Chapter Eleven
Steve leans on the door way with this his fists firmly planted in his jean pockets. He lets out a pathetic sigh before sliding off of the door way and into the tiny room which held his beautiful wife. He steps slowly over to her with his heart slightly racing from the nerve racking news to relay to her. He approaches her slowly while she types away on the laptop. His lips brush lightly against her exposed neck, he feels her tremble at the faint touch. The sound of typing suddenly stops echoing around them causing her to speak, "If you think that will get me to go along with your plan than you're wrong." Her voice was distant as if she was anticipating him.
Steve chuckles downwardly not too surprised by her chilling response, "It's an apology."
Natasha turns around to face him to see if he was being sincere. "What do you mean an apology?" Her voice shakes with excitement though she successfully masks her hope in her eyes. Steve pulls a chair next to her to sit down to tell her about their grown son.
"I saw him."
"What?" Steve looks away quickly before he explains more. "You saw our son? What did he look like? Is he healthy? Is he happy?" She asks rapidly not sure how to stop her self from asking so many questions.
Steve nods his head yes to all of her questions, "He seems to be happy and in love." Steve stifles a small grin growing on his lips at the memory of his son.
"In love?" Natasha asks even more curious than before. "With who?" Her eyes brighten at the thought of her son happy and with someone who brings him such joy.
"I'm not sure who she is, but she's very pretty. She looks sweet and compassionate which I think is a good fit for him. This is why I want to apologize to you when I saw him I felt happy, but I also felt regret. I'm sorry that I told you that it would've been best to leave him alone." Steve looks away with a pain of guilt stinging his heart once again.
"I forgive you... Does this mean?" Natasha hesitates to asks knowing the situation they are in with him being at risk of HYDRA finding him.
"I want to tell him the truth from us. But as much as I want to do that I can't shake my fear that he'll turn out like Bucky did. Their sick pawn in their twisted game. He's the only one I want to keep away from this cruel world, and just let him live his life. He seems happy and he's starting school soon, he has his scholarship. I don't want him to get distracted, I just want him to live his life and move on. I feel comfortable watching from a distance as long as he is happy." Steve explains somberly. His hands twist together as he dares to look into Natasha eyes.
"I understand, but what if they tell him first? We are risking a lot." Natasha adds with her voice descending into a soft whisper. "I just can't imagine him hating us."
Steve looks away wondering when it had been they had changed so drastically. It seemed only like yesterday they where fighting side by side protecting Earth from whatever evil threw at them. But now it seemed they had been consumed by weariness and hopelessness, he couldn't place when it happened that they were no longer as strong as they once were. Maybe it was when the Avengers spilt, or eleven years ago when their most precious love was threaten. He didn't know, but he didn't like who they were now, he wanted to change.
"I agree, but I want to give it sometime to let it settle. They haven't found him yet, and at this rate they might not." Steve encourages hoping he is doing the right thing though deep in his gut he knew something was off.
"Can we wait for three weeks?" Natasha asks as she reaches for his twisted hands to interlock with hers. Steve gazes at their hands while his thoughts drift back to when they first fell in love.
"We'll tell him in three weeks." Steve agrees knowing that would be enough time to let things settle.
James breathes shallow as the warm summer winds blow on his cheeks. He shuts his eyes trying to block out the noise from all the people walking by, but it didn't seem that he could. With a sigh he opens his eyes slowly to only lock eyes with a squirrel, a slight boyish grin flickers on his lips when he notices the squirrel eating a nut of some sort. "What you got there little fella?" He bends over towards the the grey squirrel rubbing his fingers together while trying to get its attention. The squirrel curiously sniffs towards him dropping his nut, and drawing his attention towards him. James slowly pulls out some crumbs left over from his sandwich to give to the lonely squirrel. The squirrel cautiously takes from his hand the left overs.
"What you doing out here all alone? Do you have any family?" James inquires his voice softly echoing in his own ears. His grey eyes cast downwardly realizing he's asking him self that question. "Well I guess you and I are in the same boat... Hope you enjoy the left over crumbs." He whispers while the squirrel scurries away.
