Part I of Where Have You Been

The streetlights blurred together into one long line and the wind was a constant hum in her ears. The stoplight flashed from yellow to red, but she ignored the warning and increased her speed. A car blared its horn at her and she responded with a stiff middle finger, never once slowing her progress through the city streets. Her cell phone buzzed in her pocket and she considered pulling it out to check it, however a bump in the road jostled her slightly and reminded her why that was a bad idea.

Doctor Connors can wait. He probably isn't calling with any good news anyways.

Mary-Jane Watson piloted her bike expertly though a small gap between two cars and then accelerated into a turn. Her destination came into her line of view and she had to resist cranking the gas for the final stretch.

After pulling up and parking near the sidewalk, MJ pulled off her helmet and simultaneously shut off her motorbike with practiced ease. She slid off the vehicle and with a quick combing of her hair, jogged up the front steps of the apartment building.

A man goes missing for days and no one thinks to check his damn apartment. Seriously?

The main lobby area was just about as mundane as she remembered. MJ had only been to the apartment a few times and always complained about the lack of interesting decorations.

"Grey, everything is just grey," She remembered commenting. "Would it kill you to find a place with a little bit of color?"

"It's within our price range." Gwen Stacy had shrugged. "Not to mention it's close to the campus and Peter's work."

"It's always about Peter, huh? Peter this and Peter that. Is this what you want, Gwen?"

Gwen looked over to where her boyfriend was chatting excitedly with the landlord.

"Yeah," She said. "It is."

A lump formed in MJ's throat at the thought of her late friend. She swallowed it down though. There had been a time for tears before and there would be time later, but right now she had a job to do. The elevator was apparently out of commission, so she found herself panting as she jogged up the stairs. This was the most exercise she'd had in months.

Why did they have to buy an apartment in the god dammed stratosphere? She thought, and then remembered. Oh yeah, I guess Spider-Man would live somewhere like this.

Eventually, she was pounding her fist against the front door in an angry knock.

"Peter," She hissed at the wood. "You better be in there."

More knocking and even one frustrated kick, which rewarded her with a stubbed toe for her troubles.

"Peter Benjamin Parker!" She was louder now. "If you're in there, you'd better be dead!"

A fellow tenant poked his bald head out of his door and regarded the short red-head.

"Excuse me, miss, but could you please-." He began.

"Shove it, cue ball," MJ shot him a look that would have melted steel if focused enough. "Can't you see that I'm in the middle of something?"

The man very quickly shut his door and the click of multiple locks could be heard. MJ glared after the man for a second before sighing and resting her head against Peter's door. Short of kicking the door in, which seemed out of her capabilities, MJ was out of ideas. If Peter wasn't here, then where was he? She had already returned to his old basement to find it deserted, not that she had much hope that he would go back there.

"Do you need something?" A voice asked of her gently.

MJ spun her head, ready to rebuke another unlucky soul, but stopped when she found that she recognized the newcomer. It was Peter's landlord.

"Uh hi," MJ wracked her brain, trying to think of the woman's name. "I'm just… looking for my friend."

"Peter?" The woman offered.

"Yeah, he lives here, right?" MJ glanced at the number fastened next to door frame, reassuring herself that she had the right place.

"Mhmm, I haven't seen him in a few days though." The woman moved up next to MJ and stared at the door along with the younger woman. "I was sad to hear about Gwen's passing, she was a lovely girl."

"Yeah." MJ picked at her nails, wishing that the conversation was over.

"Well if you see Mr. Parker, give him my condolences." The landlord turned to leave. "And tell him that his rent is due in a week." She added.

"Alright, I'll- I'll relay the message," MJ watched the woman move away from her.

If I ever see him.

Now alone, MJ pulled out her phone and found the message left for her by Doctor Connors.

"Checked with Peter's teachers, he hasn't been to class either. You should check at Horizon Labs." The message said.

Horizon Labs; Peter worked there as a low-level mechanical engineer/paper pusher. It was about as good of a place to look as any. MJ typed a response, saying that she would head there the next day. It was already pretty late at night and she doubted that the lab would still be open.

She rode back to her own studio apartment with less vigor than before, feeling the weight of today's events fully for the first time. Going to Gwen's funeral, finding Peter, finding out about Peter, and then losing Peter again, it was enough to make anyone exhausted. MJ need a hot shower, a warm bed, and a change of clothes. Funeral black was so not her style.

"Excuse me, ma'am! You can't go back there."

MJ whirled around and looked at the husky security guard sitting behind the wide desk. She was currently in Horizon Labs, trying to sneak her way across the main foyer and towards a hallway that she hoped would lead to Peter's office. The large facility was bigger than she had expected. It had soaring ceilings and expansive passageways that she would no doubt get lost in, if she was even allowed to explore them.

"I'm just trying to find one of my friends." She explained to the guard, whose name tag proudly proclaimed him as Carl. "He works here."

"Well does your friend have a name?" Carl didn't move from his seat, but crossed his arms in a self-important manner.

"Peter Parker." MJ was instantly sick of this man.

