Spiderman's Sister

The newspaper article

The rest of the week passes unspectacularly and unfortunately without further meetings with James. It wasn't until I woke up the next morning that I realized I hadn't asked for his number. How am I supposed to ask him for a date now? Sure, I could ask Peter, but then he'd only be asking curious questions that I probably wouldn't even have an answer to. In fact, while I've been working on an article about celebrity scandal diets for the week - yes, even with that crap I have to deal with from time to time - I actually had a hard time concentrating on it. Most of the time I just sat at my desk staring out the window and thinking about James. I just can't get him out of my head. Somehow he managed to sneak into my head and somehow into my heart and he made himself really comfortable there. And although I don't understand it, somehow I don't mind. I've always been sure that love at first sight is some Hollywood nonsense we're fed in movies. But actually I'm sure that's exactly what's happening to me right now. Never been in love before and then bang, right at first sight. The next Monday came too quickly and I drove to the office with a bad feeling. Even if I don't have anything to blame myself for, I'm sure that the dinner with Colin that I broke off will still have consequences for me. Luckily I haven't seen him yet. Right now I'm sitting in our office with Aria and I've told her about my chance meeting with James and my x-rated dreams. Quite deliberately, I didn't mention that the James I'm talking about is the former Winter Soldier. Aria would totally freak out.

Aria: And when exactly are you going to stick your tongue down his throat?

Victoria: Sometimes I really wonder why I'm friends with you.

We both grin at each other, knowing full well that Aria's open, direct and uncomplicated manner is one of the reasons.

Aria: You know you love me. So...... when are you going to do it?

To be honest I have no idea. Somehow I don't want that. Well, I want to, but that's not all I want from him. Somehow I want more from him than just sex.

Victoria: I don't know. He's not that kind of guy. Somehow..... the situation is different this time.

Aria: You've been raving about him all morning and now you really want to tell me you don't want to just rip his clothes off and have sex with him?

Victoria: I didn't say that. But...... I don't know...... I just feel good when I'm with him. Even if we both have our clothes on.

Aria looks at me like I just grew a second head.

Aria: OH MY GOD! You're in love.

Victoria: I'm not in love.

Or am I? I dont know. Part of me is sure that i am, but another part refuses to believe that falling in love with a stranger can be that easy.

Aria: Oh yes you are. I've known you long enough to know that you either use men for sex or have no interest in them at all. But this sounds like something completely different to me.

Victoria: Hm...... i don't know, maybe.

And again I catch myself just smiling happily to myself. Before Aria can continue pestering me with questions, what I feared most happens. Colin calls me and asks me to come to his office. And immediately this bad feeling is there again. Without letting on how little I want to see Colin, I go to his office and pretend to be as friendly as I can.

Victoria: What's up Colin?

Colin: Here, I have a special assignment for you.

He points to a file lying on his desk. I grab it and freeze when I see the temporary working title - The life of the monster. Private glimpses into the life of the Winter Soldier. He can't be serious. He knows that I find all this Avengers hype nonsensical and that I will never bother to write an article about any of them. And certainly not about James.