An Arachnids Adventure
Chapter 1 - A Childhoods Tales Respun
Queens - New York
30 Days Later
In a little, two-story house in the lower end of the suburbs of Queens, New York, a house that was once quiet was now bustling with noise.
A Babe's whines and cries bled through the walls of the house; alerting the surrounding neighbors of the new guest of their ever so quiet neighbors, the "Parkers".
Within the same home in which these cries originated, were two men's voices, sometimes whispering for the child's sake and sometimes bleeting-ly yelling at each other, arguing due to their own thought process' coming to a clash.
In what could be described as quite a homely and well-furnished living room, decorated in a comfortable yet simple manner, albeit slightly timeworn. Sat two women, side by side, one consoling the other. The sofa on which they sat, was a classic round-arm, three-seater Sofa decorated in a vibrant yet questionable floral design. A floral-designed cloth throw-over lays against the sofas back cushions as if to complement the sofas now-fading upholstery.
On both sides of the aforementioned sofa are two reclinable and spinnable leather love chairs draped in an identical to the aforementioned, floral-designed cloth throw-over. Each love chair was sitting slightly forward on either side of the three-seater sofa in a symmetrical design. Within the center of these three sofas sat a well-decorated oakwood coffee table, it's sheen and sturdy looking manner could easily place it as the newest addition to the living room's decor. Upon this coffee table in which magazines lay scattered about were two mugs, one on either side of the center of the table in which one can see a fairly new looking "Fisher-Price" Portable Infant Car-Seat. Within said Car-Seat lay a very hungry and very irritable Peter Benjamin Parker, in all his crying, infant glory, drawing the world to his ever so important direction.
"...I'm so sorry May, trust me if I could have things my way 'we' wouldn't be dropping all this onto you two." The woman known as Mary sobbed into the more elder of the two women's, shoulder.
The woman now identified by the name 'May', soothingly held Mary in her embrace and rubbed Mary's arms in a calming manner. She spoke words of comfort and understanding, not befitting her current status of confusion and bewilderment. Due to the unforeseen news, her In-Laws had dropped in on her and her husbands' door.
"Mary, everything will be alright, judging from the words Richard has been saying, I can tell this isn't something you two wanted to have happen." Spoke May, the demure-looking woman with auburn hair similar to Mary's own.
If one were to look at the features of the two women and compare them, 8 out of 10 would assume them, sisters. The only major difference would be height, facial features, and age. Height, in which, Mary had May beat. If Mary was around 5'6 then May would be 5'3 to 5'4, The features of their face also holding only slight differences, for example, Mary having fuller, yet petite lips and May having thinner, more wide lips. Their eyes a different color altogether Mary being Hazel and May's being a light Blue. As for age, whether due to Mary taking better care of her self or the fact that May, having lived a hard life, looked quite a few years older than Mary. Mary having looked not a year over 23 while remaining 25 and May looking to be around mid-'30s, while she remained a sharp and crisp 30. It was clear to see the fact that for whatever reason, Richard and Ben held similar tastes in women.
May, having finished her sentence looked towards the door across the room, her gaze having passed the wall alined staircase which held a surprisingly exquisite handrail, one attached to the walls the other atop a multi-pillared Baluster. The aforementioned door was painted a faded white similar in fashion to the conservative color which adorned the walls of this serene and quaint home. Coming from this door were the priorly mentioned noises of two grown men acting the fool, each for their own reasons.
"Come along then Mary, dry your tears, it seems the little one is hungry and regardless of what comes in the future, you should treasure these moments with him...with Peter." Chided May to Mary.
Mary taking a few moments to dry her face with her hands and sleeves, responded with. "You're right May, I'm sorry, I'm just still trying to come to terms with all this." Immediately acting after speaking as such, Mary grabbed for the Diaper bag beside her legs and zipped open a slot on the side, grabbed a prepared bottle, a nipple on the top covered with a cap, filled to the brim with water. Then proceeded to finagle with the bag in search of a container with a specialty formula created with the aid of S.H.I.E.L.D's finest chemists and medical staff.
Courtesy of Nich Fury himself, after coming to learn of Richard's and Mary's 'reason' for abandoning the C.I.A., a fake one nonetheless even if only slightly based on the truth.
The 'truth' Richard had told Fury, being, that due to Mary's maternity leave being denied by their C.I.A. superiors, the consequences that followed Mary's activity in a time of needed rest had caused complications in Mary's pregnancy and consequently labor. Thus, the reason for the Nuchal Cord complication and causing his newborn son to be born a preemie, a baby born a premature birth, all of these reasons being the cause of his son almost not making it through the day of his birth. This conflict is the reason for Richard and Mary's interest in switching careers to becoming S.H.I.E.L.D Agents. Fury, hearing this, put extra effort into making this deal beneficial for the Parkers, predominately Peter, being it his continued safety as well as growth, in a bid to make the move-process a simple decision for the Parkers.
This specially made formula is one of the perks Fury put into the deal between himself and the Parkers. The formula having been designed to help aid the growth and recovery of Peter. Whether it be his rapidly developing cognitive functions, as well, as his newly growing body and all its forming muscles and his 305 bones, aiding the ossification process to reach the target 205 bones of an adult, as early as possible. That way Peter could catch up physically to those his age with reduced risk of any deformities or reduced height due to his premature birth and medical issues.
May, seeing Mary prepare a bottle instead of disrobing, curiously asked.
"Your bottle feeding him? This early?"
Mary, hearing this question, put on a saddened look and responded.
"Yes...after we consulted a doctor, he recommended I don't breastfeed him if I was only going to end up leaving so soon after...the doctor said he could end up developing a taste for my milk and my milk only, which could end up harming him in the long run if I wasn't there to continue feeding him...but, don't worry this formula is good stuff, some of the best out there apparently. Richard did the research on in it and had this formula prepared for Peter. If you and Ben do end up taking him, we'll have a monthly supply of it shipped here along with whatever necessities Peter might need every month until we come back to take him."
