Brother: Love and Adversity - Part Fifteen
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Teaser: “If you keep running yourself ragged, Peter, you’ll become sick.”
“I’m doing alright, Aunt May.” Peter protested.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he takes care of himself.” Mary Jane said to reassure the older woman.
May smiled a motherly smile at her. “I know you will, M.J. I’ve thought of you as part of the family for years now.”
Part Fifteen
All in the Family
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
The next morning found Mary Jane curled up in her chair and drinking some tea after her breakfast. Her thoughts drifted back to the evening before.
She, Peter, and Harry had reached Harry’s home. M.J. always thought it was much too large and too grand for Harry, and maybe even for his dad when he was alive. She wasn’t really sure about Norman Osborn because she had never been to the Osborn House until after his death.
They had stayed for awhile to make sure Harry got somewhat familiar with the house, M.J. could tell, however, that the experience was a bit too intense for Harry at the moment. Once they felt sure that Harry could be left alone, Peter and Mary Jane left. Mary Jane thought back to the talk she’d had with Peter as they returned to her apartment.
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
“Do you think Harry will be alright?”
Peter nodded slowly. “I’m sure he’ll be fine for tonight.”
“But you plan to move in tomorrow?”
Stopping, Peter turned to her. “I know telling Harry that I’d move in with him was a surprise. I hadn’t come up with that until yesterday.”
“Peter, I was talking to Harry on the plane today. I really think he’s starting to remember things. Not everything, but remnants of memories.”
They had continued to walk, so Peter asked, “Did he tell you anything?”
“He brought up whether I had known Mr. Osborn or not. Harry also mentioned that his dad missed different events in his life, like school programs, things like that. And Harry can tell we didn’t really like Mr. Osborn that much.”
Sighing, Peter shook his head. “I don’t want to put Mr. Osborn in a bad light…but what he did at the Unity Festival…he wasn’t in his right mind. And yet later on, he knowingly tried to harm you and Aunt May because of me…” Peter stopped, his face tense.
Mary Jane’s heart went out to her boyfriend. Peter’s face had such a look of sorrow that she moved closer to him and put her arm around his waist. In return Peter held her close for a long embrace.
They were away from most of the pedestrians. They stood there without saying anything more. “Thanks, M.J.” Peter said very softly, pulling just far enough back that his forehead touched hers.
Mary Jane wanted to kiss him for that, but out here in the middle of the street wasn’t the place. That wasn’t the only thing on her mind though, she and Peter needed to talk about all of this. But with the craziness of this past week, there hadn’t been a much of a chance.
Drawing back, she looked into Peter’s blue eyes before speaking. “Peter this isn’t the best place to talk about everything. Let’s wait until we get back to my place so we can really talk, ok?”
Peter nodded. “Sure.”
A palpable silence descended over the couple as they headed towards Mary Jane’s apartment. It wasn’t a short walk, but they took their time. The day was gone by the time they reached their destination.
Mary Jane’s suitcases had been dropped off at her apartment first before they had gone with Harry to his house. Now Peter moved them to her bedroom for her. Once that was done, they settled on M.J.’s couch with some drinks and got comfortable.
Holding her drink in her hand, Mary Jane looked Peter in the eye when she started talking. “With everything that’s happened this past week, I hadn’t really thought about what you said before we went to Elroy to find Harry. What I’m referring to is that Harry’s father was the Green Goblin. I just can’t believe it.”
“I was surprised myself, M.J. The last fight we fought, in the middle of it I hear a familiar voice, and Mr. Osborn took off his mask and revealed himself. To make this short, he tried to kill me with his glider, but my spider sense saved me from getting run through, yet it killed the Green Goblin - Norman Osborn instead.”
“You said you had promised Mr. Osborn that you wouldn’t tell Harry. Where does that fit in?”
“Just before he died.” Peter looked away and sighed.
Taking his chin in her hand, M.J. turned his face back so he could see her earnest expression. “I know you still feel guilty about Mr. Osborn’s death, Peter. I think Harry might have a better time dealing with the truth if you told him now since he’d be more willing to listen to you.”
“It’s hard to explain, M.J. But you didn’t see what I saw in Mr. Osborn’s, well ok, now Harry’s study.”
“I know you want to keep your promise to him, Peter. But at what cost to Harry?” she asked. Setting her drink on the side table, she took his hands in hers. “What did you find in that study, Peter?”
Sighing Peter looked down at their joined hands. It was like he was trying to think of how to tell her what he wanted to say. When he was finally ready, he looked into her green eyes.
“You’re right about Harry. We both know how he’s been obsessing over Spider-Man before all of this. It’s like he was barely holding on to his sanity.
“As for what was in the study…I should explain some things that happened before that. Harry nearly killed me, M.J. Doc Ock had brought me to Harry tied up in barbed wire. But before Harry was going to stab me, he took off my mask. The shock of realizing that his best friend was his worst enemy was too much for him.”
