Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners, Marvel, Respawn Entertainment, etc.

First off, I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah, or at least a pleasant Toyotathon. I've been playing too much Helldivers 2 and spent three days having my face torn off by the Velocicoaster, which kicks ass, in case any of you were in doubt.

AnomalousSkeleton: To quote Frank Woods, "You can't kill me!" But it's good to see that those old fans are still around, I was wondering if Power Without Question would be remembered and it's gladening to hear that it is. Yes, there will be a lot of expansion, as you'll see... mostly in the next chapter, so wait eagerly for that one.

Up ahead is, well, mostly set up, including me slowly equip Sable International like a faction from BF2042, but don't worry about that at the moment. There is one other thing to mention, the end of this chapter features explicit sexual content.

Authority Without Asking – Chapter 4: Turn Me Loose

Well, I've had all I can take
I can't take it no more
I'm gonna pack my bags and fly
My way
Or no way at all

So why don't you turn me loose
Turn me loose, turn me loose
I gotta do it my way
Or no way at all

"I feel underdressed," muttered Peter as he tugged on his brown sport coat, finding it more constricting than he remembered. Though he was also struggling to remember when exactly he had last worn it, it must have been when he was a grad student at ESU. Now he was wishing he'd taken the time to try it on before he had to wear it in the lobby of Sable International Headquarters. It was a slick, modern building, four stories tall, the exterior all polished glass and white accents. The interior was all marble floors and smooth white walls, broken up with smoothly integrated light fixtures casting a soft glow to complement the ample natural light that came through the glass.

This was not a military building, that much was clear, it was a business headquarters, where finances were handled, contracts were negotiated, and lawyers reviewed everything with a keen eye. Those that Peter had seen come through the lobby did not wear Sable International armor, or even their officer's uniforms, but business suits, sharp, expensive ones to Peter's eye, as little as he knew about those. Still, in slacks and his old sport coat, both slightly ill-fitting to accommodate the Spider-Suit he wore underneath, as much for warmth as thought he might need it, the Queens Native couldn't help but notice the glances that came his way.

Mary Jane, in her own business suit, gave him a sideways glance, "When you meet Tony Stark, what do you wear for that?"

"A T-Shirt, same as him," replied Peter, eliciting a snicker from the redhead, "What?" he asked, which only caused her laughter to grow until she was sputtering in the middle of the lobby.

Before Peter could muster a response, he heard something that caused him to reflexively perk up and look around. "What's wrong, Pete?" asked MJ, herself tensing.

Peter laid a calming hand on her leg, "Nothing's wrong," he assured, his sixth sense quiet, "But something's up." A door deeper in the building opened and out filed a half dozen men, all with serious faces, black sunglasses, and earpieces, striding purposefully past the couple and making straight for the front door. Looking past them, Peter saw a car pull up in front of the door, a low slung white vehicle that stopped where Peter distinctly remembered there being 'no parking' signs. "Wonder who that is, must think they own the place," remarked Peter.

"You got that right, Tiger," quipped Mary Jane when the car door swung open and Silver Sablinova emerged. The Symkarian Mercenary was wearing her grey bodysuit and duster, knee high leather combat boots, and a pair of holsters hanging from either side of her waist, trademark gray duster draped over her shoulders. Sablinova strode into the building, her features calm and relaxed, different from how Peter had remembered seeing her in New York, where she was always on edge, tense. That didn't change her authoritative air as everyone made way for the Monarch, one of the suited men slipping into her car to drive it away as the others scanned for any threat. Peter could only shake his head at that, he knew firsthand just how formidable Sablinova was, and doubted there was any danger she couldn't handle herself.

Mary Jane stood from her seat and took a step forward, and Peter thought he saw something that could have been a smile on the Symkarian's face. "Ms. Watson, it is good to see you again," greeted Sablinova, her voice still retaining its distinct accent as she extended a hand, which MJ shook. Peter was quick to bring up his camera and snap a picture of the pair. "I hope you are well. How was your flight?"

"Long," answered Mary Jane somehow still managing a pleasant smile. "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

"It is nothing," dismissed Sablinova, "I should thank you, this is good change from the usual administration and… politics," she bit out. Peter could see her frustration come through, she was not so good at state craft that she could smoothly lie to your face, and that was convincing enough that this was still the same Sable. "You did not travel this way to hear my complaints of these things, you wish to see how Symkaria has changed these last few months, yes?" the Monarch waited a heartbeat, "Then I will show you, a car is being brought around."

One of the suited men stepped up behind the Regent, "Ma'am, I…."

Sable cut him off with a raised hand, "It is of no concern, I will be among friends. You may follow."

Stiffening, the suited man gave a nod, "Understood."

Peter was then surprised when Sablinova turned to face him, her blue eyes casting him with a knowing look as she smiled. "Mr. Parker, it has been somewhat longer," she said as she strode over to him, "It is good to see you well. I will admit to being surprised, I was not aware you still practiced photography," she said, offering her hand.

Peter froze like a deer in the headlights before he shook it gently. "Yeah, uh, well," stammered Peter before clearing his throat, "The Bugle was a little short handed and this worked out, MJ and I can make this into a sort of working vacation and have the Bugle pay for the airfare."

Peter felt Sable's solid grip coax his arm over, and he tentatively allowed her to turn it as her steely blue gaze went down to look at his wrist, causing the Queens Native to realize his Webshooter was exposed. His eyes widened, but Sable said nothing, merely curling up the corner of her lip as she relinquished her grip, "And you are still in partnership with Tony Stark?" Peter nodded, and was about to explain his creation when Sablinova cut him off. "Pity, I had hoped I might gain your services."

"That's… very… very nice offer, but I don't make weapons," replied Peter after regaining his composure.

"I have need for more than weapons," she responded in her blunt manner, "You will see this later, and remember, is standing offer." She looked back over her shoulder, and Peter noticed the Sable International vehicle waiting outside the front door. "Come, I have much to show you both."

With that, the Symkarian Monarch turned on her heel and strode to the door, MJ and Peter moving to follow. Sable climbed into the passenger seat of the open top utility vehicle while Peter opened the backseat door for MJ, who climbed into the vehicle before Peter jumped in behind her, setting his camera bag down between them. With a wave of her hand, Sablinova got the vehicle moving, the driver smoothly pulling away from the corporate headquarters and heading for the main gate into Sable International Joint Operations Base (SIJOB) EVA.

The guard at the gate saluted Silver, who promptly returned it, before the heavy gate began to roll open. "Sable International has undergone as many changes since the end of operations in Symkaria as it did in the months leading up to them," explained Sable. "Now, Sable International acts as the expeditionary arm of the Symkarian armed forces, with the Symkarian Defense Forces protecting the borders. Much equipment has been transferred to the SDF from Sable International, as reorganization occurs and replacement material is accepted into service."

