"So how is he?" Jessica asked as the two of them sat at the table, across from one another. They where both wearing casual garb, as they weren't on duty at the moment. "In the sack, I mean?" the British Avenger said as she cocked her head to the side, smiling as she did so.

"Jess!" Carol squealed in surprise.

"What?" the arachnid Heroine asked. "It's a simple question! How is he...down there?" Jessica pondered as she leaned inwards, grinning as she did so. "Or have you two not gotten that far yet?" Carol suppressed a snicker, knowing full well what her friend was referring to. And she definitely wasn't about to spill the beans on the mind-blowing sexual romps she had shared with Peter. On the first night, she had been afraid that she might break a window with her screams of pleasure. Only a call from the landlord on their second time 'together' in bed had ceased their nightly activities to a slower pace. Although, they still found ways to make it interesting.

"Well," Carol huffed, wanting to throw her friend a bone. "There's a reason he's called the 'Amazing' Spider-man," Carol grinned, hoping that Jessica would catch her drift, which she did. They both leaned back, exchanging coy grins as they acknowledged the unsaid meaning. Carol closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds, and imagined his skillful hands poking, prodding and massaging all the right places that made her squeal. Later, he had explained that he used a combination of his spider-sense and his wall-crawling abilities to find the sensitive nerves on her body. That had certainly explained a lot, and she had responded by recalling her C.I.A training on the body's sensitive points, and used that for his pleasure.

"Speaking of that," Jessica asked with a slight shrug. "I caught his interview on the Early Morning Show online. He kinda froze up when asked about the outfit," she said with a serious tone. Carol agreed with her. She knew that question would come up, and eventually he would have to answer it truthfully. Unlike when she had asked him. "I can't exactly fly with my webs can I?" he had told her every time the subject was brought up. And while the statement was very true, there was something about it that seemed false. Almost as if he was hiding something from himself. A distraction arrived in the form of Wolverine, however.

"Jess," the clawed Mutant grunted as he entered the room. "Danvers," he continued as he made a beeline for the fridge, "Was Webs just in here?" he grumbled as he opened the fridge door and pulled out a six-pack of beer. Jess shook her head, and Logan shrugged, "it smells like him in here."

"Well Carol has been using his muscular body as a pillow," Jessica said as she shot a grin back in Carol's direction.

"What now?" Logan grunted as he unsheathed one of his claws and opened a can of beer.

"Carol," Jessica said, "has been using Spidey as a pillow. For what..." she pondered as she threw a sideways glance towards Carol. "Four and a half months now?"

"And?" Logan replied as he chugged down the can he was holding.

"Right," Jessica sighed as she set her head in her hands. "You probably don't care. Well I do," the arachnid Avenger said as she stood up. "They're a really cute couple and-"

"Oh, Danvers," Logan grunted as he chugged a second can of beer. "Mystique escaped our radar again. Last word we had was she was heading up here for some reason," he shrugged as he crushed the can in his palm, and Carol jolted to her feet. Mystique heading towards her was not a good sign, considering their history. Peter had once made the analogy that the shape-shifting Mutant was her own personal Norman Osborne. And even though she knew she didn't know Peter's entire history with the business tycoon turned psychopathic killer, she felt that it was a fitting comparison. Mystique had been the one to kill people she cared about. She had been the one who had sent Rogue on her, and that battle had cost Carol her memories, and her powers for a good length of time. Her entire life had begun to fall apart.

She wound up leaving the planet for a time, only coming back to help save the sun. After that, she re-joined the Avengers, until they disbanded, then re-formed again. That team, however, had seen a series of upsets. The first, and most challenging being the Superhuman Registration act. Non less challenging, however, was when Norman Osborne had taken over control of both S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers. On principal, she refused to comply with the man, even though she didn't quite know the depth of his insanity. A small part of her had believed the notion that the 'Green Goblin' existed only because Spider-man existed. That the two where self-sufficient. But those beliefs had been squashed when she had been ordered dead.

She had managed to escape, and joined forces with Captain America's Secret Avengers. And that was also when she formally met Spider-man. And never before had she been so annoyed by a single person. He had talked on and on, to anyone who would listen to him. And on more than one occasion, she had considered breaking his jaw with one solid punch. And never, had she ever imagined she would miss the over-talkative Peter Parker.

Sure, he talked a lot now, but not as much as he used to. He was much more subdued, and his constant smile had dimmed slightly. All of it because he had suffered at the hands of Otto Octavious. She had taken a silent oath that if she ever got the chance to change what happened to him, she would change it. And that if she could ever strike the doctor, she would. Although the latter would be impossible, as S.H.I.E.L.D had been unable to find any trace of the man in the wreckage of his destroyed lair.

