Hi, thanks for all the reviews!!!! This is the last part, so I hope you've all enjoyed it as much as I have!!! Chapter 1 of the sequel will be up asap!

Pt 7 Birthday Surprise

Mary Jane knocked on Peter's apartment door. It was a relief to know that Harry had moved out. After their last confrontation, he didn't seem too stable, and Peter and Mary Jane found him a doctor to go to. She had collaborated with Aunt May to pay Peter a surprise visit. She would turn up later, giving the two of them some alone time. It wasn't just any day. It was Peter's 21st birthday, and today would also be the day she told him the truth. That she knew he was Spider-man, and how she understood that he was keeping her at arm's length to keep her safe. But it would be okay now, because she knew and she'd never tell a soul. And finally, finally, they could be together. "C'mon, Peter!" she cried smiling, and banging the door harder.

"I don't want any," he said, peering at her through the peep hole.

"Peter!" she cried, laughing.

He opened the door, and she ran to him and fastened her arms around his neck. "Happy birthday, tiger." She was engulfed in that feeling again. That feeling that made her heart beat fast, and a smile spread over her lips. The feeling of being in love.

"Thanks," he said. "You remembered."

"Of course I did." She grinned and held up a six-pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade. "You don't think you're going to be sober on your twenty-first birthday?"

Peter smiled and closed the door. "Wicked girl."

She grinned, and patted the portion of couch next to her. He took the seat next to her. She turned to him and smiled.

"I haven't seen you this happy in ages. Surely it can't be just my birthday?" he asked.

She shook her head. "It's something more than that."

"Care to explain?"

"Well, after I tell you, I'm sure you'll be just as happy as I am."

"Yesssss?" he asked, smiling.

"Well," she paused for dramatic effect, still smiling. "Peter, I know."

"You know what?"

"I KNOW." She said with a wink.

He arched a brow. "Mary Jane, did you stop by the bar on the way over?"

She laughed. "No! Peter, I know your secret."

Everything seemed to slow down for Peter. She couldn't possibly know he was Spider-man. He had been so careful. But then… Felicia knew… No, this wasn't good. This wasn't safe. "Everyone has secrets," he says. "which one of mine do you know?"

She turned her head both ways, and then whispered. "I know you're Spider-man."

That was it. His worst fears confirmed. "What!?"

"It's okay, I won't tell a soul. I swear."

"MJ, I'm not Spider-man."

"I know all of this time you've kept it from me because you want to keep me safe, and I love you for that, but that is not fair to us. And now that I know, we can be together."

"We can't. We just can't." Peter mumbled.

"Peter," she whispered. "Peter, please. I love you, and I know you love me."

"Sometimes love isn't enough," he whispered back.

"That day in the alley… when I kissed Spider-man, I was kissing you. I know it was you. The same gentle feeling I got the day in the cemetery, the same feeling I get every time I kiss you. Those lame excuses you keep making up for running out. The shape of your face, it's you!" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, you've got the wrong guy." He insisted.

Tears were filling her eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

"MJ," he said, taking her hand. "Your safety is all Spider-man cares about. He wouldn't be that great of a boyfriend, always running off late at night, and you would worry. But he does care deeply for you." And he was speaking on more than one level to her, trying to make her understand.

"I don't care!" she shouted. "Don't you see? I don't care what you are, all I know is that I love you." She paused. "Is it… that woman?"

"No," he said softly.

"Then what?"

He looked deep into her eyes. "I wish I could tell you… you don't know how I wish I did… but it's better you don't know."

"Y'know…" she said. "Since high school, I had a crush on you… and then it developed into something more. I wanted to talk to you, and be with you, but then I met Flash… and everything went crazy." She paused, and looked directly into his eyes. "I've been carrying that secret around with me for years. Maybe someday you can tell me yours."

"Mary Jane, if the world was perfect…" he started.

"I'll wait for you, tiger." She said. "Just promise me I have someone to wait for."

"I promise," he whispered.

"He's not present.

Still it's pleasant…"

She gave a small smile and rested her head against his chest. Soon she fell asleep, and Peter sat listening to her rhythmic breathing. God willing, he would keep his promise, and someday, they would be together.

"To just imagine that it's true."

The End