Welcome again, True Believers. In our last chapte,r Gwen proved to be a pretty good sidekick. Ok, maybe not, but she did look good in the costume. Ok, let's get on with the SHOW!

Chapter 8: Confirmation

Pete woke to a blaring alarm clock. He reached a glove-covered hand out and turned it off. He looked at the clock. It read 8:30am. He got up feeling the best he had in months. He had fallen asleep still wearing the upper half of his costume. He got out of bed and took a shower. Once he was dressed, he walked down the stairs to the kitchen, expecting to see his Aunt May, but found an empty room instead. He looked around and found a note on the table:

Dear Peter,

Over at Anna Watsons. Pancakes are in the microwave. Mr. Roberson called, wondering if you got pictures for him.

Love Aunt May

Pete slapped his head. "The photos!" He ran up the stairs to his room and quickly plugged his camera into his computer. He scrolled through the photos, clicking on a few that were good. He stopped when he saw one of Gwen in her costume fighting Doc Oc and Molten Man. He just stared at the picture, taking in every detail of the girl he loved. He had never noticed how heroic or determined Gwen could be when she wanted to. Wow, he thought, she really looks like she knows what she's doing. I still can't believe I took Gwen out as Spider-Man. I am… such… an… IDIOT! Pete finished his photos to send to The Bugle, leaving out all photos of Gwen and then proceeded back downstairs. He just finished his pancakes as Aunt May came back into the house.

"Peter," said Aunt May with a bit of surprise. "You're here."

"Of course I'm here," replied Peter. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You haven't heard?" asked Aunt May.

"Heard what?" asked Peter, slightly concerned.

"It's Gwen," she said. Pete felt his heart drop. "She broke up with Harry."

Pete breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Oh, tha,t" he mumbled. "I mean: What? How did that happen?"

May shook her head. "Not sure. George called this morning to ask if you knew about Gwen and Harry."

"Why would Captain Stacy call me?"

"When Gwen woke up this morning, she seemed so happy compared to last night. George wanted to know if you had anything to do with I,t" she explained.

Pete began to feel nervous. Small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. "Sorry Aunt May, I don't know what changed Gwen's mood so suddenly. Maybe MJ knows something."

Aunt May shook her head. "No, I just asked her when I was at Anna's. Mary Jane said that she didn't know, but she was going to find out."

"That seems like a great idea," said Pete a little too quickly. "I think I'll go over too and figure this out." He was halfway to the front door when a hand fell on his shoulder. He looked to see Aunt May. She can really move when she wants to. Pete was worried that she would say something, but she just smiled.

"Now would be a great time to tell her how you feel."

Pete turned and gave her a big hug. "Thanks Aunt May." With that, Pete was out the door and on his way to Gwen's.

At the Stacy residence, a familiar red head knock-out had just rang the door bell when Pete came running down the street.

"Hey, Tiger," she called. "What are you doing here?"

"Aunt May just told me about Gwen and Harry," he explained. "I wanted to see how she was doing."

Mary Jane nodded, then got a serious look on her face. "You and I still need to talk about what you said yesterday."

Pete felt like Electro hit him. She still remembers about yesterday! I am so dead.

Just then, the door opened to reveal George Stacy. "Hi Mary Jane. Haven't seen you in ages," he joked, earning a smile from the red head. "And Pete, good to see you."

"Good to see you too," he echoed.

"I suppose you two are here for Gwen?"

"Yes, sir," answered Pete.

"Well, head on up. She's in a great mood this morning," he said, looking at Pete. "You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?"

Pete threw up his hands in defense. "No sir, Captain Stacy! Why would I be responsible for it?"

George just simply smiled. "It was just a question," he commented as he headed to the kitchen.

Pete let out a breath he had unknowingly held. He looked to Mary Jane, who was stifling a giggle. With an annoyed look, he entered the house and headed up the stairs to Gwen's room. It seemed almost surreal to Pete to be in Gwen's house when just last night he was here as his alter ego. He ran his hand over the railing where Gwen told him he she broke up with Harry. Pete snapped out of his daze just before he reached Gwen's room. That's right, they broke up! Now I can ask Gwen out. He thought triumphantly. But what about Harry? He's still my friend…I think. This could send him over the deep end. Pete stood there lost in his thoughts till a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked over to see Mary Jane looking at him confused.

