Ultimate Spider-Woman: Change With the Light

Chapter 71: Nasty Boys Will Be Nasty Boys

Gwen Stacy had fought many difficult battles in the year and a half since she had become the spectacular Spider-Woman. She had fought dozens of murderous supervillains, often lucky to escape with her life.

None of those battles, however, had been as difficult as watching the people she cared about suffer. It had been wrenching for Gwen to watch her mother Helen Watson-Stacy come to terms with being a battered spouse, her friend Kitty Pryde deal with the fact of being outed as a mutant and now her boyfriend Randy Robertson having to live with his parents clinging to life in the hospital after a community rally in the black community of Harlem suffered a deadly bombing. Growing up in the broken home her abusive father George Stacy created for himself, Gwen knew all too well what they were likely going through.

In both her civilian and costumed identities, Gwen had done what she could to help her loved ones, but things never got any easier. Now, as she approached Randy's apartment, she could only wonder how he'd been getting on. She hadn't been able to see him in almost two weeks, as either she was tied up with work or some other issue while Randy wasn't available when she tried to get in touch with him. Fortunately, she'd been able to finally get him on the phone, and they agreed to meet in a nearby park where they could catch up. As Spider-Woman, Gwen had tried investigating the bombings, and she'd learned from the Heroes For Hire that the bombings had been done by some organized crime group, and were not a hate crime like many people had originally speculated.

Now, sitting in the park waiting for Randy, Gwen waited anxiously for Randy to show up.

Don't you be doubting him, Gwen reproached himself.

After all the times he showed that he believed in you, show that you believe in him, too!

After everything he's done for you, everything you've been through together, it's the least of what you owe him!

SPIDER-WOMAN #71

"NASTY BOYS WILL BE NASTY BOYS"

Looking all around her, Gwen's eyes lit up as she saw Randy approaching. Calling out to him eagerly, she stood up and quickly advanced to meet him, walking much more quickly than Randy was.

"How are you doing, Randy?" Gwen asked eagerly, hugging Randy tightly.

"I'm alright," Randy said calmly, as he went back with Gwen to sit down on the bench. "How have you been?"

"Worried," Gwen replied. "Are you doing alright? How are your parents?"

"They're still the same," Randy replied, his tone still as flat as ever. "A lot of people weren't as lucky, though. I've had to attend four funerals so far this week. Four of them! And that's just this week!"

"Oh my God," Gwen said sympathetically, taking Randy's hands in her own.

"...That's why I haven't been around much," Randy explained. "I'm sorry for neglecting you, Gwen, it's just-"

"What are you apologizing for?" Gwen interrupted him. "I'm just worried about you, that's all! Grandma Robertson was really worried about you too," she continued, reminding Randy of Martha Robertson, whose fire and spirit had not been diminished at all by her advancing years.

"Yeah, but with everything that's happened..." Randy trailed off.

"The Harlem bombings?" Gwen asked needlessly.

Randy just nodded.

Taking a deep breath, Gwen silently prayed that her words would have the effect she was hoping for.

"I've been investigating them as Spider-Woman," she began, "and I met Misty Knight."

A look of shock crossed Randy's face, before he turned to regard Gwen incredulously.