Chapter Six

Golden rays of sunlight slip in through the space between her midnight blue velvet curtains and the window frame, the light dimmed by the clouds casting over it shielding the full expanse of the rays. A thing very common for England of course, by mid-day most likely it would be raining or at the very least misting.

Her lashes, like finely woven threads of sunshine golden silk flutters upon her high boned ivory cheeks moments before they open exposing her sapphire blue eyes to the light of day. Slowly they adjust her arms stretching above her head palms flattening against the head board above her pushing her slender form down on the bed slightly stretching the rest of her limbs in the process before she pushes herself up. She slides her feet over the edge of the bed onto the floor pushing open the curtains around her bed as she stands to her feet. She then turns tying the curtains against all four posts.

She crosses the room to the accordion doors of her walk in closet, she pushes them open with both hands stepping in to survey her vast choices. She tilts her head to the side, errant strands of gold laying over her pale cheeks the rest of her locks woven into a tight French braid. She reaches up finally deciding upon a knee length jean skirt with a slight on the right side from the knee half way up her thigh. She lays that over one arm before grabbing a chemise style top of midnight blue embroidered with silver butterflies, off the shoulder sleeves, her black bodice, then kneels down to grab her renaissance style black leather shoes which lace up like ballet ribbons up to her knees. She stands to her feet stepping out of her closet closing the doors. She walks over to her large oak vanity laying her choices on the bench in front of it. She then slips out of her pajamas stepping into the skirt first sliding it up her slender hips then slipping on the chemise style top before adding the next piece, the bodice, she laces it up so the sides touch which pushes her full breasts into a 'shelf'. She then slips her feet into her shoes lacing them up to her knees in that criss-cross fashion before sitting down at her vanity. She unweaves the braid before running an antique silver hair brush through her silken locks. This of course takes the better part of an hour, when she is finished her locks are once more in a tight French braid which is tucked up under the base to once more hide the exact length of her hair, leaving it to stop just past her shoulders presently.

She rises from her vanity crossing the room to the large bathroom that adjoins her bedroom. She goes to her large double silk with silver faucets and a marble sink. She washes her face drying it on a baby blue towel before she grabs her black cowboy hat from the rack in the right hand corner plopping it perfectly atop her head to complete her look a faint smile over her crimson lips. It was very different from her usual more conservative look. She then steps out of the bathroom crossing her room and stepping out heading down to the guest wing on the second floor knocking softly on Parker's door calling his name softly. She waits around five minutes receiving no answer however she reaches out gripping and turning the silver half heart shaped handle and pushing open the door. She smiles trying not to giggle as she finds Parker with his upper half off the bed entirely uncovered, wearing only his pajama bottoms. She shakes her head softly walking up to him kneeling down. She reaches out brushing those chocolate strands from his face before lightly tapping the end of his nose with the tip of her index finger.

Parker mumbles something about the square route of eighty-five before reaching up and slapping the middle of his face where she had tickled his nose. However every action has a re-action and his causes him to fall head first onto the floor with a soft thud his bare chest receiving a slight red mark the beginnings of a rug burn. He looks up at Serenity with a sleepy embarrassed smile on his pale lips.

She giggles softly shaking her head at him as she whispers in those sweet French chords, " Good morning sleepy head.. "

He mumbles a good morning before out of the corner of his eyes he notices the pile of black clothing across the room from where they stand. He slips over picking up the pile and sliding it under his bed hoping she wouldn't notice or at least think anything of it. Then he looks down a blush rising to his cheeks as he realizes he does not have his shirt on. He then kneels down picking up his shirt and slipping it on turning away from her.

She walks over to his bed leaning over and straightens his blankets making his bed without a thought to it. She knew this was quite a bit earlier than Parker was use to waking up. Now mind you while leaning over to make his bed her bosoms look as though they could fall out of her top any second. She then stands turning to face Parker before walking to his door as she says, " I'll let you be to get dress. I'll be down stairs in the dinning room when you're ready. Breakfast will be ready soon. " She wasn't sure when the last time he had had a home cooked meal was, but he was sure to have them daily over holiday that much was certain. She slips out of the room after Parker nods and begins unpacking his things deciding what he'll wear.

