"That's right! Peter Parker is Spider-man!" Brock yelled.
Peter remained calm. He smiled innocently, "Me? Spider-man?"
"So let me get this straight." Jameson replied, "You're telling me that Spider-man is Parker."
"Yes! I saw him without his mask!"
"So you're telling me that wall-crawling menace is just some kid?" Jameson asked.
"Yes! He's right here!" Brock was becoming hysterical.
"You're crazy, Brock. You need help. Of all the ridiculous things you've said I think…" Jameson's rant was interrupted by Robbie.
Robbie wasn't ready to doubt Brock yet, "So how does he get the pictures?"
"He takes 'em of himself! That's how he always knows where Spider-man is! Don't you see? Jameson, you gotta believe me. This is big news." Brock pleaded.
Jameson's secretary interrupted the scene. She knocked lightly on the door. "Mr. Jameson, you have a call on line 1."
"Can't you see I'm busy here!" Jameson shouted back.
"It's important. It's on the line 1." She replied.
"I gotta take this." He said to the men in the room. He picked up the phone and said, "Hello? Uh, huh…I see…Thirty-first and Hampton, right. Thanks." After his conversation he slammed the phone down and looked smugly over at Brock.
"Well, Eddie. I just had an interesting conversation. Spider-man was just sighted at Thirty-first and Hampton. So how do you explain this? Does Parker have a twin?" Jameson asked sarcastically pointing at Peter.
"It can't be. It's gotta be fake. It's gotta be some sort of hoax…" Brock panicked.
"Yeah, I only give this phone number out to my most reliable sources. This tip is legit." Jameson responded. "I've had enough of your stunts Brock. Now get out of my office, all of you. I've wasted enough time. I've got real work to do."
"No! No Jameson! He tricked me! He did this! Let me go home, I've got proof, I swear! Parker must've stolen my photos on the way in." And Brock hysterically darted toward Parker pinning him up against the wall. Peter remained passive. He could have taken Brock out but he'd already won the real battle.
Robbie and Jameson attempted to pull Brock off of Peter. "Leave Parker alone!" Jameson demanded. "I've heard enough from you, Brock. You need help or something, and I've given you enough chances. Now get out! Don't make me call security."
Brock released his grip on Peter. But he pointed his finger and threatened, "I know your secret. I'm gonna get you and make you suffer."
"O.k." Peter replied meekly, holding back a laugh.
Robbie escorted Brock out of the office. "Look, man. Pull yourself together. If you need me I'm here for you." He put his arm around Eddie.
Eddie threw Robbie's arm aside and continued walking toward the elevators, his hands clenched in rage. He had proof at home. He was going to show Jameson the truth, even if he had to die trying.
"Eddie's a real nutcase. Should never have hired him. Now get back to work Parker. What am I paying you for? Bring me some real pictures of Spider-man. Off to Thirty-first and Hampton Street." Jameson waved his hand with insistence.
"Yes Mr. Jameson," Peter replied as he walked out of the office with a slight smile of triumph on his face.
Robbie watched Peter leave. Something wasn't right. Maybe Brock wasn't so crazy after all. Peter hadn't been able to explain how he got his pictures. But Peter, Spider-man? No, that was too outrageous. But Robbie thought they were connected and he vowed to look into it.
***
Harry couldn't understand it. M.J. just took off. Why would she come all this way to see him and leave without saying anything. He then noticed that the red light on his message machine was blinking. He played the message. And played it again. M.J. had heard this, this had to be why she left. Harry folded his hands and rested his chin upon them. He said to himself, "I may have missed this little meeting, but I think its time I give Mr. Brock a call."
***
M.J. was waiting for Peter in the lobby of the Daily Bugle. Peter walked confidently toward her, a solemn look on his face. "Did it work?" M.J. asked.
Peter smiled, "Yes. It worked beautifully. You did great, your call came at the perfect time. A friend of mine gave Jameson's secret phone number to me as a favor for saving his life. Jameson only gives it to a few of his most reliable sources that wish to remain anonymous. It certainly came in handy, today. Again, thanks. You helped keep my secret safe."
"You have to tell me all about it!" M.J. demanded.
"I will, but not here."
"Well, maybe we could get lunch. I do recall a certain someone promised to take me out for a cheeseburger." M.J. smiled.
"Sure, why not. I owe you one." Peter replied.
After lunch at a small restaurant down the street, M.J. and Peter talked as they strolled down an empty street. Peter explained exactly what had happened, how he'd been caught, who Brock was and how the events of the meeting turned out.
Mary Jane laughed, "You are so lucky I overheard that message. I've been over hearing a lot of messages concerning you lately. What would you do without me? I think we make a pretty good team."
Peter's smile faded. "M.J., don't misunderstand me. I appreciate your help, in fact I couldn't have done it without you. But we still can't be together. What I said before still stands. It's too dangerous."
M.J couldn't believe what she was hearing, "After everything that just happened! Peter, I saved you. Now you're telling me I can't see you anymore! That's crazy!"
"I'm sorry but it's too risky. I can't have a relationship. I'd be putting your life at risk. This is the sacrifice that I have to make."
Mary Jane furiously interrupted Peter, "I've heard this before. And I don't care! I'm sick of your talk about this 'sacrifice' of yours. What about me? Don't I have any say in it?"
"M.J.," Peter frowned. He hastened his footsteps, "Don't do this again. Don't make it more difficult. We can't be together. I don't want to put you in danger."
"Well maybe that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make." M.J. replied and grabbed Peter's hand pulling him toward her.
"What?" Peter asked.
"Maybe I'm willing to make that sacrifice. Maybe I'm willing to risk my life if it means we can be together."
"I don't want you to do that for me…" Peter replied.
"But don't you see, it's not up to you. It's my life. I understand the dangers but I love you and want to be with you. And nothing you say can stop me." M.J. insisted and she pulled Peter closer to her and attempted to kiss him. Peter pulled away reluctantly. "You need me," Mary Jane continued, "I can help. You've been careless and you're gonna need someone to help cover up, especially if anything like this happens again. It doesn't matter what you say, because whether you like it or not, I'm gonna be right by your side."
M.J. reached up a kissed Peter again, her hands around Peter's neck. Peter hesitated at first, but after a moment he considered M.J.'s proposition. Maybe he did need M.J.'s help. And it didn't seem like he was going to convince her otherwise. Peter's lips, warm from M.J. kiss, slipped into a smile. He then embraced M.J. and returned her kiss. No, he thought, this wouldn't be so bad after all.
The End
Note: So what did you think? I appreciate all comments and criticism. Character development was probably a little weak and the story was a bit sappy. But I think my work is improving. I left it open for a sequel. If enough people show interest, I might continue it. Thanks!