Chapter 34 [Two Weeks Later]
Packing and House Hunting finally ran their respective courses. Boxes rode on vans and trucks from New York toward the Midwest. House awaited them at 53rd and Hastings in a quiet neighborhood. Aunt May's apartment sat in a complex two blocks away. Downtown and Sprawl lay adjacent to the area. Still it would provide a welcome buffer.
And that was all they could ask for….
[New Parker House]
Gwen set the last dishes in the cupboard. Scrutiny found nary Dust nor Dirt anywhere in that kitchen. Counter gleamed in Sol's light. Our new house! I can't believe it! It's ours! It's really ours! She walked out of the kitchen. She saw the small dining room with its maple table and chairs. She sat down on the living room couch.
"How do you like it?" Peter came out of the bedroom. He straightened his coat and the button down dress shirt underneath it.
"It's great, Mr. P! And you look great!" She smirked at him. "I just can't believe we're finally down here!"
"We are. Sorry Aunt May and you had to sell the houses." His lips brushed Amor's notes across her cheek. "At least we have time to relax and adjust before your semester starts."
"Mmm…yeah, Man of Mine. We sure do! Of course, you're going to the Planet. So much for relaxing." She raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you do, remember that we have that dinner with Harry and Liz! We cannot disappoint!"
"I won't. I'm just going to check in." Peter kissed her forehead. "I'm sure you're heading into Met U at some point?"
"Since you're going, I might as well see how it looks there. Dr. Sloan said it was all right to get my paperwork done early for the start of classes." She shrugged.
"And you want to talk with Mr. Dubois too." Peter sighed. Regret burned at him. "Just be careful. We don't need you being a target. Okay?"
"That goes for a certain Web Slinger too, Mr. P." She pressed a quick kiss on his lips. "Lock up when you're ready to go. I'll see you later." She walked out the door and toward the bus stop.
I should take the bus with her. Why not? It'll be right on my way. He walked out the door and closed it behind himself. "Gwendy! Hey! Wait!"
Surprise flushed her face with Pink hues. A giggle escaped her lips. "Well! Well! Going my way, Lancelot?" Playfulness spread a wider smirk across her face.
"Always, Kid." He took her hand and led her toward the stop in question….
[Daily Planet]
Peter strolled off of the elevator. He observed Bullpen's bustle. Reporters and Staffers rushed about. He sucked in a deep breath. Here goes! Start of something great even if I'm reporting early. He took a right turn and headed toward Travers' office.
Gerald looked up from his paperwork. "Good morning! Mr…Parker. Right?"
"That's right. Good morning. Sorry to drop in unannounced. I just wanted to let Ms. Travers know I'm settled here." Peter collected himself. He half-expected Jameson to charge out of the office.
"Oh yes! She was waiting to hear from you. Would you mind taking a seat? Mr. Taylor is speaking with her." Gerald offered him a chair. "Would you like a coffee or some water while you wait?"
"No thank you. I appreciate it." Peter settled into his chair. He weighed Potentials and Possibilities. After Gwen finished her paperwork at Met U, Aunt May would need some help. Perhaps he might also see about doing a photography workshop there or in Smallville.
The door opened. Taylor strode out. "Well! Good afternoon, Mr. Parker! How's your move going?"
"I'm great, Mr. Taylor. Thanks." Peter shook Taylor's hand. "We just finished moving into our new house. Everything else is all right."
"Excellent! Great job on the fireworks article. Great instincts! Keep it up!" Approval beamed in Taylor's eyes. He nodded to Peter. Then he turned and walked away.
"Come in, Mr. Parker!" Travers pointed and then motioned Peter inside of her office.
Peter followed her inside. "Thank you, Ms. Travers. Sorry to drop in. I just wanted to check in after the move."
"I have a few minutes before my next meeting." She sat down behind her desk. Her eyes measured the newest member of her team. "Chloe Sullivan's internship ends in a few days. She's been a real asset to us this summer. I have instructed her to keep next summer open. I will have a spot for her. She and you have proven to be valuable this summer. You still have a couple of weeks. Any plans?"
"I was thinking of a couple photography workshops? I did promise one here. Ms. Donnelly had suggested another one in Smallville or Granville. I was thinking of next week. Maybe Chloe might cover it and get back to you?" He mulled over the idea. Maybe Lex can put us up for a couple of more days? I hate to impose especially with how things went at the farm.
"Just a minute." She dialed her phone and waited. "Miss Sullivan, can you come up to my office please? Thank you." She hung up. "We'll see what she says. Technically, her internship will be over. I could get Mr. Taylor to let her freelance for another assignment."
Gerald knocked and stuck his head in. "Ms. Travers? Chloe Sullivan's here."
"Send her in, Gerald. Thank you." Travers waved Chloe in. "Miss Sullivan, thank you for coming up. Close the door please."
"Sure, Ms. Travers." Chloe slipped in and shut the door. "What can I do for you? Mr. Parker?"
"Hi, Chloe. You know you can call me Peter now. Right?" Peter shook Chloe's hand. "Ms. Travers told me you had a great internship."
"Yeah! I sure did! I really appreciate the opportunity, Ms. Travers." Gratitude prompted a nod from her to their editor. "What can I do for you?"
Travers studied the two reporters. Granted Peter and Chloe seemed an unlikely pair on the surface. Collaboration brought them together. Synergy complimented one another. "Your internship ends on Friday officially, Miss Sullivan. I have freelance work for you however. Mr. Parker wants to do a couple of photography workshops however. I want you to cover them for me. Mr. Parker, get on the phone to Donnelly. Let her know about those sessions."
