A/N: Hi, I've been wanting to do a Shulkie and Spidey story for a while now, but in my story lines I won't be bringing any multiversal or earth shattering over the top stuff like aliens or cosmic beings into the mix. The suits I have envisioned for Spidey is along the lines of the homecoming suit, except without the A.I. for Peter. I like to keep the good vs. evil stories as simple as possible, but still have plenty of the stuff we crave. Drama, suspense, comedy, and plenty of romance. Hope you guys enjoy!
Chapter One: A Day in the Life
The Vault-Colorado Rockies
Far away in a covert prison, designed by the top minds of S.H.I.E.L.D, some of the most dangerous individuals in the world were held. One such prisoner was recently obtained after tampering with one of New York's nuclear reactors to create a fusion-based weapon. S.H.I.E.L.D. would not have been able to detain the prisoner thanks to the intervention of a certain web-slinging hero. Two agents stood guard outside the captive's quarters. They both mused the circumstances on which the detainee was imprisoned.
"Nah, the Web-head hog tied him like he was an old west wrangler."
"For real? Damn. Every time these two go toe-to-toe and it's a lot messier in terms of property damage. Not Spidey's fault though. I mean come on the freak's got eight limbs!"
"I know right? Can you imagine what it's like to have those things attached to your body?"
"Don't even want to think-"
BOOOOOM!
ALERT! SECURITY BREACH! WEAPONS SYSTEMS OFFLINE! CONTAINMENT UNITS OFFLINE!
The two large metal doors at the end of the Hallway opened to reveal a dozen robots that bore Latverian Coat of Arms on their armored chassis.
"Suppressing Fire!" one of the guards shouted. Alas, the guard's fate met a dismal end as their bodies sulked to the floor, plasma burns scorching their chest cavities with alarming precision to the vital organs. The lead automaton's chest plate opened where several wires, withering around like tentacles, inserted themselves into the control panel of the formerly guarded door. Sounds of motors running and locks being unsealed filled the hallway. The door opened autonomously to reveal the confined form of Doctor Otto Octavius. To most he looked like your average middle-aged man in a green and black jumpsuit, but then most men don't have four mechanical tentacles protruding from his back. The tentacles were held in place by four large restraint cuffs attached to the wall behind Doc Ock. His weary, rage filled eyes looked up to behold his mechanical liberators. The lead robot eyes flickered and produced of a live feed hologram of the armored Latverian monarch, Dr. Victor Von Doom.
"Doom," Otto sneered.
"Octavius. Your failure nevertheless persists," Doom scoffed.
"Why send your automatons here, Victor? I doubt you broke into a S.H.I.E.L.D. installation just to insult me."
"Indeed. Despite our differences Octavius, there is a mutual tool that we both seek to obtain our heart's desire. Your desire for respect whether it be born out of fear and blood. Then there is my desire for domination of the foolish masses." Octavius was none the less intrigued. Despite Dooms vile nature, he was also a man of his word should there be an alliance between him and Doom. The constraints that held Ock's metallic arms in place suddenly unlocked. The arms moved with life as they lifted Otto into the air.
"What tool would that be, Victor?" Otto asked.
"Power, Octavius. Pure, untempered power."
Four Freedoms Plaza-Manhattan, New York
Among the many sites to behold in the bustling Big Apple is the headquarters and home to the world's first family of superheroes, the Fantastic Four. In one of the many labs of Dr. Reed Richards, there was gathered a collection of the world's scientific minds. As to what called the most forward thinkers of the modern age is that of the study of an object of unique importance to the world, for it could propel humanity into the next century or decimate it. In the middle of the lab was a large meteorite, the size of half a Surburban garage, held within a large containment unit with a variety of instruments specifically designed to interact with the extraterrestrial object.
At one of the main workstations sat a brown-haired young man, but if you looked into his eyes, they were weary, and battle worn. At twenty-five years old, Peter Parker was selected from countless others at Horizon Labs to study the meteorite among other scientific giants. He was hardly one to be counted out given him receiving a masters in biophysics at only twenty-four and working on revolutionary projects at Horizon. It felt his job as a scientist was finally equating if not exceeding the importance of his "other job." His role as Spider-Man has allowed Peter to accomplish tremendous feats of heroism for almost ten years, but it always seemed like both his role as Peter Parker and Spider-Man always got the short end of the stick. The media was always out to get him, and the super-hero life took a toll on his relationship with his family, friends, and love life. Now he felt he had a huge part of his life he didn't need to lie about. Where it didn't succumb to the classic "Parker Luck."
