[IC] Spider-Man: Childhood Friends (Jones Sparrow and EasilyAmused)

[Jones Sparrow]

The rest of that little crime went smoothly. The voices in Peter's head were quiet (No normal person should have these thoughts, but Peter did), and with that, he and his girlfriend went to get some food, and watch the skyline. Peter only lifted the bottom of his mask to eat the hot dog, but before he could enjoy it, Lexi asked a question that he tried to avoid, and the voices in his head hissed. His simple reply was a shrug. "The guy deserved it. I really don't like robbers, you know that." Peter said simply, taking a bite of the hot dog. Normal Peter would have never said that, he would have never smirked at the thought of breaking a hand, and he certainly wouldn't have enjoyed it... but this suit was doing something to him. He didn't really know it, and it really wasn't obvious to everyone else, but the black suit had its own agenda, and Peter Parker has just the power, and authority to do it.

Peter devoured his hot dog. "The criminals just keep getting stupider and stupider these days. Who robs a grocery store?" Peter chuckled a bit. "I mean, Flash could have planned a better operation than them." He stood up, and looked around at the city. "Come on, there's still some more bad guys to catch."

The next couple of days have been weirder and weirder for Peter. He started wearing darker clothes, his messy hair became more and more gelled and styled. He also became more confident, although not enough to get in to fights, but those thoughts were more and more constant whenever someone would talk about him not being good enough for Lexi. When it came to women, though, he was more flirtatious, and as time went on he seemed to be checking other girls out as they walked by, even when walking with Lexi. But Peter never noticed these things. The actual Peter would have been absolutely disgusted with him. Instead of taking his suit off whenever he was walking around, he constantly wore it. it made him feel stronger, more complete. It was a part of him.

He woke up early today for school, feeling refreshed, and stronger than ever! He made his way down stairs in some stylish black boots, nice jeans, a casual vest, and jacket. His hair was slicked back partially, and as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Aunt May. "Peter, are you alright?" She asked.

"Never better, why?" Peter asked, slightly annoyed that she was concerned. "Its nothing, dear just... Well, Lexi hasn't been over much. And you don't even bother eating the breakfast I make you, even though you're up earlier than you have been... I just wanted to make sure--"

"Everything's fine, Aunt May. Lexi and I are good, and I've just been nervous about a... presentation that's due today. I'm sorry. I gotta go, bye!" All of that was a lie, of course, and Peter smirked a bit at it as he left the house, and towards school. Who knows? Maybe this would be Peter's lucky day to get in a fight with some punk that always made fun of him before! He was dying to show that he wasn't someone to mess with anymore...

[EasilyAmused]

Peter was… well he wasn’t Peter anymore and his reaction to her question said that. Her head jerked back in surprise and her eyes narrowed slightly. She didn’t like how he had responded and it wasn’t like him to say such a thing. Smirk at causing someone so much pain and finding it humorous. What was going on? Her head tilted to one side and all she could do was stare at him; she couldn’t even eat, his comment made her feel sick. It couldn’t be him talking, something must be bothering him. He couldn’t have meant that, not her Peter…

The next couple of days got weirder and weirder. Peter began to style his uncontrollable hair and wear more… not-so-Peter-like clothing. She could appreciate the confidence but she could have sworn that she’d catch him looking at other women the way he’d look at her. He’d reassure her that she was seeing things but… he almost stopped looking at her in that same desire seeking sort of way. The longing to be with her almost seemed to be disappearing and she couldn’t figure out what was different between the two of them. She stopped showing up at Peter’s house to see if he would come her way or surprise her by swinging in the window but to no such luck. She wasn’t avoiding the house per-say but she was concerned that he was finding other girls more attractive that if she was to show up at his house she’d fine another girl having a study session with Peter.

Lexi found herself leaning up against her locker, stress covering her small face.

“Lex… you okay?” Flash said as he stopped in the hall to look at her with concern upon his face.

“Peter’s been…” She began before her head dropped looking down at her shoes, a shaky sigh left her before she continued. “Acting really different and I’m concerned.”

“Hey hey hey…” Flash said softly stepping forward and placing his hand gently on Lexi’s shoulder. “There’s no reason to be upset I’m sure everything’s fine.”

Lexi let out another shaky sigh before looking up at Flash and giving him a small smile; hopefully he was right.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter made it in record time, his new suit giving him more speed than ever, and as he got to school, he wasn't so much focused on finding Lexi like usual, but looking forward to going back in to the streets and fighting some crime! He walked by a few girls talking, giving them a wink and smile as he walked by, all a bit shocked that Peter was brave enough to do that, especially since he had the most attractive woman in school. He high fived a couple of more popular kids in school, and then completely ran in to a freshman who had more than enough books. They fell to the ground, but Peter kept walking snickering a bit with the voices in his head. He went to his locker, tossing his backpack and other items in. As his social life became "bigger", his academic one lowered greatly. He wouldn't take notes, didn't even bother with homework, and test grades were very poor. They were so bad, in fact that many of his teachers have confronted him with worry. He would not take any of them seriously though, and the Peter everyone once knew was getting more and more distant.

He closed his locker, and looked to his side to see Flash Thompson putting a hand on... Lexi? The regular Peter suddenly burst out, fear of all Peter has done in the last few days to Lexi... But then those thoughts evaporated, the voices taking over. He was a jerk. He made Peter's life a living hell ever since he could remember. He would constantly call him a freak, that he was so weird that even his parents left him for that. And the bullying didn't stop when Uncle Ben died. Now he was trying to take something of Peter's?

Peter stormed over to Flash and Lexi. "Hey, what's going on here? You making a move on my girl?" Peter asked coldly, glaring at Flash. "What? No, we were just talking... Are you alright, Parker?" Flash asked, suddenly seeing the hatred in Peter's eyes.

"I've never felt better, Flash. Except that I could have sworn you were touching my girlfriend." A crowd was now forming. Everyone was expecting for Peter to be beat back down to his place, but the suit had different plans for this potential fight.

"I'm just making sure she's alright. Says that you've been acting weird. Weirder than how you usually are." Peter looked at Lexi, then back at Flash. "Weird? Come on, you've said worse to me. How about I'm a weak little loser? A freak? That I'll not good enough for Lexi, or my parents?" Peter was inches from Flash's face, Peter was just waiting for him to make one bad move.

