This is my first time writing a Spider-man fic, though I have written many Matrix fics, mainly in the romance area. It is a short story, so do not expect a load of chapters. Enjoy.

- Trinity-the-Goalie

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"I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the things we want the most. Even our dreams."

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Choices were never part of Spider-man's life. Sacrifices, sure, but a choice? Never. Every single choice was stolen the moment Ben Parker's hand slipped from Peter's grip, and in its place rested responsibility.

However, on this seemingly normal day, Peter Parker stood in the doorway of his apartment, being told to his face that the one sacrifice that he regretted, the one choice he tried to make, was not his to make in the first place. Here he stood, a warm, tingling sensation surging through his veins as his one true love told him that it was her decision to make, and she wanted to be with him. Mary Jane Watson, in full wedding garb, was telling him that she wanted to be with him, despite the risks.

"Peter, say something." Mary Jane gently broke into his thoughts, forcing him to realize that yes; this was in fact, really happening.

"Thank you, so much, Mary Jane Watson." Peter replied softly before moving towards her, finally kissing her the way he always wanted to.

He could feel Mary Jane's hands sliding along his back and neck, grasping him as tightly as he held her. As lips slid under and against one another, Peter subconsciously prayed for this moment to survive uninterrupted. His prayers apparently were ignored as the shrill sound of sirens pierced the dull roar of New York City. Pulling from Mary Jane, he cast his eyes towards the window for a moment before returning to look at his love's eyes.

"Go get 'em Tiger." It was all he needed to hear before turning towards the window and pulling his shirt over his head, revealing the Spider-man outfit beneath it. Yanking his shoes, and then his pants off, Peter grabbed his gloves from his drawer before grasping his mask. Yanking it over his head, Peter cast one last glance at Mary Jane before hopping out of the window, following the sirens. He heard Mary Jane run to the window and let out a loud yell of happiness as he realized that he was truly happy now- finally.

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Swinging ahead of the helicopters, Peter saw the two cars that had apparently garnered so much interest. Letting out another yell Peter swung down to the closest car, landing deftly on the roof. Crawling to the driver's side door, Peter peeked in.

"You do know that the speed limit is 30 miles per hour." Peter chided before jumping to a nearby van as the driver opened fire at him.

Jumping back to the car, this time landing on the hood Peter gripped the hood as he slammed his feet through the windshield, knocking the driver out. Sliding into the car, Peter moved the man's feet off of the gas pedal and quickly stopped the car before jumping out to pursue the second car. Swinging forward to land on the trunk of the car, Peter flipped forward onto the roof and shot webbing out onto the windshield, blocking up the driver's view.

Jumping off the car as it crashed into a parked vehicle, Peter surveyed the damage, and upon seeing no fatalities, swung off, the sound of cheering citizens echoing through his ears. No one would be able to see the smile upon his face, but his swinging was light-hearted and had a distinct bounce to it. Swinging up to an office building's flagpole, Peter spied a news camera upon him in a helicopter. They must've been filming the chase and followed me. Peter's thoughts came to the conclusion before giving the camera a mock salute and swinging off.

Minutes later, Peter could finally no longer hear the sound of the pursuing helicopter as he nimbly climbed along a wall in an alleyway. Bracing his body against the wall, Peter caught his breath, listening for any signs of mischief nearby. Hearing none, he jumped to the wall opposite him and climbed up the top. Surveying the area before him, Peter moved to the far corner of the roof- and began his way home.

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As he saw the windowsill come into sight, Peter shot out one last strand of webbing and angled himself to land above the window. Knowing that Mary Jane had heard his "landing," Peter crawled slowly down until his head popped into view at the top of the window.

"Hi."

"Hey, everything go well?" Mary Jane asked, a tinge of worry masked in her voice.

"Just dandy, so well that the newsmen found me more interesting than the chase. I spent quite some time losing them." Peter replied, moving down even more so that his face was in level with hers at the window. "Miss me?"

"You know it." Mary Jane smiled softly, reaching a hand up to trail her fingers along his mask-covered jaw. "I must say, Peter Parker, that you are the only man that could kiss me in such a way that the world would go away."

"Oh? Any kiss in particular?" Peter swallowed a laugh, knowing exactly what was going to happen.

"Yeah, I think I can pick one." Mary Jane moved forward, her other hand touching his cheek in a feather-light caress that sent a shiver down his spine. Suddenly she paused, as if remembering something. "Is it okay, with you being in plain view outside the window?"

"Right now, I could care less." Peter replied gently. He knew most of the people in the surrounding apartments were working now anyway, so his worries were confidently ignored the moment he felt Mary Jane's fingers touch the skin on his neck as she pulled the mask up.

