Disclaimer: First and foremost, I'd like to wish everyone on a Happy New Year 2015. Secondly I'd like to express my thanks to Prince of Winter Dragons for the wonderful and intuitive reviews and really putting things in perspective for me. I'm more inspired to continue to write on and see this story to the end. Muchos Gracias, Amigo.
Like always, Spider-Man and all supporting character are the property of Marvel Comics.
Chapter XXIV
Inside the Osborn penthouse, Norman seemed to be surprisingly pleased to be home with Harry by his side for what felt like ages. Conversely, Harry was himself a mixed bag of emotions ranging from relieved to relieved to addled to confused and all the way back to relieved. Any question Harry had in his mind about how his father recovered so quickly were dashed by Norman's surprising acceptance of his only child. Yet Harry, for all his joy at the recovery of his father, still couldn't completely shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Norman gave no indications of such in his overall change in demeanor, so all should've been well and good.
Harry still couldn't shake it. Something was off. Norman didn't immediately notice anything was amiss when he sat down on the couch. Norman sighed and rubbed his face of whatever fatigue he'd felt when he left the hospital. Harry was still trying to piece together the events that led to Norman's brief hospital stay and his subsequent recovery, but he still was unable to piece it all together.
"Harry," Norman said, drawing Harry's attention. "Talk to me, son? What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm still trying to process everything that's happened over the past twenty-four hours. Some things still don't add up for me."
"You shouldn't have to kill yourself over so much. I'm here, I'm home and I'm not going anywhere. Go home and get some rest." Norman told his son.
Harry glanced at his father and replied, "That's it? Just go home like nothing happened?"
"Obviously, a lot happened recently but it's no excuse to get so worked up over all of it. And, we both know that one needs a clear head to make it through a difficult time. Now, go home. I'm fine from here." Norman said reassuringly.
Harry didn't attempt to argue considering that once Norman had made up his mind, he damn sure wasn't going to change it. "Hey, Dad…" he said, all while reaching into his back pocket.
"Yes, Harry…" Norman replied.
Harry was about to take the will out of his pocket so he could show it to his father, along with the statement that he wasn't ready to take control of OsCorp. But he hesitated, a bead of sweat streaming down his temple. That familiar feeling of dread crept into Harry's mind of Norman going on a tirade of expressive disappointment. The hesitation won out. Harry pulled his hand out of his pocket without the will in his fingers. Norman was still waiting for a response.
"Just…" Harry replied. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will, and so should you, son." Norman stated.
With that, Harry made his way out of the living room and left his father alone. Only… Norman wasn't as alone as he appeared and it was ever more apparent by the twisted grin on his face. The Goblin lived...
The ride to the airport was mostly quite; Gwen had barely spoken five words, preferring to listen to whatever song was on the radio. Unfortunately, Gwen also had to listen to Mary Jane sing along with whatever was playing, which happened to be playing Hooked On A Feeling by Blue Swede. If it weren't that MJ was a decent singer thanks to her weekly theatre practice, Gwen would've likely tried jumping out of the vehicle. At least the traffic wasn't bad. At the rate they were traveling, they'd reach the airport well ahead of time before Gwen's flight left. The song came to an end, and then MJ decided to break the silence.
"You know, you really should try to lighten up, Gwen." MJ said just as she made a sharp turn into the exit lane.
"Yeah, I guess I should." Gwen replied.
MJ continued to drive along the road for another few minutes until the airport was in sight, then she asked, "It's Peter, isn't it?"
Gwen only sighed without uttering another word. The next ten to fifteen minutes went by without incident. MJ and Gwen focused only on reaching the airport parking lot, which they did over time. Once they retrieved Gwen's carry on luggage, the pair made their way to the front entrance of the airport. From there, they approached the check in area but only Gwen spoke to the attendant there. The attendant was clearly older than Gwen, mid-30's easily, with raven black hair tied back. Aside from that, there was nothing spectacular about her. Once Gwen handed her luggage to the attendant and in turn received her flight pass in turn, she and Mary Jane continued to the designated terminal.
The airport was always one of the busier places in the Tristate Area, with flights coming in and going out frequently. Gwen and Mary Jane found a couple of decent seats at the terminal and waited for the moment of boarding. Gwen double-checked her flight pass to make certain it was accurate; American Airlines Flight 140, one way bound for London, England. A one way trip; Gwen pretty much knew she wasn't coming back.
"One way, huh?" Mary Jane said.
"Yep?" Gwen replied.
Mary Jane then said, "I'm sorry."
