Chapter 17: Moving Forward

The Fastest Man Alive
Chapter 17:
Moving Forward

Benjamin Blake / Super Fast Semi-Functional Moron / Genius / Hero’ish

I woke up from my meditations since I could no longer sleep a full eight hours. Being supercharged with the Speedforce had enhanced all of my senses soI heard the sounds of light ghostly footsteps around me. hen I opened my eyes from my meditative posture, it was no surprise for me to see Natasha walking by towards the kitchen. She was flexing her fingers back and forth, which lead me to believe Natasha was trying to figure out her current situation. With a smile, I sent a bolt of lightning in her direction, although with no surprise to me. The lightning bolt was instantly dodged by Natasha.

“Good to see that your awake Nat,” I spoke while moving to stand under her. “Was that necessary?” She asked me with a frown. “No, but it helped me confirm you had the spider sense reflexive ability.” And with that, I reached out towards her to help her down. Natasha frowned at me, then she jumped down behind me, turned around, and smacked me on the rear. “Yes, well show and tell is for later. These powers that I have means you’re a man of your word. So tell me what’s first on the agenda?” She asked while going for my secret stash of hot chocolate. Damn, when did she have time to figure out where my stash was?

“Let’s pump the brakes. We can always pile up the bodies later, and it’s the first impression you have to worry about right now. First, it’s to my place to greet the family, and then to the company, to get you settled in. While we are there, Alfred will scrub you from all known databases.” I replied while hip checking her away from my stash and pushing her towards the coffee maker. “Taking me home to meet the parents already?” Natasha asked while raising a single eyebrow with a smile on her face. “Not like that, just an introduction,” I replied, rolling my eyes at her. “I spent the night in your bed, and here I thought that little ole me was finally landing a multi-billionaire.” Natasha quipped while she started the coffee machine.

I could only shake my head at that. “Enough play, tell me, how are you feeling?” I asked, raising my eyebrow at her. I already knew that her powers had settled. I wondered what her version of Spiderwoman will become. And with that thought, I realized I already knew the best hero suit for her. The Silk suit would look best on her, with the half face mask allowing her hair to flow free. Although I would also have to include a static cling, to keep her hair from shedding and giving away DNA samples.

I wouldn’t want those stubborn mad scientist that I haven’t found yet for the liberation of their souls to start making clones, and there is HYDRA to also consider. Natasha looked at me with that winning smile of hers, “I think I know how Captain America felt after his serum. I feel so supercharged, and my spacial awareness is at a level I’ve never imagined before. Even that reflex to dodge that lightning. I have never been that fast before.” I raised an eyebrow at that, “Can’t you already dodge bullets.” I asked with a smile. “That’s from extensive training to being able to predict movement patterns and how someone will react. These powers change everything.” Natasha replied while pouring a cup of coffee for herself, while I had a hot chocolate from my stash.

“Spider-senses,” I spoke up. “Spider what now? That’s what you called my dodge from earlier,” she asked. “Spider-senses, it’s one of the abilities you gained. That’s how you’re able to dodge my little lightning bolt. Also a very overpowered ability once you realize its potential. I’m sure you will be able to exploit it after today. Since you are The Black Widow.” I told her while heading for my shower.

“And all these abilities came from that spider bite. I mean, how is that possible? And what about your friend that got bit yesterday? Will he have all the same abilities that I have?” Natasha was asking my questions at a mile a minute. That’s strange she was never this talkative yesterday or in the movies, but I guess she would show more interest since it does affect her body. “No, the fate’s only gave him the standard stuff. What I gave you was a whole lot more. That particular spider comes with a cloaking ability and bioelectric hand blasts.” I replied to her assault of questions. 

She stopped and raised an eyebrow at me, “I wasn’t even aware I had these abilities.” With that, she gave me a slow smirk.  Yeah, I guess I walked right into that one didn’t I. “I am faster than you.” I told her. “Not something a guy should be proud of.” She quipped at me. Figuring I had enough, I just ignored her smile and got myself ready for a shower. Natasha never stopped following me around until I stopped at my master bathroom door.

When I stood there and looked at her, Natasha only quirked her eyebrows at me and smiled. “I know what you’re doing, and it won’t work.” I told her looking her up and down. “And what am I doing exactly?” Natasha asked me back with a sweet and innocent tone of voice. “Trying to see how much you can get away with tempting me. You’re also poking around to see what else I might let slip. And a few other things I can’t place or figured out yet.” I replied to her and getting a slow lazy smile out of the red-headed temptress.