Once in the kitchen she walks up to her father kissing his forehead before going to the fridge and cupboards grabbing the things she needs for pancakes and begins making them, her father rising to his feet setting down his paper as he pours his daughter her morning chai before returning to his own and his paper. His voice is deep but gentle as he speaks from behind his paper. " Sleep well princess? "

She glances at her father as she mixes the batter a soft smile on her face. " mm-hmm, and I imagine Parker did as well. I found him rather falling out of bed this morning. " She chuckles softly setting the bowl down as she spoons out enough batter at a time for one pancake pouring it onto the large grill. Their kitchen was the size you would find in a five star restaurant rather than someone's home. Their house was a lot bigger inside than it appears on the street mind you as it extends behind rather then from side to side.

" Your friend seems like a nice young man. I just wonder how much of influence you have had on him in the time you have known him. " Her father glances up with a teasing smile from behind his paper.

She shakes her head softly chuckling as she sets the sheet of bacon in the oven to start before pouring the eggs into their skillet. She glances up as Parker enters the kitchen and says. " Have a seat with papa for now, we'll all move into the dinning room when it's ready. " She pauses glancing at her father before adding, " papa would you be so kind as to get Parker my usual without the vanilla. " She smiles softly, sweetly, as her father rises to do as she asks without question. After all when your daughter is as sweet as Serenity and is all you have you generally don't question such a simple request.

Parker nods softly taking a seat across from Mr. Anthony as his chai is placed in front of him. He looks up at Serenity a moment smiles softly in an added response before reaching for the comic section of the paper grabbing it from the middle of the table and settling back to read it. He was dressed rather casual this morning as well in a pair of dark blue jeans, a long sleeve light blue shirt his sleeves rolled almost to the elbows, and his usual black boots his hair combed back neatly. His black rimmed glasses resting softly on the bridge of his nose as he begins reading the comics smirking occasionally at the things he finds amusing.

When an hour had passed Mr. Anthony stands motioning for Parker to follow him into the dinning room where Serenity had placed four place settings of beautiful silver rimmed china, stemmed water glasses, a talk milk glass, and of course a small orange juice glass at each setting. All three filled equally and napkins folded perfectly on the center of the plates. In the center of the table is a nice tall stack of pancakes on one plate, the next plate is full of bacon fresh from the oven, then of course the scrambled eggs with bits of sausage in them and finally four stacks of toast on honey bread.

She motions for both men to sit down as she stands near the door as if waiting for something glancing up at the clock for a moment before stepping aside from the door way just in time for Annette to walk in carrying a platter of pastries, a total of four kinds; slices of blue berry muffins, chocolate muffins, banana nut muffins, and of course lemon drizzle cakes. She sets the plate down beside the toast ands hugs Serenity and Mr. Anthony before taking her seat beside Serenity, the girls sitting across from Mr. Anthony and Parker. She addresses Parker in her thick English accent. " Well fancy seeing you here.. " Now mind you it was obvious she was teasing him as she spoke.

He smiles softly towards Annette as he says, " Hello again. " Then his gaze shifts back to Serenity, a sight it rarely leaves though lucky for Parker her father is oblivious to this fact as that is where his own gaze generally remains though for other reasons than Parker's of course. Parker adds softly almost as an after thought but not really, " Everything looks wonderful Serenity. "

As Serenity blushes slightly as Annette laughs shaking her head. Annette could see what neither Serenity or Parker could really see, or was ready to admit. Serenity stands up and serves everyone before serving herself and sitting down once more. Each begins to eat and talk about normal daily things. Primarily Annette who is rather loud and outspoken

Once breakfast was finished Mr. Anthony, Parker, and Annette began eating the pastries while Serenity clears the table and starts cleaning the kitchen though moments after she starts Mr. Anthony stands excusing himself to help her. The moment after the revolving door shuts behind him Annette turns to face Parker her elbows propped up on the table in front of her, her hands folded beneath her chin which rests on them as she speaks. " What are your intentions with Sere? "

He looks at her, a shocked expression crossing over his features as his eyes blink rapidly. " uh… I don't have ' intentions ' towards Serenity. She's just my friend, my best friend. Why? "

She nods slowly staying silent a moment in thought but her serious gaze never leaves his face. Finally she speaks as her thumb tip rests just below her lower lip. " She's mine too, well she's more like a daughter or a sister depending on how you look at it. A little of both I guess. But I see how you look at her. I know you seem like a sweet guy, but very few people are ever how they appear to be. But she means the world to Steven and I, I think you've been good for her so far. I was nearly certain she was never going to make a friend at Oxford. She's reserved. I'll give you one word of advice, respect her and her love for Steven. Her papa is her best man so to speak. She's the mother and the daughter in this house, by choice but still. I don't mean to come off mean Peter Parker, I like you, so take good care of my Sere. Deal? "

" Deal. "

Annette laughs and shakes her head before leaning back in her chair picking up her water and sipping it before speaking again. " No wonder you two get along so well. She's always been a quiet one. Well except lately… She seems to have a lot to say about you. " Her brow raises slightly as she says this.

