FATR: No reviews, huh? That's all right, Opening the Gate received more reviews than usual this time, and I am thankful for that. Boy, I haven't been on here since last year (haha, bad joke). This chip chip turned out a bit more angst abundant than I had originally planned. Man, I am really pushing this. This chapter could really make or break the number of readers. I don't own jack, I don't own diddly, and I don't own squat, so there.

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Felicia was left alone once again. It was night and the little cell was uncomfortably warm–even though she was still wearing the shorts and the tank top she had been training in–making sleep next to impossible. The fact that the bench she had to lay on had no linens of any kind didn't help much, either. She ran the last few events of the day through her head over and over again.

After the two supervillains had finished poking at her, taken her mask back, and she had changed back into her own clothes, Fisk called her and her father up for brunch. She hadn't eaten; she hadn't been hungry. She had, however, noted that Fisk must eat four or five times a day, which explained his size. The thought had made her snicker, and when she had told her dad later they had a good laugh over it. She had done some fight training, balancing exercises, weight training and what not. She hadn't really realized it before but she would have to be here for at least a week. The fact that putting on her mask automatically doubled her physical capabilities would cut down on training time a lot, but she couldn't get out of this place fast enough. After a late lunch he had taught her some basic lock picking techniques and after dinner they had been separated and stuck in different cells. She had no idea where her father was, and he didn't know where she was, or so she imagined. She guessed it was so they wouldn't try to escape, because they couldn't escape together, she wouldn't try to leave without her father, and vice versa.

Felicia rolled on her side and stared at the door. She so wanted to impress her father, and yet she felt weak and uncoordinated and generally… well… foolish. Perhaps she could practice tonight, if she could get out of the cell. She could practice now, then in the morning… Felicia got up and made her way to the door of the cell. She stood on tiptoe and peeked out into the hall but saw no one. The keypad was on the right side of the door. She thrust her arm through the bars and stretched for it but only succeeded in brushing the edge of it with her fingertips.

She groaned and slumped back down on the bench. It didn't matter if she could reach it or not, anyway, because she didn't know the combination. What could the combination be? She thought back to a couple hours ago, thought back to when Landon and some of Kingpin's thugs had returned her to her cell. Landon had punched in the password, she had watched him do it. I wish I had dad's photographic memory. She took the memory and focused on Landon's hand over the keypad. What was it? What was… wait, no, I'm thinking about this all wrong. Okay, which hand did he use? If he used his clawed hand then… Felicia once more moved to the bars and stood on tiptoe, pressing her face to the bars. However, she couldn't see the keypad from the angle she was at. Okay, no problem. I just need to see if I can find something loose and reflective. She dropped to her knees and began rooting around in the corners and under the bench. There was nothing but dust bunnies under the bench. She sighed and flopped onto her back. All well. I need to sleep anyway, no doubt I have a big day tomorrow. Her eyes wandered across the underside of the bench as she thought. I hope I've seen the last of the Lizard and the Octopus for a while. Hey, what's that? She pulled herself further back under the bench and propped herself up on her elbows to inspect one of the corner supports. One of the screws was loose. She turned it with her fingers and pulled it out. As she held it up to inspect it, a smile slid across her face. She lay back down and began prying at the other screw. An hour or so later, at about eleven thirty, the screw came loose. Felicia's fingers were raw but now that she had started she couldn't quit. She unscrewed and removed the triangular piece of metal. Yes! She scrambled out from under the bench, made sure the hall was clear, and stuck her arm through the bars. Her eyes squinted at the metal in the low light as she tipped it up and down, trying to see. She took a deep breath and pressed harder against the bars, straining. There, okay, 1… and… I think that's a scratch on the 4... Felicia had to pull back inside to let out the breath she had been holding. Why was she going through all this trouble? Well, it gave her something to do other than think. She didn't want to think, not about her experience here, not about Spider-Man, not about any of her boyfriends, nor even her father. She didn't want to think, and she couldn't sleep. She thrust her arm through the bars again and held her breath. Okay, 1, 4, um… uh… 6? 6, and… oh, come on, I know it's a four digit code.

