Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from MARVEL COMICS!

ONE-SHOT

Westchester County, New York

The Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane...

Peter B. Parker had become very familiar with the sanitorium and its staff over the last year, visiting as often as possible when work wouldn't get in the way. Dr. Kafka always greeted him with a smile, though sometimes they were forced, but that was understandable given her chosen profession.

The short-haired woman was forced to deal with the likes Cletis Kassidy and Max Dillion for example, and when those two were your patients, it was nearly impossible to always keep an upbeat attitude even when seeing a friendly face. Needless to say, Peter did not envy her position as a doctor.

Then there was another patient of hers that left her with more than a few mixed emotions... Mary Walker, also known as Typhoid Mary, or Bloody Mary whenever she felt like coming out to play. Her story was a sad one but not too uncommon unfortunately. She was a young woman suffering from an extremely bad case of dissociative identity disorder. Mary herself wasn't so much a problem as Typhoid and Bloody were.

Typhoid was to put it bluntly, a psychopath. She craved sex, murder and violence in all its forms and much to Peter and Dr. Kafka's dismay acted as the primary personality in most instances. Then there was Bloody Mary, arguably worse than Typhoid. She was nearly three times as volatile and had deep seeded hatred towards men. The things those two have done... and all with Mary's body no less was truly disturbing.

Unlike the good doctor however, Peter had the full story and then some. He'd seen all sides of Mary, the good and the bad. He'd been out on dates with her sweet side, fought to keep Typhoid from hurting herself and others, and struggled for his life against Bloody Mary and her dark urge to kill him. Yet despite all the baggage that came along with her, Peter Parker loved Mary Walker regardless of all the cons.

As he and Dr. Kafka took the elevator to the visiting area; the latter took the time to strike up a conversation. "I think it's really sweet that you always come to see Mary as often as you do. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people come through this facility and leave friends or family behind after promising to come back."

"Not me. I could never do that to Mary." Peter spoke truthfully. He wanted to see her get better one day and leave Ravencroft. Though he could also somewhat understand the others that either gave up or ran away. "I want to be able to walk out of here with her one day."

Dr. Kafka nodded and admired Peter's loyalty and faith. Mary had been in her care for just a little over a year and yet he never ran off or gave up hope. He always came back and put smile on her patient's face. Some of the other staff thought he disappear one day and never come back, that he wasn't in it for the long haul. Much to their surprise, he still visited and even got to know some of them since he came by so often.

The medical professional wished she could have at least a third of Peter's faith. She wasn't jaded by any means, but she was also realistic. Mary might do better in Peter's presence but outside of it she was ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Mary Walker was too much of a risk and that was because despite their sessions and treatments, Typhoid Mary and Bloody Mary weren't going anywhere. Until they vanished for good, or she gained some semblance of control over them, she couldn't be allowed to leave the Institiute.

"One day." Was all she could say. The elevator soon came to a stop and let out a small bell sound before then opening up. Dr. Kafka held the clipboard she was gripping a little bit tighter and walked with Peter into the visitation area. Because Mary was more of a high risk due to her personalities, she had to be handcuffed during Peter's visits. Armed guards ready with tranquilizers to take her down at the first sign of trouble was non-negotiable. "After you."

She held the door leading into the visiting area open for Peter to enter and he didn't hesitate to do so. His spider-sense wasn't going off so that was a good thing. The visiting room was a wide-open space with circular tables in the center and guards posted in every corner. There were one or two other visitors present in the room with someone or another but there was only one table that Peter himself was interested in.

Smack dab in the center was a white table with a tall and burly looking guard looming over it. Seated at said table was a fair-skinned young woman with long reddish-brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was dressed in the standard white mental hospital scrubs and handcuffed to the table. She also had a black collar around her neck which was yet another safety precaution since she was one of many patients with superpowered abilities.

She was Mary Alice Walker, and she was who Peter Parker was here to see. He smiled when he saw and began to walk over. As he did, he noticed that she was smiling also and humming to herself as her head bopped to whatever tune she was humming. He didn't know who was in control at the moment but that didn't matter. He was here to see the woman who'd stolen his heart.

"Mary." he called, waving his hand.

She ceased what she was doing and looked up. "Peter."

