People started to file out of the building. Betty and I decided to wait a little bit until the initial group of people made their exit. We then made our way out. As we navigated through the building, Betty looked at me and frowned.

"Still want the job?" she asked. She was visibly upset about the whole thing, and I didn't blame her. All I could do was shrug, not trusting my tongue at the moment. Anger and worry was coursing through my mind. I just wanted to go home and sleep the rest of the night off. Well, maybe just a nap – I still had to patrol tonight.

Fortunately, by the time we exited the building, Kitty was outside with her car, waiting for us. Other than a quick exchange of greetings, we didn't say anything as we moved into the car. I let Betty have shotgun as I sat in the back. After Kitty got Betty's address, she drove off. The ride was silent for a few minutes.

"…So... how was the press conference?" Kitty asked, breaking the silence.

"Oh, it was great," Betty replied sarcastically. "I always wanted to find out my boss is willing to work with an ex-con just to try and take down Spider-Man."

"Is that right?" I looked up at the rearview mirror to see Kitty giving me a look. In response, I shook my head.

"Yeah, Justin Hammer is back, and he's somehow the head of Hammer Industries again," I replied. "And he gave Spider-Man, you, and Craig an ultimatum. If you guys don't submit to The Accords or just quit being vigilantes in three days, he'll send his 'scorpion' after you – whatever that means."

"Sounds like it's going to be a good time," Kitty commented dryly.

The car ride went quiet again until Kitty arrived outside of the building Betty lived in.

"I guess I'll see you around Peter," Betty said dejectedly. "…I'm sorry, I just…"

"I know," I said reassuringly. "I know."

Betty looked over her shoulder at me and nodded. "Good luck with your hangout with MJ tomorrow. You guys have a good night."

"You, too, Betty," Kitty replied as I nodded.

Betty exited the car, making sure to close the door behind her. Kitty watched her until she entered the building. She then looked at me from the rearview mirror. "So yeah, I'm not your limo driver, so I'm going to need you to get in the front seat," she said.

"Yeah, of course." I stepped out of the car and closed the door behind me before I stepped into the front passenger seat. After I closed the door and put my seatbelt on, Kitty drove off. "So, Scott said you'd be there. How'd you feel about the press conference?"

"I didn't appreciate being a called a sidekick and a kitten," she quipped as she grimaced. "Got to say, though, Justin Hammer actually sounded a bit believable, since he kept it short and didn't spend half the time sucking his own dick like he usually does."

"…You really don't like being called 'kitten' do you?" I asked with a nervous laugh.

"The only people who can call me 'kitten' are my folks and the guy I'm dating, and last time I checked, he's not my father and I'm single. But enough about me – how are you holding up?"

"I'm angry and worried at the same time," I admitted. "I was angry since this guy even mentioned Mr. Stark's name, and as much as I want to brush him off as all talk… well, we all remember what led to the Whiplash incident. So whatever this scorpion thing is, it might be a major threat to us in three days."

"Whatever it is, we'll handle it," Kitty said calmly. "Hammer tech isn't exactly known for their quality control."

"Yeah, but even a blind squirrel can find a nut every now and again, and I really don't want Justin to find that nut – especially if it puts you, Craig, and Scott in danger."

Kitty sighed. "I'm touched you care so much, but the three of us handled major threats before, and I'm sure we'll be able to take on whatever Hammer throws at us. You don't have to worry about us."

"I can't help it." I went silent for a moment. "I know this may sound weird but …I grown attached to you guys. Other than Mr. Stark, I never really grew close with anyone who was in the hero life. And you guys accepted me. So…"

"It's not weird," Kitty assured. "Peter, Craig meant it when he said it. You're one of us. So, we've grown attached to you, too. All I ask is that you trust us. Whatever happens, we'll have your back. Just don't cast another spell to erase our memories if things get tough, okay?" I cringed. Kitty looked at me. "Still too son?"

"A little bit," I replied. "But not undeserved." I smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. So, about that date with MJ."

I suddenly looked at her. "It's not a date," I corrected a little bit too quickly. "We're just… hanging out."

