Jaguar: Actually that was planned for this chapter.

X-Over: I don't think so, he was just a random student.

Star Lin: Well his parents being spies and Logan knowing them are actually from the comics.

Aaron: Yeah it's the Brotherhood to X-Men one, and you know I like the whole Rogue/Peter thing too it's working out better then I had planned.

Joseph McKinley: He's mainly comic based with a little Ultimate thrown in as well as my own skills. Venom and Green Goblin my show up in the sequel I'm not sure about that.

Episodic: Yeah I know I try to steer clear of the episode ones as best I can. As I've said, lots of free time and no life at the moment so I get a lot done.

Erich: Thanks for that, and Fury might show up in the sequel if not at the end and you're right about that merger.

Mark C: I'll try and fit more of her in. Yeah I wanted him to have some closure with them.

Slickboy444: Thanks for the support and I wanted to bring in that comic element into this plus I can never remember Peter ever visiting his parents grave and I wanted to do that at least once.

Prophet-Song: honestly I have no plans for that in this story, maybe in the sequel sometime.

The Uncanny R-Man: Just accidental and I'm glad you liked the ending and you guessed right.

Lord Destroyer: Hey the man wants an army to lead what better way then to make one. Yeah I figure Logan would still be overprotective even on a mission, and I thought of that scene was something that should be done.

Snapping Turk: Yeah but in the sequel to this story is when that will happen.

And thanks to: Zeo, The OTHER One, psychobunny410, TallieCat, Karakin, Spyder 616, Kaliann, Mercenary480, Firehedgehog, fireinu, Stoneman85, Red Witch, Actiondude, Morlin, Vegabond

AN: I'd like to thank everyone for their support for my family's problems. And for those of you the Symbiote story arc is next so STOP asking! Venom and Carnage will be in the sequel as will a lot of other stuff.

SPIDER-X

CHAPTER 45: DEFECTION

This day Peter and Hank were making the final adjustments to the new power dampener watches. Rogue was there to watch this along with Jean and Spyder as Scott and Jamie were waiting for this. Xavier was also in the room waiting to see how this would turn out. Scott was trying his best not to show how anxious he was of this, ever since his mutation kicked in his world was literally changed forever. He was sick of seeing nothing but red all the time, and of the constant worry of being able to cause mass destruction by just looking at someone.

Jamie was nearly bouncing in his chair hoping this would work, he really wanted to play at school with all the other kids. At least he had Spyder and now Billy to keep him company but now they all could enjoy things together. "Alright, that should do it." Peter said closing the back of both watches. "So who's first?"

"I think Scott should since his powers are the most volatile and could give the best test." Hank said and handed him a watch. Scott looked at it, it looked like any other watch and placed it on, he saw an extra button that was on the one Kurt wore and pressed it, he didn't feel any different and looked up at them.

"Is…is it working?" He asked. Peter looked at it and nodded.

"Yeah, see that little green light?" Scott looked closer and saw a light, it looked what he knew was green. He had learned to tell the difference from colors by their varying shades. "Well that shows it's on. Now when it's yellow that mean it needs a new battery and red is when the power is about to fail. So watch out for that last one."

"Scott, we set something up to test this out." Hank pointed to a large piece of steel at one end of the lab. "I want you to look at that and take off your shades. Be careful though."

Scott nodded and looked at it. He slowly took off his shades and everyone was holding their breaths especially Scott. He had his eyes closed and slowly opened one of them. When nothing happened he opened both and his eyes widened at the sight of all the colors. It had been so long he had nearly forgotten what other colors looked like.

For years he dreamed of this, his eyes started to tear up and he never thought he ever felt so happy to see like this again. "Scott?" He turned to see Jean, Jean in all her Technicolor glory. Jean gasped at the sight of Scott without his shades and she walked up to him and stared into his eyes.

They were the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. Scott looked at Jean and wanted to burn this image into his mind. "Jean…you're so beautiful." He whispered to her and she smiled and blushed a bit from the compliment and was taken by surprise when Scott pulled her into a kiss but didn't fight it, in fact she reveled in it.

"Ahem." They turned to see everyone grinning at them and Jamie putting on the second watch. He turned it on and clapped really hard, and nothing happened.

"Cool! I can finally play with the other kids at school!" He shouted happily.

