Peter was sleeping on a cool, white bed as MJ stared at him. She sighed;
she was going to ask Peter about Gwen, but decided that it wasn't the right
time to ask him; besides, Peter's well being was much more important to
her. The doctors had told her that Peter would be fine, but he still needed
a few days of recuperation-the cuts were pretty deep, and his rib cage
wasn't bruised-it was broken.
Peter opened his eyes slowly. He turned his head slightly and saw MJ. He smiled.
"How are you feeling?" asked MJ.
"Better," he replied, "I told you MJ-I'm really OK. Let's get out of here now."
"I don't think so," she said, "You're worn out. These few days could do you some good. Besides, you have some pretty bad cuts and a broken rib cage. You really need the rest. The doctors also said that because you're so worn out, it'll take your body a longer time to recover."
Peter smiled. He realized that MJ didn't know about his advanced healing factor.
"MJ," replied Peter, "I heal faster than most people-even if my body is worn out. It's another one of my powers."
"That doesn't make a difference. Everyone-even heroes-need their rest. Especially you, Tiger," replied MJ.
Peter tried to sit up, but winced.
MJ noticed this and gently pushed him down.
"That must have been some hell of a fight," replied MJ.
"No, it's just the same old, same old," said Peter. He couldn't help but wonder what the hell was happening to him. Normally, he'd be OK by now. He did get some cuts and bruises-but usually, they weren't so painful. Now, not only was his rib cage killing him, but the usual cuts and burns that he received in every battle that he normally shrugged off were causing him to cringe every few seconds.
Mary Jane noticed the expression of worry on Peter's face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"MJ...I think I'm losing my powers," said Peter, "Before, I was fighting the Green Goblin. (MJ shuddered slightly at the name.) I tried shooting my web strands twice, but nothing happened. Now, every small injury hurts like hell when they normally wouldn't."
MJ was extremely worried when she heard this-what would happen to the hundreds of people in NYC who were counting on him? This would be better for their relationship, but people needed Spiderman now more than ever. Then she suddenly realized what Peter had just said, "The Green Goblin is back?"
"Yeah," replied Peter with a grim face. He couldn't help but wonder about Harry.
"You need help, Peter-Professional help," she said.
"Who, though? I mean, who could I turn to without revealing my secret?"
"You know, Peter-you could ask Dr. Connors while you're in your Spidey suit. I'm pretty sure that he'd be glad to help."
Peter thought. He realized it was his only choice.
"I'll go tonight."
"Tonight?!? You shouldn't go tonight, Peter. You can't; you need-"
"No, MJ. People are counting on me. I can't let them down," he said defiantly. "Especially after what happened to Uncle Ben," he thought.
MJ refused to back down, though. "No, Peter. I won't let you. You need to sleep first."
Peter began to feel annoyed. He knew MJ was worried about him, but he had to find out if he was losing his powers or if this was just a "stage." There were so many people who were relying on him. He let the citizens of NYC down before when he decided that he was "Spiderman, no more," two weeks ago, and not only did the crime rates soar 75%, but several innocent people died. He couldn't help thinking about the elderly man who died on the fourth floor of that burning building; he couldn't help thinking about that kid who was being punched in the dark alleyway, and finally, he couldn't help thinking about his Uncle Ben.
"Look, tiger. I know you feel responsible for the citizens of NY, and I know they're counting on you, but you can't be there all the time. You can't save every single person; it's impossible-you'd go crazy!"
"I know that MJ, but I can try to save as many people as I can."
"But Peter-"
He had to tell her; he just knew it. If MJ was going to be disappointed with him, then so be it. But he had to make her understand why he did this-why he felt this way every time. Peter sighed, "No, MJ. Listen. I have to tell you something. I was madly in love with you ever since I've seen you. In fact, I was in love with you even when I was 6. When I saw Flash give you that car during our senior year of high school, I realized that I could be nothing more to you than a friend. I mean, who would want to marry a nerd like me? I realized that you deserved so much more than what I had to offer you, but that still didn't prevent me from loving you. I was thinking, 'If only I could impress you." Then it hit me: I could buy you a car. The thing was, though, that I had to find a way to get the money by myself-Uncle Ben and Aunt May could barely scrape enough money to buy me a decent camera, and I didn't want my love for you to be a burden for them. As I was flipping through the newspaper one day, I saw this ad about a wrestling match. Whoever won would get several thousand dollars-which was enough money to buy you a decent car." He paused. He couldn't help but feel the tears well up in his eyes. MJ continued to stare at him-she was shocked that she had never noticed the love he had for her.