Flash swallowed, and shook his head. "What the hell is wrong with you, Parker? Go changing your style, your attitude, pretending to be someone you'll never be--"

Peter grabbed Flash by the throat, lifting him off the ground. The crowd gasped, and screamed a bit when Peter brought him to a locker. "I am so sick and tired of your mouth. Don't you ever know when to just..." Peter's grip tightened on his throat. "Shut up?" Peter's grip slackened, and then with one swing, and a BANG, a very large dent was in the hard metal locker inches from Flash's head. "I am not a weakling! I am not going to let you walk all over me! I am not going to let you take away MY things!" Peter screamed, slamming another fist in to the locker, this time leaving a hole. Everyone was dead quiet. "If I ever see your face again, Thompson, I will really show you just how 'weak and a loser' I am, you you hear me?" Peter asked, and when Flash nodded, Peter casually threw him across the hall, him slamming in to the lockers hard. Man, that felt good!

Peter felt nothing. In fact, he was a bit glad that he finally stood up to that guy. But now he was all wound up. He glanced around at the awe struck crowd, looking over at Lexi, and simply just made his way through the crowd. Normal Peter would have never forgiven himself for that stunt. He would have done anything other than that... But Peter was too far deep in this darkness. He needed to blow off some steam!

He quickly left school campus, before any police or school authorities showed up, and then zipped off in his Black Suit. He zipped through the city with grace and speed until he heard police sirens. They were in a high speed chase... And as everyone knew, Peter hated robbers, and more especially: car robbers.

[EasilyAmused]

The confrontation left everyone gasping, and even Lexi’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe he would go that far. Something was very wrong and she had to snap Peter out of it. His casual exit left everyone in shock and the bell rang as Peter pushed open the doors and left the building. Something was very wrong with Peter and Lexi could sense it. This needed to change and it needed to change NOW.

Lexi left school, very unlike her and dawned her own suit to chase down Peter. The police scanner in her helmet picked up a radio call of injured car robbers and evidence of Spider-Man’s presence. Something was seriously wrong with Peter and she was determined to get to the bottom of it!

Swinging around the city felt like hours with how much stress she was under and trying to figure out exactly what could be wrong with Peter. All she knew what that she was pissed. She finally found him on top of one of a roof. Coming up behind him, she flicked out her whip and sent it at him, grabbing his wrist and turning him to face her before releasing him. “Tisk Tisk Spider-Man, skipping school.” She said in a form of a lecture. “We need to talk. Correction.” She said holding up her hand. “I need to talk and you need to listen.”

Her voice was stern and rather pissy as she spoke. “I don’t know what’s happened to you but I don’t like it. You’ve become a horrible jerk and it’s really getting on my nerves. Now you threaten Flash when he wasn’t doing anything wrong and probably the most hurtful thing is that you are flirting with other girls. Don’t deny it because not only do I hear it from other guys and girls but I’ve seen you checking out other girls; even when we’re walking hand and hand. Am I not good enough for you anymore?! If you’re interested in someone else you need to tell me so we can part ways because all you’re doing it hurting me.” Feeling as though he might be spacing out on her she cracked her whip against the roof top. “What’s gotten into you!? You’re picking fights, checking out other girls and unnecessarily injuring people. I don’t care who the people are, you don’t unnecessarily injure people and you don’t pick fights!”

Her voice was snappy and rough. Lexi rarely got mad but his reaction to Flash, his actions towards criminals and his treatment of her had pushed her over the edge. “You want to fight do you? Then come fight me!” Knowing full well that he would argue with her, she knew she needed to knock some sense into him and if anyone could do it, it was her. But she needed to get him somewhere else. “Maybe Flash was right, you are weak. Weak! Pathetic! Loser! And most of all, a freak! The weak pathetic loser freak Peter Parker! Why would anyone actually like you?! It’s a joke! HA! PATHETIC PARKER!!” With that she fell backwards off the building and began to swing away.

She needed to get him away from people, even though he had strength against her; she was quicker than him and (most of the time) she could wiggle herself out of any hold in order to get herself to have the advantage. Getting away from the main section of the city she landed on an abandon building with a very light thump and looked around. This should be interesting but maybe she could knock some sense into him; even if it meant some personal injury against her own self. At least she’d have his attention enough to talk to him; hopefully he was pissed enough to chase her down.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter landed on top of the stolen car, the whispers in his head getting louder as his anger built up. He thought about his Uncle, and the man who shot him just for his car. Peter leaned to the side, ripping open the passenger side door, and yanking the man out, not even bothering shooting a web to cushion his fall. Peter calculated that they weren't going fast enough to kill the guy... He then leaned back on the top of the car, his spider senses going off just in time for him to dodge a few bullets shooting through the roof.

Peter broke the front windshield window, ripping the steering wheel out of the car, and tossing it aside, the car going completely out of control as the driver tried to slam on the breaks. Peter jumped off just in time for the car to crash into a street light. Peter walked over to the driver, fighting to remain conscious in the driver's seat. The black suited Spider-Man once again ripped the car door open, and yanked the man out, throwing him on the asphalt. He absolutely hated these guys. While in thought, the man on the ground pulled out his gun and fired, Peter dodging just in time, but he grazed him, leaving a cut, and opening in the suit... But the suit simply connected again with little tentacles. Peter turned to the man, tilting his head.

Peter grabbed him by the shoulders, and then punching the man square in the face, and shoving him back down to the ground. "Whoah! Spidey!" A man yelled. He turned around to see the cops chasing the car have stopped, and for the first time since the first few months of him being Spider-Man, they had their weapons aimed at him. "Take it easy man, you got him. That's some unnecessary roughness." He claimed. Peter just shrugged. "Sorry. Must have slipped." Spider-Man smirked behind his mask, and then he was off.

Peter landed on a roof, taking in the scene. Ambulances taking away the criminals, crowds gathering... This should have made Peter angry with himself. He could have left everyone with little damage to not only the city, but to the people as well. He could already see the Daily Bugle articles now: "Spider-Man a Lose Cannon! Arrest Him!" But the more crooks in jail, the better this city was.

Then his hand was grabbed by something, and he turned around. All he did was smile to see Lexi glaring at him. Was she mad at him? Why? He was confident! Putting people away in the streets! Feeling free and powerful! But that smile soon turned to a frown as she continued to talk. Oh he had a lot to say, but he couldn't get a word in... And then the insults came. The voices in his head whispered harshly in his mind, saying she was a traitor, and dangerous. As you can tell, this left Peter very confused. He would have never in a million years expected to hear those words coming from his Lexi's mouth. His sadness soon turned to anger, the voices and suit taking control. She ran off, and in a blink of an eye, so was Peter.