Mary Jane was stunned at this. She knew that Harry hated Spider-Man more than anyone, but honestly, she didn’t know that he’d really try to kill Spider-Man, and yes, Peter.
“That gave me enough time to free myself from the barbed wire. It was like Harry was looking at me, yet also through me. I demanded him to tell me were you were. Harry had no idea what I was talking about. So I told him that Ock had you.” Peter let out a humorless laugh. “Do you know what he said, M.J.? He said, ‘You killed my father, Peter.’ I mean, I couldn’t believe he’d bring that up. But since Ock was building that machine again and he had you, I just told him there were more important things than him and I.”
“And he knew where Ock was?” Mary Jane asked quietly, she was still stunned with what she was hearing.
“He wasn’t sure, but he thought Ock had said something about an abandoned pier. And well, you know about the rest of that.
“I know I told you about what I found in Harry’s study, but you should know the full story. Last week, I decided to go talk to Harry. He wasn’t home of course. I had gotten in through his French doors, because they were unlocked. Everything in the study was about the same. All but the mirror. My guess is that Harry smashed it.
“When I went through the mirror, like I said, I found the Green Goblin’s workshop. His pumpkin bombs and several other things he used. Mr. Osborn must have been making a second glider and he had a spare suit there too, you know about that. I did find the performance enhancers, a formula that he used to make him strong, but it was what made him crazy I think.”
“How do you know that, Peter?”
“I also found the test documentation and other information explaining all about it from the experiments. But like I said too, Harry has one of the enhancers on him.”
“And how do you know that?” M.J. asked, looking a bit doubtful, Harry didn’t to seem to show signs like the Green Goblin. But than again, she would never have guessed that Norman Osborn could be a murdering maniac.
“Because one of them is missing. And I guess it’s a gut feeling too. Harry hasn’t taken it. I know that, he doesn’t seem to be showing any of the side affects of the formula.”
Mary Jane was relieved to hear that. “Do you plan to do anything with the workshop? Or maybe do something to get rid of everything in it?”
Peter’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I don’t know yet, I’ll have to figure that out. All I know is that Harry can’t find that room. Or get anything from it either.”
Mary Jane moved closer to him. He sat up again, and she put her head on Peter’s chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady. “I know you’ll find a way, and I’ll help too. You do know that all of this isn’t your fault, don’t you, Peter?”
“I know, but since Harry believes somewhere deep inside of him that Spider-Man killed his father, he’ll take the performance enhancers just to get to me. But before he found out about all this, I had tried to tell him the truth without telling him everything. But because I didn’t tell Harry everything, he’s set on believing what he thought he saw when I brought Mr. Osborn’s body back to the mansion.” Peter said, and rested his cheek on top of her head.
Not sure what to say to all of that, M.J. remained quiet. They stayed like that for awhile. Mary Jane was starting to feel sleepy but she was too comfortable to move. Although she did not want to fall asleep, the desires of her body overcame her resistance.
Something awakened her, M.J. wasn’t sure what it was. She no longer had Peter as a pillow. She was leaning against the back of the couch, which was awkward because she was half laying and half sitting in that position. Mary Jane also noticed that she was covered with a light blanket that was usually at the end of her bed.
Waking up a bit more, she sat up. M.J. looked around for Peter. She didn’t see him. She was about to call out of his name, until she noticed a note on the end table.
MJ,
Duty calls. I’ll see you in the morning around
10. Need to talk to you about something, but
I’ll explain everything tomorrow.
Love you,
Peter
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
Now she was drinking her tea while waiting for Peter to come by. He had said that he had something to talk to her about. Why he hadn’t talked to her yesterday, M.J. didn’t know.
She wondered, Will Peter come on time or will he be delayed for something that Spider-Man needed to do? Getting up, Mary Jane turned on her TV to the news. Maybe they’ll have something on if Spider-Man was around.
The news was just reports on what had been happening in the city during the last twenty-four hours. Nothing that was breaking news it was just what was going on right now. Mary Jane relaxed. Everything appeared normal. She would check it again around noon when Peter said he would be there.
The phone rang. Mary Jane sat up with a start, upsetting her cup of tea. Frowning at the brown strains on her top and pants, she was glad that she was still in her pajamas.
Ring, ring. Quickly getting up, M.J. reached the phone just as it started ringing for the third time. Luckily she got it before her answering machine kicked on.
“Hello?”
“I wondered where you had gone off to, girl.” Louise’s cheerful voice answered back.
“I’ve…been busy with some things.” Mary Jane’s mind raced on what to tell her friend. Though Louise had an idea on why M.J. left John at the altar, she didn’t want to say anything about this past week.
“So I guessed. How’s everything, M.J.?”
“Good, how about you?” Mary Jane headed to her bedroom to look for something to wear.
“My sister had a baby boy, did Peter tell you?”
