Chapter 9 [Daily Bugle—Next Afternoon]

Bugle's bullpen buzzed about on that afternoon. Three Alarm Fire blazed up on 168th. Protest marched through Central Park. Slices of Life flowed Parallel to one another. Sometimes Collisions occurred. News sparked. Reporters and Photographers rushed to cover it.

Just another day….

Peter stepped off the elevator into Coordinated Chaos. His eyes took in the entire scene. Never changes. A beehive wouldn't be so crazy. Then again, no queen would be like Jolly Jonah. He rolled his eyes. He knew Irascibility's Agent Extraordinaire would be torturing yet another Cuban cigar or an intern. With greater school work came less photos. Less photos meant…well…. He wove his way through Maelstrom's craziness straight toward a certain receptionist's desk. Hesitation slowed his gait upon seeing a lanky sandy brown-haired man talking with the red head at said desk. They're together. You're with Gwen. No problem unless Ned makes it one. He made his way over to the desk. "Hi!"

Ned sized Peter up. Despite Respective Relationships, Trust for his former rival came in short supply. "Parker? Wow. We haven't seen much of you lately. I was beginning to wonder what was going on." He glanced toward Betty. "Weren't we?"

She shrugged off his barbs. "Most of you were. Peter's freelance. He's been doing some work for Features. Remember? He's focusing on school, his Aunt May and Gwen. Nothing wrong with that. Robbie knows all about it." She pulled a paper from Typewriter's roller and put it in Jameson's box. "It's good to see you, Peter. How are Gwen and your Aunt?"

"Everyone's great! We're planning a follow up to that Wabash story from last February. I was just checking in with Robbie." Peter felt Jealousy still rising from Ned akin to Heat off of August sidewalk. He rubbed the back of his neck. "You know we still need to get together for dinner. Maybe Gwen, her Dad, my Aunt and the three of us? Gwen was just talking to me about it the other day."

"That would be so nice!" Betty clapped her hands together. "I'll call her if that's okay?"

"Sure. I just want my friends to like my other friends." Peter put on his best smile. "Anything good you working on, Ned?"

"I'll be heading back out on assignment for a couple of months. Sorry, Parker. Wish I could. Maybe Betty can work with Gwen and your aunt on something as long as everyone's there." Ned cleared his throat. Purpose stabbed from his eyes. Stay away from my girl.

Everyone stopped. Eyes turned toward them. Attention riveted firmly on Invitation turning into Argument. Rubbernecking Bullpen slowly meandered back toward their desks or the elevator. Heads shook at Leeds for being a jerk.

Pronounced Wince scrunched Peter's face. "Ned, look I'm sorry. It wasn't meant…." He raised his hands defensively. He felt the Vibes. "Betty, think Robbie's in? I…."

"He is." Betty shot Ned a nasty look. "Peter, you were just trying to be nice. We'll definitely plan dinner. Good luck on that story. Just be careful." Her hand reached for the phone.

"PARKER! WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS? SOCIAL HOUR?" Jameson glared from his office. "IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU SHOWED YOUR FACE IN HERE! JUST BECAUSE I LET YOU DO SOME STORIES WITH MERCADO? STOP DISTRACTING MS. BRANT AND GET IN HERE ALREADY!" He stuck Already Abused Stogie in his mouth. Dark Gray Puffs blurted out one after another around the hapless cigar.

"Jonah, stop." Robbie stuck his head. "Peter's got another story lead. He wouldn't be here unless there was something solid."

"Oh, he does, does he?" Jameson narrowed his eyes. "He looks like he's instigating trouble to me." Glare drove Ned back toward waiting desk. His teeth bit down hard on Suffering Cigar all the more. Much like Predator cheated out of Prey, he watched Peter cross toward Robbie's office and rush inside. He shook his head at Betty.

"Mr. Jameson, the Dawkins' report is finished!" She hustled it over to him. She kept her eyes firmly set on him lest another storm should emerge. "Anything else to go out?"

