Hello Again True Believers I'm shocked at how many people have read the first chapter. I honestly did not expect such a response. I hope I can live up to your expectations, and if not… at least I lived up to mine. So without further a due Chapter 2. I do not own The Spectacular Spider-Man if I did it would not have been canceled.

Chapter 2: Suspicions

Out in front of the ESU laboratories Peter was sniffing his cloths, and costume, to make sure he did not smell like fish. He looked down from the top step to see Gwen walking up the steps just staring at the ground, she looked deep in thought. He noticed how beautiful she looked and cursed himself for taking too long to get together with her Well I made her wait so now I guess it's my turn he thought. Peter was about to say "hi" when he noticed that Gwen was so distracted that she was not looking where she was going. She missed the next step and began to fall. Gwen threw her arms out in front of her to take most of the impact but instead she felt her arms wrap around someone. She looked up to see Peter with his arms wrapped around her keeping her from falling. Their faces were inches apart. Peter looked in to her turquoise eyes and blushed, realizing what he was doing; he finished helping Gwen to her feet, much to her dismay.

"You alright?" asked Peter.

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm ok…thanks Pete" she said blushing.

"Anything for you Gwen" said Peter smiling, with caused Gwen's bush to deepen from pink to red. Clearing his throat Peter opened the door to the lab and allowed Gwen to enter first. Walking in to the lab Gwen put her school books down and began to think again about the pictures she had in her book. Could Peter really be Spider-Man? No, it couldn't be I mean Pete is surprisingly quick but he doesn't cling to walls. However…it would explain why he seems to keep disappearing, and why he's the only one who can get pictures of Spider-Man in action. Gwen looked up just in time to see Peter helping Dr. Miles Warren try to restrain one of the test lizards. She laughed at the thought of Pete swinging around New York fighting crime. She put her lab coat on and joined Peter to help put the lizard back into its cage.

A few hours later Dr. Warren called Peter and Gwen into his, formally Dr. Connors, office. "I just wanted to let you two know that the lab will be closed next week due to spring break. So enjoy yourselves and since most of the tasks for today are done you two can leave early." Both Peter and Gwen thanked Dr. Warren, grabbed their stuff and headed out of the lab.

"So…" said Pete, not exactly know what to say.

"So..." replied Gwen equally at a loss for words.

Peter slumped his shoulders in defeat, "I am sorry for what happened earlier."

"Sorry for what?" asked Gwen. Seeing the blush on Peter's face she knew what he meant, "Oh, so you're sorry you didn't let me fall on my face?" She asked in a small teasing voice.

Peter was shocked, "What! No! That not what I…" he trailed off as he saw the smile on Gwen's face. He put his head in his hand and said, "That's not funny."

"Maybe not to you" she replied. "What do you want to do now? We have a couple of hours before were due home."

Peter's first thought was to kiss her the way she had kissed him but he quickly pushed that out of his mind. Shaking his head he said, "Why not take a walk around the campus and then how about some ice cream, my treat."

"You're starting to sound like Harry" she said. A small frown could be seen on her face.

"Is there something wrong between you and Harry?" asked Pete.

Gwen was hesitant to talk but then she took a deep breath, "It's not that there is anything wrong it's just…I don't know it's like he's trying to impress me."

Peter raised an eye brow, "How?"

"He just buys me random thing he thinks I would like, takes me to expensive restaurants" said Gwen.

"I thought that's what girls wanted from their boyfriends?" inquired Pete.

"It is but…I just get the feeling that Harry is jealous. Don't you notice that the three of us rarely get together anymore?"

Now that Peter thought about it Gwen was right. For the past two weeks it was either Peter hanging out with Harry or Gwen going out with Harry. They weren't the trio they use to be. Peter looked at the ground as they walked He wanted to ask the question but he was afraid that Gwen would get upset.

Gwen stepped in front of him, looking at him she asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing" said Peter waving his hand trying to dismiss the topic. When he looked back at Gwen she was giving him the look. "Ok, Ok" he said, "Not the look. I was just thinking…Sometime do you get the feeling that Harry knows how we feel?"

The question hung in the air for a moment before Gwen looked off to the side and quietly answered, "Yes."

Peter stood there wanting to comfort Gwen, the girl he wanted to be with, but it would feel like he was betraying his best friend. That is if Harry was still his friend at all. Peter decide couple or not he couldn't let Gwen stand there feeling horrible. He took a step forwards when someone ran past him. Suddenly his spider-sense tingled, without thinking he wrapped his arms around Gwen and pulled her to the side just as a soccer ball flew by where their heads were.

