Peter was taking an afternoon nap when he was abruptly woken up by more yelling. He looked up and saw that the sun outside was starting to set, indicating that he had been sleeping for several hours.
He shuffled slowly down the stairs, stretching and letting out a yawn when his front door opened and slammed shut. Mary Jane stared at him, looking quite shaken. She pressed her head against the door and closed her eyes. Peter cleared his throat.
"Hey," she said.
"Hi. Uh, what's up?" he asked as he looked down at himself and realized he was still in his pajama pants.
"I'm sorry I barged in like this. Aunt May called me earlier and said I could stop by if I needed to. My aunt isn't very happy with me right now," she said sheepishly.
"Because of what I did," he said, walking down the stairs.
"I told her she couldn't stop me from seeing you," she said with a smile on her face, although tears started streaming down her face. "Oh my God, I'm sorry Peter. I really didn't want you to see me like this." She quickly tried wiping away the tears. Mascara ran down her face.
"MJ, what's wrong?" he asked, walking up to her.
"I went over to Harry's this morning and we broke up. I told him what happened last night, that I kissed you. He didn't even care! And then he embarrassed me in front of his assistant," she said as she wiped away more of the tears, smearing her make-up in the process. Peter brought the sleeve of his hoodie up to her face and began to wipe away some of the smudges.
"You told Harry?" Peter couldn't control his voice. Harry couldn't know he had feelings for her. This was not good.
"I had to, Peter. I kissed you while he and I were still dating. It was so wrong of me. But I'm not sorry that I did it."
"I'm not either, MJ, but you shouldn't have told him." He shook his head. What was he going to do now? She was surely going to be on his hit list now.
"Can we go up to your room, Peter? I really need to talk to you," she muttered, and Peter saw her blush. Why was she blushing?
"Uh, yeah, yeah sure." He led the way and opened his door for her. She went straight for his bed and sat down.
"When I first talked to Harry after moving here, we got to talking about our past. We were laughing and joking but he seemed really focused on you, and told me about—" She stopped herself because she remembered last time he had yelled at her when she mentioned Gwen, "—well some things in the past. I told him how, when we were younger, how I had the biggest crush on you, Peter," she said and she blushed again. "That's when he told me he had a crush on me when we were younger, and I was surprised about that. I laughed it off and everything because, well, I still have feelings for you. But he told me how broken up you were about— that there was no way you were ready for a relationship. I told him I wanted to be your friend and he said that that was great, that you really needed a friend right now, and that's when he asked me to dinner."
Peter was seeing her in a new light. Mary Jane used to have a crush on him and apparently she still really liked him! How could he have never noticed this? When they were all younger, Harry told him how he liked MJ and Peter never made a move towards her because of this. He only saw her as a really good friend. Then both of them moved, and Gwen happened...
He wasn't sure what he was going to do. So much was going through his head. Harry had specifically said anybody that mattered to Peter was going to be in danger. Peter now knew that he had feelings for Mary Jane and while he wasn't sure what those feelings meant, he knew he liked her more than a friend. Maybe he wasn't Spider-Man anymore, but he was going to protect the ones he loved. Instead of that just being Aunt May, he was going to let himself add Mary Jane to his small circle. He wouldn't let Harry near her again.
YOU killed Gwen, not Harry. It was YOUR fault.
Peter shook his head. Right now, he was in control and he wasn't going to let the voice in his head affect his decisions.
"I like you," he blurted out.
Mary Jane let out an amused laugh. "Do you now?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I do. I have for a while now but I wasn't sure how to feel about those feelings. Plus, you were spending a lot of time with Harry," he said a little resentfully.
"He scared me today. The way he was looking at me. He didn't seem to be... himself. He didn't care about what I had done. He just asked about you." She stood up and walked over to Peter. "What's up between you guys? And tell me the truth, please."
"The truth?" Peter closed his eyes. Now was not the right time to tell her. Too soon, his mind urged. He opened his eyes and held her hands. "I can't tell you that yet. But I promise you that I will one day. Soon," he added when she looked away from him.
"Okay." She nodded and then looked down at his pajamas and laughed. "Wow, you look like you've had a busy day. I'm sorry I interrupted," she giggled as she sat cross-legged on his bed. He walked over and sat down next to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"I was busy waiting for you to call me or to come over again. I like spending time with you," he said as he nuzzled her hair. Holding her felt natural. With Gwen, it was as if his whole world was put on pause, and she became everything. With Mary Jane, it was as if they were equals. He felt grateful that she had became a part of his life.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to sleep for awhile," Mary Jane said as she snuggled into his side. Peter carefully moved his arm around her in a protective way.
"I don't mind. I'll turn the sound down on the TV," he said as he flipped through the channels.
Almost instantly, Mary Jane was letting out steady breathing, indicating she had fallen asleep. Peter tried not to move to wake her. He instinctually stopped on the news channel, as always.
