As You Wish

Chapter Three - Lunch with John

A few days after the dinner with Aunt May, I was sitting in an outdoor cafe waiting eagerly for John. He had just returned back from his space flight the day before and it was my job to write a glowing article about J. Jonah Jameson's astronaut son.

Since I was a few minutes early, I got out my phone and texted Peter.

I miss you

I had barely put my phone back in my pocket before it vibrated. I smiled broadly and fished it back out. It was from Peter.

I miss you too my gorgeous girl. Want to see a movie tonite?

I quickly typed an enthusiastic "yes!" Before I could hit send however, a hand landed on my shoulder. I jumped and spun out of my chair, preparing to land a punch on the person who grabbed me only to see John's stupid face grinning down at me. I puffed out a frustrated sigh.

"Thanks for scaring the shit out of me, asshole," I grumbled but smiled anyway. He chuckled and patted my head.

"Nice to see you too, crazy," he said. I rolled my eyes but pulled him into a hug.

"I'm glad you're home safe," I said when we both sat down. I handed him his coffee I had ordered for him. John accepted it with his thanks.

"Yeah, it was pretty wild up there this time," he said. "Off the record, we found some really incredible new stuff." I raised an eyebrow, pulling out my recorder and setting it down in the middle of us.

"And on the record?" I said nonchalantly. He laughed.

"On the record," he began professionally. "It was a routine expedition to collect data on nearby asteroids. I had a very experienced crew with me whom without their help the whole thing might have been a disaster on multiple occasions." I groaned.

"Yes that's all great John," I said, frustrated at his lack of information. "But can't you tell me more? What happened up there?" He paused.

"I wish I could tell you, Emily," he said earnestly. "But this is confidential shit. I could literally get arrested." I scoffed playfully.

"I mean, I guess that's fair," I conceded. "But it's me. Come on!" He shook his head.

"Sorry, crazy," John said, taking a sip of his coffee. "I've been imprisoned more than enough in my life already."

We spent the next hour going over the basics of his mission. He was up there for a total of eight days, circling around the planet and cataloguing asteroids. He hinted that there was something huge that happened while he was in space. I tried to pry it out of him using my investigative skills but I was unsuccessful. Eventually, I gave up and put the recorder away in my purse which was also in between us.

"Ahh, done interrogating me now?" John grinned.

"I know a lost cause when I see one," I said. He steepled his fingers together. "What?"

"So," he started innocently. "How's the spider infestation in your life going?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Nice." He shrugged.

"Sorry, should I have been more direct?" John said. "Hey Emily, how's Peter aka Spi-" I clamped a hand to his mouth before he had a chance to finish revealing my boyfriend's secret identity.

"The fuck, Jameson?!" I hissed. He laughed and pushed my hand aside.

"Calm down, I would never do that."

"Sounds like you were just going to," I countered quickly. He shrugged again.

"It's fun to piss you off," he said. I grumbled some choice words making him laugh again. "But seriously, how are you guys?" I blushed.