Changes Chapter Fourteen, a spider-man fanfic

Kristina got home from work later than she had hoped....so much for doing something with Peter....she had the night, so that was okay.

The next morning, Kristi had to leave for work sooner than she would have liked...8:30. She had to open the shop. She couldn't have lunch with Peter because his lunch break was at 12:00 while hers was at 1:00.

Kristina turned on her cd player and put it on shuffle before looking in her closet for something to wear. She started swaying to the hard guitar sounds that came from the speakers.

The film they show is
sad and boring
The morning shot from a
diving bell

Forgetting you is like
breathing water
There's got to be a
better way

Dynamite.....

Her mind was plagued with many things. It seemed to suffer little or no peace at all. Her mother's death was probably one of the biggest blows dealt to her in her life, besides her father's death. Everything felt funny. It felt like life had been building up to a big climax and her mother's death was turning point for it to go downhill.

A thing you said once
made me wonder
What can go away as
fast as love

First the light and
then the thunder
I've been up all night and I
got it now

Dynamite....

She was planning on getting some Notre Dame football tickets for when they played Maryland for Peter's birthday. The game was being held in New York, so that turned out perfectly. Those tickets didn't run cheap either...$125 per ticket. She could wait until the last minute to get them, but those tickets usually sold out quickly.

She had already been planning it and had the tickets on stand-by. Kristina pulled her newly slicked hair back into a loose ponytail. She called her cousin in Indiana, who goes to Notre Dame, and asked him to get a big card for her and ask the coach if he could get the players to sign it. He'd love them...she was sure of it. For not being very sports oriented, Peter sure liked watching college football. Wrapping the dark hair slowly, she made a bun. She placed a hand on her hair to keep it in place while the other scouted her dresser for bobby-pins.

All day I
did things slowly
I walked in circles

round your home

I had something to add to the things

you showed me
I've got it here under
neath my coat

Dynamite

Kristi made a quick glance around her room before exiting. When she reached her front door, she nearly stumbled over something....flowers. Roses to be exact. Kristi bent down and picked the bouquet up. They were beautifully laced with purple on the outer edges, white petals with faint yellow mixed in. She brought them inside.

Pulling a white card out, it read, "For you after your mother's departure. Wrapped delicately with care." Her brown eyes fell onto the wrapping. The roses were wrapped tightly not in plastic wrap, but some sort of weird tissue paper. There seemed to be moisture leaking from it. When she tried to pry it open, she cut herself. She made a quick yelp as she removed the flowers carefully from her hand, the thorns still inside of her skin. Promptly she dropped them while inspecting her hand. Her index finger and palm on her right hand were bleeding... a lot

She walked quickly to the kitchen and grabbed a paper towel. Wiping her hand, she applied pressure to the cuts to stop the bleeding. From what she could see, it was a pretty deep cut. How could rose thorns make such a deep cut? "Why were they still on there?"she asked out loud. Glimpsing at the clock, she saw that if she stuck around any longer, she'd be late. Opening a few drawers, she pulled out some band aids, placing a small one around her finger and a big one on her palm. She quickly cleaned off any remaining blood and headed for the door. Using her paper towel, she picked up the roses and placed them on the coffee table. She then left for work.

The day was long and strenuous. Five girls were having a sweet sixteen party and all the people going were recommended to go none other than where Kristi worked. It was well past one and the shop was still busy. Not only was there a sweet sixteen party, but a wedding with dresses that needed to be picked up and adjustments that needed to be made. So much to do....

Kristina gripped her head with one hand as she squinted her eyes tightly. The bride had brought in her five-year-old cousin to try on her flower dress. This particular five year old did not like the color sky blue. "But honey, this is what cousin Amanda has as one of the colors in her wedding," a short woman said pleadingly.

"I don't care! I don't like blue! Why can't you be like Cinderella when she was with her mean sissy's and have a pink dress for me!" the little blonde girl whined. She started hopping up and down. "I WANT PIIIIINNNKKK!" Her small pudgy hands threw the dress down.

The short brunette gripped her own head. Bending down quickly to pick up the dress, Amanda said, "Kaleigh Anne Sanchez, you know better than throwing down clothes!"

Kaleigh began to hop up and down again. "I want PINK!" she wailed at the top of her lungs.

Kristi squinted her eyes once more as the pounding in her head began to increase. Amanda sighed loudly as she licked her bottom lip. Turning to Kristi, she said quickly, "I'm terribly sorry for this. She's never misbehaved so badly before."

Kristi shook her head. "That's okay...but do you think you can get her to keep it down some? I'm not trying to be rude, but there are other people in here."

"I totally understand." Amanda turned to Kaleigh. "Kaleigh...you'll look just like a princess...remember, you're gonna have the tiara and-" A loud sound of wails came up again. "Kaleigh stop it!"

"No, I won't look like a princess! All the other princesses don't got blue dresses!"

Kristi jumped in quickly. "No...Princess Aurora had a blue dress." Her tired eyes eyed the small dress. "It looked just like this one."

"Who is princess Ar-ora?" she pronounced.

"Aurora is the princess in Sleeping Beauty. Have you seen that movie?" She bobbed her blond head. "Didn't she look pretty?"

Her little lips said quickly, "Uh huh! Can I be princess Ar-ora?" she asked while looking back at her cousin.

"You sure can, but you won't be able to if you keep acting bad."

"I won't be bad no more. I promise."

Amanda sighed loudly. "Thank you...so much."

Kristi just shook her head slowly. "It's no problem. I have a little cousin who is going through a blue phase and she used Sleeping Beauty."

"Thank you so much..." Amanda looked back to the little girl. "C'mon, you have to try this on okay?" The girl nodded her head.

Kristi said quickly, "Just tell me if you need any help." She watched them make their way to the dressing room. Turning around quickly, she saw some people standing at the register, the register that Amy was not tending.... Her head was hurting like crazy. Katie was in back getting some of the dresses and Carla and Myra were off with three of the sweet sixteen girls and their mothers. It seemed like everyone else was at lunch or at home: Beth, Ashley and Tanisha. Kristi made her way to the register.

