Chapter 109 [Noon—the Talon]
[A/N: The celebration's spreading! Seems a certain other couple's going to go official.]
Mary Jane walked into the café. She couldn't believe it was completely dead at that hour. She checked her watch. She hoped Gwen and Peter would be done at the high school pretty soon. I guess the others can enjoy their sight seeing.
Gwen's frantic text earlier that morning shot Fear's daggers through her heart and spine. Peter! Are you crazy, Tiger? What are you doing? She paced back and forth across the hotel room driving Betty crazy in the process.
She heard a throat clear.
De Wolff looked at her. "Always like a place with history. So this is where Octavius was?" She regarded the entire place. "Layers and layers here."
"I guess." Mary Jane looked at the police captain. "I thought you were going with the others?"
De Wolff shrugged. "I thought the same thing of you. Guess we both have business with the couple?" She smiled and leaned close. "I suspect it's the same thing."
"Huh?" Mary Jane stiffened.
"Lex Luthor called. He told me that an old cold case was resolved this morning. Seems a certain hero popped back in here." De Wolff rubbed the back of her neck. "Don't worry. We're not in my jurisdiction. Even if we were, I know my predecessor's feelings about certain allies. I suspect you do as well? Besides the Wall Crawler and I have worked together. He's even saved my life more than once."
"Spider-Man's saved a lot of lives, Captain. Despite what Mr. Jameson says in the newspaper, he's a good guy." Mary Jane headed for the counter. "You want something, Captain? My treat."
"Thanks." De Wolff eyed the display. She saw Miranda come over. "Afternoon. I'll take a cappuccino and one of those ham sandwiches."
"I'll take a chicken salad and one of your uncle's specials in his honor. Heard he was busy this morning." Mary Jane smiled at Miranda.
"Busy?" Miranda raised an eyebrow. "I've been trying to call and text my aunt, Princess Jasmine and him all morning. Nobody's answering." She shook her head. "Now I'm definitely going to have to track them down. So help me….OOH!" She slapped her hand on the counter.
"Let her get the order, Miss Watson. Come on." De Wolff urged.
"Fine." Mary Jane brought out her wallet. "What do we owe you?"
"Mr. Luthor's got you both. I'll bring your orders out in a minute. Thanks for letting me know." Miranda turned toward the coffee maker. Indignity and Worry ate at her. What happened? Why won't anyone answer my calls? Hopefully Mr. Parker wasn't involved. That would be the last thing we'd need for him to get hurt now! She started up the coffee press.
At that moment, Jasmine, Peter and Gwen walked into the café. Each of them had their respective issues going on inside of themselves. The soon to be married couple still mulled over how to deal with Aunt May's feelings. "Peter, can you come with me? Sorry, Gwen."
"It's all right. I'll go and check on MJ and Captain De Wolff. You get my latte and muffin, Mr. P?"
"All taken care of, Kid." He grinned at her. Since returning from the farm, a heavy burden lifted from his heart. He even felt great in their observation class that morning. "You all right?"
"Terrified." Jasmine glanced at him. "Was it like this for you?"
"Gwen actually pieced it together for me." He shook his head. He'd seen Jasmine fly into a fight without hesitation. Now she could barely walk herself to the counter. "Come on. Strength in numbers."
"Thank you." Jasmine bowed her head. She bit her lip.
"It's going to be all right." Peter walked her to the counter. "Just a second, I…." She turned. "Mr. Parker? Jas? What happened this morning? I've been trying to reach you, my aunt and my uncle! So help me!"
"Miri, I know. We're both sorry." Jasmine held up her hands.
"We had a certain pest to deal with. Well actually your uncle's dark bodyguard and this bad ass warrior woman dealt with things." He cleared his throat.
"Do not be modest!" Jasmine smacked his arm. "Our Web Slinging friend saved Clark Kent's life."
"Clark?" Miranda stared at him. Realization brought everything together. "Arighatto went full demon on him?"
"He attacked Clark but didn't go full demon on him." He leaned close to the counter. "He did on me when I came between them. From what Gwen said, the Big Kid threatened him in here. He and the warrior followed through."
