"Here are your passes, sir. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let us know."
"Of course, thank you so much!"
"My pleasure sir!"

Faith smiled as yet another satisfied guest made his way from the front desk into the grand entrance of the hotel, and looked back towards her computer, typing in some important information into the system. She let off a satisfied sigh as she worked. Working at a five star hotel was certainly an adventure, and she enjoyed seeing the satisfied faces of her guests. Well, it wasn't as daring as working on a cruise ship, like Becky was doing; but hey! This wasn't a small operation by any means!

"Very good Faith!"

The young woman paused and looked behind her with a smile, as the hotel manager strolled up towards her and nodded in approval. "I'm happy to see that the past month or so has been good to you! Hey, before you know it I know Mr. Truce will be giving you MY job!"
Faith paused and blushed at the suggestion, tucking a strand of her raven hair behind her ear. "Oh I don't know about that."
"Me neither."

Oh no, not him again.

Faith grimaced and looked towards her right, where Tony was making his way into the main area, letting off a slight scoff, and then 'dusting' off his jacket. "If Mr. Truce wants a REAL worker, he'd be better off with either me, or Scarlett."
"Now, Tony." Joe waved a hand in the air towards Faith and frowned very slightly. "I do believe Ms. Harel has worked extremely hard in the past month that she has been here." The man looked back towards the young woman before him and smiled in approval. "I believe even she could teach you a thing or two about hospitality."

Faith blushed lightly and let a slight smile come to her face, before it disappeared as though it was never there. Looking back upwards, she put up a hand to interrupt. "Excuse me, sirs. But my shift is nearly over, and I promised Lizzy that I would help her look at something before we both took off for the day." She smiled and folded her hands professionally. "Something about seeing Central Park finally, since the past month has been a roller coaster ride."
"I understand completely, my dear." Joe replied, smiling at the lady, and making a motion with his hand in dismissal. "I know the meetings that Mr. Lincoln has been putting have been a stress to your training; but you passed with flying colors!"
"Yeah…because the guy was taking it easy on her." Tony muttered, crossing his arms and frowning towards Faith.

The young woman grimaced towards her co-worker, but then let out a slight sigh, before she offered a small smile and nodded at the two men in respect. "Well, I wish you both a good day." She replied, letting off a slight wave and punching a certain number in the time clock.
The device pondered for a moment, before big white letters flashed upon the screen, signaling that the lady had clocked out for the day.

Joe smiled as the young lady left…before he frowned over in Tony's direction, a disapproving look on his face.
"Butcher…am I going to be disappointed with you?"
"What?! She's so inexperienced! It's amazing that you would consider HER and that other kid for ANY management position!" Tony made a wave with his hand and motioned towards himself. "I have been here for seven years, Joe. SEVEN! I think I should be considered over her!"

The manager narrowed his eyes at Tony and scowled. "Listen. If you continue thinking yourself above others and refuse to work as a team; then there's really no REASON to consider you." Joe pointed towards the system and frowned. "Now…get back to work."

***DS***

Faith made her way past the front desk and waited until she got to the back halls of the hotel…before she let out a heavy sigh and put a hand to her forehead. She enjoyed working here. She LOVED her boss; her co-workers were all AMAZING…
…EXCEPT for Tony Butcher!
What was his problem anyways? He acted as though the world would end if she had any part of it, which made no sense. In the hospitality industry, everyone was expected to work together as a TEAM. Or at least, that's what she learned in school, when she went to Arkansas Tech with her dear friends Mary and Becky.

What she had learned from college was that the only way to make any guest happy, was to work together as a team to make the experience for the guest flow smoothly. Pretty cut and dry right?
Apparently not for Tony.
Faith ran a hand through her hair and let off another sigh, but returned to being professional as she passed a few guests on her way down to the basement. Offering quick smiles, she proceeded to descend to the brightly lit rooms of the downstairs employee-only areas of the building. Flashing her security pass towards the guard, she gently opened the door and let herself into the busy hub-bub of the day. Today she had worked morning shift; which in all actuality, was how she liked it.
Right when the day got the busiest, she'd get off. In her opinion, it was the perfect shift.