Felicia strained and stretched until her lungs started to burn again. Then she leaned her back against the door and slid to the ground. She threw the triangle of metal away and it clattered into a dark corner. Great. I guess that's it, then. Her eyes wandered around the cell for the umpteenth time. The complete lack of stimuli was beginning to get on her nerves. A four-digit code… three numbers… maybe one is repeated, but which one? I guess I could try it systematically. There are only… what, four times four? She hunted down the piece of metal and once more pressed up against the bars, using the corner support to extend her reach. Okay… ow… one… one… uhg… f-four… and… ouch… six.

"Code invalid," a computer voice boomed throughout the hall.

Felicia gasped and jumped back. Her heart pounded and she listened carefully for sounds in the hall. A minute went by, two, three… nothing happened. Felicia's heart slowed to a normal pace and she stood there thinking. She thought hard for a long time. She couldn't just keep trying codes until she got it. Someone was bound to come along to see what was going on, and there were too many combinations. There are… four times four is sixteen? Is that how that equation worked? Wait, 4, 4, 1, 6, it's worth a try. If it doesn't work, I'll give up. She stood on tiptoe one more time and punched in the code. It took forever to line up with and press each key, but when she was done she heard a low hum and the door swung open, dragging her with it. She suppressed a squawk and pulled her arm back through the door. I am such a klutz.

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On the monitor, Felicia looked both ways and scampered down the hall. Octavius, sitting in his room with his laptop, had hacked into the security system and had watched the whole thing. He chuckled as he watched the pretty kitty prowl down the hall and slip into the training room. Bravo, my dear, you are a natural. Let us see, now... the video from her cell is looping smoothly, so we loop the footage from the exercise room and… perfect.

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Felicia threw a punch at the punching bag, a pathetic punch. All right. What was it dad said? I need to picture someone I really want to hit. Someone like… Jason. Felicia growled round kicked the bag. She hit it pretty hard but overbalanced and fell on her hands and knees. Ow! Okay, that was really pathetic. I'm glad no one- A dark chuckle from the door interrupted her thoughts. … Saw… that… uh oh… She looked up to see none other than Dr. Octopus leaning against the closed door. He had his human arms and is upper two tentacles crossed in front of him. He was also shirtless and barefoot, wearing dark gray sweat pants. Felicia had a very clear view of the arms where they were fused to his body, the harness melted into his flesh and the skin growing around it. Her nose wrinkled in disgust and she was glad she hadn't turned the lights on when she came into the room. "How… how did you find me?"

Ock raised an eyebrow. "I surmise it never occurred to you to check for video surveillance, a rookie mistake."

Felicia's heart stopped and she jumped to her feet. "You mean… Fisk could be watching right now? Oh, man, I am in so much trouble…"

"I have dealt with the security system. Fortunately, this shift is covered by a group of drunken imbeciles with a penchant for gambling." Behind the glasses, his eyes were flicking over the black sophie shorts and tight pink tank top. She was a soft little rich girl, even with the fiery streak she possessed. Her recent run of unfortunate luck had begun to take its toll on her, but she still had yet to complete her transformation.

"Why?"

He flashed her a coy look. "Why what, my pretty?"

Felicia rolled her eyes. "I thought I told you to stop with that 'my pretty' stuff." Ock didn't answer, just stood and watched. "Look, I don't know why you did it, but thanks for taking out the security system for me. Now if you would please just leave-"

He chuckled again. "Do you honestly believe any one of Fisk's personnel is going to allow you to just roam around at will, entirely unattended?"

"Then why did you- oh, forget it." She whirled around and glared at the punching bag. "Talking to you is useless." Felicia tried to ignore him and go about her business but she was painfully aware of her girly fighting. It didn't matter when her father was watching, but Octavius always acted so arrogantly superior and she could feel him judging her.