How would Peter- Then she remembered that Peter had talked to Louise and she knew that they were together. “Oh, that’s right, he did mention that he bumped into you. Congratulations, how are your sister and the little one doing?”
“They’re both fine. Little Alan is the healthiest and the cutest baby ever.”
Laughing lightly, M.J. said, “I’m sure he is.”
“We’re going to have to get together so you can see him.”
“Sure, that would be great. I’m still a bit busy though, but I can call you some time so we can get together so I can meet your new nephew.”
“Sounds good. But I’m just wondering, have you talked to John?”
M.J. stopped looking through her closet at that question. Walking to the other side of the room she thought: Why would Louise ask that? “John? No I haven’t.”
“Oh. You know, he took it better than expected.”
Mary Jane’s raised her eyebrow in the mirror. “Okay.” Not sure what to really say, so she kept quiet. But how was John supposed to act, she wanted to say. Was he supposed to rant and rave about it, which he could have but he didn’t. No wait, his father did that for him. Or at least that’s what she had read from some of the Bugle’s rival newspapers.
“Oh, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have run off since you didn’t love John, M.J. But God, don’t you think you could’ve saved yourselves some embarrassment by telling him before the wedding?”
“I hope you didn’t call just to tell me that.” She let out a sigh.
“Naw. But Peter does seem like a great guy, but I’m sure you know John was okay too.”
“Yeah, I know.” Mary Jane knew sooner or later she’d have to talk to John, or at least maybe apologize if nothing else.
“But if J. Jonah Jameson finds out that Peter is the ‘other man’ as he puts it that you left John for, he’s going ‘to make his life a living hell as it so richly deserves to be’. His quote, not mine.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t.” Of course, what would be worse to Mr. Jameson: that Peter was the man M.J. picked, or that he was Spider-Man, the man he degrades across his front page?
She knew it was hard for Peter to get a steady job to pay his bills along with trying to be Spider-Man. But Mary Jane hoped that if an opportunity presented it self for her boyfriend to get a better job that he’d take it.
“When does your modeling shoot start?”
M.J. had all but forgotten that. Emma Rose wanted her to do the holiday lineup of perfume for Christmas. Not only that, there was talk of a commercial, but nothing was definite yet.
“It isn’t until next week. What are your plans?”
“Oh, I just may take it easy for a few weeks. I haven’t heard anything coming up for a new Broadway play. Have you?”
“Nothing yet.” Mary Jane saw something in her closet that she wanted to wear.
“Hey, since your shoot isn’t till next week, why don’t we get together before then?”
“That should work. But why don’t we talk about it in a few days?”
“Sure. I’ll talk to you later, M.J.” They said their goodbyes. Mary Jane headed for her bathroom.
- O - O - O -
Getting out of her soiled pjs, Mary Jane got into the shower. After she was finished, she blew her hair dry. She was just putting earrings in her ears when she heard her doorbell ring.
Quickly going to the door, M.J. looked in the peephole and saw Peter on the other side. Unlocking the deadbolts and removing the chain, she let her boyfriend in. “Hi, Tiger,” she said with a smile.
Returning her grin, Peter gave her a lingering kiss.
After the kiss ended, Mary Jane gave him another smile. “It’s great to be home.”
“I could say that too, now. You’re much better company than most of the people I see,” Peter half teased her.
“I’d hope so!” she retorted. “How is everything in the city? And have you eaten anything this morning?”
“Everything’s as usual right now, hopefully it will stay that way for awhile. As for breakfast, not too much, just some toast.”
“I can make you some eggs or something else if you want it.”
Peter went with her to the kitchen. “No, eggs are fine. But I can cook them myself if you just let me know where everything is kept.”
“I don’t mind whipping up something, Peter. Is there anything else you want besides eggs for breakfast?”
“Tell you what, I’ll give you a hand, ok?”
In a short time they had a meal of eggs, sausage, and toast, on two plates accompanied by two glasses orange juice. The meal was a quiet one for the most part, just a bit of small talk. After they ate, they washed the dishes and talked while they cleaned the kitchen.
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Peter?” Mary Jane asked as she washed off a plate.
“I found a letter that had a return address by a woman named Tracey Watson. It was addressed to my grandfather, Zachary. I didn’t look at it, I just thought that it would be wrong to be prying around in Aunt May’s things.”
Mary Jane nearly dropped the plate she was rinsing off. Quickly setting it down, she turned to Peter. “So Anna and Jon are our great grandparents,” she said in a low voice.
“Not for certain, but it could be. I wanted talk to Aunt May if she’s up to it. She may know something that we don’t.”
Nodding, Mary Jane’s mind began to wander. She had been somewhat sure that Peter and her families knew each other more then a hundred years ago. Not that the possibly wasn’t still there, but it looked like it was more certain.
Neither of them knew what to say. Any questions they had couldn’t be answered until they went to Aunt May’s apartment. Luckily the kitchen didn’t take long to clean and soon they were out the door.
