A Love Like Theirs (November 2012)

Serena was blissfully happy with Peter. They worked together at Oscorp and were making progress on their mini arc reactor project. They had not told anyone what they were working on. She knew her father didn’t think it was possible to make it any smaller than he already had and she hoped to surprise him if she and Peter were successful. When they weren’t working, they spent as much time together as possible. Peter had not officially moved into the Tower, but he spent a lot of his nights there with Serena. They enjoyed going to the movies, dinner, out to shows, or just staying in. Peter continued to work as Spider-Man, but would not join the Avengers until Serena was able to.

Serena had tried calling and texting Gambit, but he never responded. She was worried about him and spoke to Charles, but he said neither he nor Scott had heard from him. Peter had convinced her to keep the engagement ring Gambit had given her to remember him by instead of selling it. That gesture made Serena love Peter even more.

Her training with Natalya had continued and Serena was greatly progressing. She was now in great shape and could hold her own fairly well against Natalya, although Serena knew that Natalya was not fighting to her full potential. Serena would not have stood a chance against that. Natalya was impressed and Peter as well. They had just finished a training session for that day and Natalya looked at Serena. “I think you’re ready to face Logan again.”

The last few months were nearly heaven for Peter. He and Serena went out on dates, hung out together in New York or just hung out while staying in. Peter focused on the romance not the sex which seemed to please Serena but they did have sex on occaision when the romance proved too much for them...usually her though, which Peter liked alot. They worked together on their secret project at Oscorp and they worked out and trained together in hopes that Serena would become a part of the Avengers. He still did his friendly neighborhood hero gig but the Avengers were the big time and he had been a member before so he definitely wanted to be a member now.

Natalya’s opinion that Serena could take on Logan worried Peter. Logan was not a typical foe and his abilities beyond just fighting were significant. Sparring without using powers was impossible for Logan, which made him a very difficult opponent to spar with. It didn’t help that Peter had defeated him and Natalya together. That fact only made Serena more eager to test her skills and Peter only offered encouragement.

It took some coaxing from Natalya but Logan agreed to spar with Serena once more, one on one. The rules were simple, no powers, no claws and Natalya would preside over the bout. As the two faced off Peter came up to Serena as Natalya came up to Logan.

“Ok, so this is it eh? You feeling good, feeling fast and strong/” Peter asked.

“You know she can’t beat me. Neither could you,” Logan said in a soft tone. “Put her up against Kate, she’s good,” Logan said.

Serena was nervous about her sparring match with Logan but she trusted Natalya’s judgement and if she said that she was ready then she believed her. This wasn’t going to be easy though. She would need to be on her toes and not drop her attention at any point. She just hoped this would work. If Logan beat her again she would not hear the end of it. Her relationship with him had not gotten any better since that one day. She missed being able to talk to him.

“Yeah, I’m feeling good,” Serena said to Peter. “I’m a little nervous though.”

Natalya looked at Logan. She had not told him that she was training Serena.

“No, I think you should give her another chance.”

“To what end? Everyone getting on me for giving her a few bruises? You didn’t talk to me for nearly a week. If it weren’t for your ‘convincing’ I would not be here now. But I’m not looking forward to another week on the floor if this goes badly,” Logan said. He was being very honest with Natalya here as she taped up his hands.

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Peter taped up Serena’s hands. “I always feel nervous when I spar, so that’s nothing new. Just keep him off-balance. Maybe make him angry. You do remember he’s very strong so if he gets hold of you, it will be a repeat of last time,” Peter said. And then he smiled. “If you win I’ll,” he began than whispered in her ear what he would do to her the next time they were alone. Her blush was enough for him to know that she would enjoy that a great deal. He winked at her and stepped away and sat on one of the benches.

Natalya taped up Logan’s hands and looked at him. “I think Serena may surprise you Logan. She’s been training a lot. Just give her an honest chance.”

Serena felt a little better knowing that Peter also got nervous before sparring. She nodded a little at his suggestion about how to handle Logan. However when Peter told her what he would do to her if she won she couldn’t help but blush and smile at him. He would be able to see that she liked that prize.

“Then I’m going to make sure I win.”

When Logan and Serena squared off Serena found that Logan had not moved yet and it gave her the advantage. She came in on him fast with a hard kick to the stomach. Logan doubled over and then she kneed him in the side of the head and chopped with her hand at the back of his neck. Her attacks drew him onto the floor where, for a few moments he flopped around like a fish out of water until his senses came back to him. Serena stood back as he got back to his feet but she noticed right away that he didn’t even put his hands up or try to block or move out of the way. When she didn’t come in again Logan looked at her and spat blood to the side.

