Chapter 15
Johnny swallowed anxiously, starting to sweat as he pulled on his shirt sleeves. He kept looking towards the wall with new interest. This was ridiculous. He's been here dozens of times. In this exact kind of situation too.
Come on Storm. He told himself lifting his head. Gather up some courage and do it.
"So." Johnny shrunk as the man spoke. He wore a three piece suit, and stared at Johnny through shades that didn't show his eyes. "What are you plans for tonight?"
"I huh- I'm not sure yet." Payton had just gotten back from San Francisco so Johnny wanted to do something to take her mind off everything. "I thought maybe we'd go for a walk around the park and get some food. Maybe go by the Baxter Building for a couple of movies."
"Hmm." Tony said shortly, not looking away. "And that's all? I'm not going to see you two doing some vigilante stuff?"
"Of course not." Johnny assured sitting up. "She's still healing and I don't want her to get hurt."
"Right." Tony said. "I want her home by eleven."
"Isn't it kinda Payton's choice?" Johnny cautiously asked.
"10:30."
"I just mean-"
"10."
"Tony." Pepper said with a laugh as she walked in. "Be nice. They're both adults." She turned to Johnny. "Be back by one or have Payton call if you'll be later."
"Pep!" Tony protested. "He's the boyfriend, you're not supposed to take his side. And you were the one who told me I needed to be stricter with Payton's curfew."
"When she was 16." Pepper kissed his forehead. "If you're like this with Payton, I can't wait to see how you'll be with Morgan."
"Oh she's never dating." Tony said. "It'll just be her and Gerald."
"I can't believe you got that alpaca."
"I can't believe you made him stay out at the cabin by himself."
"Gerald's fine." Payton said as she walked in cane in hand. She wore a pair of black jeans and mid sleeve blue shirt. "Hey you."
"Hey." Johnny smiled as he stood, walking closer he wrapped his arms around his waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "How are you feeling?"
"Great now that your here." Payton leaned up to kiss him.
"No." Tony said abruptly. "No PDA."
"Come on guys, Tony doesn't want to see this." Pepper covered Tony's eyes. "Now do it."
Payton chuckled letting go of Johnny as Tony playfully pushed Pepper away. "I'll see y'all later."
"Seriously you two." Tony said as they walked towards the elevator, his phone starting to ring. "Behave."
"Always." Payton smiled towards him.
"Be back by 10." Tony called out, answering the phone as they got in.
"No promises." Johnny laughed at the spluttering sound Tony made.
"You love messing with him, huh?" Johnny noted.
"It's fun sometimes." Payton laughed. "So is it time for our romantic flight?"
"Yes and no." Johnny said as they walked out the building. "I have some options for tonight. Option One: My pilot license was recently renewed, so we could do a little night time flying. Option two is-"
"Payton." They turned to see Harry walking towards them.
"Harry." Payton greeted. "What are you doing here?"
"Well I couldn't get them to agree to a merger yet." Harry explained. "But one of our head scientists heard about you and wants to work with you. And if things go well, the Board and Dad may agree to a merger. It's at least a step in the right direction."
"That's amazing." Payton chuckled. "Who's the scientist?"
"Doctor Curt Connors."
"Curt Connors?" Johnny said in amazement. "The geneticist Curt Connors?"
"Yeah he's worked at Oscorp for as long as I can remember." Harry tilted his head. "I'm sorry are you..." Harry smiled. "Are you Johnny Storm?"
"Oh yeah." Payton said. "Harry this is my boyfriend Johnny Storm. Johnny this is Harry Osborn, a potential partner with SI."
"Nice to meet you." The guys said shaking each others hands.
"Harry I hope you don't mind, but Johnny and I have plans."
"Of course." Harry said with a small nod. "I'll just go tell Pepper the good news."
"Alright I'll talk to you later." Payton smiled as the two walked away. "I didn't realize you knew Curt Connors. He's a geneticist not an engineer."
"Well believe it or not I do pay attention to some of Reed's ramblings."
Payton laughed. "I do believe you mentioned other options for tonight?"