"Carol," Jessica said as she grabbed her shoulder, stopping Carol in her tracks. "Carol don't do it."

"Don't do what?" she snapped violently.

"Don't go and be the cavalry," Jessica replied softly as Logan exited the room. Obviously, the clawed Mutant had little to no interest in the discussion.

"Jess that woman could very well-" Carol began to say as she tried to push past.

"Do what? Try and attack him? Sneaking up on you might be easier," Jessica said firmly. "I think he'd kick her ass. Especially when he knows about your history with that woman. But, maybe you should text him, just in case? Where is he?" she finished inquiringly as she rubbed her hand up and down Carol's shoulder.

"He's downtown," Carol sighed as she lowered her shoulders. "He's gone to the Bugle for a job. I'll..." she said as she reached for her phone. "I'll...I'll send him a message."

XXX

"Well Peter," Robbie Robertson said as he paced the length of the office, deep in thought. "We're not a newspaper anymore," he shrugged as he threw a sideways glance towards him. Inside, Peter smiled, knowing that the answer to his question was most likely going to be no. But still, he had to ask. He didn't want to be a burden in his relationship with Carol. And he was hoping that his standing with what was left of the Bugle would be enough to secure a position. "I think that you also know how easy it's become for someone to snap a picture of a passing superhero now that cameras can be attached to anything and everything," the man said as he rubbed his palm against his stubble-covered chin.

"I understand," Peter sighed, not entirely surprised by the outcome of his conversation with Robbie. He was more than aware of both the job market, and the decline if the need for decent photographers.

"But," Robbie said as Peter turned to the door. "Ever since you left, the picture quality has fallen. And I'm sure you saw that Goldman segment the other day," Robbie said as he inclined his head, in an almost knowing manner that may or may not have contained a truth hidden somewhere.

"I did," Peter replied as the look disappeared from Robbie's eyes.

"Well that seems to have ignited a powder-keg of demands," the older editor-turned-businessman said as he scratched the stubble on his chin. "There's a call for more information on superhero relationships. Particularly the romantic ones. It's all over our message boards and the comments section of our hero-related articles," he sighed with a slight shrug. "But all we can seem to get is table scraps. Iron Man and Spider-woman have been spotted together a lot recently. And there's the ever-popular Fantastic Four Power-couple. But," he paused with a slight smirk, "I think a few pictures of the new Superhero King and Queen would be good for business. One of them kissing would be gold," Robbie finished as Peter felt his phone buzz in his pocket.

"You want a picture of Spider-man kissing Captain Marvel?" Peter asked, not missing a beat from the older man. "And that would get me a job?"

"I think there would be a place for you here," Robbie smiled as Peter's phone buzzed again in his pocket. "We're always in need of a experienced photographer. And you're not to shabby with fixing computers," the man smiled as he walked over to the door, and opened it wide, indicating that the interview was over. He led Peter through the maze of cubicles, towards the main set of doors. "It was good seeing you again Peter," Robbie said as he stuck out a hand for him to shake, which he did. He then walked out the doors and reached into his pocket for his phone. He smiled as he saw that he had gotten a text from Carol. Need 2 talk. Meet 4 lunch? He was sure to send a swift reply, knowing that when she wanted to talk, she really wanted to talk. The last time she had wanted 'to talk' was when she confronted him about his sleeplessness. Of course, the thought of something not good looming in his future was out-shone by an impromptu date with Carol.

He smiled as he walked down the street, imagining what she could possibly have on her mind. He wondered if it had something to do with the recon mission they would be going on over the weekend. He already had a good idea what his cover would be. And he hoped that it would be suitable, as he popped open his phone, after it buzzed. ICU was what it said, and he looked around for any sign of his girlfriend. He spotted her landing on a nearby rooftop, waving at him as she did so. He altered his course appropriately, so that he entered an empty side-street very close to where she had landed.

So close, in fact, that she was able to slip down the side of the building unnoticed to any, even him. He was only alerted to her presence when she spun him around and shoved him against the wall, planting a swift kiss against his lips.

"I could have been a dangerous threat," she smiled as she pulled away.

"Oh?" he replied with a dirty smirk on his face. "Well I can see that," he said as he traced his thumb across her lips. He smiled as he continued, "a completely disarming set of eyes. A touch that could make the Hulk shudder..." he said, stopping only when he saw the growing sour look on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked as he gripped her shoulders tightly.