"It's about time we've gotten some service," the woman in front said sassily. Kristi gritted her teeth as she heard the words leave the woman's mouth. Some people really did have some nerve, especially when they saw that they were busy with only four people.

Breathing in deeply, Kristi plastered a smile on her face as she looked up. "Did you find everything you needed?"

"Yes, and some things I did not need." She hastily shoved her items toward Kristi. "Let me just be the one to complain about the slowness of this shop and the mere fact that you can't control some of your customers." She scoffed. "Allowing them to bring in their children in here when they are going to rant and rave like nobody's business!" Kristi smiled to herself at that thought. If this wasn't the pot calling the kettle black... "That is just horrible business and I for one will not recommend this place."

Kristi scanned the shoe box quickly while placing it into a bag when she sniffled. "If you have a problem or complaint, please, feel free to call the shop manager." Kristi stopped talking for a moment to hold her nose. She promptly sneezed, turning her head away from the rowdy customer. "Excuse me," she said with a quick sniffle.

"I should say! That Carla girl, I don't even know if you could call it help, did not even stay with me to make sure everything was okay."

That didn't sound like Carla. "Did you tell her you wanted her to stay?"

"No."

"Did you say you needed anything else?"

"No. I said I didn't, but the mere fact that she went off to go to someone else speaks magnitudes!"

Kristi restrained her eyes from rolling. The last thing she needed was for this woman to get on her about that too."But you needed no help, ma'am."

"She is here to serve me!"

Kristi stopped punching in buttons long enough to look the woman in the face. "Excuse me ma'am, but we are not here to serve you, we are here to assist you. And your total is $128.73."

"I think I should get a discount for being treated so badly," she said while writing a check hastily. "You shouldn't even been so flippant."

"Look, would you quit your complaining, pay and get out of here. There are other people here too, you know!" a woman said from the line.

The woman looked up quickly and turned her head quickly. Turning her head back to her check, she tore it out and put it on the counter. Kristi cleared her throat for a moment. "Have a nice day." The woman scoffed, grabbed her bags and strode out of the store quickly. Kristi breathed heavily. She could only hope the rest of the day wouldn't go like this.

"Don't pay any attention to her." Kristi reopened to her eyes to some kind gray ones looking back at her. They belonged to a small elderly woman who was holding some shoes. "You're doing a fine job."

Kristi gave her a small smile. "Thank you. It's kind of hard since we're short handed today. It feels like everyone in New York is buying something from here." There were only two other customers with complaints, none as bad as the first one though. Kristi stayed at the register until it was all clear, which took thirty minutes.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and she whirled around. "You can take a break Kris."

Kristi exhaled loudly. "Amy, where were you! You were supposed to be here," she glimpsed at her watch, "twenty minutes ago! We were completely swamped!"

Amy's eyes wondered around the full shop. "Still looks it."

Kristi chuckled while she shook her head slowly. "Oh no...it was worst....screaming five year olds, angry customers who think we are servants." She rubbed her temples carefully. "You really lucked out."

"Well me and Tanisha are here, you can take your break."

"No, I'll wait for a couple of the people to clear out and then-" Achoo!, "then I take a break."

Amy looked at Kristi's slumped form. "Kris, go get somethin' to eat. We got it."

Kristina nodded her head submissively, too tired to fight. She proceeded to the back room where the refrigerator was. Pulling out her salad and fork, she plopped down into one of the brown chairs and placed her elbows on the table. She took her packet of salad dressing off of the salad and tore the top open slowly.

She placed her palm to her head and gripped her forehead as she poured the creamy caesar dressing over the crisp lettuce. She wasn't hungry, though she knew she should be. She skipped breakfast and it was well approaching 2:30. She lifted her plastic fork and stuck it into the green leaves. She took a bite of it. Lettuce never tasted so good....it was so cold and the dressing was tangy. It felt great, until she worked it down her throat. It was hard to swallow the bits, so she got up and got a plastic cup with some water in it. She attempted to eat again. It was 2:46 when she looked at the clock again. She hadn't eaten half of the salad and she had no appetite at all. Pushing the Tupperware container aside, she placed her head onto her arms, letting part of her face hit the cool surface of the table.

"Kristi?"

Her brown eyes looked up drowsily. "Hmm?"

It was Myra speaking to her. Myra was a staggering 6'1 Hispanic girl with a small Italian accent. Kristi always was puzzled as how that came about. "Are you okay Kris? You don't looka so good."

Kristi sniffled again. "I don't feel so good either."

Myra reached over and placed her large palm on Kristi's forehead. "Girl, you got a fever."

Kristi sniffled again. "Nu-uh, your hands are freezing."

Myra shook her head. "No, you are justa really warm."

Kristi slowly raised her head. Sighing she said quickly, "Myra, I'm fine."

"Yeah, yeah," Myra said as she rolled her eyes at Kristi's form. Taking Kristi's plastic cup, she refilled it with water. Placing it back onto the table, she said warmly, "Take care of yourself, hmm?"

"I will." Myra was always the one in the group who was always worried about everybody's health. "Thanks for the water."

"No problem," she said as she walked out the back door. "Tell Carla that I'm going to Wendy's and that I'll pick her up something."

Kristi nodded slowly as she placed her head back onto the table. "Okay."

"Hey Kris?" Kristi lifted her head once more. "Justa think, you have tomorrow and Sunday off to get some resta."

Kristi bobbed once in her seat. "That was my jump for joy. No sarcasm intended, I promise." Kristi reached for the cup of water and took another swig of it.

It was eight that night when Kristi closed the shop up. Her head still hurt her, a constant drumming in her head. She didn't bother to take off her clothes when she got home. She went straight to her room, laid down on her canopy bed, and placed her head on the cold, silk sheets. For a moment, there was peace....

Then the phone rang.

A small groan escaped her lips as she reached for the ringing object. "Hello?" she croaked out.

"Kris!" Peter said with enthusiasm until it registered in his mind that she did not sound so good. "Are you okay?"

"I guess so," she said with a sniffle. "I think I caught something."

