Author's Note:
First and foremost, thanks for the feedback, always appreciate it. I don't know how to reply to reviews, so to avoid any more confusion I'll just say here that this story is a separate fic from The Warning (a one shot that I wrote). I pretty much know where I'm going with this, mwahahaha! I hope to get a new chapter up each week. Oh, and I added a general disclaimer to my profile so I won't have to take up more space with announcements like this. Enjoy, and as always, feedback is always wanted. :)
Adalheida hated her job almost as much as she hated her name. A brilliant chemist and physicist, she had graduated at the top of her class. She had bounced around from job to job, eventually landing a nice gig at cosmetics company. She was homely and not concerned in appearances in the least bit, the irony of working in a cosmetics lab was not lost on her. She glanced out the window, focusing on the add for their latest line of perfumes entitled, "Emma Rose". The model on the billboard was young and pale with light beautiful red hair and crystal blue eyes. Adalheida recognized her as up and coming actress Mary Jane Watson. "I should have looked like that at her age," Adalheida thought. She was about average height and build, and her hair was a mousy brown. Her eyes were more grayish blue than the girl on the billboard. Nearly forty, her eyesight only worsened with age and she was dependent on the small wire frame glasses adorning her plain face.
Returning back to her work, she sighed. It was late now, and all of her colleagues had left for the night. Adalheida chose the night shift on purpose- she worked better alone. Mixing the latest formula, she thought she heard a noise......almost like someone breaking in.
Adalheida was by no means a strong woman- she had no idea how to physically defend herself. Moving as quickly and quietly as she could she started to mix a new batch of chemicals. In seconds the light gray mixture was complete. She tried her best not to inhale the fumes. There were no phones in her room at all- there was no way of contacting 911, and she was on the third floor-she wouldn't have time to escape. If the intruder had a gun he could easily shoot her as she rushed down the fire escape. Hiding behind the door, she waited for the intruder to enter.
She jumped out as he entered, taking him by surprise. Something metal whipped forward to shield himself, but some of the liquid still managed to splash on his face and eyes, enough for a reaction. It wouldn't begin to set in for another fifteen seconds or so.
Unfortunately as Adalheida tried to make a getaway something cold and metal grabbed her, and she screamed louder than she had ever screamed before. At that moment, the chemical reaction began to kick in, the intruder cried in agony, momentarily dropping Adalheida. She took this time to start running, grabbing the rest of the chemical substance off the table as she went. The door was blocked, so there was no way of getting past the intruder, so she scrambled to the back of the room.
"Don't you dare come near me again, I've got plenty more where that came from, "she boasted as loud as she could, her voice shaking. She studied the intruder, his metal arms flailing about in pain...."Metal arms?!?" she though. Her jaw dropped. She looked him over. He was tall, and she couldn't make out any of his features because his hands covered his face. He wore a fedora and a long trenchcoat that were both battered and worn. "So this is Doc Ock," she mused silently.
"I would expect someone of your intelligence to realize that it's not a smart idea to attack someone in a chem lab. I was able to make my own home-made mace before you entered this back room, it's much stronger than the legal stuff, you like it?"
The metal arms finally stopped flailing and twitching, and the intruder (still in much pain) walked forward.
"Is it chloroacetophenone or orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile?" he gritted between his teeth
"Chloroacetophenone. It'll be active for another thirty minutes and the burning won't go away for another hour or so. Oh, and as you may already know, unlike orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile the affects can be subdued with alkali or a water solution. Good thing you're wearing sunglasses even though it must be past 11 at night, or you might be permanently blind. Who the hell do you think you are, anyway, Corey Hart?" Although Adalheida was usually quiet, she had a reputation for being not exactly being the most pleasant person. She didn't take anything from anyone, even if they did have the means to kill her.
A tentacle tore off the sunglasses, "Doctor Octopus," he said correcting her.
"Delighted to meet you, "she spat sarcastically, "So what exactly was your intention of coming here? I bet it wasn't to obtain permanent scarring of facial tissue, lacrimation, nasal irritation, inflamed skin, and excessive spasms. I wouldn't want to move too far in your condition, so you have plenty of time to tell me."
The old Doctor Octopus would have already gotten rid of this scientist. But he was here on a crusade for his friend, and he had learned his lesson the first time. He wasn't the ruthless villain he used to be. As much as he didn't want to, it looked as if he would have to drag a bystander into it.
"I need chemicals for...." he paused.
"Why should I admit to her my true motives?" He thought.
