Chapter 38: Fearless

Chapter Thirty Eight: Fearless.

"This place gives me the creeps at night," muttered one mobster.

"It gives me the creeps during the day, why we have to do business here, I'll never know?" asked a second mobster. "It's not like we're going to come face to face with the Kingpin."

"No one ever does," said the first mobster. "Of course, the guy's got to keep his privacy, no one knows who he is. Could be anyone in the city."

"Might not even be in this city for all I know," said the second mobster. "If he was smart, with that devil running around and taking out us left and right."

"You can't believe that myth, it's some hoax that someone made up," said the first mobster in disbelief.

"Maybe, but there's still Spider-Man, we know he's real," said the second mobster nervously, cracking his knuckles, as he heard movement from the shadows. "Must be him right..."

The mobster never finished his speech as he was punched right in the face. Dropping to the ground, the other mobster turned before he pulled out a gun and shot into the shadows, but it was quickly removed. He quickly threw a trash can in the way and began to bolt, throwing himself behind a fence, his heart thumping against his chest.

Seconds later, he was pulled up to his feet, and the next thing he knew, he was knocked for a loop with an uppercut punch and quickly bound. Out of the shadows stepped a man dressed completely in red with the initials "DD" on his chest. He was known as Daredevil, the man without fear. Daredevil walked forward and opened up the bag that the mobsters had been carrying them.

"Just as the informant said," said Daredevil in a low, crisp voice, as he looked at the contents in the bag. "Drugs, the Kingpin's peddling this filth on the street, well this is some dirty money that you won't get this time. I'm coming for you, Kingpin. They might say justice is blind, but that makes me the perfect person for this job."

Daredevil moved off into the night, to destroy the contraband. Each passing night, he was closer to nailing the Kingpin and making him pay.

-

"Harry, we really need to talk," said Gwen over the cell phone after school during the early part of January. "What do you mean its not the best time? It's never the best time for you. Well, Peter and I are coming up there right now...I don't care if you think you're fine, we're coming up there right now.....I can’t believe it…he hung up on me!"

"Of course he did," said Peter in a tired voice. "Another Harry mood swing I'm sure."

"Yeah, he was happy when he heard from me at first, then when he had take another call, his mood changed," said Gwen with a frown. "Drastically, really bad. We aren't the only one's who noticed something."

"Really, how so?" asked Peter.

"Liz told me that Harry has been snapping at her for the littlest things lately, and that's after being happy lucky, he's almost violent, scary even," said Gwen in a serious voice. "Then he's happy go lucky like nothing happened the next day."

Peter was going to say that perhaps they were not the best people to talk to Harry, perhaps he needed help from a professional. Then he remembered the help that this city offered. His encounter with Barton Hamilton a few days ago at Ravencroft had indicated that there was something afoot at Ravencroft, even though he had no way to prove it. He had very little to reason to believe that it might not be similar elsewhere.

"Here goes nothing," replied Peter as he walked up, with Gwen standing firmly beside him as he knocked on the door. "Harry, please open up, its Peter!"

He rapped on the door and Harry opened the door up, with a calm and collected expression on his face, almost too calm.

"Hello Pete, Hi Gwen," said Harry cheerfully as he looked at his two friends. "I thought I told Gwen that it might not be a good idea for you two to come by right now. It's not like I'm not happy to see you guys, but I don't really have the time."

"Harry, I think you should make the time," said Gwen as Peter nodded, not really wanting to provoke Harry too much and have him close up even more.

"I would if I could, you two should know that," said Harry with a smile. "At least I hoped you would."

"Hello, Peter," said a voice from behind Peter which made Peter nearly jump off the ground. Gwen and Peter turned around, as Harry stood, shoulders slumped in the doorway, as they came face to face with Norman Osborn.

"Mr. Osborn...I didn't think you would...." stammered Peter.

"Discharged just last night, with a clean bill of health from Ravencroft," said Norman as he looked at Peter's uncertain look. "I take it you don't believe me."

"No, Mr. Osborn, it's just that you caught me off guard," said Peter but the truth was that he did not believe Norman. His experience with the Scorpion recently had caused him to grow rather leery about the supposed “reform” of criminals.

"Yes, I can see how that would be," said Norman as he looked at Harry. "There is no need to worry, I have returned and I am ready, willing, and able to take control of my responsibilities at Oscorp and with my son. You or no one else have no need to worry about anything either. Trust me"

“Yeah, I’d sooner trust a snake,” thought Peter but there was little he could do with Norman around. “Doubt I’ll ever get the chance to talk to Harry now, perfect timing, we should have really forced the issue sooner and now we might never since Norman is out.”

