A/N--Thanks for the reviews!
Louie Pastiche--Thanks for telling me that Jamison is actually Jameson--that could get really annoying.
Drufan—Yes, Clark's dialogue is wooden. He just seems so wooden in the show though.
To everyone—thanks for the feedback, whether it be positive or negative. I guess this will be my most active project for the time being.
Please read and review!
Chapter 4
Sometimes when the whole world tells us we're wrong, our gut instinct tells us that there may be more than meets the eye. So instead of taking Spider-Man, who had moved up on the New York's most wanted list, to the police, Clark Kent took Peter Parker back to his Aunt May's house--sans costume and dressed in Clark's clothing. He had safely dropped the Spider-Man suit, hidden of course, in his hotel room and donned Peter with some less subtle clothing.
He quietly knocked on the door and was greeted by an elderly lady with a very kind face. Her welcoming smile turned to worry when she saw the unconscious Peter in Clark's arms.
"Oh my!" She was panicking and had trouble breathing and talking when Clark held out a comforting hand.
"He'll be okay. Just had a nasty fall. Do you want me to take him to his room?" Visibly relieved, she thankfully nodded. Clark headed up the stairs as she followed, still worried about her dear Peter, the last family she had left in this world. As Clark placed Peter on his bed, the unconscious man let out a small sigh, much to the relief of Aunt May.
"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to my Peter." Clark could only pray that the papers weren't true. He could tell she was such a kind lady just by her gentle appearance and compassionate expressions. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No thanks. I, I have to get going. Is it okay if I stop by tomorrow morning to check on him?"
"Of course. You're welcome anytime, my dear, and I'm sure Peter would like to thank you. I'm his Aunt May by the way."
"I know. Peter's said a lot of good things about you."
"Such a kind young man. He's all I have left after my husband Ben passed away."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Peter hasn't taken it very well. He's always home late and never goes to class on time. I'm really worried about him." She was now talking more to herself than to Clark, but things started making more sense to Clark by the second. "Oh my, sorry. I was just rambling. I didn't mean to hold you here. Have a nice night, and thank you…"
"Clark, Clark Kent. And you're welcome."
X.X
Light. Soft cozy bed. Where am I? Not sure I wanted to know, I looked around and saw myself in my own room. Wow, what a dream. At least I thought so until I saw my Aunt May right beside my bed, sleepy but smiling.
"Peter, you're awake."
"What happened?" I felt a drumming sensation inside of my head. Nice Peter, hangover without even drinking. Or was I?
"Clark Kent brought you here. He said you had a nasty fall. Such a gentleman. He said he's going to stop by and check on you this morning." As if on cue, the doorbell rang. "That's probably him right now." As Aunt May went to get the door, memories started flooding back to me.
"We're exceptional…you and me…join me…the one thing they love more than a hero is to see a hero fail…they will HATE you…"
"How're you holding up, tough guy?"
"Fine, I guess. You?" From the corner of my eye, I saw Aunt May smile and head downstairs, most likely to make breakfast.
"Curious. In need of answers."
"I could say the same thing."
"Well, the media's not crucifying me as some nut in a spider costume."
"Yea, about that, it's a secret."
"Obviously. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt Parker. Why were you with the Goblin last night?" Oh, you know, just a friendly rendezvous with my favorite psychopathic murderer.
"Well, last thing I remember is he sprayed some gas into my face while I was distracted and found myself on top of a building."
"Yea, then why were you talking about a partnership?"
"He wanted me to join him because I have powers. I said no." Well, Kent's gaze surely softened.
"Well, I'll give you this--you hardly seem to be living the life of a mastermind criminal," he said, referring to my modest abode.
"Yea, I guess you could say that."
