My longest chapter yet. Please enjoy.
It was a drizzling morning, everyone in Manhattan either stayed inside or kept their head covered. So it was a very few that saw two swinging figures in the sky.
Spider-Man and Daredevil, two of New York's most famous citizens, had an appointment this morning. In fact, it was an appointment at one of New York's most famous landmarks.
"Baxter Building off the port bow captain", quipped the arachnid man as they reached the bottom of each of their arcs.
Physics continues its course and the heroes rise through the air on ropes of reinforced wire and simulated spider silk. Parallel to their destination, the pair lets go of their transportation and fight against gravity for the final stretch.
At the apex of their flight they hover in mid air for a brief moment, allowing Spider-Man a view tourists would fight for. And for that brief moment, all the worries and problems melt away with the rain.
In the end, gravity wins and the duo fall back towards the earth. Luckily, a rooftop gets in the way.
The two land on the rooftop of the home of the Future Foundation, head by the world renown Dr. Reed Richards, otherwise known as Mister Fantastic of the Fantastic Four. But that's not who was waiting for them.
"Hello you two", a woman's voice asks from nowhere.
"Uh, hey Sue", Spider-Man awkwardly replies, squinting his eyes looking for a tell tale shape in the rain.
"Hello again Mrs. Richards", the super senses of Daredevil have no trouble finding her and he extends a hand into thin air. His hand barely twitches as if something has grabbed on.
Suddenly, a beautiful, mature, blonde in the black and white uniform of the Future Foundation appears grabbing the hand of The Man Without Fear.
All rain has appeared to stop around the three, the web-slinger notices. Looking up, he sees rain pelting an invisible field just covering the small group.
Spider-Man is shocked out of his musings by a pair of arms circling his neck.
Giving a quick squeeze, Susan Richards, the Invisible Woman and wife of Mr. Fantastic steps back to look at the younger man in the black spider suit.
"How are you Peter?", her tone is curious and concerned, giving the man in question her best motherly gaze.
Peter Parker rubs the back of his neck and gives the question a bit of thought, "honestly Sue? I think I'm better than I have been".
Sneaking a glance at the other man, who nods his head in affirmation, Susan closes her eyes and exhales. "I guess I'll take it", she moves towards the corner of the roof, "this way you two, everyone is waiting".
The pair follow her to the elevator installed and the three take it inside the building. The trip feels awkward to the spider, while the other two made small talk.
After everything that's happened, Peter can't believe he's here. He didn't want to bring his bad luck to the family here.
The Fantastic Four were always some of the best allies and friends he's had. Sometimes it felt more than that, like extended family.
When he lost everything thanks to Stark, Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, called to make sure he was ok. Before he was kicked out on the street, Johnny made sure to tell him he could come to the FF for anything. But he could never take the offer.
Now, he was here, stepping out of an elevator, into a place he swore he wouldn't come to, to protect some of the nicest people he's known from himself.
"Hey webs, horn head", the gravelly voice of Ben Grim, the Thing, called from a kitchen area.
Sue leads the pair into the area where they find Ben and two children sitting at a table enjoying various snacks. She calls for the attention of the young boy and girl, "Franklin, Valeria, look who it is".
The children, son and daughter of Susan and Reed Richards, turn from their snacks to view the visitors.
"Hey kids, been a long time huh?" Spider-Man waves in a jovial fashion. As long as he's here, he plans to make the most of it, and he's always loved interacting with the FF children.
His light mood was ruined however when the young pair, taking one look at him, got up from the table and walkedHis light mood was ruined however when the young pair, taking one look at him, got up from the table and walked away.
"I'm sorry Peter", Sue gets his attention, "I guess you may not remember, but you visited us when you weren't quite yourself".
"What did he do?" Peter asks in a small voice, looking down in hurt and shame.
"Well you, I mean him, he came here to consult with Reed on something, and the children were so excited to see you. Franklin had some new drawings to show you and Valeria tweaked your web formula or something", Susan grabs her arms and looks away from him.
"Ock was a jerk", Ben pipes in to continue for her. "Told them he didn't have time for them, and made fun of Val's work. Susie came in and tore him a new one, and Stretch was all business until he was done then told him to get out and don't come back till he got that bug out of his craw".
