Statistics say that most home invasions happen between 9 and 5. During his lunch break between classes, Peter had the opportunity to test this theory. After stopping two break-ins and an attempted mugging near campus, he finally headed back to where he'd stashed his clothes, checking his watch. He was late. Again.

He changed quickly and sprinted up the steps to his class, hoping that he wasn't missing anything important. As he approached the science lab, he sensed that something was a little strange, and as he neared the door, he saw why. The lights were off, and nobody was in inside. Then he noticed a note on the door.

'Dr. Conners will not be in this week. He sends his apologies for not informing his students ahead of time,' it read.

'Strange,' Peter thought. 'I wonder what's so important that he had to leave.'

As he left campus, he decided that he would take the day off, to just relax at home for a bit, maybe call-

Mary Jane. She was getting out of a cab less than a block away, wearing dark blue jeans and a long-sleeved gren shirt that went perfectly with her shoulder-length red hari. It had darkened since he'd seen her last, because she no longer had to lighten it for her role in 'The Importance of Being Earnest', which had ended it's run on Broadway several weeks before.

Peter walked toward her as the cabbie drove off, his heart skipping a beat as MJ saw him and smiled.

"Arent you supposed to be in class," she asked, taking one of his hands in hers.

"Dr. Conners cancelled classes for the week," Peter responded.

"That's great. Maybe we can spend some more time together." Her expression and tone becamse serious as she added, "I've missed you, Peter."

"I've missed you, too," Peter said.

Their lips met for an intense but brief kiss. When they parted, MJ said, "I was just heading for an audition a few blocks from here. Want to walk with me?"

"Sure."

But as they walked, MJ seemed distracted, and a few times Peter thought that she was going to say something, but she remained silent. When they stopped in front of the audition building, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

MJ looked down, trying to figure out what to say.

"I called OsCorp today. They said that Harry hasn't been to work in over a month. I'm worried about him, Peter."

Peter looked away with a sigh.

"I am too, but there's nothing I can do about it."

MJ looked into his eyes.

"You could talk to him".

"Talk to him," Peter said, disbelieving. "MJ, I don't think he'll listen to me. I lied to him for years-"

"You had a good reason."

"But Harry won't see it that way. He'll just see Spider-Man with his father's dead body."

"You don't know that. It's been over a month. Maybe he's dealt with it-"

"Or maybe he hasn't, and seeing me will only cause him to freak out," Peter said.

"But you won't know unless you try. Call him and tell him you're coming to talk to him, and if he's still there when you arrive, fine. And if he's not... " MJ shrugged.

Peter thoght about it. It made sense; if Harry was readyto talk, then he would. And if he wasn't, Peter wouldn't force it on him. No harm done either way.

"I guess you're right. I'll give him a call tonight, and go over tomorrow. But I don't have his phone number."

MJ rummaged around in her purse and produced a card with Harry's home number on it, and handed it to him.

"Promise you'll call him," she asked.

"Promise," Peter said.

Mj kissed him on the cheek as she opened the door to the audition building, looking back at him before going inside.

"Everyone needs a friend, Peter. You, me, Harry. Don't deny yourself that," she said purposefully. Peter nodded his understanding. MJ smiled.

"Catch ya later, Tiger," she said, and went inside.