Unless, of course, they dealt with a complaint, but generally in a hotel such as this, that wasn't always a big issue.

Making her way towards human resources, Faith smiled upon seeing her older sister speaking with a police officer. The young woman paused…and then smiled brightly.
"Justin?"
The officer looked from Lizzy, over towards the new arrival…and then smiled welcomingly. "Well hey Faith! Long time no see!"
Faith walked over and folded her hands lady-like and smiled towards the officer in front of her in welcome. "I know! It's been way too long! What are you doing here? I thought you and your brothers weren't due to come to New York until September?"
"We aren't." Justin replied, making a motion towards Lizzy and smiling. "I was just explaining to your sister that Dennis and Mark are still at their stations with the Marines and Air Force. I on the other hand, am on a very TEMPORARY leave." The officer waved a hand in the air, a grin on his face. "Captain Stacey is considering letting my brothers apart of the NYPD while they are stationed in the states, like I am."

"Oh dear…Mark Ryder as a police officer." Lizzy muttered sarcastically, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "THAT is a scary thought."
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree." Faith replied, a shy smile coming to her face. The young lady rubbed her head slightly, and looked up towards the Police Officer in front of her. "I trust Mark with my life…but I…just CANT trust him with a Taser…"

The response made Justin throw back his head and let out a hearty laugh, reaching over and placing a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "You and me BOTH, Faith! You and me both!" He tried to compose himself and wiped his brow slightly. "Even Dennis is rather leery about it; but you know Dennis; he's ALWAYS serious."
"This is a true thing." Lizzy replied, smirking. "But that's why he loves the idea of being a Policeman, I'll bet. So, how's Sophia? Last time we spoke, you said that she's coming to Manhattan."

"Yup" Justin placed his hands on his hips and smiled brightly. "Sophie's gotten to be pretty prominent at Allen Corp; Second in Command actually!" The officer puffed out his chest in brotherly pride. "The CEO, Ai Rosalynn…I have no idea what her last name is…Well, she's thinking about doing a partnership with OsCorp."
"OsCorp?"
"Seriously?" Both girls let their mouths hang open slightly, before they glanced to each other, and then looked back towards their friend, who nodded.
"Yep; and since Sophie's her best representative, she's making a six month business trip down here to inspect and approve of the new project" The officer adjusted his hat and smiled broader. "My cousin, Simone, is coming along as well, to look at wedding dresses, and stuff, since she and Ray are getting married next spring."

"Really?!"
"FINALY!" Lizzy made a loud CLAP with her hands and smirked widely. "I KNEW Ray had the hots for Simone! Took him long enough!"
Justin laughed in reply, and crossed his arms. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if my sister starts looking for wedding dresses as well.
"Really?" Faith looked intrigued, and leaned in closer. "When did SHE get a boyfriend?"
"Well…technically she DOESN'T have a boyfriend." Justin looked over and smirked. "But while she's inspecting OsCorp, she'll be working alongside the main scientist, Otto Octavius." The officer put his hands on his hips and grinned. "My sister fell head over heels for the guy. And judging by the way he always stammered around her; he felt the same for her. Now that they're going to be working together once more; it's only a matter of time."

Faith paused at the name. Otto…Octavius? The man she met on the subway? The guy she ran into at the bistro the other day? THAT Otto Octavius? MAN! It WAS a small world! So- The Sophia that he had been talking to his other friend the other day WAS the Sophia Vincent she was acquainted with!
"Well…I hate to sound rude, Justin but…why are YOU here?" Faith asked, making a motion towards he sister. "Did you finally realize that Lizzy is criminal material?"
"Oh, SO funny!" Lizzy scoffed, crossing her arms.

Justin laughed once more, but motioned towards Lizzy. "Actually I'm here because your sister called me about a problem guest that appeared to be drunk." His look got serious for a moment, before his normal grin came back to his face. "Let's just say, he won't be bothering the Peninsula while on my watch."
"Ah. For a moment there, I thought you were going to tell me that Lizzy was a convicted criminal."
"Well that, we all already knew." Justin replied.

