The storm had passed no more than a few hours ago. Spider-Man, battered and bruised, his costume filthy and shredded, swung across the skyscrapers. He had Jameson underneath one arm, flailing wildly and complaining about God knows what. It was a miracle the old man didn't have a heart attack as they approached the storm drenched balcony of Jameson's penthouse.
Spider-Man landed on the balcony, letting Jameson go and, unintentionally or not, causing him to tumble onto his rear. The web slinger was crouched on the ledge, watching Jameson get back to his feet only to fall back down.
"Well, let it not be known that J. Jonah Jameson wasn't light on his feet."
"Oh yeah, you're a real laugh riot!" Jameson said, now able to get up and keep his footing.
Spider-Man came onto the balcony and held out his hand. "Thanks for backing me up, Jameson. I can only assume that things will be different between us now."
"Different? Not on your life," said the seemingly ungrateful Jameson. "This doesn't change a blasted thing between you and me. I'm not going to stop until you've been apprehended and thrown in a padded room with the other costumed crackpots."
Spider-Man lowered the gesture and chuckled, fully expecting Jameson's reaction. "Now that's the pickle puss I know and love. Just for the record, I'm not going to stop…" the web slinger pointed at Jameson's mustache. "…until you shave that stupid mustache. That should make us even."
As Spider-Man leapt back onto the ledge, preparing to leave, Jameson said, "For what it's worth…" Jameson couldn't say anything else, not without swallowing his pride.
Spider-Man knew what Jameson intended to, not say, and responded with, "You're welcome." With that, Spider-Man fired a web line and swung off into the distance.
Jameson watched the web slinger as he disappeared into the city light, and he muttered to himself, "Thank you, Spider-Man."
Spider-Man swung on to wherever the wind would've taken him. As he soared through the skyline, he just happened to pass by the Osborn estate house. Spider-Man landed on a building opposite from the house, removing his mask and looking on intently. It seemed like a lifetime since Harry had died. Peter inwardly wondered and hoped that his childhood friend had found some semblance of peace, wherever he was. The same went for the late Norman Osborn, in spite of the actions of that man's treacherous alter ego. Peter quietly wished that both father and son were resting in peace as he pulled his mask back on and swung off into the distance.
The next day, J. Jonah Jameson made his triumphant return to the Daily Bugle. Well, sort of triumphant! Most of the staff were either too busy or too intimidated to greet the boss, save for Robbie, who had been holding the fort in Jameson's absence. In an uncharacteristic move that left Betty and Hoffman bewildered, Jonah tightly embraced Robbie. Even Robbie was taken aback by the actions of his boss. Across the room, Peter exited the elevator and even he was stunned by the sight. Jonah released his death grip on Robbie, who was almost speechless.
"Um, good to have you back, Jonah." Robbie finally said.
"It's good to be back, Robbie," Jonah said. He leaned in slightly and whispered, "About that whole Scorpion deal…"
"Don't worry," Robbie whispered back. "The paper's gonna cover it up. Just please don't do anything stupid like that again."
Jonah chuckled, and then turned toward those that happened to be watching the whole thing. "WHAT'RE YOU ALL STARING AT!? Get me some news worthy of a Bugle paper or you're all fired. Move it, move it, move it!"
Like sheep, the staff office went into the usual chaos. Peter moved through the crowd, hoping to greet his boss. "Welcome back, Mr. Jameson! Here're some new shots."
"Parker, where've you been!?" Jameson bellowed, yanking the photos from Peter. "Crap, bull crap, too pathetic to be crap…This'll do for now. Robbie, run that photo and Parker...bring me more photos next time."
"Yeah, sure. You can count on it." Peter said, already on in his way out.
"I mean it, kid," Jameson bellowed across the office. "I don't care if it's an old buzzard with giant wings or a blood sucking vampire; and maybe some more photos of Spider-Man."
Peter entered the elevator, and he couldn't keep from smiling. "An old buzzard? A vampire? J.J. comes up with the strangest ideas."
Curt Connors was feeling much better, considering he'd been trapped in a lizard body bent on a proverbial world conquest. Had it not been for the timely assistance of Spider-Man, and more importantly, Martha, Curt wouldn't be around anymore. He was resting comfortably in a hospital bed, conscience and with Martha and Billy at his bedside. While it was a shame that he was still missing an arm, Curt couldn't be happier to be human. It was with his only arm that Curt arm wrestled with Billy, with Martha watching with delight.
"I think you're going to beat your old man, son." Curt said joyfully.
"C'mon, dad, at least try to fight back." Billy said.
Curt just laughed it off when a slight breeze entered the room. The family gazed toward the window to find Spider-Man gazing back while upside down. Curt turned to Martha and said, "Could you two give us a moment?"
Martha took Billy, telling Curt, "Sure, honey. C'mon Billy, let's give them a minute."
Spider-Man came into the room, smiling slightly beneath his mask. "How're you feeling, Doc?"
Curt answered, "A little worn out, but the doctors say I'll make a full recovery."
"That's good news," Spider-Man said. Then he asked, "How much do you remember…from being the Lizard?
