Note: This is it and one more chapter that I had to add after debating about it for a while. I'm not going to do a sequel...I don't think. I haven't had any ideas to and right now I want to explore more genres of stories. I hope the people who read this enjoyed reading it as I did writing it. It's all a learning process...Later folks!







Kristina remained tied up for another hour. She watched as the water was drained from the glass room and saw Klefton's body wrapped up to be disposed of. Things were looking grim...

She turned her head from the sight. Inconnu had some bond with her...a parental bond. Maybe it would be enough to alter something....maybe she could strike a cord within him: father to daughter.

Her caramel head dropped suddenly. As she stated an hour before, her father was gone, a madman ruled his body....

She had no clue how to get out of this one. Her thoughts fell on Peter. For once, she actually feared that she would never see his beautiful blue orbs shining back at her...they would be replaced with corrupt-filled, black masses that would remain dull and dark. She swallowed hard at the thought. Would he kill Peter to get to her? Would he kill her if she refused?

She was so unsure of everything now it seemed. Her hooded eyes stayed downward, staring at the tile floor while she let her mind wander. Nothing could be determined yet. She couldn't use her powers, her strength had dwindled and now...

She was trapped.

There was a small shuffle of footsteps coming her way. It was curiosity that forced her to glimpse upward. An orderly came in with two armed men on his side. Kristina lifted her head all the way slowly. The orderly stopped one yard in front of her. Diplomatically, he said calmly, "Inconnu wishes to learn of the degree of your fatigue."

Kristina's eyes fell into slits. This was completely unbelievable. Inconnu wants to learn the degree of her fatigue? He's got nerve. How about he get strapped to a wall for hours and then let's see how well he's doing! In a voice resembling the low rumble of a panther's growl, she spoke, "Tell him that my fatigue is something that I am shocked he would actually concern himself with. It's really nothing for him to bother himself with, heaven forbid he should actually care."

The orderly was a bit taken back by her smart remark. "Do you wish to use the facilities at all?"

"No thank you," her voice dripping with sourness.

The orderly's eyebrow rose skeptically at the girl. Scoffing at her smug defiance, he shrugged his shoulders. "As you wish." At with that, he shuffled off with the armed men. Kristina kept her head up until she heard the door close. Her body was exhausted from supporting her weight for so long. He'd take the defiance for now...this she knew. If she showed any kind of weakness now, who knows what will happen? But if she continued to show defiance...she could only imagine now that it would have a higher price.

No one else approached her for what felt like hours. Kristina lost almost all sense of time in that room. The entire time, before she fell into her third bout of sleep, all she could wonder was what was he waiting for?

Peter was given a temporary room that supplied most of his needs. His contentment with the room was not what plagued his mind; a small voice within him, something so small and minuscule, carried a flood of images into his mind. He wasn't sure exactly what they were for or from, but they bugged him relentlessly. He concentrated on his boss....the man that had brought him from his goody two shoes trenches to an echelon of freedom. He had the freedom to think evilly and as badly as he wished without the worry of whether it was right or wrong...right and wrong no longer had any meaning.

Within those first hours of his transformation, everything was jumbled.....past images where mixing together, clouding all that he had known, all that he had stood for. When he saw Kristina, he felt exhilarated and alive. He relished in the fear that was in her brown eyes...the same brown eyes that always had the power to render him helpless...

Not anymore.

His mind indulged in her discomfort. After all, she had barged into his life and then tried to control it by baiting him, grasping him, and then getting rid of him like a used piece of trash. His mind often attempted to reason that their night together was him finally getting the power over her he deserved...the image of her whispering his name....he held power in his hands that night....That's what his mind was telling him.

He used her body for power, he got it. He'd help his new boss get her by using her feelings for him against her. He finally felt power...that word love did not have any meaning to him now. Her beautiful dark chocolate orbs would control him no more... He had power.

Or so he thought.

That incessant voice that was the shell of who he TRULY was still spoke out fervently while his insides pushed that voice deeper and deeper into the depths of his mind to forget. That voice still kept talking though...

Love and betrayal was what it was screaming to him! Love was what brought him to her that night...not a lust for power as he attempted to force himself to believe. Admitting to love was equivalent to admitting to a loss of control is what his mind reasoned. His belief in that was manifested in the delusion of her attempting to use him. That small voice kept crying out LOVE....She never used him, the only thing she was guilty of was loving him...

The only thing he was guilty of at the moment was betrayal.

That small, dreamlike voice that spoke in volumes kept his mind in awe, making him even more stubborn in attempting to quiet the nuisance. What was it the rest of his mind had told him? He worked for Inconnu now...that Inconnu would never lead him astray....That Inconnu had freed him from the controls of a female...that Inconnu was the only belief he needed.