“Well, what are you waiting for? You want to beat me so get on with it, beat me. So far all you seem to have learned is how to hit a little harder and faster. Some good foot work and using your body as a weapon. Big whoop, your still pretty pathetic without one of daddy’s suits on like your mother,” Logan said insultingly. Peter’s eyes bulged at hearing what Logan said. And if his bulged, Serena was likely red hot angry. In another instant Serena came at him again. This time her foot hit him square in the nuts and it dropped him with a groan. Her hands went at his face and head and then for good measure she kneed him in the ribs before she shifted back again. Logan was on all fours as blood poured from his mouth. He chuckled…’chuckled’ at her. After a few moments he rose to his feet again.

“C’mon girl, you fight as if I’m not really your enemy. You wouldn’t last a minute in a real danger room...with all o the safeties on,” he said with a smile. “If I fight back all you’d do is run to mama again and honestly, so far, with what I’ve seen, there’s no need to fight back anyway,” he said. Pure fury was in Serena’s eyes right then and she attacked once more. This time her fist landed on his throat and she felt the Cartilage crack. As Logan brought his hands up to his neck she kneed him in the groin then kicked him there as he doubled over. When he fell to his knees she grabbed hold of his hair and kneed him several times in the face and then as he fell over she kicked him over and over until Peter moved up and pulled her off of him.

As she stood there panting with tears in her eyes staring bloody murder at Logan eventually his neck healed and his other wounds as well. He remained onto the floor and rolled onto his back. Blood was all over his face. “Now that is how its done!” Logan said remarkably pleased it seemed. “If I were an average man, I’d likely be dead,” Logan said. Natalya looked troubled but helped Logan up. Peter was just angry.

“When we fight out there, when we put our lives in harm's way, those we face only have one intent. To take everything away from us. Our friends, our families and our lives. When you fight, when you spar, you need to use that kind of intensity. Assume that is what your opponents are going to do. Take everything you are away from you. Do that and maybe, just maybe, you could fight with us, one day,” Logan said. “You want to be taught, well, anyone can learn how to fight. The Avengers choose people to join them it is not the other way around. We are willing to give everything to win. Because if we don’t, it could mean the world. That is what Evan knew and so he gave everything he was to win. And he didn’t even know how to fight,” Logan said. That last part was a guess but it seemed to fit.

“Now, are you ready to spar Serena?” Logan asked.

Serena was rather shocked by what happened with Logan. It took her a few moments to realize that he had been trying to teach her something. Serena had begun to understand what Logan was trying to tell her and she knew she still had a lot to learn. However, at least now Logan knew she was serious about wanting to be trained and could be trained.

She and Logan sparred three rounds. Serena won the first and the third. Logan seemed pleased and she hoped this meant that their friendship was starting to heal. By the end she was tired...no exhausted but felt rather proud of herself. Natalya was pleased with Logan and gave him a little nod.

Serena walked over to Peter and grinned at him. “So, did I win my prize?”

Peter congradulated Serena and they headed toward the stairs. He smiled when she asked about her ‘prize’. “Well, it depends on how quiet you can be,” he said. “More blushes? Well, I think maybe I’ll never get tired of making you blush,” he said as they started up the stairs. “It’s almost as satisfying as making you…” His words faded as they stepped further up.

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Logan wiped the blood from his face as Natalya looked at him. He scowled. “You think you’re the only one that has anything useful to teach?” He asked. “I won’t coddle her. Doing that will only see her dead,” Logan said.

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Peter and Serena decided to tempt fate and they showered together for the first time. And she did get her prize and luckily the walls were thick and padded for sound because she made alot of noise!

“Each step is one closer to where I can stay here in the tower. I mean, to where it makes sense,” He amended. He knew Serena didn’t like that it was her holding him back from that move but it really wasn’t her fault and there was nothing for it in any case. He caught her looking at him as he put on his boxer shorts. He didn’t blush though only smiled.

“What do you think your parents would say if, when I did move to the tower, I moved...into your rooms?” Peter said as he straightened. He was actually more attractive without clothes on. Now he did look at her and he did see red in her cheeks at his suggestion and what that implied.

Serena was extremely pleased with her prize. Peter did not disappoint and he made her squirm and moan. Although it was 'her' prize, Peter seemed to enjoy himself as well and they were both all smiles as they stepped out of the shower. Serena put on her robe and began to towel dry her hair. As she did, she looked into the mirror at Peter and found herself looking at his body. Although she had seen his body naked on a number of occasions now, she still couldn't help looking at him. Peter was not an overly muscular man, like Logan, but he was well toned, with barely any fat on his body. Every muscle was tight and well defined, but he could be so delicate and gentle with her.

She turned and looked at him when he asked her about what her parents would think if, when he did move into the Tower, that he moved into her rooms. She smiled a little at that thought and blushed ever so slightly. "Well, my parents do like you. I think if I talked to them about it before hand it would probably be better than just springing it on them."

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Natalya looked at Logan and slowly walked over to him. "I didn't coddle Serena, but I did actually teach her. I think for going against you she did very well."