Episodic: Yeah well for the update I got a few more stories I'm doing then when I started this. And what are you talking about? MJ, Harry and Peter are from New York not Bayville so they never saw that, and as for Rogue she was single in that episode and she isn't anymore but that's a long way off anyway. Peter will get some help but someone else might play a part in that.

Joseph McKinley: lol, sorry if you were waiting long, I had a LOT to get out of the way first before I wanted to bring them in.

Sparky Genocide: Sorry but you'd lose that bet and yes JJ and Brock getting closer isn't good.

Edge: Sorry I've never seen Ranma1/2, but I am glad you like my work.

Red Witch: Thanks, and tell me about it. They barely had any humans on their side.

oceanbang: Thanks, and Connors will keep in touch. I'm glad you liked the part with Peter and Rogue I hadn't planned on doing that until I realized I needed to bring something else to the story and I just popped into my head. As for MJ and Harry meeting the others and way they are there you'll see why.

Kaliann: Yes he'll remember look for a chapter called 'Secrets of the Past' some time soon.

The Uncanny R-Man: Hey what are friends for? Yeah they did Jameson pretty well in the movie. And if you think Peter's reaction is something wait until Rogue and MJ meet. Not THAT will be interesting. And I never liked Evan, he was annoying, lazy and never did what he was supposed to do yet never got into any trouble for it. Plus what was up with the skating thing in battle?

Slickboy444: No problem I can understand that, and Curt and Hank do have a lot in common don't they? Let's just say things are going to be interesting between MJ and Rogue.

X-Over: Maybe there will be an appearance of Felicia later on, and I'm thinking of Gwen, and I'm going the comic way of Venom's origin slightly. You'll see the reactions to the Lizard photos in this chapter and no Billy isn't a mutant.

And thanks to: psychobunny410, A Bleeding Rose, spyder616, J. Erich Jay, Lord Destroyer, Rei4, Ivan Alias, Morlin, becky, WindScar8, Jaguar

SPIDER-X

CHAPTER 39: OLD FRIENDS

Peter was up bright and early since school was back in session. He got a shower, after waiting for a few of the others to get out first, then got dressed and was down for breakfast. "Morning." He said cheerfully then he saw a few of the others gathered around the paper.

"Man Peter you got to see this." Evan said and by his tone Peter was sure he wasn't going to like it. When he looked at the cover he was right. It was a picture of the Lizard attacking Principal Kelly.

"Oh great." Peter moaned. "I swear I didn't notice anyone, but then I might not have gotten there in time I think." He slumped down in his chair.

"Like not to mention how Dr. Connors must feel after seeing this too." Kitty said reminding them of him.

"Oh yeah that makes me feel better." Peter grumbled. He looked at the article to see who was this person that took the photo, when he read the name. "Eddie Brock? Why does that name sound familiar?"

"Hey I think he was the guy who took pictures of those monsters at the dance!" Scott said to them. "I think he might have been the guy taking all those pictures of the couples."

Peter tried to remember that night, but to be honest when he wasn't looking at the monster he had been staring at Rogue all night. He tried to remember the face of the photo guy and then it hit him. He had thought there had been something familiar about that guy. "Oh crap. I know him. He tried to take pictures of the girls when they did their Siren thing."

"What? Since when?" Jean asked him.

"Don't worry I took the film." Peter said assuring her. "I guess that's another good reason you girls stopped, he nearly got you all on film." Jean didn't like the thought of that. If pictures of them had gotten out it would have been hard to hide their identities, unlike Peter they didn't wear masks and some of them could have been easily identified.

"I think we need to watch out for that guy." Scott said to them. "So far this guy is going around and he's not making life easier by showing the world this stuff."

Everyone there knew what it might mean if the world knew only about these things and then mutants were exposed. Not exactly the best light on things even though the two incidents weren't mutants the world might not see it as that. "Man the Professor is not going to like this." Peter muttered.

Later in the day it was in science glass that Peter saw Dr. Connors. He looked fine but he wondered what exactly he was really doing after seeing the morning paper. He talked to Kitty next to him about talking to him after class and she thought it was best. When everyone else was leaving they walked up to Dr. Connors.

"Hey Doc, how have you been doing?" Peter asked him.

He smiled at their concern. "If you mean physically I'm fine...but I think it will be awhile until I can sleep soundly." He said gravely.

"It couldn't have been like good to see that picture this morning." Kitty said in sympathy.

Curt sighed and sank down into his seat. "No, no it wasn't Kitty. Quite frankly actually seeing what I was...it's kind of disturbing."

"At least that nightmare is over with." Peter offered him seeing the weight of this on this shoulders and Curt gave a small smile.

"At least I have that much...thank you for your concern you two. But I better not keep you or you'll be late for class."

