A/n: I just finished watching Spiderman 2-3. I couldn't stand to watch Harry die (I'm ridiculous, I know!) so I shut it off, lol. Peter is such a jerk in the third, but I love his horrible moves. Anyway, on to the story! Read and review as always to keep me happy and writing.

Harry couldn't remember the last time his Father had spent the entire night at the Osborn penthouse. The faint sting from Norman's hand reminded Harry of the change in his Dad recently. Why was he on the floor? Why was he suddenly interested in Harry's life? And why did he abandon work last night? Harry shook his head to clear the thoughts, he was worrying or paranoid.

Still, I've never seen Dad get like that, so- scary.

Harry avoided the mirror, unable to face his own inquiring eyes. The humiliation stung more than the actual physical pain. For awhile he had been struggling with the decision to make his way downstairs- or not. Harry peered out the window, the rolls still parked.

Harry paused, looking out unto the vast New York skyline. Life wasn't supposed to be this difficult, was it? Norman had always lectured him about the trials of success and power. What was it he always said? Oh yes.

Power and success don't come easily Harry, they come with a price.

There was much more to his lecture, but that was the morning Harry had tuned him out. Now, Harry felt fear. Not annoyance or nervousness of facing Norman, but fear.

Maybe I'm not willing to pay that price, Dad.

Nonsense.

Harry could already picture Norman's harsh words, his pursed lips.

Don't ever be ashamed of who you are.

Today, staring out at the city, Harry was ashamed…

"Harry!" Norman greeted his son pleasantly, having just hung up the phone. Harry cautiously gauged his Father's mood. Harry picked up the paper, horrified at the title.

OsCorp Scientist Dr. Mendel Stromm murdered in horrific crime.

"Dad? Did you see this? Don't you work with him?" Harry handed the newspaper over to Norman.

"What?" Norman grabbed the newspaper, unwilling to believe it. Mendel Stromm dead? Not only dead but murdered? Impossible he was just last night- last night. What happened last night?

You don't remember? Your little accident? Face it Normie, he never supported us anyway.

Norman dropped the newspaper on the carpet, clutching his head. The experiment, Stromm's warning, the deadline, his refusal. Norman found himself wishing he'd wake up any moment.

Its better this way, he was useless anyway. You wanted to fire him, remember?

"Who are you!?"

"Dad?"

Your greatest creation to date.

Images flashed in Norman's head, the murder, the fear in his eyes as he single handedly choked him. The formula, the testing facility, the glider and flight suit.

A slight smile formed as Norman turned around to face Harry. "Nothing son, nothing at all." Harry nodded, convinced. His Dad was fine; he had drunk too much, that's all.

Harry turned to leave, Norman stopping him.

"How about you and I spend some quality time together? We haven't talked in ages."

Harry was completely shocked at his Father's proposal. Norman and Harry hadn't 'hung out' since the fourth grade. Even then, it was only because the school ordered Norman to pick him up immediately. Harry grimaced at the memory, and that slow car ride home.

"That'd be great, Dad."

Norman smiled, yet there was no warmth.

"Where do you want to go?"

Norman watched Harry dejectedly look away as he answered another phone call. Another reporter interested in the details of the murder. Did he have any comments? Would there be a funeral? What was he doing when he heard the terrible news? Norman exhausted all of his acting skills and expressed his extreme remorse, promising a fund for the dead scientist, lest he be forgotten. Inside Norman's mind, a plan formed.

Harry stared at the shattered glass of the OsCorp testing facility where Dr. Stromm had apparently been murdered. Broken glass and test tubes lay scattered on the floor. Harry hadn't wanted to see this, to be forced to stay in the very place that captured Norman's undivided attention for years.

Harry watched him closing the phone, smiling. How could he smile after the news he had gotten today? How could he even look upon the very site where his top scientist was murdered? Harry was completely stumped for answers at his Father's odd behaviors. As Norman strode towards Harry, Harry was passionately wishing he had never agreed to this.

"So Dad, did you know him well?"

Norman was looking out the window of the rolls, lost in thought.

"Who?"

"Mendel Stromm, your scientist," Harry prompted.

Norman scowled angrily, "That's none of your concern".

"I'm sorry, but if you wanted to talk about it"-

"Harry, Harry, Harry. I work in business and science, I employ hundreds. Stromm was just one in a million. There are plenty willing to take his place, I assure you. I barely knew him, I didn't want to. At OsCorp I make important decisions, people like Stromm only complicate it more."

Harry nodded, fighting the urge to recoil at the coldness in Norman's voice. He respected his Father in every way, but he found himself questioning if he was right or not. He could never do that, maintain that level of detachment. Maybe that's why Norman was successful and Harry was not. Harry stared out the window, wishing life were easier…