Jess had nothing to do.
Well not nothing, she had a TV. But after the events a little over two weeks ago, life had gotten boring. A nice boring, a welcome boring, but boring nevertheless. After she’d taken Yu to the hospital, and Peter had helped Otto turn himself in, the massive crescendo of chaos had faded quietly. For her at least. Peter had taken her back to his and Liz’s apartment, and now she was spending all her time sitting on the ceiling; watching movies, YouTube, or flicking through the regular channels. She wanted to Play on Peter’s PS5, but had been too nervous to ask.
Life for everyone else involved didn’t seem so quiet. Otto had been arrested, and Peter seemed stressed because of all the media attention his department was getting at Roxxon. Plus she still hadn’t heard from Yu yet. He was probably still in the hospital. She frowned. She wanted to go visit him again, but it’d get a little weird if she kept going back. She didn’t want the hospital staff to take extra interest in Yu because the brand new Spider-Woman kept visiting him. She furrowed her brow.
She’d worn one of his older costumes the second time they’d visited Yu, when they’d dropped off the card. Apparently, the media had spotted the two of them swinging over to the hospital, and someone had captured photos. She’d been all over the newspapers and the picture of them swinging together had been on TV. Everyone was calling her Spider-Woman or Spider-Girl. People everywhere were already giving their two cents on the situation, from theories about a father daughter duo, to some even guessing she was a clone, though they were still somehow pretty far from the truth.
She chuckled to herself, before her frown returned. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. It felt like it had sort of come out of nowhere; but given the landscape of media she should’ve been expecting it. But Pete definitely hadn’t liked it. He hated the media more then she did, though after reading some of the more scathing articles and seeing some news hosts make takes on certain matters surrounding him, she could understand why. It must’ve been part of the reason why he’d quit, and the sudden dialogue around her had brought back bad memories. He’d seemed pretty against her being a hero after that too.
One top of all of that, there were the constant replays of Otto’s confession. She’d spent most of her time flicking through channels, but whenever she saw his face she’d stop and just watch the report. Even when it came from the Bugle. She’d seen it on the news more than three times a day when it had first aired. Everyone had been playing his speech. Everyone. But now that arrest were slowing it was rarer. Still it came up here and there, and it was always so surreal to watch. At least to some degree Otto had done the right thing. But he’d still shot Yu in the chest. She wouldn’t be able to get that sight out of her mind ever, even if remembered worse.
At least he’d be ok. The symbiote had healed him, and the Doctors had said he’d make a full recovery. Her mind flashed back to her memory just after the implosion. She still didn’t know what it was, but it had faded practically as soon as he’d passed out. The small glimpse of it she’d caught had looked like a black version of Peter’s suit. Pete had been a bit worried given what Jess had told him and had scanned him when they’d gone to the hospital, but the scan hadn’t detected anything of note. Peter said it was safe to assume he wasn’t a danger, but you could never be sure. Now that they couldn’t just had to wait until he woke up.
She’d tried to ignore the anxiety chipping away at her, but it was harder when she was alone. At least she wasn’t alone for that long. She woke up usually only a few hours before Liz got home from work. It was weird seeing and being around Liz. Especially after Peter had told her about the miscarriage. She was different from her memories in so many ways, and yet the same. Jess felt something around her, but she wasn’t exactly sure what. Well, it was pretty easy to talk to her.
Jess frowned recalling some of the things Peter had had to catch her up on. She’d been crushed by the news of Aunt May’s cancer. Apparently, she was doing better and had a check-up coming soon, but it was still gut-wrenching news. She hadn’t visited her yet, but she really wanted to. Still, how would she explain it without making things harder for Aunt MAY. Peter and her had both agreed it could wait for a bit longer.
She sighed. Jess felt like she’d been watching a show she’d been really invested in and suddenly she’d accidentally skipped ahead a season.. Liz kept telling her she’d get used to it eventually. She hoped that was true.
The door to the apartment opened, and Jess glanced at the doorway to the apartment.
