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Chapter 4

Maria's was packed. It was the local hang out spot for the kids of Queens. The place was decked out like a 1950s diner down to their black and white checked floor, motown playing on an authentic juke box, and paper hats that the wait stuff wore. Gwen sat across from Flash in a sparkly red booth. They had both just ordered shakes and burgers, and were staring at each other awkwardly.

"So... do you come here often?" Flash asked her.

"Now and then. It's a commute when you live in Manhattan."

"I love the food here."

"Me too."

"You look very pretty tonight." He said, admiring her rose colored blouse. Gwen had debated on her outfit for several hours. She didn't want anything too fancy or trashy, but not too conservative either. She teetered on pulling on her blue sweater she had worn when Peter came to dinner, but it being nearly summer, and the heartache, she hung that in the back of her closet.

"Thanks," She whispered. "So, where are you going in the fall?" She asked.

"Penn State. Got a full ride."

Gwen nodded, "Wow that's great."

"Where are you going? Some school for smart girls, I assume."

"Empire State." She said, "Staying local for awhile, after, ya know." She was more than happy with the arrival of their food. She did not want to start crying into her cheeseburger.

Flash reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "Your father was a good man. He busted me and my friends on some parties, but he was a great dude."

Coming from Flash, Gwen was touched. "Thank you," She said.

"Enough with the heavy talk." Flash said, "What's a fox like you doing being single?"

Gwen's eyes widened at the question as she chewed, "Well, I'm not sure I can answer that question." She was not going to go into the whole Peter relationship drama with Flash. She was going to keep this a light and fun fling, someone to keep her company for the summer.

The rest of the meal was full of light hearted conversation, and Gwen could say that she actually was having a nice time. Flash could be a nice guy when he was on his own, away from the other jocks.

…...

Peter swung through the city, patrolling when he felt a familiar tingle go up his spine. His spider sense was detecting something, and Peter peered down at the citizens of New York from atop a third floor balcony. A cluster of men in an alley caught his attention, and he swung down to get a better view. There were three men all together, and they were surrounding a small boy. A small boy that looked oddly familiar...

And then it occurred to him. This was the little boy that helped him cut his fish that night he had dinner at the Stacy's. This was Gwen's little brother, Harold. He gritted his teeth and watched them closely and listened. His hand itched, and he wanted nothing more than to grab his phone and dial Gwen's number just to hear her voice and make sure she was safe.

"I'm telling you, this is Stacy's kid," The man holding onto Harold said. "We hold him for ransom, and the widow will pay through the nose."

Another man, a larger one who seemed to be in charge bent down to the little boy. "Is your daddy dead?" He asked.

"Let me go!" Harold cried.

"You keep quiet, kid, or I'll shut you up."

Harold tried uselessly to break free of the man's grasp. He glanced up at the sky, and noticed Spiderman above him. Peter put a finger to his lips, and Harold smiled. He was about to swing down when movement to his left caught his attention. In the mouth of the alley stood the woman from the bank, clad in her tight black costume and mask. Peter swore under his breath. Now he had two people to rescue? Or maybe she was working for them? How the hell did she get out of jail so fast?

The men turned their attention to her, and two of them whistled.

The man in charge stepped forward, eying her up and down like a piece of meat. "Baby, why are you out so late at night?"

"Let the kid go." She said.

Peter knew he should act, but he watched for a second. He saw the man approach her, and she hit him in the gut with a roundhouse kick. That was it. Peter needed to get down there before she got herself killed. He swung down, kicking the man that had a hold of Harold's arm. In a flash, he grabbed Harold and brought him up to the balcony that he had been watching from. "Stay right here, buddy, and don't move, okay?"

Harold nodded, watching the fighting going on below him. "Who is that woman? Your partner?"

Peter shook his head. "I'll be right back." He swung down again, and the large man had the woman in a headlock. Peter shot his webbing into his eyes, and the man let her go. She collapsed to the ground, panting.

"You alright?" Peter asked her.

She nodded, and grabbed the man's hands as he pried at his eyes.

Peter took care of the other two in a flash, and in no time flat, all three were tied up. Peter turned back to the woman. She leaned against a brick wall, watching him.

"I'm only asking this one more time." Peter said. "Who are you?"

Felicia smirked, "My name is the Black Cat."

"How did you get out of jail so fast?"

