Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Marvel Comic share copyright Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Company. No infringements of these copyrights are intended and are not authorized by the copyright holders.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Siblings of the Web – Episode Two: Secret Lives Part I

By

Celgress

Parker Residence in Queens, evening

Four terrible months went by for the Parkers. Things were very rough for the family after Uncle Ben's tragic death. Although Aunt May did her best to put on a brave face for the children (who enjoyed a happy holiday season to outward observers), however, Peter and Teresa both know things were not going well. One cold fall day while Aunt May was out grocery shopping Teresa accidentally located a foreclosure notice while emptying a wastepaper basket. Frantic she showed the letter to her brother Peter. In desperate need of cash and with no other viable options Peter decided their best course of action was to sell photos of Spider-Man and Arachne. J. Jonah Jameson, the bombastic owner/operator of the well-known news site Bugle Media, was offering a ten thousand dollar reward to anyone who could capture genuine high-quality pictures or better yet video clips of the superhero duo in action.

"But Jameson doesn't like us. He says we are 'masked vigilante menaces' who should be 'arrested and studied'." Teresa said chewing on her bottom lip.

"Its either deal with Jameson or lose our home," Peter pointed out.

"What do we have to do?" Teresa asked.

"Simple, I set my digital camera (a posthumous Christmas gift from Uncle Ben) on a timer so it'll capture a video of us taking down muggers or something. We then submit our, hopefully, action-packed clip and get the money." Peter answered. "Trust me, it'll work. Jameson will be putty in our hands when he sees what we can offer him."

"I'm in," Teresa said eagerly. "Anything so we can help Aunt May save the house." Teresa knew she and Peter were essentially responsible for their uncle's untimely death at the hands of the burglar, a fact she had a hard time dealing with. Teresa started to tear up in spite of her best efforts. While Teresa had put on a brave face in recent months at eleven years of age she was, in truth, not yet far removed from being a child.

"There, there, sis everything will be alright," Peter said embracing Teresa and gently patting her back.

"Promise," Teresa looking up at her brother with tear soaked eyes.

"I promise," Peter said.

Headquarters of Bugle Media in Downtown Manhattan three days later, afternoon

"While these look nice, how do I know they are the genuine article kids?" J. Jonah Jameson asked Peter and Teresa. His trademarked unlit cigar (even the great J. Jonah Jameson must observe the strict anti-smoking laws of NYC) was stuck firmly in the corner of his mouth as he spoke.

"They're real Mr. Jameson, I swear they are," Peter said while Jameson carefully examined the video clip of Arachne and Spider-Man webbing up three gang members in Central Park via the screen of Peter's camera. Next, to Peter his sister Teresa stood watching and hoping Jameson would purchase their material.

"My best reporters can't get a beat on these two slippery miscreants yet you kids somehow can," Jameson said skeptically. "It doesn't make sense. I think these are fakes."

"We, we know them personally, Spider-Man and Arachne." Teresa blurted out. She could not let the money slip away they need to catch up on Aunt May's delinquent mortgage payments.

"And how exactly do you and your brother personally know these masked menaces, young lady?" Jameson asked.

"They go to my school," Peter said out of desperation.

"What are their names?" Jameson said.

"We can't tell you," Peter said.

"They swore us to secrecy," Teresa said. "So do we have a deal or not, Mr. Jameson?"

"I'll give you $5,000 upfront and if you get my an interview with Spider-Man & Arachne I'll give you the other $5,000 once they sit down for the actual questions," Jameson said.

"But that isn't fair." Teresa protested.

"Or I give you two nothing and sent you on your merry way. The material is probably fake anyway." Jameson said while chopping on his cigar.

"We accept your offer, Mr. Jameson," Peter said. He stood up and proceeded to shake hands with Jameson much to Teresa's chagrin. "Can we have our down payment now?"

"I'll pay you once my people receive confirmation from your masked friends they've agreed to an interview," Jameson said.

"But,-" Peter began only to be cut off by Jameson.

"No buts Parker. And if you kids are conning me I'll see you are both put in reform school for fraud." Jameson said. "Oh, and I'm keeping your camera as insurance."

"But,-" Peter tried again.

"You know the way out, so scram. I'm a busy man." Jameson said shooing the pair of young people away.

"Smart move there Pete. Jameson was putty in your hands." Teresa grumbled and rolled her eyes a few minutes later in the elevation while Peter groaned and facepalmed.

Allen Residence on Long Island, evening

"Boy Liz your family has one sweet house," Peter said whistling as Liz gave him a short tour of her lavish home; a spacious Dutch colonial with a large backyard complete with swimming pool and two car garage.

"Daddy is an accountant with Oscorp. He does very well for himself and me and my brother." Liz said. It was a Saturday and the usually glamorous teen was clad in a pair of grey sweatpants and a simple white tee shirt. Peter for his part wore cargo pants and a plaid shirt.

"So I suppose we should get started," Peter said. He and Liz sat down at a desk in the small library of the house. Each spread out their math books on the table.

"When did you stop wearing glasses?" Liz asked taking a seat across from Peter.

"A while ago," Peter said with a shrug.

"Well, you were kind of cute before with them now you look rather handsome," Liz said flashing her million dollar smile at Peter.

"Liz I know you're only flirting with me so you won't have to work on math problems," Peter said. "Your father is paying me to tutor you I'm not here to play around." Peter added silently 'Much as I would like to.'

