Decided to write this out as a possible story line for possible future chapters. I left it open with a possible story arc but…if I decide not to go anything further with, I'll probably delete this chapter. The first chapter was like one of those extra page features you see well, this one is like your standard comic. We'll see where it goes but of course, this probably will never happen in the comics and I may lose interest over time as my schedule is hectic and may just stick to one shots. I'd like to work on this and the others but, I need original stories for all of them because I don't want to run them together and sound similar. Made that mistake with all three but for one shot at it, I had to make it count instead of a multiple chapter story. If I had more time, I'd revise those to go longer but, right now I just can't. Hopefully though, you'll enjoy this and I'd like this to see this myself in the 616 if MJ is out of the picture for good. She will however always be Peter Parker's other half, no matter what. So anyway, long note over. Enjoy.
"Damn it, I hate S.H.I.E.L.D. with a passion sometimes. Bastards really need to be put in check." Laura groaned planting her head on the kitchen table. Peter sat next to her drinking a cup of coffee, both in civilian clothes after finishing up breakfast.
"They treated my company as no better than Hydra or A.I.M., trust me when I say that I completely agree with you. But, you do have their phone number and you tend to call them whenever you take out some little cell of your wonderful caretakers." Peter reminded her. Laura looked up and glared at him, unsheathing one of her claws. Peter didn't even flinch, being in a relationship with her for the last six months had taken away that fear he once had.
"Why do you keep trying that, you haven't used it against me yet." Peter said to her setting down his cup and lowering her hand gently.
"Just because you aren't scared of it doesn't mean I can't slice something of yours off." She reminded him, sheathing the claw.
"Would you?" he asked her back. Laura looked at him momentarily before leaning in and kissing him.
"No, of course not." She answered pulling back and looked at her phone.
"And why would you want to? He's such a nice person." Gabby joyfully announced from the other room. Laura growled loudly.
"Shut up Gabby! Adults are talking!" she shouted out to the sound of giggles from her little sister. Laura turned back to Peter and looked him square in the eye.
"It's hard to maintain a relationship with you considering that those bastards know we're living together, working together….fucking together." Laura sighed quietly, aggravated.
"Yeah, I'm not happy about that either. Especially since you still get called to take care of matters overseas it seems now. We never agreed to work for them, remember?" Peter asked her.
"I know, but…damn it, Logan tried to warn me of this. Why can't they just leave us alone? They bring you in on the missions now, like you're any part of this. You have your own hero life." Laura looked at him with a sad gaze.
"I agreed to share your problems just like you did mine when you agree to share each other intimately. We'll figure a way to make sure that they don't keep putting this on us." Peter assured her, taking her hand in his. Laura looked down at their intertwined hands and then back up at him, staring into his eyes. She smiled and leaned in, kissing him again.
"Six months ago, I barely grasped the concept of love. I took a chance on you, not knowing what to expect. Now, I can barely keep myself away from you. I guess I didn't get all of Logan's traits after all…but…" Laura trailed off. Peter already knew what she was going to bring up.
"I know, your healing factor. We can't worry about that right now, let's give it a few years before we do." Peter told her.
"Peter…"
"Laura, don't. Right now, let's worry about getting S.H.E.I.L.D. of our backs so we can focus on our lives." Peter leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. Laura closed her eyes and smiled, grasping his cheek gently.
"You're a sap, you know that right?" she asked him.
"You bring it out." He answered back.
"So I guess 'adults talking' means getting mushy with each other. You know you have a room right?" Gabby said leaning against the wall with a smile. Laura shot her an death glare.
"Quiet and leave, or no desert tonight." Laura warned her, standing from her chair. Gabby's face draped in horror, quickly nodding and making her escape from the room. Laura turned back to Peter once her sister had vanished and sat down in her chair.
"I'm really glad that you have insulated walls to keep sounds from escaping otherwise, she would have a lot more questions than just that. Though, I think she may already know. God, I hope she doesn't." Laura sighed. Peter smiled at her frustration.
"Probably means we'll have to have a talk with her soon, but maybe we talk to Fury or Maria first because you know, they owe me too for making me to be a terrorist." He said, rubbing her back gently while stroking her hair. Laura closed her eyes and sighed in contentment, feeling his soothing fingers work their magic.
"The fact they considered you a terrorist or rather your old company is quite stupid on their part. Good thing you had me to convince them to stop that crap." Laura giggled quietly. Peter continued to stroke her hair.
"And now I can convince them, hopefully, to leave you and I alone." He said, reaching for the phone and sliding it over to her.
