The Tangled Webs We Weave

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Chapter 3- Spider Support

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Mary Jane grabbed her phone from the desk it was resting on and shakily typed in the number for Harry and Peter's apartment. Her finger hovered over the last number for a moment.

Its like 3am, I can't call them now, Peter and Harry won't be up… but I have no-one else to turn to in the city and I really need to talk. I hope Pete will talk to me after I've been giving him the cold shoulder lately, oh god…here goes. She tapped the last button and heard the steady ring of the tone.

She hoped it was Peter even with their awkwardness, it was worse with Harry with the break-up, they hadn't been able to look at each other straight since.

"…Hello?" A tired but unmistakable Peters voice croaked down the phone at her.

"Peter, it MJ, look I…I'm (sniffle) really scared, something bad has happened, I know its late but…could you come over (sniff) please?" She mewled plaintively.

"…Sure, I'll be right round." Peter yawned his response. He could hear the fear and desperation in her voice, even without his spidey sense. He hadn't really been able to get to sleep that well anyway, his dreams were plagued with haunting figures and he was glad to dispel them back to his subconscious for as long as possible.

Pulling on some sweatpants and a t-shirt followed by sneakers and a slightly worn out brown trenchcoat he grasped his keys and stumbled out of the apartment.

The night air was cool and unforgiving as it rushed in to meet him as he walked out of the building and swung open the door to his newly acquired car he'd finally managed to buy with Bugle savings.

He parked his car outside MJ's apartment building and checked a local newsstand on the way past.

Wall Crawler comes unstuck, Spidey slips up, NY's hero looks like a zero, Spiderman Shocker: Has Spidey met his match?

Newspaper headlines glared accusingly up at him with their words.

What? Do these guys wait behind corners to see the exact second I slip up? Peter frowned picking up a copy of the Bugle and examining the rather embarrassing photo of him on his back.

Looks like I'm not the only photographer who can get good pictures of me for the Bugle, aint that a stinker. He tossed the paper back down and slunk up to MJ's apartment his spirits less than high.

He knocked wearily on the door and MJ opened it a crack and peered out cautiously as if she was expecting someone to grab her and attack her. She visibly relaxed when she realised it was Peter.

"Hey Peter, come in. Thanks so much for coming, specially at this hour." She smiled weakly and rubbed her eyes with a hand.

"Uh, sure, you wanna tell me why I'm here?"

Mary Jane hesitated a moment, as if contemplating whether or not to let Peter in on her secret. After a few seconds she ran off into the kitchen and came back with a piece of paper in her hand.

"Isn't it a bit junior high to be passing notes?" Peter tried to quip but MJ was obviously not in the mood. She shoved it into his hands and then took a long swig from the coffee cup still steaming on her coffee table.

Peter scanned it with his tired eyes and then as it registered, they widened with shock as he re read the note. His expression darkened.

"Where was it? Who sent this to you?"

"That's the problem, I don't know." Mary Jane said darkly. "I just came home and it was pinned on my wall by this." And she held up the small knife which was wrapped in a napkin to preserve any fingerprints that may have been on there.

"My god MJ, this is serious, have you called the cops?"

"Not yet I was too scared, I didn't know what to do. Oh god Pete, It was here, pinned up here. Someone had been into my house, through my things, in this room… it's horrible." Her shoulders started shaking as she broke down into hysterical sobs, the fear and realization and gravity of the whole situation finally dawned on her.

Peter crossed to where she sat and enveloped her in a tight, protective hug, silently rocking her back and forth until her cries subsided. She looked up and him, puffy eyed and snivelling. Peter's heart melted and he hugged her once more.

"Shh, its okay MJ I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you. Now c'mon try and tell me a little more. What time did you come in?"

"Ab-bout 2? Maybe later?" She sniffled.

"Okay, did you move anything?"

"Only the phone and the coffee cups and machine." Was the response.

"Good, look we need to call the police okay MJ, and tell them what happened, they'll probably need to search the place okay, and I don't think you should be left alone, come and stay at ours tonight yeah?"

Mary Jane looked up at him gratefully, and not without a hint of longing.

"T-T-Thanks Peter, this means a lot to me."

"Any time." He smiled at her, his heart aching for her and for them or the lack thereof. He was aware how close their faces were, and Mary Jane's eyes held a silent plea that was all too visible. He found himself leaning in closer to her until their noses were almost touching and MJ closed her eyes in anticipation.

"Well!" Peter jumped up and away, snapping her out of her daze and bringing her back to reality with a crash. "I better call the police." He strode to the phone in the kitchen on slightly wobbly legs.

Damn it Parker why didn't you just kiss her, you both wanted it, why does it have to be this way. I want her more than anything, why can't we be together, all because I have to protect her…and myself. I'm such a fool. Peter mentally scolded himself, fuming at his own weaknesses. He snatched up the phone and dialled 911.

"Hey there's been a bit of an incident at 741 Davies Street, Fifth Avenue, yeah that's the one. Breaking and entering and a threatening letter. A little earlier tonight, no she was out all she found was a note when she got back. Yeah. Okay thank you very much officer." Peter put the phone back down and walked back to MJ.

"I know you're tired but they're gonna send some officers round to interview you and check the place out, then you can stay with me tonight okay?"

Mary Jane nodded weakly, wiping the last remnants of her tears away with her finger.

"Okay, they should be round soon. Let me make you another coffee."

"Thanks Peter."

"Oh and MJ, don't worry they'll catch this creep, and you know Spiderman wont rest until he's found him and brought him to justice. And neither will I."

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Okay I had to end it somewhere this seemed good enough. Thoughts, comments? Thanks very much for coming to read this and getting this far, please review and tell me what you think? Pwetty pwease? Okay enough grovelling, JUST REVIEW!

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