Monday morning was sheer torture for Peter. Getting up was hard, he still had to go to school, and worse yet, S.H.I.E.L.D. was recruiting him.
On his way to school, he used his personal Scanning Adapter to scan the folder Fury had given him, reviewing the terms page by page.
The terms were simple: S.H.I.E.L.D. would provide top-tier training, and he would carry out missions for them. He could specify the skills he wanted to learn-technology, combat, tactics, and so on-and dedicated agents would train him. Once he met the standards, they would send him straight out on missions.
Honestly, Peter couldn't find a reason to refuse. Patrolling the streets every night really did wear him out, and with official resources backing him, his efficiency would definitely double. As for Hydra lurking within S.H.I.E.L.D., he was well aware of that, but for now, the benefits of this deal outweighed the drawbacks.
His only concern was that he didn't want to give up his right to patrol New York. He would have to discuss that with Fury.
Walking into the classroom, Peter switched off the SA. He didn't want some classmate with wandering hands stumbling onto classified S.H.I.E.L.D. documents.
"Yo, Parker, what's that thing you've got?" Flash came over.
"A Scanning Adapter." Peter didn't even look up.
"What's it do?"
"Scans any document and converts it to a digital format."
"Pretty cool. Where'd you buy it?"
"I made it myself."
Harry came over, his eyes lighting up. "You made it yourself? That's seriously impressive."
Peter couldn't be bothered with their attempts to get chummy.
"Parker, are you going to homecoming on Friday? Or do you think you're too cool for it?" Surrounded by a group of bad girls, Flash turned to tease him.
"Haven't decided," Peter said noncommittally.
"You're definitely asking Felicia, right? She kissed you, so she's obviously into you."
Peter shrugged. "Maybe."
"Relax, man. If I had a girl that hot, I wouldn't want to leave her for a second." Flash grinned.
"Your actual girlfriend is glaring at you over there." Peter pointed at Liz, who looked ready to explode.
Harry piled on from the sidelines, making everyone burst out laughing. Peter just found these hangers-on annoying.
"Get lost." Felicia pushed everyone aside as if shooing away flies and sat beside Peter. She swept a cold glance over the group, then gave Peter a slight nod.
"Anyway, Peter, you have to come on Friday. Flash is taking Liz, and Harry's taking Mary Jane. It'll definitely be fun." Harry was still rambling.
Peter raised an eyebrow and looked at Mary Jane. She rubbed her forehead and gave a slight nod. Peter was a little surprised that Harry could actually be so polite to her.
"I'll think about it." Peter sent Harry away, then turned to Felicia. "What are your plans for the dance?"
"Why do you ask?" Felicia's smile was a little sly.
"Because I want to ask you to go with me, and have dinner together while we're at it." Peter looked straight into her eyes.
Felicia tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear, the corners of her mouth lifting. "Since you've asked, sure, let's go."
Peter's smile widened. "Great. How about dinner first?"
"Sure. You're finally making good on the date you owe me." Felicia winked.
Peter was about to speak when a woman wearing a black pencil skirt and a blue blouse walked into the classroom. Her red hair was curly, and she had a figure as hot as a model's.
Natasha Romanoff. Black Widow.
She had come to monitor him.
"Good morning. I'm Natasha Rushman, and I'll be substituting until Mr. Dunk recovers." She smiled as she surveyed the class, her gaze lingering on Peter for an extra second.
The boys were all whistling. Only Peter felt unnerved. This woman was an elite agent who could kill everyone in this classroom without batting an eye.
The lesson ended quickly. Natasha's analysis of literature really did have depth. When the bell rang, the boys reluctantly left, while Peter stayed behind. Felicia glanced at him and tactfully left first.
"Mr. Parker, is there something you need?" Natasha asked with a smile.
"I thought Fury was giving me time to think." Peter got straight to the point.
Natasha blinked. "Sorry, I don't understand what you're talking about. Who's Fury?"
