Spider-Man: A New Spiral

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***

30 August 2013, 9:54 AM.

Felicia Hardy's apartment.

MJ sat in front of the mirror and put on her earrings.

Gynecologist's appointment or not, you need to shine.

The redhead put her hand on her stomach. She wasn't even three months pregnant, but it was the last few weeks that just felt magical.

Maybe it's just the famous position-induced changes that usually come in the fifth month, or maybe it's Pete's spider serum recreated super soldier.

Watson sighed.

For three weeks now her Tiger had been nowhere to be found, and the criminal organisation HYDRA was to blame. But Pete had found a way to call and warn her that all was well, he was safe and would be back soon.

And Mary believed it. Now at least the father of her unborn child was not missing without warning, and MJ knew that his words were not idle chatter, the Peter Parker she knew would really go through everything, but would return to his family.

And that was enough for the green-eyed girl. But her and Pete's girlfriend wasn't.

Since her return, Felicia has been nervous, angry and trying to dive back into work. MJ tried to help as much as she could, but because of her position, she no longer looked like an equal partner to Hardy. It made her angry, but she didn't want to fight with Kitten.

And so their daily routine went on.

Until the event of three days ago.

Then Fey returned home in a state quite unusual for her. She was neither tired, nor irritable, nor even exhaustedly mocking.

She was shaking.

And when the redhead tried to find out what was wrong, the blonde simply ran off to the shower. So fast, in fact, that she'd forgotten to close the bathroom door. Which Mary Jane took advantage of.

What she saw inside was even more disturbing.

Hardy had scattered all her things and, climbing into the shower stall, was frantically going over her velvety skin with a loofah. Perhaps if Watson hadn't intervened, Kitten would have rubbed until she scratched.

Mary switched off the water and began wiping Felicia, who just sat with her back against the wall and stared blankly ahead.

MJ gently tried to find out what was wrong, but the blonde remained silent. Then Watson pulled her unresisting girlfriend out and took her to the couch, threw a fluffy dressing gown over her shoulders, made tea and, after all the outside manipulations, sat down next to her, hugging the blue-eyed girl.

Only that worked.

Fey laid her head on Mary Jane's shoulder and began to talk very quietly.

The redhead didn't interrupt, but after the first name was spoken, everything became clear.

Ryan Days.

As it turned out, he was a representative of a law firm working with Hardy Consolidated. His boss was present at the first meetings, but then he was transferred as a junior partner. And today was the first meeting.

Fey spoke and her deep buried fears inside reared their head again. Yes, she is Black Cat, a superheroine, a great thief, a successful businesswoman and an incredibly confident young woman.

But such a reminder from the past.... anyone would be thrown off balance.

And so, since then, Fey has not been herself.

Mary's musings were interrupted by the appearance of the subject of her musings from the right side.

Felicia looked beautiful: a cream and silver trouser suit with a light layer, black tights that effectively emphasised her legs, slip-on shoes and earrings with diamonds, which the Cat was at the moment putting into the lobes of her beautiful ears.

- You look gorgeous, Kitten," Mary said, touching her girlfriend's cheek.

- Thank you, sweetie," Hardy put her palm over the redhead's hand. - I thought, that's enough. I can't get away from that bastard, Mum won't let me lose contact with that law firm. I'm not gonna talk about what happened, so I'm gonna fight. Don't let her think I'm scared.

I was, though I was, I could read between the lines.

- You'll beat them all, Fey," Mary leaned her knees on the pouffe and hugged the blonde's neck, kissing her. - I know you will.

The Black Cat responded to the kiss with pleasure.

- How's our mummy? - Felicia asked caringly, placing her palm on the redhead's stomach.

- I feel great, but I miss her a lot," MJ sighed.

- You were the one who insisted that Spidey would be back soon," the blonde tried to speak in a calm tone. However, excitement still slipped through.

- Yes, I have, actually," Watson placed her palm on her stomach, over Fey's hand. - 'We feel like Peter's just around the corner.

The girls' conversation is interrupted by the doorbell.

- I'll go get it," Mary Jane said before the blonde could react.

The green-eyed actress went to the door and looked through the peephole. All she saw, however, were flowers.

- Who's there? - The redhead said with a slight strain in her voice.

Too often she had seen this kind of reception in the cinema.

- Delivery," an unknown voice answered her.

MJ turned to the blonde with slight tension, but Fey only nodded curtly.

The redhead sighed and opened the door.