"Is defense your highest priority?" interjected Mary Jane.

Sable paused, blinking once, but quickly regained her bearing, "I am not blind to other issues, Ms. Watson, but Defense and Security has been my business for the last 15 years; it is the area with which I primarily concern myself. For other matters, including domestic and foreign affairs, I rely on my advisory council to guide me on how to achieve the aims I give them." Peter saw Mary Jane nod and make a note of the answer in her notepad. "Should you wish to discuss those matters in greater detail, I will have them meet with you for such a purpose."

"That would be great, amazing, even," answered Mary Jane.

"Splendid," replied Sablinova before the car got moving again. "Then you will forgive me if I speak little of these matters, I would not do the work being done justice. Today, the focus is on Sable International, and their purpose."

Peter could see Mary Jane set her jaw, but she schooled her expression into one of a pleasant listener as she nodded, "Got it. What all has changed?"

Swelling slightly, Sable began her explanation, "Sable International's operations against the Minister forces was the first peer conflict of the 21st century. But while it was fought with tactics of the 20th, the same can be said for much of our equipment. In our evaluations of the actions that took place, we can see where new technologies would prove most critical. But we have also sought to integrate new technologies into types of systems that performed well. Sable International is now a lighter force, making greater use of unmanned assets to conduct reconnaissance and establish kill chains."

Peter wasn't sure what all that meant, but it sounded very impressive. As the jeep rounded a corner and onto the road that ran through the center of the base, the photographer revised that opinion; what he saw was very impressive. An armored vehicle, looking like a small tank, materialized in front of them, its projected Oscorp cloaking field dropping to reveal the sleek white painted machine sporting both an autocannon and missile launcher on its turret. Parked alongside the tracked vehicle was a positively diminutive 4x4, smaller than the luxury SUV the group was riding in, were it not for the turret on the roof sporting an autocannon of its own. A helicopter swung in overhead, rotorwash kicking up dust as the sleek, black helicopter, flared its nose, extending landing gear concealed within its stealthy body, it seemed almost a planned move to show off swooping lines, a v-shaped tail and coaxial rotors for the American journalists.

Peter brought his camera up, photographing each of the cutting edge vehicles as Sable spoke, "What you're seeing is advanced warfare. Sable International is the single most experienced and modern armed force anywhere in the world, but it answers to no country. We keep no secrets of our capabilities. It is not mere tool of policy, it is tool of power, that is what we offer." The words registered in Peter's mind, but only just, he was too busy looking at a battery of launchers mounted on utility trucks, one of which launched a Sable International silver drone aloft while an operator worked from a console near the vehicle. "What you see here are Sable International reconnaissance elements. The eyes of our forces, they are integrated with their parent by most advanced battle control system in the world. Anything they spot can be swiftly engaged by other Sable International assets with a variety of fires."

The SUV smoothly turned into a motor pool that featured a number of vehicles, from large six wheel trucks with boxes on the back, to a vehicle similar to the cloaking one at the front, albeit with a pair of stubby guns pointing up out of its squat turret. There was an imposing tracked vehicle sporting a massive, long barreled cannon, across from which was a design Peter recognized from the airport displays, sleek, low, and wide, with a bevy of sensors and auxiliary weapons arrayed across the top of its harshly angled turret. Beyond the collection of armored vehicles was a pair of hangers, strategically left open, Peter guessed, to give the pair of visitors a peak inside. The first held the same VTOL attack craft Sable herself had piloted during her return to Manhattan in the spring. The second housed a jet fighter, but the Queens Native didn't recognize the type, but it was dart-like, with canard foreplanes swept back so sharply that the jet looked fast just sitting in the hanger.

"Power is worth nothing, if it can not be where it is needed," continued Sablinova, gesturing towards the opposite side, and yet more, even larger, hangers. "That is why investment in airlift capability has been a priority. I can send one of my light battalions anywhere in the world within 24 hours and conduct combat operations. A heavy company can be there 12 hours later. We are as fast now as when we only had light vehicles and no fires capabilities."

"This strategy… do you think it will work?" asked Mary Jane.

"It already is, Sable International has received more business in the last four months than any time in the history of the company. Most of that is from major military powers to act as consultants, to share our lessons, so that they may catch up to us. They have ways to go, we are more efficient and flexible than any government, it will take time for them to equal us," explained the Monarch. "The power of Sable International is not merely to destroy. Our transport planes are used to ship goods into and out of Symkaria. They brought in tractors so that our farmers could harvest their crops before winter, for example. Many of the vehicles you see are produced abroad, but in time, some will be built here, by Symkarian workers. Some of Sable Internationals proprietary designs have attracted interest from governments and may in turn be exported. While the rest of the Symkarian economy recovers, it is Sable International that has bolstered it. It has given me a chance to correct all the Ministers did wrong. The lessons we learn from rebuilding here, creating infrastructure and such, will also be offered, another service alongside the security the combat units provide."

Peter could see Mary Jane perk up and lean towards the front seat, "That could be incredibly interesting Sable. With so many countries still developing, that sort of expertise could go a long way. Anything you can share about that initiative?"

"No, not yet," answered the Symkarian quickly. Peter saw MJ deflate, and when Sable spoke up, it took all his willpower to keep from cracking a smile. "But… maybe at end of day. There will be new technology for that effort, and it will be arriving soon," explained Silver, prompting MJ to smile broadly as she made a note that was swiftly circled on her notepad. "But that will come in time, first, we have tour," she announced as the vehicle came to a halt.

The Regent was the first out, and Peter was quick to follow MJ out her side, "Wow," he remarked as he raised his camera and adjusted his focus to get a wide shot of the base. "A lot's changed."

"Especially Sable," agreed Mary Jane.

Peter hummed for a second before commenting, "I don't think she's in this for the money anymore."

Matt leaned intently over the holographic table, a recreation of the Hydra base in the alps that the Wild Pack had raided a few days prior spinning before him. The Marauder's brow furrowed as he looked over the defenders' arrangement, at least where they must've been based on every recording taken by the LRSSG during the raid. Their plan, to ambush the garrison as they came out of their barracks, had fallen apart immediately, because it turned out the Hydra troops were planning an ambush of their own on whoever came up the road into the base. "I dunno Darlin," drawled Cooper, "Something about this still feels wrong."

Felicia, leaning back in her chair, legs kicked up on the table and crossed at the ankles, idly played with her ponytail. "Yeah, you're focused on this," she said, nodding at the hologram, "And not on me."