"Alright." Spyder said hugging her friend without worrying about making a small army of him. "Come on let's test this baby out!" She said grabbing his hand and leading him out the door. Jamie didn't fight it in fact he wanted to try this too, it had been a year since he was able to play like he used to without making all those copies, sometimes that really got in the way.

"Well I am happy for you Scott." Xavier said smiling at Scott's happiness. He was glad he could finally see again, with the brain damage from that day his parents were killed he knew Scott would never be able to fully control his power, now with this and the shades as back-up Scott could live a much normal life.

Scott was beaming with his new ability to see again. Jean was so happy for Scott, she knew how much this meant to him and she had to thank Peter. She looked at the brown haired boy and walked over to him. "Peter…thanks." Jean said and planed a small kiss on his cheek. Peter blushed a little and looked over to Rogue who raised an eyebrow. 'Trust me he's all yours.' Jean sent to her joking.

'I know, and don't you forget it.' She grinned back at the redhead.

Scott came up to Peter then and he looked at the slightly older boy. "If you kiss me too I'll slug you." Peter told him and everyone laughed.

"Don't worry about that." He said shaking Peter's hand. "You have no idea what this means to me…thanks doesn't begin to tell you how much I owe for this."

Peter shrugged. "Just enjoy it." He simply told him and Scott nodded. Jean took his arm and they began walking.

"So what do you want to do with your new sight?" Jean asked him.

Scott thought about it. "I want to go outside and see the sky again. Care to join me?" She smiled and linked her arm with his and pulled herself close to him.

Rogue leaned in close to Peter and kissed him on the cheek. "Ya did a good thing today ya know that?" She said to him.

"Thanks." He told her taking her hand in his.

-Brotherhood House-

It was another boring day at the Brotherhood house. But it was the weekend so everyone was mainly here. She had gone for a walk to get some personal space, the only ones she really could stand was Tabitha and Lance a bit too. For some reason those two were the nicest to her, although Toad was more annoying, Fred was a slob, her brother she didn't want to talk about, she got a bad feeling about Mystique and then there was Max.

She really didn't like him. He was arrogant and a jerk, plus he didn't like how he treated Tabitha either why she stayed with him she couldn't get. But she put that behind her, she was still wondering why Mystique had sent them against that other team, all she knew was that they were supposed to be the 'enemy' but she learned they were from Xavier.

She remembered him and how he kept coming to her trying to help her through her anger. All she wanted was to be taken out of that place and now she was, but she couldn't help but feel a little bad at fighting his students. He had had tried to help her once.

Plus when she asked Tabitha why she didn't fight them all she said was that they were her friends and that confused Wanda even more. If they were her friends why were they the 'enemy'? She didn't understand it felt like she was missing something, well actually a lot. She made her way back to the house and was thankful Toad wasn't around. Normally he would be the first one to show up and she wasn't in the mood for him.

She went to her room she shared with Tabitha but found it locked. She knocked on the door. "Tabitha it's Wanda open up…open up or I'll hex it open." She threatened and she heard the door unlock and when she walked in she saw Tabitha going back to her bed. "Tabitha why was the door locked?"

"No reason." She said but her voice sounded stressed like she had been crying. Wanda walked over to her and touched her shoulder to turn her around so she could see her face but Tabitha pulled away.

"Tabitha…what's wrong."

"Nothing."

"Turn around and say that to my face." Wanda said sternly and the blond didn't move at first but when she did Wanda's blood ran cold and her anger started to flare up. Tabitha was sporting a bruise on her face, one that could only come from a hand, or more likely a fist coming at it. "I'm going to kill him." She said coldly and stormed off.

"No! Don't!" Tabitha said and grabbed her arm.

"He hit you!" Wanda shouted. "How can you like someone like that?"

"I don't!" Tabitha said trying to hold back her tears. "I hate him." She said softly and Tabitha sat down. "Wanda…we're friends right?" Wanda nodded and sat down on her bed across from Tabitha. "There's something you need to know, we were told not to tell you or else Mystique would…would punish us."

Wanda didn't like where this was going but let Tabitha continued. "You see me and Lance think the lies she told you and forced us to tell you are wrong."

"What lies?" Wanda demanded.

"I'll tell you just stay calm I don't want the others to know." Wanda could see Tabitha was scared and she nodded. "Mystique actually works for Magneto, he's the one that really in charge…her and him have been using you." Tabitha could see Wanda clenching her fists but she was controlling her anger if slightly.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She asked her.

