Chapter 9 [A Few Hours Later]

Peter grimaced. He tossed and turned in the darkness. Nightmaressparked across his dreams. Sweat beaded across his brow. He rasped and coughed. His fists clenched at the sheets and pillows. Occasionally a moan would escape his lips.

At those points, something cool and moist would settle on his forehead. A low and relaxing Irish melody soothed the fires in his soul. Feathers seemed to caress his arm and whisper on his cheek.

He blinked. His eyes shrugged off the weighted-down eyelids. He looked about to find himself in an unfamiliar room. A bureau rested across from where he was. Pictures and plaques blurred into focus in the early morning light. He shook the cobwebs from his head. "Where?" He looked under the sheets where he saw himself in a t-shirt and sweatpants. "How did I get these? Where am I? Where are my costume and web shooters?" He rubbed the back of his neck. The burning and chills no longer shot through him. He definitely felt stronger. He grunted low while opening the door.

A glance around the front room affirmed that he was in the Stacy household.

"Gwen?" He surveyed the dimly-lit area. He found her curled up on the couch with a blanket clenched around her feet. She dozed. He covered her with the blanket. "There," he whispered. He crept across the floor toward the sink. Almost by memory, he opened a cabinet, pulled out a glass and filled it from the faucet. He gulped the cold water letting it irrigate away Parch's arid hold over this throat. He set the glass down as softly as he could manage. Then he started back toward the bedroom again.

"Mmm…." She turned over. Her eyes fluttered open. Seeing him standing there, they opened wide. "Peter? PETER!" Relief spread a big grin across her face. She sat up. "You're up!"

"Yeah. I feel like I've been sleeping forever," he assumed.

She shrugged. "Try two days, Mr. P. Oh am I glad to see you awake! I was about to call Dr. Bromwell this morning." She sprang to her feet and grabbed him in a heartfelt hug.

"Guess I was really sick. I admit I don't remember much after those SWAT guys left. It's kind of a blur." He held her close in return. "How'd we get back here?"

"Captain DeWolff drove MJ and us back here. I have to hand it to her. She cut through the red tape. I half-expected the NYPD to be camped outside my door. I know she respects my Dad. But she trusts you." Gwen filled her tea pot at the sink. She set it on the stove.

"We've crossed paths a few times out there. She knows I'm not a killer. I also helped her with her brother, Brian. I respect her as a police officer and a captain. Gwen, your Dad made a great choice in her," he explained.

"She's always been driven. I'm just glad you have someone like her watching your back. She used to be so nice to me in the Squad Room back in high school." She shook her head. "I've never seen her so chummy with anyone like that though." She arched an eyebrow at him.

He squirmed. "I'm friendly with Mary Jane and Betty too. Try being the creepy guy. You saw that guy, Rourke. He was ready to try and haul me downtown. Jonah's editorials don't make it any easier for me either." He ran his hand across the back of his neck. "I would've held hands with you but I want my secret identity intact."

"I'd love to see you explain that, Peter. I'm pretty sure Jean would keep your secret." She giggled. "Have to say you're popular."

He rolled his eyes. "They can look. I know who my lady is." He kissed her forehead.

She blushed. Her heart skipped a beat. "And I know who my hero is." She shook her head. "Still…." She let out a big sigh. "I can't believe I just washed Spider-Man's costume. I watched you jump into that room fifty stories above the street and deal with Mr. Osborn. And that's with you half-sick and barely able to stand up."

"He was going to kill MJ and you, Gwen. Harry's situation drove him over the edge. I really didn't have a choice." He bowed his head. "Some times I don't have a choice. People are at risk."

"And Dad? He knew about you?" she supposed.

"He figured it out. Remember when you found me with him over there?" He motioned toward her father's former study. "He was asking me questions about well…me. Along with Captain DeWolff, your Dad kept a lot of heat off of me."

She nodded. "I remember a couple of things. There was that time you swung into your apartment and hauled me right out the window! Then there was the time you told everyone before that. Who was the Spider-Man who showed up while you were here? You got someone to imitate you?"

"Since you were with Sam Bullitt, I had to make it look convincing in front of him and you. There was no way I would've allowed you to get hurt even when Iceman decided to play boy scout. As for the other Spider-Man, someone who owed me a favor did that. He left my costume on the roof. I swung by and grabbed it later," he admitted.

