Author's note: This is great… fifteen chapters… who would've thought, eh? Canadian people rock!! Oh, heh… sorry… random thought. Will Rosie Die? I dunno, read and find out. I just realized that a few mistakes were made, like in the last chapter, "It was very deer." That was supposed to be deep…and a few other places, but hey, I guess we all make typos. Oh well, that's life.

Hey Agent Silver!! I read your next chapter. I loved it. Please continue!

Chapter 15: Dream

The next morning, sunlight filtered in through the windows in Otto's bedroom. Rosie opened her eyes and blinked a few times to get accustomed to the light. She tried to sit up and get a better look at where she was, but immediately and slowly fell back when a nauseating wave of lightheadedness forced her to lay her head back down on the pillow. She noticed that her breathing was shallow. Her eyes wandered around the room and to her blood-stained jacket that lay on the floor in the corner. Her eyes went down to her leg. Her pant leg had been rolled up a few inches above her knee and a large, white bandage wrapped around her injury. She turned her eyes to her right and saw Otto seated in a chair, leaning against the wall, not even a foot away from her side. His sunglasses were barely hanging from his hand, his hair was once again disheveled and his mouth was half-open. He was mumbling to himself what plainly sounded like, "No…n-no." The gold-armor was taken off, as well as the gauntlets, and Rosie could plainly see the three rips in his shirt, the skin beneath spotted with dried blood. Looking down, she could see his black medical bag open on the floor.

What happened? Was it all a dream? She pondered to herself about last night. She gingerly reached over to Otto and touched her hand to his chest, on the claw marks, and felt his pulse beneath. At her touch, he stirred, and gritted his teeth from the pain. Rosie withdrew her hand when he did. It had all happened. Otto opened his auburn eyes and looked at her.

She gently touched her hand to his. He took it and gently clasped it. They didn't say anything. Otto had apparently sat by her side all night, like a loyal dog to its master, only falling asleep about an hour before. Last night had certainly left them both shaken.

She sighed, closing her eyes. The lightheadedness became too much and she slipped back into unconsciousness. Otto placed her hand back on the bed next to her after checking to make sure she had a pulse. He quietly stood up and left the room, actuators drooping, and shut the door behind him with a snick. Peter was sitting on the couch, Aunt May was bandaging Peter's arm. "Honestly Peter are you telling me everything?"

Peter sighed, "Yes… Otto was beating up a few thugs, I went in to get a few pictures and Venom showed up. Unfortunately I was caught in the crossfire," He looked into his Aunt's eyes as Otto stood in front of his bedroom door, silent. "Besides," he continued, "It's just a scratch that bled a little." Otto knew why he was telling May this; to keep her calm and unsuspecting that he was Spiderman.

"Nevertheless, I worry about you," She said setting the roll of gauze on the coffee table in front of them.

Peter nodded and smiled, remembering the time he was visiting Aunt May in the hospital,

You do too much, you're not Superman, you know

"What's so funny?" May asked him.

"Just thinking about the time you told me 'You're not Superman.' Maybe I do need to relax a little," He said with an undertone of laughter.

They both shared a laugh while Otto made his way over to an armchair and flopped down in it. The signs of weariness were returning to his face. He leaned his head back and sighed deeply.

May smiled in a concerned manner at him before standing to her feet and walking down the hall to her bedroom.

Peter waited until May was out of earshot, "Is she going to be all right?"

Otto sat there silent for a moment before looking at Peter. "I hope," he said, his voice cracking with exhaustion. It was one thing to go on for weeks on end without sleeping when you weren't worried about something, but it's another thing to make it one night completely panicked about something. He leaned forward and raked his fingers through his thick brown hair. He noticed how shaggy it had gotten. His bangs hung freely in his face and the back, once cropped short, was now a few inches down his neck. It had grown two inches, probably more, since the last time he cut it.

"So… how bad is it?" Peter asked looking at Otto.

Otto looked up at him before speaking. "It's a cut about three and a half inches long and about three quarters of an inch deep. She made it through the night so the worst is over, but… I just-" He cut off and lowered his head. He couldn't understand it, even though she was back and alive, his heart still ached terribly. Why was it doing that?

The actuators sensed his feelings.

Father, you mustn't worry

Yes, you did all that you could

When she's better, you'll be better… right?

She'll live, I know she will

He couldn't help but smile. The new inhibitor chip allowed them to speak, but if they tried to say anything that even hinted of retaking his mind, it blocked those voices out.

Otto sighed and leaned his head back.

Peter watched him for a moment. He could sense something else troubling him besides the fact that Rosie was injured badly. Peter lowered his eyebrows, trying to focus on what made him uncomfortable, "What's wrong?" he asked.

