Chapter 3: Honest at Last

John stared distractedly out of the window of The Daily Bugle's headquarters. His father was in the middle of one of his famous tirades. This one was directed at him, but he was too exhausted to respond to it anymore.

"...two-timing, worthless piece of crap doesn't deserve it! John, my boy, why are you protecting her! Say the word, and your ex-fiancée and this Casanova of hers will be ruined! She'll never work in this town again!" J.J. Jameson took a breath to notice his son was not paying attention to him. "Damn it, John! Instead of just running back to the base with your tail between your legs, you should be doing something!"

John came away from the window, moved his carry-on suitcase out of the way, and sat heavily in the chair facing his father's desk. "Dad..." he closed his eyes tiredly, then looked at J.J. with frustration. "Do we have to go over this every hour before I leave? I won't tell you who it is. I still care about Mary Jane - I don't want to destroy her just because we aren't together anymore. I just want to move on with my life."

A knock sounded at the door. Robbie Robertson stepped in, saying, "J.J., we need a decision on page 1." He stopped only a few steps in, realizing he had interrupted a tense moment. "Oh, sorry, J.J. Hello, John." Robbie nodded a greeting.

John nodded back but didn't reply. J.J. quickly filled in the silence, as if there were no problem at all. "Tell 'em to hold off - I'm still working on something for page 8." He gave John a meaningful look. John's face hardened, and he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

Not one to let a story setback get the best of him, J.J. plunged ahead, declaring, "All right, take this down - Spider-Man RUINED MY LIFE." He gestured across his body as if he were reading the headline in front of him. "That can apply to any number of people, including myself and my misguided son here."

"Dad!" John was fed up with his father's one-track mind when it came to Spider-Man. "He saved Mary Jane's life! If he hadn't come out of retirement that day, who knows what could have happened!"

"She did tell you that it was because of that night that she decided not to marry you, right?" J.J. said with a touch of smugness.

Robbie looked intrigued. "She really told you that, John?"

"Well, yes...she said she realized she didn't love me, after her ordeal." He winced. It still hurt to talk about it, after all, it had only been a week. "But I would rather have her alive and with someone else, than dead!"

John turned to his suitcase and hefted it. "I have to catch my plane, Dad. I'll call you when I arrive." He headed for the door.

Before he had made it halfway out of the office, Betty Brant poked her head in the doorway. "Mr. Jameson, Peter Parker here to see you." John halted in mid-stride. Only Robbie seemed to notice his reaction.

"Parker! Send him in! He hasn't been in with photographs since the wall-crawler appeared back on the scene!" He beckoned imperiously with his free hand.

Peter walked into the office, half-nervous, half-confident. Expecting only to see J.J. and maybe Hoffman and Robbie, he too came to an abrupt halt at the sight of John.

"John," Peter said firmly, but quietly.

"Parker." John's voice matched Peter's in tone.

Robbie looked from one to the other, with a dawning expression of realization. Betty looked puzzled, but came farther into the office.

Oblivious, J.J. went on, "So, what do you have for me, Parker?" He finally noticed the awkward silence and stillness that permeated the area around Peter and John. "What? Cat got your tongue? Get over here and show me what you've got." Peter cocked his head to the side, clearly surprised at J.J.'s demeanor, and started forward. He stopped a step later, not wanting to push past John.

After a beat, John stepped to the side, and let Peter pass. He didn't leave, though. His face had a determined look.

"Uh, Mr. Jameson, I don't have any pictures for you. I have a letter of resignation. I know you don't want me around here anymore, but I felt I should still give my notice." He held the letter out for J.J. to take.

Jameson was surprised, but dismissive. "You'll resign when I fire you! Your pictures are usually crap, but what made you think I didn't want them anymore?"

Peter was clearly stunned. Jameson doesn't know? He shot a puzzled look over at John, who pressed his lips together but didn't respond. Robbie was trying to hide a slight smile.

He's trying to protect MJ, I guess. But the truth will come out sooner or later. It will be nice to be honest with J.J. about something at least. "I thought...after what happened between John and Mary Jane...you wouldn't want me working here."

J.J. huffed, "What do you have to do with my son and that...uh...What!" He faced contorted in incredulity. He quickly turned to John. John's shoulders straightened, and he nodded. "Pa --" For once, J.J. was at a loss for words.

"So, I'll, uh, just leave this on your desk and be on my way..." Peter tried to make his exit while J.J. was still flabbergasted.

John took this as his cue to leave as well. "I've got to catch a cab right now, or I won't make my flight. See you later, Dad, Robbie, Betty." He conspicuously left out Peter's name as he brushed past and walked toward the elevators.

"That..little.." J.J. mumbled. Peter got as far as Betty's desk before he heard, "PARKER!" But he didn't stop walking until he felt Betty's touch on his shoulder. She and Robbie had followed him out of the office into the newsroom, letting the big man fume in solitude.

"Peter," Betty smirked at him. "I didn't know you had it in you! Good luck out there." She gave him a hug and a wink, then headed back to the ringing telephone at her desk.

Robbie gave him a hearty handshake. "You really got one over on him!" He gave him a piercing look before adding, "So Spider-Man saves Ms. Watson yet again, and you finally get the girl?" Peter returned a sharp look. He's doing it again! Implying that he knows...

He tried to appear abashed. "Just lucky, I guess."

Robbie patted him on the shoulder. "It's nice that someone can have good luck these days. Hey, let me know if I can help you in any way. I have some connections around town, if you need them."

"Thanks, Robbie. I appreciate the offer. See you around." Peter shook his hand again, and headed toward the hallway.

"I'm sure I will," Robbie said quietly, but still loud enough for Peter's enhanced hearing to pick it up.