"Not for now, Ms. Brant." Jameson scanned the report. He nodded. "Looks good." Pen scribbled Signature across Page's bottom. "Get that mailed out. Check with McGovern on the island." He shoved the paper back into her hands. Then, he turned on his heel and stormed back into his office. Door slammed punctuating Interchange's Ending.

Betty shook her head. Relief glanced toward Robbie's office. At least Peter didn't get right in Mr. Jameson's sights! It isn't his fault that he has priorities! Sigh escaped her lips. I wish Ned would get that message. She walked back toward her desk.

The more things changed, the more they stayed the same….

[Robbie's Office—Three Minutes Earlier]

Peter put his hands on his knees. Relief huffed several sharp breaths through his lungs. Frankly, he would do anything to avoid Sharp Lecture about Responsibility and Misaligned (other than Jameson's own) Priorities. "Thanks, Robbie. Sorry about the scene. I was trying to be nice. It was Gwen's idea."

"That's fine. I heard you mention you were here to talk to me. I'll talk to Ned. Jonah's point about lengthy conversations on work time's a good one, Pete. What you wanted to do was something different. You were inviting her to dinner with everyone. As long as it's that and some quick catching up, I'm fine with that." Robbie sat down behind the desk. "Ned needs to face facts. You've moved on. Gwen and you are happy. Captain Stacy has nothing but nice things to say about you. Betty and you are friends. He's just insecure." He packed Loose Tobacco into waiting Pipe and lit it. "Get the door, Peter, if you would?"

"Sure." Peter closed the door. He walked back toward waiting seat. "May I?"

"Of course!" Robbie held an inviting hand. Curiosity searched the younger man's face. "The Duboises invited you back already? Amy Mercado and I talked. She said you had some great ideas. How are they coming along?"

"You might say they gave us the invite before we left the last time. They were really eager to work with us. Gwen wants to write another piece. I'm not about to say no to that gal. We interviewed a professor in the Village yesterday." Shrug emphasized Peter's point.

Robbie chuckled. "No, I suppose you shouldn't say no to Gwen." His eyes sparkled. Smile spread across his face. "You're making my earlier point for me. Got a minute? Mercado should be in on this." He picked up the receiver and dialed. He waited.

"Features. Amy Mercado."

"Amy, this is Robbie. Got a minute for Peter Parker's story?" Robbie leaned back in his chair. He recalled several conversations between them following the initial Wabash story. He knew Interest ran really high…series level high….

"Oh? Does Jonah have problems with Peter's story already?" Sarcasm bit through her voice on the other end. "My staff's getting tired of being sent out and then pulled off when the leads are getting warm." A long sigh punctuated the point.

"I know, Amy. This isn't like that. He apparently had a great interview and some progress. I figured you'd want to be in on the conversation. Interested?" Robbie grinned at Peter.

Peter shook his head. He knew Mercado's reputation well. Memoria recalled certain Egos being taken down various peg levels by the Features' sharp tongue. She'd routinely held her own against Jameson's most temperamental gales and outbursts. Just don't sink the story. I don't want to end up between Jonah and her.

"Of course!" Mercado's antennae popped up. Interest and Intrigue halted everything else. She'd savored every word in the previous month's article. "Just Parker? How about the young lady?"

"It seems so. Sorry to pop this in on you. It just came up. It's just Peter. Gwen will be going with him of course." Robbie listened intently. He heard Interest rising in Mercado's voice. He hoped it would seal the deal.

"I should hope so. I'll be right there." Mercado hung up.

Robbie hung up. "Seems that Gwen and you really stirred her interest, Peter. Good job." Smoke puffed out of Pipe's Tobacco once again.

"I'm just doing my best, Robbie. Gwen's really interested in writing those articles." Peter leaned back in his seat.

