An Unlikely Encounter

"I can't believe we got stuck here at an art museum of all places," Low Light grumbled. "Look at this crap."

"It's art. Besides it'll do you good to try something new," Cover Girl remarked.

"I'd rather be fighting Cobras," Low Light grumbled.

"I can't believe people actually pay big bucks for all this stuff," Fred scratched his head.

"You're not the only one," Low Light sighed. "Oh great they're still at it."

Of course he was referring to Lance, Peter and Kitty. "Okay now will you two listen to me and stop…Oops!" Kitty accidentally bumped into someone.

"Sorry about that," Peter Parker apologized. "I'm always bumping into things."

"No problem, it was like totally my fault," Kitty said.

"I don't believe it," Harry walked up. "A girl admitting something is her fault! Well that's one for the record books. You're some of those mutant students from Xavier's aren't you?"

"You recognize us?" Kitty gulped.

"Hard not to, with you guys being on TV all the time," Harry grumbled.

"Hi uh the name's Peter Parker," He put out his hand. "I go to Empire State University. This is Mary Jane Watson and the ray of sunshine there is Harry Osborn."

"I just ran into a former girlfriend who told me to get lost," Harry looked at him. "Not exactly the best thing to put me in a good mood. No offense guys but I think I'm gonna go bail." He walked off.

"Don't mind Harry," Mary Jane said. "He's usually in a better mood. So you guys are from the Xavier Institute right?"

"Well most of us are," Kitty fidgeted, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Some of us are with the army," Lance looked them over trying to decide whose side they were on. "It's sort of like a joint field trip."

"Wow that's really neat," Mary Jane said.

"So you're not all freaked that we're mutants or anything?" Kitty asked tentatively.

"Please this is New York," Peter raised an eyebrow. "I've seen weirder. Believe me. Mutants aren't that big a deal."

"It's a shame that not all people have that same sentiment," Professor Xavier wheeled up to them with Indy. "I'm Charles Xavier."

"Mary Jane Watson and Peter Parker," Mary Jane introduced them.

"See you've cornered another victim?" Peter grinned at Indy.

"Very funny Parker," Indy smirked. "He's also a photographer for the Daily Bugle."

"A freelance photographer," Peter corrected her. "Not exactly on salary or anything."

"Still you are connected to the media," Mary Jane said. "And the Bugle does have a history of standing up for civil rights."

"Hey I thought you were the one who needed an agent, being a future actress and all," Peter looked at her.

"Well this is an interesting gathering," Wilson Fisk walked up to them. "Professor Charles Xavier I presume?"

"Yes and you are?" Xavier asked.

"Wilson Fisk," The large man shook his hand. "I presume you have heard of me."

"I've heard a lot of things," Xavier raised an eyebrow.

"Well not even half of what my critics say are true," Fisk grinned. "However I think a man in your position knows how easy it is to be a target despite all one's good works."

"Well I suppose people have different definitions of good works," Xavier grinned.

Lance had moved over to Low Light, Cover Girl and the rest of the Misfits that had come on the trip. "What's that all about?" Low Light asked him.

"Some media people hanging around and that philanthropist guy," Lance waved. "Getting kind of chummy."

"Hmm, I don't think that the Professor ought to be talking to any reporters and I especially don't think he should be hanging around with the Kingpin," Low Light grumbled.

"The Kingpin?" Wanda asked.

"Rumor has it that Fisk is one of the biggest crime syndicate lords since Al Capone," Cover Girl explained. "And not just literally either. We intercepted some files Cobra had on him. They've had dealings with him but nothing that we can use in court."

"Oh goody," Pietro remarked. "Just the PR mutants need!"

"Do you think the Professor knows?" Fred asked.

"He reads minds Blob," Pietro said.

"Well not all the time," Fred told him.

"He's right," Low Light said. "We'd better make sure he knows exactly who he's dealing with before he gets himself into any trouble."

"Too late," Wanda snickered as she pointed to a cameraman appearing. "I think he's already gotten cornered."