"Yeah you're right, come on Peter we better get going and I'm glad you're doing well Dr. Connors." Kitty said to him grabbing Peter's arm and dragging him out of the classroom.

The entire day was pretty much normal, well except for the wild rumors running around about monsters showing up and stuff. There was even a running joke with a few of the students on whether they should try lure that lizard creature back to Kelly's office and finish what it started.

Kelly himself had been jumpy all day and Peter guessed he would be for some time. Not to mention he had to get a new car since his was totaled and who had giant rampaging lizard creature insurance? He was putting away his books and grabbed his camera that he brought in today.

"What's with the camera?" He turned to see Rogue leaning next to him.

"Well I heard the school paper needed a new photographer, apparently the last guy had to quit it to concentrate more on his school work." Peter explained as he closed up his locker.

"That sounds nice, tha photos that ah saw that you took were great. Ya should go for it." She encouraged him.

He smiled at her faith in his abilities. "Thanks Rogue, wanna come by with me?"

She shrugged. "Sure why not?" When they got to the office she saw Kitty just standing in the hall looking like she was waiting for someone. "Hey Peter, ah'm goin' ta see what Kitty is up to."

"Alright I'll meet you when I'm done."

Rogue walked up to Kitty. "Hey what are ya still doin' here?" She asked Kitty who jumped at her voice. She hadn't noticed Rogue coming over to her and now was worried.

"Oh, well, like, you see, I uh..." She tried to think of something to say to her roommate but she got nothing. Rogue could see how nervous she was and figured who it was she was waiting for.

"Lance is commin' isn't he?" Rogue said trying to keep the disgust out of her voice.

"Rogue he's not that bad." Kitty told her trying to make her see reason.

"Like when him and his friends lured us out to that construction site? If he wasn't so bad then why does he attack us all the tahme, and don't give meh the 'just doin' what I was told' thing cause even I didn't do that when I was one of them." She said sternly. "Kitty if he really is a good guy then try ta get him to leave...I know things were tough with him and Scott when he tried it, but if he came back, and ah can't believe ah'm sayin' this, but it would be different."

"I try Rogue, I do but he's just so..."

"Stubborn?" She offered.

"Yeah that." She said sighing a little. "Also I don't think he wants to leave Tabitha there alone."

"What? Why?" Rogue asked her a little more concerned.

"Well..." Kitty wasn't sure what to tell her. She was biting her lower lip and rubbing her arm out of nervousness. "Lance said that Max had been a little...possessive...with Tabitha, and his temper is getting a little out of hand."

Rogue didn't like the sounds of that at all. The next time she saw Tabitha would ask her what's going on, or Amara. Those two had kept in touch ever since the Siren thing so if anyone would know what was going on it might be her.

"Hey what's up girls?" Peter asked them coming up.

"Nothin'" Rogue told him. She knew Peter had enough to deal with as it was, and she didn't need him to go after Electro or at least another reason to go after him. "So how did it go?"

Peter smiled. "Well they needed a photographer and there's the game after school so they want me to shot it for the paper, if they like it they'll give me a place at the student paper and even for the year book. So they want me to take pictures of the soccer game after school."

"That sound like totally great!" Kitty said nearly jumping for joy. "I think a few of us are going since Jean's playing."

"Cool and you guys will never believe this." Peter said with a small smile.

"What?" Rogue asked him curious about what that smile was about.

"The opposing team is my old high school." He said to them.

"Cool maybe you'll like meet someone from your old school." Kitty said.

Peter thought about it for a moment, it would be just his luck to run into someone like Flash Thomson again. "Nah...I mean what are the odds?"

AT THE GAME

The soccer game was on Bayville high's home turf so everyone at the Institute was out cheering for the team and for Jean. Although Scott was there mainly for Jean, and she was glad for it. It was nice to have someone there for her, with Duncan he either had practice or was just talking to his friends not caring what was going on.

It was another reason she was glad she was with Scott now, since she knew that he would support her.

In the bleachers there were quite a crowd including a few students of the visiting school. The Brotherhood was also there for the most part. Lance was sitting with Kitty away from both X-Men and Brotherhood. Max however was watching Parker. Ever since he got here he had a bad feelings about that guy, then there were the supposedly two different people with spider powers. He remembered what they had learned from Lance who wasn't too happy that Mystique forced him to get information out of his girlfriend.

Kitty had told him that they did have a guy with spider powers but he didn't go to high school so that's why they never saw him. Max didn't buy it though. Either Parker was that spider-powered mutant they fought or there was someone else. He was also sure that the spider in the X-Men style uniform was the same as in the red and blue. They were just too similar but he wasn't sure if it was Parker or not.

So far he didn't seem like the type, and he did hear how Mathews and his friends had roughed him up. If it had been Max he would have shown those caveman a real beating. "Max what are you doing?" Tabitha asked him. "You stare any harder and I think you were playing for the other team." She joked.

