A Helping Hand
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Spider-Man and other related characters belong to Marvel. Other characters that appear also belong to their respective owners. Please support the original release.
A/N: Some characters will be OOC but that is for the sake of the story.
Chapter Three: Meeting New/Old Friends
Peter gulped nervously as he ascended the stairs and headed towards Janet's office. He hadn't her for some time now, last time was before the whole Superior fiasco. Peter then remembered when he was helping her out with her divorce with Hank. He smiled briefly at the memories of him and Janet hanging out to make her forget all her troubles. Ah, memories.
He wondered how she would react to seeing him again after so long.
Peter stood in front of Janet's office door. He raised his hand to knock but he hesitated. His instincts were telling him to go back and find another job.
However, he didn't be ungrateful towards Jaune since the blonde teen had already done so much to help him out. So he proceeded to knock on the door.
"Coming!" The voice of Janet Van Dyne came from the other side. Peter heard footsteps coming closer to the door. The knob turned as the door opened up.
Peter's breath hitched as his eyes laid on the petite brunette. In her hands was a clipboard.
She wore a yellow long sleeved dress shirt with black dress pants and low heel shoes. Her brown hair was cut in a pixie bob style. Peter forgot how good Janet looks in any clothing.
"Hi, there! Sorry for the-Peter?" Janet's blue eyes went wide in surprise. It had been years since she had seen Peter.
"Hey Jan." Peter replied as he rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"Oh my God, hi!" Janet put the clipboard down on a counter before hugging Peter.
Peter was caught off guard by the sudden hug but he returned it nevertheless. After a few seconds of hugging one another, they both separated.
"How have you been? Feels like forever since I last saw you." Janet asked.
"You know…here and there." Peter answered.
Janet nodded before asking. "What are you doing here? I doubt you came just to see me."
"Well…actually…um." Peter stammered, not knowing how to answer her question. "You see, I'm actually here about the…modeling gig." Peter finished.
Janet blinked, not sure if she heard that right. "You're here for the male model position?"
Peter nodded.
"No offense Pete but why? You don't seem like the type to be into this kind of thing." Janet inquired.
"Well, let's just say there's a kid downstairs trying to help me out." Peter answered vaguely.
Janet stared at him for a bit. "He's not yours is he?"
"What? No." Peter responded.
"Okay then." Janet spoke. "Mind if I ask why he's helping you out?"
"I think it's better to discuss this in your office." Peter said.
Janet nodded as the two of them entered her office. Once they were inside, Janet closed the door.
DOWNSTAIRS
Jaune Arc was currently sitting in the lounge on his scroll. Waiting for Peter to come back down and give him the news.
So far from what the blonde had learned, Peter Parker was a good man. Trying to do right in a world so full of wrong. Just like him. The blonde mentally chuckled, in a way the two of them are similar, even if those similarities are few and far between. Though if Jaune had to pick two main similarities is that they both help people because it's the right thing to do and they both understood the feeling of betrayal.
'How long has it been? One year since everyone made a big deal of my transcripts and I got kicked out? Yeah, a year.' Jaune mentally told himself, he stared at the ceiling as he did.
His scroll then let out a ping. Jaune looked back down as he got an invite to a group chat labeled "The Mission." The blonde opened his scroll and entered a chat room.
(ARCKNIGHT JOINED THE CHAT)
(SEAWEED BRAIN JOINED THE CHAT)
ArcKnight: What's up?
Seaweed Brain: How is it going with 616?
ArcKnight: Work in progress.
Seaweed Brain: Sounds about right.
ArcKnight: Anyways, anything interesting going on?
Seaweed Brain: For me? Nothing. Just usual run of the mill muggers and what not.
(SALAMANDER JOINED THE CHAT)
Salamander: Me and Happy just sent a Lizard variant stranded in Earthland back to his home dimension.
ArcKnight: Lizard variant? Damn, that dude is hard to face if you're not careful.
Salamander: Eh, not really.