"You ok, Tiger?" she asked with concern. "You seemed to space out there for a while."

"Yeah, MJ," replied Pete. "I'm ok. I was just thinking; Aunt May told me that Gwen broke up with Harry yesterday." Peter got a rather solemn look on his face. "And the first thing on my mind was me and Gwen. I didn't even think about Harry's feelings. I mean, it's barely been a day and I'm already thinking about asking Gwen out. What kind of friend am I?"

Mary Jane just smiled. "A good friend. You don't want to see anyone hurt. But I would wait to hear about the break up from Gwen before worrying about Harry."

It was Peter's turn to look confused. Mary Jane walked past him and knocked on the door. From the other side, they heard, "Who is it?"

"It's us, girlfriend" called Mary Jane.

The door opened to releal an extremely perky Gwen. She had a smile on her face that made Pete go weak at the knees. Gwen then looked past Mary Jane and saw Peter. "Pete!" shouted Gwen. She threw he harms around him and gave him a big hug. It only took half a second for Pete to return the hug. Mary Jane looked at the soon to be couple and cleared her throat. The sound brought the two out of their embrace with slight embarrassment.

"Glade to see your feeling better," said Pete.

"What?" Gwen was surprised by his remark. Then she remembered she did just break up with Harry. Apparently, it had slipped her mind, thanks to last night. "Oh right, thanks I guess."

"You guess?" inquired Pete.

"The break up wasn't exactly mutual," stated Gwen. She went into detail about what happened. Pete listened intently. The more Gwen talked, the more he agreed with Captain Stacy.

"I think your dad had the right idea," said Pete once Gwen was finished. "Lock him up and throw away the key."

"I knew I liked you Pete," could be heard from downstairs.

"Dad," groaned Gwen as she closed her door. "Look Pete, I'm not saying Harry had any right to push me down. In all honesty it scared me." Pete and Mary Jane looked at her with worry. "It was almost like he was…was…"

"Back on the green," finished Pete. Gwen just nodded her head.

"Then it was a good thing you got out when you did," said Mary Jane. Gwen looked at her confused.

"Think about it," continued Mary Jane. "The last time Harry was on the green, he was a real jerk. He treated you and Pete like garbage and when you tried to hel, what did he do?"

Gwen looked at the floor. "He nearly bit my head off."

"Then, maybe you should try to avoid him," commented Pete.

"But what about Harry?" asked Gwen, "Just because I broke up with him, doesn't mean I don't care about him. I would hate to see him get worse."

"I understand that Gwen, but what if…" Pete force himself to finish. "What if he already has?" Both girls looked at him, worried and confused. "Look, I might be out of my mind here and I hope I am, but it just seems all too much of a coincidence that Harry seems to be back on Globulin Green and the Hobgoblin appears. It just reminds me a little too much of Norman Osborn."

Gwen felt a shiver run up and down her spine. She crossed her arms and held her arms trying to rid herself of the thought. She felt two hands on top of hers. She looked behind her to see Pete holding her. She smiled and leaned into him.

"I wouldn't worry too much, Tiger," said Mary Jane, earning her an odd look. "If he tries anything, you'll be there to protect everyone."

Pete felt his whole body freeze. His look of confusion quickly changed to one of shock. His brain quickly tired to comprehend his current situation. "What?" he said, shocked. "What are you talking about?"

Mary Jane got up from her seat on the bed. "Look, Tiger, I think there are some things we need to talk about."

Pete knew what was coming. "Look if this is about those pictures of the Green Goblin and Spider-Man, they are already gone," he stated, letting go of Gwen. "I shredded them two days ago," he said flatly.

Gwen put her hand in Pete's. "The pictures aren't what we wanted to talk to you about. But they did start all of this." She walked past Pete to her desk and pulled out a folder. Pulling out two pictures, she walked back and handed them to Pete. He could feel every part of his body scream. One was a close-up of Spider-Man with part of his mask missing. The other picture was of him and Gwen at the ESU lab watching Dr. Connors and Eddie Brock arm wrestle. The thing that caught his eye was that the picture of him at the ESU lab had half a Spider-Man mask drawn on it. Both pictures looked the same.

Pete tried to cover his tracks. "I told you, MJ, I was just in the right place at the right time, that's all."

"Then explain why you and Spider-Man look exactly the same," requested Gwen.

