Spider-Man: Duty and Loss Chapter 40: Awakening Part 1

As Jean lay unconscious in the hands of the Professor, her mind taxed from worry and distraught with fears, it ebbed away into darkness. Away to a time long ago, to the day she first got her powers, to a day she would never forget.

(6 Years Ago)

Jean shivered as she lay in a bed. Sweat was pouring down her face, which was a bright red. Her eyes were tightly shut in pain. Next to her Peter sat with a wet cloth and a concerned face. Dabbing the cloth in cold water before placing it on her head, the 10 year old Peter was very scared right now.

It was supposed to be a normal sleep over. Jean was going to stay with Peter for the long weekend, seeing as her parents had a business trip they had to take out of the city. She would spend 3 days with Peter and his Aunt and Uncle, having fun every day.

The 2 had become fast friends after they first met and usually spent their weekends gallivanting around the neighborhood. But just a day after her parents had left Jean had suddenly come down with a fever. Confined to bed and nothing working Peter was very concerned right now.

Since the start of the day, he had just stayed by his best friend's bed and helped take care of her. Helping her eat her soup and change the cloth on her head. Jean tried to force a weak smile as she felt Peter help her once again, but the pain was becoming even too much for that.

*Click* Suddenly from the door, Aunt may walked in with a serious face. She was also very worried about Jean. The fever had struck hard and fast, they had been giving her medicine every few hours and also a lot of water, if it didn't break in another few hours they would have to take her to the hospital.

May had already rang Jean's Parents and they were making their way back, but they had taken a flight out for their business trip and couldn't catch a flight back till tomorrow. Walking into the room she sat down next to Jean, before checking her temperature.

Letting out a small sigh at the ever high temperature, that seemed to be getting higher, she shook her head and reached for the medicine in the cupboard next to the bed. Fishing out the packet meant for children, May frowned when she realized they were out.

Standing up quickly and making her way down stairs, the frown got deeper as she realized, they were completely out of medicine in the whole house. A few plans came to mind as she thought of what to do next.

Ben had to go out for a bit, just a few minutes ago, and didn't take his mobile. He also wouldn't be back, for a few hours. May didn't want to wait for him to get back before getting more medicine, so she had to think of going herself.

But she hesitated as she thought of this. The only one left in the house to look after Jean would be Peter. He may have been a genius for his age, but he was still a 10 year old kid. If there were complications with Jean while she was gone, she wasn't sure if he could handle it.

Walking back to the room and peeking in at the worried figure of Peter, as he sat next to the prone Jean, May resolved herself to quickly leave and get some medicine. Walking back down the stairs to grab her coat and purse, she quickly went back to tell Peter what was happening.

*Knock* *Knock* Peter turned to her with tired eyes. "Hey sweetie. We're out of medicine for Jean…." A worried look crossed his face as she spoke to him, but before he could say something she continued. "..Don't worry Peter, I'm going to quickly go down to the chemist and get her some medicine now. While I'm gone I need you to take care of Jean and make sure she's all right. Can you do that for me?"

Figuring out what was happening, Peters face transformed from one of fear, to one of resolution. He was determined to make sure Jean was fine until Aunt May got back. Seeing the look in his eyes gave May a sense of relief, Peter would definitely try his best. Nodding to herself, she spoke as she left. "Ok I won't be too long. Stay safe ok!"

Peter nodded at her retreating figure, before finally looking back at the sick Jean. He noted the door slamming shut when May left, but put that out of his head. She wouldn't be gone too long. As he continued to watch Jean, her face that was scrunched in pain, started to loosen in relief.

This brought a small smile to Peters face. It had been going on and off, the bouts of pain Jean was going through. When she was relaxed and not sleeping they would talk. Peter would rack his brain for an interesting topic to bring up while that was happening.

Seeing that she opened her eyes, he gave her a smile. "What was that about?" Her voice was weak as she asked the question. She hadn't heard Aunt May's words just before. Peter just shook his head. "Oh it was nothing much, May just went to get you some more medicine. Are you feeling better?" Asking with a bit of hope, Jean nodded her head slightly. "Yeah I'm feeling a bit bitter, the pain wasn't as bad."

That made the smile on Peters face grow even bigger, 'at least she was getting better', he thought. As he stared down at her red and tired face, he couldn't help but be drawn to her eyes. They seemed to glow a dull orange that was slowly getting brighter. It made her eyes shine and mesmerized him just a little.

Without him even realizing it he spoke out loud. "You know, your eyes are really pretty right now." That got Jean to giggle a little. "I'm in bed with a high fever, red face, and sweating everywhere… and my eyes look pretty?" Scratching the back of his neck for a second after realizing what he said and her response, he said with an honest face. "Well they do…"

"Hahah…Urgh.." Laughing for a little while, she suddenly groaned in pain, setting Peters nerves on end again. "Are you alright?!" Jean shook her head as she looked over to him again. Peter's eyes widened in shock as he noticed the glow was starting to brighten!

Chapter end