Greetings and Salutations true believers, it would seem that things got interesting in our last chapter. We saw Gwen getting fed up with Harry's antics and we also saw Spidy knows how to charm the lady's, or at least the ones who throw cell phones at him. And what about that kiss Harry gave Gwen…I didn't like it either but it had to be done. So how will Mary Jane handle Gwen's pet project Lets find out.

P.S. I didn't know the name of the hotel Liz Allan's family lives in, so sorry for that. If anyone does know it please tell me. OK that's it.

SHOW TIME!

Chapter 4: Temperature Rising

As the Limo pulled away Gwen just stood there trying to take in what had just happened. Gwen noticed a flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye she turned quickly to see Mary Jane just a few feet away with her mouth open in shock. Gwen felt like the Rhino just hit her, a wave of embarrassment mixed with guilt washed over her. She ran inside and headed straight to the kitchen. Mary Jane walked into the house and shut the door, she followed Gwen, "That was certainly…different" MJ said finally breaking the silence. "I don't know what you mean", said Gwen as she continued to place the roses into a vase. Mary Jane smirked at Gwen's, still constant, shyness.

"Look girlfriend, I am not going to judge you. You and Harry are a couple, I get that. All I was saying is it was very out of character for Harry. I've never seen him kiss you before like that" stated Mary Jane.

Gwen just stood there as she finished arranging the roses. "That's because he hasn't. This was the first time Harry kissed me like that" replied Gwen softly.

Mary Jane simply smiled and put her arm around Gwen lead her out of the kitchen. "Come on, show me this pet project of yours", she said as they entered her room. Gwen was suddenly snapped out of her daze when the words "pet project" was mentioned. Gwen quickly tried to hide everything by soon realized she had more paper work then she thought. Giving a sigh and hearing MJ giggle at her attempt; she dropped everything in her arms back on the desk and took her seat at her window. MJ sat down on her bed and she just sat there waiting to hear what Gwen was working on.

Taking a deep breath Gwen asked, "Mary Jane have you ever known someone your whole life and thought you knew everything about them?"

Mary Jane thought about it, "You mean like when Harry was taking that Globulin Green and his personality started to change?"

"Kind of but not really… (Sigh) it's about Pete" said Gwen. "Pete use to be there for me and Harry. He was so dependable, like clockwork. Then his Uncle Ben died. I was worried over the summer that he would be depressed with me and Harry gone, but when we got back to school Pete seemed to be his old self again...well sort of. That was when he started being late for school, ditching Harry and me, he even showed up to class smelling like garbage. I thought this was just some cry for attention or depression because of his uncle. Then he ran out on the gene cleanser for the Lizard to take pictures of Spider-Man. That's when I really noticed…this was not the same Pete." Gwen was on the verge of tears. Mary Jane went over to the window, hugged her and sat down. "Sorry" she said after a moment, "I guess I just kept this bottled up inside for a longer then I thought."

"Hay, no big deal; what are friends for?" stated Mary Jane, "So you're worried about Pete?"

Gwen nodded, "Ya, I know it must seem silly Pete is a photographer he can handle himself…I think" both girls laughed. "I just think he's hiding something from me, I just want to make sure he's ok."

"I understand. Have you talked to Pete about this?" Mary Jane asked.

"Usually I bring it up whenever something seems off" stated Gwen.

Mary Jane looked puzzled, "Off?"

Gwen looked at her, "Like yesterday, I was walking to the lab I got to the top of the stairs when I missed a step and Peter was there to catch me."

"That doesn't sound all that strange."

"Let me finish, later as we were walking around the ESU campus we were talking the all of a sudden Pete grabs me and pulls me over just as a soccer ball flies by where my head should had been. Then there was the back flip at Rockefeller plaza, then there was the time he dodged all those water balloons, and it explains all the disappearing he does."

"Whao, Whao, slow down girlfriend your goina pass out if you keep going" said Mary Jane.

Taking a few deep breaths Gwen calmed down, "Thanks Mary Jane, I needed that."

"Ok so, what do all of these things you mentioned have to do with Pete?" asked Mary Jane.