Gwen looked at the redhead and asked, "For what?"
"For having been such a royal pain with you, and for almost stealing Peter away when he and I first dated."
Gwen chuckled a bit before replying, "You were a bit more than a royal pain, MJ. I hated you when you we first met. And when you and Peter showed up at the Valentine's Day Dance back in school... I wanted to shove your face in the punch bowl."
"Wow, that's pretty extreme." MJ stated. "Seriously though, Gwen; Peter was your man all along. When Peter and I first met, I told him that he'd hit the jackpot. But he'd hit it a long time ago with you. You were… you are the luckiest woman in the world to have had a guy like him."
Gwen was slightly surprised by MJ's admittance. "Thanks, MJ."
"Attention, passengers; Flight 140 to London, England is now boarding. Repeat; Flight 140 is now boarding."
"Well, I guess this is it." MJ said as she and Gwen rose from their seats.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Gwen replied. Then she quickly embraced Mary Jane much to the latters surprise. They broke the embrace and MJ noticed a piece of paper in Gwen's hand. "Do me a favor, MJ; give this letter to Peter for me."
Mary Jane took the letter and replied, "Take care of yourself, Gwen."
Gwen nodded in response before she gathered her carry-on and approached the terminal. Upon handing her flight pas to the flight attendant, Gwen offered Mary Jane one last glanced. Mary Jane smiled and waved her hand lightly, to which Gwen responded in the same manner. Then Gwen started into the boarding ramp and vanished into the crowd. Left alone, Mary Jane opened the letter despite feeling Gwen would disapprove. Curiosity won out, and Mary Jane mentally read the letter from beginning to end. She smiled all while fighting back a tear and realized that she was right about Gwen being the luckiest woman in the world to have Peter Parker.
"That Tiger; he really did hit the jackpot."
Gwen found her seat after a considerable amount of effort and placed her carry-on just below it. Once she sat down, she breathed a heavy sigh. She had a window beside her and she looked outside. She could still see Mary Jane standing by waiting for the plane to leave. Gwen figured that Mary Jane wanted to see her off. So in away, in spite of their overall differences, Mary Jane proved herself a true friend. It made Gwen smile. Then she watched as MJ bowed her head and walked away. Again, it was understandable.
Gwen adjusted her seat a little bit to get as comfortable as possible. It was going to be a long flight from New York to London. At least she'd brought a book with her to pass the time. It was an older book from when Gwen was still in High School, but one she'd bought from Barnes and Noble. Something caught her attention across from her seat. Gwen noticed a young couple seating together holding hands. One was whispering to the other something and soon after laid a gentle kiss on the latter's cheek. Gwen felt she knew better that to pry, but the sight made her think of a certain moment in her life…
((Two years earlier-
At seventeen years old, Gwen Stacy had the whole world ahead of her. She had friends at Midtown High, including her best friend Liz Allen. She was a star pupil in Science class under Prof. Miles Warren, even though the good professor tended to creep her out. She was the daughter of NYPD Captain George Stacy. Everything seemed poised to line up for Gwen… until she heard frantic noise outside of the school bus, coupled with the laughter of some of the Midtown High football team, mostly from Flash Thompson. Gwen looked out the window and saw a boy her age desperately trying to keep with the bus.
Gwen could barely here the boy's cries from outside, shouting, "Hey, stop the bus. Tell him to stop the bus."
Gwen looked toward the front of the bus and was about to get up, but Flash Thompson suddenly bellowed, "What a loser. Hey Carlos, don't stop. Just keep going."
The bus driver, Carlos, knew he should've stop the bus to let the hapless teen on board, but it didn't stop the sly smirk from permeating his face. Rather than easing off the gas and pressing down on the breaks, he kept the bus going. The teenager outside was still desperately trying to plead for the bus to stop, all the while most of the other kids were laughing like little hyenas. The lone exception was Gwen. She was looking out of her window at the boy, and saw that he was losing breath and probably feeling in his legs. A few seats up, Flash was vertical and pressing his hand to his forehead, with the index finger and thumb extended. Deciding that enough was enough, Gwen jumped out of her seat and stormed to the front of the bus.
"Carlos, stop the bus," she demanded. She made to the front and was now standing next to Carlos, reiterating to him, "Stop the bus. He's been chasing us since we left the bus spot Queens."
Rather than stop the vehicle, Carlos replied, "Yeah, well he should've been at the stop sooner."