James stretches long before jumping onto his feet with a short sigh. He pulls his hat tighter on his head before heading in the direction of the public library. James follows closely behind pedestrians keeping up with their quick pace. It didn't seem that people in New York knew how to slow down even for a moment. It slightly bothered him, but he could admit being among a ton of people lessen the chance of him being spotted. "Pardon me..." James politely says while moving pass a women who looks up at him as if she was about to say something. James crosses the road heading towards the massive Lion Statue indicating he is now at the Public Library. James stops to admire the marble Lion laying fiercely in front of the library. He smirks before heading up the stairs, and into the massive building full of knowledge.
He heads longingly over to the non-fiction section as if something awaits for him. He scans the spines of the books with hopes to find anything about genetics and mutation. He sighs heavily as he moves from one book shelf to another with no luck yet. He licks lips before spying something that maybe helpful. He pulls the book out slowly while placing his finger in the vacant spot to keep it open to place the book back. He opens the book hoping to have found anything, but it was not what he was looking for. He puts the book back disappointed before heading to the other side of the book shelf. "May I help you?" A young woman in her late twenties asks walking over to him with a soft feminine smile.
"Ah, yes..." James turns to face her with a slightly timid smile. "Do you have any thing on genetic mutation? Or genetic manipulation?"
"I believe we do... It would be found under science." She informs with a chirper ring in her voice. James follows her towards the science section with his heart swelling with anticipation. She points towards the long section of biology books, and medical books. "It should be found here. If you need any help just come and find me. My name is Amy."
She left him with his eyes growing wide at the large selection. He strolls down the aisle scanning the books ever so slowly, he didn't know if he would be able to find anything he is searching for. His eyes fall on a book with a familiar spin. He pulls the book out to only meet the eyes of scientist who were covered in a black and white print. "The scientist behind it all..." He reads out loud truly confused by the title. He cracks open the book with hopes that he will find some type of answer. He slides down the book shelf and sits on the hard carpeted flooring. His heavy eyes scan the tiny print they fall upon an interesting name, 'Oscorp'. He flips the book over to the end to see when it was publish. "2014?" He scoffs baffled they would make an illusion that this book was written sometime in the 1960's.
He sighs realizing he hasn't gotten anywhere with his research, but the truth was he had found something. He stands up tucking the book underneath his arm while heads back to wear he can check books out. He stands in the line flipping through the unread pages, "Next!" James without looking up steps up to the front desk. He puts the book onto the counter while pulling out his wallet. The woman scans the book slowly, "I'm guessing you are one those interns from Oscorp who have to read this book." She causally says with her voice fond with boredom.
"No, I'm a student at NYU..." James informs without missing a beat. He looks up at the middle age woman with a handsome smile while handing her his I.D..
"Science major?" She asks taking his I.D. from him.
"Something like that." He shrugs while taking the book and his I.D. from her.
She smiles friendly, "Well I hope your studies go well. Next!"
James heads out the door to greeted by a warm blast of wind while he jogs down the stairs and to the sidewalk filled with people. He sighs while starring at his new checked out book. He walks down the street hoping to find his way towards NYU. He weaves in and out of people his mind racing with thought of how to start his scientific research. He looks down once again at his book to see a familiar face. He stops walking realizing who he is Norman Osborn. James quickly picks up his pace towards his school with an idea sparking in his mind.
"Mr. Parker, would you like me to relay this information to the editor?" A female voice asks over the phone intercom. Peter puts down his ramen quickly while he slurps up the rest of his noodles before answering.
"No, no, that's fine. I'll do it, thank you Mrs. Franky." Peter replies his mouth still full of food. He picks up a napkin to whip his mouth trying to compose himself. He stares at his mess of a desk noticing all of his photos are out of place and no where near ready for the editor to see. He picks up a few pictures of the mayor and some other important politicians. He rubs his temples suddenly feeling stressed from the due date growing closer.
