Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story. Spider-Man and all related characters are the property of Marvel Comics, a division of the Disney Corporation. Ergo, no profit is being made off this story and it is being written solely for entertainment purposes.
Five Weeks Ago
In his basement, Dr. Curt Connors was working on a serum, bags under his eyes and sweat on his brow. It was becoming more and more clear that the news of
Martha and Billy having cancer was taking its toll on him. It drove him to the point of trying to use his old research to find a way to cure them. He'd hoped that by using a less-extreme version of his serum that he could be able to cure the cancer without mutating them into Lizard-like creatures.
Injecting a serum into a Petri dish with a sample on it, he looked into a microscope and saw the lizard-human hybrid serum attack at cancer cell in the sample-and working. Curt allowed himself to smile. For months, he'd been working late at night, sacrificing hours of sleep and meals in his studies for a cure. He'd even started letting his work at his job slip by not reporting for work. Now, it seems the work was finally paying off.
"Curt?" a weak and exhausted voice called out. "It's late."
Curt looked to see his wife, Martha, standing in the door way, holding a cane. She was looking withered and frail, her face thin and weathered. It pained Curt to see her like that, the results of the cancer and the chemotherapy taking their toll on her.
"I-I think I figured it out," Curt stated.
"It's three o'clock in the morning, Curt," Martha said. "You need your rest. You've been in your lab for god knows how many hours every night. You barely eat, you barely sleep, and now you've practically stopped going into work."
"I'm fine," Curt said. "And now you and Billy will be, too! I think I figured it out."
"Curt, go to bed."
"But-"
"Your cure for cancer will be here tomorrow."
Curt nodded. "Okay, but you and Billy will live now."
Martha grew concerned. "You sure there's no side effects?"
"I tried to use less reptile DNA than in the serum that made me the Lizard. But I need test subjects and Dr. Twaki told me he wouldn't approve of human testing yet."
"I'll do it."
Curt shook his head. "No, I can't use you. The risk is-"
"Too much? Billy and I are terminal, honey-we're going to die. It's not exactly like Billy and I have any other hope."
Curt was still unsure about this. "You sure you want to do this?"
Martha nodded. "Yes."
Curt has hesitant. "I-I'll inject you, then."
"Tomorrow," Martha said, concerned. "You need sleep."
Curt tired to stifle a yawn, but failed. "All right. I can rest and relax. After all, I did finally find a cure."
Neither Curt nor Martha knew how their world was going to change.
Retirement
Chapter 3: He's Back
By Anicomicgeek
Rated T for Violence and Language
Now
Tony Stark stood in his lab, fixing the Iron Man armor from damage it suffered during the battle at TriCorp. The computer was playing classic rock and roll music, while the monitors of his computer were news reports about the battle. Some of them talking about what happened and the damage the building received, while others were talking about Curt Connors. On one screen, John Jonah Jameson was ranting about the apparent return of Spider-Man.
"The criminals involved in the attack on TriCorp have been identified as Donnie Gill, a.k.a. Blizzard; Mark Scarlotti, a.k.a. Blacklash; David Cannon, a.k.a. Whirlwind, and Hypnotia, real name unknown," a reporter on one of the monitors said. "It is currently unknown why they attacked and they aren't talking, but one of the other participants of the battle is sought for questioning-Dr. Curt Connors, the man known as the Lizard, in regards to the disappearance of his wife and son."
"Now he shows himself!" Jonah yelled. "I knew that Spider-Man was still in town, but no one believed me, saying I had ran him off. Well, look now-he's back! It's high time the police went after him for what he's done to this whole . . ."
"HOMER, mute the one with Jameson," Tony said, not looking up from his armor.
"Yes, Mr. Stark," HOMER said and did just as Tony asked.
"Thank you," Tony said, then got up and wiped his brow. "Not a prefect repair job, but I was able to bypass some of the still-damaged section to get things operating. It should do until I confront Hammer and Connors. Once they're dealt with, I can repair the damage more thoroughly."
"I would advise being careful," HOMER said. "The Lizard is reportedly a very dangerous creature. If your armor should get damaged during the battle-"
"I know," Tony said as began to don the armor again, "but I have to do it. It will hopefully lead to the whereabouts of Connors's family."