- Surprise!!! - removing the flowers hiding his face and returning to his normal voice, Peter shouted.

- Tiger!" the redhead threw herself around her boyfriend's neck, completely ignoring the thorns on the roses.

- Careful, Carrot-top, you'll hurt yourself, - Parker said with a smile, hugging his favourite. - Hi, Kitten," the brown-haired man said to his other lover.

- Hi, Spider," the blonde replied in a nervous tone. - I'm very glad that you came back, I want to stay here, but I have to go to work, I'm sorry, I'll see you tonight.

Without even looking at her boyfriend, Fey ran out of the flat.

- Is something wrong? - Parker asked his red-haired girlfriend, perplexed.

- It's complicated, Tiger, I'll explain later, - MJ sighed. - For now, just come to me.

Peter merged back into the kiss with Mary Jane with great pleasure.

*

Two hours later.

Spider-Man.

Alas, I didn't get to spend much time with Carrot-top. My girl had a gynaecologist's appointment, so the heavy heart had to go. I called a taxi for my beloved, and went to solve the cases, which I had time to start after the story with HYDROA.

First of all, the flight home.

After the squid SWAT raids and my call, Mary had asked my clones to keep an eye on the flat. Ben and Cain live here now.

I land on the roof and retract the symbiotic suit.

I'm used to it by now.

I climb down and find myself at the door leading to my flat.

I pull the handle and, miracle, it's open!

I step inside and see some very hot moves going on on the kitchen table involving Ben and some girl he's sat on the kitchen table.

- 'Ahem, ahem, ahem,' I draw attention to myself, leaning against the doorjamb.

- Oh, shit, Cain, I told you," Ben turned to me, pulling away from the lips of what appeared to be his girlfriend.

- Oh, I'm sorry, brother, is this a bad time? - I smirk at my shocked clone.

- Pete!!! - Reilly grins widely and rushes over to me with a hug.

- Shh, shh, shh, cowboy, at least put some clothes on," I patted my brother on his bare back.

- We weren't expecting anyone," the blond scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.

- Maybe you could introduce me to this beautiful lady who's so awkwardly writhing around the table," I smiled even brighter, as the twin and his partner blushed.

- Erm...yes, yes, of course, Peter, meet my girlfriend, Elizabeth Tyne, Lizzie, meet my older brother, Peter," Ben introduced us to each other.

- Nice to meet you, Elizabeth," I extend my hand to the girl.

- Nice to meet you, too, Peter," the redhead shakes my hand confidently. - Ben has told me a lot about you and your family. I'll tell you a secret, he respects you a lot," she smiles at me.

- Oh, that's so nice," I glance at my brother, who's blushing. - Listen, Elizabeth, I need to talk to Benji, do you mind?

- Oh, no, of course not, I just need a shower," the green-eyed girl winks at Ben and strides into the bathroom.

- That's quite a score you made, Ben," I said to my brother, who glanced at his girlfriend. - Now tell me, does Cain live in my room or you?

- Я.

- Right. Follow me.

We go into my bedroom and, my God, this place has never been so messy.

- I'm throwing back the duvet and sitting on the mattress. - Now please tell me that your girlfriend didn't find anything while you were frolicking around," I pointed to the wardrobe.

- Don't worry, Pete, all our secrets are safe," the clone held up his palms in a soothing gesture.

- Mind if I check it out?

- Sure," Ben went to the door, "I'll be outside if you need me.

When the door closed behind Reilly, I opened the wardrobe and pulled back the double wall.

In the stash hung my suits, from a few classic red-and-blue ones, to a technical one, a Shield suit, and a Superior one made of unstable molecules.

It was the latter that I got. The question of where to throw it was solved by itself when I looked over and saw a bright red-and-yellow backpack.

Suit within a suit, huh?

The rest of the equipment was fine as well. Jetpack, katanas, webbing, belt, everything in place.

I put the false wall back in place, close the wardrobe, and, slinging my backpack over my shoulders, leave the room.

Ben and Elizabeth are already waiting in the living room, with hot tea.

- Everything okay? - The doppelganger asks.

- Fine, bro," I wink and sit down at the table.

- So, Peter, you're back, Benny told me you were away on a business trip, but now you're back, right? - Running her fingernail across the mug and, a little nervously, Tyne clarified.

- That's right," I sip my tea.

- Well," the blond man shrugged a little. - We can get our stuff together by tonight, so....

