Chapter Two: Safety Net
"It is your move." A demanding voice echoed, coming from a nearby speaker. Peter, who was looking over several computer screens and holographic projections, blinked for the first time in a while. Bringing his hand over his face, he rubbed his sore eyes, and turned on the spot, coming to another smaller chess board hologram. He scanned the board, finding himself quickly being backed into a check position.
"Let's see..." The brown haired man trailed off, his analytical mind running scenarios in his head. This particular game of chess had been going on for nearly two weeks. Grant it, it had been a busy two weeks. What with vampires terrorizing Hell's Kitchen, a revenge driven Skrull squad, Parent/Teacher conferences, a Future Foundation field trip (which actually went well), and a rather lively Human Torch house party. Peter had been very distracted to continue with more than a move a day at best. Though his game partner was just as busy running his own country.
Picking up his virtual Bishop piece he moves it to take a Rook. "And there we go. That might buy me a few more moves." Peter announces and goes to turn back to his work.
"Unlikely." The hologram board beeps and Parker glances back over his shoulder, seeing he was already in check.
"Seriously? Geeze, if you want these games to last longer you could at least give me an iota of a chance of winning." Peter groans and looks over the board once again.
"Doom gives no quarter, and never will." Victor von Doom announces, and Peter couldn't help but roll his eyes. Leaning over the board, he continues to run piece moves in his head.
"Kinda figured that's what you'd say, Doomsy." Peter selects his Bishop again, and moves it to stop the check.
"You know better than to address Doom in such a manner, arachnid."
"I also know better than to eat from hot dog street vendors. But does that mean I won't stop for one with everything on it on my way home? No, no it doesn't." Peter retorts, and then the chessboard changes once again, his Bishop being taken by the Queen. "Thanks for using the right species by the way. Not many get that right."
"You mock Doom?" The dictator questioned. The scientist really, really wanted to jump on that and roll with it like a smoothed boulder down a steeply sloping hill. However, he and the ruler of Latveria were on shaky terms as was. Best to not make his life even more crazy, by entering into heated debate with his business partner.
"Sorry. Force of habit. We've tangled enough in the past for you to know just how incipient and annoying I can be." Deciding it best to feed the ego, Parker swallowed a bit of his pride. Not like he had much say anyway, not with the kids' safety in mind.
"Watch your tongue Parker. We've deigned to give you our assistance, but such things can be changed just as easy." Doom reminded Peter for the umpteenth time. Almost every conversation the two had involved this little run around. Sighing to himself Peter left the chess board for a moment and looked up at his readings.
"This deal is getting worse all the time." Pete mumbled, before turning back to the game. He moved a Pawn to intercept.
"While we're on assistance, have you looked over the readings I sent you earlier. The Parker Particles are still unstable after introducing solidified molecular structure formula number thirty four. Whatever the particles are made of they just seem to eat right through any stabilizing attempts. Short of a Vibranium Adamantium mixture I don't think we'll be able to create an adequate conduit." The brown haired scientist looked to the nearest screen watching a simulated test in progress.
"Doom is not referring to them as Parker Particles." Dooms voice held a healthy dose of impatience.
"Yeah well finders keepers losers weepers. So anything on your end?"
"Your childish quips grate on my ears."
"Right, good note, and the Parker Particles?" Peter smirked.
"Tests are still being run, as are simulations, with no conclusive results." Doom said mechanically. Parker raised an unseen brow at the statement.
"You're not just taking taking my data and giving me the run around, are you Victor? Cause that's the third time you've told me the same thing." Accusation heavy in his voice.
"We have an agreement, arachnid. Doom's assistance with the protection of the Future Foundation and the Richards children, and your agreeing in the sharing of Richards discoveries old and new. If I decide to withhold information I shall. Unless you wish to bring this deal to light and jeopardize everything you've accomplished both as the hero and godfather." The dictator recited expertly. Peter's features hardened at the ultimatum. What Doom said was true, if he attempted to break the deal they made his reputation and the kids would be taken from him. He didn't care much about the first anymore, but Franklin and Valeria meant the world to him. This backdoor arrangement was for them and the continuation of the Future Foundation.
Publicly Franklin and Valeria were under Latverian protection through the Future Foundation, which Victor von Doom was a part of. That was how they were allowed to go to public school and live a relatively normal life. There were very few bad guys who wanted to cross both Doom and the Fantastic Four.