Peter knew Kristi's eating habits weren't the best thing in the world since her mother's death. It would be no real surprise to him if she did have something. "Do you want me to come by?"

"No...I'll be all right I think." She sat up slowly in her bed and hugged a pillow. "It's probably something that some sleep can cure."

It didn't sound like it was tiredness...it sounded like a cold. "Are you coming out tonight?" The last thing she probably needed was to come out as Black Rose in the New York air. Who knows, maybe some air was what she needed. He had already been concocting a speech in his head for when she said yes, because he knew she would.

"I'll try to."

Trying not to give her a lecture, he shortened everything to two sentences. "Okay, well I'll talk to you later. Don't stay out too late...get some rest."

She held her hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn. "Yes sir..."

Dazed state of mind and she STILL had jokes. "Bye Kris."

"Bye Pete." Click. Peter was beginning to worry about her. It seemed that lately she had been running herself ragged or something. There was always something she was doing. She probably just ran her body down from stress.

Kristina stayed out only until 11. She was in no condition to be swinging or doing anything in the air when she could barely think straight. There was one point where her webbing didn't come out of her right wrist and she did a free fall that is, until her left webbing caught a building. She chalked it up to exhaustion. She went home and peeled all of her clothes off except for her sports bra. She grabbed some boxers, slipped them on, and crawled under her sheets. Her hot skin, sticky from sweat made because of fever, felt like it was scorching her silky sheets. Everything felt so cold against her skin, everything just felt cold, but she was sweating all night.

Peter had to be at work for 11 that Saturday morning. He got up at nine to get ready for work. He wanted to see Kristi before he left. He had already called to make sure she was there and she sounded so pitiful. It only made him speed up...

Peter reached her floor and walked to her door. She told him she'd have the door unlocked.

He pulled the door open and glimpsed around the room. "Kris?" He heard a faint cough coming from the upstairs section. His foot steps padded across the carpeted steps. Reaching her bedroom, the door was already slightly cracked. Knocking softly, he said quickly, "Kris?"

Kristina was laying on her futon with her head at a weird angle, staring at her ceiling. She made a small cough. Turning her head to the soft knocking, she said, "Hey Pete."

Peter stepped into the dimly lit room. She had her Christmas lights on and her curtains drawn to block out the sun. He could hear the soft melody from Prince's Diamonds and Pearls. Hearing her make a soft sigh, he walked slowly to her stretched out form. He knelt down next to her and peered at her. He could only imagine how she felt. In July, he caught some sort of bug and she was there to play Nurse Joy, so...he decided to play nurse...Joe. "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" he said humorously.

She squinted her eyes for a moment for good measure. "Sore eyes, you got that right." Her eyes did hurt from the bright light. Her headache increased with every extra watt of light that entered her room it seemed.

Taking her hand, he started to stroke it slightly. "What happened?"

She shrugged her limp shoulders while shifting her body weight to make room for him to sit down. "I dunno. Looks like a bug."

He took his palm and placed it on her forehead. He felt her shrink back slightly from the shock of what felt like, icy fingers on her hot forehead. Her skin was clammy and warm. "It's probably because of the change in weather." The weather had been changing quickly, cold fronts then rain, then 80 degrees. Nathan and Marie had been out with bugs since the weather shifted.

She coughed to clear her throat. "Maybe so."

"Maybe you should take a lukewarm shower...to cool you off some."

"I've already taken two today. I took some Tylenol and drank three glasses of water. I'm hoping the Tylenol will kick in soon."

His cerulean eyes stayed on her form. She was looking smaller and smaller it seemed, ever since her mother died. Every time he got sick when he was little, he always wished his mother could take care of him. He loved Aunt May and she was and is like a mother to him...but there is just something about a mother's touch. He sighed softly before laying down next Kristi and draping an arm around her. He could only imagine that she had been wanting her mother with her, just to hold her... His strong left hand slowly massaged her stomach. Her ab muscles were emitting so much heat through her black camisole. He scooted his right arm underneath her and pulled her closer to him as he nuzzled his head against her sweatier one. He murmured, "I'm sorry..."

By instinct she scooted next to him and sighed. "What are you sorry for?"

His eyes stayed on a Christmas light bulb. "Cause...you got sick."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Please...don't apologize for that."

He shrugged his shoulders while wiping some sweat from her head. She did feel really warm. He shifted his body once more in order to prop himself up. Staring at her brown eyes he asked quickly, "Do you want anything?"

She sighed slowly as she heard Anita Baker's Sweet Love, come onto her speakers. She shook her head slowly while closing her eyes. "No, I'm okay." Peter shook his head at her. She was always saying she was all right. When would she ever admit that she needed something?

His eyes fell on her closed ones. He sighed. It amazed him how peaceful and beautiful she looked to him even in a sickly state. He leaned down and kissed her closed eyes, the right one and then left. His lips moved to the tip of her semi flat nose, and finally to her lips. When he pulled his face up, he saw a small grin on her face. "You better stop before you get sick again."

Peter shrugged his shoulders as he laid his head into her shoulder. "I'd risk getting sick from you any day...."

She gave a small chuckle as she patted his hand. "Don't make that day be today though..."

"As you wish." They just laid there together for a while with only Kristi's coughs and the soothing music of her mixed CD as the only sounds in the room. If Peter a year ago could have seen him today, he wouldn't have thought it was the same person. Showing affection was something that was so out of his league, so out of his grasp that it seemed funny that he would be experiencing this now. He never hugged a girl like this, he never laid with one like this, he'd never been in one's bedroom, with the exception of his cousin Ann, until now. He could almost grin to himself. He could remember many times when those thoughts were just delusions from his post pubescent mind.

He loved it...he loved every minute of it.

It was an incredible thing to experience something like this fully, for the first time in his life. It wasn't just the fact that he was with someone, he was with Kristi...HIS Kristi. It was euphoria. He never wanted to think of a moment when he wouldn't have this feeling in his life...the thought would devastate him, the action would crush him.

