"Are you sure you want to eat in public?" Peter asked as he stepped out of Karen's car. "I kinda thought you wanted to talk about, you know, things."
"Oh, I do, and we will," Karen closed her door with a flick of her wrist, her satchel across her chest. "But I have been craving this place, so we'll discuss some minor things here before we head over to your place."
Peter stopped. "My place?"
"Yep." She held open the door for him. "I'd like to make sure you're completely safe. And we need total privacy, no chance of anyone listening in or watching us."
He watched Karen as she stepped into the restaurant and approached the host. "You know that gives me more questions than it answers, right?"
Karen smirked at him. "That's a good thing, you know. It means you're learning." The host gestured for them to follow. "Besides, I'd like to take a peek at your photography equipment. I might need your skills for the Batalon case."
"Ah, right." Peter slid into the booth they were offered. The table was in the corner, far separated from the other patrons of the restaurant. "You want me to be your apprentice in professional stalking."
"With how sticky you are, it would be a great career for you," Karen smiled as she opened the menu. "Plus, being a PI would be a far better use of your skills than the Daily Bugle."
Peter hummed, acknowledging her statement as he glanced at the menu. He couldn't really remember the last time he was able to go to a half decent restaurant, and it was difficult keeping himself from ordering the entire menu.
"Why do you still do work for the Bugle?" Peter looked up to find Karen looking at him with concern, her hands folded on the table. "Jameson literally built it off of trashing Spider-Man, and you told me in your interview that he doesn't pay much."
Peter sighed, setting his menu down and dropping his hands in his lap. He bit his lip, taking a moment to consider the question. "I think- I think it's because, in the beginning of, well, you know. But when I started on my own, no one would hire me. I tried everything, but even crappy coffee shops or isolated bodegas wouldn't take me on. And I really needed money, cause I didn't want to live on the streets, so when I saw that Jameson was looking for someone to get photos and videos of Spider-Man, I jumped at the opportunity.
"He was just starting to get everything together, so he wasn't asking too many questions. I dug out my uncle's old camera equipment and got a few samples. It worked, and suddenly I had a job." He paused to pour himself some water from the pitcher on the table. "And more than that, I had people. That was what I really needed; people. Jameson could be nice when he wasn't in full Bugle mode. His wife has always been so kind to me, encouraged Jonah to give me a raise so I could get my GED. Marla and I always talk science."
"And Betty?" Karen raised an eyebrow, propping her elbows up and resting her head on top.
He shrugged. "She was a plus. She came on after me as Jonah's receptionist. She and I got friendly, but I was never into her. I'd never date my best friend's ex. Or, I mean, my ex best friend's ex. But her, and the Bugle, they were the life part of my new life I got. And, with everything, I'm not ready to let that go."
Karen sighed. "I think that's fair. Lady Liberty happened, what, five months ago? So you never really had the chance to process everything." She smiled softly at him, a kindness in her face that made Peter's heart skip a beat. "But you built a good foundation for yourself in the aftermath of everything. The Bugle, Betty. FEAST, too. I noticed you're pretty chummy with that Gwen girl."
Peter shrugged again, taking a long drink from his water. "Yeah. She and I were kinda friends before everything, and I guess she took to me after. I never stopped showing up at FEAST, and people aren't dumb enough to not connect Peter Parker with May. Gwen and her dad saw that I was struggling and, uh. Yeah." He leaned back. "Sometimes it's awkward. She and I still don't technically know each other. But sometimes, it's like I'm with the girl I worked at FEAST with for almost a year. It's weird, but at this point, Gwen might just be my best friend, especially after…" He didn't really want to finish that thought out loud.
Luckily, Karen took pity on him. "So, what? It's complicated?"
"I guess so." Karen snorted at that. Peter gave her an odd look. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing." She waved her hand, but the look in her eyes was knowing. "It's just nice. I'm glad to hear that you've been able to build yourself back up."
"Yeah, I guess so." He sighed.
The waiter approached them then, and they ordered their food. Karen insisted on getting a couple appetizers, and Peter wasn't feeling particularly argumentative. She also told the waiter that his pho would be a large rather than the medium he ordered.
Once the waiter left, they fell into silence. It wasn't strained or anything, just contemplative. Karen poured herself a glass of water while Peter stared into his own.
"Thank you." He blurted out.
Karen's head whisked in his direction, her eyebrows pressed together. "Of course, Peter. I'm more than happy to buy you dinner."
"No, not that." He bit his lip. Once he realized what he said, Peter sat up. "Not that I'm not thankful for the dinner, because of course I am! I really appreciate you buying me food, and getting me so much, for my metabolism and everything-"
"Breathe, Parker." Karen smiled at him.
He stopped talking, taking a couple indulgent breaths. He looked down at his hands as he folded them together and began twiddling his thumbs.