Normally Black Cat could outrun Spider-Man for a little bit, but with his new senses and power, it didn't take long for Peter to catch up with her. Peter Parker would never hurt Lexi... But the Black Suit had no morals. After a few attempts of trying to get her but not succeeding, he finally planted a string of web on her waist, and as he landed on a building top, he yanked hard on the web, pulling her towards him with all his force. "So you're going to side with him, eh? You're going to side with the cops, and the Bugle, and EVERYONE who talks shit about the Mighty Spider-Man? I am a god! I punish those who do bad! I can do whatever the hell I want! I am not a weakling, and I am very far from being a freak, you bitch!" And with that he swung his fist at her with blinding speed, and full force.

This is when Peter Parker screamed inside his head, in protest of his actions. He was attacking his rock, his hero. He was hurting the one he adored and loved in so many ways over the last few weeks, and it all of the sudden hit him. The voices in his head were gone for the time being. Those whispers haven't been quiet for a very long time.

Disgust, rage, fear, shame, disappointment all washed over him, and he just stood there in frozen fear after his punch landed, with all the regret in his heart. He changed. He was not a god. He was a monster, and he couldn't take a second more of this. He finally looked at his hands, as if examining them for what they were for the first time.

Then the images of the night he first got the suit crashed in his mind. He was attacked by the same ooze that made Harry go insane, that tied Lexi up and almost killed her... Oh god... What has he done?! Who was he?!

"Lex...I...." He barely muttered, reaching for her, but stopping, watching in horror as she flinched and moved away from him. She was afraid of him. He had lost control of everything he was, and what he stood for. This suit gave him power, but in all reality, Peter couldn't care less about that. That wasn't what Spider-Man was about. That isn't what drove him. Uncle Ben was. Aunt May, the kids who wore spider-man masks and the people who slept easy at night knowing Spider-Man would be there to protect them. Most importantly, Lexi Rogers is what drove him... And now, she wanted nothing to do with the man he turned in to. He pulled his hand back, and then instantly trying to rip the mask off, but it didn't budge, tentacles formed around his hand as he tried, but it always formed back to the mask.

He backed away, still trying, but it was no use. He had to take this thing off. In desperation, shame, and the feeling of self hatred, he zipped off the roof, and started swinging as fast as he could. he needed to get this suit off, but how?! Think Peter, Think!

[EasilyAmused]

There are times in one’s life when things go in slow motion and Black Cat had one of those moments. That feeling of being pulled in an opposite direction caused her body to turn and start towards Spider-Man with a large amount of force. Her only reaction she could do was turn her head to one side and take the instance punch to the face. Even with her mask, the impact was a painful one and she felt backwards onto the rooftop, motionless for a moment.

She stared up at the sky for a moment. Peter called her a bitch and he hit her. Then again she triggered it and she knew it. She knew what she was doing and expected the foul language but she didn’t expect the hit. Sitting up slowly she held the side of her face wincing behind her mask in pain. Attention slowly rolling upward as Spider-Man started towards her. She flinched and crawled back slightly with stumbling feet and visibly shaken. As much as she wanted to think that wasn’t Peter… it was…

At least, that was her first impression until she saw him grabbing at his mask. Why… why couldn’t he take it off? Her blue eyes expanded behind her mask. That… that looked like… “No…” She said softly as she watched the tentacles form back into the mask. How did that stuff end up on Peter? How did he not notice?! Was… was that what caused him to lash out so harshly?! Half of her believed it could have been Peter snapping but the other half, that other half always filled with hope, believed that the reaction was the tentacle stuff. She watched Spider-Man take off of the building and almost instantly started after him.

Chasing Spider-Man around New York City was difficult without his increased power but she was able to predict where he’d swing next and launched herself hard enough to tackle him in mid-swing and cause the two to tumble along another rooftop. Jumping up, Black Cat kept her distance. “Listen…” She began in a stern but soft tone.

Reaching up, she slowly pulled off her mask, revealing the face of Lexi Rogers; left cheek bright red and throbbing but she didn’t care, even if she did just spit out some blood. “Listen to me. You’re one of two things right now; you’re either really pissed at me or you’re really pissed at yourself but I need you to listen.”

She slowly placed her mask on the ground next to her, wanting to make it clear that it was Lexi Rogers speaking to him and not Black Cat. “Remember when I was in the hospital and you thought you had lost me… well you did. I did die, and I went to a place that I can only describe as a field with a forest next to it. I couldn’t talk while I was there but I could hear and see; feel and move. Uncle Ben found me. He told me when I came back I needed to tell you something. I should have told you sooner but I didn’t know when would be a good time. I’m going to tell you now Peter Parker and you’re going to listen. Your Uncle Ben has been watching you, and he’s so very proud of you.” Her eyes began to water but she kept her distance from him. “He’s proud of you for taking care of Aunt May, for doing well in school and mastering your gift. He still loves you, and even after this he will still love you and still be proud of you but you have to overcome this. You have to stop.”

“I have an idea, the suite’s probably not going to like it but it’s the only thing I can think of that will help. We need to get you to Doctor Octavius. He has to have some way of containing it. Now we can do this the easy way were you swing there and I follow you or…” She tapped the ends of her fingers together and her diamond claws came out. “We can do this the hard way.” As timing would have it, she spit out more blood. She was willing to fight him if it came down to it; she’d tie him up like she had done with others in the past and drag him to the lab herself. But this had to change.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter was in a panic. The Black suit felt like it was fighting against him as he swung somewhere, anywhere to try and get this thing off! Peter was no longer going to sit on the sidelines and let these voices choose his decisions. After being wit this stuff for so long, he couldn't blame Harry, or Rick Archer. This stuff knew exactly how to get inside your head, and focus on your weaknesses. Peter was mad at himself for letting this get the best of him for so long, and in the process he probably hurt Aunt May, Lexi, and god knows what will happen to Flash after their little moment today at school. Then he was hit from the side. He was so focused on the black suit that he didn't even feel Lexi come in and tackle him to a rooftop, but this time, Peter had control to cover her with his body, and let himself cushion her fall. Like old times. But that time was short lived as she backed away from him, and Peter stumbled up as well.