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold your horses, brother," I raise my hand. - Did you really think I was going to kick you out? That's a shame, Ben.

- No, Pete, that's not what I meant! - my clone said, startled.

- What Ben meant was that we wouldn't want to be uninvited guests in someone else's house," Lizzie said, putting her hand on my brother's palm.

I definitely like this girl.

- Ben is my brother. And so is Cain," I said, leaning back in my chair. - And I can see he cares for you Elizabeth, so you're not in someone else's house. Stay as long as you like.

- Really?! - The clone stared at me in disbelief.

- Of course," I said, smiling.

Plus, less surveillance from HYDRA if they think I don't live in this house.

But where to live now?

- It really wouldn't be a bad idea for me to get my stuff before I do, if you don't mind?

- I'll help," the blond nodded. - Lizzie, why don't you go shopping or to the cinema?

- I could help you," the girl said perplexed.

- And I'd be very grateful," I cut in, "but, you know, it's a lot of personal stuff and I'd appreciate it...you know.

She seems to understand.

- Sure, boys, have fun.

The girl leaves our company with a light gait from the hip.

- She's pretty good," I say to my brother as the front door closes.

- Thanks," Ben says, embarrassed. - So, do you want to take just the insect stuff, or do you want to take the spider stuff?

- If memory serves me correctly, spiders are arachnids," I bore on with a smile on my face.

- You know what I mean...

- Yeah, yeah," I raise my palm. - And you can be calm, I'm not planning a total move, I just wanted to take my equipment in peace.

I'm going into the bedroom, clone follows me.

- Um, Pete?

- Pete? Yeah?

- So how did it end up? - Reilly asked with interest as I pulled out my katanas and other gear.

- In brief, HYDRA is convinced that I'm a fully recruited agent.

At least, I hope that the relative willingness to kill a girl I've known for a while and was on quite friendly terms with is more than enough. It's a good thing I can feel the weight of the gun and smell enough gunpowder for real ammunition.

- But they didn't just let you go, did they?

- Yeah," I sling the jet pack over my shoulder. - Now I'm a contact for Firs. Most likely, all assignments will come from him or that agent who communicates with him on the Aircraft Carrier. By the way, how's Cain doing?

- He's doing great. After you were recruited by the squids, he went to work for Shield, running missions, sometimes with Falcon Eye, sometimes with Black Widow, but more often alone.

- Suspicions? - I pull out my belt.

- I'm not sure," the blond man puts his palm to his chin. - At least, Cain said only Fury knows his identity, and he uses a vocoder with the others, so I guess everyone thinks they're still working with you.

- Except Cap.

- Oh, yeah. Oh, and Fury's initiative recently came to fruition.

I'm even freezing.

- Avengers?

-А? No. The Shield Hero Squad," my brother looks at me puzzled. - Are they called the Avengers?

- No, that's not what I mean," I exhale even slightly. - So, Team?

- Yes. And Cain is with them, by the way.

- Wow," I chuckle. - Who's on the team?

- Iron Fist and Cage," Raleigh began to curl his fingers, "Flaming Storm, White Tigress, and our not-so-famous Agent Venom," the blond smiled.

Wait a minute...

- Wait, weren't there supposed to be a mutant Angel and Nova still there?

- What I don't know about, I don't know about," my twin shrugs.

So we need to meet with Fury about that, too.

- By the way, Pete, where are you going to go now? - Ben asked, worriedly.

- That's the question, brother," I answered, double-checking everything I'd put on me. Literally all the stuff I had in my wardrobe. - Let's see, I don't need to stay here, you and Cain look after me. Girls like Peter Parker are off-limits to me. The only options I can think of are Queens or the Fantastic Four lab.

- F.F.F.?

- I think it's time you revealed your identity to your friends," I turn to the clone. - Besides, they're practically family.

And on the verge of a showdown with HYDRA, they'd be a big help.

- And yet, to live in a lab? - Riley arches an eyebrow.

- Actually, I was thinking of staying in one of the staging areas, like the water tower near Brooklyn, how about that? - I say with a smile.

All I get in response is a shocked stare from my doppelganger.

- Come on, I'm kidding," I sighed a little, "I guess Queens is perfect, if you don't want to arouse suspicion or pose much of a threat to Mary. Besides, Del's there, and with her Spidey powers, I don't have to worry about HYDRA showing up.

Although there's no point in them making a move. As long as I play by their rules.