"This is it, Pete. You're finally being recognized for all your hard work. Not as Spider-Man, but as good ol' Peter Parker," he thought to himself as he was entering data from the latest stimuli test. It was then that Peter felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over it to see Dr. Reed Richards smiling warmly at him.
"How's everything looking, Pete?" Reed asked.
"It's looking phenomenal Doc! Whatever energetic stimuli this meteorite is exposed to, the input of that energy is absorbed. The energy output upon emission is the same kind absorbed but amplified to exponential degrees!"
"Amazing! The material this meteorite is composed of could be the key to solving energy crises across the globe."
Despite the triumphant day of discoveries, Peter began to feel the fatigue of last few days in the lab get to him. "Yahhhhn!" Peter yawned. Reed took note of the young man's condition.
"Peter you've been working non-stop for the past few days. There is still much work that needs to be done. You need your rest for such things. Plus, a good shower and shave could do you some good as well," Reed quipped.
"I'm fine Doc, really. And what do you mean shower and-" Peter sniffed his underarm catching on to what Reed was talking about. "Okay, maybe I have been neglecting myself a bit. I'll just wrap up this data entry and head out."
"Thanks Peter. You know you're a valued member of this research group, but I don't want you getting burnt out. Besides your young and should be enjoying life. Go hit the town, flirt with a pretty girl, or whatever it is young people do."
"Jeez, if Reed's telling me I'm working too hard maybe I better get some z's."
Unfortunately, the bright and cheery mood of the room dissipated when a half a dozen soldiers entered the room accompanied by the aging General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.
"Uh-oh. Looks like trouble," Peter grimaced. Reed rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "I best go straighten this out. Remember what I said Pete, and great work today!" Reed shouted back to him.
"Secure this area! I want this rock prepped to be transported back to Washington!" Ross directed his soldiers. From among the horde of researchers, Susan Richards and Tony Stark briskly approached the General, both celebrated heroes had daggers in their eyes.
"General Ross, you can't just barge in here without proper clearance to seize control of this lab!" Dr. Susan Richards shouted.
"She's right, Ross. Homeland Security hasn't alerted us a transfer of the object in any way," Stark stated.
"Now see here the both of you. I will not allow a potential asset to the United States government be wasted in some science project. If this rock can do what it is supposedly able to do..."
"Let me guess, General. You're thinking about next generation atomic weaponry. There's no way the President will sign off on any of that. We're not even at war!" Reed said.
"Very well put, Brainiac. In fact, that hunk of space rock ain't going anywhere," said a deep, husky, feminine voice. Everyone turned to see the gamma powered bombshell herself, Jennifer Walters, better known as She-Hulk. She was dressed in a black blazer, buttoned-up white blouse, and dark purple skirt. It was always a wonder how she found her high price attire in her large size. Being a six foot-seven tall, green-skinned amazon with curves for days on end, it wasn't an easy find in most fashion. As she strode into the lab, everybody could see that she moved with such grace and confidence. Every single, hot-blooded male in the room couldn't help but be put under her spell of her beauty, both inner and outer. This didn't exclude Peter.
He's had a crush on Jen since he became an Avenger back when he was twenty-two, despite him being eight years her junior. But he always respected her enough to preserve their friendship. Over the past year and a half however, they've become unofficial partners. The chemistry between the two of them flowed so neatly and naturally once they truly got to know each other. Still, he couldn't help, but gawk at her. Stunned by her beauty, charm, and intelligence he always left an obvious expression on his face.
Jen approached the group and handed Ross a large file. "By executive order of the President, this entire research group is employed for study and utilization of the extraterrestrial asset. All research will be kept under safeguard by Homeland Security, S.H.I.E.L.D., and the F.B.I. But the data obtained will be utilized for Special Projects directed by the Department of Energy. In other word's Ross, other than keeping the data safe, the Defense department has no say in this," Jen said with a smug smile. Ross was visibly fuming at the authenticity of the documents and that he had been strong armed, especially by a Hulk.
