The location of the potential Weapon X base was deep in the middle of a forest with no possible stealth landing zones. Thus, Taskmaster's army of mercs landed in a deep valley about 10 miles away from the compound, and the company set out on foot.

Down below, Task Master's grunts moved through the dense foliage with amazing stealth for throw-away minions, while Peter swooped through the forest canopy, occasionally swinging high out of the treetops to gauge their position. Pine needles clung to his suit and his webs sometimes tore loose bark off the trees.

He arrived ahead of the rest of the group, checking out the defenses before going back to where Bucky and Taskmaster were waiting. Peter dove down through the branches, landing semi-gracefully, and shook off the twigs. "We're getting close. I saw a guard tower on this end, but not too many soldiers in the yard. There's three main structures, but nothing that looks hard to get into."

"Means it will be hard as hell to get out," Bucky said through the balaclava covering his face. He and Taskmaster started discussing their plans, sending messages out through the ranks. Then the two started arguing over tactics, Bucky wanting a bold infiltration and Taskmaster wanting a more subtle subversive approach.

"We don't have time for subtle!" Bucky argued. "They've been gone too long. They might not even be alive."

"And if they are alive, we don't want to give these assholes a reason to kill their hostages," Tasky said, his long-suffering apparent even through the skull mask.

Bucky's fierce gray eyes narrowed. "I could take out this entire compound by myself."

Peter rolled his eyes, and muttered, "Two mercenaries, both alike in villainy, in fair Canada where we lay our scene."

Taskmaster and Bucky looked at him, neither amused. Taskmaster said, "I keep forgetting that you're a smart ass when Wade's not around."

"Somebody has to be the adult," Peter said, getting an odd feeling of deja vu.

"That's what you always say," Tasky said with a laugh. Then he said to Bucky, "Okay, you go in guns blazing to the main structure, and we'll do the sneaking. Sound good?"

Bucky gave a sharp nod, then looked at Peter. "Unless you're bulletproof, you should probably stick to recon. We'll need someone watching our backs."

Peter sighed heavily. "Look, I'm not a little kid. And this suit is made of some serious material. Oh, and did I mention my motherfuckin' Spidey Senses? Because I'm awesome. I'm going in. You two just try to keep up."

With that, he shot out a web and flung himself up high through the trees. Peter hurtled through the canopy, swinging in a high arch and landing soft on the roof of one of the structures. He crept to the edge of the building, quickly throwing out webs to blind the nearby perimeter cameras before hopping to the next building and repeating the process.

By the time the gunfire started, Peter had cleared half the guards, leaving them strung up in cocoons or webbed to the wall. A few web-balls disabled a couple gunmen out of Bucky's line of sight, and some quick maneuvering worthy of a gymnastics Gold Medal saved him from certain lead poisoning when Bucky fired his direction.

Peter raised his hands and shouted, "Friend! Remember?"

"I told you to stay out of the way," Bucky said as he passed him, stepping over a dead henchman.

"I thought you meant the bad guys, Bucky," Peter said as he fell into step beside him. "You're not supposed to shoot your teammates."

Bucky glared at him, an exceptionally menacing look when cast from behind the balaclava. He slammed a fresh magazine into his gun, and said, "When we get in, go high, and Don't. Get. In. My. Way."

Peter nodded and said, "I get the feeling I'm not the only one rescuing a significant other here."

"Steve has been my best friend since I was a kid," Bucky answered tightly. "He's saved me from my own madness, and I'm not going to appreciate any further jabs on the subject from a boy in tights."

"This is made of flexible kevlar," Peter said, then raised his hands at Bucky's piercing look, and said, "Okay, okay. Show's over. Let's kick some ass."

About the same time those words left Peter's mouth, the 50-Cal erupted, and both Peter and Bucky dove out of the way. Peter pressed his back against the shelter, and said, "What the fuck! This is Canada. I thought they were supposed to be nice."

Bucky shouted, "Where the fuck's the backup!"

Taskmaster's voice crackled over the line, "We're being subversive, remember."

"Fuck you, Masters! Get your asses moving!" Bucky shouted back.

"I second that," Peter quipped as another spray of high-caliber bullets swept past, crumbling the top portion of the concrete that protected them. Peter was about to ask what Bucky's plan was now, but didn't have time before the maniac assassin leapt out of cover, firing well aimed bursts as he somersaulted across the walkway. Peter could only watch in horror as the loony bastard walked out in the open, firing in what appeared to be an erratic pattern. He didn't even break his pace when a shot nicked his leg.