"You want me to call them right now?" she asked him, grasping it in one of her hands. Peter shook his head and smiled.
"We just had breakfast, I'd say we save it for the afternoon. Wouldn't it be better if we spent the day at the park with Gabby? I think it'd be better than her going on some crime fighting crusade with us for once." Peter suggested to her. Laura set the phone down and smiled up at him.
"I think she'd like that. I would too. But you think we could get lunch afterward? Or maybe I give your web-shooters a spin?" she asked, looking up at him and almost speaking like she was an innocent child. Peter knew that routine and chuckled.
"Puppy dog look doesn't always work on me, babe. But all you had to do was ask." He smirked. Laura flipped him off and smirked back.
"It's more fun this way, less awkward for someone like me to open up, Pete." She answered back leaning forward in her seat.
"I can't give you my web-shooters, they're design only for me but, I could make you a pair for you and Gabby. I still have my connections with Harry and I'm always welcome to make whatever I want over at work. Though, I think it's a little unfair isn't it that you have adamantium claws, healing factor, super smell and hearing, then you want a pair of web-shooters. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to take my role the Amazing Spider-Man." Peter chuckled, still stroking her hair.
"Ha! Like anyone wants that mantle. I'll stick to being Wolverine thank you." Laura laughed loudly. Peter loved her laughter, it seemed to really suit her when she wanted to.
"Keep it up, I'll call you Lady Wolverine or Wolverette again." He warned her. Laura's laughter died down quickly and she held herself from using her claws at him. Instead, she gave him a sadistic looking smile.
"Try it and you'll be put into an early retirement. Put don't worry, I'd take care of you and your one remaining leg." She said as sweetly as she could. Peter chuckled nervously at her expression. That was the type of look that would scare him straight around her whenever she wanted.
"Yes ma'am, just don't, cut off anything else important or, well you may not enjoy my company as much." Laura eyeballed him suggestively but remember the present company in the other room.
"I intend to put that to good use tonight, so that part will remain with you." She assured him. Peter sighed sarcastically in relief.
"Well, that's good to know." He answered. Laura smacked his shoulder.
"Don't be a smartass." She scolded him, standing from her seat and pulling him up with her.
"Come on, let's go to the park. Gabby!" Laura called out. Gabby quickly appeared in the doorway, her head tilted to the side.
"Yes?" she asked. Peter and Laura smiled at her question.
"Grab your jacket, we're going to Central Park for a few hours and enjoy the cool weather while we can still enjoy it." Laura instructed her. Gabby hopped up and down joyfully, running to her bedroom to grab her jacket. While Gabby rummaged through her closet, Peter handed Laura a small wristband. She looked up at him, confusion crossing her eyes.
"Peter?" she asked.
"It's something like what I use with my Spider-Armor. It gives you the same type of suit I use only in your usual attire so no red and blue." Peter explained holding it out for her. Laura smiled, taking the wrist band in her hand, examining it.
"So instead of wearing my suit, this would just cover me like yours?" she asked him. Peter silently nodded.
"Is this some excuse just to get me out of my clothes quicker when we're done fighting villains or some other random mission?" Laura cocked her eye brow up and smirked at him. Peter felt a lump form in his throat and he chuckled nervously.
"I will plead the fifth on that one my dear." He answered quickly. Laura giggled quietly and deeply.
"Just admit it and maybe I'll make that wish true tonight." She promised. Peter looked down, thinking about his next words wisely.
"You have to admit that when you wear that outfit, you have a lot of curves working. Don't deny you don't look at me in my suit." Peter called her bluff. Laura didn't say anything as she palmed his cheek, rubbing it gently.
"Baby, I wouldn't exactly put words in one's mouth." She suggested. Peter smirked at her response.
He was right after all.
"Hey, are you two ready to go? I want to go out and have fun!" Gabby ran through the door, jumping up and down giddy as she could be.
Peter and Laura looked at her, their hearts feelings joy and warmth for her. Neither could remember ever being like that, especially considering their various experiences in life. Peter being the outcast and Laura never having a real childhood, they were happy to see that at least they were giving this young girl a chance at something they never really had. Peter walked over to her and knelt down to meet her at eye level.
"Only if you promise to enjoy yourself as much as possible, and no claws." Peter smiled ruffling her hair. Gabby giggled and smiled at the gesture while Laura stood and watched them from the table.
'Logan, you were right about him.' Laura thought happily, walking over to them.
Peter and Laura were sitting on one of the park benches watching Gabby play with a few of the children who were tossing a baseball back and forth, enjoying the setting around them. Peter was sat back against the bench with his arm around Laura who was rested against his shoulder, holding his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb across the back of his hand.
