Chapter 92 [Luthor Mansion]

Lex tapped his fingers on the desk. He had a full week ahead of himself. Jasmine and he would be meeting with the Bugle's staff. He would meet with LexCorp's Board of Directors at the new regional office the following day. He wanted to check on Connors and his family. He would have his eye on the internship program.

On the screen in front of himself, Chloe's latest article announced the stock acquisition.

Jameson is going to want blood. He shook his head. I hope that offer's still open at the Planet. Chloe, it really wasn't fair to go behind Peter's back. He could lose his job. Maybe I can help. There's the Ledger. He and Gwen could still come to work for LexCorp here or in Metropolis. Spider-Man's a useful ally. We just need to think of his aunt. I don't want this becoming any more of a MASH unit than it is now.

A knock at the door stirred him.

"Yes?"

Jasmine stuck her head in. "Alex? Sorry to disturb you. I just wanted you to know we're set for Thursday in New York."

"I'll let Alice know at the New York office. Thanks." He typed the information into the phone's calendar app and stuck it back in his pocket. "Any eruptions from there yet?"

"There has been no word." She glanced at the computer screen. "Is that Chloe's article?"

"It is. Very professional and to the point. Certain people won't like to have their issues announced in public." He rubbed his fingers together.

She skimmed it. "I agree. Papa will not mind this. If it puts that braggart in his place, all the better!"

"And if Peter gets fired because of it?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I do not see how. He had nothing to do with our purchase or Chloe's article." She shook her head. "I do not wish to lose his talent."

"Jameson might not give him a choice." He leaned back in his chair. "Even if Baker agrees with you, Jameson still has 51 percent. You don't have the votes to stop it."

"I hope it does not come to that." She leaned close. "Much as with Clark Kent."

"Clark?" Incredulity raised the eyebrow even higher.

"I saw him battle the wizard yesterday, Alex. His secret is also safe." She shook her head. "I have heard of his consideration from others as well."

Meaning Miranda. He filed that notion away. "Jonathan and Martha Kent will be relieved to hear that. That was some clean up effort at the school."

"Clean up? That wasn't me. It's the first I've heard of it. In fact, I was going to offer to help with that today." She rubbed her chin. "Most curious. Most curious indeed."

Lex nodded. He had little to add in his own right.

[Peter's Room]

[A/N: This section is based in part on canon.]

Peter glanced out the window. Tedium and Worry rummaged through his mind. He'd sent a 'get well' email to Dr. Connors. He knew Gwen had sent one to Reynolds to explain everything. Great. I can't move. I'll have to reschedule that workshop. Well I will make the wedding. I'm not disappointing her. I won't!

The phone buzzed.

Now who? He answered it. "Hello?"

"Peter? It's Betty at the Bugle. We heard about that incident at the high school yesterday. Are you all right?" Betty Leeds looked toward Robbie's open office.

"I was just heading out. I got caught between Spider-Man and that creep. My camera got trashed. I have a broken arm, a separated shoulder and some bruised ribs. I'm going to be here for a while." He propped himself up. "But we'll be ready for next weekend."

"Well if you're healthy enough, we'll be there." She looked to the other office. "Peter, Robbie wanted to talk to you. Hang on." She transferred him.

Now what? I hope everything's okay. I haven't heard of anything else going on. Peter worried. Imagination played out several scenarios with Jameson and Osborn. None of them ended well. I just need to be able to take care of Gwendy. I just hope there isn't any more stuff going on.

"Hi, Pete! Sorry to hear about your arm. Are you taking it easy?" Robbie watched Jameson hovering in the doorway.

"Don't have a choice. I tried to get some shots but my camera's a wreck and so am I. I'll be here for a week probably. It seems like the further I get, something else happens." Peter shook his head. "I'll get it together though."

"That's a great attitude. How are things with Lex Luthor and everyone out there?" Robbie noticed Jameson hovering in the doorway. He shook his head.

"We're fine. Everyone's really nice. Gwen is observing the science teachers. She's interested in that. I was doing that and sitting in on Journalism class. I want to learn the rest of the trade."

"That's a good thing. Actually it's why I called." Robbie saw Jameson holding up the Planet in front of him. "Peter, I know it's not an easy thing to ask especially in your current situation. Have you given any thought to your future?"

"That's why Gwen and I came out here, Robbie. We were doing the internships to get all of our possibilities. Some things are just out of our control," Peter reminded him.

"I know. You know, Son, being married is a whole new world. Think of how you are with your aunt. Now you have two ladies to consider. It's been hard enough for you to get by on freelancing alone. Now you're going to have to think about starting a family as well. You're involved in school, this new life and trying to balance it all off with the photos. Any of those paths is great. You just need to pick one." Robbie walked over to Jameson. He considered Chloe's article. "Have you talked with Princess Jasmine?"

"Not since I talked last with JJJ. Why? Something else happen?" Instinct screamed at him that something was about to come down the pipeline.

"Miss Sullivan announced the stock sale this morning in the Daily Planet. Nobody told you I take it?" Robbie presumed.

Peter grimaced. Why? They knew the stakes! "Robbie, I didn't know!"