"You do realize the source of your error."

Felicia jumped at the sudden sound of his voice so close behind her and whipped around. Some how he had ended up less than two feet from her. "If I want your help, I'll ask for it. Besides, Fisk said-"

"Fisk is not here now, is he."

Fear suddenly crushed Felicia's heart in its icy grip. She didn't exactly know why, but there was something in his voice that told her if she still had her super senses, they would be giving her all kinds of warnings. His bare hands landed on her bare shoulders and he turned her towards the punching bag. He was now so close she could feel the heat radiating off of his bare chest.

"You must utilize your entire body," he whispered in her ear. He felt her shoulders go tense and she started shaking. He smirked wickedly. "You must also relax, my pretty, and concentrate."

Okay, okay. Do what he says and maybe he'll go away. Just calm down. This was all easier said than done, however, because as soon as she relaxed her shoulders she felt his hands sliding down her arms, onto her waist, and down to her hips.

"Place your left foot forwards."

When he turned her hips, she felt her right hip brush his pelvis. Oh, god, why is he doing this? There was a primitive instinct telling her to turn and fight. I… I can't fight him… 'Fine, then flee. Flee!' The little voice hissed urgently. Felicia caught a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye. I can't really flee from him, either. It's okay, though, because if I pretend nothing is wrong and do as he says, he'll leave me alone. His hands continued their course down her body and he bent slightly at the waist to slip them between her thighs, just below the hem of her shorts. Felicia's breath caught in her throat and she gulped.

"Widen your stance just a touch, my pretty." She obeyed him almost mechanically and he let his hands wander back up her soft thighs to her hips. He stopped with his hands resting there, his thumbs not even a centimeter away from the ribbon of bare skin between her shorts and her tank top. Octavius could sense her apprehension. His top two pincers took gentle hold on her shoulders and a badly repressed whimper escaped her throat. He pretended not to hear it, though. His bottom two tentacles reach from behind him to grab her right upper and fore arm.

Felicia let him manipulate her like a doll, the tentacles clamped on her shoulders frightening her into a state of near shock. He had never ever used those four extra arms on her peacefully, and she didn't expect him to start now.

"Now, as you bring your arm back like so, you pivot at your waist and rotate your shoulders with your arm." Doc Ock knew he could seriously hurt her if he jerked forward on her arm hard enough, and the temptation was there. However, good sense and his passion for the experiment prevailed and Felicia was spared. "Allow your weight to rest on your right leg. As you follow through, you provide the punch with extra force by throwing your combined upper body strength into it. Your weight will shift to your left foot. Make a fist."

Felicia did as she was told, desperate to get him off of her. Then he thrust her fist forward with his bottom two tentacles, turning her shoulders with his other two tentacles and pushing her weight from her right leg to her left leg with the hands he had on her hips. She didn't really take note of what happened outside of that movement though, what effect it had on her surroundings, because she had ended up with every square millimeter of her back pressed against his body. Something in her head clicked and her mind just stopped working. His various hands fell away from her body and he stepped back.

"Now let us see you attempt it on your own." She didn't move, just stared at the floor looking quite pale. A rather sadistic smile spread across his lips. "Perhaps you require another walkthrough…"

Felicia's eyes widened as her mind popped back on. "No," she whispered. "I think I've got it." She looked at him over her shoulder, face expressionless, eyes hollow. "As I understand it, it goes something like this…" She whirled around, using the force of the movement and her entire body to drive her fist into that arrogant pervert's face. He didn't even flinch, and her hand was stopped. She fired her other hand at him, but his other tentacle blocked that one too.

He shot her a suggestive look. "Nice form, just a touch too slow."

Felicia struggled and pulled, trying to break his tentacles' grip to no avail. "Let go of me," she snarled. "Don't touch me!" He walked forwards, pressing her back towards the nearest wall. He gave her a shove towards it and let go. She pressed against the wall sideways with her arm over her face. "I'll tell," she threatened.