Kristina loved being in Peter's arms. There was just something about his arms that made everything feel good and safe. She felt good about everything around her. Being with him brought that out. She never hung out with people. That number was relatively zero with the exception of Peter and the girls from work and the occasional person in her class. Peter was probably her rock...one of the few things she could depend on and one of the only things in the world that she really did cherish. She would do anything to protect him...

Peter glimpsed at his watch. It was already 10:35. "Kris?"

Her eyes were closed, inhaling deeply. "Hmm?"

"I gotta go to work."

Kristi yawned slowly, trying to hide her disappointment. "O...kay." She reopened her eyes to the sounds of Peter shifting to get up. She watched with lazy eyes as he stood up and straightened his clothes and smoothed his hair down. She made a small smile. Damn he was cute.....

He felt her eyes on him. When he looked down, he raised an eyebrow. "What are you smiling at?"

She shifted her body so she would be laying on her side. "You."

"What? Do I have a cowlick or somethin?" He went to her mirror and smoothed down his hair, looking for any strands standing up.

Kris sat up on the futon and turned her head to one side to watch him. "No...you're just too freaking cute."

His cheeks flushed as he turned around to face her. Taking a quick bow, he said, "Well thank ya. Even sickly looking, you still look the same."

Her brown eyes got big. "I always look this bad? Pete, why didn't you-" Achoo! "Why didn't you tell me?"

He shook his head at her while he made his way back to her. Sitting down again, he wrapped his arms around her. Rubbing her back, he said softly, "Poor thing...take it easy huh?" Pulling his head away from her shoulder, he said sternly, "Make sure you eat something okay? Get some soup. Do you have some?" She nodded her head. "Okay...well make sure you fix yourself some. And drink lots of water. I'll come by to check on you when I get off of work."

She did not deserve someone like him..."Aren't you suppose to be going to a season opener football game or something tonight with Harry?"

His hand was on her cheek. "I can cancel-"

Her eyes widened. "You goober! Don't you dare!"she exclaimed as she smacked a pillow in his face.

He smiled brightly as he moved her arm and pinned it behind her. "I don't care that much for foozball except for Irish foozball."

"Lady Notre Dame..." she replied in a sing song voice. "I know, but look, don't miss that cause of me. If you do, I swear I'll give you pure hell," she said while pointing a finger in his chest.

He widened his blue eyes innocently. "I'll get hell for coming by to take care of you?"

"Yeah," she said matter-of-factly.

"Where's the gratitude!"

She tilted her head into his palm. "You deserve to go out. It'll be me and Campbell's. Good stuff really."

"Okay..." he said distantly. "Well, take care of yourself."

He leaned in to give her a quick peck on her lips. Biting her bottom lip she said innocently, "Don't I always?"

He gave her a kiss on the head before standing up completely. "Apparently not if you're sick like this."

She dropped her jaw. "It's not my fault! These germies came out of no where."

"Bye Kris."

She coughed for a second. "Bye Peter. Play nicely with the rest of kids."

"Oh I will!" he said as he closed the door.

Kristina was sick all day Saturday and Sunday. When Monday rolled around, it was as though nothing was wrong with her. 64 hour bug maybe? Who knows. But one thing that did leave things not normal was her right hand. Her palm and index finger began to not stick to walls. It would sometimes, it wouldn't other times. A week later, they stopped all together. One day later, her whole right hand stopped sticking to walls. Three days later, the webbing stopped coming from her wrist. She already discussed this with Peter, who was at a loss of words. They had no where to go with this. It happened so subtly that there was no real evidence. Kristi decided to go for help, but who could she trust?

None other than Doctor Thomas Morris.

He agreed to come to her house at six o'clock. She had already explained everything to him on the phone. She was going to meet Peter for lunch at two at CC's to tell him about her getting help from Mr. Morris.

Kristi was sitting in a booth tapping her foot incessantly. Catherine, Cathy to those who know her, came up to her, giving Kristi her regular cappuccino. "Hey Kris, Peter called to say he can't come. They got caught up in an interview."

Kristi slumped her shoulders some. "Okay...thanks Cathy."

Cathy smiled genuinely at her. "Wish I had a man who called the place to tell me he was going to be late." Kristi smiled back to her, a small blush creeping on her cheeks. She was lucky...she was very lucky. "Do you want to order anyway?"

"Um sure. I'll have a turkey sandwich with everything."

"Alright, it shouldn't take too long."

Kristi turned her head back to her cappuccino. She prayed Mr. Morris could figure something out. She was sure he could. He never let her down before.

A man with shifty eyes made his way into the café. Glimpsing around the room, he finally spotted her. Sitting alone....perfect.

Kristi felt eyes on her, so she lifted her head slowly. Her spider sense wasn't going off...He was rather tall, with a long trench coat on and a bag over his shoulder. He stopped at her table and stared down at her after promptly looking around him to make sure he wasn't followed. "Kristina Devun?"

She looked at him warily. "Yes. Can I help you?"

Looking around swiftly, he turned his head back to her. "It's not what you can do for me...it's what I can do for you."

What I can do for you? Sounded like something from a mob movie. "What are you talking about?"

In low tones, he said, "I have information about you."

"What?"

"I have info about your mother's death and...about your possible one."

Her eyes shot up quickly, her senses heightened. Her possible one? "Who are you?"

Sitting down in the booth, he placed his brown sachet on the table. Taking a quick glimpse around the seat, he turned back around swiftly. "I am Doctor Benjamin Stratford. Let me be the one to apologize for your mother's death. I didn't know the information would be used for murder and-"

Kristi jumped out of her seat. Speaking in a hoarse whisper, she said unbelievably, "Murder! What are you talking about!"

"This was murder. I'm here to tell you this so maybe you can save yourself and the people around you."

She couldn't believe this...she wouldn't believe this. "This is ridiculous." She grabbed for her purse quickly, attempting to get out of there as soon as possible.

