Disclaimer: I own Diamond. I don't own Spider-Man. Period. That's the only disclaimer you're getting outta me!

Her apartment was...average.

It was contained the necessities; one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen and a living room/den. The bedroom was a good size, with a full bed, two dressers and a small closet. The bathroom tile was somewhat dirty, but after the renovations that would be taken care of. The kitchen's wallpaper was discolored from water damage, and the living room/den area had scratches on the hardwood floors. Despite its flaws, Jillian approved. It was warm and cozy, cluttered and crowded, but it was perfect for a single girl in New York City.

Her parents had purchased her new living space for her twenty-first birthday, the big shebang that would last a lifetime in her memory. She was now able to do anything she pleased, and the smell of freedom floated in her apartment.

Jillian loved the apartment's location, too, south of Times Square and only six or seven blocks from her job at the Daily Bugle. Here she worked as a reporter, getting information on any superhuman activities that she could possibly find. Her job was not easy, and it was stressful and it was hard. But she had decided to stop faking crime scenes and accidents to get the attention of superheroes. She had learned the hard way that finding members of the superhuman population unnaturally could lead to disaster. Jillian at one time pretended to be a superhero in order to meet with various superheroes and later write it out for the next edition of the newspaper. Doctor Octopus had found Jillian, in costume known as Diamond, blackmailed her and took her hostage. Later, Doctor Octopus and Venom exchanged Jillian for Spider-Man, who would most likely be dead if Jillian hadn't intervened. Ever since that day, Jillian and Spider-Man's relationship had been like no other. She knew who he was underneath the mask.

Jillian shook the memory from her mind as she finished unpacking the last of her boxes. Moving out of her parent's home was the next step to her new life, and she was greatly looking forward to it. She had procrastinated getting her apartment ready for too long, as her twenty-first birthday party was tonight. Her mother would come over in about ten minutes, bringing balloons and snacks, since Jillian had not been able to go to the store yet.

She was twenty-one. The age when a person was fully able to live their life.

Jillian's apartment was ready for the party when her parents and younger brother entered. The balloons they carried flew to the ceiling, decorating the empty space. Jillian's mother set up the food while her little brother set the radio to the hit-music channel. She played with his messy hair as she passed him to look at the clock.

A half hour until party time.

Jillian was extremely excited for her party, but more excited for the arrival of one her guests. Peter Parker. She had not seen him much ever since the incident with Octavius and Venom, and since he told her that he was secretly Spider-Man. She had become a false superhero named Diamond who got information from superheroes that Jillian would later publish. But Diamond was used by Ocatvius, and she was later kidnapped only to be exchanged for Spider-Man. Jillian later saved Spider-Man and had not heard much from him since. She wanted to talk with him--see who he really was underneath his hidden identity, get to know him.

Jillian remembered when she found out. Her career could have skyrocketed with that information. Jillian Finch could have been the one to unmask Spider-Man. She would be rich, famous--but she kept the knowledge to herself. She still wrote about Spider-Man in the Daily Bugle. She had kept the biggest secret she had ever been told. She replayed the fateful conversation over in her head:

"I wanted you to know. I trust you."

"I'm a reporter, Peter. Not a hero."

"Ever think that you can be both?"

"Easy for you to say! You are both!...I will never betray the trust between us, Peter! Never! Don't even think about it! Your secret is safe with me."

"I know it is."

Jillian smiled as she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. Her smile showed she was happy, but her eyes were weak and lonesome.

"My little girl is growing up!"

"Oh Ma. Don't say that. It's mandatory to grow old, but optional to grow up."

Her mother gave a chuckle as she set up some alcohol for the older party-goers. Jillian sighed as she moved towards a window. Her stared at the concrete canyons of New York City. She pictured Spider-Man swinging by, posing dramatically or spiraling on his webline. Jillian blinked out of her most familiar daydream and continued to prepare for the party.

By the time the doorbell rang and the first guest entered, Jillian was more than ready to start dancing.