"Because I wanted you to know you can trust me. Why do you think I stayed here and with Max? I mean I knew this was going to happen sooner or later." She gestured to her bruise and any anger Wanda felt faded at that. She didn't know how far Tabitha was willing to go for her to stay with that…monster…just to help her.

"I'm sorry." Wanda said looking at Tabitha. "It's…it's because of me you were still here and that he-"

Tabitha cut her off. "No! It's his fault. I made a choice to help you and I knew the risks."

"Why? Why do you want to help me?"

Tabitha smiled. "Hey, you got to stick by your friends." Wanda never felt so touched by the actions and words of another. Tabitha was willing to risk a lot to be with her and help her though this.

"Now what?" Wanda asked. "There's no way you're staying here with that guy."

Tabitha smiled. "Lance got a message to Kitty and at school she said that the Professor was willing to take him, me and you in. So I say we pack up and ditch this place. You in?"

Wanda wasn't sure. "I need to get back at my father. He has a lot to pay for." She said darkly.

"Hey what better way to get back at him them to jump ship to his rival and enemy?" She said grinning and Wanda thought about that. It would drive her father nuts when he heard about that and she did get a smile on her face at the thought of him yelling his head off.

But her face fell at a certain thought. "What about the other students. After the mall thing wouldn't they hate me?"

"Nah." Tabitha waved her hand at the thought brushing it aside. "They may be a little uneasy but they'll get over it, I mean if Lance is going to try it again, and I used to be one of them you coming along shouldn't matter that much. Besides I really think they would want you with them then against them. Don't you?"

Wanda smiled a little. "I did pretty much kick their asses didn't I?"

"And how from what I heard. Trust me they would love you on the team hell you might get placed on the X-Men team after that."

"I'm not going to have to wear something with an X on it am I?"

Tabitha laughed a bit. "Yeah, but it could be worse. At least and X is cool. Well if you're in start packing and I'll get Lance all right? We're going to have to sneak out."

Wanda nodded. "But one thing before we leave. I get a shot at Max." Tabitha smiled and nodded. She when out of the room and made sure the door was closed. She went down to the main floor after checking Lance's room and found he wasn't there. Her heart was racing hoping not to get caught and had to keep reminding herself that she just had to act normal. She saw Fred and Toad in the living room and a few pangs of guilt hit her.

Fred was kind of a nice guy and sweat sometimes too if his temper wasn't getting the better of him. But after 'Jean' incident and that fact he hated the X-Men she wouldn't be able to bring him along. Toad was fun to hang out with even with the smell, but he also didn't trust the X-Men one bit. Pietro wasn't even an option as was Max.

No, it would just have to be her, Lance and Wanda. She found him in the kitchen and when he saw her face his jaw clenched at the sight. "We're going, Wanda is in so get your stuff as fast and as quietly as possible." She said to him in a low voice.

"What about him?" Lance asked talking about Max.

Tabitha smiled. "Wanda wants first dibs." Lance smiled, he could live with that in fact he was sure Wanda could and would do worst then he ever could. Lance went to his room to pack up while Tabitha got back to Wanda. Wanda didn't have much so she had started with Tabitha's stuff and they were ready in a few more minutes. They decided to wait for Lance.

"You alright?" Wanda asked Tabitha seeing her leg twitching.

The blond just shrugged. "I just keep thinking someone will find us, especially Mystique." She wanted to also say Max too but she didn't want to jinx things and have him show up, she was lucky that after their last blow out he went for a walk. They heard a knock on their door and they both tensed.

"Guys it's me." They heard Lance. "I'm packed and I got the keys, let's go while Mystique is gone."

The girls gathered up their stuff and made their way to the front door. They were lucky that none of the others noticed. Pietro didn't seem to be around and Fred and Todd were arguing over what to watch on the TV. They made their way to Lance's jeep and dumped all their stuff in the back.

"What the hell is going on?" Came a shout that sent chills down Tabitha's spine. She looked around and saw Max there and seeing the look on his face scared her.

"We're leaving." Lance said stepping up in his face. "And we're not coming back, especially Tabitha."

"Says who?" He said coldly to him. Max stared at the older boy and he always knew Lance was trouble, he thought he was better then him and now he was running off, well he could leave for all he cared. He was weak but Tabitha was his and nobody took what was his, not anymore.

"Says all three of us." Lance said to him and Max got a predatory smile on his face and quickly zapped Lance sending him back into the jeep. Lance felt like hell at that moment as the electrical attack sent pain all over his body.