Otto looked to him, rubbing his temples. There was a long silence before he spoke, "I've been having a dream…no…more like, a nightmare…I haven't slept in days. Every time I fall asleep, this dream returns." Peter listened intently as Otto continued, "In the dream, well, it starts at the demonstration…I say everything that I said there that day. The fusion demonstration begins and follows through, every detail is there. The spike of energy, Rosie…dying, you…" Peter looked at him, remembering everything that happened that day. Otto's description and Peter's thinking were cut short as shrill sirens sped past the apartment. Otto made to get up, but Peter motioned him back down, "Don't worry about it, I'll take this one." Otto smiled weakly and sat back down. Peter sped down the hall and didn't reemerge. Otto hung his head again and mentally talked to his actuators. A gentle touch on his shoulder startled him. He quickly turned around, the lights overhead flashing off of the goggles that were still on top of his head.

"Hey, what's wrong?" MJ said looking at him as she sauntered over to the couch and sat down. "I heard you and Pete talking. Are you having a dream?" She asked sweetly. Otto nodded silently. "Do you want to talk about it?" She continued.

Otto paused before telling her all that he had told Peter so far. He paused when he came to the part where he was electrocuted then continued uneasily, "After I fall, everything goes black. When I regain consciousness, I'm laying face down on wet concrete and it's raining. I am as I am now… the new me. My armor's on. The place I'm in has rubble all over the place, and the roof is gone. I find myself… walking towards the edge of where I'm standing. I'm on some kind of tower. Something… moves around in the shadows behind me. When I turn around, I see Venom…" His voice trailed off. MJ knew very well who this Venom character was. Peter had talked about fighting it constantly.

When Otto regained his composure, he continued, "…As I run toward him, the floor gives way and I fall down into the tower. When I land, I see Peter…"

At the mention of her lover's name, she straightened up. "Peter?" she asked.

Otto bit his lip and continued, "but he's-he's… dying…" that last word had been hard to say. MJ let out a small gasp. "It's then when I wake up. I never seem to finish the dream." He looked away.

Tears had sprung to her eyes and she lowered her face as they rolled down her soft cheek. Otto stood up and walked over to her, gently putting his arm around her shoulders. One actuator settled itself in her lap on its own accord and trilled soothingly.

"It's okay… It was only a dream," Otto said gently.

"But, what if it comes true?" She asked fearfully. She shuddered at that thought. She had even said it her self, she just couldn't live without Peter. Otto stood up and made his way back across the room to the hall. He stopped and turned his face to her, "Then we shall make sure it doesn't," He said with a reassuring smile. He turned and disappeared down the hall to check on his beloved, leaving MJ alone.

Somehow, she was comforted by his words.

On the other side of the city, Venom sat on top of a tall skyscraper in the Financial District, licking his wound. The long, dark-red tongue flitted about, lapping up the blood from his shoulder in an animal like fashion; dying the red tongue an even deeper red with each lick. He hissed painfully and went back to cleaning it. What use was his arm to him now? It was still numb from the force of the actuator slamming into him with its spike bared. How was he supposed to know those things had weapons in them?

The symbiote stayed silent inside Venom's mind as he continued cleaning. At last it spoke as Venom touched his hand to the cut.

Perhapsss I could try sssomething? It hissed.

Venom moved his hand away from the still-bleeding wound as some of the symbiote retreated into the hole. Venom gave a half-screech, half-roar of pain as the black stuff entered his bloody shoulder. Red streaks ran down the black outer covering of his body as he gritted his dagger-like teeth in frustration and pain. The pain slowly subsided and he felt his strength slowly returning to his arm.

First his fingers, then his hand, the warmth of renewal spread slowly up his arm. At last it reached his shoulder and the symbiote slowly slid out.

"How did you do that?" Venom whispered harshly, "I never knew you could heal woundsss that fassst!" He said with astonishment.

Well… You never asssked, the symbiote hissed.

Venom stared at his hand and at the blood that ran down it sluggishly. He grinned wickedly. Soon, Otto's blood would be running down his hand, instead of his own. He licked it off.

Now that his strength was back, he leapt off the roof of that building and free-fell to the next roof. A black 'web' latched onto the adjacent wall, breaking his fall. He nimbly began leaping rooftop across rooftop towards Oscorp.

Venom knew that he would soon get over the blood loss, but this anxiousness was killing him. He wouldn't have to wait for much longer. In three days was when sweet, sweet revenge would be his. In three days, it would be March 21; the first day of spring. Though the blood itself had stopped pouring out of the hole, it would close slowly. Even though the symbiote had healing powers, they weren't the most powerful attribute from its repertoire of abilities.

With a PLIP, he zipped over to the large, triangular-shaped face of Oscorp and latched himself onto the side. He began his ascent up to Harry's Penthouse. Finally he reached the windows, shimmering in the late-winter air. The sun was shining full blast and not a cloud was in the sky. Carefully pushing the window up, he slipped in. The symbiote retracted back inside of him as he pulled his last leg inside.

