Akili-chan: Reilly heard most of it, he's just emotionally worn out. May knows him well enough to know that she really can't do much unless he wants to forgive her. I had to have her acknowledge that because she's so used to trying to solve everything and it really makes her feel helpless. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

...

Waking up the first thing Reilly noticed was the smell of food which in it's self was odd. He never took Kaine for the cooking type. The second thing was the fact he had been carried from the sofa to the bed. Plate in hand the clone entered the room and placed the meal on the nightstand. On closer inspection the food was blueberry waffles that Reilly wagered were store bought. Even so the attempt to take care of him was appreciated and oddly touching.

"Thanks." His voice came out in a low hoarse whisper that nonetheless hurt to say.

"Throat sore?"

Reilly nodded.

"Eat up and we'll get you checked up." Kaine scrowled at his nephews' expression. "Don't give me that. You're overdue for one and they did say that you should go as soon as you're ill."

To prevent himself from saying something he'd regret Reilly stuffed a waffle in his mouth. The glare however had not left his face.

"You know it has to be done and you know why I can't go with you."

Having Kaine escort him would cause too much attention and it was unlikely the Fantastic Five would let him in the building. He understood all of that, liking it was another matter. Taking a drink from the bottle of water Reilly was grateful Kaine at least had the foresight not to give him orange juice. Just swallowing water was torturous enough.

"Which means that I'll have to get, Parker." His uncle shrugged as if they weren't having an one sided conversation. "Yeah I'm not thrilled with it either but this is too important kid. Now get dressed and be ready by the time I come back."

This was one of the times Reilly was happy Kaine knew him so well as it saved him from more pain. Finishing up his breakfast he nevertheless got ready to go and tried to mentally prepare himself for dealing with Peter. Inwardly he cringed because he had no idea how the man would react when they met. Would he berate Reilly for running off? Give another lecture and tell him how irresponsible he was? That was the last thought he had then much to his dismay both of his uncles were suddenly standing above him looking concerned. Oh great, he fell asleep.

"Easy kiddo." Peter impulsively ruffles his hair much to Reilly's alarm. An awkward silence followed before Peter attempted to make small talk. "Um, it's a nice place Kaine. Not what I'd expect..."

"I know what you expected, Parker." The taller man rolled his eyes skyward. "I have safe houses but I wanted a place where I was free do what I want without nosy neibors getting involved with my work. Getting a warehouse made the most sense and gave the most space."

It was actually a nice if simple living space to say nothing of the gym and office Reilly had seen. There were messes around but in a place that big it was a small mass of clutter. Peter to his credit did look interested although his eyes drifted to the boy. "Kaine could I...?"

"That's up to him."

Reilly made a face and a "come on" motion. Anything to get this over with as his current mood made him feel particularly grouchy.

"I know you probably don't want to do this much less see me right now. After what happened with your...uh...relatives..."

"I changed my mind. I just want to get the appointment over with." He swayed as he stood on his feet.

"Reilly, I don't think we should just ignore this. What happened to you was horrible." There was no doubt that Peter was being sincere. His heart was in the right place but the teen didn't want to hear what he said. Maybe because Peter Parker had no idea what he was talking about.

"Is that it?" He made for the door when the man stood next to him too close to his personal space for comfort. "I don't want to talk about it."

"You can't keep bottling things up."

"You're an expert now?" His throat was in agony with each word costing him.

"If the kid doesn't want to talk then don't force him to!" Kaine hissed.

Peter deflated a little but still tried to make his point. "Fine but I just want you to know that you don't have to suffer from abuse alone."

That statement pissed Reilly off for various reasons chief among them being the man was suddenly acting understanding when he had been anything but in the past.

"Yeah? Well if you recall he wasn't the only uncle that hit me."

It's out of his mouth before he knows what he's saying and Reilly sees the impact on both of their faces. None of them say anything until they get to the car where he hears Kaine muttering that Peter should have stayed in the car. When they arrive it's Kaine that leaves as Peter escorts him through the FF building. By then Reilly is coughing and his nose is too stuffed up to breathe properly. In the waiting room he grabs the tissues before their offered. He can't take any further kindness then. The examination goes on with Peter nearby poking his head in room every once in awhile.

"I think we're closer to a solution." Dr. Richards announced while taking more blood for yet another test. "Your blood is the key to curing your nephew. But the process will take time and further treatments."

Reilly said nothing as the men talked. He hated being a test subject which Richards found fascinating and tended to act as if he wasn't present. Usually Reilly mentioned the need to be prepared if April or May fell victim to the same sickness. His head wasn't clear enough to consider anything besides rest at that moment although he heard Richards mention symbiotic relationships making the disease impossible to form. At least April would be safe which meant Reilly had one less thing to worry about.

"I believe you should stay overnight for further observation." Dr. Richards announced. He smiled at Peter resting an overly long hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps you can introduce your nephew to Johnny. I think he's a little miffed that I got the honor and he didn't. He keeps asking why I knew about Bens' son before he did."

"We already met." Reilly grumbled. While he doubted the Human Torch would remember him much less connect him to Mr. Nelsons' intern they were introduced. He didn't feel like being social or put on display anymore which usually affected his manners.

"Ah yes, well then...where would you like stay? We have several rooms throughout the building that are quite comfortable."

Everyone knew it was a honor to be there and plenty of locations to explore. The fact of the matter was that Reilly wasn't in the mood to play tourist. As Darkdevil he had been in several superhero headquarters which frankly made his current treatment feel a little insulting. It was as if all his time saving innocents was forgotten since he was back to being a teen. Now he wasn't given the same level of respect and at times was treated like some helpless idiotic child.

