Russian Proverbs and Autopsies

"You've reached Audrey Sterling, president of Oscorp Industries. Leave a message after the tone with name and number and Miss Sterling will return your call. Thank you, and have a nice day." The voice was totally monotonous, obviously a machine. Audrey? Set her own voice mail? Please.

"I will find you Audrey. Soon. And I will kill you. You've crossed the line. I don't know when or how, but I will kill you. You can't escape this one, Miss Sterling. Not even with your intelligence." He pushed 'END' and stared out the window. Usually, staring out the window meant looking out on what was Mary Jane's house. Her mom and dad still lived there, but refused to talk to her. He only hoped that they would show up at the wedding...

"Mr. Parker, your aunt is nearly in a stable condition. She's lost a lot of blood, but we have a transfusion taking place at the moment. There's really nothing else I can say until we find if the transfusion worked."

"Thank you, doctor."

"Where is the woman you walked in with?" the doctor asked casually.

Where was Mary Jane? Oh yeah... "She's getting some food and drinks."

"A very dedicated...?" Peter could tell the doctor had no idea whether Mary Jane was his girlfriend or sister.

"–Fiancé."

"Oh. Well congratulations to you both. I'll be out with more news if there is any change in her condition."

After some food and a pint of milk, Peter dozed off, not waking for the rest of the night. When he finally did, Mary Jane was asleep on his shoulder, but stirring as he moved.

"Hey Pete," she said, "no news yet?"

"That's what I was going to ask you." Hm. No news. Well, no news is good news, he assumed. Now, maybe a bit of breakfast. He checked his watch. 10:37! And no news? Oh, here comes the doctor. Or at least...It looked like the doctor. No, that was a very masculine nurse. Ugh... Peter had never been so taken by sleep since his last hangover, and who knows when that had been.

"Mr. Parker, I have some news." Peter opened his eyes as much as he could, then closed them tight, and adjusted to the morning sunlight in the room. "Oh, finally. Can we take her home now? I think she'd really appreciate healing in her own home, doctor."

"Mr. Parker..." he took great pains at speaking, "...Your aunt is dead. I'm sorry. Her body refused the transfusion and she died some time during the night. She was in a stable condition! We did not expect this..." The doctor rambled on about procedures and malpractice suits, but Peter knew what had happened. While Mary Jane sobbed in his arms, Peter was strong. He could accept, but he wouldn't be silenced now. Aunt May would be proud of him for this. He knew it.

"I'd like an autopsy."

"...What?"

Mary Jane broke in. "–Peter, wh–"

"I want an autopsy. Please. Do this for me, and I won't sue, no matter what you find. A blood test, too."

"But... Mr. Parker!" He was indignant now, but compliant, too. He knew that Peter could very well sue the hospital, and there was no problem with this simple procedure. After reading an agreement clause and signing a few papers, there was nothing left to do.

All Peter had now was his wife-to-be. No family, his friends? Non-existent. Where was Harry?

""""""""""""""""""""""""""

"That went well," Harry said, walking towards the limousine. It had been waiting for them since the beginning of the meeting, and now the chauffeur was growing impatient. He spoke angrily in Russian, and Harry whispered, "What's his problem?"

"He's been waiting here for three hours, so he says. He's probably trying to get a bigger tip."

"Well, make the man happy," he grinned, putting quite a heavy wad of cash in the chauffeur's hand. The man smiled from ear to ear, almost literally, and opened the door for Audrey. He spoke something to her in Russian, and she replied courteously.

"What did you say?" Harry asked.

Audrey answered quickly, "A Russian proverb. Do not spit in the well- you may be thirsty by and by." Somehow, by the look on the man's face, Harry doubted it was as amusing as she said. But maybe he had a bad sense of humor. Maybe he wanted a bigger tip if he was going to laugh at jokes. Did they have to pay him for that, too?

As Audrey pulled the door closed, Harry scooted closer to her inside the roomy limousine. Television, drinks, privacy window? What else could there be- a hot tub? You wish.

Another phrase in Russian. What was she telling him?

Harry's phone rang. "Yeah?"

"Harry," he heard Peter's voice say. The voice on the line was shaking, and he could tell there was intense anger waiting for him.

"Yeah Pete? Long time no see. What's up?"

"Aunt May is dead."

"Oh god..." Harry's heart felt like it had fallen into the pit of his stomach. Aunt May... she'd taken him in when his father threw him out... There was nothing to describe her kindness. And she was...

"How'd she die, Pete?" he asked softly.

Peter took an age to answer, and Harry was waiting on the edge of his seat in the limo. "One of the local crime maniacs. I have to talk to you as soon as you get back from Moscow. Alone."

"A-Alright, Pete. See you then." Harry closed the flip phone slowly, feeling stupefied. Aunt May...dead... An enemy?

"Who was that, Harry?" Audrey asked.

"Pete... His aunt died..."

She frowned, "Oh that's terrible... Wow... I hope he'll be all right. You should send him a card on the way back home..."

"A card? Audrey, he's my best friend. I'm visiting him."

"I'm sorry, Harry- but we've got a busy schedule. There can't be any stops. Not even home I'm afraid."

"I'm visiting him. You're not stopping me. Not this time."

"Harry," Audrey straddled his lap, "come on. Can't you just comply this one time?"

"AUDREY. Get off." He pushed her off his lap onto the floor of the limousine. "No. Not this time. Not anymore. You're keepin' me like a dog because I love sex."

"With me?"

"With you," he admitted. "That was obvious. But you can't keep me here by threatening me with no sex!"

"Can't I?" She kissed his neck softly, working her way down.

"No. You can't." He pushed her off him, most reluctantly at that. "If you're going to really act like you love me, be a good actress, okay?"

"Harry," Audrey sighed, resting her head against his shoulder (being an expert, she knew he'd love this), "I do love you. Why do you think I'm pretending? Don't you love me?"

"Of course I do," he muttered. "Stupid."

"Stupid, am I? I'm not the one that's refusing great sex."

"Whatever Audrey," he folded his arms, sitting stiffly. She snuggled up to him, stretching her legs out on the third seat, kissing his neck again.

"I do love you, Harry. Don't ever think differently, 'kay?"

"...Right..."

"I'm serious."

"I know, I know..." He slung his arm over her shoulder and pulled her closer. "Just upset I guess..." Audrey yawned, putting her collar up to block the sunlight.

"You know, Harry... you can't see in these windows, so technically..."

"No, Audrey."

"...Oookaaay..."

"Goodnight, Audrey."

"...g'night, Harry," she yawned, kissing him once before snuggling against his shoulder again. It would be a very long afternoon...

A/N: THANKS FOR WAITING FOR THIS CHAPTER! Hope it was worth it. Who knows. I'm never happy with my own work. :sighs: What'd ye think, people? Thanks for all your support for this story.