"I have my ways."

"Why did you help that kid?"

"I'm not all bad." She said and smiled, "Actually, I've been thinking of redeeming myself. Giving up the whole life of crime. I'll turn to your side and rescue kids in alley ways."

"And who will rescue you?"

"Hey, I helped you."

"When? When you were getting choked out?"

"I caused the distraction that let you get that kid to safety."

"Oh, you're a distraction, alright."

"Am I?" She asked, walked to him, that dazzling smile lighting her face in the dim light. She trailed her finger down his mask. "How distracting?"

"Spider-man?" Harold called.

Both of them looked up at him.

"I have to pee." Harold whined.

"I'm coming, buddy." Peter said. He took a step back from the woman. "Go home before you get yourself hurt." He left her then, the worry for Harold's bladder and Gwen winning out over the stupid argument he was having with this woman. He picked Harold up in his arms. The boy looked shaken, but otherwise okay. "Hold on tight, okay?"

"Are we going swinging?" Harold asked.

"Yeah." He said. "You ready?"

"This is awesome!" Harold cried. "Yes."

The two swung through the city, heading toward the Stacy's building. Harold enjoyed his ride, and after the night he had, Peter was glad he could make him smile.

"You know where I live?" Harold asked.

Uh oh. Peter had to think fast. "I uh, know where everyone lives."

"Sweet," Harold said, "Could we go swing by my friend Jimmy's house?"

"Sorry, buddy." He said. He landed on the roof, and followed Harold down to his apartment.

"Mom!" Harold called, walking in the door, "Mom, you'll never believe this, Spider-man is here!"

Mrs. Stacy rushed to the door, and turned ghostly white when she saw the man in the red and blue skin tight suit in her foyer. She grabbed Harold and pulled her to him. Her eyes were large and frightened, and she opened her mouth a few times, trying to find words. Peter didn't know what to say to her. He was the last person to see her husband alive and now he returns her son to her in the middle of the night. His thoughts went to Gwen, and he wanted nothing more than to run down the hallway and make sure she was okay.

"You have to call the police, Mrs. Stacy." Peter said. "I just rescued your son from being kidnapped. Is everyone home?"

Mrs. Stacy drew in a deep breath, "Oh my God, Harold..."

"It's true, but I wasn't scared at all, mom!"

She hugged him to her, looking him over. "Are you hurt?"

"Naw, Spider-man rescued me." He grinned up at his hero. "You rock!"

"Mrs. Stacy, is everyone home?" Peter repeated.

She shook her head, "No, my daughter, Gwen is out. My other son is here. I just..."

Peter walked to the phone hanging on the wall and placed it in her hands. "Call the cops. I'll keep a look out until they get here." He walked to the door, and Harold ran up to him, and hugged him tight around the middle. Peter looked down at him and ruffled his hair.

"Spider-man, you're the awesome-est!"

"Thanks, kid." He said, and dashed up the stairs to the roof. He felt proud of himself. He was feeling rather good until he thought of Gwen. Where was she? Was she kidnapped by thugs like the ones that had Harold?

…...

The music was loud, the house was crowded, and the alcohol flowed as Gwen followed Flash into his parents penthouse. He tried to make small talk with her, but after several failed attempts because they couldn't hear one another, he took her hand and lead her to his room. Gwen paused outside of the door. Oh, don't be so uptight, Gwen. She thought and followed him into his bedroom. His walls were covered with trophies and articles about him and the sports program at high school. Vain, much? He took her hands and pulled her to the center of the room, and he stood admiring her.

"You're so beautiful," He said, and leaned in to kiss her.

His mouth felt nothing like Peter's passion, and she more than once thought she might fake an illness and leave early. Oh, give him a chance. Not every kiss was going to be as perfect as her and Peter's first one was, and she was going to have to get over that.

Her cell phone started to ring, and she thought about ignoring it at first. But what if it's Peter? So what if it was Peter, he made his choice. But what if he wants you back? Well, he can wait.

Oh, hell. She broke away from Flash with an apologetic frown, and dug into her purse. NYPD flashed on the LCD screen. Oh God. Oh no. Something's happened. Something bad again. Her heart went into her throat, and she answered. "Hello?"

"Gwendolyn Stacy?"

"Yes."

"This is Detective Miller. I'm afraid I have some bad news."