Peter couldn't believe his luck.

He thought for sure he'd fixed his toaster, but the slices of bread he'd inserted came out a much darker color than they were supposed to, and a lot crispier as well. For some reason, no matter what setting he put it on, it had always run particularly hot. Peter had taken it apart, fooled around with it and put it back together time and again, but nothing had worked. The irony was almost hilarious in that he could do something crazy like create an antiserum to cure a lizard person but couldn't fix his toaster.

Some scientist he was.

Looking around the kitchen area, Peter contemplated other sources of breakfast. He didn't really have much to go with. He'd never really had a fully stocked kitchen since he'd moved out, always making sure to have just enough to get by while still saving money for rent and, well, suit repairs and stuff. Unfortunately, on a day like today, where his stomach was really starting to let him know it needed sustenance, it was only showing yet another way that he didn't properly take care of himself.

He was about to reach for a couple of granola bars he'd stumbled across, when suddenly there was a knock on his door. Peter had no idea who it could be, given that it was so early in the morning. He hadn't even really ordered anything recently, not that he did much of that in the first place. Walking over to the door, Peter unlocked it and opened it to find none other than Mary Jane, who was holding a box of donuts.

"Here," she said, holding out the assortment of pastries to him.

"Uhm, thanks," Peter said curiously as he slowly took the box. "Not that I'm complaining, but what are these for?"

"Call it a thank you/I'm sorry for last night," M.J. said, ringing her hands together. It was strange to see her appear this nervous. Peter thought about trying to reassure her that it wasn't a big deal, but he was getting the sense that it was to her at least, so he stopped himself.

"You want to come in?" he asked, stepping aside to allow a path for her. She took him up on it, moving just enough inside for him to shut the door. She looked like she had something she really wanted to say but couldn't quite find the words to put out there, so Peter decided to break the tension a little.

"You know, these were actually a godsend," he said, holding up the box of donuts before setting them on the counter. "My toaster broke earlier, and I don't really have a lot of groceries right now."

"I wondered why it smelled a bit smokey in here," M.J. teased.

"Yeah," Peter replied as he took out a donut from the box and took a bite. "Some future Nobel prize winner I am."

Realizing he was being rude by talking with his mouth full, Peter covered his lips in embarrassment, a move which provoked a small smile from M.J.

"Sorry about that," he said sheepishly.

"It's fine, really," Mary Jane assured him. She hesitated before continuing, like she was summing up the courage to say what she needed to say, which caused Peter's mind to race as his concern grew over what exactly that was.

"Listen, Peter, I...I'm sorry for unloading on you like that last night," she finally said. "I know you say it's not a big deal, but I...I've never really been the best at expressing that side of myself, even after years of therapy, so I know it came out really messy."

"I think on some level we're all a bit of a mess," Peter replied. "I guess sometimes it's just an inevitable thing that we can't keep it contained anymore."

"You talk like you're experienced in this," M.J. said.

Peter let out a huff through his nose. Oh, if she only knew.

"Something like that," he said.

"Anyway, I wanted to thank you for just being there last night," M.J. stated, her voice still a little more somber compared to her more upbeat and livelier usual. "It really meant a lot."

"Of course," Peter said. He then heard a buzzing, and he didn't even need to check his phone to know what it was.

"That's my cue actually," he said, moving over to grab his phone and his camera gear. "I need to get to the hospital before work."

"Hospital?" M.J. asked, her tone suddenly flooded with concern. "Why? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Peter answered hurriedly, "my aunt is there though; they're just trying to make sure she's okay after an accident she had. I just try to make a point to visit her as often as I can."

"Oh, okay," M.J. replied. "That's nice of you."

Grabbing the box of donuts, Peter and M.J. exited the apartment.

"Peter," Mary Jane spoke up as he was locking the door.

"Yeah?" Peter questioned.

"If you ever need, well, anything, I just want you to know that I'm here for you."

Peter turned to her as he finished locking his door; he didn't respond verbally but did give a nod and a smile to show that he was acknowledging her offer.

"Thanks again for the donuts," he said before hurrying off down the hallway.

Between that encounter and the one he had with her last night, Peter couldn't get Mary Jane out of his mind all morning for some reason. He'd still refrained from telling May about her when he visited, keeping the focus on her and what was going on (which the doctors still weren't sure of, only giving loose theories). It helped that he didn't have a whole lot of time before he had to be at work anyway, so he was able to excuse himself before she got too nosy about anything.

Still, even once he got to work, it continued to mess with his head. The afternoon would likely be easier, as he and Eddie were supposed to go out and try and pick up the trail of the story regarding the tech thefts. A good distraction was just what he needed right now.

As the morning wore on, Peter went to Eddie's desk to discuss where they would be headed later that day. He wanted to be strategic about it, given that it could help his alter ego out as well if they were able to pick up any leads, and he knew his coworker liked to go into such a scenario with a bit of a strategy as well, even if half the time he'd branch out from it when something new came up.