"Harry? Hello!?!?" He called. Across the room, a door was cracked. Eddie walked over and examined it. Clearly, it was meant to be a hidden door. A mirror had been mounted on it, reflecting light from the windows. The door swung open with a creak. Maniacal laughter could be heard from behind a heavy wooden door that was at the very end of the dusty corridor. Cobwebs hung down from the ceiling in thick sheets. Eddie swished his hands back and forth to clear them from his path. When he reached the dust-coated door, he rested his hand upon the smooth, polished knob for a second before turning it ever-so-slightly. He cracked the door open and peered in.

Harry was standing atop the glider, moving it a few feet to the left suddenly and back. To the right, up, down. He was wearing the green plated armor and no mask. Upon seeing his partner, he lowered the glider back down to its original position on its pedestal before jumping off. Eddie looked around the room. Where was the mask by the way? Eddie thought to himself.

"Like it? I've added new features," Harry said with a malicious grin as Eddie turned his attention back to Harry.

"What is this place?" Eddie asked. As Harry looked at his partner, his grin slid off, being replaced by a look of pure seriousness. Eddie stared at him for a moment. "…What?" As he turned to leave, he was stopped by the sudden appearance of the Goblin mask behind him. It stared him full in the face; its metallic green luster reflecting the dim lights of the room. Its glowing yellow eyes glared at him angrily and cast a soft, golden glow over Eddie's face. How it had gotten there, Eddie had no clue. He turned back to Harry.

"What the hell did you do?!?" Harry hissed between his teeth upon seeing Eddies scar.

Eddie stiffened up. "You're very observant," He said sarcastically. He had no idea that Ock's tentacles were capable of spearing someone. "What does it matter?!" he snapped. "They both have weaknesses now…" His voice trailed off after that comment. How could he say that about Rosie? His mind wandered back to the night before. He didn't mean to injure her. If Otto hadn't dodged… that wouldn't have happened. Curse that Eight-legged freak! Eddie fiercely thought to himself. It was his fault that she was hurt. Everything that had happened between the two men was entirely his fault. If he had not interfered with him and Rosie, none of this would've happened.

The beaded sweat on Harry's forehead glistened in the dim lights of the room. There was a long, awkward pause between the two men as they stared at each other. Harry finally turned and sighed, "If you fail me at this thing…trust me, you will regret it." He turned away didn't say anything more. Eddie knew perfectly well what he was talking about. He had to kill Otto at this event or there would never be anyway to do so again. Eddie turned and slipped out the door silently.

Harry changed out of his armor and slipped it back onto its holder in a closet at the back of the room before putting on his shirt. As he buttoned up his shirt, he thought about everything. If Otto and Peter sided up, then revenge for his father's death would be difficult to achieve. With Otto out of the way, things wouldn't be as difficult. The gas must have been wearing off, because his feelings were surfacing. Hot tears came to his eyes. Peter was his best friend. A part of him screamed for him not to harm him, but his father's voice kept telling him to avenge his death, and he just couldn't disappoint him again.

He didn't mind if Otto was dead. He had caused him substantial financial losses and threatened his life a few times. He deserved to be killed. Peter…though, he just couldn't bear the thought of losing his friend. The gas must be wearing off, Harry thought. The gas, when he drank it in liquid form, lasted for many months instead of a few weeks as it did as a gas. The voices of reason shouted quite clearly and the voices of insanity were being blocked out.

"I…can't do this," He whispered as the hot tears fell down his face and onto the floor with tiny plips.

"You can… and you will," Norman's voice echoed off the walls of the room. "You've done a good job of proving to me that you are actually strong… you have no reason to stop."

Harry looked up at a mirror hanging on the wall opposite of where he was seated. As he stood up and walked to the mirror, he expected to see his reflection; teary-eyed and exhausted. Instead, he saw his father's reflection; strong and cold. Every time he moved, Norman's reflection reflected it. "I've told you many times before… I live in you… the Green Goblin lives in you."

Harry shook his head slowly, allowing it to drop a few inches. "Pete's my best friend."

When he looked up, his father's reflection was gone and it was replaced by his own.

"I don't care," came the cold voice from behind him. Harry whirled around to find the ethereal form of Norman. He was holding something in his transparent hand. It was another vial of fluorescent-green liquid. The stern look on his face turned to a scowl. "I'm all you have left, now."

Harry took it and pulled the cap off of it. It hissed and steamed upon contact with the air. A fresh wave of hot tears came to his eyes as he lifted the vial to his trembling lips. He had it half down before looking to his father. The wry smile had crept itself back onto Norman's face. When Harry blinked, he was gone.

He watched as the bright, glowing liquid drained into his mouth. With that last swallow, the horrible aftertaste sprang to his mouth. The room began spinning and he felt as if he would throw up. He reeled before toppling to the floor and trembling violently. He came to a point where a scream escaped his throat. He shook harder before passing out completely. He collapsed gratefully into the warm embrace of sleep.