“Guest showers are in the other room, that way.” And with that, I locked the door behind me. I refused to admit that I might have bitten off more than I could chew. Though, as long as she is loyal, I will figure out some way to live with her brand of teasing.

Natasha / The Black Widow / Ex-Assassin

Natasha looked at the young man that extended his trust to her without a second thought. He gave her a chance that no one had ever even attempted to extend her, not only that, but he depended on her to protect the most precious people in his life. Family, Natasha only had briefs memories of such people, though they had been far from her mind for years. Natasha looked from the closed bathroom door down to her hands, and with a small amount of focus, she brought out electricity between her fingers. Her target had turned out to be one interesting man alright. 

Completely different from the usual marks her job had her rubbing elbows with. When she had killed her handler for using her as he did, Natasha had given up hope of ever finding redemption. She was not only far too damaged as a human, but she was also the monster in the night that parents would warn their kids about. Natasha was a monster, and she would never deny something like that, not after all her life experiences; but maybe this was her second chance, like he said.
 
Natasha examined her hand again and watched as it slowly faded in and out of view. These new abilities of hers were reacting to her emotions and also her actions. Since he has been a man of his words, maybe he can find a cure for her.  She would also have to get in touch with a few contacts, to see if she can find what hole Maya Hansen is currently hiding in. Natasha brushed those thoughts aside and contemplating more fun things like teasing her boss.  He wasn’t going to know what hit him. With a smile, Natasha headed for the guest showers.

Benjamin Blake / Super Fast Semi-Functional Moron / Genius / Hero’ish

After a nice, and very cold shower, it was time to get dressed, meet the family, and then show my face at Star Industries.  I noticed that Natasha was back to her silent observational self while I was on the tablet following the footage from a nano-fly. I had left it there whent I dropped Peter off the night before with his family. When he woke up, he was buff, not muscle builder buff but he was gymnastics buff. Good for him, now I have to keep him from chasing M.J.

Natasha looked at my tablet and raised her eyebrows at me, “Is that why you’re not interested in all of this?” When she said that Natasha gave herself a flourish with her hands and the bellboy that was walking by ran directly into the table.

Rolling my eyes at her, “No, he is my friend and a recruit for my Guardians program.” “He is the other one that got bitten by the other spider yesterday?” Natasha asked me showing a lot more interest now. “Yes,  he is. But he lacks self-confidence right now. That is something I plan to fix.” And with that, Allen finally arrived with the car.

While seated, I brought up my files on the Silk hero suit now called the Black Widow. Natasha smirked at the costume. “So it’s from your bed to spandex, huh. I thought you would have been a leather type of guy.” Allen almost had a choking fit from the driver’s seat up front. Sighing to myself, I clarified. “It’s going to be your hero suit when you’re helping me as a backup or when major shit goes down. We can’t have you out there in some assault gear.” I told her while going over the suit. 

It had a black under-layer with red sole shoe bottoms. The chest and back were silver in color with red web lines along both sides. The Black Widow symbol was front and center on the chest. Since that was her moniker and since it is not broken, I had no plans to fix it. Although I did add in my protections and improvements, the back had a spinal protector, and I also had added flexible, bulletproof inserts. Granted the suit was already bulletproof and with her spider sense she could easily dodge bullets, but it was better safe than sorry.

“You’re going all out with this.” She stated from her location looking over the holograms I had up for her to examine. “Alfred, make a note to create an upgraded vehicle with holo-tech,” I spoke out to the air. “Of course sir,” Alfred replied. “And to answer you, yes, I am, and you should be too. Today is not only a new day but also a new day for Natalia Romanova. The bad guys will tremble, and the people will cheer, that’s what I plan for the name of BLACK WIDOW.” I stated with maybe too much passion in my voice. Natasha sat back in her seat and went into what I thought was her quiet contemplation mode.

We got home just in time for breakfast. I was starving.  When I opened the door to my house, I found the most bizarre scene ever. Alfred’s drone body was sitting on my dad’s lap while they were both reading the morning newspaper. That would have been fine, but what was strange was the outfit he was wearing. Alfred was wearing what appears to be a custom made panda outfit. 

I could only facepalm myself seeing this, Alfred is the most advanced sentient A.I. on the planet and who can take him seriously wearing a panda suit. Sigh, I could only ignore that and make the introductions. “Dad, this is Natasha my new secretary and liaison at Star Industries,” I told him ushering in Natasha from behind me. Though he only raised his eyebrows at her appearance. Well shit, Natasha was still in her yoga pants. 