Gwen hesitated for a moment, should she tell her? Did she have a right to tell her? Maybe MJ could help her figure this whole Peter/Spider-Man thing out. Without a word Gwen got up from her seat and walked over to her desk. She picked up a few things then sat back down. Gwen handed Mary Jane some of the newspaper clipping with notes. MJ looked over the clippings, as she read everything she seemed confused but she also looked like she knew what was coming.

"So your pet project is making a scrap book of Spider-Man?" Mary Jane asked innocently, "No offence Gwen but I never figured you for the fan girl type."

"No I'm not making a scrapbook" replied Gwen flatly, "Each of these stories correlate to a time Pete had either disappeared or had some sort of injury." Gwen took one of the clipping, "Take this one for example", she said pointing to a clipping of Spider-Man, Doc Oc, and Silvermain, "This happened on Valentine's day remember when Pete left dinner?"

"Ya, he had to take pictures for the Bugle" Mary Jane stated.

"Right but how does someone get a burse on their body from taking pictures?" Gwen asked.

"May be he got too close to the action."

"If he got that close he would have been taken as a hostage" Gwen stated, "Besides Pete is the best photographer I know he would never be that stupid. Also look at all the photos" Gwen pointed to the three photos, Mary Jane just looked confused, "They are all from the same angle. It was like Pete put the camera on automatic in one spot."

"How do you know that?" asked Mary Jane.

"Pete use to develop the film when he used an older camera on his own…I spent a lot of time with him" replied Gwen with a small smile and a blush.

"From the looks of this stuff I have to get that you think Peter Parker is Spider-Man?" she finally asked looking at Gwen. Gwen just nodded her head. "And what caused you to come to this conclusion?" Gwen looked at the last two things in her hands; one was the close-up of Spider-Man with part of his mask missing she got from Mary Jane. The other was an enlarged photo of her and Pete at the ESU lad watching Dr. Connors and Eddie Brock arm wrestle. She handed both pictures to Mary Jane.

Gwen let her look over the pictures, "See anyone familiar?" Mary Jane just shrugged.

"So they look the same that doesn't mean Pete clings to walls."

Gwen then pulled out a paper mask much resembling the ripped one in the photo. She placed it over peters face from the lab photo. Mary Jane's eyes went wide; both faces's looked exactly the same. "Now see anyone familiar?" asked Gwen now getting her friends attention.

The time was ten past twelve, Gwen lay in her bed trying to get to sleep all she could think about was the conversation she had with Mary Jane. She told Gwen that even though she made a valid point there was still no proof that Peter was Spider-Man. They talked for another hour on what to do. Finally they agreed on getting more evidence, possibly form Peter himself. Captain Stacy arrived just as Mary Jane was leaving. Gwen got up and made her way to her window; she sat down and stared at the starry night sky. Her mind was suddenly filled with thoughts of Peter changing into his Spider-Man costume and rushing to the rescue. She remembered when she was saved at Coney Island, and when he came to her Rescue after the Master Planer got her. But her favorite most recent memory of Peter Parker was when he saved at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, second only to her kissing Pete. A smile appeared on Gwen's face as she looked back at the good Pete did as Spider-Man. As she looked at the night sky she slowly found differed off to sleep, dreaming of her and Pete swinging across the city.

As Spidey continued his patrol he kept thinking back to his conversation with Gwen. He smiled under his mask, but then quickly shook his head Whoa there Pete, Harry is Gwen's boyfriend. As much as we want to be with each other I need to still respect that fact as both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. He was about to turn around for home when his spider sense went off, letting go of the web line Spider-Man dropped just in time to miss being caught in a explosion and a High Pitched Screech. Spidy's heart stopped cold he quickly attached himself to the closest building. He turned his head in the direction of the blast and saw green smoke. His eyes widened that was a Pumpkin Bomb he thought, looking around frantically for a purple bat glider and the sadistic green face of its rider. He continued his search hopping to be wrong. After a twenty minuet search Spider-Man decided it was just some pumpkin head wanabe. As he made his way home after stopping three more muggings, he removed his mask and crawled into bed.

