For The Love of a Hero

For the Love of a Hero
A Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man Story
Author (GP)

Carol floated anxiously near the tip of the Empire State Building.  She began to fidget as the day grew shorter and shorter.  She wasn't nervous . . . ok maybe a bit.  She was a battle hardened soldier.  She was supposed to be ready for anything . . . well apparently war didn't teach her the rules of romantic engagement.  She was foolish.  There were tons of other heroes that she could have asked out.  Iron Man,  Captain America,  even Wolverine if she was desperate.  But she asked out him!  What was she thinking!  They were complete polar opposites!
"Maybe I should just . . ." She murmured.

"Sorry I am late!  The Fly just wouldn't shut up about insect jokes."  The web slinger said.  Carol looked at him.  Though Peter didn't look like much, he was one of the best superheroes around.  Super-strength, Super flexibility, Webs, and Spider-Sense, He really was a great hero.  But Carol saw something more in a Peter that she couldn't find in Tony, Bucky, or Logan.  It was something part of his character.  He could be faced with the utter most horrible tragedy but still could crack a joke.  She needed that in her life right now.  Her military attitude is what kept her going . . . through everything.  She masked her emotions and let everyone believe that she was dead.  She had so much happen in her life, the lies, the mental turmoil, the drinking, that she just shut everything down.  But there was something in Peter; something that just made her feel . . . normal.  Well as normal as one can feel, when floating above the Empire State Building with the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man!

"No no! It is fine . . . so how are you?"  Carol asked Peter.
"My my is Ms. Marvel trying to make conversation with little old me?"  Peter joked.  Carol blushed, furious that she couldn't make mild conversation with Peter.  
"I am just . . . I mean . . . ARGH!!!"  Carol said, flying off.  Asking out Spider-Man was a bad idea.  She wasn't ready to date . . . she wasn't ready for a relationship!  Certainly not one as complicated as a superhero relationship!

Peter looked at Carol flying off.  Was it something he said?  Maybe he went too far?  He did tend to do that.  That is what he loved about Ms. Marvel.  She was firm, and on task, and didn't make lame jokes to distract the villain.  He needed that.  But the more time he spent with her, the more she saw who she really was.  She was vulnerable, not to bullets, but to life.  So much crap had happened in her life, that it was a miracle that she wasn't a super villain.  He wanted to know her better, he wanted to be there for her.  Maybe it was because Peter knew what loss was, that he swung after Carol.  Maybe it was the fact that he did in fact have feelings for her that led him to take her out for dinner.  And maybe it was that he wanted to be a constant in her life that made him spend the night at her place, listening to her life story.  Maybe it was all of these . . . or maybe it was just chance. . . . .

THE NEXT DAY

Shocker burst out of the bank, holding a bag of cash in one hand, and aiming at the police with the other.
"Ahahahahaha!  For once that stupid bug isn't here!"  The yellow-padded villain cackled.
"I am not a bug!"  Spider-man called down.  Ms. Marvel flew straight at Shocker, while Spider-Man watched.

"He is an Arachnid!"  Ms. Marvel roared, punching Shocker in the stomach.  Shocker fell to his knees.  Spider-man joined Ms. Marvel on the ground.

"Well actually I am a person."  Spider-Man whispered to Ms. Marvel.

"I was going with the flow of the banter."  Ms. Marvel replied.  Spider-Man gave her a look and Ms. Marvel merely smiled.

"Hey Spidey, Ms. Marvel!  Over here!"  A reporter said.  Spider-Man looked at the name tag the reporter was wearing.  He was a Bugle reporter . . . great.

"Yes?"  Spider-Man answered.

"What is the story between you and Ms. Marvel?  Are you two dating?" The reporter asked.  All of a sudden other reporters starting mumbling to the other reporters.  Ms. Marvel looked at Spider-Man, concern crossing her face.  He motioned her to come closer.  
"What are we going to do?"  Carol said.
"I think first we need to discuss 'us'  before we can talk to the press."  Peter replied.  Ms. Marvel grabbed Spider-Man by the waist and shot into the air.  

LATER AT A COFFEE SHOP

Carol began to fidget as Peter and she sat down.  She looked nervously at him.  Would he even want to date her?  Peter had tons of women fawning over him other alias.  And there were other super heroines that easily would be a better match for him than her.  She was military, didn't joke around, and had mental break-down.  She had been impregnated, beaten to mush, and tossed like a doll.  No way would a nice guy like Peter want a woman like her.   But Carol needed Peter, more than he knew.  For the past couple of months, he was the only one that kept her afloat, kept her from going frickin crazy.  He was nice, kind, maybe a bit sarcastic.  But she needed that.  She needed Peter . . .

Peter sipped his coffee anxiously.  Would Carol even date him?  She was stronger than he was and she could fly!  But more importantly, she has had so much happen to her.  Would he even be able to keep up?  In his eyes, Carol was perfect.  She was determined on the job, she was hard when in counted, and she was good at masking her emotions.  When devastation hit his life, all he could is cry.  Peter liked Carol.  She was someone that he could see himself with.  He was immature and unorganized.  Maybe some of her qualities would rub off on him.  But there was something else.  Despite the differences between them, he felt a yearning to be with her.  Like there was a something pulling him toward her.  At first he didn't notice it.  But then she started popping up everywhere.  First everytime when he would be on point for the Avengers.  Then when he would be Peter Parker.  But he came to fall for her.  But would she feel the same? . . . .

"Peter . . ."  Carol said.

"Listen Carol, I  . . . well . . . the thing is . . .what I am trying to say . . ."  Peter stuttered.  Carol rose from her seat and started for the door.

"Wait! Carol where are you going?"  Peter said, grabbing her hand.  Carol sighed.

"Peter . . . I know that it was insane to ask you out . . . and I understand that dating me would be crazy . . . but I am ok with that."  Carol explained.  Peter pulled her closer.

"Carol . . . I want to be with you."  Peter stated.  Carol blinked, tears escaping her eyes.
  
"What?"  Carol asked.

"I want to be with you.  I want to know you better."  Peter explained.

"But we are so opposite.  It would be crazy to date each other.  Besides we are superheroes.  Those kind of relationships are crazy."  Carol pointed out.

"I think it would be more insane not to try."  Peter said.  Maybe it was the warmth that Carol felt in her heart, that made her leap into Peter's arm.  Maybe it was the way Carol's eyes sparkled that made him kiss her. Maybe it was the tend looks they gave each other, that made everyone in the room envious of them. Carol had someone she could depend on, and Peter found a woman who he could be himself with, on that was more human than super-human   It could have been all of these things . . . or just love.