Mary's words a misdirection of sorts, while it's true after hearing of the formula from Fury, Richard did test it for anything out of the ordinary and sent some to Dr. Storm to test as well. Hearing Franklin's words of assurance put the two new parent's at ease.
May, hearing this put on a troubled face and said. "I'm sorry Mary, I didn't mean to intrude and step in on a sore spot like that. As for your doubts on whether we'll take Peter in or not, you need not worry while Ben may be putting on a tough facade at the moment it's only an attempt to hear Richards true reason for all this and to put his own heart at ease, If I know that man, and believe you me, I do. Then the moment Ben heard your two's plea he had already accepted the responsibility you two had placed on us, As have I."
Mary, hearing this, teared up once more and looked at May, admiring the woman before her, from the bottom of her heart.
"W-what, what are you looking at me like that for, don't you have something to do? Honestly hurry up and feed the poor child." Stuttered out the slightly blushing May.
Mary, hearing this, wiped away her tears once more and chuckled a bit under her voice and asked. "Would you like to feed him? I know this may be one of my last times doing so...but you and Ben will be the ones feeding him from now on, and its a never a bad thing to learn how to do something beforehand."
"What, are you sure? I-I still think it's best for you two to spend some more time together, besides it's not the first time I'll have fed a baby!"
"Haha, I see, in that case, do me a favor and watch closely as I prepare the formula. As it's pretty rare and you won't find any other like it out there in the market, there's a pretty annoyingly long list in which it has to be prepared." Spoke Mary, then seeing May nod her head repeatedly, as she began a fairly long process of actions to prepare the bottle for feeding Peter, by the end of it she mentioned. "Normally, I would take the Prepared bottle and shake it up and then put it in a pot of water on a low flame and let it soak in the water for about 1 minute, but considering the current state of your kitchen and how its currently disposed of at the moment, this will have to do, for now, he might have a bit of gas afterward and an upset tummy for a while but he'll be fine after it all. After all, the bottles and the water have already been washed and sanitized."
May after hearing Mary's words looked towards the door across the room once more and sighed, hearing the two men's arguments only growing more heated, she said. "Honestly, those two men are so different yet so alike in so many different ways, Sigh, what will we do with them?" May half-pleadingly looked towards Mary, who had already begun feeding the young Peter.
Mary, looked longingly at Peter replied. "I'll tell you what, if they keep arguing with each other after I've fed and burped Peter, you and I, are gonna go in there and give them a piece of our minds, after all, Peter'll need a nap after eating."
"Hm-hm-hm" giggled May, as she nodded in agreement.
In the kitchen
Through the faded white door, there was a fairly small room, in this room, there was a fairy well-furnished kitchen, equipped with a Refrigerator beside a wall alined countertop, which sported a toaster alongside a bread box which lay next to the doublewide sink with a rotating, high curved spout faucet. A blender among many other kitchen utensils laid upon the other side of the sink. However, instead of what one might expect of a regular kitchen of this size, the kitchen also doubled as a dining room with a wooden, round, four-seat table, dressed in a short white tablecloth. Atop this tablecloth lay four mats designed in a floral pattern once more, albeit a different one than the one located in the living room. The mats laying in front of the four chairs positioned on the sides of the table, were there, more than likely, to protect the white silk tablecloth from wear and tear damage. In the center of the table lay a larger circular mat and atop of said may there was a centerpiece of freshly cut flowers beautifully arranged.
Sitting in the chair nearest to the door which led to the living room sat a beleaguered and annoyed Richard, no longer looking his handsome and dapper self.
His former handsome brown locks, now messy and slicked down, his eyes no longer gleaming and full of health, no, instead, red and irritated, more than likely due to lack of sleep. To add on to this, Richard's complexion now pale and wan, the dark circles under his eyes threatening to swallow them whole.
Opposite Richard and thusly the table, stood a man of average height five foot and nine inches, not exactly the tall man Richard was at 6'3, but no short one either. Standing up to his full height one would notice this mans stocky body structure at first glance, whether it be his broad shoulders or his thick neck, one look at this man and one would know that this body was built through years of hard labor. This notion further personified by the calluses upon his hands, his fingers especially. Not to mention the early forming wrinkles on his brow, considering his age being not one year over 31 years old. This man stared down at Richard with a hard glare, one of anger, bewilderment, and strangely disappointment.
"Richard, I know that May and I agreed to you two staying here for a few months, heck maybe even a few years till you two were back on your feet, but this...this is a new low! Even for you! What do you mean to do by dropping this on us, dropping your son on us like this!" Exclaimed the stocky man, practically yelling at Richard.
"Ben! Do you think that, for even one second that this is what I wanted! Do you really think that, huh?! You should damn well know me well enough to know that I wouldn't be here, asking this of you two, if it wasn't of the utmost importance! You should know me enough to know that I wouldn't trust most anyone with my child, even you!" Shouted back Richard at the newly identified man, by the name of Ben.
"But yet here you are, doing exactly that! Besides you've already proven more than once before that your 'career' is far more important than your family! Where were you when dad passed, HUH? Where were you during mom's funeral, you certainly weren't there when they needed you and now you don't want to be here for your own son!? Are you kidding me?!" Roared out Ben, continuously verbally pushing Richard, hoping for any sort of response that hadn't already been prepared by Richard's meticulously planned mind, and in the end, Ben got what he asked for. Richard, for the first time, looked truly disturbed by Ben's words, slammed the table and jettisoned out of the chair rising to tower over Ben.
"Damn you, Ben! Don't you dare go bringing that up now! You know damn well that if I could have been there I would have! You know that my job is important!" Fiercely responded Richard, pain and hurt in his eyes.
