Arc Fifteen. Chapter Four Hundred Thirty-Six. Lose The Battle
The group watched as the jeeps all left before heading back inside, where Peter was waiting for them. Moving forward he hugged his duplicate, “Thanks MJ.”
Peter's skin rippled and MJ returned to her usual self. “That hurt Pete. It's not easy to shrink down several cup sizes without warning.”
He hugged her close and kissed her on the side of the neck, “I know.” He just stood and held her, “I’ll make it up to you.”
Liv moved forward, “Sorry Peter, but this isn't over.”
He sighed against MJ and frowning, stepped back. “Fine, fine, lay on the bad news.” As he looked around at the collection of worried faces, “I’ll make something to eat.” The group nodded and headed to the dining area. “Oh and remind me to thank Flash later.” The little show outside required several fakes. While Peter hid, Flash and MJ provided the necessary decoys. Once he was away from Ross, and the beatings, his body began its normal healing. He was sore and stiff but with food would be perfectly fine within the hour.
The food was simple. A pot of hot chocolate, made by melting real chocolate in cream and milk. It would heat while he scrambled eggs and made bacon. It was quick and easy and everyone would eat it. He smiled, if he let her, Laura would live on it. She loved scrambled eggs, and he had a suspicion that was her reward for when she did what she was told. Peter set out a pan and covered it in shredded cheese. Something else she loved was melted cheese. Not mixed in with her egg, but smothering it like a blanket. Today, as she had to sit the fights out, she could get a little spoiled. They once found her eating cheese straight out of the bag, so she was normally barred. Even Logan threatened she was not to eat three or four bags of cheese in one sitting.
After whisking a bowl full of eggs, he slid the sheets of bacon into the oven and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. It had been close, Ross was too strong, and even Tony could have taken him out easily if he hadn’t been holding back. Everyone gathered as Gwen and Wanda brought Laura with them from the Sanctum. He had to explain everything, including Emma making off with his harness. While they were eating it would be safer, and less likely anyone would get really made.
As they ate, Peter made his way around the table, stopping by each woman and sitting with them. They had been lucky, or the government had been stupid, either way, no one was hurt and he could relax.
As he got to Liv, who sat on his lap and let him feed her bacon pieces, she gave him her news. "I forgive you for letting that woman take my harness. Emma can be trusted, after a fashion.” She chewed them while she spoke. “But, I have a new project anyway. The Cybertronian metal. It's amazing and definitely unique.”
Peter scrunched up his face, “Unique how?”
“It is something else. A completely metallic-based material that acts like an organic covering. Honestly, I think you could probably combine it with your own cells for an upgrade." She paused, "But we'd rather you didn't. What I can do however is make a new harness that can be regrown like your symbskin. With a bit of practice of course."
"That's not the worst thing that you could have said, but why not let me assimilate them?" He paused and tilted his head. "You're worried the process I started with Arcee is transmittable. I could end up like a Cybertronian. More machine than man."
"I don't think, Peter I know. I already did the tests. With your powers, you risk creating some kind of technological virus. Once we have it stable and inert, you can practise."
Peter kissed Liv, "You're the boss," and moved over to Natasha, who scooted over and leaned against him. “Talbot never got to my family, but the safe house isn't that safe anymore. My dad wants to meet you, and uh my mom. My sister wants to meet Flash, and I might have bonded her with Widow to stop the Red Room poisoning from killing her. If she gives you a strange look, just ignore it.”
Peter laughed and lifted a piece of bacon. “Let me guess? Spy training one oh one. Tell a subject all the bad things right after a stressful situation so they're too tired to care about it. Right?”
Natasha leaned over, took a bit of the bacon Peter was holding and shrugged. “Nope, you’re simpler than that. Tell you lots of bad stuff then, I dunno, ride you senseless. You're too simple for complicated psychology.” Natasha leaned over and undid her zipper. As she squashed herself against him, her massive cleavage spilt out. Peter's eyes immediately focused down as she lifted and jiggled them. “Booooobs!” Natasha joked as she rubbed them against him. “See?”
He was about to argue but as each person around him was nodding, he just sighed. ”Fine." He sighed happily as she zipped her top back up. "They are awesome though. I mean, boobs." At which everyone else also nodded. "So uh, seriously, I guess they also want to see about work?”
Natasha nodded, “You did promise to fix them, and my mom is also a biochemist. I'm sure she’ll love Gwen.”
Peter laughed, “No Gwen.” Gwen looked over confused. “No seducing Nat's mom.”
Natasha laughed and batted him on the shoulder. “Oh like you didn’t think of it, and the same goes for my sister. No. You can have as many as you want, but siblings and I kill you.”
Peter laughed, “I have MJ and Friday,” and MJ winked but Friday looked up from her breakfast and stared at him.
“Fine, fine. Peterisapervert protocols accepted,” Natasha said as she finished her bacon.
While Friday laughed, she was still picking at her food.
“How are you holding up?” Peter asked her as he shifted seat once more.
Friday sighed and put her fork down on her plate, stood, and curled up on his lap. Normally, Friday chose to stay a safe distance. Today was a bad day all around, and if she needed some comfort, he was not going to say no.
“Jo called, Tony is in bad shape, and so is Vis. But what did they expect? I’m just,” she sighed and buried her head into the crook of his arm.
“Torn, you don't know whether to go to the tower and see Tony. If either of them wants to see you. And you don't want to deal with it if they don't.”
