38: The frog cub is back!

"Gwen, let's go home. I have another gift for you." 

Andrew hugged Gwen and whispered.

Gwen nodded slightly, her cheeks flushed. 

Walking downstairs, Andrew asked, "Gwen, was that your first kiss?"

Instantly, Gwen's face turned bright red as she froze up. 

She could only nod dumbly. "Mm-hmm~"

Seeing her cute reaction, Andrew smiled. "What a coincidence. Mine too..."

At home.

Andrew took out another small black box from the packages. 

Inside was a customized pair of tiny black earbuds that fit snugly. 

Except this pair seemed to be only the left side?

"This is...for me to listen to music?" Gwen asked curiously.

She did enjoy listening to music, and had designed her spider hood to accommodate that.

"Definitely not. It also lets you listen to songs." 

"Try it on, just wear one while I use the other."

Gwen understood, taking one bud and inserting it.

Andrew then said, "Say 'Hi, Red'."

Gwen spoke softly. "Hi, Red..." 

Red's voice sounded in her ear. "Hello Ms. Gwen. Let me explain the headset functions the owner customized for you." 

"The earbud has a built-in chip I can connect to directly, so we can communicate anytime." 

"Also, to best assist your crimefighting in New York, I've hacked into all the city's police channels and surveillance."

"If any crime occurs nearby, you'll know instantly to respond fastest." 

After hearing Red's features, Gwen happily said, "Thank you, Red."

"You're welcome, call me if needed." 

Red's voice faded out. 

Gwen looked at Andrew, moved. 

She had been with him constantly, yet he arranged all this secretly. 

And how did he deal with Lizard-Connors before? 

Andrew seemed very mysterious to her. 

But she wouldn't pry, trusting he would share if desired. 

Seeing Gwen lost in thought, Andrew asked with a grin, "What's wrong, Ms. Spider-Woman? Not satisfied with my gift?"

"No, very satisfied." 

"Wait, Ms. Spider-Woman? What do you mean?"

Andrew played a video on his computer. "Looks like you didn't see this yet." 

It showed Gwen easily subduing the three robbers. 

Comments below called her 'Spider-Woman'. 

There was also debate contrasting Daredevil and Spider-Woman, polarizing people.

Andrew was speechless watching. 

Indeed, no matter the universe, controversial issues could always spark netizen wars. 

"Spider-Woman..." 

"Hmm, I like that name." 

Andrew agreed it suited her well, adding, "I just got word the police discovered Dr. Connors' lab." 

"Inside, they also found this."

A photo of the corpse appeared. 

"My gosh, is that Dr. Connors' shed skin?"

"Yes, after pursuing us that night, he returned to the lab and molted."

Only now did Andrew realize Lizard-Connors had been gravely injured by him. 

The creature had escaped back to the lab, thinking Andrew would keep hunting him.

After all, the most dangerous place was safest. 

Viewing the images, Gwen slowly said, "Andrew, I think..."

But she trailed off mid-sentence. 

Andrew knew what Gwen aimed to do. "Do as you wish, don't worry." 

"I believe your father George is investigating Dr. Connors too."

"We need to find Dr. Connors first, to prevent a confrontation between your father and the doctor." 

Andrew remembered George would die at Lizard-Connors' claws. 

That had to be avoided, as Gwen would be heartbroken if anything happened to George.

That night, Gwen witnessed the Lizard's might, realizing the NYPD was outmatched. 

"What should we do next?" Gwen asked.

Andrew pointed to her ear. "Red will help monitor Dr. Connors' movements. If he resurfaces in New York, you'll know immediately." 

"We also need to watch Peter closely." 

"Peter?"

"Yes. He has what Dr. Connors wants. I suspect..." 

"Connors will seek out Peter soon."

Hearing Andrew's analysis, Gwen understood the next steps. 

"But more importantly, Gwen..." 

Gwen didn't grasp his meaning. "More important?"

But next, she saw Andrew approaching her slowly. 

His gaze held an indescribable intensity. Gwen instinctively retreated until her back met the wall. 

Andrew came right up to her, hands planted on either side, his calm eyes meeting hers. 

Gwen's fair face suddenly flushed crimson. "Andrew, what's this important matter you mentioned?"

Andrew tilted her chin up with one hand, his voice turning magnetic. "What do you think, Ms. Gwen?" 

"I...I don't know."

Being so close, she could feel Andrew's exhaled breath on her nose, making it tingle. 

Her heartbeat raced faster and faster. 

She could even hear it pounding. 

Thump thump...

"It's definitely..."

Before she finished speaking, the prompt sounded in Andrew's mind. "The frog cub is back!"

Andrew: "???" 

...To be continued.