"Can't argue with you there, but there is a point I can argue..." Peter trailed off, awaiting the inevitable ego and curiosity of his business partner to flare. In the meanwhile Peter moves his next piece, both ridding himself of his check and putting his opponent in it.
"And what is that?" There was a hint of annoyance in Doom's tone. It brought a smile to the scientist's face.
"If we want this new, potentially endless source of energy, revenue, and worldwide adulation for the betterment of humanity to become a reality, we need to work together. Especially if we'll need Vibranium and Adamantium to make it work. Backdoor channels only get you so much of the stuff. However I have the royal family of Wakanda on speed dial. Plus I may know some folks willing to part with some raw unbreakable metal." There was silence on the other end of the com for a rather long few moments. Then the chess board beeped. Peter looked back around, but before he could see the move the dictator spoke back up. Files started to appear and download to several of the screens in the room.
"You play a dangerous game, arachnid. Yet know that Doom will always prevail in the end. This is the data I have compiled. I warn you again do not make it a habit of baiting me, for you shall find the consequences dire. Doom will be awaiting our next game." The line clicked, indicating Victor had ended his side of the communication. Peter smirked and shook his head. He knew the ego card wouldn't work forever, but he was starting to think that he was growing on the ruler of Latveria.
"It's a nice thought." As the data downloaded Peter turned around to look at the chess game. Clicking his tongue at the concluded game, with Doom victorious, he couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. "Lead by example huh. Oh well, until next game Doomsy."
Suddenly he was brought from his musings by the thunderous striking on his sealed door. Considering the room was supposedly soundproof, it was quite a feat. Spider-Man didn't so much as flinch before glancing up that way. He clicked on a hologram screen nearby, bringing up a live stream of the person on the other side of the metal door. Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, currently in her mean green bodacious body, stood there with a fist on her hips which were swayed to the right. A smile overwrote Peter's annoyed expression, and he tapped the speaker button next to the cam feed.
"Who is that gently rapping, rapping on my chamber door?" Reciting Poe he watched as Jen looked up at the camera and give him an unamused look. His smile turned amused smirk.
"You're seriously not going to make me, are you?" Shulky asked staring directly into the oculus, her eye lids lowering slightly.
"That's what clubhouse secret code phrases are for, cutey."
"You know I can just bust your little clubhouse door in if I want, right?" Her right brow rose and left fell giving the camera a look of sarcasm.
"Humor me?" Peter asked, knowing that he more than likely wasn't going to win this fight.
"I am just by living here with you." Her hips shifted to the left, and she crossed her arms over her bust.
"Touche. Alright, but next time you gotta say the password." The scientist clicked the door icon underneath the camera one, and the heavy door slid open. Standing there was the very sexy, but slightly agitated She-Hulk, arms uncrossed. She came in with the deserved confidence of a pride leading lion, and Peter couldn't help but smile up to her. He made his own way around the front of the table he was at. Leaning back against it, he mimicked her arm crossing from moments ago, waiting for her to state her business.
Jen stopped within her arms length of the wall crawler, and once again took the cocked hip and resting fist pose.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Ms. Walters?" He asked gentlemanly. She hooked a thumb up to the old timey cuckoo clock mounted on the wall above the door. The same clock that was put in there as a precaution to both power failures and missed appointments. It was Peter's idea. Peter tilted his head to the side and read the time, 2:52 PM.
"Ah, thanks for the reminder. You do know the clock is set to go off at three right?" He asked as he looked back around to her, a brow raised in questioning.
"Yeah, but I also wanted to catch you before you left." She-Hulk added in a slightly serious tone. One that Peter completely ignored.
"Do we have time to be doing that?" Peter queried scandalously, covering his mouth with his hand for effect. Shulkie took a deep breath before lightly punching him in the shoulder. Though a light punch from a Hulk of any kind still hurt.
"I meant your talk with bucket head." She grumbled lightly, as he rubbed his sore shoulder.
"Right. That. Yeah I just got done getting my ass kicked in chess for like the thirtieth time." Peter gave her a big smile, and she huffed.
"Is it so hard for you to take this seriously? You realize you are basically committing treason, right?" Jennifer said dead serious. Peter ran his right hand through his hair, a nervous habit when he'd been chastised.
