Chapter 45

Peter closed the door. He rested his head against it. Doc Blake knows! He has to know! He rubbed the back of his neck. A couple of deep breaths composed him again. "Sorry. We had a heavy discussion on the elevator up here."

"With Dr. Blake?" Surprise raised Liz's eyebrow. "He seems like a very nice man. That doesn't sound like him, Peter. You okay?" Cinnamon and Cake Donut flavored her mouth. "Mmm! I really needed this today! Thank you!" She sat down in a chair. "Nice to get a break. Maybe open the door a crack? I have to listen for pages."

"Sure." He opened it again. "Sorry I forgot your coffee." He frowned at himself.

"It's all right. I have a mug waiting down the hall. This is fine." Liz munched on another chunk of donut. "I think it's great you have someone nice for yourself. I'll get myself out there too. Being a nurse is…well…hard to date and have a life."

"Well, you'll have one chance there, Miss Liz. You're invited to our wedding. Maybe you'll see someone there? Can't hurt to take a peek around." Gwen savored crème and chocolate in her mouth. "Mmm! You have the magic touch too, Peter! These are great."

"Guys, I don't want to be a burden. That's your day!" Liz rolled her eyes. "I can't get a date. Heck, I'm transferring hospitals starting the day after tomorrow." Sigh escaped her lips. "I'm actually heading to Bellevue."

"Actually, my roommate's there for evaluation right now, Liz." Apple Cider Donut flavored his mouth and throat. "Harry overdosed a few days ago. Until now, his father kept matters quiet. He's a good guy. We're trying to help him find some more friends. Gwen's known him since elementary school." He drank a draught from his coffee cup.

"If you can do us a favor? Maybe be patient with him? I know you have to be professional but…." Gwen started.

"That I can do." Liz wrapped her second donut. "I'll save this treat for lunch. Thanks again, Peter! I'll be there for you two. Definitely. Great work this morning, Miss Stacy! I'll be back around to check on you later." She opened the door and headed down the hall.

Gwen ate a few more bites of donut. She beheld his furrowed brow. "What's going on, Peter? Can you close the door?" She motioned in that direction. "Is it about the wake up call?"

"What? No! That's not even close!" He closed the door again. "We've been so unbelievably lucky the last two days. I was just thinking about that. I just didn't want to get into it on the phone. The docs know about me. Well about…you know…"

She frowned. "They know about…?" Realization prompted a nod. "You're way too paranoid, Peter, to just slip up. I mean none of us suspected. You did tell us but then he and you both showed up somehow. You're careful."

"Mr. Osborn knows. Your Dad figured it out, Gwendy. Dr. Strange and I are friends. He is a real doctor as you saw. Spider-Man and he have worked together in the past." He took a deep breath. "He healed you as a favor to me."

"He healed…" Skepticism reared an eyebrow. "So, that's why you trusted him? Nothing wrong with that if you know his good work. He guided Doc Blake through the surgery. Okay. Groovy."

"I went to his house to thank Clea and him last night. She was the silver haired lady with you in the operating room. Doc Blake took the bone fragment out. Beyond that, well, I need your word that this stays between us." He paced about the area. His mind tried to think of ways to relate this situation to her.

She frowned. "Okay. We know I can keep a secret." She weighed the matter over in her mind. "Peter, what did he do to my back? I see you twisting yourself in knots over this. It's okay."

"You remember Flash's situation with those Vietnamese guys? The Doc helped me to deal with that." He sat down at her bedside. "And now, he helped you."

"Flash talked to me about that. He mentioned some guy in a cape that cast spells." She coughed. "Peter, magic doesn't exist!"

"And yet your back's healed. You can walk. Right?" He took a deep gulp from his coffee. "Doc Blake saw it. I've just learned to deal with the unbelievable where Doc Strange is concerned. He's a great friend. We're set as far as he's concerned."

"So he just heals my back? With a wave of his hands?" Her eyebrow arched further still.

"Pretty much. He did us a special favor. He doesn't do that for just anyone, Gwendy." Peter rubbed her hand in his. "I think you're getting the idea of the group I swing with." Atrocious Pun brought a wince from him.

"Easier to wisecrack with the mask on, Mr. Genius?" Her sass jabbed at him. "He healed my back. You must've helped him with something big, Peter. You go to Xanadu or something?" She could feel his mind struggling to come up with an answer. "Peter, it's okay."

"I know but thanks, Kid. You're close. Let's just leave it at that. It's good to have friends. You know?" He smiled at her. "Doc Blake though…I wish I knew. He was asking me about my agreement with Spider-Man over the pictures. I think he put two and two together over the bridge and yesterday."

"You did save the hospital and us, Mr. P. I think you can come up with something to get him off the trail. You've done it with us." Gwen eased herself back onto her stomach. "I'm going to lie down. Mind staying with me even if I fall asleep? I like your go go vibes around me."

"Sure, Pretty Lady. I'll be right here." He watched her head settle onto the pillow. Slowly, her eyes blinked closed. She drifted off to sleep.

Sleep as long as you need, Gwendy. I'm here. He rubbed her hand and settled in to watch her.

Some things were resolved…Others were left hanging….