Volume I: Bruce
Note: This will be the 5th chapter of Volume I. It will explore Spider-Man trying to clear his name and find the Chameleon, who is currently framing Spider-Man. Peter will continue to struggle with his feelings for Gwen, as he is still dating Liz Allen. Bruce, the gargoyle is introduced for the first time in this chapter.
It's Monday October 7th, 4 days before Gwen's birthday and 3 weeks since homecoming with Liz. Peter and Liz are currently eating lunch together and talking about their day.
"Liz, do you want me to come over tonight to help you study for the biology test that's on Wednesday?" Peter asks.
"Petey, I'd love that, and I love you," Liz answers.
"Thanks Liz," Peter says blushing.
"How's your job at the Bugle going?" Liz asks.
"It's been okay, just still been selling pictures of Spider-Man to the Bugle and trying to convince Jameson that he's a hero," Peter looks sad as he's talking.
"Petey, what's wrong?" Liz wants to help Peter feel better.
"It's Gwen. I just haven't seen her in 3 weeks ever since she got mono after homecoming. She's been sick in bed after all this time. I just miss my friend, Liz" Peter admits.
"Petey, I know you already said you would walk me home after school, earlier this morning but why don't you go see Gwen instead. Stop by her house and go talk to her. She probably misses you too, Peter" Liz says.
"Thanks Liz, you're right. I'll go there after classes today," Peter smiles.
It's 3:45 in the afternoon at the Stacy residence and Gwen is still too sick to go anywhere. Gwen hears a knock at the door, as Gwen opens the door she is surprised to see Peter.
"Peter? What are you doing here? I'm still sick," Gwen is curious about why Peter is here.
"Hi Gwen. I know you're still sick and everything, which is why I came here. I miss you, Gwen. I miss talking to you every day. I miss seeing the beautiful Gwen Stacy," Peter says.
"You think I'm beautiful?" Gwen blushes.
"Prettiest girl in all of New York," Peter said without thinking.
"Why did I say that? Do I really think that way about Gwen? What about Liz?" Peter asks himself in his thoughts.
"Thanks, Pete. There's actually something I've been meaning to tell you," Gwen says.
Just then Peter's phone rings as Robbie Robertson from the Daily Bugle is calling.
"Hold that thought Gwen," Peter says as he picks up the phone.
"Peter?"
"Yeah Robbie, what's up?"
Spider-Man was just spotted in Chinatown. J.J. wants you to get some pictures of Spider-Man. He'll offer double your usual rate,"
"Okay, I'll be right there," Peter says as he hangs up.
"Sorry, Gwen I have to head out. Spider-Man was just spotted in Chinatown assaulting some innocent civilians. Bugle wants me to get some pictures of this Spider-Man imposter," Peter says.
"Pete, it's okay. I know how important this job is to you and your aunt," Gwen says.
"I'll call you later tonight, if that's okay," Peter says as he's leaving Gwen's bedroom.
"Yeah, I'd love that," Gwen smiles.
"Spider-Man was right, I think Peter does have feelings for me," Gwen thinks to herself.
Spider-Man soon finds himself swinging through the streets of Chinatown looking for the fake Spider-Man as sirens start blaring down Motte Street.
"Well hello, what do we have here," Spider-Man says as he spots 3 thieves robbing a jewelry store.
"Crap it's the bug!" one of the thieves yelled.
"Don't worry after we kill him, the Kingpin will pay us handsomely," another thief said.
"Guys look as much as I'd like to honor your request, I'm afraid you have the wrong guy. Spiders aren't bugs, they're arachnids," Spider-Man jokes.
Spider-Man fires a webline towards the thieves and quickly takes each of them down and webs them to the wall outside the jewelry store.
"Now, I'm only going to ask this once. Who is the Kingpin?" Spider-Man is angry.
"He-He'll kill us and our families if we tell you! Please, they don't deserve to die!" one of the thieves pleaded.
"Okay" Spider-Man said calmly. "Have fun in jail."
Spider-Man swings out and back into the city leaving the three jewelry thieves webbed up for the police.
(Sometime later)
"Ugh I keep running into Kingpin thugs and all of them are too scared to give up who he is. And to top it all off, this other Spider-Man has disappeared off the face of the earth. Might as well go to the Daily Bugle and turn in the photos that I already have," Spider-Man says out loud.