"HEY!"

***SW***

"Ya know what I think?" Montana said dryly, pacing around the chair before him and keeping his hands behind his back, scowling at the figure sitting in the chair. "I'm thinkin' yer tryin' ta stiff the Big Man."

"NO! I swear!" the young man in the hot seat started flailing his arms and looking panicked. "I HAD the score in my hands, I was on my way here to give the Big Man his cut, when out of NO WHERE, Spiderman just pounces on me and ties me up for the cops!" He made a motion for the door, looking spooked. "I MANAGED to get out of his webs, but the cops got there before I could secure the score—"
The thug shut up when Montana stopped right in front of him, and gave him a glare as cold as ice.

"Ya know, I've been hearin' a buncha hooey on this so-called spider; and I have yet ta see the bug muhself." The dangerous man replied, slowly leaning into the thug's face and scowling darkly. "These dilly stories are gettin' on muh nerves…as I'm sure they're doin' the same fer the Big Man."

"I swear! I'm telling the truth!" The thug pleaded, shrinking back into the chair and placing his hands up in defense. "It's true! Honest!"

Montana's eyes darkened…and he took the thug from the scruff of his shirt and glared directly into the man's eyes. "Don't let it happen again." He growled lowly, before pointing towards the exit. "Now get outta muh sight."
"Y-Yeah! S-s-sure boss!" The thug quickly scrambled out of the room and quickly made his exit up the stairs.
Montana slowly made his way out of the interrogation room and back into the billiard room, giving a warning glance to anyone who was staring. After most people went back to their business, the man in the hat slowly sauntered his way over towards Blackie Gaxton and placed his thumbs in his pockets, glancing around for a moment, observing the area.

"Any news on that young flunky, who still owes us at LEAST 5K?" Montana asked, narrowing his eyes towards a sight of two men starting an argument on the other side of the billiard room. It wasn't intense, but chances were, men who had too much to drink would be in the middle of it soon.
"I ain't heard from him in a while." Blackie replied, crossing his arms and looking up towards the boss with a hardened look. "But be assured, Montana; I'll have my boys keepin' an eye out for him."
"Fine." Montana turned and headed for the bar, snapping his fingers once towards the bartender and waiting by the shelf as the young man made him his signature drink. The man took a sip of his drink and narrowed his eyes upon hearing the place get somewhat quieter for a moment, before looking behind him.
Descending down the stairs and coolly walking in was Hammerhead, scanning the area until he spotted Montana, and made his way over.

"Mr. H."
"Montana." Hammerhead greeted, walking up and frowning lightly.
Montana turned to face the man fully, sipping his drink once more, and setting it down on the bar table. "Orders from tha' Big Man already?"
"More lik'a word'a caution." Hammerhead replied, a serious look on his face. "Turns out, the rat for Silvermane was only one ant from the hill." The thug narrowed his eyes and cracked his knuckles slightly. "Come'ta find out, there's anotha one that seems to have access ta the Big Man's funds."
"Oh?"
"We ain't too sure'a how his payment info got into tha' hands of a Silvamane thug." Hammerhead narrowed his eyes and looked directly towards Montana, reaching into his pocket and handing the cowboy a thin piece of paper. "But the Big Man's willin' ta pay a handsome price for ya ta find this rat and eliminate it."

Montana took the slip from the buff thug and looked over the information on the slip. "Alrighty then…consider this apart'a muh responsibilities." Montana paused for a moment, before he looked towards Hammerhead with a frown on his face. "The only info ya have is 'Tech'?"
"Whoeveh this rat is, he's got a way of coverin' up his tracks." Hammerhead narrowed his eyes. "Big Man figured Fancy Dan and yourself would have the right ways ta be able to pin point these tracks and end this"
Montana nodded lightly, and then looked back down towards the information. "Fine then. But our main tech is back at base." He reached over and finished his drink, before turning and heading for the exit.
"Tell the Big Man the Enforcers are on it."
"He already knows."

