Raptor of life 9.1

Full edited version by sinisterr

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(Nathaniel Essex)

Somewhere in Africa…
October 26th 1996
01:25 PM

“What do you mean, Gambit is dead?!” The wine glass in Sinister’s right hand cracked, ruby red liquid seeping through the cracks.

The man displayed on the holo-screen was of North American Indian descent with long, black hair and grey eyes. He had a good build, being tall and muscular, and wore a long vest with a lot of different metallic plates. He looked haunted as though he had seen the devil himself. He clutched his modern sniper rifle tightly, looking around frantically as if he was expecting something to occur. 

When his gaze settled on Sinister, he began to speak. “Gambit entered into contact with the target. The emotional and telepathic overlay that you provided him wasn’t powerful enough to keep her from reading his thoughts. Fortunately, it was efficient enough to not let us be detected from afar, or we might not be reporting to you sir.”

Sinister leaned before the holographic window, his face taking on a thoughtful expression. He couldn’t care less about Gambit’s demise; he was a pawn, a replaceable asset that he could clone at his leisure thanks to the DNA he took from him a year ago when he had come to him after fleeing New Orleans.

The pale faced man rose from his seat and spoke, his black skin tight armor exposing  the form of a muscular body. “I see, what did you uncover from her meeting with Magneto?”

“Well, we heard from the plastic drones and it’s records that the target pretends to have read Charles Xavier’s mind. She defeated one of Magneto’s goons by using pyrokinesis and boy did she humiliate him… what is weird is that the old bucket head didn’t forcefully induct her into his little club. But now I understand why he didn’t; it all happened when she left, she killed Gambit from afar, he turned into dust when she disappeared with the sexy blue babe.”

Sinister struggled to believe what he was hearing, his mouth agape, pointy canine visible. *Grey is powerful enough to break or bypass Xavier’s mental shield, proficient enough in her telekinesis to create and manipulate fire.*

The unexpected surprise quickly morphed into interest. He understood that Jean Grey had more potential than he believed. If she was this versatile at her young age, what would she be capable of as time wore on? He wanted her under his sway; she could be useful for things other than breeding her with subject Summers!

The mad geneticist turned to his operative, an eager expression plastered on his face. “This changes... everything Mister Greycrow.”

Sinister felt jubilant; maybe he would get his cake and eat it too. All he needed was to imprison the girl and brainwash her so she would become his perfect minion. *No, I am thinking too little; a team or an army of powerful psionics? I would surely be able to take out my Master, En Sabah Nur.*

John Greycrow spoke, snapping the crazed  scientist out of his daydreaming. “How so, sir?”

Sinister calmed down, sitting back on his silver throne and said, “We have underestimated the girl, she’s too powerful for the kind of assault that Mistress Malice tried with her. Only surprise and guile will work, I suppose.”

*Yes, an ambush should be possible. With the power available amongst the Marauders it should be able to momentarily strip Grey’s power from her, she should be easy picking. What was his name again? Scrambler? He is this mutant able to disrupt the functioning of powered individuals. Yes, and he needs some back up, people able to resist crushing and cutting forces. A teleporter will be the key to this operation.* Sinister typed rapidly, writing down his instructions and sending them to  John Greycrow.

Ting. The American Indian took his tablet, skimmed over the instructions then nodded. The fear that took root in him slowly began to dissipate, being replaced by something akin to relief, completely visible in his body language.

Crossing his legs and raising his chin, Sinister smiled smugly at his operative. “I will send you upgraded psionic overlay devices and I want you to observe the girl and seize the moment to enact her capture.”

“This will be difficult with all those SHIELD agents shadowing her.” Greycrow’s own smile peaked through, the prospect of a challenge seeming to please him. 

Sinister waved his hands, dismissing the idea that SHIELD would be able to pose as a barrier. “Something tells me that she will chafe under their scrutiny and knowing Nick Fury, he will alienate her.” Sinister’s chuckle was... sinister.  “I know the man, wait for an opportunity. Bring her to me, Mister Greycrow, and you will be rewarded immensely.” 

“Understood, sir. Scalphunter out.” The holographic window disappeared.

Upon touching the cracked wine glass, it slowly returned to its original shape, the glass pristine as ever. Red wine floated out of the green bottle and poured into his crystal wine glass. The scientist sipped some of the ruby red liquid and said under his breath, “Soon, you’ll be in my hands, girl.”

Sinister laughed.

# # #

(Nick Fury)

Central Park
Sheep Meadow
Carousel attraction
03:15 PM

Nick had been right. Jean Grey was a spook just like him. How foolish they had been to open SHIELD’s doors to her. Peggy and Phil were fooled by the girl but now, all of this would stop! He had enough suspicions to bring her in and try proving that she had been Magneto’s puppet this entire time. After all, it wasn’t possibly a coincidence that Magneto, a wanted radicalized terrorist, and members of his little club were here and that today, of all days, was the day she chose to go to the park despite Coulson’s protests and advice. 

When it came to light that she had left her purse in the car that belonged to the young woman who drove her to the park, the hunt for Jean Grey was on. The bug remained still on the screen of the Intel van shadowing her. The girl disappeared for one hour before suddenly reappearing in the parking lot. Agents were dispatched to try to bring her in but she disappeared again.

When they found her, she was in  the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and his men followed her from afar, watching her as she admired everything she saw. They followed her out as she continued the trend to disappear and reappear in different locations, playing hide and seek until they pinned her location to the carousel attraction in Sheep Meadow where weapons fire was briefly exchanged.

All available units swiftly converged on the location and the target was surrounded, of course not alone. Nick exited the vehicle, power inhibitor collar in hand and arrived before Jean and the older man. “Well, well. Red you have been naughty.”

Then he noticed the woman and children near the attraction, the downed men in different states- living, wounded or some having died. Fury waved at the nearest agent. “Call the EMTs, at least five vehicles.”

The man standing to his right nodded, walking out towards the vehicle. Fury took steps towards the scene  with the armed mooks strewn as if a bomb had gone off. He examined his surroundings, cursing, “Motherfucker, what happened here?”

The older black haired man at Jean’s side glanced at her before shifting his gaze to Nick. It was evident that something was being said from their expressive eyes. 

Jean opened her mouth, speaking. “Before I answer that, Nick, tell me what you are going to do with that.”  She lowered her arms, pointing a finger at the collar. “And can my new friends, Frank and his family leave? They didn’t do anything, they were just caught in the crossfire between those people. Maria needs to go to the hospital.”

Fury snorted loudly. “As if. I am bringing you all in.” His words brokered no room for argument.

