Two months later:
"It's been nearly two weeks since the Latverian dictator Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, was last seen in public. The last confirmed sighting was in France, where it is rumoured he threatened the French prime minister and his family. This has not been confirmed, as no one in the French government has chosen to comment on it. But France's recent withdrawal from the UN charter bill to bring Doom up on charges does raise some interesting questions.
"And in local news, there is still no word on the missing hero Spider-Man. People last saw Spidey swing into the burning Baxter Building in order to save lives. Since that day there have been no sightings of the hero, and no official report of his death has been released by the Avengers' spokesperson, Tony Stark, who had only this to say:"
The TV displayed Tony standing before a podium, dressed in a shirt and blazer. "Spider-Man suffered grave injuries during his confrontation with Doom. I'm not sure whether or not he's coming back any time soon, but I sure hope he does."
"Well, I hardly think that matters," May huffed as she switched off the TV. "That young man should know better. The poor dear is probably hurt — he needs time to rest."
"Yes, he does, May," Richard reached out and squeezed my hand. "We all do. But there's also a time in life when you have to try and get back on your feet."
I pulled my hand away, got up from the table, grabbed the empty plate, and put it in the sink. "I'll see you all tomorrow," I mumbled, and walked upstairs to my room.
"Peter!" Ben called out. I ignored him. I could hear him sigh. "It's too soon, Richard. Give him some time."
"But Ben—"
"No, Rich. I understand it's important for Peter to pull himself out of this. But you have to understand — he's still just a boy. He needs time to get over her."
I stopped listening and slammed my door shut. I walked in, dropped onto the bed, and pulled the blanket over myself as I curled into a ball.
Two months. Two months since she left me. Two months, and she hadn't called, texted, or made contact in any way. How? How could she do this?
Every moment of my life had been nothing but a grey reminder of what could have been.
I wanted Felicia to be there when I woke up. Instead I was alone. I had Jean, Logan and my dad — but I needed her.
I wanted her to be with me when I came home. Instead I ran to her house, where she knocked me out cold. I woke up to find Natasha looking down at me with a sad expression. She didn't ask what happened. She didn't need to.
I wanted her there when I told May and Ben I was fine. Instead I had to do it alone — had to pretend I'd come away with nothing worse than a sprained ankle and a couple of bruises. How else could I explain recovering so quickly?
I wanted her beside me when I went back to school. Instead I had Liz and MJ to keep me company as I walked those halls. By then, people had heard that Felicia had transferred away. They looked at me like a lost puppy — and they were right.
A few girls tried to get close, tried to get friendly. MJ and Liz scared them off. I didn't care either way. I was well past caring.
For two months I stayed inside this shell. I wasn't Spider-Man anymore. I'll admit it — putting on that costume again, knowing that Doom might one day come back to finish the job — that was what stopped me. I was afraid to be a hero. And I couldn't be Peter Parker either, not without her. I had no reason to be Peter Parker.
The Fantastic Four were slowly rebuilding. I offered to help, but they insisted I take care of myself first. Jean called a few times, asked how I was doing. She didn't believe me when I said I was fine. She wanted to come over but never seemed to find the time — there was trouble at the new school she was attending. I knew the X-Men Evolution storyline had begun.
I understood she couldn't help. I understood no one could. And I understood that right now, none of it mattered anyway. The city was safe. Daredevil had arrived. I never did get the chance to make Matt's suit, but he got it the same way he had in canon. He was keeping most of Manhattan safe — not just Hell's Kitchen. I think my influence on him may have had something to do with that.
Either way, there was no reason for Spider-Man to exist anymore. The police had things under control. Crime was slowly falling.
Why the hell should I even bother?
I wasn't always like this — always so hollowed out. When I first woke up in hospital I had done my best to track Felicia down. But Walter knew his tradecraft. I pulled one frame of her face from a security camera at JFK and nothing more. She was gone, like smoke on the wind.
And that was when I began to give up. Everything felt pointless.
A month into my retirement, Fury cancelled my training sessions with Nat. I suppose in the end he decided I was going to quit being Spider-Man — and he was right. I wasn't an agent anymore. I didn't want to be.
I stared at my ceiling. God, I had that stupid thing memorised by now. Why did she leave? But that's not really a question, is it? I know why. Did I honestly expect her to choose me over her father?
