Chapter 13: It's a Trap!

When Kurt woke up again, everything was still very fuzzy, and what wasn't fuzzy was sore and painful to move. But now that he was awake, he pushed himself up, looking around with wide eyes as he tried to claw his way back into consciousness

He spotted Logan several yards away, though only because it looked like the two of them had drawn a crowd, and a few people had crouched down beside Logan to see if he was still breathing. The onlookers were giving both unconscious boys a bit of a wide berth, but someone had apparently stepped forward to investigate.

When Kurt started to sit up, though, the crowd of bystanders took a murmuring step back, and Kurt frowned, rubbing at his forehead as he tried to force feeling back into his limbs. By the time he'd managed to get to his feet, the crowd was thicker and decidedly less friendly as a few of them looked like they were just waiting for Kurt to do something.

He tried to ignore the stares and glares as he made his way over to Logan, checking quickly to make sure he was still breathing — since, all things considered, those darts were a real worry — before he gently started to shake his friend awake. "Logan," he whispered urgently. "Logan, I don't see Peter anywhere."

It took some doing, but finally, Logan opened his eyes and almost startled — though if it was because of Kurt or the strangers around them, Kurt wasn't quite sure. "Where'd he go?"

"I can't say. But, Logan… the fact that he's not here…" He let out a sigh. "I think he was right."

"Little shit's got a streak going," he replied thickly. "Don't tell 'im."

"I think he knows," Kurt pointed out.

"Not the same as admittin' it."

Kurt had to chuckle the slightest bit as he offered his friend a hand up, though when Logan took it, he quickly realized that he wasn't exactly a stable anchor for as sore and still fuzzy as he was.

"I think we need a prop, Elf," Logan said, stumbling until he ran into a light post heavily — to sounds of concern from several in the crowd around him. "I might be wrong, but this could be the time to call for backup."

Kurt nodded, though when he patted his waist, he couldn't find his comm. "I don't suppose you managed to keep hold of your comm?" he asked.

Logan looked honestly confused as he tried to keep upright leaning on the post and patted where the comm should be. "No. But that was a longshot."

Kurt sighed. "We need to get back to the jet," he said, starting to head that way himself, though when it became clear that the two of them were trying to leave — and failing in their endeavor, one of the bystanders approached, carefully, offering a hand to Logan.

"Need a ride?" the man offered with a small frown. "You don't… look so good."

"Just a little help keepin' upright," Logan said, nodding the slightest. "Thanks."

"Well, where are you headed?" the man asked as he slipped under Logan's arm. "I'm sure I can get you there."

"I dunno," Logan admitted, still nearly slurring his words. "Kurt does, though."

The man's frown simply deepened for a moment before he nodded, almost haltingly. "Well, I said I'd help," he said, still with that same quiet frown.

Logan extended his free arm to Kurt, and the three of them started out with Kurt quietly giving directions. Once they arrived at the jet, the man quickly gave them a nod as Logan made a point to shake his hand and thank him before he stepped back to take his leave of the two of them — though neither Logan or Kurt were still in any shape to fly.

"I guess it's my turn to call Dad," Logan said.

Kurt nodded. "He's going to be upset," he said softly.

"He's not the only one," Logan pointed out as the two of them took their time getting into the plane and then longer to get up to the cockpit. When they were finally seated, Logan flipped on the comm and tried the direct line to Coulson to report what had happened. "I get it if you're busy. We can just … sit here 'til the drugs wear off, but neither of us could get the bird off the ground right now," Logan concluded after he'd filled Coulson in on what they knew and Peter's theory. "Had to get help to get this far."

"I'll send someone," Coulson said, and though they could only hear him, it was obvious that he was upset at the least, frustrated as well, and just mad, if his tone was anything to go by. "Just sit tight."

After the radio clicked off, Logan let out a sigh and leaned back as far as he could. "I'm not sure that was Hydra."

"What makes you think that?" Kurt asked with a frown.

"That dart was too nice," Logan said frankly, turning his head Kurt's direction. "I know what they were producing. That … ain't it."

"Too nice?" Kurt repeated, shaking his head. "That is a dealbreaker for Hydra."

