Title: Memento

By: Satine16

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They are all the property of MARVEL comics. I'm not doing this to make any money, so please don't sue me!

Chapter 3:

"Mary Jane Watson! Well, I'll be damned! How are you?"

"Hello Peter. I'm doing well. You?" she was so shocked to see him she could barely breathe. She just smiled sweetly and couldn't believe she was blushing.

"You look great."

"Thanks."

He thought to himself that she really did look great. Wherever she was and whatever she was doing really suited her. Her lean form had stretched even further and she was about two inches smaller than he was. Her red hair had gotten darker and was now a rich auburn, but her green eyes still sparkled in the same way they always had.

"It was really nice seeing you, Peter." She turned and began heading down the stairs.

"Yeah, you too," he said as she descended the stairs. "MJ?"

"Yes?" she turned around to face him once again.

"Stop by sometime. It'd be great to talk to you."

"Bye, Peter," she smiled and turned to leave.

She walked down the busy streets of New York lost in her own little world. Mary Jane couldn't help but wonder where life had taken Peter Parker. Pushing her way onto the subway she wondered about the woman she saw with him the night before.

It took two trains and a cab to get to Harry's part of town.

"Sorry I'm a little late, Harry. You'll never guess who I ran into!" she hollered as she entered the sunlit apartment. She found Harry in the dining room, lounging in his white terry cloth bathrobe.

"Who, baby?" he kissed her on the cheek as she sat next to him.

"Peter Parker."

"Oh....That's great."

"What was that face?" she asked taking not of Harry's expression.

"Nothing. Are you ready for the party tonight?"

"Yes. I even have a dress. It's blue."

"Have some eggs."

"Oooooh, food!" she gasped and quickly started shoveling the cook's latest creations onto her plate.

After breakfast they lounged around the living room reading magazines. Harry had a subscription to Cosmo delivered to for her. Secretly he just loved to read over her shoulder. It was like treading into enemy territory.

"I like number 31."

"Do you?"

"Yeah."

"Well then we may just have to try it."

He began to kiss her and she could smell his Calvin Klein cologne and expensive shampoo. She couldn't help but wonder if she still smelled like smoke and tequila. If she did, he definitely did not notice.

He pressed his frame into hers as he kissed her, eliminating any space between the two of them. His kisses were warm and soft. They tasted like expensive toothpaste. She wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her fingers through his hair. Harry had beautiful full lips, and he loved it when she would nibble on the bottom. He wrapped his fingers in her belt loops and pulled her securely under him. His kisses trailed down to her collarbone and she felt his fingers as they undid the clasp of her bra. She let her head fall back as his kisses and hands wandered on her skin. He didn't let her leave to get ready for another three hours.

Mary Jane began to had just about undone the six locks it took to keep her apartment from being burgled when her neighbor walked by. The blonde who lived with Peter.

"I'm sorry, Mary Jane Watson, right?"

"Yes?"

"Hi. My name is Gwen. Gwen Stacy. Peter told me that he bumped into you this morning. I've heard so much about you."

"Oh, really?"

"Peter's known you forever. I'm so excited to finally meet you."

She extended her perfectly French manicured hand to shake Mary Jane's. She was suddenly embarrassed by her bitten down nails, and wished that she didn't bite them so often. Gwen reminded her of a modern day Veronica Lake. She was wearing a denim blazer and black slacks with a form fitting celery green t-shirt. Her platinum blonde locks were tied into a sleek twist and her violet eyes sparkled and popped. She had the perfect feminine figure, the kind that Mary Jane had always wanted, and certain flawless beauty that made her want to scream.

Mary Jane was suddenly conscious of the fact that she wasn't wearing much make up, that her lips had that swollen kissing for hours look to them, her clothes were wrinkled and her hair was in a whirlwind from her day with Harry.

"So you're Captain Stacy's daughter, then? I'm so sorry about what happened to your father. My boyfriend lost his father a little while ago so I can imagine how hard this is for you."

"Thank you. It was hard to cope at first, and I still miss him, but I know that he would be happy that I am happy. Would you like to come in a minute, I have to hang up this dress or else my arm may fall off."

"Oh...well..."

"I have coffee. And Peter will be back soon, I know he'd love to see you."

Suddenly the prospect of seeing Peter made getting to know this girl a much more appealing option.

"Peter and I are going to this gala tonight, and I need to have a dress to wear. So I had to get this one cleaned."

"Oh, Harry and I are going to that, too."

"That's great. We'll make sure to bump into each other. I don't know how long I can handle the mayor's wife," Mary Jane chuckled and took the coffee cup that Gwen offered. "I know that Peter loves to go to these things if not to just make me feel better. He loves it when I get all dolled up and have my picture taken. He told me once that when people take my picture they see what he sees when I'm in my sweats, drinking my morning coffee." She got a distant look in her eyes and sat down across the table from Mary Jane. "We met while I was in school. He did free lance for the Bugle and I was interning there. So we had seen each other numerous times, we were friendly acquaintances. But then it turned out that I needed to take an advanced reasoning class. Chemistry was really the only option I had, because there was no way I was going to take Physics. Well, it turns out I am no chemist! The teacher gave me the name of a student I could contact for help. A tutor. It was Peter Parker. We started to see each other twice a week. I remember having to kiss him first. He was too shy. Thought I had another boyfriend. Thought that I was out of his league. When I kissed him I knew it was the right fit. It was like a warm wave rushed right over me, and I didn't want to let go. Hell, I haven't let go since."

Just then the keys jangled in the doorway and it swung open with a "Hey, babe!"

"Peter! Look who I met in the hall!"

"MJ? Awesome! How are you? You look good."

Somehow Mary Jane knew that this was a lie. Somehow she knew he was just being nice.

