[90] Crossed Paths

Chapter 90: Crossed Paths

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The night air caressed my face as I stood frozen on the rooftop, my mind grasping for answers. How did this jewel thief know my name? Not my hero name or some nickname for one of my alien forms but my real, legal name.

Have we met before or something?

Felicia's green eyes were wide with recognition, reflecting the city lights like a cat caught in headlights. For the first time since we'd met, her confident facade cracked.

"Oh my, Ben~" she practically purred, recovering quickly. "That's you, right? From your reaction, I'm sure it's you. Just what happened to you? You used to be so scrawny and short..."

The casual familiarity in her tone felt like ice water down my spine. I'd encountered many strange things since finding the Omnitrix among aliens, mutants, and few too many interdimensional threats, but having a notorious cat burglar recognize me while I was in civilian form? That was a new kind of unsettling.

"Um. Have we met before?" I kept my voice steady despite the alarm bells clanging in my head. Had I encountered her during a mission? Was my identity compromised enough that even thieves knew my civilian identity?

Panic flashed across her face in a microsecond of genuine fear before she masked it with a casual smile. She only seemed to realize now, amid the rush of adrenaline, that she wasn’t supposed to call me out like that. After all, if she knew me, I might know her too. The girl under the mask.

"A girl has her secrets.” She shrugged, the movement deliberately drawing attention to the curves beneath her skintight suit. “Let's just say I make it my business to know who the new players are in this city… haha. I didn’t know you were a werewolf."

I studied her, noticing the subtle tells of deception. The way her pupils dilated slightly, the artificial casualness of her pose. She was good but not perfect.

"Enough games, Felicia Hardy."

The name hit like a thunderbolt. If her fear was that I’d figure out her identity, I first had to destroy that delusion by showing I already knew. Her composure shattered completely this time, mouth opening and closing without sound. The night wind whistled between buildings, filling the silence as she struggled to respond.

"How do you–" She stopped herself, eyes narrowing. "Ah, I see the detective did her homework."

"Jessica's thorough,” I agreed, though in truth, Jessica hadn't mentioned her name. I'd simply pulled it from my meta-knowledge, but Felicia didn't need to know that. "Now, how about the truth this time?"

She scowled, her platinum hair catching the moonlight as she tossed it back. "Well, we haven’t met before, not really... you're Gwen's cousin, right? Gwen and I both attend Midtown High. I saw you a few times across the years..."

That... was unexpected. I thought back to the times I'd picked Gwen up from school or dropped off homework she'd forgotten. Had I seen Felicia there? Maybe in passing, but certainly not enough to recognize me years later in the dark.

"Oh, you're Gwen's friend?" I asked, skepticism evident in my tone.

Felicia's expression turned enigmatic, neither confirming nor denying. "...You can say that." She offered a noncommittal shrug that somehow communicated volumes while revealing nothing.

I searched my memory for connections. After Uncle Frank's job transfer from Bellwood to New York, Gwen did attend Midtown, one of New York's most prestigious science-focused high schools. My cousin's academic excellence had earned her a spot there while I attended a different school across town.

Our families had relocated from Bellwood to New York years ago, and while I'd occasionally pick Gwen up or drop off forgotten homework, I'd never paid much attention to her classmates.

And I definitely would have remembered someone like her.

I searched my memory, trying to place her face in the context of Midtown's hallways rather than New York's rooftops. There was something vaguely familiar about her features. Had I passed her in the hallway during one of my visits? A flash of platinum blonde hair in the crowd, perhaps?

But the poised, academic-focused student she was implying seemed worlds away from the cat burglar currently bound before me. Then again, I was hardly one to talk about double lives.

"Huh. Small world," I muttered, not fully believing her but acknowledging the potential connection. I'd definitely be asking Gwen about this later.

Felicia must have sensed my skepticism because her entire demeanor shifted. She straightened her posture, chest forward, a deliberate softness entering her eyes. Classic.

"You know," she purred, "we could work something out, just between us. I'd be very grateful if you'd let me go. Maybe we could... get to know each other better?"

“What do you mean?” I asked, face blank.

Her body language shifted further, becoming more deliberately seductive. Through the rope binding her, she leaned forward slightly, just enough to emphasize her figure. "Oh come on~ you know what I mean..." Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I could make it worth your while."

The blatant attempt at manipulation was so transparent that I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.

Felicia blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction. "What's so funny?"

"Nice try, but that's not how this works," I said, still chuckling as I activated the Omnitrix. The familiar green light washed over me, transforming my body into Ghostfreak's spectral form. "Let's go meet Jessica, shall we?"

