Amazing Spider-Man: True Purpose

(Avenger Mansion)

(Play: I Got You(I Feel Good) by James Brown)

Music plays through speakers in the mansion and resonates within the heroic team home. Peter slides out the door of his bedroom, in his Spider-Man pants and mask lifted up past his lips, and proceeds to dance and walk down the hallway. Lip Syncing as he does so. Gyrating and shaking his hips to the rhythm of the classic song.

And once more the reason for this ridiculous scenario is because he got to be with the two women he has been in love with for the longest time. Mary Jane Watson and Felicia Hardy. He is still having a hard time believing what happened actually happened. He has had vivid dreams that when he awoke he almost believed they were real but fortunately caught himself before he made that mistake.

'But it wasn't a dream this time!' Peter happily reminds himself as he continues to dance, 'It was all real! I'm ninety-five percent sure of it!'

(1:15) He reaches the stairs and steps down to the beat while thrusting his hands up and down. He reaches the bottom and does not stop dancing as he enters the kitchen. He heads straight for the refrigerator and pulls out-

"Morning."

"AAAAHHH!" He screams as he tosses the orange juice up in the air. He whirls around to see Avengers and X-Men in his kitchen all in casual clothing. Logan, Carol, Thor, Hope, and Wandas are sitting at the table. Rogue and Alex standing by the microwave on the counter corner under the cabinets. And Steve and Tony are standing in the middle of the kitchen. While most of them are looking at him curiously or blankly, Steve and Tony's expressions stand out. With Steve sporting an exasperated one and Tony having an amused one.

Spider-Man doesn't care though and becomes irritated, "Dammit!" He growls out and glares at everyone present, "Look, I know I said I'd be leading a team but you can't just barge in here without telling me! I bought this place! It may have been for ten dollars and more for symbolic reasons but that's not the point!"

They all just stare at him as he continues to yell and rant. Not a single one of them is bothered by his annoyance and is more wondering why he's dancing in his underwear. Though the girls will admit they enjoyed watching his hips move around. Carol in particular was disappointed when Tony decide to speak up and interrupt the show. 

Alex having had enough of his future team leaders ranting, calmly informs him, "We said we were coming by."

That gets the queen-born hero to stop. But he still looks at them in aggravation, "You guys said you'd be here on Monday!"

Now they all look at him curiously as Hope says, "It is Monday."

"…What?"

Alex reiterates, "It's Monday."

Spider-Man blinks a few times, not believing what they just said. After a few seconds his brain restarts and he shakes his head as he says, "No it's not."

Everyone nods as Carol says, "Yeah it is."

Spidey furrows his brows as he says, "But that'd mean…" Realization starts to sink in as he looks back the way he came in, "Wow no wonder I'm so hungry."

They look at him curiously, "What?"

He tenses up, "Er, nothing."

Steve looks at the hero queerly, "You've been missing all weekend. Where've you been?"

Spider-Man stays silent as he tries to come up with something to say, "I was busy."

'No duh.' He mentally berates himself. Everyone looks at him with dull eyes.

Except for Tony who looks at him with a big shit-eating grin, "Busy getting busy?" He lifts his eyebrows up and down suggestively, "You did this the last time, remember?"

Peter does remember because it is pretty much the same scenario. He wakes up with the woman he loves in his arms and he feels so good he thinks he's dreaming again. The woman suggests a little dance party to express how happy they both are. They do so. And he ends up embarrassing himself in front of his friends.

Except now it is potentially even worse than before.

Thank goodness he had the sense to put on his mask.

However, it does little to hide some scents that Logan picks up with his enhanced senses, "What the hell is that?"

Peter starts to sweat more as the feral mutant continues to sniff the air. He knows what that means and what that will reveal. He tries to play it cool, "What's what? What're you smelling? Is it me? I haven't showered in a few days but I also haven't been doing anything else that would warrant you to point out me smelling. That's just rude you know."

'So much for playing it cool.' He mentally berates himself as everyone now gives him bizarre expressions.

Carol asks what they're all thinking, "Why are you acting so weird?"

"I'm not acting weird. I am weird. I'm a very weird person. You should know that." He really needs to control his rambling, but he doesn't focus on that because he realizes the potential disaster that will happen if one of the girls walks down here, "In fact, I'm so weird that I forgot to flush my toilet seven times before coming down the stairs or the next person I talk to will die."

He quickly walks around the kitchen's island to get out of the room but stops, lets out a squeak, and breaks into a cold sweat when he sees a face he was elated to see in the morning, at this moment however, he is dreading it. Especially with the smile that promises what happens next, she will enjoy but he will not.

Felicia leaning on the entryway with a hand on the hip and the other high over her head holding the doorframe, in his Spider-Man shirt uniform that hugs her way too well, teasingly asks, "Gee Spider. Where are you off to in a hurry?"

He gives her a pleading look. One that he hopes she understands is him saying, 'Please don't do this to me.'

His hopes are dashed when her smile grows a bit bigger and her eyes narrow dangerously at him, "You're not gonna feed this kitty her milk?" She walks to him in a sultry manner before she slinks her arms around his neck, "After she shared her cookie with you?"

"…Why are you doing this to me?"

Her smile turns into a grin, "You know how much I love foreplay."

He stares at her despairingly for a few more moments, wondering if maybe he made a mistake with her now, before he glances back to everyone else in the kitchen to see their reactions to seeing Black Cat. From the table, he can see Logan, Carol, and Hope with surprised expressions. But Carol's reaction is more due to the fact that this was not the woman she expected to see in this state with Spider-Man. She expected to see Sonja. The warrior had basically made her intentions clear and Spidey showed he was of the same mind.

So why was Black Cat here?

Hope and Logan are surprised to see Felicia. But Logan's surprise turns to a look of understanding since now he gets why he was smelling what he was smelling. But now he's just confused since he's smelling something more. While Hope's surprise is slowly morphing into anger and disgust. Because she believes that Spider-Man is cheating on Mary Jane Watson of all people! The supermodel turned B-Movie queen and then A-lister movie star! Hope cannot believe that Spider-Man, whom she had pegged as an honest guy, is cheating on her idol. She is half tempted to borrow Wanda's powers and turn him into a toad or something.

Thor and Wanda just have their eyebrows raised curiously. Neither one is informed about the situation and they just believe that Spider-Man and the woman they do not know are merely in a relationship. Thor gets a small smile however as he believes the young hero deserves this. Wanda remains curious. She doesn't know either one that well, but she has heard rumors of the infamous Felicia Hardy, AKA the Back Cat. 

Over with the two X-Men, Alex is staring at the woman's brazen and shameless display of flirting. He isn't at all bothered by her actions but he is confused because he thought Spider-Man was with that redhead Sonja. Rogue is just looking at the two of them with derision. Mostly as Spider-Man and his allowing this random woman into the home of the Avengers. 

And the two men up front are both shocked but also disappointed at this. Steve and Tony cannot believe that Spider-Man is with this woman after everything that has happened. After all that was revealed when the younger hero had died and come back.

All of these various reactions make Spidey realize they are getting the wrong impression, "I can explain."

Tony shakes his head in disappointment, "Oh, Sticky, no."

He gets out of Felicia's hold and raises his hands defensively, "It's not what you think."

Hope slams her hands on the table as she stands up, "I oughta beat you to a pulp!"

"It's not what you think." Spider-Man reiterates louder.

Steve gives him a disappointed look, "Son this is very-"

"It's not what you think!

While the hero is trying to get a word in to explain his situation, Rogue watches on with confusion before she turns to Alex and asks, "Am Ah missing something?"

Alex, who is watching the scene unfold before him with some amusement and confusion, explains to her, "There was another woman."

Rogue recalls the video call Bobby got from Johnny Storm, "The redhead right? Sonje?"

"Sonja." Alex corrects her.

She nods and turns her attention back to the hero, who is trying to defend himself from the multiple verbal assaults, "Guess he ain't the loyal type."

Alex nods as he gets a disheartening look, "Yeah. And it's weird 'cause the way he looked at her, reminded me of how Scott used to look at Jean."

Rogue rolls her eyes at the comparison, "Great~, another leader of the X-Men who can't control his urges. So Ah guess history is repeating itself."

Alex winces. Okay, not the best example.

"Why is there so much shouting?"

All conversations stop when another voice comes from outside the kitchen. Everyone that is not in the know becomes gobsmacked when in walks Sonja, garbed in a robe that barely reaches past her thighs.

The warrior woman looks around the room curiously and Felicia smiles at her before saying jubilantly, "Morning Red."

Sonja returns the smile, "Good morning, Felicia." She greets her partner before she turns her attention to their shared romantic partner, "Now where is the breakfast you promised us?"

Spider-Man blinks at her. Both at her sudden appearance and at her obliviousness to what's happening around them. He knows Sonja is not from this point in time, but MJ is with her so she should understand what's happening.

And he is right because while Sonja is lost, Mary Jane is not.

"I don't think they understand the situation," MJ informs her. Sonja furrows her brows before she understands what her host means, "Oh. Well, allow me to clarify any confusion."