As she talked, the voices in Peter's head started to dim at the mention of Uncle Ben. Peter felt sick, weak kneed, just wanting to to leave before he left anyone else hurt. He never meant to hurt anyone. But the black suit took out the most evil part of him. He hated that so much. Tears were streaming from Peter's eyes behind the mask, but When she mentioned that he had to overcome and take off the suit, and voices started to not whisper, but yell in his head, calling her things Peter would have never imagined. He fell to his knees, holding his head in pain, and in a desperate attempt tried to rip off the black ooze once again. Peter's face showed behind the tentacles for only a second or two before the mask formed again.

"D-Doctor Octavius won't kno-Know what to do..." Peter stammered. He got onto his feet again, and shook his head. "If I have to overcome this, I can't have you, or anyone here. This stuff is desperate, a parasite. It's been on me too long. Its just as powerful as me when its on me." Peter said out of breath, the voices still ringing in his head. "I can't rip this stuff off... Its too strong..." Peter trailed off, because he thought of something, and as he did, the ooze really didn't like it. "NOOOOOOOO!" The mask itself made a mouth, and howled out the scratchy voice. "that's it..." Peter muttered, then looked up at Lexi.

"I... I'm sorry. For everything." Peter said desperately, not knowing if she would accept it after everything he's done to not only the people of this city, but her specifically. Peter Parker would never take a second look at a girl when he had Lexi, but the ooze made him everything that he didn't want to be. "I have a plan, but I need you to stay away from me... I can't let this stuff hurt anyone else... And thank you." The last part referenced to the story she told of Uncle Ben. That gave him hope. He was watching. He won't let him down.

Peter then shot a web, going as fast as he could, looking for a place that was loud. and in no time, he found a construction lot. The workers were hard at work, and he could tell instantly that the suit did not like this one bit. The sound of the powertools going off, the cranes screeching, hammers hitting metal, the suit felt... weaker. Peter looked at his hands, and then started to pull at the suit, the tentacles took weak to instantly form back. It was working! He threw the black ooze off his hands, and before long, his hands and forearms were bare, the ooze on the ground, vibrating due to the noise. The voices yelled again, making Peter fall in pain, but he soon stood up.

He was not going to be controlled by this anymore. He was not going to hurt Aunt May, or Flash, or the love of his life ever again! He thought of the voices he cared so much about. "My hero, Peter Parker" "you're so much like your Uncle... He would be so proud of you." "We're leaving for a while, son... Your Aunt and Uncle will take good care of you, I promise." The voices were from Lexi, from his Aunt, and a voice he was surprised he remembered: his father. But the one that meant the most was his Uncle's.

"Come Home Peter, I love you." It was a collection of everyone's voice saying that at once. Peter started ripping at his legs, his thighs bare, and he tried to walk towards a large metal pipe, and with a heavy swing, struck a large metal beam, leaving a large BING! The suit hissed in agony, and Peter ripped at his legs once more. The ooze was angry. It started to jump back on him, but Peter's senses didn't tell him where. He was so used to the suit, his senses thought it was him. He would have to use his own reflexes. Great.

He swatted away patches of ooze that jumped, and this time he started to rip off the part of his chest, screaming behind the mask. It was taking everything from him to do this. He kept fighting, Swinging at things, crashing metal objects to the ground, running in to stuff just to get Venom off him. He tore at his face, yelling in rage for this stuff controlling him, and still trying to stay on, but he could feel that it wouldn't be long before this stuff was defeated. Peter had something worth fighting for other than power.

Peter finally did it. The last of the stuff was off him. The bad part? He was naked. He fell to his knees panting, exhausted. He felt weaker, the voices in his head gone... He was back to himself. He saw the ooze start to form together, and Peter grabbed two metal pipes and banged them together, the ooze hissing in anger, but also becoming smaller, and weaker. Peter looked around to try and find something to contain this ooze. He found a small pipe, some cloth, and rubber bands, and made a very bad container. But it would work for now.

The ooze had little resistance as it was forced in to the pipe, and Peter thought that if he needed to, He could just hit the pipe with something to calm it down if it felt courageous. Peter gave a weak laugh, looking at it. "You've caused a lot of harm to a lot of people... Not anymore. You're venDONE... eh, baby steps, Peter. You'll get your humor back sooner or later." He muttered. Now the next stop was to sneak around this building and try to find some sort of clothes so he could make it home. He needed a nap.

[EasilyAmused]

As far as she was concerned, Doctor Octavius was the only one who could even help them right now. He created the stuff so he had to have some way of containing it. Upon the apology from Peter, she watched his face closely, he wasn’t lying or asking for any form of pity… some couples fight about silly things while others, super-powered couples, fight about whether an evil being was taking over your body or not. Isn’t it funny how different couples are now-a-days?

When he took off, Black Cat slipped back on her mask and followed him. His hurry outweighed her ability to keep up with him and soon she was lost in trying to find him. Shit! Swinging around the city became annoying until she heard some screams of a familiar voice and she hurried in that direction. Spider-Man was in the middle of a construction site with loud banging noises. The ooz seemed to disagree with the commotion and seemed to cling for dear life to Peter as he ripped it away. When his forearms showed she knew that could only mean one thing, he was naked under that suit and off Black Cat went.

Peter always left his window unlocked which was a blessing for her because it would be awkward to explain to Aunt May why she was attempting to get into Peter’s room to get some of his clothes and explain why she wasn’t over as often. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to that conversation, or any conversations regarding recent events at all. Climbing into the window she gathered some underwear, a shirt, pants with socks and shoes and threw them into his bag and jumped back out the window without making a sound.

Arriving back at the construction site, she found Peter lying on the ground looking exhausted. Well he can’t be that exhausted, he’s not done yet. “Being naked in New York is considered Public Indecency young man.” Black Cat said landing near him and tossing the bag to him. “Maybe having some clothes on will help you think more clearly though I can’t really argue all that much.” She said with a hint of playfulness in her voice before she turned her attention to the pipe in which the ooz was hiding in.

“Maybe you should close off each side, tripping it inside and I’ll deliver it to the Doctor with a warning craved into it. I don’t have the strength to pitch the pipe shut but you do.” They needed to trap this thing and inside of a metal pipe was perfect.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter's plan was to try and find some sort of coveralls or something to put himself in while he made his trek home... but he apparently blacked out, and found himself looking at a pair of legs standing a distance from him. Peter managed to sit up, and his face flushing an ice shade of red when he realized who it was. His girlfriend tossed him the bag, catching it and giving a small laugh at her comment. As he put his clothes on, and she talked about pinching the pipe up, looked up at her. "That's... a really good idea." Peter said. he wasn't amazed that Lexi thought that, he was kinda realizing that he didn't think of that. Man, that suit really messed him up in more than one way.