"Mystique," Carol whispered. "She's in town, according to Logan."

"You do know that she wouldn't dare attack you without like...fifty thugs behind her, right?" Peter offered with a slight shrug, doing his best to alleviate her obvious fears. He gripped her hand tight in his own, as he drew her close. "And besides, I wouldn't let her get that close. She'd be hanging upside-down from a lamp-post before she could lay a finger on you." he finished as he spied a nice, small family diner across the street. They walked inside and where greeted by a kind elderly man wearing an apron. He sat them down at a window-side table before taking their orders. Peter ordered a egg salad sandwich, while Carol ordered poutine.

"So how did it go with the interview?" she asked with a shrug.

"Well," Peter said with a slight sigh. "He'll give me one, provided a snap a couple of pictures of Spidey and Cap'n Marvel together," he said as the man brought them a platter of drinks and appetizers.

"So he's trying to exploit you," Carol replied with a blink. "Or don you think he knows-"

"Robbie's a hell of a lot smarter than Jameson," Peter said with a slight shrug. "I think he figured everything out a while ago. He just hasn't said or done anything about it," Peter finished as he ran his hand over Carol's palm. He smiled as he thought about every time he did that. How it was such a small action, and how it meant so much to both of them. He loved it when she took control and twisted her hand over his and caressed it gently.

"You don't think he'll spill the beans?" she asked him as she smiled warmly.

"No," Peter said as he leaned inwards. "But, speaking about that..." he said in a lower whisper as the door to the diner opened, and a small family entered the restaurant. He was careful to keep the other patrons from overhearing as he continued. "I was thinking about letting John in on the secret," he muttered, and Carol nodded intently. "I didn't initially, but I think he's earned that right," Peter finished, "what do you think?"

"Well I don't know that I have the right to have a say," Carol replied as she brushed a piece of her hair out of her face. "That's really a family thing, Peter. Maybe you should talk with your Aunt?" she finished as the waiter brought them their food.

"Carol Susan Jane Danvers," Peter sighed as he brought both their hands up to eye-level. He smiled as their fingers intertwined and he continued, "The reason I asked you is because you are a part of my family. Your opinion," he said with only a slight pause. "Matters as much to me as anyone else'. More, even, than most," he continued as they exchanged a loving smile that evolved into a tender, passionate kiss that lasted for several joyous minutes. It was easily one of the best minutes of his life. Possibly right behind the first kiss they had shared, when he had managed to escape the explosion that had killed Otto Octavious.

XXX

"Tony?" his girlfriend's voice filtered through the door to his office, causing him to turn and face the door. She stood on the spot, wearing a simple pant suit and carrying a small folder in her hands. Not to mention the worried expression on her face.

"You got something from S.H.I.E.L.D?" Tony asked her as he got to his feet, almost afraid of what her answer would be. He knew that the organization had the ability to shut him down and shut him up for good. Especially if they found out he had been snooping around.

"I did," Jessica replied solemnly as she entered the room, and set the folder down for him to see. He glanced over the S.H.I.E.L.D logo, and the words 'eyes-only.' He didn't really care for those. All he wanted was what they where hiding from him and the Avengers. "Hang on," she said as he moved to open the file. "Are you sure that you want to know what's in there? It's-"

"Jess," he replied as he touched her hand gently. "Secrets can tear us apart. I need to know what's in here," he said with a hint of defiance. And he believed himself to be right, any secret could rend the connection that the Avengers had with S.H.I.E.L.D completely useless. So, that was why he slipped the file open, and began to read. Line by line, lies and secrets where revealed to him. A date rang out in his mind, and he nearly covered his mouth in shock before closing the file, and handing it back to her.

"Do you see what I mean?" Jessica said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Burn it," Tony replied curtly, shocked by what he had just read.

"What?" Jessica said in a shocked tone.

"Burn it," he repeated as he got to his feet. "Burn it," he sighed deeply as he paced a few steps. "I don't want anyone else seeing it. Not Steve, not Logan, not Danvers, not Parker or anyone else. I never want to see it again," he finished as he set his hands down on the table. Why, Fury? Why lie to us? The reason eluded him, for the most part. Tony could understand keeping the secret for a handful of Avengers, but not himself. He felt that he could have been discreet enough for Fury. Not that it made much of a difference now.

