Spider-X Chapter 15

The opening scene, it's early morning and Peter is working in Dr. McCoy's lab with Doug. Doug asked for Peter's help working on his Warlock translator.

"Hey, Peter how does this look," Doug says showing me the computer screen.

"Wow you're even better at coding than I am why did you even ask for my help," Peter says while looking over his work.

"I wanted to make sure this was going ok and the only reason I'm good at coding is that it's a language" Doug responded slightly embarrassed of Peter's high praises.

"What your making is near A.I. level intelligence it scans world languages and can even understand different speech patterns and tone, in short, you're a genius," I said patting Doug on the back.

"Thanks, Peter that really means a lot," Doug said.

"Hey after we're done with this I've had a few ideas for some tech I've been thinking of want to help me with it," I say thinking of finally making the Spider-Bots he's been thinking of.

"Sure just tell me when and where," said Doug. They both continue working for another hour before I check the time and see's he has to head out to work soon.

"I'll help with this later we got to work on more projects together in the future," I said grabbing his stuff and heading out. I quickly web-swung my way to the Bugle building and started working. Halfway through the day, my stomach started growling. I thought to myself "Damn I was so excited about working with Doug I forgot to eat this morning". I get up and go to the breakroom usually theirs some kind of snacks I got scrounge for myself. When I walk in I see Glory Grant a young African-American woman with an athletic build and short hair. Aside from me, she is the youngest person that works here. "Hi, Ms. Grant," I say as I see her sitting down at the table eating a sub sandwich.

"Peter haven't seen you in the break room for a while," Ms. Grant says happy to see me.

"Now that I'm back I see there's nothing left does Jameson want to starve all his employees," I say back. Ms. Grant gets up from her table and looks me over. "What," I say wondering why she is staring at me.

"I was just thinking how nice it is you have a stable home now" Ms. Grant smiles and says.

"What do you mean," I ask nervously.

"I didn't mean to pry in your life Peter, but Ben Urich and I know all the signs of a runaway teen. You were always hungry, you smelled like you didn't shower regularly, and anytime someone mentioned home you always got a sad look on your face" Ms. Grant said counting on her fingers all the signs she noticed. I stand still shocked for a moment that apparently all my coworkers knew about my homelessness and I was apparently terrible at keeping secrets. I hope she doesn't also know I'm Spider-Man I think to myself.

"How come you didn't say anything," I ask

"Urich told me not to, he saw your pride and how you probably wouldn't accept help from us and the fact that your willing to work with Jameson proves it," Ms. Grant said. I could only laugh at the last part.

"So where are you staying these days," Ms. Grant asks.

"There's this place for kids without homes it's basically a boarding school I meet one of the professors and he offered me room and board. I was reluctant at first but he managed to convince me" I say hoping she doesn't see past the lies I'm telling. She studies me for a minute and smiles.

"So the cute girl who pissed off Jameson earlier was one of these kids too" Ms. Grant asks. I blush thinking about Kitty and the whole situation with her blowing up on Jameson was funny looking back, but I'll never tell her that.

"Yeah her names Kitty and she's really opinionated," I say with my cheeks still red.

"Kitty huh, by the look on your face you two are already seeing each other" Ms. Grant said. We talked for a few more minutes before I went back to work it was weird finding out that Ms. Grant and Mr. Urich knew I was homeless the entire time, but nice to know they had my back. After I finish work I head out to patrol a little as Spider-Man not 5 minutes swinging around and I see Herman AKA The Shocker up to no good again. The police have formed a barricade around the Bank and I quickly swing past them. I see everyone in the bank has run away in fear and The Shocker's getting ready to make his escape when he sees me walking in "Herman my man, buddy, love of my criminal life, It's so great seeing you again" I say sarcastically.

"Spider-Man I knew you would show up to try to stop me So I brought back up," he says raises his gauntlets. I quickly dodge his blasts it's gotten so easy at this point I kind of want to drag it out see what Herman could do. As I flip over Herman I see what looks to be a rhinoceros walking on its hind legs carrying what looks to be gold and other heavy metals with ease.

"Spider-Man meet my back up The Rhino," The Shocker says with pride. Just as he introduces himself the Rhino charges at me like a runaway tank. As his back is turned I tase him to knock him out but it looks like he barely feels it. And here I thought this was going to be an easy day. The Shocker lines his sights to blast me again my spider-sense went off and I dodge I hide behind some desks knowing these aren't going to hold. Just then I have an idea. I web Herman's gloves and come out to make myself seen by the Rhino. The brute charges at me again and once his back is turned I shoot him with my vibro blasts it doesn't knock him out it only disorients him for a minute.

"Damn Herman you just going to blast your friend like that," I say feigning ignorance. The Rhino looks at The Shocker and charges him.

"Wait I didn't it was" he was cut off by The Rhino launching him outside I hear a bone-crunching sound and kind of feel bad for the guy. As the Rhino's distracted I pounce on him hitting him in the jaw with the full force he still doesn't go down so before he can retaliate I keep hitting him till he doesn't get back up. I quickly call the New York Mutant affairs division and let them know the rhino is here and he needs specially sized cuffs. I leave Herman to the regular police. As I walk out to web swing away I see the police look grateful that I stepped in. I go home, it's weird to think of the X-Mansion as home, but that's how it feels now I kind of have a routine now and I can't imagine living anywhere else.

As I walk in Jean sees me and I say hi.

"Peter perfect timing the professor wants to talk to you follow me," Jean says walking toward Xavier's office.

"Jean I've been here long enough I know where his office is," I say to her.

"I know you know we both need to speak with you," Jean says plainly. I start to think of everything I've done recently and if anything I've done was their some rule I broke or something that could be taken out of context. We open the door and inside I see the professor behind his desk exactly where he should be, but I also see Logan sitting on the couch.

"Peter Jean I'm glad your both here we have a lot to talk about," Xavier said in a serious manner. Jean closes the door behind us and we both sit down in front of Xavier's desk. "Peter I'll be frank with you since you prefer honesty. You know I have secrets there are a few things I like to keep close to my chest even from the team so I'm going to invite you to join a special team run off the books one that works in various countries. An offshoot of the X-Men a team I like to call X-Force"