A familiar noise suddenly entering his ears, Peter pulled his gaze away from the microscope and glanced down at his phone, picking it up from the table. It was simply his alarm reminder that it had hit five o' clock, which meant that it was time to pack up for the day. Most people didn't set alarms for the end of a work shift, but then again, most people didn't love their jobs as much as Peter did. He'd often caught himself working over an hour past when he'd initially planned to leave, though often this was due to something stealing his attention during the day as Spider-Man and forcing him to make it up later.

Even so, tonight was a particularly busy evening for him anyway, as he'd planned to meet Matt at the site of a rumored drug deal his ally had gotten wind of before heading to May's house afterward. The former was especially important as, according to Peter's horned-headed ally at least, busting this deal especially would likely sour a relationship Fisk had hoped to cultivate with another major gang leader outside of the city. If they could shut this down before it really even had time to blossom, they would be one step closer to putting an end to the Kingpin's reign once and for all.

Shutting down his equipment and making sure everything was in order, Peter finally got up and left, shutting off the light to his workstation before heading out the door. As he did, he was joined by a couple of his colleagues on their way to the elevator.

"Still going through with that presentation that on Monday?" the one to his right asked.

"Planning on it, yeah," Peter assured him. "I have to say, I'm really excited about it."

"I honestly don't know why you're pursuing this avenue," the one on his left spoke up as they paused in front of the elevator. "Solar energy isn't the future like they made it seem ten to fifteen years ago."

"I would beg to differ," Peter insisted. "All of my research suggests that..."

"Really, I'd get out of this whole energy thing if I were you," the guy on his right commented. "Everyone is racing to create the next big thing in efficient, clean energy; there are other much more lucrative fields to explore that are unmined and ripe for the picking."

"You're probably right, but it's not about the money with me," Peter insisted. "I'm trying to..."

"Yeah yeah, you're trying to make a difference," his coworker on the left replied. "We all are, but at the same time, if we're going to do that, we have to be smart about how we use our time here. Seriously, just think it over."

The elevator doors then opened, with the two men heading in before turning to face him.

"You coming?"

"Thanks, but I think I'll take the stairs," Peter replied. "I could use the exercise."

Turning and leaving before his comrades could even get another word in, Peter then headed towards the stairwell, beginning the long descent to the ground floor. As he made his way down the first flight, he heard what sounded like the rapid footsteps of someone trying to catch up with him. He was on the verge of rolling his eyes, thinking the other two were back to give him more unsolicited advice until he saw who it really was.

"Oh, hey Deb."

"Hey," the woman replied, hurrying up and coming alongside him, straightening her glasses as she did. "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear as I was leaving too..."

"Oh, that?" Peter questioned, motioning upstairs with his head. "I'm not worried too much about it. They were just giving their opinions based on what they know and believe, like any scientist would."

"Still, I think your project is fascinating," Debra explained. "You really think you can build something that can successfully harness solar energy efficiently enough to become a true mainstream power source?"

"I believe so," Peter responded confidently as they both continued down the stairs. "Still trying to work out a couple of minor things, but honestly, I'm just excited to show the board. I think they'll really go for it!"

"That's great!" Deb replied. The girl then turned away, an awkward silence ensuing.

"So," Peter finally spoke up, "what about you?"

"Me?" Deb questioned, a surprising nervousness in her tone. "What about me?"

"I mean, what are you working on that you're hoping to present?" Peter clarified.

"Oh, duh," Deb said, seemingly trying to shrug off how caught off guard she'd seemed at first. "I... I'm looking into some things."

"So, you have no idea yet?" Peter asked.

Deb looked at him, her face squinting with embarrassment.

"No..."

"Hey, it's no big deal," Peter assured her, realizing he needed to course correct a bit. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry too much or put you on the spot. I was just curious, that's all."

"Of course!" Deb replied. "But yeah, I'm still trying to narrow it down."

"I suppose that makes sense," Peter said. "How long have you been here anyway? Didn't you only come on, like, a couple months ago?"

"Yep, two months on Monday!" the woman replied, seemingly catching herself. "Sorry."

"Hey, you don't have to apologize to me," Peter assured her. "I love working here too."

"Me too," she said. "It's nice to be somewhere that gives us so much freedom in what we do."

"Absolutely," Peter said. "A lot of the other places I was applying probably would have ended up just sticking me on a team project that really wouldn't matter except to the bottom-line, but here, I really feel like I have a chance to make a difference."

