Part Seven

"I can't wait to get home." Peter said as he followed Gwen through the airport on their way back to the plane that would take them back to New York. "You?"

Gwen smirked, "Believe me, after what happened at the hotel, I'll be glad to see the skyscrapers." She looked at him holding the bags with both hands, "Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah." Peter replied, adjusting his hold, "Just fine."

Flash passed by them, "Hey Pete." He said jovially, "Have a nice flight."

"You too." Peter responded as Flash walked by both of them. He saw Gwen had an expression of puzzlement on her face.

"What was that about?" She asked.

Peter shrugged, "Well, we got to talking and I guess we finally made our peace. Found out we had more in common then we thought. Did you know he watches X-Files?" He said eagerly.

"Okay here we go with the X-Files. I won't get you to shut up about it for hours." Gwen stated jokingly.

Peter laughed, "Sorry."

She looked nervously at him, "Peter, why did you ask if I love you back at the hotel?"

He raised his eyes, "I don't know." He said quietly as they passed through the terminal, "Yes I do, I'm afraid that you see me as a…phase. Something that'll pass when the time comes."

"Peter, I have never thought that about you once." Gwen turned around and faced her boyfriend, "I love you. You're the one for me Peter Parker, I can feel it." She continued on her way back to the airport.

There was something about her words that sent a chill down Peter's spine. For some odd reason, those words felt empty.

The Lizard awoke in a rectangular room. It resembled some of the toughest confinements that Connors had ever seen. On the right side of the room was what appeared to be a glass panel.

He slowly walked to it and cautiously tapped the glass. The only thing he could see beyond the panel was a narrow corridor. When nothing happened he smashed his hand into the glass, only to have it resist and stand up against his blow.

"Why am I here?" The Lizard demanded, "Sssomebody answer me!" He pounded the glass angrily.

Suddenly a figure appeared on the other side of the panel and stared straight into the Lizard's eyes, "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." The figure was dressed in some paramilitary uniform and had a patch over his right eye. "Finally, I get to see the great Dr. Connors."

"That fool isss dead!" The Lizard retorted, "Now I demand to know where I am!"

"Very well." The figure leaned against the glass, "I'm Nick Fury and this is S.H.I.E.L.D., I hope you approve of your cell."

"Sss.H.I.E.L.D., I've never heard of it." The Lizard hissed slowly, "Are you with the military?"

"No." Fury smirked, "Although, I guess you could say we have the same goals as them, but act without the consent of any of those pinheads in Washington." He tapped the glass slowly, "Now, why don't we get down to business."

The Lizard frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"You'll see." Fury replied smugly, "For the time being. Let's talk about this." He raised the formula that Lizard had used to create his short-lived army of Lizard-Men. "I have a great many questions."