Ben seeing this, began to regret his previous words, but knowing Richard, he knew he had to strike while the iron was hot if he ever wanted the truth out of this little brother of his and thus refused to back down, staring up to look Richard in his eyes and continue his interrogation.
"Then explain, explain why you're abandoning my nephew! Leaving him fatherless and motherless! When he's grown, tell me, tell me what I'm to say to him!"
"I'm not abandoning my boy! I'll never abandon my son! I'm leaving him here because he's in dan-" Before Richard could finish his rant…
[Bang]
The door to the living room was opened quite forcefully, and through the now opened door can be seen, two women, May holding Mary's hand. A stern expression could be seen in both the women's pairs of eyes, brokering no rebuttal nor refusal.
"Enough, the both of you! Peter is sleeping now and if either of you awakens him, then you'll be dealing with us! Of course, that's only after the both of you have put him back to sleep." May lectured, with Mary nodding in the background, similar in nature to a chicken pecking seed off the floor.
Before the two men could say a single word, the women left through the way they came, holding hands just the same, appearing as buxom sisters through and through.
Both the men now alone with each other once more, looked to each other, stared in a hardheaded fashion and then proceeded to let loose long overdrawn sighs.
"Sigh, you, what were you saying earlier? That Peter was in something? It sounded a lot like you were saying he was in danger?" Asked Ben, tired and exasperated with his wife and her impeccable timing, he had almost had the truth out of this brother of his and yet she came in and ruined things. Even though Ben was feeling this way, there was no way in hell he would ever say anything, after all, he liked sleeping in his bed just fine and wasn't looking forward to crashing on the couch. Now Ben's best hope was for Richard to come clean himself, without any more pressure on Ben's end.
"...I was saying that Peter is in danger...you know that Mary and I have been working in the agency for a while now, right?"
"Yeah, why?" Asked Ben confused and troubled by the possible meaning of his nephew being in danger.
"There was a complication during labor, you already know Peter is a preemie, after all, we were expected to be bere here this month as that was when Peter was expected due. Because of this complication...Peter was born weak...really, really weak, the doctor who delivered him told us he wouldn't make it to the next day.."
Ben, took a few seconds to take this in, then proceeded to ask in morbid curiosity. "Th—then how...how is he alright and looking so healthy in my living room right now..."
Richard, seeing the difficulty his brother was having with understanding things, tried to find common ground and then attempted to build upon it. "Ben, do you remember, when we were young, during 1st grade our teacher had the class open up our history books and we learned all about our nations heroes and founding fathers?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with this?" Ben interrupted in confusion.
"Bear with me for a second, do you remember who our favorite national hero was?"
"Haha, of course, I do! After all, the moment we learned who the amazing 'Captain America' was, you and I never stopped dressing up as him using all the Blue and Red clothes we had and waving around tin trash can lids as shields, we would play fight all day, giving mom and pop all kinds a grief." Richard hearing this had a fond look appear on his face.
"...Only one of us eventually grew up, and put all those childhood ideals behind us...the other however was ever so impatient to prove himself worthy, joined the damned army breaking mom's heart in the process. Making pop's prouder than ever. Only when you came back...you were different, cold, distant." Richard's face once again changed, it now donned a forlorn look, not saying a word as he let Ben finish.
"Didn't take very long for you to get approached by those agency scouts, then poof you were gone again, two damn years with no word only to show up in a black suit one day. Talking about all your ideals, how you were changing the world. Only, you didn't realize home had changed as well...mom and pops now old, grey, and more distant than ever before. I don't think you ever really realized exactly how much of a rift you joining the army put between mom and dad...Mom hated it, her baby boy going off and putting himself in danger, especially not long after Nixon's years in office, years where uncertainty in the government was guaranteed in almost all houses. Whereas Pops was as glad as could be, at least one of his boys was doing the country proud. Never really looked at me the same, especially after I never finished school and became the main bread earner for the house." Ben continued down memory lane letting nostalgia and pain reign.
Looking down at the table and feeling more ashamed than ever, Richard let his brother speak.
"I know you didn't do all of that on purpose, but it doesn't change the fact that it all happened." Ben finally looked towards his brother once more and saw the shame and regret adorned across his face. Ben let his earlier aggression go and calmed down to speak with Richard once more. "...regardless, what of him, 'Captain America'?"
"...do you remember how he got his strength?" Richard said, dong his best to move the conversation forward.
"Hmmm? If I recall correctly didn't get it from some procedure, what was it again? The Super Soldier Project?"
"Sigh, for about three years now, Mary and I have been working on a project in the agency, stealing intel from enemy nations and hostile powers, all in regards and in relation to a substance known as 'Project: S.S 2.0', at first we had no idea what we were getting into but over time as we grew accustomed to the subject matter at hand. We began to discuss with all sorts of scientists on our findings, ranging from chemists, biologists specializing in the human body, brilliant doctors and physicists, amongst many other fields and professions. Mary and I eventually figured out what the agency was having us do….we were attempting to recreate the Super Soldier Serum, 'Project: S.S 2.0', it stands for 'Project: Super Soldier 2'."
"What….bu—but what does that have to do with Peter?" Ben stuttered at the implications.
"You really haven't pieced it together yet, Ben? Peter was born weak, too weak to survive normally, Mary and I were working on an experimental super-soldier serum…are you seeing the connecting dots yet?"
"You...you used it on Peter...was it s-safe?"
