Spider Time

-Earth 65-

"Thanks for doing this!"

Walt smiled at Gwen. "It's not a problem. Besides I needed a break after all of that business." He sipped his coffee as they watched the criminals. They were waiting for them to make their move.

Gwen nodded. "You... want to talk about it?"

Walt sighed and shook his head. "Nice of you to offer but no... it's too... sad? No that's not quite the right word... anyway, it's not pleasant subject. Sometimes that's just life... one vile task after another that simply need doing. All jobs are important though even unpleasant ones."

Gwen Stacy chuckled. "Like cleaning up a mess."

Walt nodded. "Yep. Doesn't matter if the mess is mucking out a animals stall, laying an ancient evil to rest, fixing a broken world, cleaning up a criminal element or changing a diaper. Someone has to do them eventually."

Gwen nodded but made a face. "Speaking of... what does Jubes feed that kid?"

Walt chuckled. "Yeah he's good at clearing out a room. Think it might be a super power?"

Gwen nodded. "If it isn't it aught to be!"

They both laughed. "I'm glad," Walt said. "Getting some of the folks I been looking for to start coming together, even just a little, will be a big help in easing the problems on 616. Howards been great!"

Gwen shook her head. "Yeah he's... really something!"

Walt looked at Gwen and tilted his head. "You don't like Howard or something?"

"Oh no no!" She said waving her hands. "He's just totally different and so NOT what I was expecting is all. Really threw me off for a bit there. Still can't believe he's working for you."

Walt blinked. "What where you expecting?"

Gwen started humming Hail to the Chief.

Walt stared at her. "Noooo... Howard?!"

She nodded. "Here he's President Howard T. Duck. It totally caught me by surprise! I looked into Jen here too. Here she's a wrestler who paints herself green and a defense attorney."

They both laughed. Walt shook his head remembering a comic campaign where they'd had Howard run for president. "Guess he was bound to win it some where," He looked at the time and shook his head. "Man what are these guys waiting for?"

Gwen shrugged. "It's like this sometimes. Sometimes they change their minds or chicken out and don't go through with it... which is good, don't get me wrong! Just wish they'd make up their minds sooner sometimes is all. What do you want to do later? Want to... go out?"

Walt looked at Gwen and smiled. "You mean a date?" He saw her nod smiling and he did too grinning. "Yeah that sounds-"

Sirens started up. Gwen tilted her head. "Fire somewhere."

Walt was already checking the dispatch calls. "Yeah... sounds like a big one. Possible residents trapped. How you wanna handle it?"

Gwen frowned as the robbery crew finally got out of the van they were watching. "Nice timing guys," she muttered.

Walt nodded. "It's possible."

She blinked then nodded. "They might have been waiting for a distraction on the otherside of town. Oh that's grimey!"

Walt nodded at the bad guys. "Want me to handle them. Fire is good PR for "Spider-Woman" and she can use all she can get..."

Gwen shook her head. "No. You do it. Cops aren't after the "Masked Man" so they won't interfere with you too badly dispite what Mayor Jameson says about vigilantes. You ain't had a chance to do that kind of saving the day yet on your own." She kissed his cheek and put his mask on. "I'll catch up!"

Walt kissed her cheek too. "Ok. Try not to have too much fun at work."

Gwen laughed as he slugged down his coffee then took off running across the rooftops, following Friday's directions.

---

Walt grimaced looking at the building on fire. "Oh boy that's not looking good!"

He swung down to the street. "Hey buddy clear the area!" Said a cop but he waved and ignored him approaching the fire chief. "Sir. I'm the Masked Man. Can I offer you any assistance?"

The man looked startled like he's about to shoo him away but the smiles. "Actually maybe you can... you ever had any experience with fires before?"

Walt nodded. "A fair few but not quite like this. I'm not here to tell you how to do your job, Sir. Just help. Tell me what you need."

The police officer put his hand on Walt's shoulder. "Look pal-"

"Back off Ernesto," the fire chief said. "He's here to help and I'll take all the help we can get!" He turned to Walt. "Most everyone evacuated but we got a possible elderly couple and their grandson trapped up there. You said you've worked a few fires before. You know about backdrafts and the things to watch out for?" He pulled out a helmet.

Walt nodded taking his hat off. "I do. Check the temps, watch out for drafts." He accepted the helmet putting it on. "Officer Ernesto can I ask you for a big favor?"

"Watcha want guy?" He asked.

Walt pulled off his gun belt wrapping the belt around the holster and handed it over with the hat. "Could you hold this for me, partner? It's an important keepsake but it won't do me much good in there saving lives. Not the right tool for the job."

Officer Ernesto blinked. "Seriously?" He looked up at the fire and smoke and swallowed. "Yeah... yeah you got it, pal. Good luck, Cowboy! You might could need it." He clapped Walt on the shoulder.

Walt nodded. "Boy howdy." Walt climbed up quickly.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Gwenom

Coming Soon]