"Oh yeah," Carl leaned over to his computer keyboard and pressed several keys at random. "Let me see if we have him in the dat-a-base." He pronounced the last word slowly, like MJ had some type of disability. "Here we go, Mr. Parker…" He paused as he read the screen. "Hasn't been clocked in since Tuesday."

"So he isn't here." MJ huffed.

"Nope." Carl slouched back in his seat. "Is there anything else I can help you with?" He asked in a manner that said he really hoped her answer would be: no.

"Actually there is," MJ stamped her foot and clenched her fists at her side, causing Carl to raise an eyebrow. "I want to talk to his boss, or whatever."

"Mr. Modell is a very busy man," He informed her. "You'll have to make an appointment with his secretary."

"But this is important," MJ argued. "If Modell is here, can't I just talk to him for one second?"

"Sorry, ma'am. Like I said before Modell is a very busy man."

"Ugh," MJ threw her hands in the air. "You- you're useless!"

She turned around and attempted to march away furiously, but was thwarted when she slammed into somebody. As she started to fall backwards, an arm shot out and wrapped itself around her waist, keeping her upright. MJ pushed against the arm and stepped back, ready to berate whoever was foolish enough to cross her path.

"Are you alright?" The blonde man beat her to it. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."

"I- its okay," MJ felt the fight drain out of her at the man's words. "Me neither."

She moved to sidestep him, but he continued talking:

"What's a pretty girl like you doing at Horizon Labs?" He asked, a wide grin splitting his face. "There's nothing but computer geeks here."

MJ actually laughed at his words, it seemed like ages since she'd had some lighthearted interaction with anybody.

"I know. I just happen to be looking for a geek." She responded.

"Well then it must be my lucky day," He extended his hand to her. "Eddie Brock."

"Mary-Jane Watson," She took his hand and he shook softly. "And I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm actually looking for Peter Parker."

"Well take a number, sister, because it seems like everyone is looking for old Pete. This place is literally falling to pieces without him." Eddie took a moment to readjust his glasses, which had been dislodged by his impact with the small red-head. "Do you have any idea where he's gotten off to?"

"Well I don't know if you've heard," MJ shifted uncomfortably. "But Peter's girlfriend, Gwen, kind of died a few days ago."

Eddie blinked hard and stared at MJ, his face falling.

"Oh my god, that's terrible," Eddie sighed and rubbed a hand through his wavy hair. "I don't blame him then for taking a few personal days. I'll spread the word and hopefully keep some of the bigwigs from giving his job away."

"Thanks, Eddie, that would mean a lot. It was nice to meet you." MJ made to leave again.

"Wait, aren't you going to give me your number?" He asked, feinting confusion.

MJ turned to him and smirked.

"What on earth gave you any idea that I would give you my number?"

"Well we were hitting it off pretty well."

"You think so?" She laughed at him, enjoying the banter.

"Yeah, so well in fact, that you're going to go out with me this weekend." He grinned at her again.

"I don't even know you Eddie Brock," She narrowed her eyes at him. "You could be some kind of creep."

"Oh, I am most definitely a creep. But it's working though right?"

"Not at all."

"Then why are you still here?"

MJ opened her mouth to retort, but felt the words die on her tongue. Why was she still standing around talking to this guy?

Because it's easy and normal and fun and everything these last few days haven't been. She answered.

"I'm in a play this weekend." She said dumbly.

"You're in a play?" He raised his eyebrows. "What kind of play?"

"A good one…" She mumbled.

"Well then I'll come see it," He pulled out a paper and pen. "And then afterwards, I'll take you to dinner."

There was something about Eddie Brock that made MJ take the pen and write down her cell number. Maybe it was the well-styled hair, the thick framed glasses, the cocky crooked grin, or the fact that MJ really needed to get going – Peter was still out there.

Regardless, she agreed and signed her name underneath her number with a flourish, before walking to her motorbike a minute later, a new spring in her step.

There was nowhere else MJ could think to look. Everywhere she went, everyone she talked to, she always got the same result: Peter just wasn't there. It wasn't that he couldn't be found, or that no one besides MJ cared to look, it was simply that Peter did not want to be found.

It was really pissing MJ off.

She was currently idling her motorbike in the parking lot of a large department store. It was getting later in the evening and the light of her cell phone illuminated her face, highlighting the few creases and blemishes.

All this stress isn't doing any good for my complexion. She poked at her cheek with a finger and sighed heavily.

MJ was in the process of sending another message to Doctor Connors, saying that she would drop by to visit soon.

I'll get something to eat, and then go to Connors's place to compare results. It's possible that he's had more luck than I've had.

She pocketed her phone and was about to peel out, when a loud shout rang out over the parking lot. She whipped her head around watched as two young men started arguing near the front of the store. They looked like a pair of college students and her suspicion was confirmed when she spotted an ESU emblem on one of their sweaters. She rolled her eyes, not at all impressed or interested in the spectacle, and was about to ride away, when one of the men shouted again.

I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

MJ looked back towards the commotion, but her vision was now obscured by a crowd of other college students, all wanting to get a view of the action. Abandoning her bike, she jogged across the parking lot and started shoving her way through the throng of students.