It's 5:34 PM at the Daily Bugle as Peter enters the office of J. Jonah Jameson and sees Betty there.
"Parker! About time! You have those photos of Spider-Man assaulting civilians?" Jonah asked.
"Right here, sir" Peter lies as he hands Jonah pictures he took last week.
"Excellent! As we discussed over the phone, double the freelancer fee for Parker, Ms. Brant!" Jonah yelled.
"Here you go Pete," Betty smiles.
"Thanks Betty. So, how's it been up here? Haven't been here in about a week," Peter says.
"Well ever since Spider-Man turned into a criminal, it's been very hectic and chaotic here," Betty answers.
"I actually don't think that's Spider-Man. I think it's a guy dressing up as Spider-Man and trying to frame him," Peter tries to defend his alter ego.
"You really think so Pete?" Betty asks.
"Yeah I—" Peter starts.
Suddenly, the glass windows all around the Daily Bugle shatter and Peter is looking at the Chameleon dressed as Spider-Man. Peter stands up and gets in front of Betty to protect her.
"Where is Peter Parker?" Spider-Man/Chameleon demands.
"Hi, I'm Peter Parker. You still busy impersonating the real Spider-Man?" Peter asks.
"I need to talk to you about the pictures you take. I don't like them!" Chameleon says.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that—" Peter fakes an apology as he's suddenly hit out of the Daily Bugle building and falls down to the street below.
(Earlier in the afternoon)
Mary Jane is on the phone with Gwen Stacy talking about herself and Peter.
"Gwen, so you texted that Peter came over. How'd it go? Did you tell Peter how you felt about him?" MJ asks.
"No, I didn't. I was about to but he got a call from the Bugle right as I was about to tell him. But I think that Peter might actually have feelings for me now."
"Oh really? What changed?"
"Well Peter called me beautiful and the prettiest girl in New York. I could tell he wanted to say more, but it was like something was holding him back. Like being with Liz made him not say everything he wanted to say, but I don't know. Maybe I'm being delusional."
"Gwen, you have to tell him. Anyways I'm going to go into the city to see Peter. I have a few questions about this bio test on Wednesday for him."
Mary Jane hangs up the phone with Gwen and rides into the city on her bike to see Peter.
(Present)
Mary Jane finally arrives at the entrance to the Daily Bugle and sees a huge explosion and someone falling to the ground. There is a loud crash as MJ goes to see who it was that was thrown out of the Daily Bugle.
"Peter! Are you okay?" MJ screams as she realizes it's Peter.
"MJ? What're you doing here? I'm fine, I've survived worse," Peter reassures MJ.
"Peter, what happened? Where are you going?" MJ asks as Peter walks into a dark alley.
"The fake Spider-Man imposter just threw me out of the Bugle. Now, I'm gonna show the world that there are 2 Spider-Mans running around right now," Peter says as he changes into Spider-Man and grabs his camera.
Moments later the real Spider-Man swings into the Daily Bugle and webs his camera to the ceiling at a 45-degree angle so it can auto-shoot some pictures.
"Hey! Who are you and why are you impersonating me?" Spider-Man asks as he webs the Spider-Man imposter to the wall.
"You can call me the Chameleon, Spider-Man. And as for why, well I'm simply a mercenary doing work for the Kingpin. See ya around Spider-Man," Chameleon says as he lights a flashbang with his free arm and escapes into the night.
"Damn it, he escaped! But at least I got the pictures," Spider-Man says.
"Spider-Man! Is Pete? Is Peter Parker okay? He got thrown out the window," Betty asks earnestly.
"Peter? Oh yeah, don't worry about him. He's safe. Can't have my favorite photographer dying, here of all places" Spider-Man says as he grabs his camera from the ceiling and swings back to Mary Jane to catch her up on what happened.
"MJ!" Peter says running up to MJ.
"Peter! Is everything okay now?" MJ asks.
"Oh, everything is about to be perfect. I got pictures of the Chameleon, but he got away unfortunately. And the Chameleon is working for the Kingpin as well.
"The Kingpin? Everything always goes back to him. Kingpin really is the kingpin of crime," MJ remarks.
"Yeah, and I'm not resting until he's behind bars. Let's go inside the Bugle and print these photos, MJ" Peter suggests.