Felicia's eyes widened in alarm as my body turned translucent, then invisible. "Wait, what are you–"

Her question ended in a startled yelp as I lifted her into the air, my invisible hands firmly gripping her arms.

"I wouldn't struggle too much," my disembodied voice warned. "It's a long way down."

We soared over the New York skyline, the city becoming a show of lights beneath us. Felicia's initial resistance gradually subsided as she realized struggling might result in a very unpleasant meeting with the pavement several hundred feet below.

"This is... actually kind of amazing," she admitted reluctantly, her body relaxing slightly in my grasp as we glided between skyscrapers. "The view, I mean… Not being kidnapped by a weird ghost. What are you, anyway?"

"Whatever I am, this form isn’t a ghost," I corrected. "An Alien. And I'm not kidnapping you, I'm taking you to face consequences."

"Potato, po-tah-to."

"First time flying?" I asked, somehow making small talk despite our complications, the night air flowing through my spectral form creating an eerie whisper effect.

"First time without a grappling hook or parachute," she replied, with surprising candor.

There was something ironically satisfying about it. The cat burglar who moved so confidently across rooftops was now completely at my mercy in the air. The hunter becomes the hunted.

I silently wondered what Jessica would make of our unexpected guest, and more importantly, what we'd do with Felicia afterward. Big evil organization like Oscorps wasn’t a simple alien I could brawl with.

The Black Cat might be more complicated than a simple thief for us.

****

Jessica Jones stood outside her apartment door, arms crossed tightly over her chest, still wearing the elegant black dress from the gala. Her expression shifted from concern to suspicion as I materialized in the hallway, Felicia still bound and dangling from my spectral grip.

"Took you long enough," Jessica said, her eyes narrowing as she took in my captive. "So this is our cat burglar?"

I returned to human form with a flash of green light, still holding Felicia's bound wrists. "Yup. Meet the Black Cat. Real name Felicia Hardy."

“Hey! C’mon, that was supposed to be our little secret.” Felicia straightened, somehow managing to look poised despite being captured. Her eyes quickly assessed Jessica, lingering on the PI's athletic build and no-nonsense stance. Recognition dawned in her expression.

"The famous PI," Felicia said. "Should have known from the beginning that you two are working together, I saw your superhero identity Jewel in those Harlem clips. You've made quite a name for yourself, Ms. Jones."

Unlike me, Jessica’s identity and powers were somewhat public knowledge. People who hired her usually knew about it, and the local police station also knew.

"Funny, I was about to say the same about you," Jessica replied coolly, stepping aside to let us enter. "Though I prefer my name in the papers, not police reports."

Inside the apartment, I guided Felicia to the couch, positioning myself strategically between the two women. The tension crackled like static electricity, two powerful personalities sizing each other up across Trish's tastefully decorated living room.

"She's more than just a jewel thief," I explained, pulling out the flash drive. "Show her what you found, Felicia."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "First-name basis already, Tennyson?"

I ignored the jab. "This is bigger than stolen diamonds."

Felicia leaned forward, the motion deliberately testing her bonds. "Ugh… Oh well. It’s beneficial for me if an investigator knows about this, anyhow. I’ll keep it short. Oscorp is conducting illegal human experiments. Cross-species genetics. They promised my father a cure for his degenerative condition, but they're actually turning test subjects into lab rats."

"And why should I believe a word coming from a professional liar and thief?" Jessica asked, though she was already reaching for her laptop.

"Nah, turns out she has proof," I answered, handing her the flash drive. "I can vouch for her, somewhat. Oscorp just tried to kill us both at the museum. That’s why we had to flee, and I had to protect her."

Jessica's fingers froze over her keyboard. "Kill you? A-are you alright, Ben?"

Her worry made me smile. “Come on, I’m stronger than some bullets, Jess.”

“They were private security contractors," Felicia clarified. "Very professional, very discrete, and very willing to eliminate problems. I’m lucky I had a hero saving me today ♡…." She winked at me.

Jessica frowned, glaring at the girl for a short moment. Then she turned around. The apartment fell silent except for the clicking of keys as Jessica loaded the files. Her face grew increasingly grim as she scrolled through documents, test results, and grainy security footage showing what looked like human-animal hybrids strapped to laboratory tables.

"Holy shit," Jessica whispered. "This is... this is Nazi-level experimentation."

I nodded grimly. "Shocked me too when I checked with Upgrade. The mortality rate is over ninety percent. Those who survive the process are unstable, both physically and mentally."

