THE THIEF SCALED the building and made it to the desired floor. Using one of the tools at her disposal, a sharp retractable claw from her finger, she cut a hole big enough to fit through.

She entered the penthouse. The young woman rappelled through the dimly lit room, avoiding the lasers that floated above the floor. She hung on the line and looked to her right, where she saw a large portrait of the property's owner. His abnormally shaped and flat-topped head stood out.

"Wow." She muttered. "Even uglier up close."

The woman looked up to the second-floor railing of the penthouse. She swung herself and grabbed onto the light fixtures where she deftly jumped on a railing. She perched on the bars and deathbed the rope from her torso.

"Now, now..." She stepped off the railing and into the office floor. "Where do you have that case?"

She looked through the room, thoroughly and carefully looking for the briefcase she was assigned to get.

Upon skimming through the desk, she felt a button under it. The thief pushed it and then heard a noise to the side. A hidden compartment opened under a bust.

"Bingo."

She went over and took out the compact briefcase from the compartment. It had some good weight to it despite it being small and she wondered what was inside.

It wasn't time to be curious, though.

The thief held on to the case and left the office. She tied the rope back to her waist and leaped off the railing, swinging down toward the first floor and avoiding the lasers yet again.

The woman made it back to the cut-out window and went through it. As she looked out into the skyline and prepared to rappel down, she heard someone above.

"Gee. You're up so high I'm surprised you're not shivering." Spider-Man said, sticking to the window pane. "Aren't you cold? Wearing that?"

The thief chuckled. The platinum-blonde's all-black attire was almost skintight but it offered her the least resistance while maneuvering.

"Is that what you're focused on?" She asked. "This suit? How it perfectly hugs my curves?"

That response wasn't what the young man expected.

"Uh...no? It's just—just cold up here and that's why—"

"Aww, I got you all flustered."

"No!" He shook his head. "Look, I don't know what you took from here but my job is to deal with cat burglars like you."

"And you've stumbled upon a special one." She smirked. "The name's Black Cat."

"Ah. I get it." He gestured his hand around. "The look...what you do..."

"We got something in common, Spider." She replied. "Your look...what you do..."

She had a point and all he did was shrug. Black Cat fully exited the hole in the window and was ready to rappel.

"It was a fine conversation. Hope we have more soon."

She jumped off and began to rappel down, but stopped upon Spider-Man being much quicker and getting in her way. He looked up at her as he stuck to the wall.

"Hey, we can keep it going. How about you tell me what's so special about that case? Then we can go over why it's bad to commit burglary. And then afterward, we can put it back where it was."

She seemed to ignore his statement, letting out a laugh and looking at him up and down. The woman still held on to the rope.

"Are you sure your not cold under all that spandex? Is that all you wear? Is there even anything underneath?"

"Uh...well, I'm used to—"

"If you do...I don't judge. That's another thing we'd have in common."

Y/N was stumped by her words. He never had conversations like this with criminals he'd go back and forth with.

Suddenly, his spider-sense blared. Black Cat took his moment of confusion as a chance to black-flip kick the hero. Y/N was hit and she leaped off the rope and began a free fall.

Black Cat shot a grappling hook from her wrist and stuck to a crane beside a half-constructed building. She swung into the site and ran across the floor.

Spider-Man was on her tail. He zipped through the site and then spun around a beam to try and kick her, but the athletic young woman ducked under it and kept running.

Still, the hero was able to stick a web line to her back and pull her down. The briefcase fell out of her hand and slid toward Spider-Man.

"I'll take that." He said as he neared it.

Black Cat glared and quickly got up, pouncing at Spider-Man before he can grab it. He reacted and avoided her attack, but the thief bounced her leg off the nearby beam and landed a flying kick back at Y/N.

The hero grunted and fell backward. For a seemingly unpowered human being, she was far quicker than most and had the combat experience to make herself a formidable opponent.

Black Cat was about to reach for the case but Y/N quickly pulled it away with a web line. It slid past him and landed several feet back, leaving the hero face-to-face with the thief.

"Come on, Spider. Can't you give a girl a break?"

"Nicknames already? We've barely met."

"I'd say we've been hitting it off so far."

She chose to step forward and Y/N reacted by sticking her foot to the floor with a web.

"Nuh-uh. Keep your distance." He said.

Black Cat could only laugh before she swiftly cut the webbing with her claws and freed her foot.

"If I knew you were going to web me up, I'd have asked you to dinner first."

"Sorry, lady. This guy's taken."

The thief seemed to pout.

"Shame. Curious to know which gal is lucky enough to tango with you."

"And I'm curious to know what your angle is with that briefcase."

"Oh, that thing? Just something a client of mine needs."

"Now I'm curious to know who that client is." Spider-Man butted.

She shook her head. "I don't kiss and tell."

With swiftness, she took out a cylinder object and threw it toward Spider-Man. It exploded and emitted a bright flash.

"Argh!"

Black Cat then leaped onto the hero, pinning him down. She held both his wrists down and straddled him.

"Now we can have some fun." She teased.

