Beyond The Web

Chapter Three

BACK IN NEW YORK.

"Peter it's getting late and I have to get back to change for work."

Mary Jane said to Peter.

"Oh that's right, we'll have to get back to you on this Dr.Connors, I'm giving Mary Jane a lift to work." Peter added.

"Oh alright you two but please give me a call when-" Dr.Connors was cut off by Jess.

"Hold on there big man, you got plans after you drop off plain' ol Jane here? Hm? Maybe you and I could get a head start."

Jess said in a high pitched voice, followed by a wink. Mary Jane did not take the comment likely, she started to walk towards Jess.

"What did you call me? Plain? Oh I'll show you plain all over your-"

Just before Mary could finish Peter stepped in front of her and exclaimed

"I would love that Jess, lemme just drop off Mary Jane and I'll call you, Connors give her my number will you?"

Jess squealed in delight. " I can't wait!" Jess yelled. She smirked at Mary Jane who was confused and angry. She began to storm out and Peter ran out after her.

"MJ it's not what you think! Wait!" Peter cried. He put his hand on her shoulder but Mary Jane spun around and pushed him away.

"Listen Peter, I'm going to take a cab. I'll leave you be so you can get your head start." she said as she rolled her eyes at him. Before he could say anything a cab pulled up onto the curb and she slammed the door.

Peter could make out the words "Floor it" coming from her mouth. He sighed, he didn't know what to do. What he did know though is that he needed to get closer to Jess and find out what her end game is.

"Aw don't worry about her, she's just being a mook." Jess exclaimed from behind. Peter spun around and met with Jess's eyes. She was close, almost an inch from his face. He spaced out for a bit but then quickly turned away.

"So I honestly don't know where to start, how exactly was this machine built?" Peter said as sternly as he could. He was a bit flustered with the way Jess was looking at him.

"Well if you're not busy you could start by going over the details for the time machine you accidentally built. We could perhaps try to reverse it."

Jess looked at him with an annoyed look. It was clear Peter was ready to start but she on the other hand wanted to have a bit of fun.

"Oh come on Brainiac, let's live a little huh? Can we at least grab a bite to eat, I'm starving. Can't hurt to have some brain food, right?"

Peter sighed. Jess was right, he could use a bite to eat. After all things get done better on a full stomach. Even though Peter was hesitant, he agreed.

"I know this great pizza spot near here, if that's your thing." Peter exclaimed.

Jess smiled and said "Sure is, let's go smart guy."

The pizza place was only a few blocks down. Peter thought this was as good as any time to start to ask Jess a few questions more about herself.

"So Jess, what exactly is the future like? Are there flying cars? Virtual reality? Affordable health care at least, right?"

"Also what is it exactly that you do?" Peter added at the last second.

"Woah woah, slow down there tiger. One question at a time. Since you asked though...yes we do have flying cars, yes virtual reality is real and as for affordable healthcare...kinda? We're doing better. Everything has a price, y'know." Jess replied.

Peter relaxed himself a bit more. If he was ever going to find out more about her, he'd have to go easy with the questions. The two finally pulled up to the pizza place and sat down outside to wait.

The familiar smell of pepperoni and anchovies welcomed Peter. He smiled a bit while reminiscing on his pizza boy days. He ordered for the both of them and in the middle of eating, Jess spoke up.

"So, you're curious about what I do. Right?" Peter was caught off guard, he had forgotten he asked her a little ago.

Her eyes glanced over at him. She was studying him. He mumbled the word yes between bites. Jess chuckled a bit and continued speaking.

"I'm an engineer, I was working with a team of engineers under the lead of Dr.J. We're independent. We take on any contract, big or small. We've worked with a lot of high tech companies before in the past. This job was different though. We're usually ahead of schedule when it comes to our deadlines but they had us working to the bone. Maybe it was a power surge...I don't know, who knows. It was all for a stupid transporter though. Who knew it would become a time machine?." Jess kept trailing on.

Peter had heard all of this before back at the lab. He watched Jess a bit more closely. She seemed bored, it was almost as if she had rehearsed this story of hers. It was vague, too vague.

"So! That arm of Connors. That's pretty impressive and to hear you've built in a week is even more so. You know I'm something of an engineer myself."

Jess's eyes widened. It seems this has gotten her attention. "Is that so... what have you built?"

Peter went on to describe the type of machines he had worked on with Connors in the past, along with some of his own minor inventions. Jess yawned and leaned back in her chair. Peter scowled at her.

"Uh too boring for you huh?" Peter exclaimed.

Jess laughed

"No, no. I just thought since you again mentioned the arm I built for Connors that you would be making things along those lines."

In an attempt to impress her, Peter began telling her the story of Connors and how he lost his arm. Jess suddenly wasn't bored anymore. She listened more than she had before.

Peter kept going on and on. Finally he mentioned Spider-Man. He had told her what he told everyone. That he doesn't know him personally. He just happens to be a lucky enough acquaintance of his.

It was getting late. The sun setting. Peter looked at his watch.

"Oh shoot! I got to go home, Mr.Diktovich is expecting the rent...oh uh hey would you mind? I'm good for it, I swear here, take my number."

Peter gestured towards the bill, placing his number on it. Jess laughed and said

"yeah, sure. Connors gave his card anyway. I got it this time but you owe me."

Peter got up and started to make his way home, waving goodbye to Jess as he did. He quickly darted into an alleyway and changed. Emerging from the shadows as Spider-Man for a speedy getaway.

Jess finished up her food and made her towards Central Park. It was late out but she wasn't done yet. She sat on a bench, surveying the area.

"Not one Schmuck in sight."

She muttered to herself. She took out a small clamshell-like object and flipped it open. It looked as though it could have been for makeup. The screen on the inside lit up. A voice spoke.

"Ahhhh... I was wondering when you would get back to me. I was worried about you, my lil wild card."

The voice chuckled.

"Oh Puddin', you sure do know how to make a gal feel special." Jess cooed.

"So tell me, did you make contact?"

"Oh I found bug boy, he doesn't suspect a thing. He's a sucker." She laughed.

"Good Harley, good. Everything is going according to plan".

The voice let a bellowing laugh. A laugh so sinister and unnatural it would make anybody uncomfortable. Unbeknownst to Peter...his greatest enemy was soon to appear.

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