"What I meant in that moment was, thank you for everything. Not just the job, and the food, cause I'm thankful for those too. But, it's hard, when I can't talk to anyone about this." He kept his eyes trained on his thumbs as they moved, the fiddling helping him with his nerves. "Before, I used to have so many people. Tony, May, Ned, MJ, The other Avengers. At one point, Matt and the rest of the world. Having to keep it all in these past few months has been rough. It's good to finally have someone to talk to about the life."
When he looked up, Karen was still smiling at him, but it had taken on a noticeably sad feeling.
"You don't need to thank me, Peter. I'm happy to be here for you, cause you know I'm rather familiar with all of this as well. You shouldn't have had to go through any of this on your own, especially at your age with everything you've been through." She took a deep breath, reaching over to her bag. "But also, don't thank me yet. There's a few things of significance I need to tell you."
Peter gave her a funny look. "Like what?"
Karen opened her mouth to answer, but was cut off by a- "Peter!"
Both their heads immediately swiveled to the voice. Martin and Angela were walking over to them, big grins on both their faces. Angela was waving as well, her coat across her arm.
"I'm surprised to see you again so soon, kiddo!" Angela said brightly as they walked up.
"Erm, Martin. Angela. Good to see you guys!" Peter stumbled to his feet, extending a hand for both of them to shake.
"Nuh uh, now way, kiddo." Angela grabbed his hand and forcefully pulled him into a hug. "You and I are with FEAST. That practically makes us family." She wrapped her arms around Peter pretty tight. He awkwardly hugged her back, lightly patting her shoulder.
"Uh, right. Of course," He smiled as she pulled back, her hands on his shoulders. Martin stepped up and Peter half panicked. "Mr.- Martin, if you don't want, if you're not-"
Martin laughed, a full body, joyful belly laugh. He slung one arm around Peter's shoulders, pulling him in. "Never change, Peter." He grinned.
Peter smiled back at him. There was some light tapping, then his manners finally hit Peter like a bag of bricks. "Oh! Martin, Angela, this is my boss, Karen Page, from the law firm Nelson, Murdock & Page," He turned to Karen, gesturing to the two who had approached their table. "Karen, I'm sure you've met Martin Li from FEAST."
Karen stirred, holding out her hand. "We've had the pleasure a few times." She held her hand out.
Martin took his hand from Peter's shoulder to shake Karen's. "Of course. I quite admire your firm, and I'm glad you guys have taken on Peter. He's a great worker, definitely one of FEAST's best." He stuck his hands in his pockets. Karen smiled at him before turning away.
Peter took his cue to continue. "And this is Angela del Toro. Martin just took her on as FEAST's general manager, so you'll probably become familiar."
Karen smiled a kind, professional smile. "It's wonderful to meet you."
Angela was frozen for a moment. Peter could've sworn that she stopped breathing, and he thought he saw her clenching the fist that held her coat. Her smile was tight and her eyes scrutinizing as she shook Karen's hand. "You as well. I've heard quite a bit about your firm, and Martin says you've collaborated with FEAST a few times, so I'm sure I'll see quite a bit of you."
If Karen noticed the sudden slight tension in Angela, she didn't physically acknowledge it. She simply smiled and crossed her hands behind her back.
"What brings the two of you here?" Peter asked, breaking the brief silence that had fallen over them.
"Well, I finished giving Angela here a tour of FEAST, so we decided to have some dinner and talk logistics." Martin patted Angela's upper arm.
"So you just started today?" Karen asked politely. Angela simply nodded in response.
"And you two?" Martin smiled at Peter.
Peter startled a little bit, quickly trying to come up with an excuse. "Karen and I, uh, we came here to eat something before I help her with some PI work."
Karen nodded, jumping onto that boat with him. "Yep. I figured some warm soup would do us some good before we head out into the cold night. I really need Peter's photography skills for this case."
"Photography?" Angela looked at Peter, a curious smile on her lips.
"Yeah. My uncle used to be really into it, and I've had a bunch of my stuff get published by the Daily Bugle." He shrugged.
Something sparkled in Angela's gaze. "You work for that tabloid? The one that's always trashing Spider-Man?"
"Well, I'm commission, and work's work." Peter quickly tried to save her impression of him. "Plus, it was a great opportunity to practice my photography skills."
"Oh, I'm sure," Angela nodded. "It's wonderful to know that you have a careful eye. I'm sure it comes in handy around the shelter."
Peter scrunched his nose, somewhat confused by her comment. He was going to ask about it before Martin stepped in. "It has, quite a few times. Anyway, Peter, great to run into you. Ms. Page, always nice to see you. Angela and I will leave you to your meal. I'm sure you have plenty of work to do. We do too," He patted Peter on the shoulder. "See you on Saturday?"