……………………

Inconnu watched Peter from an observation room while cutting an apple with a sharp silver blade. Peter's pacing showed worry and a possible inner struggle. Inconnu eyed the boy carefully before he shrugged his shoulders. The boy's mind was adamant when lead to believe that what it thought it was right. Although that worked as a Godsend for his times as Spider Man, his unrelenting hope for justice, it would now be used against him to suit Inconnu's needs.

If he would even need the boy that long.

He placed a neatly cut piece of his apple into his mouth and chewed slowly. All he really wanted was Kristina. That damn doctor and his infatuation brought him to this point. True, if his main threat was on his side, obeying his command, then there would be no help offered for Kristina. Her raw vulnerability and feelings toward this boy would be what makes her submissive. Her protectiveness of this boy would be what would bring her to him. No matter what Peter said to her, she would always remain loyal and true to him, which included saving his life. She'd take the serum if he was in danger. Peter's submissive nature to Inconnu would force him to be a sitting duck. It was perfect.

Inconnu popped another piece of the Red Delicious apple into his mouth. He reveled in its sweetness, the taste rolling off his tongue. Such sweetness...

He glanced at Peter's form through the glass. He had now fallen onto his queen size bed, apparently in a slumber.

The doctor....

His thoughts of the doctor brought him from his small blissful state caused by the fruit.

The doctor....

Peter was ordained his play thing basically...The entire thought sickened Inconnu. He didn't want the boy tortured whenever DeMarquise needed to release some steam. That thought wrapped in with the bitter after taste of the fruit caused him to retract with a scowl. That would not be acceptable. No...as long as he had Peter in his pocket, Kristina would follow.

He placed the last piece of the apple into his mouth.

This in turn would mean that DeMarquise would not get what he wanted, since Peter would be used as Inconnu's pawn and not his torture toy. There was only one way to solve that problem.

Kill him.


He swallowed the last bits slowly, carefully indulging in his last thought even though his other side began to throw flags up in haste. He quickly shut that side up by offering it the sweet fruits of revenge. Inconnu took a deep breath while cleaning his sharp blade. Placing the handkerchief that he cleaned the silver edge with back into his pocket, he placed the knife back into it's holster and tucked it away into his jacket. With a small smile placed on his lips, he walked from the room.

Next stop would be DeMarquise's chambers...

............................................

Peter stood up from the bed quickly, not alert, but not out of it either. His once blue eyes, recently turned to a dark azure, close to black, now ran with grayness. He began to walk...he knew not where, but let his feet take him wherever they desired.

He passed many people, acknowledging not one of them. His clouded orbs stayed focused on what was in front of him. He wasn't aware of his actions as he wasn't aware of his destination.

..................................................

Inconnu took his time getting to DeMarquise's room. He occupied himself with the thought of Kristina. He smiled to himself when the orderly relayed the message that Kristina had given him. My God that girl had spunk just like her mother....

His smile fell slowly as Kenneth's last memory of his wife engulfed their mind.

He could picture himself entering her room stealthily and cautiously, his black coat swishing around his body. He remembered her soft hazel eyes gazing at the top of their daughter's head while her paler, weaker hands stroked the hair that she had loved to brush. He remembered her small eyes, almost brimming with small diamonds that refused to fall. Her hand froze over Kristina's head. With a bravado in her voice, she asked sternly, "Who are you?"

He remembered how that room looked...flooded with flowers and sweet scent of them coming together, just like he was with his wife and daughter. Calmly, he said, "A visitor."

He remembered the skeptical look in her face. "I see that much. Who are you?" He could see her peeking into the shadows attempting to see his face, but he had much practice in that art.

Calmly he said, "Keep your voice down. You'll wake up Kris." He smiled to himself at her facial expression of confusion and then wave of defiance.

"Do I need to buzz someone?"

He held up his hand in protest as he began to walk from the shadows toward her. In a lowered tone, he murmured a slow, "No Nina…of course not."

The green shards in her eyes sparkled for a moment as reality hit her, leaving her with the only gesture of covering her mouth with her hand. "Kenneth…it-it can't be."

Sitting down in the chair closest to her, he said that same soft tone, the obvious. "I never died."

"The fire-"

"Pay off fixed all evidence to point to death."

Her face began to gain its color back, a crimson color of hurt. Lowering her voice, she spoke with a broken voice,"Why did you? Why did you leave us Kenneth?"

He remembered the internal struggle when she said his name. For that brief moment, there was a debate on who he really was. He lifted his head and turned it to the side so she could see the extent of his injuries.

For a second time that night, she clasped her hand over her mouth. "Your face..." she said with a small tear.

"The chemicals and the flames…" Her hand reached forward to touch him, to touch his deformed face.

Her cooler hand slid over his face slowly, before turning his head so she could see his eyes. She saw sad, dark, regretful eyes..."Darling why didn't you stay? I want to know" she hissed.