"Right." Johnny wrapped an arm around her. "Option Two: We do go for a romantic picnic in the park and then some movies. Or finally, Option Three: There are some abandoned buildings where you could practice Spider-ing."
"Three, let's do Option Three." Payton eagerly said.
Johnny laughed. "Does that mean you're getting restless again?"
"Just a little." Payton shyly said. "It's just the thrill of a swing. It's..." Freedom. Becoming weightless. Spitting in the face of gravity.
Before either could say anything an alarm went off. Payton looked over to see two men in masks running out of a bodega across the street. She moved to rush forward when Johnny grabbed her arm.
"Johnny-"
He looked her in the eye, his blue eyes determined. "Stay here. Call 911 and I'll-"
Payton looked over at the grunt to see one of the men had been pinned to the wall by an arrow. The second stumbled as they looked back, not noticing a second arrow attached to a line a few feet in front of him.
Payton watched as a woman slid down the line with a bow and kicked the second robber in the face as he looked back. The man stumbled into the wall, pulling a gun out.
Johnny shot a fire ball at the man, knocking him back into the wall. He fell to the ground unconscious.
"You alright?" Johnny asked running over, Payton limping after them.
"I had that." The woman replied as she collected her arrows.
Up close Payton could see the woman was wearing a pair of purple pants, a black belt, a purple shirt missing the right sleeve the left was a long sleeve that was missing the shoulder, and she wore a pair of black gloves, she wore a pair of dark purple shades. Across her chest was the strap to the quiver full of arrows, her bow was also on her back. Her jet black hair was pulled back into a high pony tail, two strands of hair framed her face,
"A thanks would be appreciated." Johnny muttered as the woman finished her collecting.
"Look I appreciate it, but I don't need any help."
"You sure?" Payton questioned. "Cause it looks like you made the outfit yourself."
"I did." The woman said softly as sirens sounded through the air. "Shit I got to go."
"Wait, please let us help you." Payton said as the woman shot an arrow at the roof of a nearby building.
"I don't need any." She hissed as she shot another arrow. This time at Johnny who was pinned to the wall by a net.
"Johnny." Payton looked over to him as an electric current raced up her left arm. She gasped, looking at her arm to find a small silver disk attached to it. She clawed the device off as she looked over to the woman as she started to zip through the air. "Who are you?!"
"Hawkeye!" She yelled as she disappeared around a corner.
What the heck?
*******
The police arrived within the next two minutes, conducting their investigations as paramedics looked them and others. Sue arrived within the next five minutes.
"Johnny." Sue knelt in front of him as the paramedic took his blood pressure. "Are you alright? Is he alright?" She looked to the paramedic.
"Sue I'm alright." Johnny said lightly pushing her hands away. "She just trapped me."
"He's right." The paramedic assured. "Nothing but a bump on the head."
Before anyone could say anything else, the sound of rockets filled the air. Payton looked over to see the Iron Man armor land not to far away. The suit barely had time to open before Tony was already rushing out towards her.
"Are you alright?" Tony said grabbing her right shoulder as he knelt in front of her, brown eyes scanning her face. "Are you hurt? What happened?" He looked over to the other paramedic. "I want a full medical report. MRI, CT, whatever's-"
"Tony." Payton forcefully said, grabbing his attention. "I'm fine."
"Yeah let a professional decide." He looked back to the paramedic.
"She is fine." the paramedic assured in a soft voice. "No injuries. Blood pressure's stable. Heart rate's not even elevated."
"Good." Tony looked to Payton. "Happy's on his way over and he'll bring you back home."
"But Johnny and I-"
"Later." Tony said sharply.
"But-"
"Tony, can I talk to you?" Sue said, guiding him away before he could refuse.
"Are you alright?" Johnny asked quietly as the paramedics put away their equipment.
"I'm alright." Payton assured.
"She called herself Hawkeye. I know it's bugging you."
Payton leaned her head against his shoulder. "You know me so well." She pulled the small disc out of her pocket. "I'm going to ask Nat about this."
"She knew about your arm." Johnny pointed out. "This would've completely burned up a normal arm, it just disabled your prosthetic."
"You think she knew me?"
"Or at least has access to your files."
You already know who it is. She told herself.
