Peter and Niobe were walking out of his aunt's home. The boy spent an hour fussing over the Jedi. She has been so broken the day before. He had grown attached to her, something she yelled at him for.
"Attachment is a path that leads to the dark side," Niobe said. "Your emotions will blind you to the choices you make. You will live to see yourself...become the enemy."
Peter fought back tears and attacked Niobe with hugs. Peter had more strength than a Wookie.
She hated to admit that when she hugged Peter, images of Aayla wrapped around his mind. Aayla's strength and wisdom played out for him as though they were his own memories.
"Aayla?" Peter asked.
They pulled away.
"Do not say her name," Niobe said.
The boy nodded. There was a pain in Niobe's eyes that he was familiar with.
Once Peter had released himself from his emotions, and she convinced him to focus on the task at hand, he shared with her his new invention and discovery. He had shown her what he found in a briefcase left by his father. Peter was determined to head underground but he did not want to go alone. At times Niobe found herself surprised by the subtle reminders of Peter's actual age.
He was a child forced into the position of an adult wise beyond their means.
Niobe was proud to accompany Peter as they searched for an appropriate entrance to a subway car. While the two made their way towards a manhole, they overheard a news bulletin through a TV store window. A man with the surname Osbourne had passed. Peter's mind clouded. His focus became centered around a boy about his age. There were fond memories.
"Harry," Peter said.
Peter took off down the street. Niobe hurried after him.
OOOO
"Peter," Niobe said. "We need to speak about this. We have things to take care of."
"We will," he said. "I promise-listen..."
Peter began walking backward.
"Listen, as soon as we're done here we'll talk. I didn't forget, I swear."
"I know you care for this boy, but we have discussed attachments," Niobe said. "They are distracting you from your mission."
Peter gave a light chuckled.
"M-mission?" Peter said. "Finding my dad's secret stash isn't a mission. Besides, I'm not a Jedi. Attachments can be helpful."
Niobe frowned but followed her Padwan. They were headed towards a home on a street she was unfamiliar with. The building was large, impressive.
Niobe and Peter walked into a mansion. A thin and pale boy walked down the marble stairs as they entered.
"Felicia, I want to see every file on this list. Every single one," the boy said.
The boy turned to the front door where Peter waited at the bottom of the steps. Niobe recognized the boy from Peter's memories.
Harry.
"Peter Parker. It's like seeing a ghost," Harry said. "And who is this."
"Hi, Harry," Peter said. "This is Niobe, she's a friend."
The boy moved down the stairs to Peter.
"Random...what ten years?" Harry said.
"It's eight. Close," Peter said.
"What's up?" Harry said.
"I saw the news, man. I heard about your Dad and I wanted to come and... just wanted to come and see you and check that...to see how you're doing," Peter said.
"I'm uh...I'm with some people. I'm in a...I'm in a meeting," Harry said.
"I'm sorry. Um...I don't want to intrude. I know it's been a long time and I kind of know exactly what you're going through right now. And you were so there for me when my parents...that's why I'm...I'm here for you," Peter said.
"Thank you," Harry said. "And what's she here for?"
"I have also experienced great loss," Niobe said. "I appreciate the pain you feel. If you require assistance, Peter will inform you of my location should I still be on Earth."
Peter gave a weak laugh.
"She-she's a little..." Peter said. "It's good to see you, man. It's good to see you. We should go, Niobe."
Peter started walking toward the front door. Niobe trailed behind.
"I'm sorry about your Dad," Peter said.
Peter reached for the door handle.
"You've got your braces off," Harry said.
Harry chuckled.
"Now there's nothing to distract from your unibrow."
The boys laugh.
"There he is. There he is. Do you still blow dry your hair every morning?" Peter asked.
"Um...you know, one of my manservants holds the hairdryer, but I work the comb. Okay, so, at least I'm not completely helpless," Harry said.
Peter walked over to Harry and they embraced each other. Niobe felt the tension leave the room. The camaraderie filled the suffocating space. The spark of friendship they once shared was beginning to spark.
OOOO
Peter and Harry walked through a nearby park as they caught up. Harry wanted to be free of the building.
"After middle school, I went to Brazil then Singapore," Harry said.
"That's right, yeah," Peter said.
"Yeah. And then Europe, you know? I went to Europe," Harry said.
"I saw you," Peter said.
"What do you mean you saw me?" Harry asked.
"I saw you in some magazine at a soccer match. You know what I'm talking about?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I do," Harry said. The whole world traveling thing is exhausting."
They chucked.
"No time for relationships," Harry said. "And those are a whole other level of crazy."
"I know," Peter said.
"What? You got a lady?" Harry asked. "Is this her?"
"Uh...that's a question. That's a question. No, Niobe has a woman, so, no. Not her," Peter said. "No, I don't. Yeah. I don't know, it's uh...I don't know. It's complicated."
"Yeah, I don't do complicated," Harry said. "Uh...what's her name? Who is she?"
"Her name's Gwen. Gwen Stacy," Peter said.
Niobe frowned. She believed he had moved past this Gwen girl.
"Gwen Stacy."
"She goes to school with me," Peter said. "She actually has an internship at OsCorp."
"Really? She works for me?"
"At OsCorp."
"Is she a model employee?"
Peter gave Harry a light shove.
"When my father sent me away, I tried to forget everything about this place. I guess that kind of included you."
"You ain't gotta explain anything to me, man. We both got dumped."
"Did you ever figure out why your parents bailed?"
"My Dad left a briefcase. That's all I got, a briefcase full of junk. Whatever, I don't know. I try not to think about it."
"How's that working out for you?"
"Perfectly."
Peter threw a pebble across the water, the rock bounced off the water several times before sinking.
"Nice arm!"
"It's just the wrist, that's all. Just all in the wrist, buddy. You could do it too if you just strengthen up that..."
"Yeah, right."
Niobe had turned away, scanning the area. She squinted when she noticed a black van parked nearby. She fought against stepping towards the vehicle. She would have to ask Tony about the vehicle later.
"You got to admit though, things have gotten crazy around here, man. Giant lizards, and... Spider-Guys." Harry said. "Avengers, the whole nine yards."
"Just one guy, just one Spider-Man, or woman. We don't know...for sure."
"Whatever, dude. He wears spandex to rescue kittens from trees. I'm so impressed." Harry said. "Not like Iron Man. Flying around the world, fighting Gods."
"I like to think he gives people hope."
"For what?"
"Maybe eventually everything's gonna be alright."
"Yeah, I just wish I had time for eventually."
Peter patted Harry's back.
"You have my number still?" Peter asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "I'll give you a call later today."
Peter nodded and signaled to Niobe that they were leaving. She waited until Peter was out of earshot, telling him she would follow in a moment.
"You are dying," Niobe said.
Harry jerked back.
"I can see inside your mind," Niobe said. "I know the truth."
"Don't tell Pete," Harry said. "I'm not ready."
Niobe nodded.
"I understand," Niobe said.
"How could you?" Harry asked.
"I have been in many situations where I believe I would die. Situations in which I had to convince myself I was okay with dying at that moment," Niobe said. "There is a panic and then there is peace. An overwhelming peace within yourself."
Harry's eyes watered.
"One thing that helped me through those moments was knowing I had someone there with me," Niobe said. "You do not have to be alone. We will be there with you."
"What are you?" Harry asked.
"A friend," Niobe said. "I must leave now. Contact Peter if you need me. I hope to be of assistance."
Niobe gave Harry a tight hug before turning and running off in the direction Peter went.
