Eddie Brock stood in virtual darkness, huddled over photographic chemicals. His darkroom was his bathroom as well. Times were not good for Brock. He desperately needed these pictures to turn out. If he didn't get his job back soon he wouldn't be able to pay the rent.
"Come on, come on." Brock said to himself as he impatiently waited for the image to appear on the paper. With in seconds, a figured developed. He squinted but in the dark he had trouble interpreting exactly what was in the photo. It was obviously a person, but it didn't look like Spider-man. He could tell the quality of the photo was good but he couldn't make out the details. He'd just have to wait until it had finished developing.
Several minutes later, Brock took his picture out into the light for closer inspection. He couldn't believe what he saw.
"Holy shit!" Brock said aloud. He almost dropped the picture when he realized what was before him. Not only was it proof of Spider-man's identity. Spider-man was none other than Peter Parker. Brock shook his head over and over in disbelief. "No way, no way can this be true."
He took a closer look and sure enough it was Parker clinging to a wall in a way only Spider-man can. "I can't believe this kid is Spider-man! But it makes sense. That's how he's always getting the pictures of him. Wait till Jameson finds out. Spider-man's been working for him all along."
Brock had just picked up the phone and was about to dial Jameson's cell phone. But he thought about it for a minute. It was past midnight and Jameson was not the kind of person you wanted to wake. This was breaking news, but Jameson probably wouldn't believe him. He'd have to show him the truth. But the cards were now in Brock's hands. He got to make the rules. "We're just gonna have to have a little press conference tomorrow."
After developing a few more photos, Brock went to bed. He slept more soundly than he ever had before, dreaming of himself defeating Spider-man.
***
Mary Jane lay awake in her bed. Why couldn't things work out for her? It seemed she was destined to be alone. Her family life was less than perfect and she'd had some pretty rough relationships before. Now she'd found the one person she could envision spending the rest of her life with, but he would not have her.
She replayed the scene over and over again in her mind. Her mere presence seemed to bring pain to Peter. Maybe he was right, maybe it would be better to just avoid each other. She was losing Peter's friendship as well as his love.
"Maybe I should just run away." She thought to herself. New York was a big city but Spider-man seemed to constantly watch the entire city. Broadway would just have to wait. "I could try television or movies, move to California. I could get a gig with commercials and work my way up to the top. That would be great. It's just as good as Broadway." She tried to deceive herself. But instead she broke down crying. There was no use denying her dream: she wanted to stay in New York and succeed with Peter by her side.
"But what other options do I have? Every time I read about Spider-man in the news I'll be reminded of Peter. I have to leave." And she vowed tomorrow to apologize to Harry and set off to Hollywood with a clean conscience.
***
The next morning, M.J. rang the doorbell to the Osborn estate. She'd never been to Harry's mansion before. She felt that he was ashamed of it. Although Harry revered his father, especially after his death, he also hated him. He wasn't like him, the money and power weren't as important to him. But things were beginning to change.
A butler answered the door, "How may I help you, Miss."
"I'm here to see Harry."
"Mr. Osborn is very busy at the moment. He has a great deal of business to attend to and he asked not to be disturbed."
"Tell him Mary Jane is here to see him. It's really important. I've got to see him." Mary Jane begged.
"I'll tell him you stopped by." The butler replied curtly. He began to shut the door.
"No, wait! Please, I need to apologize to him. I really need to see him and explain. Please." Mary Jane pleaded. She was close to tears. The idea of moving away had upset her terribly. She'd been heartless to Harry for nothing. Peter didn't love her. She did feel guilty about Harry, she hadn't meant for it to turn out this way.
M.J. was surprised to see a change in the Butler's demeanor. His eyebrows perked up with curiosity as she begged to see Harry. "Maybe he can find a moment to speak with you, Miss Watson."
M.J. was confused. She didn't recall giving her last name. But the butler motioned for her to come in. She was escorted through the ornately decorated hallways. She couldn't believe Harry had grown up in this house, it was a castle yet it felt cold and empty. The butler showed her to a study. He knocked on the door. From the other side of the door she recognized Harry's voice, "Come in."
The butler opened the door and let her in. Harry looked up and a look of anger flashed across his face. He looked at Mary Jane and then to the butler.
"Giles! I thought I told you that I wasn't seeing anyone today, especially not her. I told you not to let her in." Harry screamed. M.J. had never seen Harry so angry. It scared her.
"Sir, I felt that under the circumstances…" The butler began to protest.
"I don't care what you thought! That's not your job. You let me do the thinking. M.J., you wait here. We'll talk later." He said with no compassion in his voice, "First I need to make a few things clear with Giles." Harry lead Giles out of the room and he slammed the door behind him. M.J. wasn't sure what to do. This was not the kind of mood she had hoped to find Harry in.
"I guess I better stay," M.J. thought to herself. She wondered around the Harry's desk looking at the pictures of Harry and Mr. Osborn. Suddenly the phone rang. M.J. certainly wasn't about to answer it. She let it ring. The answering machine picked up and a gruff but excited voice was recorded. "Harry. Guess you're not in. I've got big news about Spider-man. I'm gonna have a little meeting later today about my discovery and I think you'd like to be there. It'll be at the Daily Bugle at 1:00 today. Oh, you might want to bring your friend Peter Parker. Yes, definitely bring him. He wouldn't want to miss it."
To be continued…
The story is nearing the end. Thanks to all my loyal readers out there. Your reviews are what keep me going. I hope you liked this chapter. The next one is on it's way.