(CINNAMON ROLL JOINED THE CHAT)
Cinnamon Roll: Well, I was busy tracking down the League of Villains back home.
Seaweed Brain: That's still a dumb name.
Salamander: Agreed.
ArcKnight: Ditto.
(RAMEN ADDICT JOINED THE CHAT)
Ramen_Addict: Hey what's up?
ArcKnight: Not much, just helping out 616.
Ramen_Addict: That's cool. Anyways, I'm letting you know that Karn is planning to have all of us go there soon.
ArcKnight: Already?
Seaweed Brain: Any reason as to why?
Ramen_Addict: He said he wanted to speed things up a bit.
Salamander: Dude really needs to take it easy.
Cinnamon Roll: I don't blame him, 616 is the center of the Web after all. If anything bad were to happen to him then all of us will be in big trouble.
ArcKnight: He's got a point.
Salamander: Alright, Me and Happy will join up as soon as we can. Have to make sure that the guild isn't suspicious.
SeaweedBrain: Doesn't Sabertooth know your identity?
Salamander: Yeah but they don't know the Multiverse stuff. You know, for security reasons. Anyways, see you soon.
Seaweed Brain: Good point. Anyways, I'm out.
(SALAMANDER LEFT THE CHAT)
(SEAWEED BRAIN LEFT THE CHAT)
Cinnamon Roll: I got to go too, my mom needs me to do some errands today.
ArcKnight: Take care.
(CINNAMON ROLL LEFT THE CHAT)
ArcKnight: You heading out too Whiskers?
Ramen_Addict: Might as well. Good luck with 616, Jaune.
ArcKnight: Will do. Take care.
Ramen_Addict: Later.
(RAMEN_ADDICT LEFT THE CHAT)
Jaune put away his scroll as he stretched out his arms. Suddenly, the door opened up and the blonde saw a young woman with brown hair and chocolate colored eyes enter.
The girl walked up to the receptionist desk.
The receptionist looked up. "Ah, Nadia! I was wondering when you will arrive."
"Sorry Melissa, I got caught up with work. Is Janet in?" Nadia asked.
"Yes but she's in a meeting right now." The receptionist told her.
Nadia nodded. "Alright, mind if I wait for her here?"
The receptionist nodded as Nadia went to take a seat. She then spotted Jaune, who was still waiting for Peter to be done. Nadia raised a brow, she hadn't seen this guy before.
"Hi there." She introduced herself to Jaune.
Jaune looked at her. "Hey." He replied.
"Haven't seen you around before?" Nadia asked.
Jaune raised an amused brow. "You ask that to every guy you meet?" He asked playfully.
"What? Oh, no…I didn't mean it to come out like that!" Nadia shook her head as she waved her hands. "It's just that I pretty much know everyone here but I haven't seen you before." She explained.
Jaune simply chuckled. "I am actually here for a friend. Trying to help him get back up on his feet." He answered her.
Nadia blinked. "Really?" She asked as she plopped down on the chair next to Jaune. "Who's your friend?"
"Peter Parker." Jaune answered.
Nadia's eyes widened at that. "Peter Parker? As in THE Peter Parker? Former CEO of Parker Industries Peter Parker?" She asked.
"Uh, yeah? Why'd you ask?" Jaune asked the daughter of Hank Pym.
Nadia suddenly got flustered as she rubbed her arm nervously. "Oh, um, I am actually a big fan of his work from when he was a scientist." Nadia admitted to Jaune.
Jaune raised a brow. "Really?"
"Yeah. His work in Alpha Energy is really revolutionary, even more so than Reed Richards or Tony Stark!" Nadia said in excitement.
"Oh you mean his work on the Parker Particles?" Jaune asked, thinking that's what the girl meant. He also recalled the name of the energy on the files that Karn had given to him and the others.
"Yeah!" Nadia exclaimed.
Jaune chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. It was always nice to see someone be passionate about something. "His work on that stuff really is interesting. Shame he's not allowed to continue his work anymore." Jaune spoke.