Gwen looked about ready to say something but Peter shook his head. She bit her lip, obviously holding back some retort.

“I’m sure you have something that you should be doing then worrying about trivialities,” continued Norman to Peter, as he cast a brief look of contempt towards Harry. “And there is no need to worry now that I have returned. The world will know that I have returned and Harry will no longer be burdened with the responsibility of trying to maintain his shaky management of Oscorp. Now, if you don’t mind, Peter, both Harry and I have to prepare for the charity benefit tonight. There’s no matter of a time to reestablish myself as the leader of Oscorp and remind people that Oscorp is a company that should be respected.”

“Actually it might be a good thing that I go, because Mr. Jameson wants photos of that benefit,” said Peter.

“Indeed, then we might see each other there yet,” said Norman with a calculating smirk. “I better get my best suit. These affairs can be a bit dull but with both of us in the house, I have a feeling it may be a blast.”

Without another word, Norman ushered his very unhappy looking son into the door and closed it right in front of Gwen and Peter.

“Well, so much for talking with Harry,” said Gwen in a dejected voice. “We can’t very well bring anything up, he’ll just belittle Harry and make everything worse.”

“Well I’ll try and speak with him, if I can get him away from Mr. Osborn,” said Peter as he held his girlfriend’s hand in what should be a reassuring manner . “Although something tells me that Harry isn’t the Osborn I have to worry about right now.

“Peter, don’t let him get to you, he’s trying to get inside your head,” said Gwen seriously.

“Yeah I figured that,” said Peter feeling there was no trying about it. Every time Peter had encountered Norman after the battle with the Green Goblin, he seemed to have played a very elaborate game of mental chess with Peter and Peter was losing quite badly

“Norman Osborn is many things. Stupid is not one of them. He’s alter ego will manifest itself only when it benefits him,” thought Peter. “And I’ll be read for when he does, no matter how hopeless it might seem. Hamilton’s wrong, I have to be making a different, I can’t be the reason why these criminals are out there. Can I?”

-

Peter wondered what he was thinking taking on this assignment. Then again, Jameson pretty much volunteered him, along with Ned Leeds to cover this little charity benefit with a bunch of overstuffed businessmen and women who were donating to a great cause, to fight some disease that Peter had never heard of. It was a blatant public relations move, as more than a few of these men and women looked like they would be involved in some shady dealings.

“I wish things would pick up, I mean I don’t know why Jameson wants something this boring,” said Ned Leeds.

“Mr. Jameson thinks it will sell papers,” said Peter.

“Yeah, but it’s not going to be fun to make this interesting, now if a super villain shows up, that will sell some papers,” said Ned. “Anything to make things more exciting.”

“And put people in danger,” added Peter as he edged away to find anything remotely interesting to take photos of, before he bumped into a familiar face.

“Oh, Pete, I’m sure people are already in danger, of dying of boredom,” said Harry as he walked over. “Got away from Dad just a couple of minutes ago. He seems determined to pick up where he left off. He doesn’t seem too happy about how I ran Oscorp either.”

“You did fine Harry,” said Peter but Harry just rolled his eyes.

“I lost more money in the six months I ran the company than Dad managed to lose in his entire life running the company,” said Harry in a dejected voice. “There’s just sometimes where it’s not worth it.”

“Not worth what Harry?” asked Peter but Harry just turned to the side, with a shrug of his shoulders, and walked off, as Norman walked in, catching sight of Peter, before a big grin appeared on his face.

“Peter, good to see you,” said Norman brightly. “I hope you haven’t been bored too much by this event.”

“I’ve tried to keep busy, sir,” said Peter casually.

“Yeah not that much excitement, but things could pick up,” said Norman. “But Oscorp always plays a big part in this charity benefit. And we’re hoping to make the biggest contribution.”

“Ah, Norman Osborn,” said a middle aged man with white hair, who walked forward with a vapid looking blonde in their early twenties on each arm. “They finally decided to let you out after your little…mishap with that experimental formula.”

“Kingsley,” said Norman as he looked at the man with a contempt that he normally reserved for the failures of his son.

“Kingsley?” asked Peter. “As in Roderick Kingsley, the owner of the prestigious Kingsley International fashion?”