Pulling the mask off, Mary Jane leaned forward, moving her lips against Peter's. She could feel the tension in his body dissipate as she gripped him tighter, pulling his upper lip into her mouth. God, how many times had she envisioned a sequel to the most interesting kiss she had ever experienced? The fantasies melted away with each new sensation that shot through her body as a realization hit her: she could have this and more now that it was real and no longer a fantasy.

Pulling his lower lip into her mouth, Mary Jane slowly pulled it with her, ending the kiss. Her eyes stayed closed a moment longer, relishing in the feeling of Peter's hot breath tickling her cheek. Opening her eyes, Mary Jane smiled softly, seeing the dazed look in Peter's blue eyes. A moment passed in silence before Mary Jane took a step back.

"You going to stay out there all day, or come in and rest, Tiger?" Smiling devilishly at Peter, she swallowed a laugh as he scrambled inside. "Now, do you have any tea in this place, or do I have to make a little trip to the store?"

Peter smiled at the arched eyebrow aimed at him, and nodded, still silent. Gesturing towards a drawer at the end of his counter, Peter moved towards his closet. Pulling out a clean shirt and pants, Peter turned back to Mary Jane.

"Hey, MJ, I just need to change out of these clothes and take a shower. So can you just turn around while I, uhh..." Peter trailed off, his cheeks flushing a bright shade of pink.

"The shower is across the hall, right?" Peter nodded at the question. "Well, why don't we just go back to my place? You won't have to worry about someone barging in on you."

Peter smiled softly at the gesture of thoughtfulness, but shook his head. "I live here, I may not be proud of it, but I am not ashamed. I can take a shower here, even if I have to share it with people I don't like."

He swore Mary Jane's face fell ever so slightly at his refusal of the invitation and quickly changed his mind.

"But maybe I could make an allowance just this once." Peter saw the glow return in her cheeks and smiled at her.

"All right then. You want to catch a cab, or take the subway?" Mary Jane asked innocently.

"I know another way that's much faster and cheaper." Peter replied with a grin, grabbing his mask from the bed. Upon thrusting some clean clothes into his knapsack, Peter handed it to Mary Jane, who placed it securely on her shoulders. "You may want to hold on to that dress." Peter commented, pulling his mask down as he moved towards the window.

Mary Jane laughed and gathered the wedding dress up in her hands as Peter wrapped an arm firmly around her waist. Forgetting the dress as Peter jumped out the window, Mary Jane grasped his shoulders tightly. She could feel the wind whipping against her, and was surprised at how serene New York appeared from the sky. No wonder he yells when he swings, this must make him feel so free, Mary Jane thought, resting her head in the crook of Peter's neck. Suddenly, just as the enjoyable ride began, it came to a quick halt.

"MJ, I forgot to ask you earlier, do you still live in the Village?" Peter asked, his voiced slightly muffled through the mask.

Mary Jane nodded without really thinking, her eyes widening upon seeing that Peter was holding her to the wall of some apartment building.

"Okay. Hang on, we're almost there." Peter nodded once before adjusting his grip on Mary Jane's waist.

A few minutes later, Peter landed with a bounce on the balcony of the woman he held in his arms.

"I know you knew where I lived, but you've never actually been here before. How did you–" Mary Jane's question was cut off by Peter's soft confession.

"I've been here, you just never saw me." Peter was suddenly very glad he was wearing his mask, for it hid the red hue flushing his cheeks.

"Oh Peter, you watched over me?" Mary Jane cupped his cheek, searching for his blue eyes through the mask's reflective glasses, but could only see herself.

"As often as I could." Peter smiled under the mask and shrugged. "Shall we go inside?"

Mary Jane allowed a bright smile to appear upon her face before moving towards the French doors and opening them. Moving through the apartment, Mary Jane pointed to the bathroom door before continuing on towards her bedroom, tossing Peter's knapsack at him in the process. Peter smiled beneath the mask before moving into the bathroom. Shutting the door tightly, Peter pulled his mask off before placing it on the toilet seat. Laying his gloves beside it, Peter nimbly found the seam that melded the top of his suit to the bottom and pull it up and over his head. Sensing someone at the door, Peter quickly turned, only to find a wide-eyed Mary Jane, dressed in a robe, holding a clean towel and facecloth.

"And I thought I might surprise you." Mary Jane began, a smiling gracing her face.

"Spider-sense, remember? I can sense someone coming up behind me." Peter explained before his gaze focusing on the towel. "Are those for me?"

"Yeah." Mary Jane handed the towel and cloth over before retreating back out of the room, shutting the door as she left.

Outside the bathroom, Mary Jane placed her back against the door and sighed softly. Inside, Peter moved to place his hand on the door, his palm flat against the sturdy wood. Shaking his head after a moment, Peter placed the towel on the sink counter before shedding himself of his pants and boots. Turning the faucet on, he felt hot water trickle through his fingers, like warm sand on a hot day at the beach. Smiling softly to himself, he knew this would be the first shower he would genuinely enjoy since he last stayed at his aunt's.