"By the way, how's your aunt doing?" Eddie asked at one point in the conversation.

"She's doing fine," Peter answered. "I saw her this morning. I think at this point she just wants answers so she can be done with it and go home."

"I don't blame her," Eddie said, slowly rotating back and forth in his chair. "I'd hate being all couped up like that, and I never have liked doctors that much."

"Me neither," Peter concurred. "But she's handling it with a very admirable level of patience. It probably helps that almost none of the hospital staff are strangers to her. She at least knows that they're doing everything they can."

"Makes sense," Eddie replied. "Oh, also, I was curious if you'd talked to that pretty neighbor of yours recently?"

Peter let out a sigh; of course, Eddie would bring up the one thing he was currently trying NOT to dwell on. Still, a small smile escaped onto his lips, which Eddie seemed to have caught onto, as he stopped rotating in his seat, his focus zeroed in on Peter.

"You have, haven't you?" Eddie asked.

Peter rolled his eyes.

"Yes, Eddie," he replied dryly. "I have talked to her; multiple times, actually."

The look in Eddie's eyes made Peter instantly regret sharing that last part.

"You know what?" Eddie said, looking at his watch, "why don't we go ahead and grab something to eat, you and I."

"What?" Peter said, confused at the randomness of the suggestion even if he could guess its purpose. "It's not even eleven yet."

"So?" Eddie questioned as he gathered his stuff. "It will be by the time we get our food probably."

He then emerged from behind his desk, putting his hand to Peter's back to guide him alongside.

"Eddie," Peter moaned.

"Come on, Parker," Eddie replied, ignoring his protests. "We've got things to talk about."

Liz's snapping fingers brought M.J. back to reality.

"Anybody in there?" her best friend asked.

"Sorry Liz," M.J. said, setting down her fork and rubbing her temples with her fingers.

"Are you okay?" Liz asked. "You've been off all day. That's basically why I suggested going to lunch this early, because I couldn't stand seeing you like this anymore. I thought some food might do you some good, but you've hardly eaten. What's going on?"

M.J. took her time in answering. Her brain seemed like it was trying to process too much, and it made her friend's questioning feel like an onslaught.

"I don't know, Liz," she finally confessed. "I just feel kind of all over the place right now."

"Does it have to do with your father?" Liz questioned.

"Yeah, that's definitely part of it," M.J. said, her face already starting to warm up in frustration at his mentioning. "I got to the hotel yesterday to find out that, because he'd had a run of bad luck in his job hunt, he'd been drinking again."

Liz's expression shifted to one of pity and sympathy. She looked like she wanted to offer some thoughtful words, but nothing ended up coming out.

"So yeah, I had it out with him over that," M.J. continued. "Basically, I told him he had the rest of the days I already paid for to stay in the hotel, but after that, he's on his own."

"M.J, I'm so sorry," Liz replied. "Maybe this will be what he needs to finally get himself straightened out though."

"Maybe," M.J. said somewhat dismissively, "but I'm not holding out too much hope. Anyway, I got home last night to find Peter getting ready to go into his place, and he clearly noticed I wasn't myself."

"Oh?" Liz asked, perking up ever so slightly. "Did he say anything to you?"

"He asked me if I was okay," M.J. answered. "I tried to say I was, but it didn't do much to convince him that I couldn't even unlock my door without dropping my keys. He spoke up again, and I about took his head off before catching myself. I don't know why, but I ended up letting him in, and I just poured out my soul to him."

"Oh wow," Liz said, "how'd he take it."

A half smile formed on M.J.'s mouth.

"He took it how I needed him too," she replied. "He didn't try and assure me that it would all work out or be okay; he didn't really say anything other than that he was sorry for what was going on, and after that I basically just cried into his shoulder for a while. I was grateful for it, but also kind of embarrassed, so I got up early to get some donuts and brought them to him this morning as a way to both thank him and apologize for dumping all my problems onto him like that. Of course, he tried to talk like it was no big deal, which doesn't really surprise me somehow."

"Sounds like you've had a pretty crazy twelve or so hours," Liz remarked.

"The worst part though is that I found out this morning that Peter's aunt has been in the hospital," M.J. explained. "He had to rush off to visit her before he went into work."

"Is she okay?" Liz asked.

"He didn't really say much," M.J. explained. "Liz, I feel terrible! There I was dumping all my problems and issues on him, meanwhile his aunt could be facing some kind of terrible illness or something!"

"M.J, there's no way you could've known that unless he'd told you," Liz replied. "Don't beat yourself up over that."

"I know I shouldn't," M.J. said, "but I can't help it. That's why I made a point to tell him that, if he ever needed anything, that I was willing to be that person for him."

"What did he say to that?" Liz asked.

"Nothing!" M.J. exclaimed, plopping her face down in her arms and letting out a frustrated moan.

Liz gave her a second before speaking up again.

"Okay, this might be a terrible time to say this, but I will anyway: I haven't seen you this worked up over a guy EVER. You're pouring your soul out to him, you're feeling guilty over potentially overburdening him, and you're even telling him that you'll be there for him if he needs anything. I obviously can't speak for him, but it sounds like you're developing some pretty serious feelings on your end."