He wanted too, he really did, but if his secret meant that she, Gwen, would be in danger…that was one scenario that Pete would never let happen. "Look, from these two pictures it may look like I'm Spider-Man, but that could be anyone. I can think of three people at school that look like this."

"You're wrong." Pete turned and looked at Gwen. "Pete, I've been in love with you since the seventh grade. I'd recognize you no matter what." She pointed at the picture of Spider-Man. "That's you, isn't it?"

Mary Jane just stood there, not knowing what to expect next. She saw the look on Pete's face. He was thinking of any and every reason or excuse that he could use. But when she saw him hang his head, she knew there was no hiding it and more.

Pete sighed. "First and foremost you two," indicating Gwen and Mary Jane, "you can't tell anyone, understand?" The girls nodded. "Good." He sighed again and ran a hand threw his hair as he sat down in Gwen desk chair. "I'm sure you two have questions."

Gwen and Mary Jane just looked at each other; with that look Gwen approached Pete. "How?" she asked. "How did it happen?"

Pete looked up to her and smiled. "Remember the field trip to ESU?" he asked. Gwen nodded her head. "Remember that one missing super spider?" Gwen's eyes widened in realization as she nodded again. "Well, as Dr. Conner's continued her explanation, that very same spider came out of hiding and bit me." He showed them were the bite had been. The girls looked at Pete's hand. There was still some doubt in Mary Jane's mind. One small spider bite could turn Peter Parker into Spider-Man? Gwen herself was finding it hard to believe. Pete looked at the girls and bewilderment and smiled. If they already know… With that thought, Pete walked over to the window and closed the blinds to the window. Before either one of the girls could ask a question, Pete back flipped form the floor to the wall just above the now closed window. There, he sat as he held back his laughter from the two shocked expressions he was receiving. Mary Jane just looked at Pete in wonder and confusion. Gwen on the other hand looked shocked and ecstatic. I was right! I was RIGHT! She thought, Wait a minute?

Gwen's face was soon scrunched in a scowl. "You tried to use your powers to make money!" Pete was taken aback by the statement. He then remembered that he told her last night, along with his biggest failure.

A now completely confused Mary Jane spoke up. "What are you talking about? What money?"

"Mr. Genius here used his spider powers to wrestle some guy for a quick buck," replied Gwen snidely. Mary Jane was still not sure what Gwen was talking about. Gwen explained about the Venue, the contract, and the robber.

Mary Jane was appalled at the story. "Pete, what were you thinking?"

"OK, OK, I get it," he said as he got down from the wall. "It was stupid."

"What would your Aunt May say about this?" asked the red-head. "Or your Uncle Ben?"

Gwen gasped at the mention of Ben Parker. She suddenly remembered the rest of the story. Pete just looked at the floor. Mary Jane sensed she hit a sore spot.

"I'd like to think h'd be proud of me for what I do…but I'll never forgive myself for what I did," Pete looked up, suppressing the pain from the memory. "The guy I let get away…was Uncle Ben's killer."

Mary Jane let out a gasp at this information. She looked to Gwen who was now the verge of tears. Gwen felt like she would break down crying as she realized that Peter was the one who let Walter Hardy escape the Venue. The urge to cry grew as she thought about the blame and resentment Peter must have put on himself. Gwen felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. She opened her eyes to see Pete staring at her with worry. Mary Jane just looked at Pete, not really knowing what to say. She walked over to the two and put a hand on Pete's shoulder.

Pete turned his head and Mary Jane just smiled. "I'm sure your uncle is very proud of you Tiger."

"Thanks, MJ," Pete said with a small smile. He then looked at Gwen. "The both of you." Gwen smiled and blushed lightly.

"Well, now that the secret is out, what are we going to do?" asked Mary Jane.

"Well, I have a few new theories about the hobgoblin, which before did not include Harry," stated Gwen. "Do you think we should call ourselves something? What about the Spider Friends?"

"That sounds like some cartoon your dad use to watch" said Mary Jane with slight reproach. "We can come up with something better. What if we just called us the black widows?"

"I think someone is using that name," replied Gwen.

As the girls kept talking, Pete could not believe his ears. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" said Pete. "What's with this WE stuff?"

"What?" asked Gwen, confused.

"We're discussing our plan of attack," said Mary Jane, as it should have been the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh, NO," said Pete sternly. "There is no WE in this. There's just me, with you two knowing about me."