Daredevil, silent until now, chuckles slightly, "I'm sure those were his EXACT words".
A rocky smile pops up on the Thing's face. "Well, you know Stretch and his million dollar words. I couldn't pronounce them if I had a script".
Sue giggles at this and clears her throat. "I'm going to check on the kids. I'll let Johnny know you're here too".
"His costume stunk too", Ben continued after Sue left. "Looked too much like that Deadpool wacko, and the extra leg things were annoying".
"And his attitude. I still can't believe I didn't figure things out", Daredevil shakes his head in disappointment.
"That makes two of us", a voice came from the opening of the hallway. A blonde man in designer pants and button up shirt stands with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face.
Ben stands up from the table and beckons Daredevil to follow him. "Let me show ya the new poker table I picked up".
"Alright", DD follows the rocky behemoth. "Is Jennifer around?"
And that left the two friends alone.
Johnny continues to stand in place watching the dark costumed Spider-Man. For several moments no one moves, until the Human Torch literally blows smoke out of his nose and moves past Spider-Man towards the fridge.
Peter watches him grab a bottle of what looks like whiskey out of the freezer and two glasses from a nearby cupboard. He's again passed by as Johnny sits everything down at the recently vacated table.
"Sit", Johnny's voice leaves no room for argument. Peter sits down and has a half full glass pushed toward him.
"It's Reed's formula. It can get you drunk with no negative side affects and a special drink can interact with it and instantly sober you", Johnny explains and tilts the glass back for a sip.
Spider-Man sits there and looks at his glass. Coming to a decision he pushes the glass back. "I'm not a drinker Johnny, you know that". He pulls his mask off and lays it on the table. "Besides, I don't trust myself to limit my strength when I'm drunk, and I won't risk that around the kids".
Johnny looks into his glass as he swirls it around. Picking his head up he looks Peter in the eye, "well you pass the first test. Ock didn't care about Franklin and Valeria". He nudges his friend's glass back toward him.
Before Peter can decline again, Johnny cuts him off, "don't worry about the kids. They booked it to the other side of the building with Sue. And I'm not asking you to get Hercules on a bender drunk, just share a drink with an old friend".
Peter wants to reject the offer, but the face on the blonde convinces him. Taking the glass in one hand, Peter takes a small sip and coughs hard.
The blonde cracks a smile for the first time since he walked in. "Pretty strong huh? Reed made it for boulder brain, but I'll grab a glass sometimes and burn most of it out as I drink".
Still coughing, Peter shoots his friend a glare, causing Johnny to laugh.
Johnny takes pity on him and gets a glass of water for him. He sits down and watches Peter down the glass and the coughs subside.
"Good one matchstick", Peter cracks out.
"I know", the man opposite from him looks down at the table and smiles slightly. It felt like old times. Specifically, like when they were roommates and Johnny talked him into drinking with his Light Brigade friends.
"Wait", he suddenly looks up in alarm. "Udonta isn't here is she?"
Johnny cracks up again watching Peter spin around trying to watch all the exits.
"Don't worry", he says when he can breathe again, "your virtue is safe".
Peter calms down and takes a smaller sip of the strong drink. He was prepared for kick and only coughs slightly when he puts the glass down.
"Why didn't you come to us for help?"
Peter's head snaps up to look into the face of the suddenly very serious Human Torch. He thinks for a moment before deciding to give him the straight truth.
"I'm cursed Torch. People I love die, people I care for are ruined, even people I rarely associate with are changed, usually for the worse". Peter leans back in his seat and picks up his glass. "I couldn't bring that here. You and Ben. Reed and Sue. Franklin, Valeria, and ask the other kids here. I don't know if I could live with myself if something happened", he ends his speech with another sip of his drink.
Johnny thinks on that a bit and takes a drink of his own glass. "Why did you go with Daredevil then?"
Peter cracks a small grin, "jealous?"
The blonde snorts. "Yes. Switch places with me and I'll live with the hot Greek ninja".
"You'll have to fight Matt for her".
"I'll seduce her and convince her to run away with me".
"I think red heads are more her type".
"Well you two have something in common".
