Chương 261: Arc Nine. Chapter Two-Hundred Sixty-One. The Fantastic Foursome
Giggling and slightly drunk, Felicia sent the text to Peter,
Meet us at Emma's, and the three waited for him to arrive.
Emma was excited to finally be getting her Symbiote. She watched Elektra and Felicia spar and seeing the boost they got drove her to want one more. She had made her peace with what happened at Bar Sinister. Anna Marie and Psylocke had both been given the all clear by Charles and Selene, and after a long and emotional talk with the pair, she realised they were nothing like her, and that Shaw was dead. The past was in the past and as much as she hated to be reduced to the sex object Shaw thought of her, her scheme had come out on top and he was dust.
Which was why she and the rest were surprised when it was Liv who arrived.
"Peter agreed but I wanted to speak to you all first." was all she said. "He refuses to be frivolous, and I have an alternative suggestion. Octave hasn't spawned, and she doesn't mind being the one to give Emma her Symbiote."
Emma frowned, "but isn't he like a super daddy to them all? No offence but aren't you all powered up from him, and so a bit you know, weaker?" and Liv tutted,
"The Symbiotes are strong in their own right, and while his offspring do gain additional powers, they all have their own unique abilities. Octave has a better grasp of her technopathic abilities than Peter does. But they don't translate. You for example look like you can't work a light switch without a maid, so I doubt you'd be a very strong one, but telepathy and your creative abilities might be stronger. We don't know, and we aren't about to start spawning hundreds of them to find out."
"But, um, aren't we all supposed to be bonding, so that we don't fall out? I mean, I am still sore at you all for ignoring us while you partied and arranged weddings. Why isn't he here to make up for that?" Elektra asked and Liv raised an eyebrow,
"And have you made an effort? Or you Miss Frost. Peter makes us all very aware of when he wishes to spend time with us, and we are the same. But I don't recall either of you visiting the warehouse for anything other than food, or even using the new bathhouse. Do you expect him to drop his trousers, screw you senseless and then skulk home like a cheap whore?"
"So he sent you?" Emma said with a smirk, but Liv laughed,
"I have been called worse, and there might even be a few stories about men leaving money on my nightstand, but so what? I know what I am, I love who I am and Peter loves me. Can you say the same?" and Emma sat back down, clasping her hands and shaking her head. "We are a family, and Elektra. Peter does understand your upset at being left out of the festivities, but we are all equally to blame. Did you even make an effort to join in? I remember seeing you at one dinner, and then you vanished. And Miss Frost, you simply turned up, made derogatory comments about everything and then left, leaving your mark and several receipts. Peter gave you space after Shaw. He knew you needed it, but once you got it, did you even try to let him know you were okay? Or did you simply refuse to bow your head and expect him to woo you? I mean, have you even told him about Kitty yet?" and even Felicia looked over at Emma confused,
"No, it slipped my mind," she admitted and seeing the look Felicia was giving her. "She came to me about working for the Cats. Since Scott left the X-Men and she got hurt, she feels Bobby and the others are babying her more. I was going to bring it up, but we all got distracted."
She had only mentioned it to Liv as Kitty was receiving medical care from her. Peter's stronger biogel was only available to the warehouse, but as she had been hurt on his mission, he felt that she deserved it.
"Yes, and nobody minds you scouting, but you cannot forget about new employees. Peter also has plans and new contracts coming for us." and Emma looked even guiltier, "Oh go on, say it."
"Psylocke as well, I mean, we've been working on getting her memories back, and she is like a sister."
"So? You all complained and cried about Peter being unfair while you were all doing the same things behind his back. Peter won't sleep with either of you for that reason alone. After Selene, he needs to be able to trust everyone. Emma, while it is painful, look at what Shaw did behind your back. While we're not about to start cloning people, making a Symbiote is just as personal, and just as dangerous."
Emma and Elektra both looked guilty,
"Which is also why, if this is your answer, then Peter won't be joining us. He wants to stop mixing our personal lives with business. Parker Inc, and more importantly Peter himself, will be off-limits. Peter has enough to worry about without two grumpy and belligerent women trying his patience."
Emma scrunched up her face, "now wait a minute, I understand we didn't exactly make an effort but we did try, is the coffee not good enough, are the swimsuits not to your taste?" and Elektra, emboldened by Emma's outburst,
"And I did try too, I met Peter's mother but you are all so busy, when did he attempt to make time for us?" and Liv nodded,
"Quite right, and Peter knew that and was coming to make amends. Until I stopped him."
Emma and Elektra both looked at each other confused, while Felicia had slid back,
"Peter made a resolution to stop playing around as he calls it. No casual sex, no simply screwing whoever he wanted. He realized that while we are a strange bunch, there is a limit to the casual relationships he can start. He wants this to be serious. Peter has said in the past how both of you are extremely attractive but he wants family and stability, and as you both know his past, what did you expect? So, what do you want?"
