Issue #4: Ball Game

Harry woke up the next morning to a pleasant surprise: Someone actually cooking in their apartment. He pulled on a pair of sweat pants and stepped out of room, further surprised. Peter was the one cooking! And it actually smelled fantastic. "Damn, Pete. That smells amazing. No fires?" Eggs, sausages, toast already prepared and cut into triangles.

"Ha ha... No, no fires. I told you I've been working on it." Peter feigned offense as he continued scrambling the eggs. "Just figured I'd give Isaac something good to wake up to. Plus, we actually had stuff in the fridge, so."

Harry looked to the door to the other bedroom. "How was he after dinner? He didn't say much before heading off to bed."

Peter matched his gaze. "He didn't say anything when I went in. Either he was knocked out after all that stress, or he didn't want to talk to me. Either way, fair."

"Yeah, no kidding. Let me just slip by..." He snuck past Pete into the kitchen alcove, getting a mug and pouring himself some coffee. "Hey, since it's a Saturday, I kinda wanted to give him a day to ease up. You doing anything later?"

"I gotta swing by Dr. Connors's lab, deliver some materials to him. But after that I should be free. What did you have in mind?"

"There's a Yankees game today, don't remember who they're playing. Doesn't really matter, I just don't want him cooped up here all day." Harry had actually met Isaac through sports, the two running into each other at a hockey game between the Rangers and Bruins.

Peter groaned in his typical exaggerated style anytime Harry brought up sports. "Really man? Baseball? But it's so... Booorring!"

Harry jokingly slugged him in the shoulder. "Shut up! Just cause you don't care about it. I don't judge your wrestling obsession."

"Ugh. I haven't watched wrestling in years! Besides, I was more into the underground stuff anyway. I thought that was 'cool', if I recall correctly?"

Harry sat down and scrolled through his notifications. No texts, but plenty on twitter. Did he dare? Eh, not this early. Let's not start the day off with stress of my own. He smiled again. "Seriously, smells great Pete."

The door to Pete and Isaac's room opened. "Sure does. I wasn't expecting this. There an occasion? Or are we preparing an insurance fraud scheme?"

Pete shot Isaac a dirty look, but was smiling almost as wide as Harry. Good to see Isaac starting off the day in a better mood. Harry chuckled. "Nah, nothing really. Just enjoying a day off. Actually, there's a Yankees game today. Wanna come with?"

Isaac pointed to Peter incredulously. "Him? A baseball game? Surely you jest."

The three of them continued small talk over breakfast. Harry had to admit, Peter wasn't kidding. This was easily the best thing he'd ever cooked. Or at least it went smoother than ever before. When he didn't burn down apartments with them, those dumplings he made were really good.

Despite Isaac appearing in a better mood, Harry found himself checking on him. He was smiling, but his reaction time did seem slower than usual. His eyes had dark bags too, he may not have slept very well. While his dad was probably going through far worse, actually being sick, Harry knew Isaac was pretty susceptible to stress. Another reason he'd regretted his handling of the afterparty. The past few days must've been hell.

But it was last night's exchange that continued to play out in Harry's mind. It had kept him up late in thought. Friends... He had meant to comfort Isaac. He'd mostly succeeded, he thought. But if the occasional glance from Isaac was anything to go off of... They were both thinking about some new things...

"There'll be a slight pinch. Thank you again, Peter. With any luck, this will propel my research by years." Peter nodded as Dr. Connors started the blood draw. He found his warning a little amusing, Connors now being very aware his lab assistant was regularly shot at and thrown into cars and walls.

"Of course doc. I'd offer more, but I'd rather not let someone cut me up to see if I regrow limbs."

"Perfectly understandable. I'd find it terrifying to carry out a test like that anyway. Even considering your heightened physical state. Oh, and good work on those bank robbers."

Peter leaned away. "Eh... I guess I did fine with those two. But I think the police didn't disclose everything. There were two other robbers. Both of them got away from me."

"Really? Alright, that should do it." Connors took the needle out of Peter's arm and bandaged it up. "I don't think they mentioned it on the news. Who were they?"

Peter stood up, only to turn around and sit on the edge of a table. "Well, the Prowler was there. You might not have heard about him. He doesn't usually do robberies, more of a discreet burglary type of guy. Then there was someone new. They could turn invisible too. And run on air. Should've webbed him from the start, I knew he wouldn't just be a gunman in a cape... Well, I figured, guess I couldn't know."