'This must be what love really is.' She thought, a content smile adorning her lips.
"Peter?" she asked, keeping her eyes focused on Gabby. Peter grunted quietly in response.
"When we started this relationship, do you remember how we seemed to be going more by instinct than actual emotion?" Laura asked him.
"Yes I do, I also remember some….awkward….situations after a few weeks. Then again, I was never the best at keeping awkward moments at bay." Peter chuckled at the thought. Laura smirked, amused at some of the memories.
"That's because you can be an idiot but somehow that makes you such a nice person." She reminded him.
"Nice?" he asked.
"Hey, I'm still not fully there emotionally but, you have to admit I've gotten much better over the months. I think being with you has really helped me more than anything I could think off. Still, I sometimes wonder if I can ever really be able to live my life like I want to." Laura spoke with some guilt in her voice. Peter already knew what she was talking about.
"Are you still worried about that nightmare from the other night?" he asked her, leaning further into her. Laura leaned back into him, embracing his warmth.
"I almost sliced you with my claws Peter, I'd be more terrified if I was in your shoes. I don't want to hurt you because of my past." Laura looked up at him with apologetic eyes. Peter smiled warmly at her.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I have my own problems with my past too and you know I've woken up screaming in the middle of the night. Just remember I'm next to you, that you don't have to worry about those memories anymore." He assured her.
"I know that but…even though the Facility is done with, there are still those cells with members in them with the intent of doing who knows what with them. But, I guess I can only do what's in my control and help in whatever way I can. At least I've helped you in keeping the city safe. It's funny though, I questioned what it meant to be a hero." She retorted back.
"Care to explain what you thought being a hero means?" he asked her.
"I always thought it meant doing everything you could to help others, even killing. The amount of people I've hurt and sent to an early grave, I can remember a lot of them being evil. The innocent ones though, where I had no control, I still hear their screams and no matter what I do, I can't get rid of them. The only thing I can do is try to keep going and try to honor them by being the hero I couldn't be back then. But being with you has taught me about what it means to be a different kind of hero, one that spares their enemies. I had learned to do that but I still struggle with my primal instincts. You though, you spare your enemies, even when the personally hurt you. How do you do that without going over the edge?" she asked him, turning her head to face him.
"Like I told you, I want to honor my loved one's memories like they would want me to. And because I know that at any point if I really wanted to, I could kick every single one into hell. I hold back on everyone and they know it, even if they won't admit it. They can plan their revenge schemes all they want but I'll be there to stop them." Peter assured her and himself.
"Is that why you seemed so quiet when you and every other scientist or smart guy was trying to figure out what that virus was on Roosevelt Island? I swear I never heard you have this type of confidence when you were acting as 'Doctor Peter Parker' or am I wrong?" Laura smiled innocently at him. Peter placed a finger to her lips.
"Don't say things that you don't fully understand. Remember, that was months ago and you didn't know who I was." Peter 'glared' at her. Laura just laughed.
"You also ran a corporate empire that S.H.I.E.L.D. considered a hostile threat." She reminded him.
"I never said I was the best at what I do, that's your line. And to be fair, they were stupid considering they let Norman Osborne become a new version of Doctor Doom and build a freaking Goblin Army, one that now I have to account for and locate. So when I see Fury, he'll be lucky I don't knock him out cold." He replied as he saw Gabby dive for a catch into the grass.
"You might get thrown in jail for life if you did that." She warned him. Peter smiled.
"Would you break me out if I did?" he asked her.
"You really need to ask that of me? Come on Peter, I would and so would Gabby along with about half the X-Men, Daredevil, Mockingbird, Silver Sable, Silk, stop me if I run on like you do." She answered him. Peter didn't respond, he just kept smiling.
The day had gone great for the pair and for him, he had become accustomed to taking the role of a guardian to Gabby with Laura. He wondered if this was what it was like to be a parent or a close as one as he could figure. It felt good though not to always worry about the person he was dating or her sister, but in the back of his mind he did worry. He knew what his life was like and even if they were superpowered heroes, death was always on his mind. Hell, Silver Sable was thought dead and yet she lived so maybe there was some hope at the end of it all. He wanted to live for the moments like this, someone that he could share with.
When he and Laura started this relationship, he wondered what it would mean for the both of them. One was no doubt older than the other but it seemed natural between them and they did get some looks. Laura was someone trying to atone for her past and trying to become a hero like her father. Logan was close friends with Peter in his life and she knew that despite his disapproval of this, he would give them his blessing for what they shared. She had begun to open her eyes more than she ever had before and she had begun to truly understand what life was about. Love, was a concept she couldn't grasp at one time. Now, at least with Peter, she couldn't live without it.
