Jillian knew exactly what would happen. She had practiced what she would say over and over in her head. When Spider-Man showed up she'd act coy, hard-to-get, mysterious. She couldn't reveal her secret, though...no...couldn't do that...

Jillian stood on the rooftop, the outfit she was wearing a little tight. The leather pants she had stolen from her mother's closet were very tight, the heels hard to walk in. The gloves made her palms sweat and the black tee that matched everything was the only item of clothing that didn't bother her. The mask, however, made her feel extremely cool, and she put it on her face, and she transformed.

The name Diamond had surfaced when Jillian had messed up cutting out a design in the shirt that looked like a diamond. She had sewed and fixed up her entire attire to make it seem just right. Of course, it wasn't right at all: her mother had worn those pants during her 'retro' days.

Diamond peered over the edge of the rooftop, patiently waiting. Suddenly she heard a thump, and she turned around. But it wasn't Spider-Man, like she had expected. It was Dare Devil.

"Who are you?"

"What, no, hi, nice to meet you? I presume you're the man without fear. Tell me, how can a man have no fear? He must fear something."

"Who are you?" he asked again.

"Diamond, why so interested?"

"I haven't seen you around here."

"I'm new." she replied.

"Really now?"

"Really. What's with all the questions? Just shake my hand and jump off in your tight red jumpsuit. How comfy can that thing be, anyway?"

Dare Devil studied her, and then took off. The Jillian within the mask smiled. She felt so alive, so bad-ass, so...important dressed like that. She felt like she could do anything, say anything to anyone, and it wouldn't matter. Because she was a hero now.

She watched Spider-Man land a little later, and she remembered her lines in her head.

"Spider-Man. I was wondering when you would show."

"Excuse me?"

"I...saw it. I knew you were coming. I thought I'd introduce myself." she stuck out a hand. "I'm Diamond."

"You're Diamond! The one that met my friend Jillian?"

"Oh, yes, she was sure to tell me about you. I saw that she was going to fall. I just...showed up. I can't really do much, if you know what I mean. But I saw that...I saw this...and now I see you."

Spider-Man moved closer to her and she backed away, making sure the tape recorder was on and well hidden in her back pocket. "Spider-Man, you have an interesting and famous costume. Is there a website or something, like laughed. "I wish. Nope, it's all improv. I had my girlfriend help sew mine."

"So, how'd you decide to become a superhero? I mean, being a villain and getting extra cash must have crossed your mind."

Spider-Man showed no motions to tell if he was enjoying the conversation. "I think everyone does. But, of course, there is more to it than just saying, oh yeah, lemme be the hero, the good guy! But there are some...events that take place to really make you wanna do good."

Diamond's face was stern. "What happened to you?"

"A man very close to was killed--shot--and I could have done something to prevent it. But I was too focused on myself, on what I wanted, on what was best for me. If I had been selfless or if I had even cared about anyone else, then my unc--I mean, then he would still be here. But he's not. With great power there must come great responsibility. That's what he taught me. That's what made me who I am today. So, tell me, Diamond, what made you?"

Diamond didn't know what to say. What does a person say to that? Diamond showed no different facial expressions, even though her insides were churning. She knew Spider-Man had slipped, and that he almost said 'uncle' because he was deeply still upset about this, and that he had confided in her. She wouldn't betray that trust, even if it was a small detail in his speech that would soon be in print.

"I'm sorry, Spider-Man. But living for what you could have done different all those years ago will leave you looking back on your life and wondering when you started living for you. Your unc--that man...life doesn't always work the way you want it to, and people get hurt. And people die. Why life is so small and yet death if forever, I'll never know. But maybe forever has a life to call it's own. Don't give me an answer, because you only know as much as I know, but what if things happen because a lesson needs to be learned, because life isn't perfect? I mean, if you think that you're indestructible then you need to know the truth, and that is that people die sometimes and you can't do anything about it. But now...look at you! You're trying, and I think you're uncle would be proud."

Jillian had no idea where the hell that little rant had come from, and the wisdom she had not spoken could not have come from her. It was from Diamond, Jillian concluded. Those words came from Diamond's mouth, who had much more experience than Jillian would ever have.