Sonja then steps up to her lover and brazenly kisses Spider-Man passionately, catching him and everyone else by surprise. After a few moments of wrestling with his tongue, she then whirls around to do the same to Felicia. Everyone's jaw hits the floor at this point. They stare in complete shock at the time-displaced warrior woman's actions as she tongue wrestles the platinum-blonde woman.

She pulls back and leaves Felicia reeling and very flushed. Sonja turns her attention back to the other people in the room and says, "Now I hope that clears up any confusion."

It doesn't but she does not stay to hear anymore as she walks out of the kitchen. But not before giving Hardy a good smack on her bottom.

"Oh!" Felicia is surprised by this brazen action and watches the redheaded warrior walk up the stairs. She glances at her Spider, who is stupefied by the warrior woman's actions, and says, "She is a rowdy one in the morning."

Spider-Man, in a bit of a daze from the kiss, just nods. He knows what she means as he has experienced it with both MJ and Sonja.

Felicia turns her eyes back in the direction the redhead goes, "You know, between her and the other redhead, I can't tell which one is more wicked."

"Other Redhead?"

Spider-Man gets brought back to reality as he just remembers that they are not alone. He slowly turns his head back to the people in the kitchen and sees all their reactions again. And this time all but three of them are absolutely dumbfounded and confused by what they saw.

Logan is surprised but also has a look of understanding. As if he just had a question that what just happened now had answered. Steve has his hand covering his face. The man was stunned at first but then just became a little embarrassed and ashamed by the situation. He has been trying to convince heroes from both Avengers and X-Men that Spider-Man is a good man and will be a great leader. And though the scene in front of them does not paint the spandex-wearing hero in the best light, it doesn't necessarily say anything about his leadership skills.

But while everyone else has reactions that convey shock, only one has watery eyes.

Tony sniffles before he steps toward the younger man with open arms, "Come here. Come here." He says with his voice cracking. He doesn't wait for consent before he just hugs the hero tightly, "I have never felt more proud of you in my entire life."

Peter has a dull look as he lets his arms hang limply. He expected this sort of reaction from Tony. The man was best known for his exploits with women in his days before Iron Man, and a little after, so of course he'd be proud of this.

Not that Peter is ashamed of this, but Tony's feeling proud makes him feel dirty. 'Just wait until Johnny finds out.'

He shrugs the billionaire off him before he looks at the good captain. Who is massaging his forehead in hopes of alleviating the headache the situation is giving him.

"Cap?" Spider-Man calls out expectantly and in concern.

The man sighs, "Son," Steve says as he looks at him with an exasperated expression, "I'm not judging you. It's your life, and what you and those you care about do…" He strains to say the next part, "Is your business." He takes a deep breath, "Just… try not to do anything that would make anything Tony has done seem tame in comparison."

The man is clearly straining to not go into his lecture mode. He is old school when it comes to a lot of things. And a traditional relationship is one of those things. So what Peter has with Mary Jane, Felicia, and Sonja is clearly something Steve is not completely okay with. But the man at least respects him enough to not tell him what he should and shouldn't be doing.

"By the way, we also did it on top of a big pile of money," Felicia says with a big smile beside Spider-Man, who closes his eyes and slumps in defeat.

…

…

…

"Okay, now I'm judging you."

"*Sniff* Me too. *Sniff* I need a moment."

(Jean Grey School)

Inside the hangar of the X-Men school, Hank McCoy leans against the doors while his friends argue over what they should do about their former leader, Scott, recent actions. The man has been going around the country with Emma Frost, Magneto, and Magik, freeing and rescuing newly discovered mutants who were being arrested and persecuted for actions they had no control over. And while on some level it's a good thing, the man has been doing it with such zealotry that he is actually calling it a Mutant Revolution.

Kitty, Bobby, and Ororo are arguing over whether they should go and stop the man or not. And while they are doing that, Hank is trying to catch his breath. He has had trouble breathing and has had chest pain for a couple of days now. It's been going on since the Phoenix debacle. He would have checked himself out but with all that's been going on he hasn't really had the chance.

As he is doing this, he listens to something Bobby says.

"The thing is, Ororo, me and Hank have known Scott longer. We were the original X-Men." Hank closes his eyes in remembrance. Those were the days he remembers rather fondly. Things were much simpler. "The Scott we grew up with would hate this. If he were here now, he'd slap his older self silly and he would not stop until his hand fell off."

At those words, Hank has a revelation as an idea starts to form in his head. The younger Scott would hate his older self, wouldn't he? The man was a true believer in Xavier's dream in his youth as they all were. And though he and his companions still believe in the dream, Scott gave up on it. The man stopped believing in it a long time ago. Hank can't say exactly when it happened, but it certainly didn't help when all the world's mutants were nearly wiped away. And the few left were still being persecuted.

'Maybe, just maybe, there is a way to fix all of this.' Hank thinks to himself as he regains his breathing.

"Hank?"

Kitty's voice takes him out of his head. He looks at her with sad tired eyes, "I'm fine. Just tired." He turns his attention to Bobby and gives his friend a smile, "Bobby, I don't believe I've ever said this to you in our entire time together and I doubt I will ever say it again, but you're right."

Bobby gets an offended frown as they all watch Hank leave the hangar. The man continues to muse over his idea. It could have irreparable consequences that he is not considering fully, but the benefits would surely outweigh any consequences that come. The end will justify the means.

He enters the school from the back and walks past a few of the students. He hears them mutter in excitement over new mutants appearing all over the world. The school will fill up in no time. Even now some new students are mingling about.

However, not everything they are saying is positive.

"Can't believe Spider-Man is leading a team that's supposed to be for mutants."

Hank stops at a door of a classroom as his keen sense of hearing picks up a conversation he has been hearing circulating the school. He doesn't enter but does peek in. He sees it's Rachel Summers' class and the woman is not in. Likely dealing with another set of students since the school is very understaffed. He sees the students are scattered all over. Some are conversing over trivial matters, others over political matters, and one group he can hear is discussing a rather controversial topic.

"I mean seriously," A male student that he cannot recall is speaking to two others, "Why is he leading a team when it should be an X-Man?"

"'Cause what Avenger is gonna follow an X-Man after everything that's happened. Besides, Spider-Man's cool.

"Yeah well, I think it's bull that he's around when Professor Xavier isn't. I mean I heard a rumor that when he died and came back, it was a choice between him and the Professor. Like the Phoenix made him choose or something."

"C'mon, man. You don't actually believe that, do you?"

"Just saying it's what I heard."

Hank decides to walk away at this point. That is just one of the many conversations regarding Spider-Man that the students and staff have been having. Somehow, word had spread of the man's resurrection on the internet. Though granted, only those in the superhero community actually believe it. The public really just finds it to be nonsense like the "moon people", I.E. the Inhumans. But regardless, the students know about the hero's resuraextion and aren't all thrilled about it. It seems there are quite a few who believe that it should have been Spider-Man who remained dead instead of Xavier.

Hank holds no ill will against the Wall-Crawler. If anything he feels rather thankful towards him. When he came back to life and Hank offered to assist in examining him with Reed and Tony, he was the only one who was okay with it. It seemed both men ignored or had forgotten the fact that Hank stood with them when the Phoenix Five were wreaking havoc. Richards was not openly confrontational with Hank, but the man only spoke curtly with him. He said what he needed to and did not try to make idle chatter. Tony was more open about his issue with having Hank work with them. But his resentment stemmed more from Hank making excuses for his friends.

Yet Spider-Man holds no malice against any X-Man. Not even Magik. Hank was able to tell that the revived hero was not angry with her. The man even made a joke that Illyanna merely lived the dream his villains and a few of his friends have had of finally killing him just to shut the hero up. Hank even joined in by saying that Logan was likely crying more from jealousy than sadness about Spider-Man's death.

'That man's sense of humor is quite infectious.' He muses as he enters the medical lab and sees Abigail Brand. His lovely SWORD agent, green-haired fiancée. And she is standing by someone who he is trying to save. A little alien mutant teenager that is a student in his school, who currently has a part of his skull missing. Broo. He walks up to them and sees she is on her electronic pad, researching Brood anatomy.

"Abigail." He greets her gently to not startle her.

She doesn't turn around as she greets back, "Henry."

It's not in a cold tone, but it's not exactly a warm hello either. He doesn't blame her. He's been neglecting her lately in favor of helping Broo. Noble as that may be.

He looks sadly at the little alien that was harmed under their watch. The boy was shot in the head and he's barely clinging to life. Just another problem that he has to fix. But as much as he'd like to do so, he has yet to find a way to do so. Brood physiology is not something he's familiar with. Despite his best efforts.

So with that, he goes to his personal lab.

He goes to his storage locker, opens it, and pulls out a white electronic pad that is smaller than what Abigail has. But this is not like her pad at all. This little device is known as a time box.

Created by Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom way back when, and Hank had gotten his hands on the schematics of it some time after that. And he plans to use it to fix what's going on now by bringing the younger versions of the original X-Men to his present, their future.

