By Moonlight (P.P + M.J)

16. Stark Checking In

Peter felt uncomfortable the rest of the trip. He didn't like that Michelle had a guy friend he didn't know about. He had seen them talking during Dr.Connors' presentation, and it took a great effort to not show how much his blood was boiling. When he had addressed her about the stranger, she had brushed him off. Peter had tried to focus on what Dr.Connors was saying as he led them around the laboratories, but he realized he was more or less looking at the ever-changing holograms than actually listening to the words. He glared at the stranger, wondering how he knew Michelle. It shouldn't have bothered him as much as it did.

The scientist then activated a system, catching Peter's attention, and he watched as a picture of a three-legged mouse appeared, and Dr.Connors inserted an algorithm, and the mouse's arm grew back instantaneously, much to the students' awe. But the arm was morphed and overgrown, and the mouse flopped on its side, and a voice said that patient was deceased. The scientist went on to explain that Oscorp was in the process of developing a tangible formula to put in a solution mixed the DNA of lizards.

"Why lizards?" A student asked.

"Can anybody answer her?" Dr.Connors asked the group, and Ned raised his hand.

When the scientist pointed to him, Ned explained, "because there are some lizards that are capable of limb regeneration, able to regrow their tails and legs."

"Correct," Dr.Connors said, replaying the hologram of the mouse, "as you can see, this why I chose this form of science."

"Can I try something, sir?" Peter asked, taking an interest in the project. He seems to know why the mouse kept dying, and when the scientist nodded, Peter went up to him. The young hero tapped on the chart and inserted a varied algorithm. The students watched him in awe as the mouse stood back up, regrowing a perfectly usable leg. The electric voice rang out again, saying the patient was healthy.

The students clapped at Peter's feat, and Dr.Connors stared at him in awe. He nodded his head in approval, clearly impressed with Peter's work.

"What's your name, son?" The scientist asked.

"Peter Parker, sir," was the simply reply.

"Well, Mr.Parker, you must come by again. I feel like you just helped in making a breakthrough," Dr.Connors said, laying a hand on Peter's shoulder.

After that, the scientist then lead them to another room. After another hour and duteous note-taking, the students left the lab and descended the elevator once again. Everyone was chatting eagerly, talking about all they had seen as they went down the escalator. Ned was saying things Peter wasn't paying attention to. The whole bus ride, he barely said a thing, until he got a phone call from Tony Stark.

He froze, staring blankly at the caller ID. What did Mr.Stark want now? School wasn't even over yet! That must mean it was urgent. Maybe he was finally getting the call for another mission?

He hastily told Ned to shut up, and Peter took a steadying breath before putting the phone to his ear. "Hey Mr.Stark! What's up?"

"Peter, what the hell has been happening over there?" Tony asked, sounding slightly irritated.

"What-What do you mean?" Peter stuttered. Had Happy told Tony after all?

"First, Happy tells me some story about how you said that you fought a wolfman. Then, I see on the news that Bruce Banner has been parading around New York smashing buses," Tony explained, and Peter felt himself growing redder and redder, "to top it off, I had Friday get me footage from your suit via your A.I., only to see you were right."

Thanks Karen, Peter thought internally.

"Is this too much for you, kid? Do I need to come back?" Tony asked worriedly, this time sounding more concerned.

"No! No, I can handle it. It's no big deal. The werewolf's not that bad," Peter said, wondering where Tony might be.

"Yeah, I saw the footage from the fire. Don't trust a guy that plays both ends, kid. That only makes him more dangerous," Tony warned,and Peter heard him sigh through the phone, "and try not to get your ass kicked like last time."

"For the record, I was exhausted that night-."

"If you're gonna fight him, call me. I'll send a suit to help out, for deli stores everywhere," Tony interrupted, and Peter thought he laughed to himself.

"Where are you, Mr.Stark?" Peter asked curiously, and he looked over to see that Ned was staring at him in utter glee.

"Bali. You should think about coming over some time. It's spectacular this time of year," Peter's mentor answered. Sometimes Peter wondered if Mr.Stark remembered that he was still in high school. He didn't seem to care when he shipped Peter to Germany to fight for something he still to this day didn't completely understand.

"Okay, Mr.Stark. But I promise, everything is fine. I've got it covered," Peter assured him, hoping that Tony would believe him.

"If you're sure. Tell May I said hi," and without another word, Tony hung up. Peter put his phone down and saw Ned still gaping at him.

"Was that... Iron Man?" Ned asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, but it was nothing. Just checking up on me," Peter replied, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Oooh, continuity alert," Michelle's voice cut in, her tone sarcastic and teasing. The boys looked over to see her leaned forward in her seat, watching them intensely, "You do realize other people have the ability to hear, right?"

"Why you gotta eavesdrop?" Ned asked, and Michelle laughed mockingly.

"It's not eavesdropping if I don't have to try," she answered, and she looked at Peter expectantly, raising an eyebrow whilst smirking.

"Uh, it's hard to explain," Peter replied, not knowing exactly how he would explain.

The bus came to a stop, and a sly smile crossed Michelle's lips, making Peter very nervous. It wasn't a nice, heartwarming smile. This was a telling one, one that seemed to know everything about him.

As the students began to get off, Ned completely abandoned him, scurrying off the bus like a frightened squirrel. Peter was waiting for Michelle to move, since she seemed to be running away from him all day. But she didn't run this time. In fact, she got up right when he did, and they faced each other in the narrow aisle.

"Nothing's too hard to explain," she told him, giving him an aloof look, "but then again, you come up with excuses all the time, right Webs?"

He was left in stunned silence as she briskly walked away, leaving the bus with the last few students. But Peter stood there for so long that the bus driver actually yelled at him to get off. He moved like his whole body was numb, stepping onto the sidewalk in a daze.

She knows, was all his internal monologue would echo through his head.

Michelle knew and, to be honest, he shouldn't have been surprised.

Yeah, so now they both know she knows. This was tough to write cause I had no idea how to, you know, write it. But yeah, 16 is here! And trust me, it's gonna get a lot better. These next few chapters are gonna be awesome. I'm pumped!

~Fargone5