His heart momentarily stopped when he saw a picture of Dr. Connors on the screen. He held his breathe and listened closely, barely able to hear because of the low volume.
"...looks like another murder in New York City today. Just an hour ago police found the body of Dr. Curtis Connors on the graves of Mary and Richard Parker. Connors had been locked away in Ravencroft Institute and was thought to have perished in the fire, but they were apparently wrong. Now, police question if any other inmates from the Institute have escaped and are on the loose."
Peter turned the TV off and tossed the remote aside, pulling Mary Jane closer to him. What did this mean? Did Harry have anything to do with this? Why was his body found at the grave sites of his parents? Who had killed him?
Peter tried to work out these questions, but before he knew it he had succumbed to sleep with Mary Jane wrapped in his arms.
A loud knock on his door. Peter and Mary Jane sat straight up and stared at each other.
"Peter, I made pancakes today for breakfast!"
"Oh, uh, thanks Aunt May, I'll be down in a minute," he said as he made a "shh" gesture towards Mary Jane.
"Oh and please let Mary Jane know she can come downstairs too, there are plenty for all of us," Aunt May said as she walked away from the door.
Peter threw his hands up in the air. "How does she always know?" he laughed. Mary Jane shoulder bumped him and hopped off the bed and went into his bathroom.
The events of last night ran through his head. Looking over at the window, he froze. There was another note taped to it. How had he not hear that last night? He quietly walked over to the window and grabbed the note, checking to make sure Mary Jane was still in the bathroom. He read it quickly.
Connors wouldn't give any information on his or your transformations. He was trying to protect you. So I killed him. Have fun with my sloppy seconds, Peter. Anyone you love or care for will die, and it will be your fault. Time is ticking Parker, and yours is running low.
Peter ripped up the note and threw it into his garbage just as Mary Jane came from his bathroom.
"Should we go downstairs for breakfast?" she asked.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go," he said as he opened the door for her.
Aunt May had the table already set for them, and they sat across from each other at the table.
"Your aunt came over this morning, Mary Jane," Aunt May said as she passed her the maple syrup.
"Is she mad at any of us?" she asked.
"No, no. I think she's calmed down and figured out Peter didn't have anything to do with what happened to you. I do wish you would tell us what happened, though," she reprimanded her. Then she turned to Peter. "You two better have been safe last night. Remember to respect your girlfriend, Peter."
He stared at her, gaping like a fish out of water.
"I— We— I didn't— Not my—"
"Peter, it's okay. I was young once too, you know." Aunt May smiled at him. "Well, I'd better be off to work now you two," she said as she placed her dishes in the dishwasher. "Behave, you two," she said and out the door she went.
"Well, that was awkward," Peter muttered.
"I didn't think so. I like your aunt. She's funny," Mary Jane said as she stuffed a bite of pancakes into her mouth. Peter ruffled her hair. "So, you don't want me to be your girlfriend?" she asked innocently.
"Wha— oh. Oh. Sorry about that I wasn't really sure what to say. I mean, I would like for you to be— but you know—"
"I would gladly be your girlfriend."
Peter heard her reply but he didn't register it. "—you don't have to if you don't want to and— wait, you want to be my girlfriend?"
"Of course I do. I told you, Peter, I've liked you for a while now, but I respected that you needed time alone. If you're ready to date again, then I would love to be your girlfriend," she said sincerely.
"Well, okay. Okay. Great!"
"Ugh, one thing I have to do first, though," she said as she got up from her chair and walked over towards the trash. She held out her wrist, unlocked a bracelet on her wrist, and threw it in the trash. "There, now I took out the trash," she whispered to herself and sat back down at the table.
"I have something to say." Peter said to her as he took her hand. "I want to be with you, I really do. Sometimes though, I don't really feel like myself. You bring me back to reality. I will try to be the best for you, but I'm sorry if I'm not that great of a boyfriend," he muttered.
She leaned forward and pecked him on the nose.
"Just be yourself, Peter. You already have me," she said as she bit into her pancake.
Peter smiled to himself and began to eat his pancakes as well.
Several weeks later, life for Peter couldn't be better. Mary Jane had practically moved in. She spent more nights with him in his room than her own house. Aunt May was ecstatic that they were officially a couple, and her aunt began to slowly warm up to him again. Mary Jane had gotten another audition for a play and was out practicing mornings, Monday through Thursday. He was also surprised, but relieved, that he hadn't heard from Harry since he left that last note on his window. He knew that eventually he was going to have to face him, but for now he felt normal. It felt good.
He and Mary Jane were lounging in his room on a Friday night. Peter was working on his computer when Mary Jane jumped on his back from behind.
"Guess what today is!" she whispered into his ear.
"The day you crush my back?" he teased and turned to kiss her.
