Spider-Man of Earth 65

Felix did not have to sleep. He didn't need to because of Extremis. But he did have to pretend. He kept his ears open and his Spider-Sense at the ready.

Nothing came through the night, however. SHIELD was purely watching him from their wiretaps and cameras.

It was time.

Felix groaned as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of his apartment. For today, he needed to be normal. Normal was safe. Normal would keep eyes off him.

The city was already alive with the noise of traffic and distant sirens. He trudged into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face before staring at his reflection in the mirror. The man staring back at him looked tired, dark circles under his eyes betraying restless nights. He brushed his teeth, the mechanical motions grounding him as he mentally prepared for the day ahead.

The shower came next. He toweled himself and dressed himself with a fitted dress shirt and dark slacks—Felix adjusted his collar in the mirror before grabbing his bag. Just as he was about to lock the door behind him, the opposing unit opened up.

"Oh, Felix! Going to work?" Ah, good ol' Rio. As pretty as ever.

Felix eyed her up and down. "You're a bit late."

"Ah, well…I had a doctor's appointment. I want to teach at least half a day," Rio said, smiling. 

"Gotta get that bag."

"Yep."

They smiled and walked out, talking along the way. Rio spoke during most of the conversation, talking about how Miles was talking about saving up and going to another concert. Felix joked and said maybe he would become a musician himself. Rio wore the disapproving biggest frown on her face. Felix laughed at it.

"See you later, Felix!"

"Bye-bye."

Rio had her own car, of course, so Felix was left to his own devices.

On the sidewalk, he flagged down a taxi. As soon as he slipped into the backseat, the heavy silence wrapped around him. No subtle buzz of his Spider-Sense. SHIELD wasn't watching him here.

'Probably waiting for me at Oscorp.'

Stay calm, look casual, be normal. That was the way to be today. More than being a suspect of a murder case, he couldn't let them know he was Spider-Man. The sheer amount of international attention would eclipse a double-murder.

When the taxi pulled up in front of Oscorp Tower, the monolithic building loomed above.

He paid the driver, stepped out, and let the usual crowd of employees sweep him into the lobby. The air was thick with the muted buzz of conversation and the sterile smell of polished marble. The walls were sleek, reflective, and gave nothing away. Felix couldn't help but feel a chill as he passed through the revolving doors.

"Felix." Czarina's lovely voice cut through the noise as he passed her desk. She was wearing an awfully low cut shirt. And sitting the way she did, well…pretty much anyone that passed by her did some ogling. Felix excluded since he was a bit tense. "Dr. Octavius wants you in B3. Everyone else is already there."

Felix nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Czarina."

The elevator doors slid open, and he stepped in, pressing the button for the third basement level. The ride down was smooth, but the drop in his stomach felt deeper than the floor numbers suggested. He mentally braced himself for whatever Dr. Olivia Octavius had to say. 

Because it could only be one thing. She was a SHIELD agent. She knew he was a suspect. At this point, after a whole night, she had to know.

He stepped out and found himself face-to-face with Kavita Rao, Bobbi Morse, and Maya Hansen, who were gathered around the office desk at the far back. He came here here and there and sometimes forgot how big it was.

"Felix," Bobbi greeted, her tone clipped as usual. 

Maya, always with a kind smile, raised a hand in casual acknowledgement.

"Glad you could join us," Kavita added, arms and legs crossed.

Felix stood with them, smiling and waving. "Hey, everyone."

Dr. Octavius was already seated and eerily silent. Her hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and the faintest glimmer of exhaustion lined her sharp eyes. She placed a data pad on the table and looked at each of them in turn.

"I have news," the head of their department said. "Alistair Smythe has passed away."

The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of machinery and the ticking of a distant clock.

"What…?" Kavita slammed a hand. "What did you—"

"I received the report this morning. I'm sorry."

Silence again. The ladies didn't know what to say. The expected other news, perhaps an update on their human testing. But this? This…

"His work, his…how did he die? Did someone kill him?"

"The police are investigating."

"Investigating?"

"From the sound of it, there were...strange circumstances around it."

Slam! "So someone did kill him!" Kavita yelled. "Who!? A mercenary? An assassin!?"

Dr. Octavius closed and opened her eyes. "I get you're stressed but—"

"Stressed? Stressed!? Oscorp Tower was fucking attacked and Reed died! An Oscorp facility blew up and almost killed a couple of our people! And now…now this!? Don't bullshit us, Liv! What the fuck is happening here!?"

"That's why…" A sigh left her, already knowing how they would react. "Oscorp is asking for your silence in this matter."

"Seriously? Fucking…seriously?" Kavita leaned back, arms crossed and her glare at full power. The brown woman's sentiments weren't unfounded either. The others, even Felix, agreed.