But all those times — all those hours together, the plans we made. We were going to get a place, just the two of us. We were going to...
It doesn't matter now.
The next day:
"Have a nice day at school!" May called out.
"We will, Aunt May!" MJ called back, waving as we pulled out of the driveway. I drove us toward the dreaded institution known as school. I hated it even more now. There was no point to any of it. I had a scowl on my face, and MJ noticed.
"Peter," she said carefully. "You need to snap out of it."
"What?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"You know what," she sighed. "It's been two months, Peter. You need to let her go."
"I'm working on it," I lied.
"No, you aren't," she said sharply. "You're wallowing in self-pity and doing absolutely nothing else. It's been months since you've done anything — and months since you were Spider-Man."
"I know," I told her. "And?"
"And? Peter, I know you. You can't stop being a hero — not even for a moment. So this act you're putting on—"
"—Shut up!" I snapped. "You don't know what you're talking about." I was no hero. I was a coward.
MJ said nothing for the rest of the drive.
We reached school and went our separate ways. Classes were dull. I had lost count of how many times I'd begged Richard to let me skip the rest of secondary school and go straight to university. He kept refusing. Stubborn man.
I was barely present in any of my classes. I didn't care what was being taught. When lunch came around I sat down with Liz and MJ as they talked about their lessons.
Mark came over then. "Hey, girls. Peter," he greeted us as he sat down next to MJ, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "Hey, sweetie."
"Hey," MJ smiled.
Right. I'd almost forgotten about him. Bloody musicians — always blundering through other people's lives without a care. Did he think I needed to see that right now?
"So, Pete — how are things?" Mark asked. MJ immediately hit him in the shoulder. "What? I was just asking."
I sighed. "I'm fine, Mark. Stop asking." Mark Raxton — a persistent reminder of everything I didn't have. It wasn't that he and MJ were together. It was that they were together and completely, obviously in love. It reminded me of Felicia.
"Right," Mark cleared his throat and turned to MJ. "So what are you doing tonight?"
MJ smirked. "Nothing. You?"
"Well, Harry's hosting a party at his place outside the city — if you're interested?"
"Oh! Actually — Liz, don't we have that project—"
"Don't even worry about it," Liz said, not bothering to look up from her phone. "I was going to cancel on you anyway. I have plans tonight."
"Oh? With who?" MJ asked.
"Just plans," Liz replied.
"'Plans'," Mark repeated with a grin. "Who's the lucky man?"
"None."
"None?"
"As in none of your business," Liz said flatly, then looked across at me. "Are you going straight home after school?"
I nodded. "Probably."
"Harry's party—"
"I wouldn't go even if he begged me."
"You've got nothing better to do."
"I would rather watch paint dry than attend one of Osborn's parties."
"Right," she said slowly. "Okay. For what it's worth — we all miss her, you know. It's not just you."
I looked up. "Yeah. I know."
"You can't keep beating yourself up about this."
"I know, Liz," I said, an edge in my voice. Nobody said anything after that. They went back to their own conversations, as had become normal. I didn't mind. I had nothing to add.
"Liz!" Candice — a cheerleader, one of Liz's old friends — called out. She and a small crowd of girls quickly surrounded the table. After Felicia left, the three of us had drifted apart. MJ had Mark, but Liz had found herself alone. So she'd reached back out to her old circle and things had returned to something like normal.
"So, did you hear about Janet?" a blonde — Patricia, I thought — asked. "She like, totally got pregnant."
"What makes you think that?" Liz asked.
"Because at Josh's party last week she didn't drink," Amber said with a grin. "And you know how much she loves a drink."
"No way," Liz gaped. "Isn't her dad some kind of Republican? Is she going to keep it?"
"I have no idea, but if it were me I wouldn't show my face around here," a brown-haired girl said, glancing over her shoulder at Janet with a look of disdain.
"We should totally watch her tonight at Harry's party," Amber said. "If she doesn't drink, it's confirmed." The group quickly agreed.
"You're coming, right, Liz?" Candice asked.
Liz nodded. "Yeah — maybe a little later, though."
"Why?"
"She's got a date," Mark said with a knowing smile.
"Really?!" the girls squealed. "Who is it?!"