Grinning, Cooper reached over and ran his hand along Hardy's leg, "I can multitask, Felicia," he retorted playfully. "I get it, they knew they stole something valuable, and it makes sense they expected somebody to come take it back. So what's nagging me?"

Matt heard Felicia sigh, and he saw her cock her head out of the corner of his eye. "You might be onto something," mused the Black Cat, "Sometimes I forget you're more than just a pretty face and sexy bod,' Stud." Feeling a swell of pride at the compliment, flirty and underhanded compliment that it was, Matthew waited for the cunning Thief to see what he was missing. "Ah! That's it," exclaimed the platinum blonde, "You're looking at this like a soldier, you see the value of it, but value means something different to a thief. Value is what you can get out of the loot. What can I sell it for? How does it help me? Or hurt them?"

"The database can be rebuilt, and Hydra isn't going to start World War Three tomorrow," realized Cooper.

"And sure, they can, maybe sell it, if they could find some way to decrypt it, but who's the buyer?" wondered Felicia aloud. "No country would be crazy enough to touch this, it would be an act of war, and it doesn't fit Hydra's MO. So they need to have a use for it, somehow."

"Okay, that's making sense," agreed Matthew as he worked his jaw, scrutinizing the hologram again before he stared off into space, mind wandering. "Hydra was going to decrypt the data and use it to manufacture a shitload of hardware, make up for everything they lost to Sable International. But that means they have the means to produce the stuff, and that ain't easy." Shaking his head, Cooper turned away from the table and scooped up his leather flight jacket, pulling the adorned garment on while Felicia sprang from her chair in an acrobatic flourish. "What could possibly make them think they can turn out all the equipment on that drive?"

"This was last thing," announced Sablinova as the two Americans followed her outside. For the last two hours, the Monarch had led Mary Jane and Peter through the base, showcasing facilities and equipment, with the Associate Editor struggling to understand everything she noted while also helping to temper Pete's desire to bombard Sable with technical questions. MJ had recognized Sable had intended this tour to lead to a sort of advertisement piece for Sable International. Even if Silver's explanation of each item hadn't sounded like it was written by a marketing team, it was delivered with confidence and pride. Something MJ would have been more skeptical of had she not known Sablinova's propensity to deliver on her promises.

Mary Jane saw a note she had jotted earlier and reached out, "Wait," she said as she grabbed hold of Sable's arm. "Earlier, you said you would say something at the end about the infrastructure initiative you had. Could you?" implored Mary Jane.

A tense moment passed as MJ silently prayed she could get something genuine and off the cuff out of the Mercenary when it came to the company that bore her name. When Sablinova's stoic expression softened and she gave a slight nod, the redhead had to resist the urge to leap for joy. "Very well Ms. Watson, though I ask you do not make mention of it until the formal announcement at the press conference on Monday."

MJ couldn't agree fast enough, this was still an exclusive bit if information for the Bugle while everyone else would be reporting from the same statements. "I'll sit on it 'till Monday then, but that only makes me more curious," admitted the redhead as she relinquished her grip in Silver and prepared to write down whatever the Queen said, "What is it?"

Sablinova straightened and stepped closer to them, "You both know of partnership between Sable International and the American company, Roxxon?" Having heard of the deal when it was signed, of course the reason had been given was vague and nebulous, prompting the reporter to salivate at getting an idea of what was really happening. "The development we were funding was for a project called AMMU, Additive Manufacturing and Machining Unit. It is large, automated manufacturing suite, combining the most advanced CNC technology to integrate multiple tools into one unit that is multi-material 3D printer, able to turn out almost anything in short order. It is hoped this will cheapen specialist items, heavy duty valves, motors, pumps, and such, enabling upgrades to the existing infrastructure here. Such upgrades are much needed."

"Incredible," remarked Peter, and MJ stepped back to let her boyfriend ask his technical questions, hoping he could milk a bit more information from Sablinova. "What's the tolerance on it?"

Sable frowned, "I do not know exact number," she admitted, "But the men from Roxxon assure me it is good enough that I could use them to produce the jet engines for my fighters, if I wanted."

"Wow, God, that is… that's awesome," stammered Peter, "I don't even have that sort of precision in my lab. Tony does, but still, no mean feat."

"So why don't you?" blurted Mary Jane, "Use them to make the fighter engines, I mean? Surely it would be cheaper…."

"The licensing does not make it so. You Americans, you are quite proud of your aerospace industry, for good reason, it would not behoove me to anger them by doing such a thing. It is much easier to use them for civilian products," explained Silver. "The first units are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, after tests, they will be revealed next week."

"What are they like?" asked the redhead.

"They are big, size of shipping container, they have to be, to produce some of the equipment I need," explained Sablinova, "Do not ask me to explain how they work, all I understand is that we can insert a drive with the correct file on it and it will turn out the equipment my people need, that is good enough for me."

Peter finished the last bit of dinner, a Symkarian sausage dish that he couldn't hope to pronounce. After a long day bouncing between various interviews with Mary Jane, first with Silver Sable and then some other members of the Sablinova government. It seemed that Sablinova had been as mercenary in filling her government executive as she was with Sable International, going abroad to find the most capable and experienced people she could entice to serve Symkaria, integrating with native Symkarians to bring stability and experience to the fledgling government. It was an interesting strategy, and MJ was already planning to speak with residents of Annia, the Symkarian capital, to get their view of the new government.

It had been a full day, and so when the couple returned to Matt and Felicia's mountainside house to find this freshly cooked dinner and a bottle of wine, which probably cost a month's rent, waiting for them, Peter and Mary Jane forgot any notion of further work and took the opportunity to reconnect with their old friends. Dinner had been a pleasant affair, allowing the group to properly catch up in the living room as they ate, without jetlag impairing them as it had the day before. When Peter had finished his last bite, Peter and MJ had shared what they were up to, while Felicia and Matt told them of some small projects, but it seemed like they were kicking back and taking it easy, since they had all of the Maggia's money and a deal with Sable to never pay taxes again, which Peter was a little jealous of. But at that moment, the Pilot had something else Peter wanted, so the Queens Native turned to his friend and said, "Hey Coop, could you give me your recipe?"

The request was met with a round of chuckles from the others, "Sure thing buddy, I'll see if our chef would be willing to part with it."

Peter turned to MJ, "You knew."

"Felicia told me yesterday," admitted the redhead as she sipped her wine glass, the group already deep into their second bottle. "I'm more interested in seeing if I can sneak away a bottle or two of this," added the reporter, using her glass to gesture towards the bottle.