He sighed slowly as he held her hand to his face. "You didn't need a monster in your life." He had missed her touch so much. He had to struggle so much to keep Inconnu at bay. He couldn't destroy this for him...not now.

Nina turned her head to the side to get a better look of him. "I wanted you in my life." Her hand slowly went up and down the cuts and crevices of his cheek. "You and Kristina were my life."

His face fell slowly in shame. "I couldn't do it…"

Even he couldn't forgive himself for the pain he caused her. "Why not? If not for me, then our daughter. She needed you…"

He remembered how there was only an instance where he was upset with her. "I know that" he hissed at her. " I look in the mirror everyday with regret in me since I left. I couldn't come back to you. It's not me…"

She repositioned soundly sleeping Kristina so she would be on her side on the hospital bed. "Yes it is...If it wasn't, you wouldn't have come, would you have?"

His eyes flared up with emotion. "Look at me Does this look like the man who pledged his life to you?"

He remembered how her analytical hazel eyes analyzed every feature of his face. With no regret in her voice, she said softly, "Yes."

He made a small scoff. "Liar. Monsters don't have people like you in their life." He slowly began to shake his head. "Not significant others.... husbands…if I'm even that anymore," he said solemnly.

Nina turned her head to the side compassionately. He remembered her hand as it lifted his face up to look at her. She gave him a small smile before looking back to his left hand. Warmly, she said, "Yes…you are. You are my husband." Her hand had run over his hand that still bore his wedding ring. She placed her left hand over his as she began to stroke it gently. "I've accepted that and I still accept it." Kenneth nearly died when he saw her eyes. God...after twenty-two years, he was still in love this woman.

His head fell slowly onto her caramel shoulder hidden under the white hospital gown. He remembered how she smelled like ginger and apple spice, like always. He sighed into her neck like a child when she reached up and stroked his night black hair, slowly running her fingers over its spikiness, just like when they were first married.

Then something fell over him. His entire body stiffened quickly as he jerked his head back up. "Inconnu leave me please..." was what he pleaded with himself..."Not now..."

He felt her hands shift, lifting one to his face. "What's wrong?"

His breath started to quicken as he fought Inconnu urgently. His body began to tremble slightly. "I'm turning…I can't stay."

He remembered how he attempted to turn away from her for a second time, but she did not take that as an answer once more. "Wait Stay a little bit longer…please?" The pleading in her eyes would undo him. "I don't think there's anything the doctor's can do, but I would like for you to stay…please."

Just her asking of him was enough to fight even harder. "I'll stay as long as I can…but," he began to stutter over his words. "I…he's so hard to suppress," he said almost in a whimper.

"He who?" She was so sympathetic toward him...

He cried softly, "Inconnu He's controlled me. We've merged together now…but I have to fight so hard…" His eyes fell once more. He remembered the anguish he felt just from being in her presence and the strength it took for him to keep Inconnu from getting to his Nina.

She was quiet for sometime....he had felt for a moment that he had scared her somehow. "Has Kristi seen you? Does she know?"

His head perked up to look at her. Her face was now on Kristi's sleeping one. He felt himself turning slowly and discretely..."No…but she will soon enough…."

Inconnu shook himself of the memory. His dark lashes covered his eyes once, catching two tears that threatened to fall. His face tightened into his all knowing scowl. He slowly gained his composure back, remembering why the tears had threatened to fall...

Nina was taken from him by that damn doctor.

Kenneth threw up no more flags in protest. It was at this time that Kenneth knocked on the door and it would be he who would deliver the deadly blow. He promised himself that he would keep his cool until necessary. Composure was the key....

Revenge the battle cry.

Hearing movement on the other side of the door, he was soon met by the quick swoosh of the door. DeMarquise gave his friend a small smile. "Well Inconnu, what a pleasant surprise."

Kenneth smiled. "We have a great many things to discuss."

..............................................................

Peter continued to walk until he somehow found himself in the room where Kristina was being held. There were no guards there...there was no need for them. He opened the door slowly and walked inside.

His eyes scanned the spacious room as he walked forward. He continued to walk until he saw the slumped body connected to a wall...a female's slumped body. His body stopped for a moment before continuing to walk forward.

He stopped just inches from her, his head cocked to the side. He looked at her with confusion though nothing registered at all. Slowly, he lifted a hand to mass of dark hair. He touched it...

It felt so silky between his fingers. The touch was magnetic, forcing him to lean in closer. His hand stroked the hair down....down...down to its semi curly tips. It was then that the ambitious hand reached underneath the hair. It went upward until it felt the softness of skin. So smooth...so unscarred....

So beautiful.

