The Amazing Spider-Man 3

Chapter 44

I have been looking into a few things, and I don't think we'll be seeing Spider-Woman again.  She has retired from her work.

I stared at the email.  There was no way that I could word it to prevent Spider-Man or Woman from looking guilty and at fault for her disappearance.  I groaned, sending the email.

J.J. Jameson replied a moment later.

And what is your definition of "retired?"  Dead?  Old?  Sick?  Tired of "saving the city?"  Be more clear, son.

Also, what have you been "looking into" to aquire this information?  Why should I believe you, anyway?

I sighed, imagining his laughter in my mind.  I typed another email, dreading every word that I said.  This did not look good for either of us.  But it was the only way.

"Retired" as in "no longer possessing the proper abilities to carry on."  And, I have friends, and many long hours of research.

I clicked "Send."

You're not improving your clarity by much.  If your "friends" are as knowledgeable as you say they are, I would love to meet them.

I didn't hire you to do research.  I hired you to take pictures.  If I'd wanted you to do research, I would have hired you as a reporter.

I chewed on my pencil in hand.  Of course.  He was stubborn. 

I heard him say it himself.  I think he's going to announce it to the public.  He might come to see you.

I didn't like typing "I think" and referring to Spider-Man as "he" instead of "I."  I kept chewing on my pencil distressfully as I recieved another reply.

I'll look forward to it, then.

I closed my laptop, and it clicked shut.  Now I had to dress like Spider-Man and announce to the public that Spider-Woman was no more.  Wonderful.

I snatched my backpack off of the floor beside me and headed out the front door.

---

I brushed past Lance in the hallway once more, smirking at the sight of a healing scratch on his forehead.  He darted away from me the instant we made eye contact.

This happened several times throughout the day.  Finally, as I was leaving, he caught me again.  Two days in a row, we spoke in the parking lot.

"No one believes me."  I lifted an eyebrow at his statement.

"About what?"

"You being Spider-Man."

"Then maybe it's not true."

"Of course it's true!  Everything matches up!  You disappearing every once and awhile, never being in the same place as he, yesterday's events..."  His voice trailed off.  He didn't dare admit his loss. 

"I suppose you've never heard of the word 'coincidence' before," I muttered.

"Oh, I have.  And I know a coincidence when I see one."  He crossed his arms.  He never gave up, did he?

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not.  What does that matter to you?  And how will you get others to believe you, anyway?"

His expression was blank.  Then it morphed into confusion.  "I-I don't know."  His posture slumped.  His shoulders drooped.  "I don't know why it matters.  Maybe I wanted it to matter."  He sighed.  "Look, I'm sorry.  I've just been a jerk.  Never mind."

I raised both eyebrows this time.  "Well you sure changed quickly.  I thought I'd never hear those words come out of your mouth."

"Well they just did.  Don't change my mind now, and don't make me regret it."  He spun on his heel and walked off. 

I only stood there, appalled.

---

"Parker," J.J. Jameson said as I walked in.  My eyes scanned the room, finding him sitting at his desk.  I clutched the envelope of photographs in my hand.  "So you have more pictures, I presume."

"Yes sir."

"Well, please bring them."  He rolled his eyes, annoyed at my hesitation.  I trodded up to his desk, placing the envelope in his hands.  "Thank you."  He said those two words sarcastically.

"You're welcome."  I turned and began to walk out, since it was not yet time to collect my monthly check.

"I'm expecting a visit from Spider-Man later."  His voice was cold, and he spat the name "Spider-Man."  I nodded, pushing the glass door open with my hand.  My last sight of him included him flicking through my photographs while stroking his mustache.

---

I waited a couple of hours before stripping to my Spider-Man suit and heading out.  I was stopped by Harry before my departure.

"Where are you off to?"  He asked, peeking into my bedroom.  He smiled, friendly.

I lifted my mask.  "Oh, you know, job stuff." 

"Oh really?"  He asked, laughing.  "Wearing that?"

"It's a long story," I replied, giving him a wink.  I pulled my mask back over my face and leaped out of the window.

---

I knocked on the window of J.J. Jameson's office, hanging from the side of the Daily Bugle building.  He spun in his chair to face me, dropping his papers on the desk in front of him.  He was surprised to see I'd visited.

He reluctantly opened the window, allowing me to climb in.

"Spider-Man.  I didn't think you'd come," he crossed his arms. 

"A lot of people doubt me, unfortunately," I replied.

"So, Peter said you had something to say?"

"I wanted to make it clear that Spider-Woman is unable to continue her work with me."

"Oh?  And why is that?"

"She lost her powers."

"How is that?  Are you going to lose your powers as well?"

I grew more and more uncomfortable every instant.

"She...she performed an experiment on herself."  I squeezed my eyes shut.  I really wished I didn't have to say all of this.  "And, it wore off.  I don't think my powers will, though."

"I see."

We talked for another few minutes, me mainly answering his loaded questions trying to make me sound guilty.  He had a notepad and pen in hand, taking notes on my every word.  I hoped I didn't say anything he could use against me in the future.

"Thank you," he finally said.  "I have no more questions."  I nodded.

"You're welcome.  I'm glad I cleared things up for you."  Then I left.