Laura thought how days like this were so nice, when there wasn't Quinjet landing in the middle of Central Park as her hearing picked up the unmistakable sound.
"Peter, I think we have a problem coming our way." Laura looked up at the sky. Peter followed her lead and looked up, seeing said jet slowly making its way to a clearing in the middle of the park. Peter and Laura stood up while the park goers came to a standstill and watched the jet make its landing, its cargo bay doors opening and revealing Nick Fury himself, Maria Hill standing next to him. Fury's arms were crossed with a glare to match his ticked of nerves.
"Parker, Kinney, get your asses in here now." Fury demanded, turning around and heading inside the Quinjet. Maria gave them a sympathetic glance and moved inside. Peter and Laura looked at each other and accepted the circumstances for now. But they weren't leaving Gabby behind.
"Gabby, you can play with your friends later, we need to go talk to the Amazing Eye-Patched Bandit." Peter called out, causing Laura to laugh.
"Ok! Bye everyone!" Gabby shouted out running over to them and quickly followed them into the Quinjet. The doors quickly closed behind them and the jet took off to the Helicarrier stationed a few miles off the coast of New York.
Meanwhile in New York City, Doc Ock was sitting in his chair, watching the events unfold as he had been for almost a year since being returned to the plains of the living, watching as Peter Parker ran the company he had built up into the ground. The hatred had been stewing inside him for months now but he was ready to begin stage one of this plan. First was making his presence known. And he was more than willing to do that.
"Peter Parker, you and your loved ones will pay." He spoke with an evil grin on his face.
Peter, Laura and Gabby were sitting at the conference table with Maria watching them intently, glancing over occasionally to the pacing Nick Fury, eye patch and all. Laura's patience was thin by this point after waiting thirty minutes to find out what the hell was going on.
"Fury, would you hurry the hell up and get this over with. You have more important things to worry about than my life, don't you?" Laura growled at him. Fury stopped his pacing and slammed his hands on the table.
"Lady, every superhero activity on the map is my business. Especially when you're hooking up with Spider-Man over there." Fury answered back, drawing some shock from Laura and Gabby.
"Don't look so surprised you two. Even Parker over there knows I know it. What? You think that S.H.I. .doesn't have some idea as to who one of the most famous superheroes are?" Fury followed up.
"Famous? That's quite a compliment from you Fury. At least someone outside of my household appreciates it." Peter quipped.
"Shut up Parker. Don't think I haven't forgotten your company invading a foreign nation using your resources. Along with the all the other messes you've been involved in over the years." Fury instructed. Peter for all he was could take a crack from someone but when they mentioned something that carried no validation, he became pissed off. And he had wanted to pick a bone with him for quite some time now.
"I invaded a nation?! How about a nation that you allowed Norman Osborne to take over and great a fucking Goblin Army that now I have to find and finish off? Osborne got away because you band of idiots couldn't lift a damn finger to help. For all your talk about trying to keep the world safe, you idiots really have your heads up your ass!" Peter slammed his fist down on the table, scaring Gabby and to Laura's surprise, herself.
"Parker, you have no room to tell me what…" Fury began.
"I have no room? Fuck you Fury! I was alright with being picked up to discuss your constant b.s. with Laura and the other heroes but of course, your ego was so damn inflated you couldn't be rational and say I'm at fault for what happened! Enough of that crap, I'm going to let you in on a secret." Peter stood and walked over to Fury, standing tall in front of him.
"You think that you're this badass that can defend the world from terror. The truth though, you can only do so much before you have to call in the Avengers to defend the world from Thanos, Galatcius or whoever else. You think you can do anything important when in one day Captain Marvel and Tony Stark can lead the world into a superhero war?" Peter asked him, poking his chest. Everyone in the room except the two men arguing held their breath.
"Oh wait, that was the second superhero war, you couldn't even stop the first! You think you could stop the Guardians of the Galaxy from attacking you? I can tell you right now, you couldn't. All you can do is disrupt lives but if every hero in the world teamed up, they would take you down in five seconds. So take this advice and run with it, don't mess with the heroes that defend this world against the maniacs like Osborne." Peter finished, turning around and walking back to his seat. Fury stood his ground and collected his thoughts.
"When did you grow a pair Parker?" Fury chuckled.