A blond college student came running up to them, "Are you two OK? Sorry about that."

"Yeah were ok" answered Pete, as a bewildered Gwen looked at him.

"Dude you got some great reflexes. You should try out for the soccer team next year" with that the student ran off to join his friend.

"How did you do that?" asked Gwen, Peter finally noticing the surprised look on her face.

Uh oh Pete, you're looking to good again he thought. "I saw the guy's friend run by so I thought we should get out of the way just…in…case" said Pete with a nerves laugh. "So how's about that ice Cream?"

The two stopped at the student center got their ice cream and headed home. To Peter, Gwen had seemed to accept his excuse about the soccer ball incident, but in reality the incident just set off some new occurrences that Gwen just passed off as luck.

Then there was the time he dodged all those water balloons. What about the time Peter just happened to drop his biology test and just missed Flash hitting him in the head with his football…and then at Rockefeller center Pete flipped over Kenny. He FLIPPED OVER KENNY! As she thought her face seemed to be contorting little by little until Peter tapped her in the shoulder brining her out of her trance.

"You OK? You seemed kind of out of it since the lab." asked Peter as they got on the bus.

"Just had something on my mind" she replied slightly embarrassed. "Peter, I know Harry has asked you this before but just between you and me" Dropping her voice to a whisper, "Do you know who Spider-Man really is?"

Peter had gotten use to Harry asking but to have Gwen ask was a complete surprise, "What? NO! I just take his pictures I don't know who he is." Peter then had solemn look on his face, "Even if I did I don't think I would tell anyone."

"Why not!" asked Gwen shocked, "Don't you think Harry deserves to know?"

Before Gwen could get an answer from Peter the bus stopped and he got off. Gwen followed, even thought they were still a couple of miles away from their homes. Peter planed to web swing the rest of the way but Gwen, much to his dismay, was keeping up with him.

"Peter, you didn't answer my question" she stated firmly.

"Maybe it's because I don't agree with it" he replied.

"What are you talking about? You don't think Harry deserves some closure?" Gwen shot back anger rising in her voice.

Peter stopped dead and turned to face Gwen, "What good would it do!" Realizing he was now shouting he put his hands in his pockets and continued walking. Gwen remained where she was for a brief moment then ran after him.

"Peter wait!" she shouted. Peter stopped, turned around and waited for her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you so upset."

"It's ok I shouldn't have yelled at you" They started walking again in silence until Peter spoke up, "I don't completely agree with Harry because Spider-Man, despite what Jameson says does a lot of good for the city."

"I'm not saying Spider-Man is a bad guy, I'm just saying Harry deserves to face his father's killer." Gwen noticed Peter wince at the work "killer". She thought Peter would shout at her again but his mood seemed to take a sad tone.

"I know Spider-Man didn't mean to kill Harry's dad, but he also needed to stop him to protect the city." Gwen looked at Peter confused as he continued, "With Harry being such a good friend to us we seem to forget that it was Norman Osborn who was the Green Goblin, the Gobfather of crime. He had people smuggling weapons, laundering money…He almost killed L. Thomson Lincoln."

The more Peter spoke the more Gwen realized what he meant. Harry's Dad had been a crime boss, the Green Goblin none the less. If Spider-Man didn't stop him he could have had control of the whole city in a matter of days. The sudden realization scared Gwen she actually started to shiver at the thought of Norman Osborn in total control. She quickly collected herself trying to push the thought out of her mind. Looking back at Peter, she was relieved that he was still rambling and had not noticed her reaction.

"All I'm saying is that Spider-Man was trying to protect the city and didn't mean to kill Mr. Osborn" finished Peter.

"You make a valid point. I mean we…" She looked at Peter then rephrased herself, "Harry and myself really haven't been looking at this from both sides. Spider-Man does do a great deal for the city, not to mention myself. If he turned himself in who would protect the city from Rhino, or Shocker? Who…"

"Would protect the people he cares about?" Peter interrupted. The two teens continued to walk, silence between them. That is until Peter's cell phone started ringing. Peter pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. It read Daily Bugle, Peter pushed a button and answered, "Hello?"

"PARKER!" the voice was so loud that Peter had to move the phone way from his ear and Gwen had to cover hers. "IF YOU'RE NOT OVER AT THE VAULT IN .5643 SECONDS YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER PICTURE IN THIS TOWN AGAIN!"

