"Peter Parker, I don't know what to make of you." Doc Connors sat behind his desk staring at a very timid looking Peter. "I left the lab on Friday without your report. And here it is Monday morning. I don't care if you found someone to let you into my office over the weekend; it's still late. And I specifically told you to hand it in on time."
"I'm sorry, Sir." Peter replied.
"I went ahead and read the report anyways. And it was excellent work, Peter. You really understand the concepts, even better than some of my colleagues. I want to give you this position as lab assistant but you make it so hard. Why can't you get yourself together? You've got a career, a future to think about. You've got the most potential of any of my students. But your work ethic is sub-par. That's why I'm giving the position to Miss Whitman."
"I understand." Peter said truthfully. He couldn't expect Doc Connors to give him the position after all his tardiness.
"You seem like a good kid, though. That's why I'm going to let you work with Miss Whitman. You'll both we'll have access to the lab and the research equipment. But she'll be in charge. And if she reports that you're slacking off, and I will encourage her to be honest, I will terminate this little arrangement. I think you'll find that I'm being very generous."
"Yes, yes. Thank you so much Doctor Connors." Peter couldn't believe his ears. He had really wanted this position.
"Don't make me regret my decision."
"You won't. Thank you, again Doctor Connors."
As Peter left Doctor's Connors office, he beamed with delight. Spider-man had caused him so much trouble lately. The Daily Bugle reported in its headline that Spider-man was the one responsible for the charity ball robbery. Typical Jameson: blame Spider-man even when he witnessed the truth. And his responsibilities as Spider-man had almost cost him this chance as a lab assistant. Peter was fascinated with the research of neo-genics and he greatly respected Doc Connors work. He was glad that he was going to have a chance to work with him. He didn't want Spider-man messing up this opportunity. Maybe it would be better, Peter thought, if he gave up being Spider-man. It would certainly make his life simpler.
As he continued to walk down the halls of the science center he spotted Felicia. The smile on his face quickly faded. He sped up his walk and pretended not to see her, even as she hurried toward him.
"Peter, wait up!" Felicia called out after him.
"What is it?" Peter replied in his sternest voice as Felicia caught up and walked beside him.
"I wanted to apologize for Saturday night. I was very rude to you. Please accept my apology." She batted her eyelashes and gave him her cutest, most innocent look.
"I'm sorry Felicia but I don't think I can just accept your apology. In fact, I don't think we should be friends anymore."
Felicia was not expecting that. Guys never turned down her apologies. "What? Why not?"
"Look," Peter stopped walking and turned toward Felicia. He spoke firmly. He had enough on his mind over the last couple of days and he couldn't deal any longer with Felicia's games. "I believed in you. I always thought you were more than the dumb flirt you pretended to be. And I still do. I think you're intelligent and cunning. But all you've been is cold and manipulative to me. I'm sick of you using me, ok. Go torment someone else for a while."
Felicia stood speechless. Her initial reaction was how dare he! How dare he speak that way to Felicia Hardy! And in front of all these people. A group of students had stopped to watch the little incident. And a few laughed and snickered as she stood there too shocked to move.
Felicia broke through the crowd and made her way to the girl's bathroom. She was the closest she'd ever come to tears over a guy. "What have I done," She said to herself. How could she be so cruel to sweet, innocent Peter. He was right. He was the first person to really believe in her and she used him. Felicia fixed her hair in the bathroom mirror, took a deep breath, and gathered herself. As she did this, she realized that she really did care for Peter. Why was he so confusing. He annoyed and enraged her. But when he spoke to her like that, with that fire in his eyes, she realized that she wanted him.
***
Present Time…
"Doctor Connors, I came as soon as I could." Debra said as she walked into the lab room. She had hurried out of bed when she received Doc Connor's urgent call. She still was tired and a bit disheveled, but she was thrilled that he trusted her enough to call her with his emergency. "What's this emergency that you…."
Debra was unable to finish her sentence. She saw that Spider-man was unconscious on the lab table. She clasped her hand to her mouth. "Oh my god…"
"Look. You can't tell anyone about this. Can I trust you?" Doc Connors asked grabbing Debra's arm. Doc Connors did not want to risk jeopardizing Spider-man's safety. He didn't want to involve anyone else but he was left little choice.
Debra nodded as she walked closer to Spider-man's side.
"Please, it's very important that no one know about this. I wouldn't have called you except that I don't think there's enough time for me to find an antidote on my own. I need your help."
Debra gently reached out to touch Spider-man. She mumbled to herself, "That stupid bastard, I knew that this would kill him someday." Doc Connors was surprised to see how concerned Debra was, and even more surprised as she wiped away a tear and replied with a resolve that almost frightened him, "O.k., what do we need to do to save him?"
To be continued….
Thanks for the reviews. Sorry about being so slow with the updates. My life is incredibly busy these days. I will do my best. Again, I love to know what you guys think about the story.