"All this time, he loved me, but I was too ignorant not to see that," though MJ. Her heart swelled with pain, and she couldn't help but think about the numerous times that he had been there for her-to help her. She had never returned the favor.
He slowly continued: "I won the match, but the man wouldn't give me the money. I was so frustrated and mad. After all of that work, not only did I NOT get the money, but I couldn't buy the car for you. As I was leaving, there was a robber, who stole the man's money. I could have stopped him, but I just let him go. I wanted revenge for what he did to me." Peter paused again and tried to swallow the large lump that was forming in his throat, but he couldn't. He looked down at his hands and continued. MJ could see the shame in his eyes.
"That same robber tried to steal another man's car, but Uncle Ben wouldn't let him. Uncle Ben tried to stop him. So, he"-the tears were slowly streaming down his face-"shot Uncle Ben and killed him. Uncle Ben was the only one that night who did the right thing, and he wound up dying because of it." The tears were flowing quickly and blurred his vision.
"Not only did my actions kill an innocent man-it killed a hardworking man who treated me like I was his own son," said Peter.
"And for that," he whispered, "I will never forgive myself."
MJ was staring at Peter intently the whole time. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him and ashamed at herself. All that time, she had been looking for the "right guy," and all that time, the "right guy" had been in front of her face the whole time. All that time, the "right guy" was there, comforting her and waiting patiently for her.
"Oh Tiger," whispered MJ. She reached for Peter's hand and squeezed it tightly. Peter just stared at his hands.
"Now, you understand why I have to go to Dr. Connors and find out tonight. Now you know why I have to do this-why I'm Spiderman." Peter continued to stare at his hands. He couldn't see the look of disappointment on MJ's face; it would crush his heart to know that the only woman that he had ever loved would hate him for what he had done. He would have lost all hope.
"Peter," MJ said firmly, "Look at me." Peter slowly turned his head toward hers. She realized that the tears had stopped flowing, but his eyes were slightly red and puffy. She placed both of her hands on his face and gently wiped the tears that were on his cheeks. She stared into his gorgeous blue eyes-those blue eyes that were normally giddy, merciful, and full of joy were now filled with remorse and sorrow. It broke her heart to see him in such pain.
"Although you're Spiderman, don't you ever forget that even Spiderman is human, Peter. You have strong emotions that sometimes, you can't control or let go of. Because of those emotions, you make mistakes, and it's OK to make mistakes. Everyone does. The most important thing is to make sure that you never REPEAT those same mistakes again, and that's what you're doing. You're saving countless lives at the expense of your own. It never occurred to you whether or not this could be your final day. You've proved to New Yorkers everywhere that real heroes do exist-even when the only thing that seems to matter is money and power. You've inspired everyone that true heroes will still do the right thing-no matter what. Most importantly, you've proved to me what true love is really about. I love you with all my heart, Tiger, because you are a true hero, and there is no one else on this planet as selfless and as heroic as you are, Mr. Parker."
"MJ..." whispered Peter. He couldn't help but feel relieved. After all he had done, MJ had still found it in her heart to look past his flaws. "Do you really think so? I mean, I'm still a wanted-"
"Peter," interrupted MJ, "Trust me-I know so."
Peter couldn't help but smile slightly. All his life, he had wondered whether doing the right thing was really worth all the pain and misery that it had inflicted, whether it really made a difference. MJ hadn't given up on him; instead, she had inspired him to continue doing what was right.
MJ leaned forward and kissed Peter's forehead lightly. She slowly let go of his face and said, "And like I said, everyone-even Spiderman-needs a day off."