"And they want to do this to your father?" Jessica looked up at Felicia, her professional detachment giving way to genuine concern.

Felicia nodded, her cocky façade slipping to reveal the vulnerability beneath. "He's deteriorating rapidly. When conventional medicine failed, Oscorp approached with promises of a revolutionary treatment. By the time I discovered what they were really planning..."

"She infiltrated their lab and stole partial data," I finished. "That's why they're hunting her."

Jessica sat back, running a hand through her hair. "This is bigger than a diamond heist," she admitted reluctantly. "Way bigger."

"Which means we need a plan," I said, moving to untie Felicia's bonds. At Jessica's questioning look, I added, "I think we're past the point of treating her as a prisoner."

Felicia rubbed her wrists dramatically. "Such a gentleman."

The next hour dissolved into a strategy session, each of us bringing different skills to the table. I also shared Jessica's doubt that Felicia might try something, but after being captured so easily, she didn’t dare attempt it again. Plus, we were helping her.

Jessica’s investigative experience and legal knowledge provided structure. Felicia's insider information on Oscorp security revealed vulnerabilities. Ultimately, my aliens would be our ace in the hole, the unexpected element that could tip the scales.

"If we expose the research publicly, it forces Oscorp to back off," Jessica suggested, sketching a rough timeline on a legal pad.

"Not fast enough," Felicia countered. "My father has weeks, not months. And Norman Osborn has enough influence to delay any investigation indefinitely."

"Then we go in directly," I proposed. "Extract your father, secure the full research data as leverage, and use the threat of exposure to negotiate."

Felicia's eyes lit up. "Bold. I like it."

"It's also incredibly risky," Jessica pointed out. "Oscorp Tower has better security than most military installations."

"Nothing I haven't handled before," Felicia insisted, a hint of professional pride in her voice.

"And nothing my aliens can't overcome," I added.

Jessica looked between us, and it was clear that she recognized the dangerous chemistry forming. "You two are way too excited about breaking into one of the most secure buildings in Manhattan."

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. Grandpa Max's name flashed on the screen. "I need to take this," I said, stepping away from our impromptu war council.

Grandpa's voice sounded tired but urgent. "Ben, where are you? It’s already been two days, boy. Madelyne would benefit from your presence here. Otherwise, I think she might have another breakdown… Charles and Miss Frost have planned something to help clear her mind, and they could use your help.”

I winced, having completely forgotten about my scheduled return to Xavier's. "I'm in Manhattan. There's been a... complication."

"Is it life-threatening?"

I glanced back at Jessica and Felicia, deep in conversation over the laptop. "Not immediately, no."

"Then wrap it up and get back here. You can return once we’re done with Madelyne," he proposed. The call ended, leaving me with the uncomfortable task of explaining to Jessica that I needed to leave right when things were getting interesting.

"Let me guess," Jessica said when I returned to the couch. "Duty calls?"

"Something about the Jean Grey clone," I explained apologetically. "I need to head back to Xavier's."

Disappointment flashed across her face, quickly masked with understanding. "If she only trusts you there, yeah it must be difficult for her to not see you for two days in a situation like this… Alright fine."

"You two can continue planning, okay? I'll be back as soon as I can," I promised. "If something emergency comes, one SOS and I'll be here faster than you can blink."

"We'll manage," Jessica assured me, though her eyes said otherwise. Felicia watched our exchange with calculating interest, clearly filing away every detail of our interaction for future reference.

As I prepared to leave, there was a short silence as Jessica pulled me by the shirt. When I turned to her, she pulled my face into a kiss that left little doubt about her feelings to the third-party. It was deliberate, possessive, and unmistakably territorial. A clear message to both me and Felicia.

When we separated, Felicia's eyebrow was raised in amusement, a small smile playing on her lips. "Try not to steal anything else before I get back," I told Felicia.

"No promises, wolf boy," she replied with a wink.

Jessica crossed her arms. "Don't worry. She won't leave my sight."

I activated the Omnitrix one final time, transforming into XLR8. With a rush of wind and the afterimage of movement, I was gone, racing back toward Xavier's mansion with thoughts of genetics research, cat burglars, and complicated women swirling in my mind.

Behind me, in Jessica's apartment, I had left behind two formidable women with very different approaches to justice. As I sped through the hidden alleys of New York to avoid cameras, I couldn't help but wonder if I could manage this many situations on my plate.

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Author Note: Our Ben getting really busy with all these plots running around him. He can’t be everywhere, after all.

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