Severing Ties
Summary: Things are looking up for Peter. It had been a few months since Doctor Octavius passed away, and Peter was getting his life on track except for a few things that wouldn't let him be. That's all about to change as someone, somewhere, needs Peter, and he's going to be in for a wild ride.
Chapter 2: Fluctuating Grade Point Averages
In the morning, Peter went through his routine without even thinking about it. His brain kicked in on the way to school, when he realized he had forgotten his report. He took a deep breath and headed back. He almost swore when he saw someone get mugged.
Peter changed into Spider-Man and ran at the fat mugger. "Pick on someone your own size," he said as he noticed the person getting mugged was a young female. Spider-Man spun and kicked him in the face. He then punched the mugger a few times before the mugger was unable to fight back. Spider-Man tied him up in webbing and stuck him to the building.
"Thanks," said the young woman breathlessly.
"Any time, Miss," Spider-Man replied. It was then he noticed it was Jackie. Her eyes were wide with awe, and a deep blush bloomed in her cheeks. If he didn't have the mask, he would have smiled as a good-bye, but instead he just swung off, leaving a very flustered Jackie in the alley.
Peter slipped into class silently. He listened through the lecture, took his notes, and turned in his paper.
"Peter, you were late," said Doctor Connors before Peter got a chance to leave.
"I know, sir. I was held up."
"That doesn't excuse it. Normally, I wouldn't have even accepted your report." Peter looked worried. "But I overheard your conversation with Jackie Salvani yesterday. About how you were going to tutor her. I admire that, and I'll take your paper this time. If Jackie's grades don't come up in the next three weeks, I'll take your grade from this project out of your GPA. Understand?"
"Definitely, Doctor Connors. Thank you." Peter turned around and went outside.
"I was waiting for you," said Jackie. She had a large grin on her face.
"Really?" Though it unnerved him, Peter avoided thinking about it. "I guess I should be thanking you," he said. "It's because of you my paper's being graded."
"Like I really had anything to do with it," Jackie replied modestly. "I bet Doctor Connors told you my GPA had to come up, or yours would go way down."
"Almost. I came in late—" It was then he noticed she was still smiling like a lunatic. "What's got you so happy?" he asked.
"You'd laugh at me," she said, her cheeks turning red.
"Of course not," he contradicted. Somehow this seemed a bit familiar to him.
Jackie took a deep breath. "I got mugged this morning."
"That's why you're grinning? Because you got mugged?" Peter asked, a look of glaring disbelief on his face.
"I knew you wouldn't get it. It's just…" She trailed off, looking at the ground. "I was rescued."
Peter faked a look of sudden understanding. He thought it funny. "Him." It was all he could manage without laughing.
"I knew you'd think it was hilarious. Let's all make fun of the girl who's got a thing for the superhero," she joked.
"No, no. I don't think it's funny. I think it's cute. I mean, you have no idea what his personality's like. You don't know why he does what he does. Heck, you barely even know what he looks like," Peter explained.
"He's obviously got a hero complex, like with sacrificing himself and stuff. He's a nice guy, because you can't be nice and do what he does. He was possibly picked on, earlier in his life." She continued on.
Peter was baffled that she deduced all this from the simple fact that he was a superhero. Ignoring the heat that rose in the back of his neck, he started talking to her about tutoring.
"The only day I have free is Saturday. Sunday I spend with my family, and Monday through Friday I work and go to class," Jackie informed.
"What time Saturday?" Peter asked.
"Any time between noon and midnight. I sleep until noon and go to sleep at midnight. Pick a time." She gave him her phone number, and told him she had to go. "See ya Saturday," she said.
The next few days passed slowly. Peter took Mary Jane with him to go visit Aunt May, who was getting increasingly ill. She insisted that it was just old age, but the young couple knew better. They went to their homes after a good bye kiss.
Peter talked to Jackie on the phone and told her to meet him at the library. They discussed the time and what needed to be explained. Saturday came, and Peter went on his way to the library.