"I'm a professional," Maya said gently. "We all are but…Liv, I have to admit…I don't feel safe."

"Please." The department head raised a hand. "Please don't say you'll quit."

"Give us assurance," Kavita said. "Give us guards or some information or anything! Being quiet and making us work and making us sign NDAs…that's not the way to go about this. I got on board because I trusted you. Admired you. This shit…this secrecy…I hate it. I want information. I want to know what's going on?"

The tension crackled. 

Liv's voice broke the silence with a sigh and a non-answer. "Alistair left explicit instructions that there would be no funeral. He wanted to be cremated—nothing more, nothing less."

A long pause. A long staredown between Olivia Octavius and Kavita Rao. A superior and a scientist.

"Is this really Alistair's wishes? Or is it Oscorp?" the Indian woman asked quietly.

Liv finally glared up at Kavita. "Don't go there. Alistair was my friend as much he was yours."

Kavita scoffed, "Yeah, right," and stormed off. The elevator closed with a ding. No one stopped her.

"I'm sorry," Bobbi said. "When she gets like that…it will take a while."

"It's fine." Liv leaned back, arms dangling from the chair and visibly exhausted. "I understand her. Just…you're the leader. Keep an eye on her. I really don't want to be dealing with anything crazy from a friend."

Bobbi nodded. "Understood." As always, she was calm, cool, and collected. 

A moment of silence followed, each person retreating into their own thoughts. For Felix, memories of the two of them talking on the elevator. Everyday, he saw him. Everyday, he silently thanked him for his powers.

Now, he was gone.

"We have more pressing matters."

The world wouldn't stop for grief—not in Oscorp's hallowed halls. 

"Project Rebirth II," Liv continued, bringing up a slideshow on the large screen behind her. "We've received blood samples from our human tester."

The slide show went on to show complex charts of blood cell structures, proteins, and genetic markers. Felix's analytical mind switched gears.

'This is…Luke's blood?'

Felix gestured for her to keep going. With a tap of the spacebar, the slides switched. 

"Huh…"

Everyone looked at him weirdly, albeit Olivia seemed to expect it.

"This... this blood is incredible," he said, almost reverently. Slide after slide flashed the screen. Felix read everything. "Compatible with all major blood types, enhanced regenerative properties, and high cellular oxygen retention."

"Meaning…?" Dr. Octavius asked.

"Whoever has this blood isn't just compatible with the super soldier serum—you might be able to inject…" The slide appeared. "...yeah, they're going to be leagues beyond Captain Wilson."

A silence settled over them again as the implication sank in. Felix had researched Extremis with Reed. He knew blood, types of blood, how it interacted, etc, like the back of his hand. The blood of Luke Cage was far from ordinary.

"At least that's why my theory," Felix added.

"Alright," Liv said. "Enough theorizing. We need to run simulations and prepare for the next phase. Let's move."

***

So that was how he spent the day. Running simulations and confirming the mutations in Luke Cage's blood. 

The sterile hum of the lab enveloped them as they spent the remainder of the day running simulations on Luke Cage's blood samples. The data was as astounding as it was unsettling. Felix watched intently as yet another graph pinged with the results confirming the near-impervious nature of Cage's cellular makeup. Every test result proved their theory: whoever possessed this blood was capable of feats beyond any enhanced individual on record.

"We're going to need a piece of his hair, saliva, and semen too," Felix said curtly, not lifting his eyes from the screen where the results continued to scroll.

"I'll put in the request," Bobbi replied, scribbling notes into her data pad with a sharp nod. She glanced at him. "You seemed revved up. What's..."

Revved up because of the blood? Because of Alistair's death? Because of Kavita? The tension at Oscorp? It wasn't a stupid question but it was a dumb one in nature. There was so much going for everyone now.

"...nevermind." Bobbi clapped a hand together. "Look, Felix, go home. Get some rest. You've done enough."

"And Kavita?" The woman had been completely immersed in her work, the same way he was, except she was tense from the grief of death. She was acting normal.

Felix was…not. He just wasn't. Knowing this blood belonged to a good man. Knowing that there was a murder mystery. Knowing he was being watched.

He had to juggle so, so much.

"I'll take care of her. I am your leader, after all." Bobbi flashed a rare smile. 

"Thank you."

Felix saved the last batch of data and logged out, stretching his stiff muscles before grabbing his bag. He gave one last wave before stepping into the elevator.

The ride up felt longer than usual.

As the elevator doors opened into the gleaming lobby, Czarina greeted him with her distracting cleavage. "You're out early."

"I do good work." Felix smiled faintly, weakly. Czarina might be a SHIELD agent after all. He was yet to confirm it. "Plus, the smell."