"Personal reasons. I came to a cosmetics company because I wouldn't feel as guilty taking it's supplies- the world can survive without a little less makeup."
"And what are you planning on doing with me?"
Otto hadn't excepted to run into anyone. He assumed the only people he would run into were guards, which he could easily dispose of. Now that he had a witness, he would have to watch her, to make sure she wouldn't run to the authorities.
"You my dear, will be the one supplying me with the chemicals," A tentacle handed her the list.
"And if I refuse?"
Octavius opened and shut the claws of one of his tentacles in a menacing manner.
"Although you've given me no reason to trust you, I would appreciate your honesty in selection of chemicals."
She took the list, looking over it for a moment. She knew the company supplied the majority of the listed chemicals.
She began to gather those that were present in the room, putting them in a travel case used for moving chemicals.
"We have more of these, but I have to go to the storage room. You do realize I'm going to get fired for this, right?'
"All in the name of science. I'll be waiting here. And if you do choose to run off, just remember, not only do I have half of the chemicals I need, "he lifted Adalheida's wallet from her purse flipping it open to reveal her driver's license, "I know where you live."
Adalheida mumbled something as she left, and gathered the needed chemicals from the storage room. The storage room, unlike the testing area that she worked in, was under constant video surveillance. They wouldn't suspect anything at first glance, but after reviewing the tape she know someone would notice that something was off. She returned to the lab, chemicals in hand, neatly packed in a container.
Octavius was still inspecting the contents of her wallet.
"Interesting name, Adalheida Jarvinia Abendroth. Are you of German descent?"
"Yes," she admitted, as Otto packed away the chemicals. If he was trying to make small talk, she might as well make the best of it and go along, "Adalheida means sweet or noble. Try explaining that to a group of 2nd graders," she explained in her usual sarcastic tone.
Octavius smirked. "Try being named Otto Gunther Octavius. I never exactly had it easy, either." He shoved the license back into the wallet, and tossed the wallet back into the purse, handing it to her. "Shall we go now?"
"We?"
"I'm also in need of some personal supplies. It'll save me a trip if I transport you home in the process."
Before could protest one of Octavius's tentacles grabbed her immediately and they went off into the darkness in the direction of Adalheida's apartment. They arrived through her window.
"Sure know how to treat a lady." she spat sarcastically.
"I've been gentlemanly this whole time. But I am going to need another favor."
"What am I getting in return for all these favors?"
Octavius found a sturdy duffel bag, and began to rummage around her kitchen.
He finally gave a response, "Your life."
"You plan to clean out my whole kitchen?"
"It's far more convenient and safe to take what I can now, instead of continually running out to get more, with the risk of being seen."
Luckily for Octavius, Adalheida had gone grocery shopping the day before so the kitchen was heavily stocked. The only cooking supplied he had stolen were a microwave and a mini-fridge, so he took all of the non-perishable items first, along with a few utensils, bowls, and plates.
"I could rat you out to the cops," Adalheida said, trying to sound intimidating.
"And what would you tell them what exactly? The police think I'm dead, and have no idea where I'm currently residing. And why would they believe anything you could tell them? There are no other witnesses, no proof."
"The surveillance tapes."
"I stole them as you took the chemicals. They would assume you removed them, especially after they realize the inventory is low and you're the only one on night shift. All evidence points to you."
He then filled the backpack with whatever other food items he could, and various cleaning supplies he found underneath the sink. Octavius wasn't worried in the least bit about being caught. "Even if this woman did inform the police, they'd never be able to find me, I will find the antidote in a day or so and then I will find another place to reside other than the dock," he thought.
"I could still say I saw you."
"They'd think you're delusional. You're unmarried, overeducating and underemployed in this pathetic excuse for an apartment, swarming with cats-"
"Three is hardly swarming."
"You're obviously a loner, judging from your living conditions and work hours. Maybe you got lonely and tired of reading these trashy romance novels and sappy movies."
He stopped his raiding for a moment and read over the titles of the books on the tall bookcase. "You start off with all these delightful science textbooks, but then all of a sudden there's "In My Wildest Dreams", "Too Much Temptation" "Sweet Savage Love", " Nick All Night"....and your movie collection Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, The Princess Bride, Undertaking Betty...hm, never heard of that one."
"It's really good, Alfred Molina is really cu- hey, you plan to stand here and criticize my reading and film collection? You're no film critic."
"Neither are you."
Finding the hall closet, he then took all of the soap and other sanitary items, along with a few towels and washcloths.
"I'll be leaving now. Thank you for the charitable donation."
