A Little Mother Daughter Talk

Now that Serena was a Junior in high school Isabella thought it was time to feel her out for...certain things. She knew her daughter was a responsible woman but she just felt she needed to have a frank talk with her. Especially after how she goes on about this Peter Parker who she had yet to bring over. She had brought over some of her other friends but not Peter, not yet. She thought it likely that Peter might be intimidated by her having superhero parents. But she wanted to know in either case, how her only child was doing.

She was right there in the living room, reading a magazine when Serena came home. She rose set down the magazine then watched Serena come in. Taking a moment to even scrutinize her mood. She smiled as Serena approached her, her backpack hung off of her shoulder. It was near the end of October, nearing Halloween and Serena wore her leather jacket.

“Serena, can we...talk?” Isabella said. Her mother was wearing blue jeans and a beige sweater with black pumps. It had been a while since they had spoken. They were so busy that they were usually like 2 ships passing in the night. A brief, hello or goodbye with a hug and little more than that. Serena was still one of the top students and both her and Tony had thought allowing her to attend Midtown had turned out to be an excellent idea. Isabella guided her away from the main living room, the acoustics allowed voices to carry and moved with Serena to her bedroom. She smiled as she saw Serena silently searching her mind trying to figure out what she could have done lately to garner a talking to. It almost made her chuckle. Isabella’s mother had done the same to her several times so she knew exactly how Serena felt right now. She shut the door behind them then moved to take a seat on the couch. Once she saw Serena seat she smiled at her.

“How is my daughter doing these days? We’ve barely had a chance to talk. You and Peter still a thing?” She asked as if she were just making smalltalk but he was actually one of the major subjects she wanted to touch on right then.

For Serena the past few years had gone by so quickly. She was really enjoying going to Midtown High School and was already thinking about MIT after she graduated. She and Peter were still extremely close but they still weren’t a couple, though everyone at school thought they should be. They were always laughing and smiling when they were around each other and they hung out together all the time. She, Harry, and Peter were the smartest students at the school and therefore spent a lot of time together and were highly competitive.

Things between Harry and herself were tense for a while but after a time things began to relax. She dated a few guys, but Peter was the number one guy in her life (besides her father of course). It was a few weeks out from Halloween and Serena was already planning her costume for the party she, Peter, and Harry had been invited to. When she came into the Tower that afternoon she found her mother there in the living room. She was a little surprised when her mother asked to talk to her. She couldn’t recall doing anything wrong. She walked with her mother back into her bedroom and put down her backpack and took off her leather jacket. She sat down on the edge of her bedroom and looked at her mother.

“Sorry, I’ve just been crazy busy lately.” She smiled and blushed a little when her mother mentioned Peter. “We aren’t a thing. We’re just friends right now.”

Isabella chuckled and relaxed back on the couch. “Well then you might want to learn how to force your eyes not to sparkle like that when you talk about him,” She said delightedly. “A smart thing your doing, continuing to date. There are so many people in the world, you never know who you’ll meet. Or when,,” she said all smiles. “I didn’t even really like your father when we met. It took time to ‘wean’ him from his ‘inhibitions’ but he came around,” She said. “What I wanted to talk to you about was, you know protection. I’d advise you to start taking the pill,” he suggested. “It won’t stop diseases but it will help you regulate and if you do decide to ‘take things to another level’ well, it will protect you then as well,” She said. She pointed to her nightstand.

"I put some reading material for you in your nightstand," She said. "If you have time, I mean," She said.

Serena blushed a little more when her mother pointed out how her eyes sparkled when she talked about Peter. She did love him, but she wasn’t going to admit that to her mother. She wanted that knowledge to remain between Peter and herself a little longer. However that blush deepened when her mother mentioned her going on the pill. She wasn’t sexually active, but she knew that would eventually change with Peter. She wanted him to be her first. She glanced at her nightstand and saw the brochures.

“I’m not...I mean I haven’t...but I guess it would be a good idea.”