"The formula they planned to arm their soldiers with would have been excruciating. That was more like a nap."

"Yes, well, even so, the beating on defenseless dart victims felt very Hydra-esque," Kurt said with one eye closed in a wince.

"Fair point," Logan agreed. "But same could have been said for Nova Corps. Or just soldiers in general."

"If it isn't Hydra, then who do you think it is?" Kurt asked.

"I've got no idea," Logan replied. "Everyone I thought was in on it was already taken off the list."

"Then we'll have to start over," Kurt said with a sigh. "And perhaps ask our more scientific friends to get somewhere safer. If Peter's right, then people like Tony… Kitty… Kamala… perhaps even Forge or others who weren't victors or Tahiti members but were tied to our group. After all, they attacked Happy… though he was working for Stark Industries security…"

"I'm sure Coulson's on all that right now," Logan said thickly. He was quiet for a moment. "I feel like we should get out of the cockpit, but …"

"We'll move when our backup arrives," Kurt said with a nod, leaning against the seat.

It wasn't long before both of them were passed out again in the warm plane, and it felt as if no time had passed when their back up arrived and got right to looking both of them over. May was just shaking her head as she practically pulled Logan out of the pilot's chair once she was done, a deeply settled frown on her features. "You two…"

"Are grounded?" Kurt drawled out. "We know."

She had to chuckle at that. "Right. Simmons is going to want to analyze anything that's left over from those darts," she said, more Logan's way than anything else.

"I'm sure she'll find plenty in him," Kurt replied. "He got two darts."

"Yes, Coulson did tell me as much," May said patiently. "If you feel the need to pass out again, please try not to drool on the controls on the way to the Triskellion."

Kurt let out a derisive little noise and looked mortally offended for all of about two seconds before he nodded and leaned back. "I think that's reasonable."

May smirked his way as she got the plane in the air, shaking her head to herself. For as concerned as she was, there was undeniably something entertaining about the fact that those two were hilarious under the influence.

August 1

District Eight: Osborn's Underground Lab

"Well… at least I've got Gwen," Peter muttered to himself as he made his way down to the lab that Osborn had him, Gwen, Miles, and, on occasion, Jess working in. It wasn't exactly the way he had been planning to spend his nineteenth birthday, but it was better than spending it wondering where Gwen was, which was the prospect had had been facing just a few days ago.

Yeah… he was really reaching to find the silver lining here.

A lot of the stuff Osborn had asked him to work on at least wasn't quite as … off-putting as what Gwen and Miles were working on. Gwen had always been better at the biochem, though the stuff on their desks was more 'biochemical warfare' than 'science fair project,' and both of them knew it.

Peter's… was more like how to build a better death trap. How to keep people from poking their nose into Oscorp business.

Pretty much how to keep his friends from finding him, actually. He was trying to work out how to design a flaw in it without Osborn catching it, but unlike with biotech, Osborn actually knew his stuff when it came to this kind of engineering project, so it would be incredibly difficult.

He was thinking about trying to program in something… something that only his friends would know to say or do.

But in any case, he had Gwen. And that was what he was focusing on that morning as he found his girlfriend sitting at her desk, already knee deep in reading over the previous day's notes.

"Hey," she said with a little smile when he kissed her cheek. "You're in a weirdly good mood."

"Well, trying to make the best of the birthday," he said, and her eyes widened as she spun to look at him. He grinned sheepishly. "Yeah… it's been that long," he said in answer to her unasked question.

"I guess it has been," she said, shaking her head for a moment before she quickly kissed him. "I'm sorry; I totally lost track!"

"Can't imagine why," Peter said, and Gwen had to roll her eyes at him.

"Still," she said as she pushed out of her chair and got to her feet so she could wrap him up in a hug. "If I'd have remembered, I would have… I don't know. Done something."

"Paper airplane with an 'I love you' on it?" he teased.

"Sounds about right," she agreed with a little laugh.

"You know, before the Games, I kind of always figured I'd be working for Norman when I got older," Peter said. "But this is just …"

"Yeah," she had to agree, nodding fervently. "I was thinking the same thing — at least, when I first got started." She let out a sigh. "It's almost just… normal at this point. If that's even possible."

