Chapter 67 [Next Morning—Stacy Household]
Peter stared into the darkness. Despite Celebration's great vibes, Sleep eluded him. He fussed with the pillow under his head. This was supposed to be a nice long weekend. Some long weekend. He tossed and turned on the couch. He kept straightening the blanket. I should be on Cloud 9! Gwen and I have our date set. Everything's all set. He sighed.
Trouble loomed…that's why….
He sat up on the couch. His hand rubbed the back of his neck. The Rider, that Lichtenfeld woman and the Mohawk ghost. Then there's that creepy lady from the zoo. Mr. Osborn's in Goblin mode. Doc Connors is teetering on becoming the Lizard. Jolly Jonah's throwing a fit. Chloe Sullivan happens to talk to the Daily Planet. And Mr. Dubois' inner boogey demon's on the prowl. All in a day for your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. We can do this. Yeah right…. He padded across the floor. He looked in on Gwen.
Fortunately she snoozed away.
I really need to mix that powder into my web fluid. If it's what Dubois says, it'll give us an edge. He eased the door closed again. Nothing's happening to her. I just want Gwen to have the day she deserves!
An' she will, Bug Boy.
His Spider Sense burned at his scalp. He tensed. Slowly he surveyed the entire room. Against the fireplace, he spied the crimson spots floating in the darkness.
'Lax. Ah'm watchin'. The Image floated over to the window. Ain't gonna hurt ya.
"Then I'm making some coffee. Hope that's okay?" He pulled on his robe and headed for the kitchen. "5 AM. Guess it's not that early."
Nah. Still late 'nough fer Puritan Boy. Ya know tha'. The Image glanced over toward Gwen's door. Jus' makin' sure.
"Doing your rounds?" Peter presumed.
It guffawed. Ah got ya'll ta pr'tect. Ya've seen Puritan Boy fly 'round on horsie! Ah ain't takin' chances!
"And Mr. Dubois? He coming back today too?" Peter watched the coffee dripping into the pot. He opened the fridge. "Since we're going to wake her up, I'm making Gwen breakfast." He took the eggs, ham, turkey, cheese and onions from the fridge. You…uh…eat?"
Nope. Big Bro does tha'. Ah'm 'ere. T'anks. It heard noises from the closed bedroom. Ya called it. Tha' blue stuff ticks off the creeps. Use it. See ya. It melted away into the shadows.
"And people think I'm creepy?" Peter shook his head. He chopped away on the onions.
She padded out of the bedroom. Odor crinkled her nose. Chill forced her to bunch her robe about herself. "Peter, are you okay? Why is it so cold? And what's the smell?"
"Couldn't sleep. The cold and smell are from our guest." He coughed.
"Guest? What now?" She cringed.
"Mr. Dubois' version of the Hulk. It's appointed itself as our guardian angel or something." He broke four eggs into a bowl and stirred them up. "He wants us to have a great wedding day."
"Well that's something." Incredulity elicited a frown. "On that note, I need coffee. Thanks for having it ready."
"For certain blonde geniuses, never a problem." He diced up the meat and put it in the pan. "Figured we should use this meat up since we're going to be out west."
"Probably a good idea. Maybe we can offer some of this to the Kents? They've been so nice to us." She savored it. "And you beat yourself up for not treating me right? Mr. P, you have the golden touch." She opened the fridge. "You like peppers and onions? I want to try these."
"Sure thing." He diced an onion and a sizable bell pepper and threw them in as well. "Another Stone Omelet coming up."
"That's soup not an omelet, Man of Mine." She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Maybe the Duboises might know that story. Sounds interesting." He set the cover on the pan. "Any of that java left?"
"Mmm…maybe." She filled a second mug from the pot. Then she fixed it as he liked it. "Of course nothing's free."
"Nothing's free? I am making breakfast." He jabbed back.
Mirth snorted through her lips. "I was thinking of another pick me up." She waved the coffee in front of him.
He touched lips with hers. For a couple of heartbeats, they kept contact with one another. Then he stepped back. "That cover it?"
"With a little to spare." Mischief glittered in her eyes. She handed him the mug. "Don't burn your creation now."
"I won't." He coughed. "I just have to go to the apartment and clean everything out. They're just a few things left. I just don't want to keep you waiting."
"Maybe I might be convinced to help." She smirked at him. "That omelet could convince me."
He flipped his creation. "Then let's eat. We can take the subway over there. We can call Lex from there." He cut it in half with his spatula and plated the portions. "And there we are."
"Mmm! I'm sold. You drive a hard bargain." She ate a mouthful to seal the deal.
He felt his mood starting to lighten. Maybe there might be a ray of sunshine after all….