“Alright we’ll get you an appointment and get you all set up, ok?” Isabella said. “Now I know the prom is a ways a way yet, next year but we should start thinking about what kind of dress you want. Now I know you like ‘simple’ but I can tell you with absolute certainty, we don’t have to ‘be’ simple for this. I was thinking of taking the jet to France, Italy, Chicago, where ever you wanted to look for dresses. And we have New York as well, which is very big for that. I’m not trying to rush you into it but prom can be a big deal and with so many students looking for dresses, the earlier we do this the better off we’ll be. We both know your figure isn’t going to change anytime soon. You look like you’ve lost some weight though, you eating enough?” She asked concernedly. “If not I can remedy that by putting more things for you to take to class,” Isabella said.

Serena wasn't sure how soon things between Peter and herself were going to change, but it was better to be prepared than not. Serena took off her boots and was then surprised again by her mother when she began to mention prom dresses. Serena already knew that she and Peter would be going together. They had made a promise to each other over this past summer while star gazing one night. She hadn't thought about prom much since then since it was a year and a half away at this point. She could see how excited her mother was though and figured it wouldn't hurt to go out looking at least.

"Yeah, I'm eating enough," she assured her mother. "I've just been running around a lot lately and training some with Kate. I really like her. Do you think she and Steve will get married?"

Isabella didn’t really need much time to think about that. She knew both Steve and Kate very well. “Well, Steve has some very difficult patches to hoe. I think he’s still partially in love with Peggy. A woman who lived in the 40s with him. He loved her dearly and has a difficult time loving another woman. I can honestly say that if tony did not love me so much I’d likely not be here right now,” Isabella said. It was all true ofcourse. Tony had actually traveled back in time to save her. But what he had to pay for that he never said and would never say, most likely. She was still thankful for it though. Isabella was able to raise her daughter and love and be loved for all these years.

“I dont mean to change the subject Serena but...why haven’t you brought Peter to dinner or to lunch or just to meet us? Tony isn’t one of those men that will clean his gun and threaten him. Though I certainly feel that way sometimes about you. Peter has to be something special if you’re this into him. But we trust your judgement,” She said.

Serena hopes that things would work out for Steve and Kate. She liked Kate quite a bit and thought she was a good match for Steve. He had been so lonely until he met Kate. He already seemed happier.

She looked at her mom when she brought up Peter again. She sighed a little. “I’ve asked him, but to be honest I think he’s a bit intimidated. He’s a huge fan of the Avengers and I think he’s rather nervous about the idea. I will ask him again though. I would like you both to meet him. He’s really a great guy and is really smart. I know you guys would like him.”

Isabella remained relaxed outwardly but what she had to say next made her more than a little uneasy. Akker Maget AKA Pharaoh was being considered as an avenger applicant. Isabella was his largest critic mainly because she had read his files and seen one of his psychotic episodes. He was crazy in her estimation but she had been ruled out by the others. Thus they were giving him a chance. Burlr she wanted Serena to stay away from him regardless.

“There is something else Serena I wanted to talk to you about. We’re considering someone new for the Avengers. His name is Akker Maget and his hero name is Pharoah. His is literally thousands of years old and I won’t go into more details because you’re going to stay clear of him,” she said plainly.

Serena had gotten off her bed and was standing in front of her dresser mirror brushing her hair when her mother told her about Akker Maget. She blinked a little when her mother told her to stay away from him. Her mother had never told her something like this before.

“May I ask why I need to stay away from him?”

Isabella looked over toward the mirror where Serena was brushing out her hair. She shifted on the couch and stood up. Her face was a mask of seriousness and her tone had an edginess to it.

“Because he’s unstable in his mind and because I’m asking you to. He’s been through a lot. Steve and your father think he needs us but it doesn’t mean that I am comfortable with this. Nor you being near him,” she said. When she saw Serena looking at herself and not her she hardened her tone. “This is important Serena, please do as I ask,” she said.

Serena sighed and looked over at her mother. She finally nodded. “Ok,” was all she said.

Later that night Serena lay in bed and she pulled out her phone. Because of his job Peter was now able to afford a cell phone. She began a new message to him. “Hey. So my mom talked to me today and she said that she and dad really want to meet you. If you come over for dinner I swear I will make sure they don’t embarrass us or make you uncomfortable. However, if you really don’t want to I’m cool with that. I just figured it might be better to just get this over with so they will get off my back about it.”