"And Spider-Man?" HOMER asked.
"Hopefully, he's realized that Connors has to go to jail," Tony stated as he put the helmet on, completing the look. Then he walked over to a section of the lab with a tube in the ceiling. Looking up to see the access way open, he activated his jetboots and flew out of the tube.
***S***
It was sunset when Spider-Man swung down into an alleyway, following the signal of the spider-tracer he put on Curt during the fight at TriCorp. After getting a change of casual clothes to go by the Bugle later and receiving hugs from both Mary Jane and Aunt May, as well as hearing them both say they're glad he was okay, he went back out. After a while, he changed into his costume and put his clothes somewhere safe near the house, then resumed his search.
Storm clouds were brewing in the skies as he landed, then walked over to the manhole. He was about to open it when a voice asked, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing, Peter?"
Spider-Man whirled around to find Daredevil behind him, glaring at him and arms crossed over his chest. "Oh, hi, Matt," Spider-Man said addressed Daredevil by his real name of Matt Murdock. "I was just-"
"You have a family now," Daredevil injected, scowling. "You should putting them first above everyone else."
Spider-Man sighed. "You're vocalizing thoughts I have that M.J. also vocalized," he stated. "I don't know what to do after this, Matt. I told others-and myself-that I once I find Dr. Connors and help him, I'm retiring for good."
"I take it you're conflicted?" Daredevil asked.
Spider-Man nodded. "Yeah, Johnny Storm and Iron Man vocalized other thoughts I had-that the city does need me and that I shouldn't retire from being Spider-Man, that I'm abandoning the responsibility I have to the city."
Daredevil smirked. "The same Johnny Storm who's a moronic womanizer and prankster, and the same Iron Man who's the bodyguard for Tony Stark, a known womanizer? You're seriously thinking of listening to them?"
Spider-Man sighed. "Johnny did bring up Reed and Sue."
"You're not Reed and Sue Richards."
"I told him that. They live in a skyscraper with top of the line security; I live in a house with the average security such a house has. I'm not them, no matter how much I wish that were the case." He sighed again. "What would you do if you were me, Matt?"
"Go back home, take off the costume, then forget all about this and look to the future with your family." Daredevil sighed. "But then, I'm not you or in your place."
"That's right-you're still single and not a father."
Daredevil sighed. "Look, whether you decide to retire for good or put the costume back on, it's your choice and I'm going to respect that, but I do advise about thinking about your family before you decide."
Just as it started to rain, Spider-Man looked up and sighed. "I am. Believe me, I am." Spider-Man then walked over to the manhole and lifted the cover off. "Thanks, Matt."
"No problem."
Spider-Man then leapt into the manhole.
***S***
Justin Hammer looked out the window to see rain poured as news reports on the TVs in his office droned on about the latest news stories. Some of the reports were talking about what happened at TriCorp, others were talking about the stock market and how it was affected by what happened, a few more were talking about Curt Connors and hid life, and other were talking about completely unrelated events.
Hammer heard the doors swing open, but didn't look back nor did he feel the need to. He had a good idea of who it was that walked into the office. "What do you want?" he asked,
Iron Man glared at Hammer. "Scarlotti and your other lackeys aren't talking to the police, but Scarlotti did mention you to me when he thought he had me on the ropes. You hired Scarlotti, Cannon, Gill, and that woman to go after Curt Connors," he replied. "I want to know why. Was it because he broke into one of your labs?"
"He stole some important chemicals from one of them, yes," Hammer replied. "I needed them for a project."
"Which, like several others you've engaged in, is probably illegal," Iron Man stated. "And you didn't want the police looking into what you were doing, did you? Of course, by now, you probably already destroyed the evidence just in case they come by."
Hammer still didn't look at him. "Shouldn't you be out, looking for Dr. Connors? He is very dangerous in that form, you know."
"I'll look for him and I'll bring him to justice, but one day, I will bring you down, Hammer."
Hammer finally turned to look at Iron Man with an amused smirk on his face. "You'll try, but you'll fail like before."
"We'll see. Things do change, you know." Iron Man turned and walked away.
