A Strategic Reunion

Peter and Kitty had been swinging for a while up until they landed on the roof of a local mall that Peter was familiar with. His Aunt had taken him here a few times to take him school shopping, buying his a wardrobe that was as economical as it was embarrassing whenever Peter went back to school. He walked her over to the door that lead to the stair and was about to crush the lock open when Kitty stepped up and stopped him.

"There's no need to do damage anything; that will just draw unwanted attention." She said, reaching out to him. "Just take my hand, remember?"

"I forgot," Peter said, taking her hand, "Sorry."

"No problem," Kitty said as she used her powers to help her and Peter move through the door without damaging it.

As they walked down into the mall, looking at all the people as they wandered from store to store, Kitty looked back up at Peter with a confused look.

"We need to change," Peter informed her, "Coulson and his people no doubt took pictures of us. We need to change our looks to blend in."

"Alright," Kitty replied, "You're still buying?"

"Sure," Peter said, confident that Reed would likely let him write the expenses off later, "We'll be fine."

The two of walked casually into a shop that served trendy clothing for both boys and girls and spend quite a bit to change into clothing that looked vastly different from the clothing that Coulson and his team saw them in earlier that day. Peter even bought a baseball cap and some sunglasses to hide himself as much as possible. They put their previous clothing into the bags from the shop and walked around looking like everyone else there who as spending money there. As they were walking through the mall, Peter could feel his senses tingling this time as he took Kitty's hand and walked her over to a smoothie station and ordered two orange banana smoothies.

"What are you doing?" Kitty asked.

"Getting out of the way," Peter whispered back, "I sensed danger, and I think it's that bald black guy over there. He's looking around for someone rather intensely."

"Alright," Kitty said, trying to stay calm. "How many more are there?"

"I'm not sure," Peter said, sensing her tone. "Let's not panic, we'll be fine."

After taking their fruit smoothies, Peter and Kitty started to walk towards the center of the mall, away from the man who appeared to be looking for them. He was surprised they were able to track their movements to the mall that quickly, but some guy swinging from building to building was probably not that hard to miss. They were not halfway to the center of the mall when his cell phone began to ring. Peter passed his smoothie to Kitty to free a hand so he could answer it.

"Hello?" Peter answered.

"Peter, it's Sue." The voice on the other end replied.

"Hey," Peter said, "Is everything alright?"

"Not exactly," Sue replied, "Shield tried to serve a warrant to search the building for the mutants."

"Is everyone okay?" Peter asked, looking back at Kitty.

"They're fine," Sue replied, "We had them all moved out to a safe location long before the warrant was executed. All the mutants are safe."

"Not all of them," Peter corrected her, "One of them is with me, and Shield tried to take us once already."

"Where are you now?" Sue asked, somewhat concerned.

"We're at the mall," Peter answered, "We changed our clothes to make it harder for Shield to track us. We're okay for now."

"Reed is securing a safe place for us to regroup," Sue informed him. "Once he gives the all clear, I'll text the address to you."

"Alright," Peter said, looking around still looking out for agents. "I'll bring Kitty with me, and we'll take the subway. Shield is specifically on the lookout for something swinging from the buildings."

"Just be careful, Peter." Sue insisted.

"Always am," Peter informed her, "Send me the address when you can and I'll see you later tonight."

"Be careful Peter," Sue said before the line went dead.

After Peter stuffed his pocket back into his new coat, he turned to look at Kitty and she could tell something happened. "Shield tried to take the mutants from Reed Tower, but they were moved in time."

"So they're safe?" Kitty asked.

"They are," Peter replied, "I doubt Fury and Stark would be able to pull a fast one on Reed, he's always five moves ahead of everyone."

"That's good, but what about us?" Kitty then inquired, "If we can't go back to the tower, where can go to get away from these agents?"

"Reed is securing a safe house," Peter answered, "Once the place is secured, we'll meet them there after we get the address."

"Where do we go until then?" Kitty then asked.

"I have an idea," Peter said, taking her hand and lead Kitty out of the mall. Once they were outside, he started to lead her back towards the downtown area they had just swung away from. "If I'm right, this is the last place they'd consider looking for us."

"And where would that be?" Kitty said as they were walking down the street.

"Trust me. This will buy us a few hours at least." Peter said as they continued to walk through the crowded sidewalks of New York. When they reached the building they were looking for, Peter led Kitty inside to the elevators and took the first one that opened to the top floor.

"Are you sure about this?" Kitty asked, "What makes you think he won't call Shield himself and turn us in?"

"I don't think he will," Peter replied, "Not when he hears what we have to offer."

"And what would that be?" Kitty wondered, with her arms crossed.

"A story no one else has," Peter replied, "Which is still an exclusive."

When the elevator doors opened, Peter took Kitty's hand again and lead her into the busy newsroom as they walked right up to the main office that was at the end of the hallway. There was a young lady with short brown hair sitting at a desk that blocked entrance to this big office.

"Can I help you?" the lady at the desk asked.

"Yes," Peter replied, "I'm here to speak with J. Jonah Jameson."

"He's busy right now," the lady replied, "Can I ask who ..."

