Spider-Man: The New Age- Book 1 in The Vindicators Series

Chapter 23

Connor opened his eyes slowly, squinting against the bright light. Glancing at his arm he saw a needle in it with a string leading up to an IV drip.

Connor sat up and grabbed ahold of the needle ready to pull it out.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Peter sighed.

Connor turned his head to his left and saw a white curtain.

Pulling it back Connor felt a smile spread over his face. Lying in a bed, reading glasses resting on his nose, beard beginning to grow was Peter Parker.

Looking up at Connor, over his glasses, Peter gave him a wink.

"A stab to the chest can't kill you, huh," Connor said.

"As if, now get back in bed before they come back," Peter said, glancing over Connor's shoulder.

"Before who comes back?" Connor asked.

"Not so fast, webhead," Jean said.

Connor turned around to see Jean and a teenage girl with long brown hair standing in the doorway.

"Webhead?" Connor questioned.

"What?" Jean asked defensively.

"I'm just saying, you could've at least come up with something more original," Connor said with a shrug.

"You know what fine, I'll leave the jokes to you," Jean said, crossing her arms.

"I see the rumors are true," the girl said.

"What rumors?" Connor asked.

"That you're just as annoying as my father," the girl responded.

Connor gave Jean a wink, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"You're father?" Connor questioned.

"Connor, meet my daughter, Gwyneth May Parker," Peter introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Connor said, sticking his hand out.

Gwyneth pushed past Connor and said, "I wish I could say the same."

"Did I do something wrong?" Connor asked, giving Jean a questioning look.

"You nearly got my father killed," Gwyneth hissed.

"In my defense, I was a little tied up," Connor said, doing his best to stifle a laugh.

Gwyneth rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her father.

"Where are am I anyway?" Connor asked.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, the medical wing," Jean answered.

"Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to you," Jean replied.

"Me?" Connor asked.

"What exactly do you remember about the fight?" Peter asked.

Connor sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Not much really, the last thing I remember is my replica making me choose between letting Jean die or Riv die,"

Peter and Jean looked at each other sharing an unreadable look.

"What?" Connor asked.

"You, sort of, changed," Jean said, slowly.

A confused expression spread over Connor's face.

Jean let out a sigh and dug into a pocket in her jeans, pulling out her phone.

"Maia, recorded this from her suit, it was damaged during the battle so there's no audio" She said, handing her phone to Connor.