" Thanks.. I think.. " He pauses for a moment before deciding to tell Annette, " I got her to pose for some photographs back at Oxford, if you'd like I could run upstairs and get my portfolio and show them to you? "

" Of course! Hurry. " She motions for him to run off sitting there sipping at her water as she waits for him to return with the photographs, though by the time he has come back she is waiting for him in the living room rather than the dinning room allowing Serenity and her father to finish cleaning the dinning room without bodies in the way.

He hands Annette his portfolio before taking a seat on the arm chair next to the one she is seated in. As she looks through it she'll find pictures he took of Serenity, first the ones she posed for in places like the garden on the campus, in front of the library, the art building, their dorms, and of course ones taken at Phil's Café. Towards the back however she'd find pictures of Spiderman first in his red and blue suit then slowly she'd see ones with him in a black and white suit.

Her brow raises slightly as she glances up at him. " The man in the back here.. That's that guy we 'ear tid bits about here in London aye? I mean no one I am aware of has actually really spotted him here. What is he? Where does he come from? "

" He's a hero I guess. I use to photograph him back home in New York. "

" Well if he is from New York, what is he doing in England? "

" Well umm.. New York has a lot of hero's now due to his influence in the city. So he moved on where he felt he was needed."

" I suppose that makes sense. You two buddies? "

" Let's just say I know him better than anyone else does. "

Before Annette can say another word Serenity walks into the living room shaking her head as she speaks. " Would you stop interrogating him Annie. He got enough of that last night with Papa.. Besides aren't we supposed to go to the café this morning and help Marcus open? You know if we leave him there alone too long the place might be ashes by the time we get there."

Annette laughs softly standing to her feet as she speaks. " I am not interrogating him. Besides, do you know how many photographs of you this boy has in his portfolio Sere? "

" Aye, I posed for around ten photos. Why? "

" Well if you posed for ten, why does he have nearly fifty of you? "

" Fifty?! " Her sapphire eyes are wide her lips parted in an "O" shape as she stares shocked at Parker her hands curled about her slender hips. " Fifty?!" She repeats still shocked.

He chuckles nervously turning several shades of crimson and scarlet slowly shifting from one shade to the next. " umm…" He gulps, " No-… not quite fifty… "

" But Parker, I only posed for maybe ten! Iffen that.. "

" umm…. I… Had a lot of extra film to use? "

She shakes her head softly taking the portfolio from Annette who hands it up to her. Her eyes widening further as she flips through slowly. Out of the corner of her eye she sees something flutter towards the ground having fallen as she was turning. She kneels down to pick it up before Parker even has a chance to get out of his chair. She lays it on the open page looking down at it with a raised brow of curiosity. A slight smile forming on her crimson lips as she realizes the photograph is of his parents. She then tucks it back into place going through the rest of the portfolio her head tilting to the side as she pauses on Spiderman in the black and white suit. She looks up at him speaking curiously, " This is Spiderman aye? Then one flyin' around campus some nights. I think I've seen him go flyin' in our dorm once or twice back at school."

" You've actually seen 'im? "

" Aye, he's rather handsome too, well body wise. Never seen his face, the mask and all like here in the photograph. "

" Really? Maybe I'll get lucky and get attacked or something and get me own chance to see him up close eh? "

" I don't know if it works quite like that Annie. "

" Do girls really think he is? "

Serenity glances at Parker and nods smiling with a faint bit of a blush on her high boned cheeks. " Aye. I've got to admit I took my own glimpse of him on his way into the room next to mine, the one to the right t'was vacant then of course. One of the American students from.. New York I think was talkin' about him one night there after. Is it true, he was thought to be a menace in New York? " Her gaze is questioning, but a hint of that " are people really that idiotic in America" look.

" Yes he was, but that was all my editor's fault. He liked to twist the truth and make a good man seem bad. He thought it sold more papers that way. " He pauses a moment standing to his feet finally along with both girls adding as an after thought as they all walk out the front door of Serenity's house. " Do you think he's cuter than me Serenity ? " He has that sincere innocent tone to his words his voice nearly a whisper, as if maybe he didn't really want to know the answer, or just didn't really want her to hear the question.