"No...it wasn't, it had only recently shown slight progress on a group of lab rats….but before you start yelling again, know that it was his only chance, he wouldn't have lived otherwise. Mary and I discussed it beforehand, we made this decision to give Peter a fighting chance, a chance to live his life. What I did was illegal...majorly so, let alone the fact that the serum worked on Peter, although the chances of Peter gaining strength like 'Captain America' are slim to none and the only possible changes to peters physiology are a slight improvement in his recovery abilities and improved cognitive functions, If the agency were to ever find out he took the serum and lived they would hunt him down like a dog and perform all kinds of tests on him, like some sort of lab rat, tests I have no doubt he wouldn't survive..on the off chance he could survive them, he would never be free."
"Which is why you brought him here...then, then where will you and Mary go? May and I have some extra cushion cash you two could have or you two could stay in the basement it's not exactly suitable for living right now but with some slight renovations, it could-"
Not allowing his brother to finish, Richard raised his hand in a calming gesture and spoke. "I already have a plan for Mary and I. I've already sought shelter from another agency, one so large and powerful even the C.I.A wouldn't be able to say anything even if they did find out the truth. Which I highly doubt they will, we have a friend working on the serum, he's the one who got it for us and knowing him he's already prepared an alibi or a story for why a vial of the serum is missing. He's one of the head honcho's currently working on the serum right now, his words carry some real weight around there."
Ben hearing this calmed down his rapidly beating heart by patting his chest softly. "So, this agency...can they be trusted?"
"For the most part yes, however, they aren't aware of Peter's condition...another thing, there's a real vetting process that new agents have to go through as well as training and any other issues that might crop up...this process normally takes three to five years...and it's not exactly the best environment for child-rearing."
"One more reason you two brought Peter to us, I presume." Ben finished.
"Mmm, that's right. Look, Ben, I understand if you don't want to-"
Before Richard could continue down that train of thought, Ben interrupted him mid-sentence. "Oh be quiet, if you actually think for one moment I'm letting my nephew go and be with some group of strangers instead of opening my doors to him, then you're a daft fool."
"...I see...you know, Mary and I'll be sending supplies, funds, and letters every month for him, don't you? Raising a child is expensive."
"Rubbish, the supplies, and letters will, of course, be welcome, but you keep your damn money to yourself!" Ben barked in a huff and a tizzy.
"Ben, listen to your little brother for once, we will send you two the money, use it on whatever he needs. If you really want to be stubborn then create a separate savings account for him, put the cash in there and let it build over time. Ben, if there ever comes a time in which...in which Marys and my letters or the supplies stop coming in...open this."
Reaching this point of the conversation, Richard reached into his jacket and pulled out a large A4 sized orange envelope.
"This is Mary's and my, last will and testament. Within it, we leave all of our worldly possessions to Peter, however, considering our unique situation our funds might be reclaimed by the government...which is why we'll keep sending you money monthly. I want my son to grow-up right, whether that means with the right values, the proper medical condition, as well, as the best education possible...Mary and I are leaving all that into your and May's hands'. Please, this one time listen to your little brother. This new agency, it makes the C.I.A look like a sandbox in a playground, in more ways than one. The dangers Mary and I will face down the line will be horrific, but it's the best chance she and I have of coming back to our boy...legally, that is." Richard finished in an as sincere yet solemn voice he was capable of.
Ben hearing this, went silent, no longer berating, no longer pleading, simply silent. Until a sigh was let loose from his lips once more. "Sigh...I understand, now let's go and get the girls, you two do have time for a meal with us, don't you?"
"Yeah...yes we do." Said Richard, smiling for the first time in weeks. Smiling, knowing he could leave things in his big brother's capable hands. Knowing that his son will be safe and sound and raised properly with a good set of virtues instilled in him, because his brother is there to save the day, once again.
Don't misunderstand, Richard may be the Top Secret Agent, but Ben, Benjamin Parker has always been Richards hero. In all of their years together and all the arguments and fight's along the way, through it all Ben has remained a towering figure in Richard's heart. When they were young, Ben was always the leader, when Richard was being bullied by the ever so average children picking upon another to hide their own issues, Ben was there to fight them off. When learning of those same bullies problems' he was there once again to comfort them through them. When Richard left and shattered his home unknowingly, Ben was there to pick up the pieces and keep them together, regardless of whether or not he had to drop out of college and put his future in jeopardy to do so.
Richard thinking back on all this was startled when he heard Ben call out. "Richard, do you remember what pops always use to say?" Richard startled by the question, had no time to reply before Ben continued.
"With great power, comes great responsibility." Ben saying this looked back at Richard and reassuringly smiled. "I might not have all your training or skills or power...but you see, you do. I want you to do what you think you must and do so with no regrets, after all, I don't have what you do, but at the very least, I can help raise a child no problem. While it's true you have a responsibility to your son, you also have a responsibility to this world to use your talents to help it…I believe in you, brother, I know you can make this world a better place." Finishing his sentence, Ben walked to the door, took a deep breath and walked through it trepidatiously. Almost fearing the two woman on the other side of the doorway.
"Well, who's hungry?" Ben's slightly tired voice called out.
Richard, hearing this before the door closed, let loose a wry smile looking at the orange envelope on the table, left untouched by his brother, then proceeded to pick it up and thought to himself "It seems like I'll have to give this to May if I want them to take this seriously."
Two Hours Later
Outside the Parker residence in the lower end of the suburbs of Queens, A Black Lincoln Town Car Limousine, with its tinted windows and "U.S Government" license plate, with the letters and number 'S.H.I.E.L.D 1' on it as well the words "For Offical Use Only" below, sat parked.
Up and down this block of houses existed multiple houses of similar design to the Parker residence, two-storied houses, a small gated, concrete paved side yard path, which led to a small backyard. Which was encompassed by a wire fence not more than five feet tall, each homes' chain link fence had its own gate leading to the alley behind the block of houses. On the outside of the fences' was an alleyway-road of sorts in which the garbage trucks' would pick up the trash bins without crowding the main street. On the opposite side of the alley, a similar block of houses existed. This entire couple of layered blocks were obviously designed and constructed to jam pack together as many living spaces as economically and physically possible.