His hand raised the face slowly, it fell slightly to the side from laxness. His hand was so gentle that the being never awoke from slumber. He stared at the face for a moment longer, still not being able to register the beauty. He felt no conflict, he felt no right nor wrong. He just let his hands feel, and his eyes see and his nose smell, only the basic of the senses. He couldn't assess what it was that caused his hand react the way it did against this silky skin that was slightly dampened with sweat.

Kristi was gone. Her mind was in a whirl of its own. She felt something so distant, something feathery and delicate, almost apologetic. It was such a delicate touch that it left her leaving her defenses down. She embraced the gentleness....

Peter continued with his touches...his sense of smell, his sense of sight and soon....his sense of taste. He leaned in and kissed the lips very slightly.

Kristina's eyes fluttered open slowly. She was about the flinch away from the touch of lips on her own until it clicked in her head.

But it couldn't be...he had long left her. The words he said earlier...those burning words that left an open wound in her, stung her once more. That pain and the small tingle of...was it love or remorse? The mixture of pain and that unknown feelings left her confused for a moment, only to jolt her back into reality. She turned her head away from him, breaking connection with the lips.

Peter pulled away slowly, still unaware of what was going. He stared at the person in front of him with wide open eyes, not blinking once.

Kristina peered at Peter carefully. Was he asleep? She couldn't tell. All she could see was a hypnotic gaze in his eyes that left her baffled. What was he doing here? "Peter?" she whispered. She received no response. "Peter?"

His gaze stayed on her when suddenly he shook his head and fell to his knees. Her first reflex was to kneel by him, but because of her bonds, was unable to do so. He stayed there on all fours for a moment trying assess why he was on the floor. He looked up quickly to see Kristina peering at him. "Peter?" He couldn't deny the worry in her voice. For a moment, there was happiness in his eyes just to see her care.

A split second later, his gray eyes turned into their icy dark azure ones. He stood up slowly, a glaciery gaze in his eyes. He stared at her carefully and menacingly. A wave of puzzlement covered him, yet he left it all alone.

Kristina peered at him, unsure of what to expect next from him. "Peter?"

He blinked once before turning to stalk out of the room. Kristina just watched his form with puzzlement but with a small smile on her lips. Inconnu conquered his conscious state, but his subconscious state...that was a different story.

.................................................

DeMarquise writhed in pain as he reached constantly behind his back to remove the blade that was deeply embedded in his back. Struggling, he said in pain filled grunts, "Inconnu we had a deal You promised me protection-"

Kenneth stalked toward the man in anger. "No…" He reached behind the much smaller man and wiggled the knife around some, causing yelps to come from the man's mouth. "I promised your people protection…and they will get it, but there will be no mercy shed for you." He removed the knife only to plunge it further in inside the man's back in another spot. He sneered his last words. " Murderer!" He grabbed the man by the collar and threw him to the ground.

DeMarquise, down on all fours attempted to crawl to the door. Kenneth slammed his foot down roughly onto the man's spine. He smiled once more when he heard the man groan in pain. "You're upset because I got the girl's mother killed?" he asked between the tears that were coming to his eyes. The pain...God the pain was horrible.

Kenneth bent down and picked the much smaller man up. "Don't you remember?" He steadied his weaker body against his own. "Not only did you kill her, but you killed Kenneth Devun oh so long ago." He took the knife out and dug it into his back once more.

He yelled out in pain. The confusion was blinding him along with the sharp pains caused by his gaping wounds."How would you know-"

Kenneth wiggled the knife around in his back more. "The past always comes back to you."

Even between the blinding pains, realization hit him. "Kenneth stop it. I-I always l-liked you." Beginning to cough, he said in between breaths, "It was only business!"

He sneered at him menacingly, holding off his finally jabs until all was heard...until all could be understood. "How does it feel to get stabbed in the back with the same knife you so roughly stabbed me with?"

DeMarquise lifted his head slowly, fear dripping from every feature he owed. "Kenneth…NO..."

Kenneth removed the knife once more to say the four final words that the doctor would ever hear, "Revenge…is a bitch." He placed the knife in the man's back once more, specifically so it would pierce his heart, before dropping the body onto the black rug. He walked into the man's bathroom and cleanse his hands of the blood.

He watched the crimson color swirl in pools down the drain with a satisfied look on his face. Revenge is over....

Now for the reconstruction of what was taken from him.

It was time.

Inconnu went back to his room and placed a special suit on. He summoned one of his men to get Peter into the room with Kristina, the antidote, serum, and mind releaser. She would choose now.

Kristina was left in her thoughts fo some sort of hope. Peter wasn't completely gone...that much was sure. What would happen to her though.

Three men in white coats opened the door roughly, alerting her that she was now no longer the only one in the room. She looked at them wearily, noticing that one of them had a needle and the other a gas mask. No more than ten seconds passed that the door swung open once more, this time with Inconnu and Peter by his side.