Insane and very dangerous. He would be putting the space-time continuum at risk. Unfortunately, it's a risk he has to take. If he can make younger Scott see what he becomes, or older Scott see how far gone he is, then they can start mending fences. The world will be better for it.

As prepares to enter the necessary information to travel through time he stops as the conversations of the students and faculty return. They all seem to think that Spider-Man being alive over Xavier is a bad thing. While on some level Hank agrees with them, he also disagrees. If Spider-Man had remained dead then the Avengers and X-Men would still be at odds. Perhaps more so. Many of the students would be branded as war criminals for their actions in the war. And worse, mutants would be hated even more. Public opinion of Spider-Man went up after the whole Spider-Island event. Many people now understand what it is like to walk a mile in the man's shoes.

And recent events with the Red Skull painted him in an even better light now to the public. To them, he seems like the right man for mutant leadership when he isn't even a mutant. Though granted he certainly knows what it's like to be treated as one. But most of the students and staff don't know that because they don't know him. His tendency to keep to himself had always made him an outsider in the hero community despite his constantly teaming up with other heroes.

Beast looks down at the time box as another idea starts to form in his head.

(Avengers Mansion)

Back upstairs at the mansion, the two lovers enter the bedroom with Felicia over Peter's shoulder as the man kicks the door open. The room has a myriad of dollar bills scattered all over. Some are sticking to the walls, a few on the ceiling, and even against the windows. Peter gently tosses Hardy on the bed, which has very few bills left on it, next to Sonja. Which makes the two women giggle. The redhead was lounging on the bed waiting for them. He then sits on the end of the bed and drops his head in his hands with a groan.

Felicia sits up and crawls to him before she wraps her arms around him, "Aw whats the matter, Spider?" Hardy asks with an exaggerated pout, "Don't like foreplay anymore?"

He lifts up his head and looks at one of his romantic partners with a flat look, "Why does your foreplay leave me feeling shame and regret?"

She smiles at him, "I don't know why you do." She leans in close and speaks seductively, "You get mad. You get rough with me. Then, meow~."

"She's not wrong," Sonja comments with a smile of her own.

"You're not helping." Spider-Man gets up off the bed and points at the redhead, "And MJ, this is the last time we are having a dance party at the mansion."

Sonja rolls her eyes at the command. When they awoke, it was a bit awkward. They were all wrapped around each other with Peter being in the middle. Felicia had an arm across his chest and she was holding on to Mary Jane's arm as it was also across their shared lover's chest. The first one to awaken was Mary Jane as Peter's stomach had rumbled.

At first, when she saw the position she was in, Mary Jane felt content. She even thought that Felicia looked rather beautiful in the morning. But then when Felicia started to awaken, Mary Jane quickly changed into Sonja and that woke everyone up. That little stunt made things awkward as Mary Jane told Sonja not to say anything about the true reasons why she did that. Instead, she should say it was her way of allowing the other two to spend time with Sonja in the morning. She even suggested the dance party.

Which is what led to him going down the stairs with only his mask and pants on. Now he is back in his bedroom, trying to figure out a way to salvage the situation.

And while he is doing that, the two women watch him pace. With Felicia on her stomach and Sonja lounging on her back. They just stare at him while he mumbles and mutters to himself. Sonja decides to ask the obvious, "Are you ashamed of this?"

"No." Spider-Man immediately responds, surprising himself and the girls slightly. He stops pacing and gives the girls an apologetic expression, "Look, obviously this is not how I wanted things to play out. I am happy this happened. I just didn't want to make a spectacle of it."

Both women smile in appreciation before Felicia stands up and goes to wrap her arms around him, "I'm happy this happened too."

He looks at her in astonishment, "Really?"

She nods, "Yeah it was fun for a one-time thing."

He smiles before all her words register, "One-time thing?"

Her smile turns a little sad as she caresses his face, "Let's be real, Spider. This won't be more than what it is now. A weekend where we just forgot our problems."

When Mary Jane proposed the idea, Felicia was dumbfounded. She did not believe the woman was serious. If anything she thought that MJ was being impersonated or Felicia was having another dream that she admittedly has on rare occasions when she feels particularly frustrated. But it was real and when the supermodel said she had a way to convince Hardy to go along with her idea, well the thief was curious.

Now here she is with them, apparently after a whole weekend where they lost track of time, and she feels happy. More than happy really. She got to be with her Spider. And she surprisingly enjoyed her time with Mary Jane. But it's not anything more than a weekend they got lost in the throws of passion. How can it be?

Peter gives her a concerned look, "Felicia..."

"It's fine." She gives her best smile to show she is not hurting. She then turns to pick up her leather suit that is on the floor, "If you guys ever need to have fun again, you can call me."

He reaches out for her, "Felicia, wait." Peter says as he takes off his mask and pulls her close. He lovingly stares at her in the eyes and says, "I love you. Okay. I love you. And yes I love Mary Jane. I am an idiot for being in love with two amazing women at the same time. I can't help it."

Felicia is elated to hear him say he loves her but instead of saying it back she asks, "What about Sonja?"

He winces at the question before he looks at the warrior and apologetically rubs the back of his neck, "Sorry, Sonja. I care about you. I really do. It's just that you and I haven't really spent much time together and-"

"It's fine. I understand." Sonja says with a reassuring and understanding smile, "I do love you. And that is because I have had the time to fall in love with you. But it will take time for you to return those feelings to me. I can wait." She then gets a cocky smile, "It won't be long anyway. No man can resist falling in love with me."

They raise a brow a bit at the declaration. They glance at each other. It's a little conceited but they don't dwell on it.

"Anyway," Peter fully turns his attention back to Felicia, "This wasn't just something I wanted to happen to fulfill some fantasy that I've had since I've known you." She huffs amusingly at that, "I want to make this work. I want this, us, to be in a real relationship."

While she can appreciate the sentiment, she has her doubts and voices them, "I don't see how we can do that Spider. I mean, do we just go out on regular dates and pretend it's not weird in any way?" She turns away, "Not to mention my own issues. I'm greedy, petty, and mean."

She has had some time to reflect on herself when she ran off after he revealed who he is to her again. She takes what she wants when she wants it or when she wants to challenge herself. She almost slept with Daredevil just to mess with her Spider. And she doesn't have much of a problem telling him that she has had fun outside of their fun.

While she is lost in her head, Peter sighs through his nose as he looks down in thought. He wants to make this unorthodox relationship of theirs work. He can take them on dates and put in the effort. Unfortunately, that can only really do so much. He wants to show them how much they mean to them. Some alone time could help, but with all that happens around the city and him in general, he doesn't see how they can-

His face lights up as an idea pops into his head, "Let's go on vacation."

Both women look at him curiously as Felicia asks, "Say again?"

"Let's go on vacation." Peter reiterates as he looks back and forth between the two, "We need to get out of the city to get away from all the craziness. So let's go somewhere."

Now both women look down in thought at this proposition, before Sonja says, "I'm not against the idea, Peter, but when was the last time you took a vacation?"

She has memories of her host and does not see any instances where the man left the city to relax.

And he seems to be trying to recall but falls short as he responds with, "Never. But that's only because I was always worried the city would burn down without me around. And if what happened last week at my job is an example, then I have every right to be worried."

Well, neither Sonja nor Mary Jane can argue with that.

Peter rubs the back of his neck as he continues, "Look, I want to make this work. But if I'm being honest the only way we can start doing that is if we get away from here for just a while."

Both girls understand what he means. It's never a boring day in New York. And even less so for Spider-Man. The man's quiet days are him dealing with purse snatchers, bank robbers, and his occasional rogue. But that is only in comparison to what he regularly deals with. Which more often than not is city-destroying or world-ending scenarios. And all three women know this better than anyone else.

"I'm in." Felicia informs him, making him smile at her brightly, "We can take my yacht."

He looks at her curiously, "You have a yacht?"

"You're surprised?" Felicia asks him, confused about why he is questioning this. She has always had a taste for the finer things in life and he knows that. So why would her having a yacht be surprising to him?

"A little." Peter tilts his head back and forth, "I mean you don't seem like the kind that likes to go out into the water."

Now getting what he is doing, she rolls her eyes and says, "Just because I'm the Black Cat, doesn't mean I'm all cat."

Sonja from her spot on the bed, decides to play along, "Then why do you purr and scratch so much?"

She frowns at them both before she turns away in a huff, "If you're gonna double team me, I prefer if it was done in a way that I can enjoy."

Peter is smiling big and smugly now, "I thought this was foreplay for you."

She gives him a side glare and narrows her eyes at him before she walks away to the private shower he has, "I'm taking a shower."

Both Peter and Sonja laugh a little at her. A few moments of silence follow before the sound of running water is the only thing that is heard in the room. The atmosphere isn't awkward. There is just a topic that the remaining occupants need to discuss.

"Mary Jane will try to get some free time from her work." Sonja informs him as she slides down the bed until she sits at the edge, "But we are wondering if you'll be able to get away."