***S***
In the sewers, Spider-Man crawled on the ceiling of the tunnels, looking for Curt and following the signal of his spider-tracer. In the months of his retirement, he'd managed to forget how bad the sewers smelled when you had to deal with them, so it served as a refresher course. Making his way through the tunnels, he noticed the door to an old pumping station and realized that the trail ended there.
Leaping down onto the walkway, Spider-Man looked at the door and sighed. All right, Dr. Connors, I believe I'll get my answers here, he thought.
***S***
In the pumping station he'd been working in, Curt Connors still sat on the floor, brooding about what'd happened. The two creatures that tried to comfort him while lying on the floor, asleep. Looking at a flap on his coat, he noticed an odd indentation. Flipping it over, he looked to see a spider-tracer on his coat. Rising quickly to his feet, he tried to reach the other creatures in time, but suddenly the door came off the hinges with enough force to knock it down.
"Curt?!" the female creature called out as she and the young male awoke.
"Run!" Curt yelled. Both of you, run!"
"But-" the young said.
"I said go!" Curt roared. "Hurry, before they capture you!"
Just as the creatures ran to hide, Curt spun around to find Spider-Man standing in the doorway. Glaring at Spider-Man, Curt hissed, "I told you to leave me alone! Why won't you?!"
"Well, let's see-your family is missing, you're the Lizard, and you've broken into several labs in the past few weeks, Doctor," Spider-Man said. "Where is your family?"
"That's my business!" Curt said, then ran up to Spider-Man. He lunged at Spider-Man, tacking him and sending them. They both landed into the water in the tunnel. "This wasn't any of yours!"
Spider-Man kicked Curt off, then punched him in the stomach, causing him to stagger. As Curt tried to recover, Spider-Man fired a webline at his leg, then tugged on it, sending him crashing into the water again. Curt spun around and got back to his feet, then swiped at the webline with his claws, severing it and Spider-Man got into a fighting stance.
"I don't wanna fight you, Doctor," Spider-Man said, desperate to help Curt.
Curt took a swipe at Spider-Man, but Spider-Man leapt back and avoided his claws. Curt took around swipe, but again Spider-Man managed to avoid the claws. Spinning around, Curt swung at Spider-Man with his tail and slammed into him, sending Spider-Man crashing into a wall. The impact caused several steam pipes to rupture and fill the area with steam.
Spider-Man walked out to see the coattails on Curt's coat and Curt's tail whip around a corner. Running after him, Spider-Man looked to see Lizard running towards a tunnel. Racing after him, Spider-Man could see that Curt was running towards a grate and fired two webline. The webline snaked past Curt's head and attached themselves to the grate.
Spinning around, Curt snarled, "If those were supposed to hit me, they missed!"
"No," Spider-Man replied honestly, "they served their purpose, which was to get your attention. Now talk to me."
"No," Curt said as he kicked Spider-Man and knocked him down. Running towards the grate, Curt bodyslammed into the grate a two times as Spider-Man got up. Upon the third time, the grate was knocked down and Curt ran out.
Running out of the tunnel, Spider-Man found himself in another tunnel, but this one was a subway tunnel. Seeing Curt, Spider-Man fired a webline and began to swing after him. As the chase continued, it began clear to Spider-Man that he had to stop it before it led into a subway station. Swinging down, Spider-Man managed to kick Curt in the back and sent him crashing into a wall.
"End of the line, Dr. Connors," Spider-Man said as he landed and walked towards Curt. "Now, talk to me or you're going to jail. The cops are after you, Iron Man's after you, and some of the labs are stole from are probably after you."
Curt looked at Spider-Man as he got up. "You don't understand!" he yelled.
"Then tell me so I can," Spider-Man stated.
Curt didn't reply vocally, but instead swung his tail downward. Spider-Man quickly sidestepped out of the way and dodged the tail. That was enough time for Curt to resume running. Spider-Man let out an annoyed groan as he leapt up and fired a webline, resuming swinging after Curt.
***S***
Elsewhere, the two creatures that were with Curt were walking away from the pumping station, both solemn over what was going on. They knew that Curt didn't want this to happen, but now that it did, they had to find a new hiding spot.