The sight disgusted Kristina.

Inconnu came striding in with a smile on face. "Hello Kristina." Kristina narrowed her eyes at him, but kept herself in check. He rose his eyebrow at her comically. Her defiance amused him greatly.

The first man inserted the needle roughly into her right arm. The last man without the gas mask set what looked like a timer.

"Five minute mark," he said quickly. The man with the gas mask quickly placed it over face, to her dismay. She began to twist her head from left to right so he couldn't get it on. The man looked back to Inconnu with a skeptical look on his face. Inconnu shrugged his shoulders at him and pulled out the long blade that had killed the doctor earlier. Carefully, he placed it around Peter's neck in the action that looked as though he'd slit his throat.

Kristina involuntarily bent forward, but it was useless. "Peter!" He didn't respond to her. His eyes stayed forward with that weird gray still in his eyes. He wouldn't even defend himself...Inconnu rose his eyebrow in challenge. The scientist placed the mask over her mouth and nose without her even flinching once.

Inconnu smiled as he removed the knife from the base of the boy's neck.

The scientist squeezed the bulb at the bottom very slowly. He watched her eyes as they slowly began to roll around. Good...she wasn't fighting.

Kristina knew that if this was any indicator of the last time, then he would have to get her mad to release a hormone of some sort... She would just keep her anger in check and not get flushed.

The man removed the mask slowly after the man with watch said, "Five minute marker." They eyed her carefully before releasing her bonds.

Kristina's eyes watched carefully as they removed her bonds. She fell to the floor instantly. Did they paralyze her? She moved her hands carefully. No..she wasn't paralyzed. It was most likely from fatigue.

"So...how are you doing?" She narrowed her eyes at him instantly, but refused to answer him. His dark brow rose in shock. "My, my, you aren't one for conversation are you?"

"We have nothing to talk about."

Inconnu shook his head at her. "Why is there never anything to talk about? Okay, you know the rules, now are you going to come like a good little girl and the less painful way or are you just going be a stubborn brat and keep up the facade?" Inconnu said as he pulled up a chair and lounged in it.

Kristina steadied herself to her feet. Leaning against the wall for support, she crossed her arms with silence as her answer.

Inconnu sighed at her before beginning to talk once more. "Why do you constantly put up a fight? There is nothing that you can do. When are you going to come to terms with this?" He nodded his head toward Peter. "Look at the boy. Peter?" Peter turned his head slowly toward Inconnu. In a voice used by a dog owner, Inconnu said subtly, "Kneel." Peter did as he was told. Kristina stood there in shock and wariness. This wasn't going to be easy. There seemed to be no other way out of this....The more she thought about it, she more her head began to hurt.

Inconnu noted the change in her facial expression. He sneered calmly. It was already beginning to work. Clearing his throat, he asked sardonically, "What's the matter? Got a bit of a headache?" Kristina's eyes threw daggers at him. He just sighed at her. "You didn't think I would go down that anger road again, did you? Come now, being the business man that I am, I learn from my mistakes." Kristina's shoulders shrunk some...There had to be a way out of this.

Inconnu smiled deviously at her. "Now do you think we have something to talk about?" Hearing no response, he said slowly, "Now, if you resist, you'll receive pain. You'll receive an abundance of pain. You've seen my previous work, so I'll take it you believe me." He eyed her carefully for a second before standing up. He walked toward Peter's kneeling body. He placed his deformed hand on his head and began to pet him slowly.

Kristina gritted her teeth at him, flexing her hand in and out. Between gritted teeth, she said angrily, "Don't...touch...him."

Inconnu's eyebrow rose in a challenge. "And what do you plan do about it?" Kristina looked to Peter slowly. She didn't know what she would do about it. She had nothing. Inconnu calmly coaxed to her, "You could use your powers..."

Her head perked up. Her powers? No...this had to be a trick of some sort. Inconnu noted her hesitancy. "Go ahead, you have my word, but only one of them will work." Only one? She attempted to levitate the chair, but to her dismay, it made her head hurt. Inconnu chuckled at the pain on her face. "Obviously not that one."

Kristina made a low growl toward the man. She held up her hand and concentrated on the electricity. A small bolt shot from her hand. Okay...she had electricity, but why would he do this? She felt a sharp pain in her head, but felt her leave her just as quickly as it came. "What 's the catch?"

Inconnu shrugged his shoulders. He needed only ten minutes... "Well...why haven't you attempted to blast me?"

"There's something more to this."

Inconnu smiled brightly while clasping his hand together in joy. "Good! You are learning to listen to everything...very good." He cleared his throat while he dug around in his pocket. "If you haven't figured out, you have the mind serum in your body."

"I can fight it."