Octavius returned to the lab, bags in hand. Tentacles, actually.
"All of that for one experiment?"
"Some of the contents are for my personal consumption."
Even though Peter was wearing a mask, Octavius knew he was receiving a dirty look.
"I think I'm allowed to receive nourishment and keep up my hygienic routine" Octavius paused and thought that maybe Peter wasn't exaclty up to the highest standards either- he smelled like sewage.
"Have you found anything?"
"I read over his research and I made a few additional notes. I'm going to get going, this is prime crime time." That sounded a lot less cheesy in my head, Peter thought.
"Very well then."
Peter remembered something from when he had stayed late or gotten there early to make up missing lab assignments with Connors. "This hallway is only for credit courses for students, so all of the classes are in the daytime. The janitor comes around six, and everyone is usually gone about 8:30 in the evening."
"Thank you for the information. I'll plan accordingly. Do you plan to return?"
As Spider-Man, he could never make any guarantees. "I'll try."
Spider-Man swung through the city, returning a stolen purse to an old lady and stopping a fight between two rival gangs. After he felt he had successfully inventoried the land, he returned back to his apartment to develop the pictures he would turn in early that morning. And to shower and wash out his smelly costume of course.
Although Spider-Man's night was long, Octavius's was even longer. It felt natural to be back in a laboratory, it had seemed like ages to him. It was also good to have something to take up his time and preoccupy him. Now he had no time for the memories of Rosie to cloud his thoughts. The guilt and pain were constantly in the back of his mind, but they seemed further now that he had something to pass the time.
That first night, Octavius had no luck. If he could he would have stayed there twenty four seven to finish the work, but that just wasn't safe. For the first time in hours, Octavius glanced up at the clock at 5:17. He didn't want to cut it close and risk begin seen by the janitor, so he stopped where he was, printing out more notes to look over during the day. He then proceeded to shower and shave in the emergency shower in the back of the lab.
The rest of Adalheida's night was also interesting. She stayed up, plotting....
"Octavius's work brought him fame, even if it was short-lived and soon failed. If only I could get my hands on that research, I'm more intelligent than he is, I could find the miscalculations in an instant, and the glory will be mine. First I've got to find him, and then I've got to get a way to get that research from him. So I guess I won't call the cops. ….not yet anyway."
First and foremost, thanks for the feedback, always appreciate it. I don't know how to reply to reviews, so to avoid any more confusion I'll just say here that this story is a separate fic from The Warning (a one shot that I wrote). I pretty much know where I'm going with this, mwahahaha! I hope to get a new chapter up each week. Oh, and I added a general disclaimer to my profile so I won't have to take up more space with announcements like this. Enjoy, and as always, feedback is always wanted. :)
Adalheida hated her job almost as much as she hated her name. A brilliant chemist and physicist, she had graduated at the top of her class. She had bounced around from job to job, eventually landing a nice gig at cosmetics company. She was homely and not concerned in appearances in the least bit, the irony of working in a cosmetics lab was not lost on her. She glanced out the window, focusing on the add for their latest line of perfumes entitled, "Emma Rose". The model on the billboard was young and pale with light beautiful red hair and crystal blue eyes. Adalheida recognized her as up and coming actress Mary Jane Watson. "I should have looked like that at her age," Adalheida thought. She was about average height and build, and her hair was a mousy brown. Her eyes were more grayish blue than the girl on the billboard. Nearly forty, her eyesight only worsened with age and she was dependent on the small wire frame glasses adorning her plain face.
Returning back to her work, she sighed. It was late now, and all of her colleagues had left for the night. Adalheida chose the night shift on purpose- she worked better alone. Mixing the latest formula, she thought she heard a noise......almost like someone breaking in.
Adalheida was by no means a strong woman- she had no idea how to physically defend herself. Moving as quickly and quietly as she could she started to mix a new batch of chemicals. In seconds the light gray mixture was complete. She tried her best not to inhale the fumes. There were no phones in her room at all- there was no way of contacting 911, and she was on the third floor-she wouldn't have time to escape. If the intruder had a gun he could easily shoot her as she rushed down the fire escape. Hiding behind the door, she waited for the intruder to enter.
She jumped out as he entered, taking him by surprise. Something metal whipped forward to shield himself, but some of the liquid still managed to splash on his face and eyes, enough for a reaction. It wouldn't begin to set in for another fifteen seconds or so.