"You excited to work with Connors?" Johnny changed the subject.
Before she could respond Tony and Sue walked back over.
Tony clapped his hands. "Alright kiddies time to go home."
"Right." Payton followed Tony's gaze towards where Happy was waiting. She looked back to Johnny. "I'll talk to you later."
"Of course." Johnny kissed her gently. "See ya."
"See ya." Payton watched as he flew off, Sue following as she used her forcefields to float after him.
"Sorry date night got ruined." Tony said as they got in the limo.
"Would you believe it's not the first time?"
"The life of a superhero." Tony said with a rueful smile.
*******
Two days later Payton found herself waiting in a conference room at Oscorp. Harry said he would meet her here.
Payton looked around the conference room, her cane clicking with each step. Recently her healing had started accelerating again. To the point she didn't need the braces anymore, just the cane. Her balance wasn't quite steady yet.
It was a basic conference room. Long table with dozens of chairs. On the wall behind the biggest chair at the head of the table, was a large portrait of a younger Norman Osborn. He wore a suit similar to the one he wore the other day, including the green tie. And he still had RBF.
"Payton." She turned around to see Harry walk in, a brief case in hand.
"Hey." Payton smiled. "What took you so long?"
"My Dad wanted me to give you this." Harry pulled out a thick folder from his brief case.
"What is it?" Payton asked curiously walking closer.
"Basically a bunch of legal jargon saying you can not share any information you learned here that you didn't contribute to, and we are liable to sue and blah, blah, blah." He stuck it back in his brief case. "Can you just pinky promise not to do it?"
Payton laughed lifting up a pinky. "I promise not to take any information I didn't contribute to."
Harry wrapped his pinky around hers. "You know this is a very serious promise."
"In ancient times someone who broke this promise would have their pinky cut off."
Harry tilted his head as they released pinky's. "I feel like you're making that up."
Payton shrugged with a small smirk. Wade had told her that so it was really anyone's guess how true that was.
"Forgetting that, how about I introduce you to Doctor Connors."
"I would love to meet him." Payton said as they walked out of the room. "His work in genetics is amazing."
"Yeah. He's been working for Oscorp for as long as I remember." Harry said as they got in an elevator. "It's honestly amazing that the Board agreed to let him have his job back after The Return."
"Well they know good talent is hard to find."
"So how's your boyfriend?"
"He's great. He's hanging out with his sister today."
"Aww how sweet."
"He is when he wants to be." Payton took a deep breath. "What's Doctor Connors like?"
"Nice. Smart. Bit of a geek but so is everyone here."
Payton laughed. "That is true."
The doors opened to a large lab. A dozen people in lab coats fluttered around the room. Most at desks and others walking around.
"Come on." Harry led her to the back of the room where a man with graying blonde hair wearing a white lab coat and missing his left arm just under the elbow. "Doctor Connors."
The man turned around, putting his glasses back on as he took in the pair. "Mr. Osborn." He kindly greeted. "Nice to see you as always." His gaze landed on her, eyes widening slightly. "And who is this?"
"This is Payton Parker." Harry introduced.
"It's nice to meet you." Payton held out a hand.
"Like wise." He said slowly firmly shaking it.
"Parker?" She turned, letting go of Connor's hand, to see a man with dark slacks and a blue shirt under a white lab coat. He wore circular glasses over brown eyes, and had short brown hair. He was staring right at her.
"Yes?"
He blinked at her. "You're Mary and Richard's girl aren't you?"
Payton shyly smiled as she nodded.
"I- I can't believe it." He chuckled. "Payton. I- Wow. I - The last time I saw you, you were like this big." He gestured to stomach level. "And now." He gestured towards her.
"I'm sorry who are you?"
"Right I guess you wouldn't..."He smiled shyly as he cleared his throat. "I'm Otto. I used to work with your parents."
"Oh." Payton blinked. "Well it's nice to meet you." She held a hand out to him.
He hesitated for a second before taking it. "You too Miss Parker," He cleared his throat. "What brings you to Oscorp?"
"Harry said I could work on a project with Doctor Connors."