Peter's fun banter stops at that. Lost in memories, he barely gives his companion a "ya" before taking another sip.
Johnny's grin fades at his friend's change in mood. Clearing his throat he asks Peter, "why go with him?"
"Because as a lawyer, if something were to happen to me, he'd know what to do", came the slightly slurring response.
Johnny's brow creased in confusion. "What do you mean, "if something happened?"
The tipsy brunette glares, half lidded at his friend. "If I didn't make it. If I threw myself into a massive fight and didn't come through. My plan was to just burn myself out. Fight and fight and fight until I couldn't anymore. Sooner or later I would end up in a mismatch and that would take care of it. No more Spider-Man. No more Peter Parker. And horn head has been in this biz long enough to take care of any paperwork or legalese Aunt May would be stuck with". He rambled off, oblivious to the shocked look on his friend's face.
"The hell!" Johnny jumps out if his seat and screams at the man across from him, partially igniting the air around him for a second.
Peter, startled, clumsily jumps out of his seat as well. Partially inebriated, he was unprepared for the hands that grabbed the cloth around his collar bone and brought face to face with an angry Johnny Storm, with fire, literally, in his eyes.
"That was your "plan"? What the hell are you thinking!?"
"I wasn't", Peter tells him. "I was hurting worse than I ever thought I could, and I just wanted it to stop". He shrugs out of the blonde's grip. "I'm better now".
Johnny cocks an eyebrow at him. "Better?"
"Ya. Had a dream and was told I was being stupid", the wobbly hero stumbles back to his seat. "So I shrugged it off and picked myself up and I'm ready to get my act together. As soon as I can I'll get myself a base of operations and get out of Matt's and Elektra's hair. So don't worry about me, I'm fine". He ends his rambling with a slam of his hand on the table to emphasize his point.
Johnny watches his friend. He mulls over everything he's learned in the last few minutes. He didn't know things had gotten so bad for Peter.
He walks to the refrigerator and grabs an unlabeled bottle off a shelf. Walking back to the table he pours some of the liquid into Peter's empty water glass.
Peter looks at the glass while Johnny puts the bottle away. Shrugging drunkenly, he picks up the glass and downs about half of it, nearly choking on the taste and coughing.
Johnny grins as he takes his seat again. "Yeah, that stuff's horrible. Trying to get Reed to tweak the taste".
Peter's coughing fit ends and he feels a bit more clear headed. Sipping at the glass again he turns to Johnny. "Wow, this stuff works quick".
"Has to in case of a mission", Johnny retorts.
Peter nods and tries to remember the conversation they were having. The booze was created for the Thing so it didn't take much to get him drunk.
He rubs his forehead in thought. "What were we talking about?"
Johnny takes a sip and answers his friend, "what do you think of Udonta?"
Peter's answer comes quick and clear, "a bit too exotic for me and she comes on pretty strong. She kind of scares me". Peter shivers slightly then looks to Johnny in confusion. "Why did I blurt that out like that?"
The blonde's smile lights up the table. "Because of the experimental truth serum I put in your water".
The room is quiet for a moment before a chair is knocked down by a hysterical Spider-Man jumping to his feet. "What!?"
Johnny can't keep the smugness out of his voice as he explained his plan. "See, I suckered you into drinking Thing's booze before I handed you a glass of water with the truth stuff in it", Johnny explains before putting his hands behind his head and kicking his feet up onto the table. "I figured some strong alcohol would dull your Spider-Sense so you wouldn't pick up anything I slipped you. I also banked on you NEEDING a glass of water eventually."
Peter stood slack-jawed for a moment before speaking. "Wow. I'm kind of impressed".
"I know, right?" Johnny's smirk morphed into a serious expression. "And that's the last test. I know you Pete. I know you and knew how you would react here."
The Spider-Man thinks about that. "So what now?"
"Now", the two heroes jump slightly at the newcomer who materializes out of nowhere, "you apologize for drugging your friend Johnny. And take your feet off the table."
Johnny looks at his sister's stern expression and turns to Peter. "Sorry", he says with a smirk and sets his feet down.
The FF matron nods in approval and turns to the other younger man in the room. "And you apologize for not coming here sooner and letting us know how you are."