"Why do you do it then? I've done my research. You were captain of the chess club and one of the premier chemistry students in the nation. You passed high school with flying colors and were awarded an annual ten thousand dollar scholarship from Oscorp. Your college pays the rest of it. Now, I hear you're constantly late to class, failing about half of your them, and it's obviously not because you're stupid. It's because of Spider-Man, isn't it?" Give credit where credit is due. He did do his research. Least I could do was nod. "I also know you've been fired from two jobs already--"
"Three." He probably missed my one day stint as a pizza delivery boy.
"Ok, three. You now struggle to make ends meet. Tell me, why do you still do it?"
"Do what?"
"Swing around as Spider-Man."
"The answer gets more and more ambiguous everyday. I guess I feel obligated, especially since my Uncle Ben died. He was a father to an ungrateful son--someone that couldn't see how lucky he was to have someone like Ben until Ben died right in front of his eyes as a direct consequence of…my actions. I could have stopped the thief that night, but I didn't. Now I'm trying to make sure it never happens again. Remember something, Kent. It was something my uncle said to me, 'With great power, there comes great responsibility.'"
"Peter, breakfast is ready! I made you your favorite!" Aunt May only does that during a special occasion. Think, Parker, think. Considering my head, I'm proud for remembering.
"Come on. It's going to be my last breakfast here."
"You're moving?" Suspicious eyes again.
"Yea, just leaving to room with my pal Harry. It'd be a lot more convenient for both me and Aunt May. Nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worrying." Yet, Clark silently added to himself. "By the way, I dropped off your suit in your closet."
X.X
"Norman, Norman. It seems we have another obstacle in our path. It'd be a perfect time to try out our new meteorite bombs."
"It's too experimental. The side effects--we don't understand them. They even altered the molecular structure of substances in our tests. We--"
"Quit you're worrying! The inconsequential masses…who cares what happens to them? It's the spider and the boy we want. Speaking of, come on Norman. It's time to draw out the spider again.
X.X
It's bittersweet, really. It's not like I planned on living with my Aunt May forever, but I can't help but feel a little…nostalgic. Well, this is growing up Parker. You give some, you take some. Then again, it's not like I'm taking too much with me. Which is why I showed up at Harry's place with only a bag of clothes, carefully folded by Aunt May.
"Pete, thanks for rooming with me. My father doesn't want me rooming alone. He's afraid I'll do something stupid."
"I should be thanking you. This is a much more convenient location and, well, I want Aunt May to be as stress free as possible."
"Pete, Pete. Always a philanthropist now aren't you?" You have no idea, Harry. You have no idea.
"In a way."
"Oh, by the way, my dad wants to invite you…and me…to some science presentation headed by Doctor Octavius or someone." The way Harry said "and me" only reflects his disdain for what his father's trying to make out of him. Despite all of his money, Harry's not much different from the rest of us. He only wants to make his father proud.
"Otto Octavius? Are you serious?"
"You've heard of this guy?"
"I've looked over some of his work in nuclear fission. He's brilliant. In fact--"
"I don't mean to sound rude, but save it for later. For now, how about we get a bite to eat? I'm starving."
"Not a bad idea. I can tell you about it over lunch."
"Or we can talk about anything else. Talked to MJ lately?"
"Yea, a few days ago…" The rest is irrelevant.
X.X
When Clark Kent needed advice, he always had someone he could go to. It was times like these Peter Parker would never have again--and Clark could only wonder how Peter felt. He couldn't imagine losing his father--he had lost him once, but he wasn't himself at the time. Now, he was thankful for every second his father was still around because, unlike him, his dad wasn't invincible.
"Well, his story checks out. He did lose an uncle named Ben last year, right around the time Spider Man emerged. But I just can't see why he isn't coming clean with the media. It's not like they don't make valid points--he wears a mask and never sticks around on a crime scene."
"Clark, I don't know what drives this kid. I've never met him before, but just keep in mind that people have reasons for doing what they do. I wouldn't be too quick to judge him either way. Be patient, and try not to let your feelings cloud your judgment. If he is a criminal…you do what you think is right."