"You are not that strong dear, so don't bet on it. Now, you're changing at this very moment, so listen up carefully. There is only one serum that can reverse the changes...." He pulled out a three-inch vial that was filled with an amber fluid. "And here it is!" He taunted her by shaking it. "Now, the question is: Who is going to take it? You or Spider boy?" He began to pet Peter's head once more. "Just think! You could save yourself...fight me and/or Spider-Man..." He sucked his teeth at her. "That doesn't seem too fair now does it? Or, you could give it to Peter. He'd be back to himself, but you'd be mine. Think hard! This is the only reversal serum and it must all be taken in order to take effect."

Kristina's shoulders fell. Damn him! She should have seen this coming... Damned if she did...damned if she didn't.... her head was already beginning to burn. "Now now dear...don't waste all of your time on this decision...you're running out of time. You are so close to the edge I can see the fire getting kindled in your eyes…what's it going to be?" Inconnu knew what she would pick..

Kristina held up her hand quickly to shoot a bolt at him in anger. "Hold it! You fry me and the solution is gone! It will be fried...as for me...I ha ve protection from electricity. Don't try any more tricks, dear." He could see her hand begin to flex in and out slowly in deep concentration.

She gritted her teeth tightly, what could she do? If she took it, there would be no way to save Peter. Her eyes fell to Peter sadly. It was her fault he was here...at least he'd have a chance of getting out of here. She swallowed hard as the words came from her mouth slowly. "Give it to Peter."

Inconnu's lips curled into a sneer. "What was that dear? Say it a little bit louder."

Breathing in slowly...she said calmly, "Give it to Peter."

Inconnu's head nodded. "Good girl…I figured you would do some thing like that." Inconnu kneeled in front of Peter and handed him the vial. "Drink it," he commanded. Peter nodded his head as he unscrewed the top and drank it all in one gulp.

"When will I know he's okay?"

"Give him a minute." Peter stayed on his knees for a few seconds until his entire body began to waver. The grayness was slowly being drained from his eyes. He fell forward, but was quick with his hands in keeping himself from hitting his head on the floor. Suddenly he began to gasp loudly, as though air was being deprived from him.

Kristina's eyes widened slowly. God no....please don't let it have been poison.

Peter's face began to turn a shade of red as he began to gasp for breath. His mind sending in so many images into play. Everything became one image as he felt darkness start to cover him. His vision was becoming fuzzy with confusion and clouds...

He fell from his hands and began to shake quickly. Kristina watched slowly, too shocked to go to him. Instead her shaky gaze went toward Inconnu who was watching the boy carefully. Uttering a cry of anger, she flung her hands at him, bolts of yellow flowing from her hands toward the tall man.

Inconnu flew off of his feet and slammed against the glass wall roughly. He slid down to the floor for a moment before he felt another jolt being thrown his way. The pain was beginning to penetrate the suit. Her anger was what was penetrating the thin but powerful suit. Her anger would make her conform faster...

He still kept his wits about him though. He could hear her yells of obscenities and heard the scientists leaving the room in fear. He couldn't keep this up much longer....even his body and the suit wasn't that strong.

Peter was laying on the floor barely breathing. He coughed loudly before opening his eyes slowly. He lifted his head from the cold tile floor in an attempt to prop himself up. He felt as though he had been asleep....as though he had awoken from a dream....no not a dream....

A nightmare.

Peter peered toward the sounds being made in the room. "Kristi..." is all he whispered.

Kristina stopped her assault long enough to peer back at Peter, who at that moment was picking his face up from the ground. The electricity stopped immediately. Methodically, she lowered her hands and turned her back from Inconnu. Peter was alive...

Peter looked to her weakly. He remembered vaguely all that had happened, but it was all mixed together. He tried to stand up, but soon fell back down. Kristina was at his side almost instantaneously. He felt her arms...her wonderfully warm arms. For reasons unknown to him, he felt so unbearably cold.

Kristina felt him shiver as she looked into his eyes. They had returned to their beautiful blueness that always left her hypnotized. He was here...alive.

No words would formulate in her mouth though... Inconnu had kept his word about the vial. Now...there was no hope for her....

Inconnu stood up slowly and stretched some. He almost felt sick to his stomach when he saw them together. Clearing his throat, he said quickly, "Oh Kristina..."

Kristina shivered at the sound of her name on his lips. She'd have to fight...but her head was beginning to pound much more than previously. Swallowing slowly, she let go of Peter and stood up.

Inconnu grinned at her. "It's almost time dear. But so you won't have anymore distractions, let me do you a favor." He pulled out the knife and threw it swiftly at Peter's form that still stayed on the ground.

Peter's spider sense went off faintly, but he didn't have the energy or sense to move...he didn't even know where. Kristina instantly knocked the knife from its original path with the electricity.

With her not paying attention, Inconnu shot some electricity of his own at Kristina, knocking her off of her feet and across the room.

