Chapter 32 [Swann's Observatory]

"We're here?" Gwen looked about the area. "Dad, where are we?" Questions and Fear overwhelmed her in that moment. She looked to him.

Stacy nodded. "This is Dr. Swann's observatory all right." He limped a few feet to his left. "Yes. I do believe so." He marveled at their experience. "That woman followed the legends perfectly! She can really do those things! This has truly been a day of wonders."

"You can say that again. My brain's in knots trying to figure it all out!" Gwen saw the door open. "Someone's coming out!" She pointed at the door.

Crosby peered out. Surprise unsettled her for a few heartbeats. Then she composed herself once again. "Captain Stacy? Miss Stacy? This is a welcome surprise! We saw you disappear from the Coffee Bean. Then you just appeared here?" She pushed the door open wider. "Please come in! We're waiting for one more group." She pointed to the sky. "There they are now!"

Stacy looked up to see the approaching flying carpet. Snapdragon, Miranda and Spider-Man all stood in its center. Once again, Unbelievable blew his mind. "Amazing! This is truly a day for the ancient myths!"

"A gal on a flying carpet? A ninja? Far out!" Gwen felt her heart warm. Awe frankly widened her eyes and dropped her jaw. Still, she focused on the Wall Crawler on it with the others. "Howdy, Fellow Travelers!" She waved at them. "You sure find the coolest friends! You know that?"

Spider-Man hung back. Instinct restrained him from sweeping his heart's desire up in his arms. "Anyone looking, Doc?"

"Get her inside, Pal. Then you two can have your moment. You earned it." Miranda nudged Spider-Man.

"I hear that!" Spider-Man bounded down the last five feet toward the grass. "Sorry I took off."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "You've got some great friends, Mr. Spidey Sir. Come on. Let's get inside. You owe me a proper greeting! They don't need help with that carpet? Do they?"

"We have it taken care of." Snapdragon rolled up Carpet. "Dark Sister, follow me?"

"Right behind you." Miranda hefted her end. She followed Snapdragon into the observatory. "Come on, Hero! Lady's waiting for her stuff!"

"Lady's Dad is standing right here." Spider-Man motioned to Stacy. "Have to respect him ya know."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "That brown's starting to soak through the mask. Come on." She took his hand and led him into the passage.

"I don't have a problem with them sharing a hug or a kiss. They can keep it to that or holding hands. That's fine." Stacy limped into the building. He walked by the couple. "Thank you for respecting her. We need to talk about some things." He patted the Wall Crawler's left arm and kept on going.

"Need to…?" Spider-Man shook his head. "Now what?"

"Shh! It's okay. Dad's got the usual 'Dad stuff' to check off. Meantime, Miss Gwendolyn wants something from her guy." Her fingers reached toward his mask. "Maybe just your mouth? I don't know who knows and who doesn't."

"Mouth's fine." He let her roll his mask up to expose his nose and mouth. "I'm so glad you're okay! When you disappeared…"

"I'd say the same thing, Buster!" Gwen shook her head. She glanced over at Snapdragon and Miranda who watched them. "Can you believe him?"

"Gwen, he didn't have a choice." Miranda shook her head. "Kiss him already. He's earned that and then some." Her eyes drifted toward Snapdragon for a brief heartbeat. Then she sucked in a breath of her own.

Miri, this is me. Remember? I know. Snapdragon rubbed her arm. A smile spread under her mask. "Watch."

"Yeah. That's right!" Gwen's eyes sparkled at her hero. "You're lucky you're so cute!" Her lips crushed down on his. Relief and Amor flowed from her into him and back to her again. Euphoria and Warmth lifted their hearts and spirits to Stratosphere's heights. "You do. I do."

"Don't tempt me. I'll take you to the church down the street right now." Spider-Man regarded his lady.

"Mmm…strong, kicks tail and smart too! One thing at a time." Gwen rolled his mask back down. "There'll be a day. Part of our conversation. Miss Gwen has a plan." She quirked her eyebrow. A smile spread across her face. "Let's go and let the good vibes flow!"

"Better listen to her, Guy." Miranda patted Spider-Man on the arm. "She's good for you." Then she picked up her end of Carpet. "Follow us."

"You do make the most unique friends," Gwen cracked.

"Yeah I do." Spider-Man pointed toward the passage's other door. "Let's join the others. We can talk later."

Time for business ahead?