***MA***
"I'm tellin' ya! I had the bug, and the slippery thing got AWAY from me!" Montana growled into his phone, looking himself over in the mirror from the damage he had taken on two days ago. He was beginning to understand just WHY all these villains had such a hard time with Spiderman.
"Montana, you are one of the best in my fleet. I don't need to resort to this embarrassment." The voice of the Big Man came over his phone seriously. "I would caution you to take your responsibilities seriously."
"Boss, I swear I have no intentions of-"
"I'm beginning to wonder if your relationship with that little hotel receptionist is making your priorities...faulty."
Montana's entire being stood at a stand still at the mention of his girl...surely the Big Man wasn't suggesting that-
"Bag the Spider by tonight, or we may have to get...difficult," The Big Man's voice rumbled, before hanging up.
Montana gritted his teeth lightly...slowly hanging up the phone...before he growled and quickly headed for his closet. As he fitted himself back into the Shocker suit, the man couldn't help but feel...anxious.
This was an alien feeling for him; especially when he LOVED his job. The problem was the Big Man saw Faith as his weakness...could she even be considered that? NO! A Lady always makes a man stronger!
...So why was fear knocking at his door…
***CS***
Faith walked down the street humming a random song, and thinking of the interesting sight she had seen on the way. If she was to get to the coffee shop and then to work on time, she was going to have to pick up the pace…
However, seeing SpiderMan land SMACK on his face right in front of her...had been both horrifying, and...somewhat satisfying for some strange reason. Faith giggled as she remembered how the hero had quickly shrugged off the blow and had basically acted over-casual, knowing SHE had witnessed the embarrassing ordeal.
Too bad she didn't get a picture of it….Becky would have laughed SO hard…
Walking into the coffee shop, the girl let out a slight sigh when she noticed the line in front of her...and slowly joined the crowd.
Taking out her phone and checking the time, she breathed out a small sigh. She had 30 more minutes...probably enough time...but she HATED being late.
So the mear threat of it...made her squirm.
"Oh my….oh dear…"
Faith blinked at the voice, and looked behind her slightly, seeing the door open and close. The man just barely coming in looked stressed...and...he looked an awful lot like….
"Oh! Dr. Octavius!"
"Huh?" Otto looked up in time to see Faith waving at him and smiling. Blinking, the man tried to place her for a moment, before he shook his head and smiled only slightly.
"Oh; Good morning Miss Harel…" He greeted in a stressed tone. "I trust you are well?"
"Very! It's been an interesting few months, but it's been worth it so far." Faith placed her hands on her hips and chuckled. "I think the only thing I have going against me is the ultra-busyness of my boyfriend; but that's actually pretty normal." The woman smiled, before placing her hands behind her back, trying to be more empathetic.
"Hey, have you been doing alright? I mean...I read about Mr. Toombs...is there anything I can do to help?"
"Oh you read about that, did you?" Otto adjusted his glasses and let off a soft sigh. "I do appreciate your concern, Miss Harel...but Adrian did...overreact..." The scientist paused, dusting off what appeared to be a little bit of sand on his lab coat. "I mean...I do understand as to why...still…" Otto paused when Faith put a hand to his shoulder.
"Hey, if there's anything you need, you let me know." Faith said sincerely, before quickly placing her order, then looking back towards the well-rounded scientist before her. "Though, I'm sure by the end of the day, you should be feeling perky; all things considered."
"What do you mean?" Otto asked after placing his order, clearly confused by the declaration. Faith only smiled and looked towards the cashier. "Put him on my tab." She instructed, handing him a 20 dollar bill.
"Oh- n-no Miss Harel! I couldn't possibly impose!" The Scientist protested, only for Faith to hold up a hand, while taking her own coffee.
"Think of it as a friendly jester, Dr. Octavius!" Faith replied, smiling and waving as she left. "Besides! I know someone who is going to VERY much enjoy seeing you today!"
"Wha-" Otto didn't really get a chance to finish, because Faith had already opened the door and was well on her way to the nearby hotels surrounding the coffee shop. Octavius looked confused for a moment, before he gingerly took his own coffee and headed out, looking in the direction Faith had left.
"Thank you…" He said to practically no-one, turning and heading for the subway.
***SW***
"So...are you nervous?"
"Very."
Sophia fiddled with a piece of string that was on her purse, while looking out the windows of the subway train. For a while, she was quiet. Only thinking about the past...only thinking about the incident...that changed her life forever.
How would she tell Otto? Would he accept her with the...changes that she had?
….Did he even feel as strongly for her as she did for him?
"You're in love with him, aren't you?"