"Of course Martin." He nodded. "See you guys."
Martin nodded at him and turned away, Angela right behind him. Karen waved politely as they went before she sat back down.
Angela looked over her shoulder. "See you on Saturday, Peter. I look forward to working with you."
He smiled brightly at her. "See you then, Angela."
They were seated in the middle of the restaurant, a surprising distance from Peter and Karen. He leaned across the table. "Why are we so far from everyone else?"
Karen absently stirred her water with her straw. "Matt and I kept this place from foreclosure during the Blip. They tend to treat us pretty well and understand that we like our privacy wherever we can get it."
"Huh," Peter sat back. "Isn't it, like, illegal to talk about sensitive case stuff in public?"
"We're not bound by any sort of lawyer HIPAA," She flipped her hair behind her shoulder. "And besides, I make it a point to only discuss the publicly available stuff in places like this. There's a damn good reason I want to head to your apartment once we're done here."
"Ah."
The appetizers came, and thanks to the fact that Peter's advanced healing took up a lot of energy, they were gone almost as quickly. "So, what is publicly available that you wanted to talk about, Karen?" Peter wiped his mouth with his napkin.
Karen munched on a crab rangoon. "I'll start with Frank."
"I think that's a good idea."
She gave him an annoyed look before she pulled a notepad out of her bag. She plopped it down right in front of her, her crab rangoon left forgotten on the small plate. "As I know you know, he came by the office today. He made an agreement to consolidate all of our information regarding everything going on with the Maggia." She pulled her phone out, opening it up to the Daily Bugle. "Have you checked the news today?"
"I was in the Bugle this morning, which you know since, uh Betty-"
"Ambushed me?" Karen raised her eyebrow.
Peter scratched the back of his head, his spider sense twitching just slightly at her look. "Uh, yeah. And I'm still sorry about that."
"Yeah. Anyway," She gestured for him to answer the question.
"I was there to drop off my photos from last night for Mr. Foswell to use, since he was undercover in the meet up, but I didn't see his article."
Karen hummed before sliding her phone over to Peter. He looked at the screen, gasping once the title hit him;
TEAM RED: 3 Vigilantes Arrive and Disrupt Maggia Meet Up (BUGLE EXCLUSIVE)
Right beneath the headline was a picture of Spider-Man and Daredevil standing next to each other. Across the roof was the Punisher, though he was somewhat obscured by a lens flare that made his black suit glow red. He was turned towards the warehouse the Maggia were in, while Daredevil and Spider-Man seemed to be talking to each other.
"Photos by Peter Parker." Karen stated.
"Aren't they always." Peter muttered glumly before giving her the phone back.
"To continue, Daredevil managed to convince Frank to come by the firm after last night. We showed him everything regarding Fisk that happened during the Blip, which was the only reason he was so antagonistic to Daredevil last night."
"Right, I remember hearing a couple things about that." Peter nodded along.
Karen hummed, but seemed to decide to ignore that statement. "After that, Frank relayed all the info he had on the Maggia. And it's all of the Maggia, not just the Manfredi's or the Cicero's. Turns out they're competing for some info or tech from an international source, and there's only one thing the seller wants."
"How is any of this the public stuff?" Peter muttered to himself before turning back to Karen. "What do these guys want? The international source, I mean?"
Karen bit her lip. "It's better we talk about that in private." A statement which meant exactly zero good things.
"Great." Peter said flatly. "So do we know what the two families were meeting about last night?"
She shook her head. "The only things we know about that are from Foswell. The meet was about some sort of vaguely defined partnership, and everything went off the rails when someone suggested a, quote, 'reasonable division of the acquired asset.'"
Peter shuddered. "Yeah, that would send everything to shit. Especially when it comes to the Maggia."
Karen nodded. "They were very careful not to use any specific language. Seems like they guessed that a mole would be present and didn't want too much getting out."
"Also very typical for the Maggia." Peter sighed in annoyance.
"I hate how normal this is for you."
"You hate a lot of stuff that's normal for me. Isn't going to make any of it weirder than it already is."
Karen gave him a flat look. "You make it really hard to talk to you about serious stuff, Peter."
"Quote, Tony Stark, 2017. Probably trademarked by Stark Industries, INC."
Karen snorted, chuckling a bit. The waiter chose that moment to approach with their food. "Table this for your place?" She gestured to her notepad. "I would rather not be super bummed out while I eat."
"Agreed." Peter nodded as he grabbed his chopsticks. "I'm concerned that there's something you need to tell me that would really bum you out."
"You're concerned about a lot of the things I say." She smirked.
"Oh, ha ha, Karen." Peter narrowed his eyes at her, popping a piece of pork into his mouth. "Whatever."