"Thanks, dad. I'm going to grab a bite to eat now. I've been researching this all morning."
"Alright, stay in touch."
"Oh, and dad?"
"Yea?"
"I love you."
"Love you too. Take care."
X.X
"So, Pete, when are you going to ask MJ out?"
"What are you talking about?" We both know, Parker. Don't you just love having a conversation inside of your head with yourself?
"Come on. Everyone knows you've had a crush on MJ since…well, a long time."
"Am I that transparent?"
"Like a windex-cleaned window. So come on. You can tell your best friend." I wish I could tell you everything, Harry, but I can't.
"Well, I'm not even sure if she likes me."
"Look at yourself! You're smart and kind, and you have those deep eyes--how could she resist you?" Too much detail Harry, but you may be on to something. Parker, you are smart…and there's no doubt you're kind, and you've saved her once already…well, Spider Man did, but same difference. We may be on to something.
"You think so? I mean, besides the eyes thing. That's just awkward coming from you."
"Sure thing. Go for it man. Listen, I've got to head out and get ready for Octavius's presentation early. Boss's son and all, you know. I have the 'rare' opportunity to greet the same mundane guests on a blind rampage for my father's money."
"I'll meet you there later, then."
"Sure thing. Here's the money for our meal."
"Harry, you don't have--"
"Just call it roommate courtesy to pay for your first meal as a man on your own. Later Pete."
"Bye, and thanks for the meal." Well, I admit that was quite enjoyable. It's been a good day so far, especially considering the circumstances. I wasn't even guaranteed to live to today. A few minutes later, I finished my meal in silence and headed out. The sunny skies reflected off of the black streets and white sidewalk as I walked through New York. After a few blocks, I found myself in the midst of another disaster. A fire was ravaging an apartment complex while firefighters and police could only watched in despair as they futilely rushed to put out the fire. Someone's still in there! In an instant, I was in my Spider-Man suit and slinging towards the house.
X.X
In his contemplative state about Spider Man, Clark almost seemed surprised at the natural disaster loomed in front of him. Firemen struggled to put out a large fire in an ultimately futile attempt to rescue the trapped man inside. Wasting no time, Clark headed towards the apartment complex when he saw Spider Man fly in first. Deciding things were going to be alright, Clark waited outside… and listened.
X.X
"Stay still! I'm coming for you." Spider sense going haywire. Something's not right.
"Have you made your decision?" Green Goblin.
"I thought the message didn't get through the first time." I shot my webbing at the goblin, only to have it cut by blades on his arms.
"You're making a mistake, spider." Before I could even react, he shot three disc blades at me. On instinct, I dodged the brunt of the attacks, only to have one of the blades shed a long line of blood down my outer arm.
"Hahahaha." And I thought insane laughs were reserved for cliché villains. "Special delivery!" As Goblin got on his glider, he drew out two pumpkins that had a green glow to them. What the hell? "Catch you later!" As the pumpkins glowed brighter, I did the only thing I could. I ran. By the time I escaped the building, the goblin was long gone and the apartment was on the verge of collapsing. At least everyone was evacuated in time.
"It's Spider Man!"
"…he blew up the building…" I can just imagine the papers tomorrow.
"Stop in the name of the law! You're under arrest." What a joke. I was out of the area in an instant. After all, I still had to attend a presentation at Oscorp…not that it'd make a difference either way.
X.X
Innocent. He was telling the truth. But the Goblin…he has kryptonite bombs now. I couldn't even get close to the building, much less inside. How much stuff is packed in those things? This is going to be a lot more dangerous than I thought. As Clark Kent watched Spiderman fly away, he saw something that astonished him. In slow motion, a single droplet of blood hit the ground, reverberating in Clark's mind. He bleeds.
A/N--For those who aren't sure, the significance of the blood is to show that Spider Man isn't invincible like Clark believed at first. Now it just goes to show him that heroes do indeed bleed, and it takes incredible sacrifice. Anyway, please read and review!