(Inside the Daily Bugle)
"Betty, you care to help develop these photos I just took of the two Spider-Men in the photo lab?" Peter asks.
"Pete! You're okay! Betty runs up to Peter and hugs him.
"Wait you got pictures? How?" Betty asks.
"Well, after Spider-Man saved me, I ran up the Bugle stairs and managed to capture some photos of both the real Spider-Man and the fake one. With the help of MJ," Peter smiles at MJ.
MJ blushes and smiles back.
(In the photo lab)
"So, MJ what do you think of these photos?" Peter asks.
"Tiger, they're amazing! This might be enough to completely exonerate Spider-Man," MJ says with excitement.
"I hope so" Peter mumbles under his breath.
"Pete, these are phenomenal. We need to show these to Jonah and Robbie immediately," Betty says.
"Agreed Betty. Let's go" Peter tells Betty as all 3 of them run up the stairs and into Jonah's office.
(Inside Jonah's office)
"Parker! You're not dead, I'll be damned" Jonah is glad Peter is still alive.
"No, Spider-Man saved me. But even more importantly look at these photos I got when I ran back up the stairs," Peter shows Jonah the photos..
"Holy banana cheese and crackers! These are dynamite! Robbie! Cancel tomorrow's front page. We have a new story to run!" Jonah yells.
"What new story?" Robbie asks over the intercom.
"Parker's not dead and he got photos of both masked vigilantes here at the Bugle!" Jameson is excited about the possibility of the Daily Bugle's press tomorrow.
Peter starts to leave the office before Jonah wants to have another word with him.
"Parker! Not so fast. Here's a $1,000 check for not dying and giving me a Pulitzer Prize winning photo. Keep up the great work. Seriously kid, I'm glad you're not dead," Jonah says as he hands Peter the check.
"Thanks J.J., me too" Peter replied, as he headed out.
Peter and MJ are back at the Watson residence as the two friends are talking with each other.
"MJ when I first saw you, you said you came to see me. What do you need?" Peter asks.
"Oh, I just had some questions about the bio test on Wednesday," MJ responds.
"Sure, what questions do you have about it?" Peter smiles.
"It's mostly about like how the skeletal system and muscular system work together," MJ admits.
"Okay well when you move any part of your body in any way your bones and muscles are moving together. For instance, when I open and close my hand into a fist my brain is sending a signal to my hand muscles which are connected to the bones by tendons. Those tendons then pull on the bones to make them move in the way that we want them to move. Without bones we wouldn't be able to move at all. Without muscles we would have unlimited flexibility, but we would all look quite different because bones give our body its shape," Peter explains.
"Thanks Tiger, you've actually helped a lot. Everything makes tons of sense right now," MJ says.
"Anytime MJ," Peter says as he looks MJ in the eyes.
MJ blushes back at Peter.
"Crap is that the time?" Peter looks at the clock in MJ's room.
"What's wrong," MJ asks.
"I was supposed to meet Liz to help her study like 5 minutes ago. I gotta go, MJ. See you tomorrow," Peter says as he dons the Spider-Man suit once again and swings over to Liz's house.
10 minutes later Peter Parker arrives at Liz Allen's house with his backpack and knocks on the door.
"Petey! I thought you forgot!" Liz says as she opens the door.
"Sorry Liz, I got held up at the Bugle," Peter apologizes as he steps inside Liz's house.
"So Petey, did you end up going to see Gwen?" Liz asks.
"Yeah, I did, thank you for suggesting that. It was so good to see her," Peter smiles.
"I just want you to be happy Petey," Liz kisses Peter on the cheek.
"Alright ready to start studying for the bio test? What do you have questions on?" Peter asks.
"The nervous system part. I just like don't understand how the brain cells communicate to one another really," Liz is nervous talking science in front of her science nerd boyfriend.
"Liz don't be nervous about the nervous system," Peter jokes.
"Okay Peter," Liz rolls her eyes.
"Sorry. Bad joke. Brain cells are called neurons, and they communicate via synapses. A synapse is basically a different way of how one neuron lets information go from neuron to neuron than normal cells do. Picture two people throwing a baseball together. That's basically how a synapse works. It's not direct, but it's pretty fast and gets the job done. Make sense?" Peter asks.
