Hello everyone! Yes, I'm alive! And I'm back! I know I was gone for way too long and I could give a load of excuses, but long winded explanation short, my dad's been VERY sick, I got a new job, another new job now and lord knows what will happen next. The good news is the story is almost done and WILL be completed, I promise... no matter how long it takes. I am about 1-2 chapters ahead of here so more should be coming soon. And I will try for a sequel. Who knows... Anyway, without further long delay another chapter of the Widow Maker Thanks for your patience and please remember to review. They are better than breathing air:)
Chap 18: No Retreat, No Surrender
Dido: White Flag
I
know you think that I shouldn't still love you
I'll tell you
that
But if I didn't say it
Well, I'd still have felt
it
Where's the sense in that?
I promise I'm not trying to
make your life harder
Or return to where we were
Well I
will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and
surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love
and always will be
I know I left too much mess
And
destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I
understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the
rules of "It's over"
Then I'm sure that that makes
sense
Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my
hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm
in love and always will be
And when we meet
As I'm sure we
will
All that was then
Will be there still
I'll let it
pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved
on
Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my
hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my
door
I'm in love and always will be
Well I will go down
with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There
will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will
be
I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands
up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm
in love and always will be
Peter walked down the street, approaching the Bugle building. His eyes searched around the area as he crossed the street and drew closer to the front entrance of the Bugle. Peter came to a stop, checking his watch when MJ was nowhere in sight. He sighed heavily, eyes roving over a lanky figure in a long, dark trench coat, slouched against the glass window displaying the address of the newspaper. A fedora hat pulled low across their face, gave no hints of who was hidden under the coat. No warning came from his spider sense, so Peter assumed the stranger was safe.
He stuck his hands in his pockets of his jeans and began to pace back and forth, waiting for MJ. He paced a good five minutes and checked his watch at least ten times before he let out another sigh, hoping she hadn't gotten into trouble on the way here. On the other hand, maybe she got the hint and realized she shouldn't try to help considering the danger. All the same, before he went inside, he wanted to make sure she hadn't already come by. He turned to the stranger in the trench coat, wondering if he should even bother the man. He could have seen MJ though. Maybe he had come too late.
"Err... excuse me..." Pete stepped closer to the stranger, still no warning from his spider sense. "You didn't happen to see a lady around here before I showed up?" She's about this tall," he motioned up to his neck with his hand. "Blue-green eyes, redhead, really cute..." he trailed off when the stranger didn't even lift their head to acknowledge him.
Peter waited but when he was sure he would get no response, he ran his fingers through his hair. "Look, I just wanna be sure she's ok, can ya tell me if you may have seen her or not?"
"Well, I dunno. How cute was she?" the head lifted and under the fedora, green eyes sparkled.
Peter gaped at her, not believing his eyes. "MJ?"
"Fooled you," she snickered, unfolding her arms and grinning at him like a Cheshire cat.
"What are you doing? What's with the get up?" Peter raised his brows.
"I'm just practicing my acting. I had to make sure I fit the part of a reporter, so I can get in the Bugle. Lookie, I even got this neat looking press badge," she lifted the lapel of her coat, showing off a bad knockoff of a press pass.
"Please don't tell me you wasted your money on this get up," Pete chuckled.
"What? Why?" MJ frowned.
"MJ, reporters don't dress like this. I think you've read too many mystery novels," Pete gave a wry grin.
"Huh… oh well, guess its a good thing I brought back up," she unbuttoned the coat and shed the hat, revealing a royal blue sweater, jeans and her hair tied tight and neatly into a ponytail at the base of her neck. She slipped a pair of reading glasses over her nose and fished out a notepad and pen. "One student majoring in journalism coming right up. Now, are we gonna do some research or what?" She grinned, smacking the hat on Pete's head.
Pete watched her slip into the revolving door of the Daily Bugle and he pulled the hat from his head, glaring at her back. He stalked in after her, careful not to be smacked by the revolving door. He dodged in and out of the door effortlessly. He tossed the hat into the trash bin conveniently located right by the entrance and jogged to catch up to MJ before she got to the security desk.
"Will you slow down? Security will kick you right out if they don't know you!" Pete shouted in a whisper as they drew near the desk.
"Relax," MJ winked as they approached the desk. Behind it sat a heavyset man with dark skin and a thin mustache. His eyes were a few shades darker than his skin, almost black in appearance of the main floor's dim lights. He wore an unfriendly expression and his demeanor seemed unbreakable in his security outfit…
"Evening, Mr. Parker," his voice was as deep as MJ expected.
"Hi, Carl. Sorry to bother you so late. I need to get up to the morgue though," Peter eyed the security guard trying to remain at ease, knowing the man took his job seriously, too seriously. If he seemed demanding, Carl would turn him away immediately and he would be forced to sneak in as Spider-Man alone without MJ. As serious as Carl took his job, he still couldn't detect good ol' Spidey. For a moment, he thought about pissing the security guard off just so MJ would have no choice but to go home, but he did not like the idea of her getting home alone now. Plus, he needed to help Betty.