“I see my reputation proceeds me,” said Kingsley as his two companions giggled vacantly. “But still, I don’t have the notoriety of a Norman Osborn. I’m really surprised that they let you out, Norman, given your mental state and…what happened.”

“It was a miscalculation with an experimental untested formula,” said Norman calmly, without missing a beat. “Trust me, such a mistake will never happen again.”

“Well it would not be the first miscalculation at Oscorp, that last quarter as brutal,” said Kingsley with a smirk. “Lost more money in two months then most companies do in ten years, but I guess even the most powerful men have their falls.”

“Well that was my son, foolish as he is, not quite ready to handle the responsibilities of business,” said Norman. “You know kids.”

“Can’t say I do, Norman, don’t plan on having any,” said Kingsley. “Still, it would be a shame if a company like Oscorp shuts down because of

“Oscorp will return to prominence and already plans have been made to rectify the damage,” said Norman coolly, as he looked at Kingsley with a distasteful expression. Kingsley had been born into wealth, having been handed everything that he had and he increased it with several lines of clothing that were no different from anything else on the market. In fact, very similar clothes could be found on a discount rack. The only reason why anyone bothered to buy them was that Kingsley had various celebrity endorsements. Oscorp products spoke for themselves and Norman amassed his fortune through hard work. “Starting with tonight, as proof we’re strong. Oscorp will make a very handsome donation, matching all other donations, dollar for dollar.”

“Well, Kingsley International plans to double whatever Oscorp donates,” said Kingsley.

“Well, I hope you find yourself digging very deep in your pockets,” said Norman as he turned to Peter. “If you don’t mind, Peter, a picture for the front page of the Bugle, for the man who made this charity event possible.”

“I hope that camera is pointed towards me, young man,” said Kingsley. “Given the fact that while Norman was on extended leave, Kingsley International fronted most of the grunt work.”

Norman turned to respond but he had to take a cell phone call. He looked over to the side, as Kingsley just stood.

“Looks like business calls,” said Kingsley with a chuckle. “Too bad Osborn doesn’t know what a vacation is, he’d be a lot less uptight and he wouldn’t lose his mind and have the desire to dress up in a gaudy outfit, flying round like a mentally deranged misfit on a tacky glider.”

Peter took the picture of Kingsley, as he it appeared that Norman was not going to be around to take any pictures.

-

Inside the limo, a group of mobsters prepared to crash the charity benefit. The leader was a rough looking man with a flat top haircut known as Hammerhead.

“Right boys, the boss is going to get let out any time now and he wants us to pull off a little job,” said Hammerhead, as he cracked his knuckles. “We’re gonna make a quick grab and get our target.”

“So are we going to ransom him off?” asked one of the mobsters.

“No, the boss was very clear, he only wants the slab, we’re dump Kingsley in the river when we’ve got it,” said Hammerhead as they drove up to the front of the hotel that had been rented out for the benefit.

-

Peter leaned against the door, a bored, expression on his face. He watched as many had donated, each of them making a show out of their donations. He thought he should get a few more pictures, before he cleared out. Norman had left to take a call but as it turned out, it was about a deal that went through, nothing to be alarmed about, at least not right now.

“Well this night has been a wash, but at least for once, I go somewhere and don’t have to fight for my life,” thought Peter and no sooner did he say that, did the doors burst open, revealing gun toting mobsters. “And I really need to stop jinxing myself.”

“Alright, nobody move,” said Hammerhead. “No one has to get put down, all we want is Roderick Kingsley and we’re let you have your little charity scam in piece.”

Peter slipped through an opened door, as Hammerhead and his goons moved around, in an attempt to find Kingsley.

“What do you want?” asked Kingsley as he stepped out from another room, looking terrified, not his usual, brash, confident self, but he suddenly found two guns right in his ribs.

“Relax, Mr. Kingsley, we’re just going to take you for a little ride,” said Hammerhead. “There’s no need to panic, we have an offer that you really can’t confuse. Now out the door with you.”

The two goons forced the issue, but two lines of webbing shot out and quickly ripped the guns from their hands, before Spider-Man dropped down and knocked both of them out.

“You know, you guys really have the wrong place,” remarked Spider-Man casually. “If you’re looking for thirties gangster movie look alike convention, that’s in the hotel across the street.”

“Spider-Man,” grunted Hammerhead. “Take him out!”

Spider-Man ducked and dodged, before he began punching out goons right and left, pulling their guns away from they could use them. A few stray bullets found their way, but most of the room cleared out, as Spider-Man looked down at Hammerhead.