Then, it was silent and Peter again poked his head out only to see Bucky calmly slamming another magazine into his gun. Peter tried to not think about all the carnage around them, and walked up beside Bucky. Peter's Spidey Senses were tingling, but he wasn't sure if it was just the crazy amount of dead people, Bucky's own unstable state of mind, or something actually big and bad getting ready to come for them.

That was when the door at the other end of the compound rolled up, and a tank rolled out.

"Well," Bucky said, voice calm. "I'd say this situation is FUBAR."

"You think?" Peter snapped as he quickly calculated which way to swing out of the way, but a sudden spike in his senses told him to grab Bucky and dive. The two hurtled into a narrow walkway between buildings as a rocket flew down and obliterated the tank.

Once the dust cleared, they both looked up with a mix of awe and terror at Outlaw, who just tipped her hat and dramatically blew the steam from the barrel of her rocket launcher. She shouted, "Y'all look like you needed a hand."

Bucky got up, and Peter said, "Thanks, Ms. Inez."

"Don't be too sweet, or you're gonna make ol' DP jealous," Outlaw said with a wink. Then she slapped Peter's ass, and said, "Though I wouldn't mind, sugar. Wade say's you're the best ride at Disneyland."

Peter wasn't sure what to make of that, and was happy his face was hidden behind his mask.

Really, Peter had done his absolute best to not think about Wade or what he would do when he actually saw Wade. He'd come to the conclusion that no matter what, he would be civil-at least as far as his personal comfort allowed. He couldn't deny that he and Wade were together; the apartment was all the evidence he needed. Still, he wasn't sure how he would react.

So he shoved those thoughts away and followed Bucky and Inez into the main building.

Clearly, Taskmaster's subversive infiltration had worked, judging by the amount of dead and groaning henchmen on the ground. Peter couldn't help noticing a few that had been slashed, and knew before he saw the burly brute that Wolverine was behind a few of those deaths. He still had tubes sticking out of his chest and an IV attached to his arm. Obviously, he'd just come out of one helluva nap.

Peter had a moment of being slightly star-struck, because Wolverine was a legend. Then he almost wet himself when Wolverine clapped a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Looks like you made some new friends, kid."

Peter nodded, and said, "I'm just going to guess we've met before this moment."

"Oh shit," Logan grumbled, his hand dropping away. "Please tell me I'm the only one you don't remember."

"There's a list," Peter answered.

He frowned, and said, "We'll sort this out after we're done here." His claws erupted from his fists, and he said, "If you don't like carnage, you should probably stay here and watch our backs."

"I came in here with Cobra Commander over there," Peter said, gesturing towards Bucky. "I think I can handle…"

"No, Peter," Logan said sternly. "Just stay here and leave the dirty work to me."

Peter frowned, but again it was hidden behind the mask. He didn't however protest; arguing with Wolverine seemed like a bad idea. And he was still feeling a little star-struck, so he did as requested. It was a simple enough task, especially after Bob and Hayden arrived, announcing that their quadrant was secured.

Distantly, he could hear shouts and gunfire, but Peter focused on gathering up the wounded with the Taskmaster skull on their black uniforms and dressing wounds as best he could. He'd learned a long time ago that the webbing could make an excellent tourniquet in a pinch, and was just as effective as a bandage for lesser wounds.

Bob was helping, and proving to be an excellent field medic. He was sewing up deep lacerations, splinting broken bones, and seemed to have an endless supply of pain relievers and burn ointment.

"So you know me," Peter said while patching another Taskmaster minion.

"Yes. You and Wade frequently have dinner and game night at my place," Bob said. Then he added, almost sheepishly, "Not to mention that for a few nights before you left, I was staying at your place with Wanda in the guest bedroom."

"Wanda is Wade's sister, right?" Peter said.

Bob nodded. "Yes, Mr. Parker."

"I'm going to level with you, Bob. I'm not entirely comfortable that a HYDRA agent knows my real identity," Peter said as he webbed around the minion's shattered wrist. "And I would prefer you stop using my name around other people."

"Okay, Mr. Spidey," Bob said with a smile. "But you don't have to worry about us. We're more afraid of Wade than we are eager for a payday."

Peter asked, "So are you friends or coworkers with Deadpool?"

"I'm a friend," Bob answered proudly. "And you and I are also friends. At least, we were getting there I think. Actually, I admire you, Mr. Spidey. You did something that I always wished I could do."

"What's that?" Peter said, looking at Bob.

"You made Wade see he was more than just a merc," Bob answered. He tucked away his medical supplies, and said, "You made him not feel worthless. And I hope I'm not overstepping by saying this, but I hope you give him a chance. He's so much better since he's been with you."