The agent in charge threw the inhibitor collar to another agent who caught it and then walked up to Jean. Some already seized Frank and his family.

Uncertain, the man looked at Fury who waved him to go through with it. He pushed on, until he faced the redhead who stepped back, a warning ringing loudly through her words, “You are not putting that on me.”

Every agent surrounding Jean raised their weapons, and cocked them, ready to subdue her. Fury was sure that he could get away with it; they were all armed with custom weapons able to fire tranquilizer faster than Jean could blink, and the needles were made of adamantium, a metal able to bypass her psionic barrier.

“I am not leaving you a choice Red, you were seen cavorting with a known terrorist.” Fury’s tone was laced with menace.  

Jean’s eyes widened, but didn’t rush to deny his words, a clear sign of her guilt. “I can explain-”

Smiling with triumph, Fury snapped his fingers. “Bring her in.”

Four agents converged toward her and were about to put their hands on her. Jean’s posture slackened for a second before she stood tall, eyes blazing red, her voice gaining a melodic echo, “I told you, you are not putting that thing around my neck.”

Everything went pear shaped in an instant, and the weapons trained on Jean and the family turned to dust, but she didn’t stop there. Every armor wearing agent found themselves in their undies. The redhead began to hover, a red aura surrounding her and flames of a golden  orange color filled Jean’s eyes. She was the epitome of intimidating. The collar held by the agent = short-circuited and he dropped it.

Jean floated toward Fury, raised a hand, wringing his beck and lifting him off the ground. She made him stare at her face-to-face. “Do I make myself clear?”

Fury tried to struggle, and clawed at her hand, unable to speak or nod. There was defiance in the face of such a powerful force, all for naught.. She scrunched her nose in disgust and dropped him with a thud. Fury landed on his ass while Jean landed on her feet. She turned to one of the agents she missed with her disintegrating area of effect, and clipped out,“Call Director Carter, now.”

After such a display, no one refused her. Fury glanced at her, massaging his throat.  *She’s been sandbagging us all the while.*

“Yes, I have.” He heard the mutant girl answer the thought running through his head. 

His gaze found hers, and she stared him down until he lowered it. Chuckling, she turned to go to the family who seemed to have developed a healthy fear for her. Just as he saw her do with Peggy and Phil she extinguished their fear by reassuring the family of her good nature and that she didn’t mean them any harm. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the tension coiled in their bodies distinguishing. The parents began to laugh as the children enveloped Jean in a hug. 

Seeing her in action, Fury was sure of one thing: Jean Grey was dangerous. He was overcome with an urge to protect his men, his friends; he needed a way to protect himself from telepathic and empathic influence. As she patted the kids’ head, her eyes met and held Fury’s, a frustrated expression flitted across her face, at least she wasn’t able to change his nature.

Half an hour later, another contingent of SHIELD troopers arrived. Phil Coulson arrived with them, taking charge of the situation. They bagged the bodies and Coulson directly asked Jean to erase the memories of the Irish and Mexican gangers, then arranged for the family that Jean was protecting to get into protective custody.

Phil rushed at Fury, an air of disappointment surrounding him as though he was being torn between his duty and his friendships. Which was exactly the case.

“Coulson.” Fury greeted his colleague.

Phil removed his shades, looking his friend in the eye. “Nick.”

Their body language was telling a lot to each other. In Phil’s stance, Fury could see that his friend was torn, his expression showcasing the uncomfortable position he was thrown in. The super spy decided to try to convince him. “You know she’s hiding shit from us. I found her cozying with Lhensherr’s brood. We should bring her in.”

The agents who were at their side and still reeling from Jean’s attack all looked at him as if he was crazy. Sighing, Phil approached his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Nick. How many lives did you risk today and still want to put in danger? You know… you could have asked her why, and she would have told you.”

Fury batted away Phil’s hand, walked closer to him, eyes glowering. His menacing tone resurfaced. “Don’t take this tone with me, Coulson.”

Phil chuckled ruefully. “Someone clearly needs to. You know Jean has been a boon to us.”

Even Fury couldn’t deny that Jean Grey had been an excellent asset; resolving certain problems on US soil had become easier because of her abilities to pry away dirty secrets, bases location, plans that some nascent organizations like AIM or some group of CEOs who didn’t have the good of the citizens in mind. Justin Hammer of HAMMER industries was one of the last to have been put behind bars for selling out DOD secrets along with his shody weapons to cartels in South America or to warlords in Africa, who had recently become a pain in SHIELD’s ass. 

However, Fury’s actions may cause them to lose the services of Jean Grey and her telepathic gift.

Phil continued, “She must have her reasons to meet with the Brotherhood; the girl doesn’t feel safe even with us, even with all her power she says we cannot win. She might not look like it, but the attack two days ago rattled her; in her place, with all those parameters, would you have put all your hope into one organization?”

Fury shook his head, straightened his jacket and focused on Phil. “You speak as if she was already an agent or someone rational, she’s not in the business. We shouldn’t treat her as if she was.”

Phil turned to stare at Jean who was helping up the mother of the family she had saved into the EMT’s truck. He smiled, and Jean returned his gaze, waving at him to come to her. “She clearly acts like an agent, but you are right too. Jean Grey needs to be called on her actions, Director Carter has called a meeting at the Grey’s.”

The blackman jumped up in surprise and cringed. “How bad is this going to be?”

Phil put on his sunglasses, his smile thin. “Nick, I will be frank, Peggy is pissed at you.”

Fury facepalmed and groaned. “Motherfucker!”

# # #

(Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Carter)

Grey Penthouse
04:35 PM

The golden and pale liquid flowed from the glass jug into the glass placed on the low table. Elaine Grey then added some ice cubes and Peggy thanked the younger woman. Worry lines marred Elaine Grey’s face as she sat on the sofa, facing Peggy’s. Peggy could understand her worry; if her own daughter had been getting into this much trouble she would be as worried; then again Sharon, her niece, who she had helped enlist in SHIELD was the same kind of troublemaker as the redheaded hellion of the Grey family.

Elaine wore a white button dress with sandals, wearing no makeup, but she was a stunning woman, even in her late thirties. To Peggy, the woman was in dire need of something stronger than lemonade, maybe a cognac or a whiskey. 

“That girl, one of these days, she will kill me with worry.” Elaine’s sigh was deep as she  delicately put her empty glass on the table.

Peggy, who knew better, decided to enlighten Jean’s mother. “You have no idea how dangerous Jean is, if I was in your place I would worry for others.”