She blushes softly as the three walk towards the Café which is not all that far from her house. She reaches out unnoticeably her fingertips brushing over the back of his hand softly. " He has the same flaw all famous men do Parker, he's famous. " She leaves it at that for a moment before Annette nudges her in their own silent way informing Serenity that for a man, that makes no sense whatsoever, or at the very least would be taken extremely wrong. " What I mean is, famous men are hype for the most part. I am not saying he's a bad guy, but he's not real. Not in the way you are Parker. " True it was no direct response to his question, but then with a girl like her could he honestly expect to get a blunt answer to a question like that?

" umm.. Was that a yes or a no. " He looks at Annette hoping she'll more bluntly answer his question for Sere, or at the very least explain the answer already given.

Annette shakes her head softly stepping up between Serenity and Parker slipping an arm around the shoulder of either as she looks between the two a moment. Then when her gaze settles on Parker just before they arrive at the café she says in a soft whisper for his ears alone, " In a semester of knowing Sere, you ought to know by now the more confusing her answer is, the more likely it is that her answer is the one you want to hear. "

He blushes faintly and opens the gate for both girls slipping out from under Annette's arm in the process. He ushers both in before finding himself standing face to face with an excited and rather high strung thankful Marcus. " I'm glad you're here again sir, I wanted to say thanks again for saving me. You saved my life and my job. Or well my life, she can't fire family but if the fall didn't kill me Annie would have. " He leans in whispering something about the cost of dishes verses the amount he has single-handedly destroyed to Parker.

" It's ok, just learn to be more careful. It might help if you lift your feet when you walk. " Parker smiles helpfully before pulling a chair out for Serenity as Annette heads inside and to the kitchen. In all reality neither Serenity or Parker had anything they really had to do to help, simply be there and keep Marcus from killing himself before they even officially opened for the day.

Once Peter and Serenity are alone for a moment, each with their usual chais, Serenity looks at Parker seriously a moment keeping her silken tones low as she speaks. " It truly is a wonder you aren't spoken for you know that right Peter? You're really one in a million, Spiderman might be a hero, but he's only half the man you are. "

He looks down at the table sighing softly before he begins to speak in soft distant tones, " I was spoken for once… When I was sixteen, a girl named Gwen Stacey. She was a model, real popular in school. Not long after we started dating she was kidnapped by a man who called himself The Green Goblin. Spiderman followed him up to the top of The Fifty-Ninth Street bridge, but The Green Goblin through her off the top of one of the towers, Spiderman tried to save her but the fall was too much for her. She.. Sh-… " He stands to his feet all of the sudden walking towards the gate his hands curling tightly around the iron bending it within his palm but unnoticeable to anyone who saw him his head lowered with locks of chocolate silk falling down in his face.

The moment she knew where his tale was heading her hand had lifted covering her mouth to hide the faint gasp which passes her lips. She stands to her feet following him, stepping up behind him she lifts her hand letting it come to rest on his forearm as she looks up at him softly whispering, " I'm so sorry Peter… "

He nods slowly, if she looks closely she can see one tear on the cheek which faces her presently, he doesn't move nor say a word. Without a word she could see that in his mind the horrible event he had spoke of was playing in slow motion behind those glazed over chocolate eyes.

Her hand lifts from his forearm now, her middle fingertip brushing over the cheek facing her to wipe away that tear. Her other hand lifting to find the one she merely guesses trails down the other cheek removing it as gently as a feather might both times. Then her hand curls softly against the cheek nearest to her like cool silk lightly against his skin.

His eyes half started to close, lashes flashing faintly just above the curve of his cheeks with that feather light touch. He then sighs softly releasing the gate shaking his head softly as he clears his throat. " It's all in the past now Serenity. "

" I understand now. " She said nothing more on that, she understood why he was not spoken for. Why things are as they are between them. She too sighs softly but tries to do it in more of a light manner. She was slowly discovering that Parker tended to switch things when a moment became, emotional. Or maybe she was simply finally admitting it.

" She died not long after my Uncle Ben.. Gwen, Uncle Ben, and my Aunt May were the only ones who ever really believed in me back then.. " He pauses for a moment then continues on still with that distant far off tone as he returns to his seat, half seeing it as Sere kneels down beside him. " Just a little over a year after I lost Gwen my Aunt May died.. Up until a year ago I didn't really have anyone else who cared about me until I met Phil and the girls… And now I have you too.. I don't know.. I guess… It still hurts.. To have lost the first three people who cared about me in less than two years.. "

Her right hand rests on top of his lightly as a feather to his skin listening to him as he speaks. Her sapphire blue eyes never leaving his face watching the distant emotions dance over his features. She could understand how he felt though she had not been through it herself. " I can only imagine… " Her voice of sweet French chords hardly above a whisper as the words pass her crimson lips. " Now that you have me though… I'll be harder to rid yourself of than Phil… " A half smile dancing over her lips, she was trying to bring up his mood even slightly.