She stopped talking when she looked up, and realized who was standing before her. Peter had removed his sunglasses and hat to make sure that the lady at the table would be able to recognize her. She froze like a statue, unsure what to say next. Instead she picked up her phone and clicked a button.

"What is it?" the voice on the receiver barked at her so loud that Peter and Kitty could hear it from where they were standing.

"There's someone here to see you, Mr. Jameson." The lady replied.

"Tell them I'm busy!" Jameson barked back.

"I don't think I should," the lady countered, "Peter Parker of the Fantastic Five is here to see you."

There was a long pause from the other end, and rather than reply to what he was just told, Jameson had put down his receiver and walked out of his office. When he opened the door and realized that Peter was really out there waiting for him, he stood there and sighed deeply. This had been the first time the two had seen one another since Peter had tossed the mask at him during the big press conference.

"Hello Mr. Parker," J. Jonah said, with a tone that was almost respectful. "Would you like to come in?"

"Yes, thank you." Peter said, taking Kitty's hand again as lead her inside.

J. Jonah closed the door behind him and started to walk back behind his large desk, almost using it as a buffer between him and his new guests.

"Would you like some water?" Jameson asked, trying to be polite.

"We're fine, thank you." Peter replied, "I'm here because I need your help."

"You do?" Jameson said, as his curiosity was getting to him. "What can I do to help you and the Fantastic Five?"

"I have a story for you," Peter explained, "And it's an exclusive."

Jameson's eyes widened, as it did every time someone offered him first dibs on a juicy story but he remained cautious. "What kind of story?"

"Something to do with political overreach," Peter answered. "Shield under the authority of our government conducted a raid last night, and the Fantastic Five stepped into to stop it."

"Shield against the Fantastic Five?" J. Jonah said, going over possible headlines on his head. "Who was leading the raid?"

"Sentinels," Kitty replied, "They attacked my school and tried to kidnap us."

"Sentinels?" Jameson repeated, "Where did Shield get that kind of muscle?"

"From Stark," Peter informed him, "Tony Stark was also leading the raid to seize all the mutants from Xavier's academy."

"Why would he attack the mutants?" Jameson inquired.

"It had something to do with the Sokovia accords," Kitty said, "They government is using that thing as an excuse to round up any super powered being they feel threatened by."

"So they tried to take everyone from the academy?" Jameson said, as her was writing notes on a pad. "When did this happen?"

"Last night," Peter continued, "The Fantastic Five received a distress call from the school and we intervened, taking out most of their Sentinels."

"Shield is keeping this on the down low," Jameson said, pausing from writing his notes. "Not a single network has even gotten a sniff of this event. And now you're bringing it to me. Why?"

"I like to think we made some progress last time we met," Peter admitted, "I thought it would be fair to keep that going."

"And what does she have to do with it?" J. Jonah asked.

"She's a mutant." Peter replied, "One of the students that escaped."

"I see," Jameson said, looking at Kitty for a moment. "What are her powers?"

Kitty took a deep breath. "I'm going to give you two a moment."

Upon saying that Kitty walked out of Jameson's office by walking through the wall, which caused the editor's jaw to gape open in shock. He looked back to Peter with that same stunned face.

"I know," Peter said, grinning. "Pretty cool, eh?"

Jameson took a moment to compose himself. "Look Peter, I appreciate you bringing this story to me but I can't run this."

"Why not?" peter asked, somewhat surprised himself.

"It's not that I don't want to," J. Jonah explained, "But I've spend the better part of three years telling everyone why they shouldn't trust Spider-Man. So my readers are not going to take your word for it, or the word of a mutant for that matter. We need someone else to collaborate your story to make it printable. Someone the people trust and wouldn't doubt for a second."

"How about Reed Richards," Peter shot back, "What if he verifies my story?"

Jameson grinned at the idea. "That would do it. I could put this on the front page tomorrow with his word behind it."

"I'm going to see him later today," Peter informed the editor, "I don't think it will be difficult to get him to verify everything for you."

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Peter." A voice called out.

Peter and Jameson turned the main window to get a look at who was talking. Floating outside of Jameson's big window was Iron Man, in his traditional gold and red armor, hovering before them with his arms crossed.

"Stark," Jameson said, backing away from the window as if he anticipated that it might be broken by someone very soon.

"Are you going to try to tell me I can't speak to the press?" Peter called out, "Last time I checked I was merely exercising my first amendment rights!"

"How about harboring a fugitive?" Stark replied, "Last time I checked that was still a crime in this country."

Peter took off his coat to reveal the Fantastic Five uniform he had underneath it. "You're not taking her in, not if I have anything to say about it."

"Is that so?" Stark replied, "I don't see your team here this time."

"I don't see your Sentinels." Peter countered.

"I decided to work with my own team instead." Stark replied. As he said that two more figures flew up to take positions on each side of Stark. Peter knew the both of the men hovering there with him because only a year ago he had fought by their side; it was War Machine and the Vision.

"Are you going to come quietly Peter?" Stark asked.

Jameson continued to take steps back as he noticed Peter was now clinching his fists and moving his feet into position to strike.

"Never," Peter snarled at his former mentor. "So bring it, tin man!"