A/N: Thank you for the kind reviews so far - I was so nervous the day I posted the first part!

Chapter 2: Conversation at the Cafe

Mary Jane sat drinking coffee at a sidewalk cafe. It was a beautiful spring day, and she had decided to enjoy the fresh air. It had been an incredible few days. As she daydreamed, the memories blurred together. She and Peter had spent every free moment together - every possible moment that he was not out stopping crimes, in class, or on patrol.

In fact, he had only left about 20 minutes ago, swinging away after hearing a report on the radio. Just before, as a song had been in its last refrain, Peter had suddenly stopped in mid-sentence, eyes wide, back straight. The first time it happened, she didn't even get an explanation. Just a kiss and a "Be back soon." He later explained that he had been alerted by his "spider-sense" that there was some kind of danger - a tingling sensation that seemed to slow time to a crawl. "It was my spider-sense that saved us from the car Dr. Octavius threw through the window," Peter had explained. "I was warned in enough time to barely get us out of its path. That, along with the fact that I didn't need my glasses again, told me that my spider-powers had returned."

The last few days had been filled with explanations. How he first got his powers from the spider bite, learning to use his powers, the part he played in his uncle Ben's death, designing the costume, getting pictures of himself. And he urgently told her of the people who had found out his identity: the Green Goblin (Mr. Osborn!), the train passengers, and Harry. "Anyone who knows is a danger to both of us, MJ. Be careful," he had warned.

Of course, these days had also been filled with passion - the kind that young lovers everywhere have experienced when a sexual relationship is new. They had loved each other from a distance for so long that their lovemaking had an unbelievable urgency. Even now, she could feel his touches on her skin. Those hands, she mused. So strong and tender at the same time. Warmth began spreading through her as she remembered...

A shadow crossed her field of vision. She had been staring down into her coffee cup, lost in thought. She looked up - she guessed a waiter was checking on her - to see Harry's haggard face. He was sharply dressed, as always, but looking worn around the edges. What do I say to him? she wondered.

"Hello, MJ." He studied the seat across from her, with no place setting, and quickly determined she was alone. "May I?" he asked, nodding toward the empty chair.

She nodded, hoping her nervousness wasn't showing. "I saw you here, as I was passing by, and I asked the driver to stop. How have you been?" He sat and looked intently into her eyes as he continued, "I came to the wedding, but, of course, you never saw me."

"Of course." She blushed a little. "I'm doing as well as can be expected. I hated to hurt John like that, but it had to be done."

"Why? What made you change your mind?" His stare was only growing more intense, as if he were searching for something in her body language.

I shouldn't show my hand too quickly, she thought. Not until I know what he might do with what he knows about Peter. "I realized I didn't love him the way he deserved to be loved. After my ordeal with Dr. Octopus, I discovered I had a few issues to work out."

Something about her answer made his expression turn a little cold. "And have you?"

"Yes..." she trailed off and looked down at her cup again. She could see his hands tense up as they lay on the tablecloth.

"Tell me the truth, MJ," he started in a low voice, "did you leave John...for Peter?"

Her head popped back up, and her eyes widened. She then set her mouth into a thin line, but didn't answer. His eyes had narrowed.

"It's what I expected, though I was hoping I was wrong," he said. His expression turned harder. "MJ, he's not who he seems to be. The Peter we knew in high school is long gone. Oh, he still acts like a clueless geek..." Harry's fist hit the table. "Trust me when I tell you, get out of it before it's too late!"

During his tirade, Mary Jane set her shoulders determinedly. There was a fire in her eyes when she said, "Let's stop dancing around the subject. Do I know? Yes! Apparently you and I found out about Peter's...double life...on the same night. I think I have always known subconsciously who he was." Harry sat back, astonished. "But it only makes me love him more! He has been putting all of his needs and wants aside for the sake of the city. Isn't he allowed a little happiness?"

"A little h-- MJ! If you know, then you also know that he is responsible for my father's death! If you even suspected before, why didn't you tell me?" Harry's astonishment had quickly turned back to anger.

"Because I love him! And you can't believe for a minute that he really killed your father, now that you know who he is!" She reached out for his hand. Peter told me Harry doesn't know who his father was. He says there is a good reason why he won't tell Harry what happened, and I believe him. "That was the same night he was saving me and a tram car full of kids from the Green Goblin! Your father must have somehow been in the wrong place at the wrong time. If he had murdered your father, why would he bring him back to the mansion?"

"I don't know, guilt over what he had done, maybe? Mary Jane, when I confronted him about it, he didn't deny it! He acted like what happened didn't matter, and ran off to save you!"

Now Mary Jane was getting angry. "Which he almost couldn't do because of you! Giving tritium to that lunatic so you could have your revenge?" She started to sense that other customers were tuning in to their argument. She lowered her voice. "Spider-Man has saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives. You would have had the deaths of millions on your hands!"

She quickly stood up, and rummaged in her purse. Throwing a five dollar bill on the table, she stormed out of the exit. The two of them were such good friends! she thought furiously. Harry's stubbornness and Peter's guilt and sense of responsibility are just going to make this worse. For good or bad, she had sided with Peter. She could only hope that somewhere in Harry's hurt and angry soul he would see it was best to drop his revenge and move on with his life.

She turned a corner, not really caring where she was going, and bumped head down into someone. "Oh, sorry..."

Instantly, she saw it was Peter, in costume. "I was in the neighborhood and I saw you heading this way. Care for a lift home?" He had been standing out of sight of the main street.

"Am I glad to see you, Tiger." She gave him a warm hug. "I ran into Harry just now. He knows about us, and he still blames you for Mr. Osborn's death. Peter, whatever your reasons, you need to tell him the truth!"

He quickly pulled them further into the shadows. "I made a promise, MJ. When I break my promises, people get hurt." He pulled his mask away, and gave her a pleading look.

Looking into those eyes, she relented. "Then make me a promise. You'll try to patch things up with Harry? Somehow?"

He smiled. "I can't deny you anything, MJ." He gave her a long kiss, which grew longer as his hands started to travel her body. "I can't deny how much I want you right now, either."

She pulled him a little tighter. "I've got time before my pick-up rehearsal tonight, "she said, giving him another scorching kiss. "How about that lift?"

In an incredibly fast motion, his mask was back over his face, and they were swinging high above the buildings toward her apartment.

Harry watched her walk down the street, and then turn to go between two buildings. I don't want to lose MJ's friendship, too. I'd better go and apologize, he thought.

Striding quickly over to where he saw her turn the corner, he looked into the alley. He caught a flash of red and blue, and pulled his head back out of sight. He could faintly hear voices. "I can't deny you anything, MJ." Pete. Harry listened to the rest of the conversation, inching his head forward to see.

They were kissing, wrapped around each other in a way that made his stomach lurch. MJ's last comment left no room for doubt. They're not just seeing each other, they're sleeping together!

He stumbled backward, catching himself on the wall. A red and blue blur suddenly sped by overhead. Neither one turned back to see him standing there. You are truly alone, now, Harry. She's in deep with that lying bastard. She doesn't care that he ruined your life.

He could faintly hear insane laughter in his head as he stumbled back toward home.