Sophia paused and looked over towards Lizzy, a light blush on her face. Lizzy was only leaning back in the subway car, a smirk on her face. After a while, both were silent, until Sophia chuckled lightly.
"Actually...yes." She admitted, looking down towards the string she was fidgeting with, eyes softening. "He has this...cute charm to him. Truthfully I believe he needed to be more assertive in some areas, but surely he's come a long way since I last saw him." Sophia sighed slowly. "He was very kind...patient...informative...brillant. He was the complete opposite of my father."
She looked up slightly, thinking of her childhood...and her days of her mother and father...before…
Shaking her head lightly, Sophia looked towards Lizzy and smiled. "Perhaps that's why he attracts me. Because I feel safe with him...I trust him."
Lizzy smiled at Sophia's confession, leaning back a little more into the seat to get comfortable.
"I think it's cute. I've only met this Octavius guy once; and it was more of a 'Hi, Bye' thing on the train. But he and his friend Adrian got to know Faith because they always ride the same train." Lizzy reached out and patted Sophia's shoulder.
"He's cute! But yeah...definitely needs some assertiveness in him."
Sophia laughed at the comment and waved it aside.
"Enough about me and my fantasyland. Tell me about this guy that Faith's so ga-ga about! Jackson, right?"
"Yeah...him." Lizzy sat up slightly, crossing her arms and pursing her lips lightly. "I hate to be the party pooper; but...I don't really approve of her relationship with him."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Well…" Lizzy looked towards Sophia, a serious look on her face. "First of all, I've never even MET the guy, I've only seen him once, maybe twice. Second, he's just too….mysterious. All we even KNOW about him is that he works for L. Thompson Lincoln, and he owns a bar." The woman gritted her teeth...before letting out a slight sigh. She looked out the window of the train, narrowing her eyes at nothing in particular.
"I don't know...maybe I'm being over protective because Faith's the only one in our family that hasn't been in the military. I know for a fact she can't defend herself." Lizzy looked back towards Sophia, who was listening intently.
Sophia smiled lightly, nodding in understanding.
"Faith is still very innocent, Lizzy. You have every right to be overprotective of her...especially in New York City of all places." She leaned back and drummed her fingers lightly, pondering. "My suggestion would be, get to know this 'Jackson'. I'm not saying trust him, just...get to know him." Sophia looked back and smiled softly. "If he truly loves Faith, and is willing to lay down his life for her, you'll know."
Lizzy smiled lightly at her friend, glancing to the side as the train slowed to a stop.
Taking the opportunity, Sophia stood up and brushed off her outfit. Adjusting her hat, she smiled at Lizzy once again. "Don't worry Lizzy. If he hurts her, he'll have to deal with me as well. And trust me….he'll literally be whipped into shape."
Lizzy chuckled and waved at Sophia as she got off the train. "Go get 'im, Sophie!"
She got a wave in reply and chuckled, looking back down towards her hands in contemplation. Ok...I'll give him a chance...but he'd better not screw it up.
***PN***
Montana growled lowly, looking for that other weapon he had saved up for emergency purposes. If he was going to bag that bug, he was going to have to make sure EVERY priority was covered.
AHA!
Taking out a couple of smoke bombs and tucking them into his belt, Montana hissed for a moment at the pain that was shooting up his back. Frowning, he stripped himself of the top of his Shocker suit, as well as his mask, tossing the garments on a nearby pool table. Great…The bruise on his side was only getting darker.
Creak...bam…
Montana quickly narrowed his eyes at the sound, quickly shoving the top garments of the Shocker suit onto the floor, and under the counter.
He glanced down at his pants...Great...he was going to have to beat the crap out of-
The man suddenly froze as Faith quickly ran down the stairs and into the room.
"Jack, I just had the greatest ide-" Faith suddenly froze and stood stock still as her eyes beheld the...VERY...attractive form of her boyfriend...shirtless.
"...uh-...u-uh…"
Montana was silent for a moment...before he let off a cool smile at the woman before him. Putting his hands to his hips and slowly walking towards the flabbergasted lady, he grinned at her playfully. "Like what'cha see, Fay?"
The woman's face went a DARK shade of scarlett...but she couldn't tear her gaze away from the...VERY...attractive sixpack that Montana possessed. "I-...uh-...Well...I…-..."
Faith suddenly blinked...and gawked in absolute horror, a look of shock on her face. Her eyes had gone from his abs towards the VERY dark bruise on his side.
"J-...Jack! What did you DO?" she almost demanded, walking closer and examining his side.
"It's nothin' for'ya ta worry about, Fay." Montana replied, wiping his mouth slightly and approaching his girlfriend. "Just got a little too rough with the boys."