Carl eyed Peter as if he was trying to see through him. Then his eyes fell on MJ and his expression did not change at first but then he shook his head as if he was agreeing with whatever his thoughts were.
"We're researching a story, Carl. She's a freelance reporter," Pete informed.
"Did I ask any of that now, Mr. Parker?" Carl snapped, glaring at MJ. "She's never freelanced for us before."
"She's new," Peter added automatically, cringing as Carl's glare turned to him.
"With all the information you're freely giving, who needs to do research?" Carl crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "Go home, Mr. Parker. Tomorrow is another day. No one gets into the Bugle past 8pm unless it's Mr. Jameson himself or I receive his approval."
MJ's shoulders slumped, deflated.
"Oh, no...no...no Carl, please! We're doing a very important story!" Peter pleaded desperately.
"You're trying my patience, Parker!" Carl growled.
"But-"
"It's no use, Peter. We may as well just wait. Obviously, a strong, intense man who clearly shows he is in control of things and in charge of the safety of this building, such as Carl cannot be wavered in his decision. We wouldn't want to be a nuisance," MJ put a hand on Pete's shoulder to silence him. She turned her eyes away from Pete and back to the burly guard. "I'm sorry to bother you, Carl. I hope you forgive our intrusion, but we were hoping to break this story for the Bugle first. Nevertheless, it seems like we will just have to watch it on Channel 5 news later tomorrow. My only regret is poor Mr. Jameson will be scooped…" MJ pouted.
Peter watched MJ's face turn to complete sorrow and her teal green eyes turned dark and her lips pouted. The puppy dog look was in full effect and lord help him; he became trapped in her sadness. He wanted to reach out and hug her just so she would smile! God, she was good at what she did.
This was quite obvious with one look at Carl who seemed to be melting in his seat.
"Have a goodnight, Carl," MJ gave her million-watt smile, breaking the cloud of sadness before she reverted to the puppy dog look. She then turned to Peter and linked arms with him, leading him to the exit. "It's a good thing we freelance, Peter or we'd be fired for sure!" MJ said loud enough for Carl to hear.
"I suppose it will be all right. C'mon, back, kids. Bob is still up in the morgue anyway. I sure don't wanna be the reason Jameson is scooped. I took this job for stability you know." Carl stood up, waving them back over.
"Oh? Are you sure, Carl?" MJ turned eyes alight with hope.
"I better get some credit in this story somewhere, missy," Carl picked up the phone, punching in a code to unlock the door to the elevators.
"Oh, definitely!" MJ jogged over and kissed his cheek quickly. "Thank you so much!"
Peter rolled his eyes as MJ kissed the overweight, grump. He walked to the door, opening it as he waited for MJ.
Carl almost smiled as MJ strolled away. He looked back up at Peter and his somewhat pleasant expression turned back to an icy cold glare. "Don't take all night, Parker!"
It remained silent until the elevator doors swished closed. Then, MJ turned to Peter with a grin that spread from ear to ear. "I told you! Am I good or what? Had him eating right out of my hands. Guys are a sucker for this face y'know." she smirked, arms crossed. "Even if you're not."
Peter was about to retort when she put a finger to his lips to silence him.
"I'd also just like to point out that Spidey's not the only one capable of disguises. See how good an actor I am! Stupid soap opera... acting lessons my a-"
"MJ!" Pete cut her off this time.
"Huh?"
"Will you push the 2nd floor?" Pete gave her a half grin, eyeing the floor buttons.
"Oh..." she bit her lip, hoping she was not turning red. She pushed the button silently.
The elevator dinged and began to travel up.
"And just for the record..." he looked upwards as he spoke, too shy to look at her. "You had me. You always have me."
MJ bit her lip even harder, knowing there would be no containing her smile or the tint of red coloring her cheeks no matter how hard she suppressed it. She looked down at her shoes to hide her delight.
"Though, the kiss may have been a bit too much," Pete added after the awkward silence between them became as unbearable. as the lame elevator music's instrumental version of, 'I Will Always Love You'.
MJ glared at him out of the corner of her eye as the elevator came to a halt and with a ding, the doors slid open. She continued to glare at his back after he got out. She sighed, rolling her eyes as she followed him before the doors closed. "Jealous..." she muttered.
The Bugle morgue was nothing as she expected. Of course, with it being called a morgue it left one with a certain visual expectation. She half expected to see long, cold walls lit in fluorescent green lights, reflected off surgical steel slabs. However, the entryway was dark, with lamps lining the walls, almost resembling a library or a dungeon without the brick walls.