"And doing what?" Kitty questioned. She was not buying that it wasn't a date.

"Well… I don't know yet. I, uh…" I cleared my throat. "I didn't think that far."

"So, you two are hanging out with nothing planned. You guys are just going to wing it. No Ned, no Betty, no Craig, no me, just you and MJ just seeing what the night has in store for you. Am I hearing that right?"

"Yes," I confirmed.

"Sweetheart, that's a date."

"It's not a date," I insisted. "It's…" I paused as I look out the window. "…It's two friends that are spending quality time together. It's no different from you and Craig."

At that, Kitty scoffed. "Peter, I never had any type of romantic feelings for Craig, and while Craig had a brief crush on me years ago, we're more like siblings and work spouses. But you still harbor feelings for MJ. And I'm pretty sure she likes you, too. So, no matter how you want to phrase it, it's a date." I couldn't respond to that. I took in a deep breath to try, then huffed it out in defeat.

"I'm taking the loss on this one, huh?"

"Like a New York Jet," she said. I cringed again. She knew I was a Jets fan, so that one hit hard. "I know what I'm about to say sounds like common sense, but remember to wear clean clothes that look good, brush your teeth before you go out, bring money for food for the both of you. And keep the Spidey suit at home. Let us handle things tomorrow night."

"Yes, mom," I grumbled halfheartedly.

Kitty chuckled as she made a turn. "That's Big Sister Kitty to you."

When Kitty dropped me off at my building, I told her I'd see her later before I made my way in and went up the stairs – the elevator was busted again. I knew there was a good chance I'd see Kitty, as well as Craig, when I went on patrol tonight. Once I got home, I texted Betty for Robbie's e-mail address. Once I got it, I went about uploading the pictures I took from my camera's flashcard to my computer, then to my Google Drive. Once that was done, I e-mailed the drive link to Robbie.

With that business out of the way, I went through my clothes, trying to put together an outfit for tomorrow. It took me a while, but I finally decided on an outfit – a black t-shirt under a black and white plaid collared button-up, black jeans, a pair of white sneakers that I only wore on special occasions, and a black parka that used to belong to Tony Stark. With my outfit chosen, I hung them aside in my closet before I grabbed my GED book and took some time to study subjects I was sure I knew like the back of my hand. After two hours of that, I grabbed my suit and got ready for patrol.

The next day went as normal, for the most part. Right before I went to school, I received an e-mail from Robbie with four words.

"Welcome to the circus."

I smiled wryly before I responded with a thank you.

After that, the whole day was a blur. Class was a bit a hard for me to focus on, but I managed to pay attention. Once class was over, I made my exit, but not before Scott briefly stopped me as he started erasing the board.

"Peter," Scott said.

"Yes, Mr. Summers?" I replied as I stopped in my tracks.

"Just be yourself tonight."

It took me a moment to realize what he was saying. I smiled and nodded before I walked out.

I texted MJ, telling her I wouldn't be there for my usual before asking what time she got off work. She told me that she closed at 7:00. I was happy – that meant I had time to freshen up before I changed. So, when I got home, I showered, combed my hair, and did all of the necessary stuff before I changed into the outfit I set aside. I then made my way over to Peter Pan about ten minutes early.

I walked in and walked up to the counter. MJ wasn't there – I figured she was doing something in the back. However, on top of the counter was a plain donut along with a cup of coffee. Scribbled on the cup was the word "Loser". My mouth went a little ajar, a bit surprised to see those things there. I wondered if MJ set those aside for me.

"I set those aside for you," MJ said. I looked up at her as she walked up to me.

Well, mystery solved.

I was still a bit surprised at the gesture. "I… You didn't have to…" I closed my mouth. I took in a quick breath to regain my composure. I then smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Peter Parker."

"Should I take it to go, or…?"

MJ gave me a deadpan look. "Peter, I'm still in my work uniform. I'm not hanging out in clothes I worked all day in. And even with that aside, I don't find this outfit flattering. Turquoise green and pastel pink are not my colors."