"Stop it!" Tabitha said and made a few time bombs but Max saw that and fired a bolt right at her. Wanda hexed him and his attack turned around and slammed back into Electro and he staggered back a few steps and glared at the Goth.

"You think my own attacks can hurt me?" He asked her. "Boy you really are stupid, I can absorb electricity, can you Scarlet Bitch!" He fired a huge electrical attack and Wanda hex it as the bolts went wide and blasted the area around her. "Oh I've been waiting for this for awhile now. Time for you to learn your place!"

Fred and Todd came out after hearing all the noise. "What's going on here?" Fred asked seeing Tabitha helping up Lance and Max and Wanda fighting it out.

"Those three are traitors! They're leaving!" Max shouted at them.

"What? Why?" Fred asked them.

"Yeah, why is Wanda leaving yo?" Todd asked not wanting to see her leave.

"Maybe because you all work for my father!" Wanda snapped at them and Fred and Todd paled slightly.

"Will you two get off your butts and help me!" Max shouted at them. "If we let them go what do you think Mystique will be like when she gets back!"

"Hey Max." He turned to see Tabitha who kicked him in the crotch. He fell to his knees groaning in pain. "Don't you ever lay a finger on me again." She spat out at him and kicked him once in the ribs, then looked at the other two. "We're going to Xavier's if you guys want to come with us this is the only time and there's no way any of us are staying here."

"What? There no why I'm going to that place again!" Todd said remembering how his first visit had gone.

"Yeah I'm not staying with the X-geeks." Fred said folding his arms. "I don't trust or like them."

Tabitha looked sadly at them. "Then…I guess this is goodbye guys." She said and jumped into the jeep with Lance driving and Wanda getting in the back. They took off before Max could get up but Electro started back at them glaring the entire time.

"I'll get you for that…I'll get you all." He muttered to himself.

Lance drove the jeep as best he could to the Institute gates. Tabitha got out and pressed the intercom. "Who is it?" Logan asked.

"Badger it's me Tabitha, we need to come in." Tabitha said to him.

"Time bomb? What are you doing-" He stopped for a minute then the gates opened. "Xavier said to let you three in, he wants to talk to ya." Logan didn't sound happy about not knowing what was going on.

Lance pulled his jeep to the front and they all climbed out. "Lance!" He looked up to see Kitty running to him and hugged him, he groaned from the pain in his chest. She pulled away and saw some scorching on his shirt. "Oh god Lance what happened?"

"Max."

"Come on I got to get you to Hank." She said gently leading him to the front door. All of them met up with Logan and Xavier in the foyer. "Professor." Kitty started but he nodded his head and she smiled and led Lance to the infirmary.

Logan saw the bruising on Tabitha's face and let out a low growl. "Kid are ya alright? And who's the soon to be corpse that did that to ya?"

Tabitha actually smiled at Logan's words. Not back for a minute and already he was acting like the overprotective father figure. She felt like she was home already. "Don't worry about it, let's just say he's going to need an icepack for the next few hours."

"I'm glad you finally decided to rejoin us Tabitha." Xavier said to her. "Do you want Hank to look at that?"

"Maybe later after I settle in." She told him.

"I think you all should." Xavier said. "Would you like your old room back with Amara?"

Tabitha glanced over at Wanda and thought it over. "Actually do you mind if I bunk with Wanda? Me and Lance are the only ones she knows here and I doubt Kitty will like it if he rooms with her." Wanda glanced over at Tabitha and smiled a little.

"I think that can be arranged." Xavier said smiling then turned to Wanda. "I'm glad you're here Wanda. I hope I can offer you a place here with us." Wanda merely nodded, she wasn't sure about this place or living here but it was a step up from living at the boarding house. "Logan can you show the girls to a vacant room?"

"Yeah sure." Logan said and started up the stairs.

In the infirmary Lance was getting looked over by Hank with his shirt off, Kitty wanted to help out and to occasionally steal a glance at Lance without a shirt on too. Hank cleaned him up and placed a few bandages over some slight electrical burns. "You are very lucky Mr. Alvers, if this was worse I might have been worried about any nerve damage as well as more serious burns."

"Yeah I feel real lucky." Lance said sarcastically.

At that moment Scott and Jean walked in. "I heard that Tabitha, Wanda and Lance just arrived." He said to them and saw Lance on the bed. "What are you doing back here?" He asked a little sternly.

