Severing Ties

Summary: Things are looking up for Peter. It had been a few months since Doctor Octavius passed away, and Peter was getting his life on track except for a few things that wouldn't let him be. That's all about to change as someone, somewhere, needs Peter, and he's going to be in for a wild ride.

Chapter 1: Attention's Overrated

He was where he belonged. That much he was sure of. Peter Parker had never been so content with his life. He had a loving fiancé, a brilliant education in the works, a job he could work on his own hours, and the satisfaction and responsibility of being Spider-Man. Then why was he having second thoughts about everything? Life was just dandy, so why did his brain sound off as though his Spider-Sense was broken? He put his hands on his face to block out the weird signals. Something was going wrong, somewhere, but the feeling was too weak to come from somewhere close; somewhere he could be of help.

Lately he'd been taking care of a 'cat' burglar who liked to go for banks, and other high security places. Jameson had jumped on the occasion to say that Spider-Man and the burglar were working as a team, but Peter disliked the thief, and stopped her numerous times.

Boy, did he notice the thief was female. She had a black number that had white fur along the steep neckline, the white gloves, and boots, and the whole outfit just barely covered her bust and clung to every other inch of her. Her hair was very light blonde and long. It was full and curved only at the bottom. She chose the middle of the night to strike, and she proved that Spider-Man was the only one strong enough to take her. The long night hours were taking a toll on Peter, and he silently prayed that the 'Black Cat,' as she was calling herself, would sleep tonight, as well.

He went to school the next day, and barely heard a word Doctor Connors said. In his daze, he noticed a girl from across the room looking at him. She was in his class, but he never talked to her before.

"Peter, I trust you have the answer?"

He jerked out of his trance-like state. "Sorry?"

"See me after class," Connors requested.

Knowing he was in for a lecture of the worst sort, Peter nodded without saying a word. At the end of class, he waited behind.

"Peter, what's been on your mind?" the doctor asked.

"I don't know. I haven't been concentrating on anything, lately," he confessed.

Connors nodded. "I noticed. Well, it wasn't a major foul-up today, but I—"

"Professor! I don't understand this at all!" said a girl who ran in. Peter noticed that she was not from his class. Her wavy, dark hair was in disarray, her doe-like eyes, panicked.

"Miss Salvani, would you please wait a moment until I finish with another student?"

She stood there, impatiently, it seemed.

"Peter, today wasn't a major foul-up, but I trust you'll remember that paper that's due tomorrow?" Connors repeated.

"Yes, sir," Peter replied.

"You're free to go."

Peter sighed and walked into the hallway. He could hear the girl's frantic rambling. He was looking at the ground, but then the girl from his class approached him. She had startling green eyes, and blonde hair. Her dazzlingly white smile almost blinded Peter. He silently noted the shape her body was in. It was obvious she worked out.

"Hi," she greeted.

"Hello."

"I'm Felicia Hardy. I've seen you time and time, again. I just figured it was time to talk to you," she commented.

"Peter Parker. As good a time as any, I guess," he replied. He swallowed. He was not really comfortable with this girl who looked like she had muscles like Wonder Woman.

"Tell MJ I said hi, will you?" Felicia asked.

"Sure."

"Got to go." In a blur, Felicia Hardy went outside and left.

Then Peter noticed that the girl in the classroom had a tone in her voice that was making it louder, like desperation. "I try so hard, Doctor Connors, but I just don't understand it! I know I'm not stupid but it's been bugging me that I can't get it right—"

"Have you been listening to my lectures?"

"Of course, I have! They just make me more lost!"

"I'll think about something we could work out. I'll tell you my ideas tomorrow. Go on home, now," Connors assured.

Peter turned to start his way back when his Spider-Sense told him to turn around. He did, and caught the girl from falling down the stairs.

"I am so sorry. I'm such a loser. I can't walk right…" she rushed. She looked at him as he helped her stand straight. "I'm Jackie Salvani," she introduced.

"Peter Parker," he replied. They shook hands.

"Nice catch," she commented with a smile.

