Chapter 58 [Luthor Mansion]

Peter paced about his bedroom. Concern ate at him once again. He looked out the window into the prairie evening sky. He could almost feel something going on. His bad feeling about Saskel had only worsened after hearing Dubois' account. Connors and Gwen's respective reactions to the supposed zoo keeper only cemented things in his mind.

He could feel his old adversary stalking about the area.

Where are you? Temptation had almost goaded him into planting a tracer on Saskel. Still, given that she could turn into a ghost, he was glad he didn't. How do you fight ghosts and witches without Doc Strange? Great!

A knock came from the door. "Peter?"

Now she's stirred up. He forced a smile onto his face for her benefit. Then he opened the door. "Hi, Gwendy! Doing better?"

"The nap helped. Can we talk?" Gwen glanced down the hall in both directions.

He saw Skittishness etched across her face. "Of course." He ushered her inside and closed the door. "What's going on?"

She looked him over. "Sorry. I was just thinking about that woman. How is that I felt great and then I felt so weak? Poor Dr. Connors! I was trying to talk him into staying in New York over the weekend at least. He seemed so sick."

"You have no idea." He frowned and shook his head.

"Wait. You know what's wrong with him?" She narrowed her eyes. }

"I've had to help him with his condition too." He bit his lip. "You saw his hand this afternoon?"

"Condition? You mean like the bumps and rash on his hand?" She raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with him?"

He sighed. "You know how he is with that research? Well he tried to grow his arm back."

"He said that to me. Maybe some day he will." She held onto him.

"He actually did with really bad side effects." He bowed his head. "Doc Connors has a situation like Bruce Banner and Mr. Dubois. If his situation gets bad enough, he changes into a giant lizard. You've heard of the Lizard?"

"Yes. I remember seeing pictures of you fighting that thing." Her eyes went wide. "You mean that thing is Dr. Connors? Peter!"

"I've seen it happen. Remember when I had that broken arm a couple of years ago?" He motioned to his left shoulder. "That was against the Lizard." He shook his head. "He's strong. He can control other reptiles. His tail hits like a battering ram. He can scale up walls as fast as I can. I have to hold back because I don't want to hurt Doc Connors." He shook his head. "I don't want that lady or the Rider messing with him."

"That guy. Peter, you've really seen him?" She grimaced at that.

"Only one time and that was enough for me. He'll let somebody else do the dirty work. Then he swoops in. I was working with three Avengers and Dr. Doom." He rolled his eyes at the thought of the despot. "We barely beat him. The Rider was vaporized…or so we thought."

"Somehow he came back, Peter. He had a daughter who definitely hates you." She nodded to herself. "I was wondering about something. You know that herbal stuff Mr. Dubois used on Saturday?"

"I don't know what it is exactly but yeah I saw it."

"Think you can mix that into your webs? Maybe that might affect the ghosts if they show up again?" She shrugged.

He grinned. "That's it! You're a genius!"

She giggled. "Why thank you! That's why we're going to pick up our marriage certificate tomorrow, Man of Mine." Mirth sparkled into her eyes. She kissed his cheek. "I'm your partner, Peter. Remember that."

"Yes'm." He relaxed. Surprise and Relief lightened his heart and mind. "Maybe Mr. Dubois might be willing to share something?"

"As long as you're careful about your secret, Peter." She shot him a 'I mean it' look.

"Let's see where it goes." He led her out into the hallway. They knocked on the Duboises' door.

Angie opened it. "Peter? Gwen? Is everything all right? Sorry. Mr. Dubois' not feeling really well. I thought you weren't either."

"Dr. Dubois, I'm okay now. We need to talk with your husband." Peter sucked in a deep breath. "I wish I could talk with his alter ego. I don't want to ask him to go under. It's about his experience."

Angie bit her lip. "I don't want him changing. Why don't you come in though? He'd like to talk with you. I'll get a coffee service from Lex. Be back in a minute." She left the door open.

Peter didn't feel any tingle. He motioned Gwen inside. "Mr. Dubois?"

"Hmm?" Dubois looked up from a rather dog-eared text. "Good to see you both up and around." He shut the book. His eyebrow quirked. "You're scared. Good."

"Good? Why would you say that?" Gwen demanded.

Dubois shook his head. "If you're weren't scared, I'd say we have a problem. Being scared and concerned means you're not going to blow off our situation." He motioned toward the door.

As if on its own volition, the door closed.

"Sorry. I don't want anyone else hearing this next part." Dubois looked at Peter. "Did Strange mention auras to you, Peter?"

"Auras. You mean like spirit? Energy?" Peter guessed.

"Exactly. Just like with fingerprints and dental impressions, everyone has a unique aura." Dubois shook his head. "Some of us have two auras in one. I'm that way. But no two people can share the same aura. Can they, Peter?" He got up and walked toward the closet.

Anxiety froze him. Despite the elder man's words, there wasn't any tingle from his Spider Sense. "I don't know. Dr. Strange didn't say anything to Spider-Man or me."

Dubois shrugged. "Well they can't. Even if they're clones, the auras are different." He took out a small vial and set it on the desk. "If you should happen to run into him, give this to Spider-Man." He cleared his throat. "The Big Kid knows. I know. Tell him I've got his back. Nobody told me. I haven't said anything to my wife but you could trust her. She has secrets of her own." He opened the door again.

Angie stuck her head in. "What's going on in here?"

"Just something to be said in private." Dubois shrugged it off. Spider-Man's got a secret between the Child and them.

Fine. Angie shrugged off Irritation's barb. "You're giving them your stuff?"

"They'll see Spider-Man in New York. With Nightmare Annie's hate on for him, he'll need it." Dubois shrugged. "I'm going to need more. One bottle won't be enough. Besides I'm going to need my gear." He glanced down the hall. "We're heading back to Wabash for a couple of days. If I'm right, we're having company on Friday. Jen will be joining us at that point."

"Having company?" Angie put her hands on her hips. "Do I know this person?"

"Jen does. He knew the ancestors. Rub up your stuff tonight. I don't want to take any chances." Dubois insisted. "Hope you kids get your business done at City Hall all right." He stretched. "Let's get that coffee. Then I need to speak with Professor Dubois and Madame LaFontaine." He hugged his wife. "Maybe I can get some of that apple cake this weekend?"

Angie smirked. "Maybe."

"Thanks." Dubois led them from the room and toward the stairs. He knew the threat that awaited them. He didn't want to take chances either.

First some caffeine. Then some phone calls and preparations.