Tony sighed as his long black limo pulled up to the outside of the large building. The banner stretched across the front in big bold blinding letters read 'OsCorp'. It wasn't everyday a big time rival invited him for a tour, so naturally Tony assumed that Norman was up to something and that he had better nip it in the bud before it sprouted into a wild fire that could potential hurt Tony's own company. The keyword there being 'potential'. Tony's own ego refused to believe that anyone or anything could bring him down. He was the king of industry. It was his bright invitation, his charming attitude, and well in his mind his naturally good looks that kept the company afloat and booming. "Okay, Happy, this won't take to long." He reached in his pocket handing the driver a wad of bills. "Go down to Burger King and get us a couple burgers. Oh ..and shakes. Chocolate. You know I hate vanilla. Yuck."
Happy simply smiled taking the money as he nodded to every request that Mr. Stark made to him. Truly this job was a lot easier on someday such as these when all he had to do was play food delivery boy. Mr. Stark really loved his fast food. Everything from Burger King to Pizza Hut, and it was Happy's job to make sure Tony was happy. "Yes, Mr. Stark. I'll shall get on as soon as you exit."
There was a slight pout and expression of worry on his face as he reached for the door handle. "If I'm late to this one she'll be mad right?"
"Sir, if you're late to this one. Ms. Potts is going to throw a fit."
There was a slight grumble as the door opened and Mr. Stark stepped out. It seemed that there was only a select few who could control Tony Stark and his sometimes childish ways, and right there on holding the number one spot was none other than Pepper Potts his faithful assistant and mostly more if either of them would get over their stubbornness an admit it. Happy smirked as the door shut signaling that Mr. Stark had actually gotten out this time. Happy waited for a few minutes before he pulled forward and out of the drive way to go fulfill Tony's food order smirking all the way.
Benjamin Parker sighed as he looked up from his research papers only to find his five year old nephew had disappeared once again. Mr. Osborne had already shown his serve dislike for having a child in the work place already, and Ben knew that if Norman found the boy first he was going to be fired. He rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. He was to old for this. He ran his fingers through his ever growing grey hair as he stood heading towards his office door. It seemed that the young Peter had added a few there himself today.
Meanwhile, Peter was literally having a blast watching the animals in the lab. Sure he wasn't supposed to be in here, but he didn't exactly like sitting in his uncle's office all day. He had wanted to say home with Aunt May and make cookies like last time, but she had been sick again this morning. A small frown crossed across his face looking out of place on the normally happy child. All of sudden the door to the lab opened as two white coated men entered shocking Peter out of his daze. He quickly crawled under one of the tables bringing his knees up to his chin as he tried to remain quiet. The two men didn't seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary as they talked about something that Peter really didn't understand.
"I told you one is missing, Bill. Look count there is only ten there were supposed to be eleven. We have to shut this whole floor down!"
"What?! Are you crazy?! We have been working on this project for years and the moment we actually get a break through you want to me to shut it down?!"
"This is dangerous! Someone could die! You have to do it!"
"I don't have to do anything. This isn't my problem this is yours. I suggest you fix it." The one Peter guessed was Bill stormed out of the room letting the door slam behind him. Peter didn't even notice as a small black 'dot' crept up his arm stopping once it reached the exposed flesh that covered his hand. Peter quickly held his breath as he watched the man's feet stop in front of his hiding place. Surely he had been quiet enough? Did this man have super hearing or something? Suddenly a hand reached gripping the back of Peter's shirt roughly hauling him from his hiding place. The jerked movement alerted the small creature on his hand enough to sink his fangs into Peter's hand drawing two identical drops of blood before dropping back to the floor in all the commotion.
"You're in a lot of trouble little boy.." said the man as he lead him out of the lab back towards the main part of the building. Tears were freely falling down from Peter's face; not because he knew in fact the man was right. His uncle had warned him not to run off, but he was crying from the burning pain spreading through his entire body. He was hot and cold at the same time as his vision began to blacken out his normal skin color giving way to a pasty pale white.
