03. Spiders



"Demmy? Are you in here?" The young girl called out for her friend. The Madam had left for some business and the girls were told to stay within their rooms. But Becca had other plans. Plans she knew would get her beaten if found out about, but she didn't care. She wanted to see her best friend. Her Demmy.

"Rebecca dear." Adam Sinclair called back, turning around and seeing the young seven year old, he squatted down to her height, his hands fully engulfing her small arms, "Why are you here? If any one of the guards catches you, you'll be punished. And i don't want to see that happen."

Becca huff, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout as she looked down, "I want to see you." She mumbles, "You're my only friend, Demmy."

"And you are mine, Rebecca. But you can't risk your safety to see me." He reminds her, "If you want to do well in here, you must follow their orders."

Becca hesitates, shaking her head, "But i don't want to be here. I want to go home." She whimpers, tears clouding her blue eyes. Eyes that share a striking resemblance to a certain Winter Solider.

"This is your home now. It's best you remember that."

How could he be alive? Becca was sure that he was killed during the fall of Hydra. All the raids that had happened with the help of the Avengers. He was one of Hydra's most skilled scientists. He was smarter than anyone she had ever met aside from her brother and mother. She knew it was possible for him to be able to escape. His name was cleared from nearly all of the Hydra files. Per his request, she remembers.

Becca's blue eyes snap back up at Uncle Ben and Demmy, her thoughts running a million miles a second. Her heart was racing, though no one could hear it. She was the only person that she knew at her age to have enhanced senses and abilities.

"Sofia, you okay?" Harry asks from beside her, squeezing her hand in his to gain her attention. He glanced back at Peter, motioning him to come up to them, "Pete, i don't think Sofia's okay." He tells his friend.

Peter looks Becca over, he noticed she had turned pale and her eyes were locked onto his Uncle's lab partner. "Fia, let's get some air." He tells her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to try and guide her away from the crowd of their class. He noticed Doctor Sinclair watching them closely, his Uncle also glanced but had to continue talking to the class.

Becca's breathing became ragged as she was moved from the crowd and into a different room. "Fia." She heard Peter call to her. She slowly lifted her head to meet his eyes.

"Yes?" She answered, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"What happened back there? You were scaring Harry, and I."

Becca's eyes focus on the room they're now in, millions of spiders were in the center of the room, spinning their webs. Her mind was thrusted back to the Red Room, remembering everything she was told and taught and beaten into her. "I- Someone from my past.. my past in Russia.. he's here."

Peter felt his entire body go stiff as Becca collapsed onto her knees in shock and disbelief. He caught her in his arms, falling to the floor with her, "Hey, hey you're okay. Nothing's gonna happen, alright? Uncle Ben wouldn't let that happen." He states, trying to reassure her as best he could.

Becca shakes her head, "He was suppose to be dead. He was suppose to go down like everyone else." She whimpers, burying her head into her arms.

Peter hesitates, "Who's he, Fia?"

"Uncle Ben's lab partner."

"Sinclair? I've met him a few times, he's nice." Peter says, "What are you saying that he should've gone down with everyone else."

Becca hesitates, she trusts Peter, but Hydra is still too big of a secret to be told. She doesn't want him involved in that. He deserves a good like, not one with the torment of Hydra, "Nothing.. Forget i said anything.. I just didn't expect him to be here of all places.. it startled me."

Peter hesitates, nodding slowly but winces at his hand, seeing one of the spiders from the center of the room on the back of his hand. He huffs, smacking it and flicking it away. He turns his focus back to Becca once the spider is off his hand.

"I want to reconnect with him, i do. But he brings back so many painful memories." She mumbles, tears cascading down her cheeks as she clings to Peter's sweater.

"Do you want to try and call anyone? Your dad maybe?" He asks, "Maybe they could help." He suggests, wanting to help her. He feels so useless knowing he can't do anything but hold her and tell her that things will be okay.

Becca nods, "But after school." She mumbles, "They're busy right now.. Buddy said he was taking Liza to a surprise with all of the team there."

"Must be fun, being connected to all of them." Peter wonders aloud, "Are you an Avenger? I never asked before cause i didn't really know your story.. i still don't but that's for you to tell me when you're ready."

Becca smiles, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand as she stands up. Talking about other things is helping her regain her grip on the reality before her. "In training. But yeah, i guess i am." She states.