Peter thinks about it for a moment before he says, "The team isn't official until next week. I already filled my quota at Horizon Labs so I'm good there. And as for registering for classes, I've got time."

Sonja raises an accusing eyebrow. Not believing him entirely.

Peter raises his hands in reassurance, "I do. It's almost the holidays, so I've got time to register for next semester."

Sonja and MJ nod before they decide to bring up another topic, "Will you be speaking with Aunt May?"

Peter slumps and groans, "I was hoping to avoid doing that."

Talking to his Aunt May about his alter ego is a situation he was hoping to avoid. He knows that is ridiculous. Especially since she knows May Jane and Felicia. And he can't just introduce one and not the other if he's serious about this. And he is very serious about this.

"You think she will judge you harshly for this?" Sonja asks him.

Peter shakes his head, "I'm not really worried telling her about this," he says as he gestures to him and her before he lifts his mask, "As much as I am about this."

Sonja frowns in worry before she recalls some of her host's memories from the other life that she believes will help. "Peter." He looks at her as she can feel her host's emotions rise, "You should know, in that other life, she discovered who you were and it helped the two of you tremendously."

He stares at her in shock, "Really?"

Sonja nods with a gentle smile, "Really. Admittedly, she was constantly worried, but she was also incredibly proud of you. And she also tried to help you in her own way."

He panics at those words, "What?"

Realizing what she is implying, she quickly placates him by saying, "Not in the same way Mary Jane has." He releases a breath of relief as Sonja explains, "She constantly sent letters to many newspapers and even told Jameson off over all the lies he's spread of you."

Peter lets out a small laugh at the thought of his sweet aunt doing such a thing, "You're kidding."

Sonja smiles with him, "No."

He looks up in amazement, "Wow." he says as he adopts a look of melancholy, "I always forget how amazing she is. She survived so much in life." He mulls this over a bit more before he sighs and nods, "I guess I should talk to her. But not yet." Sonja gives him an exasperated look before he explains his reason, "I just want to take this trip with you girls first."

He knows how his life tends to be. And if he doesn't prioritize this trip with them, he knows it'll probably not happen.

Another realization comes to him and he becomes horrified, "Oh god." He says with a haunted voice and Sonja and MJ worry, "I just realized. I told Jameson before I told Aunt May."

Sonja/MJ become flabbergasted at this, "You're just realizing this now?!"

"Give me a break! I was thinking about the benefits of telling Jameson! I'm not exactly concerned with his well-being!"

Sonja gives him a look for a few more moments before she sighs and shakes her head, "Honestly Peter, it's no wonder Mary Jane was worthy to wield my sword." He pouts at the implications of her words, "Just don't take too long in telling her, and don't waste time."

He raises an accusing eyebrow at her, "You girls know that we just spent an entire weekend in bed without realizing it, right?"

He's not saying it was a waste of time, but it sure wasn't practical.

She rolls her eyes but still smiles, "Braggart."

"I am not." He retorts before he pauses. He then shrugs and continues, "Well not entirely. I mean, there is a part of me that wants to tell all my guy friends." Sonja can feel her host roll her eyes internally, "But you know I'm a very private person. My romantic life is my business. Speaking of which."

He goes over to the bathroom door to check if Felicia is in the shower. Once he sees she is indeed he walks back to the bed and sits by Sonja.

"I wanted to talk to you, er MJ, about the thing." He says as quietly as he can. Sonja gets a reluctant look and Peter quickly says, "Okay I know that look. That look means she doesn't want to, but I feel like we shouldn't keep secrets from Felicia."

Sonja doesn't respond. She stays quiet and Peter assumes she is having a conversation with Mary Jane. Eventually she does speak, "She understands how you feel. But you must also understand how hard this is for her."

Peter gets worried that it is over their new relationship with Felicia, "Is it because…?"

Seeing him gesture to the bathroom door, Sonja shakes her head, "No, it's not that." Sonja gets quiet again as she recalls a memory from his and MJs former life, "In the last life, Felicia did not react well to the two of you being married. If you recall, she was rather obsessed with you."

He frowns and defends Felicia, "I wouldn't call it an obsession."

Sonja rolls her eyes, "Whatever you want to call it, the woman was in love with you. And when she discovered the two of you had married, she…" Sonja stops as she realizes what will happen once she says what she will say. She raises a finger, "One moment."

She goes and grabs a pillow before she walks back to him and places the pillow over his face.

And before he can ask why she says, "She attacked Mary Jane."

"MMPH?!" Though muffled, his shock was still rather loud. Sonja and MJ hope that Felicia didn't hear. Peter pushes the pillow out of his face. Quickly figuring out what the redhead wants, he whisperingly shouts, "Why didn't you tell me this?!"

"It did not matter because it was no longer the case." Sonja tells him, "In both lives, she turned out to be a very good friend when Mary Jane needed one."

Well, that makes him feel conflicted. On the one hand, the fact that Felicia had attacked Mary Jane out of jealousy makes him want to confront her. But since that didn't happen here he feels better. However, it was erased because of the deal.

He groans as he drops his head, "I don't know how to feel about this."

Sonja places a hand on his and says, "Peter, though it pains her and me to say this, that incident no longer matters. It did not happen."

That did not make him feel better. The hero looks down to the ground with a heavy heart. It hurts him so deeply to think about it every time. How he is responsible for causing so much pain and suffering for his selfishness. All because he could not live with the guilt of getting his aunt May shot.

That damn deal with Mephistopheles will weigh on him forever.

Sonja sees the look and both she and MJ can figure out what he's thinking about. They would like to reassure him to take the guilt he is feeling away, but they know it will be a losing battle to try and do so. The man will always feel responsible for anything bad that happens to his loved ones, simply because they know him. Even when what happens has nothing to do with him.

So instead of trying to reassure him, they'll employ the tactic Mary Jane always uses.

"Come." Sonja stands while taking Peter by hand and leading him to the bathroom, "Felicia! We will be joining you in the shower!"

"We are?" Peter says back in surprise as he lets himself be pulled along.

They enter just as Felicia calls back, "Fine. But not too long. I'm hungry."

The door closes with a click.

Downstairs with the other heroes, they have broken off into smaller groups. Logan and Hope remained at the table while Carol, Thor, and Wanda took a spot by the pantry. Tony and Steve have left the room entirely with Alex in tow.

And Rogue is left to her own vices, watching the small TV set to try and distract herself. Unfortunately, it's not helping since most of what's on is about Scott and the others going around the country rescuing mutants from persecution.

"Though some consider Cyclops and his followers' actions to be radical, there are many who are in support of the former X-Men leader's actions." Some female newswoman says as images and videos of Scott rescuing some random mutant from a police station, "Stating that, 'He is doing what we all should be. Stopping the oppressors from harming people who are just trying to live their lives.'"

While Rogue can appreciate the words and sentiments, she knows better than to think like that person does. If they act out as aggressively as Scott is, then they are the bad guys. Even if it's for good reason.

"In other news, Mayor Jameson's sudden change in his opinion of the hero Spider-Man has thrown the city in a loop." The news now shows pictures of J. Jonah Jameson Spider-Man side by side, "As many know, the former editor and chief was the number one critic of the hero. However, in a recent press conference, the Mayor had this to say."

A video of Mayor Jameson standing in front of his mayoral office building with two bodyguards by his side and a group of reporters all around him, "This city was nearly set ablaze by a madman in an attack against mutant kind. And though sadly, one hundred people of our fair city lost their lives in this brazen attack, our hero Spider-Man and a few of his friends managed to stop and foil the maniacs' plans."

Many reporters begin to shout questions like what makes him think Spider-Man was not involved. The mayor responded accordingly, "What kind of stupid question is that?! The man was clearly saving lives left and right until he got to Red Skull! At which point he led a team of other heroes and defeated that Nazi terrorist!"

Rogue switches the tv off at this point. She is annoyed that the Mayor is giving all the credit to Spider-man. She and the others did plenty. If only that man knew what that hero was up to this weekend.

The southern girl is disturbed, disgusted, and downright pissed. Logan said Captain America assured them that Spider-Man would be a better choice as a leader over Alex. Yet on the first day she is at the mansion, the man waltzes in dancing half naked because he just spent the night with two bimbos. She may not know Sonja and Black Cat personally, but with the way they dress, bimbo is the only nice word she can think of to describe them.

"I don't get it." She can hear Hope muttering something to Logan, "They don't seem like the type to do this. Him or her."

Rogue raises an eyebrow at the younger mutants' assessment. Why would Hope think that? She can't know who he is, can she?

"Kid," Logan starts with a shrug, "Him and her being together in the first place makes no sense. Adding what we just saw is barely any stranger in my opinion."

She is barely getting anything from this context. She has to know more.

She approaches the table and sits down, getting a raised eyebrow from Logan as he takes a swig of his flask, "Need something?"

"Both y'all know who he is right?" Rogue asks them.

Logan looks at her suspiciously and nods, "I do."

Hope just nods and Rogue gives Logan an expectant expression, "So…?"