- Queens it is, Ben nods. - And, Pete, you'd better fly home right now and make your sister and Aunt May happy.

- I was going to," I smiled at my genetic copy.

I'll throw all my stuff in, too.

Let's go out into the corridor.

- Well, I think I've got everything I need," I said to Ben.

- Anyway, we're always waiting, brother," Reilly said.

- Okay," I shake hands, and I head up to the roof.

The desire to fly in my iron armour was too great, so I released a dozen symbiotic tentacles and left all my stuff in them, while I flew off the roof in my Iron Spider armour.

It's an indescribably high flight. Crazy speed.

On my way back to Queens, I thought out my plan for the day: I'd stay in Queens, then go to Fury's to find out what's going on at Shield, and then go home to talk to Kitten. I don't like her behaviour this morning.

And rightly so, Bearer, your female was frightened enough when you showed up," Raj's voice sounded familiar in his head.

'You think it has something to do with me?

But what did I do?

I think you just need to talk to Miss Hardy, Pete.

You're right, brother.

Let's not get too excited just yet.

In record time, I cover the distance between me and home and deactivate my armour in mid-air.

As I fell, I switched on my Klyntar invisibility and invoked levitation charms, landing safely on the ground.

The first thing I asked the doc to teach me.

Once I'm a block away from our family nest, I grin and walk down the road in the same chameleon disguise, hidden from the gaze of all passersby.

It's even fun to manoeuvre like this.

In the process, I return the double teleportation ring to my left palm.

The trip to the FF will be postponed for a while.

These few days of training with Stefan have given me a tremendous amount of answers. I never thought the mystical side would be a clue to learning my mutant side.

Alas, I still can't turn into a Super Spider at will, but the X-gene is now clear and no further research is required.

Thanks, Doc, and thanks for a lot of spells, even if they're not killer, they're still useful.

I even know who to give one to.

Thinking, I walk to my house.

I open the door with my key and walk into the hallway.

- Hello? Hello? - I shout.

But there's no response.

I close the door and keep walking.

The kitchen is empty, the hall, the rooms on both floors, I even checked the basement. No one.

Well, May's either in the next house or out somewhere with Anna.

And Delia...well, perfect opportunity to test something out.

I go back to the lounge and lay down on the couch with my hands under my head.

I close my eyes and call upon my Sense.

I focus on my genetic twin and feel the Sense resonate with her mind.

The first time I'd noticed I could do this with clones was back on Cain, and while I'd been forcibly detained in the HYDRA camp, I'd had time to practice. At first I just knew where my dear brothers and sister were, then as if from the outside I learnt to see their activities, just for a few seconds. Like a dream.

And then, for the first time, I made telepathic contact with Cain.

I remember my brother was shocked when my voice came out of his head.

I wasn't used to it. I'd realised long ago, after I'd returned from the Wild Earth, that my clones and I weren't just connected by our origins. It's a much deeper and more mystical connection.

Maybe it's all about the Sense. That's probably true, and the more I progress in the knowledge of my Spider-sensor, the more possibilities I discover.

At least it sounds logical.

Does it really? I'm inclined to think so, but either way, we'll see.

Since then, I've told Cain to keep his mouth shut until he's had a chance to practice all this.

Well, here's the opportunity.

Turns out Del is on patrol at the moment, flying somewhere in Hell's Kitchen.

There wasn't much desire to get into his head at this distance, better to test the Spider Telepathy directly up close.

I broke the contact and opened my eyes and sat down on the couch.

Then it would be a good time to check on my aunt.

And yes, May had turned up at the Watson family home.

To my delight there were no tears or screams. My auntie is a fighter, worried about me though she may be, but she's starting to get used to long, sudden absences.

After a hearty lunch, I return home. I could have slept in my old bedroom with Delia, but I shouldn't keep feeding my own demons. Everything is good in moderation.

Sleeping in the basement, of course, is not something I'm used to and yet I still need to have the courage to go in there.

Temporarily leaving my clothes in the former laboratory, locking the basement with a strong deadbolt, I go up to the first floor of our house.

I stop in front of Ben and May's room.

I sigh deeply and turn the knob to enter.

It's been a while since I've been in here.

I look around, noting that after Auntie moved all her stuff and the other knickknacks that used to belong to her uncle, not even the smell reminds me of someone living here.

- A new beginning, eh?

It's quite cosy here, Bearer.

Yes, Brother, it is. I think I'll get used to it in time.