- O - O - O -
Taking a cab, they rode there. Nearing Aunt May’s apartment, they got out a block away. They hadn’t gone far when Peter recognized an African American woman only a few feet away. Seeing Peter, the older woman smiled and headed over to them.
“Hello, Peter. Are you going to see your aunt?”
Peter nodded. Remembering his manners, he said, “Mara, this is my girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. M.J., this is Mara Jones, she stayed at the hospital with Aunt May some evenings.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Jones. It was really kind of you to help keep Aunt May company.”
“Thank you. But call me Mara, please. But truly it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary Jane. You’re Anna Watson niece, right? She talked about you sometimes.”
“Yes, I am. I don’t get to see Aunt Anna as much as I like though.”
Mara studied her for a minute. “Aren’t you on the billboard for Emma Rose perfume?”
Mary Jane blushed slightly, but nodded. “I wasn’t really expecting them to have that picture everywhere. I really don’t care about all the attention it draws.”
Thinking for a second, Mara asked, “You’re in one of the Broadway plays aren’t you?”
“Off Broadway play. And it was there. The Importance of Being Earnest, isn’t running any longer.”
“Do you plan to continue on Broadway?” Mara was openly curious.
Smiling, Mary Jane said, “Oh, yes. I’m looking forward to seeing what will be coming next.”
“That’s good. I wish you the best of luck.”
Mara began to wonder how Peter was going to cope with his girlfriend in the limelight. If Mary Jane became a famous actress someday, which seemed like a possibility in the near future, Peter would no doubt be in the spotlight too. Mara knew that the people from the train were the only ones who knew who Peter really was, and save for one, they would not break their promise to the young hero. She really didn’t know if anyone one else knew who was behind the mask of Spider-Man, but it sure made his and Mary Jane’s lives risky. Mara was sure that even if M.J. wasn’t a rising actress, her life was still in danger from any enemies who knew who Spider-Man really was. But looking at the young couple, Mara could see these were the farthest thoughts on either of their minds. Even so, she hoped that no matter what came their way they would be able to handle it together.
“I have to run, it was nice seeing you again, Peter. And I’m glad I met you, Mary Jane.”
Both Peter and M.J. said farewell to Mara and continued toward Aunt May’s place.
- O - O - O -
The front of the apartment building where Peter and Mary Jane’s aunts lived had a bunch of stairs, which was where Aunt May had taken her fall. Once they were in the building, they took the stairs instead of the elevator up to Aunt May’s apartment.
Letting Mary Jane in with his key, Peter called out, “Aunt May, we’re here.” He had called earlier and told his aunt that he and M.J. were coming over around eleven.
“I’m in the bedroom, dear.” Came the faint but still audible answer.
Turning to Mary Jane, Peter asked, “You want a quick tour, or save it for later?”
“Later.”
Mary Jane wasn’t sure what to expect when she saw Aunt May, but it was a little surprising. May looked well enough under the circumstance. Sitting in a chair in the corner of the bedroom, May smiled her welcome. “Hello.”
Peter and Mary Jane returned her greeting. Coming over to her, they stopped a few feet away from the chair.
“I’d stand to hug you, Mary Jane, but my hip doesn’t like all that moving around or standing up then sitting down.”
“I understand.” M.J. noticed the walker near the chair. Aunt May seemed a little frail then the last time she had seen the older woman. But her eyes hadn’t lost any of their awareness in them.
She bent down to hug May, and got hugged in return. “How are you feeling?” She asked as she stood back up.
“The pain comes and goes, but the medication helps.”
“That’s good.” Mary Jane sat on the edge of the bed. Peter hugged his aunt, then joined his girlfriend.
“I’m glad to see both of you, though I’ve seen you everyday.” May turned a mock accusing look at her nephew. “If you keep running yourself ragged, Peter, you’ll become sick.”
“I’m doing alright, Aunt May.” Peter protested.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he takes care of himself.” Mary Jane said to reassure the older woman.
May smiled a motherly smile at her. “I know you will, M.J. I’ve thought of you as part of the family for years now.”
Mary Jane was touched beyond words. She managed a quiet reply. “So have I.”
Mary Jane wasn’t the only one getting a little emotional, May had always saw M.J. as a daughter. Just as she had seen Peter as a son she never had.
“How is Harry doing?” May asked to change the subject. Peter had told her a little about what happened in Elroy with Harry’s amnesia.
Clearing his throat, Peter said, “He’s at his house right now. I plan on moving in today to try to help Harry cope with everything.”
“I know you explained that Harry can’t remember anyone or his life here. But once he starts remembering his life here…Peter, do you think that’s wise since he hates Spider-Man?”
May hadn’t openly admitted that Peter was Spider-Man, but he knew that she knew. Even though she would worry, Peter said, “Harry knows about Spider-Man, about me.”
