Saving the World, Saving Hearts

Chapter 21 of my Spider-Man/Stranger Things crossover story, we're back to this, starting act 2, enjoy.

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Boris Yeltsin: Thanks and yeah, it's coming.
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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Spider-Man, Stranger Things or their characters.

The Burden of Responsibility

Jake took a slow breath, trying to calm his nerves. He was being paranoid he was sure, but then he remembered he couldn't rely on his Spider-Sense, Venom did not cause his Spider-Sense to react.

"Jake, are you alright?"

He started and turned, biting his lip. "Oh um, Jess, I...yeah, I'm fine, sorry."

He did his best to smile, to relax, as he walked along with Jess. He had to admit, he was amazed, hopeful, as they had been spending some time together and he found himself growing more and more attracted to the sweet natured blonde girl.

"So, how have you been, you've been pretty quiet these days?" Jessica asked.

"Oh, I'm fine, sorry if I worried you, I've just had a few things get on top of me that I had to take care of." Jake explained casually.

Regardless of his worries, he didn't want Jessica to be even more worried. It had indeed been a few days since the encounter with Venom, but strangely, he had done nothing since then which confused and admittedly worried him. He was sure the others were worried too, although he knew they were also pretty busy at the moment. They were all at various parts of the city, with their own loves. Aside from Kelsey who was too young, he was the only one not actually in a relationship, that said he and Jessica were close and he was sure, if he could just find the courage to ask her, she would say yes.

XXXXX

Eddie grinned as he and Tanya made their way back from the skate park.

"Wow, that was awesome." He said. "You're pretty good on that board."

Tanya laughed. "Me, you were incredible, I thought you'd never skateboarded before?"

Eddie shrugged. "Ah, I was just lucky I guess. I just wish we could have more time to hang out, but...well, my parents want me home."

"What about tomorrow?" Tanya asked.

"Um, yeah…" Eddie replied, considering. "That could work."

She smiled widely just as they heard soft laughter and turned to see some familiar faces leaving the nearby mall, having clearly been having a good time.

"Hey, Amanda, Nathan." Eddie called out, greeting his cousin and her boyfriend.

They looked up and both smiled, heading over to join them.

"Ah, hi there." Amanda greeted them. "So...you ready for the family dinner tonight?"

Eddie nodded. "Yeah...shame, wish we could be hanging out with you guys."

He nodded to Tanya and Nathan.

Nathan nodded. "Hmmm, well, did you make any other plans?"

"We thought about meeting tomorrow." Tanya explained.

"Well, I'm free...if Amanda is we could hang out together." He suggested.

The cousins nodded in agreement and finally went their separate ways, just in time to hear the explosion nearby and knew right away to hurry and suit up. They weren't the only ones, Terry, Barbara and Thomas had to part ways from Michelle, Jeff and Olivia to do the same. It was in that regard that Matthew and Stephanie were lucky, they could suit up together.

XXXXX

Jake had been wondering about his friends and their loves, how they were able to handle the risk involved with dating them, with their secret identities and all. Then the absolute blaring of his Spider-Sense startled Jake but he quickly reacted, pulling Jessica out of the way. Then came the explosion as something hit the ground just where they had been, the something being a blast of electricity.

"Ha, trying to make things difficult huh, get back here, I'm not done teaching you people a lesson!" A familiar voice screamed.

Jake looked up in time to see another blast fire out and hit someone who screamed and fell to the ground, twitching but thankfully alive. The source of the blast stood there, laughing in delight while charging more electricity, a familiar face.

"Oh no-" Jessica mumbled.

Jake grimaced, this was another of his enemies, but even civilians knew about this man, thanks to his actions.

"Electro."

Jake silently cursed himself for getting caught in this situation. He couldn't use his powers or go and suit up, not while Jessica was with him, yet he needed to protect her.

"Jake, what are we-?"

"We've gotta somehow get out of here, we-Look out!" He began to reply but quickly pulled her away.

They just narrowly avoided another blast from Electro, he was attacking left and right, not caring who he hit, it was clear something had happened to him, something had made him snap and now he was simply attacking anyone in sight.

Luckily, at that moment, just as Electro was about to target the duo again, he was knocked aside and Jake felt the sense of relief flood him as the rest of the Avengers arrived.

"Thank God for that." He said, playing along. "C'mon, we've gotta move out of the danger zone."

Jessica shook her head. "Where is the danger zone?"

Jake bit his lip. "Ah, yeah, good point."

For even as he said that, Electro had taken a hit and came flying past, narrowly missing them as he impacted with a building.

"Hey, you two!" Blue Beetle shouted as he passed them. "If you can't escape, find cover. We're gonna contain him in this very spot, help is already on the way."

Jake nodded and gently took Jessica's hand and led her to take cover in a nearby alley.

"Oh my, Jake...this is…" Jessica burst out.

"I know, I know." He replied. 'Urgh...what have I, how did the others do it, I can't...I can't do this, not to Jessica…'

He was devastated by the realization but he couldn't say anything yet, not until finally, after some more back and forth fighting, the Avengers subdued Electro and the danger passed.

"Jake, are you-?"

"Jess, I...I'm sorry." He said softly. "I shouldn't have...Look at all this, you ended up in danger."

"We did-"

"You don't understand. I'm sorry but...I think maybe, it'll be better if we keep some distance right now." He explained sadly. "It's...it's because of me, I can't put you at risk."

"What, but Jake-" Jess began. "Jake!"

But he was already rushing away, tears filling his eyes while she was left standing there, confused and upset.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.