On the opposite side of the main street of the Parker residence as well as the newly parked Black limousine was a row of much larger houses. While, not grand mansions, of course, each house was easily double the width of the Parker residence and all the other houses on its block, as well the blocks of houses to its rear. The larger houses possessing similar sideyards and backyards as the Parker residence.
The Black Lincoln Town Car sat there for a good twenty minutes before the door of the Parker residence finally swung open. Showing through it, two couples of similar ages hugging and saying their goodbyes, one of the women held an infant in her arms gently swinging it into a lull.
Finally, the time came and Mary handed Peter to May, her eyes red and tearing, finishing her last goodbye with a kiss to his sleeping head. Mary turned around and walked to the car, carrying nothing she walked into that house with, not her bag, nor her child. Stone cold, walking with no intention of turning around for if she did, she knew she would never leave him.
Richard and Ben, finishing their embrace let each other go and exchanged a few words and with that Richard looked no more at his brother and instead towards May whom now held his son, his one and only child. Apologizing to May for the burden placed upon her, then proceeded to look at his son once more, kissing his head and then turned to walk to the car, hurrying along to meet his wife halfway there, holding her hand and entering the limousine together.
After entering the vehicle hoping to have a few moments to decompress and release all their pent-up emotions, the couple was met with a surprise, not exactly a welcome one but a surprise nonetheless.
"Richard, Mary, it's good to find two you well...well maybe not well but at least you're both still breathing, so hey, that's something."
The couple was shocked to hear an ill-humored, almost laissez-faire toned voice speak after entering the dark ill-lit car, and with a-
[Click]
The couple saw a fit and darkly toned balding man, sitting there with his right arm stretched up to a switch on the roof of the car, with his legs crossed, as well as a Fit and beautiful young caucasian woman with shoulder-length coffee brown, almost bordering on black hair which was neatly tucked away behind one ear. Looking not a day over fifteen yet already wearing a decorated S.H.I.E.L.D agent's outfit.
Richard, seeing this man had his eyes almost pop out from pure shock, Mary, on the other hand, took some time to stifle her emotions, then proceeded to be shocked. Not by the man's presence but by the girls' beside him, a child that young yet wearing such a highly decorated outfit, brought much fear and apprehension to the mind of the new mother. Wondering to herself what such a young girl had to do to get to where she was now.
"Fury? What are you doing here?!"
"Well, I figured it only right, seeing as how I'm the one who recommended you two, to your new positions, that I be the one to come and greet and welcome you to the Agency." Smiled the African American man almost awkwardly.
"Sir are these the two famous agents 'Eagle' and 'Widow'? Why is it they don't seem all that impressive?" Questioned the young agent beside special agent in charge "Nick Fury" himself.
"Hill, have some respect for your two senior officers!" Chided Fury to the newly identified 'Hill'.
"Director Fury...who is this child?" Questioned Mary both curious and affronted by Hill's recent words. Curious to how she knew their Agent codenames when only a handful at the agency knew them by appearance.
"My apologies 'Widow', Hill, while an excellent soldier still lacks a bit when it comes to in operation decorum."
"My apologies Director, agents Widow, Eagle." Curtly replied Agent Hill.
"As for your earlier question, Agent Hill is my current Right-hand in training." Answered Fury, whimsically.
Hearing this shocked both Richard and Mary to their core, both of them looking at Agent Hill as doubt and surprise came to mind, thinking to themselves that this little girl before them will be the future leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., and one day their own boss.
"She will also be your vetting proctor." This time around, Fury's words got a rise out of all the other three people in the car.
"B—but Director, I'm to be training by your side 24/7, learning by observing and watching closely-"
Fury interrupted Agent Hill and began speaking slowly but firmly. "Hill, do you really think that by standing by my side, you'll learn anything you don't already know?"
"B-but...I"
"No, no you won't, however by becoming agents Widow and Eagle's proctor you'll learn real leadership skills. Over the next 4 years, you'll not only learn how to be a leader you'll also teach them the ropes over at the base, after all, things are different here than over at the Agency."
Nick having finished speaking took a moment to look at Agent Hill. Seeing her come to terms with the current situation, he looked over at the couple in front of him and smiled.
However, Richard and Mary had no time nor where-with-all, to respond. Thinking to themselves that Fury just confirmed that it would take at least four years for their vetting and training to be completed. The couple, however, didn't have long to think before Fury dropped the next 'bomb'.
"Throughout this unfortunately necessary period of time, Agents Eagle and Widow will have their own mission. That mission being, to help train Agent Hill in becoming a more mannerly agent, in other words as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, I don't have all the time in the world and thus I will be leaving Agent Hill's ethics and manners training in Agents' Widow and Eagles' hands."
Agent Hill, hearing this was distraught and immediately sought to argue with Fury, however, one look from Fury and she knew well that the decision had already been made.
Richard and Mary, however, both had a wry and knowing look in their eyes, looking towards each other than towards Fury, the wry look upon their face soon spreads to their lips. Smiling coyly, knowing now that Fury was just looking for a 'Babysitter', this whole time, that and the fact that this, 'Vetting Process' might as well have just been a sham for observational and posterity purposes.
Before another word could be said, Fury rapped on the tinted sectional window separating the front of the car from the luxurious back, with his knuckles, signaling the driver to move out.
Outside the limousine, May and Ben Parker can be seen watching the vehicle drive away from the front of their home, in May's arms a wrapped up bundle of cloth could be seen.
"Come along darling, it's getting cold out, we don't want the young'n to catch ill." Spoke Ben quietly afraid to wake Peter from his sleep.
"Mm, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow, while those two left us a lot, there are still a few things that need to be bought for example; a proper crib instead of this portable one, we also have to prepare the spare room amongst other things."