"When you continued to mess with the lives of my loved ones. Don't think I forgot about you interrogating my Aunt and my best friend. Do it again, and I'll make sure to meet you again to teach you some respect." Peter warned him. Laura looked at him, fear racking her body. She wasn't afraid of Peter, but rather what she had just witnessed. She put that fear aside though and turned to face Fury.
"He's right Fury, stop messing with my family. If you need something done, don't always call on me to clean up your mess. You've got seven others that I know have that phone number and honestly, I've got my own stuff to deal with, my own life. I was an assassin for many years, that doesn't mean I don't want to be just that." Laura said with authority.
"If it involves you specifically, we'll call on you. You know that." Hill spoke up. Laura shot her a glare.
"Then why is Peter never called when something goes wrong? Oh wait, that's right, he has to do it on his own instead getting some help. You heard him, how did you let Osborne build weapons and build up power under your noses? Maybe instead of being your own private army, you work with more than just a few heroes." Laura stood up.
"Come on Peter. This fool isn't going to listen to reason." Laura pulled Gabby up with her and Peter stood as well.
"Now hold it right there you three. We're here to defend the world as best as we can. We do what we can with the info we have but we make mistakes." Fury reminded them.
"And yet you think that someone like Spider-Man would invade a country for his own purposes or because someone wanted it? He SAVES people Fury, it's all he's ever done and yet your too stupid to see that apparently!" Laura shouted back.
"What did you expect us to do? Parker became the next Tony Stark and we know what Stark was capable of. Regardless of how well minded he wanted to be, Stark was a danger too. We had to treat Parker as such before he sold his company to a son of Osborne." Fury finished and quickly received a fist directly to his face. Everyone fell silent as Fury fell to the ground, Peter looming over him and Hill drawing her pistol at him. Laura and Gabby unsheathed their claws, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Peter grabbed Fury by the collar, murderous intent in his eyes.
"If you ever mention Harry like that again, jail my Aunt or Mary Jane, or especially hurt Laura and Gabby, I promise you this…." Peter trailed over, activating his Web ware and forming the black suit around him.
"…Will be the final thing you ever see after I destroy S.H.I.E.L.D. myself. Focus on keeping Captain America from thinking he was a Hydra Agent instead of worrying about me or anyone I care about." He warned, his suit turning to its usual red and blue hue. Peter released Fury from his grasp but everyone remained silent. Laura looked at Hill, motioning to put down the gun or else. Maria followed her gesture and holstered her weapon but continued to watch Peter. Fury stood up and readjusted himself.
"Just keep yourself in check and we won't have an issue." Was all Fury said making his way to the door. Just as he opened it, one of the crew ran in the door with a special report quickly whispering what was happening under his breath. Fury nodded in understanding and turned to Peter.
"If you want our help now Parker, you may want it. Apparently, Otto Octavius has started attacking lower Manhattan and he's using some weapons from Osborne. I thought he was dead though." Fury informed him. Peter's fist clenched in anger, something Laura and Gabby took notice of.
"I knew he'd be back when I faced the Jackal again. Doc Ock is mine." Peter announced walking to the door and stopping just in front of Fury.
"I told you if you were on top of this, Octavius wouldn't have Osborne's weapons. Consider that a final warning as well. Laura, Gabby, I have work to do." He said making way for the door.
"Not without us Peter, we're with you." Laura replied putting the wrist band on and activating it, suiting herself up in her Wolverine suit. Gabby was slightly disappointed she didn't have those cool suits either.
"How come I don't get one?" she asked. Peter smiled underneath his mask and grabbed one from his belt, tossing it to Gabby.
"Put it on and just think of the suit you wear Gabby." Peter instructed walking through the door. Gabby quickly put the band on and concentrated, her black suit forming over her just as it had for Peter and Laura.
"So cool." Was all Gabby said with a smile looking herself over. Laura smiled as well and sheathed her claws, making way for the door.
"We're taking a Quinjet, don't expect it back." Laura declared as she and Gabby quickly made their way through down the hall and out of sight of Fury and Hill who glanced at each other.
"Sir, if I may be so bold as to speak?" Hill asked him.
"Go ahead." Fury answered.
"Is it wise to keep making these heroes upset? I understand what our job is but, Parker has a point. Maybe we need to work with them more than we already do. Perhaps a council of heroes." Hill suggested.
"I already have enough problems Agent Hill, that's the last thing we need. Especially with another civil war between them just occurring." Fury replied and walked out the door, leaving Agent Hill to her thoughts on the matter.
Meanwhile, on a Quinjet speeding to lower Manhattan….
"Peter, are you absolutely sure it's the guy that took over your body and mind?" Laura asked him, sitting to his left.