“Well go ahead and say it then,” prompted Spider-Man.

“Say what, you freak?” asked Hammerhead.

“Say, it’s curtains for you, Spider-Man, see,” remarked Spider-Man in a very bad imitation of a stereotypical mobster. “Because seriously you guys really look like you’ve walked out of a thirties gangster movie.”

Spider-Man punched another goon down and he went for Hammerhead, but his fist bounced across the man’s head and he smashed something very solid and metal.

“Ow!” shouted Spider-Man as he held his hand and Hammerhead took a step back, before he headbutted Spider-Man right in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. He grabbed Kingsley by the arm and several of the mobsters scrambled to their feet.

“Go, let’s get out of here, before he recovers,” ordered Hammerhead, as Kingsley was dragged out, looking a bit terrified, as Spider-Man managed to get to his feet, clutching his side, walking in pain.

“Couple of broken ribs, no big deal, had worse,” thought Spider-Man but he was not about to let them get away so easily. He shot a line of webbing and swung out right after them, as the limo rolled right down the street.

-

Wilson Fisk had kept a low profile at the benefit as he normally did. He made his rather sizeable donation and stood towards the shadows. As it turned out, when Hammerhead’s group stormed the benefit, he was prepared to make arrangements to deal with the problem as there was a chance as always that is role as the Kingpin had been uncovered. Roderick Kingsley being the one who was captured was quite the interesting little turn of events.

Still, he was curious as always, he was unaware that Kingsley had any ties to the criminal underworld and such things rarely escaped his notice. A phone call would allow him to find out what Kingsley was up to and if he was a threat to his empire in any way.

-

In the limo, two mobsters sat on either side, gun pointing at Roderick Kingsley’s head, as Hammerhead looked calm, sipping a glass of champagne.

“Just w-what do you want?” asked Kingsley in a shaky voice. “Listen, if it’s about money…”

“No, Mr. Kingsley, this is more valuable than money,” said Hammerhead. “It’s about a certain possession of yours. A big stone slab that my boss, Silvermane wants his hands on.”

“Silvermane?” asked Kingsley in confusion.

“Yeah it has mystical healing properties or something like that, some kind of hocus pocus voodoo, but the boss found proof of that it existed before he was double crossed,” said Hammerhead. “He’s getting on in age, he’s not getting any younger after all but that’s none of your concern. The only concern is that you tell us where this slab is and we might make this a bit less painful for you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” cried Kingsley.

“This seems to be a tough nut to crack,” said Hammerhead. “We’re find a way to make him talk, let’s get him back to the hideout.”

“Boss, Spider-Man, he’s on our tails,” said the driver nervously, and Hammerhead stood up, before he grabbed a machine gun from underneath the seat.

“Guess some people just can’t take a hint,” said Hammerhead, as he reached over to open the sun roof of the limo.

-

From the buildings, Spider-Man swung.

“Kingsley got captured, why is the million dollar question,” thought Spider-Man. “Because mobsters don’t just grab random people for no reason. Especially since…”

Spider-Man’s thoughts were interrupted by his spider sense and then a hail of machine gun fire, which he just narrowly was able to avoid. Hammerhead seemed quite intent on putting him out right now, as he tried to exhaust the gun’s entire supply of ammunition in an attempt. Spider-Man watched as his webbing was cut and he spiraled down towards the ground.

Suddenly a hand reached out of nowhere and pulled Spider-Man to a ledge safely.

-

“There, I took care of him,” said Hammerhead with a pleased grin. “He ain’t gonna be following us anymore.”

With that, the limo drove right to the hide out, little did they know that Spider-Man was not the only one who was tailing them.

-

There were times where the assassin known as Bullseye liked his job. Being the employee of the Kingpin of crime, he got to kill a number of times a week and sometimes daily. He amused himself by killing people in inventive ways.

Then there were times where he pretty much despised the work he had to do. This was one of those times, going after someone who rival mobsters had captured. The person had to be kept alive until the Kingpin got his answers. Still, the Kingpin never said anything about the mobsters who had captured Kingsley being left alive. So if he had managed to kill a few of those, he would consider it a good nights work.

Bullseye listened, he could have sworn that someone was tailing him as well but he shrugged. Watching Spider-Man getting shot out of the air was the highlight of the night but he had to keep moving to not be detected and thus his fun was short lived.

