C1: At the college

The crisp autumn leaves outside painted an almost peaceful picture among the chaos of the college campus.

People whizzing about, some to get to classes, some to get to friends and others just desperate to get somewhere.

Claudia Coleson was NOT one of these people. She was sat outside, waiting for her class to start. She had her pen and notepad out and was scribbling down notes from yesterday's lesson, when her friend arrived and plonked herself down beside her.

"I have some wicked news for you!" Meg tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and lowered her voice like she was afraid to get into trouble, "That special guest speaker we're supposed to have for the next month? You'll never guess who it is!"

Claudia could see the excited glint in her friend's eye and whilst she wouldn't usually play these types of games, she decided to play along.

"Oh….I'm guessing someone big? Maybe," she tapped her pen against her chin thoughtfully and went for the first and most obvious one, "Norman Osborn?"

"Pfft, no! But along the right line," her friend obviously couldn't wait anymore and gently grasped Claudia's hand, "Doctor OTTO Octavius himself! Can you believe it?!"

Claudia couldn't.

So…the infamous (and apparently former) 'Doc Ock' was coming to teach her class?

Ironic considering who she was.

She'd idolised Spiderman for a while until she realised, she too had her own unique powers and strengths and since he couldn't protect the whole city, she took it upon herself to 'help out'.

She had her own suit and gadgets and she vowed to eradicate as many bad guys as she could. And here was a 'reformed' villain who had terrorised New York City only a few years ago…teaching her class?

Oh, she couldn't wait to see this.

X x Otto Octavius x X

Before he stepped out into the classroom, Otto took a moment in his friend's empty office to prepare himself mentally. When was the last time he'd addressed such a large class of students? How many were there, eighty?

How did he get himself into this mess?

'Think of it as part of your community service.'

Ah.

Of course.

Every time he was 'made' to do something he did not want to, he just had to remember his actions from a couple of years previous. Rampaging over New York, Robbery, frightening little old ladies, etc.

He wasn't exactly sure what happened, but some days, he counted the deactivation of his microchip a curse rather than the blessing. Still, he was no longer plagued by the voices. But his conscious and ego had to suffer. Still, the police and judicial system HAD been lenient on him. He was monitored most days and they had taken away most of his equipment so he could not 'upgrade' his claws if he wanted. Still, there wasn't much to approve on perfection.

He supposed it also helped Norman Osborn spoke up for him AND the military had offered him a deal.

He wasn't allowed to talk about the deal or his friendship with Norman, but at least they allowed him a semblance of 'normal' life. Of course, he still had his claws, and he was treated like a hot head celebrity when he went out, but what could he do about it?

One of his old college friends had contacted him, begging him to take his place for a month teaching his class. He wouldn't have done it had Norman not intercepted and agreed on his behalf.

'Good publicity' and 'Friendly image' were words thrown around casually.

He supposed he could have bitten the bullet if no students decided to ask stupid questions.

He shuddered, remembering one or two previous students that had attended one of his classes. Frat boys whose father's seemed to have paid their way in.

But times had changed, and people seemed to be taking more of an interest in Science and Science based classes.

How bad could a class of Science Technology students be?

X x Claudia x X

As Claudia straightened out her books, the usual casual chatter suddenly quietened around her and as she looked over to the office door, she saw why.

Out walked the much-anticipated Doctor Otto Octavius. He was taller than she thought, but he looked almost exactly like the photo from all the newspapers. Except, whilst he was casually dressed, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he was.

She'd always stated to her friends how she would never have a thing for older guys and her type was someone smart, if a little dangerous. And a reformed bad guy did still do something to her. But Octavius…there was something about him. She remembered he had been married but now? Maybe he was too professional to even look at a college student, but that didn't stop her from looking.

She was also in awe of how well behaved his claws seem to be. From the videos she'd seen on the internet, she thought they'd be waving around erratically or even in a threatening manner, but he had them under his control.

She didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Good morning class. I'm sure you're all aware that your teacher is taking an apparent, much-needed holiday," Octavius stopped by the desk he was to teach at and looked at everyone with his hands in his trouser pockets, "I'm unsure what brought this on, but I'm sure you will all extend me the courtesy of not needing one myself."

There was a small ripple of laughter that Claudia added to with a little snort.

"I know you are aware of who I am, but for the sake of formality, I am Doctor Otto Octavius. I am currently employed at Oscorp Industries and for the next month, I will be teaching you about fusion power. Or trying to."

The usual schtick began as he talked to the class about 'What is fusion power?' and 'How was it discovered?'

All the basics they already knew.

Claudia had a feeling he thought he was teaching a bunch of toddlers, since most of them were already three quarters of the way through the course.

"In order to discuss Fusion power, we must look at Lawson criterion. It compares the rate of energy being generated by fusion reactions within the fusion fuel to the rate of energy losses to the environment. The concept was first developed by John D Lawson in his published 1955 paper. Now-"

"Excuse me, Doctor," Claudia quickly raised her hand but was never one for patience, "I believe that's incorrect."

Otto turned and looked at the girl who questioned him and called him wrong. His hard stare could have turned her to stone was she not made of stronger stuff.

"I beg your pardon?"

"John D Lawson didn't get his paper published until 1957," she could see he was irked and tried to play on his good side, "sir."

The coldness did not leave his gaze, but she was sure she saw the moment he realised he had in fact been wrong.

But he looked away and addressed the rest of the class.

"Quick question to everyone here, I would like a show of hands: who here knows that you won't be quoted on getting dates right for your papers?"

The entire class raised their hand and Claudia couldn't believe the gall of this man.

"Sir-"

"Excuse me, Miss?" He prompted.

"Coleson. Claudia Coleson. Sir, I was-"

"Miss Coleson, I'm going to give you a bit of advice that will serve you and everyone else here wonderfully for the rest of your lives," he smirked at her, "nobody likes a know-it-all."

The class laughed again, and Claudia had to bite her lip to stop herself saying anything. It also helped when Meg placed her hand on her leg and gave it a comforting squeeze.

It was made worse when Otto continued to ignore her for the rest of the class, even when she raised her hand to answer his questions. She was sure he could feel her glare though and when she left, she made sure she was the first out of the door. She was trying not to think of her classmates looking at her.

'What an ass!'

Xx Otto xX

As soon as the last student filtered out through the door, Otto took a sigh of relief.

'That went easier than I thought.'

He was glad he hadn't had further complications since that student spoke up.

What had been her name?

"Claudia Coleson."

He could tell she was in her early twenties and her pale skin, dyed hair and face piercings reminded him of all those punk rock girls from the eighties who he'd tried to impress. He had only been successful with a couple before he become more focused on his work and finally met Rosie.

But this girl…she had called him out. In front of everyone, trying to embarrass him.

And then he thought of something.

"No, it couldn't be," he paused and quickly made his way over to the bookshelf, "could it?"

He pulled out the one he wanted, flipped it open and found the page.

"Well…I'll be damned," he was a little stupefied at his discovery, "1957."

So, she had been telling the truth. But he was still irked she had called him out. It was unsettling and he had a feeling, he was going to have a bad day if he didn't get out and do something.

And he knew exactly what to do to burn some steam.