-1
By Your Side- Sade
you
think I'd leave your side baby
you know me better than that
you
think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't
do that
I'll tell you you're right when you want
ha ah ah ah ah
ah
and if only you could see into me
oh when you're
cold
I'll be there
hold you tight to me
when you're on
the outside baby and you can't get in
I will show you you're so
much better than you know
when you're lost and you're alone and
you cant get back again
I will find you darling and I will bring
you home
and if you want to cry
I am here to dry your
eyes
and in no time
you'll be fine
you think I'd leave
your side baby
you know me better than that
you think I'd leave
you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
I'll
tell you you're right when you wrong
ha ah ah ah ah ah
and if
only you could see into me
oh when you're cold
I'll be
there
hold you tight to me
when you're low
I'll be there
by
your side baby
oh when you're cold
I'll be there
hold
you tight to me
oh when you're low
I'll be there
by your
side baby
It was near morning before Gina felt comfortable leaving the apartment. She had administered a small dose of the anti-venom just to be safe. Long after she was certain their would be no bad reaction to the serum, she packed up and was heading out the door.
MJ saw her out, barely able to keep her eyes open. "Thanks again Gina. You are amazing. I can never repay you."
Gina smiled, always finding a sense of self worth when helping the sick. "Not necessary." she studied MJ's tired face. The girl was clearly exhausted, having not slept and worrying deeply for Peter's life. "Do me a favor, ok? Get some rest." Seeing the disagreement rising in her, she cut her off before she could even protest. "Ah ah, doctor's orders. What good will you be to Peter if you are exhausted when he wakes?"
MJ conceded. "All right, I promise. I am just going to check on Peter once more and then I will try to sleep."
"If you need anything, anything at all, just call my phone. I'm off duty till noon." Gina hugged her.
"Oh, I am so sorry. You will hardly get any sleep. It's so late, already…" MJ glanced at her watch.
"Don't be silly, I've pulled longer shifts at the hospital and gone back for the day on less sleep. I'm used to it. You, on the other hand, are not. Sleep!" Gina instructed.
MJ gave a small smile, one that took most of her energy to pull off. "Yes ma'am. Get home safe, all right?"
"Not to worry. Sun should be on the horizon within the hour. I'll hail a cab and be home before you even fall asleep," Gina headed to the elevator.
"Ha, race ya!" MJ challenged, shutting the door as Gina stepped into the elevator.
She leaned against the door, taking a moment in attempt to slow the spinning of her world. She sighed, feeling relief creep into her veins. It was quickly replaced by the extreme exhaustion that could no longer be denied. Her eyes felt heavy and her limbs like led. But, she had to climb the stairs once more and make sure Peter was still doing all right. She made her way up to his room as fast as her worn out body could handle.
She stepped into his room quietly, not wishing to disturb his sleep. She sat on the bed with care, feeling his forehead. His skin was cool and dry. A good sign. She smiled, cupping his cheek. "You'll be all right, Peter. I've taken care of you." she watched him stir under her touch and he murmured something inaudible. "I'll be here. Don't worry." she placed a soft kiss against his forehead and stood up. She stepped out the room, leaving the door open to make sure she would hear if he needed her.
She decided it would be best to sleep in Harry's bed. Peter would probably stir often and she did not want to be in his way. She stumbled into Harry's bedroom across from Peter's. She kicked off her shoes, and climbed into the neat bed. The sheets were immediately messed as she shifted around. She snuggled into the expensive fabrics trying to get comfortable. She exhaled, closing her eyes expecting sleep to set in.
A moment later, her nose twitched. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of Harry's cologne. Her eye opened and searched the room, feeling cold and uncomfortable. Her skin felt chilled and goose bumped. She opened her other eye. The room was well decorated and everything was neatly aligned and in order. Even the frames of the desks and pictures around the room seemed perfectly aligned. Everything seemed symmetrical and analyzed to appear perfectly placed as if it would be a crime if something was out of order. MJ was reminded of Norman and his sense of perfection. She shuddered, finding no warmth in the blankets. The room felt unfriendly and unwelcoming now that she associated it with the psychopath. A chill crept up her spine. She sat up and her eyes roamed the room wondering what it was specifically that made her so uncomfortable.
She became immediately aware of how much she missed Peter's bright and alive room; it was where the clothes were piled in a corner after being worn and the computer screen was constantly on, the bed was never made, the walls were covered in posters and photos he had taken. Everything about it contradicted the room she was in now. She sat up quickly, tossing the blanket aside and made her way back to Peter's room.