Elaine’s gaze became mutinous, washed in denial.  “Jean wouldn’t…”

Peggy crossed her legs and interrupted Elaine. “Jean has killed before, Elaine. Of course it’s not anything we can prove, but we know she has.”

The blonde lowered her eyes and deflated. She recalled Jean admitting how she turned people into vegetables and the two would be rapists that she killed seven weeks ago that Elektra told her about.

Elaine looked brittle, and the long, deprecating chuckle that left her made Peggy worry. “It’s hard to visualize such a sweet girl reduced to doing such things.” Elaine admitted, evidently miserable. 

The two women heard the door to the penthouse lobby open, and they rushed to their feet. Phil entered first, followed by Jean who clenched her fists in anger. Behind her, Fury entered the lobby possessing all the confidence of a man about to get on the electric chair. Phil jumped to the side when he saw Jean’s mother move faster than a missile at cruise speed toward her daughter and hugged her fiercely. “Jean!”

The redhead looked embarrassed when she saw Peggy and Phil smile at them. “I am okay mom, I’m okay.” Jean patted her mother’s back soothingly.

Elaine stepped back from her daughter, holding her by the shoulders and glared at her. “Don’t be cheeky!”

There was no defiance in her gaze, Jean looked torn though. Peggy had an inkling that Jean felt the emotions her mother did, and it was getting to her. It was good to know that she couldn’t always be cool and humorous all the time. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t let Frank and his family die, mom. I didn’t even think, but Maria was about to die and...” Jean babbled to Elaine.

Peggy intervened, her voice booming, “What happened really?”

Everyone exchanged glances, with the exception of Fury, who was currently in the doghouse. The tension and the anger present in Jean’s shoulders and expression slowly bled out, replaced by relief. “I see that there’s lemonade. I guess I can tell you all what I did today.”

Elaine took her daughter by the arm. “As if you had a choice in the matter, young lady.”

Her mother pulled her toward the living room. As Peggy and her agents followed her, they heard the young woman say under her breath. “Sorry for assuming…”

Elaine sat her wayward daughter and put a glass of lemonade in her hand and answered her with, “You know what they say about assuming, Jean.”

Jean rolled her eyes. “No comment.”

Then Jean began to recount her tale, how she met Raven Darkholm as a bird and noticed a human mind coming from a… big Raven (the bird) and discovered it was spying on them from the veranda. After threatening to punt her into the sky, getting to know the other mutant and debating about the us versus them mentality, Jean agreed to meet Magneto two days later.

“Wait, you could have told us…” Phil tried to say, leaning forward on the blood red sofa.

Jean interrupted Phil with a wave toward Fury. “Hot shot there would have attempted to arrest them.” 

“I wanted information and the unvarnished truth on Mr Lhensherr. I already know Xavier’s stance on the effects the reveal of my people’s existence on society would cause, and I needed to know about the Brotherhood’s stance too. Thanks to my special gift I know a bit about his organization.” Jean smiled, shooting a derisive glance at Fury. 

Fury was about to interrupt her but Jean ignored him, still angry at the man for his attempts to cut her off from her powers.“At first he wanted me to join him, badly. Then I showed him why he didn’t want to recruit me by putting down one of his more vocal subordinates and insinuating that I would take his organization from under him.”

There was a catch in Elaine’s voice as she heard how casually her daughter seemed proud of having beaten up someone.

Jean quickly added, “Don’t worry I left the boy who attacked me alive.”

*She still didn’t tell us in which state, I noticed.* Peggy said in her heart.

Jean looked at The redhead  her, shrugged and then smiled but her demeanor suddenly became more somber. “By the way, I have bad news.” She said, placing the glass on the table. Peggy frowned, a bad feeling weighing down on her when Jean’s gaze focused on her, her expression neutral. “What could be worse than what happened today?”

The Director instantly regretted jinxing herself when Jean reported what she learned from the terrorists.

Jean opened her mouth, speaking in a conspiratorially low tone, “Magneto’s got an asteroid base in space, I think it’s still under construction. The brief moment I touched him wasn’t enough to have a full read. Then there’s this fuzzy plan about boosting the powers of his people with some kind of space rock to irradiate them, it’s not lethal from what I understand.”

“Motherfucker! As if we needed that, right now!” The super spy stood up, expression harried. 

“Language!” All three women shouted in sync, glaring. 

Cough. “Sorry.” He apologised, not looking sorry in the slightest. He placed his glass down. “I will go contact our guys at NASA about this, if there’s an asteroid base somewhere in space, it must be near orbit.” Fury stated, taking his communicator and leaving the room, then the penthouse.

Everyone noticed how relieved he was of escaping Peggy’s ire or reprimand. Phil chuckled at his friend, he was taking note of Jean’s tale on his notepad. Peggy hadn’t noticed he was doing so before, she nodded at him for his prescience.

Jean cleared her throat and asked hopefully, “Can I continue or do you have something else to do too?”

Peggy stared at Jean, unimpressed by her sass. “Nick will take care of it. Now, continue if you please.”

Jean shrugged. “Sure.” She complied, continuing to recount her day, “Well, after we finished the picnic-”

“Wait.” Peggy raised her hand, shocked that Jean broke fast with a man like Magneto. “You had a picnic with terrorists?”

Jean rolled her eyes, annoyed at the interruption. “Well… yes. Can I continue now?”

Peggy pinched herself. It hurt, so she was not dreaming. “Unbelievable.”

Phil intervened helpfully, feeling the young woman’s irritation. “Jean, please continue.”

She continued to tell her tale, narrating how she evaded SHIELD agents looking for her in central park until she had enough and wanted to go home. That’s when she stumbled across the Castle family who were about to be collateral damage in a brief gang war that she put a brutal end to and ended up saving the mother.

Peggy regretted that doctor Wright wasn’t here as the redhead expunged in details on how she performed a light surgery on Mrs Castle.

“Then Fury arrived and surrounded us, all the agents pointing their weapon at us. I could feel Maria’s fear for her kids and Frank’s for his family. It was worse when he showed me that power inhibitor, I won’t lie, I almost… went wild there.” Jean raised her arms in frustration.

The older woman was really curious how a teenager with all of Jean’s power would react to the possibility of being afoul of the law. Would she give up her freedom or would she fight tooth and nail? Sometimes the girl was either doing good or doing something morally grey. Peggy was aware she had suffered a lot when she was young, dealing with that man and his minions after her.

It changed her.

Peggy straightened the lapel of her jacket. “What did you feel at that moment, Jean?” Jean looked to the side, a tell she had that indicated she didn’t want to answer. She laughed off the question with a non-answer. “Hey don’t try to psychoanalyze me, everyone gets a bit of Incarcerophobia from time to time.”