"How in the hell did you get the President's approval on this?!"
Jen twirled a lock of her long, wavy, emerald-green hair casually, "When you save several heads of the Justice Department from a terrorist bombing it can open a lot of doors to the higher ups. Also, unlike you the Commander-in-Chief is a forward thinker for tomorrow's generations."
Ross glared at Jennifer, "I swear this is not the last you'll see of me! I'll take you on any day of the week! You're nothing! Just like that freak of a cousin of yours!"
Jennifer's demeanor remained calm, but her eye's had a fierce fire behind them. Nobody threatened her cousin. Especially the man who branded him a fugitive and a monster. "General, before Bruce went away to "find himself," he gave me evidence to some off the book projects that would put you in some very hot water with the Feds should you ever cause trouble for me or any of our friends. Now if I were you, I'd march out of here before I make things very worse for myself."
"You got nothing," Ross sneered.
"Operation Big-Red," Jennifer whispered to him. Ross's face went deathly white.
"Now get out," Jen growled. Ross and his men departed the building as fast as they came in. Jen felt like she was on top the world.
"WAY TO GO JEN!" Sue embraced her long-time bestie.
"Aww shucks, Sue. Just doing my job as the Richard's Family Private Attorney and owing my favorite family of superheroes. Plus, I REALLY wanted to piss off that asshole," Jen said between giggles. Jen then looked over the lab, taking note of all the resident smart guys in the room.
"Damn, Sue. You and Reed definitely have the brain-trust going on here. I mean you got Stark, Pym, Mccoy. Ugh, Cho? Never really got along with him, but I can understand why-" It was then that Jen noticed a familiar head of brown hair.
"Is that Peter?" Jen's eyes lit up with a comforting warmth.
"Sure is," Sue said. "We've been reaching out to every reputable RD company, and Horizon was on our list. It only made sense to pick Peter. Reed even acknowledges that a mind like Pete's rivals his and Tony's."
"Don't got to tell me how much of a whiz kid Pete is. I know from experience," Jen said almost dreamily mentally recalling all the saves Peter made as Spider-Man by thinking outside the box and using his unique scientific knowledge. Jen learned a while ago never underestimate the mind of the Wall-Crawler. Peter looked up from his computer to see Jen looking right at him. He gawked momentarily and returned to look like he was busy, still wondering if she was looking in his direction and hoping she didn't see him blush.
"Please God, don't let her have seen me stare!" he screamed internally.
Across the room however, Jen let out a small chuckle. "How cute! He thinks I didn't see him checking me out." But when Jennifer took another glance over at Peter, she noticed that he was a little worn, even by metahuman standards. "Somethings weighing him down. I'll have to check up on him later."
"Well, it's been a long day. Why don't we cap it off with coffee at Grigorio's?" Sue asked. Jennifer looked at Sue warmly, "Oh you know I can't resist that place, but your buying, ha-ha." As they were making their way-out Jen took another look over her shoulder in Peter's direction noticing he had already taken off.
Midtown-Manhattan, New York
It was a little after five p.m. when Peter got off work. He walked through the streets of Midtown looking forward to a little downtime. He tried to relax, feeling the tightness in his back from slouching over a computer for the past 30 hours. "Ah, just a quiet night to myself. Some Star Wars. Some Pizza. It will be just what the doctor ordered."
His inner monologue was disrupted by the sight of a group of young men and women coming out of a local bar. Their laughter and frolicking made Peter feel a tinge of dissatisfaction with his personal life. Sure, he had friends, but he felt like his responsibilities were getting in the way of a social life, let alone a romantic one. He looked down at the street and shook his head.
BOOOOM!
Three blocks down the street a large explosion shook the ground. Peter could see the smoke, fire and debris flying from a large building. "Great, just great!"
Peter ran off to the nearest dark alley, before re-emerging swinging on a web, donned in his costume. "Ah, just another day in the life," Peter muttered as he swung towards the destruction. When he got to the site of the explosion, what he saw next really didn't surprise him as to the damage. Standing in front of the large gaping hole in the building was none other than the Rhino, a Russian enforcer clad in a hulking rhino inspired battle armor. Unfortunately, the process of donning it meant that he was permanently sealed inside.
