Spider-Woman

Prologue

I weaved through the airport crowds, chasing after the people that happened to be heading the same direction that I was.  Peter hung back behind me, not appearing to be the least bit excited.

I didn't blame him.

Finally, we reached the next station.  I was asked to show a man my plane ticket, so I reached into my purse to pull out the slip of paper.  He nodded, waving me on.  Then he looked at Peter.  Peter shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking down at his feet.

"Sorry, buddy, but you can't go any further without a ticket," the man explained, raising an eyebrow sympathetically. 

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Peter mumbled, turning to walk away. 

"Peter!"  I shouted, running after him.  "Wait!"  He stopped, turning to face me one last time.  I wrapped my arms around him, placing a light kiss on his lips.  Tears were forming in our eyes; I blinked back mine, but he let his trail down his face.  I wanted to wipe his wet cheeks with my hands, but I couldn't bring myself to do so.  My heart felt like it was being ripped in half.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you, too," he whispered back.

"Text me," I told him.  "Text me a lot.  I don't want this to be the end."

He nodded.  "I will."

Peter turned around again, and this time I didn't stop him.  I watched him go until he disappeared into the crowd.

He never looked back.