The young male creature looked up to the female and asked, "Where's he going?"
"He has to lead Spider-Man away," the female replied.
"But I thought Spider-Man's our friend," the young male said.
"He is," the female replied. "But your dad feels that it's his responsibility to help us and not anyone else."
"Dad was just trying to help us!"
"I know. Believe me, I know, and in a way he did, but he didn't want us to be like him and it's eating at him that we are now."
"But . . . Spider-Man could hurt Dad!" the young male then turned around and ran off.
"Don't!" The female reached for the young male, but it was too late to stop him, so she ran after him.
***S***
Spider-Man gave out a sigh as Curt ran into a subway station. People began to run away as Curt leap onto a platform and growl. Sighing, Spider-Man swung down and kicked him, sending him skidding onto the floor. Spider-Man fired firing webbing at Curt, sticking him onto the floor.
As people ran off, Spider-Man slammed his foot onto Curt's chest and said, "All right, talk, Doctor."
Curt managed to break free on the webbing and swiped at Spider-Man, cutting his arm. Spider-Man kicked his foot out and stuck Curt in the stomach. Following through, he grabbed Curt's leg, then spun around, slamming Curt through a couple to pillars, then threw him onto the floor.
"That's enough, Doctor," Spider-Man said. "You've left me with no choice but to turn you in. Just tell me where your family is."
"I won't go!" Curt. He then swung with his tail, but Spider-Man leapt out of the way.
***S***
Iron Man flew over New York City, trying to ignore the sounds of raindrops hitting his armor. He was looking for Dr. Connors, hoping that he'd show himself again, but so far, his search has yelled no results. He just hoped that Hammer wouldn't send someone after Connors as, aside from the Lizard persona, Curt Connors seemed to be a good man up until recently. A part of Iron Man hoped Connors still was.
HOMER suddenly appeared on his visor. Iron Man groaned and asked, "Yes, HOMER?"
"I have received reports about a fight in a subway station near Hell's Kitchen," HOMER replied. "It appears that Spider-Man is fighting the Lizard at the subway station."
"All right, I'm heading over there," Iron Man stated.
"But you don't know where the station is," HOMER began.
"I have a feeling that I'm going to find out," Iron Man said. "After all, I'll known by the batches of people running out or if the Lizard runs out of there."
"It's on 34th Street, Mr. Stark," HOMER stated.
"Thank you," Iron Man said as he jetted off.
***S***
Spider-Man managed to avoid another swipe from Curt as they continued to fight. By this time, most of the station was cleared out and, outside of trains occasionally speeding by, was more or less empty outside of the two combatants. Spider-Man could feel exhaustion kicking in from the day's events, but Curt was clearly feeling worse for wear.
Noticing Curt's posture, Spider-Man thought, It's like he's running on fumes at this point. Whatever's going on, it's taken its toll on Dr. Connors and he's clearly going to collapse soon. "Dr. Connors, please listen to me. You have to stop running, stop stealing, and just accept it's over."
"Can't stop," Curt said, exhaustion entering his voice. "Won't stop, not until I help . . . my family."
"You're tired, Doctor," Spider-Man stated. "You can't keep this up much longer." Not sure I can either.
"You wouldn't understand," Curt whispered.
"Try me," Spider-Man merely said.
Curt thought for a moment, then whipped at Spider-Man with his tail, sending Spider-Man into a pillar. Curt tore the tracer off and smashed it, then ran up the stairs, hoping to exit the station. Spider-Man ran after him briefly, only to hear a blast and to see Curt fall down the stairs and back into the station. Looking at the exit, Spider-Man looked to see Iron Man fly down, then land.
"I see you came to your senses, Spider-Man," Iron Man stated. "How are you feeling?"
"Betrayed," Spider-Man sighed, "and hurt. Physically, I'm tired, but outside of that and some cuts, I'm fine."
Curt groaned as he got up. Shaking his head, he looked to see Iron Man with his hands raised, repulsors ready to fire. He turned to look at Spider-Man who had his two middle fingers of each hand hovering over the triggers of his web-shooters and aiming them at Curt. Sighing, he raised his hands up.