Czarina smiled back. "At least it didn't rub off on you. You always smell good."

"Haha, thanks."

Felix headed outside, the cool evening air biting at his face. The skyscrapers stood tall against a darkening sky that was slowly filling with stars. The streets buzzed with the rush of people heading home. 

He slipped his phone out of his pocket and dialed Aaron Davis's number. The phone rang twice before the thief picked up.

In that moment, his Spider-Sense went off. Someone was eavesdropping with bad intentions.

"Hey, Felix," Aaron greeted. "What's happening?"

"Sorry, man." He feigned the grief of an ordinary. "It's just…something happened."

Aaron was genuinely confused. "Okay…?" 

"I'm heading over to your place," Felix said, rising from the grief. "Hope you've got that pole warmed up. I want to forget about today and yesterday."

There was a pause, just long enough for Aaron to understand. "Of course, man. Doors open."

"I'll be there in an hour. Gotta get coffee first."

"Coffee before drinks? Seriously?"

"I need a second before I go blackout drunk."

"That bad, huh? I won't ask."

The message was sent. Aaron Davis understood.

Felix hung up and flagged down another taxi, slipping inside and giving the address. The driver nodded and pulled away from the curb. Felix's eyes scanned the street through the window, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He knew that SHIELD and the NYPD had eyes everywhere. The city was a web, and he was stuck in the center of it.

He stayed at a local coffee shop. The whole time, his Spider-Sense was buzzing. He called his next taxi. The Spider-Sense alert was gone.

When the taxi arrived at Aaron's penthouse, his Spider-Sense tingled again.

'They're already here. Knew it.'

SHIELD was following everywhere he went and planning ahead of the curve too. 

'Well, guess what?'

Felix took the elevator up, listening to the faint, distant thump of music. Aaron Davis lived at a penthouse. He lived in a place that SHIELD could not infiltrate. If they wanted to watch him, it would have to be through binoculars and security cameras.

Felix smiled. The elevator door opened.

'I'm further ahead of you.'

This was no longer a normal penthouse. After that little message…

"Drink! Drink! Drink!"

It was a makeshift strip club party. At a pole was a dark-skinned man pouring champagne into the throat of a white woman. Everyone was clapping. Everyone was cheering. 

The two were naked.

This was a proper fuck party.

Yelena Belova was waiting for him like a prostitute hoping to find work on the street, dressed in a form-fitting dress that shimmered under the neon lights, her hair and makeup making her nearly unrecognizable. She played her role well, exuding the carefree allure of a party girl as she approached Felix with a sly smile.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show," Yelena purred, looping her arm around his and pressing close, the scent of her perfume sharp and intoxicating. She pulled him into the room, the chaos of music, laughter, and strobe lights washing over him.

"Who's tailing you," Yelena whispered into his ear, her lips brushing his skin.

See, with a mission of such importance, back-ups and secret messages were vital. What he told Aaron Davis was one of them. Felix was being tailed and Felix needed to tell them something.

Throwing a party and hiring strippers and going wild was normal guy stuff in New York. So SHIELD would not suspect anything when he went here. Not at all.

Felix kept his smile steady, tilting his head as if responding to a flirtatious comment. "SHIELD and NYPD," he said softly. "Two people were found dead at a coworker's house. Alistair Smythe and Eleanor Bishop. I'm one of the main suspects."

Yelena's eyes flickered with recognition, her pupils narrowing like a predator sensing danger. "Eleanor Bishop? Our Eleanor Bishop?" she asked, tightening her grip on his arm. Her act didn't falter as she leaned her body into his, playing the part while ensuring their conversation remained private amidst the noise.

Felix nodded, the image of Eleanor's lifeless body flashing through his mind. "She was stabbed. Alistair was shot," he confirmed. He felt Yelena's breath hitch ever so slightly, her composure breaking for the briefest moment before she smoothed it over.

"Who's the other suspect?" Yelena asked, glancing at the room full of people who were either blissfully unaware or strategically positioned. The music pounded around them, a perfect cover for their hushed conversation. Very loud and full of slutty men and women.

"A butler named Yuri Watanabe," Felix replied. He took a drink from a passing tray, taking a sip before adding, "But I don't think it's her."

They walked. They were silent until Yelena said, "Aw, Feliiix~! You shouldn't!" She giggled and pressed herself to him, momentarily stopping their walk.

The press of her body against his was meant to appear seductive, but Felix could feel the tension coiled within her. "And why don't you think it's her?" she asked.

Felix took a deep breath, leaning closer to Yelena as if to share a secret. "I'll explain when we have more privacy," he said. "I want you, Aaron, and Maria to hear everything."