"Okay but what do they communicate?" Liz asks.
"Neurotransmitters. There are different types of neurotransmitters, but that's not on the test so don't worry about that. But these neurotransmitters that are released by your brain can send a signal to your legs and arms for walking or can make you feel happy, sad, confused, angry, or any other emotion that you feel," Peter explains.
Peter continues to explain about how the nervous system works for the next hour to Liz.
"Then these signals in your brain travel faster than 250 miles per hour. The only way that is possible is thanks to the myelin sheaths found on the axons on some of the neurons. These myelin sheaths are made up of unique cells called Schwann cells and they basically act as a speed boost for the signals so they can travel faster inside your body and brain," Peter starts to yawn as he's getting tired.
"Petey, I'm sorry" Liz notices Peter is tired. "You've been talking about the nervous system nonstop for the past hour. Thank you for helping me tonight. I love you," Liz says.
"Thanks Liz, I guess all that talking just made me tired," Peter tries to smile but another yawn interrupted the smile.
"See you tomorrow at school," Liz smiles as Peter leaves her house and goes back home.
It's 11:38 PM at the Stacy residence and Gwen is about to go to bed and is wondering why Peter hasn't called her yet, when her phone suddenly rings.
"Hello?"
"Hi Gwen. I know I promised I would call you tonight, but I forgot that I had to tutor Liz tonight. Is now a good time to talk?"
It's Peter. Whenever Gwen hears Peter's voice all of her problems and worries just seem to melt away.
"Hi Pete. I was about to go to bed, but I can talk to you for a little bit. How did the Daily Bugle go? Did you have a good time with Liz?"
"Gwen, it's okay. I don't want you to stay up late for me. You need your rest. We can talk in the morning, but the Bugle was a literal disaster. It'll be in the paper tomorrow. And tutoring Liz was okay, didn't really do anything besides studying which was kinda boring anyways. But I'll call you tomorrow, Gwen. Feel better soon. Goodnight."
Gwen smiles, hangs up, and says, "Goodnight Peter, I love you."
Peter is trapped inside a burning building with no way out. In the corner of his eye, he sees a girl lying motionless on the ground. The floor is about to collapse sending her plunging deeper into the burning building. The girl's name is Gwen Stacy.
"Gwen!" Peter yells, waking up from his dream.
"Gwen Stacy why can I not get you out of my mind. Everywhere I turn I find myself wanting to go to your place just to see you. Why?" Peter asks himself.
"Peter, are you okay?" May asks from outside his room.
Uh yeah Aunt May, I'm fine!" Peter responds.
Several minutes later Peter heads down the stairs and tries to do some laundry with his Spider-Man suit secretly snuck into the laundry.
"Peter, what are you doing? I do the laundry," May insisted.
"Well, I'm doing the laundry," Peter smiled trying to be helpful.
"No, I do the laundry. I've done it ever since you were a little boy and I'll still be doing it today," May argues.
"I'm in high school now though. I think it's time I did my own dirty laundry," Peter says.
"I—Last time you did the laundry you turned everything blue and red so no, okay?" May doesn't want Peter to mess up the laundry.
Peter smiles as he knows exactly what his Aunt May is referring to. The first time he tried to wash his Spider-Man suit.
"That was a mistake. Last time I was washing my th—the American flag. My—Can I please just wash—" Peter responds.
"Nobody washes a flag. Who washes a flag?" May is completely dumbfounded by what Peter is saying.
"I do and I won't anymore. Forget it. Fine. Can I just do my laundry? It's just underwear!" Peter tries to keep his composure.
"This is my home, my laundry, my machine. Back off, eat your breakfast," May says in a demanding voice.
"Alright laundry sheriff, I'll do it later. Thanks for the sandwich," Peter responds.
"Tiger! You ready for school?" MJ asks as she's standing in the hallway with Peter's backpack in her hand.
"Oh god, how much of that did you hear? And when did you get here?" Peter is embarrassed.
"I got here right as you got downstairs. Why the hell are you washing a flag, Peter?" MJ laughs.
"I'm not I was trying to wash my suit, and I got flustered coming up with an excuse about why I turned everything blue and red last time I did the laundry," Peter smiles.
"Tiger, you gotta come up with better excuses. That was too funny to watch," MJ says.
