FATR: I didn't realize responses to reader's reviews were so rare, Catgrl. Well, you and Moonjava may not see his butt get kicked in this chapter or the next one, but once Felicia begins to perfect her powers, he better watch his ass. Hazelstarr: I love long reviews. I tend to leave rather wordy reviews, myself. LadyKayoss, thank you for reviewing, and you too Aurora Firestorm. You all know this is purely fanfiction, I don't own anything, and I am not receiving any income off of this whatsoever. Now, on with chip chip 7!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The doors slid open, causing a breath of chilly air to brush goose bumps across Felicia's arms. Landon was already there, standing near the examination table with his back to her. Octavius directed her to the transporter-like device and she stepped inside.
"Subject is a white female. Height five feet, six inches, weight, 128 pounds..." The computer chirped.
Doc Ock watched Felicia for a moment then turned to Landon. "How are we on time?"
"Kingpin wants us finished by this afternoon."
"Her hearing has recently improved, and I believe we should hold off until we are sure the cycle is complete."
What cycle? Felicia wondered. However, she didn't bother to ask, because she doubted they would provide her with any answers.
"You know as well as I the extent of Fisk's patience. Besides, this is a trial run. If something goes wrong, we'll just have to be more careful next time."
The computer finished and Octavius returned to escort Felicia to the table. "Do I get any say in this at all?" She asked.
"Need I remind you of our conversation in the elevator?" Ock smiled dryly and she scowled back.
Landon glanced from one to the other, wondering what conversation they had in the elevator, but it didn't really matter. "If you would lay on the table, on your side, Ms. Hardy…"
Felicia crossed her arms and shook her head. "First tell me what you're going to do to me."
"It's just a shot," Landon assured.
"I mean, why do these powers keep coming and going? What is going to happen after you give me this 'shot' and why does Doc Ock think we should wait?" Landon and Octavius looked at each other, seemingly having some kind of silent conversation.
Landon didn't want to waste time explaining, but it was apparent the only way to get her to cooperate would be to answer her questions. Octavius could over power her and hold her down without breaking a sweat but neither of them wanted to damage her more than was necessary. She was their experiment, after all. "Your powers are coming and going because we haven't finished the experiment yet. The shot will make your powers more permanent, and later you may be able to turn them on and off essentially at will."
Felicia was still too suspicious to comply willingly. "I thought you knew what you were doing."
"We do," Doc Ock answered.
"Then why won't you answer my question about your being so hesitant to continue?"
"Every experiment has variables," Landon answered. "We can try to plan for most of them, but some can still jump out of nowhere."
When she didn't show any sign that she was going to comply willingly, Octavius warned, "Do not make me use force. We do not wish to damage you, but we will use force if we must." He saw uncertainty flash through her eyes but she was apparently more afraid of the experiment than she was of Ock's tentacles. Though the conflict of trying to decide which was worse was clearly evident as well. Doc Ock didn't wait for her to resolve this conflict. His metal claws clamped on her shoulders and lifted her onto the table. She tried to pry them off and struggled but he grabbed her wrists with his human hands and forced her onto her side. When she kicked at him, he secured her legs with his two free tentacles. "Really, my pretty," he whispered in her ear as she tried to escape, "you are making far too large a deal out of this."
Once he had her body secured, he brushed her hair off of her neck and held her head down. The metal table and tentacles sent chills tingling across her flesh everywhere they touched, even through her clothes. She could feel the warmth from his hand on the right side of her head and the hand that easily pinned both of her wrists to the tabletop. She heard Landon shuffling around behind her, her sensitive hearing picking up the minute clink of glass on metal. There was also a sound like someone flicking plastic, and then the rustling of clothing as he leaned over the table. Felicia realized she was shivering, but she couldn't tell if it was the cold or fear. Landon brushed aside the remaining strands of her hair and dabbed alcohol on the back of her neck. She was barely aware of this, however. Ock's grip on her wrists was beginning to tighten, and not painlessly either. She also heard his breathing increase minutely, and the 1,2,1,2 beat. That beat, it was Ock's heart. Why? Daring a glance at Ock's face, she found the two black holes were fixated on her face. Gazing into their depths she began to shiver more violently.
"I know it's cold in here, Ms. Hardy," Landon's voice cut through her thoughts, "but try to hold still."
Felicia's eyes shifted back to the tabletop and she made a conscious effort to calm down. There was a stinging sensation in the back of her neck as the needle pierced her flesh. She felt it slide deeper, deeper... Suddenly she felt really sick. Incredibly sick. She couldn't decide if it was some vibe she was picking up from Ock, or if it was the effect of whatever they were injecting her with, but she wanted to puke. It felt like ice water was coursing through her spine, and then the needle slid out. Ock's grip on her wrists relaxed and she heard his heart and his breath slow to a more normal pace once more. He released her and she sat up, rubbing the back of her neck.
"It wasn't so terrible, was it?" Landon asked.
Felicia gave Dr. Octopus a queer look and shrugged. "I guess not."
"What did we tell you? Now put your costume on and we will see if the fruits of our labors are worth reaping."
One of Ock's tentacles thrust her costume towards her and she took it, complying with Landon's orders. She glanced around the lab. They had seen her in her underwear before, but that didn't change the fact that she didn't want to change in front of them if she could have some privacy.
"I put up a curtain for you to change behind if you wish," Landon informed her.
Felicia slipped greatfully behind the curtain. It wasn't Landon that bothered her so much as Octavius. She had been receiving questionable vibes from him since the experiment had begun. She slid on the black body suit, discovering it to be a little looser than she had expected. The fur lined white gloves and boots were next. It wasn't exactly what she would have chosen but she didn't look as ridiculous as some supervillains—Dr. Octopus—she could name. In an odd way she felt rather sexy. Maybe she could finally catch Spider-Man's attention. The thought made her smile to herself. When she stepped back outside, Landon and Octavius were waiting. Landon handed her the black mask. She put it on without having to be told to do so. A tingling feeling spread across her face, over her scalp, and down her neck. She felt herself getting stronger, all of her super senses coming back and once. At first it was overwhelming, but then she realized she could focus her powers a little better now. She could tune out the hum of the computers and focus in on the sound of a fly buzzing around in some unknown corner. When she turned to look, she discovered she could tune out all of the other patterns and textures around her to focus on just that one fly. It was ten feet away but if she concentrated hard enough she could see its multifaceted eyes. Long white hair spilled down her back to her waist. She felt like she could do anything, yet besides the hair, she still didn't look that much different physically. Her muscles were a little more highlighted but other than that…
"The serum merely enhances your existing physical attributes," Ock explained. "You require further training to tap into your latent abilities."
Felicia found she didn't like the way 'physical attributes' sounded in his mouth. "So do I get to see my father now?"
"Not just yet." Dr. Octopus found himself possessed with a nearly aching longing to run his fingers through her long snowy hair. She was an experiment carried out flawlessly thus far, and he felt a great deal of pride over her. He ultimately suppressed these unprofessional feelings and urges to return to at a later, more appropriate, date. "We must take post experiment measurements."
Felicia groaned at stepped obediently into the machine. Soon, soon she would see her father. Soon she could escape from those two black holes that seemed to burn into her soul every time Ock looked at her, which was unnervingly frequently.