"Spiders," Miles said in a stage whisper. "Go find a corner to web up or something."

"Sorry, Miles," Gwen said with a slightly pink tinge to her cheeks.

"No, I mean it. Go. I've got this covered. Happy Birthday or … whatever."

Peter just had to grin at his fellow spider. "Glad to know my little spider-brother has my back," he teased as he pulled Gwen by the hand to try to take advantage of Miles' offer for privacy. They were trying to find a blind spot, somewhere they wouldn't get yelled at or anything like that, when they heard footsteps down the hall.

They peered around the corner to see Jess and Johnny coming down the hall. At the end of that hallway was the single path out, which meant they had either just come from talking with Norman or just come back from a mission or both — though it looked like they were gearing up again to go out.

Curiosity overtook the two spiders, and Gwen poked her head out from around the corner. "What are you two up to?" she asked.

"Nothing," Jessica said automatically. "What are you two doing out of the lab?"

"Stretching our legs," Peter said. "Just… taking a break." He rubbed the back of his neck and figured honesty was the best way to get an answer out of Jessica Drew. "It's my birthday, so we wanted to just… take five seconds and have a birthday, you know?"

She looked him up and down, though it looked like Johnny hadn't so much as blinked as Jessica nodded. "Well. Happy Birthday. Don't get caught."

"We don't plan to," Gwen said. She shifted a bit as she looked over the two victors. "And seriously, what are you up to? It's not like we're gonna tell anyone."

"Seriously, it's not your problem," Jessica said, though she took Johnny by the arm and gave him a little squeeze before he seemed to wake up partially and move the way he was pointed.

"Is he okay?" Peter asked before he could stop himself. "I mean, if you two were out ... we have a lab, and we don't mind spending my birthday helping out if there's something wrong."

"He's fine," Jessica said without turning around until she and Johnny were in the elevator.

Both Gwen and Peter frowned at each other. "Yeah… that's…" Gwen shook her head.

"Yeah," Peter had to agree, staring after the closed elevator doors with a deepening frown.

"Peter," Gwen said, her eyebrows raised. "Are you sure you want to do what you're thinking of doing?"

"Who else is gonna stand up for anybody down here?" Peter asked. "Norman's got Jess totally twisted up and singing his tune. And Miles… he's too young for Norman to take him seriously." He shook his head and straightened his shoulders.

"Because he takes you so seriously," Gwen said with a roll of her eyes.

"He has to," Peter insisted. "I mean, he wanted me here, right?"

"He wanted them here too," she pointed out.

"Yeah, but he didn't … turn us into… whatever he did to Johnny," Peter said, feeling his temper flare at the thought of it. "Or even what he did to Jess."

"You don't know what he did," Gwen whispered. "Or if he did anything."

"You really think Jess would just… be his errand girl? Come on, Gwen," Peter said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You saw how they were back when they were our mentors. She can't stand him."

"I know," she replied, looking down the hall over her shoulder. "I just … don't know what changed."

"I'm gonna find out," Peter said with a little nod before he quickly added, "If nothing else to keep him from doing it to you or to Miles or to me."

"And there's my superhero," she said with a smirk.

He grinned at her and pulled her in for a quick kiss. "It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it, ma'am," he said, grinning wider before he kissed her once more and then took a step back. "I'll meet you back at the lab, probably," he said, straightening up and pulling his shirt down a bit before he pointed himself straight down the hall toward where he knew he'd find Norman.

He came to a stop outside Norman's door and just… waited once he'd knocked. If Jess was busy with Johnny, Norman was going to have to come out if he wanted to make Peter go back to the lab, and that would be when he'd call him out on… whatever the heck was going on with the resident victors.

"Mr. Parker," Osborn called out in a business-like tone. "Is there something amiss with your lab?"

"Uh, yeah. The victors around it are screwed up, and I want to know why," Peter said with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Excuse me?" Norman said with a frown as he got to his feet. "What exactly does that mean, Mr. Parker?"

"It means you have Jessica Drew basically running all your dirty work, and I don't even know what's up with Johnny, but I have never seen him that quiet before," Peter said, his chin thrust out as he put on his best determined glare.