"Peter looks pretty cute today. Did he change something about himself, or have I always been this oblivious?" MJ says in her thoughts.
"I'll do better next time. Let's just get to school," Peter sighs.
It's Tuesday morning as Peter is about to head into his English class, when Harry Osborn stops Peter in his tracks.
"Harry? Isn't your class on the other side of the school right now? What are you doing here?" Peter asks.
"Well, I'm supposed to be in Spanish class right now, but I need some advice," Harry explains.
"Advice? On what?" Peter responds.
"Girls" Harry answers.
"Harry I'm literally the last person you should be asking advice from on girls. I suck at talking to girls," Peter says.
"Peter Parker, Liz freaking Allen is your girlfriend, you don't have a problem talking to girls" Harry raises his voice.
Liz overhears this and decides to eavesdrop on her boyfriend's conversation with Harry.
"Look Harry, Liz was the one who asked me out so I'm not really the courageous or brave one in this relationship. But if you want my advice, ask the girl you want to ask now before she gets swept up by someone else. I definitely should've acted sooner and I'm kinda ashamed I didn't," Peter admits.
"Thanks Pete, sorry I got mad. I just really needed someone to talk to," Harry apologizes.
"You're all good Harry, don't worry about it," Peter smiles as Harry turns to leave.
Liz comes up from behind to talk to Peter after Harry walks away.
"Hi Petey, what was that about?" Liz asks, even though she heard the conversation.
"Harry. I think he just wanted some advice on asking out a girl. But I don't really have experience in that arena so I just tried to help him out as best as I could," Peter says.
"Petey, you're literally dating me," Liz states.
"Yeah, that's what Harry said, but if you remember you were the one that asked me out to homecoming," Peter says.
"Oh yeah, you're right on that point. I love you though Petey," Liz looks Peter in the eyes.
"Thanks Liz, you're the best. We should get seated, class is starting," Peter says as his mind shifts to thinking about Gwen.
"Gwen, I miss you," Peter thinks to himself.
"Peter, why won't you ever say that you love me," Liz thinks to herself.
After school Peter changes into Spider-Man and finds himself swinging around Manhattan when he comes to a stop at the roof of the Chrysler building.
"Man, I could really use somebody to talk to, but I also don't want to worry anybody," Spider-Man says out loud.
Spider-Man looks out into the skyline of New York City and spots a decorative gargoyle just to his left on the Chrysler building that he's sitting on top of.
"I bet you never have a single thing to ever worry about or struggle in your life. You just get to look over Manhattan and mind your business without a worry in the world," Spider-Man says to the gargoyle.
Spider-Man looks at the gargoyle and decides he should give him a name, since Spider-Man will always be the only one up here.
"What about Leonardo? No, that doesn't work. You're not a ninja turtle. It should be a nice, sweet, short, and easy name. Like Brian, no that's too common. What about Bruce? Yeah, I love that name for you," Spider-Man says.
Spider-Man stares at Bruce the gargoyle some more and is happy with the name given to him.
"Bruce, I'm currently dating Liz Allen. It should be every guy's dream. She's attractive, cute, funny, is head cheerleader, and all the football guys are jealous of me. So why can't I stop thinking about Gwen Stacy 24/7?" Spider-Man asks.
Spider-Man looks at Bruce who gives him nothing back.
"Ok so what? Yes! I have feelings for Gwen Stacy! She makes my heart beat out of my skin whenever I think about here. It doesn't even compare to Liz! I mean I can't even say I love you to Liz, but I almost said I love you to Gwen the other day on the phone and when I went to her room," Spider-Man yells.
Bruce gives Spider-Man yet another blank stare.
"Yes, you're right Bruce. I need to tell both Gwen and Liz how I feel. I don't want to hurt Liz's feelings, but she has the right to know that I'm not in love with her. She deserves that much at least. Liz has been nothing but a great girlfriend to me. Always supportive and comforting in everything that I do," Spider-Man realizes the truth.
"Thank you, Bruce" Spider-Man says as he jumps off the building and heads towards Liz's house.
It's 7:32 PM as Peter arrives at Liz's house and knocks on the door. Liz opens the door and is surprised to see Peter.
"Peter? I've been meaning to talk to you," Liz says.
"Me too Liz," Peter tells Liz.