"Alexsei! Long time no see! How's my favorite criminally insane Russian? The horn looks new!" Peter quipped.
"Spider!" Alexei shouted in a thick Russian accent. "Move or be crushed underfoot!"
"Speaking of feet, what size does that exo-suit come with in boot size? A size 36?"
"Arggh! You talk too much bug!" Rhino charged towards Spider-Man thus beginning an epic street battle.
Grigorio's Coffee House-Midtown-Manhattan, New York
The small, but popular coffee shop was Jen and Sue's favorite place just for the two of them to get away and vent to each other about anything and everything. Both were enjoying the sunny weather on the terrace all to themselves. Sue partaking of her usual Iced Macchiato and Jen sipping from her dark roast.
"Hey Jen, I couldn't help but overhear what you said to Ross. If he's up to something illegal..., shouldn't you turn that evidence in immediately?"
Jen just grinned at Sue and took a sip of her drink. "You've already turned it over to the feds," Sue smiled catching on to Jen's plan.
"The feds have been suspecting a few dirty projects for a while, but being a high-ranking military officer allows him to sweep a lot of stuff under the rug without a lot of people's notice. Luckily Bruce was able to make backup copies of all the dark projects before he started to clean house, so to speak, a little while ago. Now the feds are just letting the line out before reeling in the big fishes."
"But won't the feds question how you got the data?"
"Nope. Too much compelling evidence to pass up. We're just calling it evidence retrieved by a concerned citizen who chooses to remain anonymous for sake of personal safety," Jen chuckled with Sue joining in.
"Okay now that we got the serious business out of the way let's switch topics to something far more scandalous. Maybe something that involves your love life?" Sue asked nonchalantly.
"Nonexistent love life. Why? What's bringing this up?"
"Because it's been, what, three months since I saw you in the tabloids surrounded by some celebrity or supermodel. That's a pretty long dry spell for you, Jen."
"Yeah, believe me I know," Jen sighed. "It's just that these guys I'm seen with... all flash, no substance. Hard to believe that these were the kind of guys I was crushing on before the blood transfusion. Oh, Bonnie Taylor was right. Where have all the good men gone? Especially those who can last for more than five minutes in the sack! I mean come on!"
Sue chuckled at her friends mock outrage. "Well, Ms. Walters, I do have to say this a great stride of maturity on your part and I'm proud of you, " Sue said raising her drink to Jen.
"Yeah, if only I hit that stride earlier," Jen giggled. "So now that you've gotten your grilling session done, I got some questions for you."
"Oh? Like what?" Sue asked.
"I've noticed that Pete seems a little off. Is everything ok with him? He's not still hung up on the breakup with MJ is he? That was like four months ago! And it was mutual!"
"I have no idea what's going on with him, Jen. But I know what you mean. All he does is work, does his "charity", and go home. The only people he really talks to nowadays are the people at the lab and his Aunt May."
"Yeah, I'm just a little worried about him lately. We've teamed up so many times of the past year it feels like we got a good partnership going, ya know? Just want to make sure he's doing good." Jen sighed.
Sue couldn't help but giggle a little. "I can still remember the days when you thought of him as annoying and chatty. Boy have things changed."
Jen sighed and looked down at her drink as she recalled those days perfectly. The days when she judged a book before looking at its contents. When Peter was selected to be a member of the Avenger's, Jen was on the fence with Peter having only limited interactions with him. The time she did spend around him she brushed him off as a tad bit annoying. That all changed when he joined up with the team and revealed who he was to them. He believed he could trust them, so he unmasked himself and told his story and why he does what he does. After learning about Pete's life, Jen came to greatly respect him. She also learned that his habit of making bad jokes in tense situations was a tactical strategy to make his enemies agitated and slip up, as well as a defense mechanism for himself. Despite his quips and jokes, he was a highly responsible young man and cared about everyone, even trying to help his enemies should they need saving. The more time Jen and Peter spent together; the more Jen realized that they weren't that different from each other.
"Yeah," Jen sighed, "He really grows on ya, doesn't-"
BOOOOOM!
