"Sorry about that kid" Jameson said, holding the door open for Peter to walk into his office "I was expecting someone... you know, older"

"No worries, I know I don't look that impressive" Peter nodded "Thanks for letting me stay this time" Jameson took a seat at his desk and linked his fingers, looking at Peter with a curious expression.

"Alright then kid, show me what you've got" Jameson gestured with his hand. Peter took out his camera and prepared to show the photos before Jameson spoke up.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what the hell is that?" he asked, pointing at the camera.

"Its my camera" Peter said slowly, missing the point.

"Yeah, I think I've got one of those too" Jameson said, snatching it away from Peter and examining it "I think it was my first camera back in nineteen seventy one"

"Alright, alright" Peter sighed "I know its not the most high-tech thing in existence but its the best I've got"

"Damn right its not high-tech... but I'll see what you've got on it" Jameson sighed, checking through the photos. Whatever he was expecting to see it wasn't what he saw, recoiling slightly in surprise.

"Wow" he whistled "Despite the fact they look like they were taken with a chocolate-smothered potato, these are pretty good" Jameson set the camera down, drumming his fingers on the desk in deep thought.

"I tell you what, I'll pay you for the photos this time but I won't use them" Jameson explained.

"Then what's the-"

"I'm not done yet" Jameson snapped "I'll give you the money but the first thing you buy is a new, better camera or else you're not getting the job here" Peter looked at Jameson with a blank expression before nodding his head.

"Yeah, I can do that" Peter nodded "What's the yearly salary like?"

"Well hold on there kid, you're too young to hire for a staff position, but I can still pay you for a few photos" Jameson added.

"Well, that's still good I guess, how much a photo?" Peter asked.

"Fifty is its used, twenty five if it isn't" Jameson said dryly.

"What!?" Peter exclaimed furiously "I could make more picking up shit at bus stations!"

"That's the offer kid, freelance or nothing" Jameson shrugged. Peter glared at the older man for a long second before a thought occurred to him, one that could get him more money.

"Or... I can just take the photos and sell them to another newspaper, I'm sure they'd pay more because they'd be making more money from increased sales thanks to my pictures of Spider-Man" Peter shrugged. Jameson's smirk dropped off his face as he glared at Peter who stood there with a smug grin.

"Name your price" Jameson growled.

"A hundred bucks a photo" he stated.

"Not a chance boy, seventy five is the highest I'll go!" Jameson snapped "You can take that offer or I'll take you and your crappy camera and hang you from the ceiling fan by the balls with it!" Peter stared angrily at the ground for a long moment, knowing that this was an ultimatum that Jameson was going to keep and that he couldn't haggle any higher.

"Fine, but you're still paying for the camera right?" Peter asked. Jameson slapped down a wad of money from his wallet and pointed to the door.

"Take the damn cash and get out of my office!" he barked "But if you're not back with more photos by the end of the day then so help me God I'll tie your laces together and tie you to a train track!" Peter blinked in surprise before taking the money and hurrying out of the office, closing the door quietly behind him.

"He's a handful isn't he?" Peter asked the secretary at the desk.

"That he is, but that's why we love him" she chuckled.

"I'm Peter Parker" Peter said, holding his hand out.

"Betty Brant" she said with a smile, shaking his hand softly "So will we be seeing you around here more often?"

"I should hope so" Peter nodded.

"We've got a girl your age that works a few floors down, only met her once or twice but she's a hard-working girl, training to be a reporter, her name was Martha-Jane or something like that" Betty said.

"Well, I hope I'll run into her sometime hen, see you around Miss Brant" Peter said, walking away after waving goodbye.

"See you round Pete" she smiled.

Peter landed softly in the alley where Twilight had told him on the phone to meet her.

"You're late" she said sternly.

"Sorry Mom" Peter said quickly, walking over to her "Are you gonna chew me out for not doing my homework and not cleaning my room while you're at it?" Twilight didn't answer, she instead held out a small golden envelope for Peter to take.

"So... you asked me to meet you in a secluded alley so you could give me a sealed package?" Peter asked "You're not training to be a dealer are you?" Twilight once again ignored the joke, turning her nose up and pushing the envelope closer to Peter.

"Celestia's invited you to a party next week" she said quickly "You need a suit and a date" Peter took the envelope and stuck it in his back pocket, his eyes softening as he looked at Twilight.

"What's the matter Twilight?" he asked her.

"Nothing, I'm fine" she said, lowering her eyes to the floor.

"No you're not" Peter said, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder "There's something wrong" Twilight shied away from his touch and took a small step back.

"Seriously Twilight, what the hell's the matter with you?" he asked, beginning to worry.

"I don't wanna talk about it" she muttered.

"You'll feel better about it if you do" Peter said warmly "It always helps to get things off your chest"

"There's no point, it won't change anything" Twilight said "You won't listen to me"

"Oh... so its my fault?" Peter asked. Twilight suddenly whirled around, pressing a finger into Peter's chest and stepping closer to him.

"Yes, its your fault" she hissed "Its about that whore in a catsuit you're hanging around with"

"Black Cat?" Peter asked "Why does she matter?"

"Because she's a criminal, she's not good news" Twilight said, lowering her hand and turning away from Peter again "And she's not good enough for you..."

"Whoa, hold up Twilight" Peter said quickly, grabbing her shoulder and making her turn to face him again "The first two I can understand, but what does the third one have to do with anything?"

"I... I just don't like the fact you're hanging around with her" Twilight mumbled.

"Because you're jealous?" Peter asked.

"No I am not!" she snapped before lowering her voice again "Its just that I think you could use someone... someone more..."

"Someone more what?" Peter asked. Twilight curled her hand and pressed it against her chest, biting her lip as she stared at the ground.

"Someone more like..." she began before shaking her head.

"Spit it out Twilight" Peter said, staring at her in the eyes.

"Someone more like... me" she said, placing her soft hand to his cheek and leaning closer to him.

"Twilight..." Peter mumbled. Twilight's lips were less than an inch from Peter's before the sounds of blaring sirens caused her to jump in surprise, Peter reacting and clamping his hands onto her hips. Twilight stared out of the alley for a long second before her eyes fell back onto Peter's.

"I need to go Twilight, that sounded important" Peter said, nodding in the direction of the sirens.

"Y-Yeah" Twilight agreed, stepping away from Peter with her cheeks a bright red "Just... don't forget to bring a date for the party"

"Are you sure you can control yourself if I do?" Peter asked.

"Yes" Twilight nodded, moving a loose strand of her hair out of her bright eyes "Bye Peter"

"Yeah, see you around" Peter nodded, dropping his bag to the floor and removing his jacket and hoodie, removing his shirt and exposing his red and blue costume "Stay clear, it could be dangerous"

"Right" Twilight nodded, exiting the alley in a hurry with her hands stuffed into her cardigan pockets. Peter shook his head, releasing a shaky breath before continuing to change, wondering where the hell he was going to find a girl willing to a party with him in less than a week.

And how long he had before he wrapped his arms around Twilight and kissed her until the sun went down. Next Chapter: Yo Sparkles! Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 2 Minutes