"You just swung by?" She rolled her eyes. "And how do I know you didn't try to peek in the window?"

"Gwendy, give me some credit. I mean every red-blooded man knows you're beautiful. I respect you. Besides I'm not going to risk your Dad's and Aunt May's lectures over that," he noted. "He swung a mean cane you know."

She laughed—a sound akin to bells chiming gently in his ears. She could see her father doing just that. "He knew you wouldn't, Peter. He really cared about you." She smiled. "I remember when you saved us from the Kingpin. Then you risked your neck in that prison takeover. Good thing I didn't know you were in the middle of that. I remember when you were fighting the Vulture on top of the Daily Bugle. Dad, Mr. Robertson and you were in that TV studio when that electric creep showed up. I was terrified."

"Try it from my perspective. I prefer to fly in a plane not in that creep's hands." He heard the kettle's whistle. "That tea's going to be good."

"My idea exactly, Mr. P." She smiled at him. She filled two mugs with hot water and plunked a tea bag in each one. "Mom used to have fits when Dad was out there. Now it's my turn." She shook her head. "And here I was a basket case when I thought you were just taking the pictures. Now I find out you're in front of the camera too."

"I'm out there trying to help people. If I had more people like Captain DeWolff and your Dad and less people like Jonah, it'd be a lot easier." He bit his lip. "You know I thought this conversation was going to be a lot harder."

"It would've been six months ago," she reminded him.

"Yeah when you thought I killed him." He shook his head. "I don't know what was worse. Your Dad dying or you running to London. It just about killed me. I even flew over there."

"I knew it! I saw you swing by Uncle George's house! Why didn't you stop?" She frowned at him.

"Because you would've figured it out. I didn't know how you'd take it." He looked her right in the eyes. "You were in a vulnerable place. I didn't want to push this on you at that point. But I'm glad you know now. Thank you."

"Thank you for trusting me, Peter. You aren't alone." She hugged him. "Just don't expect me to wash your cobwebs every time." Mischief twisted her mouth into a smirk.

He chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it. In fact, that reminds me." He scratched his head. Nerves seized his heart. "I don't know of another woman like you, Gwen. You are so talented and compassionate. You care. You're strong and serve others. I'm so impressed and proud of you. I know I'm not the best dressed right now or in the best condition to ask right now." He stood up and took her hands in his. "Gwendolyn Stacy, will you marry me?" He trembled.

At that heartbeat, he felt like an abyss swallowed him whole. He'd rather fight Kang the Conqueror, the Silver Surfer, the Hulk (again)…maybe even all of them at once than face her with The Question on his lips.

Her jaw dropped. "Are you…asking me what I think you are?"

Panic numbed his mind. A sharp pain shot through his heart. A chill shot up and down his spine. "If you want to wait, that's okay. I respect you. What…."

She put her hand over his mouth. "Peter, hush. Let me get a word in. All right?" She grinned at him. "Yes."

"Yes?"

"Of course, I said yes!" She crushed her lips on top of his. "You know how long I've waited for you to ask me?" She kissed him again on the forehead. "Yes, yes, yes!"

"I know I should have a ring. We can pick one out together." He exhaled sharply. "This week has driven a point home for me. There was that point when Kraven kidnapped you in that jungle. I look at Harry. I watch his Dad break down. Then he just about killed MJ and you. Gwen, I was so scared. I saw him pushing you toward that window. All I could think about was him dropping you." He bowed his head. "It would've crushed me."

"But it didn't happen. You were there for me. You're human but you're all the man I want. Just remember one thing." She raised an eyebrow. "If you get footprints on the walls or ceiling, I'll be really upset."

"I can remember that." He smiled at her. "Thanks, Gwendy. I love you."

"And I love you, Man of Mine." She embraced him again. "So we need to see your Aunt May. I have to call MJ. We can talk to Harry and Flash Thompson. We have preparations to make." She handed him his tea. "Drink up."

"Yes, Ma 'am." He touched cups with her. "To us."

"To us." She drank her tea allowing him a sparkle in her eye.

He nodded. Elation and Relief washed over him. He relaxed.

And just like that, everything was okay…..