"So cool." Peter mutters, his arm still around her shoulders to make sure she wont collapse again. "Ned would freak out if he knew that. He's already freaking out about how you know them so well, you're Captain America's daughter. It's kind of given."

Becca laughs breathlessly, nodding slowly. As she looks up, she spots Demmy again, but a familiar redhead blocks her view. MJ smiles at them as she comes over, "You alright, Sofia? You gave Harry, Ned and I quite a scare when you went pale."

Becca nods slowly, "Yeah, i'm okay now. Memories of my past life just hit me.. i guess all of the science going on kind of triggered that.."

MJ's gaze softens when she listens to Becca speak, "Well, that's not your life anymore. Right Pete?" She asks the teenage boy.

"Uh- what? Oh! Right, yeah. We wont let anything happen to you, like i said before, Uncle Ben wouldn't allow it." Peter says nervously. He glances over, waving at Uncle Ben when he has a spare moment. He and Sinclair walk over to the small group of friends.

"Hey, everything alright, Sofia?" Ben asks, the back of his hand instantly going to her forehead, "No fever, you gave me a scare when you and Peter left suddenly."

Becca hesitates, her blue eyes glancing up at Demmy, who's watching her intently with concern written on his face. "I- I'm alright." She mutters, "Just.. some things triggered bad memories."

Ben nods slowly, pulling her into his chest, holding her close. The young girl smiles softly, wrapping her arms around him, "Well, i hope those memories stay memories." He states.

Becca nods slowly, "Yeah." She agrees.

"Kids, meet Doctor Adam Sinclair, my partner in crime." Ben states to Peter and Becca's friend group of Harry, Ned, and MJ.

"You flatter me, Benjamin." Demmy states, smiling wide, he looks down at Becca, "It's lovely to see you again, Rebecca." He states quietly.

Ben raises an eyebrow, "Rebecca? You two know each other?"

Becca's eyes widen in surprise, stammering for an answer, "I- My old name.. back in Russia.." She says, "My dad changed it when he adopted me." She adds, the group nodding in understanding. The young girl sighs in relief, but looks at Demmy. "I go by Sofia now, Doctor Sinclair." She states to him, then looks back at Ben, nodding, "He was a scientist where i was kept." She tells the uncle.

"I was recruited to carefully watch the girls kept where sweet Re- Sofia was held. Dreadful place, absolutely awful. I only stayed because i couldn't leave those poor girls to fend for themselves." Adam states, looking at Becca, "Isn't that right?"

Becca hesitates, "Y-Yeah, he was the only friendly face i knew when i was there."

Ben nods slowly, keeping his hold on Becca as he wraps his arm around her shoulders protectively, "Well your class is going to tour the other floors, but i know you wanted to see what i do. So why dont we give you guys a special tour. I'm sure your teacher wont mind. Seeing as i'm family." He states and the group of friends nods excitedly. Ben and Adam lead the way to their conjoined labs, walking through the room Peter and Becca were just in.

"This room is where we test the serums we're creating." Ben tells the four kids, motioning to the spiders, "Different species of spiders all together, each species reacts differently to the serum so we keep them together for observation."

Becca looks up at the spiders, flashes of her life back in the Red Room appear in her mind when she sees the spiders spinning their webs.

"We are Black Widows. We spin our web of lies so well, that no one can see it is even there until it's too late. And when the prey is least expecting it. We go for the kill." The Madam states to the girls as they practice their ballet routine.

"Are there any Black Widows?" Becca asks shyly, leaning into Ben's side for comfort.

"Only a few, but we keep them separate from the others. They're deadly when they bite, we don't want any accidents." Ben states, walking out of the room and leading the group of kids to his and Adam's labs.

"Here is where we do most of our work." Demmy states with a smile, "Don't touch anything though. It may look harmless, but looks can be deceiving." He states, his eyes lock with Becca as he says those last few words.

Back home at the apartment, Becca is huddled on the balcony of hers and Peter's room. She's wrapped in her blanket as she stares at her phone, smiling at the pictures her Mama had sent to her of the new Avengers Facility. She wanted to be there with them. She wanted to send her Uncle Thor off, say her goodbyes to everyone properly. With no more Ultron looming.

But it made her wonder. With Ultron gone, how much longer would she be here with the Parker's. The robot was why she was here in the first place. So now that he's gone. What was stopping her family from bringing her home.

