A/N Once more the standard disclaimer as insisted by my lawyers at the Law Firm of Hild, Tokimi, and Associates: I do not own any of these recognizable Marvel properties and this is for fun, no profit here so please no lawsuits.

As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.

And now presenting...

Chapter Nine: Communication

Bayville

Sabretooth stared at his opponent with a smirk. "Who beat on YOU with the ugly stick? They sure did a number. Anything I can do is only gonna improve your ugly mug."

His opponent's eyes seemed to catch fire at this and he lashed out at the marginally larger mutant. Sabretooth narrowly avoided the first angry blow which shattered the wall behind him.

"You gotta do better than that with ME, ugly." He grabbed a hold of his opponent and threw him into the opposite wall. To his surprise, the masked man landed on the wall smoothly and unfazed. He lunged at Sabretooth and tackled him squarely. He slammed a palm across Creed's face and Creed screamed as his face began to burn at the acid touch.

"My deformity is Parker's fault! He will pay for the pain of my existence! And now I share that pain! Bear the Mark of KAINE!"

Sabretooth gathered his strength and kicked him off in one spasm of agonized fury. He ran off into the night half blind. The only thought in his mind beyond his own agony was that Whoever Kaine was, he was clearly NOT this Scarlet Spider and leaving him alone would be a very good idea.

Lookout Position Three.

"So um... You promise not to say anything about the warehouse right?" Kitty asked nervously.

"Right." Ben assured them. He did not know what was going on between these girls and their teammates but it wasn't his place to get involved. He wasn't going to judge their motives for their nighttime activities any more than he wanted anyone to discuss his own reasons for what he did. So he promised.

Rogue nodded and hit her comlink. "This is Rogue. We got the Spider here. If y'all wanna chat then drop on by."

"So..." Tabby grinned while they waited for the rest of the team. "You gotta a Spider-Girlfriend around or is there an open field?" Ben's eyes went wide behind his mask as Rogue blushed and Kitty listened intent.

"What was that Rogue?" Scott's voice came back over the still open com line."We didn't get that last message."

"Ah... never mind Scott. Just come on over."

The Apartment of Peter Parker: New York.

"I hope this won't be too long MJ but I can't say for sure. I've told Aunt May I'll be back as soon as I can but..." He sighed.

"Don't worry Tiger. I promise I'll check in on her."

"Thanks MJ. You're the best!"

"You know it Tiger." Mary Jane smiled. "Now go take care of whatever you have to take care of."

Peter Parker nodded as he considered how lucky he really was. He wasn't going to let anyone take that away from him.

As the other members of the X-men converged on the rooftop, Ben Reilly took a deep breath. He was exposing himself heavily here and he wasn't entirely certain why. He remembered how Peter Parker had tried to join the Fantastic Four shortly after he had become Spider-man only to be rebuffed. That had marked the beginning of his rivalry - 'friendship' with Johnny Storm. Sometimes it had been hard not to be jealous of the flashy and rather mouthy Storm. He wasn't hounded by the press and nor would he EVER have to worry about paying a mortgage. He could walk into a room and people would fawn all over him. But Ben Parker had taught his nephew that life wasn't about being fair. It was about making the best of what you had and Peter and through him... Ben Reilly had come to see that for the things that the hot headed Storm had, He would NEVER have an Uncle Ben or an Aunt May and as for girls... Well Peter had MJ and as for Ben... Who knew what just might be in his future?

But the point was that for whatever reason, Ben was here and now the X-men were here. Finally landing by helicopter and escorted By a scowling and rugged looking man was their apparent leader. Though apparently confined to a wheelchair, that took nothing away from the man's considerable presence.

"Greetings Scarlet Spider. I am Professor Charles Xavier and I have been looking forward to meeting you."

To Be Continued...