He grabbed her arm quickly and said in a harsh whisper, "No this is not...BLACK ROSE." She stopped tugging when the heard the last two words. She turned around slowly and faced his cold eyes. Releasing her, he motioned her to sit. "I'm afraid we have many things to talk about. I've got evidence and a few names for you, but that's all. I cannot stay for long so you must listen carefully to everything I tell you. I am a specialist with cancerous tumors and tissue killing agents. The information and research I provided I thought would be used to rid the body of harmful tissue by manifesting something that would break down tissues, not cause a cancerous one to form. I gave them the do's and do not's so the menace would not turn into a tumor, and they used the do nots."

Kristi just sat there, her head partially down, looking at her coffee mug. This...this is impossible. How can any of this be real?

Dr. Stratford looked at her warily, not sure if she was listening to him or too much in shock. "Please, I know this is a lot for you take in, but you must understand, I am sorry. I never meant for anything like this to happen. The only way I found out about it was that conversation would be made in my presence many times...in french. I took French for seven years. Do you have a purse?" She nodded her head. "Good. Here is my personal information on it since all other evidence will be destroyed I'm sure of it. Here's my proof..."he handed her a computer disk and a small yellow memo pad with scribbles on it.

"So they know who I am..."

He nodded his head. "That is correct. They don't know who Spider Man is, but they think they can get you to lead them to him."

"They are going to use me?"

"They are going to use you to bring you both in. They'll use any means necessary. Your mother's death was a message to you to let you know they are still around. This is how they work: they concentrate all of their forces one part of a plan, causing the margin of error to be zero. There was no crime from them for a while because they were all watching your mother, planning and plotting. After her death, they've backed off of investigating you to lay low and regroup. They are concentrating on your family and then, they plan to work their way outward. The people important in your life that aren't family are going to be next if you don't do something."

This was unreal. They couldn't do this...it was a trick. It had to be. Her angry brown orbs stared down Dr. Stratford's blue eyes. Very calmly and very venomously, she said quietly, "You are lying. They sent you here."

He was afraid this would happen. "One of the people in the organization was killed so all services were turned to that. After every thing is set with that, they are going to turn back to you. I've heard the conversations, the whispers. The corruption in City Hall. They are apart of that. The mayor got too close to discovering what was going on with them and corrupt officials and one of their people got killed. They've sent you something...something to do with hormones. It was perhaps two weeks ago, maybe a little less... It's not to harm you, but do something to you...It's potent enough I'm sure to throw your equilibrium off."

Kristi's cold glare melted. Hormones? She shook her head slowly..."My powers..."

His head perked up. "Yes, what about them?"

"The spider like one...they're gone. My reflexes are more sluggish and I'm not as strong."

"Yes. They most likely want you powerless and more submissive. I was unable to get a copy of the formula they used-"

The tears were already beginning to burn her eyes. "Leave," she said shakily,"You're one of them."

"I wouldn't have put my life on the line in order to tell you this would I have?"

"All part of the plan right?" she said bitterly. Deep down...she knew he was right.

"This is no plan! My life is endangered every second I spend talking with you. I have the proof right here. My notes compared to their changes to the formula. I would have contacted you sooner, but I needed to collect my data and store it somewhere safe." He ran a shaky hand through his thinning black hair. "I never wanted your mother killed. I...I never knew what this was I was getting into. If you don't believe me about the plot, research your mother's blood samples the day she died. There should be a chemical compound present in her bloodstream and high amounts. I guarantee no one looked into it being the cause of this because of the magnitude of the tumor. The only thing I can give you is my word. Please you must believe me." He stopped talking abruptly as his face went white. Kristi glimpsed to where his face was turned. Out of a window that was diagonal to where they were stood a man who was walking very slowly...Klefton. Just looking at him made her spider sense go off.

The doctor turned his head toward her's on the verge of tears. "I-I have to go...they've found me. Hide your face!" he hissed. Kristi turned her head quickly. "Please accept my sincerest apologies...please."

"What do I do?"

"Fight this and keep as many people out as possible. Keep your mind strong....they convert you by controlling your mind. I must go...I'll pray for you."

As he sat up quickly, she grabbed his hand. "Let me help you."

"No...I deserve no help for what I've done..." He saw Klefton beginning through the front door. "I must go now...bye Miss Devun." And with that, he walked swiftly to the side exit. Kristi grabbed her purse, the papers and computer disk and went quickly to the woman's bathroom. She stayed in there for what felt like forever but was only five minutes.

She stood in a stall breathing heavily. What was going on? They knew...that's what was going on. Her mom...her moman...it was her fault. It was all her fault. Those bastards! How could they? She plopped down on a toilet seat and started to cry. What was she going to do? She needed to clarify everything the doctor told her...to see if it was true. Hopefully Mr. Morris could help her more than ever now....

When six o'clock rolled around, Mr Morris was at Kristi's apartment, just as he had promised. She asked him about the hormones....if it was possible to suppress her powers. Unfortunately...it was true. The scientists working with the super spiders realized that it didn't lay completely with the DNA. A spider could have that ability but it never be hacked into...why? Because the specific hormones needed weren't being generated. The example he used was puberty. The human body does not reach its reproduction abilities until a certain hormone is released form the pituitary gland. This causes bone growth, growing of hairs, longer limbs, etc.

She then asked him about Dr. Stratford. He knew him well. He had read about his works and made them the basis of his experiments. Basically, the man was legit...so it was true.

"Mr. Morris?"

"Yes?"

"Is it possible that a chemical introduced into the body, could cause the hormones to stop?"

He scratched his head. "Well...yes. I would think so. Chemicals are powerful things."

Kristina put a hand to her head. "How did they do this to me? I never accepted anything to drink or eat..."She removed her hand and began to drum her fingers on the table.

"Well...you said the abilities stopped on one side of the body and then the other. The first to go was in your right hand." She nodded her head. "What events happened within the last two weeks?"

She racked her brain for a moment. "Um nothing really. I went to work...I spent my only free Saturday and Sunday combo in bed."

"Why?"

"I caught a cold."

"Are you sure it was a cold?"

"I mean...I figured it to be one. There was so much stuff going around."

"When did you start feeling bad?"

"Um....it was a Friday cause I was feeling it at work." Her eyes shot to her hand which beared two scars.