"And I believe you. Look, Peter, Jonah was going to call you himself. I asked to be the one to do this." Robbie bowed his head. He pulled the pipe from his mouth. "Maybe this is a sign? It's time for a change. Freelancing was great for you in high school. You've got a lot on your plate. Jonah's moving on. He's got a new young hotshot, Ray Flanagan. He takes photos of everything. Especially being stuck in that bed, you've got time to think. We can talk at the wedding if you want."

"That's fine. I know this isn't your idea, Robbie. You're right. I do have a lot to think about. That's why I wanted to get my news and feature writing up to snuff. I wanted to have more options." Peter rubbed his forehead. "Gwen and I are talking. We're seeing how things develop."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. You know if there's anything I can do, I will. I'm sorry about this, Peter." Robbie looked out toward Betty and Glory at their facing desks. He narrowed his eyes at Jameson.

"Yeah. Me too. See you next week?" Peter sucked in a deep breath.

"See you then, Son. Thank you. Heal up." Robbie hung up.

"'Heal up' he says." Peter disconnected the call. He shook his head. "I knew JJJ would threaten me. Never thought he'd actually get someone else." He set the phone down on the end table. He wished that Gwen wasn't at the school on that day. Support wanted her there as a shoulder to cry on. He could well imagine what Uncle Ben would think. And Aunt May.

A knocking cut into this deal….

"Peter, mind a visitor?"

"Mr. Dubois?" Peter didn't feel even a glimmer from the Spider Sense. Guess it's safe to talk with him now. "Come in."

"Thanks, Kid." Dubois slipped into the room. He put a steaming mug by the bedside. "The Doc wants you to have more tea. You'll figure out it's good to respect the wife's prerogative." He shrugged. "It's good to see you alive. Not many survive the Rider like that." He gulped from his coffee.

"Or your demon either." Peter sighed. "I saw that thing on full display yesterday. I don't mean to be ungrateful. It is scary."

"Yeah I've heard that. That's what a lifetime of torture and abuse will get you. I've lost friends, loved ones, jobs and homes. So has he." Dubois pointed at his own head. "He cares about you."

"Glad you have control of him." Peter looked his visitor over.

"I don't control him. I just coexist. I'm not some dumb ass idiot like Bruce Banner trying to kill my alter ego. There's room for the Hulk and him. Both sides just need to suck it up and learn to deal with each other." Dubois frowned. "It's like the Wall Crawler and you. You have a lot to offer in both roles. The Rider wouldn't have attacked you if it didn't agree with that."

"So when you lost everything, how did you deal with it?" Peter looked at the older man.

"Which time? There's been a few." Dubois leaned back against the wall. "You look at your priorities and see what's working. I've lost family members, my first wife and my tenure to this stuff. It stinks, Kid."

Peter could almost hear Wolverine talking to him with a different tone. "I'm sure. So how do you deal with it?"

"I survive sometimes. I've got a place to live, food to eat and a few things to keep my hand in the game. I've also married an incredible woman. I have my niece back. Lex is an awesome friend. I couldn't have a brother any closer. The Kents are amazing friends too. I have faith. I can find a job. I can rent an apartment. Those are little things. But I have the big things. So do you." Dubois gulped from his coffee yet again.

"I've got friends. I've got my aunt and fiancée. I don't have a job." Peter sighed. "JJJ fired me."

"I'm sorry. Really I am. Guess it's time for you to reassess." Dubois winced. He pulled out his phone. "Lex?"

"Dave, what's up? Is Peter okay?" Lex stared at Jasmine.

"The Bugle fired him. What a chicken shit move." Dubois fought off a spasm.

"We'll be right there." Lex disconnected the call.

"Mr. Dubois, I was going to tell him!" Peter protested.

"I'm sure you were after you stewed on it. I just cut to the chase." Dubois shrugged. "Sorry if I stole your thunder. You need your friends right now."

Lex knocked and stuck his head in. "Peter?"

"Hi, Lex. Come in." Peter folded his arms. "This is some day. Isn't it? Wish Chloe had told me before she wrote today's article. JJJ lived up to his bluster. Oh he's threatened to do it before. He never actually did it. He couldn't even call me himself. He had Robbie do it." He shook his head.

"He actually did it?" Jasmine bit her lip. "I am sorry. I did not mean for that to happen."

"Guess I better start job hunting. I don't even know how to tell Aunt May. The internships fall apart. Now this?" Peter presumed. "We have to find jobs."

Lex shrugged. "Peter, I heard him when we came in. He's right. You need your friends right now. We're here. Gwen and you have her house, your Aunt's house, this mansion and, I imagine, the Kent Farm if you need it. You've got medical care. You've got a great fiancée soon to be wife. You've also got that job offer."

"Job offer?" Dubois raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Job offer from the Daily Planet." Jasmine cleared her throat. "Peter, I still do not want to lose you for the staff. I understand he is the publisher. I will support you. If you want to go to work for the Daily Planet, I will offer my personal reference. I value you as a friend. Remember, you are alive thanks to us. We care."

"Talk to Gwen. See what she says. Meantime just rest. Know that you're all set." Lex motioned the others out of the room. "A nap might be good for you." He walked out and shut the door behind himself.

"A nap…I wish." Peter reclined back into the pillows.

It would be a long day….