From Worlds Apart - Marvel FanFiction

IV - Operation: Find out if Ned knows

I raised one eyebrow at Nick.

"What's the problem, sir?"

"There have been many attacks in Queens," he explained, taking a seat on the velvet armchair. "And even some murders. We've gathered its from some sort of gang, but we're not entirely sure."

I could see what was coming, though I still acted as if I didn't know.

"What is this to do with me?" I inquired.

"We want you to look into it," he replied, staring at me. I sighed, folding my arms.

"I want to concentrate on school, if I'm honest, not fighting crime. Can't the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man deal with this?"

"We don't know what his take on this is," Nick explained.

"Then why don't you ask him?" I protested, looking at Tony.

"He's only a kid," Tony said. I studied him.

"So am I."

"Look, Dakota," Nick cut in, "you don't have to put a massive effort in looking into this. Just, keep your eye out, okay? And deal with any problems you find." I looked at them, not being very pleased with the situation they were putting me in. Nat gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Fine," I moaned, "I'll do what I can. But don't expect a whole report every day."

"Thank you dearly, Miss Fell," Nick concluded. "Tell Tony if you see anything suspicious."
I nodded unsurely as he walked past me to leave. The door snapped shut, and I relaxed a little.

"Oh, god dammit!" I shouted, slapping the worktop, making a worrying crack.

"Don't you break that!" Tony replied. "That'll be the next thing I'll have to pay for." I rolled my eyes.
I let myself flop on the sofa.

"I don't want to do this," I said glumly. "The point of going to school was to get away from all this for a while."

Tony looked at me for a moment, then formed a thin smile. He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and sat next to me.

"You'll be fine, kid. I know you. You're strong."
I looked at him wide-eyed, grinning too.
"Thank you," I murmured. He shook his head.
"No problem. Now, run along, get your homework done or whatever."

***
I put 'Operation: Find out if Ned knows' into action as soon as I got into school. I listened to every detail of every conversation we had to try and spot any links, but there were none at all. At first I was really determined, but now... not so much. I sat with my lunch, utterly bored.

"Ariana?" I heard Peter ask, pulling me out of my trance.

"Oh, yeah?" I answered, flustered, "Yeah?"

"You ok?"

"Fine," I replied a little quickly. "Totally fine."

"You've seemed a little down today," Ned added. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, of course. I feel great." I attempted a enthusiastic smile, but it didn't work all that well. I wanted to change the subject.

"What's our next class?"

"Gym," Ned groaned. I laughed at Ned's disappointment. I took a bite of my sandwich, not finding it too bad. Peter seemed to look impressed at that, which made me less paranoid that I looked abnormal.

His attention was diverted, looking at something behind me. I soon realised it was Liz Allan, and Peter was looking, starry-eyed, at her. I smirked, and Ned clicked his fingers to get his attention.
"Stop staring man! It's weird!"