ACT 1: Spider-Man, in unison with the Fantastic Four, is battling the Sandman and the Trapster (a.k.a. Paste Pot Pete) – half of what used to be the Fantastic Four's greatest enemies known as the Frightful Four. From this point on, the story goes back in time to explain how they all got in this rather precarious position.

ACT 2: Spider-Man had decided to visit his old buddy, the Human Torch, and because of Spider-Man recent disappearance, Reed Richards had insisted that he went through a series of tests to ascertain that he was in fact the real human-arachnid. All were glad when the results came back positive. A short time later, Spider-Man and Johnny Storm (a.k.a. The Human Torch) are relaxing and watching TV when the lights suddenly go off. They immediately go out to find Reed Richards (a.k.a. Mister Fantastic) who has already reestablished auxiliary power to their headquarters. A nearby monitor shows the Sandman arriving in a limousine and opening the door to someone. Ben Grimm (a.k.a. the Thing) explains to Spider-Man that Sandman appears to have had suddenly converted to the side of the law and order and is now working for the mercenary Silver Sable and her Wild Pack. Meanwhile, the Sandman and his client, Senator Ward, have arrived to their hotel and since the power has not been reestablished there yet, Sandman suggests they take the stairs. Senator Ward agrees.

ACT 3: A short time later, Spider-Man calls up his wife, Mary Jane, to tell her that he is downtown visiting some old friends and that he should be home in about 30 minutes or so. She asks him to stop by the lobby of the Plaza where Jill Stacy is stuck. He accepts. A short time later, Peter arrives at the hotel and finds Jill. They sit and talk for a while when Peter suddenly notices the Trapster walking by. He tells Jill that he's got to make a phone call and follows him. Meanwhile, Senator Ward and the Sandman have reached the Senator's suite. They are having a conversation outside on the balcony when the Sandman hears a noise coming from inside the room. He goes in to investigate. The bedroom door starts to melt down. Once the hole is large enough to allow a human to fit into it, the Trapster emerges from the shadows and makes his entrance through it. Simultaneously, Spider-Man, who had followed the Trapster, jumps in to help the Sandman protect Senator Ward. However, the Sandman seems to have a plan of his own and punches Spider-Man off the balcony. Fortunately for the latter, the Human Torch, along with Sue and Reed Richards, and the Thing, happen to be in the neighborhood and he catches Spidey by the foot and gently sits him down in the Fantastic Four flying car. Reed explains that he contacted Silver Sable and that he learned from her that this operation is completely unsanctioned, and that the Wild Pack was never contacted to act as a bodyguard for Senator Ward.

ACT 4: Meanwhile, the Sandman and the Trapster are engaged into a fight. The Sandman is angry with the Trapster. Apparently, the Sandman had only agreed to set up the Senator to make sure the Trapster had a clear shot; without implicating himself. Once they both calm down, they realize that Senator Ward is no longer there. The latter is indeed just about to reach a ladder that will bring him down from the rooftops when the Sandman and the Trapster burst through the roof, in front of him; stopping him dead in his tracks. They are about to dispose of him when Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four crash the party. Soon, our heroes get the upper hand and using both villains' respective power against each other, they manage to subdue them. However, the two miscreants jump off the rooftop. Spider-Man and Torch respectively swing and fly to their rescue but they both have disappeared out of thin air. Reed Richards brings to mind that there must have been someone behind the attacks, someone much smarter than the Sandman and the Trapster. On this note, Spider-Man takes his leave, goes back down to the hotel's lobby to pick up Jill Stacy, and accompanied by Jill, heads back home to his wife and favorite aunt. When they arrive, both are asleep on the couch; holding a heart-shaped box of chocolate. Peter suddenly realizes that he has completely forgotten about today being Valentine's Day. Peter apologizes to Jill for her having such a horrible Valentine's day but she retorts that this was the best one she's ever had and gives him a kiss on the cheek that makes him blush.

ACT 5: Senator Ward is giving a press conference about the latest attacks on his person, and assures the population that, upon his return to Washington, there will be a complete investigation launched into this matter. His cell phone rings and he excuses himself. He answers the phone: "Hello. You! What are you...insane?! I was almost killed by those madmen of yours! That was not part of the deal!" The identity of the person at the other end of the phone is revealed; it is the Wizard. He replies: "You insisted that the assassination attempt appear authentic, my good Senator. You must be ever the hero in the public eye. We can't have anyone looking too closely into that background of yours...can we? Leave yourself into the Wizard's hands and no one will learn the truth, my friend! No one!"

For more on Senator Ward, and his alliance with the Wizard, check out Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1.