"Followed through?" Miranda gasped. Tears streaked her cheeks. Elation and Disbelief numbed her. "He's gone?"
"Yes! Miri, you are free! FREE!" Jasmine raised her arms toward the ceiling. "Peter, perhaps you can…?"
"Yeah I'll stand guard here." He motioned toward the back. "You talk to her. Remember no punches thrown."
"Fine! You're no help." Jasmine smacked his arm again. A smirk formed on her face. "Come on, Miri. I need to talk with you in private."
"Watch it!" He couldn't help but crack a smile. He motioned again toward the back room.
"Back room? What?" Miranda narrowed her eyes. "Jas?" She disappeared with the other girl into the back.
He stood guard over the counter. Every few seconds he glanced over his shoulder.
"Well?" Gwen mouthed.
He smirked. He offered a pronounced shrug.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? OH MY GOODNESS! YES! YES!" Miranda screeched.
"The Princess shoots and she scores." He gave Gwen the thumbs up. Then he dialed his phone.
"Lex Luthor. Peter, is everything all right?" Lex answered.
"Oh I think it's better than all right. Jasmine's talking to Miranda right now. We heard two yeses yelled out of the back;" Peter announced.
Lex grinned. "Outstanding! How's lunch going?"
"Just got here." He noted the two ladies in question emerging from the back. "I'll talk to you later." He disconnected the call. "So?"
"You knew. Didn't you?" Miranda demanded.
"Gwen and I both did. Your aunt, uncle and Lex knew. I was just talking to him. Guess congratulations are in order?" he supposed.
"This is your weekend. Sorry! We're stealing your thunder." Jasmine rolled her eyes.
"Steal away! Gwen won't care. I don't either! Well I will care if we can't get lunch. I don't want a hungry fiancée to deal with." He laughed.
"Yeah. I just want to see you get through your vows tomorrow." Miranda snorted. "I'll get your order in. Then I have a text to send. I want to do that while she's at lunch." She took her pad out. "What'll it be, Mr. Smart Alec?"
"Turkey and cheese for me with a vanilla coffee. Ham and swiss and one of those dandies for Gwendy." He rubbed Jasmine's arm. "Told you so."
"T 'Challa told me you were a loyal friend. I will have to email him," Jasmine noted.
"Say hi from the Web Head. Remember he doesn't know me under the mask." Peter put his money on the counter.
"I think not." Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "For a job well done, this is the least I can do." She handed him back the cash. "For granting me this moment and your bravery earlier, thank you a thousand times."
"You're welcome. Come on. Might want to clue the other ladies in. We'll guard the front for you, Super Ninja Lady."
Miranda coughed. "I might tell my Uncle on you."
"I'm one of his co-conspirators. I think I'll be immune this time. Try again." Peter snarked back. He walked Jasmine back to the table. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. It's an eventful morning."
"What was going on up there? Gwen said Princess Jasmine and you were up to something." Mary Jane watched Miranda prep drinks and the sandwiches.
"I'd say you've been up to quite a bit this morning, Peter." De Wolff cleared her throat. She looked around to make sure the coast was clear. "You took a big risk at the Kent Farm this morning."
"Excuse me?" He narrowed his eyes at her. "I was at the mansion. I…."
"Come on! You're a good actor but not that good. I've had an idea for a few months. Your sudden appearance out here kind of cinched it for me. You had Captain Stacy's support. You have mine now. I took care of the paperwork and got the local sheriff from here off of your back," De Wolff insisted.
"And I've known since your uncle's death. I saw you run into the house. Then the Wall Crawler came out of the upstairs window and swung away into the night. I've kept your secret ever since." Mary Jane smiled. She squeezed his and Gwen's hands. "I'm here for you both."
"We know that." Gwen hugged her Maid of Honor. "Some day it'll be your turn."
"Yeah right." Mary Jane shrugged. "I have too many stages to haunt and scripts to recite yet." She grinned. "I won't get down."
"Jean, I…" Gwen started to express.
"You've got a great man here. We can try to keep him in one piece. Right?" De Wolff narrowed her eyes. "Be careful. You've got more to think about now."
"Always." He agreed.
Seems bigger steps were being taken….and there were others on that day….