{2} Webbed Soul *Peter Parker*

16 • First Night at Headquarters

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"And you're sure they left the complex?"

"For the thousandth time, yes. Ross' men had bigger firepower than their nine mills so everything went fine—I saw it all."

Tony rubbed his hands over his face in stress as Natasha stood in front him. Her piercing green eyes screamed she had a problem with him and was looking for a fight. But her posture said otherwise as she held herself high with a straight back and crossed arms.

"They're gonna come back there looking for the kids again. Maybe with even bigger firepower. I know Norman, he doesn't take no as an answer if he really wants something. They should stay there until security in the building improves in case he tries anything else."

Natasha watched Tony fidgeting with his hands as he leaned against the glass railing of the training room. He seemed stressed, but it was nothing new for him.

"Tony, what am I doing here," she said, "There's nothing I can do for that girl, you saw what she did to that hospital room, that was something way out of my level. You think I can control her- -?"

"- -Nat, just listen to me on this one," Tony remarked back and faced her, "She's a person who's going through something other people forced her into. If anything, she's right on your level. And with all the power outages going around the city and dealing with Ross, I can't be here 24/7 to help. I wish I could, but I can't."

The redhead sighs, silently turning away from him and looking out the huge glass window. She knew nothing of this girl, yet she's been in the same situation. Used for someone else's devil plans, clueless to how everything worked. She was missing on how to control her abilities though.

"Train her," Tony said, "teach her how to fight for herself at least. I can handle the rest."

Natasha looks down at her shoes, how come she always gave in to people in need? Her old assassinator self would be very disappointed for her heroic acts.

". . .Fine. Just so you know, I'm not doing this for you. This is the last favor, then I'm out of the city."

Tony nodded his head, "doable," and closed his exhausted eyes for a moment. He couldn't believe he was doing this. Taking in not one, but two underaged genetically enhanced kids. Where did his billionaire playboy self go?

"The question is, Stark, who are you doing this for? The Parker kid? Seems like you take care of him like your own if you ask me."

Tony cleared his throat and turned—headed for the exit door. His head down hung slightly down and his pace went faster, "I'm gonna go work on some stuff. Start training with her tomorrow morning."

Natasha saw that as an obvious sign that she was right. She always is.

She was kind of glad the Spider-dude came into Tony's life. He made him somewhat 'grown-up', like an Uncle would to a Nephew. Or a father to a son.