Robbie nodded. "Jonah may not sound like it. He really liked what he saw from you two last winter. The hope is that you can do it again. News and Features have had their own mini-feud over the past few years. I hope Gwen and you will help with that."

"Yeah me too. I just don't want to end up in the middle of a civil war is all." Peter raised an eyebrow. His stomach lurched at the thought of such a rift. Hope promoted Opportunities for Gwen and himself.

Maybe Jonah can back off? Will Ms. Mercado want to go beyond the house, broader American history and context? The last thing we need is for her to expose Dubois, the Big Kid or the Rider. Amityville II we don't need! He took a deep breath. "Gwen sent some ideas with me. I'll wait for Ms. Mercado."

Robbie nodded. Through the office window, he saw Mercado approaching. "She's already here. Mercado's definitely interested." He motioned Peter to his feet. Then, he opened the door. "Come on in, Amy."

"Thanks, Robbie. I appreciate the heads up." Mercado walked into the office. "Peter, I didn't expect to hear of anything for a few weeks at least. Have you made progress?" Intrigue lifted her eyebrow at him. She rubbed her chin. "Dazzle me."

Peter nodded. "There's a specialist at Randolph College, Professor Jennifer Dubois. She's an expert on that part of Upstate New York. She talked to Gwen and me yesterday afternoon. The interview went really well. She provided background. She also made copies of some illustrations from old books. Mr. Dubois directed us to her. And…there's something else related to the county fair."

"Oh?" Robbie tugged the pipe from his mouth. "Such as?"

"I'm all ears. You're excited. What is it?" She could see Enthusiasm brightening Peter's face.

"Aunt May's going to be at the fair. She's picking out an Afghan or a quilt for the judging. This would be her second time there. She won a blue ribbon years ago for a quilt. It's still at the Dubois Farm up there. I know it's conflict of interest to interview a family member." Peter looked at her.

"It is. I think I can trust your integrity. Thank you though for raising your concerns. Maybe we can get a picture of the older quilt and its blue ribbon too? That would be an interesting part for the article." She nodded. Her eyes flitted toward Robbie. "Would that be all right?"

"I trust Pete. Mrs. Parker's a fine woman. I'm good with their interview." Robbie took a deep breath. "This is good. Now I'll have something to take to Jonah. Good work. You tell Gwen I said that. Maybe you stop in before the fair and check in?"

"I did have another assignment. Since you did a great job with the Renoirs, Mr. Parker, there's another exhibit at the Cloisters. It's a rare samurai sword from the Kyoto Collection. April Maye's been assigned to the story. I'd like some pictures. Maybe a half hour this afternoon? I'd make it worth your while," she proposed.

"Go for it, Peter. It's another angle besides your usual stuff." Encouragement pushed Robbie to nod. "Again, it gives me more to take to Jonah."

"Okay." Dollar Signs floated in front of Peter's eyes. Classes were already done for the day. Gwen had her labs at ESU. "I'm sold. I'll get right over there."

"Fantastic! Let me know what you come up." She stood. "Thanks, Robbie, for the heads up. I think Peter has potential to be more than just a photographer." She shook Robbie's and then Peter's hands. Then, she turned and walked back out of the office.

"Sorry, Robbie. I…" Apology started to come out of Peter's mouth. He was trying to maintain balance between News and Features after all. Mercado's enthusiasm might've set Jameson off. Chauvinism's rant voiced by Publisher's crass tone echoed through his mind.

Robbie puffed away on his pipe. "Why are you apologizing? I've wanted to see you grow. You're taking advantage of opportunities. You can handle news and features at the same time. That's something that not a lot of staffers can handle. You pulled it off and got two exclusives in the process. I like the research and interview results. Keep up the good work, Peter. Now, I think you'd best get back to the Met."

Peter gathered up his things. "I'll see what's going on with that exhibit. Thanks, Robbie." He walked out the door and across the Bullpen.

Robbie smiled. Keep your eyes open, Peter. The rest will take care of itself if you let it.