That was when Gwen gave Carlos the most menacing stare she could manage and she said to him, "You know who my father is, right? Stop the bus now, or I'll very politely ask him to revoke your license. Is that reasonable to you?"
Carlos eyed the blonde teenager with the intent of telling her to go back to her seat and stay there. Unfortunately, he did in fact know the girl's father, especially since he in fact did get his license suspended before. He didn't want that to happen a second. He slowed the bus down as the other kids groaned and moaned at the end of their enjoyment while Gwen returned to her seat. The bus eventually reached a full stop and allowed the lone teen to reach the opening doors and get inside.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I'm late…" the boy didn't finish his apology when a ball of paper struck him in the face to laughter from the rest of the passengers.
Carlos was in no mood to talk. "Just take your seat, kid."
Gwen had returned to her seat by the time the hapless teenager was aboard and studied him closely. He didn't look like he'd stand out in a crowd; short brown hair, glasses and a simple backpack slung over his shoulder. His steps were awkward, likely from the excessive running to catch the bus. Gwen couldn't help but feel sympathy for poor guy, and even more so as he was trying to find a decent seat. He was being rejected at every turn, especially from some equally awkward teens. Then he came just inches from Flash's seat. To his credit, or detriment, he paid the jock no mind… and paid for it.
Flash covertly slipped his foot onto into the aisle right in front of the teen. He never saw it coming. Next thing he knew, he was face planting the aisle amid the laughter of the bus passengers. As before Gwen wasn't laughing. The teen slowly picked himself up and glances up at Flash. Flash shrugged it off as accidental, but he knew and the boy knew it was anything but accidental. The boy continued to pick himself up and gather the fallen contents of his backpack when Gwen approached and helped him gather his belonging.
The boy instantly blushed at the sight of the pretty blonde staring back at him, but he was too choked up to say a word. Once they finished gathering his stuff, the girl returned to her seat. Unsure of what to do now, the boy took a chance and followed the girl to her seat. She didn't object; instead she slid to one side and allowed the boy to sit. An awkward silence rose between them; Gwen tried to play it off as nothing, while the boy remained to shy to speak up. Gwen peaked at the boy without giving herself away, watching as he tried to adjust his glasses. For a less than a split second, he caught her, and she looked away from him.
Still unsure and awkward, he finally said softly, "Thank you."
Gwen looked at the boy again and softly replied, "You're welcome. But honestly, anyone would've done what I did."
"Not everyone." the boy mused, looking a few seats down at Flash.
Gwen understood what the nameless boy was implying. "Flash Thompson's just a dumb jock. He doesn't know any better."
"Yet, he somehow gets all the girls." The boy said.
"Not all of them," Gwen implied with a smile. "My name's Gwen; Gwen Stacy."
The teen smiled for the first time since he got on the bus and replied, "Peter; Peter Parker. It's nice to meet you, Gwen."
Gwen smiled back at Peter. "Nice to meet you, Peter."
Two months later-
Gwen rushed up and down the halls for Peter until she spotted a group of students gathered around some form of commotion. She pushed passed the wall of young people until she was able to reach the front of them, and her eyes widened in total shock. She found Peter and Flash face to face; Peter had Flash up against the lockers and hoisted half an inch off the floor. The other students had varying looks on the faces ranging from stunned to awed and even scared. Gwen wanted to believe that Peter had a good reason for strong-arming Flash the way he did. There was no better reason than the one everyone knew about… Benjamin Parker, Peter's uncle, had been murdered. That was the first and only reason why Peter was acting this way.
Then Flash said something that neither Gwen nor Peter were expecting. "Look, I get it, Parker. Okay? I get it; your Uncle Ben died."
Peter had tears welling up in his eyes as he gently set Flash down. "What would you know about it, Flash?" he asked.
"I know I'd feel the same way you do," Then Flash brought Peter in with an embrace. "I'm sorry, Peter. I'm sorry."
Peter wasn't sure of how to react other than accepting the embrace. Flash broke the embrace, gathered his backpack and left. Soon after, most of the school kids departed as well, but Gwen remained. Peter backed into the lockers and crouched to the floor. He held his head in his hands and couldn't keep the tears from forming. Gwen approached Peter and sat down on the floor beside him. She took his hand in hers and drew Peter's attention.
"I should've been there, Gwen. I should've been there for Uncle Ben." Peter admitted in shame.
Gwen understood what Peter was feeling when she replied, "There's no way you could've known, Peter."
"I let him down, Gwen. Uncle Ben needed me and I let him down."
Gwen drew closer to Peter until they were shoulder to shoulder. "I'm here for you Peter. Whatever you need, I'm here for you."
