Spider-X Chapter 16

Opening scene Peter is sitting in Professor Charles Xavier's office with Jean sitting in the chair beside him and Logan sitting on the couch. Xavier and Jean are giving off an air of seriousness while Logan looks almost bored with the conversation. "X-Force?" I say with confusion. "I'm going to need more of an explanation Xavier," I say.

"Peter as you know the X-Men are a team that deals with mutant threats in America and America alone," Xavier said. "While I worked out this deal with the government I'm not happy with it there are mutants in danger all over the world and I made this off the books team to help them" Xavier continued to say.

"This team is just Jean and Logan I'm guessing with you acting as leader," I ask.

"Correct" Xavier states.

"I have questions" I state.

"Ask away," Xavier says.

"If you're not happy with the deal to only be active in America why not make another deal talk to other world leaders," I ask.

"Simple I tried America was the only country that would listen to most countries either don't want a foreigner to address the problems in their country or condone the inhumane treatment of mutants" Xavier answered.

"Ok, what exactly do your missions entail," I ask.

"Jean would you care to explain," Xavier said passing the question to her. Jean looked in my eyes and said "We covertly enter foreign countries and try to right the injustices of that country whether it be freeing imprisoned mutants, illegally immigrating those mutants to different countries for a better life, or shutting down research labs experimenting on living mutants looking to harness their powers for means of war" Jean said. Thinking about this team and what they are explaining everything makes sense and seems on the up and up, but I've got a nagging feeling in my gut like there is something their dancing around.

"For these missions have you ever killed anyone," I say bluntly looking Jean in the eye.

"No, we have managed to avoid that," Jean says bluntly.

"Got a problem with death kid" Logan pipes up finally interested in the conversation.

"Yes, I do I won't be a part of something where I know killing someone is an option," I say angrily to Logan.

"Death's a part of life it happens," Logan said like it was the simplest thing in the world.

"Not if we do what we can to prevent it," I say to Logan angrily.

"Peter we don't go do these missions to kill or harm anyone we do them to help mutants we haven't had to kill anyone and we try to avoid it, but it's a strong possibility that it will happen," Xavier said trying to calm me down.

"Careful Xavier your starting to sound like Magneto," I said. The room went silent after that Xavier looked visibly hurt by my comment.

"Everybody calm, down were not here to insult each other" Jean said trying to defuse the situation. Xavier collected himself for a moment and turned his attention towards me and said "I know you are not happy with death Peter I'm not either which is why I have avoided it this entire time and honestly if you don't want us to stop us" Xavier said.

"What?!" I said confused at Xavier's last line.

"If you don't like how we do things change it come with us on missions and, find a better way," Xavier said assuredly. I stopped and thought for a moment these missions are about saving lives not taking them and if I go with them I could make sure they don't kill anyone.

"Can I think about this?" I say. Xavier and Jean exchange a look and Jean says "We have a mission in Vietnam in 2 days can you decide by then". I get up and say "I'll let you know before you leave". I go upstairs and go to my room trying to process the bomb that was dropped on me today. I try to weigh the pros and cons but I keep coming up even. The next morning, I get started on breakfast lost in thought I burned my first pancake.

"What's wrong with you" Kitty surprised me and said.

"Don't sneak up on me like that Ghost," I say almost dropping my pan.

"I didn't sneak up on you were a million miles away," Kitty said defensively.

"Sorry Ghost I was in my own head," I say. Kitty examines me for a moment she sits me down at the table looks me in the eye and asks "Peter what's wrong".

I think for a moment not knowing how to respond and just say "Do you think the X-Men are doing the right thing".

"What do you mean," Kitty asks.

"I mean we only work in the U.S. and people all over the world could use our help, so is staying in our lane ignoring global issues right or is it hubris to think you know what's best for the world," I say unloading myself on Kitty. Kitty thinks for a minute.

"Well putting morality aside it's illegal for us to act in those countries without permission if we got caught we would be only putting ourselves and everyone were fighting for in more danger," Kitty says.

"So you don't think we should help other countries," I say.

"I didn't say that I feel that we should, but doing so willy nilly without a plan is stupid" Kitty responded.

"Ok, I see your point what about if we had a plan and a goal for helping would it be ok then" I pose a hypothetical for her. Kitty puts her finger on her chin and thinks for a moment.

"I believe that laws should be followed, and I think people should follow them. But if I knew people were in danger and I could help them I would risk it. It's the whole reason I'm here and the reason you put on a costume and fight crime isn't it" Kitty reasons. I think, it is the reason I wanted to join the X-Men in the first place there is going to be danger and risk involved, but that's true for everything I do as Spider-Man. I grab Kitty and kiss her passionately after a minute Kitty breaks away and asks "What was that for not that I'm complaining"

"For being amazing" I simply say and pull her in for another make-out session. I thought to myself I've decided Kitty helped me realize I'm going to join X-Force.