***LM***

"So we've got about three more months before she actually arrives?"
"Yeah, and then we can have some DECENT company for a while."
"That would suggest that we have company to begin with at the apartment."

Faith and Lizzy walked down the busy streets of the city, the warmth of the afternoon sun shining down on them. The hustle and bustle of the city had become a normal routine, though Faith wished she could be hearing waves on the shore like Becky probably was at this moment. Or better yet! Birds singing in the mountains! Not all of this…big city…stuffy…gloomy…urck…
Faith let out a slight sigh and looked towards the sigh as she saw yet another subway station go by…before she looked back towards Lizzy. "I'm curious, is there a reason we're not taking the train to the trade center as opposed to walking all the way there?"

"To see all the sights, of course!" Lizzy chirped, placing a finger in the air and grinning towards her sister as she continued to walk. "I mean we've past Kleinfeld. KLEINFELD! Oh I've ALWAYS wanted to go in there!"
"Well it would probably help your situation if you were…oh I dunno…engaged?" Faith crossed her arms and smirked towards her sister, stopping for a crosswalk and shaking her head slightly. "It's not like you can go in there and get a wedding dress without an upcoming wedding."
"Well I'm sure I could." Lizzy replied, looking thoughtful, before shrugging her shoulders. "But there wouldn't really be any point to it."

Faith let off a soft chuckle and then looked back in front of her, waiting for the crosswalk sign to turn green. One thing about the city was it was easy to do everything like everyone else, which made living in the big city just a little bit easier. The young woman stifled a yawn…before squinting her eyes at the sight of a man with a hat on the other side of the cross walk.
…It CANT be!
Faith grimaced sharply, and then quickly looked around, trying to find alternate ways to cross the street. However, before she could even suggest it, the cross walk shone, and Lizzy was already well on her way to the other side. Faith groaned and quickly ran after her sister, trying to hide among all the faces that she had to cross with.

Don't see me…Don't see me…PLEASE don't see me!

"Faith! Look out!"

BAM!
Faith let out a yelp as she slammed into a light pole of all things and found herself fall to the ground on her toosh. Shaking her head a few times the young woman tried to get herself up…only to feel a pair of hands force her to her feet.
"Faith! Are you alright! What on EARTH were you looking at! Here! Sit down!" Lizzy walked over towards a nearby bistro and sat Faith down in a chair, looking her sister over. "You know, you're getting into a whole lot of trouble; it's like it's staring you right in the face!"
"Oh you have no idea." Faith muttered, rubbing her head.
"Stay there, I'm going to get you some water." Lizzy patted her sister's shoulder, before heading into the bistro restaurant to fetch some drinks.

Faith let out a huff and lightly rubbed her head, pursing her lips and checking herself for any injuries. Man, if that wasn't the most graceful thing she had ever done in the past few days, she didn't know WHAT was!
"Hey!"
Oh great. Faith looked up as a cranky woman, with a large male friend marching over towards her, looking steamed. Wincing, the young girl stood and braced herself as the older woman snarled at her.
"WATCH yourself, kid! Ya nearly took out the whole LOT of people!"
"I'm-…I'm sorry ma'am; I just—"
"It's people like YOU that make the city so unbearable! Not caring a THING for the other people trying to get around!" the man beside her huffed, gritting his teeth.
"Sir- I didn't mean to—"
"And LOOK at yourself! Are you uneducated?! Don't call me 'Sir'! Unlike you, I actually WORK for a living!"

Faith groaned lightly and put her hands up slightly. "Listen…I'm sorry, I'm-" the girl suddenly pause when she felt an arm slip around her waist and pull her closer…and nearly stopped breathing when she looked up…
…and saw Jackson Brice by her side, looking over the two people confronting Faith.
Faith's body stiffened up sharply. Oh NO! She thought she had dodged him! What was HE doing here?! What did he WANT?