Unfortunately as Adalheida tried to make a getaway something cold and metal grabbed her, and she screamed louder than she had ever screamed before. At that moment, the chemical reaction began to kick in, the intruder cried in agony, momentarily dropping Adalheida. She took this time to start running, grabbing the rest of the chemical substance off the table as she went. The door was blocked, so there was no way of getting past the intruder, so she scrambled to the back of the room.
"Don't you dare come near me again, I've got plenty more where that came from, "she boasted as loud as she could, her voice shaking. She studied the intruder, his metal arms flailing about in pain...."Metal arms?!?" she though. Her jaw dropped. She looked him over. He was tall, and she couldn't make out any of his features because his hands covered his face. He wore a fedora and a long trenchcoat that were both battered and worn. "So this is Doc Ock," she mused silently.
"I would expect someone of your intelligence to realize that it's not a smart idea to attack someone in a chem lab. I was able to make my own home-made mace before you entered this back room, it's much stronger than the legal stuff, you like it?"
The metal arms finally stopped flailing and twitching, and the intruder (still in much pain) walked forward.
"Is it chloroacetophenone or orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile?" he gritted between his teeth
"Chloroacetophenone. It'll be active for another thirty minutes and the burning won't go away for another hour or so. Oh, and as you may already know, unlike orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile the affects can be subdued with alkali or a water solution. Good thing you're wearing sunglasses even though it must be past 11 at night, or you might be permanently blind. Who the hell do you think you are, anyway, Corey Hart?" Although Adalheida was usually quiet, she had a reputation for being not exactly being the most pleasant person. She didn't take anything from anyone, even if they did have the means to kill her.
A tentacle tore off the sunglasses, "Doctor Octopus," he said correcting her.
"Delighted to meet you, "she spat sarcastically, "So what exactly was your intention of coming here? I bet it wasn't to obtain permanent scarring of facial tissue, lacrimation, nasal irritation, inflamed skin, and excessive spasms. I wouldn't want to move too far in your condition, so you have plenty of time to tell me."
The old Doctor Octopus would have already gotten rid of this scientist. But he was here on a crusade for his friend, and he had learned his lesson the first time. He wasn't the ruthless villain he used to be. As much as he didn't want to, it looked as if he would have to drag a bystander into it.
"I need chemicals for...." he paused.
"Why should I admit to her my true motives?" He thought.
"Personal reasons. I came to a cosmetics company because I wouldn't feel as guilty taking it's supplies- the world can survive without a little less makeup."
"And what are you planning on doing with me?"
Otto hadn't excepted to run into anyone. He assumed the only people he would run into were guards, which he could easily dispose of. Now that he had a witness, he would have to watch her, to make sure she wouldn't run to the authorities.
"You my dear, will be the one supplying me with the chemicals," A tentacle handed her the list.
"And if I refuse?"
Octavius opened and shut the claws of one of his tentacles in a menacing manner.
"Although you've given me no reason to trust you, I would appreciate your honesty in selection of chemicals."
She took the list, looking over it for a moment. She knew the company supplied the majority of the listed chemicals.
She began to gather those that were present in the room, putting them in a travel case used for moving chemicals.
"We have more of these, but I have to go to the storage room. You do realize I'm going to get fired for this, right?'
"All in the name of science. I'll be waiting here. And if you do choose to run off, just remember, not only do I have half of the chemicals I need, "he lifted Adalheida's wallet from her purse flipping it open to reveal her driver's license, "I know where you live."
Adalheida mumbled something as she left, and gathered the needed chemicals from the storage room. The storage room, unlike the testing area that she worked in, was under constant video surveillance. They wouldn't suspect anything at first glance, but after reviewing the tape she know someone would notice that something was off. She returned to the lab, chemicals in hand, neatly packed in a container.
Octavius was still inspecting the contents of her wallet.
"Interesting name, Adalheida Jarvinia Abendroth. Are you of German descent?"
"Yes," she admitted, as Otto packed away the chemicals. If he was trying to make small talk, she might as well make the best of it and go along, "Adalheida means sweet or noble. Try explaining that to a group of 2nd graders," she explained in her usual sarcastic tone.
Octavius smirked. "Try being named Otto Gunther Octavius. I never exactly had it easy, either." He shoved the license back into the wallet, and tossed the wallet back into the purse, handing it to her. "Shall we go now?"
"We?"
"I'm also in need of some personal supplies. It'll save me a trip if I transport you home in the process."
Before could protest one of Octavius's tentacles grabbed her immediately and they went off into the darkness in the direction of Adalheida's apartment. They arrived through her window.
"Sure know how to treat a lady." she spat sarcastically.