She pulled out her phone, staring at a certain contact. She tapped the number and held the phone against her ear as it rang.

"B?" Her Uncle's voice comes through the other line, "I didn't expect you to call."

Becca smiles, "Hi Uncle Steve." She says quietly, wanting to make sure Peter wasn't behind her. She couldn't hear his heartbeat so she knew she was safe, "Is it a bad time?"

"No, no. It's a great time. I've missed seeing you around. I know your Ma has well." He tells her, "Have you talked to her recently?"

"We texted earlier today.. i had a field trip and wanted to tell her about it." She replies, "We went to Oscorp, saw what Uncle Ben does.. but.." She trails off, and Steve notices the hesitancy in her voice.

"But? Becca what is it? Is something wrong?"

"Demmy.. the man i told you about.. my only friend in the Red Room. He was there. He was at Oscorp, he works with Uncle Ben." She says in a panic, her breathing starting to lose control.

"Becca, Becca honey breathe. You said you missed him, that he was the only good thing about your time there." Steve states, trying to calm his niece down as best he can over the phone.

"He was apart of Hydra, Uncle Steve.. What if he still is. He may have been my friend, but- but what if he's bad like everyone else was in Hydra."

"Is there a good time for me to come by? I think we need to discuss this in person." He says quietly

"Parent Day is this week actually. You could come in then.." Becca says, "You are technically my adopted dad."

Steve chuckles, "Yeah, what day is that? I'll talk with your Ma about this too."

"Friday. It's Friday.. i have some friends that would freak out big time if you showed up in your suit and the shield." She teases, her uncle laughing.

"I'll be sure to put on a show then." Steve states, "I'm glad you're making friends. I really am."

"They're cool. Peter obviously is my best friend, but MJ is very nice, and Michelle hangs around us and draws us like Mama said you did. And Ned is the one who would freak out over you, he's like your biggest fan. And then there's Harry.. He's sweet."

"Sweet? Does my niece have a crush on someone?" Steve pokes at his niece, smiling, "I don't need to give him the talk do i? Don't need to send in Tony?"

Becca giggles, "No, Uncle Stevie. Harry's sweet, his dad is the owner and founder of Oscorp actually. So we have a lot in common."

"His father is Norman Osborn?" Steve asks cautiously

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing to be worried about, Tony's just said some things about the man. He's done business deals with Oscorp when he was still CEO of Stark Industries." Steve says, "I need to go, your Ma is calling me." He states, "You want me to put her on the phone?"

"I'd like that.. but i need to get ready for bed.." Becca says, "Tell Mama i love and miss her for me though, okay?"

"Always, Becca." Steve says, "I love you. Stay safe, i'll see you Friday." He adds as he hangs up his phone.

Becca presses the end call button on her phone, climbing off the balcony into her room. Her eyes widening when she sees Peter standing in front of her. His complexion pale, sweat beading down his body as he holds his glasses in his hand tightly. Becca jumps when he snaps his glasses, breaking them.

"Benji.. what's wrong?"

"I dont't- I don't feel so good." He says, looking up at Becca, his eyes squinting. His vision clearing suddenly. He grips his head in his free hand, "The room is spinning, i heard you talking from the bathroom.. how i could i do that?"

Becca's eyes widen, she instantly goes to Peter, making him sit down on her bed, "Benji, you're burning up." She says, taking his shirt off of him to try and cool him down. her eyes go wide in shock as she sees his chest and stomach, "When did you get muscles.." She asks.

"I- What? I don't-" He stops as he looks down at himself, his eyes widening, "I guess i do.. I don't know how."

"You look sick, Benji, should i get Uncle Ben?" Becca asks.

"No! I can deal with whatever's going on." Peter says quickly, "But.. i heard you on the balcony from the bathroom.."

"You said that already."

"But the man on the other line. He called you Becca, and you called him Uncle Steve. He sounded like Captain America.. why was your dad calling you Becca when you're name is Sofia. And why were you calling him Uncle Steve when he's your dad." Peter asks, his head still pounding, his ears picking up every subtle noise. The cars honking from three blocks away. He could hear the quickening pace of Becca's heartbeat as he looked up at her.

"I-" Becca stutters, "Because he's not my dad. He's my Uncle." She tells him, "I'm not who i say i am."




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