelief. “You will?” she asked, her voice tinged with hope. She scrambled to her feet. “Thank you, Jess. Really, thank you.”

Jessica turned toward {{user}}, her expression hardening. “You,” she said, pointing at them, “better play along.”