He looks down at her and smiles softly laying his other hand on top of hers, his features no longer containing sorrow simply thoughtful expressions as he remembers the past. " I know, but the real question is why would I want to get rid of either of you… after all we're already married… "

Serenity smiles softly giggling faintly as she stands sliding into the seat beside him her hand still between his. " This is true… " Her voice again not above a whisper. Her lips part as though she is going to speak again but her thoughts are interrupted by a very loud gasp from Annette who walks out the doors of the café having come to check on the two "love birds" as she thought of them. She had caught Parker's joke of marriage, though she was not certain it was one. Her hands are curled about her hips as she starts speaking rapidly and slightly high pitched in French at Serenity.

Serenity looks down at the table her hand having left Parker's rapidly to fold delicately in her lap a rush of crimson rising to her high boned ivory cheeks in sharp contrast. She listened to Annette's rampant array of choice phrases spoken in fluent French waiting until the woman had run out of breath before finally speaking up in their defense. " 'Tis not what you think Annie.. There's no certificate or anything so by that technicality it is not real.. I would have told you… but there simply was no time… and I was not going to bring it up around papa.. You know how he would have overreacted… Worse than you.. Peter's friend Phil simply wanted to test us both.. See how far we would take the charade… Parker passed out after the kiss… "

Annette looks from the blushing Parker to the blushing Serenity before sighing deeply and pulling a chair from another table seating herself between them her hands resting on the table as she continues transferring her gaze back and forth between them. " I swear if you two do anything else without keeping me updated I will have both your hides. Understood? "

" Understood.. "

" Understood.. " He looks down at the table folding his hands in front of him turning several shades of crimson wishing he was fighting some life threatening terrifying enemy rather than facing Annette.

Annette stands once again putting her chair back in place before leaning down and kissing Serenity's temple then doing the same to Parker her tones had tamed once again as she speaks to Parker directly her hand reaching down and cupping his chin to bring his gaze to her own. She really was like a demanding mother-hen. " I'm harmless Peter Parker… unless you hurt my girl. You're a good boy.. " She pauses leaning down to kiss his cheek gently and whisper into his ear, " take care of her if you wish, but let her do the same. " She straightens releasing his chin as she looks down at him sternly before smiling softly and winking as she turns walking back into the café.

He smiles softly and nods to her before turning back to Serenity. " She's really scary sometimes, you know? " He asks softly. " I'm sorry for getting you in trouble like that. I just wanted to see you smile. " His soft voice barely above a whisper as he looks down at the table again.

She nods slowly leaning towards Parker as she whispers. " She's scary but she's harmless, honest. And don't be sorry. It was sweet. " She leans on the table far enough to turn her head up so she can look up at him upside down smiling sweetly. " The act was as sweet as you are. " She then slides back into place finishing off her chai which had by now become luke warm. She then stands to her feet tilting her head to the side causing strands of gold which had fallen free to lay across her pale cheek. " In the time you have spent in London how much have you really seen of the city? " Now what she means or rather is asking is whether he had just seen the day to day touristy stuff everyone sees or if he had actually seen the underside, the heart of London.

" Not much really, Big Ben, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, things like that. " Now mind you he had also seen other places and things he doesn't care to mention. " Why? "

She grabs his hand smiling innocently as she tugs on it to pull him to his feet. " You'll see… " She glances back towards the café as she drags him to the gate calling back to Annie. " Annie we're heading out, see you at dinner! " With that she drags him out of the café's fence and a few blocks down to a car rental place going in and whispering to the girl behind the counter passing something over the counter to her as the girl hands her something in return then returns whatever it was Sere handed to her in the first place a moment later. She turns to Parker smiling sweetly and once again grabs his hand dragging him out and behind the building. She pushes a button on a set of keys she was handed and the lights flash on a little black car the doors automatically unlocking. She motions for him to get in as she gets in on the driver's side. Once they are in she starts the car driving it out of the lot and heading onto the main street. She makes several turns taking them onto a dirt road finally, having said nothing still.