Max just sent a glare to her and she stopped talking. He didn't like Parker or that other group but Parker especially he didn't like. And if he was the spider then he was going to make him pay twice over.

Peter was taking a few shots of the game and had gotten a few good ones too. He was walking back to his seat where Kurt, Amanda, Scott and Rogue were sitting. He sat down at the edge where his bag was laying on the grass next to Rogue. He reached into this bag and pulled out a new roll of film and reloaded his camera.

"You know...I feel a little torn." Peter said offhandedly.

"Vhy's zat?" Kurt asked from behind him.

"Well it's a game with my new school against my old one...I mean who do I root for?" He said in good humor.

"Peter is that you?" A familiar voice called out. Peter turned his head sharply to the right and stood up. He couldn't believe his eyes. Then everyone was surprised when a beautiful red head ran up to him and hugged him. "I knew it was you tiger."

"MJ!" Peter said happily at seeing one of his oldest friends.

"What no hug for me?" Came another voice and Peter looked up to see a boy his own age with short brown hair walk over to them.

"Harry? You're here too?"

"You got it, we figured since our team was coming here we might come along and hopefully we met up with you." Harry said happily. "Hey Mary Jane, you might want to let go of Peter by now." He said in good humor.

"Oh right sorry." MJ said pulling away blushing a little from embarrassment. "It's just that the last time we saw you was during Christmas...we've just missed you."

"Hey Peter care to introduce us?" Kurt asked him.

"Oh right." Peter said rubbing the back of his head. "Guys this is Scott, the German guy is Kurt, that's his girlfriend Amanda and this is Rogue. Guys this is MJ and Harry."

Harry walked up to Rogue with a smile. "Hey nice to meet a friend of Peter's." He put his hand out for a shake. Rogue looked at it for a moment then shook it.

"Thanks...and ah'm his girlfriend." She told him. It came out a little more stern then she wanted but seeing that MJ girl wrap herself around Peter was a little unpleasant for her to see, mainly cause she could do that without worrying about hurting him.

"Whoa. Serious?" Harry turned to Peter. "I thought you just made that up?" He said with a smile.

Peter just scowled a little. "Gee thanks for the support Harry." He said dryly. "Yes we're dating. What you think I could never get a girl?"

"You want me to really answer that?" Harry said with a smile. Peter just shook his head, he hadn't changed at all since he had known him and he was actually glad for that. MJ watched as they started to catch up and she was glad too see Peter again but there was a part of her that wished he never left.

She missed him being there all the time, and the truth was. When he left her feelings towards Peter were growing to something beyond friendship. She knew she had missed out on her chance with him and she did regret it. But seeing Peter now she was beginning to realize things were better for Peter here.

She saw that Peter was surrounded by friends since back home he only had her and Harry. And by the way Rogue was sitting close to Peter she could see that she cared for him too. "Hey you're Mary Jane right?" MJ turned to see another red head walking over to her in a soccer uniform with a boy with strange red glasses next to her.

She stock out her hand to MJ. "I'm Jean, and this is Scott we're friends of Peter." MJ shook her hand, even though it was kind of strange. She couldn't help but notice that they seemed kind of alike, same kind of hair only MJ liked to keep hers' slightly shorter, and they both had green eyes, but Jean was slightly taller then her.

"Yeah, it's good to meet you. Peter talks a lot about all the friends he's made here."

Jean smiled. "Yeah well Peter's definitely made an impact on our lives since he's come here." There was someone calling Jean's name and she looked back. "Alright." She called over. "Sorry I can't stay long, but I just wanted to come over and say high before the game ended." Jean told her and she ad to run off back to the bench to rejoin her team.

MJ returned to the others seeing Harry getting along with the boy named Kurt so she sat next to Rogue. She could tell Rogue was a little uncomfortable with her there, she guessed hugging Peter like that might have sent the wrong message. "So...how long exactly have you two been going out?"

Rogue shrugged. "A few weeks."

'Okay...a quiet one.' MJ thought. "Well you're lucky...Peter's a nice guy." She looked over to Peter joking around with Harry and Kurt while Amanda laughed at them. MJ smiled, she hadn't seen Peter this happy in a long time, not since his uncle had been murdered.

"Yeah he is." Rogue admitted. "He's tha first boy ah ever let get close ta me...he makes me feel better about myself."

MJ nodded. "Yeah he has that effect. He always has to help someone, I think it's just his nature and I wish there were more people like him in the world...I just wish so many bad things hadn't happen to him."

"Yeah...someone like him doesn't deserve that...but he doesn't let it drag him down...at least not on the outside."