"Peter Parker, did you just call me fat?" she said jumping off him.
"Please," Peter grinned knowing she was messing with him. "What is today?"
"We've been dating for one month today! I know it's cheesy, but I got you something small," she laughed and bounded down the stairs. When she came back up, her hands were behind her back. "Close your eyes," she said and placed something into his hands. "Open them."
Peter looked down at a picture of Mary Jane and him. She had jumped on his back and was shooting the camera a peace sign while Peter gave his cheesy grin; Aunt May had taken the picture of them in the living room a week ago. Mary Jane had framed the picture.
"Thanks, MJ! I love it! I got you— uh—" he looked around the room, "—well I'm taking you out to dinner tonight!"
He gave her his signature grin and she playfully bumped his shoulder. He sat up and was about to put the frame on the desk when he saw the picture of Gwen and him there. He paused for a moment and then took that picture off the desk, about to put it in his drawer, when Mary Jane stopped him.
"No, Peter. Leave it there. She was a huge part of your life and I don't want you to put it away because of me," she said as she took it from his hands and placed it back where it was. Then she took her frame and put it next to the other one. "There. Perfect." She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
"I love you," Peter uttered suddenly, pulling her into his arms. She stared at him and gave him another kiss. It was the first time he had said those words to her.
"I love you too, Peter," she said as she tousled his hair. "I've loved you for such a long time now."
"So tonight I'm bringing you to Carmine's Italian restaurant," he said as he got up.
"Great! Thanks, Peter," she said as she got up, too.
"I promised my aunt I would look for a job today. So I'm going out for an hour or so to look. You can stay here if you want."
"You know I will." She smiled at him.
Several hours later, Peter came back home and went up to his room. When he opened the door he was surprised that Mary Jane wasn't there. Huh, he thought.
His spider sense kicked in and he whipped around behind him just as Mary Jane jumped out of the closet at him.
"Boo!" she screamed, but Peter had already seen her. "No fair," she fake pouted. "How do you always know when or where I'm hiding?"
"I'm just that good," he laughed. "Ready to go?" he asked her and she nodded. "Great, let's go then. Aunt May is letting me borrow the car."
They both started to walk down the stairs and Aunt May stopped them.
"Now Peter, no drinking and driving tonight. If you're going to drink, remember I told you that you should just do it here. And if you decide to drink, take a cab home. I'd rather we pick the car up tomorrow then you drive after drinking."
"You know I don't drink," he said to her.
"I know but I still feel it's my responsibility to tell you these things," she said as she straightened his collar. "How did the job hunt go today?"
"Not too good," he said sheepishly. "I went back to The Bugle, but they said without Spider-Man, they didn't really have a need for me."
"I really wish he would come back." Mary Jane said suddenly. "My aunt always talks about the crime nowadays in the city and says Spider-Man did an amazing job keeping the city safe." Peter shot her a surprised look but hid it before either of them could see it.
"I completely agree with you dear. Now go on, you two,"she ushered them out the door. "Don't crash my car Peter!"
The drive to the restaurant was filled with a comfortable silence. When they got there, Peter parked and walked over to Mary Jane's door and opened it up for her.
"Why thank you, Mr. Parker." Mary Jane smiled at him and curtseyed.
They both walked inside and Peter talked to the hostess, who told him there was about a 20 minute wait. Mary Jane told him she didn't mind and they sat hand in hand on a bench near the door. Finally when their table was ready, they got seated in a small booth.
"Would you two like something to drink while you think about your order?" the waiter asked them.
Peter looked at Mary Jane and raised an eyebrow.
"I'll have a coke," she said.
"Two cokes," Peter told him.
"Perfect. It will just be one moment," he said to them and walked away.
Peter's phone began to buzz in his pocket. He quickly took it out and saw his Aunt May was calling him. "I wonder what she wants. We saw her an hour ago," Peter questioned, pocketing his phone.
"Probably checking to make sure you didn't crash her car." she laughed.
Several minutes went by and Peter's phone continued to buzz in his pocket. "Uh Mary Jane, do you mind if I go outside and take this call really quick? She wouldn't call me like this if it wasn't important."
"Yeah definitely," she said as the waiter came over with their cokes.
"Are you guys ready for your order?" he questioned.
"Um, just give us a few more minutes, my boyfriend had to take a phone call," she told him. He nodded and walked away.
Peter walked outside, annoyed to find it was starting to drizzle. He was about to call his aunt back when he saw she was calling again.
"Hey Aunt May what's up?"
"Peter! Finally! I've been calling you for the past 10 minutes!"
"Sorry, we had just sat down for dinner. What's wrong?" he sensed the urgency in her tone and began to worry.
"Is Mary Jane around you?"
"No... I'm outside right now. What is it Aunt May?" he urged.
"It's Anna Watson. I'm afraid she's had a terrible accident."