The Director continued on the same train of thought, not at all deigning to consider the immature deflection worth her time. “Not everyone has your power Jean, you could-”

Jean snapped, interrupting Peggy from launching into a full-on debate. “The next person or group of people trying that with me, I will kill them after taking everything away from them.”

Elaine gasped at her daughter’s outburst, seeing her cold eyes when she looked at her.  She raised from her seat, going to seek some privacy, and Jean’s gaze trailed after her, looking at Elaine’s departing back.

Peggy thought about the gungho attitude that Nick had been developing since he met the young redhead, always thinking the worst of her. There was no way any good relationship could come out of such behavior. Coulson’s relationship with Jean was one Nick would never have and that may be detrimental in the long run as she expected Jean to enlist later. It pained her to do that to one of her closest friends but Peggy would have to give the girl a new handler.

“That’s fair.” Peggy mused. 

Jean’s head snapped towards Peggy, sizing her up. Shrugging, she said, “Cool, we agree on this.”

The redhead quickly changed the subject. “Say, what’s going to happen for school? I don’t have a car anymore, are you going to lend me something?”

Peggy frowned, seeing how her baby spy was trying to maneuver her into giving her a vehicle for transportation purposes. Didn’t Jean understand that no one would trust her to be alone anymore? The older woman chuckled at the attempt, “Oh, you poor soul! You think you are going to be doing your own driving? No, I have assigned you a new protective detail.”

The girl flinched. “But what about my friends?” Her voice was small, so unlike Jean Grey. Peggy took on a matronly smile. “Don’t worry, they can get a ride too.”

The horror blossoming on Jean’s pretty face was worth all the trouble she kept causing; Peggy was enjoying this with delight. It was one of the little things she had come to like in her old age.

Jean’s gaze became even more scared. “But… what about the rumors? School will get even harder if everyone thinks I am some kind of rich muckety muck!”

Peggy didn’t care, but for the sake of propriety she sighed heavily. “We all have to sacrifice for safety, my dear.”

Scowling, Jean crossed her arms, her lips turned to a pout. “I thought you were one of the good guys?”

Peggy guffawed, took the lemonade pitcher and poured herself another glass. Picking it up, she watched Jean, teaching her  another lesson. “Dear, let me let you in on the secret. The good guys can be evil too.”

# # #

(Peter Parker)

October 28th, 1996
Midtown High

Monday arrived with a vengeance. It was 7:45 AM and even Peter felt that it was too early to be in the school’s parking lot, waiting for his friends and nemesis to arrive. He yawned, still shocked about the events that unfolded the night before- some guy with white skin with black spots had been emptying bank vaults by teleporting the money away.

It had been a gruelling battle that had taken a lot out of him; the normal mooks knew better than to try to take him on, now. Now the weirdos came out the woodwork, on his turf and they were harder to take down. *Had to beat up this spot guy till he became white and unable to create those black circular Warp holes all over his skin.*

In the end the man could not throw an unlimited number of space warps, because he primarily drews on the ones on his own body. That had been special… tasting his own punches revealed to him how strong he had become, but damn if it didn’t hurt. His hand lifted to his left cheek, and he could still feel the hit of the punch Spot made him give himself.

The horn of a school bus pulled him out of his musings, the yellow and black vehicle parking in the lot and disbursed students. Peter didn’t know what to expect; last friday, Jessica and Patsy had come on the bus, announcing that Jean had been in an accident and that her car was totally trashed because a van collided with her vehicle. Cindy had confirmed it too, but Peter felt that there was more to the story.

*No Jones.* It seemed that they were on another bus?

Peter’s attention shifted from the bus to a familiar Land Rover which pulled up at the entrance of the school parking lot. The door opened, revealing the single most beautiful girl. She had a white frilly top covered by a red woolen cardigan, black skinny jeans and brown ankle boots. He saw her look into the crowd of students until her eyes found him, her face lighting up with a smile that made him fall for her even more.

Gwen retrieved her bag from the SUV, bidding goodbye to her mother, a woman her splitting image but just older. Then the fairy like girl walked up to him, avoiding the throng of students. Her eyes scanned for the other girls who had become part of their circle at his side and she frowned when she failed to locate them. Peter was ambivalent with his new friendships. Jessica and Patsy were okay, but Jean and Cindy were… intense.

He still feared that Jean could take Gwen from him. He knew he shouldn’t feel this way, but he did. She didn’t belong to him, she was her own woman. Nevertheless, the little blonde was still clearly receptive to Jean’s flirting and he wasn’t the only one who felt that way as he knew Cindy hated Gwen and she felt threatened by her.

Peter chuckled as Gwen arrived before him. His best friend and secret crush still gave no fucks about the venomous stares sent her way by the clearly obsessed South Korean sporty girl.

What really pained him, was that Peter had found himself in an intellectual competition with Jean, she knew Gwen’s favorite subjects and then they entered their own world that he couldn’t even decipher. As a result, Peter applied himself to not feel excluded.

“Hey, Pete.” She kissed him on the cheek which resulted in his cheeks reddening.. “Gwen.” Peter nodded awkwardly.

The pixie blonde frowned, placing her hand on his forehead. “You okay? You look pale.”

Shaking his head, Peter lied, “I didn’t sleep much last night, too much side science projects.” But it was also technically the truth.

Gwen nodded, then took a comb out of her bag and began to comb his hair and told him in a reproachful  tone, “You should take better care of yourself, and I hope that you’ll be able to show me those projects of yours.” She gave his outfit a pointed look.  He wore a baggy grey woolen shirt covering a frumpy black t-shirt and khaki pants. Gwen was also not impressed with his choice of shoes, dark brown boots that had seen better days.

Everyone looked at them. Some boys were snickering at him and some girls were secretly cooing at the scene.

Flushing even more, Peter stuttered, “I...I will try.”

Placing her comb back in her bag, she leaned against the wall that served as a meeting point for their group, directly adjacent to where the popular kids assembled and parked their cars.

“Where’s everyone?” Gwen kept looking for their friends.

Peter looked at his watch. “It’s already 8:00 am. Don’t worry, Jean… and the others will come.”

Gwen’s head turned to Peter who suddenly felt himself being judged. “You still don’t like her, Pete? Even after everything she’s done for us?”

The brown haired young man averted his eyes from the inquisitive gaze of his friend.  She was referring to how the bullying had stopped completely because Jean Grey had promised pain and hellfire on anyone bothering him, Gwen or either of the Jones girls. Peter didn’t feel as grateful as he should be; he was sure that he could have fended off the likes of Flash or Harry Osborn in the long run.