He saw five guys in black outfits follow some girl down the street. They never stop, Peter thought as he took off his normal clothes. He pulled the mask over his face and slung to stop the guys. The idiots tried to take him out one by one. Not very smart, are they? "Who are you guys? MOB? Mafia withOut Brains?" he said as he knocked the last guy out.
"Thanks again," said the girl. It was Jackie.
"This seems suspiciously like you're getting yourself into trouble on purpose," said Spider-Man.
Jackie's face turned crimson. "N-not on purpose. I-I didn't mean to. They just seem to follow me."
"Where were you headed?" Spider-Man asked, knowing perfectly well the answer.
"The library. I'm meeting a tutor there," she explained.
"So you're the girl Peter told me about."
Jackie's eyes widened. "P-Peter told you about me?"
"He mentioned he wouldn't be able to take pictures of me today because he was tutoring a girl who was completely lost in Biochemistry."
Jackie nodded her assent.
"Would you like a ride to the library?" He had no idea why he just offered that, but it seemed like a good idea. He could drop her off, go change, and come rushing in like he'd forgotten about the time. He figured that worked. He looked at Jackie, but she wasn't talking. She just stared. "You okay?" She nodded quickly. "Want the ride?" She motioned affirmative.
Later he would realize that it probably wasn't the best idea, carrying a woman who was as awkward as Jackie. She was terribly thin and long-limbed. He ignored the flash of heat where she clung to him. When he let her go, he noticed her knees trembled when she tried to stand. She gripped the rail on the stairs that entered the library.
"Are you going to be okay?" Spider-Man asked, not liking how odd his voice sounded in that instant.
"I-I think so." She turned swiftly and almost ran into the library.
A few minutes later Peter entered the library, and looked for Jackie.
"Peter!" she called softly.
He turned into the room with tables and chairs. "Hi," he greeted.
"Hey." She didn't say anything else, and Peter took out one of his old Biochemistry books.
"You're awfully quiet, today."
Jackie shook it off like it was nothing. The flush was still on her cheeks and her eyes seemed dazed.
"You wanna tell me what's wrong?" he asked.
"I'm just a little charged right now," she replied curtly.
"What happened?" Peter looked at her in concern. When he'd saved her from the one mugger, she was grinning madly. Now, when he'd saved her from five, and carried her here, she was moody.
Jackie gave Peter a small smile. "I should be learning Biochemistry."
"It's not going to help if you can't pay attention."
Jackie sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm seriously confused."
"About what?"
"Spider-Man."
Uh oh, Peter thought. "Why are you confused? I bet he saved you again, didn't he?"
"Yeah, and I know I should be grateful, but I could barely even talk to him. I mean…there were five thugs this time, and he offered to give me a lift. I accepted and…I have no idea what I feel right about now."
"Don't worry about it. If you're lucky, you might not have to see him again," Peter commented.
"With my luck, you bet," Jackie snorted. "I just…I just wish I could talk to him, you know? And not get all tongue-tied and stuff."
Peter definitely understood that. "Think you could get to work now that you've told me about this?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Think so." Jackie smiled again and they began to work.
After three hours, Peter was proud of Jackie. She's made a definite improvement, most likely because he was using what she termed regular words. "I'll take you to Columbia University's Science Department next week," he promised.
"Thanks a bunch, Pete," Jackie gushed. "It means a lot to me."
"Any time."
"Oh, hold on," she called to his retreating back. He turned around to see the blush bloom on Jackie's face. "Could you please refrain from talking about me to Spider-Man?" He nodded, laughed, and continued his way out the door.
(A/N: Yay! I got reviewers!! Three!!! Yay! You all rock!
Darth Zelda: Thanks ever so much. The next update might not come this quick. Hope you won't get discouraged.
Mary Jane Watson-Parker: Ahh! That is soooo awesome. I'm really glad you like this, so far. The plot's already moving along, believe me. See if you can spot it. ;-) Peter's gonna wish it'd happen again a bit later, when he's all alone...but, shhhh! I'm not supposed to tell you that, yet. XD