M.J. sat back up, looking off to the side as she pondered how exactly to address her best friend's insights.

"Up until this point, we've just been really casual around each other," she finally said. "We'll shoot the breeze, talk some small talk and even have some good laughs, but after last night...something has definitely started to shift between us. He saw me in my worst state, the side of me that hardly anybody other than you know about, but instead of running away like I always feared, he just...held me. He let me release all my anger, all my hurt from the disappointment with my dad, and he just took it all."

"I don't know him for myself," Liz said, "but from what you're telling me, he seems like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of guy."

"He is," M.J. acknowledged, "but at the same time, it seems like he's holding a part of himself back though."

"Well, to be fair, you two have only been getting to know each other for like, what, a month or two?" Liz said. "It might just take more time for him. He just happened to catch you in a particularly vulnerable state where he got the chance to prove himself, so to speak."

"I know," M.J. responded, "but there was just something in his expression when I told him I was there if he needed anyone...a loneliness. I know what that's like, Liz, the feeling that nobody understands you or can help you, no matter how much they might try. I'm not saying I can understand what he specifically is going through, but I know that feeling of being alone and keeping a part of yourself from the world, and I don't want him to feel that way when he doesn't have to."

Strangely, Liz smiled at her.

"Uhm, why are you smiling?" M.J. said curiously.

"It's just hitting me how much you really have grown since we first met back in school," Liz responded. "I've never seen you so passionate about being there for someone else before. It looks good on you."

"Thanks," M.J. said, "I just hope I get the chance to actually do that."

"Oh, give it time," Liz said, still smiling. "If he knows what's good for him, he'll come around."

M.J. let out a small laugh.

"Thanks Liz," she said. "You always know what to say."

"I've just had plenty of practice," Liz replied. "I guess in that case, I should be the one thanking you, since you're the only person I think I've ever really said anything like this too."

M.J. smiled, finally diving back into her food.

Peter had made a point of getting a lot of food solely for the purpose of constantly having it to go back to so that he could put off answering Eddie's questions. This way, he could reduce the overall quantity of questions in total during their limited time before they would have to be responsible employees and get back to work. Unfortunately, he underestimated how hungry he was even after eating most of the donuts Mary Jane had brought him earlier.

His metabolism really was something else. That, or his depriving his body of enough food to properly sustain himself on a regular basis was. Really, it was probably a mix of both.

"Well, from what little you've actually told me," Eddie said, not so subtly hinting that he had picked up on Peter's strategy, "it sounds like you two are getting along really well."

"Yeah," Peter responded, finishing off the last of his food, "I guess you could say that."

Surprisingly, for the first time, Eddie took a good moment to think about what he was going to say next. He'd been asking seemingly a million questions about Peter's interactions with M.J, but now, for the first time, he really wasn't sure where his friend was going next.

"Peter," he finally said, "I know you've lost a lot, and you're going through some stuff with your aunt right now, but...like I said before, I just don't want you to pass up something great because of all that. I'm not saying you should go ask her out tonight, but it sounds like this woman is really something."

Peter had to agree there.

"Yeah," he said. "She is."

"Look," Eddie said, "all I ask is that you at least keep your mind open to the possibility that maybe it's okay for you to be happy again, and maybe that you could even make somebody else happy too. You are actually a very nice guy, after all."

Peter let out a light snort through his nose.

"Thanks," he said.

He couldn't deny that, even after all these years, part of him still really wanted someone to share his life with, someone who he could come home to every night after patrol. He hadn't realized it until last night and again this morning, but those feelings had only intensified since he met Mary Jane. They hadn't known each other that long, but he already felt a connection with her. She was fun, energetic, and just had so much LIFE that he felt refreshed whenever he spent time with her, no matter what he had gone through.

Last night was different though: she had connected with him for the first time on a truly emotional level, sharing her burdens that she kept from the outside world with just him. It was the first time in a long while that he'd met someone who could understand that feeling, who knew it deep in their soul. His circumstances were obviously different than M.J.'s, but she clearly shared a similar sense of loneliness and secrecy.

Every day since he'd come back from his multiversal adventure, he'd thought about what Peter-2 had said about not giving up on finding someone, sharing how he'd managed to work things out with his universe's M.J. Every time that memory sprung to mind though, his mind would return to Gwen. It wasn't just that he couldn't save her, but also that he had broken his promise to her father all those years ago as the man had laid dying that he would stay away from her to keep her safe.

It was something he wasn't sure he could ever forgive himself for.

Peter's thoughts were interrupted by the ring of his phone. He took it out to see a familiar number: the hospital. Without hesitation, he answered.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Peter," the doctor said, "you need to come in as soon as you can. We have some news for you and your aunt."

Hope you all are continuing to enjoy it!

Continuing to pray for you all; stay safe and healthy!

"Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me." Psalm 31:2