“Hey Jess” Liz said stepping inside.
“Hey Liz”
“I got pizza. I probably should’ve called to ask what you wanted, but Peter likes Pepperoni the best so I just assumed you-“ Liz froze looking up
Oh. Jess jumped down, embarrassed.
“Sorry. It sort of just… happened”
Liz burst out laughing, before making her way to the kitchen and setting the pizza’s down.
“It’s fine. As long as you’re disturbing the neighbours, or leaving marks all over the wall feel free to watch TV from the ceiling” Liz said chuckling.
“T-thanks. It was more of a way to think”
“Oh, Pete did mention he thinks best upside down”
"He did? I guess that makes sense"
Liz set a few things down then made her way over with the pizza boxes and two plates. Jess eyed the pizza's hungrily before feeling a stab of guilt. Liz had been spending a lot of money on food and clothes for Jess. She didn't know how much the financial situation had changed in the past year, but she was starting to feel more than just a little guilty.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"Here you go" Liz said with a bright smile.
"T-thanks" Jess said, taking it, the guilt growing. "I- you don't have to keep ordering takeout for me. I'm okay making my own food if I have to. I could even get a job to-"
"Nonsense. We both told you to take it easy while we sort things out. This is part of that"
"I think the constant sleeping in, and couch surfing is enough though" Jess half joked. Liz laughed, sitting next to her on the couch.
"Well it's not everyday you get to eat pizza with your fiancé's clone"
"I guess not. Well... I might end up staying here a while"
"Well then all the more reason. If you're gonna be here a while, then you better enjoy it, because trust me, we definitely won't be doing this forever" Liz said grinning.
They both laughed together, before Liz opened
"So what're you watching?"
"Not a clue. I was just flicking through the channels and came across a crime show. Someone died on an ice rink and that's about all I picked up"
"Cool"
Both their heads turned sound of the door opening. The door knob twisted and Peter stepped inside, grinning.
“Afternoon everyone”
“Hey babe. You’re home early” Liz said with a smile.
“Yeah I- do I smell Pizza?” Peter said, stepping inside.
“Yep. I got and Jess pepperoni. You’re so early, you won’t have to reheat it later. Something happen at work?”
“I actually managed to get a week of because of all the staff members we lost”
“Finally. That’s great”
“Yep. And I got these” Peter said, holding up a folder.
“What’s that?” Liz asked.
“Jess’ passport, birth certificate, and a few other forms of ID”
“Wait, what?!” Jess and Liz said in unison.
“Well it’s pretty hard to integrate into the real world without the proper ID. Jess can’t just couch surf forever”
“Awww” Jess groaned.
“So - small question - how exactly did you get this?” Liz said raising an eyebrow.
“Uh… it’s not the way I usually do things, but… let’s just say I called in a favour from Tinkerer”
“Seriously?” Jess said, alarmed.
“Well I mean you’ve got to live somehow right?”
“I guess… but surely fake ID’s aren’t the way?” Liz said.
“Oh don’t worry, they’re totally official. As far as any government database is concerned Jess’ been alive and kicking since… 2011, 12th September” he said, handing her her passport.
“Oh. Ok, that’s cool. Kind of ominous that Tinkerer can just do that, but cool” Jess said taking her passport. She looked it over, reading it. Now the headshot Peter had taken of her made sense. She read over the passport again.
“Wait, why Drew?”
“Huh?”
“The surname?”
“Not a clue”
“You should’ve told me, I would’ve asked for a cooler surname”
“Drew sounds fine though” Liz said, eating a slice of pizza.
Jess shrugged before frowning.
“Wait does Tinkerer know who I am now?”
“I guess. But I know who he is too”
“You do?!”
“Yeah. He’s just an old guy. Works with his granddaughter out of a repair shop down in Queens. Mason repairs. I can’t even say I’d even call him a villain anymore, even if he’s a bit morally questionable. Mostly he just keeps to himself and fixes things for people. I just showed up and told a kid I'd saved was in need of help and that I trusted you. He said that was enough. Plus he does this all the time, so he probably won’t keep you in mind”
“And we’re not going to... stop him?”