"Of course I'm sure, if there's one thing I know, it's freaking clones. No offense but I was dealing with that stuff long before I met you." Peter answered her adjusting their flight trajectory.
"Okay, I get it, you don't like clones that aren't Gabby and I, but why would Octavius start acting like this? I thought he was reformed and sacrificed himself to allow you back in your body? Even he got one back, he shouldn't be like this." Laura reasoned.
"You should know better than that Laura. Who knows how these people's mind think, I just know that if he's attacking people with Osborne's weapons he'll be finished quickly and then I'll be hunting down Osborne." Peter promised her as they could see Manhattan come into view. Laura could tell by the sound of his voice that he was going to need someone to back him down if he went over the edge.
"Osborne has been a real pain in your side, hasn't he? Just like Kimura was for me, right?" she asked him, already knowing the answer.
"Different circumstances but he's caused me nothing but pain. Eventually, I'll need to finish this or we'll end up killing each other." Was all Peter said as he prepared himself for the battle ahead. Laura decided to let it go for now and turned to Gabby.
"Listen, I want you to get anyone in danger to safety, understand?" she asked her.
"Why can't I fight with you and Peter?" she asked her back.
"Because those people that can't defend themselves need your help. And to help Peter and I fight, we need them clear and safe. You have a role in this fight but one that is more important. Can you do that?" Laura retorted. Gabby nodded confidently and pulled her gloves back tight. Laura smiled and turned back to face Peter.
"What's the plan then?"
Peter turned to her, his gaze unreadable to her eyes.
"Stop Doc Ock. I'll make it up as we go." Peter answered. Laura smirked at him.
"Sounds like a Spider-Man plan."
"Fools! You've thought that the mighty Otto Octavius was gone! Think again as my might and genius will show you otherwise!" Doc Ock shouted throwing two cars across the street. Civilians ran for their lives when a young woman clad in black and red waved them down the street.
"Hurry! You need to go this way quickly!" she ordered, catching the attention of Octavius.
"And who are you little one? Another supposed hero of this city?" he asked with a sarcastic tone.
"Not yet, but one in training. The real heroes are the ones that are about to knock your socks and arms off." Gabby stuck her tongue at him as she ran, leading traffic to safety.
"Insolent child! I will..." BAM! Ock was knocked to his side as Spider-Man dealt a punch to his jaw. Peter landed across from Octavius on a lamppost.
"Hey Doc, I like the new body. Did you have to steal that one like last time or was it free of charge?" Peter quipped setting his web-shooters to EMP stun. Doc Ock turned his head to his hated foe.
"Spider-Man! Or should I say Peter Parker?" Otto grinned standing to his feet. Peter's eyes narrowed under his mask shooting a web at him, an EMP charge attached to it. Otto used one of his arms a swat the device away.
"You think that will work against me? I know all your tricks, after all, I know your memories." Otto gloated. Peter leaped back as he sensed Ock launch one of his arms at Peter, destroying a hydrant right behind him.
"That's a shame Doc, I'm sure Hydra is going to charge you with destruction of property. And you may think you know my tricks but I doubt you'll remember this one." Peter looked up to see Laura in position.
"Remember our 'little secret' from when we first met, Wolverine?" Peter called out. Octavius looked around in fear.
"Wolverine?! He's dead!" Otto shouted out whipping his head around in confusion.
"Wrong, Logan is dead but I'd say his protégé is equally as good. Remember our secret trademark?!" Peter called out again.
"Yes I do, time for the fastball special!" Laura shouted back jumping from the top of the building. Peter leapt up and back shooting two web lines at her.
Laura unsheathed her claws and straightened herself, feeling the G forces against her body as Peter whipped his body around and pulled her to top speed, releasing her at the height of their arc. Octavius couldn't react quick enough as he watched Laura fly at him and the only thing he could do was shield himself with his metallic arms. Laura stabbed her claws into his arms and Otto shouted in pain, feeling the nerves in them hit his spine. Laura pulled back and leapt out of the way as Peter leaped down shooting web at the building behind him and another at Otto's chest. Peter landed on the ground and used the leverage to pull Otto and fling him against a line of cars, knocking the air out of the villain's body.
Otto acted quickly despite the pain and pushed a button on his suit, activating one of Osborne's Goblin Gliders as Peter jumped at him. Peter's spider sense went off and realized he only had a second to move out of the way. Fortunately, Laura jumped in front of the Goblin Glider and sliced it in half. But Peter's spider sense was still going haywire and reacted as he grabbed Laura, jumping out of the way at the last second as the separated Glider exploded near Octavius. Peter landed on the sidewalk, setting Laura to her feet.