Some of the other guys already questioned his masculinity for hiding behind the skirt of a girl or thinking that he was gay, not that there was anything bad about having same sex preferences. Peter felt put upon and that he needed something to avoid answering this trap-like question. As if God had heard him, a ready made distraction arrived, Peter said loudly, “Ah, Cindy’s arrived.”

Gwen turned, and just as well the asian girl walked toward them. “She has.”

He looked smug but the smirk was wiped clear when she looked back at him with a threatening smile. “Don’t think that this pathetic attempt at distraction will save you, Pete.”

Peter began to sweat profusely, a nervous laugh bubbling out of him. *That’s my Gwen, too smart to not see through me.*

Cindy’s fashion, though not flashy, certainly was practical. It could even be called stylish. She wore a simple black and white t-shirt with an AC/DC band logo that she tied to show off her midriff covered by a black leather jacket originally owned by her girlfriend. Her jeans were a classic pair that were held by a studded black leather belt, and she finished the look off with soft black boots. She had a grungy look to her that Peter could appreciate, after all, Cindy was a really pretty girl.

The black haired girl took off her sunglasses, flipped her long mane back and acknowledged Gwen with a nod. “Stacy.”

Gwen’s eyes focused from Pete’s face to Cindy’s, “Moon.”

An awkward silence hovered over them, and Peter coughed to break it and greet his friend? Acquaintance? He couldn’t say what she was to him, but she treated him well. “Hi Cindy.”

The change of expression on Cindy’s face when she spoke to him was jarring. She smiled at him, “Hello Peter, how are you today?” As soon as the question left her, she frowned, walking up to him and placing a hand on his cheek. “You look pale, are you eating well?”

Gwen snorted. “That’s almost what I said.”

Cindy rolled her eyes, then her expression switched to concern. “It hurts me to think that Stacy is right, but you should take care of yourself more. I mean, I don’t know what you do at night but this isn’t the first time we noticed how unwell you look in the morning.”

It touched him that someone other than Gwen or aunt May cared for him, but those girls were being too sharp for his taste, and no one should know about his late night activities. Peter calmed down, scratching behind his head, ears tinged red with embarrassment. “Huh ok, girls… I am fine. I-”

He was interrupted by the fact that a convoy of at least five cars entered the parking lot. The vehicles began to spread out and once they came to a halt, a muscular man in a black suit, wearing shades, exited the first vehicle. His eyes scanned his surroundings for over half a minute. Everyone around them began to whisper as more men in black exited the cars. Peter could see some of them carrying concealed weapons.

“What the hell? Who are those guys?”

“Do you think something is about to happen?”

“The feds?”

Their questions were answered when one of the men opened the door of the central vehicle and a familiar redhead stepped out, helping a pink haired girl exit, too. It was Jean and Jessica; a second redhead exited the car, looking all smiles. Jean looked nervously around her, and it was clear she was embarrassed by the spectacle. Cindy made a musical giggle. “Of course, it’s Jean…” Peter noticed her lack of surprise. “Why does she have an… escort?” Gwen frowned, taking a few steps forward, towards Jean, when Cindy grabbed her arm. 

“I know why, but I can’t tell you.” Cindy singsonged annoyingly, before continuing,“Wait for her to come to us, don’t go near those guys.”

Gwen wrenched her arm from Cindy’s grip, levelling her with a glare, but she relented nonetheless. Cindy’s advice wasn’t bad; the men in black climbed in their vehicles excluding one who went to park in a free emplacement closer to the administrative building. Jean walked up to their usual meeting place, enduring gazes and whispers. Peter could already hear the rumors flying, and he chuckled at the unease she showcased; it changed from her always smug behavior he had come to detest.

As usual Jean looked fashionable, and highly attractive, her red hair long and perfect with volume, shining like fire under the sun’s rays. Peter had no idea where she found her clothes, but she looked damn good in her carmine colored off shoulder front split long black dress; her breasts bounced and almost fell out of the V neck on her front, so much so Peter didn’t know where to look! And then there was her tight black pants which clung to her like a glove. 

Most of the boys at school fantasized about her, but would never be able to touch or even approach her romantically as her interest was heavily directed to girls. Peter wasn’t one of them; the girl was too brutally honest and heavy handed. Peter frowned, finding it strange that everyone accepted her sexual orientation and didn’t question it or hate her for it. Where were the snide comments and gossip from earlier this year?

They had suddenly stopped when Jean had done something to the previous cheerleaders squad, but he wasn’t sure. Jean strode toward them at high speed, followed by the Jones sisters who looked like normal girls their age but gradually emulated her, this was the case for Patsy who admired Jean a bit too much. She morphed from a sweet, shy girl to a foul mouthed one in a span of a few weeks all because Jean didn’t hold her tongue much. Jean spread her arms and Cindy flew into them at the speed of a cruise missile. They smashed their lips together, the PDA making Peter flush again. Gwen looked rather detached from this scene, examining her nails. When the two girls finally came up for air, they spoke in hushed tones. Meanwhile, Jessica and Patsy left them behind.

Patsy was the first to come up to Gwen and hug her, while Jessica looked grumpy. “How are ya girls?”

“Am fine.” Jessica said gruffly, wringing with her hands, and not looking at Peter’s face.

Jessica was a really pretty girl, though it was difficult to see it at first due to her concealing hoodies that drowned her body and jeans with big boots. Peter had tried to speak with her before she even met Jean Grey and she was an acerbic and really foul mouthed girl. But he could understand, he acted the same way. He lost his uncle and she lost all her family. Since she had met Jean, though, she had been smiling much more, and with her change in mood, her wardrobe also changed. 

Jessica wore more colors and form fitting clothes, even adopting a hairstyle that allowed visual access to her face. Her hair was styled in a short haircut with two messy plaits fastened on the ends with elastics; but god forbid that you called her cute, he dared one week ago and she pinched him. *It had hurt.*

Since then Peter had become prudent of what he said to the pink haired girl.

“You don’t look fine.” Peter insisted, wrapping his hand around her arm.  

Her eyes bounced to it, then to his face, worried. She delicately took his hand from her arm and said, “I can’t speak about it.”

“Oh.” Peter crossed his arm. “Did Cindy pass a memo or something? What about the men in black?”

Smiling, Jessica leaned on the wall at his side. “Can’t say anything, Pete, I really want to. I think Jean must tell you, Mom had to sign some damn papers to keep my mouth shut…”

Two minutes passed before his curiosity got the best of him. “Is it some secret government shit? Those guys in the cars looked like government agents.”