Liz grumbled. "You'll see him tonight. I promise."
"You'd better!" Amber squealed, and they dissolved into laughter. God, I hate high school.
"Hey, ladies! How's everyone doing?" I couldn't help rolling my eyes at the sound of that voice. Flash Thompson. Perfect. As if the day couldn't get any worse.
Flash strolled over with his usual confidence. "Ladies."
"Flash," Amber said, turning on the charm.
"Hey, Liz," Flash said, flashing his best smile.
"Hey," Liz replied, without a trace of interest or animosity. She was clearly well and truly over him.
"What are you all talking about?" Flash asked, sitting down next to Mark. "Is it Spider-Man?"
"We don't always talk about Spider-Man, Flash," Patricia said with an eye-roll. "Besides, he's old news. No one's seen him since the whole Doom thing."
"Yeah — who even knows if he's still alive?" Amber sighed.
"He's alive!" Flash slapped his palm on the table. "I know it!"
"How?" Liz asked, raising an eyebrow. I glanced up, and our eyes met briefly.
"Because he's Spider-Man! He's not going to let some guy in a green cape beat him! He's better than that!" Flash said with total conviction.
"Well if he's alive, where is he?" said the brown-haired girl — Courtney, that's her name, I remembered — asked.
"He's probably gearing up for a massive comeback," Flash declared proudly. "Just wait — he'll come back swinging."
"Not bloody likely," I muttered.
"What was that, Parker?!" Flash snapped. Damn — he heard me.
"Nothing," I said, picking up my tray to leave. But Flash stood up and grabbed me by my hoodie before I could move, pulling me up close to his face. I dropped the plate in surprise.
"He's coming back! You hear me?! Nothing is going to keep him down!" Flash roared.
"I hear you," I said evenly. "Please let go of me, Flash."
Flash growled and shoved me back, releasing me. "You ain't worth it."
"I know," I said quietly, bending down to pick up the plate.
"I don't know what Felicia ever saw in you," Flash spat.
"Flash!" Liz cried out, getting to her feet. "That's too far!"
Whatever he was about to say next, he didn't finish. He turned to look at me and stopped. My usual blank indifference was gone. I looked at him with something I hadn't felt in two months — anger.
I moved. I grabbed him by the collar and pushed him back onto the table, pinning him down.
"You want to know something, Flash?!" I couldn't stop it — the rage just came out, and I didn't care. "You want to know what happened that day when Doom came? You want to know what I saw? I saw Spider-Man beaten to a bloody pulp. I saw him on the ground, bleeding out, dying. I saw his arms broken, his legs shattered. Doom didn't just beat him — he destroyed him. He's gone, Flash. Accept it."
I stepped back and let go of him. Flash coughed hard, rubbing his throat. The girls crowded around him immediately. I turned away and walked. I didn't need any of this.
"Y-you're wrong," he coughed out.
I stopped. Slowly, I turned back to look at him. Flash was still rubbing his throat, and I could see bruising forming already. But his expression — the look in his eyes — was something I hadn't expected. Pure, stubborn conviction.
"What?" I asked.
"He's not dead," Flash said. "He can't be."
"I watched him bleed out, Flash," I said quietly. "I was there that day."
"I don't believe you," Flash said firmly. "He's alive. I know it."
I shrugged. "I don't care what you believe." I turned and walked. "Spider-Man is dead. Get used to it."
I couldn't do this. Not today. I went to my locker, grabbed my bag, and walked out of school early. I got in my car and drove.
I needed to do something. Anything.
There was only one place to go.
I drove to the Baxter Building. The place had been slowly reclaiming its former shape. Reed and Sue had taken it upon themselves to install a new upgraded security system — nothing extravagant, but enough to make Doom's next visit a significantly less pleasant experience.
When I stepped into the elevator, the memories hit me like a wave. I could almost feel my arms tingle. My back twitched, remembering. The doors opened and I stepped out.
The walls had been rebuilt, most of the structural work completed. But everything was still stripped bare — the tech and fittings all needed replacing.
I walked into the lounge, which had been reduced to a newly renovated kitchen and two sofas. Reed and Sue were bent over a blueprint on the worktable. I smiled. "Hey."