I walk over to the cupboard and open it. It's spacious, there's plenty of room behind the wall, I could design a stash.

But that's for later.

I go back to the basement and cover the katanas along with the jetpack with thick polythene.

I take my perfect suit out of my backpack/armour and put it on.

I double-check the mask system, the controller in my wristbands, the web-shooters, and other technical systems of my uniform.

Everything is normal.

I sling my rucksack on my back and walk out of the basement, switching on symbiotic invisibility.

I lock up my former lab and walk to the nearest alley.

I grab onto the brick wall and step up to the roof.

Remind me again, Pete, why don't you just teleport to the Aircraft Carrier?

It's simple, Raj. The first one I just got out of the tight tentacles of HYDRA. After an adventure like that, Nikki's going to want a face-to-face. And two, I stop and activate my armour. - I'm looking forward to wearing the armour.

And this time, not in reduced mode, but with full systems.

- Welcome back, Peter! - Karen greeted me cheerfully.

Here's the main system.

- Hi baby, how are you? - I smile at the AI's chirping.

- Great. Like all armour systems," the prog replied in a chant.

Good thing I upgraded Karen a little bit.

- Great, thanks for the diagnostics.

I spread my palms apart and activated the reactors in my boots.

With a sudden burst of energy, I take to the sky.

- Karen, please plot a course for the aircraft carrier and send a signal on the secure lines that I'm approaching. We don't want to get shot down, do we?

Although I would test the armour's missile resistance. As well as the manoeuvre protocols.

- I'll do my best.

The techno-assistant started following instructions, while I went about the process of transferring my Spiderbot codes from my wristbands to the armour server. Just in case.

Before HYDRA arrived, I started mass reproduction of my eye-watchers, but while they were not ready, I had to move the observers of objects like: bank, technolab, jewellery shop to more important places for me.

One Spiderbot in Hell's Kitchen, near Matt Murdoch's office, a couple in Harlem, keeping watch over the offices of Heroes for Hire and Jessica Jones, another near Rand Industries, one at Oscorp. Left one at X-Mansion with Chuck's permission, and so on.

Information is power.

Though in this couple of months more or less interesting events, judging by the stats from my cast iron crawlers, only mutants have been happening.

No surprise, passions for my dear X-gene brethren are only growing.

I'm sure Nick will clarify this issue better than a tonne of articles on what's going on.

- Unknown board, this is the PROTECTION aircraft carrier, identify yourself! - came a voice on my communications system after twenty minutes of flight time.

- Aircraft carrier, Spider-Man speaking, transmitting clearance codes, requesting permission to land," I sent the data in accordance with protocol.

A few minutes of tense silence worthy of an action film before an action scene, but everything ends peacefully.

- Copy, Spider-Man, welcome aboard, sir," came the same voice of the regular agent, except the tone was calmer.

I fly close to the giant air glider of the spy organisation and land smoothly at the stern of the ship.

Where the director is already waiting for me.

- Good to see you, Spider-Man," Fury greets me with a slight smile.

- Nick," I return the handshake.

- Interesting toy," the spy said, looking me over carefully. - Stark?

- That's the one," I tap the metal of my forearm, "a gift in honour of my rescue. Can we talk?

- Let's go," Fury nods gravely and invites me to follow him.

We get to the office quietly, meeting a crowd of agents on the way, who are scurrying back and forth and throwing interested glances at Nick and me (especially me).

I agree, the armour is fabulous.

- Activate third level of disguise, Silence protocol, password: Marjorie," the spy said as the door to his office closed behind us. - Now we can talk.

- You seem to have heeded my last comment," I say with respect in my voice. - What about our glorious meetings?

- If this is a test, then rest easy, son. It's a magical night. Such a full moon," the headmaster pronounces our code phrases.

Well, I didn't ask for it, but okay. Healthy paranoia.

- Great," I take a seat across from him. - I think we should discuss the situation with HYDRA first.

- Report," Fury orders, palms folded in a lock.

- There's not a lot of information, I've been kept in a suburban recruitment training centre all this time. What can I say, the Squids train their boys to be good, with all due respect to the Shield's programmes, Nick.

- It's just that we're not used to squeezing all the juices out of our people, you know, we work a little differently, - the spy sniggered at my statement.

- Anyway, they let their new agent go with the instruction to be a contact for Firs. I'm sure if they need me for anything else, they'll find me on their own.

- I'm sure they will," the one-eyed eagle frowned slightly.