"Peter, do you love me?" Liz asks.
"Liz, listen I—" Peter starts.
"Peter, please don't lie to me. If you ever felt something for me, then tell me the truth. Is there somebody else?" Tears start to form in Liz's eyes.
"Yes. Gwen" Peter admits.
"Do you love her?
"Yes" Peter admits.
Liz starts to cry. "I knew that something was wrong with us, and we weren't a good couple anymore. I kept saying I love you Petey, I love you, and I hoped you would eventually say that you love me back. But your heart wasn't with me, it never was."
"Liz being with you this last month has been the best month of my life. Liz, I do have feelings for you. I am attracted to you. But with Gwen, it's just different. I love her. I'm so sorry Liz, I never meant to hurt you," Peter feels guilty for hurting Liz and has tears in his eyes too.
"Petey, that's the worst part of this. I know you're a nice guy and would never want to hurt me, but I am hurt. It hurts me that we aren't meant to be together. It's better now that we just break up," Liz says as tears stream down her face.
"Liz I—" Peter starts.
"I know you're sorry Peter, but I just need some time alone. Just go… please" Liz cries.
Liz watches as Peter, her now ex-boyfriend, walks away from her house. Peter feels bad for how much he hurt Liz. Liz cries some more as she just broke up with Peter Parker, the man she loves.
After school the next day Peter find himself as Spider-Man once again as Spider-Man when Mary Jane calls Peter.
"Peter? Are you okay? Everyone at school was talking about your breakup with Liz"
"Yes, I think so. After talking to Bruce yesterday, I realized one thing. I love Gwen Stacy with all my heart and then some."
Tiger, go and tell her how you feel."
I will, but can you not tell her that Liz and I broke up. I want that to come from me,"
Yeah, that's only fair. Go get her, Tiger."
"Thanks MJ."
By the way, who's Bruce?"
Oh, Bruce is the best. He's this gargoyle hanging off the top of the Chrysler building that I talk to about my problems."
"Why is his name Bruce?"
I don't know, that's just what I decided to call him. Goodbye MJ," Peter says as he hangs up the phone.
Down below Peter sees a bunch of sirens following a car involved in a high-speed chase.
"Oh my god, are those rockets he's shooting back at the police? I gotta help them out, even if there's still a warrant out for my arrest" Spider-Man says to himself.
"Hey fellas, how's it going?" Spider-Man asks the police as he swings right next to their cruiser.
"Spider-Man! Take this you murdering vigilante!" the police officer says while firing his gun at Spider-Man.
"Hey man watch it! You're gonna shoot me!" Spider-Man yells.
"That's the idea, you freak!" the police officer yells back.
Spider-Man's phone starts to ring without warning. The phone connects to Spider-Man's mask via Bluetooth as Peter answers the call.
"Hello?"
"Hi Pete, it's Gwen. How are you doing? Is this a bad time?"
"Uhhh no," Peter replies as he's getting shot at by the police. "I'm doing, okay just walking to the Bugle right now.
"Peter, are those gunshots?"
"Nah, it's just they're having a movie night at the Bugle right now. It's a superhero movie."
Spider-Man fires a webline and take the gun out of the cop's hand and webs it to the building and fires another webline to land on the getaway car that the police are chasing.
"Hi, license and registration please?" Spider-Man asks as he pulls the criminals out of the car, webs them to the side of the building and hops into the getaway car.
"Okay now which pedal is the break? I don't even have my learner's permit. Is it this one?" Spider-Man says in his thoughts.
Pete, so I'm thinking about going back to school tomorrow since I'm feeling better."
Spider-Man steps on one of the pedals which causes the getaway car to immediately accelerate.
"Nope! That's the gas pedal!" Spider-Man says in his mind.
Spider-Man slowly presses down on the other pedal, which Spider-Man assumes is the brake since there is only two pedals in the car.
"Gwen, that's awesome. I'm so happy to hear that. There probably is one thing you should know before you go back to school," Peter says to Gwen over the phone.
Spider-Man hops out of the car once it comes to a stop and swings away, still talking to Gwen.
"What should I know before I go back?" Gwen asks.
"Liz and I… we kind of broke up earlier today"
"Peter, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am, actually. I really like Liz, and I have feelings for her, but it just wasn't working out. Anyways can we meet under the bleachers tomorrow, alone, during gym class? I have something I need to tell you. It can't be over the phone; I have to tell you face to face."
