Maya Stark

Chapter 105: MJ knows

MJ and I shared a room. Which meant more talk about Peter and weird places during the trip that had some weird fact about it. Despite the fact MJ is a very blunt person, she's smart and observant. We get along great.

'I actually have a question,' MJ said. I nod to her, so she'd continue as I putz with my backup ring, trying to get it even better. 'Is Peter Spider-Man?'

My head snaps to look at her. 'What?'

'It made sense to me,' MJ shrugged. 'Like a Stark internship? Really? There had to be a special reason you and Peter got so close so quickly. He disappeared during today's fight and stayed behind with you. I mean come on it makes total sense.' I search for a thing to say and come up with nothing. MJ smiled. 'I'm right, aren't I? Because I was only like 80% sure.'

'No—I mean—I guess... Okay, let the record show I didn't tell you,' I said pointing to her. 'Because oh my god he's going to murder me tomorrow.'

'So, spider-Man and the Shadow,' MJ nodded. 'Solid. Dream team.'

'No dream team,' I said, going back to the ring. 'Parker and I have been fighting together since after the accords. Since I came to school. He was there for everything. I helped him with the Vulture. We patrolled. And... he was in space with us when everything happened. Between the two of us we have enough trauma to fill a whole ocean.'

MJ nodded. 'I can't believe I figured it out.'

'You can't tell anyone,' I said.

'No duh,' she said. 'I won't.'

There was a knock on the door, and I stood up. 'And don't say anything to Parker until I do.' I opened the door and froze.

Nick Fury was someone I have known for a very long time. Almost all my life. We first meet when I was like five and my dad first introduced himself as Iron Man. He was hiding in the shadow of our house. I was with dad when he first introduced himself. Ever since then he appeared randomly. He was there when I got my powers, he was there to help my dad when he was dying, he was there when we were fighting Ultron, he was there at my dad's funeral. I wanted very much to close the door and pretend he wasn't here now. I knew he would come. But I didn't want to be pushed back into reality. Not tonight. But I couldn't close the door. I had to suck it up. Be an adult. A hero. So, I didn't close the door.

Instead, I quietly walk back into my room leaving the door open and Fury followed quickly behind me. When MJ saw him, she also silently got up and walked out of the room, rather quickly as well. I turn to Fury my eyes narrowed.

'Don't you usually sneak into people's room rather than knock on the door?' I ask Fury.

He shrugged. 'I snuck into Parker's room.'

'Of course, you did,' I mutter. 'So, I'm guessing you're here to tell me that you were calling to bring us here, you went to Parker first because he's the easiest, you need help with whatever the hell that water monster was, Parker agreed, he's putting his suit on now, and you also need my help?'

Fury thinks for a minute. 'That about sums it up, Stark. I know you wanted a break, but hate to break it to you, you're a hero. You need to do hero shit.'

'Yeah, I know,' I mumble, clicking my ring. 'You know I used to think I knew everything.'

Fury scoffs. 'I know. I used to know everything. Then I come back five years later and now, I know nothing. No intel, no team, and two high school kids are dodging my calls.'

I shrug. 'We planned to call you.'

'I've known you a long time, Maya,' Fury said. 'I'd hate to have to knock some sense in you when I know you already have it. You can't just forget about your hero duties.'

'Sure, I can,' I said. 'Just... not yet.'