Spider-Man 2

1 Peter gasped for breath as he dodged another of the thug's punches effortlessly. The thug had been lining up several hits for a five good solid minutes by now. Haymakers, plain bruisers, everything. It was almost as bad as when he was in the ring with Bone Saw McGraw. Peter's mind flashed back to that day, almost a year ago now, when he was just getting to grips with his new-found powers. Peter didn't like calling them powers. They were gifts from God. That time was like puberty all over again.

"Why don't ya keep still, web boy?" said the thug, kicking him in the shin.

"Well, sir," he was starting to sound like Superman. "I don't think it's reasonable hitting me."

"Shut up!" the thug took up a pipe lying nearby and was about to hit him on the arm when Peter just gave up and shot webs round his wrists and ankles. The familiar siren rang in his ears.

"Enjoy your oatmeal," said Peter as he left the boys in blue with the thug.

Swinging across New York at night let Peter let go of everything. Uncle Ben's death, which still affected him, the two haunting, magical kisses from MJ and Aunt May alone in Queens. Peter wasn't Peter Parker. He wasn't Spider-Man. He was just a bird flying near the heavens.

"Hey mom!" he shouted up to the stars. "Hey, dad! Uncle Ben! What's up? Whoopee!"

Peter took another left and a right and then slipped into the alleyway where his extra clothes were hidden in a gap in the wall. He had to go and see Aunt May. 23.10 flashed his watch. No, he thought. It's too late. She'll be really tired. A pang of hunger shot through Peter's stomach. The last meal he had was breakfast. There was a fire at a burger place so he didn't have time to eat lunch. What place, he thought, serves pastries, hot coffee and has a gorgeous waitress I can tip heavily? The Moondance Diner.

*****

The familiar tinkle of bells rang and MJ looked up from the table she was scrubbing down.

"Hey, Tiger!" It was Peter in his old black coat and jeans.

"Hey MJ!" Peter sat at the bar. 'Ain't That A Shame' by Chuck Berry finished abruptly. Peter looked at the ancient jukebox.

"That thing still working?" he said in pure amazement.

"Yep. The old beauty's still going." MJ smiled at Peter's awe. "So, how's you, Tiger?"

"Okay. Kind of hungry though." MJ laughed.

"That's what I'm here for!" she did a little twirl and took out her red biro. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have a slice of cherry-."

".Pie and a hot cup of Joe?" Peter smiled at how much she knew him. "It's coming up." She placed the order on the carousel.

"So, Peter, how is your job?" Peter's mind flashed back to the thug.

"Tiring." Peter was being truthful. As if Spider-Man wasn't enough, he now had a proper photography job at the Daily Bugle and was also a freelance science reporter. She patted his shoulder. Holy mother, that felt good, thought Peter. Could I tell her the truth? I.. The jukebox started to scramble 'Heart and Soul.'

"Excuse me." MJ smiled sweetly. Walking over to the jukebox, her scantily short skirt bobbed up and down gently. Picking up her foot, encased in a killer heel, she kicked it and the jukebox skipped to the next song, 'Come Go With Me.'

"That was skill!" Laughed Peter. MJ turned to the hatch into the kitchen and took out a slice of cherry pie and a steaming cup of coffee.

"Thanks," said Peter as he sipped his coffee. "How's the acting?"

"Great!" said MJ. "I'm in a show!" Peter coughed.

"Wow! Well done! You're following your dream at last! Broadway?"

"Yep! I'm 'Tilly'. She sings in the chorus but I have two pages of dialogue, which is good."

"I'm so happy for you, MJ." She blushed at Peter caring. "When does it run?"

"The whole of next month."

"Call me when it's on, okay?"

"Sure will." Peter gobbled his pie and handed the coffee to MJ, as well as five dollars. He got up and headed for the door.

"Have the rest of this and the change as a congratulation." MJ laughed.

"Thank you! Bye, Tiger!" he turned round.

"Bye, superstar."

Once he'd gone, MJ's heart soared above the clouds. "Superstar!" she said under her breath.

Once he'd left the diner, Peter's heart soared above the clouds. "Tiger!" he said under his breath.