"Shouldn't be a problem, Red," assured Felicia as she refilled everyone's glasses, "We keep a lot of it on hand, you'll find out why in a bit."

Peter knew that tone of voice, but before he could press the Thief, Matthew turned and posed a question, "I gotta ask, Pete, you still keeping up as Spider-Man?"

"Yeah, I patrol, stop a mugging or a break-in every so often," answered Peter, mulling over his own wine glass. "It's been really quiet, for the most part, no nutjobs in costumes for a few months, even then it was just small fry, one of them didn't even qualify for the RAFT."

That got a snort from Matthew, and Peter smiled as he sipped on the glass of red MJ had shoved into his hands despite his protests. "What about that bit of trouble you had with Rhino the other day? Saw that on the news."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh yeah, Aleksei got a bit uppity…."

"Uppity?" deadpanned Cooper, "I saw the footage of him tearing a hole in a shopping mall."

"It's still standing at least," defended Peter, but it wasn't a spirted one if he was honest, but that might've been the wine clouding his mind a tad.

"That's true at least," conceded Cooper. Peter looked over at the women and saw that they were exchanging whispered words between them. "So what happened? Sounded like they were moving him, but how'd he escape?"

"He was in a security cell being carried by a helicopter. He beat on the container till it started to fail. Then Miles swung in, tried to shore up the bolts, but he put the cell off balance, so it fell," recalled Peter.

"Wait, the Kid? The hell was he doing here?" snapped Matthew.

"Hey, he meant well, just forgot about that variable in the unstable pendulum equation," defended Peter. "And he handled himself well after that, he took care of the other escapees all on his own, even helped me with Rhino once he finally stopped running. It turns out he isn't… exactly like me. He has these… bioelectric powers, I saw orange lightning come out of his fists, Coop. I can't explain it, and we didn't have time to run any tests before we left."

Peter couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice, at least until he saw the grimace that overcame the Texan's features. "You sure that kid should've been anywhere near the Rhino? Doesn't seem to be ready for that yet."

"He handled Rhino just fine, no worse than I did when I first fought him," defended Peter, sticking up for his protégé.

"The first time you fought him, did you let him out of his cage?" snapped Cooper, keeping his voice low. "Morales is a good kid, no argument there, but he's still a kid, and kids are stupid. Dumbass probably thought he was helping when he screwed the pooch." Peter didn't say a word, but the look on his face, he knew, was answer enough, "And now a lot of people's businesses, their livelihoods, are a shambles because of his fuck up. He does bear all the blame, but that's not the kind of mistake he can afford to make. The hardest part of this thing isn't knowing how to throw a punch, it's knowing when to throw it and when not to throw it."

Peter silently pondered his friends words while Matthew finished his wine and poured himself some more. "I know that probably sounds rich, coming from me," admitted Cooper as both of them sipped on their glasses, "I'm all for going in, guns a' blazin' but man, downtown Manhattan, in rush hour, with the Rhino, it doesn't seem like the time," spoke Cooper with a shake of his head.

When a low chuckle emanated from the Pilot, Peter raised an eyebrow and aske, "What is it?"

"Just a thought," replied Matthew, "Remeberin' how much of a badass you are, dude, goddamn miracle nobody got killed in that whole fiasco. How'd you do it?"

"Oh, just, jumped on Aleksei and rode him around, hanging on for dear life most of the time," admitted Peter before sipping on his wine.
"No shit?" asked an astonished Matthew.

"No shit," quipped back Peter, prompting both men to chuckle before Peter heard a rustling and turned towards the two women as they stood up. "Are you two going to bed?" he asked, preparing to stand up and follow.

"Yeah, but don't let us get in the way of you two catching up," responded MJ.

Felicia flashed a wicked smile, "Just don't catch up for too much longer, boys," she added before they both turned to head to their respective bedrooms. Even Peter didn't fail to notice the way MJ winked at him as her hips swayed at every step.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Peter helped himself to another generous portion of wine, emptying the remainder of the bottle in his glass and downing a third of it in one go. With his nerves somewhat calmed, the Queens Naïve looked back at his friend. "Still, would've been nice to have you there, Coop."

"Nah man, if I were there, someone would've died," replied Matthew, taking a sip of wine, "Rhino."

Peter frowned at that, but appreciated the candidness. "I'm not so sure, you had some creative ways of not killing guys, you haven't completely given up on it, have you?"

"No, just… out of practice," replied Matthew, "Haven't needed to work on that much since I left."

"You suiting up at all nowadays?" questioned Peter.

"Here and there," answered Matthew, a touch evasively, "But not like I was. I do it enough to scratch the itch but… I miss those days, hellish as they were. We really were a damn good team."

"Yeah," agreed Peter, both of them settling into a nostalgic silence as they slowly worked through the last of the wine. "I tell you what, you come back to New York, and we'll go out on Patrol together, for old times' sake."

"You got a deal," answered Cooper, raising his glass, which Peter tapped with his own. The pair downed the rest of the alcohol. Matthew set down his glass and stood, "Now let's get to bed, we've kept the gals waiting long enough."

Peter couldn't help but smile at the memory of the look his girlfriend had given him as the pair made for the bedrooms, Matt hitting the stairs to go up to the second floor while Peter paused at the door to the guest room and took a breath before opening it. The lighting was low and soft, illuminating the clean, smartly decorated room, not helped by Peter and MJs opened suitcases and travelling items splayed out across the room. Peter didn't look at that though, his eyes were on the bed and his girlfriend sitting on it, wearing a silk babydoll, cups hugging the swell of her breasts and thin straps over her freckled shoulders, while the rest of the garment fit snugly to her gentle curves down to her upper thigh, but was open in the middle to reveal her belly and the tiny grey thong nestled between her crossed legs.

"Hey Tiger," greeted MJ with a demure smile, eyes glittering with amusement, no doubt at the way Peter's mouth hung agape at the sight of her. "You like?" she asked standing up off the bed and slinking her way towards him, the skintight fabric straining with each step, riding up over her hips until she stood before him, pressing herself into him.

Peter wrapped his arms around the redhead, a hand on her hip as the other worked its way up her back, "Yeah, you look great MJ… you always do but in that you look…."

"So good you didn't notice?" she asked, eyebrow raised playfully. Peter looked up to see the small bundle of mistletoe taped to the doorframe. Turning his head back, Parker was surprised when MJ lifted herself up on her toes and planted a deep kiss on his lips. He took a reflexive step back into the closed door as the redhead deepened the kiss, probing with her tongue that Peter let in, battling it with his own as a hand trailed down to cub his girlfriend's pert buttocks, slipping under the smooth silk and onto equally smooth flesh.

