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She found Peter that night sitting on the edge of a dock only a stone's throw from the door of the hotel.
“Hey,” she offered quietly as she approached him, not wanting to set his senses haywire. “Want some company?”
“..Sure..” he glanced up at her, with a nervous nod.
“Something’s been eating you up all day, kid. What is it?” She pulled her flip-flops off and placed them on the space in between them, dipping her toes into the canal.
“Mr. Fury thinks I’m the next Iron Man. Me. But I’m not, I-I’m just Peter Parker. I’m Spider-Man, I’m not Iron Man. I...I don’t think, don’t want to replace Mr. Stark.” he trailed off, staring into the dark water.
They were silent for a few moments.
“Then don’t be.” She said.
“What?”
“Don’t be the next Iron Man.”
“But Mr. Fury-”
“Has his head up his ass.” She cut Peter off. He looked surprised at her words. “Look kid. No one can replace Tony, not even you. And that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough or that none of us think you couldn’t eventually but...The world doesn’t need another Iron Man. Do you get me?”
“Um, I don’t know.”
“Tony was an anomaly. He built something that I don’t think anyone ever can or ever will create again. Tony comes from a different world, a different time. No one could fill his shoes, ever. They’re too big. And besides, trying to live up to that? To live up to his legacy? It would kill you Peter, and you can’t do that. I didn’t stay with the Avengers for a good reason. They’re legacy isn’t what I want to be remembered for. If I’m going to be a hero, I’m going to do it my way.”
“Is that why you left?”
“Partly,” she sighed, “Partly to...get away from memories. Was I running? Yes. But I also found my place in the world. I’m not carrying a legacy, I’m creating my own. I found my team, and I think that’s what you need to do. You’ve got some pretty good candidates inside that hotel.”
“What, like Ned?”
“Ned, MJ, Betty, hell even Flash. What I’m saying is, don’t let Tony’s memory keep you from being the hero the world needs right now. Iron Man’s time is over, he’ll never be forgotten but he isn’t our hero anymore. You’re a good kid Peter, and you’re doing what you can as Spider-Man and that’s all any of us can do. Our best. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I’m hoping this might give you some clarity. The world doesn’t need Iron Man. But it does need Spider-Man.”
Peter stared at the reflection of the moonlight on the water for a few moments. Eliza sat there a bit longer, before picking up her shoes and getting to her feet, turning to leave.
“Miss Eliza?”
“Yeah, kid?” she glanced back at his hunched form.
“Thank you.” he whispered.
“You’re welcome Pete.” she smiled at his back before walking up the dock.