"Rough?" Faith raised an eyebrow at him. "What, are you a pro-wrestler now?"
The Cowboy only smirked at the remark, before gently placing his hands on her shoulders. "Listen...it's VERY important that you stay at the hotel today."
"What do you mean?" Faith asked, bewildered by the firmness in his voice. "I get off around noon today...and I have some friends that-"
"Just listen, Fay! Try to stay there until you get off, and then go home, got it?"
"But-...Well...I'll try…" Faith shrunk lightly at the...hardness in his stare.
Montana seemed to realize that he was being...a little aggressive. Sighing lightly, he released her from his grip and gently took her chin in his fingers. "Listen, Fay...It's been...really rough lately...and-"
"Is it Shocker?"
Montana's breathing practically stopped and he looked at Faith in terror. Surely...she didn't know about-
"Are you worried about Shocker getting to me?" Faith placed her hands gently on his arm and smiled. "He's the only villain that Spiderman hasn't locked up yet...Is that why you're so frazzled?"
The man was silent for a moment...before he lightened immensely. "...you could say that…"
Faith smiled and gently pressed her lips against his, mindful of his swollen lip. After a gentle moment, she broke the kiss. "I appreciate your concern, Jack. I'll be fine. You know I'll keep you updated."
Montana smiled very lightly, placing his hand on hers very lightly. "You'd better, Fay." he replied. "I don't need my girl gettin' into trouble."
"Oh please. With you around? Trouble stays FAR from me!" Faith smiled and put up a hand. "Hey, I know you're busy, but my friends and I are thinking...about seeing a Broadway show tonight...wanna come?"
"I'd like that." Montana replied, lightly breaking away from her and looking to the side. "...Just gotta squash me a bug first...I'll call ya later, ok?"
"Alright...I love you, Jack…"
Montana paused, a slight stunned look on his face, looking back towards Faith...who was smiling at him genuinely. For a moment, the Mercenary was silent...before placing a hand on her cheek affectionately.
"...and for all that's decent, please put a shirt on…"
Montana laughed as Faith broke away from him and started heading out of the billiard room...not before making one last small glance in his direction. MAN...he was smoking!...Since when did he wear red and yellow pants?
***SW***
"Man the last few months have been...literally bonkers…" Spiderman slung his webbing from building to building, until he landed on an apartment building and shook his head slightly, looking over all the traffic below.
"First Beaky, then Electo-butt, Reptile breath, Shocker, and NOW Sandman…" The teen groaned lightly. "It's like I've attracted bad guy city!"
Jumping from the side of the building and landing on the roof of the building next to it, Spiderman merely stood at the edge of the roof and just looked around. His plate was...extremely full...School, helping Aunt May with bills, the Bugle, Bad guys...man, If Uncle Ben could see all the trouble he had gotten himself into…
The teen bowed his head slightly at the mere thought of Uncle Ben. He wished with all his might he could tell his uncle just HOW MUCH he meant to him.
If only there was a way to turn back time...or even-
"UNGH!"
Spiderman found himself SLAMMING into the side of a nearby building; causing the windows to smash, and allowing him forced entrance into the offices of many now-started business workers. Placing a hand to his head, Spiderman shook himself into reality, before looking up.
At the opening of the now shattered windows, Shocker loomed, glaring daggers at the fallen superhero.
"Oh great, not YOU again," Spiderman groaned, flipping backwards and landing on his feet. "Isn't this getting kinda old?"
"Actually it is." Shocker replied, quickly bringing up his shockblasters and firing a wave at Spiderman. The young hero was quick to jump out of the way, and thankfully so were the bystanders in the building.
Shocker continued his blast assult on the superhero, trying his best to hit his quickly moving target. However, Spiderman swung and jumped every time he got close to getting him.
'I gotta get him away from the people…' Spiderman thought to himself, quickly shooting off a web into the air and swinging out the window.
"This can all end peacefully, son, iffin you just back DOWN!" Shocker snarled, his shock blasts soaring for the superhero. This time, the blast managed to KNOCK Spiderman in the back and SLAM into the window of an apartment building of all things. The superhero groaned and looked down...well...at LEAST he had managed to shoot a web before hitting the building.
Spiderman paused and managed to look inside the apartment, where two women, a man, and a rather spooked cat were watching him.
"Uh- yeah, you might want to stay away from the win-DOWS!" He had managed to get the breath knocked out of him as Shocker's shockwave sent him SLAMMING to the ground below, right on his back.
"Ugnh...I'm gonna feel THAT in the morning…" he muttered, slowly sitting up and rubbing his head.