MJ's hands worked at the buttons on his shirt, yanking it open as her nails dug into his muscled flesh and she moaned into his mouth and reached up, Peter vaguely aware she had broken the kiss before she stepped back, a bright smile on her face. Her red hair fell in waves down to her neck and she practically bounced to the bed and beckoned Peter with a crook of her finger. Shucking his shirt off and fumbling with his belt, Peter stumbled as he stepped out of his slacks, eliciting a giggle from MJ before he was back upon her, leaning in for a kiss but came up short when he felt a finger pressed against his lips. "Not there Tiger, that's not under the mistletoe," she cooed.

Peter looked up and saw her holding the leaves lower, and she craned her head. Smiling softly, Peter suckled on her neck, searching for the sensitive spot he knew she had, and was rewarded with a breathy moan. Feeling a pressure on his head, the brunette noticed MJ's arm was moving the mistletoe lower still, her other hand coming up to pull her babydoll back and let one of her pert breasts out into the open, the erect nipple standing proudly to cap her mound. Peter smiled as he placed his lips on that tantalizing sight, sucking tenderly on it before moving his lips to the slope of her bosom, kissing her supple flesh as he heard a soft keen from Mary Jane and looked up at her half-lidded eyes before seeing the mistletoe move down. Taking the hint, Peter's kisses trailed down her stomach, eliciting giggles from the redhead until he arrived at the skimpy thong. MJ's hand came down and she pulled the strip of fabric aside to reveal her slit, capped with a small triangle of pubic hair to confirm she was a natural redhead.

Feeling the warmth radiate from her core, Peter pressed his lips to her pussy, inhaling her aroma as MJ moaned through clenched teeth, prompting Pete to ramp up his efforts. With one hand, he urged MJ back and coaxed open her legs, giving him greater access to her womanhood while he added his other hand to the ministrations of his mouth. "Yes Tiger, keep going, please," whimpered Mary Jane as Peter coaxed a pair of fingers into her moist core, feeling her slick walls while his tongue lapped up the juices that flowed freely from her pussy. Adding his tongue to the mix, he felt MJ start to quiver, a hand clamping on his head as she threw hers back, gasping for breath as he found the diamond hard nub of her clitoris. Sucking hard on it, MJ wrapped her legs around him before she flew over the edge, her whole body quaking with her orgasm as she mewled sweetly. Her hips rolled up into his mouth, abs tense and legs straining before her body unwound and she lay back onto the bed.

"So… was that all you wanted or woah…" exclaimed Peter as MJ grabbed him by the hand and pulled him up towards her, pressing her mouth to his and exchanging a deep kiss.

"Not even close, Pete," she said, a hand pulling down the waistband of her panties before Pete grew impatient and snapped the garment with a lazy tug, tossing it aside with a casual flick.

"Sorry," he apologized with only the slightest hint of remorse.

"Don't be," assuaged MJ as she rolled her hips up, rubbing her slick slit against the bulge in his boxers, "You're hot when you want me, Tiger." He felt a pair of dainty hands on his waist, fingers slipping under the waistband of his briefs before they were thrown down his legs, letting his dick swing free, already fully erect. "And it looks like you really want me."

"Yeah," he rasped, his want, or need, clouding his mind while he used both hands to undo the latch holding her negligee together, letting it fall and reveal her pert breasts, lovely handfuls of flesh capped with erect pink nipples that Pete couldn't help but lean in and suck. MJ arched her back, offering her tits up to him while he felt her hand wrap around the base of his prick and steer it towards her pussy, Peter groaning as he felt her slickness on his cockhead. It was enough that Peter's hips drove forwards, easing his manhood into her while his mouth was still full of her tit.

Sliding into Mary Jane until he was fully enveloped in smooth pussy, Pete looked up at the redhead, a dreamy smile on her face, and was lost in her eyes for a moment. "What?" she asked, slightly confused.

"You look beautiful," he answered honestly.

He felt her clench around him, as her breath hitched, "Yeah?" rasped the redhead, eyes smoldering, "You look good too, Tiger, now… can you give it to me already?"

"Sorry," mumbled Peter before he rolled his hips back, nearly withdrawing before he rolled back in, enjoying the way MJ yelped, her breasts bouncing as their hips met, Peter careful to not lose control as he plunged into her core. Settling into a familiar, enjoyable rhythm, Peter made love to Mary Jane as she keened beautifully, her hands gripping the bedsheets while he leaned down and suckled on her neck, causing her to moan throatily, her pussy tightening on his prick. "MJ," grunted Peter, still thrusting into her waiting core, feeling their slick bodies rub together as neared the edge, "I'm close."

"Go ahhh!" she crooned, fingernails digging into his back, "Go ahead, give it to me, Tiger." And with permission given, Peter, now impatient, picked up the pace, his last few strokes coming in with nearly superhuman speed, but no less careful as he felt MJ tense and gasp throatily, "I'm cumming! God, that's it." Her words in his ear and tight embrace of her slick walls spurred Peter to his own climax, and he spilled himself inside her. A hand grabbed tight hold of his hair and urged him down, Peter complying as MJ brought her lips to his and they exchanged a deep kiss as they embraced the aftershocks of the mutual climax.

When the kiss broke, MJ breathed heavily, and Peter took a second to take a deep breath, "God I love you, Mary Jane," said Peter with candid sincerity.

"Love you too, Pete," rasped MJ, "I also love that I don't have to worry about washing the sheets tomorrow. You know what that means?" Peter shook his head, "It means we're going to keep going until you're at least a little tired, strength and stamina of a spider be damned."

Cooper had a pleasant buzz going from the wine as he closed the door to the master bedroom behind him before looking into the moonlit room, eyes adjusting when he heard Felicia's sultry purr from the corner. "You know what's wrong with this picture?" she asked, Matt turned to peer into the darkness, and only saw a hint of Hardy's platinum blonde hair. "You're wearing too many clothes, Stud. Care to fix that?"

That tone in her voice caused Cooper to smile as he pulled off his shirt, "You like what you see, Darlin?" he drawled while pulling off his socks.

"Puuurrrfect," answered Felicia, "But it could be better, lose the pants."

Matthew grinned, unbuckling his belt and drawing down the zipper, but holding them up as he looked into the corner, "What about me? Don't I get to see what you're wearing?" There was a moment of silence, before he heard the faintest rustle of someone moving, the shining head of hair moving out of the narrow beam of moonlight in the corner. There was the defined click of heels on the floor before Felicia stepped into the light, revealing swathes of exposed alabaster skin, covered only by skimpy, black lace lingerie. The bra supported her impressive bust, holding them up for Matt's roving gaze while showing them off as Felicia thrust them out, proud of both their size and firmness, rightly so. Her panties were equally flattering, coming up to the gentle curve of her waist and cut high on her hip, exposing the full length of her powerful legs, toned with her acrobatic abilities as she strutted towards him. Coming to a stop right in front of him, the vixen swung her hips from side to side before spinning in place, showing off the way the firm swells of her ass strained against the fabric, stretching it to its limit, at least the portion that wasn't swallowed up by her buttocks.

