Spider-man Unleashed

Chapter 3

Slow down!" Gwen shouted in panic as Peter traversed the streets of New York in a manner that would be deadly for anyone without enhanced reflexes supported by a finely tuned supernatural danger sense. Peter ignored her panicked shouts as he continued swerving between the cars. He wasn't worried about being caught by the police. His endless patrols had taught him which streets police frequented, and which streets were free of their presence.

Still, he knew Gwen enough to that she wasn't actually afraid, merely just shocked. His observation was proven by the passing of the minutes, where her shouts lessened to the point of disappearance, though her arms continued to hold him tight. Soon, what started as a horror ride for her turned into a roller-coaster ride. Exciting enough to cut your breath, but without the mind-numbing fear of certain death. Still, it was the confirmation that she wasn't just a pretty wallflower.

Peter continued driving for more than half-an-hour, speaking impossible thanks to the loud presence of the wind and the helmets, until Peter stopped the bike in an abandoned park. It looked a bit decrepit, and definitely unsafe, but it was still early for real criminals to be out. He wanted to be able to speak with her without anyone else around, allowing her to shout at him if she was inclined.

"So, Peter," Gwen said as she walked to him, looking with serious eyes. "You are the one that invited me here, so I assume you have something to say. Say it."

Peter decided to start with a simple test, to see if the attraction between them was real, or just an illusion that would flutter away under the touch of the reality. Without uttering a word, he leaned and captured her lips. He was satisfied to notice that after a momentary shock, Gwen started answering his kiss, her arms caressing his back. "I hate this new you," she whispered, even as she pushed her fingers through his hair, pulling him tighter. Of course, Peter could have pointed out that caresses and kisses weren't the best way of conducting hatred, but he wasn't a complete idiot, so he just shut up, enjoying her touches as he listened her spilling her guts. "You're so rude and smug, and acting like I'm about to fold for you just because you look at me with this smoldering eyes…" She started leaning forward, only to interrupted by his phone ringing. "Another mystery disappearance, Peter," she said, her voice suddenly bitter. "Go ahead, it's probably more important than our date anyways."

Peter checked up his phone, only to see a coded alert from his spy application. He had built it over police database, sending him alert before they were on the media. This time, it was once again Black Cat, seen exiting a jewelry store. He was about to inform Gwen that she was right, that he needed to go once again, when it clicked in his mind. He didn't have to. Yes, he had a power, and with it came the responsibility. But it wasn't his responsibility to follow every two-bit thief across the city when there were no lives in danger. Especially not with the level of respect he was receiving in response. "Don't worry, nothing important," Peter said as he captured her lips, her expression brightening for a second before they melted together.

They stood still, sharing a long, drawn-out kiss as if trying to ward off the chill of the night when they were interrupted once again as if fate was determined not to give them any time, this time through a loud whistle. They separated, only to see a ragtag group of men stepping out of the woods, some carrying iron bars, others brandishing knives. "Nice ride," said the leader, or so Peter assumed, as he was the biggest guy with the most tattoos, which usually worked like that. "I think this is our lucky day, don't you think guys," he said after turning to his group, receiving a cheering applause. "Why don't you disappear and leave us to our fun. We'll drop it in an alley when we had our fun, and you can take it back if you like used goods." He stopped, dragging his gaze over Gwen's body, indicating that it wasn't his bike that he was referring as the ride. "We'll probably get bored in a couple of weeks," he added.