"Any time. Hey, what did you need help with?" he asked in a friendly tone.

"Oh, um…Biochemistry, you know…Confuses the heck out of me. I'm researching that spider that went missing a few years ago and how it probably relates to Spider-Man. DNA and stuff…" she trailed off, as though she knew her subject were ridiculous.

If only she knew how ridiculous it really was. "You think the two are connected?" Peter inquired disbelievingly.

"Of course. About a week after the spider disappears, ultra-hot Spider-Man shows up. Coincidence? I think not." Her voice was calming down, and her eyes weren't alarmed.

Peter looked at her long and hard. Girls actually thought Spider-Man was 'ultra-hot?' The thought both revolted and flattered him. "What if I were to tutor you? I know quite a bit about what happened to Spider-Man. I am, after all, his unofficial photographer. What do you think?" he offered.

"I don't know. You're way more advanced in this science thing. You might explain it in jargon you know, but I would just look stupid with a perplexed expression on my face." She made a motion to turn away, but hesitated.

"I'll use regular words. You'll get a better grade, and everyone ends up happy," Peter reassured.

"Think you could get me an opportunity to talk with Spider-Man? Ask him about how he felt after the spider bit him?" Jackie asked, excited.

"How'd you know the spider bit him?"

"Well, if you think about it, it all fits. A genetically altered spider goes missing, and then a superhero is born. How? Did the spider lay eggs in his brain?" Peter laughed at the absurdity of that, but he also had to repress a shudder of what that would have felt like. "I didn't think so. The only other logical answer is that the spider bit him."

"If you actually did a paper on that, it would most certainly get you a passing grade," Peter complimented.

Jackie blushed crimson. "Well…when you got a crush on him like me, you tend to go out of your way to find out about him." Then her eyes widened in horror. "Did I just tell you that? Good Lord, I did…" She rambled soundlessly to herself as she started walking away.

Her last words didn't phase Peter; he wouldn't let them. There was an odd feeling in the air he breathed after he talked with her, though. He couldn't quite place it.

He was heading down the street and saw Mary Jane run up to him. "Hey, beautiful," he greeted as they hugged.

"How's your day been?" MJ asked as they started walking together, hand-in-hand.

"All right, I guess."

"You guess?"

"I couldn't pay attention in Connors class, today." Peter shrugged his shoulders. "No big deal."

"Something bothering you, Pete?" MJ looked at him with concern.

He shook his head. He didn't feel like worrying her about his Spider-Sense, and even if he did, he couldn't tell her in public.

"I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong," MJ commented.

"You wouldn't be able to help, anyway," Peter replied, looking at the ground.

Mary Jane knew what he meant. It had something to do with being Spider-Man. It had been really irritating to her that she wasn't able to help him in any way. She just sat there, knowing he was doing something dangerous and heroic, and wondered when he'd be back. She had to try very hard not to roll her eyes.

"Don't forget about that huge fundraiser my theater troop's putting on. It's supposed to be the biggest thing this year," she reminded.

"Right. When was it?" Peter inquired. He'd recollected hearing about it, but he couldn't recall when and where.

"It's this Saturday. Starts at three."

"I'll be there," Peter smiled. "I've got to run. I'll see you later," he said as he saw a carjacker getting away.

MJ grinned, kissed him on the cheek, and whispered in his ear, "Go get 'em, Tiger."

After changing into Spider-Man, web-slinging the bad guy, and escaping the cops, Peter made his way to his small apartment. It was only then he remembered that he didn't tell MJ about Felicia. Oh well, he thought. She could say hi herself.

"WHERE IS MY RENT?" shouted the landlord as he ran out of his room.

"Right here," Peter said, handing him cash from his pocket. The landlord quickly quieted down and made his way back into his home. Only a couple more weeks before I can move in with MJ, Peter thought. He sighed as he looked at his cheap alarm clock. 8:30 p.m. It felt so much later. He turned to his desk and worked on the finishing touches of his paper that was due tomorrow. When he was finished, he passed out on his bed, still in all of his clothes.