"I've been gentlemanly this whole time. But I am going to need another favor."
"What am I getting in return for all these favors?"
Octavius found a sturdy duffel bag, and began to rummage around her kitchen.
He finally gave a response, "Your life."
"You plan to clean out my whole kitchen?"
"It's far more convenient and safe to take what I can now, instead of continually running out to get more, with the risk of being seen."
Luckily for Octavius, Adalheida had gone grocery shopping the day before so the kitchen was heavily stocked. The only cooking supplied he had stolen were a microwave and a mini-fridge, so he took all of the non-perishable items first, along with a few utensils, bowls, and plates.
"I could rat you out to the cops," Adalheida said, trying to sound intimidating.
"And what would you tell them what exactly? The police think I'm dead, and have no idea where I'm currently residing. And why would they believe anything you could tell them? There are no other witnesses, no proof."
"The surveillance tapes."
"I stole them as you took the chemicals. They would assume you removed them, especially after they realize the inventory is low and you're the only one on night shift. All evidence points to you."
He then filled the backpack with whatever other food items he could, and various cleaning supplies he found underneath the sink. Octavius wasn't worried in the least bit about being caught. "Even if this woman did inform the police, they'd never be able to find me, I will find the antidote in a day or so and then I will find another place to reside other than the dock," he thought.
"I could still say I saw you."
"They'd think you're delusional. You're unmarried, overeducating and underemployed in this pathetic excuse for an apartment, swarming with cats-"
"Three is hardly swarming."
"You're obviously a loner, judging from your living conditions and work hours. Maybe you got lonely and tired of reading these trashy romance novels and sappy movies."
He stopped his raiding for a moment and read over the titles of the books on the tall bookcase. "You start off with all these delightful science textbooks, but then all of a sudden there's "In My Wildest Dreams", "Too Much Temptation" "Sweet Savage Love", " Nick All Night"....and your movie collection Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, The Princess Bride, Undertaking Betty...hm, never heard of that one."
"It's really good, Alfred Molina is really cu- hey, you plan to stand here and criticize my reading and film collection? You're no film critic."
"Neither are you."
Finding the hall closet, he then took all of the soap and other sanitary items, along with a few towels and washcloths.
"I'll be leaving now. Thank you for the charitable donation."
Octavius returned to the lab, bags in hand. Tentacles, actually.
"All of that for one experiment?"
"Some of the contents are for my personal consumption."
Even though Peter was wearing a mask, Octavius knew he was receiving a dirty look.
"I think I'm allowed to receive nourishment and keep up my hygienic routine" Octavius paused and thought that maybe Peter wasn't exaclty up to the highest standards either- he smelled like sewage.
"Have you found anything?"
"I read over his research and I made a few additional notes. I'm going to get going, this is prime crime time." That sounded a lot less cheesy in my head, Peter thought.
"Very well then."
Peter remembered something from when he had stayed late or gotten there early to make up missing lab assignments with Connors. "This hallway is only for credit courses for students, so all of the classes are in the daytime. The janitor comes around six, and everyone is usually gone about 8:30 in the evening."
"Thank you for the information. I'll plan accordingly. Do you plan to return?"
As Spider-Man, he could never make any guarantees. "I'll try."
Spider-Man swung through the city, returning a stolen purse to an old lady and stopping a fight between two rival gangs. After he felt he had successfully inventoried the land, he returned back to his apartment to develop the pictures he would turn in early that morning. And to shower and wash out his smelly costume of course.
Although Spider-Man's night was long, Octavius's was even longer. It felt natural to be back in a laboratory, it had seemed like ages to him. It was also good to have something to take up his time and preoccupy him. Now he had no time for the memories of Rosie to cloud his thoughts. The guilt and pain were constantly in the back of his mind, but they seemed further now that he had something to pass the time.
That first night, Octavius had no luck. If he could he would have stayed there twenty four seven to finish the work, but that just wasn't safe. For the first time in hours, Octavius glanced up at the clock at 5:17. He didn't want to cut it close and risk begin seen by the janitor, so he stopped where he was, printing out more notes to look over during the day. He then proceeded to shower and shave in the emergency shower in the back of the lab.
The rest of Adalheida's night was also interesting. She stayed up, plotting....
"Octavius's work brought him fame, even if it was short-lived and soon failed. If only I could get my hands on that research, I'm more intelligent than he is, I could find the miscalculations in an instant, and the glory will be mine. First I've got to find him, and then I've got to get a way to get that research from him. So I guess I won't call the cops. ….not yet anyway."