Logan gets stone-faced and shakes his head, "Not my secret to tell."

Rogue frowns as she crosses her arms, "So, I'm supposed to follow this guy without knowing who he is?"

"You volunteered, remember?" Logan reminds her.

Rogue nods as she does remember, although that's not the issue she has, "Yeah, but seems like I'm the only one who doesn't know who he is."

From what she can tell at least. Cap and Stark obviously know who he is. She knows Carol has a thing for the guy and Thor is pretty chummy with him. And based on the conversation that Hope was having with Logan, the younger mutant knows too. So it's likely that she and Alex are the only ones who don't know.

"I think Wanda is in that category with you." Hope points out.

Rogue frowns harshly at the reminder that that woman will be a part of the team. "So I'm as trustworthy as her of all people."

If there is one person Rogue can safely say she hates, it's Wanda. And the fact that she is considered as trustworthy as that witch, makes her steaming mad.

"Hey, trailer trash." Carol, who was overhearing the conversation, calls out to the southern girl, making her and her fellow mutants turn to the blonde heroine. Said woman has a peeved face that is directed at Rogue and, "If you don't like it, you know where the door is."

Rogue gives the woman a glare before she rolls her eyes dismissively, "I ain't talking to you Danvers."

Carol almost menacingly walks over to the girl and says, "Yeah well, you're asking about a dear friend of mine and bad-mouthing another."

Rogue stands up before Carol reaches them and decides to take a cheap shot, "From what Ah heard, you wanted to be more than a dear friend. Jealous ya ain't upstairs with him."

Not liking the low blow, Carol's hands begin to glow, "You're cruisin' for a bruisin', you southern-!"

"Alright." Logan steps in between the two women before it escalates, "Much as I like to see two girls wrestle, it's not as much fun when they want to draw blood."

Carol gives Logan a quick and small dirty look before she glares at Rogue, as the southern woman decides to ask, "Y'all still think he's the best choice to lead us?"

Carol looks at her with a challenging expression, "You think what we just saw makes a difference in him being a leader?"

"Don't you?" Rogue challenges back, "If it got out, if the news or some politician that ain't friendly toward my kind, y'all don't think it'll reflect badly on us."

"Kid," Logan speaks up as he gives her a tired look, "If we pour coffee down the sink and they get a picture of it, they'll say we're pouring oil and killing the planet."

Rogue does not retort because she knows that to be true. Hope, from her spot at the table, gets a thoughtful face, "That sounds familiar, where's that from?"

"Saw it on tv." Logan responds with a shrug before he refocuses on the angry southern girl, "Look, Rogue, don't pretend this is anything else than whatever issues you got on him being here instead of Chuck."

Rogue gets a hard look at being called out like that. She hasn't exactly been all that discreet in her resentment of her father figure being dead while Spider-Man is alive and well. She hasn't been throwing a tantrum or anything like that, but any time the topic came up back at the school she wasn't shy of sharing her opinion. People who knew him like Bobby or Hank or the few who got rescued by Spider-Man defended the hero. But she and a good portion agreed that it would have been better if Xavier were here instead of him.

'Cours Ah don't say that here.' She knows if she does that, she'll never hear the end of it.

Logan looks at his watch, "I got to get back to the school. I got a class to teach." He informs them before he heads out the back, but stops at the kitchen back entrance and gives Rogue a look, "Behave and don't start any more trouble."

Rogue would like to call out the hypocrisy of that statement that is coming from him of all people. If there is one person who starts trouble in the X-Men more than anyone, it's Logan. The man has a temper.

But he leaves before Rogue can respond.

Just as he leaves, Steve, Tony, and Alex come back into the kitchen from the entrance that leads to the foyer. Rogers has a tired look, Tony has something of an amused smile as he texts on his phone, and Alex has a thoughtful look on his face.

The mutant takes a seat across from Rogue and she leans closer to ask, "So what happened?"

Alex sighs, "Well, Stark just put the man in his will." He says before he side glances at the Iron Avenger, "And now he's texting everyone he knows about what happened here but is making sure they all swear to secrecy cause Cap told him to."

Rogue gives him an irate frown, "That ain't what Ah was asking."

Alex looks at her curiously but turns his attention to the entrance when the subjects of everyone's discussion enter the room, this time in their uniforms with Sonja carrying a duffel bag. They look around the room at everyone's faces, taking note of how everyone is looking at them curiously. And while Spider-Man avoids looking anyone in the eye, Sonja and Black Cat do not act shy as they stare straight back at the assembled heroes.

Tony gives them a teasing smile, "Surprised you guys didn't go out the window."

Spider-Man takes a deep breath and stands straight before he responds as amicably as he can, "Well as much as I would like to avoid this discussion with you all, you in particular, I know I will be working with most of you here. So I can't really avoid you guys if I'm going to be leading this team."

He had a discussion with the two, well three really, women and they agreed that it was pointless to avoid these people now. Best to get it out of the way sooner rather than later, as he is learning that is the best thing to do.

Though he is glossing over that it took them a half hour to get downstairs.

Black Cat decides to be more honest, "Plus we're hungry and we don't feel like traveling on empty stomachs."

"That too. Mostly that."

They walk into the kitchen and the two ladies take seats on the footstools at the kitchen's dinette while Peter goes to the cabinets and fridge to pull out the ingredients he needs to make pancakes. All the while he ignores the stares he's getting from the heroes. The two ladies just sit and wait patiently for someone to say something.

"So what were you guys talking about?" Spider-Man cuts the awkwardness as he feels everyone's eyes on him.

"Well~."

"Tony." Steve's authoritative tone makes him stop but he pouts at having his fun ruined. Steve chooses to be an adult and moves on to actual important matters. He picks up a newspaper that is on the kitchen island, "We were talking about the headlines you made."

Spidey, already expecting to be ragged on, drops his head despondently as he places the ingredients by the stove, "Oh boy. How bad is it?"

Black Cat politely takes the paper out of the soldier's hand and reads it. "Actually," she says with a surprised tone, "You might be pleasantly surprised."

The hero tilts his head curiously before he takes the paper and reads what it says. The headline says, "SPIDER-MAN: AN UNDERAPPRECIATED HERO!" and the drophead says, "NO LONGER A MENACE IN THE EYES OF THE MAYOR!" The article goes on about how he led a group of heroes and stopped Red Skull. It even mentions his speech that moved Mayor Jameson into throwing his support for the hero and his future team.

"Wow." Spider-Man exclaims in genuine surprise as he holds the paper, "They wrote a positive article about me. So this is what it feels like."

Cat and Sonja smile at him finally getting the appreciation he deserves, while some of the others just look at him strangely for hugging the paper.

Tony, who has been on his phone, says, "And your speech has been trending."

"Really?" Tony nods and shows the hero videos and other media coverages that all seem to be saying positive things, "Cool."

Spidey goes back to cooking as Steve adds, "So it looks like you're off to a good start with this, Spider-Man."

Spider-Man ties an apron that says, 'Can't spell deity without diet', and it has a picture of Thor eating meat, as he responds to the good captain, "Gotta admit I'm surprised. I expected this to blow up in my face in some way."

Alex looks at the hero curiously, "How?"

"I don't know." Spider-Man shrugs as he begins to toss the ingredients he needs to make pancakes into a bowl, "Stuff just happens to me. Like when the second I bought this place, it caved in on itself."

Alex gets a doubtful look, "C'mon, that was a one-time thing. Your luck can't be that bad."

"It is." Spider-Man, Sonja, and Black Cat respond dully at the same time making the Summers brother jerk a little. It was both the synchronicity and the surprise that got him.

Not knowing what else to say, Alex just says, "Okay."

Steve keeps the conversation moving forward, "Anyway, there are some issues we need to go over. Sponsorship, the roster for the team, and spokesperson."

Tony finally puts his phone away and sits on the last footstool at the dinette as he says "Although it could be argued that you got that last part covered pretty well."

"That is true." Steve confirms as Spider-man begins to mix the ingredients with a whisk, "People all over have been rather moved by your speech."

Spider-Man is happy to hear he had that kind of effect on people, but one part catches Sonja's and MJ's attention.

"Sponsorship?" The warrior woman says curiously before she turns her attention to the wealthiest man in the room, "Don't you cover all the costs for Avengers?"

Tony nods, "For the main team and a few others." He explains before he gestures to the people in the room, "But we want this to be a separate unit from our usual thing."

Felicia decides to ask, "Why?"

"Simple. Conflict of interest." Now he has almost everyone's attention as he explains the unfortunate circumstances, "We work with SHIELD and SHIELD works for the government. So we're technically government employees. And the government doesn't exactly like mutants."

Steve confirms this with a nod and adds, "But we can and do operate independently. For the most part."

Sonja becomes perplexed, "What does that mean?"

Spider-Man decides to explain for the two men, "They succeed, they're good. They fail, they're in trouble."

Both Stark and Rogers know this to be a sad but true fact. The registration may no longer be an issue but the Avengers still have to answer to a certain amount of authority. They mainly just explain things to Maria Hill and have her explain the details to her superiors. As much as they need to know at least.