She slipped in, the rising sun lighting her way to the bed. She grabbed the extra blanket at the end of the bed and slid into the empty spot beside him. She closed her eyes and exhaled. And finally, she slipped into a deep sleep.
The snow had left a fresh few inches on the sidewalks left unplowed by mid-afternoon.
MJ stood at the window in the living room looking out at the city while the TV played softly in the background.
She turned away from the window, the cold draft that seeped in through the glass gave her a chill. She tried to warm up by rubbing her arms covered by one of Peter's sweatshirts.
With a yawn, she padded quietly into the kitchen area. She opened the cabinets seeking out the coffee. She wanted a cup to warm up. Not to mention help her wake up.
She hadn't slept very well. As she prepared the coffee, she recapped her night once she had fallen asleep beside Peter. She woke up twice to check on him. Both times his condition seemed to have improved . His fever had left and the swelling around the wound was nearly gone. In fact, the wound itself was practically healed. As well as the minor bruises visible on his face. Surely, his powers had something to do with that.
Hours later, at present time he was still asleep. MJ was glad for that. He would need lots of rest. Gina had said it would be some time before he had the strength to get out of bed.
The coffee percolated, the fresh aroma of the beans filling the air.
MJ opened the cabinet again looking for a mug. She searched a moment before her eyes rolled in annoyance. She spied quite a few of them still in the sink. I guess superheroes don't have time to do dishes! she thought. Or, more likely, given the state of his messy room, he was just like most other men. Lazy!
She turned back to the coffee machine, waiting.
The sound of pounding feet taking the stairs made her jump.
She nearly dropped the mug as she gaped at Peter coming down the steps. "What are you doing!" she snapped.
Peter stared back at her, equally shocked. At a loss for words, he chose simply to answer her question. Simply. "I smelled coffee."
MJ stared at him as if he spoke those words in a foreign language unbeknownst to her. A moment later when the words sunk in, she crossed her arms studying him with a look of displeasure. He was supposed to be in bed!
After scrutinizing him, she decided he really looked no worse for wear. In fact, he looked nothing like the man who was near death hours ago. His color was back in his cheeks and he wasn't doubled over in pain. She found it amazing he had the energy to stand at all, let alone take the stairs as if he just awoke from a short nap. "You'd wake from the dead for coffee wouldn't you? You may have a caffeine issue, Peter."
Peter let out a breath, relieved she didn't seem as angry as she did a moment ago. He was having a difficult time piecing everything together. It wasn't until after her studious gaze lifted that he understood what she was so infuriated about.
The night's events came rushing back to him and he remembered hours ago he was deathly sick and he had probably frightened her greatly. Heck, he scared the crap out of himself. He sighed, wishing to avoid her finding out his secret for this very reason. "MJ, I'm fine. I said I would be. I'm sorry I worried you, but really, I feel fine." he said carefully, approaching the counter.
He wanted to retreat in fear as the outrage began to show in her usually calm blue-green eyes. They stormed in fierceness now.
"You are fine because I took care of you! You almost died, Peter! And it wasn't your spider powers that saved you! It was me!" she poked him in the chest with her finger, her voice raising a few levels. "And if you ever scare me like that again…"
"This is why I didn't want you to find out," Peter said matter-of-factly.
"Well, be grateful I did or you'd be dead!" MJ poured him a cup, seeing him staring at the pot. "Have a seat and I'll tell you all about it."
"So once she was sure there would be no ill effect from the serum she left. I am so thankful she could help. You have no idea how close to death you were," MJ explained to Peter, pacing back and forth in front of him as he sat on the couch.
Peter took a few moments to ingest everything MJ just told him and it wasn't until she had made him dizzy pacing back and forth that he broke from his thoughts. He reached out, placing a hand on her arm to make her stop pacing. He hissed as pain assaulted his arm, running to his shoulder. He touched it with his other hand, forgetting it would be tender.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his thoughts in order. It was so much to take in. He remembered the strange dream he had and the bright light that seemed to end the dream trance with MJ's silhouette. He remembered the excruciating pain and the sensation of being unable to breath or move. "I think I have an idea."
MJ studied him, finding the tone of his voice eerie. She sat beside him, tucking a foot under her. She played with the loose string hanging from the sleeve of his hooded sweatshirt. "Well, now maybe you understand why I am glad I know your secret. If I wasn't here, you may be-" she couldn't finish.