"Reed, I didn't get a chance to tell him," Peter made a vague gesture.

"I've been though this enough that I know about the "staying for observations" part."

"Oh. Right." Ignoring the expression on his uncles' face Reilly shrugged.

"Anywhere out of the way is fine with me, Dr. Richards."

The floor they put him on was mostly isolated giving Reilly the space he despetely needed. Peter promised to keep the others away for the time being and would check in on him tomorrow. Given the exchanged whispers between Dr. Richards and him Reilly guessed there would be a lot of phone calls. Being alone wasn't a foreign concept for him by any means. He wasn't bothered by the long silences as much as others were. After the past few days it was actually soothing to be left to his own devises with no one trying to find him. It was fleeting but Reilly would take what he could get.

Dr. Richards came to see how he was faring two hours later and left when he saw the teen appeared to be sleeping. Once he was gone Reilly slipped out of bed to explore his new surroundings ever mindful of the cameras he needed to avoid. He didn't plan on running away he just didn't feel like listening to anymore pep talks. Not about family matters or his illness.

"Ow!"

Reilly instantly threw himself against the wall as soon as he heard the pained cry and a loud crash. For a moment he had forgotten he wasn't the only patient on the floor. He hadn't thought to ask about the other since they were located at opposite ends and would likely never meet.

"Stupid door."

That voice sounded familiar, Reilly just couldn't place it. After another crash he decided to check it out if only to stop the ear splitting noise. On the floor was another teen trying to pick himself up but unable to do so due to the heavy reinforced metal door that was apparently pulling him down. At another glance it seemed the door had been torn from its hinges lying underneath the boy and was somehow weighing him down. Reilly noticed the teens' hands were flat against the door trying to push against it only to remain stuck.

Interesting.

"Need a hand?"

The dark haired boy flushed clearly embarrassed which made Reilly feel faintly amused.

"Wha-?! Oh, uh, I'm fine. Just slipped that's all." The attempt at nonchalant was almost endearing since it was clear as day that he couldn't move with out some assistance.

"You don't say. Well I guess I'll be going then." He didn't make it one step before the other teen panicked.

"Wait! You're not really going to leave...right?"

"You said you were fine." Reilly shrugged.

"I just don't want anyone to baby me. They've been doing that since I got here, man. Be a bud and help a guy out."

Truth be be told he really didn't feel like doing social in his current state. Still he always sympathized with the underdog.

Spinning on the spot Reilly looked for a place to pull but both of the kids' hands were stuck to the door. He lifted an eyebrow only to get a faux innocent look in return. Grabbing the teen around the middle he tried to pull away from the door using his feet to help push them off. Whatever was keeping the other boy stuck (Reilly had his suspicions) wasn't letting him budge. That meant the only way to free him was to use his strength or get assistance.

"Looks like I'm not moving for awhile." The misery in his voice made Reilly feel bad for his hesitation. "That happens sometimes, at least lately."

He reminded Reilly of a puppy when the youth peeked up, looking like his new companion was a celebrity.

"Are you another of Dr. Richards patients? I heard he's been helping out others but I never saw anyone else. I don't get many new faces around here. Just my mom, doctors and visits from the Richards family." The fragile hope in his face was one Reilly knew well. It was born of countless disappointments that against the odds wished for something to go his way.

"Yeah, I am."

It was the only response he could manage after seeing that soul crushingly familiar expression. It didn't matter because those simple words were enough. The boy beamed like he was told Christmas was coming early. "What are you in for?"

This was one of the rare situations that made lying difficult. Not because of moral reasons but for the fact few actually were treated in that building by Dr. Richards. Reilly had never heard of anyone outside the superhero business staying unless they had contacts. Normal patients stayed in hospitals not in a tower built to keep powerhouses inside its walls. So half truths were the only answer he could give.

"My genetics. I inherited something from my dad that if untreated will kill me."

"No way! Seriously?! Me too! Well I got mine from my mom." He extended a hand not noting that it had become unstuck during their talk. "Gerry Drew."

"Reilly Tyne. And no offense but you just managed to get separated from the door. I'm not that into the whole bonding thing."

"Right. It's kind of hard to get used to...um since you're here you probably figured out I'm connected to certain people." Gerry made to rub his head then thought better of it.

"You mean that you have powers." No sense in beating around the very obvious bush.

"Well yeah. Lately I can't control a couple of mine. I'm seen as too much of a threat to normal people to go out. I hate it but I promised Spider-Man-the REAL Spider-Man-that I'd try to get well."

Internally Reilly wondered if he should have felt jealousy over the fact his uncle had blindly accepted Gerry. Perhaps, he just couldn't find it in himself to feel that way. Besides Gerry seemed decent enough and if he was the same kid that once tried to be the new Spider-Man then he didn't mind. He was pretty sure they were one and the same. He had always guessed the guy was related to one of the other Spiders anyway. As annoying as Gerry could be Reilly had (to his utter amazement) found him more amusing. Maybe if things were different he would have been the one wearing the webs. Gerry had asked him, practically begged him for a team up when he was Darkdevil. In the end that wasn't something he could say no to, not if it meant letting a rookie go after someone like Nobody.

"How long are you staying?"

"Dunno."

"Will you be here to-"

"Gerry. I don't feel much like talking right now." Reilly winced at the rawness of his throat when he spoke. With luck Gerry would understand without him needing to strain himself to explain further.

"Oh. Okay. I guess I can do the talking for both of us."

The darker haired boy went on without missing a beat earning a small grin from the red head. Yep, it was definately the same guy."