Author's note: To the reviewer who asked whether this story is AU from Spider-Man 2, the answer is yes.
Chapter Two
Mary Jane was in Peter's arms, sobbing, her face buried in his spandex-covered shoulder. "Shhhhh," he said soothingly, reflexively disguising his voice even as he embraced her. "You're all right now. It's over."
Peter's mind was in complete turmoil. He had to remember that Mary Jane had not seen Spider-Man since the Green Goblin had thrown her off the 59th Street Bridge, nearly a year and a half ago. For him to hold back his feelings for her was sheer agony. More than anything, he wanted to reveal himself to her. But he didn't dare; to do so would be tantamount to a death sentence.
"It's okay," he repeated, "Nobody's gonna hurt you." Mary Jane regained her composure and turned her face toward is, wanting so much for words of loving gratitude to pour out of her. But she was so traumatized by what had happened that all she could manage was a squeaky-voiced, "Hi."
Peter played his casual acquaintance card perfectly. "You're the girl from the alley, aren't you?"
"You . . .you remembered," she whispered.
"Hard to forget a pretty face like yours."
She gave him another hug. "I'm so glad to see you," she practically wept. "I thought you were really gone."
"Nah," he said with an invisible smile. "I . . .um . . . I needed a break. Took a short vacation and look what happens. The place goes to hell in a handbasket." He wiped away her tears with his gloved hand. "Do you think I should hire a sidekick?"
Mary Jane laughed, the sparkle returning to her eyes once more. She no longer felt afraid. In fact, for the first time in almost eighteen months, she truly felt safe.
"Mary Jane, isn't it?" he asked, faking ignorance for the sake of appearances.
"Uh huh,"
"We really need to stop meeting like this," Peter quipped. "I thought you learned your lesson about walking alone at night."
"I know," Mary Jane replied apologetically. "You're absolutely right. I should never have gone out like this. But . . . I was just so . . . confused."
"About what?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Unfortunately, his question had broken the euphoria she felt at seeing her rescuer, because it forced her to confront her reasons for being out so late at night in the first place. She fought to keep her tears in check.
"My life is such a mess right now," she said, barely able to keep her voice from breaking. "I feel like everything is slipping away from me . . . like sand through my fingers."
Now why on Earth would she think that, Peter wondered, genuinely puzzled about what could be bothering Mary Jane. A quick glance confirmed what he feared; a five-carat engagement ring was still on her left hand. He would have his answer soon.
"I know you're probably busy and you have to move on," she began slowly. "But right now, I really need to talk to someone." He could almost feel the quiet desperation in her voice.
"Sure, Mary Jane. I'd be happy too. But I'm not exactly Dr. Phil."
"But you care," she replied. "And that's enough for me."
Um . . . would you like me to take you home?"
"No, I can't go back there right now," she answered sadly. "I was thinking more like . . ."
"Like what?"
Mary Jane once again gave him the look that said she wanted him above all others, the same look that he had seen in her eyes during their walk outside the Lyric, but which she refused to acknowledge. "Do you think that you could take me to the top of a building with you?"
"It's kind of chilly up there tonight. You sure you'll be warm enough?"
"I'm sure." she affirmed. "But if I'm not, you can rub my shoulders and massage the back of my neck." She quickly flashed him a sly smile. "That would certainly warm me up."
Despite the constant harping of his rational mind about what a bad idea this was, Peter simply couldn't say no. There was nothing that he wouldn't do for Mary Jane Watson. "Well, okay, if that's what you really want."
"It is," Mary Jane replied with growing confidence. "In fact, I want you to take me to the top of the tallest building in Manhattan."
"I guess that would be the Empire State Building," he said as he prepared to fire his webline. "You'll have to let me strap you down before we can go anywhere. Is this agreeable to you?"
Mary Jane nodded. Peter quickly spun some thick webcords and told Mary Jane to jump on his back. Then he tied them both together very tightly.
"Helps to prevent whiplash while we're in flight. It doesn't mean we're engaged." He suddenly regretted making that remark, thinking she might get offended since she was engaged. But she put him at ease with her gentle laugh.
In no time at all, they were sitting beneath the radio tower of the Empire State Building, over a thousand feet off the ground. Mary Jane was shivering slightly, but seemed able to hold her own.
"Welcome to my office, Mary Jane." Peter joked. "This is where King Kong made his last stand." That little quip got another giggle out of her.
"Great view," she observed, admiring the patterns of light interspersed with vast areas of darkness, which she recognized instantly as Upper and Lower New York Bay.
"I'm glad you like it," Peter said. "I come up here a lot, usually to clear my head."
"I can see why," she replied, following his gaze toward New Jersey.
"Now tell me," he said with gentle encouragement. "why were you out walking alone so late at night when you know it's dangerous?" He almost sounded like a concerned father, the kind of father she always wanted, but never had.
Mary Jane hung her head remorsefully. "I was on my way to see someone."
"Would I know him or her?"
"Him," she answered in a voice that was full of regret, anger, and confusion. "Your 'unofficial photographer.'"
"Parker?" Peter asked, pretending to be confused.
"Yes. I was looking for him so that I could give him a piece of my mind."
Uh oh, Peter thought anxiously, knowing how critical it was for him to keep his roles straight during this conversation. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, as if he and his alter-ego really were two different people.
"Yes, he did," Mary Jane affirmed indignantly. "Peter Parker RUINED my engagement!"