"Sponsorship may not be a big issue." Spider-Man informs them as he pours the pancake batter onto the pan, "Jameson said he'd be willing to offer what he can, provided full transparency on our activities."

Felicia gets concerned at this information and asks him, "You think that's a good idea."

He waves off her concern, "The guy kept mum about a nuclear bomb being snuck into the city. I'm sure if we ask or explain why he should keep quiet when we need him to, he will."

She gets a doubtful look as she relives that incident she was involved in, "Pretty sure he kept quiet about the bomb just so you wouldn't be seen as a hero."

Spider-Man pauses for a moment before he nods, "You're probably right." He flips the pancake as he continues to converse, "Anyway, for the roster, all I need is two more people and then I'm good."

Steve and Tony nod but Alex looks around the room curiously, "Don't we have nine?" He inquires as he does a quick head count, "You, Me, Rogue, Hope, Logan, Carol, Thor, Wanda, and Sonja. How many people do you want on this thing?"

Spider-Man finishes two batches of pancakes that he hands to the ladies as he firmly states, "Sonja is on reserve. We agreed she'd help only when it's dire, or she happens to be in the area."

He is looking at the woman in question as he says this. The warrior woman gets a defiant glint in her eyes. Like she wants to say something but refrains from doing so. And everyone else just looks back and forth between the two as they seem to be in a silent argument.

Tony breaks the silence with a click of his tongue, "Tension and awkwardness. Feels like a team already."

Spidey doesn't appreciate the joke but doesn't comment as he explains his plan, "I'm gonna head over to the Baxter Building to talk to Ben about joining." He turns around and starts making his own breakfast, "Then head over to your guys' school and see if I can either convince Bobby or Hank to join."

Alex tilts his head questioningly, "Why them?"

Spider-Man shrugs and simply states, "I trust them."

A comfortable silence falls over the kitchen as Spider-Man finishes up his breakfast while he muses over his primary choices of X-Men he plans to invite to join his team. Bobby Drake and Hank McCoy are the only two X-Men outside of Logan that Peter can fully trust to have his back. Though Bobby knows who he is, Hank is in the dark but he still trusts the man.

It's not that he thinks any of the other X-Men are untrustworthy or anything, but he doubts many of them respect him like the two gentlemen he knows.

And he unknowingly is correct since one X-Men who doesn't respect him is in the room. And she is now livid at how casual everyone is being when there is a big issue to address. One she is not going to ignore.

"Ah'm sorry, are y'all just gonna ignore the elephant in the room?" Rogue asks frustrated.

Spider-Man and the ladies with him look at her in confusion, while the others just look at her as Alex tries to calm her, "Rogue."

"No." Rogue stops him before he starts with her. She gestures to the throuple and says, "What he and these two are doing, it ain't gonna end well fer us when it gets out."

Not a single one of the throuple reacts much to the woman's words. The two women just eat their pancakes while Spider-Man makes his batch without looking at them. Trusting his spider-sense to guide him.

"I don't see how it's anyone else's business what we do with our romantic life," Sonja says as she eats the fluffy meal.

"Really?" Rogue asks sarcastically, "Y'all havin' an orgy at the Avenger mansion and y'all don't see the problem with that?"

Tony makes a sound that says he's about to scrutinize her, "Mmm technically to have an orgy, there needs to be another man involved. Actually, two men since Xena here is a spirit inhabiting a host." He sees everyone giving him bizarre looks or accusing one's and gets offended, "Oh come on. I can't be the only one who knows this."

Nobody says anything before Spidey looks at her and tells her, "Look, you don't have to worry about bad publicity. Jameson likes me now." He lifts up the newspaper, "See if he still hated me this would have been very bad. He'd say I was in cahoots with Red Skull."

Alex raises an eyebrow at his word choice, "Cahoots?"

Spider-Man shrugs, "He'd use more alliteration, but yeah that's the word he'd use." He simply says before he looks back at the southern beauty, "Rogue, don't worry about it. Jameson doesn't hate me anymore. I wouldn't say he likes me but he's willing to give me the benefit of the doubt."

Rogue gestures to the two women with her head, "What about them?"

He glances at the two as they eat their food before he shrugs and says, "I'll tell him Cat is a thief but a good person and Sonja is a warrior spirit inhabiting a loved one."

Sonja tilts her head, "You think that's the best way to go about this?"

"Only if it gets out. It can't hurt more." He explains. The heroes think it over and realize he might have a point. He then adds, "Besides with the way they dress, people are gonna talk anyway."

The two women don't appreciate the comment as they give him a dry glare. But stop when they look down at their outfits and then each other's and concede that the man does have a point there too.

Rogue snorts as she nods and rolls her eyes derisively, "Oh yeah, this guy is a great choice to lead a team that symbolizes unity with mutants."

Black Cat decides to point out the hypocrisy of her statement, "Wasn't it like a couple of weeks ago when you and your people were trying to burn the world down to restore your kind?"

Rogue gives the woman a dirty look as Alex says, "There was a little more to it."

And he would have gone into more details, hadn't Rogue spoken first, "Course someone like you would see it that way."

Not liking the way she said that Cat narrows her eyes at her, "Someone like me?"

"Want me to spell it out for ya, pussycat?" Rogue mockingly asks as she gives the thief a hard look, "A human who only heard about one side of the fight. Not from the other."

This has been an issue for Rogue. The hypocrisy of how most people are ready to blame the X-Men for the whole Phoenix fiasco when the Avengers were just as much to blame. Captain America should have tried a different approach when he confronted Scott about Hope. Iron Man should not have been so hostile when he went to the school to dissuade them from helping Scott after he got the Phoenix.

Black Cat stands up from her seat and gives the southern girl the stink eye, "Considering that the other side killed someone close to me, I don't think they have much of a defense."

"Someone else died." Rogue quickly retorts, frustrated how so many seem to gloss over this fact, "A good man that more people miss. Difference is, your boy toy is alive while Xavier isn't." She gestures to the other heroes in the room, "And from everything I know, they only started to miss him when he was gone."

A cheap shot to be sure. But one she believes is very accurate. With how often she has heard heroes say how annoying Spider-Man is, it's a wonder if they cared at all in the first place.

But accurate or not, Sonja does not like it and voices it, "Excuse me." She addresses the mutant woman as she gets out of her seat and stands imposingly against Rogue, "But I happen to love this man and I deeply care for this woman here." She flicks her wrist and her spear appears, "And if you say another word about either of them, you will become very friendly with my spear."

Rogue clenches her hands in preparation for a fight. And everyone around them tenses up and ready to intervene. But before anyone moves another muscle, Spider-Man quickly steps in.

"Woah!" He gets in between the two agitated women with both hands against their shoulders, "Okay, as much as most of us guys here would enjoy seeing two beautiful women wrestle, maybe with some jello, I don't think it'll be a good idea. Why don't we all simmer down before we do something we'll regret, 'Kay?"

The two women give a quick scathing look at him and then refocus glaring at each other. The first to step away was Sonja as she flicks her wrist and her spear is replaced with her sheathed sword on her hip. She goes back to eating her meal and Rogue huffs and walks away. A sense of relief spreads through the room as the others relax. It seems like the new team will have plenty of issues.

As Spider-Man goes back to finishing up his meal, Hope, who had stayed silent throughout the whole ordeal, decides to lighten things up by pointing something out to her teacher, "Logan made the same joke you just made before he left."

Spider-Man gasps as his eyes somehow glitter when he looks at her, "Really?" He says in high-pitched joy before he gets all bashful, "Aw, I'm such a bad influence on him."

While the other heroes roll their eyes or shake their heads in amusement, Black Cat gets an annoyed, but not really, expression and says, "Ugh, he's doing the same thing with us."

Sonja nods as her face mimics her partner while she continues to eat her meal, "It's true. We even think he's funny when he's not."

"I'm like a fungus, I grow on you." Spider-Man proudly proclaims. He then looks around the room, "Speaking of smelly unpleasant growths, where is Logan?"

Carol snorts at the admittedly funny crack before answering with a small smile, "Said he had a class to teach, so he took off."

The idea of that man being a teacher is still a weird concept to the spandex-wearing hero, he becomes disappointed as he needs the man here, "Aw man. I was hoping he'd give me a ride."

Alex points to the back entrance where he knows the Blackbird is, "You can probably still catch him if you hurry."

Spidey's eyes light up before he zips to kiss the two women he came in with on the cheeks, "I'll call you girls later. Love you." He quickly tells them before he goes to grab his pancakes but forgets that he just cooked them, "Ooh! Hot! Hot! Hot!"

They all watch him leave with amusement while he tosses his food around. Another comfortable silence falls over the kitchen as everyone just goes about their business. In fact, it becomes so silent that Sonja becomes curious about something.

She looks at the billionaire inquisitively, "You're not going to ask what we did?"

Tony does not take his eyes off his phone as he shrugs, "It's not as much fun if Webhead isn't here to be embarrassed."

