Chapter 3 [Roosevelt Hospital—A Half an Hour Later]

Doctors studied charts and looked in on patients. Nurses hustled from room to room. Patients took their meds. IV's dripped from bags, through tubes and into veins.

And for some patient and loved ones, it was a waiting game….

[May Parker's Room]

Ventilator's hiss and Monitor's beeps punctuated the dimly lit room. Aunt May's chest rose and fell. Her frail heart labored away on each beat. A mild anti-anxiety medication relaxed her.

Dr. Bromwell set her hand down with care. Concern raised an eyebrow. He'd known about May's frailty for years. He'd seen her fainting spells. He'd tried different medications. He even suggested a trip to Florida to help her relax. He'd told her best friend, Anna Watson, to watch May closely. He'd talked to and borderline scolded that no account nephew of hers to pay more attention to her….

…yes that nephew….

He shook his head. She can't take stress. Meantime he's lying to her? Worse he dresses up in that costume and goes out there every night? Can't he see he's killing her? Peter just doesn't care about May. He says he does. He thinks he does. He's so into himself and his own life. Instead of looking for trouble, he should've been pursuing his studies and doting on May. Maybe that new wife of his will do that. I can hope! Perhaps May needs a nursing home where she can be cared for properly! He scribbled down a few notes for her file. "Nurse?"

"Yes, Doctor?" A slender African-American woman in an all white outfit and hat hustled to his side.

"Mrs. Parker's responding to the IV fluids. Please make sure the bag's replaced when it gets to the bottom please." He patted May's hand. "I'll check back in the morning."

The nurse checked the bag and left the area.

Let's see how those friends react to her situation. She needs more stability. He marshalled up his resolve and marched out toward the waiting room.

[Waiting Room]

The waiting game sagged down on everyone in that area. Expectations had promised great food, wine toasts and splendid wishes. After the couple's overdrawn soapy struggles, Tragedy seemed to be in the rearview mirror….

…seemed to be….

Flash Thompson rubbed the back of his neck. Disbelief numbed his mind. Thanks to Harry and Gwen, he and Peter had overcome their high school issues. Progression had led from being the schoolyard bully to friend, member of the wedding party and best man. He'd seen more and more under the masks…

…yeah those masks…the Spider-Man mask and the aloof jackass mask too…

When he seemed all stuck up, he wasn't ignoring us. He was really overwhelmed. He glanced down the hall toward the nurses' station. There he saw Betty Brant talking with Liz Allan of all people about May's condition. His aunt…working for that creep Jameson…being Spidey. He shook his head. And I used to call him Puny Parker? He took on Doc Doom for me! He and that magic guy just helped me.

The elevator doors opened. A slender red haired man in a dark suitcoat hustled into the area. Pins held his right sleeve folded in place at the shoulder. He headed for the nurses' station with a valise in hand.

Doc Connors? Flash raised an eyebrow. He recognized the herpetologist from his brief time at ESU. Still, despite his considerable expertise, Connors seemed out of place at a human healing facility. What's his deal with this? He watched Connors excuse himself for breaking into the conversation.

"Who's that?" Anna Watson tapped Flash on the arm. She couldn't stand any more surprises to be honest. Hearing Jameson's accusation, seeing Peter reveal himself and run away…and watching May faint again pushed her hard. Watching Jameson's distasteful rant on TV brought her to the limit.

"Dr. Connors." Flash stood up from his chair. "Any word from MJ?"

"She and Harry are still with his father." She flushed crimson. "I know he was ill. I cannot believe he sent that envelope to Mr. Jameson! Then Mr. Jameson did what he did?" She rubbed her forehead. "And Peter? Good gracious! No wonder May had the issues she had!"

"Pete's a hero, Mrs. Watson. I'm a vet and I'll say it. I used to hate his guts. I wondered what Gwen sees in him. I know now." He glanced back down the hall toward the patients' rooms. "And I get why he had to keep everything so secret."

"Mrs. Parker always thought of him being frail. My goodness! It's a wonder the shock didn't kill her! She detests Spider-Man. Then we find out that Peter was him all along?" Anna sighed a lengthy breath.

"Even after May recovers, their relationship will never be the same."

"With due respect, Mrs. Watson, you can't mean that. Pete and his aunt have always been really close. They'll talk it out. You'll see." He noticed the patrolmen taking positions by the stairwells and elevator. "Wish they'd back off. Like he's going to come here and endanger everyone?"

"He does every time he puts on that costume and mask! My word! Can't he just be normal?" Anna noticed Bromwell coming toward them. "That's her doctor! Thank you for looking out for everything."

"That's no problem. All part of being the friend and best man. Let's see if there's anything new." He led her toward where Betty, Connors, Liz and Bromwell were speaking. "Doctor?"

Bromwell turned to them. "Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Watson. I'm afraid there's been no change. She simply needs rest. I could use a few hours myself. Then I'll be right back in the morning. I just wish there was word about that nephew of hers!" He curled his lip.

Anna put her hand on Flash's arm. She shook her head. "Doctor, please! Whether we agree or disagree with Peter's actions, this is not the time."

"Indeed so, Ma 'am. Thank you. I've seen Mr. Parker in a chemistry lab. He certainly wasn't trying to do anything for his own self-interest. He came up with the formula that melted the Rhino's hide. He worked with Element X to find a cure for someone with radioactivity in her bloodstream a few years back. He's stopped the Lizard three times. Every time I've seen him, he's thrown himself right into helping others." Connors raised an eyebrow.

"Wait!" Bromwell shook his head. "That was the cure he brought here. He…made…that himself?"

"He and I did. Yes." Connors took a couple of deep breaths. Anxiety started to build inside of himself.

"Hey, Doc Connors, you should take a seat. Can we get you something?" Flash offered.

Connors shook his head. "Thank you…Mr. Thompson, correct? I have to help Mrs. Parker if possible." He sucked in a couple of calming breaths.

"Other than rest, there's nothing we can do tonight for her." Bromwell assessed Connors. "Miss Allan, please keep an eye on Mrs. Parker tonight. If anything changes, I'll be right back. As it is, she should sleep tonight. I'll be back first thing in the morning."

"Of course, Dr. Bromwell." Liz inserted Bromwell's notes into the chart. "I've got to check on the other patients. Good night." She exchanged glances with Betty and Flash. Then she hustled down the hall.

"I will be back in the morning. Terrible. Mrs. Watson, we will need to speak on other arrangements for May. I do not want her around her nephew any longer. The strain will kill her. Perhaps you might think of moving her back to your Florida home? Just start thinking on that. Good evening." Bromwell set his hat on his head firmly. He marched off into the elevator.

"What a grouch!" Flash shook his head.

"He has a point, Flash." Anna rubbed her head. "Excuse me. I need to do some thinking. Thank you, Dr. Connors. You haven't seen Peter. Have you?"

"No. Then again, the police are watching my home and lab for that reason. I am sorry. My family and I owe him a great deal. I need to sit down as well." Connors agreed.

Pete, you should have turned yourself in. Now what are you in for? Flash bit his lip.

Uncertainty played out….