Next Part
Parts: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7| 8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15
Teaser: “If you keep running yourself ragged, Peter, you’ll become sick.”
“I’m doing alright, Aunt May.” Peter protested.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he takes care of himself.” Mary Jane said to reassure the older woman.
May smiled a motherly smile at her. “I know you will, M.J. I’ve thought of you as part of the family for years now.”
Part Fifteen
All in the Family
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
The next morning found Mary Jane curled up in her chair and drinking some tea after her breakfast. Her thoughts drifted back to the evening before.
She, Peter, and Harry had reached Harry’s home. M.J. always thought it was much too large and too grand for Harry, and maybe even for his dad when he was alive. She wasn’t really sure about Norman Osborn because she had never been to the Osborn House until after his death.
They had stayed for awhile to make sure Harry got somewhat familiar with the house, M.J. could tell, however, that the experience was a bit too intense for Harry at the moment. Once they felt sure that Harry could be left alone, Peter and Mary Jane left. Mary Jane thought back to the talk she’d had with Peter as they returned to her apartment.
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
“Do you think Harry will be alright?”
Peter nodded slowly. “I’m sure he’ll be fine for tonight.”
“But you plan to move in tomorrow?”
Stopping, Peter turned to her. “I know telling Harry that I’d move in with him was a surprise. I hadn’t come up with that until yesterday.”
“Peter, I was talking to Harry on the plane today. I really think he’s starting to remember things. Not everything, but remnants of memories.”
They had continued to walk, so Peter asked, “Did he tell you anything?”
“He brought up whether I had known Mr. Osborn or not. Harry also mentioned that his dad missed different events in his life, like school programs, things like that. And Harry can tell we didn’t really like Mr. Osborn that much.”
Sighing, Peter shook his head. “I don’t want to put Mr. Osborn in a bad light…but what he did at the Unity Festival…he wasn’t in his right mind. And yet later on, he knowingly tried to harm you and Aunt May because of me…” Peter stopped, his face tense.
Mary Jane’s heart went out to her boyfriend. Peter’s face had such a look of sorrow that she moved closer to him and put her arm around his waist. In return Peter held her close for a long embrace.
They were away from most of the pedestrians. They stood there without saying anything more. “Thanks, M.J.” Peter said very softly, pulling just far enough back that his forehead touched hers.
Mary Jane wanted to kiss him for that, but out here in the middle of the street wasn’t the place. That wasn’t the only thing on her mind though, she and Peter needed to talk about all of this. But with the craziness of this past week, there hadn’t been a much of a chance.
Drawing back, she looked into Peter’s blue eyes before speaking. “Peter this isn’t the best place to talk about everything. Let’s wait until we get back to my place so we can really talk, ok?”
Peter nodded. “Sure.”
A palpable silence descended over the couple as they headed towards Mary Jane’s apartment. It wasn’t a short walk, but they took their time. The day was gone by the time they reached their destination.
Mary Jane’s suitcases had been dropped off at her apartment first before they had gone with Harry to his house. Now Peter moved them to her bedroom for her. Once that was done, they settled on M.J.’s couch with some drinks and got comfortable.
Holding her drink in her hand, Mary Jane looked Peter in the eye when she started talking. “With everything that’s happened this past week, I hadn’t really thought about what you said before we went to Elroy to find Harry. What I’m referring to is that Harry’s father was the Green Goblin. I just can’t believe it.”
“I was surprised myself, M.J. The last fight we fought, in the middle of it I hear a familiar voice, and Mr. Osborn took off his mask and revealed himself. To make this short, he tried to kill me with his glider, but my spider sense saved me from getting run through, yet it killed the Green Goblin - Norman Osborn instead.”
“You said you had promised Mr. Osborn that you wouldn’t tell Harry. Where does that fit in?”
“Just before he died.” Peter looked away and sighed.
Taking his chin in her hand, M.J. turned his face back so he could see her earnest expression. “I know you still feel guilty about Mr. Osborn’s death, Peter. I think Harry might have a better time dealing with the truth if you told him now since he’d be more willing to listen to you.”
“It’s hard to explain, M.J. But you didn’t see what I saw in Mr. Osborn’s, well ok, now Harry’s study.”
“I know you want to keep your promise to him, Peter. But at what cost to Harry?” she asked. Setting her drink on the side table, she took his hands in hers. “What did you find in that study, Peter?”
Sighing Peter looked down at their joined hands. It was like he was trying to think of how to tell her what he wanted to say. When he was finally ready, he looked into her green eyes.
“You’re right about Harry. We both know how he’s been obsessing over Spider-Man before all of this. It’s like he was barely holding on to his sanity.
“As for what was in the study…I should explain some things that happened before that. Harry nearly killed me, M.J. Doc Ock had brought me to Harry tied up in barbed wire. But before Harry was going to stab me, he took off my mask. The shock of realizing that his best friend was his worst enemy was too much for him.”