Farther down, the room opened up to a wide, counter desk, separating the room. To the far corner was a swinging wooden gate that marked the border between the morgue and the front waiting area. On the gate, a large sign in bold letters read "Morgue Personnel Only, No One Allowed Without Permission"
"Peter! Long time no see!" a friendly, accented voice called out.
"Too long," Pete grinned at Bob, the lead caretaker in the morgue and newly turned computer maven. All of the Bugle's records and old printings were slowly being recorded into computers by year, relation, names and authors. This would make them easier to research.
"What brings you up to the house of the dead?" Bob grinned, holding out his hand to shake Peter's hand. "And you've brought a friend. Hello there lass!"
MJ grinned, immediately liking the silver haired man. He had a cute matching mustache and his overall demeanor seemed much friendlier than Carl the security guard's did. Plus, she loved his Irish accent. It made him seem even more worldly and interesting. What an interesting job he must have working in a place like this! "Hello."
"MJ, this is Bob. Bob, Mary Jane. Bob here is our computer genius, even if he doesn't look it," Peter winked. "All the Bugle's old editions are slowly being computerized and Bob here's the man in charge."
"Ay, pleasure. However, I wish they would leave those old babies alone. Nothing better than sitting up all night, flipping through old papers, the ink still smelling sweet, coffee burning in a mug beside you and a pen and paper in hand..." Bob sighed.
"Bob sees a lot of reporters down here," Peter informed.
"Indeed, laddie. More than I see my own wife!" he chuckled.
Pete grinned, his dimples sparkling. "We're here to research a story, Bob."
Bob eyed them with a twinkle. "That all?"
MJ flushed, hoping not to let on to how much she wished what Bob was implying was true.
"MJ's studying freelance reporting in college. We're just classmates, Bob." Pete rolled his eyes at the older man.
"Not your girlfriend, eh?" Bob teased, enjoying the flushed faces of the two young ones.
"Just a friend," Peter answered.
"That's a shame for you laddie. It's not often such a fine looking lass will cross your path," Bob chuckled. "Enough of that now! Here I am embarrassing you both. Shameless I am!"
MJ chuckled.
"What can I pull up for you?" Bob asked, cracking his knuckles over the keyboard, preparing to go into a typing frenzy.
"It's actually... Well… the thing is... it..."
"We'd like to find this stuff on our own..." MJ jumped in.
"You two kids sure you just don't need a place to snog?" Bob raised a brow.
Peter flushed a shade of red not much darker than MJ's hair.
"I'm only pulling yer chain!" Bob grinned. "I know you're a good guy, Pete. That's why 'm ready to help you out here. You see, only the Bugle morgue personnel and a select few reporters are supposed to go through the archives and pull the papers you need, but... I know Mr. Jameson is gone for the night and it's just good ol' Carl and us. Therefore,... if you two kids wanna come around the counter, 'll open the library up to ya and there's even a computer inside set up with all the editions we've managed to get computerized so far. There is coffee and a few things to snack on back here too. You're not a reporter, Pete, but I guess a photographer is better than nothing. C'mon back." Bob explained, opening the wooden gate for them to pass by.
"I don't wanna get you into any kind of trouble, Bob. Are you sure?" Pete hesitated.
"Sure! No secrets back here. At least none 'm aware of anyway. Help yourselves," Bob offered.
"Thanks so much!" Pete grinned, sliding through the door onto the other side of the counter.
"That's really sweet of you, Bob. Thanks!" MJ added as she followed Pete.
Bob grinned, fiddling with some keys to a door a few feet behind the large counter. "If you two need anything 'll be right out here. Just give a good holler. And don't get lost..." he swung open the door and Pete and MJ stepped in.
MJ whistled long and low, eyes widening as 10-foot high shelves that had to be at least 3 yards long and about twenty aisles deep suddenly surrounded them. She inhaled the musty smell of old paper and squinted in the soft light. Thank God, there was coffee.
The wind whipped viciously, sending strands of her ebony tainted hair in all directions. Her long, slender figures, gloved in shiny black gripped the ledge she clung to tightly. She licked her blood red lips as her dark eyes searched and waited in the dark shadows for her prey to crawl into her web. Her body shook with the insatiable urge for destruction and her veins ached for the revenge. A deep throbbing pulsed through her and her teeth came over her lips. She bit down hard as her hands shook and she knew under her gloves they were growing green with venom and if she was unsure of that, the growing lengths of claws protruding from the tips of her hands certainly told her the venom was building in her.
She closed her eyes. She hoped for the calming blackness needed to stay calm. Instead, she was greeted with the very thing that drove her to the brinks of madness; visions of the abuse she received.
The verbal putdowns,
The physical beatings.
The forced slavery.
The brutal rapes.
All there, all for her to relive everyday.
But... that was the past.
Her grip crumbled the concrete ledge under her hold. The wind whipped through her dark form and she chuckled. Oh yeah, now she was the thing to fear.