Emma looked down, "I would like that, but I don't know. I'm not used to being in the spotlight for anything other than my looks. What place do I have with you all?" and Elektra shrugged,
"I would like a family too, but I'm not an angel. Marriage is not for me, I like my life, I just wanted to share Peter with Felicia."
Emma straightened her back, "and if I agree, what do I have to give up?"
Liv laughed, "give up? You realise Peter gave all of us what we asked for. He knows he owes you. Carol is alive because of you. Shaw is dead because of you. It's not what you want to give up, it's what you want."
Elektra leaned back on the bed, "Yes, I think I am happy with my life. Extremis powers, and a selection of creams, I think. Yes, I think I am happy, as long as I can still spend time with Felicia, then everything else is just a bonus."
"And Peter?" Liv asked but Elektra shrugged,
"No, I do not want what he wants, the little Pete as you call them is enough."
Emma stared at her, "wait, little Pete?" and Elektra giggled,
"They are modelled on him, did you not know?" and as Emma went red with embarrassment, "I take that as a no. They are very satisfying, don't you agree?"
Felicia laughed and slid back down the bed to wrap her arms around Emma. The normally stoic woman was put off balance by the fact that her new favourite toy was modelled on the very man she's berated for treating her like a sex object, and here she was, using him as a sex object.
"Peter doesn't care. Just don't mention you use one. He does care about people's feelings."
Elektra giggled, "bedding eight women, not much though." and even Liv laughed.
"Well, they were friends, he just got to indulge in every boy's fantasy, very beautiful childhood friends, willing and very accepting."
"There is another matter first," and the door buzzer went, "She came because I asked her too."
Emma lifted the handset of the door buzzer and saw Selene waiting outside, sighing and shaking her head she buzzed her in and unlatched the door.
A few moments later, Selene came in and smiled as she saw Liv and the others, "Emma. I would say it is nice to see you but it is not, so I shan't."
Liv shook her head, "behave. Peter agrees but you need to keep your end up as well."
Emma frowned, "We might be telepaths darling, but really."
"Peter wants you and Felicia to go legit. He knows Felicia hates sitting behind a desk, and you hate the Hellfire club more than anyone. Sell your shares to Selene and Elektra, and come work for us."
Emma laughed, "really? Leave the club? And do what? I'm not a chemist or a robot builder. What on earth does he want me for?" and as Liv smiled, Emma shook her head and frowned, "and that would be the wrong thing to joke about."
Liv shook her head and grinned, "Oh shush. You know Peter. He is willing to let you do what you want. He did offer to let you go legit, so this is part of it. Go legit, make a legit business, and cut ties with the Cats."
Emma leant back in her chair and tapped a finger against its armrest.
"I still didn't get an answer, Miss Frost. Elektra has made her stance clear, and yours?"
Emma stood, "Well then. A Symbiote, one from Peter, a selection of creams from Gwen, as so far nothing compares, and a proper position. Maybe fashion, or cosmetics. No more skulking. I want to be legitimate and I want to be beautiful."
"And Peter?" Liv asked, and she folded her arms,
"I am not about to break my vow over someone who doesn't seem that interested. If Peter wants that, he can come and ask for it himself, and properly. I might not want him to whore himself for me, but I am the same. I am not a whore, and certainly not about to bend over and take it like one."
"Peter accepts that," and Liv showed them her phone and her connection to it through Octave.
"He heard?" and Liv nodded and Emma sighed "Then we are on the same page, I am not after anything casual either."
Liv smiled, "Good, there will be more than enough time for that dear. When you are ready. The Symbiote will be your choice. Do you want one now, and I take my clothes off and slip into bed with the three of you, or do you want Peter, and decide then."
Selene gave Liv a look, "Is Peter giving Emma a Symbiote? Can I?" but Liv raised a hand and shook her head,
"I believe that he paid your price, Miss Galleo. A Symbiote is entirely another matter. Especially as you may kill it before it can adjust to your powers." and Liv crossed her arms, "there is the other matter. Peter made it perfectly clear what he wants, and while I can understand your enthusiasm, you did put him in a difficult spot. There will be no more casual relationships. If you wish to join our group, you do so after we all agree." and Selene nodded,
"I cannot. I cannot spend my time around people, even here I can feel all your powers and while Peter was resilient to my abilities, I doubt you all are." and she straightened herself and with a hint of sadness hidden behind a stern look. "I will take over Emma and Felicia's parts of the Hellfire Club. Psylocke and I have already spoken, and she is willing to join as well. I will set a specific dollar amount for you Emma, and then we cut ties. As long as your business does not interfere with mine, then we can remain cordial."
Liv nodded, "As long as we don't discover that the part of the Hellfire Club we just eradicated is up and running, I don't see an issue." and as Selene gave Liv a disgusted look, she turned and headed to the door.
"Shaw was once my friend, but for what he did. I hope he burns in whatever hell he believes in."
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