A/N: So, you guys held up your end of the bargain and now I must hold up mine. I hope that it was worth the wait (and the minor blackmailing).

*Updated version*

Disclaimer: All characters/names are the property of Stan Lee and Marvel Comics.

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Feral: Epilogue (Part 1)

"An Unlikely Partnership"

Flashback: The following week, while on his routine patrol, Peter came across another jewelry store break-in. He caught sight of a wisp of white hair before it disappeared into the depths of the building. He smiled nostalgically, and rapidly changed course towards the structure. Landing precisely where he had spotted the vanishing coif, he peered into the darkness that shrouded the showroom floor. Taking a few steps forward, he called out.

"Here kitty, kitty."

"Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire." – Marcus Fabius Quintilian

What the hell am I doing here? Peter thought. The weight of his impulsive decision began to settle on his mind as he stared into the black void of the building. Technically, he hadn't heard any alarm nor had he been alerted to any danger by his spider-sense. Nothing illegal or perilous had occurred so he had no reason to be chasing after the Black Cat. His mind wandered back to their most recent encounter. He vividly recalled the rooftop, the fight, and the kiss…At least that solved the mystery as to why he had followed her. He was thinking with the wrong head.

His thoughts wandered to the taste of her lips and the feel of her pliable flesh beneath his fingers. He remembered how her hands had caressed his skin and how her voice had paralyzed him. He remembered the near-miss with his mask. Get a hold of yourself, Parker! She's a thief for Christ's sake! Why couldn't he have met a nice, normal girl? A girl that was interested in shoes and talking and chocolate. And a girl that didn't have a penchant for kleptomania. Never a dull moment, he mused sardonically.

Peter dragged a hand down the length of his face. As much as he hated to admit it, part of him felt more connected with the Cat than he had ever been with any girlfriend that his alter-ego entertained. He felt like he could be himself around her. He didn't have to hide behind physics textbooks or exaggerated awkwardness. He—His ruminations were cut short when two hands snaked around his upper body from beneath his armpits and he felt a body press into his back. A noticeably feminine body. Why the hell hadn't his spider-sense activated?

"Because you're not in any danger," a familiar voice replied. Had he said that out loud? "That too," the voice told him, chuckling. Peter was frozen in shock. What else had he said out loud? Felicia rested her head on his shoulder blade, unfazed. "Mmm, I was hoping you'd swing by," she said tightening her embrace. Her hands began to wander lower on his torso until Peter had to spin around and grasp her wrists to halt their descent.

Peter was not prepared for the current of attraction that he felt shoot up his arms at the touch, and he quickly broke off the connection by releasing her hands. The last time they met, his emotions had gotten the better of him, but this time he was determined to master his feelings. Like how you "mastered" them by following her into a deserted building, his subconscious prodded. He groaned inwardly and retreated a few steps. Her proximity was already clouding his judgment.

Felicia was having none of it. She closed the gap between their bodies and rubbed her hands down the Spider-man's arms, slowing coaxing them around her waist. "Is something wrong?" she tried. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

Peter didn't remove his hands, but he made sure that there was at least some space separating them. He examined her while he tried to think of an answer to her question. She was every bit as seductive as he remembered. A thin nose on top of full, light pink lips was framed in an elegant, oval face. Her almond-shaped, blue eyes were highlighted by the contrast from the black mask that barely concealed her identity and the mane of white hair that spilled down her head in soft curls. His gaze fell to the plunging V-neck line of her suit. The black material strained to contain her ample bosom. Why the hell hadn't his spider-sense gone off? He could have avoided this mess. Her fingers were burning into the skin along his forearms where she was holding his arms in place. What the hell was he doing here?

"Yes. No. I don't know," he said. "Ever since the…the…"

"Kiss," Felicia supplied.

"Yes. Ever since the kiss I've been thinking a lot about you." The Black Cat smiled at him.

"What a coincidence," she said. "But I was thinking that maybe you could remind me how that kiss went. I've had quite a bit on my mind lately and I seem to have forgotten," she drew her hands to the base of his neck where the bottom of his mask blended seamlessly with the top of his suit. She tugged the synthetic fabric upward in a familiar manner. His hands were much quicker to stop her this time.

"Cat, I—," he began. But she silenced him by sliding one arm free from his grasp and cupping the side of his face. His hand moved to cover hers.

"Shhh," she murmured. "Don't you trust me?"

No, Peter thought immediately. But after spending several seconds in consideration, he realized that she was right. He wasn't in any immediate threat. They had been in this situation before and she hadn't violated his privacy. His spider-sense remained dormant. No danger. Slowly, he let his arms fall to his sides. Her fingers resumed their task and quickly exposed the bottom half of his face. Felicia's gloved thumb passed over his lips before she eliminated any remaining distance between their bodies.

"Now," she purred, locking eyes with the Spider-man, "remind me."

Peter's arms reflexively circled her waist, drawing her body as close as possible to his own. As close as he had on the rooftop. His lips descended to meet hers. Their faces were separated by inches, then centimeters, and then…nothing—an explosion rocked the building and tore the two apart. They fell in opposite directions, landing several feet apart.

Peter was the first to regain his footing and he quickly padded over to the Black Cat. He offered her his hand in assistance. Felicia grasped his outstretched fingers and he lifted her off of her backside. "What the hell was that?" Peter shouted as they dusted themselves off.

"'That' is why I led you here tonight," Felicia began. "I need your help."

My first update back, and I'm already throwing around cliff-hangers. Bad form? I don't know. Review and let me know.