"Are you ok?" he asked her. Laura silently nodded at looked over to Doc Ock as the smoke cleared. Peter walked over to him and rested a foot on top of his chest, kneeling down to face him.
"How you feeling there Otto, should I call a Doctor or should I look at you? You did make me a Doctor after all." Peter quipped. Octavius struggled against Peter's strength.
"You forget that I know who you are? Fool, you took the company I built and you lucked into, destroying it and eventually selling it to Osborne's child. He's actually done a better job of running it than you have but yet you act as though you are the world's savior, but I lived your life and trust me, you aren't as great as you think you are." Otto declared as he felt his metallic arms start to move, launching one at Peter.
He cursed himself as his spider sense seemed to be slow and knew a blow was coming. But he felt no impact come but instead heard a scream from Octavius as his metal arms found the ground, sliced from their base. Peter looked to his side to find Laura's extended claws and metallic shavings on her claws. Peter couldn't say anything as the deed had been done and stood up next to her.
"That's the trick I had up my sleeve Otto. I have friends on my side, some closer than others. I've also taken a new approach to being a hero. I'm a little more aggressive but I can hold myself back unlike you. There's a truth you should really know though. You'll never win Otto, no matter how much you try. When I'm crazy enough to punch Nick Fury in the face and tell him he's worthless, you know I can go further if I'm pushed too far. So take this as a warning." Peter kneeled next to him and held his web shooter next to Otto's face.
"You may know who I am, but I promise you this. If you ever do anything that may hurt my loved ones, anyone that I care deeply about, I will end you. For all the power you hold, you'll never beat me. You'll never break my spirit, only spark my anger and when it's been unleashed, I will shoot this web down your throat till you can no longer breathe. I will make you suffer for taking my body, for making my loved ones hate me, for making me lose another love of my life. Because I hold back all the time, but if I don't, you and the others will feel my wrath." Peter explained with venom, standing up and webbing up Otto until the police arrived.
"Let's go find you sister." Peter said to Laura, throwing her on his back and swinging down the street to leave Otto to his thoughts. A grin though slowly formed on his face, contemplating the words he had just been told.
"Oh but believe me Peter Parker, I will have my vengeance." Otto spoke to himself and slowly managed to reach over and touch his wrist band, sending a call to an old foe of his.
"Who is this?" Norman Osborne answered on the other line.
"It's Otto Octavius, and I'm about to be arrested in a matter of minutes so we don't have much time." He explained.
"I don't know how you were able to find me but I can't help you nor do I want to." Osborne replied on the other end.
"Not now Mr. Osborne, but in time. I think a future partnership could help us take out our mutual enemy. Call me back in prison if you're interested." Otto hung up as Osborne said his objections.
"See you soon, Green Goblin. And you too Spider-Man. Step one of my plan, complete." Otto spoke out as the police arrived on the scene.
Peter sat in his special office consisted of his tech, spider suits and one lone chair which he occupied still in his Spider-Man suit. He was contemplating what in the world he was going to do and how was he going to do it? Harry still gave him access and funding so he could take the fight to them but, somewhere along the line, he had to figure out a way to plan this. Laura was placed just outside the doorway, listening to every shuffle he made, every fist slamming against the chair and every heavy sigh.
"Doc Ock is back, Osborne is still out there and I've got S.H.I.E.L.D. on my back. I swear my luck is really bad. Not sure what I did to deserve some of this crap." Peter muttered to himself.
"Punching Nick Fury in the jaw would be one thing." Laura said quietly in the doorway, still wearing her Wolverine attire. Peter looked and smiled.
"Stop being a smartass. Otherwise I'll have to punish you." Peter remarked. Laura's eyebrow raised up.
"Like what? A spanking?" she asked him deviously.
"Is that a request? That suit sure gives up the curves that make it say that." He answered back.
"Perv." She replied walking over to him, kneeling next to him.
"Something else is on your mind though, and mine." Laura said grasping his hand. Peter looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"I've never seen you like that. Not once, even when we were taking out that Facility cell months ago. Peter, you know if something is ever bothering you, you can tell me, right?" she asked him, grasping his hand tightly. Peter felt the pressure, reassured by it.
"I know but, sometimes I feel like it would just be ranting or complaining, especially to someone that's had it much worse than I have. I don't know if I could tell you that stuff." He answered her, feeling unsure of what else to say. Laura's eyes closed halfway and she smiled.