In the morning Peter got up and dressed then headed down stairs for breakfast. AS he came down the stairs his Spider-Sense went off. He slowly walked down the last few steps keeping close to the wall, he then heard Aunt Mays voice followed by two others. Peter recognized the voices of Mary Jane and Gwen, surprised to hear two of his friends in his home so early in the morning he casually walked in to the kitchen.

"Hey Tiger" greeted Mary Jane.

"Hi Pete" said Gwen, a bit nervously.

"Hey MJ, Gwen…What are you two doing here?"

Aunt May had been cooking waffles tuned to her nephew, "The girls thought it would nice to go out on such a beautiful day." Both girls produced a smile at Peter who looked at them suspiciously. Gwen noticed this and knew she needed to put more of an act if this was going to work.

"Come on Pete, we never get to see each other that much now a days" she said, "I just thought this would be a nice way of spending some time together."

Peter couldn't argue with that, "But what about Harry?"

Gwen gave him an annoyed look, "We thought that just the three of us would be more fun. Besides Harry is busy today, I already tried."

That brought a large smile to Peter's face which did not go unnoticed by the two reaming ladies in the kitchen. The three teen ate and left giving their thanks and good bye's to May Parker. As they walked they talked about what was going on, how school was, but most of the questions were directed at Peter.

"So tiger, how is your job going?" asked Mary Jane in her silky voice.

"It's going great" replied Peter nervously, "As a matter a fact I have some new one right here." He pulled out his camera from his pocket and showed the girls some pictures of Spidy beating up some thugs, rescuing some hostages and just plain showing off. Gwen and Mary Jane were quite impressed at the pictures, and if what they thought was true, with Peter as well.

Gwen took this opportunity to ask a few questions, "So Pete where did you get the camera? I thought your new one got blown up on the class ride along with dad."

"It did" said Peter sheepishly, "I luckily bought an added insurance policy to cover it in case of any damage."

"Great idea tiger" replied Mary Jane, "Looks like we'll have you and Spidy around for a while" she said in a knowing voice. This remark made Peter raise his eyebrow. She noticed the look and back tracked, "I mean without you we would never know what's happening to Spider-Man. You're like our inside source."

Peter chuckled, "you make me sound more like a spy then a photographer."

The three friends began to laugh as they got on the bus. They got off the bus and began walking towards the shopping district. Peter was glade for his spider strength he had a feeling he was going to be carrying a lot of shopping bags. As the trio came to an ally a voice caught their attention.

"Please don't hang up!" it shouted, "MARK PLEASE!" There was a few seconds of silence followed by a hysterical cry. Peter, Gwen and Mary Jane followed the cry into the ally to find Liz crying her eyes out.

"Liz what happened?" asked Peter.

"Are you ok?" followed Gwen. She knelt down to help her up. Liz just looked at them, for a moment she didn't know where she was. Then suddenly she threw her arms around Gwen and continued to sob on her shoulder. Peter and Mary Jane just looked at each other and then to Gwen who had the same surprised look on her face as the other two. Gwen got up with Liz still sobbing, Mary Jane placed a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her.

"Liz…What happened?" asked Mary Jane. Liz just looked at her she tried to say something but nothing came out.

"It was Mark wasn't it?"

All three girls looked at Peter. He had a stoic look on his face, almost like her was ready for action. Liz just nodded her head. "I was walking back home to the Hotel when my phone rang" she said trying to compose herself. "I thought it was just my dad calling to check up on me…but…but when I answered it was Mark." She placed her head back on Gwen's shoulder and began to sob again. Gwen and Mary Jane looked at one an each other, not quite sure what to do.

"We need to call the police" stated Gwen reassuringly, "My dad can help Mark."

"Ya" agreed Mary Jane, "If we get to him first maybe we can talk to him. What do you think Tiger…Tiger?"

The three girls looked around the ally but there was no sign of Peter Parker anywhere. Gwen and Mary Jane looked at each other and nodded, this was what they had been waiting for. Without a word Mary Jane ran out of the ally to hail a cab, Gwen walked with Liz out of the ally. They all climbed into the cab and head for the hotel.