"Sure! I'd be glad to cover them." Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Can you get the library in time?"
"If not, maybe Mr. Reynolds would let me use a room at the high school? There are also spaces in Granville. We'll manage." He made a note to himself to call.
Travers narrowed her eyes. "You'll do a lot better than manage. You're representing the Planet now! Just as with everything else, I expect your best work on these sessions. Am I clear?" Fire blazed in her eyes.
"Can I make a call? I think I can get the ball rolling." He reached for his cell phone.
"By all means, Mr. Parker. Impress me." Purpose (and maybe Dare?) glared into his eyes.
Be careful, Peter. Don't get her upset now. Chloe bit her lip.
He scrolled through the previously called numbers to find the Smallville Community Center. "Just a minute." He hit redial and waited.
"Smallville Community Center, this is Jan."
He grinned. "Hi, Jan. My name's Peter Parker. I did a couple of photography workshops last spring in Smallville. Two of them were in your center. I'd like to do a few more."
"Mr. Parker! Why yes of course! When were you thinking about them? I can't get you in until middle of next week. Hope that works." Jan typed on her computer keyboard. She brought up the calendar screen. "That is correct. After next Weds, it's open clear for two weeks."
"I'd like to reserve that presentation room for a week from Wednesday and a week from Friday. I just need to update my handouts from last spring with new material. How about this? When we promote it, mention that I have new tips about being in a news situation. Perhaps people would be interested in hearing about that?" Proposal intrigued him as it came together in his mind. He hoped it would do the same for her.
Travers nodded. She saw him take her bone and run with it. She waved for and took the phone. "Yes, hello. This is Felicity Travers of the Daily Planet. With whom am I speaking?"
"My name's Jan, Ms. Travers. I work in the office at the center. I was just booking Mr. Parker's sessions into the computer. I was at his photography sessions last spring. They were wonderful if you don't mind me saying."
"Indeed they were. Thank you. I wanted you to know that there will be someone with Mr. Parker at those sessions. Allow an adequate window for those sessions in your schedule. Thank you. I'm putting him back on." Travers handed the phone back to Peter.
"Jan, thank you. What are we looking at?" He took out a piece of paper and a pen.
"The 23rd at 1:30 and the 25th at 2. I have you confirmed in the Smallville Community Center. Is your email still the same?" Jan saved the entries to her calendar.
"It is. I'll look forward to the email. Thanks, Jan. Looking forward to it. I'll get on promoting it as well. Take care and thank you." He disconnected the call and put it back in his pocket. "And maybe we can get a story with Samantha Cooper about that concert in Albany a couple of weeks ago? I have pictures of her playing at the Dubois Farm the night before."
"She's been so busy with her new job at the Talon, I haven't pinned her down. I'll text Lana and find out Sam's schedule. Meantime I want those pictures, Peter." Chloe raised an eyebrow at him. "I've been waiting for that move of yours to be done. Did Gwen and you get that house?"
"We got it. Next call's to Lex Luthor. I want him to find out next." He stood up. "I don't want to keep you, Ms. Travers. I just need to let Gwen know about that trip to Smallville and…." The phone buzzed. He looked at his phone. "It's Gwen. She needs me at home. Chloe, I'll text you tonight. Ms. Travers, I'll get you the email confirmation. Excuse me." He rushed out of the office, past Gerald's desk and down the hall toward the bullpen. He remembered a certain janitor's closet just past the first bank of computers.
"The 23rd at 1:30 and the 25th at 2. I have you confirmed in the Smallville Community Center. Is your email still the same?" Jan saved the entries to her calendar.
"It is. I'll look forward to the email. Thanks, Jan. Looking forward to it. I'll get on promoting it as well. Take care and thank you." He disconnected the call and put it back in his pocket. "And maybe we can get a story with Samantha Cooper about that concert in Albany a couple of weeks ago? I have pictures of her playing at the Dubois Farm the night before."
"She's been so busy with her new job at the Talon, I haven't pinned her down. I'll text Lana and find out Sam's schedule. Meantime I want those pictures, Peter." Chloe raised an eyebrow at him. "I've been waiting for that move of yours to be done. Did Gwen and you get that house?"
"We got it. Next call's to Lex Luthor. I want him to find out next." He stood up. "I don't want to keep you, Ms. Travers. I just need to let Gwen know about that trip to Smallville and…." The phone buzzed. He looked at his phone. "It's Gwen. She needs me at home. Chloe, I'll text you tonight. Ms. Travers, I'll get you the email confirmation. Excuse me." He rushed out of the office, past Gerald's desk and down the hall toward the bullpen. He remembered a certain janitor's closet just past the first bank of computers.
Just around the next corner, Closet beckoned to him.
He slipped inside and closed the door. I didn't think it would be this soon. Let's see how they like the New Spider in town. He stripped off his street clothes to reveal his costume underneath. He pulled his mask and gloves on. Webbing secured his clothes to his back.
Spider-Man shook his head. He pushed open the window. Wonder if any other heroes ever do this? He fired a web line at an adjacent building. Hello, Metropolis!
With that, he banked into the familiar parabolas over urban gridlock.
New Place…Same Deal….
"What was that about?" Chloe narrowed her eyes at the just-slammed door.
Travers checked her screen. "There's a silent alarm at Bank of Metro. Parker just got wind of it. Get over there, Miss Sullivan. That will be all." She shook her head.
Synergy or not, she had a lecture to give those two it seemed….