Chapter 1 [Some Time During ASM 120]

Winter chilled the Big Apple. Trees had long since shed their leaves. Jack Frost's Breath stabbed into exposed skin. New Yorkers rushed about between places. Work, Home, Shopping or perhaps Quiet Coffee at a café some place offered Refuge's comfort from the harsh world around.

For some, however, Safety had no place. For others, Helplessness' Undertow dragged them down in their wake….

[Gwen's Apartment]

Gwen meandered out of the elevator. Emotions played Negative Dirge across her mind and heart. Harry Osborn, her long-time classmate and friend, broke down under Life's Pressures. Guilt ate at her over May Parker's position as Dr. Octopus' housekeeper. Mary Jane's keeping Harry as Placeholder while casting eyes on her guy grated on her last nerve. And then, there was Peter. She turned Key in lock and let herself in. Where is he? I know he's out of town but why now? She dropped her purse on the couch. Shivers pressed her shoulders and back. Instinct flicked her fingers across Thermostat's gauge. Almost on auto pilot, she turned the water faucet. Habit set up Coffee Pot and started its perking on the stove top.

Still, Shivers weren't from Outside Chill. Rather, Need and Emptiness filled her. Amor starved for its Brown Haired Prince. Akin to Harry's Dependency, she needed Peter…now. She slumped onto the couch. Peter, where are you? We need him here. He took off so quickly! I can't believe Mr. Osborn's so mean to him. She bit her lip. Maybe the Bugle folks know where he is. She flipped through Yellow Pages' printed pages. Then, her index fingers proceeded through each of Rotary's finger holds. Rings echoed to her ears.

"Daily Bugle. This is Mr. Jameson's office. Can I help you?" Betty Brant's voice answered.

"Hi, Betty. It's Gwen Stacy. So sorry to bother you. I was wondering if you know where Peter is? We have an emergency." Gwen leaned back against Couch's cushions. Hope pleaded for Betty to know something.

"Hi, Gwen. I'm sorry. I know he rushed out of here two days ago." Betty stopped multi-tasking. She picked up on Gwen's tone through the phone. "Is everything all right? What's going on?" She saw Robbie emerge from his office. She signaled to him.

Robbie raised an eyebrow. What could that be? He knew it wasn't like Betty to draw his attention like that. Well, that is unless Crisis brewed on the line's other end. He turned away from Expected Errand. In a half dozen strides, he stood at her desk. "Betty?"

"It's Gwen Stacy, Robbie. It sounds serious. I should've transferred it. I saw you heading out." She handed him the phone. "I know you have your meeting."

"I have a few minutes, Betty. Thank you." Reassurance softened Robbie's expression. He took the receiver from her and put it up to his ear. "Hi, Gwen. This is Joe Robertson. What's going on?"

"H…hi, Mr. Robertson. I'm sorry to bother Betty and you there." Gwen sucked in a deep breath. "We have an emergency. D…do you know where Peter is?" She yanked Tissue from its box and dabbed her eyes.

He frowned. "No, Gwen. He's up in Montreal on assignment. Beyond that, I don't know where he is." He rubbed the back of his neck. Consternation ground away at his thoughts. What happened to being more responsible and taking care of her? Good grief, Peter! He and Jonah didn't even have a hotel or any information on Peter's accommodations. He and I are going to have another discussion about this. I know he needed the assignment. Why didn't he let her know? "If he checks in, I'll definitely tell him to call you. Is there something we can do for you? What's going on?"

Gwen took another deep breath. "It's Peter's roommate, Harry Osborn. He's relapsed. I know Peter tried to help before. His Dad…pushed Peter away. I know Mr. Osborn's upset. I get it. Peter just wanted to help. We want to help. Harry's under so much pressure."

He bowed his head. Memoria brought back the last such episode. Fiery Editorials and Confrontation with Chief of Police DeWolff elicited hand-wringing but little else. Besides, he knew OsCorp's stock plummeted in Free Fall's disaster. Anticipation predicted the next eruption over the latest mess. "I'll tell Mr. Osborn myself, Gwen. Maybe he can talk with Mr. Osborn on your behalf? I can't make any promises. If we hear, again, I'll definitely tell Peter to call you. Sorry. My prayers are with Harry and you. Hang in there. I'm sure Peter will be in touch soon."

"I know, Mr. Robertson. Thanks for everything. Sorry." Gwen wrung her own hands.

"It's quite all right, Gwen. I was friends with your father for years. We go back a long way. I'm never too busy for something like this. You take care. Thanks for letting me know about this." He hung up.

"Thanks for that at least, Mr. R." Gwen set receiver down on its cradle. "Peter, why can't you let anyone know where you are? I swear sometimes you get sucked in your own little world." Depression sagged across her shoulders. She moped over to the waiting coffee maker. She fixed her mug. Java's mouthful perked her up at least. I really needed that! She brought the mug back over to the couch. Peter….

Now, the phone rang for her.

Oh please! Please! Gwen bowed her head. She mouthed a prayer to herself. "Hello?"

"Hello, this is the Operator. I have a collect call for Gwen from Peter. Will you accept the charges?" a female voice with a French accent inquired.

Thank You, Lord! Gwen nodded. Yes. Thank you. I will accept the charges." She pressed, "Peter?"

"Hey, Gwendy? Sorry I had to make this call collect, but I…." Peter shivered in the Montreal phone booth. His pictures of Spider-Man and the Hulk fulfilled the Bugle's assignment. Still, the question about his Aunt May and the mysterious stalker dogged him.

Gwen shook her head. She didn't want to take a chance on him slipping away again. "Peter, you've got to come home…QUICKLY! It's Harry…he must be back-flashing to that last bad trip he had a few months ago…" She wiped her eyes yet again. Her fingers rubbed her forehead to assuage Tension's building headache therein.

Peter mulled over her words. He'd watched Harry in mid-breakdown before his departure. He recalled the elder Osborn's anger and directive very well. Still, he didn't understand her. "Backflashing? What do you mean, Gwen? Maybe there's a bad connection?"

Gwen ground her teeth. Patience strained to the limit. Peter, it's not that hard! Come on! For someone so smart, you really don't get it? "Peter, you're so naïve. Harry's been into drugs again. Something about his father…some sort of pressure."

Peter sighed. Necessity demanded he follow up with Miss Delon and Monsieur Rimbaud concerning his aunt's situation. Priorities smashed into one another. First though, he had to deal with the Canadian connection. Then, he could return and do what he could to help Harry. "Okay, Kid. I'll get back there as soon as I can."

"Thank you, Peter." Relief eased her mindset on that point. "Whatever's going on, Harry needs all of us. See you when you get back." She hung up and leaned back into the couch.

Worry and Frustration ate at her. Why do we make life so complicated? Gosh darn it! It shouldn't be like this!

Another mouthful of coffee eased her own pressure ever so slightly. Still, it was all a waiting game at that point.