Across town Spider-Man was swinging to find Mark first. If I can get there first I can try and talk Mark out of whatever he's thinking about doing…It's the least I can do for Liz. Spider-Man landed on the Hotel wall and began searching for the right window suddenly he heard someone shout, he crawled to the top floor peering into the window. He saw Mark on his knees surrounded by burnt and broken furniture. Well that's one way to redecorate he thought as he looked for an open window. He saw one just one over from him. Spidy looks inside to see Pink walls and cheerleading pom-poms and a uniform, a large bed, and a small bedside table with a lamp and picture on it. The picture was of Peter and Liz a Coney Island. Spidy mentally slapped himself. Of course, the only open window leads right to my ex-girlfriends bed room. Feeling extremely uncomfortable he entered the room and made his way to the living room. Mark had not moved from his spot.

"Why?" he asked, "Why does this keep happening?"

"Well you're no professional, but I can see you at as a interior decorator."

Mark looked up, "Spider-Man!"

"The one and only" he replied happily.

Mark stood up, his body began to smolder, "I get rid of you then everything gets better."

"Wow, there hot head" said Spidy and he jumped from the ceiling to the floor. "You really want to fight in here; don't you think you've done enough damage?" Mark looked around at what was once a nicely furnished living room, but now it looked like someone set off fire crackers. He looked down at his hands pure heat surrounded them. He remembered how he got like this, his gambling habit, paying a debt, becoming a freak, working for the Goblin…the Goblin! Marks eyes widened in horror he needed to finish what he started…get rid of Spider-Man. He turned to the wall crawler and shot as stream of fire at him.

"Wow!" he said dodging the blast.

"I get rid of you they all be safe!" shouted Mark as he charged at Spider-Man.

"Who will be safe?" Spidy asked as he dodged Mark again causing him to ram through the breakfast bar into the kitchen. "What are you talking about?"

"He said if take care of you he won't hurt my family or Mary Jane" Mark stated flatly.

"Who?" questioned Spidy.

"The Goblin."

Spider-Mans stopped where he was, "No Mark your wrong." He said trying to calm the raging teen, "The Green Goblin is gone! He's not coming back!"

"I never said it was the Green Goblin!" Mark shouted as he rammed his shoulder into Spider-Man causing him to be threw though the wall. Spider-Man quickly shot a web line to the hotel and swung around to the side, he had planned on catching Mark by surprise but the opposite happened. Molten Man bashed thought the wall of the hotel and grabbed Spider-Man around the waist. They both fell to the building below crashing through the ceiling.

The police were had already arrive as the cab pulled up. Liz, Gwen, and Mary Jane got out and ran up to the Police barricade.

"Dad!" shouted Gwen, when she saw Captain Stacy, "Dad over here!"

George Stacy turned to see his Daughter waving to him, "Gwen, what are you doing here?"

"We came to talk to Mark" said Liz frantically.

"Sorry Miss Allen but no one is going into that building" he stated.

"But what about Mark?" asked Mary Jane. A loud boom caught the crowd's attention.

"Be ready" called Captain Stacy.

"Look it's Spider-Man" shouted someone. As the crowd began to cheer there was another BOOM from the Hotel came Molten Man. He tackled Spidy in mid swing and they crashed into a neighboring shop, Gwen and Mary Jane looked on in horror.

"Pete" Gwen whispered, "Be careful."

Inside the shop Spidy and Mark were recovering from their fall. Shaking the pain out of his head Spidy's spider sense went off just in time for him to dodge lava ball.

"Mark, please you don't have to do this just turn yourself in and the police will help protect your family" said Spidy.

"No" replied Mark, "They can't no one is safe from the Goblin. He can get to anyone anywhere."

"That right" came a voice over the intercom system of the shop. It was a somewhat low and gravelly voice, "Sorry to interrupt your fun boys, but I think this little test is over. Molten Man be a good lackey and come home."

"And what if I'm not done with him?" asked Spider-Man.

"Don't worry little spider, I have something else you can play with." Then a large pumpkin bomb dropped from the ceiling with one minute left on the timer. Spidy wasted no time he grabbed the bomb and jumped up through the hole he and Mark made before. Web slinging higher above the hotel, he shot webbing onto the bomb and used it like a bolo and hurled the bomb into the air just as it when off.

BOOOOOM!

WOW! What a BLAST!. . . Ya that was uncalled for, sorry. Please Review.