Lance blinked a few times. "What are you doing without your shades!?"

"Peter made this for me." Scott said holding up a watch. "This controls by powers like the bracelet he made for Rogue so she could touch too."

"Wait, that Parker guy made that and the ting for Rogue and they turned off mutant powers!?"

Kitty looked at him. "Didn't ya notice how Rogue could touch at school?"

"Well…not really, no." He admitted. "How long has she had it?"

"About a week." Kitty laughed.

"Anyways why are you back Lance, I thought you said this wasn't for you after you tried this the last time." Scott said although he had to admit he had pushed Lance a bit harder then he should have and did regret his actions now.

Lance sighed. "It's a long story."

Upstairs Wanda and Tabitha were unpacking, Logan had left them to it. Tabitha actually felt good to be back and Wanda couldn't believe the size of their room. "Tabby!" Tabitha turned just in time to see Amara run over to her hugging her. "I'm so glad you're back."

"It's great to see you too Mara." Tabitha said. Amara had been her best friend at this place and was glad to be living with her and the other New Recruits again.

"So this is the famous Tabitha I've heard about." Wanda and Tabitha saw an elderly lady in there in her late fifties in a long skirt and light blouse.

"Oh Tabitha, Wanda this is May Parker, Peter's Aunt." Amara said.

"It's nice to meet you young ladies." She said smiling then frown and looked concerned at Tabitha's bruise. "Who did this to you child?" Amara noticed it too and wanted to know that as well and was about to ask that when May had walked in.

"It's been taken care of." Wanda said saving Tabitha from explaining.

"No man should hit a woman." May said gently touching her face. "You need to get that looked at."

"I'm alright." Tabitha said automatically.

"Nonsense, I'm taking you to Hank right this moment and I'm not taking no for an answer." May said and took her hand and led her out of the room. Tabitha was taken aback by her forcefulness but May's grip was light and protective so she went with it.

Amara was left alone in the room with Wanda and there was a moment of awkward silence. "So…" Amara said trying to break the ice. "I heard you kicked the X-Men's ass."

"So?"

Amara smiled. "Nothing, it's just that all the New Recruits will love to hear about that. I mean all we hear from Logan is how we need to be more like them and them getting their butts kicked kind of took them down a peg a little." Wanda smiled at that. Maybe she could fit in here.

After a few hours Xavier had explained Wanda, Lance and Tabitha's reasons for leaving and it was kind of nice. Tabitha was just as socked to see Scott without his shades and when she heard it was Peter that came up with all of that she figured to try and get him for a tutor if she needed on in the future. He was way smart in her books.

Peter and Rogue were in his room just on his bed. She was resting her head on his shoulder with his arm around her. "Man this day has been full of surprises." She said to him.

"Tell me about. It's not everyday that we get former adversaries as teammates." Peter admitted. Although after seeing Tabitha's face and her story he made a note to punch in Max's teeth the next time they fought.

"Ah'm just glad we don't have to fight Wanda again." She said.

"No kidding, it took me days to fix that shooter she busted."

At that moment the door burst open and Peter thought it was Logan but it was Tabitha. "You're Spider-Man!?" She yelled out with a look of shock and disbelief.

Peter groaned wondering who told her about that. "Yeah I am."

"So that was you during the Siren thing?"

"Yes."

"And you on the TV when you save that little girl?"

"Again yes."

"And you in the papers?"

Now Peter was getting annoyed. "Let me save you some time…all yes."

"Tabitha." Rogue said sternly. "Can ya do this another time? Peter and meh just want to beh alone."

"Oh right sorry." She said backing off. "By the way I'm happy for ya Rogue, you deserve to touch and he seems like a really nice guy."

"Thanks." Rogue said hugging Peter a little.

She was about to close the door then stopped. "Say…what's it like making out with a hero? Is he a good kisser?" Not to mention what else he's good at?"

"Tabitha!" Rogue yelled out and threw a pillow at the door. They heard her laughter as she closed the door and she laid back down on Peter. "Oh yeah it's going to be great having her back now." She muttered. Peter just chuckled and kissed her forehead and she smiled a little and sighed and went back to just curling up to him.

It was moments like this she treasured and was thankful that Peter was in her life. He gave her love, happiness and the ability to touch again. And she knew that nothing would come between them and that she never wanted to lose him.

UP NEXT CHAPTER 46: PROJECT VENOM