Peter was ofcourse swinging as his phone went off. Texts and calls from Serena had a special ring to them so he knew it was her when his phone beeped. He swung from one side of the street to the other then back again as he moved along down the street. He saw a perch high up on top of a tall building and swung himself that way. He landed softly, his feet and hands gripped the bricks of a church and he stepped into the steeple through an open window. He lifted up his mask just far enough so he could read her text to him.

She sounded...irritated and wondered why. He wasn’t certain he was ready yet. Not for meeting them like this. He texted back.

‘S, what’s going on? Did something happen? Why is this so important all of a sudden?’

Like Peter, Serena’s phone had a special sound just for messages and calls from Peter. She had the tv on in the background but wasn’t really paying attention. She sighed when she read Peter’s text. She glanced at the time. She still had an hour and a half until her curfew. “Can I meet you somewhere? I’d rather talk in person.”

Peter read her reply and then texted her back. ‘I’ll be on the helipad in 10, can you disable the security there like last time?’ He texted and then flung himself out of the window back into a full swing toward the street.

About 10 minutes later he was there and leaned up against the jet. He assumed she had the security cut off or the place would have likely turned into a Christmas Tree with lights and alarms. Not a good way to meet the parents.

When he saw her he pocketed his phone. He had taken off his mask. “Hey Princess, you call and so do I come,” he said as if reciting a movie line. He smiled warmly at her at her approach. It was a cool evening with a little bit of wind. But it was a clear sky.

Serena read Peter’s response and then she got up. Her parents were together in her father’s lab and everyone else was out or in their room. Serena was easily able to disable the security. This was not the first time they had met up on the Tower’s helipad. She spotted Peter already there and his smile caused warm feelings to bubble up inside of her. She didn’t say anything. She simply walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Peter elated on her sudden burst of affection and he kissed her back. When they eventually separated it was not immediate, he smiled he rubbed her chin with his gloved thumb.

“Now I like those kinds of hello’s,” he said with a smile. Her dark eyes were looking into his blue and he felt desire for her almost immediately. Pharoah watched them from just outside of the doorway of his room. The armored glass doors to the helipad overlooked the main living area and their rooms made up the outside of that floors space. He kissed her again and put his arms down around her waist.

“I’ve missed you Serena,” he said warmly and felt her melt into his arms. They saw one another a lot but not like this which was what Peter meant. They had dual lives and the one that was most of the time had them just being friends. This...these moments where they could express themselves was their true being. It was far to seldom for his liking but necessary considering how busy they both were. That and he wanted to protect her from those that might try to harm her to get back at him. Not all of those he fought were normal criminals. Some were super villains and powerful
Mutants.

Feeling Peter's lips against her own and breathing in his scent made Serena's head spin. She was in love, totally and completely. She hated living this dual life with him...pretending that they were just friends when she wanted to always be in his arms. Some people might say that they were young and foolish, but they knew otherwise. What they felt for one another was real and only seemed to get stronger as time went by.

"I've missed you too Peter," she whispered before kissing him again. After a few moments they managed to separate themselves so she could talk to him. "I don't know how much longer I can keep them off my back about meeting you. I think my mother knows that there is something more between us. Even though prom is a year and a half away she is already talking about dresses."

Peter’s eyebrows drew up at hearing what she said. If her mother knew...or suspected...well what ‘did’ that mean? It meant he needed to meet them sometime soon.

“Then I will meet with them. But I’ll do it as Peter Parker. I doubt their ready to know their daughter is involved with a crime fighter.” Peter said. It was not easy to concentrate on anything this important. Not with her so close and he wanted her to keep kissing him. He loved Serena, so much it hurt sometimes to not be able to express it. Like everything else though he took it all as a test. A test of his love for her. One that he would not fail. When she tried to pull back further he held her arms around his neck. He could talk to her like this...he could and her arms around him felt very good right then.