"Peter, it's okay. You've listened to me talk about my past plenty of times now but you haven't opened as much about yours. I can listen and try to help, but you have to be willing to talk to me. Please, talk to me." She encouraged him. Peter took a moment and then took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.
"It just seems like all my villains that have hurt me personally continue to come back to haunt me and I know that it would be easier just to end them. You know why I can't do it but, it would just seem so much easier and it would make things similar right?" he asked her. Laura sighed quietly and then stood up, only to quickly take a seat in his lap. She grasped his face gently and kissed him softly.
"Peter, I agree with what you're saying but…Logan also had begun to teach me about fighting what our nature is. My nature was to kill, that's all I knew. But as I've grown, I've learned to fight that urge. I wanted to kill Octavius today but, I held myself back. Killing is easy Peter, letting someone like that live is hard and with everything we know about the multiverse, sometimes the consequences of our actions can be greater than the ones we don't do." She told him.
"What if a day comes that we have no choice? Then what?" he asked her.
"Then we make a decision and deal with it. There's no point in worrying about it now. It's why we told Fury to back off and let us live our lives. We're people too and we deserve that much. What are you going to do about Osborne though?" she asked.
"I'm going to find him and end this once and for all. I can't let him keep doing this. I swore I would never cross that line but if it keeps going to this, I'll have no choice. He's caused more damage than anyone else I can imagine. Octavius will be next. He hasn't reformed and probably never will, it makes me question though what I'll have to do." He replied.
"All I can say is that we try to be the best people we can be. You're the most amazing man I've ever met, you've taught me more than I had ever known and I love you. So much so that I would give up my healing factor to spend your natural life with you. That's the end of that discussion Peter, I love you that much." Laura said with passion lacing her voice. Peter's eyes widen at her revelation.
"Laura, I…I don't know what to say. I love you too but to give up your healing factor for me?" Peter asked her.
"I would do it in a heartbeat Peter. I can't imagine a world without you. So for now, let's just forget the bullshit that happened today and just be happy. And you won't be alone in taking Osborne down, I'll be there too." Laura smiled and kissed him, more passionately. Peter pulled back quickly though remembering their other live resident.
"Where's your sister at?" he asked her.
"She's asleep. I wanted Doctor Strange to babysit for the night but he wasn't available. You remember how tired we were after today. Besides, our room is sound proof after all." Laura stroked his hip gently. Peter smirked up at her.
"You're really dominant when you want to be aren't you?" he asked her.
"Only when I really want something. Come on Peter, let's go have a little fun. Who knows, maybe a baby will be on the way afterward." Laura smirked, her eyes half-lidden.
"A little early to be talking about a baby there, Laura." Peter laughed. Laura just kept smiling, happy to take his mind off what had transpired today, to offer him emotional support when he needed it. She wasn't going to question anything else right now and just wanted to love Peter.
"Maybe a little bit, but we can talk about it in the future. Right now, we should…" Laura trailed off as she heard someone near the doorway.
"Laura, Peter? Where are you?" she called out tired. Peter and Laura looked at each other and expressed their slight disappointment.
"Later." Was all he said to her, ushering her off his lap and stood up, walking over to the door and greeted Gabby.
"Hey there, everything all right?" Peter asked her, kneeling to eye level. Gabby rubbed her eyes of irritation.
"I had a bad dream. It woke me up." Gabby looked up at Peter with frightened eyes. Peter ruffled her head gently and picked her up, hugging her and letting her drape herself on his shoulder.
"It's alright Gabby. You're strong, I know that and Laura knows that. But it's okay to feel a little scared, it's what makes a person know they're real and here. I'm here and your sister's here and we love you." Peter gently motioned themselves back and forth, comforting her. Gabby smiled and held him tighter.
"I love you too big brother. You're amazing as Spider-Man but even more amazing as Peter Parker." Gabby spoke gently to him.
Peter smiled as he held her up, knowing that she knew what this life could be like and smarter than her age showed but she was still a kid, just like he used to be. And just like any kid, they needed to be comforted everyone needed. Peter and Laura lost that or never had that to begin with, he and Laura weren't going to let that happened to Gabby. Laura looked on as she watched her love and her sister embrace. She was only joking about having a baby with Peter but the way she watched him with her sister for the last six months, she knew he'd be an amazing father. And she knew he'd cross the line to protect them, just as he would have if he had stayed with Mary Jane. That was his past and she respected it but this was his future and she wanted to be a part of it, for the rest of her life. Marriage was something maybe would come, maybe a family but only when they were both ready. Right now though, she was content watching Peter play the role of father or brother and happy to smile throughout the night.
Fin.