"You're right," Curt admitted, defeat in his voice. "It is over. Just don't take them in with me. They had nothing to do with this. I was trying to help save them from the mess I made."
"Who?" Iron Man asked.
"My family," Curt replied.
"No, leave him alone!" a voice called out.
Curt looked to see the young male creature run out and grab him. Trying to push the boy away, Curt yelled, "Let me go!"
"I can't, Dad!" the young male said.
" 'Dad'?" Spider-Man asked, confused.
"Curt," a woman's voice called out. Not too long afterward, the source of the voice-the female creature-ran out and grabbed the young male, saying, "Billy, let him go!"
"What?" Iron Man asked, quickly becoming confused. "What's going on?"
"Curt?" the female asked.
"I'm turning myself in, Martha," Curt whispered. It's what I deserve."
" 'Martha?' " Spider-Man whispered to himself.
***S***
In a car, William Lamont drove as he and Neil Garrett sped towards the sight of the battle between the Lizard and Spider-Man, the light on the car flashing and the siren blaring. Rain continued to pour from the skies, but it was starting to let up. From the calls 9-1-1 received, the station had suffered some damage from the battle, but Spider-Man was trying to end it quickly.
Hearing his phone ring, Garrett grabbed and answered it, asking, "Hello?"
Carlie Cooper's voice said, "Detective, it's Carlie. I found the DNA from the other scales. You're not going to believe this, but I think I figured out what happened to Dr. Connors's family."
"What's that got to do with the scales?" Garrett asked.
"The DNA matched sample we got from hair that we believe to belong to Martha and Billy Connors," Carlie replied.
"His wife and son?" Garrett asked.
"Yes," Carlie replied. "We checked one of the samples and while it wasn't a match for Curt Connors, it did match his lineage."
"He was trying to cure them with his old research!" Garrett said, unlocking what happened. "Thanks, Cooper."
"What was that about?" Lamont asked.
"I know what happened to Connor's family," Garrett replied. "And I betcha wherever Connors's hiding, they're there, too. Step on it."
Lamont nodded and stepped his foot on the gas pedal.
***S***
Iron Man and Spider-Man looked at the creatures, then at Curt. The creatures looked at them pleadingly, but Spider-Man didn't know what to do. Iron Man looked at Curt. Expecting to be hit, Curt was surprised when both Iron Man and Spider-Man lowered their arms. While he couldn't see their eyes because of their masks, Curt could feel that they've figured out what was going on.
"Martha?" Spider-Man asked. "Billy?"
The creatures—once recognizable as Martha and Billy Connors—nodded their heads.
"What did you do to them?" Iron Man asked angrily. "They're your family!"
"I was trying to cure them of their cancer," Curt quietly replied, tears starting to stream down his face. "They'd gotten sick and despite all of my training, I couldn't help them! I couldn't accept losing them. No, I wouldn't accept it. It consumed me and ate at me, knowing that I could lose them and I didn't want to.
"It cost me everything and drove me crazy, but I thought that I knew I could cure them of cancer. So I used my old research notes, hoping to find the right balance and avoid giving them the curse that I have."
"But it didn't work like that, did it?" Spider-Man asked.
"I was able to cure them," Curt replied, "but they still because Lizard-like creatures like me."
"How'd you do it?" Iron Man asked, still outraged. "Did you force your so-called cure on them?"
"No," Martha replied honestly. "I volunteered. When it seemed like it worked, we used it on Billy."
"That'd explain why Throne didn't find anything on your last visit with him," Spider-Man stated.
Curt nodded. "When it seemed like it was working for them after two weeks, I tried it on myself, hoping that maybe it could regrow my arm without turning me into the Lizard. But the serum still had the side effects."
"It mutated them," Iron Man said, now calmer.
"Yes," Martha replied. "One night, Billy and I were in pain and doubled over. We didn't realize until it was too late than we were transforming like Curt had in the past. Not much later that night, Curt mutated as well."
"But he'd injected it later," Spider-Man stated, baffled. "How did that happen?"
"It combined with the Lizard serum already in me," Curt replied. "That's why I mutated faster. As a side effect, it repressed the Lizard persona, but I'm not sure if it's permanent or just temporary. Despite what happened, my intention was never to mutate them like me."