Yelena separated from Aaron and giggled, strolling ahead while holding his hand. She was still playing her part to perfection as they strolled through the penthouse to the wide glass doors that overlooked the rooftop pool. Below, the scene was meticulously arranged chaos—bronzed men and bikini-clad women lounged and laughed, splashing water and sipping colourful drinks. All hired actors. Or most. Honestly, he didn't know. This was all Aaron and Yelena, after all.

"Is that guy serious?" Felix joked, nodding to the pool where one guy in sunglasses was flexing so hard his veins looked ready to burst.

"Jealous of his muscles, my big bad hunk?" Yelena squeezed his biceps. "Don't be. You're big enough for me—

"Felix!"

Aaron's voice boomed across the rooftop like a football coach calling out a late player. Dressed in the most glamorous purple tuxedo Felix had ever seen, Aaron waved a drink in one hand, the other wrapped around the waist of a woman with platinum-blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and makeup so expertly applied it took Felix a full second to recognize her as Maria Hill.

"My man!" Aaron continued, with a grin that could outshine the Manhattan skyline. He dragged Maria along as he stomped over. "You're late! We were just about to start the real fun."

Felix pasted a grin on his face, trying to suppress a laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of the situation. Maria went away from Aaron and slid her arm around Felix's waist, opposite to Yelena. "Mmm, Felix," Maria purred, batting false eyelashes. "Where have they been hiding you? You look hotter than a summer blackout."

Aaron waggled his eyebrows. "All right, all right, settle down. Or don't—because I have an idea. How about we all head to the back room for some... quality time?" He glanced around as if checking for potential eavesdroppers, though the suggestion itself was loud enough to turn heads.

Felix almost laughed, trying to keep it together. 'I can't believe we're actually going with this stupid idea.'

"I'm done if you're down, brother."

"Exactly, exactly," Aaron said, throwing an arm over Felix's shoulder and leaning in conspiratorially. "Everyone knows you're the biggest man in the room... second only to me, of course. We'll plow these bitches till they can't scream our names, haha!"

Yelena's eyes lit up with mischief and she snorted before playing along. "Pffft, please. Felix makes you look like a scared puppy in a bath, Aaron. His dick is huuuge!" 

"My dick is huger!"

"That's not a word," Felix chimed in.

"Actually, it is." Aaron smirked. "It's a comparative adjective."

"Look at you, a fuckboy and an English teacher."

"Don't underestimate street education, brother—or street dick."

"Men, men, please. No fighting." Maria clutched her chest, pretending to swoon. "We're going to have to find out, aren't we?" She looped her arm through Felix's, guiding him toward the private room at the back of the penthouse. Yelena's laughter echoed behind them and she did the same with Aaron. 

Felix could feel the stares of a few hired "guests" who were either confused or intrigued. This stupid plan worked. They reached the bar and the backroom behind it.

The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Maria's playful smirk fell away. The backroom had barrels and all the typical items and furniture to host drinks. No bartender was formally hired. The person up front was some dude that parlor tricks. 

The private detective reached into her clutch and pulled out a phone, tapping a button, and placed it next to the door. Loud, over-the-top moans filled the room, the kind that would've made an infomercial director cringe. Felix blinked at the sudden change, then covered his face with his hand.

"You were able to pull that up way too fast," he said.

"It is called being prepared," Maria said. "We've got about thirty minutes of 'convincing audio,' so make it count."

The audio was loud and obnoxious and raving with comments BBCs and BWCs. Typical stuff that would serve as a great cover for them. If anyone tried listening in, they would come out thinking Aaron Davis and Felix Faeth were sex gods.

Aaron's playful exterior also vanished, replaced by a steely seriousness. He crossed his arms, eyes locked on Felix. "Okay, man. Spill. What's going on?"

Felix glanced at Yelena, who was now perched on the edge of a table, arms crossed but eyes watchful. She nodded for him to continue. "Two people were killed," Yelena said, cutting to the chase. "Alistair Smythe, an Oscorp employee, and Eleanor Bishop. Yes, that Eleanor Bishop."

"How…I should have heard…"

"SHIELD is involved. Might be that," Felix said. "Eleanor was stabbed, Alistair was shot. One was apart of the Kingpin's operations and another was a vital part of Oscorp. And before you ask, yes, I'm a suspect. But it's not about me right now."

Aaron's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice even. "You better not be the fall guy here, Felix."

"I might depending on how things go" Felix said, taking a breath. He looked each of them in the eye before continuing. "There's something the police saw on the cameras. Something I saw too."

Yelena leaned in, brows knitting together. "What did you see?"

"On the security footage...I saw Kate Bishop carrying her mother Eleanor into the mansion."