"Sure Pete. What is it?"
"Well, that would ruin the surprise Gwen. I'll see you tomorrow," Peter says as he hangs up the phone.
At the Stacy residence Gwen thinks about what Peter could want to tell her at school tomorrow. "Why can't Pete tell me over the phone and why do we have to do it alone?" Gwen asked herself.
At Avengers Tower across the city, Clint Barton is looking over footage of Spider-Man from earlier today as Steve Rogers walks in the room.
"Steve, this doesn't sit right with me," Clint says.
"What is it Clint? Oh, Spider-Man. What about him?" Steve says as he sees Clint looking at footage of Spider-Man.
These past few weeks all Spider-Man has done is save people countless times over. And the reward he gets is getting shot at by law enforcement. I mean today he stopped a getaway car from killing people in its way and last week he stopped a hostage situation from getting worse," Clints says.
"I don't like it either Clint, but as long as this fake Spider-Man is still out there, there will be a warrant out for Spider-Man's arrest," Steve replies.
It's early Thursday morning as Peter decides to call George Stacy.
George is looking at his daughter Gwen, who seems to be in a particularly positive mood this morning.
"Gwen, you seem happy this morning," George notes.
"Yes. I'm just really happy that I get to see Peter and the rest of my friends at school again. It's been a while since I've been able to get out of the house," Gwen tells her father.
"Peter? Do you still have feelings for him?" George asks.
"Yes Dad. I love him, but I still haven't had the chance to tell Peter my feelings for him," Gwen says.
"Gwennie, if you want my advice. Tell Peter your feelings before someone else swoops him up and asks him out," George says.
Thanks Dad. I better get going to school if I'm gonna be able to talk to Pete before class starts," Gwen leaves her house and heads to school.
Immediately after Gwen leaves, George gets a call on his phone from a blocked number.
"Hello?" George asks.
"This is Spider-Man. I need some help."
"How do I know this is the real Spider-Man?"
"When the fake Spider-Man first struck, me and your daughter, Gwen were talking on the rooftop of your precinct. You asked Gwen if she knew who I was. I told you no, we were just talking about her friend Peter Parker."
George knows immediately that this is the real Spider-Man. George also secretly knows that Peter Parker is Spider-Man but has yet to tell anyone about that.
"Spider-Man, I hope you know that Gwen loves Peter Parker with everything that she has."
Peter immediately feels his heart beating through his skin as he hears those words from George Stacy.
"Spider-Man how can I help you out?" George asks over the phone.
"This Chameleon guy or the fake Spider-Man. I'd like to catch him, so I can go back to saving the city without being shot at by New York's finest."
"I'd like that to happen as well. It just so happens that Spider-Man was just spotted at Wall Street in the Financial District. That's not you, is it?"
"No, it's not, I'll head over there right now. Thank you, Captain Stacy."
"Anytime, Peter" George Stacy says after he hangs up with Spider-Man.
It's 8:35 AM as Peter is swinging as Spider-Man through the Financial District looking for the Chameleon.
"Thankfully school doesn't start until 9:30 AM today, so I have time to look for Chameleon until then," Spider-Man says to himself.
"Alright here we are. Wall Street. Now where are you, Chameleon?" Spider-Man asks.
Spider-Man's phone rings and it's MJ. Peter connects the phone to his mask's bluetooth and answers the call.
"Hey MJ, what's up?"
"Tiger, did you tell Gwen?"
"About Liz and me? Yeah, yesterday I told called her and told her about it."
"Good. The whole school is still talking about it. Did you tell Gwen how you feel about her?"
"No. I still need to. It's just every time I see Gwen it's like everything just ceases to exist and she's the only thing I care about in the moment."
"That's called love, Tiger."
"You're not wrong MJ, I love Gwen Stacy."
Spider-Man sees sirens going down 3rd avenue with another guy in a Spider-Man suit. Spider-Man instantly recognizes the Chameleon.
"Finally, I have you now" Spider-Man says.
"Peter, what's all that noise?"
"It's the Chameleon. I've finally found him. I'll be at school soon. Say hi to Gwen for me, MJ."
"See ya soon, Tiger," MJ hangs up the phone.