Once he was fully dressed, and his face cooled down a bit, he grabbed the end of the pipes, and with all his strength, he pinched the ends closed like Lexi suggested. Peter's hair was no longer gelled, but the messy mop that it was before thanks to the fight with the suit, he wore a t-shirt, jeans, and shoes that actually looked like what Peter would where. He then tapped it on a metal railing, hearing hissing in the pipe, making Peter hit it a bit harder. There was a lot he could have said to her. He could have just broken down and apologized for everything he did. But he was too ashamed as it was, and she probably didn't want to hear any of it. He couldn't blame her.

Peter tossed the pipe to Black Cat, picking up his backpack and putting it over his shoulder. He was going to have to take the old fashioned way back home. He was completely fine with that. "Be careful with that stuff Lex." Peter said, not able to look her in the eyes after all he's done. He was still thinking of the punch he threw at Lexi. He won't ever forgive himself for that.

[EasilyAmused]

She caught the pipe with ease, tapping the diamond nails against the tube to hear the thing hiss in displeasure inside. This stuff was bad news and she had no intention on allowing it out again. She nodded to his comment about being careful and took off without having much to say to him. Right now, Black Cat had a mission and that was to deliver this to its owner.

Doctor Otto Octavius was sitting in his lab looking under a microscope before he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around in the chair he stared up to see the figure of Black Cat standing in his office. “Oh wow.” He said in surprise as he removed his glasses from his face.

“Wow indeed.” Black Cat responded spinning the pipe upon her hand. “I have something to belongs to you.” She tapped the pipe and it let out a loud hiss much to the surprise of the Doctor. “I need you to listen to me Doctor. This is the stuff that infected a young man and has trailed itself to more people. It needs to go under lockdown and never let out.” She tossed the pipe to him which he caught in surprise. “It does not like loud noises, especially impact with metal.” A nod left her before she leaned forward putting her masked face near his wide eyed expression, “And allow me to make one more thing clear. If this stuff ever gets out again I will hold you personally responsible. It injured many, many people and needs to be kept under lock down and – or – removed from this earth. I will leave the choice up to you but I don’t want to see it out again. Am I clear?” All the Doctor could do was nod. “Ppppuuurrrfect.” She said standing upright with a smile at him.

“That being said and seriousness out of the way, nice place;” She said looking around with an improving nod. “Comfortable and quant without being unwelcoming; I may have to stop by and learn a thing or two about science from you.” She gave him a playful bow and went to the window. “Have good day Doctor.” With that she swung away.

This time, instead of returning to school like she should have she went to Peter’s house. Landing silently on the rooftop, she peeked down and gazed into his room to see him inside. Opening the window, she swung herself in and landed gently. Standing upright she tilted her head to one side. “This is probably a stupid question but, are you alright?” She didn’t dare take off her mask; she could feel the redness heating up and forming into a large bruise on her left cheek. The last thing she wanted to do was for him to see just how much pain he had caused her. But; let’s face it, it took him punching her to snap out of the craziness that was holding him hostage.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter was left alone when Lexi nodded, to think. He didn't have his web shooters, or suit, so he was going to have to walk... Except he was on an unfinished building and his girlfriend left him. He didn't blame her, and he probably deserved this punishment. So Peter made his way down (He still had his sticky ability), and took the long walk back home. By the time he got there, school had ended. He was beyond exhausted, and felt like garbage.. "PETER BENJAMIN PARKER!" Aunt May screamed.

Peter sighed and accepted his fate, already feeling guilty. "I just got off the phone with your school..." She said, glaring at him as she was inches from his face. "You've been failing tests, been picking fights, skipping classes. What on earth has gotten in to you?" She demanded, stomping her foot, tears in her eyes. "I am so disappointed in you. And I know exactly what your Uncle Ben would say, I'm sure you do too." Her voice was breaking, she was obviously sick with this news. "Well? Don't stare at the floor, look at me and say something." With that, Peter looked up at her, tears in his eyes as well, and shaking his head as he held back a sob. "I messed up, Aunt May." Peter muttered. "I ruined a lot of things in these past couple weeks, and I don't know if I'll be able to fix them. I guess Uncle Ben's death finally hit me." He said softly. Aunt May's stare didn't soften. "If you think that you're the only one going through hell because of his death, you are wrong. We both have to be strong, Peter. He wouldn't want us to sulk in his loss, and he definitely wouldn't want you to fail your last year in high school. Do you understand me?"

Peter only nodded. If she only knew that he was Spider-Man, and that there was so much that he did, and it was all for her, and Uncle Ben, and everyone he cared about. But he couldn't tell her that. "You better get your grades back up, young man. I want you to drive to the Thompson's house and apologize in person to them, and for God's sake, spend time with Lexi again. She always kept you out of trouble." And with that, Aunt May leaned up to hug the much taller Peter. He still felt terrible, but her comments made a smirk appear, and he hugged her back. "I'm sorry." Peter said.

"It's alright... Just keep moving forward. For Ben." Peter let go of her, and made the exhausting climb up the stairs, and in to his room. It just occurred to him how different his room was now. His camera was in a corner, not touched in weeks. His wardrobe had new additions in it, specifically black attire that made Peter hate "Venom-self" even more, and crumpled up in the corner was his Spider-Man suit, his original one. He walked over and picked it up, sitting down on his bed as he inspected the spider logo on the chest. He remembered when he spent days on designs, buying special fabric for the suit, learning how to sew and finally coming out with a product he was proud of... then he thought of the hundred of other times he spent repairing this suit, or making a new one. It was muscle memory at this point.

Then his senses went off. He looked up to see Black Cat now standing in his room, looking over at him. When asked if he was alright, he looked back down at his suit, and gave shrug. "Well, lets see... I critically injured numerous criminals and a student, Spider-Man is now more feared than loved, I am now failing every class I'm taking, I'm pretty sure Aunt May is terrified of the man I have become, I have so much black clothes in my closet now that I'm pretty sure that every store in New York is fresh out... And I have been flirting with women while I am dating the world's most fantastic girl, called her something I never should have, and punched her in the face... So, no. I'm not okay." Peter said, running his thumb across the fabric of the suit.

[EasilyAmused]

Looking around the room, she was surprised to see just how many things had changed compared to the last time she had ventured inside of his room. He was such a different person because of that suit and even his camera was collecting dusty. The view of the camera left her heart dropping in her chest. The stuff really changed Peter both inside and out; and it was nothing more apparent than the fact that his camera was covered in dust.