Kristina hit the ground roughly. When did he get powers!

Inconnu smiled at her puzzlement while stalking toward her. "Dear...the suit. I can absorb your electricity and return it five times worse." He picked her up and slammed her against the wall. "Why don't you and daddy dance, just for fun? C'mon...just before you convert, why don't I take you on? Let's see if daddy's angel knows how to fight!" He took her from the wall and dropped her to the ground.

Kristina was racking her brain for an answer to this...Peter was too weak to fight and she would turn to him no matter what. And now he had lightening. Kristina began to crawl from him for a moment while trying to think. 'Force of Lightening…' What was it the doctor told her earlier?

Inconnu snarled at her as she began to crawl from him. "Come, come dear. I would hope that leaving in New York would provide you with more sense than to crawl away from your opponent." Kenneth was throwing up flags immediately, Inconnu fought them off.

Kristina turned around quickly and prayed she was right about this. She threw her arms into the air and shot out electricity toward him for as long as she could hold out. Her head's pounding was becoming unbearable. She shot him as long as she could...praying that it would be enough to change things...

She stopped when her vision began to become blurry. Inconnu stood over her carefully, contemplating whether he should just wait for her to conform or punish her just once for this....He smiled at her.

He threw his hands at her and let the electricity flow from them. "Why did you choose the much more dramatic way?" He said loudly over the crackling of the electricity. "Every little girl has to be punished!" He stopped for a moment from fear of possibly killing her. The time needed had allotted. When she stood up, she would be his.

He was wrong.

Kristina opened her eyes slowly, feeling the pain in her head no longer....it worked. She wiggled her hands some and felt the floor. She was alive. Her brown eyes slowly made their way toward Inconnu. With a weak smile on her lips, she said quietly, "You lose."

Inconnu blinked his eyes quickly. "W-what! That's impossible!"

Kristina began to scoot toward Peter's body, who was recuperating faster and faster by the minute. "My body is immune to lightening…the serum is not. You just destroyed the serum yourself…"

Inconnu narrowed his eyes in anger. "No…DAMN YOU!"

Peter, fully aware of his senses, sent webbing to Inconnu's feet. Pulling hard, Peter, stood up and swung the man around, turning his own body around and around and then, let go of the webbing, causing Inconnu to crash into an electrical box. Inconnu's electricity along with the box's electricity, created a surge in the system, causing all outlets to burst with electricity.

Every outlet in the room began to burst with flames, setting the room on fire. Kristina was still somewhat out of it when she felt the smoke singe her nostrils. Peter began to tug her to her feet. "Kris we have to leave. This place is going to blow." Helping her steady herself, he said with sarcasm, "What is it with us and burning buildings?"

Kristina scoffed at him before beginning to cough. "Peter..."

He smiled at her before pulling at her arms. "C'mon!"

Kristina began to run across the room with him to the exit with something nagged at her...Inconnu. She slowed her steps down and began to run the opposite direction. Peter turned around swiftly and grabbed for, but she was already gone. "Kristi!"

She ran back to Inconnu's form that laid mangled in wires. She stopped a few feet from him before walking toward him. What was she doing....

She wanted to see her father for a last time.

Kenneth's eyes were open now, his strong facial features squinting in pain as he attempted to move. Kristina knelt down by him and by instinct stared at his eyes. They weren't the same cold, near obsidian eyes that Inconnu's were...they were still dark, but something soft was in them.

Kenneth stared at his daughter with remorse, sadness and happiness. During the entire time she was there, he had only looked at her as his daughter twice: when he told her what happened to him and at that moment. Every other time, she was looked at as a possession....a pawn. He didn't know where Inconnu was...maybe he got knocked out of his head,; he didn't care. He finally got to see his daughter.

Kristina nearly fell back when she saw his eyes. By instinct, she began to attempt to untangle him.

Kenneth freed a hand of his and held it over her own to stop her movement. Softly, he said, "I don't know if he's gone, but I know a way to make sure of it." He removed her hands, closed his eyes and sat there."

Kristina shook her head at him. He couldn't tell her that he was just going to sit there and do nothing. She began to undo his bindings once more. "Come on, let me help you up. We gotta get out of here."

He made a soft chuckle at her. "Oh Bebe...I'm so, so sorry....Leave without me."

"Dad..." Her voice fluttered as the word came from her mouth. She had forgotten how nice it sounded to say that. "I can't leave you...not like this. He's gone."

"He's never fully gone," he said solemnly. "But I can make him be gone. Now leave."

She began to tug at the wires once more. "Let me help you."

Kenneth pushed her hands away once more as he eyed the creaking ceiling a few feet in front of them. Firmly he said, "Leave."

"No."