"I know." Nadia said, dejectedly, she then remembered something. "Out of curiosity, why is Peter Parker here?"
"Oh, he's applying for the position of male model that was posted here." Jaune explained.
Nadia blinked dumbly. "You're serious?"
Jaune nodded. "Yup."
"Huh." Nadia simply stated.
The two sat in silence for a good minute. Both of them didn't know how to continue the conversation.
"So…" Nadia began, "how long did you and Peter know each other?"
"Not long," Jaune told her. "Literally less than a day."
Nadia blinked. "Ok then." She replied in an awkward way. "Well, it's nice of you to help him out."
"Just trying to help out a friend." Jaune said.
"So…tell me about yourself, Jaune Arc." Nadia said.
"Wow, I didn't know you were so forward, Nadia?" Jaune teased the daughter of Hank Pym.
"Well, I like to meet new people." Nadia remarked.
Jaune smiled. "I think we might get along with each other, Nadia."
JANET'S OFFICE
"Wow." Janet said with wide eyes. Peter had recently told her about meeting Jaune during his fight with Shocker and how he came here to help him. "So he's the new Scarlet Spider?" She asked the elder web-slinger.
"That's right. And apparently he's from another dimension." Peter said.
"He was also sent here to help you out. And his way of helping is to get you a job here as a male model." Janet summarized Jaune's main reason for coming here.
"Apparently." Peter said with a shrug of his shoulders. He
"Huh, I really don't know how to respond to that." Janet admitted.
"I don't blame you, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it." Peter said.
Janet clicked her tongue. "Well, anyway I think we should discuss the male model position." She said as she brought out a pen and some paperwork.
Peter rubbed the back of his head. "Are sure, like you said earlier, me applying for this position isn't exactly my forte, or cup of tea." He said to the fashionista.
"True, I did say that but I've seen what your physique was like when we worked together. From that fact alone, I'm certain that you're more than qualified for this position." Janet explained.
"If you say so." Peter said.
"Excellent." Janet said with a smile. The petite brunette slid him a sheet of paper, along with a pen. "Just sign here and you can start tomorrow."
Peter grabbed the pen and took the sheet of paper. His brown eyes briefly scanned the contents of the paper. On it was the basic employment legal jargon.
Peter stalled a bit before he clicked the pen open. He lowered the tip of the writing utensil onto the page and signed his name on the dotted line.
Janet smiled as Peter signed the contract. She didn't know why but Janet felt her heart flutter in joy. She also felt her face heat up a bit.
'Why am I suddenly feeling like this?' Janet thought to himself. The brunette quickly shook those feelings to the side as she took the paper from Peter and placed it in a manila folder.
"Thanks Pete, you have no idea how much this means to me." Janet said as she gave Peter a beaming smile.
Peter didn't know why but his heart skipped a beat when he gazed upon her smile. "No problem Janet." He replied.
The two heroes got up and proceeded to exit the office. With Peter opening the door for Janet, who thanked him. They then walked down the stairs together.
Upon reaching the bottom floor, they were both surprised to see Jaune and Nadia chatting.
Janet leaned towards Peter. "Is that him? The new guy?" She asked.
"Yup." Peter nodded.
"He seems nice." Janet said.
Peter simply shrugged in response.
Janet and Peter then walked up to them. Upon getting closer, Nadia noticed them approaching.
"Janet!" She called out as she got up and walked up to the older woman. She wrapped her arms around Janet, bringing her into a hug.
"Hey, Nadia. I see that you made a new friend." Janet said with a smile as she gestured to Jaune. The blonde got up and walked up to Janet, he then extended his hand.
"Jaune Arc, pleasure to meet you ma'am." Jaune introduced himself.
"Likewise." Janet replied as she shook his hand. The brunette turned to Peter as she gave him a folder. "Anyways Peter, you'll start tomorrow at 12 in the afternoon. Your employee badge is in the folder, just give it to Melissa when you arrive." She explained.