A small sigh left Black Cat as she turned her attention back to Peter and listen to him talk, nods lifting and dropping her small head. He really was screwing some things up by staying in the suit. How he didn’t recognize it was a bad thing was beyond her but she couldn’t hold it against him. It wouldn’t be far for her to lecture him and verbally beat him up for it. God knows whatever she says couldn’t be half as bad as he’s doing to himself. The fact that he still would consider her the world’s most fantastic girl, her face blushed behind her mask. It was nice to hear that he still thought of her in such a manner; you can’t blame her for questioning it considering recent activities.

“Look Peter…” She said softly kicking her shoe lightly against his carpeted floor. “I expected the foul names, but I didn’t expect the hit. I’m glad it snapped you out of it but please know I didn’t mean anything I said. And I’m sorry for saying it but it seemed like the only way I could get you out of the path you were on. So, I’m sorry…” She said with a nod before backing away to the window. It’s not that she didn’t want to be there with him it had to do with the fact that she was dressed as Black Cat and the pain on her face and the beautiful colorization would make him feel even worse. “I’ll probably come over tomorrow so you can have your space.” Climbing out the window she blew him a kiss, “I’m a text or call away if you need me sooner okay?” With that she jumped off and left.

Lexi got home and received a chewing out from her parents for skipping school, it wasn’t surprising but all she could do was nod. Of course the panic was more intense seeing the large bruise on her cheek, she explained that she tripped and fell hard but she didn’t break her teeth so she was fine. While her parents didn’t completely buy the story they accepted it and let her go to bed.

The next morning Lexi took her time putting on her makeup on doing her best to cover the bruise as much as possible. She did rather well compared to how it looked without the makeup and it was almost invisible.

“Lexi.” Her mom’s voice called from downstairs. “Come downstairs, we have something to talk to you about.”

Lexi’s heart began to slam inside of her chest as she started down stairs in a white sweater and blue jeans with a scarf in her hand and her purse. That was until who she saw in the living room. “Uncle Matt!”

“Lexi!” The thirty year old said standing in the living room, his arms extended outward waiting for a huge. The raven haired girl dropped her things and ran into his arms. The man seemed surprised behind his black glasses with the red tint as he let out a gasp upon the impact of her. His hands patted her until he found her head, and measured her against his chest. “Has it really been that long since I’ve seen you?!”

“It’s been a few years.” Lexi said with a laugh as she pulled back and looked up at Matt. Matt Murdock is a close friend of the Rogers family; he went to law school with her father and is her God-Father in case something happened to her parents. An accident when he was younger caused him to go blind but he’s one of the best lawyers around (outside of his dad), “What’s brought you here?”

“Well…” Matt said dragging out the word and looking in the direction of her parents before back down at her. “Your dad brought to my attention that a certain someone who caused a family friend a lot of pain has been caught. But as we know, you can’t have someone represent you have a personal relationship with but… a friend of a friend can.” He said with a smile before Lexi’s blue gaze turned to her parents.

“Mom… dad… what does he mean?”

“Lexi, you need to take Matt to meet May and Peter. They caught the guy who murdered Ben…”

Matt cut off Lexi’s mom before she could continue. “I’ll explain when we get there but the sooner the better.”

Lexi nodded before guiding Matt to the door who used his cane also to follow. Her mom asked about her bruise and she said she was fine. Climbing into the car Matt asked about her bruise and knowing full well that lying to Matt was impossible she told him that she got hit but she really didn’t want her parents to know so she told them that she fell. “Please don’t tell them, it was a mistake and a miscommunication and I don’t want them to worry.” All Matt could do was nod and during the drive Lexi told him about Peter, someone he had never met but knew that the two were friends. The more she spoke the happier she got, even though she wasn’t completely certain how she felt with the situation that had dealt with the day before but one thing was certain; she still loved him.

Parking in front of the house she climbed out of her bug and walked to the door. Knocking on it she turned to Matt shaking a finger at the man. “Be nice.” Matt held up his hands in defense with a grin, “Peter’s a great guy and I don’t need you picking on him.”

“Well, as your God-Father I’m entitled to pick on him.” He said with a grin as the door handle turned.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter had no intentions of calling Lexi later. He already hurt her enough, and he didn't think he could stand to see her perfect face ruined by a mark he inflicted. The rest of the day was spent working on late work on homework. It was hard to do since he was on the verge of exhaustion, and thanks to the black suit he didn't remember much from the classes from the past few weeks... But thank god for the internet! He had a lot of time to think. He didn't leave his room that day until he was sure Aunt May was asleep, and then he made his way out in to New York in his original suit, with his web shooters, and regular powers. He sat on the top of the empire state building, legs dangling as he just sat there, with so much to think about. He needed to apologize to Flash sometime soon. He would also have to somehow make sure that New York knew that Spider-Man wasn't a menace... And then there was Lexi. He didn't know what he could possibly do to make it up to her. He didn't know if she still wanted to be together, and that thought made him sick to his stomach. He wondered what his Uncle would say if he found out he hurt Lexi. He shuddered at the thought, his Uncle would put the fear of God in to him so quickly...

But he was proud of him. Lexi said so. Even after all of this. He didn't know if what she said was the truth or not, but he really hoped that it wasn't. He found comfort in that.

Peter woke up to a knock on the door. He was sleeping upside down in the corner of his bed still in his Spider-Man suit. He had no idea how he got in this position, but he was sure that he passed out while trying to change out of the suit. He ripped off the suit quickly, jumping in to some jeans, a hoodie, and making sure his messy hair was perfectly in place. He stumbled down the stairs, Aunt May already at the door, and opening it to see Lexi, which was a huge surprise nowadays.

"Lexi! My goodness it's been so long! What happened to your face, dear? Who's your handsome guest?" She asked, politely as she smiled over at the blind man standing next to Lexi. Matt Murdock's attention though turned to the sound of a young teenager's heart going extremely fast on the staircase. He was about 6 foot one, 170 pounds of muscle. Excellent physical condition. He smelled of sweat, a special kind of fabric, and he was obviously going through a panic attack when seeing Lexi at his door. This had to be Peter Parker, and it was very clear that he was very much in love with Lexi.

