A Normal Life

Part One

            Norman Osborn grinned at the young man before him. "Wasn't I right? You've become a decent son, after all Harry."

            The young Osborn hid in the shadows of the penthouse. "I suppose." He replied lifelessly.

            "You suppose?" Norman asked grimly adjusting his blazer. "What's bothering you, Harry?"

            "You hurt my face." Harry replied clutching the wall tightly. "I just, I'm just confused."

            Norman nodded sympathetically, "I understand that it's a big shock. But no victory can be obtained without some sacrifice." He took a step towards his son, "It'll take some time for you to adjust but I have faith in you. I've given you all the proper tools to take your rightful place as an Osborn." He smiled, "It's up to you to use them."

            "I'll try." Harry said shakily. His eyes glowed through the darkness. He retracted from his father and thought in the cold darkness.

            Norman's cell-phone rang. He pulled it out of his left pocket and pressed it against his ear, "Osborn here." The powerful tycoon listened to the voice on the other line for a moment. "What?" He raised his eyes in surprise, "Parker's alive?"

            "Peter?" Harry asked from the shadows.

            "He showed up at a police station a few hours ago." Norman said urgently, "I'm going to go there now." He informed Harry as he shut the cell off.

            Harry moved towards the light, "Can I come?"

            "Of course not." Norman replied, "Stay here, Harry, and don't make a mess of things. Don't worry; I'll give Parker your best."

            Peter Parker approached Police Captain George Stacy meekly, "I was wondering if I could go home with my uncle, now." The interior of the station was a cramped depressing place. He felt the eyes of the dangerous criminals following him across the station, wondering how far they could get with him as a hostage as they sat on the benches observed by the officers who had brought them in.

            "Just hold on. We're filling out the paperwork now." Stacy replied. "You're lucky, most missing kids cases don't get very far. Especially considering that you said you were suffering from amnesia."

            "I wouldn't know." Peter replied. The story was incredibly weak. Peter said that he bonked his head while in the hospital and had received amnesia. He then simply wandered outside and lived on the streets until his memory return. On MJ's side of things, they said that Lizard had kidnapped her but was stopped by Spider-Man who after they fought dropped her off in an alley where she ran into Peter. MJ had been poking fun at Peter and Ben for creating the tall tale, but there was no evidence to contrary.

            Stacy shrugged, "I guess. I called Gwen; she's really excited about seeing you again."

            Peter turned pale and gave a glance to MJ who waited in the lobby with Ben, "S-so am I."  MJ just told Ben about the time she tricked the captain of the football team into dating the elderly librarian for a week when he tried to hit on her as a way of proving his devotion to her and the old man laughed.

            "She's on her way right now." Captain Stacy added, "You should have heard her voice."

            "She's coming now?" Peter asked panicked. "Excuse me, I'll be right back!" He rushed towards the lobby.

            Ben brushed the sides of his coat, "We're finished?" He asked bored.

            "It looks like things are just getting started." Peter said worried, "MJ, Gwen's coming."

            "Here?" Mary Jane asked brushing her red hair away from her face, "Jeez." She took a deep breath and exhaled, "We knew this day was coming, we'll just have to face her and tell her exactly what's happened."

            Peter bit his lip, "Are you sure that's safe with her dad around? He's got a gun."

            MJ put her hand on Peter's shoulder, "If we don't handle this now, it'll just become a bigger problem. Listen to me, tiger, Gwen will listen to me."

            "I hope you're right." Peter responded.

            "Trust me." MJ backed away from Peter and leaned against the wall, "I'm sure Gwen will understand. She's a sensible girl."

            Just then the door burst open and none other than that very Blonde-haired beauty came into the building. "Peter!" She screamed.

            Peter took a deep breath and moved towards her, "Gwen, there's something I have to tell you."

            She practically leapt onto him and held him in a bear-hug, "Don't ever do that again!" Gwen demanded and placed her lips against Peter's. She poured every bit of her soul into the kiss and relearned his smell.

            Peter looked at MJ with her eye and with a look asked her for some sort of course of action and shrugged voicing his own confusion.

            Gwen managed to after much difficulty, break their kiss. "I'm not ever going to let you go again!"

            "That's just my luck." Peter replied miserably.

            Ben sighed deciding it would be best to let Peter and Mary Jane handle this situation. He walked towards one of the windows in the lobby and stared out the window only to notice a black car drive up the front. His eyes focused on the car as dread began to build up within him. When the occupant emerged out of the vehicle, Ben rubbed his brow wearily. "I wish it were anyone but him."

            The approaching figure walked up the stairwell after looking at several criminals being taken in and out with a measure of disgust. The door opened and Norman Osborn appeared. He smiled at the sight of Gwen Stacy in Peter Parker's arms and then spotted Ben. "Oh, you're still alive?"

            "Yep and I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon." Ben replied, "Of course the door is always open for you, Mr. Osborn, don't hit yourself on the way out."

            Norman smirked slyly, "Cute." He approached Peter, "What a lovely young lady, I must say." He patted Peter on the back, "Good choice, old man." He saw MJ standing in the background, "Maybe you can double-date with Harry and the redhead." He suggested to Peter.

            Peter and MJ both lowered their heads. "Sure." The latter said dejected.

            "That sounds like a great idea!" Gwen stated.

            "Good." Norman remarked, "Now, Peter, mind if I ask you a question." The tycoon smiled, "I know you've been through an ordeal but from what I've heard you suffered amnesia during your stay at the hospital."

            Peter mumbled before managing to respond, "That's correct, sir."

            "How did you get back?"

            "Well, when I- I mean Spider-Man-"

            Norman grimaced, "Spider-Man? How did he-" He clenched his teeth, "That's enough. I'll go speak to the captain. See if he can get the work done without us. Then maybe I'll treat you all to lunch back at my office."

            Peter shook his head apologetically, "That's really not necessary, sir."

            "Nonsense!" Norman replied, "You're practically a member of the family, Peter. Mr. Parker, you can come along to, I suppose you won't have many chances for this again in the years that are left."