Juan Pedro grabbed a cold bagel, a small orange juice, kissed his mother on the cheek and headed out the apartment. "Momma, I promise, I'll find Parker."

X x x x x x x x x

Parker struggled to gain distance from the attacker. But between the snow and too large sneakers, he couldn't outrun the bird man. And he couldn't remember the city well enough to lose the predator.

Lungs burning and heart pounding Parker gambled and ran into the middle of the road, dodging cars, buses and bike messengers. When he made it across the four lanes he caught a glimpse of the man stuck in the traffic. Still running, Parker grabbed a pole and slingshot around the corner. He sprinted down the first alley he saw and slid behind a dumpster.

Opening his mouth wide, he fought to catch his breath in the cold dry air. Parker rested his head against the building. Between his barely healed injuries and not eating in 24 hours he was exhausted.

X x x x x x x

Mary Jane entered the large office area. 'Geesh, this place looks like some cheesy Hollywood police station up here.' Some desks were back to back; she guessed so that partners could work with each other. Single desks lined the walls. She scanned the area wondering where Det. Carter sat when she noticed hanging off the side of each desk the occupant's name. It wasn't long before she spotted the empty area which was his.

She walked as inconspicuously as possible but the whistles still pierced the air. Trying not to draw anymore attention, she opted to look out the window while she waited for the cop.

"Thanks for coming in Miss Watson."

She spun around to see the detective motion her to a seat.

"I've sent someone over to get Dr. Jackson's official statement. So what can you tell me about your assault this morning?"

Mary Jane gave the detective the details sans one. That she thought it was Peter who intervened.

"So, Miss Watson, you're saying that this cadaver-wannabe with almost invisible eyes is the guy that attacked both you and your friend?"

She nodded.

"And where did you say you knew him from?"

"I DON'T know him. I assumed he was just an overzealous fan. I don't know who he is, but he knows my name and I think he knows where I live. He always seems to find me."

"Ok, don't panic. We'll have a patrol car canvas your neighborhood more often. We'll also put someone on at the hospital for you friend. In fact, why don't you go home, have a good night's sleep and head back to the hospital first thing? Maybe you'll lead this guy right to us."

"You want me to be bait? For this lunatic?"

"It's up to you Miss Watson. Sometimes we catch them very quickly this way before they realize we're on to them."

"Well what about someone guarding my place until he's caught?"

The cop glared at her over his reading glasses, "We haven't the manpower to be bodyguards 24/7, but I can put someone there a few hours at a time." He studied the actress a little closer, "Say, you're the young lady that Spider-man's saved a couple of times. Why don't you contact him? I'm sure he'll love to watch over you."

She just wanted to scream, "You moron, haven't you noticed he hasn't been around?" But instead set her jaw and kept quiet.

X x x x x x

Juan wandered around the city more organized than he did the previous day. He circled the block and increased the circumference so that he would cover everything. He looked down alleys, went into stores, eateries, anywhere he thought Parker might go to either get warm, eat or hide.

X x x x x x xx

Parker stayed squirreled behind the dumpster for several hours. Not so much because he thought that blue eyed creep would still be waiting for him, but because he had nowhere to go. A hot air vent provided some warmth. More than he had last night. And he despised himself for admitting it but the restaurant he shared the wall with threw out food. Of which he already had a light meal.

After resting an hour, Parker shuffled up onto his feet keeping this alley in mind for tonight since it had a heat source. And no dead body. He kicked the rubbish away and exited from behind the dumpster.

Juan Pedro glanced down the alley and was just past it when he heard someone at the other end. He reversed back a step and peered down it.

"Wow! Hey Parker!"

Parker's face lit up. "JP! Oh boy! Am I glad to see you!"

The two embraced in a bear hug. "Momma has been so worried about you. I've been worried about you. Where were you? Why didn't you come home? Nevermind, tell us later after you get some food, water and fresh clothes. C'mon let's get home."

X x x x x x x

"PARKER!" Margarite flung her arms wide. A tear trickling down her cheek. "Oh my dear Parker, you had me worried sick." She wrapped her arms around him, softly sobbing. "Where were you?"

"I went out to clear my mind and simply got lost." The blush to his cheek showed his embarrassment.

"Well tomorrow we have a feast to celebrate Parker's safe return. I've already prepared supper for tonight, so Juan Pedro, would you go shopping tomorrow?"

A huge smile creased his face. "Sure!"

X x x x x xxx x

Mary Jane reached into her purse halfway down her apartment front steps. She pulled out her sunglasses for the bright, almost blinding day. A quick scan of the street did not reveal the dark sedan that she remembered seeing the fanatic drive. Since she hadn't paid attention to the car in previous encounters, she didn't have a license plate to give the police. The air was crisp; plumes of breath could be seen coming from her mouth as she breathed. She shrugged her coat a little tighter and marched for the subway. Since she didn't see anyone, she opted to go to the entrance that was further away, hoping to draw this lunatic out. Her heart pounded in her chest and her step quickened.

X x x x x

"C'mon Parker, get up. We've got things to do today. It's a beautiful Saturday and there's someplace we need to go."

"Where're we going JP?"

"'You'll see. Let's grab a bite to eat then head out."

Parker looked over the table at Margarite. He swore he saw a hint of a glint in her eye. "Do you know where JP's taking me?"

"I don't know a thing, except all this laundry I need to do."

"Listen, I can stay and help, it's the least I can do for all of the trouble you've gone through for me. Look at the food alone I've eaten."

"Juan still eats more than you. I swear, his legs are just big empty sacks. Besides, I'm curious to what that boy is up to. You go with him."

As they left, JP looked up at the brilliant sky. "Now this is an invigorating day. I love days like this."

"So, you gonna tell me where we're going yet?"

"Nope. But we need to get on the elevated train to get there. It's a couple of blocks walk. You up for it?"

"Yup. I have to admit…..I heal pretty fast. But aren't we supposed to be food shopping?"

X x x x x x x x

When MJ got onto the subway, she was disappointed that she wasn't followed. She really wanted this guy to show himself again so that the police could catch him. She plopped in one of the seats and closed her eyes letting her mind wander back to when she saw Peter. Maybe it wasn't him, after all she didn't get that good of look.

She dragged herself into the hospital, the lack of sleep wearing on her. When Mary Jane entered Dr. Jackson's room he was gone. The empty bed startled her out of her sleep deprived stupor. "Where's the patient?"

The nurse, who was changing his bed, looked at the disheveled red head. "You just missed him. He just left for a battery of tests. He's going to be a while, I'm afraid."

The actress dropped like a sack of potatoes into the closest chair. The all too fresh memory of the empty beds for both John Doe's still fresh in her mind.

"You okay, dear?"

MJ looked at the nurse. "I'm fine; it's just that, I thought that, well…"

"I understand. You can stay and rest and wait for him if you'd like."

"Thanks. I think I will. On second thought, if he comes back, will you tell him I was here. I need to run an errand."

The nurse smiled and nodded.

As she ran out the hospital MJ thought, 'Flowers will be the easy part, but what else can I give him. I know he likes the white tea that he can pick up in Chinatown, but I wonder if there's someplace closer.' She headed towards the subway with a destination in mind.