[EasilyAmused]

“I don’t know if he’s good enough for you.”, “You haven’t even met him yet.”, “So? That doesn’t matter, no one’s ever going to be good enough for my God-Daughter.’, “You’re being dramatic.”, “Oh! Lexi that hurts, right in the heart.”, “Now you’re really being dramatic…”, “Oh my heart…”, “Stop.”, “Oh… oh…”, “Stop.”, “The pain….” Lexi rolled her eyes rather dramatically as the door opened and Matt was standing there holding his heart with his free hand before pulling it back down and placing it upon his walking stick and giving Aunt May a smile.

“Oh I fell, nothing to worry about.” Lexi said with a head shake, her blue eyes shot up to see Peter nearly falling down the stairs before looking back at Aunt May. “This is Matt Murdock, he’s a family friend and he said he has something he wants to talk to you two about.”

A nod left Matt as a smile moved across his fine lips showing his straight white teeth. “I hope we’re not coming at an inconvenient time.”

“No.” Aunt May said with a smile, “Please come in, have a seat; I’m May.” She said stepping aside allowing the two to enter.

Matt walked in and turned, looking directly at Peter without even seeing him. “And you must be Peter. Lexi’s told me about you.” His eyebrow quirked up slightly only to be followed by an ‘oooph’ sound as Lexi gave him a small smack to the back; he looked towards her and lowered his eyebrow before venturing inside with a gentle tap of his cane before finding a seat and sitting down. “I’m sure you’re as beautiful as you sound May but my eyes don’t see as well as they used to.” He always found humor in his situation because he was one of those people. “Please sit down and we’ll talk. But I believe…” He pulled his hand from the ground and pointed to Lexi, “Lexi and Peter need to have a little chat before they join us.” He nodded before lowering the walking stick back onto the floor and looked in May’s direction. “We’ll fill them in when they get done.”

Matt was both a blessing and an annoyance when it came to certain things but she nodded at his statement. He’s got a point, and she needed to talk to Peter. Gesturing slightly she started up the stairs passed him and down the hall t his room. Once inside she waited for him to enter behind her and shut the door. She kept her distance though, not being she was scared of him but she wasn’t sure exactly how this was going to end.

“I’m…” She began, taking in a deep breath. Her voice was shaky and sounded extremely sad, “I’m sorry that everything came out the way it did. I know you’re going through a lot and if you… need your space, I understand and I’ll leave you alone but; I hope we can be okay. I know that… it wasn’t you. I’ve seen…” Her pauses were caused by sniffles of sadness and worry. “it happen to others. That, stuff. Harry… pour Harry went just crazy with that stuff and you… you were on the brink of falling down that hill. I had to do something and I’m sorry I pushed you that far but… I didn’t have a choice. I hope you can understand that.” Her gaze was on the floor, she had trouble looking at him. After everything that had happened, they were on the rocks like some couples get but; no one can really relate to super humans fighting.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter never met Matt Murdock in person, but he heard stories about him from Lexi. He was the son of the famous boxer, Jonathan "Battling Jack" Murdock, and he was in an accident as a kid where he was left blind. Being orphaned, he still managed to go to law school, and knew he was the god father to Lexi... And now he was standing in his house with Lexi, and he was very confused. At first he thought he was there to sue Pete for punching his god daughter, but when Matt told everyone that Lexi and Peter needed to talk, he didn't think that was the reason anymore. His heart sank, but he nodded and walked upstairs to his room. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be in the room with her. He didn't know what she was thinking, and if she was mad, he was sure he wasn't going to leave this room alive (or in a relationship... either one).

He stood near his bed, and listened to her words. When she seemed to be done, he was silent for a second, then shook his head. "Why are you apologizing?" He asked quietly, looking up at her. "After everything I have done to you, and you think I have any right to be mad at you?" He wasn't speaking in an offended tone, but he shook his head and gave a weak laugh. "Remember when we first started to date, and I told you how things could get dangerous when dating Spider-Man? Never in a million years would I have... Hurt you. I was so afraid that some criminal would figure out my identity, and then go for you to get to me..." He fought back a couple tears. "I swore to myself that I would protect you no matter what. And I couldn't even protect you from myself."

"I did some... really stupid things. Things I can't even begin to apologize for... But I won't be able to forgive myself for letting that... suit stay on me. I will never forgive myself for... What I said to you, and that I hurt you." Peter wanted to look away from her, but he kept her face in his view. "I need to fix everything I did. I don't deserve an apology..." He hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to say this, but Lexi's father's words haunted him. "And I don't deserve having someone like you. If anything like this ever happened again..." He trailed off, he couldn't stand to think about what would happen. He was absolutely in love with Lexi, he really didn't want to let her go, but if it made her safe...

[EasilyAmused]

Lexi’s blue gaze shot up hearing him comment about her apologizing. He had a point that he had done a lot more to hurt her then she did to him but… well she used something she knew hurt him in order to trigger a response. She knew what things to say and how to say them in order to get Peter mad and she did it. And… he hit her, but she asked for it in a sense. Literally and it pulled him from whatever he was fighting with.

Upon his mention of when they first started to date, her lips curled into a knowing smile and she turned her gaze back down to the floor, her small body leaning up against his door and the toe of her shoe traced along the carpet of his bedroom, drawing random shapes as she listened.

“If anything like that happened again…” She repeated, her gaze shooting up at him, “I will fight back and we’ll both end up battered, bruised and most likely bleeding. I knew the real Peter wouldn’t hit me; violence towards someone you care about is what was needed in order to pull you from… wherever you had gone. So believe me when I say this, I will not hold back and it will be quite a battle for the ages.” She said with a nod. Peter may be a nice guy but if he ever got intentionally physical with her (not being controlled by some crazy glop of black-stuff) she wouldn’t hold back and she would make him look and feel as bad as her. He had strength but she had a quickness and a wiggliness about her that would work towards her advantage.

“I’m not mad you hit me. I’m mad about something else.” Lexi’s head gave a firm nod before she continued. “If you recall; when we first started dating, one of the things you told me was that you were excited about not having any secrets between us. The stuff on you, the thing that wrapped itself around your judgment and nearly your mind; you had to have known before. And you didn’t tell me. Not one word; even when I asked you about it. Nothing…” Again she gave another firm nod. “That’s what I’m mad about. More secrets…”

Shaking her head she looked down at the ground. “Well that and…” She gave a small chuckle fighting back some tears, “It seems rather opposite compared to that but I have had a lot of girls in the last few weeks whispering around me about how flirtatious you had become towards…” Her eyes flicked up at him, “them and other girls around the school.”