Norman tried to play it off with a little laugh. "Miss Drew and I have a business understanding," he said. "And clearly, you haven't spent that much time with Johnny Storm, because he does, from time to time, become terribly silent."

"I've only seen him that quiet once, and that was after his sister died," Peter said in a quiet voice that was still somehow angry. "So something has to be wrong."

"As a matter of fact, we are coming up on that anniversary," Norman tried to deflect. "I'm sure you recall what that's like — the first anniversary after a loved one's death?"

Peter paused, trying to remember when Sue and Ben Grimm had died. It had been late in the summer… "I don't believe you," he finally decided.

At that, Norman looked up from the papers he'd been going over on his desk and let one particular stack fall. "Well. Lucky for you, the event was televised. Would you like to watch Ben Grimm in living color as he died trying to protect Johnny?"

"No," Peter said, a bit wide-eyed. "I just ... don't believe that's what's going on here."

"What do you want to hear, Peter?" Osborn asked, frowning deeply. "Tell me so we can make this quick. I have plenty to do that doesn't involve twenty questions."

"I want to know what you did to him — to Jess too," Peter said, crossing his arms once more. "It's not just that you have an agreement. And if Johnny was just mourning, he wouldn't be… doing whatever he's doing with Jess."

"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you. Miss Drew does indeed have an agreement. She'd be worthless to me if she wasn't able to use her full mental facilities."

"Yeah, but, see, that line might work on someone who didn't help one of his best friends back from actual brainwashing. Because Hydra wanted Logan's mind too. So. Tell me what you did," Peter insisted, even going so far as to raise his voice a little. "I'm not going to let anyone else get taken over. Not if I can help it."

Norman let out a disbelieving little laugh. "Is that what you think? Really. It's a shame you put that time and effort in. Particularly because you're wrong. I read the notes. Hydra never wanted his mind. He was a lab rat. Right to the end. And it's a good thing too, or Storm would be in the same boat as your two little friends."

Peter stilled as he stared at his old mentor. "...What?"

"Which part, Peter? I don't have time for this; I thought you understood that." Norman was already taking a seat at his desk again, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose as he went over the reports in front of him.

"The… part about Johnny. And Logan," Peter said, his tone much quieter.

Norman took the glasses off and leaned forward on one elbow. "The neurotoxin was one that Hydra threw out in their quest to find, essentially, a neural disruptor to use on those they wanted to use. We picked it up. It works perfectly. We knew everything but the dosage, but that's all sorted out now. Rather nicely, I might add."

Peter stared at his old mentor openly. "You… you poisoned my friends… and you're poisoning Johnny with the same…" He felt his hands clench into fists, and he was almost shaking with rage.

Norman watched him for a moment, then picked up a remote that seemed to have security footage cued up — with the fight where Peter had been picked up ready to roll. He didn't say anything, simply allowing Peter to watch his friends go down, until the loop started up the second time around. "All of my guards carry those darts, Mr. Parker. Think about that before you do something rash."

Peter just stood there for a long moment, his hands clenched in tight fists as his gaze was locked onto the screen that showed the last moments of his friends' lives. "Fine," he managed through gritted teeth. "You can just sit here in this office all day, but here's something fun: you won't have any paperwork from me, because I quit."

Norman didn't even look up from his work as he chuckled. "And how do you think you'll manage that, Mr. Parker? You can't leave."

"But you can't make me invent anything either," Peter argued. "Not anything useful, anyway. I bet I could design a really good merry-go-round."

"We'll see about that, Peter," Norman said. "Enjoy your little tantrum — and hope that the last member of your team doesn't come looking for you."

"You've got it backwards, Norman," Peter said. "You'd better hope she doesn't find this place or you'll be wearing arrows all over your handmade clothes."

But Norman wasn't listening anymore and instead just let out a sigh of longsuffering. "Everything was easier when the dead tributes just stayed dead."

"Yeah, wouldn't want you to lose your winning streak," Peter bit out. "You seem so put out by the whole thing." He glared at Norman before he spun on his heel, completely intent on following through as he headed, not for the lab, but for the room that had been set aside for him so he could stage a proper sit-in.