"That's why you wanted to go at it alone," Spider-Man stated. "You felt guilty and that it was your responsibility to save them, so you hid them to protect them from people who'd wanna experiment them and stole from the labs to get what you needed to undo it."
"Take me in, but don't reveal what happened to my family, I beg of you," Curt stated. "They don't deserve that."
Iron Man thought for a moment, then sincerely said, "I'll put in a call to some people. I'm sure someone like Hank McCoy or Reed Richards or Moira MacTaggert would be willing to help you and your family, Dr. Connors."
"You'd be willing to do that?" Curt asked, confused.
"Yes," Iron Man replied. "Now go. I'll be back for you."
"Thank you," Curt whispered appreciatively.
As Curt, Martha, and Billy ran off, Spider-Man looked at Iron Man and said, "Thank you. None of them asked for that."
"I know," Iron Man stated. "I'm sorry."
"I was trying to help them to avoid something like what did happen," Spider-Man stated. "I should get back."
"Have you thought about what I said?" Iron Man asked.
"I don't know," Spider-Man replied as he left.
Not long after Spider-Man left, Iron Man walked out to see police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances pull up. Looking to see Lamont and Garrett run towards him, Iron Man shook his head. In the chaos of what happened, he'd forgotten that he'd have to deal with them.
"Where's Connors?" Lamont asked.
"Safe," Iron Man replied, "as is his family. They'll be getting help."
"Is his family . . . like him?" Garrett asked.
"I'm not answering that," Iron Man. "Just that they're safe. Connors felt it was his fault." With that, Iron Man took to the air and flew off.
***S***
It was dark and the rain had let up when Peter got back to his house. Walking inside, he saw Mary Jane run up and hug him tightly, relieve washing over her. Peter hugged her back, smiling. Mary Jane soon caught sight of the cuts on Peter's arm. Running over to a first aid kit, Mary Jane quickly grabbed it and ran back, then started to treat Peter's wounds.
"So, did you find them?" Mary Jane asked.
"Yeah," Peter replied. Then he told them the story about what happened to Martha and Billy and what it drove Curt to do.
"My God," Mary Jane whispered. "That poor family, doomed to suffer Curt's fate with him, all because of his desperation to save them. Curt must feel terrible about what happened to them and how he was involved."
"He does," Peter stated. "Hopefully, they'll get help, though., and one day will be normal again."
Aunt May walked into the room and saw Peter's cut. "Peter, what happened?" she cried. "You're bleeding."
"I got knocked down, but I should be fine," Peter replied.
"Where have you been, anyway?" Aunt May asked, sniffing Peter. With disgust at the smell emanating from him, she added, "You smell like you've been in a sewer!"
"I got knocked into some trash, too," Peter lied. He couldn't let Aunt May worry about him. "But I plan to take a shower soon."
"Well, it's getting late, so I'm going to bed," Aunt May stated. "Good night."
"Good night," Peter said.
After Aunt May went to bed, Peter went up to the bathroom and tired to take a shower. After a long time in the shower, the smell finally abated and Peter got out, then got dressed in an undershirt and a pair of boxers. He walked into the bedroom to see Mary Jane in a nightie, sitting in the bed. The Spider-Man costume was draped over a nearby chair.
Plopping onto the bed, Peter leaned onto the bed and pulled the covers onto him, with Mary Jane shortly joining him under the covers. Looking up, Peter stared at the ceiling in silence, trying to calm down his thoughts. While he was feeling tired, because of the thoughts running in his brain, he couldn't get to sleep.
Noticing this, Mary Jane asked, "What's wrong?"
"I think I gotta do it, M.J.," Peter replied. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I have much of a choice."
"Peter, don't do this," Mary Jane pleaded, realizing where this was going.
"I am Spider-Man," Peter stated. "Johnny and Iron Man, as much as I'm loathe to admit it, are right-I do have responsibilities to the city. Reed and Susan have a family and they're still superheroes."
"They still took a brief break," Mary Jane stated, "and they live in a building with whatever security that Reed can think of. We don't."
"I know a couple of other heroes are parents, too," Peter said.
