SPIDER-X

CHAPTER 4: TALKS WITH AUNT MAY

May listened as Peter told her everything, the incident that gave him his powers, what he was doing with them. At first she didn't believe him, but then he flipped himself to the ceiling and sat there.

After he revived her from fainting he continued on, then he got to the part about Ben and his killer. He told her how he caught the guy but also about how he let him get away which was before Ben was killed.

May was angry she couldn't be, not after her own guilt. "Peter, it wasn't your fault. What you don't know is on that night Ben and I had an argument. He went out to the porch to cool off and then...then I heard the shouting then the shoot." She wiped away the tears from her eyes. "I saw the man run away and I saw Ben there, and the only thought going through my mind was...this is all my fault."

Peter took his aunt's hand in his, Peter's own eyes misty from the events of that day. "It wasn't you, if I hadn't had that argument, he wouldn't have gone out there, he wouldn't have been made a target by that man."

"I...I think we both have reasons for guilt aunt May." Peter said quietly. "If either one of us did something different that night he would still be here I guess, it's just...I still wish I had done something, anything that night other then let him get away."

Aunt May squeezed his hand. "So do I." She said sadly. They stayed like that for a minute just being there for each other. "Peter...thank you for trusting me with all of this, I know you're parents and Ben would be proud of what you're doing with you're gifts."

"I've seen the papers about this 'Spider' character and they all say he's done nothing but good things. Although I won't lie to you, it terrifies me to think of you out there all alone." Peter shuffled a little and she caught it. "Peter...what is it?"

"Well...I may not be exactly...alone." He began. "You see there something else I wanted to tell you."

May's face suddenly fell at that. "Oh dear Lord now what?" She said slightly worried and the fact that she was still trying to get over everything he had just told her.

"You see there are others out there with abilities like mine..." He bagan.

15 MINUTES LATER

"So there are another type of people in this world called mutants that have powers, and this Charles Xavier wants you to go to his school where he trains these children to basically how to use them properly and for the right reasons." May said surmising everything Peter had just told her.

"Pretty much yeah." He said. "I mean I thought I was alone in the world that there were weren't anyone else that could relate to me...but it turns out there are."

May couldn't fault him for wanting to be accepted by others. She knew he didn't have many friends at school and if there were others like him, maybe he would finally be in a place that would accept him no matter what.

"Well you were correct in tell this Xavier man that I would want to talk to him about all of this, but why did you say you would join only if I came Peter?"

Peter looked seriously at his aunt. "Aunt May I know things are tough right now with uncle Ben gone. I know you're straining what's left of the saving to make ends meet, and I couldn't just let you live here all alone. You're the only family I have in this world, and I don't want to be without you."

May was touched by her nephews concern for her, and he was right it was tough lately with everything, and if he did leave she would be all alone in this big empty house. "Peter you shouldn't worry about me, I'll be fine."

But he didn't buy it. They talked about this for over an hour and when May knew he wasn't going to flinch on this, she knew she also had to agree. She also knew this was most likely the best thing for him also.

"Well fine then...so you might as well call their Professor so I can meet the man." She said after admitting defeat.

Peter got a huge smile on his face and hugged his aunt while he had the call.

It was later in the afternoon when a limo pulled up to their house. Xavier exited it as well as Ororo and Rogue and Scott. Logan was still back there since Xavier thought he wasn't the social type and also to help keep an eye on Ray who had returned from his trip to the Morlocks.

Xavier knew about it since he also knew Ray's family disowned him and had spent time with them. He had kept that part of his past to himself as Ray asked and knew that the boy would want to return to those that first took him in for the holidays.

When he arrived at the small yet comfortable house he couldn't help but smile. In the show with all the decorations it looked like one of those homes you would see in the holiday specials, all inviting and warm.

When they reached the door, with thankfully had no steps for his wheelchair Ororo rang the bell. They were greeted by a woman with gray hair and slightly thin, yet had a warm aura around her. She smiled kindly at them. "I take it you're Mr. Xavier." She said to him.

He nodded. "Yes I am, and this is Ororo Munroe, and two of my students, Scott Summers and Rogue."

May gave Rogue a curious look. "Just Rogue dear?"

Rogue looked a little uncomfortable. "Well...ah prefer it." May nodded and let them in. Peter came own the stairs smiling at the arrivals. "Hey guys glad you could make it."

They all gathered together in the living room, the Christmas tree still up and May had already made tea for everyone. She, Xavier and Ororo took it while the other three didn't take any.

After a few pleasantries May got right down to it. "So if I may ask what is it that you all can do? Peter told me what he can do but what exactly are the powers of a mutant?"

Xavier smiled slightly. "Well it's different for each person. For myself I'm a telepath, Miss Munroe here can control the weather, but not all mutations are easy to control. MR. Summers here has to wear special eye wear to control his powers."

Peter looked at Scott and ever since he had met him wondered why he wore those red glasses. "I take it the lenses are made of a special material?"

Scott nodded. "Yeah ruby quartz, otherwise whenever I'd open my eyes I'd send a blast of energy, powerful enough to punch a hole in a mountain."

"Whoa." Peter said and made a mental note to avoid that in the future. Then he turned to Rogue next to him. "What about you?"

Rogue looked a little saddened before starting. "Well like Scott ah can't control it, and whenever I touch someone with mah skin ah absorb their life energy, powers, and even memories."

"So if I touch you you'd get all my powers?" Peter said intrigued.

"Well for a short time yeah, but if it's too long ah could drain ya and possibly leave ya in a coma." She said with a look of sadness in her face.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that." May said and turned to the Professor. "Are you trying to also find a way to help her with that?"

Xavier nodded. "Yes but it's not easy, but I do have hope that one day we will find a way for Rogue to touch again." Rogue seemed to brighten up a little at the Professor's optimism.

May had a new respect for Charles and could feel that this man was truly genuine in helping these children. "Well I think we have a few things I'd like to discuss now, Peter why don't you show you're two friends around, while we talk a few things out?"

Peter was going to ask why, when he caught the look his aunt was giving him. She wanted to speak to him alone and wanted Peter not to overhear. He knew that he also shouldn't argue the point. "Uh...sure, come on guys."

Rogue and Scott gave each other a questioning look but went with him. Peter took them to his room before Scott spoke up. "What was that about?"

Peter shrugged. "I guess she wants to talk about something she doesn't want me to know about and this is her polite way of getting me out of the way while she does." The two seemed to understand the situation.

They looked around Peter's room. It was kind of small but comfy at least. "Nice room." Scott said nervously unsure of what to say.

"Uh, thanks." There was a little silence after that before Peter spoke up again. "You got to love these awkward silences." Both Rogue and Scott smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood.

NEXT UP CHAPTER 5: THE DECISION

What will May say to the Professor, well in the next chapter we will find out.