There was a clinking as Dr. Connors placed the now labeled vial of Peter's blood away. "You're sounding awful critical of yourself there, Peter. Don't forget you neutralized a thirty-five hundred pound armored hippo, and a destructive mechanist. I somehow doubt the NYPD could've managed without you."

"I have to be critical, doc. There's always a way to improve, to do it better... To save more people." Peter looked out the window. But it seemed Connors didn't need to see his face to know what was going through his mind.

"Ah... The three deaths... I remember seeing their families on TV. But Peter..." Connors sat down next to him, thinking through his words. "I think we both know, that number would have been much higher if you hadn't shown up to help. It's good to remember you can always be better, and to strive for that. Just don't let yourself despair when you've saved lives. You've been gifted with a great power Peter, and I don't think there's anyone more trustworthy than you to wield it."

The two sat by the window a little longer. Peter wasn't sure what he could say to that. Once more in the back of his mind he could hear the words that played endlessly during his years of protecting the city. With great power...

There was the sound of a chiptune theme from Peter's lab coat. Connors pointed. "New ring tone?"

Peter pulled his mask out from an inner pocket. He used to keep it much more securely hidden, but since his boss knew already, why bother? "That's for the other guy, actually. One sec doc."

He pulled his mask on and pressed just behind his ear. "Thank you for calling your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man's, how can I help you?"

"Hilarious. There's something I wanted to talk to you in person about, down at the station. I'd say you probably wanna be here."

"Sure thing Yuri. Be about ten, twenty minutes. Almost done where I am." Peter shrugged apologetically to Dr. Connors, who waved it off.

"Almost done? Got a location that needs any transport?"

"Nope, all good. See you in a few Yuri."

He took the mask off again. "Sorry again, doc."

Dr. Connors was already studying Peter's blood under a high-powered microscope. "No worries at all Peter. I'm amazed you insist on keeping up both these jobs. Oh, wait!" Connors caught Peter's arm before he could leave. "I've been thinking, a lot of your foes are operating on highly advanced science. I thought perhaps it might do you some good if Spider-Man had a professional on speed-dial."

"Really? Of course, doc, that'd be awesome! I'll give you the number. Oh, I need to unblock yours too. I set it up so I don't get any robo-calls while spidering around." New contact added to his mask's com, Peter waved to Dr. Connors and ran up the stairs to the roof of the building.

"Thanks Clements. I'll give you a call if we decide to take the car back."

"Of course Mr. Osborn. Enjoy the game." The driver nodded to Isaac. "And you as well, Mr. Octavius."

Isaac awkwardly nodded back and closed his door. He joined Harry on the sidewalk and they began their walk to the gate. "We really didn't need to use the company car. You know I'm fine with the subway."

Harry gave him a look. "Come on man, you're allowed to feel a little spoiled now and again. I know you're new to this 'big tech money' life, but it isn't all bad. For instance..."

Harry pointed to the gate, and Isaac followed his motion. As if on cue, a man about their age in a fancy suit waved them over. "Harry Osborn! Now this, is simply remarkable. My first day back in the city, and I get a ball game and a chance to see you again!" The two shook hands and smiled wide. Whoever this was they were strangely familiar. "Ah, you must be Isaac Octavius! Hello, hello! Harry and I go a ways back, our fathers do - well, did - business often! I'm Richard Fisk."

Isaac tried not to react to that, but clearly Richard saw. "Ha! No worries, I get it. It's hard to distance yourself from a stigma like that. My mother and I left New York when I was much younger, young enough to still be ignorant about my father."

He forced a smile. "Ah, of course. Well, I'm sure it's good to be back then."

Fisk nodded enthusiastically. "Oh you have no idea. Fun thing I learned all those years in California: I hate the heat. I missed winter in the city. But anyway, come on up! No need to talk up here when we've got the nice suite upstairs!"

Richard left the two of them, and Isaac took the chance to turn to Harry. "Fisk? Are you sure about him?"

Harry nodded understandingly. "I get it, but hey, sins of the father, right? Who should know that better than us? Come on. I promise he's all good. We're here for the ball game, food that we'll regret an hour after we leave, and maybe a few beers."

Isaac sighed. He really wished Peter hadn't canceled for work. Why couldn't we have done that at home? I don't mind a live game, but a luxury suite is a lot... He jumped a little, surprised by Harry gently touching his shoulder. "Hey, if you really aren't comfortable, we can just get normal tickets. I'll tell Rich we just wanted to get closer. Or I could call Clements, or we could head for a train. Don't force yourself."