Mary Jane was stunned at this. She knew that Harry hated Spider-Man more than anyone, but honestly, she didn’t know that he’d really try to kill Spider-Man, and yes, Peter.
“That gave me enough time to free myself from the barbed wire. It was like Harry was looking at me, yet also through me. I demanded him to tell me were you were. Harry had no idea what I was talking about. So I told him that Ock had you.” Peter let out a humorless laugh. “Do you know what he said, M.J.? He said, ‘You killed my father, Peter.’ I mean, I couldn’t believe he’d bring that up. But since Ock was building that machine again and he had you, I just told him there were more important things than him and I.”
“And he knew where Ock was?” Mary Jane asked quietly, she was still stunned with what she was hearing.
“He wasn’t sure, but he thought Ock had said something about an abandoned pier. And well, you know about the rest of that.
“I know I told you about what I found in Harry’s study, but you should know the full story. Last week, I decided to go talk to Harry. He wasn’t home of course. I had gotten in through his French doors, because they were unlocked. Everything in the study was about the same. All but the mirror. My guess is that Harry smashed it.
“When I went through the mirror, like I said, I found the Green Goblin’s workshop. His pumpkin bombs and several other things he used. Mr. Osborn must have been making a second glider and he had a spare suit there too, you know about that. I did find the performance enhancers, a formula that he used to make him strong, but it was what made him crazy I think.”
“How do you know that, Peter?”
“I also found the test documentation and other information explaining all about it from the experiments. But like I said too, Harry has one of the enhancers on him.”
“And how do you know that?” M.J. asked, looking a bit doubtful, Harry didn’t to seem to show signs like the Green Goblin. But than again, she would never have guessed that Norman Osborn could be a murdering maniac.
“Because one of them is missing. And I guess it’s a gut feeling too. Harry hasn’t taken it. I know that, he doesn’t seem to be showing any of the side affects of the formula.”
Mary Jane was relieved to hear that. “Do you plan to do anything with the workshop? Or maybe do something to get rid of everything in it?”
Peter’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I don’t know yet, I’ll have to figure that out. All I know is that Harry can’t find that room. Or get anything from it either.”
Mary Jane moved closer to him. He sat up again, and she put her head on Peter’s chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady. “I know you’ll find a way, and I’ll help too. You do know that all of this isn’t your fault, don’t you, Peter?”
“I know, but since Harry believes somewhere deep inside of him that Spider-Man killed his father, he’ll take the performance enhancers just to get to me. But before he found out about all this, I had tried to tell him the truth without telling him everything. But because I didn’t tell Harry everything, he’s set on believing what he thought he saw when I brought Mr. Osborn’s body back to the mansion.” Peter said, and rested his cheek on top of her head.
Not sure what to say to all of that, M.J. remained quiet. They stayed like that for awhile. Mary Jane was starting to feel sleepy but she was too comfortable to move. Although she did not want to fall asleep, the desires of her body overcame her resistance.
Something awakened her, M.J. wasn’t sure what it was. She no longer had Peter as a pillow. She was leaning against the back of the couch, which was awkward because she was half laying and half sitting in that position. Mary Jane also noticed that she was covered with a light blanket that was usually at the end of her bed.
Waking up a bit more, she sat up. M.J. looked around for Peter. She didn’t see him. She was about to call out of his name, until she noticed a note on the end table.
MJ,
Duty calls. I’ll see you in the morning around
10. Need to talk to you about something, but
I’ll explain everything tomorrow.
Love you,
Peter
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
Now she was drinking her tea while waiting for Peter to come by. He had said that he had something to talk to her about. Why he hadn’t talked to her yesterday, M.J. didn’t know.
She wondered, Will Peter come on time or will he be delayed for something that Spider-Man needed to do? Getting up, Mary Jane turned on her TV to the news. Maybe they’ll have something on if Spider-Man was around.
The news was just reports on what had been happening in the city during the last twenty-four hours. Nothing that was breaking news it was just what was going on right now. Mary Jane relaxed. Everything appeared normal. She would check it again around noon when Peter said he would be there.
The phone rang. Mary Jane sat up with a start, upsetting her cup of tea. Frowning at the brown strains on her top and pants, she was glad that she was still in her pajamas.
Ring, ring. Quickly getting up, M.J. reached the phone just as it started ringing for the third time. Luckily she got it before her answering machine kicked on.
“Hello?”
“I wondered where you had gone off to, girl.” Louise’s cheerful voice answered back.
“I’ve…been busy with some things.” Mary Jane’s mind raced on what to tell her friend. Though Louise had an idea on why M.J. left John at the altar, she didn’t want to say anything about this past week.
“So I guessed. How’s everything, M.J.?”
“Good, how about you?” Mary Jane headed to her bedroom to look for something to wear.
“My sister had a baby boy, did Peter tell you?”