Peter observes her and notices Johnny's smug face out of the corner of his eye. Taking a deep breath, he tries to defend himself. "With everything happening I didn't want to put your family-"
Sue cuts him off, "YOU are family Peter." She walks up to give him a hug. "We were so worried about how you were changing. Then we felt guilty for not catching him earlier when you came back", she squeezes him tighter and wipes a tear on his dark suit. "We wanted to step in and help but Johnny convinced us to stay back."
Peter's head swivels from Sue in his arms to Johnny sitting at the table.
After taking a small sip, he answers Peter's unasked question. "Like I said, I know you Pete. You wouldn't have accepted help, you would have to be backed into a corner before you came to anyone", Johnny sighs. "I'm just sorry Stark got to you before we could."
Sue and Peter jump and separate when the glass in front of the pyrokinetic bursts into flames.
"And I can't believe we missed you being homeless for weeks", Johnny's teeth ground against each other.
Peter was about to tell Johnny everything was ok before another new voice cut him off once again.
"But he's fine now Johnny, be thankful for that", came the statement from the leader of the Fantastic Four. Reed Richards entered the kitchen flanked by his two children.
Sue walked to stand by her husband as a show of support. Franklin gives her a hug and Valeria, noticing her mother's puffy eyes, turns to glare at Spider-Man. But her glare turns to curiosity as she notices the expression on his face.
Sadness, regret, guilt, she wasn't used to this face. Before, she knew that face to grin and laugh. Even the face she caught during what her uncle Johnny called, "SpOck Fest", was cold, calculating, and smug. This was nothing like she was used to or expected. She hated being surprised.
"Peter", her father's voice shakes her from her thoughts. "You always have a place here. I could hire you as an intern and-"
"No Reed", Peter couldn't stay silent anymore. "I can't except that. I need to work through this on my own. I need to figure out how to live with myself like this." He holds his head up and takes a deep breath, the look on his face reminding them of the old Spider-Man they knew. "I can't rely on everyone to solve my problems for me, otherwise I'll never know how to stand on my own."
"There's a difference between standing on your own", Sue informs him, "and isolating yourself from everyone."
Peter flinches from her accusation, letting everyone know she pegged him right.
Reed pauses in thought for a moment, his brilliant brain racing a hundred thoughts a second. Opening his mouth he takes another few seconds to put his thoughts in order. "What would you do for us?"
Everyone stops to look at the genius, wondering what he was getting at.
"What advice would you give Johnny, or Ben? What if Susan was by herself with the children, or I had lost everything and you happened upon me? What would you say to us?"
The focus of the room returns to the younger brunette. It was a simple question, designed to put him in someone else's place and solve his own problem. That's why it took less than a second to answer Reed's question.
"I'm here if you need anything."
"And what makes you think we'd offer anything less?" Sue's comment was like a bucket of ice water.
Sure, Peter's given his all, more times than he can count. He's given sweat, blood, and tears for others and never received anything in return. It shouldn't have been so shocking to hear some of his oldest friends and allies offering the same help he would give in a heartbeat. It shouldn't have surprised him that Matt Murdock would offer him the use of his spare bedroom. It just did not occur to him that someone would help him for his sake.
And Johnny's grin continued getting wider as the look of comprehension dawned on his friend's face.
Peter gave a chuckle and a wet grin at the smiling family. "Ok, ok, I probably should have said something to someone when I was in financial trouble."
"You got that right Webs", came a rumbling voice from the hallway. A second later, the blue-eyed Thing appears and leans against the wall with his arms crossed. "It happens again, I'll kick your bootie-pajama covered butt to Yancy Street."
"Ok, I get it", Peter shakes his head with a smile, feeling a little better than before he came here. He didn't want to bother the family, didn't want to infect them with his darkness, but they appeared immune, even welcoming him with open arms.
"So will you rethink my offer?" Reed pushes the job again, trying to help the brilliant mind before him from going to waste.
"Maybe later Reed", Peter holds up his hands in an effort to stave complaints. "I want to try my own thing for awhile, see what I can do. Peter Parker is blacklisted from just about every major workplace in Manhattan, I'm gonna see if I can't think outside the box for a bit. Maybe see if I can start a business up on MY terms. But I promise, if anything gets too bad, I'll come to you for advice or help. Taking everything on on my own hasn't helped much, so maybe having some good friends in my corner will", Peter ends his speech with his familiar grin.
