Ilikehats2: I remember that episode of Avengers Assemble; it gave a good sense of variety to the world of the Ultimate Spider-Man.
Chapter 3: Awkward Conversations
(In the Med-Bay)
Spider-Man's right shoulder is being stitched up by the doctors.
"Agh! Careful doc, it still hurts… Ugh…" The young masked hero grunted. "Sorry, just try to be still." The doctor replied, as he carefully worked on the injured teen.
White Tiger was being checked up by another doctor in another part of the Med-Bay. She was still mad at Spider-Man's actions during their training session.
"Stupid idiot… should've been paying attention to his surroundings." She snarled, her voice still heavy with irritation. "Be a little easy on the poor boy, he did help you in there. He bandaged this arm very well." Her doctor calmly said, as she inspected the girl's arm.
Ava shook her head, but she was grateful for Peter's help. He did leap in to help her when she was in trouble... like he always did.
"Have a moment?" A familiar voice said.
White Tiger and her doctor turned to see Nick Fury standing 10 feet from them.
"Of course." White Tiger said. "Yes sir. I'll be back with some antibiotics in a few minutes for her wound." The doctor said, before leaving.
Nick Fury kept his one eye on the young girl.
"Are you alright Ms. Ayala?" He asked, his voice calm but with a hint of concern. "Fine sir… I'd be better if Peter hadn't messed up..." The young teenage girl quickly responded, anger in her voice.
The Director of SHIELD remained silent, which didn't go unnoticed by Ava.
"Something wrong, sir?" White Tiger asked, unsure of what would follow. "While it's true that Mr. Parker didn't act satisfactory throughout the entire exercise; he did showed his compassion and concern for you at the last part of that… event." Nick Fury answered.
Ava thought about how Spider-Man had leapt in to defend her.
'At least he did something right.' She mused in her mind. "Are you comfortable with the others seeing you?" Fury asked.
She nodded; maybe her friends could take her mind off what had happened.
"Very well, I'll let them know after I see Mr. Parker." Nick replied, before walking off.
(In the area where Spider-Man is being 'attended to')
Nick Fury is walking over to where Spider-Man is sitting as the doctor is bandaging him. They both turn to see the man.
"Director Fury." Both individuals say in unison. "Have a moment?" The veteran spy asked. "Sure…" Peter hesitantly answered. "My work here is done, you should be better soon." The doctor said.
(Thank you healing factor… Just wish I had Wolverine's…)
The doctor walked off. Spider-Man remained silent, his usual quips and jokes about a bad situation not appearing from the young hero.
"Something wrong Mr. Parker? You usually aren't this… quiet…" Fury asked. "… Just… upset that I got in Tiger's way… I should've…" Spider-Man started grumbling, but Nick interjected saying, "You did good."
Peter looked up at the man with shock and confusion. He thought Fury would be furious that he failed so miserably. The exercise wasn't exactly a complete success.
"… I got Tiger hurt. I failed horribly… It's my fault that she's hurt." Spider-Man growled, beating himself up. "She'll be fine Parker. You leapt in to save her and you helped care for her wound. Yes your fighting wasn't great and your teamwork with Ms. Ayala wasn't satisfactory..." Fury continued to say.
(Greeeaaat! I knew he'd say that… What's next?)
"But your actions in helping Ms. Ayala were better than expected when it came to your teammate's safety." Fury completed. "..Thanks you… sir..." Peter said, very slowly. "Are you ok with the others seeing you?" Fury asked. "Uh..." Peter said.
(… I might as well... it would be rude if I didn't…)
"… Sure…" He answered. "Very well. I'll let them know." Fury answered.
He walked off and a few minutes later the Director alerted the other heroes they could see their injured friends. Cloak, Dagger, Iron Spider, Kazar, and Zabu went to see Tiger. The others went to see Spider-Man.
(In Tiger's 'corner')
"You ok Ava?" Iron Spider asked. "Fine..." She grumbled. "You sure don't seem like it." Cloak added. "Thank you Captain Obvious." Dagger chuckled. "You fought well; you seemed quite comfortable in our home." Kazar said, as he gestured towards Zabu.
The sabertooth nodded.
"Thanks." Ava said.