"Yes." Connors blinked, shaking his head slightly. "Yes." He said in realization. "Yes of course. Sorry it must've slipped my mind. I completely forgot about this." He cleared his throat. "Our partnership, a test run for Stark Industries and Oscorp."
"If you're not up for this-"
"I'm perfectly fine Miss- Doctor Parker."
"There's no need for that. Payton's fine."
"Of course."
"I thought you two might get along." Harry said shyly. "She's really into genetics too."
"Is that so?" Otto asked, a hint of something in his gaze.
"Genetics, chemistry, little engineering. I dabble where I can, and am open to every other fields." She paused. "Well maybe not culinary, but otherwise."
Connors laughed as Harry looked to Otto. "I didn't realize you were back already."
"Just got back. Rosie was feeling sick so I decided to come in."
"Well you know we love having you around. But before I forgot Dad said he wanted you to come by his office as soon as you could."
As Harry and Otto talked, Connors turned to her. "I would love to work with you Payton." He glanced at his desk. "Shall we begin?"
"We shall." Payton looked to Harry. "Thank you again for this."
"My pleasure." Harry smiled. "I'll talk to you later?"
"Definitely." Harry nodded before he leaving with Otto as Payton turned to Connors. "What are you working on?"
"Basically accelerated healing." Connors began. "Some of the Avengers are said to have such an ability, but most of the one's that do are not compatible with ordinary people. In addition, there are several in the animal kingdom who have similar abilities."
"Like lizards re-growing limbs?"
"Exactly." Connors smiled. "The main problem is such things dramatically alter the human DNA."
This project was going to be difficult, long, exhausting, and probably impossible.
A small grin stretched across her face. "When do we get started?"
*******
Flash looked around at the colorful posters that decorated the walls.
This is where you met Payton? Venom asked curiously.
"No we met in middle school." Flash corrected softly.
"You two talking about me?" Payton teased as she walked next to him, her cane clicking in one hand as Johnny held the other, Harley on his side.
"Why are we even here?" Harley asked.
"We want to introduce y'all to our old friends."
"Introduce you to show off to." Flash shrugged. "Potato. Po- tah- to."
"Humble as ever Mr. Thompson." Principal Morita said walking towards the group with a smile.
"It's good to see you again." Payton released Johnny's hand and walked closer to her former principal.
"You as well, Miss Parker." He looked between her and Flash. "I hear you two have been busy with Stark Industries."
"Yeah it's been pretty cool." Flash said.
Nerd. Venom teased.
"Anyways these are our friends," Flash gestured to Harley. "Harley Keener, A coworker of mine from Stark R&D."
"Nice to meet you." Harley greeted.
They looked over at a knocking sound to see Johnny standing by the Chess Room window. "Move black knight to B7."
"Checkmate!" Could be heard from the room as Johnny walked towards them.
"Sorry couldn't resist." Johnny smiled wrapping an arm around her waist.
Payton smiled at him before turning to Morita. "And this is Johnny Storm, my boyfriend, Fantastic Four co founder and honorary Avenger."
"Nice to meet you, sir."
"Likewise." Morita looked towards the group as a whole. "As requested no one else knows you're here, except Mr. Harrington. Most of your former teammate's are around too."
He looked to Payton. "Including Ned and Michelle."
Payton smiled. Five years but she'd finally be able to see her friends again.
"Now right this way." Morita led them to the familiar room. "You want to make an entrance or just go in?"
The friends shared a look, Harley shrugging in a 'You know what you got to do' fashion.
"Entrance." Flash answered.
Dork.
"Right well wait here for a moment." Morita walked in, the opening of the door catching the Team's attention. "How's our Academics doing today?"
"We're doing well, Principal Morita." Mr. Harrington said energetically. "Miss Jones is resuming her captain role spectacularly. Or should I say co-captain."
MJ shrugged boredly. "It wasn't that difficult." She looked over at another person, a girl with short curly black hair. "Plus Yasmin's a good co-captain."
The girl smiled shyly. "Thanks Michelle."
"Just stating facts."
"Unfortunately I'm not here to stay here and chat." Principal Morita said kindly. "I just wanted to introduce some special guests."
"How much you want to bet it's another sponsor?" Flash could hear Michelle whisper.
