Treason and Bliss

One afternoon when Peter came back home I at once felt he had something important to tell me. For a long while he sat opposite me in silence then he spoke:

-I today met my friend of old.

-You've never told me about him - I was surprised

He sighed softly.

-It's a complicated story because Harry is a bit strange. It results perhaps from his being very much complexed and still trying to match the demands of his father although he is dead.

From Peter's next words I learned that Harry Osborne had gone with him to the state high school though he was the son of a rich businessman. Left in the childhood by his mother he could not get along with his father and, wanting to focus his attention on him he started to do stupid things. He learned poorly, expelled from several private schools and the father was more and more displeased with him.

Apparently Harry was the opposition of Peter. In their surronding they yet both felt lonely and that made them come close. Besides Harry's father got very fond of Peter. He probably saw in him such a son he would want to have: hard-working, ambitious and modest. Harry did not mind it and also this that him and Peter both were keen on Mary Jane, they school mate.

Harry's father dealt with scientific experiments and as the result of one his self dissociated. He sometimes would turn into the murderous Green Goblin desolating New York. Peter was already Spiderman and undertook fight against him, during which they yet did not know each other's true personalities.

In the final battle Goblin underwent a mortal accident. Harry did not know anything about the double life of his father so he charged the unknown Spiderman with the father's death. The situation was very inconvenient for Peter so he avoided his friend for a long time.

Harry took over the firm of his father, which sponsored the researches of Doc Ock - then simply the brilliant scientist doctor Otto Octavius. His change into an octopus meant catostrophy for Oscorp. Harry started drinking and his wish of revenge on Spiderman grew even stronger. He was very unkind to Peter, who then himself had many problems. At last Harry made a deal with Doc Ock - he promised to give him the tritium for rebuilding his generator in exchange for capturing Spiderman.

When Peter left our house after that night he was still so weak that Doc Ock managed to catch him and bring to Harry's place. The old friend was going to kill him yet the revealing of Spiderman's identity shocked him so much that he let him escape. Since that time Peter had not had any news from him - up to now.

He met Harry by accident in the vincinity of the college and Harry seemed to be really glad with that. He said he had wanted to apologize to Peter for a long time but was afraid if Peter would ever want to talk with him. He found in the cellar the Goblin's mask and understood who his father had been and that Peter had to fight him. Since that time he had not been able to forgive himself that due to own stupidity he lost the only friend he had ever had.

-Did you believe him? - I asked

-It was difficult in the beginning - Peter admitted. - I remebered how he was festering with hatred then. If I had devoted more time to him perhaps it all would not had happened. I had not been able yet to confess to him the truth of his father. Goblin in his dying moments became hiself again and asked that Harry would never learn about his madness. I also considered it would be better - Harry had the right to memory of his father.

I recalled how he had once defended Octopus. It was just Peter - ready to look for good in everyone, even in the worst enemy.

-Harry asked me to visit him today - he added after a while. - He told me he felt so lonely in his big house, haunted by the ghosts of the past.

I felt some strange uneasiness. I could not explain it rationally but I somehow did not like that Harry Osborne. I reminded I once had seen his photo in a newspaper by the article on Oscorp troubles. He looked a bold, handsome and smart young man, who yet did not rouse trust. It was hard to believe he could be a true friend to be relied on. Of course, Peter knew him better but could he be trusted again?

-Is it wise ? - I tried to make appearance that I just calmly cosidered it - Maybe he just wants to lure you there by treason and hurt you?

-Don't be afraid Wendy, I know him well and besides I can defend myself. Harry is just an ordinary man and I had copied with Goblin and Octopus. I will just call on the old friend for a chat. I will return before ten and we will go for a flight yet.

-Maybe I'd go with you?

-It's not the best idea. I'd gladly show you to the whole world but we have to talk our businesses to the end and Harry would surely prefer it happened without witnessess.

All I could say was only:

-So take care and come back quickly.

Peter soon left and I still felt an anxiety. I could not do anything and still kept on looking at the door and listening to the familiar tap of the window.

-Don't worry, Wendy - dad tried comforting me. - They surely went tipsy with that buddy.

Yet when 10 and then 11 passsed even Hermione started being anxious. She was trodding home nervously and meowing, staring still at the door.

-Perhaps he went to some intervention - dad cheered me up. - Still you know he is invincible.

He was yet more grave than usual. I could feel he was also worried but he did not want to show it to me.

I went to bed but I could not sleep and was listening only to the clock striking hours one by one. After 2 in the night the silence was broken with the telephone ring.

-'It's him!' - hope vanished as fast at it appeared. - 'Or perhaps something happened to him.'

I picked up the receiver with a shaking hand and I heard a strange, up-to-point voice there;

-Ms Wendy Brown?