Peter rolled his eyes. "Drop the act. The previous teacher's only been in the hospital for two days, and you're already here to fill the vacancy? This school doesn't work that efficiently."
"I just happened to be applying..."
Without warning, Peter threw a punch at her face.
Natasha's gaze sharpened. She instinctively twisted aside, caught his arm, and slammed him onto the floor with a clean shoulder throw.
Peter stood up, rubbing his shoulder, and grinned. "Pretty quick reactions, teach."
The warmth on Natasha's face vanished instantly, replaced by cold scrutiny. "Fury said you were fast, but I didn't expect you to be this fast."
"Thanks. Born gifted. Now I'd suggest keeping your distance, unless you want people thinking you're hooking up with a student on your first day." Peter brushed off his jacket.
The corner of Natasha's mouth twitched slightly, as though she found him somewhat amusing.
"I read the contract. I can accept it, but I have two conditions." Peter dropped his smile.
"Go on."
"First, I want to retain the authority to protect New York. I understand there'll be missions elsewhere, but whenever this city is in danger, I have to be able to come back. I won't sabotage a mission, but I can't just abandon it."
Natasha nodded. "Reasonable. And the second?"
"I like inventing things. Can Fury provide research and development funding? Who owns the rights to what I make?"
"You'll have to ask Fury about that, but I'll pass your requests along." Natasha resumed her professional smile. "If there's nothing else, Mr. Parker, you should head to your next class."
The door opened, and the next group of students walked in. Peter wished her a good day, then turned and left.
All day, he felt as though someone was secretly watching him, but he couldn't find any cameras, so he could only chalk it up to his imagination.
At lunch, he carried his tray to a corner and sat across from Felicia.
"Hey, tiger." Felicia was quite pleased with his nickname for her. "I think you've earned the right to give me a nickname now."
"Really? Any requirements?"
"You decide." She lowered her head to eat her salad.
Peter stared at the fork in her hand. A black cat was printed on its handle.
"Then how about... kitten?" He deliberately lowered his voice, saying the word with a slightly husky tone.
Felicia froze, looking up in surprise. "Why are you calling me that?"
"The cat on your fork." Peter pointed. "I think you're pretty catlike. Aloof, smart, and especially graceful. So, kitten?"
"Damn you, Parker." She gritted her teeth, but the tips of her ears reddened.
"What's wrong, kitten? Don't like it?"
"No... call me whatever you want." She muttered and went back to eating, clearly left with her heart racing by that low-voiced nickname.
After school, Peter spent an hour in a study group with the two girls, then headed to the dojo.
"Peter, you're my most outstanding student. You've learned more here than I did in years. Is there really no way you can continue?" Colleen Wing's face was full of regret.
"Sorry, teacher. My family needs money. I have to put taking care of them first," Peter explained, telling a half-truth.
"That really is a shame." A middle-aged man's voice came from the doorway.
The newcomer wore a suit and had a neatly trimmed beard. Peter recognized him at a glance.
A master of the Hand, Bakuto.
"Master Bakuto!" Colleen bowed respectfully. "This is Peter Parker, my best student. Unfortunately, he's leaving."
Bakuto looked at Peter kindly. "Mr. Peter, could you tell me why?"
Peter cursed inwardly. This old fox wanted to brainwash him into a mindless thug.
"I need to earn money for college," Peter said without a change in expression.
"If that's the case, my organization would be happy to offer you a full scholarship, as long as you perform well." Bakuto dangled the bait.
Beside him, Colleen excitedly explained that it was a very wealthy nonprofit organization.
"Thank you, but I don't think that would be fair to everyone else." Peter met Bakuto's gaze. "People like Marcus need that money more. I just need some cash. Don't worry about me."
"You're wasting your talent, Mr. Peter."
"I'd rather waste it than have my family sacrifice everything for me," Peter shot back coldly. "Sorry. Goodbye."
He turned and left. Colleen called after him, but he didn't look back, running straight out of the dojo.