Finally, a laughing, happy couple strolled nearby and right into her web.
Widow Maker watched with her head cocked to the side as the couple talked, whispering to each other and laughing gaily. They appeared to have not a care in the world, no bad words spoken between them. They seemed to have just pure bliss, a truly happy, loving couple.
How DARE they! Didn't they know? Didn't they realize how WRONG it was! They did not deserve this. She did! She DID!
Easy Widow Maker... Amber spoke to herself. We want to enjoy this don't we? There's no need to make short work of them.
Oh, but the rage was just much too much! The very venom running through her veins was dripping now from her claws in anticipation, just like a dog salivating over a bone.
She flipped in the air and caught another ledge on a building closer to the path the couple walked. Neither looked up, too distracted in each other to know they were being watched and tracked. She hid in the shadows just incase, lingering, awaiting the perfect moment to strike. When the opportunity became perfect, her body quivered with excitement and she made quick work of the distance separating her from her prey.
She landed easily on her feet in front of them in a display of acrobatics that could possibly even make Spider-Man jealous. Of course, the looks on the faces of the couple in front of her were too priceless to think of anyone but the revenge right now. The shock and horror registering in their eyes made her red lips curve into a bright smile under her mask. "Wonderful night for a romantic stroll, isn't it?"
Of course, neither of them responded and their terror only doubled as she began to cackle and held up her claws to their line of vision. Like a cobra snapping at its prey, she gripped the male in her grasp, fending off his struggles with ease. She snickered at his weak blows, easily taking them or dodging them.
"No!" his lover cried. Desperate to help, she attempted to jump at the Widow Maker, but she was prepared and smacked the woman away with ease.
"Do not try to stop me! No one can stop me!" she snarled, gripping the man by the throat. "No one is allowed to be happy. No one but me. You will suffer."
The man made a last ditch attempt and swung an open fist across the Widow Maker's black-masked face, taking the woman behind the rage by utter surprise. It sent Amber flying back and she stumbled to the ground. Get up you fool! Get up! Don't let this man do this to you or to us!
For as shocked as Amber was, the Widow Maker was enraged and she jumped up powerfully, ready to kill the man without another thought. However, she was not through. The Widow Maker wanted to make him pay. She threw a crushing kick into his gut and once again gripped him by the throat. Then she turned to the frightened woman with coal black eyes. "Do you love him?"
The woman had dread and fear in her eyes that spoke the volumes her voice did not.
"Answer!" Widow Maker demanded, tightening her grip on the man's throat as he gasped desperately for air.
"Yes!" she cried, tears falling from her eyes.
"Tell me, does he make you happy? Does he make you smile? Does he make your entire world a better place?" she continued.
The woman was frozen, afraid of what to do.
Widow Maker turned away from the woman and looked at the man, dieing in her grasp as she gripped with vice-like strength. She studied his face. "Does he make you want to wake up each day, knowing he is at your side? Does he make all the bad seem... insignificant? Is he your whole world?" she stroked his cheek with a wicked grin on her face.
"Yes, Yes, please… please don't do this!" the woman sunk to her knees, begging her.
Widow Maker tilted her head as if she was trying to understand the woman. "Do what? He will only hurt you in the end. He will destroy you; rip you apart piece by piece until there is nothing left..."
"No, that's not true! Tom is a good man! He would never hurt me!" she whimpered, looking at her lover, and Amber could see she was trying to let him know she loved him.
"A good man is hard to find..." Widow Maker snickered, knowing she did not deserve him. All the good men were taken. None for her, there was only pain for her! Without a second thought, the Widow Maker's strong grasp twisted the man's neck and with a sickening snap, his neck broke and he was dead before his eyes even rolled back. "And even harder to keep, my dear."
"No!" the woman screamed in absolute horror, as if she had been killed herself.
Not a problem, Widow Maker thought.
She dropped the lifeless body to the sidewalk and turned to the weeping widow. She licked her lips as she slinked up to the woman, enjoying every moment of her torment. "If I can't have him, neither can you," she snarled. "No one is to be happy, but me!"
The woman continued to cry, crawling to her lover's lifeless body.
Widow Maker let her crawl past her to the body of her lover. She even kneeled beside her as the woman clutched the man's body in her arms. "Awww...there, there..." Widow Maker cooed, reaching out and stroking the woman's pale hair. "Do not weep young widow. For you will not be a widow for long." Amber promised, her claws throbbing with unattained satisfaction.
"Get away from me, you freak! You killed my husband! You ruined our life! He was such a good man! Get away!" she shoved at Widow Maker hysterically.
Nevertheless, as she pushed, Widow Maker gripped the woman's wrist, twisting it at an impossible angle. She swung the woman around so her face was close to her own. With her other hand, she ever so gently dragged her throbbing claws along the woman's exposed throat. She grinned sadistically as the claws left drips of the venom running down her throat. "Do you think you are worthy of such love? Have you suffered long and hard your entire life to be worthy of such a good man?"