He almost took Harry's other hand. But the momentary panic of the situation was subsiding, and HOLY SHIT did I almost do that?! Isaac's hand fell again, but he smiled genuinely. "I'm fine. Thanks, Harry... You know, I've never actually been in a luxury suite at any game."

Harry smiled and nudged him forward. "Well, let's fix that shall we? I'm telling you it's the only way to see a game live."

They climbed the stairs past less and less people, and Harry led the way to Fisk's suite. He knocked and the door opened to another new face. It seems Harry didn't know him either, but Richard's voice from inside told him to let them through. Stepping in, Isaac had to admit that it did look more than comfortable. That, and seeing Harry's casual handling of all these big names and big money was... Isaac was surprised that he found it something he very much liked watching.

By the third inning, Isaac had forgotten all his worries and was fully invested. It hadn't been a slow start, it was a three to four game, they were up one on the Blue Jays. The rest of the people in the suite seemed more interested in their own conversations, but Harry and Isaac were up on their feet for the homer, and cussing the umpire out in equal measure for a call they agreed was bull. This really had been what he needed.

The fourth inning started, and the wind picked up significantly. The sky was still clear at least. "Hey Harry... Thanks for this... Harry?"

Harry had turned, though. Someone new had joined them in the suite. The stranger shook hands with Fisk before heading outside to the seats. Fisk was with him, the two still talking. He waved to the two of them. "Hey, Harry, I don't think you've met my friend here! We've been doing business remotely a few years now. Angelo, allow me to introduce the heir to Oscorp, Harry Osborn. Harry, this is Angelo Fortunato, his family makes some fantastic whiskeys. And that's Isaac Octavius, his father works in robotics."

Isaac could feel it. There was something going on, though he couldn't say what. But even before Richard had made the introductions, Harry and Angelo had been staring at each other with an unusual expression to say the least. The wind picked up even more. Then Isaac heard the screaming.

Peter landed square in the middle of the Greenwich Village police station. Yuri was already waiting for him. "Hey Yuri, what's up? Said you wanted me here."

"I did. I mentioned the idea of you being there for the police ball fundraiser to my superiors."

He hadn't expected that to go so fast. Even though he guessed Spider-Man being involved made anything less mundane, he'd expected the suggestion to get buried under the normal police work. "Well that moved fast. What did they say?"

She motioned for him to slow down. "The Commissioner shot it down almost immediately." She raised her hand again, as if sensing the exaggerated sadness Peter had prepared. "But, we had a guest that actually stopped him. Said they were interested in meeting you. Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't yet. Oh, and I warned him you might freak out, so don't be too worried. Just... Be yourself?"

Peter cocked his head. Ok, this one's definitely interesting. Who'd be interested in a meeting with me? Well, actually a lot of people. But someone Yuri thought he'd met already...

The door to the roof opened. Yuri stepped away. "I'll leave you two alone. Whenever you're done up here, feel free to rejoin us Mr. Stark."

"Sure thing, captain. Shouldn't be long."

Peter's mouth fell open wide enough he knew it could be seen through the mask. There was just... No way! Right?! Stood on the precinct roof with him was the Iron Man, the genius billionaire CEO and founding member of the Avengers! "Oh wow! Oh, oh wow! Mr. Stark! I... Woah!" Peter wasn't sure what to do from here, but he offered his hand. "Uh, hi! I definitely was not expecting... This."

Stark shook it firmly, nodding. "Why would you? I flew in from Latveria just yesterday. I have been meaning to talk to you, but we can do the proper one some other time. Right now, important things." He held out his hand, which was immediately enclosed by armor. It projected a hologram image of a figure.

"Oh damn, that is so cool..."

Stark smirked. "You should see my new toys. But the guy there, look familiar to you?"

Peter looked it over. Hood, pistols, running in mid-air. "Yeah, I recognize him. He's -" Oh yeah, still no name... Fuck it. "- the Hood. Saw him robbing a bank with some old pals of mine, one of the two that got away unfortunately."

The hologram disappeared. With his other hand, Stark lightly smacked his arm. "Hey, don't beat yourself up kid, we all do it sometimes. Hood, huh? Know where he is now?"

Still surprised by Stark's immediate reassurance, Peter shook his head. "Uh, no. He actually disappeared on me. Like, invisible style. And I had two other guys to take care of at that point."

"Shit..." Stark cursed under his breath and shook his head. "Ah well... Hey, I like your work, so I'm gonna pretend we were talking about the fundraiser ball and tell the Commissioner to reconsider."

