A canon-compliant drabble on The Amazing Spider-Man #53.


Gwen and Flash were out on the quad, and Gwen's gaze was directed up at E.S.U's windows before she heard Flash. "Wow! This is our lucky day! There's Spidey!" The blond exclaimed.

Gwen observed Spider-Man web-slinging by for a moment before asking Flash. "Tell me, soldier boy- Are you really Spider-Man's number one fan?"

"You can say that, gorgeous!" Flash said enthusiastically, looking like a kid at Christmas. "That masked marvel is one Joe I'll tip my hat to any day!"

Gwen shifted her textbooks to rest against the side of her hip, bringing her gaze back towards Flash. "But how can you be so sure he mightn't be someone you'd dislike under that mask of his?

"Not a chance, doll-face!" Flash said, finally prying his eyes off of Spider-Man to spot Harry. "Hey! Looks like somethin's bugging Harry Osborn!"

"Hey! Anyone seen Peter Parker?" Harry asked, miserably, jutting his thumb over his shoulder. "I'm sick of being his social secretary! All I do is take messages for him because he's never around!"

"He'll never change! Once an itch, always an itch! Right, Gwen?" Flash asked.

"Don't ask me, gents- I'd rather itch than switch!" Gwen beamed, unafraid to admit aloud anymore how much she liked Peter Parker. And the boys would have to learn that one way or another.


The day was almost over, and Gwen spotted Peter in the hallway. "Say! Aren't you the one who picked a peck of pickled peppers?" the blonde teased.

Peter looked excited and relieved to see her. "Gwen! Just the one I'm looking for! Are you doing anything special tonight?"

"Everything I do is special, Mr. Parker!" Gwen smirked over her shoulder.

"What I meant was- Oh, there's Harry!" Peter explained, he halted his story and Gwen and Peter turned to face Harry who walked right by them, zombie-like. "Hi, roommate! How's it goin'?" Peter grinned, oblivious.

"Hello, Pete! Flash said he'll look for you after class, Gwen!" Harry called over his shoulder, waving his hand half dismissively.

"What's with him? Why the big freeze?" Peter asked, watching Harry as he left.

"Your unexpected comings and goings seem to be shaking him up, laddie! But, Greedy Gwendolyne is more interested in what you had in mind for tonight!" Gwen replied, eager now that her plans were free for once.

"It's the science expo! Maybe it's not your cup of tea, but-"

"Silly boy! I thought you'd never ask! In case you've forgotten, your little blonde buddy is a sci major, too!" Gwen reminded him, beaming brightly.


Chemistry was over and Peter and Gwen headed to the front of the class.

"You're bringing Miss Stacy? I certainly admire your choice, Parker! No time to change! I'll get the car- meet you out front!" Professor Warren explained, before dismissing them.


Professor Warren was driving them but made a pit-stop to the Silver Spoon. Gwen and Peter entered, spotting Flash from the doorway and waved at him.

"Hi, gorgeous! I knew you couldn't keep ol' Flasheroo waiting! 'Specially when we're gonna knock 'em dead at the disco!" Flash called across the crowded diner.

"How about a raincheck, General? I've got a date with Pete tonight!" Gwen explained, jovial.

Flash laughed at that. "Great little kidder, that chick!"

"She's not kidding!" Harry deadpanned.

Flash stormed towards Peter angrily. "Listen, civilian! Are you trying to beat my time with Gwen?!" He demanded.

"You never had any time to beat! And what's with the 'civilian' bit?! What were you before the draft?!" Peter shot back.

Gwen was nothing short of pleased to be at the center of two scrumptious men vying for her affections, but she separated their spat nonetheless, pushing them apart, grinning softly. "At ease, men! Let's all meet later at the Coffee Bean, and puff a purple peace pipe!"

"Okay- But one of these days that loudmouth will pick the wrong guy-" Peter warned, dispersing as Gwen instructed.

"Yeah- And that's when I'll flatten you, Parker- Because you were born the wrong guy!"

"Let's go, Gwen! The prof is waiting!" Peter explained, making the author wonder why they even showed up there in the first place.

Peter and Gwen left the Silver Spoon, Gwen latching herself on to Peter's arm as they met Professor Warren back at his car again, leaving Flash and Harry behind.


Gwen sat in between Peter and Professor Warren. "I wonder what they're featuring at the science exhibit today!" Peter said, excitedly.

"According to the paper, it's a new type of missile defense, called a nullifier-" The blonde cut in.

"Exactly! And do you know how it works?" Professor Warren inquired.

"I imagine it nullifies the homing devices of enemy missiles!" Gwen explained with ease.

"You imagine right, young lady!" The gross old man beamed.


"There'll be a demonstration of the nullifier stabilizer control!" Professor Warren explained. They were at the expo by now, and there was a generous amount of people around, eagerly awaiting the showing to start. "For maximum security, the two parts of the stabilizer will be delivered separately!"

"Somehow it all seems like the start of a James Bond movie!" Gwen chimed in.

"It sure does!" Peter agreed, glancing around the exhibit.

Professor Warren was talking, but Peter got a weird look on his face suddenly, drawing Gwen's attention, making her eyebrows furrow in concern. "Pete! You look so strange! Do you- feel all right? Pete-"

Peter looked around frantically, before finally answering. "Huh? Oh- Sure- I feel fine! I just thought- I recognized someone, Gwen!"

"From the look on your face- he must have been a ghost!" Gwen replied.