They passed old buildings, churches, school houses, castles. Things that those who lived here saw every day and thought nothing of, but some how in her absence she thought more of them as they drive past heading for their unknown destination, well unknown to Parker. They drive in silence down the dirt road passing orchards and ponds and old barns for almost an hour before she turns onto an even smaller dirt road that looks barely big enough for one car going one way much less another car going the opposite way. She pulls over onto a little horseshoe sort of spot parking the car and motioning for him to get out without saying a word. Once they are both out she locks the car stuffing the keys into his pocket seeing as she has none in her adorable little outfit. She adjusts her hat and takes Parker's hand leading him down a foot path up hill just passed where they parked through trees that shield them from what sunlight manages to seep past the clouds above them. The path nearly seeming night around them because of those trees above.

They follow the path for about a half an hour before coming to a clearing that isn't really a clearing but a vast garden full of flowers and plants you'd see randomly around London and the rest of England but rarely all in one spot each thing growing and mingling in with the next thing. She drags him passed this to the edge of the garden pointing out in front of them, the scene that lay before them is the mountains to the left, to the right is the city Big Ben and all and beneath them is a river, however very far beneath them. " This is my favorite place in the entire city.. It's one of the things I miss most when I'm back at Oxford… "

He stands silently for a time, taking in the sights. " It's… beautiful Serenity. " He says finally, not bothering to hide the we in his voice. He squeezes her hand gently looking deep into her eyes. " Thank you. " He adds in a soft whisper. " This is one of the most beautiful and breath taking places I have ever seen. "

She nods slowly her gaze taking in the scene she had seen a million times before but it was amazing every time. Every time it seems like the first one all over again, but this time it was different. She wasn't alone. This time she wasn't here because of sorrowful thoughts or memories, or the lack there of. This time she was there for happy reasons, to show Parker one of the beautiful less known parts of London. Finally she says, " you're welcome… " She finally releases his hand stepping away from him and stepping towards the edge of the cliff slightly further looking down. She was not fond of heights but she seems to enjoy facing her fears.

He follows her, walking to the very edge and casually looking over leaning slightly outward. " I'm glad you brought me here Serenity, until I met you I never knew that any thing so beautiful could exist in this world. Now I know better. " His voice is soft as he turns to look into her eyes. " Thank you for showing me that there are still things left to fight for in this world. "

She smiles softly though her breath sucks in through her teeth sharply with him nearer to the edge than even she was brave enough to go. She says nothing on it, after all he is a grown man decisions of such a nature can be made by him without hindrance of her fears. Her voice is a sweet whisper dipped in French chords as always, " There are always things in this world worth fighting for Peter Parker. You simply have to open your eyes to them, and your heart. " There were several meanings in her words, most very simple and basic. After all she had to force herself to see these same things every day in the world no matter how trying it became. For her it became harder every day as one might imagine it did for him. However she has no idea what he fought, nor did he know that of her. They were so close, yet so far. There were so many things they did not yet know about one another, some things she swore to protect him by never telling him. Her long lashes of golden sunlight dance over the high curve of her pale cheeks softly like butterfly wings taking flight upon a spring breeze. " This is only one of a million things I could show you that are worth fighting for Parker. "

He steps back sensing that she was uncomfortable with his proximity to the edge. " Yes, I've no doubt about that, " he says softly. He also had many secrets that, for her safety, he could not tell her. Secrets that made it difficult for him to have relationships of any personal nature. He smiles at her saying softly, " when are you going to start calling me Peter hmm? " His tone is playful and gentle showing that he doesn't mind her calling him " Parker ". He looks out at the view again wondering about the second meaning that his previous words had taken on even as they left his mouth.

She is truly beautiful, he thinks to himself, but there is no way I could allow myself to pursue her, not after what happened to Gwen. He knew he would not be able to deal with it if he lost her, just because one of his enemies wanted to hurt him.

She looks away from him for a moment in thought remaining silent after his question is spoken aloud. She looks out across the scene before them then turns to look behind them at the garden that looks so serene there. She walks towards the garden kneeling down to touch the velvet petals of a blood red rose as she finally speaks peeking up at him from beneath those sunshine golden lashes, her tone is serious. " I will cease to call you Parker when there are no longer so many hidden secrets between us. When there are no longer so many dark crevices to explore. " Then her sapphire blue eyes lower back to the rose her delicate finger tips caress a soft thoughtful sigh passing her lips. I am just as guilty as he is. My own life is a mystery to everyone in my life as a matter of their safety. I protect everyone around me, but who protects me?