“Jean will tell us. She owes us that at least.” Jessica said patiently, taking her CDs Holder from her school bag, sifting through it for some music to listen to.  

Peter snorted at that; Jean Grey owed him nothing, she was too busy being the perfect girl to bother with little old him. “You mean, you and the others. We are not exactly friends, her and I…”

Jessica slapped his arm, hard. “Then fucking try, she’s a really sweet girl…” she rebuked, then leaned forward, whispering,“and stop acting as if she’s going to steal Gwen from you.”

With a panicked glance, Peter looked around him and at Gwen speaking with Patsy before they returned to Jessica’s amused ones. “How did-”

She patted Peter’s cute face and told him with evil glee. “Pete, everyone knows.”

His eyes bugged out. “Everyone?”

Jessica nodded. “Everyone, even Gwen. When are you going to grow some balls and ask her out?”

He didn’t know what to think. Was he that blind to his surroundings? No wonder the girls kept pushing him to change more, like his wardrobe or the way he walked? They wanted him to get out of his sullen behavior, even Jean.

Looking in Jessica’s mirth filled brown eyes, Peter spoke, “I-”

Gwen interrupted him. “What are you two talking about?” 

Peter jumped up, startled. “Nothing.”

“Right.” Jessica took her discman out of her bag, placed the CD inside and put her headphones on; she pushed the play button, effectively ignoring everyone.  

“Hey everyone!” Jean arrived and hugged Gwen who kissed her on the cheek.

Gwen’s hand glided on Jean’s arms and shoulders, touching every part of her body. “Heard you were in an accident, but I see all your little bits attached so it mustn’t have been so bad… right?”

A sad expression appeared on the redhead’s face. “Well, my Camaro died. That was a big loss.”

Patsy feigned some tears, Cindy slapping her on the back of her head before they looked at each other, laughter spurting from them.  Peter saw that Jean’s sadness was real. He could understand her; driving your own car was a big step toward independence.

“What about the MIB?” Peter asked. Their presence bothered him. Jean was supposed to be a normal girl- she had all her parents and siblings, she was upper middle class, beautiful and smart. She had everything. Peter flinched at this realization. *That’s what’s bothering me with her, she has everything I have ever wanted. Her parents are alive.*

“Oh them… hum well, guys we have to talk.” Jean said, levelling her gaze with everyone’s. She then turned to Peter, who was shocked as he didn’t expect to be included. “This concerns you too, Peter. Jessica and I... have to speak to you about something. So, can we go to your house this afternoon?”

Peter became wary, the girls surrounded him; even Jessica who didn’t pay attention normally was watching him.

He gulped loudly. “W-why my house?”

Everyone giggled which didn’t reassure him, at all. 

“Because like that you won’t run away, idiot.” Cindy helpfully added.

Gwen directed puppy eyes at him. “Peter, it seems important you should let her have her way.”

Peter knew when he was being manipulated, but he couldn’t find the strength to tell his crush No. It wasn’t surprising that the puppy eyes were super effective and he said in a huff, “Fine.”

Jean laughed. “Don’t worry, Pete. To make it up to you, I am going to make my special Lasagna.”

Jessica and Patsy reacted to that offer, growing rather intense. “Pete, say yes!”

Peter tried taking a step back, but his back was pressed against the wall. “Say yes, Pete!” Gwen urged.

The young man sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I already did!”

Patsy and Jessica high fived in celebration. “Yes!”

# # #

Back with Jean...
History class
10:00 AM

Things were going better than I expected. Seeing Cindy and returning to my usual routine was like a salve on the events of the last week. She didn’t hate me, instead it seemed that the danger we had been in actually strengthened her feelings for me. They hinged more toward love than the lust, affection and friendship from before. Gwen was more of a friend now, but she was still acting interested which I knew was an attempt to get Peter to confess his feelings faster.*I can’t even get mad at her for it, it’s time the boy did something or she will lose interest.*

As for Jessica and Patsy, they stayed as stalwart as ever. I loved my life; I have friends, a girlfriend and powers. But the specter of Nathaniel Essex was still casting a shadow on it all; that is why I found myself in history class sketching a generator which would harness the byproducts of baryonic decay as an energy source. Using the skills and knowledge I gleaned from the SHIELD scientists, along with the memories of my other self who had seen a show employing such technology, I surmised that it was theoretically possible to make one, but a Jovian environment was needed for the production of a prototype.

I shelved the idea, flicking to the next page of my notepad. If I had the Phoenix force, going to space and to other galaxies would be possible but not at this point in time. I knew that it was a question of time before the Raptor of life snapped me up to proceed to my… duties but I hoped it would be a long while before that happened.

The next sketch was the diagram of the molecules that the SHIELD uniform was made of. It was treated in an Electro Bio Chemical solution that made them more than bulletproof. SHIELD scientists were a treasure trove of theories, viable research, and proof of concepts. I even had something like an electro laser schematics that I took from their weapon program.

I was strong at math and physics. I have all this in my head but nowhere to practice. *I need a place out of the way. A lab with all the tools I want, computers, blackboards, work tables and a kitchen, a bed and Cindy. Yes, the last one is super important.*

Then I realized that this notepad of mine was rather dangerous… full of intellectual properties that didn’t belong to me. A chuckle left me. *I need a place to hide my things.*

"What is so funny Miss Grey? Does the subject of the prohibition amuse you?” The teacher asked.

All gazes turned to me, but I wasn’t fazed. 

I shrugged. “Not really, I just find it funny that everyone at the time let a political party, whose sole purpose was to stop the manufacturing and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States of America, come into power. They should have thought it was a bad idea. I mean, the more you,” I chuckled. “Prohibit something, the more certain persons or organizations will distribute it illegally. Nothing had changed during that period and those in power were just being annoying? Yes, that’s the word, an inconvenience.”

“Hum right, thank you for your opinion, Miss Grey. It is kind of really blunt, but this is essentially what happened.” The teacher grudgingly said and turned to the blackboard.

“Your welcome.” And I returned to my sketching and plans.

The money I hid in Harlem will help get me a place. Problem is I’m too young to possess that sort of money, but someone who isn’t my dad or mom might be able to help. Someone loyal, and I think it’s finally time to network in the criminal world.

# # #

03:45 PM
Parker residence

We disembarked from the cars now that the school day ended. s It was a quick trip from school to Peter’s house; the agents even let us make a pitstop to the nearest supermarket to purchase ingredients before driving us to the Parkers’. It wasn’t as good as our house in Annandale-on-Hudson, but it looked rather cozy. I passed an analytical eye over the front garden of the house surrounded by painted white picket fence.