"These photos are a mess..." He whispers to himself while organizing them together one by one. He taps the photos together on the wooden desk. Peter puts the photos into a file before setting them on the far right of his desk away from everything else. He taps the table with the end of his chop stick with thought before standing up to pace around the room.
"I need a better story..." Peter mumbles now heading over to the window over looking the bustling city. "Spider-man hasn't been in the paper in a while..." A smirk rises on his cheeks while he chuckles to himself. He stumbles back over to his desk while rummaging through a box labeled 'Photos of you know who'. He flops back down in his chair when he finds the most recent photo that was taken last week.
"I guess this will do...this story was pretty interesting." He laughs while putting the photo down with the file on the far right.
"Could that technically be a selfie?" A female voice asks from the door way.
"Well it could be, but you know..." Peter stands up to greet Cecile. Cecile walks in carrying a stack of papers with a struggling grin. "Did you see your aunt?" Peter asks taking the stack from her.
Cecile pushes back a nagging strain of hair behind her ear, "I saw her and had lunch with her. She asked about you. I told her you were stupidly busy."
"She asked about me?" Peter asks peering over the stack of papers he's flipping through. Cecile sits down rolling her eyes knowing what he is about to say. "Yo-"
"She was wanting to know if you have eaten today and that was it." She interjects with a proud smirk.
Peter raises his bowl of half eaten ramen, "Tell her that I did eat. Why does Michelle always asks questions about me?"
"I don't know...maybe she likes you..." Cecile winks while stuffing a peanut M&M in her mouth. Peter looks up from his stack of papers confused.
"We're-"
"Exactly." Cecile once again interrupts before jumping up from her seat. "I gotta go, but I'll be back tomorrow."
"together." Peter finishes his sentence once she heads out the door leaving him with his work, "Where does she have to go in such a hurry?" He asks to himself still starring at the door.
Cecile walks up the steps leading towards the entrance to James's apartment building. She hesitance to open the door to head into the building unable to gain the courage she walks down the steps to wait for him. She probably should of texted James to let him know she was coming by, but recently it seemed that everything was better for them when it was spontaneous. The door open causing her to turn around quickly with hopes it was him.
"Cecile?" Her smiles falls flat when she sees Griffin instead of James. "W-what are you doing here?" He stumbles to asks taken back to see her all of a sudden.
"Um, I was walking by and I need to rest my feet so I just happen to sit down on the steps." She hurries to lie knowing he probably won't believe her.
Griffin walks down towards her with his hands his pockets, "Right... you looked like you were waiting for someone."
"I wasn't." She quickly assures.
"You sure you weren't waiting on James?" He asks curiously.
At the mention of James's name her cheeks flush, she quickly covers her cheeks trying to hide the oncoming redness. "Is he here?" Cecile asks unaware that Griffin doesn't know that James and her have seen each other.
"No..." Griffin answers, "But the last I heard from him was that he was at the public library..."
Cecile shifts at the news, her heart sinks knowing she won't be able to see him, "Alright, well let him know I came by to see him. See you around..." Cecile quickly walks away not wanting to discuss anymore about James because she knows Griffin will implore.
"Humph, that's weird..." Griffin whispers to himself curious while watching Cecile leave in a hurry.
James pushes open the large door opening into a hallway lite with a reddish hue. He walks down the hallway cautiously trying to not bring attention to him, he turns towards an empty lab. He looks down to notice the door slightly open without hesitation James walks into the lab and shuts the door. He sets the book next to him as he scans the lab's. James notices he is in a phlebomist lab, "I could draw my blood... then I could test it. It could give me the answers I need."
Without hesitation James gathers up the materials he need to draw his blood with. He puts the tourniquet around his forearm and threads the needle into the holder before he cotton swabs his arm with cold alcohol. He taps the tube before connecting it to the holder. He slips the tourniquet off taking a deep breath before slowly moving the needle into his vein. He watches at the red liquid quickly fills the tube, he then removes the tube to fill another one. James slowly releases the needle from his arm breathing shallowly. He lifts the two tubes full of his blood with anticipation. He hears footsteps coming down the hallway causing him to stuff the tubes into his pockets.