Spider-Man fires his webshooter and swings towards the Chameleon looking to put an end to his framing of Spider-Man.
"Chameleon! It's over! Give up now!" Spider-Man yells.
"No way! Kingpin is paying me a lot of money to destroy your reputation. You really think I wouldn't set up insurances so that I would be able to safely get away? It's nothing personal kid, it's just business," Chameleon says as he presses a button on his right sleeve.
Without warning an explosion rips through the Municipal Building, sending chunks of debris hurtling towards the ground.
"No! I have to web up all the falling debris before it falls on any of the civilians and then the Chameleon is mine," Spider-Man thinks.
Going at superhuman speed, Spider-Man quickly webs the debris against the side of the Municipal Building while saving a few civilians who were in harm's way because of the Chameleon.
"That's not possible! No human can move that fast!" Chameleon is shocked by how quick Spider-Man is able to foil his plan.
"I'm no ordinary human. I'm Spider-Man!" Spider-Man says while delivering a roundhouse kick to Chameleon's face knocking him out cold.
Spider-Man webs Chameleon's entire body up this time ensuring he can't escape and leaves him for the police to deal with along with a note that says: From the REAL Spider-Man.
It's 9:40 AM as Peter finally arrives at school after defeating the Chameleon and restoring his reputation as a superhero. Peter bursts into his science class, being late for the first time ever.
"Mr. Parker, please have a seat. I'm thrilled you decided to grace us with your presence today," Mr. Warren says as he goes back to talk about plant biology.
"Right sorry about that Mr. Warren," Peter apologizes.
Peter sits down in his seat and looks at Gwen Stacy who is sitting next to him.
"Gwen, I'm finally going to tell you how I feel about you and give you your birthday present I got for you, even though it's a day early," Peter says in his thoughts as he turns his attention to class.
Gwen looks at Peter and still wonders about what Peter could want to tell her.
It's 12:58 PM in the afternoon at Midtown High, lunch period just ended and Peter Parker is standing at his locker.
"Hi Pete. It's almost time for gym class. Why'd you want to meet up alone?" Gwen asks from behind Peter.
"Gwen Stacy, you look beautiful today," Peter says as he looks at Gwen. "But I need to give this to you first.
Peter opens his locker and reveals a wrapped present that's been in there for a few weeks.
"Peter, my birthday isn't until tomorrow," Gwen says blushing from Peter's earlier comment.
"Yes, I know that, Gwen. But I'm not gonna wait any longer to tell you what I have to say. I can't. And well, you can open this birthday present too. Anyways, let's head to the bleachers," Peter says to Gwen.
(At the bleachers)
"Pete, what is it you want to tell me?" Gwen asks.
"Okay, Gwen do you trust me?" Peter asks.
Gwen thinks a moment and says, "Yes Peter, I do."
"Then close your eyes, and all you have to do is listen to my voice," Peter says.
Gwen closes her eyes and listens to Peter's voice.
"Gwen, ever since Spider-Man rescued you from that fire and I saw you in the hospital I started to develop feelings for you. And recently I've been having dreams about you, and I can't stop thinking about you."
"Peter, I have feelings about you too—" Gwen started.
"Even when I was with Liz, you were on my mind when I first woke up in the morning and when I went to bed at night. The whole reason Liz and I broke up is because I realized that I couldn't say 'I love you' to Liz, but I've had to stop myself from saying it to you. But I'm not afraid anymore. Gwendolyn Maxine Stacy, I love you," Peter confesses his love to Gwen.
Peter places his left hand on Gwen's face and his right hand on the other side of Gwen's face.
"Peter I—" Gwen is shocked by what he is saying.
Gwen's heart is beating faster than it's ever beat before as she wraps her arms around Peter's neck. Peter and Gwen both closed their eyes as they slowly lean in and kiss each other for the first time. Gwen's lips taste like strawberries to Peter, and he loves Gwen Stacy with everything he has.
"Wow" Peter and Gwen both say as they stopped kissing.
"That was amazing Gwen, you're amazing," Peter says.
"Peter Parker, I love you" Gwen smiles.
"I love you too Gwendy," Peter smiles as they both lean in and kiss each other again.
Peter and Gwen are now a couple for the first time as they head back to gym class holding hands and looking each other in the eyes.
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