“It’s so cliché that I don’t know what to say.” I mumbled.

“Hey!” Peter heard me, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.  I poked my tongue out, then chuckled. 

Cindy came to my side, her arm wrapping around my waist as she looked critically at Peter’s house and the neighbor’s. “Peter’s house is well taken care of, compared to the ones neighboring his. Wait is that Mary Jane Watson?”

The redhead looked at them from the door of the house on the right, that had a yellowed lawn. Unwashed walls, falling down fences and roof tiles in need of a good replacement; it looked like the owners had completely given up on making it look good. When I made eye contact with Mary Jane, I shot her a smile to which she returned with an icy glare of her own before slamming the door shut. I snickered. “Yeah, that’s her alright.”

Cindy tilted her head. “Why did she run and slam the door?”

It was obvious to me that the glamorous and beautiful Mary Jane Watson didn't want us to know about her humble origins, she was also ashamed of them. I understood it, but found the young woman wanting. It was easy to transcend your own roots by taking care of yourself and working for a better tomorrow.

“Who knows, nothing is alright in that girl’s head. She sounds so vapid…” I shrugged, grabbed my grocery bag, and followed  Peter who continued to grumble about bossy girls.

The agents spread around the neighborhood, the teams having switched at midday; two cars were parked at the north and south of Peter’s house, and there was an outside perimeter and two agents on foot carrying weapons. SHIELD wasn’t taking any chance that we could be attacked it seemed.

When Peter pushed open the white door, I saw that it allowed a view directly on the living room. There were walls separating the well furnished kitchen and minimal dining table. There were stairs leading to the first floor; I pushed my awareness everywhere in the house. I noted there was  an underground basement and three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs and two toilets on the ground floor and first floor. It wasn’t a big house by any stretch, but the place was clean, tidy and well decorated with beige curtains, silver artwork and glass figurines everywhere.

*Note to self, ask Aunt May for advice on house decoration.*

“Pete, where’s your aunt?” I asked, my gaze bouncing everywhere. I wanted to know which version of Aunt May I would be speaking with; if it’s the grandmotherly one, she’s going to be easy to deal with. The young one though? Peter was fucked if it’s her, she might already know that he was spiderman.

Raising an eyebrow Peter answered with, “Working, of course.”

“Okay, well.. let’s start with cooking.”

Finding the tools was no problem and everyone pitched in and helped out. Peter sure tried to, but Gwen made him peel the onions. Jessica found the lasagna pan made of glass and helped with the first step of preparing the ingredients that consisted of cooking the meat and browning the onions and garlic, stirring them into crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sauce and water.

Gwen passed me the ingredients to season everything. We let everything simmer for an hour and a half. It was when we were waiting, along with occasionally stirring the dish, that I opened the floodgates with, “Everyone, I’ve got super powers.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing. Peter who was cleaning a glass pitcher in the kitchen sink whirled back and almost let it fall but caught it in time before it reached the ground. I decided to make my point, so I caught it with my mind and pulled it from Peter’s hands. The pitcher floated in the air.

“Blunt as ever.” Jessica commented, nursing a can of pepsi. 

I scowled at the pink haired devil. “Hey! Don’t judge, you pepsi philistine.”

Jessica raised her can. “Coke slut.”

I grinned, shooting back, “And proud of it.” 

Patsy and Cindy watched the pitcher dance into the air. Gwen looked at it, then looked at me in quick succession for thirty seconds before she clapped her hands and said, “Okay, so Jean could you put the pitcher down?”

I nodded. “Yes I can.”

“Please.” She said, her gaze following the pitcher as it descended towards Peter. He caught it, placing it near the kitchen sink on a clean towel.

Staring at everyone, Peter loudly stated, “Is there anyone who needs to make another revelation?”

Jessica raised from the sofa, downed her can of pepsi and crushed it in her hand until it was a ball of aluminium the size of a penny. She threw it at Peter who caught it, then looked at it with wonder. He could do something similar but he’d risk cutting himself.

“Jean has Telekinesis. And Jessica Super strength and Durability? What else?” Peter asked aloud.

“Flight.” Jessica admitted, rather smug as she began to hover slowly in the air. I followed her and then looked at Cindy who was watching me with awe. With a wave the asian girl levitated off the sofa and landed in my arms.

“What about me?!” Patsy whined.

I levitated her and brought her to her sister. Gwen followed, flailing a lot  until she calmed down and began to giggle. Peter sat on a stool with a thoughtful expression.

“Hey Pete, why don’t you tell us what your talent is?” I asked while letting the other girls play with levitation in the living room.

“W-what are you talking about I am…”

“Peter.” I landed, staring him straight in the eyes. “Don’t be stubborn, I know that you are spiderman.”

Everyone froze, silence descending upon them. Whereas Gewn gasped, the others acted as though it wasn’t a big deal.

“I am not.” He said stubbornly.

He was having another one of his bout of jealousy, thinking that I was handed everything he wanted. Poor guy shouldn’t envy me; my enemies make his look like cookie cutter villains. My powers were more versatile and cooler than his, that’s what he thought.

I smiled at that, then focused my will on the kitchen knives on the island. “Fine, you brought this on yourself.”

The knives silently flew free from their wooden sheath and sped toward Peter who felt them coming and jumped to the side when a knife targeted his neck, and then there was one targeting his hands that he retracted back at the last second. He jumped and pirouetted on himself to avoid three knives coming in low at high speed.

Then he was on the ceiling sticking to the white plaster to evade all the knives attacking in all directions. I stopped attacking him and placed the knives back in their wooden sheath on the kitchen island.

“So, mister I am not spiderman what are you sayin’ now?”

“You could have killed me!” Peter shouted, his scowl fierce. 

I snorted at him. “If I wanted you dead, Parker, you would be.”To prove the statement, I  grabbed him from the ceiling and put him down on the sofa. 

“I-.” Peter tried to say, but Gwen floated herself to his side, enveloping him in a hug. 

Five minutes of silence had passed when Peter decided to stop acting like a bitch. Jessica and he spoke about how much they could lift. The little pixie blonde growled at Jessica who just smiled at her. <Yes, Peter is hers, back off Jess.> I sent via my mind to Jessica who  raised her hand once placated by my mind voice.

“Am I the only one who wants super powers too?” Gwen interjected as Jessica floated away from Peter with an excuse.

Cindy and Patsy raised their hands. “Don’t worry girls, I know how to get you some! Stick with me and you’ll have your super powers.” I added.

Cindy and Patsy smiled at that and then returned to the kitchen, time was up and it was time to continue the lasagna. 