Facing him once more, Felicia smirked knowingly and said, "You like to look?" Mat nodded, not daring to speak and betray the lust that was overcoming his restraint. "Then have a feel," she suggested, grabbing his hands and bringing them up to her tits, letting him fondle the delightfully pliant mounds of flesh while her own hands ripped his pants off and went to grab his solidly erect prick, reaching into his boxers to give him a stroke, "You're as ready for me as I am for you, Cowboy," she purred before pulling back and spinning again, strutting towards the bed with an intense sway in her hips, throwing them from side to side with enough enthusiasm that her ass bounced in its lacey confines. Reaching the bed's edge, Felicia merely spread her legs and bent over at the waist, holding her sculpted backside up and waving it for his pleasure. Craning her neck back and looking at him with lust in her eyes, the heiress licked her lips and said, "Come on now, don't let Mary Jane be the only one to get her back blown out tonight."

Matthew crossed the distance between them in a few quick strides, laying his hands on her ass and kneading the supple flesh before giving it a hearty spank, the echo of the strike filling the bedroom, replaced by a throaty moan from Felicia as her ass jiggled. Running his hands up along her back and then leaned over to plant a few chaste kisses on the defined musculature of her back. His hands went over to her sides, he traced the line of her bra before following the curve of her waist while he planted a series of kisses down her spine, feeling her shiver in his grasp before reaching the hem of her panties. Kneeling down behind her, it was almost a shame, he thought, to take them off, with how well they framed her beautiful backside, but what they contained was a far greater prize.

Peeling the panties off her, Matt noticed the wet spot at the center of them as he slid them down her legs and let them pool at her feet. Taking his time, Cooper's hands ran along her toned calves and muscular thighs, relishing in their smoothness, yet still marveling at the hard muscle of each perfectly sculpted leg until his hands reached the point where her legs came together. Bringing his exploring fingers in from her hips, he brought them up to her engorged cunt lips, dripping with arousal, and ran his fingers over them, dipping ever so slightly between them to feel Felicia quiver from his touch.

After planting a quick kiss and nibbling on each of her asscheeks, Cooper's focus came down lower, working over the back of her thighs before Felicia reached down between her legs, so when he finally arrived at her pussy he found that she had two fingers in it, splaying it open for him. Inhaling her scent, his tongue came out to run along the full length of her shaven slit, causing her to keen wantonly as she arched her back, raising her hips and presenting her pussy to him before he drove his tongue in. A guttural, vulgar sound was ripped out of the platinum blonde as Cooper sucked greedily on her cunt, only to be drowned out by the slap of his palm on her bare ass. Felicia hissed, but the air she sucked down came back out in a moan as Matthew squeezed her buttocks, his fingers sliding between their heft as he kept his tongue at work, pushing her right up at the edge. "Come on, I'm close, give to me, make me cum!" she begged, Felicia's own fingers squeezing on her clit and tit. But it was Matthew's, grazing over the clenching band of her asshole that sent Felicia careening off the edge she was riding and straight into orgasm, throaty screams filling the room as her juices filled Matthew's mouth.

Needing to satiate himself, Cooper stood and removed his boxers, letting his cock spring free and fall right on Felicia's buttocks. The platinum blonde ground her hips back into him as she stood and twisted, Matt grabbing a handful of hair and bringing her up for a heated kiss, her tongue exploring the inside and outside of his mouth as she lapped up her own cream, all while she rubbed her ass against his throbbing erection.

Unable to hold himself back any further, Matthew grabbed Felicia's arms and pinned them to the small of her back with one hand, pressing her down to the mattress. "God yes, that's it! Go at me stud! Take me!" husked Felicia as Matt lined himself up with her pussy. "Don't tease me," she moaned as Cooper rubbed his cockhead against her labia lips, wriggling her hips to try and coax him to enter her even as Matt kept her restrained. She didn't have to work hard, not when Matt was so eager and thrust straight in, driving himself into her slick cunt all the way to the hilt, ripping a harsh, throaty gasp from the platinum blonde as her velvet smooth folds clamped down on his cock.

"What was it you wanted?" asked the Texan, running his hand up over her ass and giving it a quick tap before continuing up over her hip. Felicia whined weakly, trying to fuck herself on him, but Matt held himself back, "Remind me?"

"God, just fuck me!" whined Felicia, "Hard!" she added, voice husky with lust. Matt's hand came to the clasp on the back of her bra, and he swiftly undid it, letting the fabric hang loose so he could reach down and squeeze her tit when Felicia cried out, "Quit teasing me and blow my back out, Stud!"

Giving her nipple one pinch and getting a keen from Felicia, Matt brought his hand up and grabbed her flowing hair, "You asked for it," Matt said before he drew his hips back and thrust back in. Felicia's response was instant, crying out as Matt didn't hold back and went right into a rapid pace that his girlfriend loved, throwing her ass back into him as he came forward, their flesh clapping together with each thrust. Tugging on her hair, Matt kept up his relentless pace, hammering into her welcoming cunt with all the ferocity he could muster, spurred on by the way Felicia's cries washed over her ears each time he drove down into her.

Felicia writhed against the sheets, her slick womanhood coating Matt's prick with her arousal before it began to drip onto the floor. Pressing herself down, Felicia managed to pick up her right leg and slide her knee onto the bed, changing the angle of their fucking and opening herself up even wider for her lover as Matt eagerly took advantage. Driving into her with full length strokes, Matt savored every second as he felt Felicia's hips circle against his crotch until she began to clench around him, her whole body wracking with pent up desire, "I'm close! Keep going!" she begged, "Harder!"

Releasing her hair, Matt reached down to grab Felicia's left leg and lifted it onto the bed, getting her onto all fours as she barely got her arms under her before he resumed his pace, both hands on her hips as he held her steady and relentlessly fucked her snatch. "That's it!" she cried, back arched and head thrown back, "Fuck me, I'm cumming!" Her orgasm was explosive, tearing through her body as she seized up, every muscle tightening, including her core as her cunt gripped Cooper's manhood with viselike tightness even as he drove himself all the way into her pink folds. It was enough to drive him over the edge with her, painting her walls with ropes of cum, triggering Felica again in a feedback loop, her whole body quaking as she slipped forward, leaving her sprawled on the mattress, his cum dripping from her splayed cunt.