XXX

It had been a long day, for them both. Which was why they where both glad to touch down on the apartment balcony. The apartment gave them a sense of security, enough for them to both shed their outfits, hers cloth and his metal. She felt her cat wind around her legs as the two of them neared the bedroom. He bore a carefree attitude, but Carol's eyes darted from side to side, praying that they wouldn't fall on an out-of-place shape-shifting mutant. A part of her worried about Peter's carefree attitude about the threat that the woman presented, but the logical part of her mind told her that Mystique wasn't that big of a threat, when she compared her to the lumbering oaf Rhino, or the brutal Carnage and Venom. But still, it worried her.

Fortunately, she had something else to distract her mind. The fact that Peter had referred to her as being a member of his family. It made her heart flutter slightly at the thought of a ring on her finger and a long, flowing dress. Those kinds of thoughts had never ran through her mind like that before. And she enjoyed them, even as Peter planted a series of kisses down her cheek. What she could not ignore, however, was when he began to massage her breasts with his hands. She moaned in building pleasure as she responded with trailing her fingers down his chiseled frame and towards his crotch. Even through his pants, she could feel his throbbing cock.

"Wait here," Carol whispered into his ear seductively as she pushed him onto the couch. "And close your eyes," she said as she raced off into the bedroom, going for something she knew that would drive him even crazier than just seeing her naked alone. She slipped off her tight-fitting shorts and shirt as she opened her closet and reached into the back. She pulled out a set of black boots and slipped them on, before hovering into the air and flying back into the room. She knew that he loved to use their abilities for the other pleasure, as did she.

"Whoa..." Peter muttered as he opened his eyes and his jaw hit the floor.

"I told you," she whispered as she picked him up and planted him against the wall. "To keep your eyes closed. Now," she said as she closed his jaw with a finger. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to punish you, Peter Parker," she finished as she mashed her breasts in his face, mocking an attempt to smother him. She moaned as she felt his tongue traced up and down her hard nipples, before something bite down on them. She released him in a cry of pleasure, but he remained against the wall and inserted two fingers in a vicious, mind-numbing attack against her waiting womanhood. She panted in ecstasy as a trail of kisses traced along her neck as the assault on her pussy continued.

In response to the unrelenting pleasure, she ripped his pants off, as well as his boxers and began to trace her fingers around his testicles. She then proceeded to wrap her fingers around his manhood, and stroke back and forth as they both moaned and spasmed in pleasure.

"Take me," she whispered into his ear as she forced him down onto the couch. He spread his legs wide, and she mounted him, letting his throbbing cock enter her waiting maw. A scream of pleasure escaped her lips as she squeezed her muscles around him, feeling the pumping blood in his reproductive organ that was driving her wild as she impaled herself on it.

"Oh my god..." he panted as she thrust herself on him with measured motions.

"Oh..." Carol moaned as she felt herself building to an inevitable climax. Surprisingly, Peter pushed her off and proceeded to kneel in front of her pulsating entrance. She gasped as she felt his tongue enter her body, as he began to eat her out. She felt his hands grasp her legs, as his tongue continued to go in and out, driving her to an orgasm, which sprayed all over his face. "My turn," Carol whispered as she pushed him back and began to return the favour by swallowing his entire manhood. She bobbed up and down as she played with his testicles, increasing her pace as she felt his pulse pick up. At the very last second, she pulled his cock out of her mouth and gave it a series of strokes, which brought him over the edge, and he sprayed the white substance all over her chest.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear as she sat down beside him.

"I love you too," she replied as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"Still worried about her?" Peter asked as she felt her hair being toyed with.

"A little," Carol replied as she closed her eyes. However, instead of imagining what Mystique could do to her life, she imagined the two of them in a similar position, only wearing clothes. And a small baby cradled in her arms, smiling happily. She could see the child's deep brown eyes staring back at her with a loving intent as tiny fingers tried to grasp the golden ring on her finger, which matched the one on Peter's hand.

"Mommy..." the child cooed as a hand reached up, trying to grasp her nose.

Although Carol knew that she was seeing a dream, she enjoyed it nonetheless. She found herself revelling in the idea of a growing family took root in her heart. And what was even more, was that she was sure it had to be with the man beside her. She wanted to start a family with Peter Benjamin Parker, no matter what it took.

And no one, not Mystique, or the Rhino, or Venom would stand in the way of her family. That she was very sure of in her mind. And if anyone tried, she would personally see them thrown in prison, so that they couldn't hurt anyone anymore. It was with that thought that she sighed deeply resting her head against his, not a care in the world, save for him. And with no thought to the dangers that lay right around the corner for them both.

A/N: any ideas/theories about S.H.I.E.L.D's secret?