007

Norman was on one of Oscorp's private planes, the airplane was heading to New York.

It took Osborn a time to find a way to communicate with Bernard mainly due to the fact that the area where Ducard trained him was practically far away from civilization.

However, he discovered one thing about where he was and that was that he was in a part of China, he couldn't understand Ducard's motive for going through the trouble of traveling to another country just to train him, and he couldn't even begin to understand it.

If he learned anything from him, it was that no matter how much you want to know about him, if he doesn't tell you, you won't have anything, you won't even be able to make a deduction, as he didn't give too much information.

Practically except for comparing him with other of his students he didn't speak or if he did it was only to reprimand him when he made a mistake in one of his lessons.

Norman looked at the sword at his side, no doubt it had been something of a surprise for the pilot and the flight attendants to see his weapon, but it didn't matter to the Osborn.

His weapon was something he should always have at hand, Ducard always mentioned that complacency was a fatal flaw, at first Norman did not pay attention to those words, so Henri adopted a new approach, whether it was day, night, lunch or dinner, no matter if it was training time or not, Ducard would attack him in a lethal way, his explanation to that fact was that an attack that can be seen did not represent any danger, but one that you did not expect would certainly be fatal.

He always had to be alert to the possibility of an enemy attacking him by surprise and this time Norman took his words seriously, from that moment it could be said that the Osborn always kept close to his blade and in the end he got used to that fact so not having it by his side was not an option.

Norman just closed his eyes due to Ducard's training he could rarely sleep without the need to be attentive to his environment, just once he would do it, just once he would be complacent and with those thoughts he closed his eyes to be able to rest.

…

The Osborn opened his eyes when he felt the plane landing, he must have slept about 15 hours, taking his blade in the right hand he started to go to the exit door of the airplane.

Once he opened the door the sun's rays were the first thing he saw followed shortly after by Bernard who was at the bottom of the stairs of the plane, without any further ado he started to go down.

"Bernard" mentioned the Osborn to his butler once they were at the same height.

"I would usually ask you how did you end up in a remote area of China" began to say the older man: "But seeing that you came back safe and healthy I will refrain from saying it" he mentioned after a little silence and giving a sigh of relief: "It is good to see you Sir" he mentioned with joy.

The Osborn just looked at him: "It is also good to see you Bernard" he answered before starting to walk to the car followed by Bernard.

He was a little surprised that he didn't ask about the situation he was in, but it seemed that he knew what his limits were, besides he could control himself very well, because although he was surprised to see his blade he didn't even point it out or ask about it.

Once inside he waited until Bernard came in: "Let's go home" he said.

'I wonder how Harry is?' the Osborn asked himself as Bernard gave the order to the driver and soon the car began to move.

"Tell me, how the things have been in my absence?" asked the Osborn.

"As you indicated I started to improve the image of Oscorp in the city, 6 new shelters for indigent people were opened, 5 orphanages, 3 schools and about 12 learning workshops in different areas" he began to say while he handed a folder to the Osborn, it seemed that he had come prepared to meet him.

"The plans for the 2 hospitals are still under consideration, but an anonymous source revealed to the media that the mayor refused to let Oscorp build a new hospital, so it is possible that the permits will be granted soon" he mentioned calmly.

"I imagine that this anonymous source is trustworthy, right?" asked Norman before Bernard could say anything else: "Of course, Si" he answered and waited for Norman's indication to continue.

"In addition, the CEO of Stark Industries, Anthony Stark, was kidnapped in an exhibition of a new weapon in hostile territory" that information was what Norman wanted to hear, so he focused all his attention on Bernard's words.

Understanding the look on Osborn's face, Bernard continued speaking: "It happened about two months ago" he mentioned while a new folder was given to Norman.

"At the moment there is no news about him, most of the world news have speculated that he is dead" Bernard continued saying: "As for your indication, I have carried it out as I have instructed, at this moment we have 37% of stock in the company, 40% still belongs to Anthony, 20% belongs to Obadiah Stane and the remaining 3% belongs to a stockholder who is not willing to sell it" he finished saying before keeping silent and letting Norman begin to think.