Taking a deep breath, Cooper stumbled onto the bed beside her, enjoying the sight of Felicia's flushed face and mussed hair before she rolled onto her side and slipped off her bra, giving him an unfettered view of her tits instead. "God, you aren't holding back on me, are you Matt?" she rasped, those magnificent breasts heaving. Cooper shook his head, his eyes still focused on her erect nipples. "That's why I love you, Stud, don't ever hold back with me," she said, cupping a breast with her hand and massaging it, squeezing the nipples between her fingers until she keened, "And I'll never hold back with you."

Peter saw the devious curl of Mary Jane's lip as his girlfriend was pressed up against him, his arm around her shoulders. "What?" he asked as she idly traced circles on his chest, "What's going on in that head of yours?" The redhead's smile only grew as she shifted, slipping out from his arm and crawling down the bed until she was down between his legs, eying his erect prick. "MJ… what are you…" began Pete when he felt her breath on his groin and saw her wrap a hand around the base of his cock, squeezing it tight before MJ gave his cockhead a tentative lick. Wincing at the surge he felt coarse through his body, Peter said, "You… you don't have to."

"No, but I want to," replied MJ with a smile before she took him between her lips, sucking on him while her hand worked the shaft. Peter ground his teeth and laid his head back, only for the enjoyable sensations to stop. The redhead's lips came off him with a wet 'pop' and she said, "Eyes on me, Tiger," and as soon as Peter looked down, she went back to work with even greater enthusiasm, bobbing her head eagerly, tongue pressed flat against him as her hand continued to hold him. A familiar pressure built up, exacerbated when MJ's other hand cupped his sack, caressing the sensitive skin while her eyes met his.

"I'm close, MJ," ground out Peter as he tried to hold on, but the redhead clearly had other ideas as she sucked hard before pulling back and running her tongue across his prick's head, pressing against it, "Ah, MJ…." His prick erupted as MJ pulled back, ropes of this spunk splashing against her face, her eyes shutting as white seed rested on her cheek, up over her shut eyes, and dripping down her chin.

Peter had to admit it was kinda hot, seeing her like that, and the genuine smile MJ gave him with half-lidded eyes. "That was… really good MJ, you're really great," he groaned.

"I know," quipped MJ as she sat back on her haunches and reached out towards the nightstand, "Can you pass me the uh…."

"Oh yeah, sure," replied Peter, reaching over to grab and pass along a washcloth to her, which the redhead used to clean her face before tossing it back to the table. Peter, eyes drawn to the way her pert breasts jiggled with the motion, blushed when he realized he'd been caught staring, but that didn't stop blood from rushing back to his prick as apologized, "Sorry."

Mary Jane, winking at him, crawled forward, straddling the Webhead and grabbed his half-hard manhood, lining it up with her slit, "Don't be, Tiger. My girls are just happy you still appreciate them, with Felicia and her knockers around," laughed MJ.

To assuage any fears, Peter sat up, abs clenching, and placed a tender kiss on the nipple that capped each tit. "Yours are great too," he said, giving each a fondle, his thumbs flicking her nipples, "Not as big maybe, but size isn't everything."

"Nice save," laughed MJ, giving his cock a stroke, "But no girl's ever said that and meant it," she teased before lowering herself down his length, shuddering as Peter was enveloped in her sex until he filled her completely, her pussy lips pressed against his crotch. "God, but you've never had a girl tell you that, have you?" she asked, and Peter smiled slightly as he shook his head. Working her hips, MJ keened happily as Peter's cock stretched her pussy, one hand on her waist as she began to settle into a rhythm, grinding against him while her hands grabbed hold of his shoulders, keeping her steady as she worked. Parker brought his other hand to her breast, softly kneading it between his fingers, their stickiness adding further sensations to the riding redhead.

Watching, enthralled, Peter caressed her gently, feeling out her pace before he contributed, rolling his hips up into her to punctuate the height of her ecstasy, noticing the cute way she bit her lip just that little bit harder when he thrust into her. He knew the redhead might happily keep this pace for some time, keen to enjoy his stamina for her own pleasure, but tonight she had different plans, upping her pace, raising her hips before coming back down, riding him with renewed fervor. Her breasts bounced in time with her body, tempting him as Peter ran a hand up to her back and leaned her forwards so that he could latch onto one with his mouth, taking the nipple between his teeth and apply the slightest bit of pressure as she rode the entire length of his shaft.

The tightness of her pussy took its toll, and Peter was covered in a layer of sweat and nearing the edge, his ministrations on her breast intensified, sucking hard on one nipple and then the other, taking each nub fully into his mouth as his cum boiled in his sack, begging him for a release. "You close?" asked MJ, and he could see her smile widen when he nodded, "I am too," she admitted through heavy breaths and another crash of their hips coming together. "Together, we go together," she panted, grabbing his hand with hers as she smiled, "Cum on Tiger," rasped the redhead before she crashed down on him, smashing her lips to his as her pussy dropped down his prick and squeezed, driving Peter over. He erupted in a mix of ecstasy and satisfaction, bursting inside his girlfriend as their tongues dueled through their climax until they had both gotten their fill and lay a mess of sweaty, tangled limbs on the bed.

Satisfied, Peter brought his arms around MJ and pulled his girlfriend close to her, enjoying the way she melted into his chest while her breathing returned to normal. "You want more?" he asked lowly, stroking her hair.

A sound that was a mix of a whine and a hum came back from Mary Jane's lips, "Not now," she finally said, "Right now, this is what I want." And it was all Peter wanted too.

It didn't take long for Felicia to crave more, the nearly insatiable vixen came in for a kiss, taking care to press her ample bosom into Matthew as their lips met. He returned her eagerness with his own, feeling his desire grow and her hand caress his manhood as it returned to its full size. When Felicia pulled back, they were both breathless, and Cooper could see the lust in his girlfriend's eyes as she licked her full lips. "Ready again so soon, Stud?" she purred, finger tracing the outline of his prick and causing him to grit his teeth, "Ooo, Cat got your tongue?" she asked before sliding down to settle between his legs and giving him a sultry smile, "I'd rather have something else."

Before Cooper had a chance to respond, Felicia grabbed hold of his prick and took it into her open mouth, lavishing it with her tongue as inch after inch disappeared into her waiting gullet. Matthew enjoyed the way she worked her tongue around his erection while she bobbed her head, taking more of him each time her lips worked their way down his shaft. When the cockhead reached the back of her mouth, Felicia didn't hesitate to take him down her throat, the tight passage squeezing Matt's erection and drawing a groan from him as he watched the platinum blonde work him over with unabashed lust. "Arhg… fuck, that's so good Darlin," he ground out as she wrapped her lips around the base of his cock, taking his whole length and giving it all the sloppy attention she could lavish on him.