Before he could walk away Peter stopped him. "Oh, wait, but why are you looking for him?"

"He's why I came back early. Normally I wouldn't leave a 'von Doom' situation unattended, but this guy broke into my tower and made off with some designs. And a shit load of art and money. There was another one there, think you know him, Prowler?"

Peter nodded. "Yeah, he was at the bank too. Someone's got them running jobs together..."

The door opened again and Yuri ran out. "Spider-Man, um... Mr. Stark. Trouble at Yankee stadium. We've got another confirmed six-oh-six."

In only a handful of seconds, Stark was fully enclosed by the red and gold armor Peter had watched save the world on his TV since before he was bitten. Iron Man nodded. "No worries, captain. I think the two of us should have this under control."

While normally Peter would have been ecstatic and eager to be hanging out and fighting crime with an idol of his, he had already leapt from the roof. His head was surprisingly focused, only one thought ringing: Harry and Isaac are there!

The screaming continued as the winds in the stadium only got worse. Ballpark snacks and drinks were filling the air, everyone's hair was a mess. Hovering over the center of the diamond was a a green and silver figure, whose bottom half seemed to be a tornado. Isaac recognized him from the news. "Holy shit... Whirlwind? Why is he - AAaahh!"

Blam Blam! Crash! Isaac screamed as gunshots rang and the window of the suite behind them shattered. He felt Harry shaking him. "Isaac, are you ok?! Holy shit... Who...?"

Isaac looked up from the floor. Standing on thin air was a man in a red cowl, pointing twin pistols at the people in the booth. "Well, looks like a hell of a score. Alright, folks. Any cash on you, hand it over. We'll be spending some time here until you meet a few demands. Hey Whirlwind, got a fat score here. Looks like -" His guns moved as he counted them. "- an Osborn, a Fisk, a Fortunato... Oh, and an Octavius."

Harry blocked as much of Isaac as he could, Isaac looked around trying to find any way for them to get out of this. Angelo was still staring at Harry, and he swore it looked like the Fortunato was twitching.

"So, who's gonna comply first? Or do we need to -" Thwip! "- fuck!" Their assailant was kicked in the side and went flying toward a lower level. Spider-Man landed on the railing in front of them.

"Alrighty, game's canceled. Inclement weather. Get out of here!" With a little two-finger salute, Spider-Man jumped from the rail down toward the gunman. Isaac looked to Harry, seeing everyone else already either gone or leaving fast.

Harry nodded and shook him by the shoulder. "Come on Isaac. We gotta go, come on, follow me!" It was Harry who took Isaac's hand, pulling him to his feet. The two of them stepped through the suite and into the hallway. From behind them there came another crash, and Isaac risked a glance. While nothing should've been too outlandish for today, what he saw caused him to scream again. Harry turned and went a little pale himself, gripping Isaac's hand tight.

A hulking mass of glossy black... Muscle? Whatever it was, it looked like it couldn't decide on a liquid or solid form. But its teeth, crooked and long as they were, seemed very solid. It wasn't clear if the splotches of white surface on the upper face were eyes at all, or merely markings. "Osborn... We had never imagined it would be this easy!"

"Run..." Harry shoved Isaac to the side. "Run! I'm right behind you, go!" Isaac ran. He could hear the collapsing of brick and metal, and he looked over his shoulder to see the thing busting a hole in the suite's wall.

"We will have our - SKREEEEEEEE!" It screeched horrifically following a whir and blast of heat that Isaac could feel from here. The sound of thrusters filled the hall, and Isaac turned to see Harry staring at the new arrival. "Iron Man!"

"Get out of here you two. Genius is in short enough supply. Stay safe." He took off through the hole he'd made blasting whatever was after them through the wall. Neither said anything more, Harry just grabbed Isaac's arm and they took off for the stairs again. Three super-powered crazies and two super heroes doing battle. He knew they'd probably end up dead if they hung around for any longer.

As they ran through the gates and the crowds, Harry guided them toward an armored vehicle in the street. A man in white armor waved them into an open door. "Mr. Osborn, quickly!" The doors shut and Isaac heard the Sable guard yell to the driver. "Get them clear of the park! Go, go!"

As the armored car tore away from Yankee Stadium, Isaac steadied his breath. His mind was drowning in emotion. Waves of panic and excitement took turns washing over him. He did his best to steady his breathing, and found himself leaning closer in to Harry. He wasn't sure how long they had before they got where they were going, but for now... Isaac felt a little bit safer already.