He had far more self-control than I did because his eyes didn’t even move from her face, though I think that’s his police training and my mother’s training keeping his eyes up top.
“Hon have you seen my keys? I could…” Asked my mother as she walked into the room, but with one look at Natasha, she froze up for a fraction of a second.  Then everything burst into action and I realized I have been underestimating mom a lot. The purse she was holding went straight for Natasha’s head which she didn’t have to dodge because I snatched it out of the air.

I turned around to figure out what the fuck was going on. I turned to face my mother only to see her pulling the trigger on her custom .38, which I still couldn’t figure out how she was carrying that on her person. I was not going to stay idle watching the drama so with a quick move I snatched all the rounds out of the air. It was best to disarm my mom and then find out what the hell was going on. Once I removed the .38 special from my mom’s hands and made sure the .38 was disarmed and safe, I turned around to ask what the situation was. That was when my mother then pulled out a special forces karambit knife.

“ENOUGH!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

“Do you even understand who you just brought into my home?” Was the first question out of my mother’s mouth. “Yes, I do understand who she used to be,” I replied, but before she could follow up with that statement. “You do, do you, well allow me to sit in and listen to this.” The one-eyed bandit himself, FURY walked in from the kitchen.  My mother didn’t even flinch, but my dad did grumble something about the fucking brother in law not using the front door or calling before dropping by.

“Nicky, did you know about this?” My mother asked automatically. I could only groan at the fact that she had no shame about using that nickname, but Natasha chuckled like this situation wasn’t tough enough. “Someone sent me a message about how the Black Widow was now off limits, and all of her files were being redacted or deleted as we speak.” Replied FURY to my mother while giving me the one-eyed stare.

“Long story short she is a product of being a child soldier, so I am giving her a second chance,” I stated to the group. “And what about that explosion at Oscorp last night.” Asked Fury standing next to my mother. “Osborn put out a contract on me, when I refused to sell a portion of my company.” I shrugged.

“And that wouldn’t have anything to do with his OZ formula markers in your little medi-injector now would it? And what about your energy signature on the scene?” Asked FURY. “What about it? Alfred shut down all those systems and removed everything that could have connected me to that,” I told him because I knew SHIELD systems would be first, so I started with them. “At least your not slipping, I’ll need her working for me. If this is going to work, I have the perfect partner in mind.” FURY spoke while going to sit on the couch.

“Its Barten isn’t it?” I asked, but FURY didn’t even break a sweat. “Yes it is, Coulson’s busy.” “How are you going to get her a pardon?” Asked my mother. “I recently got a nice windfall, and it came with some Senators names. I am already applying some pressure on them for one. I caught them attached to a black site, so I’m blackmailing them into approving what I need.” “You’re just going to say that in front of me?” Asked Fury.

“Yes, I am. Uncle Nicky,” I said while raising an eyebrow at him. That caused Natasha to chuckle at the name again. We all turned to look at her and Fury was none too pleased having that bit of information about him out there in the wild. “Are you sure about this?” Asked my dad. “I am as sure as I was that day I carried the bombs away from everyone,” I spoke with conviction to everyone present. “Alright then, Judith she’s family now. We both know he isn’t going to let this go after he decided to help her.” Replied my dad giving his final declaration on the subject. Then he went back to reading his paper with Alfred in his panda suit.

FURY got up to go, only leaving behind a statement about how he will get in contact with us when a mission becomes available. I was sure that he was not going to let this go. That man could be stubborn as an ox. The breakfast was surprisingly a pleasant affair, what should have been a somewhat awkward breakfast was peaceful. Although when my dad got up from the table, I heard him whispering to Alfred about trying on my old junior cop outfit from when I was five. Ignoring them, I focused on Natasha, who was speaking to my mom in hushed whispers about her .38 special.  Great I went from the abnormal one in the bunch to the only normal one in the bunch.

STAR INDUSTRIES HQ

One of the first things I did when I got to the H.Q. was a stroll through my labs. I had recreated the fake face from the Winter Soldier movie but with my twist to it. I had been trying to recreate the liquid geo crystals from the Man of Steel movie, and all I was able to succeed with so far was a programmable crystal sheet.

They were wholly moldable and even replicated fingerprints with a ninety-eight percent success rate out of five thousand tests in a lab. These are on my unsellable list for sure, although when Natasha watched them in action, she took five faces.  I had to have her put 4 of them back because, with my nano-tech, each mask could be programmable with over one hundred faces.

I swear it was like bringing a kid to a candy store, she wasn’t just asking what everything did, but every time I did a demonstration, she would request more than one of everything.  I sent a commission to Alfred while she was busy blowing up some test dummies with the SunShot.