Whatever It Takes

Chapter Ten

The Avengers Tower stood bright and proud in the night. Neon blue light strips announcing its presence to New York City. Happy Hogan jogged around a corner inside, scolding Dummy for handling a Vase. Dummy gave a sad whir as the robot set the vase back down. In the next second, Happy felt his phone buzz in his pocket, and without checking who it was, answered the call with an impatient "yeah?"

Peter and Emma jogged on the other line back towards their apartment where May was sure to wait and question. Peter examined everything in half a breath. "Happy, the craziest thing just happened to us! These guys were robbing an ATM with high tech weapons and Emma and I-" Happy cut him off, quickly scribbling on a clip board handed to him and explaining he had no time. "I have no time for ATMs or robberies or the nice notes you leave. I have moving to worry about, everything's gotta be out of here by next week!"

Peter slowed to a stop and Emma followed. Emma's eyes fixed on Peter as he talked quickly, "wait, moving? You're moving? Who's moving?" Emma wasnt sure which question would be best to answer first.

"Yeah, don't you watch the news? Tony sold Avengers Tower. We're moving to a new facility upstate where, hopefully, the cell service is much worse," Happy insulted. Peter's confusion turned almost to sadness. "But what about us?" He asked. Now Happy sounded confused. "What about you?" He echoed.

"Well if Mr. Stark needs us - I dont know... Can I just please talk to Mr. Stark?" Happy dismissed him immediately. Emma had a feeling he wasnt even around. He didnt seem like the type to enjoy packing boxes and filling U-Hauls. "Look, just stay away from anything dangerous. I'm responsible for making sure you're responsible, okay?"

Peter and Emma skidded into where they had left their bags. Emma sifted in the darkness. Until she found where she had tucked her bag safely. "I'm responsible! Crap... my bag got stolen."

There was a pause. "That's not responsible," Happy said.

"Found mine!" Emma announced. Happy overheard her from the other end. "That's a bit more responsible," he stated.

"I'll call you back," Peter sighed as he shot Emma a glare.

"Feel free not to." Happy bit. The call dropped.

The two carried themselves back to the apartment complex with Emma finally starting to feel the burn in her muscles. They attached to the brick wall and by carefully avoiding windows, made it to their own. They would have made it. They would have been in the clear.

If it weren't for Ned being in Peter's room already, that is.

From her bedroom, Emma heard what she next learned to be the bones of the Lego Death Star clatter to the floor. She pressed the black spider on her chest and felt the suit fall from her body, hiding it away again and praying Peter hadnt tripped getting out of his suit again. The last time that happened, may nearly found out. She wrestled on her pants and sweater once more and crept through the hallway into her brothers room. As she shut the door quick but silent behind her, she found Ned Leeds sitting on the bed, a look of something beyond bewilderment plastered on his face and his eyes flicking between the two. The room somehow became more silent as Aunt May called from the other side of the door. "What was that?!"

"Nothing, it was nothing!" Peter quickly dismissed. By the time Ned finally spoke, Emma wondered how many flies he had caught with his jaw on the floor so long. Peter's suit was still hanging off of him and neither of the two boys seemed to take note of the fact that Peter now stood in his checkered boxers.

"You're the Spider Man. From YouTube."

"No, no I'm not!" Peter stammered. Emma's heart skipped when Ned then turned to her, getting excited in his realization. "And she's the Ghost Spider! How have you stayed out of the cameras? And why? You guys are so cool!" Ned's gushing came in waves that Emma could barely keep up with. She kept a worried and scared gaze on Peter. Not of Ned. But the fact that someone else in general now knew.