Peter sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And maybe now you understand why I didn't want you to know. It's not your responsibility to take care of me or worry about me, MJ. Besides, we don't know that the outcome would have been deadly. My spider powers could have handled the poison-"
"No, we don't, Pete!" MJ's patience was stretched. She was tired and all she wanted was a little recognition. "We don't know if you would have survived, but you weren't making such a turn-a-round until Gina got here! Besides that, if you would just let me be with you, it would be my responsibility! I want it to be!"
Peter shot up from the couch as if someone threw hot coals on him. "Mary Jane, we've been over this. Drop it. I agreed to let you help do some research on this with me but if you can't keep the lines drawn between us, then I am going to have to leave you out of it."
MJ stared at him as if he had punched her.
Peter let out the breath he held, unsure why he had lost his temper. Then he remembered the man the Widow Maker made mince meat of last night and how close he came to that himself. This was getting too dangerous for MJ to be involved and he was trying to push her away, for her own safety. "In fact, I think it be best if I went it alone from here. Its not about research anymore. Its about hunting and being hunted."
Mary Jane could not believe him. "After I just spent the whole night helping you, taking care of you. Here, I expected just a tad bit of gratitude, a smidge of recognition for doing what you have done for me so many times. And instead, you are trying to force me away again!"
Peter let a low growl out, angry at himself. "I am grateful, and I am proud of you. I am thankful you were here, MJ. But, if something happened to you-"
"You wouldn't let it," she cut off.
"I may have super powers MJ, but I am not invincible and I can't be protecting you all the time. Just as I can't allow myself to put you in danger. I have enough to contest with, I don't need to be worrying about you too. Please, just don't fight me on this."
MJ grit her teeth, checking her anger. "Fine. I won't get involved further." she leaned back into the couch pulling a pillow out from behind her and hugged it to her chest.
"Thank you. That helps me a lot, really…" Peter sat on the couch again, feeling a little tired again. "I am pretty tired still. Maybe I'll have another cup of coffee."
MJ placed a hand on his leg before he could get up for his refill. "You should rest. Gina said it would be some time before you regained your strength. Super powers or not."
Peter had to agree with her. But he couldn't rest long. He had to stop that madwoman before she killed anyone else. "I can't afford rest, unfortunately. A day, two at the most." he leaned back against the pillows, closing his eyes. A moment later, he opened them and stared at MJ. "What did you tell Gina?"
MJ wondered when he was going to ask. "Nothing really. You were attacked and poisoned. She came and examined you and administered the medication." she paused, a smile curving her lips as she toyed with the end of the pillow. "And she admired your Spider-Man jammies." she slipped off the couch to refill his cup.
Peter stared at her retreating back, dumbfounded. "Pajamas?"
"Well, that's what she thought, so you have nothing to worry about," MJ chuckled, enjoying his expression as she returned. "Besides, I think she was too distracted with all those muscles of yours." she poked him in the ribs gently as she sat back down. "Or with saving your life, who knows."
He blushed furiously, suddenly glad he was unconscious for it. He almost wished he still was. It was bad enough MJ had seen him half naked, now her roommate did too. He groaned, remembering his costume was destroyed. That was his last replacement. Now he'd have to have another one made!
"What's wrong?" MJ heard his groan of disgust and worried he was experiencing pain again.
"Spidey is definitely going to be out of commission for a day or two. That was my last replacement costume. I'll have to get a new costume," he revealed.
"Well, I can't say I'm sorry. You need the rest," she shrugged, stifling a yawn, hugging the pillow again.
He watched her lean into the pillows behind her, curled up in his sweatshirt with her feet tucked under her body. He knew then and there he would never love anything more than the sight of her just like this. She was so wonderful to have taken care of him. He was sure she hadn't got much sleep herself and she looked thoroughly spent.
He felt a surge of emotion come over him. It was very important to him that he show MJ he appreciated all her care and concern. In a friendly manner, of course. No matter how much he suddenly envied his ESU hoodie she was currently wearing.
"Tell you what," he spoke up suddenly and she flinched, having started to doze off. He waited for her eyes to focus on him and he sipped his coffee. "Since I have some free time and I'll go stir crazy if I don't do something productive why don't we do that photo shoot of yours?"
MJ's eyes lit up, reminding him of those twinkling green Christmas lights. "Really?"
"I owe you," Peter replied, nodding to assure her.
She squealed excitedly, no longer showing the lack of energy she had moments previous. She smacked Peter with the pillow gently in obvious excitement. "Yes, yes, yes!"
Peter shielded her blows to protect his coffee and his battered shoulder. "Easy Red!!" He set his coffee on the counter before it wound up in his lap.
She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Oh, Peter! This is perfect! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