"I am good. Oh, jeez, it's four already. I need to go. I still have to get ready for tonight and do ten million other things! I'll talk to you guys later."

"At the party tonight."

"I'll try."

Peter followed MJ as she left. When they got outside the door he grabbed her wrist. She turned to back and found his piercingly crystal blue eyes digging into her. She was at a loss for words.

"Hey, I'm happy that you met Gwen. She's a nice girl."

"She means a lot to me."

"You mean a lot to her, too, Pete."

"I can't wait to see you tonight. Wanna get some lunch tomorrow?"

"Yeah. That would be really nice," her face softened and suddenly she wasn't in such a rush. She wanted to spend her free time with him.

He looked into those green eyes that he hadn't seen for so long. God she was beautiful. It had been so long since he had seen her. He wouldn't have even had the courage to ask her to lunch before; but he wasn't in love with her anymore.

Ten o'clock rolled around earlier than anyone could have expected. Harry put on his Armani tuxedo and picked Mary Jane up in his limo. She saw him as she stood from the stairs and the sight was wonderful. He was meant for this; it was his element. She came down to greet him wearing a silver satin gown with a black lace overlay. It was floor length and the neckline ended directly below her collarbone in a straight line. Two small black straps came over her shoulders and led to a swooped back that ended just before the small of her back. Her red hair was secured at the back of her head in a sleek twist and her makeup was smoky and mysterious. They looked like a beautiful couple.

When they arrived they chatted with everyone. They all knew who Harry was. Yet there was a young lady receiving a lot of attention this evening. Apparently she was very beautiful, and the most powerful men in New York had been fawning over her all night long. Mary Jane kept trying to get a glimpse, but to no avail. Finally Harry decided to go and introduce the two of them to this mystery girl.

Mary Jane could not believe her eyes when she saw that the girl was Gwen. Undoubtedly she was beautiful. Her platinum blonde hair was rolled into loose curls that cascaded down her back and over her shoulders. Her gown was a golden satin, with a paneled, A-line skirt and halter-top. The back was cut in a low V that ran to the very end of her back. She wasn't wearing any jewelry. Her make up was done naturally; you could barely tell that she was wearing any at all. Suddenly Mary Jane felt like she was painted. Like she had been trying too hard.

"Mary Jane! How are you?" Gwen's face lit up when she caught sight of MJ.

"Hi, Gwen."

"You two know each other?" Harry asked astonished.

"Gwen, this is Harry. Harry this is Gwen."

"Pleasure. How did you two meet exactly?" he was intrigued.

"I'm dating Peter Parker," Gwen piped in smiling from ear to ear.

"Parker?"

"Yeah."

"Where is he?"

"He said something came up. He's running a little late."

"Who is?" Peter asked coming up behind Gwen.

"Hello, darling," Gwen turned and kissed him on the cheek.

He looked amazing in his tux. It fit him just right, even if it was rented. Peter couldn't afford to just buy one. He never would really have the chance to wear it and it would go to waste. His was nice, but it certainly wasn't Harry's Armani.

Peter looked across the room to find MJ standing alone once again this evening. Harry kept leaving her to talk to his business associates. Peter couldn't stand it. She shouldn't have to put up with it; she should be with a man who worshipped her. Mary Jane looked sullen and bored and Peter's heart started to break. He felt so bad for her, but there was nothing he could do or say. He pulled Gwen closer to him and as his eyes fell on her statuesque image he smiled to himself. He couldn't believe how lucky he was.

"Harry, I'm gonna go. I'll call you in the morning."

"But Mary..."

"No. I don't feel well. I need to go now."

"Alright. I'll call you. Take the driver home."

"No I'll get a cab."

Peter watched out the window as she left the building. But what he saw next shocked him. She passed the lines of parked cabs and continued to walk down the street. He excused himself from the conversation and told Gwen he'd be right back. He had to take a phone call.

Mary Jane headed home as she got further and further into her part of town, she began to get the chills. She felt someone watching her. For the first time in a few years she was really scared.

"Hey baby doll..." his hands were on her. She felt the gun at the small of her back. His broken, crusty hands as they found their way under her dress. Smelled his rotten scent as he grabbed her arms. She hit him. She didn't know what else to do. But then there were three of them. They cut open her skirt. One of them held her held her hands, the other her feet as the third began to touch her. She couldn't fight against them though she tried. She was not strong enough. She closed her eyes and tried again, but that only made them hold her harder. It hurt. But as she braced herself suddenly the pain was gone. They were gone. She was confused. She opened her eyes and no one was there. The police found the men wrapped tightly in a web at the end of the alleyway a day later.

"Hello?"

"You seem to like trouble."

"Hi."

"How many times has it been, now? Four."

"Well you seem to like to follow me around."

"I worry. What can I say?"

He had helped her once again. She was so in love with him. But she had never seen his face. She didn't really know who he was.

"Need a lift home?"

"Sure."

"Hang on."

She wrapped her arms around him and he wrapped his arm around her middle. His forearm was the width of her abdomen. She felt so tightly connected to him. It was wonderful. He brought her back to her building where he dropped her off on the roof.

"Be more careful, ok? I can't be there every time."

"I know. There have to be other headstrong girls in New York."

"They never seem to have as many problems as you do."

She chuckled, "Thank you."

"No problem."

With that he took off. Floated away into a sea of buildings. God, trouble was worth it if he would show up.

She went down to her apartment where she washed up and put on her pajamas. He was so amazing. He could do so much for so many people. And there was a little note of mystery too. She couldn't believe how attractive she found him. And at the same time that she found Peter Parker attractive. Peter was so attentive with Gwen. So kind and so in love. She wanted him to look at her like that. But she did love Harry. Yet as she turned off the light she wondered what was so great about Armani anyway.