Serena looked visibly relieved to know that Peter was going to meet her parents and she was glad he was going to do it as Peter Parker. She started to pull her arms away from around his neck, but he stopped her and so she left them there. "I'm actually glad you're going to do it as Peter and not as Spider-Man because my dad has already told me several times that I'm not to date any superheroes. So, the plan is that we get them both to really love Peter Parker, and I mean how could they not, and then we wait...10 years...maybe 20 and then tell them."

Peter laughed at her joke and kissed her once more. “Well it would not do to show up for dinner as Spider-Man then, for Halloween,” Peter teased. “Speaking of which, I am wondering what your costume looks like. Are you going funny, scary or sexy...or a combination? I can totally see you as sexy scary,” he said honestly. “Rawr!” He said and mocked biting her neck. And then he kissed her there softly.

“I have my costume already, but we can keep them as a surprise if you’d like?” He said as he inhaled her scent and kissed her neck again and used his tongue a little to taste her flesh.

Serena laughed and smiled a little as Peter teased her. No matter how she was feeling Peter always had a way of making her feel better. He could make her smile and laugh when no one else could. Her life was not always an easy one. Her parents were constantly in the spotlight and were known worldwide and now people knew her. She couldn't go into stores without being recognized by someone. When she was with Peter though all of her worry and stress melted away and she could just be a teenager.

Serena grinned when Peter asked about her costume. "I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to wait and see." She closed her eyes when Peter began to kiss her neck and Peter would hear her soft sigh of contentment. "I love you Peter."

Peter could have stayed there with her for hours but they didn’t have hours and the longer he did stay the more chance existed of them being discovered. He hated being so secretive but they had to do what they had to do and he would not deny her. Denying her anything was beyond Peter. He loved her and so he would do whatever she needed him to do.

As they parted ways she came inside from the glass doors. Pharaoh was there with a drink in his hand. He was to the side of the doors leaning up against the wall looking at her. His drink smelled strong and he rolled it around the glass he held. He looked at her as she stepped inside. Dark eyes looked upon dark eyes and he held a knowing smile on his face. Pharaoh was an exotically handsome man. With a well defined body and long, black waive hair. His Skin was very dark and he Emirates an aura of wisdom and understanding. Of the things her mother was worried about though, she felt nothing. No fear, no danger and certainly no madness coming from him.

“He must mean a great deal to you for you to defy those you love so dearly,” he said softly. “My name is Akker, but please call me Pharaoh,” he said as he watch her step warily away from him. He lifted his glass to her.

“Your friend will face his first defeat soon Serena Stark. He will need you more than ever soon,” Pharaoh said as if reciting some dark premonition as if he could see the future. He could though, in a fashion. But she could not know that right then.

Serena wished that Peter could stay for longer but she couldn’t risk her parents finding out. They agreed that he would come to dinner this coming Saturday evening to mother parents as simply Peter. After a long, loving kiss goodbye they parted ways and she watched him disappear into the night.

As she was walking back inside to go reset the security she was surprised to find the man she assumed was Pharoah standing there looking at her. He was rather handsome and exotic. As she looked at him she realized that she didn’t feel threatened the way she had assumed she might after her talk with her mother. She was busy trying to figure out why her mother would tell her to stay away from him when Pharoah suddenly revealed to her that Peter was go to fave his first defeat soon. She blinked at him for a few seconds.

“How do you know that?”

Pharaoh is urged his lips as he rolled the dark amber liquid around in his glass. It appeared at first as if she would get no answer but as she looked to move he spoke.

“How does one know they are in love or that someone loves them? If the emotion is strong enough our own instincts kick in and our intellects gain knowledge from that insight. The stronger the emotion, the stronger the insight and the more certain I am,” he said. “I could...show you how your man sees you but that would require that I touch you,” he said. He was looking down into his glass when he said that last part. His voice was soft and he spoke in a perfect British accent tinged with some accent, perhaps Egyptian or arabic,” but there didn’t appear to be any kind of madness or danger in him just then. If she had to pick out an emotion for him it would be...a little sad and lonely. As if he could be one of those that could feel the same in a crowded room.

Pharaoh was a man out of time where everyone he ever knew was long since dead. A tortured soul who through hard work and lots of therapy had found his way back from the brink of madness. He was drawn to Serena, perhaps do to the love she shared with Peter had interested him.