Professor Warren didn't notice Peter and Gwen's mood shift. "Let's be seated-"

The author assumes Gwen sits down anyways as the exhibit officially begins. "Ladies and gentlemen- With both parts of the stabilizer safely on this platform, I shall join them together so that our demonstration can begin-! Obviously, we have taken every precaution for maximum security with this vital device- To begin our demonstration, we know project a simulated missile attack upon the screen behind me!" One of the scientists explained, raising his hands to gesture to the screen behind him. "This is the first time these defense department films have been declassified for public viewing-"

"And it will be the last time!" A tall, wide figure bellowed from the crowd, earning a gasp from civilians.

"What?! Who said that?" The scientist demanded.

"I did! The only one on earth powerful enough to seize your nullifier- despite anything you can do!" The figure continued before four large metallic arms extended from his sides, grabbing the screaming scientist, the nullifier and knocking some of the people in the crowd over.


"Gwen! You and Peter should follow me! We've got to get out!" Professor Warren explained, Gwen wasn't far from him, but she looked around the terrified dispersing crowd, desperately looking for Peter.

"Peter?! I- I thought he was with you!" The blonde explained. Doctor Ock wasn't far from her, but she still took the time to look for Peter.

"Run, you helpless weaklings- Run!" The mad man cackled, and Peter was nowhere to be found so Gwen had no other option but to flee with the civilians.


Gwen waited outside with Professor Warren, a small crowd stuck around before a lot of glass shattered suddenly and Doctor Octopus crawled out the window with Spider-Man in toe, climbing up after Ock as he scaled the building trying to escape.

Everyone watched Spider-Man except for Gwen Stacy, who was still on the lookout for Peter. 'There's no sign of Peter anywhere! ... I don't understand it! ... What could have happened to him?!' Gwen thought to herself, worried sick over the boy she was crazy about. 'I can't help feeling that he's in some sort of danger!'


Doctor Octopus had been thwarted but managed to escape if the current flurry of rumors going around were accurate. But Gwen's stomach was tied up all in knots. She cupped her head in her hand, her eyes drifted shut and Professor Warren patted Gwen's shoulder half-heartedly.

"If we don't find Peter soon, perhaps we should-"

"It's all right Gwen! I see him! He's coming this way now!" Professor Warren explained, glancing over towards the miserable-looking Peter Parker.

"As soon as I saw what was happening I ran out to find a camera! If only I could have found one, I'd be able to- Hey!" Peter was cut off by Gwen flinging herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"It doesn't matter where you were, Pete- As long as you're back!" The blonde said, practically bouncing with joy.

"We'd better be leaving now!" Professor Warren said, watching Peter and Gwen.

"I never realized you were so habit-forming, man-child- like being hooked on pistachio nuts!" Gwen said enthusiastically, still keeping her arms around Peter's shoulders.

"You're making me feel so old!" Professor Warren complained playfully.


Gwen was again in between Peter and Professor Warren in his car as he drove them. "It's a shame you missed Spider-Man, Pete! He was simply wonderful!" Gwen gushed.

"If only his identity can be exposed! What a subject he'd be- for a psychological study! Imagine learning what motivates such a man! Is it altruism or a deep-rooted schizophrenia? I'll bet he's even an enigma to himself!" Professor Warren wondered, aloud.


Professor Warren dropped Peter and Gwen off at the Coffee Bean, and they stood outside his driver's seat window.

"Care to join us for some coffee, sir?" Peter offered.

"Thanks, but I'd better be getting back!"

"We'll try to keep the faith without you, Dr. Warren!" Gwen teased.

"The entire scientific community may topple if I don't grade some term papers tonight!" Professor Warren joked.


Peter and Gwen entered the Coffee Bean to see, Flash, Harry and M.J already inside. "He's about the greatest prof that ever- Oh, look!" Gwen explained. "The Parker fan club is in session!"

"Like, hi little ones! There's just room for two more soul-mates!" Mary Jane said. Peter and Gwen headed to their table to join them.

"Say, gorgeous! You still with Puny Parker? Talk about levellin'. Did ya lose a bet or something?" Flash teased.

"Face it, friends! You've got your guru- I've got mine!" The blonde shot back, grinning.

"I only loaned him to you, lady!" Mary Jane retorted smoothly.

May and Anna entered the Coffee Bean suddenly. "Peter dear! I thought I saw you walk in here!" May said.

"Aunt May! And Mrs. Watson!"

"May couldn't wait to tell you the news-! We just placed an ad in today's newspaper!" Anna explained for Aunt May.

"An ad?" Peter asked. May gave him a torn slip of paper with the ad in question.

"We thought of the most delightful way to make some extra pin money! Since Anna has an extra room in her house- We're going to take in a boarder!"

"It's a great idea, Aunt May!" Peter exclaimed enthusiastically, putting his arms around May and Anna. "Just be careful whom you accept, hear?" he warned lightly.

"You know how cautious we are, Peter! We'll insist on the very finest references!" Anna contributed.

"I wonder if Conrad Hilton started this way!" Gwen grinned.

"From where I sit, it sounds real groovy!"


Peter was leaving with May and Anna, calling over his shoulder. "See you later, group! I'll make sure no one flirts with these two pussywillows on their way home!" Peter teased, corralling the two older ladies into leaving the Coffee Bean.

"No skin off my nose! Now we don't have one fella too many!" Harry grinned, still bitter about Peter.

"Even when no one's around, he's one fella too many!" Flash retorted.

"Aw, one tiger's as good as another, so long as he's a real live male!" Mary Jane replied.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much!" Gwen quoted, smirking knowingly.


Fun Fact: Marvel's database confirms Gwen's canonically as smart as Peter is. Unfortunately, it's the 70's and we're not allowed to see women's lives outside of their spouse's (Spoiler warning** just in case) we just complain their story is repeating and refuse to advance it, so they off her instead of raising the bar on their writing! Also, it's been forever but #RetconSinsPast