Peter smiled wider. Suddenly, he felt extremely exhausted. MJ noticed the sudden tired look on his face and gently pushed him on his bed. Peter said, "But MJ-" MJ pressed her finger on his lips. Peter nodded and quickly fell asleep as MJ sat back down on her chair.
Peter opened his eyes slowly. He turned his head slightly and saw MJ. He smiled.
"How are you feeling?" asked MJ.
"Better," he replied, "I told you MJ-I'm really OK. Let's get out of here now."
"I don't think so," she said, "You're worn out. These few days could do you some good. Besides, you have some pretty bad cuts and a broken rib cage. You really need the rest. The doctors also said that because you're so worn out, it'll take your body a longer time to recover."
Peter smiled. He realized that MJ didn't know about his advanced healing factor.
"MJ," replied Peter, "I heal faster than most people-even if my body is worn out. It's another one of my powers."
"That doesn't make a difference. Everyone-even heroes-need their rest. Especially you, Tiger," replied MJ.
Peter tried to sit up, but winced.
MJ noticed this and gently pushed him down.
"That must have been some hell of a fight," replied MJ.
"No, it's just the same old, same old," said Peter. He couldn't help but wonder what the hell was happening to him. Normally, he'd be OK by now. He did get some cuts and bruises-but usually, they weren't so painful. Now, not only was his rib cage killing him, but the usual cuts and burns that he received in every battle that he normally shrugged off were causing him to cringe every few seconds.
Mary Jane noticed the expression of worry on Peter's face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"MJ...I think I'm losing my powers," said Peter, "Before, I was fighting the Green Goblin. (MJ shuddered slightly at the name.) I tried shooting my web strands twice, but nothing happened. Now, every small injury hurts like hell when they normally wouldn't."
MJ was extremely worried when she heard this-what would happen to the hundreds of people in NYC who were counting on him? This would be better for their relationship, but people needed Spiderman now more than ever. Then she suddenly realized what Peter had just said, "The Green Goblin is back?"
"Yeah," replied Peter with a grim face. He couldn't help but wonder about Harry.
"You need help, Peter-Professional help," she said.
"Who, though? I mean, who could I turn to without revealing my secret?"
"You know, Peter-you could ask Dr. Connors while you're in your Spidey suit. I'm pretty sure that he'd be glad to help."
Peter thought. He realized it was his only choice.
"I'll go tonight."
"Tonight?!? You shouldn't go tonight, Peter. You can't; you need-"
"No, MJ. People are counting on me. I can't let them down," he said defiantly. "Especially after what happened to Uncle Ben," he thought.
MJ refused to back down, though. "No, Peter. I won't let you. You need to sleep first."
Peter began to feel annoyed. He knew MJ was worried about him, but he had to find out if he was losing his powers or if this was just a "stage." There were so many people who were relying on him. He let the citizens of NYC down before when he decided that he was "Spiderman, no more," two weeks ago, and not only did the crime rates soar 75%, but several innocent people died. He couldn't help thinking about the elderly man who died on the fourth floor of that burning building; he couldn't help thinking about that kid who was being punched in the dark alleyway, and finally, he couldn't help thinking about his Uncle Ben.
"Look, tiger. I know you feel responsible for the citizens of NY, and I know they're counting on you, but you can't be there all the time. You can't save every single person; it's impossible-you'd go crazy!"
"I know that MJ, but I can try to save as many people as I can."
"But Peter-"
He had to tell her; he just knew it. If MJ was going to be disappointed with him, then so be it. But he had to make her understand why he did this-why he felt this way every time. Peter sighed, "No, MJ. Listen. I have to tell you something. I was madly in love with you ever since I've seen you. In fact, I was in love with you even when I was 6. When I saw Flash give you that car during our senior year of high school, I realized that I could be nothing more to you than a friend. I mean, who would want to marry a nerd like me? I realized that you deserved so much more than what I had to offer you, but that still didn't prevent me from loving you. I was thinking, 'If only I could impress you." Then it hit me: I could buy you a car. The thing was, though, that I had to find a way to get the money by myself-Uncle Ben and Aunt May could barely scrape enough money to buy me a decent camera, and I didn't want my love for you to be a burden for them. As I was flipping through the newspaper one day, I saw this ad about a wrestling match. Whoever won would get several thousand dollars-which was enough money to buy you a decent car." He paused. He couldn't help but feel the tears well up in his eyes. MJ continued to stare at him-she was shocked that she had never noticed the love he had for her.