"Who are you?" James squints at the blinding flash light shining in his eyes.
"I'm I'm a student here..." James explains with a weak smile before the guard rips him from the stool he was sitting on. James winces as the security guard drags him out into the lobby.
"Wait, here." The guard orders gruffly before going behind his desk to call probably the police.
James leans on the desk with a heavy sigh, "I'm telling the I attend here."
"Then show me your ID." The guard says now looking up at James.
"I-"
"Hey, did you get what I asked you to get me?" A voice hollers from behind James causing him to turn around. James stares puzzled unable to answer. "Excuse me, I'm sorry but Mr. Stark, Tony Stark asked him to retrieve something from here."
"Do you know he was in a Phlebotomist lab?" The guard asks annoyed.
"Mr. Stark told you to go to the lab next to it." James looks around quickly before going along with the lie.
"I went into that lab because it was opened. I got confused." James quickly explains trying to keep up with the speed of this lie.
"See! Look all can be forgiven, and he truly does go to school here. So if you don't mind we'll be going."
"What's your name?" The guard asks not believing them.
"Peter Parker. You may know me best for my photography skills with the Daily Bugle, but I can assure you I work for Mr. Stark as well. I have been involved in his many scientific projects since I was sixteen so eleven years later I am still doing that." Peter rambles to say with slight swayed confidence.
"I will need some information on him to make sure this legitimate." The guard informs Peter with a deep sigh.
"His name is James Barton, he is on the soccer team here at NYU. He is a freshman, but he gained a scholarship with Mr. Stark's program called Excellent Kids." Peter explains with more confidence than before. "We'll be going, and if you have any questions give Tony Stark a call." Peter turns to walk away with James towing behind him.
James and Peter walks outside onto campus not one or the other addressing each other. James stops walking feeling more than confused, "How did you know I was there?" Peter turns around to look at James who lingers on the steps.
"I didn't. I was actually the one running the errand, but then I saw you." Peter explains stuffing his hands in his front pockets.
"How do you know me?" James stutters to say still not able to comprehend all that has happened.
Peter shrugs his shoulders, "I guess you look too familiar to not recognize you even if you dyed your hair. You forgot I'm friends with your brother and I hear a lot about you. And I probably shouldn't mention this, but Cecile talks about you a lot two."
"I did forget about that, and that you probably have a mission..." James walks down the steps to talk easier with Peter.
Peter smirks at how much he resembles his birth parents, "I never received orders to protect you. This is just a mere coincidence." James nods his head feeling like he could trust Peter.
"Could I ask you to help me with something, and not tell anyone about it? I feel like you might understand more than most would about genetics." James breathes in nervous about his response.
"I could help you, but I'm not sure if you want to pull on that thread. I don't know much about what all is going on with you and theses people, but I've heard bout them and I would be careful if I were you." Peter advises cautiously knowing that James could do something that could put him in a position that he doesn't want to be in.
"Why don't I want to pursue this?" James asks still not understanding why everyone is trying their hardest to keep him away from the truth.
Peter shoulders slump forward as if he doesn't have the answer, "I just know that whatever is behind this is evil. I've dealt with many forms of evil, but this, this just seems different. I will help you to gain understand for yourself, but I don't want you to go seeking for trouble." James looks downward before nodding his head slowly in agreement.
"I'm not interested in the possibilities, I want the facts." Viper hisses into the phone while she paces back and forth. She rubs her temples peeved at the incompetence she hears on the other line, "Tell me!" She yells.
"Things are difficult to process, but we must reach the boy soon." The other person on the other line shakily informs.
"How soon?" Viper sighs while sitting down on the hotel bed.
"Anytime." The person says before Viper violently hangs up the phone. She stands up hastily to walk towards the window over looking the city.
"Anytime..." She slurs while her dark eyes scan the city with a stressful sigh. "Soon..."
Author Notes: I'm sorry I have not updated in a while! It was difficult writing this chapter, and figuring out where I'm going with it next! I hope you all like this chapter! I will try my hardest to update the next chapter faster!
-C.R.