"I don't think you look bad in those colors," I blurted out without thinking. I was about to regret it.

"Is that so?" MJ replied. She leaned forward with an accusatory look. "Do you think about me in my work clothes a lot?"

Had anyone else been in the room, it would have been very obvious that I was being baited. And maybe – just may be – I would have been saved from embarrassing myself. But there was no one else. It was just me and the one woman in the world that can break through my composure with no difficulty. So, of course, I became a stuttering mess.

"I-I-I don't know w-what you mean," I sputtered out. "I-I d-don't get th-those kind of thoughts about – "

"Oh you don't? I don't think that's true. You know what I think? I think you find me sexy in my work clothes." She leaned a bit closer. "I think you asked me what time I get off so you could be alone with me in the shop. I bet you thought about getting freaky with me on top of the counter while music plays from the jukebox haven't you?" My mouth went ajar, and I was sure my face was pink and my ears were red. Finally, MJ smirked and shook her head. "You know, I almost feel bad for messing with you like this. Almost." She straightened herself up before she turned around and walked to the back. "I'm going to get changed. Enjoy your coffee and donut in the meantime." I watched her as she walked away. I then picked up the donut and bit into it, trying to ignore both the visual that MJ painted in my head and how much I actually found that visual to be rather appealing.

Fact of the matter was, before The Spell and when MJ and I were together, we never really talked to each other about sex, let alone engage in it. MJ would tease me just to get a reaction out of me. But, we never did anything outside of first base – just a heavy make out session during our more needy days. Come to think of it, I never even saw MJ in her underwear. She has seen me in mine, and even then, it was only times when she was around me when I was quickly changing into our out of my suit.

With all that said, though? I'd be a huge liar if I said I never had those kinds of thoughts about her.

As I waited, I drunk my coffee and ate my donut at a steady pace in peace. By the time I was done, MJ came back out. She lifted up the bar flap and walked through the opening. As she lowered the bar flap, I got a good look at her. I knew that outfit well – her black jean pants that matched her favorite pair of Converses, her jean jacket that went over her Midtown High hoodie. It wasn't a special outfit and yet…

"Staring kind of hard there, don't you think?" MJ said, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought," I apologized.

She tilted her head. "What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking…" I trailed off a bit. "…I was thinking that you look really pretty." Internally, I cringed, not sure how she would take that.

She raised an eyebrow and grimaced. "Therefore I have value?"

I have been in this situation before. One would think I wouldn't fall for it a second time. One would think I'd have the wherewithal to at least try and come up with a witty comeback.

One would be wrong.

I immediately started backpedaling. "N-n-n-no, I d-didn't mean it l-like…"

"I'm just messing with you," MJ interjected gently with a tone of amusement. I took in a breath, trying to hide my embarrassment… and failing. "You look pretty, too." At that moment, I forgot about my embarrassment. But I still blushed at the compliment.

"Thank you," I said in earnest. MJ froze for a bit as her face became a bit distant. I tilted my head in worry. "Are you okay, Em?"

She blinked a couple of times. "Yeah… yeah, I'm okay." She paused for a moment. "It's just that… I had a moment of déjà vu. Like… we had this same kind of exchange before." She shook her head and focused back on me. "Crazy, huh?"

For a moment – just a moment – I was given a bit of optimism. Maybe this was a sign that MJ's memories from before The Spell wasn't completely erased. I figured that maybe I could go to Dr. Strange and…

"It happens," I said quietly.

No, I couldn't. I couldn't see Dr. Strange about this. Trying to solve an issue with magic was the reason the woman I love is standing across from me without memories of the times we shared. It was the reason Ned didn't remember we were best buds, if not brothers. It was the reason Betty didn't know we had a bit of a friendship before.

It was also the reason Aunt May…

It was at this point I got the familiar sensation of unraveling in my chest.

No, I couldn't think about her here.

I took in a deep breath and stood up, not wanting to scare MJ with another near-breakdown. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, just got to hit the lights and lock up on the way out," MJ replied.

I nodded before I beckoned her to lead the way out. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, but obliged me anyway.