"I know...trust me I know. Doom reminds about the short leash he's got me on pretty much every time we talk. But the kids, the Four, the FF, all of it, wouldn't be possible without this deal. The kids are safe under his power and political authority. How many of our enemies would really attempt to make and enemy of us and him. I know it's wrong Jen... I do, but the kids come first. They are my responsibility, and I'm going to make sure they are safe." Peter said with increasing confidence. A moment after he finished She-Hulk closed her eyes and shook her head with a smile.
"At least you're not as much an idiot as you act. Letting us know about this venture may help if and when this starts going south."
"Valeria is giving it a until we stabilize the Parker Particles." Peter sighed. Then he felt a large but soft hand rest on his shoulder.
"It wasn't a smart deal, but you didn't keep it from everyone. That's already tells me a lot about how much you care about us. Don't feel too bad about it, we'll figure something out when the time comes. We always do." Her hand started to slide lift off his shoulder, when his hand covered hers and held it there for a second.
"Thanks Jen. I mean it." He smiled warmly up to her, catching her off guard. A slight emerald tint came to her face.
"Yeah yeah." She pulled her hand away slowly, letting his linger for a second more. "Just be careful, remember you are a family man now. You can't be doing stupid things all the time anymore." She stepped back and away from him, turning around to head out the room. Unconsciously she may have added an extra bit of sway to her hips. "And that means picking the rugrats up from school, on time." Lifting her arm just a bit above her head, she tapped the wooden clock on the way out. Before the door shut behind her she looked over her shoulder to see Peter grinning happily to her.
CHAPTER 2 END
A/N: Hello everybody, Wiggles-n-stuff here. I'm ecstatic that the first chapter of this story was as well received as it was. That means I'm still decent at coming up with story ideas. HUZZAH! Anywhosit, since you all liked it so much I figured I'd get the second chapter out sooner than later. I actually have about four chapters done so far, but since they aren't so long I wanted to space them out. That way I have time to write new chapters in between everything else I do.
Hope you liked Chapter 2 as well. Wiggles out.
Bael92: To answer your question... *Static Noise*... and that is how this story will end. Epic huh?
TheWickedTruth89: O_O You... you can say more! HUZZAH! Thanks for reading TWT!
FleeingReality: Isn't it though. And consider it brought.
edboy4926: Why thank you.
hollowichigo12: Well wait no longer. And happy to see you here hollowichi.
Matt Kirby's Jinchuuriki: Aww well thank you Matt. Glad you enjoy my styling. I have been toying with more ideas. Maybe we'll see something else in the future.
Harbinger of Kaos: Possibly, you know I like to keep my readers in suspense HK.
cabrera1234: Only time will tell.
mk-freak-724: I was trying to go for an UP beginning to my story. Hopefully I achieved that.
MegaDragon520: And here's more for you.
Croniklerx: Here's hoping you like the second chapter. Okay idea answer time. Hmm Doom being a better godfather... interesting. I have toyed with the idea of them showing up. Funny you should say that as... *Static Noise*. Inheritors is a possibility, but as of right now this story is still fledgling, so we'll have to see. Peace!
SwedenSpeedway: Thank you, I actually got some inspiration from both RebukeX7's "SpideyLIAG" and FrivolousThoughts "Caught in the Web" stories. I know what you mean, they are his super family. And if anyone would step up to the plate it would be Pete. Don't worry about my deadlines, I got rid of those for my New Years Resolution.
ScorpinokXV: I can answer without spoilers, yes he will still be in his red and blues and FF suit. He has extra responsibility now, but he also has something he never had before money and a team to help. Pete now just has money, plenty of tech, and a team to help him in his crime fighting. Oh yeah I haven't forgotten JJ, no worries. And even if many rouges know better, there are still many who hold that special kind of grudge. I may not go as in depth into story as I do with my others on this one, but I will certainly do my best to show how well the team works together. Thanks for reading.
im ur misconception: I have plenty of comic examples to back up that theory too.
Brown-Eyed-Fiend: Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Don't you worry I'm working my way through relationships of many other characters as we speak.
Angel of Atonement: Yo Angel! Yeah I know what you mean, but I wanted a summary of how he actually ended up as their legal guardian. If this was PP&H style that would be like three chapters, so I just needed a quick way to get to the present. No worries though it isn't the end.
TS24: Thank you so much for the great review. Don't you worry, I will go down the list of Spidey friends and rogues as the story progresses. Hopefully you'll enjoy how this change effects the universe around it.