Part Two

            "What are you up to?" Ben asked MJ as he approached while she watched the television.

            MJ shrugged, "Not much, this American Idol show sucks."

            "Really?" Ben inquired rubbing his old eyes, "I heard it was good."

            She shrugged, "Ninety percent of these people aren't going to get the least long-term success." Mary Jane checked her watch doing her best to hide the sense of dread about Peter's trip out.

            "How's that job of yours." Ben inquired trying to remember what it was exactly, "The one at the Gap was it?"

            MJ raised her eyes gently staring past the stray strands of red hair that hung over her face, "Okay I guess, it gets frustrating to handle more money than I make but I guess it's a start."

            Ben nodded nostalgically, "When I was a little older than you, I had my first job working at a construction site on the Lower East Side, it was backbreaking stuff but when I got my first check I was filled with an overpowering sense of accomplishment."

            "I was like that a little." MJ replied, "You know when Peter brings in Spider-Man photos to the Bugle, it's not a big deal, but when he gets something legitimately, I mean he has his camera and something just happens he can't stop talking about it like it was the most exciting thing all week."

            The old man laughed, "It's odd, isn't it?" He commented with a smile on his face, "He does amazing things but they're so normal to him." Ben lowered his head, "Sometimes, I feel guilty holding him back."

            MJ tilted her head, "You're trying."

            "So do you." Ben replied, "He's lucky to have you. Not many people could understand all this and stay regardless." 

            "The mask and the alternate life are intimidating sometimes." MJ admitted, "But when that mask is gone and he's free from the job I see Peter without the façade, who he really boils down to and well…the rest is obvious."

            Ben was quiet for a moment, "How about you?" She looked at him puzzled, "You're more than just Peter's girlfriend; how do you fit into this?"

            MJ thought for a moment, it was a question she had pondered and wrestled with for some times, "Where do I fit?" She clicked her tongue carefully, "I am Mary Jane Watson and all the baggage that comes with that name doesn't bring me down, not anymore. I had lost myself for a long time; going from guy to guy; it hurts you after a while. You can't connect because you're afraid that they'll not like who you really are."

            She smiled angelically, "Peter helps me recognize myself. He knows my flaws, he knows me for who I am under the superficial exterior and not only accepts it but embraces it."

            "That was…insightful." Ben replied awkwardly, "You're both very lucky, that kind of connection is rare." He sighed, "Enough of that." Ben stated reaching for the remote, "Let's watch something else. What was it you were going to do after college, MJ?"

            "I'm interested in acting, on stage, not television." She responded informingly gazing at the screen as it zipped through channels.

            "Dad, I don't want to talk about this, please." Gwen pleaded, "I know you're trying to help but just leave me alone."

            George Stacy stared at her, "Her doctor said it's not going to go away with denial, only get worse."

            Gwen sighed, "I know."

            "So tell me?" He begged of his daughter, desperate to connect with and help her. "Gwen, baby, it's hard for me, your mother's dead, I never intended to raise you alone." George gulped, "Please, help me with this."

            She sighed heavily, "I wish I could, I just can't."

            George frowned, "Tell somebody at least, don't let this eat you alive, you're stronger than this, please."

            Gwen clenched her teeth, how could she tell him or anybody for that matter? Peter had entrusted her with something too great to give away, but it was eating away at her, it was a barrier that could only stand for so long.

            Harry screamed violently, "Father!" He roared smashing books from shelves and overturning tables on his way. "Where are you? Father, please answer me!"

            He entered Norman's study, "Father?" He gazed across the room and saw the window open. One of the dressers was open revealing the hidden Goblin gear. Harry frowned, "Why did you leave?"

            "Father, why did you leave me alone?" Harry frowned, "I'm your son; you must love me?" He cried out for his long-gone father, "What am I saying? Of course you don't love me; you've never showed me an ounce of respect without something to sour any moment we ever had. Jesus Christ, why do you hate me so much? All I ever did was tried to be your son, that's all damn it, I tried my hardest!" He screamed furiously from Green-induced rage, "I'm your son! Damn it, I'm your son!" Harry cried pitifully. He was alone; his friends had left him and now his father. Roaring with the first independent thought in weeks he lashed out, "Father, damn you for doing this to me, you raised me like some sort of dog! I was never your son; you never gave a damn about what happened to me because in your eyes I was not a human being worth your time!" 

             Harry stared at his hands, "Dad?" He grimaced and stared at the equipment. Carefully he approached Norman's equipment. He merely touched the glider when suddenly it came to life. Harry stumbled back; his dull yellow eyes glowed slightly. Harry saw a panel flip over giving a list of numbers that he took for coordinates. "I need to see my father." He stated looking upon the glider in a dreadful manner, "I need to end this."