SPIDER-MAN: Mutualism
Spider-Man is property of Marvel. This is set in the same universe as Partners in Crime.
Gwen Stacy was lurched over the computer when she heard the warehouse doors open.
"Evening, Ben." she muttered.
Ben Reilly sauntered up to the blond hacker's workstation and noticed the bags under her eyes.
"Jeez, do you ever sleep?"
"Only when the ocelots start appearing. Otherwise, I make do with caffeine pills and energy drinks."
Ben's eyes wandered to the empty ramen containers filling the trash can.
"No offense, Gwen, but your eating habits are-"
"It's cheap but filling, Iron Spider." came her curt response.
Ben's eyebrows shot up.
"I thought we were on a first-name basis when not in the field."
"Sorry. Force of habit."
"One of those things from your days running the Danger Room?"
Gwen nodded.
"So, Gwen, want to do dinner tonight?"
"Where and how much?"
"616, and it's a bargain."
"Bargain by your standards or their's?"
Ben paused for thought.
"Just let me put on something dignified. Soundwave sleepwear isn't something you want to show the world."
A few hours later, the two were at the 616 Steakhouse and examining the menu.
"Alright, Ben. What's really going on?"
"Elaborate."
"You consider a walk-in at one of New York's top-rated steakhouses normal?"
"Stipend from the folks back home."
"What sort of work are they doing? Stocks? Law?"
"Trade secret."
At just that moment, the waiter arrived to take their orders.
"Tenderloin, medium-well. For the both of us." Ben announced.
And with that, the waiter left.
"So, Gwen-"
"If you're going to ask whether I'm counted for or not, then the answer is no."
Ben's eyes went wide.
"I mean, who wouldn't-"
"I get that a lot. Let's just say I'm the clingy type. Also, I'm kind of picky."
Ben grinned at that response.
"You sound a hell of a lot like Mary Jane when she's talking about her and Peter."
"So, going back to what I was saying earlier, do I meet your oh-so-high standards?"
"Yes, Ben Reilly. You do."