(In Spider-Man's 'corner')
"Yo Spidey! You ok man?" Agent Venom asked. "Yeah Flash." Spider-Man said. "Didn't expect you to be so brave. I thought you'd hide behind a rock when those hunters attacked." Nova joked.
Peter glowered at him and used his web-shooter on his left hand to web Nova's mouth shut.
"MM! HMM! MPH!" Nova shrieked through the webs.
(Even that can't shut him up…)
Nova went to trying to tear the webs off his mouth.
"We were disappointed that you didn't go all out like you did like when you fought that Grandmaster guy." Power Man said.
Peter scratched his head. He knew he should've fought better, but he was too ensnared in his many thoughts during the time.
"Yeah… I should've fought harder." Peter sighed. Iron-Fist put his hand on his friend's left shoulder and then said, "One's mind must be directed on the path to achieve one's goal and pursue it to make that goal a reality."
(Still a fortune cookie. Oh brother...)
"Spider-Man report to the briefing room!" Coulson said over the academy's speaker.
The shrieking monkey sound went off in Peter's mind.
(Now what? Ugh…)
"Got to go talk to Coulson." Spider-Man said as he got on his feet. "We'll go see Tiger." Power Man said as he and the others walked off.
(In the briefing room)
Spider-Man walks into the room and shuts the door behind him. He sees only Coulson in the room. The agent gestures towards the chair across from him.
"Let's have a talk Peter. Don't worry, you're not in trouble." The man said.
Spider-Man nodded and took the seat across from the agent. Coulson cleared his throat and began to talk.
"I heard about what happened. You and Ava alright?" Coulson asked. "I'm ok, but Tiger… she's mad at me… again… I still can't believe I let her get hurt." Peter answered. 'Hmmm…' Coulson thought to himself. "Director Fury told me that you jumped into save her… I think you more than made up for it, if... keyword: if... you were the sole reason for her wound… But that's not why I called you in here to talk." Coulson said, his voice calm.
Spider-Man cocked his head slightly, not understanding what Coulson was saying.
(What does he mean?)
"Than why did you call me in here for?" Spider-Man asked, his voice calm and considerate. "Your Aunt wanted me to talk to you about your… behavior... What's wrong Peter? You haven't been yourself lately." The man finally answered. 'Oh… great…' Peter mumbled in his mind. "There's nothing wrong. I'm fine." Spider-Man replied. "Come one... We both know that's not the truth. I'm trying to talk to you one on one. Are you still mad at me for being romantically involved with May?" The agent asked as he picked his words carefully. "I'm glad you two are together. You two are great for one another. Aunt May has been really happy that she has someone else that cares for her." Spider-Man said, displaying his respect for his aunt's relationship.
Coulson was surprised by this. He thought this was the reason why Peter was so upset. Over the past few months, he and May were becoming more 'romantic'. He smiled.
"Thank you Peter. But if that's not it... than what's troubling you? No more villains to fight? Are you bored? Even the Avengers haven't had a threat to face head-on in a while either. "The agent asked. "I don't mind it. It's great that those who I care for aren't in trouble. I hate them being in those situations." Spider-Man answered.
Coulson nodded at this. He didn't enjoy anyone being in danger. Spider-Man had done a great deed the day he defeated the Grandmaster. He fought valiantly against the powerful cosmic being with the help of his friends. He remembered one person in particular who fought the madman alongside Peter... his first choice for who he needed on his team… And it clicked.
"Is this about White Tiger?" Coulson asked.
The shrieking monkey said went off again.
(Wait what?! Why does he… It isn't… She isn't…)
"Uh, why do you think Ava is the reason behind it?" Spider-Man stuttered. "She hasn't been exactly friendly around you for some times now. I was thinking she had upset you and that is why you've been down... or is it something else involving her?" Coulson asked. "What?! No! No, no, no! Nooo! Nothing involving Tiger!" Spider-Man quickly yammered.
Coulson raised an eyebrow.
"Agent Coulson, meet me in my office." Fury said over the speaker. "Very well... Talk to me if you need to… I have to go see what the Director wants... You should go see May, she's worried." The man said as he got out of his chair. "I should..." Spider-Man said, then left.
(In Fury's office)
Coulson enters the room and shuts the door behind him.
"Yes sir?" The agent asked.
Fury and another agent turned around to face him.
"We have a situation." The Director of Shield said.
To be continued…