Her lips and tongue worked in concert, her hands on his balls while her mouth's pace only intensified, taking him all the way to the base with repeated efforts, saliva coating his cock while more dripped from her lips as she pressed herself all the way down and held it. Matt saw her eyes meet his as she held his cock in her throat, a battle of wills to see who would crack first. Matt lost track of the time, but Felicia finally eased up her efforts, pulling her head back to take a deep breath before diving back down his length. Her second wind was too much, and Matthew felt himself twitch inside her gullet, "Babe I'm…." he started before his words fell apart into vulgar noises while he shot ropes of hot spunk down her waiting throat. Felicia didn't let up even as cum poured down her throat, lifting her head only so she could milk his cock with her lips, the last of his seed pooling in her mouth. Showing him her take before closing her mouth, Felicia swirled her tongue before swallowing the whole load.

"I hope you aren't all spent yet, Cowboy," purred Felicia as she propped herself up on her elbows, breasts swaying beneath her, "Cause doing that turned me on, and I need this," she said, kissing his soft prick, "Back inside me."

"Yeah," grunted Matthew as he sucked down air, "Just gimme a minute Fel."

"Or… I can lend you a hand… or maybe something better," she hummed as she shimmied up and brought her tits to bear on his cock, wrapping his manhood in the warmth of her breasts. The layer of saliva still on his prick allowed her to easily slide it between the soft mounds on her chest, and the wicked wink she gave him sent blood surging back to his cock. "There it is, you really love my titties, don't you?"

"Can you blame me?" drawled Matt as he reached out and fondled one.

"No, they're awesome," replied Felicia as Matt got back to hardness, "Just like this dick of yours," she said as she bent her neck to plant a kiss on its head. "You ready to go again?"

In answer, Matt sat up and grabbed the platinum blonde by her shoulders, pulling her up and rolling them over so that she was on her back, Matthew hovering over her. Taking advantage of his new position, Matt dove down and took one of Felicia's hardened nipples in his mouth, and he nibbled on her pebbled flesh, enjoying the moans he drew from her, adding to his own arousal.

His hardened prick rested against Felicia's cunt, and he could feel the wet heat coming from her slit as he was enraptured by her tits, getting lost in their size. Matt was busy running his tongue over their slopes while Felicia's hands ran across his shoulders and through his hair. Finally ready to get back inside her pussy, Matt moved to line himself up with her sopping entrance when Felicia's sultry voice brought him up short, "Hold your horses, Cowboy, I want a little extra," she said, reaching down to grab her legs and pull them up. In an impressive display of flexibility, Hardy brought her knees to her shoulders, her thighs framing her boobs while her cunt was splayed between her spread legs as she folded herself in half, opening herself up for him. "Now… give me everything you've got, Matthew."

Unable to hold himself back, Cooper came down on Felicia and drove straight into her, using his arms to keep her legs pinned back, her calves resting on his shoulders. Sheathed inside her, Matt drove his hips home, burying himself in her welcoming folds and savoring the tightness of her pussy as much as the way her tits jiggled between the confines of her powerful thighs. "Yes," rasped Felicia before Matt pulled back and thrust forward again. "Yes!" cried Felicia, voice rising. Rearing back until just the head of his cock remained in her, Matt drove into her depths with all the pent up lust he felt, "YES!"

Cooper pitoned into her with all the strength he could muster, but Felicia, mouth hanging open and moaning wantonly, cried out, "Harder! Faster!" and Matt could only comply with her wishes, grabbing her hands and pinning them to the mattress above her head, leaving her splayed out and vulnerable to him, and when he thrust into her, Felicia moaned throatily, back arching up into her folded legs. Her head rocked from side to side, platinum blonde mane splayed across the mattress, rapidly coming undone by the fucking she was receiving, only spurring Matthew to redouble his efforts. His last burst was him adding his mouth on her tits, the erect nipples too nice to ignore as he suckekd on the bouncing breasts, marking them as he fucked her cunt, and he felt her cunt clench around him while her legs thrashed against him, but he held firm, burying himself into her as arousal sprayed from her pussy and her head craned back and an orgasmic keen burst from her lips. Matt climaxed right after, dumping his load into her with a grunt of his own, cum painting her pink folds until he was fully drained.

The pair rode out their shared peak before Matthew rolled off Felicia, exhausted, but it was only a moment before he felt the familiar curves of Hardy pressed into his side. Her hot breath was on his ear before she gave it a teasing lick, "You know why I love you Matthew?" she purred.
"Is it because of my wit?" he deadpanned, drawing a light giggle from Felicia.

"No," she retorted, giving him a peck on the cheek, "It's because you can fuck me like that, then tell me that you love me, and I know that you really mean it."

Smiling, Cooper turned and told her, "I love you," because he did.

Mary Jane Watson Research Notes: Symkarian Government Structure

Sable, never one opposed to thinking outside the box, elected to put into place a novel form of government in Symkaria, centered around the Crown, but with a heavy emphasis on a public administration in the seven governing districts. Local representatives are elected democratically within the sector, while those citizens who meet certain certain requirements, including education, profession, and land ownership, vote to send a representative to the capital and serve on the National Assembly, where they conduct national administration duties, preside over the Symkarian Defense Forces, and work with the Crown to craft domestic and foreign policy. It is understood, however, than in terms of policy, it is the Symkarian Crown that holds final say.

While Silver Sablinova wears the Crown, she has made no secret of seeking individuals with expertise and experience in governance, and would be willing to lend it to her, at least for a price. As a result, she has several different competing schools of thought advising her, a Libertarian from Argentina, a Keynesian Economist, and a Swiss public planner, just to name a few. She has made prominent use of this 'mercenary cabinet' in dealing with foreign governments, and more than one deal has been negotiated by them. The result is that Sable's personal politics are not well understood, nor is how much influence she personally exacts over her government.

Nobody does question her role with Sable International, using it as the Crown's muscle to flex abroad, but never at home. The Symkarian Defense Force and a domestic law enforcement service has been built up, with the latter also making use of experience law enforcement personnel from around the globe. This seems an odd choice, considering what Sable International did for years, but maybe it has something to do with the PMCs restructuing.

Something else for me to learn about.

Closing notes: That's all for this chapter, leave a review if you have something to say, but next time is when things actually start rolling, so look forward to that in a few weeks.

Until then, have a very Happy New Year, and Stay Frosty, Misfit Delta out.