"You fine folk have a problem here?" Montana asked, looking over the duo for a second, a slight smirk on his face.
"Oh we have a problem alright! Your girlfriend here is making an absolute MESS of things!" the older woman huffed, pointing at Faith accusingly. Faith paused, and went scarlet, suddenly looking agitated. "I'm NOT his—"
"Is that right, now?" Montana replied, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly did she do?"
"She's in the WAY" the man replied, waving a hand in the air in frustration. "She nearly caused a pileup of people-"
"And quickly got outta the way." Montana interrupted, making a motion with his hand. "Now if I was you fine folk, I'd drop tha situation." He narrowed his eyes and his smile disappeared. "Before I MAKE it a real problem."

Both of the New Yorkers huffed, but at the force of the man, wisely ventured off for the rest of the city.
Faith watched the duo leave, a shocked look in her eyes…before she went red upon realizing that she was still on the arm of this stranger known as Jackson, and quickly ducked away from him. She paused and fidgeted for a moment…before sighing and looking up towards him.
"…um…Thank you, Jackson…"

Montana gently smirked in Faith's direction and tipped his hat in reply. "I reckon you'll be reconsiderin' my offer then, huh Fay?" he asked smoothly, turning to face the young woman. "Iffin ya ask me, ya really could use some toughening up."

Faith flushed at the man's statement and crossed her arms, letting off a light scowl. "With all due respect, Mr. Jackson, it is my duty to be hospitable to everyone that I meet." She frowned and looked away slightly. "Some people are just tougher to deal with than others…"
The girl let off a sigh and tried to brush her bangs out of her eyes, and then looked back you towards the man in front of her. The knowing look on his face made her fidget.
This guy was so…IRRITATING!

Montana shook his head slightly, putting his hands on his hips and leaning down slightly, a scoff escaping his lips. "Listen here, Fay. I told'ja a sweet kid like you just doesn't have what it takes ta survive New York life." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and made a motion with his hand. "Sure, ya get paid ta be nice'ta people. Well that's easy fer somebody like you." He smirked once again…before his face got serious, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "But what happens when ya find yerself in trouble? When there ain't anyone around ta protect ya?"

"For your information, I work at a hotel, where I am surrounded by security and other co-workers." Faith replied, keeping her arms crossed and frowning at the stranger before her.
"Yeah…particularly co-workers that are surrounded by arrogance, like that Tony character'a yers." Montana muttered, raising an eye ridge.
"…yeah no kidding" Faith muttered, looking away for a moment…before blinking, and then frowning back at Montana. "Besides…why are you interested? You don't even KNOW me; I could be a lot tougher than I let on to you!"

A deep chuckle from Montana's throat made Faith a little antsy, and the man leaned back, resting his back against a light pole and adjusting his hat slightly. "Actually, Yer right in so many ways, lil' lady"
"FAITH!"
"Right, Right, Fay, of course." Montana crossed his own arms and smirked once again. "Iffin ya knew exactly who ya was talkin' to, you'd be considered either tough, or just plain dumb."

Faith flushed…and marched up towards the man in front of her and pointed her finger at him accusingly. "Listen, hothead! I'm not a tough New Yorker, you're right! But I am FAR from being an idiot!" The girl gritted her teeth and continued. "But I am who I am, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made; and quite frankly, I DON'T want to be like any New Yorker I've met! Particularly YOU!"

Montana's smirk disappeared for a slight moment, taking in the young lady's words. 'Fearfully and wonderfully made'? That was something he didn't hear often. After a moment, he saw the expression on the woman's face melt from irritated to suddenly horrified from blowing up on a stranger. Montana's smirk returned and he reached over, taking Faith's chin in between his thumb and trigger finger and made her look at him.
"I'll havfta admit, Fay. You ain't like any New Yorker I eveh met."
"That's because I'm NOT a New Yorker." Faith replied, staying absolutely still.
Letting off a chuckle, Montana shook his head. "Well then…perhaps that there's a good thing. Still, I know tha city far better than you…and I know ya need more skills."