Peter gazed at Gwen for a moment and found some small measure of comfort. Gwen leaned over and touched her head to Peter's and there, they remained for a long time.))
Gwen snapped back to reality, still on the plane and waiting for it to take off. She realized that she'd been daydreaming as she hadn't really though too much about the first time that she met Peter in a long time. She hadn't given too much thought about the day when she comforting Peter following Ben Parker's death. Gwen looked at the couple in the seat ahead and across from her, watching them continue to cuddle and embrace. That image got Gwen thinking about Peter and remember what she'd told him after his Uncle Ben died; that she'd be there for him. As it turned, Gwen was always there for Peter when he needed her most. But she was on an airplane bound for London, and in all likelihood, they'd never see each other again.
"Excuse me, miss," said a stewardess when she approached Gwen. "Could you please fasten your seatbelt?"
"Uh, sure." Gwen quickly replied and went to fasten her seatbelt.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will be taking off momentarily. Thank you for choosing American Airlines, Flight 140 bound for London, England."
Gwen was ready to go, ready to move on to her new life in London. Then she looked through the window and had a clear view of Manhattan. All she was thinking about as the planes engines began whirring to life was Peter…
Mary Jane hadn't left the airport yet, instead staying in the parking lot and watching the planes flying overhead. By now, Gwen was onboard and on her way to London. It didn't take long for Mary Jane to spot the American Airlines jet on which Gwen was flying. She resisted the urge to wave but couldn't keep the smile from appearing on her face, but it still felt bittersweet. Mary Jane was happy that Gwen was moving on to a new life, but she was sad that she was saying goodbye to the closest person she had to a sister. She watched the plane ascend higher into the sky and then steadily shrink into it was nothing more than a single dot before approaching the driver's side of her car.
Stepping into the driver's seat, Mary Jane sighed and got the car going when the passenger side door was suddenly opened. Much to Mary Jane's surprise, Gwen climbed into the passenger seat. She appeared out of breathe, as if she'd been running a marathon. Gwen looked at MJ, who had the most baffled look on her face she'd ever produced in her life.
"Wha…. Gwen?! What're you still doing here?" MJ said with a shocked tone in her voice.
Gwen quickly and decisively replied, "Take me to Peter."
"Say what? But your flight…"
"I know, and I don't care about that. I care about Peter, MJ. I love him and I'm not leaving him." Gwen stated with urgency in her voice.
Mary Jane was still stunned but then she grinned and said, "Well, it's about friggin' time, girl." Then she pressed down hard on the gas and the car took off from the parking lot.
Being the daughter of the late Captain George Stacy of the NYPD, Gwen had more that enough of a mind to consider having Mary Jane's license revoked due to her seemingly random driving. It didn't exactly help that another of MJ's favorite song, Come And Get Your Love by Redbone, was playing at nearly full volume. It was even worse when MJ revealed the song was part of her personal soundtrack. Maybe MJ thought it was appropriate now that Gwen had her sudden change of heart.
Somehow, they two women made to Peter's apartment without causing an accident, but it didn't keep Gwen from snapping at MJ, "That was insane! How in the world did the DMV give your license?"
"Hey, we're here, aren't we? Besides, I'm not the one who ditched her flight at last minute to be with her man," MJ snapped back, to which Gwen rolled her eyes and started out of the car. "Gwen…"
"What?"
"I meant what I said before; you're the luckiest woman in the world to have a guy like Peter. So, make it count, girl."
"Thanks, Mary Jane." Then Gwen bolted into the building.
Once inside, Gwen completely bypassed the elevator and raced right up the stairs, climbing up flight after flight. Her every step alerted any residents that were present. Most weren't sure what to make of the young blonde racing up the stairs, heedless of them or the possibility of tripping and falling back down the stairs at all. A select few determined that her racing up at that frantic pace was the result of a certain longing for someone else. Those in question weren't far off. Gwen ignored them as she sprinted up one flight after another until she reached the floor on which Peter lived.
She was already spent slightly and her feet wore sore, but she persevered and approached the door to Peter and Harry's apartment. She first knocked on the door but received no answer. Then she pounded on it, but received an angry response from an adjacent apartment. She kept the knocking and the pounding but still, no answer. It finally occurred to Gwen that Peter wasn't home, likely off being a hero or taking his licks from Jameson at the Bugle. The possibility alone left Gwen despondent, realizing that she just ditch her flight for nothing. As such, she leaned back against the wall and slunk to the floor. Tears started welling in her eyes… and then caught movement out of the corners of them.
