Chapter 12: Loose Ends

Peter was kicking himself mentally all the way to the mansion. How stupid could I be? I wanted to believe Harry had forgiven me so badly, that I totally ignored the buzzing in my head! It bothered him greatly that he had gotten himself in trouble twice in quick succession, and all because he had dismissed the warnings. And Mary Jane has been caught in the middle both times. If Harry has touched her...

He stopped a couple of buildings away, clinging to the edge. Clambering around the side, he peered at the mansion gates. The sun was just setting, and there didn't seem to be any news crews out today. The story was blowing over, since no one had come forward to prove the photos were real. But better safe than sorry. He swung quickly to the building opposite, and used his enhanced senses to feel for danger. All clear.

Peter alighted on the balcony. Tearing off his mask, and returning to regular clothing from his makeshift web-pack, he pushed violently through the French doors.

Harry and MJ were sitting at a table talking. They both looked up at his entrance. "Peter!" MJ exclaimed.

"Hey, why didn't you call for a car, Pete?" Harry asked.

Peter didn't answer. He stalked up to Harry and grabbed him by the shirt collar. "Is this how it is always going to be between us?" he said in a menacing voice.

Mary Jane had come to stand beside him. "What is going on?"

"What are you talking about, Pete?" Harry croaked.

It seemed like such an innocent question, but the tingling had grown ever stronger since he had arrived at the mansion. His spider-sense was strongly warning him about Harry, and this time, he would not ignore it. He lifted Harry into the air by his shirt, and powered him toward the wall. "Don't pretend anymore, Harry. Vogel told me about the call. Will you always send others to do your dirty work?"

Harry's expression turned from frightened confusion to malice. "Not all of us have super powers, Pete. Will you murder me like you did my father?"

Harry's words stung, and Peter released him. "I didn't kill him, Harry! He tried to run me through with the glider, and I jumped out of the way. He doomed himself!" Peter retorted.

Harry rubbed at his throat. "Or so you say. How can I trust a word you speak, when you have been lying to me for years!"

Mary Jane cut in, "What is this about? What happened with Vogel? I'm not going to stand here and watch my two best friends rip each other to shreds!"

Peter placed an arm protectively in front of her, and explained angrily, "He called Vogel to try to trap me into revealing my identity. Vogel was shot trying to get Spider-Man to show up." He turned his blast of anger fully on Harry. "Once again, you almost cost a man his life! Is your misguided revenge worth the harm you'll do to others?"

"And how many have died for the sake of your 'justice?'" Harry spat. "My father, Octavius, all the innocents that got caught in the crossfire?"

"How dare you compare him to those madmen!" Mary Jane exploded. "I've told you before - countless people have been saved through his actions. Imagine how many more would be dead if not for Peter! Myself included!"

He faced them with a steely gaze. "I will never forgive you. Freak. Murderer. If it weren't for the things you know..."

"Looks like we're at an impasse." Peter's tone turned even more deadly serious. "If you so much as think of bothering us, Aunt May, anyone, I'll find out." He started to lead MJ toward the balcony. "You won't win this war. Be sure of it!"

He lifted Mary Jane into his arms. With a final look of warning, he dropped over the edge, leaving Harry to stew alone.

Once they were far enough away, Peter brought them to the pavement. His shoulders crumpled, and a sob tore from him. MJ led him to a bus bench, just a few yards away, and put her gentle arms around him. They cried together until the moon was high in the sky.

It was good to be back home again. Mary Jane had finally listened to all the messages on their machine. Some were from friends, others family, and of course, the press. She made a point to call everyone (except the press) and check in. Most seemed embarrassed that they had believed the press for even a moment. She graciously accepted their apologies with a secret smile on her lips.

Peter was out again, but he had made an odd request earlier. "Meet me at the Moondance for dinner tonight. You can flaunt your new success to Enrique."

It was time to go now, actually. She gathered her jacket, purse and keys, and left the apartment. It was a short cab ride, and she was once again happily surprised to find him waiting for her. "Well, will wonders never cease," she teased.

"I amaze myself sometimes," he responded, and kissed her hello. Inside, they had a nice conversation, even if the food was a little greasy. Enrique even came over to the table and chatted politely with them. "I knew you'd be a star someday," he stated proudly as they paid their check.

"Yeah, right," Mary Jane muttered, for Peter's ears only, once they were outside. "That's why he treated me so well before."

She started to flag a taxi, but Peter lowered her arm. "Let's take a walk, MJ. It's a nice night, and I don't have anywhere to be right now."

"Sure." They headed the way she used to walk home after a day of waitressing. That's a time in my life I certainly don't miss. Peter slipped his hand into hers, and they strolled along the nighttime streets for a good distance, companionably silent. Suddenly, he turned a corner, pulling her along with him.

He stopped. "MJ, turn around for a minute. I have a surprise for you."

She turned around, amused. Behind her, she could hear the familiar thwip, thwip sound of his webs being spun. What is he doing? As she waited, she looked at the buildings around her. It looked so familiar somehow...

"Okay," his voice sounded a bit distant. "Now you can turn around." She complied.

Before her was a large web, spanning the wall below a fire escape. In the center was a note and a box. Peter had disappeared. She stepped over, and plucked the note from the center. Look inside the box, the note read. Excitedly, she opened it to reveal a beautiful ring, and another note: Will you marry me?

Peter descended from above, upside down. "Well?" he asked aloud.

An overwhelming sense of deja vu caused her to realize their location. He had brought her to the exact spot where they'd shared their first kiss. Just as before, she placed her hands on the sides of his face and kissed him passionately. This was fantastically better than the previous time. Arousal coursed through her, all the way to the tips of her fingers and toes. When it ended, she touched her forehead to his and breathed heavily. "Did that answer your question?"

In one quick motion, she found his arm around her waist, and they soared to the rooftop. Setting her down gently, he took the box from her hands. He retrieved the ring inside and placed it on her finger. "Mary Jane Watson, I will love you forever."

"Me too, Tiger." She slipped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. "Is anyone watching?" she whispered huskily.

"I can't sense anyone," he answered.

A mischievous smile played across her features. "I've always wanted to make love by moonlight. Could you, you know..."

He smiled in return, and began creating a web hammock of sorts in the corner. When it was finished, she pushed him down onto it and showed him just how much she loved him.

Harry poured himself another glass of scotch and downed it. There is no justice for us Osborns, Harry, the voice chided. We have to create our own.

"I was so close, father. If his identity had been revealed, he could have been tried and convicted for your murder. Not to mention the civil suits he'd face by the dozen."

Yes, for him to rot in jail, penniless, among those he had helped put in jail himself would have been delicious irony. The voice turned nasty. But he outsmarted you, my boy, and he'll keep doing it. He'll be right: 'You won't win this.' Unless...

Harry opened the drawer of the desk. A small lock box rested inside. He removed and unlocked it, then lifted the lid. Picking up the vial of green fluid, he turned it over in his hands. Harry set his mouth in a grim line, and made his decision.

THE END

A/N: A few tidbits of this chapter I borrowed from Georgia Kennedy's fabulous Twin Demons. I hope you don't mind.

Thanks everyone for the reviews. My beta reviewer (my husband) kept telling me how maddening the end of each previous chapter has been. I hope this chapter brought some closure. But I do like a story that ends with a few unanswered questions. :)

For the final chapter of this trilogy, please go on to "Best Wishes."