I did not know how much it took before I uttered:

-Yes.

-We are calling from the hospital. The police just brought to us a heavily wounded man of the name of Peter Parker. He had your name and address written in his documents. Is that your relative?

-No.. I mean yes..

-Yoo should come as quickly as you can, he is in a really bad state.

-No! - it was not me scream but the pain tearing me apart. - Of course, I am coming.

I managed to notice dad standing by me and embracing me without words.

I burts out with terrible crying knowing but one thing: if he died I would die along with him.

Dad spoke after a moment:

-Perhaps we should call his aunt. Don't worry, I will do this.

I remebered their talk as through the mist. I felt I should have done this yet I had no strenght. Half-consciouss I got dressed and got into the cab with dad.

In the hospital corridor we met aunt May who seemed strangly peaceful.

-My child, - she only said and hugged me. - God saves him for sure.

I just wanted to believe this like her but I had no power.

The doctor appeared.

-Are you the relatives of Peter Parker?

We all nodded.

-Unhappily I have no good news for you. His state is just hopeless. He may die any second. He was struck with a knife in his heart.

When I heard this as if someone also had struck my heart. At home and even while going to the hospital I hoped he was not that bad. But now this cruel truth had been spoken mercilesslly.

'Harry Osborne' - I thought at once. ' I was right he should not have gone there'

It was the last thought before I fainted.

When I came to my senses I saw over me the anxiuos faces of dad, aunt and the doctor.

-Maybe you want some tranqulizer?

-No, thank you. I... can I see him?

-Of course, but just for a second. You can too - he addressed dad and aunt.

I was prepared to see Peter looking poorly yet I could not stop tears. What I saw exceeded my worst fears.

His pale, almost transparent face was hardly seen from among drips and other complicated apparatus. The monitor was showing very weak and wavering rhythm of his heart.

I came closer to the bed and took his hand. I did not know if he realized my presence but I wanted to show him I was with him.

-I am sorry but you have to go - I heard the doctor's voice.

I could not manage to let go of his hand. I looked beggingly at dad and aunt and they understood me.

-Doctor, perhaps it would help him if Wendy stayed with him - said the aunt.

-Oh, ok., it will surely not make him worse - the doctor agreed.

In a moment I was left alone with Peter. I was stroking his pale, transparent hand with blue veins shining through the skin, as if I wanted to pour life into him.

-My dearest one - I was whispering. - you mean a world to me. But what is me... people need you, you cannot leave them now. You surely will be saved. And when you get better and the spring comes we will go to my cousins' rancho. We will ride horses there and go for long walks in the forest with Hermione untill you are again strong and ready to return. You can make many beautiful pictures there. And once we will have children, little spideys, which you will teach all your skills.

I did not know how long I was talking to him like that. I must have fallen asleep at last by his side for when I opened my eyes there was the bright day outside.

I was still holding Peter's hand, which seemed to me a bit warmer. The rhythm of the heart in the moniter was also more equal.

I looked into his face, very pale but as if calmer. I stroked his cheek very gently and he opened his blue eyes and whispered:

-Wendy...

I kissed his hand and wept.

There came dad and aunt to the room, the aunt being not at all surprised with the improvement of Peter's state.

-He woke up, recognized me!

Dad just embraced me and stroked my hair and the aunt said calmly:

- To die in such stupid way it is not what he has been chosen for.

Now I was full of awe towards her faith that perhaps helped to save him.

There came the doctor and smiled seeing our joy.

-You saved him, thank you - I said qiuckly.

Doctor looked at me gravely.

-It was your love that saved him.

-The world yields to love and kneels in awe before it - the aunt added.

I glanced again at Peter. His gaze was consciouss and he seemed to understand what was happening around him.

-Did Harry Osborne do it to you? - I asked.

He whispered with effort:

-Yes, but don't blame him. He's very unhappy.

-I will go there and kill him! I will sue him, let him rot in the prison! - I could not stop myself and started screaming forgetting that Peter needed peace. And then dad approached me and said:

-Wendy, he has already dispensed himself with justice. I heard on the radio in the morning about the suicide of the Oscorp's president.

That day all the newspapers wrote about it. Harry Osborne shot himself and left a good-bye letter in which he confessed the whole truth: the afford to murder his best friend and the remorses after this deed. He did not yet reveal Peter's identity. I could not forgive him yet I decided to try once knowing that Peter had already done this. I knew I could not get stuck in hatered. The most important was now Peter's return to health.

And it progressed faster than expected. After two weeks Peter went out of the hospital. The doctor said he should yet reamain there but he can be signed out earlier for the doctor knew Peter would have a good care at home.