Mr. Morris stopped pacing when he heard her stop talking. Following her eyes, he asked quickly, "What are you looking at?"

"I got some roses from an anonymous person about my mother's death. I cut myself from the thorns. The places where I cut myself were the first to lose its abilities."

"Do you still have the roses?"

"Yeah...they're still alive."

"Give them to me....hurry."

...............................

"How are things with our doctor Stratford?"

"He won't be a problem anymore."

DeMarquise smiled devilishly. "Good! Now...are you sure he told her?"

Klefton nodded his head complacently. "I am most positive."

"This is good...my God this is good! Victory is almost at hand. More people will be pushed away and then...he'll be mine." He jumped up quickly in laughter. "This is entirely too much fun! How is Inconnu doing with the whole City Hall thing?"

Klefton shrugged his broad shoulders. "He's handling it fine. Never breaking a sweat."

DeMarquise nodded his head appreciatively. "I'm glad..." He sighed for a moment. "You know Klefton...its good to be working with you again."

"Same here doc..."

.......................................

It was confirmed...the rose thorns contained a chemical unlike anything ever seen in botanical science. So they sent the roses, knew she would cut herself from the razor sharp thorns and now...she was nearly powerless. What would she do now? Peter needed to know about this...

"If they should happen to find out who one of us is, if we should somehow feel that this relationship is damaging to someone else close to us, or our alter egos, what would we do?"

She remembered when she asked Peter that...

As long as she kept mum, Spider-Man would be kept safe. What about Peter though? He can't protect himself all the time...

They've already taken her mother. She REFUSED to let them get to Peter also...

She would protect him...even if it broke her heart.

It was simple: she'd invite him to a public crowded place, a place that would be hard to track any one person and she would tell him what she planned to do...how she would fight this. That's all this was...a battle.

She got two tickets to a New York Yankee game that was as she had hoped: Completely sold out. She mailed him a ticket, being very cryptic about the whole manner. Every time she went somewhere, she was constantly turning around making sure she was being followed. She took a deep breath with every step she took. She kept praying for the strength it would take for her not to cry...

Peter tried to call Kristi to see what was up with the whole sneaking around thing. He hadn't seen her in days...not even at night, though it was rare they met up anyway. And why did she get Yankee tickets? Baseball was never his thing. In middle school when he had to play for a grade in PE, things didn't go to well for him. He could hit the ball pretty good....he just so happened to turn his class mates into targets...

Peter reached his seat finally after climbing over five six year olds, three dads, and three overweight people with their stomachs painted. She said for him not to meet up with her...just see her at the game. He thought that was kinda funny, but it was Kristi.

He wondered if it was part of a surprise for his birthday. It was a only a week or so away. He patted his hands on his jeans, waiting patiently. With every minute that passed, the tension got worse. Instead of excitement, he had a feeling of dread in him, but he couldn't figure out why. He was about to see Kristi...

He smiled just by thinking her name. Since her mother's death, he had more and more thoughts about her. Her presence was just overwhelming. It made him feel so many things...it was unbelievable. Part of his restlessness was owed to the fact that he spent the whole night up. He had been lying in his bed waiting sleep to come while saying prayers. He talked to his Uncle Ben, as juvenile as it sounded. It offered him some comfort though. Then his thoughts fell on Kristi and he said it.

He finally admitted to himself that he loved her.

It could be called nothing else and not me accurately described. It was all love...

Kristi finally reached Peter five minutes into the game. The crowd was screaming, people were standing and popcorn was in the air. Peter tore his eyes away form what was in front of him when he saw the seat next to him become occupied. He looked down and saw Kristi's face.

Sitting down in his own seat, he said with a bright smile, "Hey Kris." He leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek, but she moved her face away. His smile fell quickly from the rejection. Had he done something wrong? Turning his body toward her, he asked quickly, "What's wrong?"

'What's wrong?' she thought. 'Most likely my head for doing this...' This was the only way... She took deeps of breaths before swallowing hard. Peter's blue eyes stayed on her pained face. "Kris talk to me...are you hurt?" She shook her head. "Kristi please...talk to me." His own face was breaking with fear.

She licked her dry lips quickly before turning to face him. She moved her mouth once, but nothing came out. Shutting her eyes tightly, she said quickly, "Peter I can't be with you."

Peter blinked a few times. Did he hear her right? "You what?"

She began to shake her head. Her voice breaking with emotion, she said more sternly, "I can't be with you."

Peter grabbed her hands and gripped them tightly. "Wh-what are you talking about?" he stuttered. "Y-you can't...what?"

She shook her head once more while trying to stop the tears from coming to her eyes. "I-I can't.. I need to be by myself...my mo-mother..."

She had begun to push people away. Some people do that after something dramatic in there life, but this couldn't be healthy for her. She looked like a wreck just by trying to get her sentences out. Most people get over it, but why did her denial of him sound so...final? "Look, I know the death of your mother was a real blow, but don't you think you shouldn't be pushing people away?"

She slowed her breathing down. "This is what I think to be right."

"Someone once told me that how you think and feel are two different things."

"This goes beyond simple mourning of a death. I've been investigating this Pete." She looked down to her hands, removing them gently from his grip. In a flat voice, she said, "My mother was murdered."

He shook his head as if to clear it. Now, she was talking crazy. "What? Kristi…she had cancer-"

"No! Her tumor could not have grown that big in that amount of time and it not have effected her drastically. She died slowly…a tumor that size should have killed her sooner if its growth was natural. There are chemicals that can cause a tumor to grow like that. One of those chemicals was found in her blood. Someone gave that to her."

This wasn't making any sense at all to him. "Who would want your mother murdered?"

"Someone getting a message across."

"This could be a coincidence."

She shot her eyes up quickly. "No! It is not! I'd be a fool to think so. Instead of a quicker and less painful death, a calm death that she deserved, she was slowly tortured. I know it." She sighed to herself as she looked out at the crowd of people. They didn't have a care in the world. Why did it feel like everything was put on her now? "Remember the day we were suppose to go for lunch but you got held up by an interview? I went in a coffee shop and a man came to me. A doctor. A doctor who specialized in cancerous tumors. He was hired by DeMarquise."