Curt was silent for a long moment. He finally and solemnly answered, "Everything! I've done so many terrible things. I'm not sure if I'll ever get over it."
"We all have to take the guilt trip sooner or later," Spider-Man said. "That's what makes us human, Doc. But I know this; everybody deserves a chance at redemption."
"I know. I swear to you, Spider-Man," Curt said. "I'll repay you someday for helping me. I owe you that much," Curt held out his one arm and Spider-Man shook it in a gesture of friendship. "Thank you for bringing me back to my family."
"You don't have to thank me, Doc," Spider-Man said, walking back toward the window. He turned back to Curt and said, "It's why I'm here. Take care, Dr. Connors."
With that, Spider-Man leapt out of the window and into the city. Curt put his head back onto the pillow, sighing. As far as Curt Connors was concerned, he did indeed owe Spider-Man for saving his life. One day, one way or another, Curt Connors was going to make good on his promise.
Later that day, Peter Parker was lying on his still rickety bed with his hands behind his head inside of his equally rickety apartment. Not much he could do about that, but at least Mr. Ditckovitch wasn't hounding him about the rent at the moment.
His mind processed the events of the past twenty hours like a highlight reel; Dr. Connors had been saved, Scorpion was dead and J. Jonah Jameson was probably writing some nasty editorial about Spider-Man. Well, it was all in a days' work for the web slinger. But what about Gwen? He hadn't seen her since he'd revealed his secret to her and then she'd left to go see that creep, Roderick Kingsley.
As if on cue, a knock came on his door. Peter looked and saw the familiar shape of a beautiful blond standing on the other side. The door opened and Gwen Stacy entered with a large smile on her face and a suitcase full of clothes in tow.
Peter was saddened to see the suitcase but he supposed he was also happy that she had decided to take the career opportunity. He had told her to go to Paris, after all, so he shouldn't be to depressed to see that she was doing what he had asked her to do.
"When are you leaving for Paris?" Peter asked.
Gwen took her suitcase and tossed it on the bed and then proceeded to wrap her arms around him and kissed him long and passionately. Once the moment had passed, she looked up in Peter's eyes. "I already told you I wasn't going to go to Paris, Peter. Did you think I'd change my mind?"
"I just figured you having your suitcase with you meant that you had decided to take the job after all." Peter said.
"About that," Gwen began, "it turns out that you were right about Kingsley. He is a mega creep and he tried to make me take naked photos and he made an advance at me."
Peter was known to have a level head on his shoulders most of the time and he was generally slow to anger, but at that moment his face turned red with fury and he started rushing toward the window, "I'll break that son of a bitch in two separate pieces!"
Gwen laughed as she grabbed Peter before he could dive out of the window, "You gonna go swinging through the city after him looking like Peter Parker?"
Peter glanced down at himself and realized that he had about done just that. My secret identity could have just literally went out the window! He thought to himself.
Gwen sat on the edge of the bed and dragged Peter down beside her. "I don't need you swinging off as Spider-Man to try and protect my honor, Peter. I did that all on my lonesome and I have the bruised knuckles to prove it."
Peter glanced at her knuckles and saw that they were indeed bruised. He smiled and kissed her bruised knuckles, "Did he learn his lesson?"
"I don't think Roderick Kingsley takes too kindly to the answer no but he has a nice busted lip to remind him if we ever run into each other again."
"You should press charges," Peter advised.
Gwen shook her head. "Roderick is to powerful and has to many people in his pocket for that to make any damn bit of difference. My career is also probably trashed but that doesn't matter to me anymore. You, Peter Parker, you're all that matters to me now."
Peter lit up at hearing those words and kissed her again. He then remembered the suitcase she had brought with her. "So, what's up with the suitcase then?"
"Well," Gwen said, "with Roderick revealing his true colors to me and him also knowing where I lived, I was wondering if you might be willing to take our relationship to the next level. How do you feel about moving in together?"
Peter was astounded and flattered at the offer and the ramifications of the relationship escalating to domestic partners swam through his mind. He and Mary Jane had not even gotten to that point in their relationship before they had called it quits. Every fiber of his being wanted to say yes but the inherent danger involved with her living with Spider-Man gave him pause.
He almost said as much before Gwen put a finger over his lips, "Before you start your speech about how dangerous it would be for me, consider this for a moment. I was in danger with Roderick Kingsley last night and it had absolutely nothing to do with you or the fact that you're Spider-Man. Also consider, I was not just some damsel in distress that needed you there to protect my honor and rescue me in the eleventh hour. I took care of myself because it just so happens that I am a big girl who can make my own decisions in life.
"Now if you don't feel about me the same way I feel about you then that's okay and moving to this next step in our relationship would be a waste of time anyway. But not being together and living together just because of the possible danger that might be involved is just plain stupid, Peter."
Peter took in all her words and when they truly sank in, he gave her the most goofy and nerdy smile that he could possibly muster.
"What does that smile mean?" Gwen asked.
"It means," Peter began, "that we're going to need a bigger rickety bed."
THE END