A Bump On The Road (January 2015)

Tony smiled and raised an eyebrow at her as he sat back in his chair. “Did I? Did I really? As I recall we went out alot and stay up late, I still drank alot and the things we did in bed, well...You were saying?” He asked as a smile came to her lips. “Typically a couple moves at the pace of the slower of the two. You quit your job, left Frank and liked to sunbathe in just those red bikini bottoms at the front of our Yacht,” he said unabashedly. “You took to my lavish lifestyle rather quickly,” he said and he didn’t mention all of the kinky things he made her try in bed though he did consider it. He wanted to see her blush right then for some reason.

“If you want to suggest that you tamed me well, maybe a little,” he said smugly and his eyes had a playful look to them.

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“Yes, I think we can talk to Norman together,” Peter said.

-------------------------- Later that afternoon-------------------------

Peter and Serena were in Norman’s office. He was obviously angry about Peter removing all of the data on Project ABX which was what Peter code named the Arcbot Experiment. “I’ll give you 24 hours to return all of the data you took off of my servers. As far as I’m concerned you have committed an act of theft and data piracy. While you were employed by ME, working in MY lab and using the equipment I paid for, anything you develop belongs to Oscorp.

Peter blinked at the onslaught and began to grow angry. He glanced at Serena who began to get visibly upset herself.

Serena was somewhat nervous about talking to Norman Osborn. She wasn’t sure how he was going to take them removing their data from his server when he had been supporting their project. She and Peter dressed and then went to go talk to him that afternoon. Serena decided to let Peter explain what they had done. Norman’s reaction was rather strong and she blinked. She felt herself growing rather upset but tried to remain calm.

“This is an extremely secretive project and your server was compromised. This plan would keep the project safe.”

“

Norman shook his head. “No, as I recall, Stark International was infiltrated, not Oscorp Miss Stark,” Norman said. “I’ve given you alot of leeway here and this is how you act? I want your designs back here at Oscorp and I want a full presentation of your project. Otherwise I will press charges on the both of you,” Norman said.

“No, I made this decision, not Serena, you leave her out of it,” Peter said. “But you can forget us giving up our materials to you or anyone. Your money will be paid back with interest on what you’ve spent,” he began but Norman spoke over him.

“That’s not how it works Peter. You’re under MY umbrella. What you develope belongs to Oscorp. Any corporate lawyer could tell you that,” Norman said.

“Norman, we’ve worked years on this, years of our lives on this. Its not something you can just package up and sell to just anyone. This is why people like the Spymaster is after it. Its ground-breaking and could be perverted into a dreadful weapon,” Peter said. Norman steepled his hands as he listened and Serena thought his expression looked...eager.

“Now I’m even more interested in this. You’ve got 24 hours….” he began but peter cut him off this time. “Dr. Osborn…” he said loudly then turned to Serena. “Serena, would you mind stepping out for a minute? Dr. Osborn and I have a few things to talk about,” Peter said but she heard his voice and it sounded...dangerous. His eyes looked dangerous as well. A side effect of what he had gone through with the Avani. He seemed on the edge of committing violence right then.

Serena was not happy. It appeared that she and Peter might be trapped and have no choice but to put their data back. She wanted to talk to her father about all of this and see what he thought. Perhaps he would have some ideas. Norman certainly didn’t seem interested in money. He already had plenty of that. He seemed more interested in the actual project and what they were building. In fact, when Peter brought up that their project could be potentially harmful if in the wrong hands, Norman seemed almost eager to learn more. That...concerned her.

Beside her, she could sense Peter becoming more and more worked up and agitated. He seemed on the verge of losing control. When he asked her to step out she realized that if she did that something bad might happen. She needed to calm Peter down. She gently reached out and touched his shoulder. Her touch could normally calm him down.

“Let’s just go Peter,” she told him quietly.

Peter felt Serena’s hand on his shoulder. Her touch appeared to have calmed him to a degree. Peter did feel calmer when she touched him. And the sound of her voice, she was worried for him. He took her hand from her shoulder then shifted it in his hand and kissed her knuckles. He looked at her. “Just a moment alone Serena, it will be alright,” Peter said again and nodded to her. His eyes still had that dangerous look but his touch was gentle and loving like always.