Peter was still weak but he was happy with coming home. I took leave at work and spent the whole days with him. And he lay in bed in his room with Hermione by his side. He read a bit, learnt, not to be backward at studies, but first of all he slept and rested a lot.

I did not ask him the details of Harry Osborn's story. I knew that if he wanted he would tell it to me himself once. And so it happened.

When Peter was stronger and able to walk I found him in his room gazing at grey leafless boughs of the trees.

After a while he spoke:

-I often think of Harry. Perhaps it is hard to understand for you but I still think we could have reached a consent then.

I felt he must let loose of all that. I was silent then and listend to the next words.

-When I came then to Harry, I saw he was really glad at my sight. We talked as freely as in old days. I saw that something irked Harry as if he was going to tell me something and was afraid and put it off. He drank a bit and invited me to drink too but I drank just a sip for I felt I should be sober. But Harry kept on refilling his galss time after time so I decided I had to go. I do not know whether my intuition failed or I was too little vigilant. Anyway, I spotted his knife only when it was aimed at me. And I did not manage to step aside. I do not know what happened then. Apparently Harry cosidered me dead and decided to carry my body somewhere. Doctors told me that I was found by a police patrol by the bank of a sewer. Then I woke up in the hospital and saw you. Before I had heard your voice and it was it what brought me back to life.

I came close to him and held him tight. We lasted in silenece for a long while.

-I had forgiven Harry even before I knew about his death - said Peter at last. - Similarly to Goblin and Octopus he was possessed by some evil force which he could not master. He had to have been terribly lonely and miserable. I hope he found peace in some place.

I said nothing. Peter knew I was not able to forgive Harry yet but he did not persist. Still I felt he had to tell me all that to finally close that matter.

In a few days we went with dad and aunt to the rancho of my cousins. We stayed there till Easter and all was like in my dreams. I thought we were waking for life together with the nature of the spring. We spent the whole days walking the forest with playful Hermione climbing high trees. We also tried riding the very friendly black horses with white stars on their foreheads. I recollected my skills from childhood and Peter fast became friends with horses, which he was going to make the heroes of his next photo cycle.

At night meanwhile he practised his spider abilities which he had not used for a long time. At first he had some problems but after he shot webs with the former skill. At last he took me for a trip to the forest during which we were swishing among the trees till we landed on a small clearing shining in the moonlight.

I was feeding on this fairy sight and only after a while I noticed Peter was oddly grave. Maybe he was thinking about our little vacation ending soon and that we had to enjoy every remaining moment?

-Wendy I have to tell you something? - he breathed at last.

In his eyes there again was that old expression of shamefullness when he asked:

-Wendy, would you marry me?

I felt dizzy and thought I was going to swoon. The top of my dream was coming true but still so many of them had lataly become real.

-But Peter, do you really want it?

-And you don't want? -he asked in an uneasy voice.

-If I don't want? I even did not dare to think about it. But you are so young and have the whole life before you. Are you sure you want to marry now?

-Wendy - he took my hand and held it tight. - Would I find a wife better than you even if I searched 100 years? Thanks to you I had learned love in all its aspects. I understood it is not a crush but being together in good and bad and feeling that there is alwasy for you someone you can count on.

I conceived he was sincere and that I also could trust him with my secret. I took his hand and laid on my belly.

-Can you feel something?

He raised his innnocent eyes on me.

-The little spider must be swinging from a thread inside there.

Tears welled in Peter's eyes. He knelt and snuggled his head to my belly. And then he slipped onto my finger a silver ring in the shape of a flower with a gem so intensly blue as his eyes.

In a couple of days we returned to New York where we held our silent wedding soon. We organized at our florist's the next exhibition of Peter's pictures after which his fame grew even more. He could now abandon the work at the newspaper and start preparing to open his own photo study.

It did not yet disturb him in other matters. He came back to the college and because he was very clever the professors were convincing him to choose the scientific career. In all of Peter's plans there was yet the place for one more kind of work.

He still flew away for his patrols at night. At first he wanted to put it off till the child was born for he did not want to make me worried. I convinced him that I got used to it yet.

Still I did not foresee our child would want to come to the world in the moments when his father would be flying over the city. Dad took me to the hospital and aunt decided to wait for Peter's return.

Our son was born happily at dawn. He had a tawny skin and dark eyes but in his gaze there was a great similarity to Peter.

It soon became clear that it did not concern only his looks. When the whole family came to the hospital, Peter took his son in his arms and was examining his wrists with interest. He pushed him there gently and we clearly saw a tiny web coming out. We took a closer look at his minute fingers at their innner side where under the skin there was delicately marked the shape of the future spider claws.

-Well, yes - father spoke at last. - In a few years he's gonna run away to the ceiling before his grandpa.