The woman became paralyzed in fear again. Her eyes were wide with fright and she gasped short, quick breaths.
"I didn't think so. Therefore, I shall do us both a favor. You took another good man from me, and I took him from you. Do you think we are even?"
The woman did not know what to think of this psycho, so she just shook her head in agreement as much as she could under the attacker's hold.
Widow Maker loosened her hold upon the woman's head. Then, before the woman could blink, she took her free hand and rammed the claws of venom into her bare, exposed jugular. The venom let loose, immediately filling the woman's body in toxic levels. Blood dripped out from the punctured holes even before Widow Maker removed her claws. She eventually ripped her claws free from the woman's skin and the woman's body slumped to the ground, dead. Blood dripped out the holes in her neck and Widow Maker smirked as she stood up and crossed her arms over the red hourglass pattern on her bodysuit. "The score is never even, never settled," she told the lifeless form lying beside her dead husband. "Not until I get what's mine. Peter Parker."
They had never attacked so viciously before, never used so much venom in one body. The violence was a heady rush and it was never enough! But, we are not done here tonight, Amber. We crave more revenge. We want to empty ourselves into the veins of the enemy. Man.
Amber's hands began to shake as the venom pumped faster and faster in her veins, her eyes and form remaining pitch black. The hunt was on again.
Hours later, they were knee deep in newspapers and Pete was sure he was developing carpal tunnel from all the typing he had done on the computer. Moreover, where had it gotten them? Nowhere.
MJ was leaning on her elbow, staring at the page in front of her, all the worlds blurring together as she tried to concentrate. She sighed, looking at Peter from the corner of her eye. He didn't seem to notice or was ignoring her. She looked back at the page, fumbling through a few Spider-Man stories in the past few months. She still had so many questions for him about his alter ego. However, she was sure she would not be getting any answers anytime soon.
She stood up, going to the mini fridge near the entrance and grabbed bottled water. On her way back, she rubbed at her eyes and sighed once more. "Don't you wanna take a break, Pete? We've been at this for an hour and we haven't spoken since we split up looking between the online files and the actual papers."
"Nah 'm ok…" he muttered with his chin resting on his fist as he scrolled over the screen with the mouse.
"Well, 'm not. My eyes need a break."
"So take a break," Pete remarked.
"Want some water?" MJ wiggled the bottle in front of his eyes, breaking his concentration.
"MJ!" he wailed.
"Oh, relax, Tiger!" she rolled her eyes, pushing the keyboard away from the table and plopping down on the table in front of him. "Take a break!"
"MJ, I don't have time to take a break. Lives are in danger. I told you this was important. If you don't want to help anymore, than just go home," he snapped, grabbing a hold of her hips to slide her away.
MJ was impressed with his strength as he easily moved her away. But, she quickly became annoyed by his snappy tone. "Look, Peter! I am quite interested in helping you and will sit here all night with you to help you find some answers. You won't do anyone any good by getting frustrated and burning yourself out. I assume even you get tired. Just take five minutes, have a cup of coffee and take a deep breath. Then we can begin again. No one is saying quit."
Pete exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose and nodding. "Sorry, Red. I just don't wanna see anyone else I know get hurt."
MJ nodded in understanding, wanting to console him so badly for his concern. She hopped off the table and poured him a cup of coffee, bringing it to him. "Well, why don't you tell me more about this incident with…? Betty was her name?"
He nodded.
"So tell me more about it. Maybe it will help us find something," she handed him the steaming mug.
"Thanks, MJ. I'm sorry about snapping. Betty is a good friend, I don't wanna see her get hurt again," he sipped the coffee, pulling the keyboard in front of him again.
"Well, what have you searched by?" MJ looked over his shoulder, leaning on the back of his chair.
"Well, I tried looking for attacks involving the venom of the black widows but nothing really came up except for random poisonings in desert areas where a black widow's habitat would likely be found..." Pete muttered, staring at the screen.
"Hmm... do you think this may be the start of something new? Maybe an answer to Spider-Man's good-doing?" MJ thought aloud.
"Maybe, but not many people think Spidey is a good a guy, Red..." Pete pursed his lips.
MJ stood up, resting her hands on his shoulders, gently rubbing them in hopes of relieving some of his tension. "Ok… well... maybe..." she continued to think aloud. "Have you looked up the effects of the venom? Maybe there are some attacks with those symptoms listed. It's possible they may be related. I don't think many doctors in NY are looking for the cause of effect to be black widow venom."
"So what you're saying is, maybe there are more attacks similar to Betty's but because they weren't looking for black widow venom, they aren't a part of the story...," he reiterated.