Peter nodded as he took the folder, he then turned to Jaune. "C'mon Jaune, let's go." Peter said as he walked out the building.
Jaune got up to follow Peter, but stopped and turned to Nadia. "See you around Nadia." He said with a smile as he waved at her.
Nadia smiled back. "See ya." She replied.
The blonde nodded as he walked out through the door.
Nadia held her smile a bit longer before she felt Janet staring at her. She turned to see a playful smile on the older woman's face.
"What?" Nadia asked.
"So…when's the first date?" Janet playfully asked.
Nadia's face heated up as she started to sputter. "I…I w-ha?! It's not like that!" The younger woman denied.
"Oh really? Cause earlier I just saw you getting really friendly with him." Janet said.
"Janet, I just met him! I don't like him like that!" Nadia said.
"Yet." Janet replied in a sing-song voice.
Nadia groaned at her step-mother's antics. Which in turn caused Janet to giggle.
"Oh relax, I'm just messing with you." Janet nudged Nadia with her elbow before offering. "Come, let's go grab something to eat."
Nadia nodded as she and Janet left the building as well.
ELSEWHERE.
Jessica Drew stood on top of a rooftop of a random building. Her eyes scanned the skyline of New York as she awaited for her fellow spiders to arrive. She contacted Julia and told of the new Scarlet Spider, and wondered if she knew anything about him.
To surprise, Julia said she didn't and that she couldn't see him on the web of life. Something that concerned Jessica. The current holder of Madame Webb told Jessica that she'll meet him soon and that she'll bring the others with her.
The sound of twips caught her attention as Jessica turned to see Julia arrive with the rest of the spiders. They were: Anya Corazon, Cindy Moon, Gwen Stacy (Earth-65) and Miles Morales. They all approached the first Spider-Woman.
"Hello Jessica." Julia greeted.
"Julia. You already know why, we're here." Jessica replied back.
"Yes. The new Scarlet Spider." Julia said as she looked out in the city. "His presence here in this dimension is surprising and concerning."
Miles then spoke up. "How is it concerning? I saw him in action on the news, he doesn't seem like a bad guy." He said.
Julia turned to him. "The fact he was talking to Peter is concerning." She told Miles.
Miles could only sigh but didn't say anything.
"You think this new guy is trying to manipulate Peter or something?" Cindy asked.
"I don't know. But I do know that he's an anomaly in the Web." Julia stated. Her response got everyone to raise an eyebrow.
"Anomaly? What do you mean?" Anya asked.
"When I looked in the Web of Life to see who this new totem is, I saw nothing." Julia said.
"How is that possible?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know." Julia replied. "Whatever the case is, he's an unknown, and that makes him dangerous and unpredictable."
Jessica looked at Julia with a wary expression. "Please tell me you don't plan to lock him up." She pleaded. She had to hear this spiel from Tony and she didn't want Julia to go ahead and think and order her to do the same thing.
"No." Julia replied simply.
Jessica let out a sigh of relief.
"All I ask of all of you is to keep an eye out for him. And if possible, try to convince him to join us."
Everyone raised an eyebrow at that.
"'Join us'? Didn't you say that he was dangerous barely a minute ago?" Gwen asked in disbelief.
"Yes, but he could be a great asset in protecting the Web." Julia.
"Are you sure about this, Julia?" Miles asked. "Cause this all seems pretty risky."
"I know it is but it is best that he works with us, not Peter." Julia stated.
Once again, all the spiders looked at each other with uneasy looks. They turned back to Julia and nodded.
"All right." Miles said.
"Ok." Gwen said, simply.
"I'll keep an eye out." Anya replied.
"Me too." Cindy added.
"So will I." Jessica said.
Julia nodded. "Thank you." She said.
With that all of spider themed heroes swung off the roof of the building and back to their regular patrols. Julia watched them as they swung off in the distance.
"Just who are you, Scarlet Spider?" Julia asked herself.
To Be Continued.