His eyes fell back onto her determined face, giving her another smile. "Stubborn as your mother…" He saw the burning flakes from the ceiling begin to float down. "Leave me dammit!" And with that, he used his free leg to roughly kick her fifteen feet away from him. He could only hope that is was far enough.

She slid backwards across the floor, the air getting more and more difficult to breath. Coughing harder, she began to crawl back to him when Peter picked her up. "Kristi, what are you doing! We have to leave now!" And just then, part of the upper floor caved inward in front of her. Peter, with swift reflexes dove down in order to shield her from the burning debris. When he stood back up, parts of the ceiling were now blocking them off from Kenneth.

"Dad…" was all she whispered. Peter wanted to go back in and get that man out, but this fire was getting out of control. He tugged at her hands quickly, pulling her toward the exit.

Her last thought that moment was that for a second time in her life, she never got to say good bye....

They climbed over bits of fallen debris, slowly, but surely making their way to the exit. Once out the door, a vent on a wall not yet claimed by the flames, closed shut.

.....................................................

The burning of the compound made the news within 36 hours. Kristina had read the newspaper article over and over again. "Mysterious Fire Burns Down Compound", by, none other than, Mikala Michaels. According to the story, it was said that the house belonged to a man whom the feds could never pin a thing on legally..."The mysterious crook is said to have died in the fire. At least twenty-four bodies were found,. no survivors." Kristina shut her eyes for a moment in an attempt to stop her tears.

Her father was gone...the last memory she had of him was of him kicking her away...

She could steady feel the droplets falling from her eyes carelessly. Her entire body began to tremble as reality hit her that her father left her again...this time not coming back.

She shuttered as she felt a warm hand on her bare shoulder. Her breath quickened for a moment before slowing down in an attempt to get a hold of herself. Peter massaged her shoulder slowly, hoping it would offer some sort of solace. His eyes watched her shaking form. He closed his eyes in pain wishing he would have gone back to get the man...

Peter felt blindly for the paper that was still clutched in her hands tightly. Once he wrapped his fingers around the tops of it, she released it. She released it with ease, allowing her watery eyes to follow the path of the hand that abducted the paper. It slowly dropped the paper carefully onto the carpet. Her eyes never strayed from the picture of the burning compound that took up most of the front page. Her heart sunk just like that paper sunk to the ground from gravity. Her body began to tremble once more as she tore her eyes from the picture.

Peter's arms found their way around her smaller body. She was so heart broken. Through everything, through the death of her mother, all of his plans and manipulations, and when she found out his identity, she still had a place for him in her heart....

And now, that heart was slowly breaking with every passing minute. He tightened his grip around her, somehow hoping to block off all other pain that was assaulting her tired body. One hand made its way from her back up to her face, slowly stroking it out of compassion for her loss, love that he had only for her, and hope that he would be able to help her get through this...His lips found their way to her forehead, touching it lightly as he cradled her in his arms.

Kristina went into the warmth, wishing she could stay like this forever; protected in warm arms for forever.

A brief banging came to her door, causing her to jump slightly.

Peter looked to the door warily. He whispered into her ear, "I'll get it for you...okay?" She nodded her head. He released her from the cocoon of his arms and padded across the floor to the door.

When he opened it, there was no one there. He took a step forward and looked down the hall. It looked as though no one had been there. Then something on the ground caught his eye...

Kristina watched Peter walk back inside with a confused look on his face. "What is it?"

Peter held the small box in his hands as he sat back down on the sofa. Handing her the box, he said quietly, "For you."

Kristina eyed the box warily before accepting the box from Peter. She lifted the lid off of the blue box. Inside were two papers folded up. Unfolding the first one, it read:

Ah dearest...I hope you receive this well. I've loved you your entire life, and I always will until the day I die. Forever you'll be with me, and I with you. Don't cry for me, my beautiful Bebe. Save those for someone who is truly worthy of them. Don't worry, I'll no longer bother you...I'll make sure it happens....Please accept these items as a token of peace. I part with them only on the thought that I am closing this chapter of my life. Life is nothing but changes...adjust to them accordingly as I have and will. I hope peace finds your way.

So many changes for you...so many changes for me...Love you until the end of time I will, for my baby you'll always be.

Good bye Bebe.

Kristina's breath caught in her throat as she removed the other paper from the box to reveal her mother's missing ring and her father's wedding band. This couldn't be....

She grabbed the other piece of paper and opened it slowly. It was nothing more than the picture that was in the newspaper with two items circled in red: one was a raft and one was a boat in the distance.

A smile threatened to spread across her lips. She looked back to the rings and sighed. "Thank you dad...." she said to herself.

"What did it say?" Her brown orbs looked up to Peter. His intent blue eyes were staring at hers with intrigue.

The most beautiful smile spread across her face as she adjusted his arm around her waist. "Peace."