Peter was standing right there by the stairs himself, apparently having just arrived. "Gwen?"
It was as if the clouds opened and allowed the sunlight to shine through when Gwen picked herself up from the floor. "Peter!"
Peter started walking slowly toward Gwen, who in turn walked toward him at a slightly quicker pace. Her pace became a sprint, while Peter's pace remained the same. Then Gwen literally threw herself into Peter's arms, and the momentum carried them backward several steps at a time. Peter managed to halt the momentum before Gwen planted her lips to his with the suddenness of a lightning strike. Though initially stunned, Peter accepted the kiss and brought Gwen closer to him. They soon broke off the exchange.
"What're… Gwen, what're you doing her? You're supposed to be in London." Peter said, still stunned by Gwen being at his home.
"I couldn't do it; I couldn't leave. I made you a promise, Peter. I promised I'd be here for you whenever you need me." Gwen exclaimed in between every frantic breath that left her lungs.
It quickly dawned on Peter that Gwen was serious. He said to her, "Gwen, you do realize that I lead a dangerous life. You know I can't risk your safety."
"Yeah, I do know. But I don't care about any of that, I don't care about the risks; I care about you, Peter and I'm not leaving you, no matter what." Gwen stated.
Peter was too shocked to say a word until her placed a gentle hand on one side of Gwen's faces and saw tears streaming from her eyes. He stuttered, "Gwen, I…. I,"
Gwen then put a finger on Peter's lips and whispered, "Just shut up and kiss me."
In that moment, Peter did.
Peter and Gwen made it to his bedroom, still locked onto each other by their lips alone. They quickly fell onto the bed with Gwen already in the more dominant position, not that Peter minded it in the least. Their exchange was frantic but passionate, deliberate but smooth. Peter sat up and held Gwen in his grasp without squeezing her, remaining as gentle with her as he would any other person he'd be rescuing. Gwen removed the bright green coat she'd been wearing and just as quickly started removed Peter's shirt. Peter lifted his arms to give the shirt a clear path of being taken off, and Gwen marveled at Peter's surprising well-defined physique.
Peter, in turn, started undoing Gwen's black and pink-dotted blouse button by button. Gwen helped to get the blouse off and exposed her partly naked waist, but she stopped Peter from going further by kissing him harder. Peter returned the exchange and fell back onto the bed. He rolled Gwen over so he was on top, and then he eased the tension between them. Gwen touched her hand to Peter's cheek as he continued kissing her before she felt his hand gently touching her thigh.
Gwen moaned at the feeling Peter's strong hands on her thigh, his touch caressing her soft skin like it was silk. She continued to wrestle her lips with his lips while she gently rubbed his chest with her free hand. She traced every inch of his abs with one finger, perhaps hitting the sweet spot when Peter flinched ever so slightly. Was he ticklish? If so, then Gwen thought she finally found a weak spot on Peter. She shifted around so she was once more on top of Peter without breaking the kiss for even a moment. They had to break it in order to catch their breath, only to go right back to it soon after.
Peter sat up again and this time, he tried to undo Gwen's bra. Gwen didn't object, instead helping to guide Peter's fingers to the clip. They found it together and unhooked, but Gwen suddenly pushed Peter back down to the bed. She wanted to remove the piece of clothing herself and she wanted Peter to watch. Peter did watch as Gwen removed her bra and exposed her breasts to him. She had to be nervous, but she didn't show it. She showed a mischievous smile instead and even winked at Peter right before she dropped down, and her face was in his face. Again, Peter shifted so he was on top, and Gwen smiled wider and caress his face.
"I love you, Peter Parker." She said.
Peter smiled back at said, "I love you, Gwen Stacy." Then they once again shared a long, passionate kiss, and it was perfect.
Author's note: After another arduous ordeal of Writer's Block, another chapter has been completed. Aside from the early portion with Harry and his father/the Goblin, this chapter was devoted to Gwen and her ultimate decision.
The flashback (( )) was used to show how Gwen and Peter first met in this story, somewhat mirroring the opening scene from the Sam Raimi film while being unique.
It all culminated with a subtle sex scene with Peter and Gwen, a little inspiration from some of James Cameron's best films (Titanic, Avatar, etc.) I've done this kind of fluff before but I wanted to keep it subtle and heartwarming; nothing too naughty.
Anyway, that's that for this chapter, which is probably my longest so far in the story. Hit me up with a review or two and I'll be back with the next entry.