"Exactly," MJ nodded, continuing to soothe away the tension in his tight muscles. She could feel the lumps breaking away under his well-formed muscle tone.
Pete, desperately trying to concentrate on the screen in front of him and not MJ's hands on him began typing away on an internet search engine looking for the physical effects of the venom.
Satisfied when he had a whole list of reactions listed on a blank pad of paper, he brought up the old editions of papers again. "MJ, why don't you grab a box of editions from the time Spider-Man showed up till now. Maybe the black widow and Spidey are linked…"
"How long ago exactly would that be, Peter?" MJ stopped massaging and awaited an answer, hoping she could piece some info together.
"Just grab anything from the past year...Actually..." he stopped when the screen filled with info that made him change his mind. There were a listing of stories for the past several years that could easily involve the venom and all within the immediate States. "Never mind. We're gonna need to start from the beginning. MJ, I hope you're in for a long night. Even still, I don't think we're gonna crack this open in one night."
MJ blew a flyaway wisp of her hair off her face. "I'm prepared if you're prepared for a lot of alone time together." she hinted.
That thought didn't exactly make him jump for joy; there was a lot of underlying tension between them since Christmas. Nevertheless, he was going to need any help she was willing to offer to keep Betty and the city safe from another attack. He turned in the swivel chair, seeing the look of hope lying behind her tired teal eyes and her defensive stance was totally lost on him. He knew how much she would enjoy this time no matter how tense, as he would too. "Guess we'll just have to grin and bare it. Make the best of it..."
"Right, for the good of the city, and keeping Spider-Man sane," MJ nodded in agreement.
"Hey you two!" Bob's voice rang out from the top of the aisle. "I need to be heading home, but looks like you two haven't even gotten started. I'll leave the keys with you, just lock up the door and leave the keys in the drop safe on your way out, eh?"
"Are you sure you won't get in trouble, Bob?" Pete stood up.
"Nah, just you two kids behave yourself. I don't want to come in tomorrow morning and find you two kids in any precarious positions buried under newspapers!" Bob cackled, bursting into more laughter as he tossed a very red Peter the keys.
"Thanks Bob," Pete replied voice nearly cracking.
He winked, looking at MJ. "Now I wanna hear all about this story you're cracking when you've got it all figured out."
"Sure thing," MJ giggled, finding Bob's outlandish humor invigorating in the stale environment.
"Goodnight kids. Pete, don't let this one outta yer sight, eh?" Bob winked again.
"Night Bob," MJ replied as Pete sunk back in his chair and back to the computer, pretending to not hear or ignoring Bob's advice.
The door to the main entrance clicked closed before MJ moved again. "Well, now it really is just the two of us, Tiger. Whatever will you do with me now?"
Peter chose to ignore her question and continued searching stories.
MJ smirked, knowing he chose to ignore her.
It was just about 2am when Peter sighed heavily, flipping off the monitor. A few reports on dead bodies filled with venom were printed out and in a folder at his side. He'd have to siphon through them and see which connected and which didn't; which were real spider attacks and which were done by someone with a twisted mind. And were any related to any of the stories on Betty's laptop? The trails seemed numerous and winding but he would take each one as fast as he could or more like as fast as his web slinging would take him, in order to stop this maniac, who or whatever they were.
It was going to become harder and harder to do just that too. In a few days he would try to return to a normal life of Peter Parker the college student, on top of Peter Parker the nephew, the friend, and the photographer. Wouldn't that just complicate things? Just what he needed. More complications! Yippee!
Speaking of complications... he turned to his right and smiled at the most painful and ironically the most beautiful complication in his life. He was tempted to reach out and caress her sleeping cheek, to brush away the soft red strands of hair covering her face. She had fallen asleep about a half hour ago, buried in old newspapers of his alter ego and any connection there may be. Poor MJ tried so hard to help and he had to admit she did help him.
He hated to wake her, but she certainly couldn't sleep here and he had to get her home before it got any later than it already was. He reached out and gently shook her shoulder. "Wake up, sleepy,"
MJ stirred quickly, eyes shooting open. "Huh?"
"Hey," Peter chuckled at her dazed expression.
"Are we at your place?" MJ asked in confusion.
"At the Bugle," Peter told her. "Research."
"Ugh, right. Betty was attacked, black widow venom, blah, blah..." MJ lifted her head and rubbed at her tired eyes. "So how'd we do?" she frowned, deflated that she had fallen asleep on him.
"Oh, don't worry, MJ. We found quite a bit." Peter chuckled. His chuckles turned into full blown laughter as he looked at MJ after she finished rubbing at her eyes.
"What's so funny?" she pouted, feeling as if she was being laughed at.
"Cheap Bugle ink..." Peter reached out and before he knew what he was doing, he was wiping the black smudged ink from the Bugle's newspapers off her cheek where she'd fallen asleep.