Peter's eyes widened as he jerked his hand away from the lab coat man running to the nearest trash can letting go of what small breakfast he was able to eat before leaving home. There was a small sigh of relief as he felt a gentle patting on his back. His Uncle must have found him. Now he could go home and cuddle into his makeshift fort in the living room. "Uncle Ben I…" He paused in shocked and horror as Norman Osborne stared down at him. Normally this man hated him, yelled at him, and just was plain scary. It confused him why he was being nice to him now. That is when he seen the other man dressed in the business suit. That must be the reason why. Norman was using him to cut a deal. For a five year old he was very bright. "I want my uncle…" he said lowly as tears began to fall once more.
One of Norman's heart winning smiles formed as he gently picked up Peter as he would do his own child. Although in fact he didn't even want anything to really do with Harry. "Don't worry. I'll find your uncle, Jack.." Peter sniffed wiping his nose on his sleeve earning a somewhat hidden disgust from Norman. "I'm Peter.." He still hurt and wanted to be anywhere; anyone but one of Norman's little shows. He wanted his uncle or his aunt.
Tony knew full well what Norman was playing at, showing 'compassion' towards this lost boy and to be honest it disgusted him slightly. He hid it well though as he stepped forward, looking down at the boy who had identified himself as Peter and giving a small smile. "Your a busy man Norman. We all know that. I can help the kind find his uncle if you have other things to attend to."
Norman blinked slightly before handing the boy over. The boy was shaking a clear sign that his temperature was up. "If you want to get your suit dirty be my guest. Listen you drop off the crumb snatcher..uh kid anywhere you want. I'll be in my office ready to discuss the rest of our deal, Mr. Stark." He started to walk away pausing for a moment. "And when you do find the boy's uncle. Tell him he is fired." Suddenly Peter went limp in Tony's arms his eyes rolling to the back of his head as conscious left him.
Tony couldn't help but sneer slightly at Norman's back as the man walked away. "Fire your own people Norman. I'm not your messenger boy." He said in a quiet voice. He looked down at the boy who had suddenly gone limp. "Poor kid..." He picked him up, feeling the fever coursing through the child's small frame. "Lets find your uncle...you need a doctor." He paused as he looked down at the boys hand, seeing the puncture wound. "Or maybe a venom specialist...what did you get into..." He started walking.
Meanwhile Ben was just about in tears. How could he lose him? The one thing his brother had trusted him with before his tragic passing and now he had lost him all because he didn't pay enough attention to what was really important. No it wasn't his project that could save or kill hundreds of forests worldwide; it was the brown haired boy that had been named after him. "Peter?!" He called out franticly as he checked office to office room to room. At this point the didn't care at all what Norman said. He could go screw himself for all the gentle Parker could care.
Tony wandered the hallways of Oscorp looking room to room for he didn't know how long. He was starting to think he should find the boy help and then find his guardian when he heard a frantic voice coming from the floor above him. He walked to the midst of a lobby, still carrying Peter, he looked up to see an older white haired man frantically opening and closing doors. He smirked slightly. The man obviously cared a great deal for the boy. He spoke up so he could be heard from where he stood. "You must be Ben."
Ben paused in his step for a moment as he spotted Tony, Peter held in his arms. He quickly ran forward taking Peter from Tony's arm squeezing him tightly to his chest. That is when he noticed something was wrong. Peter wasn't breathing right. Surely his asthma hadn't kicked in ..no this didn't sound right. "Peter?" He questioned as he gave his only nephew a gently shake making Peter cling tightly to him. He looked up to his literal savior with concern. "What happened? I ..I have to call 911."
Tony decided at that moment that it was his job to see this through now that he had found the boys rightful guardian. He pulled his cell phone out of a pocket and offered it to the man. "He has some sort of bite mark on his hand...other than that I cant tell you much...he passed out shortly after Norman and I found him."
Ben took it dialing the number greedily like a hungry dog. "Hello, Yes my nephew needs help. I'm at OsCorp. ..I'll met you out front." He hung up the phone still clinging to Peter as if when he let go the boy would disappear to nothing. "Thanks.." He said shakily running his hands over Peter's hair. "I don't know how I can repay you." The siren sounded at the door making Ben forget all about this suited man as he turned running towards the door. If Peter was ok, he would come back tonight to finish the work he had missed for the day. The main word there being 'if'.