-

“Okay, I’m not shot, I’m not dead, that’s good, and I’m not pavement pizza,” thought Spider-Man groggily. “But I was knocked off balance and unable to latch onto any buildings. Someone pulled me onto a ledge.”

Spider-Man regained his bearings and got up to his feet, before he spotted a figure moving off into the night.

“Well it looks like I might have a guardian devil,” thought Spider-Man. “That’s the second time he saved me. I need to follow him while I can still see him. If he’s following those mobsters too, it will lead me right to them.”

-

Across the city, Daredevil followed Bullseye. The assassin had been responsible for far too many deaths that he needed to be brought to justice. Also, the man without fear had deducted that Bullseye may prove to be a valuable asset in helping gather enough information to bring down the Kingpin.

An irregular heart beat behind him, indicated to Daredevil that he was being followed.

“Spider-Man,” thought Daredevil. “The kid has guts, but this is far deeper than the super powered mental patients that he normally faces. These are truly dangerous men who don’t care about getting their face in the media. They work in the shadows, rarely coming out into the light. But…can’t lose him right now, Bullseye is slipping away.”

With that, Daredevil continued to try and pick up the tale, but he hoped that Spider-Man would not become a liability. Once he had a chance, he would have to have a talk with him.

-

“This way, Kingsley,” said Hammerhead, as the man’s knees buckled and trembled but a gun stuck in his back had convinced him to move. “We’ll see if you can remember where the slab is much better in here. Come on, the rest of you stand watch and if anyone decides to show up, take care of them.”

-

Bullseye stood on the ledge of the building, with a smirk, as he watched the goons, stand there with their guns. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a drawstring bag, before he poured the contents in his hand, to reveal marbles.

“And people say I lost these years ago,” thought Bullseye with a chuckle, as he took perfect aim and flicked the marble, connecting with the back of the head of one of the guards, killing him almost instantly by striking the precise spot at the base of his brain.

The goons turned around and were taken out one by one with the marbles. Bullseye looked pleased with his work but he heard someone drop down in front of him. He quickly spun around and saw he came face to face with Daredevil, who aimed a punch right at him, but he avoided the attack.

“Ah, I was wondering when I would have a chance to run into you,” said Bullseye with as he threw the marbles at Daredevil but the vigilante deflected them back, causing the assassin to scream and nearly lose his footing, but Daredevil grabbed him. “Now come on, you’re not going to let me drop!”

“Tell me where the Kingpin is,” said Daredevil in a gruff voice.

“Like I’d tell you,” said Bullseye as he kicked off, before he removed a pencil from his pocket and aimed it right at Daredevil, but a line of webbing shot and pulled it out of his hand, causing him to lose his balance.

“Thought I’d return the favor from tonight,” said Spider-Man to Daredevil but Bullseye grabbed Spider-Man by the throat and attempted to strangle him but the web head threw the assassin to his back.

“YOU MADE ME MISS!” shouted Bullseye, but Spider-Man shot a line of webbing right around him. The assassin was no matched for the super powered hero, having been caught off guard.

“You shouldn’t get involved in this,” said Daredevil sternly.

“Well I am,” said Spider-Man. “Lucky I managed to save you in time.”

“I would have survived and taken him down,” said Daredevil as he turned his back on Spider-Man. “You shouldn’t be involved, word of advice. Stick with the super powered crowd. These people are really dangerous and if they ever have a hint of who you might be under that mask, your friends and family will be in danger.”

“Yeah, but that’s the risk I have to take,” said Spider-Man firmly but Daredevil just turned. “Look, a man got captured in there, whoever these guys are, they are after something, it could be big. They didn’t want anyone to know, as they tried to shoot me out of the sky. So how about we figure out what’s going on?”

“You know this won’t be a regular habit kid, because I work much better alone,” said Daredevil. “I’ve heard about you, you’re reckless, don’t think of your actions.”

“Hey, I think things through,” argued Spider-Man. “But sometimes, you have to go with your instincts and make a rash decision.”

Daredevil just made a noncommittal grunt, as he turned around and moved forward towards the hideout, with Spider-Man following.

-

“Alright, Kingsley, I’m not happy that you haven’t fessed up,” said Hammerhead as he held a switchblade. “Better start coughing up the location of the slab or I’ll put some lines on your face. I know you have it, everything traces back to you, the boss left me plenty of time to research what he found out.”

“ For the last time, let me go, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Kingsley as he was shaking and Hammerhead edged closer, but a line of webbing wrapped around his arm and spun him around.

