"So you fought another supervillain?" Gwen asked. The evening breeze tossled her hair around her face. She attempted to push it behind her ears, annoyed.

"Yeah, the Vulture," I said.

"Sorry I wasn't there," she mumbled.

"That's okay. You shouldn't have been there, anyway."

"Why not? I can do everything you can!"

"I can't lose you again."

"You don't have to."

"Exactly."

"No, that's not what I mean. I mean...I'm not as vulnerable. I can do more. If I was falling down this thing, I could save myself this time."

"I know, but..."

"It should be my choice."

"Fine."

We were indeed perched upon the clock tower. The clock tower that had almost killed Gwen. As dangerous as I had convinced myself that it was, Gwen reminded me that it was as dangerous a place as any.

We'd gone to this tower twice before, once, on a date, and second, the night of the fight with Electro and Harry...the Green Goblin. I recalled the night of that date, the same day that Dr. Connors, the Lizard, had attacked me in the sewers, when I was meaning to attack him. I'd arrived at Gwen's house, injured and exhausted. She'd cleaned me up, and then we headed here, to the clock tower, for our date.

I also remembered her discussion with her father, who was offering her hot cocoa. She'd refused it, using the excuse of not feeling well. I laughed, thinking of the conversation.

"Do you still want to live in that chocolate house?" I asked.

"No!" Gwen said, laughing.

"Well, I thought it was your childhood fantasy..."

"Was! Can't forget the 'was'!"

"Okay, fine...are you sure you don't have cramps, or you're not emotional, or pukey, or anything that would make you think otherwise? Because I..."

"Shut up!" She slapped me playfully, laughing. I laughed too. Both of us had underestimated and forgotten about her newly enhanced strength, so I lost my balance, falling forward. I fell from the clock tower, and Gwen screamed. I felt gravity pulling my body downward, and the cool air turning cooler as I picked up speed. I cried out with joy, thoroughly enjoying the burst of adrenaline.

"Hey, relax!" I shouted to her, laughing once more. I shot a web several feet above her head, then used the side of the clock tower as a sidewalk, running up it. I landed back at her side with a flip, and she exhaled, burying her face in her hands. "That was fun, actually, I kind of want to do it again."

"You're crazy!" She laughed, rubbing her eyes.

"I'm Spider-Man," I smiled. "You'll get used to it. I'm sure you'll be just like me before long."