chapter 1

Note: The characters in this piece of fan-fiction are not my own. I recieve no profit from writing this, it is strictly for fun. No copyright infringement is intended!

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"Ok, looks like the computer has finished your blood work analysis," Lisa said.

She peered at the data scrolling up the monitor, sitting with her back turned to Peter Parker, seated in a chair by the door. Peter buttoned his shirt, having just finished his physical exam with Dr. Lisa Langstaff. He struggled to close the buttons, and frowned at how the shirt had clearly become too tight.

"Well, Peter, there's nothing really wrong with you that I can see," Lisa said, and swiveled her chair around to face him. "I mean, yes, there are changes, but nothing extraordinary."

"Nothing at all? Nothing with my metabolism, or maybe a thyroid condition?" Peter said, his voice bordering on a whine.

Lisa shrugged. "No, nothing abnormal. For you, I mean. Your metabolism has slowed down quite a bit, but let's face it, you're in your thirties now. It happens!"

"Even considering, you know... Spider-man?" Peter said, his voice meek.

Lisa was one of the few people who knew Peter's secret identity. They'd known each other since college, and he had relied on Lisa's expertise in the past when he'd needed medical help after a battle with the Hobgoblin. She had proven to be loyal to Peter, and kept his secret all these years. He trusted her completely.

Lisa nodded. "Well, yeah, as far as I can tell. It's hard to tell, Peter - as Spider-man, I don't have a lot of data to compare you against. But yes, your metabolism has slowed significantly since I first did this analysis on you, years ago. You certainly aren't burning up the calories like the machine you once were. But for a normal person, it's not that bad."

Peter nodded, his eyes unable to hide his disappointment. Lisa pushed her chair closer to him.

"Peter, your slower metabolism is surely a contributing factor, but it doesn't explain this," she said softly, and patted the bulge of Peter's stomach. The fabric strained at the buttons, over the dome of his gut. "How long has it been since you and Mary Jane broke up?"

Peter sighed and seemed to deflate a little. "Three months." He knew he'd put on at least 40 pounds in that time.

Lisa nodded kindly. "I know it's been hard on you. It'll take some time to get over her, I know how much she meant to you." She grasped Peter's hand tightly in hers. "Maybe, instead of eating to fill that void, you should do your web-swinging thing around the city, like you used to? It might help burn off a few more calories."

Peter stood from the seat. "That's good advice, Lisa. Thank you for all your help. I really owe you one."

Peter smiled at her as he left her office, but Lisa couldn't help but notice the sadness hadn't left his eyes.

#

Peter stepped out onto the street. He glanced up, considering Lisa's advice. He didn't have his Spider-man costume with him, though. Oh well. Maybe when he got to his apartment he'd change into his Spidey costume and patrol the city. After all, it had been weeks since he'd been out as web-slinging.

He started walking toward the subway entrance, passing the shops that lined the busy Manhattan street. An advertisement on the side of a bus shelter stopped him in his tracks... it was MJ! There she was, bigger than life, looking as beautiful and as perfect as ever. She stared back at him. It was an advertisement for... something. Peter didn't even bother to read it, he was just mesmerized. The spell quickly soured, though, and soon he felt that familiar blackness rising up, enveloping him. Frowning, he tore his gaze away and staggered on.

He'd only walked a few dozen yards before a restaurant caught his attention. A chalk board out front advertised "All You Can Eat Spaghetti & Meatballs!" Peter's stomach growled. Well, he figured, it had been a couple of hours since lunch. He went inside.