Octavius chuckled. "Kitten is running mewling to daddy? I am shaking."

Felicia turned towards him, hands balled into fists at her sides. "N-no. I'm going to tell… Fisk. That's right, Fisk, and…" She trailed off because the octopus didn't seem intimidated at all.

"And what? Admit that you broke out of your cell?"

Dammit, he's right. Erg! The metallic snakes were dancing and waving behind him, casting twisted shadows across her face. He stood with his arms crossed, seeming to be deep in thought, and she didn't like that one bit. His arms dropped to his sides and he took a step forward. Felicia pressed back against the wall. "St-stay away…" He took another step towards her. "Please, just…" The distance between them shrunk again. "Get away!" She finally yelled and turned to run. Two tentacles blocked her escape. When she turned to run the other way, two more blocked her in. She turned to face Octavius, flattening herself against the wall to avoid physical contact as he drew closer still. He stroked her right cheek with the back of his right hand then grabbed her jaw in a near vice grip that made her cry out. His left pointer finger pressed to her lips.

"Shh…" He whispered, gazing into her wide blue eyes. She was trembling, causing her breath to come in shallow, shuddery gasps.

He took her head in both hands and tilted her face up towards his. He leaned in close, closer. Felicia closed her eyes. Please don't, I'm begging you! Please! His lips stopped and hovered a millimeter over hers. She held her breath.

"Don't stay up too late," he murmured. "I reactivate the security system in less than an hour."

He released her and walked away without so much as glancing back. Felicia's shaking knees gave out and she collapsed to the floor. She had this overwhelming desire to pour scalding water over every inch of her body he had just violated by touching. However, she had to get back into her cell before the cameras came back online. He had turned them off so she would have no proof of what had just transpired, not to benefit her, and she had no doubt that, his wicked deed being done, he would not hesitate to reveal that she had escaped.

Felicia scrambled to her feet and rushed down the hall, trying desperately to calm the torrent of emotions swirling within her long enough to locate her cell and remember the pass code. They all looked the same, especially in the dark. She was about to start panicking when she spied the triangular piece of metal she had used to escape resting in the hall outside one of the doors. Oh, thank god! Okay... combination... Scratches... There's a scratch on the... one, and... four... Yes, I remember! There was just enough time for the irony to hit her that she was trying to break into the very cell she had just tried so hard to escape, but not enough time to appreciate the irony. She punched in the code, dove through the door, and closed it behind her.

Felicia laid on the floor for a long time, not thinking, not feeling, just breathing heavily. The prospect of what she would feel when she stopped feeling so numb scared her. She didn't want to think about Octavius, but she had to. There was no way that something like what had just happened could happen and then just be dismissed. She found herself thinking back over everything that had happened here, wondering what Doc Ock had been thinking the whole time. What had he been thinking carrying her across the city, so close to his body? What had he been thinking as he loomed over her, her cowering before him in the green liquid? Then there was the one she really didn't want to think about, but couldn't help wondering all the same. What had he been thinking while he held her down for Landon? What thoughts had made his heart race and...

Felicia flung the piece of metal against the wall and listened to it clatter to the floor. Why me? What is it that supervillains see when they look at me? Huh? First it was the Hobgoblin, now it's Dr. Octopus, and Michael sort of turned into a supervillain as well, didn't he? Oh, god, I feel so... so disgusting... I... I hate him! I HATE HIM! When I have my full powers I'm going to kill him! KILL HIM! By then she was crying, but she hardly noticed. She was too busy running scenes in her head in which she murdered Octavius, murdered the Kingpin, murdered Landon, killed everyone in the place except her father. Then maybe she would track down Jason as well. She would find him and kill him too.

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FATR: Now, consider this, gentle reader: an alternate "extended" /nudge nudge/ version of the work out room scene placed under Octopus Meets Cat. Tell me what you think of that idea, really, I'm dying to know.