"All this time, he loved me, but I was too ignorant not to see that," though MJ. Her heart swelled with pain, and she couldn't help but think about the numerous times that he had been there for her-to help her. She had never returned the favor.
He slowly continued: "I won the match, but the man wouldn't give me the money. I was so frustrated and mad. After all of that work, not only did I NOT get the money, but I couldn't buy the car for you. As I was leaving, there was a robber, who stole the man's money. I could have stopped him, but I just let him go. I wanted revenge for what he did to me." Peter paused again and tried to swallow the large lump that was forming in his throat, but he couldn't. He looked down at his hands and continued. MJ could see the shame in his eyes.
"That same robber tried to steal another man's car, but Uncle Ben wouldn't let him. Uncle Ben tried to stop him. So, he"-the tears were slowly streaming down his face-"shot Uncle Ben and killed him. Uncle Ben was the only one that night who did the right thing, and he wound up dying because of it." The tears were flowing quickly and blurred his vision.
"Not only did my actions kill an innocent man-it killed a hardworking man who treated me like I was his own son," said Peter.
"And for that," he whispered, "I will never forgive myself."
MJ was staring at Peter intently the whole time. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him and ashamed at herself. All that time, she had been looking for the "right guy," and all that time, the "right guy" had been in front of her face the whole time. All that time, the "right guy" was there, comforting her and waiting patiently for her.
"Oh Tiger," whispered MJ. She reached for Peter's hand and squeezed it tightly. Peter just stared at his hands.
"Now, you understand why I have to go to Dr. Connors and find out tonight. Now you know why I have to do this-why I'm Spiderman." Peter continued to stare at his hands. He couldn't see the look of disappointment on MJ's face; it would crush his heart to know that the only woman that he had ever loved would hate him for what he had done. He would have lost all hope.
"Peter," MJ said firmly, "Look at me." Peter slowly turned his head toward hers. She realized that the tears had stopped flowing, but his eyes were slightly red and puffy. She placed both of her hands on his face and gently wiped the tears that were on his cheeks. She stared into his gorgeous blue eyes-those blue eyes that were normally giddy, merciful, and full of joy were now filled with remorse and sorrow. It broke her heart to see him in such pain.
"Although you're Spiderman, don't you ever forget that even Spiderman is human, Peter. You have strong emotions that sometimes, you can't control or let go of. Because of those emotions, you make mistakes, and it's OK to make mistakes. Everyone does. The most important thing is to make sure that you never REPEAT those same mistakes again, and that's what you're doing. You're saving countless lives at the expense of your own. It never occurred to you whether or not this could be your final day. You've proved to New Yorkers everywhere that real heroes do exist-even when the only thing that seems to matter is money and power. You've inspired everyone that true heroes will still do the right thing-no matter what. Most importantly, you've proved to me what true love is really about. I love you with all my heart, Tiger, because you are a true hero, and there is no one else on this planet as selfless and as heroic as you are, Mr. Parker."
"MJ..." whispered Peter. He couldn't help but feel relieved. After all he had done, MJ had still found it in her heart to look past his flaws. "Do you really think so? I mean, I'm still a wanted-"
"Peter," interrupted MJ, "Trust me-I know so."
Peter couldn't help but smile slightly. All his life, he had wondered whether doing the right thing was really worth all the pain and misery that it had inflicted, whether it really made a difference. MJ hadn't given up on him; instead, she had inspired him to continue doing what was right.
MJ leaned forward and kissed Peter's forehead lightly. She slowly let go of his face and said, "And like I said, everyone-even Spiderman-needs a day off."
Peter smiled wider. Suddenly, he felt extremely exhausted. MJ noticed the sudden tired look on his face and gently pushed him on his bed. Peter said, "But MJ-" MJ pressed her finger on his lips. Peter nodded and quickly fell asleep as MJ sat back down on her chair.