She leaned her head back against the wall watching him closely. “So, two things decide how I walk out of here Peter, and it’s your call. One is whether you want me to be your girlfriend or not. Because if you’re going to flirt with other girls then there’s no point at us being together if you think the grass is greener on the other side. And two; if you still want me as your girlfriend, the secrets, the lies, they have to stop. And they have to stop now.” Her weight shifted slightly from one foot to the other before she continued, “No matter how you choose to take this, I hope we can still be friends afterwards.” Yes the decision was up to him, she wanted to be together but it all weighed on his shoulders now.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter knew that Lexi would take him on in a fight. She was quick, her powers enhanced, and since he's been so comfortable with Lexi for so long, his spider senses wouldn't pick her up that much. But she didn't stand a chance against the black suit. And that was what he was afraid of. If anything like that ever happened again. If he ever laid another hand on Lexi again, Peter wouldn't be able to live with that burden. He tried so hard to control his power ever since the night his Uncle died. That black suit took away everything he stood for, and threw it in the trash. It made him sick. He didn't care that he called him those things. As far as he was concerned, he was. All the things he did was.. Well, he couldn't describe how bad it was. He acted like a freak. He felt like a loser, and he pushed away everyone he loved, so yeah. He felt alone.

And then there was the fact that he lied to her about the suit. Well what was he supposed to tell her? "Hey, you know the stuff that affected Harry? I think I woke up last night with the stuff attacking me, and when I woke up, I had an awesome suit that slowly took over my brain!" That didn't sound great. He could think of a million excuses on why he didn't tell him, the most important was that the suit was very good at shoving Peter's thoughts away. None of them would be good enough, and he didn't want an excuse for his actions.

"You know I would have never flirted with anyone else... I barely know how to flirt as it is..." Peter added in his humor unintentionally, and didn't really know if it was an appropriate time for his brain to start being active. Then he sighed and looked at her. "I didn't lie to you. That stuff... Messes with your mind. I'm surprised I didn't end up like Rick and Harry. It... convinced me that it wasn't harmful, that I had nothing to worry about. And no one else had to worry either." He simply shrugged, and wasn't expecting her to understand and forgive him. "You know I don't want to lose you, Lex... You're the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. And my best friend."

Peter hesitated for a second, but stepped towards her, staring at her face, and very gently put his hand up to it. She looked as beautiful as ever, she smelled good, and calming. Peter hated the black suit for many reasons, but the biggest one was that he would ever think to look at another girl like he did with Lexi Rogers. "I don't want to hurt you anymore." Peter spoke softly, looking at the mark that he left on her face. It was faint on her face, but noticeable this close.

[EasilyAmused]

From the look on Peter’s face she couldn’t tell who hurt more. Her and her cheek and feelings or Peter and the knowledge of what he did. When he stepped forward towards her she didn’t move, not wanting to show that there was a possibility of her being afraid of him or worried he would harm her. She watched him put his hand up and a gentle smile curled the corners of her full lips as she pulled herself from the door and stepped forward to him.

Her hands slowly trailed up his chest, feeling him in seat clothes that were much more of his ‘style’ (style? Sure we’ll go with that), his hair was crazy and messy and he seemed like his old self again. His eyes even seemed more Peter-like but instead of the upbeat, happy, playful, goofy and full of science talk; they were filled with sorrow and sadness, depression from what he had done. Hands slowly gliding up his chest and onto his shoulders she leaned herself against him and wrapped her fingers into his hair. “You won’t, I know you won’t.” With that she pressed her lips gently against his.

[Jones Sparrow]

Peter couldn't remember the last time Lexi touched him like this. When the suit consumed him, it felt like Peter was in a dream, a thing he couldn't control, just watch. The more it went on, the more he didn't like what he was seeing, and the less he could do about. He wasn't expecting her to lean closer to him. He was too focused on the mark to even think that she would. His eyes moved back to her's, her fingertips sending a chill through his body, really waking himself up. Her words gave him confidence. A motivation. That's always what she's been, even when he didn't realize it, but the longer they were together, the more he noticed it. He will never hurt her again.

He felt dizzy when their lips touched. It had been so long since he's felt her love, and the worst part was that he has had it the whole entire time, the suit just didn't care about it. But boy did Peter care. His hands went to her sides, returning the gentle kiss before he leaned in for another one, one more passionate, and loving. All those memories of snuggling up together on the couch, talking all night while working on school research projects, having races and little competitions as Spidey and Catwoman... He was glad that he was able to think of those times now when he really needed to.

He pulled back gently, his forehead on her's. "No more lies. No more regretting. I'll prove to you that I'm back... and I'll prove to everyone that Spider-Man is back too."

[EasilyAmused]

There was a small moment between her lips pressing against Peter’s and Peter leaning into the kiss that Lexi feared he would pull back from everything out of depression. If he couldn’t get passed this now, he would never get passed it. But after feeling his hands on her hips and his lips pressing more firmly against his, she relaxed knowing that everything would be okay.

Pulling back from the kiss, she gave him a gentle smile in response to his comments. Her hands played gently with his hair. “Good.” She said with a nod. After a moment of looking gently into Peter’s eyes she stepped back and took his hand. “Come on, now that that’s over with. It’s probably a good idea that we join Matt and Aunt May downstairs. He made it clear to me on the way over that the topic involved both of you.”

Matt was sitting across from May and looked as though he had just finished speaking. Leaning back in the chair he was playing with his cane as he heard the footsteps coming down the stairs. Something that was rather light weight which was surprising and a heavier footed young man. Both hearts were raising, stress was relieved and replaced by a sense of urgency. “Good of you two to join us.”

“Peter…” May said looking up at her nephew with disbelief in her eyes before looking back at Matt.

“Please sit down,” Matt said gesturing towards the couch before beginning to speak, “I’ll keep this brief. In the law world, there is a rule to not get involved in cases you have a personal connection with. So that being said, I have come to help with a case that involves you and your lovely aunt here… The cookies were great by the way… It’s speaking in regards to the man killed Ben. He’s been caught.” Matt tossed his cane up gently and caught it. “This guy’s a real character and has killed more than just Ben. But the problem with this guy is he always seems to be able to get away with it. But this time, now that he was caught… and the fact that I’m here, he won’t get away with it this time. But it will require help from both of you…” With that he caught his cane a final time and leaned forward, his hands wrapped along the top and his empty eyes staring in the direction of the throbbing heart of Peter Parker. “Tell me Peter, are you up for the challenge?”