"Besides, it seems that Obadiah had the same idea as you, of course he was one step behind us, and it seems that this fact was not at all to his liking" he added in a late manner.

"All right" mentioned the Osborn without caring about the tantrum Stane probably threw: "Try to put some pressure on the remaining stockholder, just make sure it cannot be traced" he mentioned after a while and the conversation ended that way.

Norman just read the document in his hands and realized that Tony's kidnapping happened on May 9, 2009, what he did remember correctly was something else that had changed, so now the question is about how long he will spend in captivity, will it still be three months? Or will it also be changed?

Those questions were on his mind even when he closed the folder and stopped reading the document.

…

Arriving at the Osborn mansion, Norman simply looked around his home a bit before he began to enter through the large doors.

Almost as soon as he entered he could see Harry running towards him, being followed by Mary Jane.

Knowing what the little boy wanted Norman knelt down a little taking care that his blade did not hurt the boy and took him in his arms.

"You're back!" he exclaimed with joy and childishness.

"I did it and I have good news, do you want to know?" the Osborn began to say to which the little boy in his arms nodded his head strongly: "I won't have to travel for a while, so we can spend a little more time together" he said and no doubt he had made Harry happy.

While Harry had a big smile on his face Norman looked at Bernard and Mary Jane, "I think it's a good time for a meal" he mentioned and Bernard just nodded: "I'll go ahead and inform the chef" he said before he started walking towards the kitchen.

"Miss Watson, it is a pleasure to see you" this time he turned to the red-haired woman who had remained silent until now: "Likewise, Mr. Osborn" she replied with a soft smile.

"Would you like to join us for the meal?" began to ask the Osborn, which surprised MJ who shook her head a little: "I don't think it's right to do it" she mentioned with a little embarrassment, she would feel as if she was taking advantage of the Osborn family's hospitality.

"It will only be one meal and Harry seems to like the idea, right?" said the Osborn again as he supported by his son who showed his enthusiasm at the possibility of the redhead eating with them.

Mary Jane only smiled sheepishly before nodding her head, as she didn't have the courage to refuse the older Osborn's request again.

Soon after the Osborn began to lead the way to the dining room even with Harry in his arms and being followed by MJ.

Upon reaching the dining room Norman took Harry out of his arms and the little boy quickly ran to one of the chairs, the older Osborn denied a little with his head at the enthusiasm of his son, but well he was a child, so it was understandable.

The Osborn guided the redhead and removed one of the dining room chairs Mary Jane was somewhere between shocked and embarrassed, her face seemed to be a little red, but after a little hesitation she sat down in the chair, the redhead felt the chair being gently pushed which positioned her in a comfortable spot: "Thank you" she mentioned softly, but enough for the Osborn to hear her and give her a sincere smile.

The meal might take a while so Norman started a conversation: "Tell me Miss Watson how did Harry behaved in my absence?" he asked curiously.

Mary Jane gave a sigh to calm a little of her embarrassment before such cordial and caring treatment from her boss: "Harry's behavior was excellent, there is no complaint that can be said about him, he is a very cordial and attentive boy" she began to say making the little boy blush a little for so many compliments to her person: "As for his school performance is also magnificent, his teachers only have praised for him and in these few months he has managed to be in the honor board of his year" she continued saying and the Osborn could feel a hint of pride in the woman's voice.

"That's great Harry" Norman mentioned to his son who only had a shy smile on his face at having received a compliment from his father, possibly the first since he was born.

"It seems that you have been working hard to fulfill your part of the promise, so it is my turn to fulfill mine, you can choose any place of your choice, and we will go this weekend, is that okay with you?" explained the older Osborn to ask at the end.

"Of course!" he exclaimed anxiously, almost as if he feared that his father might go back on his word, a very accurate fear considering Norman's past attitude.

In this way the talk progressed among the three people in the dining room and a cheerful and comfortable atmosphere was formed, they continued in this way until the food was served, and although they did not talk much to each other because of this fact the warm and homely atmosphere did not disperse.