“Well I owe him for helping me with Rhino and with that bomb threat like ten months ago. Plus, he’s been getting a lot frailer recently. His granddaughter does most of the heavy lifting at their shop now. I wasn’t exactly going to attack him or get him locked up”
“I… fair enough. I guess there’s more important things to deal with then semi-reformed supervillains” Liz said.
"Yep" Peter said, taking a slice from one of the pepperoni pizza.
"What're we watching?" he said pointing at the TV.
"Some crime thing. Someone died on an ice rink" Jess said.
"Oh, cool"
Peter sat down next to Liz with a tired sigh.
"Oh and Jess we can decide what you want to do regarding school and what not now"
“Wait school?”
“Yeah. Technically you've gone to college, but you don't have any qualifications anymore, which could make things difficult. Highschool does kind of suck though... well you could just get your GED I guess? It depends what you want to do”
Jess stared blankly at Peter. Then back down at the documents in her hands. Oh. Oh wow. She was an actual person now.
“I… uh… can I think about it?”
“Take as long as you need”
Jess nodded before leaning back, still staring at her documents. Thoughts spun through her mind as she tried to make sense of the situation before her. She wasn't in limbo anymore. There was an actual future now, an actual life waiting to be taken. She looked back up at Peter.
“Actually I think I do want to get my GED”
“That was fast”
“A-and I want to help you too. As Spider-Woman”
Peter’s face soured slightly.
“What’s that expression supposed to mean?”
“I know how you probably feel, and that you’ve got all my memories, but… you’re still young”
She felt her heart sink.
"Is that a no?" Liz asked.
“I’m not saying no. I’m just saying, she might have my memories, but she's still a kid” he said, then turned to face Jess. "Live. Enjoy life first"
“I can live and help you. You don't have to keep being Spider-Man on your own”
“I know. I realised a lot in the past three weeks, and I think you helping would do a lot of good. I’ll let you, but don’t feel forced to do this. You don’t have to be Spider-Woman”
“I want to”
“I know, but take some time to really think about it. And at least until you’re an adult, don’t let Spider-Man consume your life”
“And what about you? Is it ok that Spider-Man consumes your life?”
Peter went silent, the atmosphere in the room suddenly awkward.
“I’m sorry I didn’t-”
“It’s ok Jess. And besides, if you really do want to do this, with you helping out occasionally I’ll be getting more help than ever before”
Jess nodded, slightly relieved Peter hadn't taken it badly.
“Hmm. I will have to get you all your own gear and make you a costume though. That might take a while”
“I could make my own costume, you know?” Jess said, raising an eyebrow. Pete paused for a second, looking at her, then he let out a small chuckle.
“Ha, he totally forgot you can do everything he does” Liz said with a laugh. Jess smiled.
"Well that's enough Spider-Man talk. Let's enjoy our pizza" Peter said, wrapping his arm around Liz and pulling her closer.
Jess turned back to the TV, feeling a strange sort of relief. Everything she'd felt about the world had just changed in a few minutes. She glanced down at the documents in her hands, feeling the texture of the passport against her fingertips. When she'd set out to find Peter, she'd never expected any of this. She thought it'd end with her death, not a life, a future. Did she really deserve this? She was just a clone out of hundreds, maybe even thousands who'd gotten lucky and woken up at the right time. What would've happened to her if she hadn't woken up? What would've happened to Peter, to Yu? She looked up stared out the window, her expression neutral as she looked to the sky. Then the phone in her pocket began buzzing. Her eyes widened as she quickly pulled it out, and answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey Jess” a familiar voice responded.
“Yu?” she said, her voice tinged with excitement. Peter and Liz looked to her, as she heard a small chuckled from the other end of the line.
“We should probably talk about a few things. Are you free tomorrow?”
Her smile widened.
“That sounds great”