I'm an actress, She brooded. I'm not built for all this running and shoving.

With a final push, MJ found herself near the inner circle and got a clear view of the scuffle. Apparently there had been some drinking and some foul words, leading to a friendly bout of fisticuffs. The large blonde man swung with a powerful right hook and knocked his classmate down in one punch. The felled student twitched once before going still and the victor raised his hands, roaring in a fit of testosterone and adrenaline.

MJ had been to quite a few parties back in high school and even more now that she was studying theater at ESU, needless to say, she was familiar with these types of fights. A few minutes of excitement that resulted in a few minutes of glory, before all was forgotten. MJ usually considered these pass-times as a pitiful and disgusting display of violence, and this particular confrontation was no exception. She eyed the victor as he pranced around the circle in celebration.

Flash Thompson, still the same meathead you've always been.

She waited until most of the students dispersed, some slouching down the street or into the store, before she moved in. Flash had stumbled over to his car and was fishing out another can of beer from the backseat, when MJ tapped on his shoulder.

"Oh shit," Flash exclaimed. "Harry-Jane Whatson."

MJ closed her eyes as the smell of alcohol washed over her, taking a second to try and compose herself.

"Flash, have you seen…" She only just realized how stupid this idea was. "Have you seen Peter Parker lately?"

"Totally, me and Petey hang out all the damn time!" He barked with laughter.

"… Really?"

"Of course not," Flash cracked open his beer. "That asshole is lucky I don't bust his face every time I see him."

I'd like to see you try. She smirked.

"Well thanks for your help, Flash. Keep doing," MJ gestured noncommittally. "Whatever it is you do nowadays."

"Remember that one time Parker broke my arm?" He continued talking, apparently not hearing MJ's words. "He ruined me, HJ. He completely ruined me. Cost me every last one of my football scholarships!"

"Yeah that's nice. I'll see you around." She started walking briskly towards her motorbike, desperate to get some fresh air.

"Tell Peter that he'll get his soon! He'll get his!" He shouted after her and continued to shout until she was long gone.

Doctor Connors answered the door before she was even halfway up the front walk.

"Come inside, Mary-Jane," He stood of to the side and motioned her in. "How goes the hunt?"

"About as good as something that isn't very good at all." She shook out of her coat and allowed him to take it from her. "What about you?"

"Well I told you that I went to the college." He led her through the living room and towards the kitchen. "He hasn't been attending his classes."

"Nor work," MJ added. "He hasn't been back to his apartment either. We've literally made no progress."

"Well I wouldn't say that." Doctor Connors sat down at the kitchen table. "Have you been reading the papers at all?"

MJ scoffed and plopped down in a seat.

"Newspapers, does anyone read newspapers anymore?"

"Only old people," Martha Connors interjected, as she made her appearance, entering the kitchen and smiling at MJ. "Have you eaten, dear? We were just about to have dinner."

"Yeah I've eaten," She answered quickly and eagerly turned back to Connors. "What are the papers saying?"

"Spider-Man has been working overtime." He answered, stretching over to the counter and grabbing a copy of the Daily Bugle. He slid if over to her. "All over the city, dozens of crimes, you seriously didn't know about this?"

"I really didn't." MJ examined the paper. A small and incredibly blurry photo depicted what she assumed was Spider-Man, flying through the air. After quickly scanning the article, she had to agree with Connors. Peter wasn't sitting in a hole wasting away, he was keeping busy. "What do you think this is?" She shook the paper firmly. "Is he… compensating?"

"That's my guess." Connors took the paper back from her and folded it neatly. "We need to find him and I have a plan."

Martha was bustling around the kitchen, preparing dinner for her husband and son, pointedly ignoring them. MJ leaned forward in her seat and motioned for Connors to continue.

"Well what's you plan?"

"It's simple really. I can map out all the Spider-Man sightings and try to triangulate where he's operating from. It'll be hard since most of the sightings seem random, but I'm relatively sure I can do it."

"I'll help too," MJ was excited now. "I don't have class tomorrow. I can come down after rehearsals and we can work all day."

"It'll have to wait until the afternoon. I'm teaching a class in the morning, but it would be great to have your help."

Martha slammed a pot down on the stove, causing both of them to look at her in confusion. Mrs. Connors turned to them and rested her hands on her hips, adopting her "mom" stance.

"Don't you think Peter can work things out on his own?" She demanded. "He's just been through a massive amount of trauma, with the death of Gwen and his Aunt. Maybe he just needs to work out some aggression. Maybe he needs space."

There was silence for a moment as both Connors and MJ considered her words. Finally, it was MJ who spoke up.

"Peter may be half of a superhero, but he's also half man." MJ stared at the wooden surface of the table. "You're right in thinking that he has some aggression, I mean, who wouldn't? But I'm honestly a little scared to think about what he might do. We need to find him before he gets hurt or… before he hurts someone else."

"What are you saying?" Martha asked. "You think he's dangerous?"

MJ didn't answer, she didn't have to.