"These are three of Stark Industries brightest and a colleague. Plus two of them were former Midtown students." The small group erupted in mummers. Morita raised his voice slightly.
"Introducing Stark R&D Specialist Harley Keener." Harley smiled as he walked in, lifting his hand in a two finger salute. "Another Stark R&D Specialist, and Midtown Alumni Flash Thompson."
"Flash?!" Ned shockingly proclaimed.
"You got a job with Stark Industries?" Betty asked skeptically.
"You got an R&D job at Stark Industries?" Michelle asked.
"Dude awesome!" Ned proclaimed.
Flash shrugged nonchalantly. "Had some help?"
Some help? You wouldn't have gotten in at all if it weren't for Payton.
"I would've gotten in." He whispered so no one else could hear. "Maybe not in R&D."
"Settle down." Mr. Harrington smiled. "It's good to see you again, Flash."
"You too."
"And finally," Morita spoke again. "Co founder of the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm, and heiress to Stark Industry, former Midtown Alumni, Payton Parker,"
Michelle, Ned, Betty, and the rest of their previously Snapped classmates all stood, jaws dropped as Payton walked in arm and arm with Johnny, her cane clicking as they walked.
A few of the girls excitedly proclaimed. "Johnny!"
"Dude!" Ned proclaimed excitedly.
"Hey guys" Payton sweetly greeted. Her face soured as a couple of girls rushed up to Johnny, talking a hundreds of miles of hour.
"Dude!"
"Heiress to Stark Industries?" Betty questioned. "Is that how you got the Stark internship?"
"No," Payton smoothed her face in a blink the same way he seen Pepper do. "Pepper adopted me after the Snap."
"Dude!"
"You would think a Stark heiress would have a working phone." Michelle noted.
"Dude." Ned said softly to Michelle.
"No, we've been calling her for months and she didn't once answer."
"Hey," Flash, a hint of Venom entering his voice, stepped forward. "You don't get to talk to her like-"
"Flash." Payton placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's alright. Calm down." Payton gave him another signature Pepper look: I may be a lady, but I can destroy you with one call if you don't do what I want. She stepped forward. "But you're right, I should've called back. And I'm sorry I haven't called you back." She rubbed her metallic arm gently. "The last few months have been rough."
"What happened to you?" An unfamiliar guy asked.
"And since when is Flash your friend?" Ned said a hint of jealousy in his voice.
She and Flash exchanged a look. "Probably after the trip to Europe?" He guessed.
"Which trip? The class one or your solo journey?"
"Good point." Flash looked towards Ned as Payton walked closer to Johnny. "For a few years. Did you know she's amazing at Mario Kart? You should join us some time."
"He's not an attraction." Payton said sharply to the girls practically hanging off Johnny's arms. "Y'all can leave him alone now."
The girls muttered something before letting go and rushing back towards their seats.
Payton stared at Johnny, hand on her hip. She merely raised an eye brow. She sighed before looking back towards the others, "Ned, MJ can we talk? Privately?"
"Only my friends call me MJ." Michelle answered but went with Payton and Johnny out in the hall anyways.
"Anyways." Harley said with a clap of his hands. "Who wants to learn about working at Stark Industries?"
*******
Payton tightly grabbed her cane as she faced her two now younger friends. "Hey guys."
"It's been months." Michelle said shortly. "You completed ghosted us, Not even May answered. So why now?"
"A lot has been going on lately ." Payton sighed. "I was the one who snapped to beat Thanos army. But there were side affects." Payton lifted her left sleeve, pushing the camouflage on her wrist to reveal the Vibranium arm.
Ned gasped, stepping back slightly. Michelle's eyes widened slightly.
"I've been healing, and there was a lot to take care of in the aftermath." Payton looked back to them. "So I'm sorry for taking so long."
"You don't have to apologize." Ned had said softly. "But you do have to tell us everything that's happened."
Payton smiled. "That's doable. Y'all can come by the tower any time."
"Avengers Tower?" Ned excitedly asked.
Payton laughed. "No Tony sold that tower a long time ago."
"It's Baxter Building now." Johnny added.
"But the Starks and I do own a few floors of a different building not too far. I'll text y'all the address."