How would Peter- Then she remembered that Peter had talked to Louise and she knew that they were together. “Oh, that’s right, he did mention that he bumped into you. Congratulations, how are your sister and the little one doing?”
“They’re both fine. Little Alan is the healthiest and the cutest baby ever.”
Laughing lightly, M.J. said, “I’m sure he is.”
“We’re going to have to get together so you can see him.”
“Sure, that would be great. I’m still a bit busy though, but I can call you some time so we can get together so I can meet your new nephew.”
“Sounds good. But I’m just wondering, have you talked to John?”
M.J. stopped looking through her closet at that question. Walking to the other side of the room she thought: Why would Louise ask that? “John? No I haven’t.”
“Oh. You know, he took it better than expected.”
Mary Jane’s raised her eyebrow in the mirror. “Okay.” Not sure what to really say, so she kept quiet. But how was John supposed to act, she wanted to say. Was he supposed to rant and rave about it, which he could have but he didn’t. No wait, his father did that for him. Or at least that’s what she had read from some of the Bugle’s rival newspapers.
“Oh, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have run off since you didn’t love John, M.J. But God, don’t you think you could’ve saved yourselves some embarrassment by telling him before the wedding?”
“I hope you didn’t call just to tell me that.” She let out a sigh.
“Naw. But Peter does seem like a great guy, but I’m sure you know John was okay too.”
“Yeah, I know.” Mary Jane knew sooner or later she’d have to talk to John, or at least maybe apologize if nothing else.
“But if J. Jonah Jameson finds out that Peter is the ‘other man’ as he puts it that you left John for, he’s going ‘to make his life a living hell as it so richly deserves to be’. His quote, not mine.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t.” Of course, what would be worse to Mr. Jameson: that Peter was the man M.J. picked, or that he was Spider-Man, the man he degrades across his front page?
She knew it was hard for Peter to get a steady job to pay his bills along with trying to be Spider-Man. But Mary Jane hoped that if an opportunity presented it self for her boyfriend to get a better job that he’d take it.
“When does your modeling shoot start?”
M.J. had all but forgotten that. Emma Rose wanted her to do the holiday lineup of perfume for Christmas. Not only that, there was talk of a commercial, but nothing was definite yet.
“It isn’t until next week. What are your plans?”
“Oh, I just may take it easy for a few weeks. I haven’t heard anything coming up for a new Broadway play. Have you?”
“Nothing yet.” Mary Jane saw something in her closet that she wanted to wear.
“Hey, since your shoot isn’t till next week, why don’t we get together before then?”
“That should work. But why don’t we talk about it in a few days?”
“Sure. I’ll talk to you later, M.J.” They said their goodbyes. Mary Jane headed for her bathroom.
- O - O - O -
Getting out of her soiled pjs, Mary Jane got into the shower. After she was finished, she blew her hair dry. She was just putting earrings in her ears when she heard her doorbell ring.
Quickly going to the door, M.J. looked in the peephole and saw Peter on the other side. Unlocking the deadbolts and removing the chain, she let her boyfriend in. “Hi, Tiger,” she said with a smile.
Returning her grin, Peter gave her a lingering kiss.
After the kiss ended, Mary Jane gave him another smile. “It’s great to be home.”
“I could say that too, now. You’re much better company than most of the people I see,” Peter half teased her.
“I’d hope so!” she retorted. “How is everything in the city? And have you eaten anything this morning?”
“Everything’s as usual right now, hopefully it will stay that way for awhile. As for breakfast, not too much, just some toast.”
“I can make you some eggs or something else if you want it.”
Peter went with her to the kitchen. “No, eggs are fine. But I can cook them myself if you just let me know where everything is kept.”
“I don’t mind whipping up something, Peter. Is there anything else you want besides eggs for breakfast?”
“Tell you what, I’ll give you a hand, ok?”
In a short time they had a meal of eggs, sausage, and toast, on two plates accompanied by two glasses orange juice. The meal was a quiet one for the most part, just a bit of small talk. After they ate, they washed the dishes and talked while they cleaned the kitchen.
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Peter?” Mary Jane asked as she washed off a plate.
“I found a letter that had a return address by a woman named Tracey Watson. It was addressed to my grandfather, Zachary. I didn’t look at it, I just thought that it would be wrong to be prying around in Aunt May’s things.”
Mary Jane nearly dropped the plate she was rinsing off. Quickly setting it down, she turned to Peter. “So Anna and Jon are our great grandparents,” she said in a low voice.
“Not for certain, but it could be. I wanted talk to Aunt May if she’s up to it. She may know something that we don’t.”
Nodding, Mary Jane’s mind began to wander. She had been somewhat sure that Peter and her families knew each other more then a hundred years ago. Not that the possibly wasn’t still there, but it looked like it was more certain.
Neither of them knew what to say. Any questions they had couldn’t be answered until they went to Aunt May’s apartment. Luckily the kitchen didn’t take long to clean and soon they were out the door.