He gently let her go and stood up from leaning, taking a small card from his jacket and placing it in her hand. Letting off another smirk, he tipped his hat. "You just lemme know when yer ready ta learn." That much said, the man turned and headed off, heading to the nearby subway station and coolly heading down the stairs.

Faith blinked and glanced at the card and a strange look made its way to her face. Big Sky billiard room…128 W 22nd st…212-555-6145.
Wait a minute…wasn't that the place that he got SHOT?

"Faith? Are you alright?"
"…huh?" Faith looked over, seeing her sister come out of the bistro with two foam cups, looking concerned.
Lizzy looked from Faith, towards the departing Montana…and then back again, narrowing her eyes. "Faith? Was that man bothering you? 'Cause I can march up to him right now and give him a piece of my-"
"No no-" Faith paused and took one of the cups from Lizzy's hands and taking a sip of the water that was inside, before looking down slightly. "Actually, if anything, you should thank him."
"Excuse me?"
"Well…" Faith pursed her lips and looked up. "While you were gone he…defended me against some strange people."

Lizzy looked interested for a moment, before she smirked and motioned her sister to keep walking with her. "Well well, Faith. You getting boyfriends before me?"
"WHAT!? NO! That guy is such a show off!" Faith looked away, flushing. "He's so arrogant and conceited and egotistical and-"
"Sounds like you've met this guy before." Lizzy raised an eye ridge and glanced at her sister.
"…Oh you have no idea…"

***LM***

Montana kept his thumbs in his pockets as he heard the train operator announce the next stop of the train over the PA system. Pursing his lips, he thought about the new orders that he had been given by Mr. H.

Someone was tapping into the Big Man's stash, and was using tech that was rather…sophisticated. All they had a lead on was that the system's name leeching was CALLED 'tech', which meant absolutely NOTHING to him. Montana narrowed his eyes slightly. Tracking a person with sophisticated technology wasn't really his thing; he was more of a 'take down the person you're paid to take down'. Still, he knew Fancy Dan was rather good with fancy technology, which made him a valuable asset to the Enforcers.

Montana glanced up as the train rolled to a stop and he proceeded to exit the vehicle and walk upwards towards the stairs, his mind wandering from his work…to the girl strictly known as 'Faith'.
She was an interesting character, unlike any that he had met in years. Sure he had met some tough as nails gals back in Bozeman, and hey, even New York had some tough gals. This girl…this girl wasn't tough AT ALL. Ok sure, she stood her ground against him, but that was most probably because she wanted him to leave her alone. The man smirked lightly. If she could implement that same sternness on others, rather than just himself, then she would make one heck of a manager at her hotel.

Still, her sweet personality was…different, and he found that intriguing. It didn't help that the color of her eyes were alluring-
Montana caught himself and made a face, before looking upwards and continuing down the street. Easy there cowboy. Ya hardly know the girl; besides, your responsibility to her is to toughen 'er up and protect her. After all, she didn't have to stop and help, but she did. She wasn't obligated to give him her own blood. Yet she did…she was…defiantly NOT a New Yorker…

"OOFF!"
"OW!"

Montana narrowed his eyes and quickly grabbed the shoulders of the shorter man that had bumped into him and looked him over. A young teenager, looking to be in high school, stared up at him in shock. He was short, had short brunet hair, and looked like he had been in the middle of walking, and trying to put his shirt back on.
The cowboy pursed his lips…and slowly let go of the young boy, dusting off his hands. "Best ya be watchin' were yer goin', son. This is a rough neighborhood."
"Yeah, tell me about it." The young man replied, quickly straightening his shirt, looking like he was trying to keep something covered underneath. "Uh- sorry about that, sir."
"Best be gettin' yerself home, kid." Montana replied, looking the boy over…before turning and walking off, eager to get himself back to base.

Peter watched the man leave…before sighing in relief, quickly taking off his web shooters and stuffing them back in his bag. He just HAD to run out of shooters in this type of neighborhood, didn't he? Well thankfully the Subway was just right over there.

…Only TWELVE stops to his own neighborhood…