"Right you are May, right you are."
Later that Night
S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters
In a dark well-furnished office, sat Nick Fury overlooking a report in his hands. The moonlight coming through the grand window behind his chair and desk, shown perfectly on the paper, allowing him to read in peace, in the dark. Suddenly, Fury looked up at the silent door to the office room and said.
"...Agent Hill, come in."
And without a moment's hesitation, the door opened and in walked Agent Maria Hill.
"Director Fury, Agents Eagle, and Widow have been settled in and will begin the proper vetting process on the morrow...my own lessons will take place at night."
"Mmm, and what of the situation with their son?"
"The appropriate and scheduled monthly shipments have already been prepared, all is well on that front."
"Mmm...Agent Hill, assign a lookout for the Parker residence in Queens," Fury ordered before continuing to look upon the papers in his hand.
"...Sir?" Agent Hill questioned.
"Agents Widow and Eagle were once working for the Agency, the last project they worked on was a...sensitive one. The agency's attempt at recreating the Super Soldier Serum. This project is one even people over here have been looking at."
"Sir, if I may be so bold...what of it?
"According to our preliminary investigations, Richard and Mary Parker's child was expected due this month instead of last. After further investigation and searching, we weren't able to find a detailed report of the birth. This, raised a few flags, looking into the nurses who were on call that night we were able to finally get some information...information that was concerning, to say the least. Afterward, the nurses pointed us towards the Doctor who performed the delivery or rather C-section. They pointed us to Doctor Franklin Storm, a brilliant man who also happens to be one of the heads of 'Project: S.S 2.0' after speaking with Dr. Storm our agents were told of the boys horrendous birth, as well as his condition afterward. He wasn't supposed to make it through the night...yet he did, healthy as ever. We looked into the labs in which the serum was being tested, according to the reports there were no reported missing vials of serum, however, there was a test listed having happened the day of Peter's birth….supposedly all test subjects were directly injected with a dosage of the serum, thus leading to the death of all subjects, 20 lab rats dead in a single day. That same day, the rat carcasses were disposed of via incineration."
Shock and a tinge of fear grew on Agent Hills face. "Sir...if he, if the child really is-"
"I don't believe Richard and Mary Parker to be that foolish…"
"Sir,bu—but if the child truly is a survivor of the serum, he'll be hunted down and imprisoned, tested on for life at the least, or be dissected and harvested at the worst…"
"Which is why the agents who investigated this...will go on vacation...Coulson is taking care of it. As for that agent we're placing on duty, to keep watch over the Parkers residence, he'll be one of our own, who will report directly to either you or I. No one outside of our team can know of this, no one."
"...Understood Sir" Responded Agent Hill before dazedly finding the way out, by herself.
"...Sigh, Parker, I hope your son really is nothing more than a Preemie Miracle Baby…"
Fury returned to reading the report one last time. When the peak of the moon's light had passed by his window, Fury arose from his chair opened the window, then turned around and moved his chair aside, looked under his desk to find a tin mini office trashcan. Fury then pulled out his bottom right drawer, inside he saw a bottle of bourbon alongside a bottle of Hennesy, further therein an ornate zippo lighter atop a box of the finest Cuban cigars. Grabbing the box, the lighter, the tin trash can and the report, Fury turned and walked to the window, placed the can on the window sill, looked at the stapled stack of paper one more time, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it into the can. He turned around once more and grabbed the bourbon and a glass from his bottom lefthand drawer and returned to the window. Pouring himself a drink and then sprinkling some bourbon in the can, Fury proceeded to open the box and grabbed himself a cigar and bit off its end, then Fury made to light it only to end up false-starting his lighter three times, finally lighting up his zippo, then the Cigar as well as the paper in the can. Fury then took in a large puff of Cigar smoke letting it come out his nostrils and then downed his glass of bourbon and finally sighed, looking up at the night sky once more.
"I'm getting too old for this shit."
Three Years Later
"Ben be a Doll and go wake Peter, also make sure he's properly dressed and ready to entertain our guests!"
"Honestly May, I'm not sure what you're expecting from the boy, it's just a play date."
"Oh hush, you washed up old dog! It's Peters first play-date, I already told you, Anna from across the street is bringing over her niece Mary-Jane, apparently, she's going to be staying with her a while. Some trouble on the homefront supposedly, you know what that means don't you?"
Asked a bemused May Parker. Looking a few years older since last seen, yet more vibrant than ever what with a rudy haze upon her checks a smile of gratisfaction on her face and a spring in her step as she walked and bobbled all about the kitchen preparing a nice large and sumptuous breakfast of waffles, toast, sunny side up eggs, bacon and sausage.
"I know you're making this breakfast just to spite me, knowing full well I've got to get to work. Other than that, nope, I have no idea what you're talking about." Responded a grumpy and tired looking Ben, looking ever more the dedicated worker from a few years ago. The wrinkles on his forehead coming along quite nicely to boot.
"You daft fool, the sooner you get Peter up and running the sooner you can grab breakfast and head on out. Besides what that means is that Peter could finally make a real friend in the neighborhood. Don't even get me started up, on the fact that it's a girl. The sooner that boy learns to deal with women the better, besides if we're lucky they might even grow up to be childhood sweethearts!"
"Jesus, woman, they're just children, you need to worry about whether or not he's picking his nose, not finding him a future wife. Also, sheesh, the name Mary-Jane, it's no wonder the child's parents are having trouble. Don't prep me a plate, once I'm done getting Peter ready I'm heading on out, Brock and Andrews are buying breakfast today, some big news apparently."
"Benjamin Parker if you ruin today's play-date with your crass and ill-thought words I swear, You'll be sleeping on the couch for a month! Besides if you forget about the name Mary-Jane's second meaning, it's really quite a wonderful sounding name."