"You're no fun." Liz pouted.

"Sorry, but I always do the best job possible. Uncle Ben says any job worth doing is worth doing well." Peter said before he caught himself.

"You miss him huh?" Liz said her expression sympathetic.

"Yeah, I sure do," Peter said quickly changing the subject he added. "Let's start with problem nine on page twenty-seven."

An hour later Peter decided he had enough. "Liz you're rattling off answers almost as fast as I ask the questions. If you are so good at math why the heck are you getting Fs?"

Liz sighed deeply. "Looks like I messed up," Liz said. "I'm comfortable with you. I let my guard down. Truth is I don't need any help with math. I actually find math pretty easy. Peter, being part of the in-crowd it's tough. I'm a cheerleader people expect me to project a certain image."

"You mean being a mean girl?" Peter asked.

"Or a mindless bimbo," Liz said venomously. "If people find out who I really am, I'll be finished."

"Who are you really, Liz?" Peter said.

"Come with me. I'll show you," Liz said. Liz took a nervous Peter upstairs to her room where she showed him a closet stuffed full of sci-fiction related material and comic books. Peter could not help but notice Liz was a big fan of Ahsoka Tano and Rey from Star Wars along with the real-life Captain Marvel of Avengers fame.

"Wow, you have quite the collection here, Liz. Way better than my own." Peter said in awe.

"You can't breathe a word of this to anyone like ever, okay?" Liz said.

"Okay," Peter said. He noticed Liz's laptop sat open on her bed on the screen a video of Screwball was paused.

"Liz, you like Screwball?" Peter asked. Screwball was something of an internet sensation. A costumed prankster girl dressed in a white outfit and helmet with purple accents she whizzed around the city on a hoverboard wreaking havoc in the name of "the thrill".

"Like her I love her, Pete," Liz exclaimed. "Her antics are great!"

"I'd say juvenile but hey if you like her she can't be all bad," Peter said.

"What's wrong with how Screwball acts?" Liz said. She was clearly unhappy with Peter's comment.

"She puts people in danger with her stupid stunts, unlike Spider-Man and his partner Arachne. Spider-Man is always sure people stay safe same goes for Arachne. She looks out for people. Screwball only cares about video views and website hits." Peter said.

"Wait, I thought Arachne was a boy?" Liz said.

"A boy, no, she's a girl," Peter said.

"Either way, Screwball is not the menace you think she is," Liz said. "She is living life her way to its fullest. And she doesn't hurt anyone, not really.

"Screwball buzzed a passenger jet coming in for a landing at JFK last week. She is reckless." Peter said.

"OMG Pete you sound like J. Jonah Jameson," Liz said. "Screwball is only having fun. Stop being so uptight."

"You think I sound like J. Jonah Jameson?" Peter said. Liz nodded her head. 'The girl of my dreams is not only a closet genius/geek she also thinks I sound like Jameson, what a day.' Peter thought thoroughly confused by the situation.

"Ahem," A masculine voice said from the doorway of Liz's room. Liz and Peter turned around in unison to see Liz's father Adrian Allen standing there observing them a frown on his face.

"Ah ha ha, Mr. Allen we didn't see you there," Peter said nervously.

"Obviously not," Adrian said. "Peter when I hired you to tutor my daughter my understanding was you would be instructing her in math and physics not, human biology."

"Ah, very funny sir," Peter said. He stopped laughing when he notice Adrian's frown had not gone away if anything the frown deepened.

"Why are in my daughter's room, Peter?" Adrian asked.

"I was just showing him my collection of fandom stuff, daddy," Liz said.

"It was my understanding you wanted to keep your hobby secret from your classmates, Elizabeth?" Adrian inquired of his daughter. Adrian never called his daughter by the shortened version of her name.

"I can trust Pete, daddy. He won't tell anybody. He's a good guy. Isn't that right Pete?" Liz said nudging Peter in his ribs when he failed to immediately reply.

"Sure, you can count on me," Peter said at last. "My lips are sealed."

Adrian glanced at his daughter then at Pete finally he glanced at the open laptop. "Peter please wait for Elizabeth downstairs in the library. She'll join you shortly. I need a moment alone with my daughter."

"I hope I didn't get Liz in any trouble, sir?" Peter said hesitantly.

"Nothing of the sort. Now run along." Adrian said cheerfully the frown finally gone. Peter departed leaving parent and child alone. Adrian closed the bedroom door before he again spoke. "I trust our secrets remains intact?"

"I didn't tell him about your exojets or that you are the Vulture or that I'm Screwball," Liz said. "I wouldn't betray you. I love you, daddy." Before he became the Vulture Adrian Allen was known as "Toomes" (cold like the grave) in the East Coast criminal underworld (he still used the name in certain circles to this day).

"I should hope not," Adrian said. "And I love you too Elizabeth. But never disappoint me as your mother did, or you know what will happen."

"I'm not like momma, daddy. She was no good. I'm a good girl." Liz said.

"I know you are Elizabeth. Run along now and study. Remember you need to bring up your grades or you're off the cheerleading squad." Adrian said opening the door.

"Yes, daddy," Liz said.

To Be Continued

Author's Note – Sorry about the short length of this chapter but I thought it was important to update the story before the year ends.