"But Pete, we can help you," protested Gwen.

"NO!" was Pete's reply. "I'm not letting the two of you endanger yourselves by helping me. It's bad enough you know my secret. Do you know how many thugs out there would kill to know who I am?"

"Ok, Tiger, we get it-" started Mary Jane, but was quickly cut off.

"No, you don't!" said Pete frantically. "The fire you and Liz were in trying to stop Mark…you almost died." He then turned and looked at Gwen, "No offence, Gwen, but your track record with villains really doesn't help you case."

Gwen remembered how she handled last night. "Look, we may not have any "amazing spider powers"-"

"Actually, they are spectacular spider powers," said Pete.

"WHATEVER!" shouted Gwen. "The bottom line is that just because we don't have powers, doesn't mean we can't help."

Pete was about to argue when a knock on the door caught everyone's attention. "Is everything alright in here?" asked George Stacy.

"Everything is fine, Captain Stacy" said a very calm Mary Jane. "We were just having abit of a heated discussion."

"Really?" George said in surprise, "About what?"

"Spider-Man having some behind the scenes help," answered Gwen before Pete had a chance to speak. "You work with partners all the time, Dad. Don't you think the Web-Head should have some help?" Gwen had a small smirk on her face.

George thought about the question. "I think that depends on if the help he gets has abilities as well."

Gwen was appalled by this. "So, your saying only hero's can help another hero?" she asked angrily.

George put his hand up in defense. "Now wait just a minute, I never said that. But if Spider-Man is going to have help, I would hope they would be able to take care of themselves. It wouldn't be fair to Spider-Man if he had to protect himself and others."

There was silence as George Stay's words hung in the air. The silence was broken by the sound of a cell phone going off. Pete pulled out his phone to see Mr. Robertson was calling him.

"I have to take this," said Pete and exited the room.

George turned back to the girls. They looked confused, but before he could say anything Gwen asked, "Dad…What did you mean when you said "It wouldn't be fair to Spider-Man if he had to protect himself and others."?"

George was surprised by the question, but soon figured out the meaning behind it. "Spider-Man, even with all his ability's and powers, is still a man. He can be hurt, hit, or if he's not careful, even killed." Both girls went pale as George continued. "It takes a lot of concentration and focus to fight like he does. If an innocent bystander is caught in the fight, I have no doubt that Spider-Man will save them. But just because he might be saving an innocent life, doesn't mean the one he's fighting won't attack him."

"But what about the first time P-Spider-Man fought Mark?" Mary Jane questioned. "Mark didn't attack him while he was saving me and Liz. Mark even helped get us out!"

George shook his head. "Not the same. Mark didn't want you two to get hurt. As soon as you were safe, though, he attacked Spider-Man, right?" Mary Jane could only nod her head in agreement. Seeing the worried looks on the girl's faces, George had a quick thought. "If someone really wanted to help Spider-Man, then maybe doing something small would be better appreciated."

"What do you mea, Dad?" Gwen asked, puzzled.

"If someone were to find out who Spider-Man was, then maybe they could help out with shopping, errands…maybe even look after a family member," he added as he turned and walked out of the room. "I'm sure Spider-Man wouldn't mind if May was checked on every now and then."

The girls were still processing everything George said when Pete came back into the room. "Sorry, but I have to go. Mr. Foswell needs my help with a story." He started to leave before quickly turning around. "We'll continue this discussion at school tomorrow." He ran out the door.

The girls continued to contemplate all that had been said until Gwen raised an eyebrow and looked at Mary Jane. "Did my dad say Spider-Man wouldn't mind if someone checked on…May?" In that instant, both girls understood. "DAD!"

Back at their hideout, the Sinister Six (or is it eight now…great, I lost count) were recovering from the fight. Mysterio was repairing his suit, trying to get the Rhino sizd dents out of it. Sand Man was talking to Molten Man while Electro and Vulture were helping Doc Oc remove his welded tentacles from his glider. Hobgoblin was alone in his office. Out his window, he could see the other villains recovering from their defeat. He walked into the shadows and removed his mask, placing it on a table.

"He's not going to be happy," he said to himself as he dialed a number into his cell phone. He waited until he heard the phone be picked up.

"Hello?" said a low gravelly voice.

"Hello, sir…we failed."

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