Warned May. Ben, on the other hand, was already hurrying on out of the kitchen as quick as can be.
"Yes dear, it really is a lovely name!" Hollered out Ben halfway through the door.
Ben walked through the living room onto the stairs and made his way up them in a semi-hurried pace. After making his way up the stairs and walking to the second door on the right side of the hall, past the first door, being the bathroom and onto the second.
Entering without knocking, Ben found a room half-cluttered in a mess, a fair share of toys and puzzle pieces all over the floor as well as three different puzzles, all at different stages of completion on the right side of the room, and towards the left side of the room, a more tidy picture was presented. A small low to the floor table with multiple different learning materials scattered across its surface, ranging from alphabet books as well as beginners reading books such as "Cat in the Hat", Flashcards with numbers upon them and the basic addition and subtraction symbols, all geared towards teaching the basic foundations of early education.
"Honestly, what is that woman thinking? Teaching him how to read and basic math at his age, he's only just turned three!" Thought Ben, "Although, he has been picking it all up quite quickly, like a sponge to water really. Shapes and colors I get but all this...he's already reading these books inside out and asking for harder Math problems. Mary said she wants to start teaching him more in-depth Math problems next week, at this rate he'll learn multiplication and division by kindergarten next year. Sigh, Richard did say there was a chance of him having increased cognitive functions…besides, it gives May something to do during the day, and she seems so happy now." Finishing his thought Ben proceeded to look towards the bed, expecting to see Peter sound asleep...only he didn't. Shocked, Ben's first thought was maybe Peter walked to his and May's room again. Ben began walking to his room whilst looking for the little tike. Only to not find him there either, panic beginning to set in, Ben called out.
"Peter! Peter where are you?"
No immediate response came, a few seconds passed and right as Ben was going to call for May.
[Whooosh]
Came the sound of the toilet flushing from the beyond the door in the middle of the hall, soon followed by the sound something wooden being moved across the floor and then the sound of a faucet being opened.
Hearing this, relief instantly washed over Ben's cold body and warmth set back in. After calming down some, Ben walked on over to the bathroom and opened the door to find a small boy with dark auburn brown hair and deep hazel-blue eyes washing his wands in the bathroom sink.
The boy while quite tall for his young age of three years old, stood upon a step stool to reach for the sink, arms stretched out trying to grab for the hand soap. Finally noticed Ben walk into the room and turned his way, smiled and said.
"Uncle Ben! I used the potty all by myself!"
Ben seeing this, while tempted to scold the boy for disappearing on him, calms down and questions the lad.
"Oh? You did? How did you do that?"
"Hehe, I moved the stool to the potty and stood on it then peed in the potty!" Gleamed the boy, ripe with pleasure at doing something all by himself.
"Ohoh, did you now, that was some smart thinking, junior!"
"Hehe" Peter, being praised, absolutely preened with delight, thinking about his marvelous conquest and what more he could do today.
"Hey tiger, what did your Aunt May and I say about doing this kind of stuff alone?"
Peter, hearing this, immediately deflated, his smile flattening and his head lowering.
"...don't do anything like it, unless one of you is around…" Sourly responded Peter.
Seeing this Ben was troubled with thoughts of possibly stifling Peters growth by placing such limitations on him. One of the troubles of raising a potential genius, is dealing with the curious nature that follows. As well as the 'I can do it alone' mindset that eventually develops.
"Tiger, it's not that we don't want you to do things, it's just that we need to be there when you do, at least until your older, okay?"
"..Okay.."
"Hey, buddy?"
"Yeah?"
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"You'll be having some guests come over today."
"What are 'guests'?"
"Hmm, Well, guests are people who we invite into our house, for a time."
"Am I a guest? When Mom and Dad come to get me, I'll be leaving won't I?"
Ben hearing this paused, before crouching down to look Peter in the eyes and responding.
"No Peter, you are Family and you will always have a home here."
"Hmm, so being family doesn't make me a guest?"
"No family members can be guests as well."
"Hmm, I don't really get it."
"Don't worry about it, you will one day, but for right now we need to get you washed and dressed, that way you look presentable for when our guests arrive."
"Will you be here when our 'guests' get here?"
"No buddy, unfortunately, I have to work."
"Aww, you always have to work…" Mellowed out Peter, looking as if he would kick at a proverbial, imaginary clump of dirt any second now.
"I'm sorry, tiger, but hey, one of our guests will be your age!"
"What! Really!? But why do I have to look 'Presentable'? What does that even mean?" Peter asked with a curious tilt to his head.
"Yes really, and looking presentable means looking nice for the sake of yourself and those around you, and as for why, you just go ask your aunt that, after all both of our guests today will be ladies."
"Hmm, alright if you say so uncle Ben."
Later that Morning
"Aunt May, Aunt May! Guess what, guess what!" Shouted the vivacious and freshly cleaned and dressed Peter, racing through the kitchen door, soon spotting his beloved Aunt May, sitting down at the kitchen table looking through her purse, searching for her compact mirror, to check up on her face before Anna arrived.
"Yes Peter, what is it?" Asked the amused and loving woman.
"An angel, I just saw an angel! I was walking down the stairs and I saw an angel walking up to our house in the window, for some reason she was holding Miss Anna's hand."
And before May could respond.
[Ding Dong]
The doorbell rang, soon after the sound of a door being opened and the voice of Ben rang out.
"Anna, it's so good to see you again!"
"Ben! I didn't know you were going to be here today, I'm sorry that's terribly rude of me."
"Oh no, it's not and you were right I'm just on my way out, let me call May for you. May, May come on out, Anna's here!"
Hearing all the commotion, May smiled then took off her apron, placed it on her chair and grabbed Peters hand, half dragging him out of the kitchen.
Peter seeing who was at the door, pulled on May's hand and whispered.