- I take it you didn't heed my warnings and started the investigation yourself? - I duplicate the spy's gesture.

- With all due respect, kid, but I was in this broth when you weren't even in the plans," the man answers me. - But don't worry, I listened to your worries and acted quietly, studied the data, biographies, all agents, while involving a minimum number of people and only the most trusted, - informed me one-eyed.

- Who?

- Black Widow and Agent Hill.

- Maria?

If I trusted Natasha, I didn't know the second candidate so well.

- Believe me, if it's about the enemy, she won't talk," the spy reassured me. - By the way, I was looking for information not only about HYDRA.

Nick opened a desk drawer and started rummaging through the papers.

While Fury was busy, I systematically looked around the room and very, very carefully ordered Karen to test the strength of this Silence protocol. Curious to see if I could hack into this system.

Meanwhile, Nick pulled out some kind of folder and handed it to me.

- Teresa Dupont. 16 years old. Born in France. Foster parents Marcus and Sherryl Dupont. All clean and ordinary-looking.

While Fury was talking, I was flipping through the paperwork and my eye lingered on a photograph.

Yeah, the little one looks just like me.

- Spider?

- I'm sorry," I look up, "I got distracted. Can I take the photo?

- Sure," the director says.

I just absorb the photo with symbiotic flesh.

- What did you find out about the sleeping agents?

- Not much, - the spy pressed his lips together. - The squids have got their tentacles so deep that it's incredibly annoying, I can't find out everything cleanly without disturbing the agents. You know, the polygraph doesn't have much to offer.

- Yes, I know, - I raise my head to the ceiling, - to be honest, I'm thinking about several options acceptable in our situation.

- Enlighten me? - Nicky arched an eyebrow.

- Gladly. This battle will be very decisive, Nick, and in order to do it with minimal losses and with the highest chance of destroying the enemy, we must prepare now.

- I'm listening," Fury looks at me sternly.

- I think I'll start by training a squad of super-soldiers.

- What do you mean?

- In this battle we need the strongest and most infallible allies. I happen to know a lot of heroes who will come to our aid when we're ready.

And not just any heroes.

- Will you inform everyone?

- From the streets to the mutants," I nod.

- Interesting. And dangerous.

- I know, and I'm not going to tell everyone that HYDRA exists and agitate for a fight, I'm just going to start a rallying cry, and then we'll see.

- Well, that's not a bad option," Nick summed up, raising his palms to his face. - Work on this plan.

- Accepted," I nod.

- So, if that's all about HYDRA, do you have any more questions? - Fury asked, leaning back in his chair.

- A little birdie told me that while I was eating squid chowder, you put a plan for the Team's organisation in motion? - There was nothing but interest in my voice.

- That's right, by the way, Agent Venom has settled in very well," the agent adds with a smile.

- Good for him, - I answer with the same cheerfulness. - But I'm more interested in the fate of the other two candidates.

- And who are they?

- Angel and Nova.

- Oh, Spider, well, the situations here are interesting, - said the one-eyed man thoughtfully.

- I'm listening.

- You missed a lot of things, - Nick tapped his finger on the table. - I'll start with Nova. The kid went into space. His old team came back and told him there was trouble outside our planet and we sent Sam as our monitor to keep an eye on things. Also, the UN organised an expansion of the Shield, forming a unit responsible for all things space-related - the Sword.

Oh, bollocks, missed the arrival of the Guardians of the Galaxy! That's a shame, I would've had a chat with Groot.

- And Warren?

- That's more unpleasant," Fury frowned. - You know what I don't like more than paper reports? Politics.

- The mutant issue," I nod understandingly.

- Yes. After the president signed the treaty with Trask, mass production of these so-called Guardians began.

- Genocidal machines," I comment with disgust.

- And, as you realise, if there is one side, there will always be opponents," Nick looked directly at me again. - Angel interrupted his internship and went back to his father to organise his party, representing protection for mutants.

- And his father was involved in all of this? - I wonder, knowing Warrington's temper.

- The old man is not fond of mutants, but loves his son more than anything, so, seeing that the guy will not give up, gave him ownership of the company and retired from business.

That's news!

- So now our golden boy's feathers are really made of gold," I grinned.

- Looks like it," the spy snorts at my comment. - There's actually a whole coalition of rich mutants out there. The Warren case is sponsored by Charles Xavier and Emma Frost, CEO of Frost International.

- Apparently, the mutants are preparing to assert their rights in the political arena as zealously as they are to fight these robots if necessary," I say with a smile.