Everyone gives him flat looks or rolls their eyes at this. Steve rubs his eyes at all of his friends' antics. Why is it that none of them seem to be able to act their age?

(Baxter Building)

In the home of the Future Foundation, Peter sits at the dining room table across from their strongman, the Thing, as he tries to convince the man to join the team. Reed and Sue are in the kitchen, she is doing the dishes and he is working on some contraption. The kids, Franklin and Valeria, sit at the counter watching their uncles converse while eating bowls of cereal.

The Queens-born hero was able to cop a ride out of Logan to the school but he first needed to come to the Baxter Building. With reluctance, Logan flew him on the BlackBird on the condition that he refrain from making jokes. Surprisingly Spider-Man agreed. But that is because he has some other issues he needs to think about. His new relationship and the vacation he plans to take, going back to school, and his job. And that's just his personal life. 

Right now though, he is focusing on convincing Ben to join his team. And oddly enough he is not having an easy time of it like he expected.

The young man is looking at the monster pleadingly as he begs from across the table, "C'mon Ben, please~?"

The Thing has his arms crossed over his large chest and has a stubborn look, "I said I ain't interested."

This was a surprise for the young genius hero. He expected the rock man to be happy to help out a friend. Maybe not thrilled but at least not against the idea like he is right now.

"But why?" Peter asks and points out some facts, "I mean, you have more free time now that the New Avengers is no longer a thing."

Ben concedes with a nod, "Dat's true. But dat don't mean I wants ta spend my newly acquired free time doing what ya want me ta do."

Peter frowns in confusion and asks, "Are you afraid I'm gonna tell you to pick up my dry cleaning? Cause I swear I was gonna make Logan do that. Or maybe Hope if I tell her it's training."

He wonders if he can still get away with making her do things random activities and call it training.

Valeria decides to interject at this point, "It's not because of that." She then looks at the largest man in the room, "Just tell him."

The Thing huffs at being told what to do by Valeria but does so, "I don't want to work with her."

Spider-Man looks at him questioningly, "Who?"

"Rogue." Ben informs him as his hands grind a little against his person, "She and dem held me and our pals in dat mountain while they had worms eating us. Not ta mention, she said that you dying wasn't a big deal. Cause you weren't that important outside of the mask or something."

Peter is stunned at the new information, "Rogue said that about me?" He inquires and Ben nods. The younger man slumps in his seat as he realizes why she was being so hostile, "Wow. I figured she was just upset over Chuck being dead, but for her to say that about me…"

He tries to recall what he could have possibly done to make Rogue dislike him and he comes up short. As far as he knows, his interactions with her have been minimal. The worst thing he can recall is being his usual annoying self and he doubts that's enough since she has dated Bobby. Maybe something he did to a friend of hers? Can't be one of the X-Men. He has a good relationship with them as far as he knows. Maybe she's just associating her anger with the Avengers directly at him?

If that's the case then that presents a problem for the team. He goes over what he should do. He could just kick her out but he'd be short another member. It might be beneficial since Ben might be more inclined to join the team. But that could send the wrong message. He kicks her out for a friend to join. And he can't tolerate a mutant because she hates him for some reason, but is leading a team that is supposed to emphasize tolerance.

'Oy being a leader is a pain and it's not even official yet.' He tiredly thinks to himself. But he volunteered, so he can't complain about it now. If anything this may be a boon if he can work it.

"You know what? Doesn't matter." He states, surprising everyone present, "If this team is supposed to represent unity between mutants and non-mutants then I'll put up with her hostility."

He gets raised eyebrows from everyone present, except Reed, as Ben says, "Seriously?"

Peter shrugs and waves dismissively, "Eh I'm used to people hating for stupid reasons." He says before he furrows his brow as he thinks about some of his allies who don't like him, "Or no reason at all." He shakes his head to refocus, "Point is, I'm willing to work with Rogue even if she wants to strangle me. Most people I work with do anyway."

Ben nods and so does Sue from her place at the sink. The kids just look at him with worry as Valeria says, "You need to reevaluate your life choices."

Peter sighs as he slumps exhaustively in his seat, "I know."

What does it say about him that he doesn't hold it against people when they want to hurt him? Is he a forgiving person or is he a masochist?

And while he's musing over this, Franklin is in his own head. Thinking about how he can help his favorite uncle and hero. He and Valeria have talked about plots to get back at the X-Men for what they did to Peter, but he knows that his family would not approve. Uncle Peter in particular.

Franklin watched the video of his speech. And he wants to follow in his favorite hero's footsteps. So, as angry as he is with the X-Men, some of them at least, he has to try and forgive them. Or at least not try to hurt them. And definitely convince Val to do the same.

So, Franklin takes a breath and says, "I think you should join."

Everyone looks at the young Richards' son curiously now. Though his sister has a hint of suspicion in her gaze as if he has to be very careful what he says next.

Ben gently prods, "Why do ya say dat, Munchkin?"

"You can help him, Uncle Ben." Franklin states and gets a little nervous, "And you can start forgiving the X-men for what they did to you and said about him."

Ben doesn't seem fond of the idea if his grimace tells Franklin anything. And while his mother smiles proudly at her son, his sister does not. She frowns and crosses her arms as she gives him the stink eye.

Ben seems to struggle with his decision now as he takes in his godson's words. Joining another team that promotes harmony with mutants is a good thing but he doesn't like the idea of working with certain people. He was willing to escort Emma Frost to another prison because Cap asked him to. The man told him it was wrong for her to be killed because she's a mutant and all that. And while he agreed, he wasn't thrilled about it.

Now Spider-Man is here asking him to join a team with someone Grimm is not fond of. He doesn't hate Rogue, he's just pissed at how callous she was over a dear friend's death. She may not know the hero well, but that doesn't give her the right to say what she said. Especially not after she was a part of the group that held him and his friends prisoners in a mountain.

She and the others may have changed their mind about it later, but that didn't make it okay.

The large man looks at Peter and recalls the speech he made. So with great reluctance, Ben sighs with a growl and sighs, "Alright, alright. I'll join da team."

Spider-Man zips over before Thing can react and hugs the man, "Thank you!" He says and gives him a kiss on his noggin, "Mwuah!"

Thing immediately pushes him off, "Get off me!"

Everyone just laughs at the interaction while Peter turns his attention to the youngest male in the room, "And thank you my favorite number one fan, you." He says as Franklin beams at the praise and he gets his head rubbed.

The boy giggles and Valeria gets a pout, "What about me?"

Peter turns his attention to her and says, "You're my favorite troublemaker."

She doesn't let up on her pout as she crosses her arms across her little chest.

As he thinks about troublemakers, he realizes something, "Where's Johnny?"

The adults avoid looking at him as Franklin answers, "Mommy locked him in his room."

Peter lets out a small laugh and turns his attention to the matriarch of the family, "Really Sue?"

Sue continues to wash the dishes as she responds, "I wasn't happy to do it. But I had to, considering what he wanted to do."

Now Peter becomes curious, "What did he want to do?"

The adults avoid looking at him and Valeria decides to answer, "Harass you."

Peter becomes perplexed, "Me? Why would-?" He stops as he realizes the only thing that has happened recently could warrant Johnny to want to do such a thing. Peter gives the stink to the smartest man in the room, "Dang it, Reed. Did you tell him?

"No." Reed responds while continuing to work on his device, "Tony told me through a secure message. I just told Sue and the kids were listening in."

He turns his attention to the two culprits, who turn their attention back to their breakfast. He continues to give them a scathing look until Val points to her brother, "It was Franklin who told him."

The look of betrayal on Franklin's face is priceless but Peter can't enjoy it as much as he wants to. Instead, he sighs and explains his situation, "Okay look, you guys know my history with MJ and Felicia. It's complicated, to say the least. And what it is now is…" He tries to come up with a word but comes up short, "More complicated."

They all give him a 'No duh' look as Ben points out, "'Specially since dat Sonja girl is also in it."

He slaps his hand over his eyes, "Oy." He shakes his head and just goes for broke, "Look, I love them and they love me. They love me enough to be with me and with each other." He realizes how that might paint them, "Okay that sounds-"

"Degrading?" Sue supplies with a flat frown.

"I was going to say 'inaccurate.'" He responds placatingly.

Ben shakes his head at the hero, "C'mon. Wat are ya doing, Spidey? Why are yuz stringing dese two gurls along?"

Peter gets an irritated look on his face and vehemently says, "I'm not stringing them along!" Seeing them reel back he takes a breath to calm down. He then firmly says, "I love them, Ben. I really do. I constantly think about both of them. Not a day goes by when I don't. I worry if they're alright, if they're happy, or even thinking about me. That last one is more because of my insecurities but…"

He pauses while he rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. He knew he'd have to explain his relationship at some point. But even knowing that, he still hasn't come up with a way to tell people what it is.

Peter sighs, "I'm trying to get my life together and they are an important part of it. This isn't just something I'm doing for fun, I want this to be a serious relationship."