"psst Aunt May, that's her, that's the angel I was talking about."
May hearing this recalled Peters earlier words, looked towards the door and saw her husband make pleasant talk with Anna, her friend, and neighbor from across the street, holding Anna's hand and halfway hiding behind her back a little girl could be seen.
The girl, halfway hidden could be seen poking her head out of Anna's backside with interest and curiosity, while at the same time looking too shy to say anything or make too large a movement and draw attention to herself. Failing at said action simply to due to her attention-grabbing looks, whether it be her adorable face, with a small number of freckles adorning her cheeks or her small and red nose or gorgeous green eyes, and yet wait then there was her wonderous red hair which flowed to her mid-back, with looks like those at that age, a talent agent could take one look at her and she would be on TV within the month.
May thinking back on Peters words and seeing this little darling of a child, brought a smile to her face and a gleam to her eyes. Walking over briskly she let go of Peter's hand and began to push Ben out of the house all the while saying.
"Go, go, shoo, shoo cant you see you're scaring little Mary Jane, don't you have work to get to? Go on, get!"
Not allowing Ben a word, May pushed him out the door, pulled Anna and consequently Mary Jane in and closed the door shut.
"May, there was no need for that, MJ was fine, after all, she's always this shy when meeting people for the first time."
"Anna, it's quite all right, knowing him, Ben, being the chatterbox he is would have kept you two in the cold for far too long."
"Well if you say so, Ah look who it is, Why hello there Peter." Anna turned her head and directed her words as gingerly as possible towards the adorable Peter.
"Hello miss Anna, It's nice to see you again." Responded Peter whilst staring at Mary-Jane.
"Peter Parker, where are your manners, why haven't you introduced your self to our other guest."
Peter, hearing this grew troubled, then calmed down once more and followed through on his aunt's instructions.
"Hi there pretty Angel girl, my names Peter, Peter Parker, it's nice to meet you."
May hearing this smiled coyly as if a certain plan of hers came through, Anna hearing this grew confused and asked Peter.
"Peter, her names not 'Angel' what made you think that?"
"I don't think her names, Angel."
"What? Then why did you call her that?"
"I don't think she's called Angel, I think she is an angel." Peter finally having answered the query looked anxious to the three people's reaction to his words, May's knowing smile, Anna's mild shock, and realization and Mary-Jane's face turning a deeper shade of red.
May seizing the moment, added in. "Peter, what made you think Mary Jane was an angel?"
"Aren't angels' supposed to be the prettiest things ever created?" Responded Peter, leading to Mary Jane Growing an even deeper shade of red, now resembling a ripe tomato.
Anna, now looking at May with a bit of annoyment, with May showing a look schadenfreude towards Anna.
"Mary-Jane, go on, introduce yourself." Said Anna.
"...My names Mary, Mary Jane Watson."
"That's a really pretty name!" Shouted Peter. Making Mary Jane dip her head a little. "..you can call me MJ" Whispered the girl.
"Peter why don't you take Mary Jane to the kitchen, we don't want the food getting cold" Instructed May.
"Alright, aunt May, c'mon MJ, let's go eat." Said Peter, while grabbing MJ's hand and leading her to the kitchen.
May, looking pleased, smiled at the children before turning to look at Anna, before noting her shocked look. May, seeing this asked her.
"Anna, are you alright?"
"Y-yeah, I'm alright, it's just...MJ only ever lets those extremely close to her call her as such...even other kids her own age don't normally have that luxury."
"Hmhmm, it seems my Peter has a way with the girls."
"It would seem so...how strange."
Later that Evening
In Peters Bedroom
"Uncle Ben, then we finished a puzzle together, and then right before lunch we watched 'Care Bears' together, then we ate lunch next to each other and after lunch, we drew together and we even drew each other and then-"
Cutting Peter off before he could continue his daily report, Ben wryly asked.
"So, in the end, did you enjoy yourselves?"
"Yeah! A whole bunch!"
"I see, I see, were you glad you made yourself presentable?"
"Yeah, cuz MJ was really pretty and I don't want her to see me in my PJ's."
"Good, I'm glad."
"Hey, Uncle Ben."
"Yeah, Tiger?"
"What did you feel like when you met Aunt May?"
"...Why?"
"Just wondering, why, how did you feel?" Peter responded while looking away from Ben for perhaps the first time since he had come home from work.
"..I felt...confused, excited and nervous all at the same time."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't know what to do, I was so confused. Excited because I would get to talk to her, nervous because I was afraid of making a mistake."
"I think I get that."
"Oh, Yeah?"
"Yeah, I bet you felt that way because Aunt May was so pretty."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"And you felt your tummy get all rumbly"
"Yeah there was some of that too, did you feel that way today?"
"...a little bit."
"I see."
"Hey, uncle Ben when do you think I'll get to see MJ again?"
"I'm sure your Aunt May can schedule another play-date."
"Good." Peter responded whilst rubbing his eye with a closed fist, rather gently.
"You tired bud?"
"A little bit…"
"Come on then, close your eyes and go to sleep, I'll tuck you in properly."
"Goodnight Uncle Ben."
"Goodnight tiger."
* AUTHORS NOTE *
So...remember, when I said that this would be the last Foundational chapter….it, eh, it seems I might have fibbed...a bit, not on purpose though…Okay, in all seriousness this chapter was getting to be way too long and I still have two more major event's in Peters "younger" life to work through before we can move on to the "holy crap I have powers" faze.
For any of you kind & brave enough to give me some constructive criticism, on the contents of the chapter, this young man will be happy to listen.
As always thank you to all who took the time out of your day to read this, know that it is appreciated. Also, special thanks go to my first reviewer :
CRUDEN
Thank's my dude, even a simple comment like that really goes a long way! This has been your author MisterMC signing off for the night-err morning