MJ looked at Rogue. MJ had known Peter for years yet this girl not as long and already she knew Peter on a such a personal level, it was then she realized just how close she was to him. "You know...I'm glad Peter has someone in his life that understands him...I don't know why but ever since his uncle died he's...changed. I don't know how but he was different and I swore he was keeping something from me."

Rogue was a little nervous now. She knew all about Peter because of the memories she got from him and what he had told her, but this girl seemed to know a lot about Peter, but not about his powers or his need to help people as Spider-Man. "Ah think he was just trying ta get over it. First his parents then his uncle...it was tough on him."

MJ nodded. "Yeah...I guess that was it." She looked to Peter again and smiled seeing him so happy. "I'm glad he's smiling again...I didn't think I would ever see him really smile again."

Peter was enjoying catching up to Harry and he was glad that he and Kurt were getting along too. "So you're last name is Osborn?" Kurt asked Harry. "Any relation to zat guy that owns zat company?"

Harry nodded but didn't look too happy about it. "Yeah, that's my dad."

Kurt could see his reaction and found it strange. "You're not on good terms vith him?"

Harry shrugged. "He's just busy with everything, doesn't always has time for family when he's got a company to run."

Kurt now wished he hadn't brought it up seeing the pain on his face. "I'm sorry for bringing it up, I didn't know."

Harry held up his hand. "It's alright I'm used to it by now. It was one of the reasons I'm glad I met Pete here, he's been the first real friend I ever had." Peter smiled at his friends words, they were true for Peter as well since he was never really good at making friends when he was younger him and Harry were kind of outsiders and then one day they just started talking and then they soon became fast friends.

"Well look what we got here." Came another familiar voice and Peter shut his eyes.

'Oh no not him, not now, not today.' Peter pleaded but he slowly turned around and saw none other then Flash Thomson. 'Great just the guy I never wanted to see again...ever.' Flash was a tall athletic boy Peter's age only taller and with blond hair. He also made Peter's life miserable for years picking on Peter whenever he could.

Harry scowled at him. "What are you doing here Flash?" He said bitterly.

"Liz is playing here and I thought I would come to cheer her on, I didn't expect to run into my old buddy Parker thought." He saw MJ sitting next to Rogue and he smiled. "Still hanging out with the good looking girls but still not getting any huh? Hey living dead girl don't tell me you know this geek?"

Rogue was very tempted to punch the guy's lights out, she stood up and glared at him. "For you're information ah'm Peter's girlfriend and if ya say another thang ah'll make ya sorry!" She wrapped her arms around one of Peter's to emphasize their relationship and that left Flash a little surprised that Peter could get a girl like that.

Harry and Kurt had had enough of him too and stood with Peter. "You best leave Flash...or else." Flash was looking at the three younger boys considering if he could take them if he wanted when another one walked over with red shades.

Scott had been watching the game, or more precisely Jean, but when he looked over to their direction he saw there was someone looking like they were causing trouble so he had decided to go over and see. "There a problem here?" He said to the blond boy.

Flash now saw his odds weren't so good. "Forget this, I got better things to do." And he turned and walked off.

Scott watched him go. "Friend of yours?" He asked Peter.

Peter just rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah just the best." He said sarcastically. "Think Duncan Mathews long lost brother and there you go." Scott nodded knowing full well what only that could mean the other guy was like.

The rest of the game went without incident thankfully and Jean joined up with them on the stands with Scott when the teams were getting ready to pack up. Peter was glad that his old friends and new ones were getting along and it was also nice to actually see MJ and Harry again after so long. But like all things it didn't last. Harry looked at his watch and frowned. "Hey guys I hate to spoil things...but MJ and me have to start heading back now."

"Do you two have to go so fast?" Peter asked he really didn't want them to go.

Harry nodded. "Yeah we got to be back in New York soon, but maybe we could visit again? How about it MJ?"

Mary Jane couldn't stop the smile on her face even if she wanted to. "I'd like that. Maybe on the weekend or something?"

The mutants looked at little nervous at that. "Uh...we'll have to run that by the Professor first." Scott told them.

Harry shrugged. "Hey if it's a big deal come to my place. My dad's usually gone and whenever you need to you could crash there."

"Thanks Harry." Peter told him. "Maybe one day we'll take you up on the offer." As they had to say their goodbyes as Harry and MJ had to leave in order to catch their ride, Rogue noticed the sad look on Peter's face. She knew he missed his friends and this wasn't easy for him. She took his hand in her gloved one and gave a slight squeeze and he returned in as a small smile was on his face.

"You'll see them again." She said to them.

"I hope so." Peter told her still watching his oldest friends leave. It was always hard to say goodbye and he hoped that one day soon they would get together again.

NEXT UP CHAPTER 40: HERO

Peter has to choose, let a young girl burn to death or expose Spider-Man to the world, and his actions will have more then one effect on the world.