Serena looked at Peter and could see he had calmed down. However, he still wanted to talk to Norman alone. She looked at him a moment before nodding and slowly standing up. She picked up her purse and stepped out of the room. She closed the door behind her, but stood near the door.

“You think just because you’re ‘spiderman’ and she’s a Stark that you can railroad me? Think again Peter. Everything I’ve said is true. I can have you arrested with one phone call. You and Serena,” He said angrily.

“I know who you are,” Peter said calmly and also threateningly. “Goblin,” He said. “Norman’s eyes bulged and then narrowed. “So, you’re not so blind as you want everyone to think Peter. Good luck in proving that,” he said. “Oh I won’t have to prove it. I know what you’re going to do before you do it. I intend on making your life miserable if you continue with this. ABX belongs to Serena or I will expose you,” Peter said. “How do I know you’ll keep my secret if I do let her keep it?” He asked suspiciously. “You don’t. You’ll just have to trust me. You will sign away your rights to ABX and not hinder us in collecting our hardware. That’s my price,” Peter said. Norman narrowed his eyes again and his mouth curved up into an almost feral smile.

“You’re making a mistake Spiderman,” Norman said angrily. “It won’t be my first...do we have an agreement?” He asked. “Yes,” Norman said. “Now get out of my office,” he said and Peter nodded and came out. Serena was right there and he wondered if she had heard anything as they stepped out of the building.

Serena, in fact, had heard everything. She had been shocked to learn that Norman Osborn was The Green Goblin. The thought made her slightly nauseous. She didn’t like that she had been working with that man and was glad to know that she and Peter would be rid of him.

She took a few steps back before Peter came out and pretended like she hadn’t heard anything. She walked with him out of the building and looked at him.

“So, what happened?”

Peter didn’t want to lie to Serena but he had not divulged his knowledge of Norman’s alter ego as The Green Goblin for several reasons. The first was that they needed his lab and his resources to strike out on their own and warn their own way. It was important to Serena and so he let things happen as they had. Secondly he said nothing because in the other timeline she didn’t know and in this one she had not figured it out either. He wanted Serena to learn things on her own. It was something important to her and though this particular thing was potentially dangerous. He knew and so would step in when he needed to step in.

“He’s had a...change of heart. He will not prosecute us and we will sign off on his claims to our project ABX,” he said as he took her hand and led her toward the elevator.

Serena only nodded, but didn’t question Peter. She just wanted to get their stuff and get out of there. They took the elevator to the floor where they had their lab and began to gather their stuff. Serena called Happy to come and get them.

Once back at the Tower, they began to unpack and get their new lab set up. It was going to be nice working in the Tower, and as Avengers they were paid.

Serena was quiet as they unpacked before she eventually spoke up. “So, were you ever going to tell me about Norman Osborn being the Green Goblin?” she spoke quietly, but it was clear that she was a little upset about it.

Peter felt more and more relaxed the further they were from Oscorp. God willing, they would never have to deal with Norman again but he had a sinking feeling that they hadn’t seen the last of The Goblin. Back at the tower they were unpacking the boxes of everything they had used to simulate the Arcbots. Larger versions of them to be more precise. As he began to set up one of their diagnostic machines he heard what Serena said. He winced and stopped what he was doing.

“You know why. You didn’t figure it out on your own,” Peter said. “I only knew because...I had known before I came here. We talked about that. About me divulging the future for you,” he said and turned to face her. He could see she wasn’t happy about this but it was a judgement call on his part.

“I didn’t think you’d want me to start picking and choosing what things I did tell you because not everything will be the same. If I give you knowledge that isn’t true, how will that serve you?” Peter asked.

Serena sighed as she listened to Peter. She knew he was right, of course. He couldn't just tell her what he knew because it may not be the same in this timeline that it was in his. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed again as she thought about Norman Osborn. He could have gotten a hold of their project. That thought terrified her a little.

"So, what do we do now about Norman? If he's The Green Goblin, is there any way to turn him back and get rid of that part of him? And how do we keep our project out of the hands of people like him or Spymaster?"

Peter looked at her a moment. Was she trying to trick me into saying something more about them? He didn’t like her to worry though. He decided to give her a little something. A comfort of just a small one

“Well, you’ll figure out that too,” he said. “I know you will,” he said with a smile. “Lets just get this stuff set up. There’s a hot tub with a hot topless brunette waiting for me after this,” he said and twirked his eyebrows.