"Agreed," Debra concurred. As they continued talking, Peter had to admit that she was quite a refreshing conversationalist compared to the others on the team he'd worked with so far. The other five were either snobby and acted as though they were above anyone else around them or kept to themselves entirely, seemingly shunning the outside world as they worked. Debra Whitman, however, was much more inclined to discuss and share the latest she'd read or observed in various fields, with her specialization being in biochemistry. More than that though, she just seemed so much more, well, real than the rest of the team.

Eventually, they came to the first floor and exited through the front door.

"So... I guess I'll see you on Monday?" Deb questioned.

"That's the plan," Peter replied. "It was good talking to you."

"Yeah, you too," Deb assured him. "So... yeah. Bye."

The woman then spun around, turning and walking down the street, leaving Peter to head off his own way.

Peter glanced around the building, observing the knocked-out thugs lying around the place. Matt then came up by his side, strapping his Billy club to his side.

"So," the man spoke up, "am I the only one here that things this was..."

"...too easy?" Peter finished for him. "Yeah, I thought as much too. It's almost like these guys were just the opening act before...

Suddenly, his spider sense went off sharply, and he and Matt dove in opposite directions as a large truck suddenly came barreling into the building, with several men leaping out of the back as it slowed down, all of them carrying all sorts of big weaponry.

"Well, looks like the main performance is here!" Peter shouted across the way. One of them men aimed their weapon at him, a bomb suddenly shooting his way. He deftly leapt out of the way, avoiding the ensuing explosion that took out a chunk of the wall.

"Oh, it's like THAT, is it?" Peter challenged. Targeting the guy who'd just shot at him, he came down hard before he could properly aim once more, slamming him to the ground and popping the weapon out of his hand. From there, things devolved into a bit of a frenzy, with Peter and Matt both leaping and swinging around to avoid gunfire, rockets, or even electric blades wielded by the reinforcements.

"Guys, the gun club meeting already happened yesterday!" Peter shouted at one point. "Since you missed it, how about we try again next week?"

The thug nearest to him responded by simply aiming his weapon at him, which Peter promptly yanked away with a web before Matt came in and struck the man in the back of the head with his club, knocking him unconscious.

"I had that one!" Peter said.

"I know you did," Matt replied before the two quickly resumed the fight. Fortunately, their enemies ultimately proved no match for their combined abilities, skills and experience, and soon they were all wrapped up or otherwise lying unconscious along with the first wave of men at the initial meeting. As the sound of police sirens could be heard, Peter and Matt retreated from the scene, reconvening on a nearby rooftop.

"Okay, that was a little more eventful than I'd been expecting," Peter said.

"Fisk knows we're closing in on him," Matt reasoned. "He's getting desperate, which is why he turned to a group like this to do business with."

"Well, good thing we put a stop to that!" Peter replied.

"Agreed," Matt concurred, "but I still wonder where they got those weapons? It's not unusual for Fisk to get his hands on military grade weapons, but what we saw was something else entirely."

"Yeah, definitely," Peter replied. In truth, he had a thought based on the style and nature of the weapons involved, but it was far too early to draw any conclusions just yet, so he opted to keep his way-too-early suspicions to himself for right now.

"Well, good work," Matt said as both men rose to their feet. "I'll keep digging on my end and see if one of my contacts can get a lead on any connections between Fisk and any major weapons developers. Cutting that off will hopefully put even more of a squeeze on him."

"Agreed," Peter replied, "especially since his right-hand man ended up basically just getting a slap on the wrist."

"He's still being watched though, which means his usefulness is limited right now," Matt pointed out.

"I guess we really do have to take any wins we can in this business," Peter replied. "Alright man, call me if something comes up. I have to run."

"Date night tonight?" Matt questioned.

"Something like that, yeah," Peter replied. He'd contemplated telling Matt what today really was, ultimately deciding it wasn't important enough.

"Enjoy it," Matt said. "You've been working hard recently."

"I will, so long as you agree to take your own advice," Peter countered as he fired a web. "Later, Horn head!"

"What are you doing in my home, Wilson?"

"Well, I called your office, but they said you were working from home tonight," Fisk explained.

"Our professional relationship doesn't extend to house calls," Norman clarified.

"It does tonight," Fisk countered. "I just got a call, and it seems like your fancy toys were unable to do their job."