Peter's ears perked up at the sound of that name. "What?"

"This doctor, he knew how to formulate chemical that breaks down tumors. He said that he was told it was for research, something about learning how to cause growth in certain areas to kill harmful cells. Instead, they reversed the process, causing it to form tumors. My mom already had dormant cancer cells...once the chemical hit, it activated them, causing them to grow at phenomenal rates."

Peter found this a hard pill to swallow. He couldn't believe that Kristi would even consider anything out his mouth, especially after he openly admitted to working for a sicko like DeMarquise. "You believe him?"

"He checked out. I went home and got on my computer. His name, credentials, employment, his picture it all checks out. It was him in the pictures, in indexes. Now if he was lying, how did he know so much about my mother's cause of death and how could these people fabricate so much about this man on a legitimate sites and in medical magazines. They couldn't have….it would have been impossible. They knew…they knew about her health, and they hit. They did this to her to get to me. She died like this because of me…"

He place a hand on her shoulder. "You can't blame yourself for this Kristi. You couldn't control this."

"Yes I could have. Because of me and my past actions and my affiliations with that damn mask and stupid spider, my mother is dead. Don't you find it funny that our phantom friend made no appearance, nothing, and now weird things have begun to happen? You know what that means? They know who I am. My powers faded in and out until they stopped altogether."

Peter held up his hand. "Okay, now you're throwing out accusations that you have no proof of-"

"But I do."

Another puzzle piece."What?"

"Yeah. There were some roses I got before I got sick…that finger that was cut by the rose thorns was the first to stop sticking to walls, then the whole hand and then that wrist stopped shooting webbing and so forth. I cut off the thorn and examined it. For that type of rose, a chemical was found in it that is not found in any roses anywhere. That rose was fabricated. It stayed alive without water or anything. I never put it in water until days after I was 'sick'. It's leaves were still green, and it's petals full of color. That has to be it. There was nothing else that I was exposed to that you weren't."

Peter's eyes wondered out to the crowded stadium. The people were still on their feet. Someone had just rounded third. "So this rose…you got cut by the thorn and it had something in it to take away your powers. Think about this Kris. This stuff is part of our DNA. How could it do this?"

"Are you sure it is a part of DNA?"

"How else would we have it then?"

"You know how humans go through puberty?"

"Hormones are sent for growth…hair…."

"What happens if the spider gave us not only DNA, but a chemical in the DNA that was triggered to go off and release a hormone formed from the DNA, a hormone that causes the growing of silk in wrists and the ability to grow the tiny hairs that allow us to stick to walls?"

No...he hadn't thought of that. "If you're right, then it could stop at almost anytime."

"Yeah."

They both sat in silence for about fifteen seconds. Looking down at his sweaty hands, Peter said almost to himself, "So where does this leave us?"

"It leaves me somewhat powerless and out in the open. They know about me. I can't ignore that fact now. They don't know much about you-"

His head rose slowly..."Kris stop…."

"They don't know who you are."

"Kris?"

Firmly, she said, "I want them not knowing who you are and I don't want them knowing that you, Peter Parker, are affliated with me, Kristina Devun."

"Well how would you stop that?" His mind flew back to the first words out of her mouth. His eyes widened as he shook his head in opposition. "Kris don't think like that."

"How else am I supposed to think? They've gone after my mother. That would be an evident first hit. Who else is special in my life?"

"You don't need to try to protect me. You won't be with me all the time. If anything, you need it more than anything."

"I know they're after Spider Man…but I don't want you, Peter, to fall prey to them. Not now…not like this. I haven't gotten my powers back and I'm starting to think I won't. Whatever it is that was done to me, I don't want that to happen to you." She held his hand for a moment. "I'm a threat to you. If they should find out-"

Peter tightened his jaw angrily. "The powers WILL come back. It's apart of who you are. Besides, you won't be a threat. We could hide our relationship," he said spitting out suggestions.

"How Peter? We don't even know who exactly it is that we would be hiding this from. We don't know how fully powerful these people are or anything. Look at what they've done! Do you want to go into a fight with a pistol when they have a machine gun?"

"It only takes one bullet."

Kristi shut her eyes once more. "We know nothing about them except that they have technology that most scientist dream of."

Peter began to shake his head. He could already feel the moisture forming in his eyes. "Why are you pushing me away?" Why was God doing this to him? He could help her...he knew he could.

"I know you understand why Peter."

He choked out his words in anger and hopelessness. "How can…how can you just sit here and say this like it's the easiest thing in the world? Don't you care at all about us?"

"Do you know how hard this is? Do you?"

His anger was beginning to boil over. "How soon we forget the lovely Miss Mary Jane Watson!"

"And what did you do?"

The past was coming back to him...."She wouldn't be able to defend herself." This time, he was on the receiving end...

"Yes and you can, but I'm to the point where I don't know if I'll be able to as efficiently. If they come after me with something else and you get it," she shrugged her shoulders. "What then?"

"So you expect me to leave you when they know who you are and you are basically powerless?"

"Yes. If they get us both, then what? Checkmate Pete."

"It's check. We could easily get out of that. I'm sure that if these people are as smart as we credit them, there is an antidote somewhere. There always is."

"And what are you going to do? Play Mission Impossible, find it, and bring it back? You can't do that Pete. And besides, I still have my mental powers. I won't be completely defenseless. I know how to fight."

"But Kris-"

She placed her hand over his lips to silence him. "We don't know when my powers will come back. I asked you once before what would happen if our lives become a threat to ourselves and you wouldn't answer me? Why? Because you knew what it would mean. If it was the other way around what would you do? Would you be so willing to fight this head on while having almost no clue about?" She removed her hand from his mouth. When he said nothing, she sighed and looked down. "You can't even give me a straight answer on it. I'm not saying we forget everything pertaining to us, just that we be separated as a precaution. We have to accept what's in front of us. I fear everything around us. Don't you?"