Both Sue and Jen jumped to attention as the could see smoke bellowing from several blocks away.
"Oh my God, I'll call the team-" Sue began to say, but Jennifer put a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax, Sue. I got this." Jennifer tore apart her blouse and blazer to reveal a purple leotard with white accents and a cleavage-window.
"I still don't know why you asked Janet to make that suit a little... risqué, Jen."
"Two reasons, Sue. Distraction and the girls need some air," Jen giggled.
"Just be careful, Jen. And call for backup if you need it!" Sue screamed as Jen leapt towards the action.
Meanwhile...
"I WILL SQUASH YOU LIKE BUG YOU ARE, SPIDER!" shouted Rhino as he hurled a man-hole cover at the wall-crawler. Peter was able to dodge the hunk of metal, but it smashed through the window of an unoccupied bodega. Thankfully, the authorities were able to get all civilians in the vicinity to a secure are.
"Aw come on Alexsei! Not the bodega! That one made the best sandwiches in Midtown!" Peter quipped in mock outrage.
Peter jumped and latched himself onto the wall of a nearby building surveying the damage. "I got to end this now. Rhino's gonna take down half of Midtown if this continues to escalate. I'm no match for him physically. Distraction and Ensnarement are my best shot against him. Luckily the new webbing I developed should hold him just long enough for me to get a good shot to the exposed section of head."
Peter swung down and began firing impact webbing in Rhino's legs, making him stumble to his knees. Peter charged in for an uppercut to Alexsei's face, but he was swatted aside. Rage fueling him, Rhino ripped off the webbing around his legs. He towered over Spider-Man, still trying to get his second wind. The malicious smile on his face spoke a thousand words.
"Finally! I will do what the others could not! Squash the Spider!"
"Pick on someone your own size, ugly!" Rhino heard a feminine voice behind him. He quickly looked around but was met a large green fist to the face sending him flying a block and a half away. As Peter was coming to, he saw She-Hulk standing over him with a smirk and posing with hands on both hips.
"Hey there, Web-head. Mind if I crash this shindig?" she asked in her usual deep seductive tone of voice.
Peter coughed as he stood to his feet, "By all means. Everyone knows you're the life of the party anyways, Shulkie."
She-Hulk put a hand on her hip posing for Pete. "Can't help that I'm so lively and vivacious!" The duo then heard the sound heavy feet against concrete and saw Rhino beginning to stand up.
"So, I'm hoping you got a plan for our big gray friend heading this way?" She-Hulk asked.
"I was going for a distract and ensnarement tactic, but I was nowhere fast enough to lay him out." Peter then looked over at Jennifer and got a bright idea. "But you are. I distract and immobilize, while you knock his lights out."
"Let's do it!" Jennifer slightly blushed again. "Phrasing, Jen. Phrasing... Although..."
Peter swung in full speed with Rhino charging right at him. Rhino was met with a barrage of web bullets to the face temporarily blinding him. The Mad Russian stopped his rampage to get the goo out of eyes, only to have his hands entrapped by the substance.
"UGGHH! CAN'T SEE!"
"And you won't be for a while, Comrade!" Jennifer yelled as she went in for the finisher.
BAM!
Rhino was smacked down into the ground leaving a small crater upon impact with Spidey and She-Hulk standing over him victorious. The authorities were quick to move in and apprehend Rhino using a very large, durable containment unit. Damage Control was quickly assessing the situation and how to repair the damage done. Everyone started cheering Jen and Pete, both of them feeling on top of the world... That was until Pete had to like at the nearby Jumbo Tron. His number one "fan" J.J. Jameson began one of his lashes towards Spidey.
"Earlier today, the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man was engaged in a street battle with the super criminal known as the Rhino. Well, I'm sure everything's well, huh? Bad guy defeated! Day saved! Right? WRONG! NOT ONLY IS THIS WALL CRAWLING MENACE UNEQUPPED TO DEAL WITH THE LIKES OF RHINO, BUT HE HAS NO REGARDS FOR THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY DAMAGE DONE IN THE-"
Peter knew where this broadcast was going. He looked down at the ground and shook his head as frustration. All he wanted was to do the right thing with the gifts he was bestowed. He was just about to swing away before She-Hulk grabbed his shoulder.
