Chapter 120 - Down Time (1/2)

(2 Weeks later)

Peter felt his lips slipping down once more as he thought back to Jean's story. The sorrow was palpable in her voice as she talked about that day, the fact that she wasn't too sure what had come over her was what really concerned him, she was his long-time friend even if they hadn't see each other in years and there was a small nagging feeling in the back of his mind that Professor Charles Xavier knew something about what was happening.

And then there was Felicia…. Peter felt a sigh coming just at the thought, while Natasha had sort of come around to Jean over the last 2 weeks he had been staying here, as she had been coming to visits frequently, hell most of the avengers had come around to her, Felecia hadn't.

Though Peter couldn't blame her…but they were both some of the only people he had left, was it weird for him to want them to get along? ”Peter, concentrate!” The words snapped Peter from his daze as he watched the slender fist incoming. A right hook, he noted.

With his enhanced reflexes and senses he could easily dodge such a blow, the only reason he wasn't broken from his thoughts by his spider sense was because of who was throwing it, Laura. Well that and this was only a spar, or more like training, he just didn't consider her a threat, and knew she wouldn't harm him.

Well maybe hurt him a little, but nothing major.

Peter watched as the hook got closer and closer, making sure he flinched from the incoming blow, trying to raise his hands at an appropriate pace, of course he was too slow to do any real good, or that's what everyone would see. He had to keep appearances, though he did lean back a bit, if he didn't he would have a nasty bruise.

Why were Peter and Laura sparring? Well during the first week of his stay at Avenger Tower, Peter made the mistake of playing a few video games with Felicia, which ultimately lead to her trying to take his shirt off at some point…he should have known better… what he hadn't expected was for Clint and Natasha to walk in on them.

Though Clint had an amused look in his eyes, Natasha had a look in her eyes Peter still couldn't quite place. But those looks both changed when they got a clear look at the scar on his back. Not being able to tell them how he really got it, somehow Peter's quick thinking mind had eloquently blamed it on, ”A Bad night on my bench”, his foot was clearly stuck in his mouth after he said that.

Had Felicia not know he was lying when he said it, Peter was sure she would have beaten him up. This then lead to where he was now, since that incident Clint, Tony, Steve and especially Natasha had been on his back to start a defensive training course.

Who better to teach him that the world mightiest heroes, or that's what Tony said. Peter wouldn't have minded too much, if he wasn't board out of his mind half the time. He had already gone through all of the defensive technique they were teaching him, he needed this knowledge when he created his own martial art, 'The way of the Spider'.

Though beggars couldn't be choosers and he knew that first hand these days. And along with his training came the same thing over and over, his mind just couldn't help but wander while they were sparing. He was used to the thrill of fighting a super villain at full throttle; in comparison sparring was like watching paint dry.

Peter could admit, one of the worst things ever was watching paint dry! Especially when he had done it before!!! Metaphorically speaking of course. Over the last week he had to fight all the avengers at some point, though Peter was a little bit happy that Tony was on the 'same level' skill wise at the minute.

Well it was between him and Bruce banner, the only Avenger Peter still had yet to meet. But no one wanted to take the risk of actually sucker punching him in a spar…yeap no one. Today's opponent was Laura, the second best fighter after Natasha. Surprisingly they both outshone Captain America in the amount of styles they knew, though the Cap could hold his own when he needed to.

The voice that spoke from the side was Natasha, she and Clint had taken a personal interest in his development, and one of them would always be present in a spar, helping him refine his stances. Taking the glancing blow, that was obviously slowed down, the padded fists knocked off his forearm forcing him back.

Focusing back on his opponent, Peter pulled his right foot back as Laura went for a low kick, gaining his footing again he went in for a regular jab, as her guard dropped for a second. Of course it was a trap, Peter obviously knew that, like Laura would drop her guard so blatantly.