- O - O - O -
Taking a cab, they rode there. Nearing Aunt May’s apartment, they got out a block away. They hadn’t gone far when Peter recognized an African American woman only a few feet away. Seeing Peter, the older woman smiled and headed over to them.
“Hello, Peter. Are you going to see your aunt?”
Peter nodded. Remembering his manners, he said, “Mara, this is my girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. M.J., this is Mara Jones, she stayed at the hospital with Aunt May some evenings.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Jones. It was really kind of you to help keep Aunt May company.”
“Thank you. But call me Mara, please. But truly it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary Jane. You’re Anna Watson niece, right? She talked about you sometimes.”
“Yes, I am. I don’t get to see Aunt Anna as much as I like though.”
Mara studied her for a minute. “Aren’t you on the billboard for Emma Rose perfume?”
Mary Jane blushed slightly, but nodded. “I wasn’t really expecting them to have that picture everywhere. I really don’t care about all the attention it draws.”
Thinking for a second, Mara asked, “You’re in one of the Broadway plays aren’t you?”
“Off Broadway play. And it was there. The Importance of Being Earnest, isn’t running any longer.”
“Do you plan to continue on Broadway?” Mara was openly curious.
Smiling, Mary Jane said, “Oh, yes. I’m looking forward to seeing what will be coming next.”
“That’s good. I wish you the best of luck.”
Mara began to wonder how Peter was going to cope with his girlfriend in the limelight. If Mary Jane became a famous actress someday, which seemed like a possibility in the near future, Peter would no doubt be in the spotlight too. Mara knew that the people from the train were the only ones who knew who Peter really was, and save for one, they would not break their promise to the young hero. She really didn’t know if anyone one else knew who was behind the mask of Spider-Man, but it sure made his and Mary Jane’s lives risky. Mara was sure that even if M.J. wasn’t a rising actress, her life was still in danger from any enemies who knew who Spider-Man really was. But looking at the young couple, Mara could see these were the farthest thoughts on either of their minds. Even so, she hoped that no matter what came their way they would be able to handle it together.
“I have to run, it was nice seeing you again, Peter. And I’m glad I met you, Mary Jane.”
Both Peter and M.J. said farewell to Mara and continued toward Aunt May’s place.
- O - O - O -
The front of the apartment building where Peter and Mary Jane’s aunts lived had a bunch of stairs, which was where Aunt May had taken her fall. Once they were in the building, they took the stairs instead of the elevator up to Aunt May’s apartment.
Letting Mary Jane in with his key, Peter called out, “Aunt May, we’re here.” He had called earlier and told his aunt that he and M.J. were coming over around eleven.
“I’m in the bedroom, dear.” Came the faint but still audible answer.
Turning to Mary Jane, Peter asked, “You want a quick tour, or save it for later?”
“Later.”
Mary Jane wasn’t sure what to expect when she saw Aunt May, but it was a little surprising. May looked well enough under the circumstance. Sitting in a chair in the corner of the bedroom, May smiled her welcome. “Hello.”
Peter and Mary Jane returned her greeting. Coming over to her, they stopped a few feet away from the chair.
“I’d stand to hug you, Mary Jane, but my hip doesn’t like all that moving around or standing up then sitting down.”
“I understand.” M.J. noticed the walker near the chair. Aunt May seemed a little frail then the last time she had seen the older woman. But her eyes hadn’t lost any of their awareness in them.
She bent down to hug May, and got hugged in return. “How are you feeling?” She asked as she stood back up.
“The pain comes and goes, but the medication helps.”
“That’s good.” Mary Jane sat on the edge of the bed. Peter hugged his aunt, then joined his girlfriend.
“I’m glad to see both of you, though I’ve seen you everyday.” May turned a mock accusing look at her nephew. “If you keep running yourself ragged, Peter, you’ll become sick.”
“I’m doing alright, Aunt May.” Peter protested.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he takes care of himself.” Mary Jane said to reassure the older woman.
May smiled a motherly smile at her. “I know you will, M.J. I’ve thought of you as part of the family for years now.”
Mary Jane was touched beyond words. She managed a quiet reply. “So have I.”
Mary Jane wasn’t the only one getting a little emotional, May had always saw M.J. as a daughter. Just as she had seen Peter as a son she never had.
“How is Harry doing?” May asked to change the subject. Peter had told her a little about what happened in Elroy with Harry’s amnesia.
Clearing his throat, Peter said, “He’s at his house right now. I plan on moving in today to try to help Harry cope with everything.”
“I know you explained that Harry can’t remember anyone or his life here. But once he starts remembering his life here…Peter, do you think that’s wise since he hates Spider-Man?”
May hadn’t openly admitted that Peter was Spider-Man, but he knew that she knew. Even though she would worry, Peter said, “Harry knows about Spider-Man, about me.”
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