Sue looked up and her eyes went wide. "Peter!" She crossed the room and pulled me into a fierce hug. "It's so good to see you!"
I smiled and hugged her back. "Good to see you too, Sue." I looked over her shoulder at Reed. "Hey, Stretch. How are you holding up?"
"Better," Reed said, shaking my hand firmly. "It's wonderful to see you again, Peter. It's been far too long."
"Yeah — the body healed, but the spirit..." I trailed off, looking around the space. "It looks like you're coming along well, though."
"We're managing," Sue said with a smile, breaking the hug and taking my hand. "Come on — let me show you."
I let her pull me over to the table. For the better part of an hour, she and Reed walked me through every room, explaining what they planned to build in place of the destroyed labs. It was genuinely impressive. I asked questions, offered input where I could.
Then Johnny came flying in through the window carrying a bag of concrete mix. He spotted me and grinned. "Hey, Pete! Fancy seeing you here!"
"Good to see you too," I smiled as he landed and extinguished his flames. "Working hard, I see."
Johnny shrugged. "I do what I can. Where's Ben? I'm surprised he's not here."
"Ben, ah..." Reed trailed off, unsure how to phrase it.
"Ben got lucky," Johnny said bluntly. "He's been at his girlfriend's place for the past week. No idea when he's coming back."
I blinked. "Girlfriend?!"
"Yeah."
I threw my hands up. "It's a bloody invasion! How?! When?!"
"She's a psychiatrist," Susan explained. "She was helping Ben work through his... difficulties."
I winced. "You let him date his psychiatrist?"
"Well, when you look like him you don't exactly have an enormous pool of options," Johnny replied with a shrug.
"Johnny!" Sue snapped.
"Sorry!" he grinned, not looking remotely sorry.
"Alright," I pulled off my hoodie, leaving the white shirt on underneath. "How can I help?"
"Are you sure, Peter?" Reed asked cautiously. "We don't want to—"
"I'm fine, Reed. Honestly. Please — I need something to do. I'd be glad to help," I said.
For the next three hours we worked as a team. Reed and I handled the heavy lifting — mixing and pouring concrete, setting up the framing. The contractors were coming in the morning, but it was our job to have everything prepped for them.
Around five o'clock I got one hell of a shock. The elevator doors opened and I heard the familiar click of heeled boots. I was standing with Reed, going back over the blueprints for my lab, when I noticed Liz walking into the lounge.
"Liz?" I asked. "What are you doing here?"
Liz blinked. "Peter?"
"Liz!" Johnny jogged over and greeted her with a kiss. "Hey, blondie. Ready for our date?"
"Ah — Johnny," Liz looked at me.
Johnny followed her gaze. My jaw was practically on the floor. I looked at him, then at his arm around Liz, then back at him. I blinked. "What the—"
"We should probably get going," Johnny said quickly, grabbing his jacket. "Bye, Peter!" He took Liz by the hand and made for the door.
"Ah — bye!" Liz called out.
I ran after them and made it to the corridor just in time to see the doors close. I turned to Reed. "What the hell was that?!"
Reed blinked. "Oh. Did Johnny not mention? He and Liz have been seeing each other for some time now."
"What?!" I turned back to the lift and activated my enhanced hearing.
"I can't believe we just bolted like that," Liz was saying, clearly put out.
"Trust me, it's easier this way," Johnny replied. He sounded nervous. Good.
I turned back to Reed. "Anything else you'd like to tell me? Did anyone else get a girlfriend while I was out of the picture?!"
"Oh — has he found out about Liz?" Sue asked as she came in, smiling. "Relax, Peter. I've already told Johnny that if he doesn't treat her right, you'll break both his arms."
"Right, fine, but — they didn't tell me! I can't believe they didn't say a word!" I grumbled, looking between Sue and Reed. "What about you two? Don't tell me you're finally—"
Reed went red and immediately found something fascinating to study on his clipboard. "Ah — well, you see..."
Sue rolled her eyes. "What Mr. Smooth here is trying to say is that he's seeing someone. I'm not."
I blinked. "Okay — first, that was a complete shot in the dark on my part. And second, who?!"
Reed cleared his throat. "Her name is Jessy. Jessy Lamburg. A friend from university."
"Didn't you start university at sixteen?"