“Now, didn’t your mother teach you not to play with knives?” asked Spider-Man.

“My mother taught me the important of not sticking my nose where it didn’t belong,” said Hammerhead as he sliced the line of webbing, but Spider-Man caught him with a kick right to the chest. The goons moved to detain Spider-Man but they were dropped from above, before Daredevil dropped down, as the battle between Hammerhead and Spider-Man had continued.

“Get Kingsley free, I’ll handle him!” shouted Spider-Man and Daredevil nodded, as he untied Kingsley, who looked rather faint from the excitement. Hammerhead charged right at Spider-Man but smashed his head right into the support post of one of the buildings.

“Just wait Spider-Man, once I get my hands on you, you’ll wish your parents had used protection,” said Hammerhead, as he once again charged Spider-Man but he had taken out a second of the support beams. “Stand still so I can get you.”

Hammerhead charged forward and his head rammed right into the support beams once again. The roof wobbled above him and Spider-Man moved over, but Hammerhead stooped short of smashing the fourth support beam.

“Ha, I’m not going to fall for that one,” said Hammerhead, but Spider-Man shot two lines of webbing, wrapping it around Hammerhead. Hammerhead struggled, as Spider-Man ran up the walls and strung Hammerhead up from the rafters from the webbing.

“There, that should keep you nice and safe, until the police decide to take you in,” said Spider-Man as he moved out, but as he looked around, Daredevil had gotten Kingsley out of there safely.

And as he walked outside, he saw his webbing on the rooftop where he held Bullseye, having been cut and the assassin having escaped. The police lead by Captain Stacy, had moved in to get Hammerhead and his gang, as Spider-Man moved off to change back into Peter Parker, an explanation forming in his mind of how he was going to explain his sudden disappearance.

-

“Peter, there you are,” said Ned in relief. “Where have you been? I need your pictures for the article.”

“Sorry about that,” said Peter. “I wanted to follow Spider-Man, it could have been big and it turns out I was right.”

“What do you mean?” asked Ned curiously.

“I managed to get a couple of pictures of him,” said Peter and Ned raised an eyebrow, before he caught on immediately.

“Oh man, Brock’s going to flip when he realizes you scooped him yet again,” said Ned.

“I just hope Mr. Jameson’s satisfied with them,” said Peter. “Or at least what passes as satisfied for someone like Jameson.”

-

“I don’t know how you do it Parker,” said Jameson as he looked at the photos. “You managed to get me something actually tangible but at the same time, still complete crap. Still, there it is, in the flesh, the mysterious guardian devil of Hell’s Kitchen.”

“Is that what they’re calling him now?” asked Robbie.

“No that’s what I’m calling him, but all names have to start somewhere,” said Jameson.

“I can’t believe Parker got a photo,” said Eddie Brock who was absolutely fuming. He followed leads for weeks but nothing. It has to be a fake.”

“Brock, I think I would know a faked photo if I saw it, too bad you didn’t get any photos of Spider-Man being shot at,” said Jameson with glee. “That will be front page news, shove that little charity benefit to page three, the fact that we finally got a picture of this guardian devil will continue to prove why the Daily Bugle is number one. Even though Spider-Man trashed the office in the battle with Gargan, at least we’re back on our feet and proved that we won’t be stopped.”

Everyone moved to get back to work, before Jameson could yell at them.

-

“Don’t know why you do these things Peter, putting your life in danger to get these photos,” said Aunt May as she scanned the Daily Bugle. “It’s not like we’re not that hard up for cash anymore.”

“I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t, Aunt May, besides I maintained a safe distance,” said Peter, who decided not to disclose to his aunt that he had nearly been struck down in a hail of gunfire.

“Peter, given how hurt you get sometimes, safety is something that I’m not sure you have a grasp on,” said Aunt May. “You really need to be more careful.”

“I try Aunt May,” said Peter with a frown. “Heaven knows I try as hard as I can.”

A knock on the door had caused both Parkers to jump.

“Who could be calling at this time of the morning?” asked May but the door was busted open and several SHIELD Operatives, lead by one Nick Fury entered the Parker household. Two of them grabbed Peter by the arms.

“Wait…what’s going on here?” asked Peter in confusion as he was roughly hauled to his feet.

“Peter Parker, you’re to be taken in for theft of sensitive SHIELD security data,” said Nick Fury roughly which caused May to gasp in disbelief.

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