"Mr. Jamison, why am I going to the Vault?" Peter asked with the phone still at arm's length.

"Because there was a massive break out, communications just came back online and I want you and Lee to get over there and get pictures. NOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!" A loud click could be heard come from the phone signaling the call was over.

A breakout! Peter looked at Gwen, "Sorry I have to run." Peter put his phone back in his pocket and pulled out some money, "Here call a cab and get home and make sure to lock the doors."

"What's wrong?" asked Gwen concerned for Peter.

"There was a breakout at the Oscorp Vault Prison. I have a hunch it has something to do with Mysterio's attack earlier."

Peter hailed a cab and opened the door for Gwen. Before getting in she wrapped her arms around Peter's neck in a tight hug, "Be careful" she whispered. She got in to the cab and it took off down the street. Once the cab was around the corner Peter took off running down an ally and change into his Spider-Man costume. With mask on he shot a web line on the nearest building and headed for the Vault as fast as possible. In his hurry Spider-Man did not notice the cab that he had put Gwen in had turned the other corner she was looking out the window when she saw Spider-Man swing out of a nearby ally and started heading in the direction of the Vault prison. What made her go wide eye is the satchel bag slung over Spider-Man's shoulder That's…That's Pete's Bag!

As the Cab pulled up to her house Gwen gave the money to the Driver saying, "Keep the change." She ran into the house and locked the door as Peter said. Gwen grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. There was breaking news about the breakout.

"It has been confirmed that Flint Marko a.k.a. the Sandman cut the power to the prisons security and freed several of his accomplices. Among the missing are Doctor Octopus, The Rhino, The Vulture, and Molten Man. With the power down many other prisoners have escaped but…wait…wait…" Gwen starred in confusion as the new caster was talking to someone off the screen. "This just in, we have confirmed reports that Spider-Man is currently aiding in the recapture of all escapees. Live from the vault is Captain George Stacy with our on the spot reporter."

The screen quickly switched to Gwen's father Captain Stacy, a large gaping hole could be seen behind him. "My people are currently in the process of recapturing these criminals; we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the city. I ask that all civilians be extremely careful till we are certain the situation has been resolved. Under no circumstance is anyone but the police to apprehend these convicts."

"I hope that doesn't include your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, Captain."

The camera shifted up to one of the prison towers where a huge spider web net hung filled with escaped convicts. "Hope you don't mind the help, New York is already filthy so I thought, being the concerned citizen that I am, I'd help you clean up this trash" said Spider-Man as he stood upside down on the bottom of the net.

"Let us down you wall crawling freak!" shouted one of the convicts.

Spider-Man looked in his direction, "Sure no problem." He climbs to the top of the net, "It's only few hundred feet. The worst you'll get is a broken arm…of course for those on the bottom I'd start imagining what a body cast feels like." As Spider-Man talked many if not all the convicts looked down to see the large distance between them and the ground. "So any one like sky diving?" asked Spider-Man.

"No! Don't DO IT!" they all shouted.

"I thought you'd see it my way" Spider-Man looked up to see a News helicopter heading back to the city. He shot a web lined at the bottom of the helicopter and jumped off the tower. He put his hand to his masked mouth and shouted, "You boys play nice." As the TV screen changed back to the new caster Gwen turned off the TV and placed the remote next to her.

She just stared at the blank screen, I can't be… she thought, but it has to be. Peter was told to go to the prison and get photos of the break out, then Spider-Man suddenly shows up? How did Spider-Man know about the escaped convicts? Her train of thought was halted by the ringing of her cell phone.

She quickly answered, "H-Hello? Harry! Yeah, I'm ok. I got home before I saw the news. Yes, I locked all the windows and doors. Dinner? I forgot, with my dad working on the breakout I got worried. Are you sure? I can still get ready. Thanks Harry I'll see you tomorrow. Bye." Gwen felt somewhat relieved that Harry broke their date, she felt a little bad, but now she had time to dig deeper into her newest project. Looking at the clock she still had and couple of hours before her dad got home, Gwen ran up to her room. She began her search for proof Peter Parker was not Spider-Man.

As Spider-Man made his way to the Daily Bugle he continued to help the NYPD collect the escaped convicts.

"Did it ever occur to you guys that you are running in the wrong direction?" said Spider-Man as he webbed up 4 more escapees. "I mean really, your running away from a room with no rent, three square meals a day, and a beautiful view of the skyline. Do you know how many people in New York would love that?" As the captured convicts shouted their retorts Spider-Man continued on his way. Arriving at the Bugle Peter got back into his street cloths, and proceeded to J. Jonah Jameson's office.