"Oh," she replied shortly, afraid to break the spell between them. She did smile at him when he smiled at her and she found herself swimming in his cerulean blue orbs and suddenly she wished they would let her drown in them, never to be seen again.
Peter found the only functioning part of his body seemed to be the index finger he used to wipe the ink from her face, otherwise he was paralyzed. He was caught in her green-blue eyes and her thousand watt smile that jump started his heart. That smile he always wished was for him and here it was, all for him.
And now that very same smile he longed for broke the spell.
He stood up gathering the folder of print-outs and clearing his throat. "We should get you home before it gets any later. Besides I don't think our friend Carl downstairs will be thrilled to see us leaving so late."
MJ swallowed the disappointment like a spoonful of nasty medicine, and took it in stride as she had been the last few weeks. She attempted a smile and stood up. "We could NOT take the elevator."
"Too risky. Besides, I can actually afford a cab, may as well splurge when I can," Pete helped her on with her coat.
They walked to the elevator in silence and took the elevator down in silence and neither even breathed when walking past a disgruntled looking Carl. They walked out into the cool night air and MJ shivered despite her warm coat.
Peter frowned sympathetically. "Wait here, 'll hail us a cab."
MJ nodded, burying her face in the collar of her coat as she attempted to keep warm. She didn't have to wait too long; Peter managed to get a cab within minutes. She slipped into the heated cab's backseat and was prepared to give directions when Peter slipped in beside her and told the cabbie where to go. She turned to him in surprise. "I didn't think you were going with me."
"Just wanna make sure you get home ok, that's all. Do you mind?" he asked softly.
She shook her head with a sad smile. "I never mind your company, Tiger. I just figured you'd go straight home since we're already on the East Side. No point in you traveling to the Upper West Side only to come back to the East Village."
"No problem. I have a few things to do before I get home anyway," he winked at her.
She nodded in understanding. Spider-Man's job was never over and mostly because Pete would not allow it to be. She remained in those thoughts the entire trip home. She watched the world of NY outside her window but paid no mind to the lights, cars, and people walking the streets even at this hour. Her thoughts centered on Spider-Man and the man behind the mask who gave up all sense of a normal life for the ungrateful people of NY. Just what drove the responsibility Peter felt to be Spider-Man? Why wouldn't he tell her? What could have happened that was so terrible? It would have to be pretty devastating to keep them apart. After all, that's what was keeping them apart wasn't it? His responsibility and duty to keep her safe and out of Spider-Man's life was what kept her at arm's length but no closer. MJ sighed. And she allowed it simply because any attention from Peter was better than none. Right?
Right?
Hello? Earth to MJ's brain. Come in brain. This is the part where you agree with my heart!
Maybe she needed to get away for awhile. Leave NY, work on her career. Maybe go to Los Angeles, try the movies... She turned to look at Peter, fighting off sleep as his head nodded down and his eyes drooped closed, then snapped open to the look at the city outside he was determined to protect. All on his own.
Or maybe not so much. She did help him tonight and she did promise to be there for him whenever he needed to talk. She couldn't possibly leave Peter or NY. Whether he admitted to her or to himself or not, he needed her! And she has always needed him. That was no secret. She could never separate Peter from her life and she would never give up hope that one day he would realize just how much he couldn't live without loving her as he said he did.
Maybe one day he would trust her enough to tell her everything and then they could finally be together. All she had to do was hold on to hope. Which seemed so simple: if it only was that simple. She did have to give herself credit and admire her determination and spunk when it came to Peter. Men in her life had always seemed to let her down and even Peter had, but it was only because of his responsibility as Spider-Man. She had a tendency to run from men so she could avoid being hurt, being in pain, yet she could not seem to do that with Peter. She kept coming back for more no matter how many times he turned her down or hurt her like the others had. She let her heart rule her decisions when it came to him. She had never loved Flash or Harry like she did Peter. She even gave up on her father after a time, but Peter Parker was a whole other story. Could he possibly be the one? The one she pictured the rest of her life with?
Whoa! Was happy-go-lucky, party girl, too good to be tied down, too afraid to commit to a man, ready to settle down and trust someone completely? Sure her free spirited, too many men, so little time attitude was a facade to hide her pain and suffering, but she never had to be that way with Peter anymore. She never had to keep anything from him anymore and he seemed to love her for who she really was.
Well, why not? Why wouldn't Peter be the perfect choice to be the man she spent the rest of her life with? Oh, right. He was Spider-Man and he couldn't or wouldn't return her love. Perfect, MJ. You sure know how to pick 'em.
"Hey Red? You ok?" his voice broke through the fog in her mind.
MJ turned to the direction of Peter's concerned voice. His blue eyes were fixed on her and she saw nothing but worry in his gaze. "Huh? Oh, yeah 'm fine, Tiger."