- Do you approve? - Fury asked with an incomprehensible tone.

- Do I approve of opposing such an aggressive nationalistic policy dictated by fear? Yes and yes again.

- Peter, what's about to happen could divide society," Fury said sternly. - If it goes on like this, it could start a war.

- Tell that to the president who's willingly agreed to create the Guardians for, what was it, a precautionary measure? We don't shoot if they don't, right? Why don't we just put all the mutants in concentration camps?!

- That's not what this is about!

- I don't want it to come to that!

- Don't be a boy, you know it's not that simple," Fury jumped up from his seat.

- Maybe it is," I rise as well. - There are scum everywhere, but when the leader of an entire country unilaterally makes such a decision, it makes you wonder.

- You haven't seen the latest ratings, kid," the spy exhales.

- If a hundred cats start barking, I'm not going to consider it normal," I turn away. - Ideas of hatred have never done any good, especially undeserved hatred of an entire people for the actions of specific individuals or simply because of differences.

- Then we can only hope that through the work of Warrington and Xavier, things can be resolved peacefully.

- You don't know how much I want to hope.

But the thoughts returning to the one subject in the helmet are destroying that faith.

The silence is interrupted by a pop-up message.

It's from Mary. Felicia's back home.

That's great.

- Nice talking to you, Nick, but I gotta go.

- Okay," Fury stands up and extends his hand to me. - You do as we discussed, and if you need Parker, I'll call you.

- You got it.

I say goodbye to the director and leave.

I get up on deck and take off.

Looks like we're gonna have another big talk today.

*

Felicia Hardy's apartment.

An hour later.

The superheroine thief turned off the hair dryer, having finished drying her hair, after her shower.

Fey pulled the plug from the socket and laid back on the bed, tucking the appliance away.

All in all, today could be called a success. She had seen Dace and fought back. Both on the business field and in a personal confrontation.

And, still, a nasty chill deep inside kept her from feeling completely secure.

It was also incredibly embarrassing to Peter for his escape this morning.

To think, Spidey was back! He'd been held captive by HYDRA for weeks, come home, and she?! She ran away like a coward!

The sounds of talking distracted her from her inner turmoil and the urge to throw something at the wall.

One quiet voice she could easily make out; it was Mary's. A second pleasant timbre gave her goosebumps of excitement and shame.

The owner of that beautiful voice did not wait long.

- May I come in? - Peter asked quietly after a short knock on the door.

- Yes, of course," the blonde replied quietly, nervously tugging at the edges of her shorts.

As if they weren't tight enough already.

The door opened.

- I thought I owed you an apology after this morning," Parker said, smiling slightly, clutching a bouquet of white lilies. - The lush bouquet of roses was prepared earlier, but I had to wait for the second one so I could greet both my girls with dignity," Pete walked over to Felicia with a slight compression of his lips. - This is for you.

- Thank you, Peter," Hardy accepted the bouquet and inhaled deeply the fragrant scent of her favourite flowers. - They are beautiful.

In response, Parker sat down next to her and gently took the blonde's palm in his hand.

- Kitten, what happened? - asked the brown-haired man courteously but insistently.

A herd of goosebumps ran through Cat's body. It was her Spidey, the quiet but penetrating voice that was so deep into her very soul. A courtesy and yet a pressure that she wanted to obey.

But tonight she couldn't continue their eternal game.

- Hadn't Carrot-top told you? - Hardy tried to muster all her composure.

- MJ explained that it was too personal and should only be told between us," Spidey was silent for a second. - This...does it have something to do with your father?

At the sudden suggestion, the blonde stared at her boyfriend in surprise.

- What makes you think that?

- It's just...it's just that I don't know whose other personality could make you so worried, - the brown-haired man rubbed the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

And Fey froze.

There he was, so bright, so kind, her superhero. How could she confess what had happened? Tell him about the sordid nightmare that had happened in her life? How would he look at her after that?

But as soon as Felicia looked into the warm brown whiskey eyes, felt that reverent touch on her palm and the enveloping support, she knew she couldn't lie to him about it anymore.

- I-" Black Cat tried to begin, but a traitorous lump rose to her throat. - You know that even at the moment of opening and meetings with potential partners and sponsors my mother loaded me with enough responsibilities, - Hardy began from afar, and the attention to her words from Peter urged to continue. - I met with the head of that very organisation and, at first everything was fine, but then I had to meet with his deputy...