"You put in your time and you've earned your rest. Others can pick up where you're leaving up. You don't have to do this!"
"I do." Peter sighed. "I will hang up the tight eventually, but right now, the city still needs me. It still needs a Spider-Man and with Ben out of town, I have to do it."
Mary Jane pressed on, "The city continued without you! It still can."
"If I don't, then someone else, maybe a kid, will do it and will likely get themselves killed because they don't know what to do."
"You didn't have training, you were a kid, and you could still get yourself killed even now!"
"But it was my responsibility, M.J. It's what I have to do. It's what I need to do." Peter sighed. "If you wanna leave with little May, I don't blame you. But this isn't about me trying to avoid responsibility to my family; it's me trying to help the city."
"I can't talk you out of it?"
Peter shook his head. "I tried to talk myself out of it. So, no, I'm not sure you can. I'm sorry."
Mary Jane sighed. "I knew what I was doing and who I was marrying when I married you, Peter. I still wanna be with you. I imagine that firemen and cops feel like this all the time."
"So you're staying?"
Mary Jane nodded. "Yeah, I am. Just promise me you'll be careful for all of our sakes."
Peter smiled. "I will."
Mary Jane grinned. "Think you'll be up to the task?"
Peter sighed. "We'll see, won't we?"
"So what are you gonna do for a job?"
"Go to Jonah and beg for my job back at the Bugle."
Mary Jane smiled. "Well, good luck, and good night."
"Good night, M.J." Peter soon drifted off into sleep, his mind settled.
***S***
The following morning at the Daily Bugle, the news room was buzzing with reports about what happened. Jonah Jameson had once again had an anti-Spider-Man headline published and an editorial about Spider-Man printed. For the first time in a while, the place was talking about the wall-crawler and reports were coming in of a battle between Spider-Man and the criminals known as the Shocker and Boomerang.
Peter walked out of the elevator and began to make his way to Jonah's office. I did kinda miss this place, Peter thought fondly.
Jonah noticed Peter walking towards his office and yelled, "What are you doing here?! You don't work here anymore! You're loitering, Parker!"
Peter sighed. "I'm here to ask for my job back," he replied.
Jonah huffed. "Why should I hire you back? I thought you were too good for us."
Robbie glared at Jonah and said, "Jonah, leave him alone."
Jonah glared back at Robbie. "He deserted us!"
"I've got pictures of Spider-Man fighting Shocker and Boomerang," Peter stated, holding out some pictures.
Jonah took the pictures and looked at them and prattled, "Crap, crap, crap, megacrap, crap." He'd managed to hide his amazement. He'd forgotten how good Peter's shots were, but of course, he wouldn't tell him that.
"So, do I have my job back?" Peter asked.
"Sure," Jonah grumbled. "Welcome back to the Bugle, Parker."
Peter let himself smiled. "Thanks."
Robbie looked at Peter and said, "I don't think Jonah will ever tell you this, Peter, but I do think he missed you."
"Thanks, Robbie," Peter said.
Betty Brant walked them, then looked at Peter. "I-is that right?" she asked. "You're really back now?"
Peter rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, I am," he replied, smiling.
"Well, welcome back," Betty said.
"I should get going," Peter said. Smiling, he thought, Boy, it does seem like I might be stuck in a rut, but you know what? For now, this'll do. Peter turned and began to walk away.
As Peter walked the news room, Robbie looked out the window and looked over the city. Unlike Jonah, Robbie thought New York needed Spider-Man, so he was glad to hear that Spider-Man was back. Hearing a scream, Robbie turned to Jonah's office and ran towards it, followed by Betty. Walking inside, they both found Jonah sitting in his chair.
Then they noticed that there was webbing in the chair and that Jonah was stuck to it. A note laid on the desk. Grabbing the note for a closer look, Robbie read aloud, " 'Dear, J.J., I'm back. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.' "
"And the webhead punks you again," Betty whispered with a smirk.
"I knew that fraud was back!" Jonah yelled.
Looking out the window, Robbie ignored some of Jonah's complaining and saw Spider-Man swing by and allowed himself a smile. Wherever Spider-Man was, it didn't matter. What did matter was that Spider-Man was back, and Robbie was glad that he was.
The End