Peter didn't believe her for a second. "Well, you're home." he informed as he paid the cabbie and opened the door. Then he helped her out and the cabbie drove away. "Let's get you upstairs, MJ. You look pretty tired."
There was nothing but silence between them again up until MJ flipped the light on in her apartment. She fished a note off the coffee table from Gina telling her she'd be gone for the entire night again. She sighed; tossing it in the trash can beside the couch.
"MJ, what's wrong?" Peter asked as he watched her read a note.
"Oh. Nothing. Just another night alone. Gina's gone again." MJ flopped onto the couch.
"Sorry, Red," he frowned, placing the folder down and sitting beside her. "I can't stay too long, either."
"I know, Tiger. It's just, since the Goblin... well, I hate being alone. But, don't worry. I know Spider-Man has work to do," MJ gave a weak smile.
This was exactly why he could never be with MJ the way he wanted. He would never be there when she needed him. "I really am so sorry, Mary Jane."
"Now, don't go feeling all guilty on me, Pete. That's not my intention. We worked well together tonight and I don't wanna spoil it," MJ got up and walked into her bedroom, flipping on the light. She went to her balcony window and glanced out at the seemingly peaceful night. She turned around, knowing Peter was lingering in her bedroom doorway. "It seems so peaceful out there, though. Do you really need to go?"
"I do..." he paused, trying to find a way to explain this. Staying here with her was only going to lead to even more awkward situations between them. Another night like Christmas Eve could not happen between them. Holding MJ in his arms again would lead to complications he could not handle. He loved her so much, but giving her false hope, as well as himself, would not get them anywhere. "I... "
MJ waved him off from speaking. She didn't want to hear any excuses or lies when they worked so hard to get this far. She knew why he wouldn't stay. "More research tomorrow?"
"Looks like it. But, it may need to be done alone, MJ. As Spider-Man," Peter frowned, knowing he was pushing away again.
"Oh, right. Well, I have to meet with my agent anyway. I have a few auditions coming up. Plus, I have to work in the moring. Maybe we can do those photos soon? It would really help my resume," she walked to her bed, fluffing her pillows and pulling down the blankets.
"Sure, MJ. Just gimme a few days. Just prepare that thousand watt smile for the cameras," Peter promised, hoping he'd keep that promise.
"Hey, any plans for New Year's?" MJ asked, turning back to him.
He hadn't even thought about it. New Year's Eve was just a few days away. "No, I hadn't even thought about it."
"Hmm, maybe we can… hang out or something? Any idea what your resolution will be?" MJ asked, curiously.
Peter could think of a thousand he could never stick to. He raised his brows and gave a childish grin. "Dunno, but at least I still have a few days to decide yet."
MJ yawned, knowing her resolution would be to never give up on Peter. No matter how hard he pushed, no matter how much it hurt, she would never give up on him.
"What about you?"
"Well, it's a New Year, Tiger. You never know what could happen." she smiled. Maybe one day you won't run and hide from me anymore. Maybe one day, you'll crawl right into this bed beside me and be with me every night.
"Yeah, I guess so," he muttered as she turned to him with a new, refreshed, radiant smile. It amazed him that no matter how many times she seemed knocked down, she managed to smile again. "Well, I'll let you get to sleep, MJ."
"Sure you can't stay? Even for a little while?" she tried once more, but he was already walking towards the balcony.
"Mind if I don't use the front door?" Peter ignored her pleas, preparing to web up the folder and took off his jacket.
"Not a problem, Spider-Man. Do you want to leave your stuff here?" MJ walked over to him as he pulled his sweater over his head, revealing the red and blue bodysuit underneath.
"Nah, I can just web it up," he pulled his mask out of his jeans before slipping those off too. "You're enjoying this aren't you?" he asked, knowing his face was as red as his mask.
"Mhhmm," MJ chuckled, handing him the folder and clothes he just discarded. She watched him web it up and slung it over his back. She gripped his hand before he could put his mask on. "Please, call me tomorrow. Don't shut me out, Tiger." she cupped his cheek, leaning close to him, hoping he would just give up and kiss her.
He closed his eyes, inhaling her sweet scent and lingering in her soft touch. He opened his eyes and before he could speak she leaned over and kissed his cheek softly and with hesitation. He pulled his mask over his head then and reached a gloved hand out to brush his finger along those spectacular lips of hers. She was torturing him slowly and he was beginning to think she was enjoying it. "Goodnight, Red."
"Goodnight, Tiger." she whispered softly against his mask, leaning on his broad chest, reaching out to him despite the rift between them.
He slipped out the balcony and leapt from the railing. He freefell into the night, only to snap back up on a web strand and disappeared into the night.
"One day you will stop running from me Peter Parker, Spider-Man, whoever you think you are. I know who you are. And I love you, and I know you love me too. We will be together one day soon. I have to believe that. So do you, Tiger. You'll see..." she told the night air before she shivered, shutting the door.