His eyes were burning with anger. He never imagined her to be a quitter...not his Kristi. "No…I'm not in fear. I'm not because I know that there is always someone here for me…that you'll be here for me with or without the mask." He turned his face from her. He couldn't look at her now. "Basically you're saying it's over."

"If I'm not around you, then I can't be of harm to you."

"You want to end a relationship because of this?"

"Peter and Kristina may not be done with, but definitely not Spider Man and Black Rose."

He turned his head quickly to her and spat angrily and desperately, "It was never Spider Man and Black Rose. It was and is US, not them."

She could feel herself breaking with every moment with him..."Peter, we don't know what's going to happen. We need to stop things now before something else happens."

"Stop things? Forgive me if I can't turn feelings on and off like a water faucet. I wouldn't be able to do it. It's a horrible time to stop it now. How can you sit there and be so sure about this? Just tell me something Miss Devun, why aren't you willing to fight?"

"This is my way of fighting."

He threw his hands up exasperated. "Of fighting what? Some invisible phantom who you're allowing to have more control over your mind than you wanted? Is that who you're fighting? Are you fighting for one of the few things that you ever gave a damn about? Or are you fighting feelings that you're afraid will leave you with a scratch? I don't have a clue. Tell me, what exactly is it that you're fighting for?"

"My way of fighting is making sure whatever happens to me does not happen to you."

He crossed his arms defiantly, a scowl tight on his lips. He couldn't accept this...not at all. "What happens if I don't accept that fighting?"

"Peter, I will not in any way, shape or form going to do something to jeopardize you like this. You must I understand care. I'm not trying to end the relationship, but we can't be seen together or talk together. You, Peter, associated with me is far too much of a threat. As for Spider Man, no, because he can fight. Peter Parker can't."

"I can fight!"

"No Peter, not like Spider Man. You pull his moves in public and then what? You'll be found out. That can't happen. By doing this, Peter is being protected."

"So you decided to risk my health to tell me this now."

"That's why I chose this baseball game. No one is watching us and even if they were, they'd have to be pretty close to hear what's going on because its so full." She looked at his tight face. He had already turned his head so he wouldn't be looking at her. She had hoped this had came out like it was supposed to. She hoped he would understand... "Peter why are you mad?"

What was he mad about? Oh how about the fact that the only person he could openly admit to loving is turning him away from them. That's a pretty good reason to be pissed. "I'm mad at the fact that you're….I don't know. You don't want to be with me."

She always wanted to be with him, but she couldn't afford to. "No Peter, that's not true."

He held up his palm quickly. "You know what, I'm feeling a little on upset side. I'll give you what you want since I'd do anything for you, but right now, I'm about to make this about me. I don't want to talk." When she leaned in near him, he grabbed her shoulders and held her in place. "I want nothing, that's what you wanted right? Let's see, if I'm going to be an actor about this, about you not being in my life, you not talking with me, everything is going to revert back to when I had no one in my life and when you and I didn't talk, since that is what you want," he said bitterly.

She shook her head quickly. "You know I don't want that."

He smirked at her. "But that's ultimately what you're asking for, right? If we don't know each other, we aren't a threat to each other, right?"

"No and you know that."

Standing up, he said with anger, "Well, forgive me for not thinking so, but if you'll excuse me…I n-need to be going now."His voice was beginning to break.

"Peter-"

"Don't…just don't. You've made I choice, now I'm making mine." With that, he made his way out of his row, down the steps and to the stadium entrance. Kristi sat in the seat broken. This wasn't suppose to happen....it wasn't suppose to be like this...

Peter hailed a cab, taking his time, half expecting her to run to him and say she was wrong, but she never came. He shook his head. He should have known better. The Fates always had other plans for him no matter what he did. He found love...and just that quickly, it was taken from him by none other than her.

He walked into his apartment and slammed the door roughly. He

In my eyes

Indisposed

In disguise as no one knows

Hides the face

Lies the snake

In the Sun

In my disgrace

He went to his room and laid down on his bed. He had hatred for everything now.... Well maybe not hatred, but a lot of anger directed toward the world.

Boiling heat

Summer stench

'Neath the black the sky looks dead

Call my name

Through the cream and I'll

hear you scream

Again

Black Hole Sun

Won't you come

And wash away the rain

Black Hole Sun

Won't you come

Won't you come (Won't you come)

He felt so cold and away. She was gone. She wanted to be gone. She wanted be away from him. He had done everything he could for her...but she wanted him gone. Her reasons were in the back of his head, but his mind paid no attention to him. The only thing that registered was that she was placing herself away from him personally.

Stuttering

Cold and damp

Steal the warm wind tired friend

Times are gone

for honest men and sometimes

Far too long for snakes

In my shoes

A walking sleep

And my youth I pray to keep

Heaven send Hell away no one

sings like you anymore

The more he thought about it, the more his anger turned into spite. He knew her intentions were noble, but he couldn't help but be mad at her. He needed to release this. It was such a horrible thing really... he wanted someone like her in his life...she was his life line. And now what was being seen was that she had now chosen to stay away from him.

Black Hole Sun

Won't you come

And wash away the rain

Black Hole Sun

Won't you come

won't you come

Black Hole Sun

won't you come

and wash away the rain

Black Hole Sun

Won't you come

Won't you come (Black Hole Sun, black Hole Sun)

Love, love, love was all that was echoing through his head. He loves her...all feelings are being pushed aside now. The numbness is taking over. She's protecting him by underestimating him? Was she really? She didn't know how much he needed her. Just with a touch, she did so much to him. He placed the framed picture of him and her at Spring Break face down. He couldn't bare to look at it now.

Hang my head

Drown my fear

Till you all just disappear

His mind wasn't functioning correctly. This was all seen as an attempt to keep him from being happy. This world had taken so much happiness from him...and now this. Slowly, he picked up his phone and dialed seven digits. He needed solace somewhere....

Black Hole Sun

won't you come

and wash away the rain

Black Hole Sun

Won't you come

"Hey Mikala, you feel like doing something tonight?"

Dynamite- Stina Nordenstam

Black Hole Sun- Sound Garden