"Yes," Reed nodded.
"So she's older than you?"
"By about five years," he confirmed.
"Huh." I grumbled. "Right. I swear, it's like everyone's in love."
Sue smiled. "Relax, Peter. I'm still on your team."
"Yeah, but you're brilliant and gorgeous," I grumbled. "You could find someone like that." I snapped my fingers.
"Just because I could doesn't mean I will," Sue said firmly.
"Right," Reed said, checking his watch. "I'll be leaving in about an hour, Sue. Are you certain you don't need me to stay?"
"No, you go and enjoy yourself, Reed. I'll hold things down here — Peter's still with me," Sue said with a warm smile.
"Wait, where are you off to?" I asked.
Reed smiled. "I have a date."
"Oh, for God's sake!" I threw my arms up. "Is everyone in the entire world going on a date tonight?! Why?!"
"S-should I stay?" Reed asked, genuinely uncertain.
"Don't worry about him — he's just sulking," Sue said. "Go on, Reed. Have a good night."
Reed nodded. We continued working for another hour before he left, spending an extraordinary amount of time trying to decide what to wear before Sue stepped in, pushed him toward a blazer and shirt, and sent him on his way.
By around seven we had finished. Everything was set, and Sue and I found ourselves in the kitchen sharing a freshly baked meat-lover's pizza and a large bottle of Coke.
"How have you been?" Sue asked, taking a slice.
"Better."
"Peter, you don't have to lie," she said, giving me a look.
I sighed. "I got beaten half to death by an egomaniac in a metal mask, my girlfriend left the country and became an internationally wanted criminal, and I'm no longer entirely sure what any of it is worth."
"Peter — whatever you're going through, you don't have to face it alone. We're all here for you," Sue said, her voice quiet with concern.
I chuckled softly. "Relax, Sue. I'm not going to do anything stupid." I picked up a fork. "Besides, I'm not sure I even could, at this point."
She blinked. "What?"
I held out my palm and pressed the fork into it. The skin broke and drew blood. Sue moved toward me with alarm, but I held up a hand. She went still, watching as the wound slowly closed. Within moments, nothing remained but a smear of dried blood.
"Logan's healing factor," I sighed. "It's... efficient. I dread to think what else it might be doing to my body."
"Oh my God..."
"One of the reasons I never seriously considered the Mutant Spider programme was because of outcomes exactly like this," I said. "I have no idea what the mutagen will do to me long-term. Logan's been alive for over a century, Sue. I genuinely don't know if I can survive that long."
"Oh, Peter..." Sue covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry."
I shook my head. "It's not your fault. I asked you to do it — it was the only way, and I knew that. It had to be done."
"Even so," she said quietly. "I can't imagine what you're carrying right now."
I let out a short breath. "Honestly? The worst part is still Felicia." I stared at the table. "She just left. Just like that. No proper goodbye. She didn't even break up with me — she just disappeared."
Sue sighed. "She's complicated. She did what she believed was right."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah." I paused. "And you?"
Sue looked up. "Me?"
"Yes, you," I said. "Reed's got himself someone now. How do you feel about that?"
"I'm not jealous," Sue said, a little too quickly.
"I never said you were," I replied. "But — honestly, Sue. Last I knew, he was completely mad about you."
She was quiet for a moment. "I think... I think he just got tired of waiting. I can't say I blame him."
"Do you regret it?"
"No," she said eventually. "Reed and I aren't in a place where that could work. It's better this way." I shrugged in response.
We sat in silence for a moment before she looked up again. "People are saying Spider-Man is dead."
I paused before answering. "Yeah."
"Are you—"
"—No," I said quickly. "Not... not any time soon. At least."
"Right," Sue set her plate aside. "For what it's worth, Peter — I don't think you should stop. If you hadn't come that day, your father, Johnny and I would have been crushed under that wall. If you hadn't come, Doom would have killed Reed right there. If you hadn't come, we would all be dead. The world needs Spider-Man."
I was quiet for a moment, turning her words over. I sighed. "When I started all of this... I thought exactly the same thing."
Sue looked surprised. "Really?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I knew the world was full of things darker and more dangerous than most people could imagine. I knew I had the ability to help keep people safe. So I put on the costume and went out swinging." I looked at my hands. "But now, every time I look at that suit... I'm afraid."