"'Friad after t'day, you won't be feeling ANYTHING!"
Spiderman quickly jumped in the air, panting lightly at the sheer FORCE that Shocker had put in that last one.
'Man...this guy is serious. I'm guessing whoever paid him to get rid of me REALLY wants to get rid of me!' he thought to himself, looking around his surroundings, before his eyes rested on a subway tunnel entrance.
If I can get him to an unused tunnel…
"Shocker! You from Jersey or something?" He mocked, slinging a web upwards and swinging into the air. "Your aim is TERRIBLE!"
"Get BACK here and fight like a MAN!" Shocker snarled, quickly running after the arachnid.
***SW***
"OH BLAST IT ALL!" Faith put a hand to her head and groaned as she watched the subway train take off into the tunnels. "Dang it I missed it...I should have asked Sophia to wait for me." She rolled her eyes and whipped out her phone and began texting.
'Missed the train...will take next one to 5th st. We still on for Pizza?'
She waited for a moment before Sophia's reply came back.
'For some strange reason, my appetite has changed. How about that Chinese place on the same street?'
'Sounds good to me! Give me about 10 min, the next train doesn't get here for 5 more mintues'
'KK, CU There.
Faith let off a sigh and put her phone back in her purse, crossing her arms and looking down the tunnel. The station was surprisingly quiet, considering it was LUNCH time. Of course, the crowds COULD have gone into the trains…
WHIP!
...what the?
Turning, Faith paused as Spiderman SLAMMED into her, knocking them both a few feet away.
"Unnngghh…" Faith held her head and looked up slightly, seeing Spiderman quickly getting up and starting to head towards Faith...only to get a wave of energy SLAMMED into him and into a pillar. Gasping, Faith looked towards the entrance, where Shocker stood, eyes dangerously narrow. "Y'all are REALLY startin' 'ta piss me off, boy!" Shocker snarled storming inside the station...and quickly pausing at the sight of...Faith?! Quickly turning, his fears were confirmed...WHY was she away from the hotel!?
Faith gasped and scrambled upwards, pressing her back against the wall and trembling at the sight before her. Shocker! Shocker fighting Spiderman!...How the heck was SHE the one unlucky enough to get in the middle of this?!
"Leave her alone, Shocker!" Spiderman yelled, swinging over and SLAMMING his feet into the cowboy's gut, landing as Shocker went flying back.
Spiderman looked at the tracks for a moment to make sure Shocker was down, before quickly running for Faith. "Ma'am! You have to get out of here! Now!"
"Look out!" Faith quickly pointed behind him, causing him to quickly turn.
A green surge of power headed straight for the web-hero, which he quickly jumped up to dodge.
As soon as he landed on the wall, he gasped and turned. "MISS! LOOK-"
"AAAHH!"
Faith got engulfed by the surge of energy and was roughly SLAMMED into the nearest pillar, sliding down and landing on her side, no longer moving.
"FAY!" Shocker quickly jumped onto the main platform and ran for the unresponsive woman. Quickly sliding to her, he managed to pick her upper torso up, looking horrified. "Fay-...FAY! Look at me!" he yelled, shaking her lightly.
"...ungh…" Faith groaned and looked up groogily, making out the shape of Shoker before her...he sounded...just...like…
"Fay...Fay look at m-UNGH!" Shocker found himself SLAMMED away and tangled up in webbing, quick to land on his feet and struggle with what he had on his arms.
"What happened to the whole 'If a man's a man' stuff, Shocker?" Spiderman barked, looking ready for action. "Real men don't hurt innocent women!"
"That blame is completely on YOU!" Shocker snarled, snapping off the webbing and shooting a shockblast towards Spiderman, who landed on the ceiling and quickly looked from Shocker towards the entrance, where three Police officers ran in. Two ran to the woman's side, while the other was aiming towards Shocker.
They really didn't need to be apart of this until Shocker was down…
"Hey Shocker! Wasn't it me you were after?" Spiderman asked, quickly shooting a web and going deeper into the Subway tunnel.
Shocker snarled, before glancing back towards the officers. Faith was groaning...but that was about it. At least she was alive…
Because once he was done with Spiderman, he was going to RIP HIM APART!
Quickly, Shocker jumped onto the tracks, careful to stay off of the rails and went after Spiderman, murder in his eyes.
***Disclaimer***
I have implemented a new rule. For the story you want updated, leave a review. I'm tired of writing for a non-responsive audience and I've gone over the whole "Reviews give me inspiration" Junk over 100 times. So if you want updates, review; Because I'm not going to update anything I don't think anyone's reading.