Chapter Three: Time To Clear My Name Part 1

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M A R Y   J A N E

I gently lay beside my boyfriend as my head is on his shoulder and I wrap my arms around his waist. All I hear are the medical equipment making noises and weak breathing for Peter. I feel like breaking down because this was all too familiar to me. As when I was a little girl my father was in the hospital a lot due to physical abuse from my mother which at the time I didn't know. My dad Bryce Watson worked in construction and when I asked him how he got hurt he would just say it was a booboo and he was clumsy at work which I believed him. But deep down I knew he was lying and since I was just a little girl the only thing I could do was lay beside my dad and hold him hoping he'll be okay.

I've been with him for a couple of hours and haven't eaten or rested which I don't even feel like doing anyway as I'm too concerned for my boyfriend's health and don't want to abandon him in his time of need. Earlier I helped May clean and cover Peter's wounds with medical tape as well as helped May administer medication to him via his IV to treat his pain.

The room he and I were in was closed off to all Feast Volunteers, Employees, and the homeless individuals who reside inside the Feast building to give us some personal space and not bombard us as the people did in Times Square where Peter's secret identity was revealed. May who is the manager of Feast informed Martin Li the owner and founder of Feast about the situation in his office. I can hear them talking through the air duct.

M A Y

I sigh tiredly and sit at my desk. I've been trying to keep a poker face and do the necessary tasks but the emotions I feel are still so raw. I remove my glasses and cover my face as I burst into tears. Finally, the walls break down, and the dam bursts.

I sniff and feel a comforting hand on my shoulder. I look up and see Martin Li giving me a sympathetic look. I try to regain my composure as he gives me some tissues.

"It's okay to cry, May. The lioness doesn't have to be strong all the time. You aren't weak for letting others and yourself know how you really feel." Martin said softly as he rubs my back.

I nod and keep crying for a few more minutes. Martin stays with me through it all and gives me comfort. After I'm done shedding my tears I then start to feel better.

Martin hands me a cup of tea with a smile. "Here you go, May. Tea with lemon and honey. Plus a few cookies."

"Thank you, Martin. You are too kind." I said and take it from him.

"You're welcome, May." He said and sits across from me drinking his tea. "I know Peter will make a full recovery. He's strong just like you."

I nod and smile. "I'm flattered. But he gets it mostly from my late husband Ben. He's a spitting image of Ben down to the way he cares for his fellow man."

Martin smiles. "You must be so proud of what he's accomplished so far."

"Yes, I'm very proud of him. No matter what life throws his way he won't ever give up."

Martin nods. "And I promise not to give up on him. They will have to go through me if they want him."

May smiles. "Thank you, Martin. For everything. You have been so welcoming to me and Peter and his friends. And also letting us stay here for the night. You didn't have to do that."

"It was no problem at all, May. Most people would believe the bullshit spit out by Mysterio and turn against Spider-Man but not me. I know a lie when I see one."

"Well, thank you. So how are you taking the news about my nephew being Spider-Man?"

"Uh, still processing it, to be honest with you. But I'm happy to help in any way I can. I also owe him some for the good deeds he's done for me and Feast."

I let out a giggle and laugh with Martin. For now, I feel calm and have a sense of well-being. Peter will be okay.

N E D

Flash, Betty, and I are in the cafeteria drinking coffee and trying to stay awake. As we are thinking about ways to clear Peter's name before he gets caught and sent to jail.

"Any word on Happy yet?" Betty asks.

I sigh frustrated and turn off my iPhone. "No. I've sent him multiple voicemails and texts. But he won't answer."

"Asking The Avengers and Stark Industries for help got us nowhere. Guess we're on our own now guys." Flash said.

"So now what?" I ask while looking at my girlfriend for answers.

Betty bites her lip as she's deep in thought.

Flash sighs. "If only we had something that could prove Mysterio is a fake." He said.

"Um, oh, I got it!" She announced excitedly with a smile.

"Do you two remember when Peter told us and MJ about Mysterio using drones for his illusions on our school field trip?" She said.

"Yeah, I remember now. Pete showed us the drone Mysterio was using for his illusions before going to Nick Fury." Flash said.

"Yeah, and then little did he know was that Nick Fury was also an illusion too anyway the tech that Mysterio used can be quite useful to us and prove that he is a fake," I said with a smile.

"So if we can find more of Mysterio's tech then we can prove that he is a fake once and for all and clear Peter's name," Flash said.

"Hell yeah. Sounds like a banger plan," I said.

"One small problem though, Babe," Betty said.

"What's that?" I ask.

"How are we going to find more of Mysterio's tech? Because most of it got destroyed during the fight with Mysterio and Spider-Man in England." Betty said.