"Everything I gave you was made and tested to be as efficient and deadly as possible," Norman assured him, still not even looking up from his work. Fisk then slammed his large fists against the desk of his home office, finally capturing his full attention.

"Your job was to provide my men something capable of taking down Spider-Man, Daredevil and anyone else who interferes in my operations," Fisk replied.

"You witnessed the weapons tests personally, Wilson, and you seemed satisfied then," Norman reminded him. "Why are you intruding on my home now because your men failed to use them properly?"

The larger man then reached forward with the speed of a cat, grabbing him by his shirt and yanking him closer to him.

"I want something better delivered to me by the end of the week," Fisk demanded. "Believe me, you don't want me to have to come back a second time, Norman."

The man then flung Norman back to his seat before turning and walking away. Right as the man neared the exit doors, they opened in advance to reveal Harry, who stopped at the sight of Fisk.

"Oh, you must be Harry," Fisk spoke up, extending his hand for the younger Osborn to shake.

"Yes sir," Harry spoke up, a little taken aback but clearly trying to roll with the interaction. "I presume that you're Wilson Fisk?"

"You presume correctly, young man," Fisk said. "Please, forgive the intrusion; I was simply discussing some business with your father. May I say that it is nice to find you in good health though, my boy."

"Oh, thanks," Harry replied. Fisk then gently placed his hand on the younger Osborn's shoulder, causing Norman's skin to crawl. His business partner wasn't looking at him right now, but it wasn't hard to imagine the disgusting smirk that was likely on his face as he subtly reminded him what was at stake. Fortunately, the man finally left after that.

"Wow," Harry said as he entered the room. "That must have been pretty important."

"It was nothing," Norman replied quickly before changing the subject. "Did you need to see me for something, son?"

"I was just coming to tell you that I'm heading out to May Parker's house," Harry explained.

"Oh yes, that's right," Norman replied, remembering the planned time in question. "Have a good time, Harry."

Norman then turned back to his desk, intent on getting back to work.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"I mean, that kind of meeting could have been something good for me to sit in on," Harry pointed out.

Norman let out a deep sigh.

"I told you, son, I don't want you making a hasty decision after all you've been through, and besides, I'm not sure you're ready for such a stressful environment right now."

"Dad, it's been over seven months since I got back from rehab," Harry pointed out. "I understand why you're worried about me, but I've never felt better. When I was in that place, all I could think about was what I wanted to do when I got out, things perhaps I'd like to do differently, and the thing that kept coming back to my mind the most was that I wanted to work together... to be a real family. It's what you've always wanted too, isn't it?"

"Of course, Harry, it's just... I appreciate your newfound zeal, but now is simply not a good time," Norman explained. "Now please, go on and enjoy yourself; we'll discuss this another time, alright?"

Harry let out a sigh of his own.

"Sure dad. I'll see you tomorrow."

His son then turned and walked out of the room, leaving Norman alone once again. He tried to refocus on his work but gave up on it after a few moments. So much was going through his head; ever since he'd agreed to play along with Fisk once more, he'd been searching for any opportunity that he may be able to take advantage of, operating under the "keep your enemies closer" philosophy. However, over the last month especially, the man had been acting more and more like an animal being cornered with no way out, which only meant he was coming down on him harder still. Above all else, Fisk's interaction with Harry tonight had been a reminder of what was really at stake here; he had to protect his son, but how was he supposed to...

"Norman..."

"No..." Norman replied, clutching his head at the sound of the voice.

"Let me out, Norman..." the voice persisted.

"Please..." Norman begged.

"Nooooooormaaaaan... ha ha ha ha ha..."

"SHUT UP!"

Suddenly, the voice stopped. Norman glanced around the room, finding no one and hearing nothing but the clock nearby ticking away. He reached down, taking a big drink of the water on his desk, gasping as he swallowed. He'd been hearing that voice more and more, with it growing louder and more terrifying each time. It seemed to have gone away for the time being, but still, he had no idea how much longer he could keep it contained, keep HIM contained...

If he didn't figure out something soon, Norman feared he may lose control.

Alright, here goes Vol. 2! I can't tell you all how excited I am for this one, and I hope you all will enjoy it as well! As always, feedback of any kind is welcome, so long as it is respectful. I like to know both what works well and things I can try and improve on so that the reading I offer is as well done as possible.

Continuing to pray for you all; stay safe and healthy!

"Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God." Psalm 90:2,4