"Hey web-head, are you ok? Don't listen to Jameson. You know that he's just the world's biggest cynic," Jen tried to comfort Pete. She always addressed Peter by his many other titles than his real name when in public for the sake of his secret identity. Even if they were having a heart to heart.
"I'm fine, Jen. Really. Hey, look I really got to get going. Thanks for the help!" Peter just wanted to get away from the scene and clear his head. He jumped high into the air and "thwiped" away on a web. Back on the ground Jen just stood there looking up in the direction Pete just swung in.
"Why do I feel like the girl who just got stood up on prom night?" She was brought out of her thoughts by the incessant ramblings of "Jolly" Jameson on the huge monitor. His insults towards her friend were setting off major fumes in her head.
"OH, SHUT UP YOU HOARSE-VOICED ASSHOLE!" Jen yelled as she was about threw a discarded tire at the screen before she noticed some dirty looks she was getting from the Damage Control workers. She let out a calming breath and dropped the tire.
She looked back in the direction Pete took off in. She glared in that direction. "Alright, Pete, that does it! I'm finding out what's going on with you whether you like it or not!"
With one mighty leap, She-Hulk soared in the direction of her web-slinging prey.
Peter landed on a rooftop in a residential area of the city. Looking onto the streets below he the saw families and friends going out for a night out. Couples going on dates. Normal people leading normal lives. "Typical day. Typical Parker Luck," Pete mused to himself. It was then that he heard a loud thump behind him. He turned to see the not-so friendly She-Hulk, her eyes shooting daggers at him.
"Look here, Parker. For the past few weeks, it seems like you've been avoiding every single concern that is thrown your way. Now are you gonna fess up. Or do I have to bring out the big guns?"
Peter just turned his head back to the streets below and just sighed. "Jen, have you ever just wanted some semblance of a normal life? I mean of course you can. You're She-Hulk. Super-heroine and super lawyer. I don't exactly have that luxury. The responsibilities I have in my life are both separate but affect each other all the same. My relationships. My career. My love life. It all is affected by me just trying to do the right thing. Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing at Horizon, the work I'm doing with Reed, is more than enough for me to accomplish a greater good, yet still lead that normalcy."
Jen's expression softened with a sweet sadness. Her eyes filled with warmth. "Oh, Pete." She didn't have the words to describe what he was going through. What he's been dragging along all this time. She just sat with him and looked out onto the streets, just being there for him.
"Sorry for springing all that on ya, Jen. Just needed to get that off my chest, you know. Clear the ol' mechanism."
"You got nothing to apologize for, Pete. Sorry for being too aggressive with you earlier. Trying to give you a good dose of tough love, haha."
"Aww so you do love me," Pete quipped. She lightly jabbed him the shoulder and giggled. Pete let out a deep breath, "All I wanted to do this weekend was to chill out and relax this weekend. Reed gave me some advice that I need to take a breather once in a while of course his wording was go out on the town with a pretty girl on my arm, haha."
Jennifer's eyes lit up and the gears in her head started to turn. "You know what? That's exactly what you need! A night of fun with girl who knows how to live it up!"
"Haha, yeah and a girl like that will just magically fall right out of the sky," Peter said sarcastically.
"Ahem," Jen coughed as she stood up placing both hands on her hips, a mischievous smirk, looking oh-so seductive without even trying.
Peter immediately caught on, however stunned, to her unspoken proposition. "Wait, you... you mean... you and me? Jen... I really don't know-"
"Ah ah ah, Pete. You obviously need to unwind, and I know just the ticket for you. So go home. Get a couple hours rest. Then come by my place around eight because the She-Hulk is taking you out for the night of your life!" Jen couldn't help but chuckle. She turned and walked towards the opposite end of the roof in direction of her place, but then she looked and spoke over her shoulder back at Peter, "And don't think of bailing out on this, Web-head. This is one lady you do not want to stand up." Jen then leapt far into the sky with Pete staring at her fleeting form.
A great feeling of excitement and fear overcame Peter as he finally formulated what had just happened. "Did I just get roped into a date with She-Hulk? Oh, boy... I really hope Bruce doesn't find out."