"Who are you?" Michelle asked.
"Johnny Storm." He extended a hand. "Nice to meet y'all. Payton's told me a lot about you."
*******
Otto stared at Norman as he sat at his desk, staring smugly at him.
"Doctor Octavius." Norman greeted. "I'm glad to see you back so soon. How's your dear Rosie?"
"She's fine." Otto gritted out. "But you are a bastard."
"Whatever do you mean?" Norman asked in faux ignorance.
"Payton Parker."
"Ah yes, Miss Payton Parker. The daughter of our dearly beloved, the late Richard and Mary Parker. She has come as a project with Stark Industries to work with-"
"Cut the bull shit!" Otto yelled. "You know what you're doing. Bringing her here."
"Here." Norman said as he stood up. "Here where her parents last worked. Here where the only people who know the truth work. Here where a smart girl like her can learn everything."
"You have just as much to lose, so why let her here?"
"Because I can gain so much." Norman slid a manila folder to him. "Like your cooperation."
Otto slowly took the folder, skimming it's contents. He looked at Norman. "You can't be serious."
"Otto when have I ever kid about science."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then not only will Payton learn the truth sooner, but your beloved Rosie will learn everything you've done in the name of science. Every experiment, every cover up, everything."
"I'll take you down with me."
"Maybe. But unlike you I have an army of lawyers who will do anything to keep me out of prison. And I was never directly involved in any of your heinous acts. Not in anyways that could be proven, led alone be substantial in a court of law."
Otto gritted his teeth again. This was all the reasons he's been silent all these years.
"So Doctor Octavius." Norman said sitting down with a wider smile. "Are you ready to get started on your new project?"
*******
"See that wasn't so bad." Harley said as they walked down the streets
"Did y'all enjoy seeing your old classmates again?" Johnny asked.
"It was nice." Payton said.
"I don't get why everyone was surprised that I work at Stark Industries." Flash scoffed. "I may not have been the smartest but I still needed to have been pretty smart to attend Midtown."
They laughed.
"So what do y'all have planned for the rest of the day?" Payton asked.
"Well unlike y'all we have jobs." Flash said with a serious face. The four of them burst out into laughter.
"The perks of being an heir to a multi billionaire." Payton smiled as they waited for the walk sign to change.
"The perks of knowing the heir to a multi billionaire." Harley smiled.
"And as I've been saying for five years, that technically makes you a multi billionaire." Flash pointed out.
"I'm still just Payton."
"I personally love Just Payton." Johnny said as the light changed, lightly pulling Payton closer to him.
Flash and Harley groaned as they began walking across, a little girl eagerly tugging her mother ahead of them.
"That was so lame." Harley groaned.
A shiver ran up Payton's spine as the guys laughed. Car honks a crash, screaming. She dropped her cane as she grabbed onto Johnny's and Harley's arms- Flash grabbing onto the mother and daughter at the same time- before pulling them to the ground, narrowly avoiding the car as it flew over them.
Payton looked up as the little girl began crying, screams piercing the air. Standing in the middle of the street was the Scorpion. His tail slashed through the air as his left arm smashed a car to the side.
"Bring me Spider Girl!"
Johnny grabbed her arm as she tried to stand. "Don't."
"I can't stand by and-"
"Let us take care of it."
"I'm not-"
"Go!" He nodded at Harley as Flash took off into a nearby alley. "Get out of here!" He then walked towards Scorpion and the unfolding chaos. "Flame on!"
"Come on!" Harley said pulling her up, grabbing her cane, and leading her away.
"No." Payton protested as Venom's piercing screech could be heard above the chaos. "He won't stop until he gets Spider Girl."
"You're in no condition to-" Payton yanked her arm free as she ducked into an alley. She grabbed onto the wall as she walked further in, ignoring the twinge in her leg as she pulled a holding unit out of her pocket.
"Payton what are you-" Payton shot a web at his hand pinning him to the wall.
"I'm going to get in so much for trouble for this." Payton let out a humorless laugh as she slapped the holding unit on, unleashing the blue and red spider suit. "I'll be back."
"Payton!" Harley cried out as she swung towards the fight.