Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC and the alterations in the storyline her presence provides.
Listen With Your Heart Chapter 23
Peter didn't waste anytime to proceed with his investigation in order to confirm whether or not his suspicions hold truth. Peter genuinely hopes they are wrong for his sister's sake.
Initially Peter had intended to go alone, but once she learned of his plans to visit Oscorp to search for her father's whereabouts she insisted on tagging along with him. Phoebe made is abundantly clear that he is not going there without her. If Dr. Connors has actually been at the office all this time then poor Phoebe wants to see him for herself. That's how much she's been hysterical about his extended absence at their home.
Peter had to make up an excuse. So Peter told her that he needs to ask her did some questions in reference to his expertise on reptiles. Maybe he can decipher a factor from the fight in reptilian behavior that could give him an edge.
Phoebe accepts that no sweat.
Phoebe was very perplexed when she caught sight of her father's department. Normally the place is bustling to the brim with people. The employees on Dr. Connors workforce is constantly busy with some sort of task from one to the other. The entire division is empty.
Eyes wide as they scan over the interior, Phoebe breathed "What the…?"
"Does your dad normally stop working sometimes," asked Peter, assessing it all.
Nodding, Phoebe said "Yeah he does, but not after a breakthrough like with the decay rate algorithm. He'd have everyone working around the clock until everything is in tiptop shape and perfect for the testing stages. This doesn't make any sense."
The two then head into Dr. Connors office.
"Hello," called Peter, not wanting to catch anyone off guard even if they were here.
No one answered his greeting in reply.
On first impressions nothing seems too out of sorts. Immaterial to retrospect. Phoebe has told him that her father does keep things here in immaculate shape. Safe to say he's always been organized in the office if not totally at home, very well accustomed.
Phoebe walks around looking at everything while Peter picks up a capsule that he recognizes having previously used the same type to work with Dr. Connors.
A mistake on his part to do without permission.
Standing in the open doorway, announcing his arrival, Dr. Connors said "It's not nice to snoop."
Whirling around, relieved to see him all right, darting over to hug him, Phoebe said "Father, there you are. I was so worried. You haven't been home for a couple of days now. You didn't leave me a message to what you've been doing."
Patting Phoebe's head gently, Dr. Connors said "I'm sorry, Dear One. I've been busy. Mr. Osborn has had us working around the clock for him after he caught wind of our progress. Rest easy now. I didn't mean to cause you any distress, Darling."
Phoebe nods acknowledging this.
"Where is everyone," said Peter.
"I gave everyone the week off," informs Dr. Connors, clearing the questions in their eyes.
Casually shrugging it aside, Peter said "Yeah."
Gathering papers on his desk to put in a briefcase, Dr. Connors said "Shouldn't you both be at school?"
"No, we got a free track," said Peter.
"And I wanted to see you," said Phoebe, taking the papers and slipping them into the briefcase.
"I want-I wanted to ask you a question. How would a predator track a reptile," said Peter.
"Oh, they don't. Most reptiles are at the top of their respective food chain, kings of their domain," said Dr. Connors with pride.
"They got to have vulnerabilities, right," countered Peter.
A fake smile on his face, tense underneath Phoebe's fingers, Dr. Connors said "Why the sudden interest in the cold blooded?"
Recovering quickly, Peter said "Just asking a question. I got school stuff. Biology profiles to do. So, because of the cold blood, would they react to sudden changes in temperatures?"
"You'd have to catch one first," said Dr. Connors, fingering the capsule. "Did you know there's a rumor of a new species in New York? Beautiful and quite large."
"Gwen told us about it. Her dad told her about an attack on a bridge. Seems whatever this species is has become responsible for it," said Phoebe.
"What do you know about it, Sir? Have you seen it," pressed Peter, trying not to seem to eager and give himself away.
"No, it's not yet classified. But it can be aggressive…if threatened," said Dr. Connors, coldly.
Phoebe's eyes narrow subtly at the sudden switch in her father's tone and body language. She's always known about his affection and admiration for reptiles, but he has become aggressive in his defense of them.
Unbeknownst to the two teenagers there's a patch of pale scales hidden underneath Dr. Connors shirt and jacket.
Dr. Connors absentmindedly stared off into space. He then snaps out of whatever trance he'd been temporarily trapped in Dr. Connors gathers the rest of his stuff.
"Doc, you all right," said Peter, slowly.
"Daddy," said Phoebe, concerned.
Rubbing his daughters arm reassuringly, Dr. Connors said "Never been better, Kids. Never been better. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I have a new project. I need to be alone. Phoebe, I'll see you tonight at dinner. Keep it nice and hot for when I get home."
"Sure," said Phoebe, walking out with him.
"Don't worry, Mr. Parker. I'll be back. Wonderful things are coming. Wonderful things," vowed Dr. Connors.
Okay now things are getting weird.
On the way out of the department a low growling and munching noise drew Peter over to the side to the containment units that held the test subject mice. Peter is met with an abominable scene to the eye.
"Fred," murmured Peter in shock.
The male mouse Fred has mutated from the genetic formula into a cannibalistic reptilian monster. He'd broken into the other container to get at the second mouse that is now nonexistent.
As if all other evidence hadn't been enough this alone confirms his theory. Dr. Connors is the Lizard he fought on the bridge last night. Peter concludes that Dr. Connors must've decided to test the serum on himself instead on anyone else. This action turned him into that creature as a side effect of regenerating his amputated arm. Peter mentally punches himself in the head over and over again from Dr. Connors impatience. He should've waited a while longer. That way he would've seen this in the nick of time.
And Phoebe wouldn't be in for an immense stab to the heart.
This is going to destroy Phoebe from the inside out if he can't do anything to prevent it.
Authors Note:
Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July!
Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
I'm glad to have finally gotten back to this after such a long absence compared to some others on my profile. I've been meaning to for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. Still in the beginning stages, but I'm very satisfied and happy about it. ;D