Peter nodded, feeling that odd sensation inside telling him that what this little milquetoast minion said was true. But he didn't have time to dwell on that thought, because there was a noise outside that roused him out of his thoughts.

Bob followed Peter to the door of the building and watched as the Quinjet slowly descended into the heart of the compound. Peter smirked, and waved as the platform lowered and Tony walked out, flanked by Falcon and Black Widow.

"Nice of you to join us, Stark," Peter said with a smirk that seemed to transfer through the mask just fine. "If you hurry, you might get to save the day before Wolverine finishes levelling the place."

"How the hell did you…?" Tony asked through the robotic voice of the suit.

"I have my own intelligence sources," Peter answered. "Sources you ignored because they were from a crazy guy with a metal arm, which, I must say Tony is kind of hypocritical considering the whole Lord of Metal thing you've got going."

Falcon snickered, and said, "I forgot how funny you are, Pete."

Peter shrugged. "Apparently, I have to be the adult in my relationship."

"Have you found them?" Natasha asked.

"We found Wolverine," Peter answered. "They were working on him in this building. I was told to stay here and keep this area secure. So I did. But hey! You're here, so I'm just gonna…" He trailed off as he went to sling a web, but stopped seeing a giant bolt of lightning shoot out of the neighboring building.

Natasha quirked an eyebrow, and said, "Guess they found Thor."

The neighboring building, which was the main holding area for the prisoners, was mostly in ruins by the time the Avengers arrived. Bucky sat on a splintered desk pulling chunks of wood out from between the joints of his mechanical arm. He gave Stark a cold look and even colder smile, and said, "Nice of you to join us, Mr. Stark."

Peter was certain the sun could be eclipsed by the amount of shade Tony Stark was throwing Bucky's direction as he said, "Who knew having friends in low places could be beneficial."

"Same team, right?" Peter said, stepping between Stark and Bucky-who looked slightly more murderous than normal.

"Right," Stark grumbled. Then said, "Where's Steve?"

"He's been in stasis," Taskmaster answered as he approached. "I have my people waking him and the others."

Tony Stark flipped up his visor. "Is this some kind of joke?" He looked at Peter. "Taskmaster? Really? Who else did you team up with? HYDRA?"

"Well…" Peter started, and right on cue Bob came around the corner. Peter sighed, and said, "Uh, so this is Hydra Bob."

Falcon eyed him, and then shrugged. "I'm just going to go with this being a normal turn of events."

"Completely normal," Natasha agreed, her amusement apparent in the subtle tic of the right corner of her mouth.


It took some time to get everyone out of stasis, and by the time all the prisoners were accounted for, it was obvious they would need more than just the Quinjet to ferry people out of the compound-despite Tony Stark's assertion that it was the best idea. Stark didn't like the idea of using Taskmaster's services, even if Cap thought the man had redeeming qualities.

Either way, the mutants were loaded in groups of four onto Masters' helicopters.

Wolverine was the one who found the head of this particular black-ops project, a man called Butler. Logan didn't go into all the details of the encounter, but before Butler died, he gave up the names and locations of all other facilities working in tangent with this particular operation.

Bucky seemed to be even more sullen now that the mission was drawing to an end. It hadn't escaped Peter's notice that the assassin had avoided Steve Rogers from the moment Cap opened his eyes. Even when Steve asked, Bucky opted to ride with Taskmaster back to New York.

Peter wasn't given an option. He was escorted onto the Quinjet by Hawkeye and Falcon, and ended up sitting next to Captain America. Cap, who knew him and referred to him as "son". It sort of made Peter's head swim a little to be on that kind of familiar terms with someone he hero-worshipped as a kid.

After they'd been in the air an hour, Peter finally removed his mask and slouched back in his seat. He was exhausted, a little beat up, and-thanks to his tree-swinging-smelled like a cheap pine air freshener. But more than anything, he felt...sad.

Though there were a lot of people at the compound who had Deadpool's skin condition, Wade Wilson was not present. Butler swore that Wade Wilson was never at this facility. That he had been given over to Stryfe in exchange for getting access to Wolverine and the rest of the mutants at the Jean Grey School.

Peter tried to blink away the sting of tears, not wanting to start crying in front of Captain America or Wolverine or the rest of the Avengers. Especially since he couldn't give an adequate explanation as to why he was crying-not even to himself. He thought about Bucky's words, about the ghost of himself that was missing someone, and the traitorous tears spilled over.

"It's okay, son," Cap said softly. "We'll find him."

Peter nodded, but said nothing. He didn't trust his voice. Besides, he didn't know what to say anyway.