As I passed him, Peter caught my hand, glaring at me.  “How can you just promise something like that?”

Tilting my head, I thought about it. “Well, the same way you got your powers. You got bit by a radioactive spider. There are alternative ways to get powers in this world. I was born with mine and Jessica was in an accident caused by a truck that was transporting special chemicals, then Steve Rogers got to be a super soldier thanks to some kind of serum. I can promise that to my friends because I know some things you don’t, Peter.”

I know where the only vial of super soldier serum is at, then there was magic that they could learn. So many possibilities… Peter’s mind began to churn; I have to hand him that, Peter wasn’t just a cute face, he was smart and he figured something about me. 

He released my hand quickly as though my touch scalded him. “Your power… you aren’t a simple telekinetic…”

Grinning at him, I waved my finger at him, and he flinched. I laughed. “And that’s everything I will reveal today.”

We returned to our lasagna making adventure, Peter watching me for the full duration as though I was a bomb about to go off at any time. I sent Gwen to occupy his mind while Jessica, Cindy and I were finishing. It was 6:12 PM when a delicious smell of well baked lasagna wafted down from the kitchen while we played cards.

“Aaaah! I almost forgot.” I cried out as I was about to pass the Queen of diamond to Peter.

Cindy looked surprised. “Jean?”

I sighed. “Peter, Gwen. Last thursday, Cindy and I, we almost got kidnapped and hum, I kinda work for some secret organization.”

“Okay back up, tell us everything in order.”

I proceeded to tell them about the man after me for my powers and the goons he often sends my way since I was twelve years old when my abilities first manifested. I especially avoided telling how I disposed of Sinister’s goons; Peter might get a stroke because of his no kill code. Then, I told them how SHIELD had brow beaten me into coming into their services and now I worked for them to ensure my protection.  I also told them about Xavier and Magneto and how bad they truly were.

“I don’t see a problem with that Xavier guy’s way.” Peter voiced. 

He really thought that… and because I didn’t want to get into a shouting match with him I nodded, “Huhu, think what you want Pete.”

Gwen went to take the lasagna out of the oven and let it air for a bit; that’s when the front door opened and a beautiful and tall older brunette appeared. She wore a pantsuit that accentuated her womanly curves. She looked surprised to see so many girls around Peter.

With a bright easy smile, May looked at her nephew and said, “Peter, I know I teased you about bringing your girlfriend home, but you shouldn’t have brought all of them.”

“Aunt May...” Peter facepalmed, emitting a low groan and quickly fleeing to the kitchen.  I couldn’t help but giggle with everyone at Peter’s reaction. As I did so,  my hand snaked under Cindy’s shirt as aunt May was being introduced to everyone. Jessica and Patsy were first, she already knew Gwen so it was Cindy’s and my turn. “I am Jean, and this is my girlfriend, Cindy.”

“Ah, you two look cute together.” May acknowledged, her smile genuine as her gaze bounced back and forth between Cindy and I. 

There wasn’t a mean bone in her body, she really thought what she said. “I didn’t expect you to be accepting of my sexual orientation, some people are not as understanding…”

“Ah pish! I am not a stuck up bigot, I... experimented when I was in college.” May waved my worries away.

“Too much information aunt May!” Peter shouted from the kitchen.

“Don’t be a prude, Pete!” May shouted back.

She was full of life with a playful, witty disposition, that was endearing. I found myself liking her more and more. We invited May to eat with us after we set up the table, though it would be hard not to, this was her house after all. Then she asked us who made the delicious lasagna when we finally dug in. Everyone looked at me.

“Cindy, don’t let this one go.” May looked serious. She  took another bite of the lasagna and cooed a storm.

Amber colored eyes turned to me, looking  intense as usual and then Cindy patted my thigh. “I don’t intend to, she’s amazing.”

This earned her a quick kiss on the cheek from me. Then we all began to speak about inane and mundane things; Gwen and Peter worried about the exams before halloween, Jessica was listening to Patsy whine about the new ballet class their mom conscripted her into.

Once everyone finished eating, May wiped her mouth with a tissue and looked at me. “So… would it be too much to ask for this lasagna recipe?”

With a smile plastered on my face and a raised eyebrow, I entered negotiation mode. “It depends Mrs Parker, are you willing to exchange it for something as yummy.”

May sighed theatrically, showing me a pained expression. “You drive a hard bargain, I shall take it though, and please call me May.”

May dashed in search of a pen and paper. When she got back, I noticed Peter looking at me with a smile on his face.  He finally stopped doubting me but there was still something holding him back. I shrugged, lacking the energy to work on him right now. May was finally there and from memory I wrote down the ingredients, the times for each of the steps taken to make my family’s lasagna. It took ten minutes.

Our time together was coming to an end for the day when  Cindy chose to remind us of something not too important but that we had promised to do for Flash. “What are you going to wear for the Halloween party that Flash and Harry Osborn organized, I plan to dress as Princess Kitana from the Mortal Kombat movie.”

I quickly looked at the date on the calendar pinned on May’s fridge. Gwen began panicking, Peter just shrugged and the Jones sisters smiled, it seemed they had already anticipated it. “I’m going to go as a Kunoichi.”

Cindy shook her head, leveling me with  the look; she had seen my sketchbook before and what I thought of how a female ninja should be clothed as. “Please tell me it’s not going to be like the slutty one you drew in your sketchbook?”

*Damn you, Sensei, for influencing me.* I cursed Elektra.

I hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Don’t ask questions and I won't lie to you, darling. But I am sure you’ll like it.”

As I thought fast, mom and I had enough old things to create a subpar costume. While I thought that, my other self decided to intervene, giving me an image to focus on. It was a 3D picture of a character class from Desert Black or some such, Kunoichi and wow it seemed more than slutty but… I liked it! *I might add some black leggings for modesty. The Kunai I could make them with my TK and blunt them, the mask and sword are going to be trickier.*

“Jean?” Cindy poked me in the side.

I craned my neck downwards slightly, my eyes finding hers, she was kind of shorter than I. “Ah sorry I was thinking about my costume. What were you saying?”

She grasped the straps of her bag hanging from her shoulder, handing me mine. “It’s time to go.”

“Oh okay!” It was a school day so we couldn’t stay more. Taking my bag, we bid goodbye to May and Peter. 

Gwen was staying a while longer as her mother had told her that she would come pick her up. We left the Parker house and brought Jessica and Patsy back home; the SHIELD agents didn’t mind. Then we did the same for Cindy who I especially said goodbye to with a passionate kiss, she left with a smile on her face to her apartment’s building.