Fey faltered at the last words, and Pete realised it was about that very man.

- It's all about him, isn't it? - The boy hurried to check his hunch.

The blonde girl tightened her lips a little, but nodded confidently.

- His name is Ryan Dace," Fey raised her bright eyes to Spider and exhaled, "he raped me when I was in college.

There was dead silence in the room after her words.

Only Peter's grip on her palm grew tighter.

- What did you say?

The tone in which Spidey asked that question made Felicia uncomfortable. His voice was too cold. The blonde lowered her head.

- After that incident, I changed," the girl began to run a second palm through her hair to reassure herself. - Became the person you know, didn't let myself be weak. And then, - Hardy's lips touched a barely perceptible smile, - then you and Carrot-top, you healed me, taught me to love, to trust, to rely, - Fey exhaled and looked at her boyfriend again. - I know very well that I could have torn him to shreds, that smarmy worm, but what happened will stay here forever, - the girl pointed two fingers at her head. - I don't know what to do...

The blonde's verbal flow was interrupted by Peter, who simply put his palm on the back of Fey's head and merged with her in a kiss.

Hardy buried her fingers in Pete's hair and deepened their kiss.

As soon as they were out of breath, Parker pulled away and ran a finger along his girlfriend's cheek.

- Just say the word, Kitten, one word from you and he'll be gone for good, and he'll be in a lot of pain before he does," the boy said with a piercing growl.

- No need, Pete," the blonde shook her head negatively, "I can manage on my own.

- Then what do you want me to do?

- What you do best," Fey looked into Peter's eyes with love and passion. - Make me forget all the bad things, Spidey.

Pete didn't need to say more.

The wall-crawler pressed his lips to his Pussycat's lips again and their tongues resumed their dance of passion.

The thieving heroine lay down on the bed and her lover took the position on top.

Felicia expected that everything would be as usual: fiery desire and all-consuming passion, which always hovered between them again prevailed, but the blue-eyed girl was waiting for something else.

The spider very smoothly and methodically began to kiss his partner, from the lips he moved to the neck, then to the shoulders and collarbones.

Each kiss was felt by the girl with a gentle and soft touch.

She got rid of her T-shirt and began to squeeze her voluminous and soft breasts, because every movement of Spider only made her desire more fierce, even if he tried to be gentle and careful.

- Peter, don't think I've turned into a crystal statue," Hardy said hintingly when she felt the touch of his rough lips on her belly. - I'm still the same Black Cat, Spidey, no need to be so careful.

- 'I know,' Pete replied, spreading his girlfriend's legs apart and hooking up her shorts, 'but I want to.

In one motion the brown-haired man removed the bottom of his Kitten's homemade set of clothes, along with her panties.

Spider left a light kiss on the inside of Fey's thigh and removed his jeans.

The sight of his erect and oozing pre-cum made Felicia lick her lips.

- Ready, Kitten? - Peter asked in an excited voice, putting his cock against the blonde's heated cavern.

- Come on," the girl urged her boyfriend with uncontrollable lust in her voice.

Pete put his palms on Fey's thighs, squeezing them tightly, which made the blonde moan, and in one movement he entered his lover's full length, which caused another series of loud moans.

The guy began to move inside his girlfriend.

Felicia just leaned back on the pillows and enjoyed the fullness and repeated thrusts. But the heroine didn't allow herself to be idle for long. As soon as Spidey entered her full length again, the blonde wrapped her legs around his back and lifted herself up, pressing Peter's head into her heated tits with a clear hint.

The guy didn't need to be told twice and he happily ran his tongue along the nipple of her left breast, squeezing the right one in his palm, which caused an additional stream of unrestrained moans.

In her new position, Fey herself began to thrust herself onto Parker's hard rod while Spiderweb bit down on her nipples.

- Pete, I'll be right there!

In response to the warning, Parker began to stimulate his pussygirl's clit with two fingers.

After several minutes of such stimulation, Felicia peaked and squeezed Spidey's cock with the walls of her pussy.

- Cum with me!

Peter could not resist his girlfriend's call and with a barely restrained growl poured into his girl.

Feeling the hot cum inside her Fey felt as if electrified and she finished, shuddering involuntarily.

The lovers collapsed on the bed and looked at each other.

- Thank you," Felicia whispered softly, intertwining her fingers with Peter's.

- Sleep, Kitten," Parker only replied, kissing the blonde on the lips.