He took a seat down next to her and placed his hands on top of hers. They were somewhat cold, but Mary didn't mind. She was just so happy to see him. "How are you? No one's giving you any trouble, are they?"

"Not really. I mean, Ralph's a butt but he's like that with everyone." She giggled. It would seem Peter was going to be getting just plain old Mary Walker for now.

Dr. Kafka meanwhile smiled to herself before letting the door to the waiting area shut. The guards had everything well in hand and they could call her if they really needed her. She went back to the elevator and headed upward towards her office. Mary always did better when Peter was around, or at the very least when the others showed up, they were just a little more behaved. "If only he could be around all the time."

With a sigh the Doctor left the elevator and returned to her office before taking a seat behind her desk. On the walls were various photos, awards, and her degree. As she turned to look out the window and into the snow-covered streets of Westchester County, she couldn't help but think about what kind of future Peter may have. As much as she hated to admit it, even to herself, Mary might just be a lost cause in terms of help.

Whatever trauma she'd undergone may be too severe to repair or patch up. She didn't want to give up on a patient no matter what their struggles were, but she just couldn't see how Peter and Mary could have a bright future with Typhoid and Bloody dangling over them like the blade of Damocles. Both of them deserved so much better than what they've gotten. All she could really do now was try her best and see what happens next.

As the Dr. Kafka was left alone to wrestle with her thoughts, down below, Peter and Mary were about to say their goodbyes. They'd been talking for so long that they'd actually lost track of time. "I guess it's that time, huh?"

"Yeah, it is." Peter acknowledged sadly. He didn't want to go but knew that he had to. Before he did however, he leaned forward against the table and captured Mary's lips. This wasn't the first time he'd done such a thing, and the guard present allowed it since the patient hadn't given him any trouble. Plus, he actually liked Peter. The kiss was soft and sweet and if Mary wasn't handcuffed, she'd have totally held him closer to her. The two did eventually break apart after almost a full minute of making out. "Merry Christmas Eve, Mary."

"Right back at ya, hot lips." She spoke in a way that let him know Mary had checked out and Typhoid stepped in. The guard noticed too and tensed a bit but nevertheless remained stationary, though more alert.

Peter sighed and shook his head, though there was a smile present on his face. "Merry Christmas Eve to you to Typhoid." Peter then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope before placing it down on the table in front of the woman.

"What's this?" She asked curiously.

"A gift." Peter answered without giving anything away. This caused Typhoid to pout, and he stood up fully from the table. "I'll see you again when I can, Mary. One day we're going to walk out of here together."

Typhoid watched Peter go with the slight tilt of her head as she kept her eyes zeroed in on his butt. He'd said that before numerous times but had to realize the institute wasn't going to just let Mary leave unless she and Bloody were either wiped out or caged up like animals. She had no intention of fading away. or giving up her position as the primary. She wasn't going anywhere and if Peter really loved Mary like he claimed then he better learn to love her too if he didn't already. She wasn't really sure. He and Spider-Man both were confusing in that way. Yes, she knew his secret and she would keep to herself.

Once Peter vanished out the door, she placed her fingers to her lips and could still taste the mint from his lips on hers. He must've eaten a Tic-Tac before visiting. His aunt and uncle did such a good job with him. Oddly enough she now found herself thinking about the elderly woman that treated Mary with a kindness she'd never received before. She then looked down at the envelope and smiled. She'll wait until Christmas before she opened it.

"Time to go, Typhoid." The guard spoke seriously.

She turned her smile towards the guard. "Make me."

"So much for not giving me any trouble." he grumbled.

While guard prepared himself for what was to come, Peter exited the institute and took one last hard look at the gothic structure that made people's skin crawl. One day he wasn't going to leave this place alone. One day. He had to believe that. He couldn't and wouldn't give up, no matter what. In the meantime, he had to find a quiet place to change to he could go back on patrol, or just beat the city traffic.

One day, he was going to bring Mary home.

END...?

Author's Notes: This seemed like an odd pairing, and I thought it would be very cool to try a Spider-Man x Typhoid Mary ONE-SHOT. I've only ever found one other and it was really good. Hope this story doesn't suck and that all of you have a happy holiday.