All the adults in the room feel the mood lighten, like some heavy blanket has been lifted. Valeria stands by her father's side, convinced that this was the Spider-Man she knew and preferred over that pompous jerk. Franklin needed a bit more convincing though.
Pulling himself away from his mother, he pulls out a drawing that looks like it had been crumbled, ripped, and taped back together. He unfolds it and shows the man in the spider suit. "What do you think of this?" Franklin's question draws Peter's undivided attention.
Crouching down to get a better look, Peter takes note of the condition of the drawing and curses himself for not being able to protect Franklin and Valeria's feelings from a monster.
"I like it kiddo", and Peter was being honest. It was a redesign of his old costume. It was the same as his classic look overall, but with slight differences. The coloring gave it a metallic sheen, and there seemed to be some kind of blue tech around his Spider emblem and in the lenses. It did give him some ideas he may have to write down for when he had some spare cash and tech lying around.
"Looks good, you're definitely getting better", Peter grins down at the boy and ruffles his hair. Franklin looks up with the old hero worship he had in his eyes. The child believes without a shadow of a doubt that this is his friend and favorite hero outside of his family.
Sue looks on with a heartwarming smile. Peter seems to be shaking off his funk and he has their trust again. She'll have to talk to Johnny later to find out why he slipped that truth drug into his drink, but she has other business to deal with now.
"Ok everyone, lunch time!"
-In another room-
"Ok, I'll look into it for you", said the gamma powered bombshell She-Hulk. Or what the criminals of the world know her as in the courtroom, Jennifer Walters.
"Good", Matt Murdock replies, mask pulled back to talk legal business with his colleague. "If my hunch is right, you'll find someone's been hiding it from him."
Jennifer chews on her bottom lip. "Why though? What could they gain by doing something like this?"
"To drive him to doing something extreme", Matt sits across from Walters desk in deep thought, "and it almost worked until someone talked some sense into him."
"Who was it?"
Matt grins and shrugs his shoulders. "His guardian angel in guessing."
Jennifer let's a bemused smirk cross her face before reaching for her cell phone. "Let me make a few calls and I'll see what I can come up with."
"Alright", Murdock nods to her and stands from his seat. "And the other thing?" He asks his question and fixes his mask over his face again.
She-Hulk pouts her lips in thought. "Let me talk with the FF and I'll get back to you."
Daredevil nods his head again and exits the study, leaving Jennifer Walters to begin her work.
-Matt/Elektra/Peter Residence-
"Negative" the Greek beauty remarks disappointed.
Walking through the apartment, she hits the button on the answering machine, letting it collect the messages while she was busy elsewhere.
"This is Matt Murdock's home, leave a message after the beep. BEEP. Hello? Anyone, no, never mind. I don't know why I keep- End of 1st message. Next message."
"Odd", Elektra muses out loud. "That sounded like the woman who keeps calling."
"Hello?" Elektra's attention was drawn to the elderly woman's voice on the machine. "Um yes, my name is Leni. Leni Zauber." French accent maybe? "I'm looking for Peter Parker." That was interesting. "Um, I don't know how to say this, but if he's Richard and Mary's son, then I believe I might be his godmother."
Elektra was shocked. This was completely unexpected. And suspicious.
"Please tell him I'm looking for him and would love to catch up with him, here's my number."
Elektra found a pen and a piece of paper. She's suspicious alright. The timing is very peculiar, and not many people know Peter was staying there. Maybe Misty might be able to track this call and find who this person is.
"End of message."
-Another place ?-
"Move it!" A man in a red and black suit screams to his companions. A young male and female in costume, and a swinging mass of blue and red tentacles flanks him as they swing through a rundown city on strings of silk.
"We gotta find the Reed Richards of this world", the man says. Eyes behind red lenses scan frantically for any sign of where he needs to go.
"He's the only one who can get us home", the word 'home' sends a pang of heartache through his three followers.
They shake it off and continue to race ahead of a fleet of giant purple and red robots combing through the skyscrapers.