ONE

To see you when I wake up is a gift I didn't think could be real

To know that you feel the same way as I do is a 3-fold Utopian dream

*I Miss You-Incubus*

Rejection is the bitterest word in the entire English vocabulary. And Mary Jane tasted it the moment Peter turned away from her at the cemetery. Imagine confessing your love, baring your innermost feelings to someone you thought for sure felt the same way towards you since 4th grade. Then imagine hearing him tell you that all he wants to be is your friend.

But Mary Jane wasn't going to give him up easily. No, she was going to show him that she meant every word she said.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Mary Jane stepped off the lift, she straightened her jacket and tucked a strand of errant red hair behind her ears. Taking a deep breath, she rang the doorbell to Peter's apartment. *Courage don't leave me now* she told herself.

Peter staggered to the front door, sneezing a couple of times. *This is ridiculous. Spiders don't catch a cold!* He thought, gloomily. When he opened the door, he couldn't believe who he saw. It was the last person he had expected to see and the only person he really wanted to see.

"MJ! What are you doing here?" He exclaimed. His voice sounded nasal.

"In New York, people usually say hi at the door." Mary Jane smiled at him. Her heart ached to see how awful he looked-red-nosed, bleary-eyed. "Heard from Aunt May you caught the flu bug. So I thought I'd drop by to visit my little red-nosed reindeer with something to warm up his heart." She added, waving the red thermos at him.

"Thanks." Peter replied, genuinely grateful.

"None of that. Friends look out for each other." Mary Jane said, as she walked into the apartment.

*O.K. Maybe this will need more than just looking* she told herself. The whole place looked as though it had just hosted a soccer riot. Books and notes were strewn all over the table. Clothes were carelessly tossed to one side. Some dishes were piled in the sink-unwashed.

"Sorry about the mess." Peter apologized, sheepishly.

"My mom used to say that guys are allergic to housework." Mary Jane grinned.

She made sure that Peter was comfortably rested in an easy chair before she went to heat up the soup she brought. While waiting, she cleaned up some of the mess. By the time she was finished, the room had some semblance of a living quarter. Peter leaned back and watched her.

*You know you're insane to let go of a girl like her, Parker. Which normal guy wouldn't kill for her?* His conscience nagged him

*I'm not an ordinary guy. It might sound crazy but if hurting her in this manner will keep her safe and alive…so be it.* Peter thought.

*Safe forever? Is that really up to you to choose?* This doubt gnawed at his mind.

"Earth to Pete!" He heard her calling. She was holding something that looked and smelled heavenly in front of him. But what he would really want to have right now is Mary Jane Watson.

"I'm feeling much better already. You really shouldn't have bothered. You must be dead-tired from your work and classes." Peter said.

"Peter Parker! Is it so difficult for you to allow other people to care for you?" Mary Jane asked.

Peter just smiled.

"Even superheroes need a break." Mary Jane said.

Peter's head shot up, his eyes widened quizzically. He could hear his heart beating fast. *She knows?* He thought fearfully.

"And you're just an ordinary fella." She added.

Peter heaved a sigh of relief.

They made small talk after that and inevitably their talks turned towards Harry. Harry-Peter's best friend in high school and Mary Jane's ex- boyfriend. Harry-whose father was 'stolen' by Spiderman. The guilt of Norman Osborn's death still hang like a guillotine over Peter. Although he repeatedly told himself over and over again that Norman/Green Goblin had every intention to kill him with the Glider, he still feel responsible for his death in some ways.

"All I know he's still hellbent to avenge his father's death." Peter sighed.

"One day he'll learn the truth." Mary Jane said.

*And I am afraid it'll be too much for him to handle.* Peter thought.

When Mary Jane left the apartment, there was a bright smile on her face. She was glad she made the choice in coming to visit him. *You're right, Peter Parker. There's so much to tell. So much to discover about each other. I just want to be there to hear the whole story.* She thought.