"ROBBIE, get me the new layout! Foswell, hurry up with your story! Someone call Lee and tell him if his break out story is not on my desk in 5.4 seconds he can start looking for another job! AND WHERE IS PARKER!"

"Right here Mr. Jameson" Peter answered quickly, "Here are the photos you wanted."

Grabbing the photos out of Peter's hands as he shuffled through them he would make small remarks such as "trash" or "junk".

"I heard no one else got pictures of the prison or of Spider-Man. I don't know how you do it Peter but you get some great shots" said Robbie.

"Thanks Mr. Robetson" replied Peter happily, at least someone her appreciates me.

Jonah, who was now grinding his teeth, was angry that the real value of the photos had been said out loud. "Fine fifty buck" shouted Jonah.

"What!" cried Peter, "Mr. Robertson just said I was the only one to get pictures. Plus I got pictures of Spider-Man and the break out!"

"Fine two-fifty" replied Jonah

"Each" said Peter crossing his arms.

"WHAT?" Jameson spun around and faced Peter, "Listen you little brat. You may be the only one who can get close to Spider-Man but you are still under contract, so these pictures are mine."

Peter stood there taking the verbal abuse, "Your right Mr. Jameson I am under contract to take any pictures you tell me to. You asked for photos of the prison break and I got those, but I also got pictures of Spider-Man catching the escaped convicts; so technically those are mine." As Peter finished he had a satisfied look on his face while Jonah looked like he was about to explode. Robby just stood there impressed by the way Peter handled himself. Jameson would have told Peter off if Ned Lee had not just come running out of the elevator.

"I got the break out story Mr. Jame…" Leed stopped when he looked at the photos, "Wow! Peter did you get these? How did you get so close? The police weren't letting anyone get through." Without another word Jameson turned a walked back to his office mumbling something about "no good rotten teenagers".

Robbie put a hand on Peter's shoulder and said, "Good job tonight." Peter was not sure if he meant the photos or how he handled Jameson, it didn't matter much to him he just made five hundred bucks.

"!" could be heard as Spider-Man made his way over the roofs of the city. Aunt May won't have to worry about money for a while, he thought as he made his way home. As he passed over his neighborhood he looked down to see Captain Stacy's car below him. I left Gwen in a big rush today. Better make sure she's alright.

He landed on the roof of the house just as Captain Stacy pulled up. Spider-Man crouched down on the roof so no one would see him. As the captain entered the house he said, "Gwen, I'm home…Gwen?"

When Spidey didn't hear Gwen's reply he quickly crawled down to look in her window. To his relief she was in her room with the door shut. She looked like she was working on some important project. New papers were littered across her floor; each one had several small notes written on them. Spidey couldn't make out what they said. He did recognize the articles were about himself. Looking back at Gwen he couldn't help but stair at her, he loved the way he hair escaped her headband. He loved the color of her eyes, they looked even better now that she had contacts. Not to mention every time he looked at her he thought bake to Thanksgiving when she kissed him. Just looking at Gwen made him forget that he was attached to the wall of a house; a bird landed on his leg and began to peck him. Spidey let out a small yelp, unfortunately Gwen's window was slightly open and she heard the noise he made.

Gwen was so consumed in her research that she jumped when she heard the noise. Looking at the window she slowly made her way to it and quickly threw it open. She looked around at the ground and to left and right. No one was there; she waited a moment then turned her attention to the roof. Looking at the roof she studied the outline of the sky along the shingles of the house. Nothing looked out of place; her search would have continued if there had not been a knock on her door.

"Gwen? Ah there you are" said Captain Stacy as he opened the door and came in, "I was beginning to think you were out with Harry."

"I was suppose to, but I wanted to make sure you were ok" she said hugging her father. As he hugged his daughter Stacy got a good look at the new paper clipping scattered around his daughter floor.

"Since when did you start getting interested in journalism?" he asked her.

Gwen looked at her room and gave sheepish smile, "Just doing a little research…ha ha."

"Well how about we put that on hold and have dinner? Pizza sound good?" asked Captain Stacy as he led his daughter out of her room.

As they made their way out of the room Spidey came out of the shadows, "Note to self admire from across the street." With that Spidey made his way home.

A/N: Does anyone know the name of the Hotel that Liz Allen's Father owns, and where she lives in the TSSM series? Don't forget to review.