Friday turned to look up at him and nodded. Pepper had called the Tower to check on Tony and had left right after Coulson. Friday had hung back, unsure if she was going to be welcome or not.
“Call Pepper. I'll take any heat you get. Tony and Vis might be angry at me, but they shouldn't take it out on you. Pepper knows the score and having a friendly face with you will help.”
Friday smiled and nodded.
“Right, so now. Ivan, Jean, and Selene, plus updating Shuri. My parents are both out of jail already. Mom called me while I was dealing with Ross. Curt is now registered and gave a statement. If Goblin hadn't attacked him, he wouldn't have transformed. He never hurt anyone, so he is free and clear. Once this all blows over, Gwen, He wants de-powered and fitted with the CLS.”
Liv leaned forward, “Ivan is fine. Matt called and while his visa was problematic with Hammer, I made sure it wasn't for us. It was all technicalities according to Matt. Even the little stunt of everyone calling you Peter was just an act. They needed you contained. This isn't going away this time Peter. You played rough and now they played dirty to deal with you." She frowned and leant back again, lifting her mug, "It was all too organised. Matt is still dealing with paperwork but I don't think it's over.”
Peter leant back in his chair and sighed. “I know. They dragged out old files and still managed to get the drop on us. Set up a meeting for Parker Inc, and get Liz here too.” Peter’s brow furrowed, “what happened with Eddie and Cindy?”
Gwen laughed, “Eddie was enjoying his day off with Betty, and uh, yeah it was all over before he got his pants back on. Cindy, yeah. They pushed Pete, and well, she pushed back, right into a wall and then several faces. She and Ghost get on great, a little too great. Too bad those charges will stick. They might have started it, but Cindy really needs to work on her anger management.”
Peter rubbed a hand over his forehead, “Yeah. Get Matt to bail her out, just I dunno dock her pay or whatever Pepper says is appropriate.” Liv laughed, “Yeah I'm a bit slow I guess, already done?” She nodded, “Good. We need to spin this our way. Evil robots are getting tiresome, and I heard Ross. Find out who set this stupid thing up and,” he leaned forward, “this time we need to be a bit more ruthless. I’m tired of idiots using untested AI or some random piece of tech to build their crap is a good idea. I’m tired of Tony using any excuse to steal tech, or Doom to play his stupid games.”
The room was quiet, “As long as you don't go too far dear, we support you,” and the others nodded.
“But uh, use it for what?” Wanda asked, “I mean, are you going to start blackmailing people?”
Peter laughed, “Nope, but everyone has a button. They went after my mom, so let's see where we can hurt them back. Bank accounts, mistresses, illegitimate children. I will take every dirty little embarrassing secret and show the world just how dirty every one of them is. Start with Malik, we already know he’s dirty, and work our way through everyone. Anyone who’s in the news right now over giving Augments and Enhanced shit for just being themselves.”
Friday looked up, “Not Tony though, please. If Jo or Vision find out,”
Peter raised a hand. “No, I know how to hurt Tony, and that ball is already rolling. I won't go after him physically Friday, I promise. But he will pay, I’ll make sure he pays.”
Friday looked down at her breakfast, and Peter knew she was conflicted. Tony had gone after Peter, but they were all caught up in it. It was and if Tony had won, would he be as welcoming? Would he have taken her back with a smile and a kind word? Friday knew he would have, but there would have been a hidden blade under it all. Tony would follow through with a snarky comment here and there and the implication of more owed. Deep down she was glad Peter had won, she just hated that they also lost.
Peter looked over at her, “Hey, it's okay. Tony was hurt but not bad enough that he won't recover. We already know Ross had something over him, we just need to find out exactly what and we go from there. I'm not going to hurt Tony or anyone if they were guiltless, it’s only the assholes I want to pay, okay?”
Friday nodded but still looked downcast.
“So, for now. The Senator that arranged this, Coulson, Ross and anyone else? Might as well get the list started while we’re here.”
“Ross’s second in command. Glen Talbot, major asshole,” Natasha added.
Peter laughed, “Is he actually a major, or just you know an asshole?” Natasha was eating bacon and she just shrugged.
Carol looked hesitant, “Pete, I don't want you going after Monica.”
He shrugged. “This isn't a hitlist carol, it's a shitlist. We need to know who is going to cause problems, and so Captain Marvel is on it. We won't go looking but we now know that the government recreated whatever gave you your powers. So, just the two?” Everyone nodded. “Then I vote. Party first. Get your family here Nat, get mine, get anyone who wants a say in what happens next. A big meal always makes that better and plus, might as well celebrate the win, even if it was you know, a bit suspect.” Nobody cared. A party seemed like a good idea and phones were brought out and plans were made. Peter sat back, “We need to start preparing for bigger-picture events. Shield caught us with our pants down, and it could have ended with us in jail or worse.”
The group looked solemnly at each other. Peter was right. It was only the combined efforts of Matt and Pepper that saved them from prison. Malik might have signed the orders but they were all legal. It was only the President signing pardons that really saved their asses. Almost every person sitting at the table was guilty of major crimes, from theft all the way to murder. They were damn lucky nobody had been caught. They all knew that the thing with luck was that it never held. Lady Luck and Fate were both fickle, and today's good luck was tomorrow's bad.
It was also tomorrow’s problem. Today, they had won, and for now, while sharing a meal, all was good.