And that's the best he can explain his situation. It's not just him living a wet dream he's had since he's known the two women. 'Well, three.' He loves those girls. And it's always been a bit of a problem for him to be in a relationship with them because he has never stopped caring about either one. He never cheated on either of them, but damn if he wasn't tempted. Black Cat in particular since she didn't have a problem expressing her own adventures when they were 'just having some fun.'

At this point, Reed does look up from his work and factually says, "Peter, you're a leader of a team now. It's a very political team too. You have to be careful."

He groans, "I know."

He's already had to deal with this back at the mansion. And that's with people he's not too familiar with. He can only imagine how people like Jameson, or worse, his Aunt May will react.

But as he thinks about the ones he's close to, he realizes something. "Guys," he starts, "I know it's strange what I'm doing with these girls, but you all know me well enough to know that I'm not taking advantage of them. I'll keep saying it over and over again. I love them. I'm gonna be torturing myself to prove it every day because they are worth it. If I have to be cheesy by laying my coat over a puddle, or bring them flowers just because I felt like it, or just call them and tell them they're on my mind then I will."

While the kids don't really understand romance, Ben and Sue do. Ben is happy that his friend is taking his relationship seriously and Sue gives an approving smile before she side-glares at her husband. Who still hasn't taken his eyes off the device in his hand. She nudges him with her elbow and frustratedly says, "Why can't you be more like Peter?"

"Ow." Reed winces at the blow to his ribs and rubs it while he looks at his wife in confusion, "What did I do?"

Sue just narrows her eyes at him while she dries her hands with a hand towel.

Peter decides this is a good point for him to leave. "Well," he says as he slips on his mask and heads out, "I'm off to the X-Men school and then I'm gonna start packing for my vacation."

Sue, Ben, and this time Reed look at him in stunned surprise as they say, "You're taking a vacation?"

The idea of the man before them taking time away is bizarre. Because he is so concerned with everyone else's well-being he barely allows himself a moment of respite.

Peter understands this so he is not bothered by their shock and just nods while telling them his reasons, "Yeah. I figured me and the girls needed to take some time away from the city to work on this relationship of ours."

He heads out without another word. Leaving the family of heroes stupified by his decision to do such a thing.

For a moment at least.

Sue glares at her husband and whips the hand towel at her husband with more anger than before, "Why can't you be more like Peter!?"

"Ow!"

(Jean Grey School)

The Blackbird lands on the courtyard outside of the school. Logan in the driver seat goes through the process of shutting it off. But as he does so he can't help but be a little distracted by his silent companion.

Spider-Man is in the copilot seat next to him and the man has not made a sound during the whole trip. Now the hero did say he'd keep his mouth shut during the whole trip, but Logan expected him to at least make some annoying sounds. At most, he'd be repeatedly asking, 'Are we there yet?'

Logan looks at his friend and sees he's in deep thought. Likely thinking about what's going on in his life outside the mask. And Logan knows the guy is very private about such things. He shares his issues with very few people. 'Unfortunately, I'm one of them.'

So with a sigh, Logan speaks up and asks, "What's wrong?"

Spider-Man gets knocked out of his head and turns to the old mutant. The question registers and he shakes his head while he responds with, "Nothing. Why are you asking?"

"Normally I wouldn't pry." Logan tells him as he goes back to going through the process of shutting the jet down, "But the fact that you stayed quiet the entire trip makes me worry. 'Cause even dying you still don't shut up.""

"I don't know about that. When Cap had me in his arms back at the mountain, I made no jokes about how much of a dream come true that was." Spider-man quips.

Seeing right through his joking nature, Logan looks at him, "You're not gonna get out of this by making jokes."

"Aw, you worry about me?"

Logan's gaze remains steadfast as he doesn't rise to the bait. His eyebrow doesn't so much as twitch as he continues to look at the much younger man expectedly. Waiting for him to talk about whatever is on his mind.

And in seeing this, Spider-Man reluctantly starts to talk, "Okay fine. Truth is, I'm worried if this thing with the girls is gonna work out or not."

Logan raises an accusing eyebrow at Spidey, "Couple of days ago you said you love Mary Jane."

Spider-Man nods, "I did." He corrects himself, "I do."

"So where does Hardy fit in?" Logan inquires.

"I love her too," Spider-Man tells him without any hesitation. He gets silent as he thinks about why this is happening in the first place, "There is a lot more to this than you'll probably want to hear."

He's probably right about that. Normally Logan would mind his own business. But considering everything that's going on he doesn't think he should. Especially with past experiences telling him that it's not a good idea to let these sorts of things be.

Logan gets up from his seat, "Tell you what, bub." He starts as he presses the button to open the back of the plane, "I got a class to teach right now, but if you stick around, we can talk then."

Spider-Man looks at him curiously and asks, "Why do you suddenly hear me talk?"

Logan glances back at him as the ramp opens and tells him, "This team is important. And if the leader is having problems, personal or not, then that affects the team too."

He can speak from both personal experience and from having to watch plenty of his friends do the job.

"Can't argue with that," Spider-Man says as he gets out his his seat and disembarks the jet.

As they step out of the plane, Spider-Man takes in the sight of the school. It has a futuristic style but still keeps to its roots. They mostly just added things to it rather than tearing it apart and replacing old areas.

"You know something Logan," Spidey says with his hands on his hips, "I know I've seen the school plenty of times but I'm always impressed by the sight of it."

The younger hero is so engrossed in the sight that he completely misses how the old mutant is sniffing the air. Spider-Man doesn't even hear when Logan snarls and unsheathes his claws.

"Although I haven't really seen it recently." He continues as he misses when Logan rushes off somewhere, "I should visit more often. If only to see how you do as a teacher. Oof, those poor kids, am I right?"

After a few moments of silence, Spider-Man blinks at the lack of response from his company. He looks to where he expected the old man to be but sees that he is not there.

"Logan?" Spider-Man calls out. He twists and turns himself in search of the feral mutant, "Logan? Where'd you go?" He stops looking around and frowns in an almost pouty way, "Well that's just rude. Man gives me a ride but he can't be bothered to escort me. And after I shared my feelings with him."

He has half a mind to find the old mutant and give him a-

"AAAAAGGHH!"

He snaps his head in the direction he hears the scream of who he knows to be Bobby's and quickly rushes over. It is a good distance away but he manages to arrive in seconds. He arrives just in time to see an ice ramp that he knows Bobby is rather fond of making with Logan at one end of it. He sees a group of students and staff at the other end of it and is surrounding another group that he can't quite make out. He lands just behind a few students at the entrance of the school and they jolt back in surprise at his sudden appearance.

"What happened? I heard a woman scream." He quips at them.

"That was Professor Bobby." A student that seems to be covered in eyeballs informs him.

"Yeah, I know." He states with a nod before he walks over to the assembled group and makes his way past them, "Excuse me? Can someone explain-"

He stops short when he sees what all the hubbub is about and he feels his blood turn cold. He sees Scott Summers, Jean Grey, Bobby, Hank, and Warren all standing around looking both scared and confused. But what made his blood turn cold, was the sight of a red and blue spandex-wearing hero, that is about a head shorter than him.

"What the hell is this?!" He shouts, grabbing everyone's attention. He goes over to the smaller version of himself and grabs him by the shirt.

"Hey man!" The smaller him says as he grabs the bigger one's hands in a vain attempt to pry them off, "What's your problem?!"

Ignoring his questions, Spider-Man angrily asks, "Did the Jackal send you?! Why are you here?!"

"Let him go."

He looks over to see the young Jean Grey telling him and he can feel her trying to mind control him.

"Not a chance." He tells her.

She looks at him in a bit of surprise before she more firmly commands with her hand pointing at him, "Let. Him. Go."

Another attempt at his mind but he still doesn't let go. If anything he becomes irritated, "Look you Marvel Girl clone reject," Spider-Man says and he points at her, "I don't know who sent you all but if you think I'm gonna-"

"That is you!" Bobby interjects from his spot next to his snowman self.

Spider-Man looks back at his friend, "What?"

"That is you!" Bobby reiterates loudly before he gestures to the others, "This is us! Hank brought them here from the past!"

It takes a minute for Iceman's words to sink in. But when they do, Spider-Man lets go of his younger self and explodes at Hank, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

The younger him dusts himself off, "Rude."

Ignoring himself, Spider-Man marches up to Hank and gets in his face, "Why did you bring me-" He corrects himself and grabs the young him again, "Him here?!"

"If you'll let me explain." Beast says, breathing heavily as he does so, "It's for-nnuuggh!" He grabs his chest in pain before he screams, "ARGH!"

The blue furry genius collapses into the arm of his younger self as the young man panically asks, "What's happening to him?!"

The other X-Men quickly rush over to help him into the school but Spider-Man stays standing outside. He looks down at the ground in wide-eyed panic. He cannot believe that Beast brought a younger version of the Queens-born hero from the past.

"Excuse me." The younger him grabs his attention. He points to the hands still holding tightly to his uniform, "Can you let me go now?"

The original Spider-Man tightens his grip in response.