"Why?"
I met her eyes. "Doom broke something in me that day. Something inside just... shattered."
"Peter, he can't hurt you. He won't touch you again — ever," Sue's voice carried a cold edge. I could smell the anger on her — that sharp metallic note.
"I know," I said. "But I'm still frightened." I looked down at my hand. "I'm practically indestructible now — I can't die unless... well, I don't know the limits of that. But I'm still scared of him. What if he finds a way? What if he burns me to nothing — not even ash? What if I die anyway, and all of this was for nothing? Was my life only ever meant to end like that?"
Sue didn't speak. She stood up, closed the distance between us, and wrapped her arms around me — pulling my head gently against her shoulder. "Peter... I promise you. As long as I'm alive, Doom will never get that chance. I'll stand between you. I swear it."
"Ah, Sue — I don't mean to break the moment," I said quietly, "but I think I just got to second base with you."
"Peter!" She pulled back immediately, eyes wide. "We were having such a meaningful moment!"
"A touch too sincere for my comfort," I chuckled, and then smiled properly for what felt like the first time in weeks. "But seriously, Sue... thank you."
She smiled back. "Anytime." Her arms were still loosely around my neck. She was right in front of me — this warm, kind, beautiful woman with her blonde hair and bright blue eyes. We were so close. And then I caught it — something in the air, warm and sweet, like maple syrup.
I stood up. Sue stepped back. I was faster. I felt the warmth of her nearness, the loneliness of the past two months pressing in from every side — and I didn't fully register what I was doing until my arms were around her and my lips were on hers.
She was startled. She gasped against my mouth. I began to pull back — and then her hands found the back of my neck and drew me forward again, her lips meeting mine with feeling and intent.
Sue pushed me gently back onto my seat, her weight settling against me. My fingers moved through her hair. And then, slowly, she pulled away. We looked at each other, and the warmth of maple syrup faded, replaced by something sharper — a blend of citrus fear and something soft and sorrowful. Shame.
"I'm sorry," she said at once, getting up.
I exhaled. "No. It's on me."
"No, Peter, it isn't," she replied, turning away. "I shouldn't have kissed you back."
"I started it," I said, getting to my feet. "I'm sorry. It's just... it's been so lonely since she left. I'm sorry, Sue. I really am."
"It's — it's fine," she said, flustered. "I just... ah..."
"I think I should go," I told her, picking up my hoodie and heading for the door. "Goodnight, Sue."
"Right," she said quietly. I glanced back at her. The shame was written all over her face — I could smell it. I felt responsible. I shouldn't have done it. But I was desperately, achingly lonely.
I got in my car and drove home.
I felt awful. What had I been thinking? Susan Storm was destined for one person, and it wasn't me. I'd just kissed her. Brilliant. Exactly what I needed — another mess to sort out.
I walked in to find Ben and May in the living room. Ben looked up as I came through the door. "Hey, buddy. How was school?"
"Fine," I said.
"You're home late," May said. "Were you out somewhere?"
"I was at the Baxter Building, helping with the rebuild," I said with a shrug.
"Oh," May hesitated. "Are you sure that's wise? What if something—"
"May," Ben cut in calmly. "It's fine. Richard told us Doom isn't getting anywhere near there again, didn't he?"
"Yes, but—"
"Relax, Aunt May," I said, heading for the stairs. "I just helped out for a few hours. I'm still not sure if I'm going to rejoin them properly once they've rebuilt."
"Why's that?" Ben asked, sounding concerned.
"Just don't feel like it," I replied. 'Actually, it's because I just kissed my best mate's sister and the woman that my other best friend has been in love with for years. So I won't be going back there any time soon.'
"Do you want some dinner?" May called up.
"No, thanks!" I called back, and closed my door behind me.
I threw my bag down, lay back on the bed, and stared at the ceiling. That infuriating, familiar ceiling. I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.
I must have been out for about an hour when my phone went off.
I opened my eyes, reached into my pocket and looked at the screen. Nearly midnight. Liz was calling.
I yawned and answered. "Hello?"
"Peter! You have to get here now! There's some man in a giant bird costume — he just took Harry! Johnny went after him and now they're fighting in the sky! Hurry!"