"Oh, right. She does have a point." Flash said. "Even if we do somehow get our hands on that tech. It would mostly be damaged and repairing it won't be an easy task." Flash adds.

"Hmm, I don't think we have to go to the battle site to get our hands on those drones, Eugene. One it is far away from where we are at currently and two Damage Control probably already cleaned up the mess. Also, I do remember in Peter's superhero suit there is a tracking system built in that locates anything that emits a specific frequency." I said.

"Ooo, and these projectors will be picked up by the suit as they will be emitting that specific frequency. Good thinking, Babe." Betty said.

"Thanks, Baby," I said and we shared a tender kiss.

Flash rolls his eyes and smiles. "Aright lovebirds. Now that we have come up with a solid plan we should then go get some rest." He said and yawned.

"Yeah, we could all use it after the rough day we just had. But once we wake up tomorrow morning then we can inform him and MJ about our plan to clear his name." Betty said yawning as well.

I hold her hand and she smiles at me as her head is on my shoulder. "Right. Hopefully, by then Peter will be in better shape and he'll be ready to swing into action again."  I said yawning too.

M A R Y   J A N E

I gently caress Peter's bruised but still handsome face and run my hand through his brown silky hair trying not to break down again for the millionth time today. He hasn't responded to my touches or kisses.

I then feel a comforting hand on my shoulder and I turn to see Peter's Aunt May by my side. She smiles warmly at me and in her other hand she is holding a plate with a slice of chocolate cake on it.

"Here you go, Sweetheart. Enjoy." May said and hands me the plate.

"Thank you, May. But you don't need to do that."

May shushes me politely and also hands me a tall glass of milk.

I take it politely and sit down next to Peter. "Thank you, May," I said smiling a bit.

"No problem at all. You looked like you could use something sweet to take your mind off well you know." May said as she goes to check on Peter's vitals again.

I nod smiling and start to eat the chocolate cake. Wow, Peter was right. May is an amazing baker. I get interrupted by a call from my dad and pick it up answering it.

"Hey, Pops." I greeted.

"Hey, Babygirl." My dad greets back.

"I heard what happened on the news. How are you holding up?" He asks.

"Let's see my boyfriend's secret got exposed and the mayor put out a warrant for his arrest. Now he's on the run and currently unconscious at the Feast center as he got beaten up by local gangs and the police force. So, I'm not doing so well, Pops. I can barely keep it together."

"Oh, geez. It's gotten that bad."

"Yes, really bad."

"Have you gotten some rest? Eaten anything?"

"No. Not since this morning. But Peter's Aunt May gave me something to eat just now."

"That's good. Look I know you care for the boy deeply, MJ. And you don't want to leave his side but remember you also have to take care of yourself."

"I know, Pops. I know. It's just hard okay? Seeing him like this... All bloody and bruised. My heart aches in pain."

"I understand, Babygirl. But your boyfriend is strong. I've seen him save countless lives and win battles injured up close and on TV. I know he'll pull through. He's Spider-Man after all."

"Yeah, he's a spectacular boyfriend and superhero," I said, and a smile formed on my face.

"I wish I could be there with you, MJ. But if I did I'll most likely bring the police to the Feast center and compromise Peter's location."

"It's alright, Pops. You calling and checking up on me and Peter is enough support."

"Okay, Babygirl. Be safe and send my regards to Mrs. Parker. I love you. Night."

"I love you too, Pops. Night." I said and hang up.

I put away my phone and go back to eating. May writes down the results on her clipboard and gives Peter more medicine. I watch her as I eat and I am very impressed by her. She hasn't cried or shown any negative emotions about Peter's condition that I know of. May is focused and determined to save her son.

I clear my throat and speak up. "Will he be okay?"

"Yes, he'll be alright. He just needs time to rest, Sweetie. Peter has a healing factor and it's starting to kick in with added help from the medication I've been giving him. He will come back into consciousness and his injuries will be healed. But I just hope Peter has enough time because the NYPD is searching every alley and building for him. So he can't stay here for too long." May said.

I nod in understanding then May takes the plate and glass away from me as I'm done eating.

"I'll check back on Peter in the morning. Get some rest, MJ." May said and kisses my head. I smile as she then closes the curtain to give me and Peter some privacy.

I take off my sneakers and gently get in bed with Peter as I didn't want to disturb his slumber or accidentally hurt him more. I then lay my head on his shoulder and smile to myself as I can feel his warmth hugging me and comforting me.

"I love you, Tiger," I whispered and close my eyes as I drifted off to sleep.

Peter smiles in his slumber without me knowing.