"Bagel!" Y/N suddenly shouted.

She arched a brow. "Huh?"

"That's my safe word."

Y/N ended up breaking free and kicking her off. He backflipped back to his feet. Black Cat quickly recovered and charged at the hero.

She swiped her claws at Y/N, which he dodged with ease. He had never fought a female villain in his life, so this was kind of new to him.

Honestly, this felt like those sparring matches he'd sometimes have with Kate...but dialed to 11 since Black Cat was actively trying to hurt him.

After a few more dodges, Y/N leaped over the thief and landed behind her. She quickly reacted and tried to land a roundhouse kick but Spider-Man stepped away from it in time.

"Ooh. You're a feisty one." Y/N taunted.

Black Cat cartwheeled toward the hero and ended up landing a clean kick across his face. Spider-Man stumbled back and was about to counter, but she flipped over him and kicked him square in the back.

Y/N fell forward and groaned before getting back up.

"Ugh...all right, I was going easy on you before."

She charged at him but Spider-Man countered her punch and kneed her in the side of her abdomen. He then kicked her away and shot a web at her feet, but the thief quickly pounced.

She leaped toward Y/N and tried to kick him again, but the hero grabbed her leg and threw her aside. Black Cat rolled on the ground but swiftly got to her feet.

Spider-Man shot another web but the young woman dodged it by shifting to the side.

"Don't get your goop in my hair." She said.

Y/N replied. "Don't worry, it dissolves in an hour."

Black Cat frantically swiped her claws at the superhero. Y/N kept dodging but was ultimately cut across his jawline.

"Argh!" He grunted and touched the gash. "Damn! That hurt."

"Don't corner a wild animal." She said with a smirk.

The thief jumped and quickly hit him with a flying kick that launched him back. Spider-Man reacted by shooting web lines out of both wrists and sticking to the beams.

He flung himself back toward Black Cat and landed a clean punch across her face. It ended up cracking one of the lenses of her goggles and she fell to the floor.

"I've never hit a girl before..." Spider-Man said, putting his hands on his hips. "Should I apologize?"

The girl got back up and smirked at the hero. She popped the broken lens off her eye mask and threw it aside.

"Good hit, Spider."

Black Cat immediately held out her wrist and shot a grappling hook toward him. Spider-Man sensed it and grabbed the wire, pulling her toward him. He held on to Black Cat and brought her to the floor where he pinned her to.

"What strong grip you have..." The lady teased, being beneath the well-built hero. "This power...where did you get it?"

He let out a quick laugh. He let go of her wrists but was still straddled over the thief.

"It's not the power you should be worried about. It's the responsibility it gave me. You know...to beat the crap out of criminals like you."

"Oh, I'll bet you say that to all the girls..."

She started walking her fingers up his arm and toward his cheek. Y/N grabbed her hand before she can touch him.

"Just the ones I really like...to see behind bars."

"You're a Spider...there was that Vulture years ago. Maybe I can be a part of your little animal kingdom." She said a little flirtatiously. "Tell me how..."

"Let me think about it..." He replied. "Nope."

"Mmhmm, I'll find a way. Later, Spider."

Black Cat toggled a smoke pellet to drop from her utility belt, which activated and disoriented the hero. Y/N coughed and was kicked off.

She shot her grappling hook at the briefcase nearby and pulled it toward her. Black Cat took it and ran off. Spider-Man finally gathered himself and saw that she was fleeing.

The hero web-zipped toward the thief and tried to land on her, but Black Cat sprung forward and flipped, avoiding him.

She kept running while Spider-Man was on her tail. Black Cat was close to the end of the floor and saw the crane from before. Seeing that it held a large metal beam, she tossed a small explosive pellet at the wire holding it.

It blew up and the metal beam was free. Black Cat knew it would slow down the hero as he wouldn't allow it to fall on top of the people below.

Y/N noticed the beam falling and cursed. "Damn it!"

Black Cat leaped out of the construction site and grappled away. Y/N dove out and went after the falling beam.

He shot a web line up toward the crane first and then another with his other hand at the beam. Spider-Man stuck to the crane and his web stuck to the beam before it can hit the street below. He grunted as he used his strength to keep it up.

On the roof of another building, Black Cat watched with an impressed look. Y/N looked over and saw her too, and she smirked then blew a kiss at him before running off.

Y/N shook his head and let out a sigh, still holding on to both web lines.

"Okay...that was humiliating." The hero muttered, then remembered something she said and decided to shout.

"And this is not spandex!"

• • •

JOSEPH SAT IN his office. The well-dressed mob boss took a puff out of his cigar and let out the smoke as he looked over some papers on his desk.

One of his guys came into the room. He folded his hands and stopped by the door.

"Mr. H, sir?"

Portrayed by Vince Vaughn

Hammerhead looked up, still holding the papers in one hand and the cigar in the other. He put the lit cigar down.

"You find out who broke into my penthouse up in SoHo?" He asked.

"Not yet—"

"Then why come in here?" He interjected. "Don't waste my time."

"I do have some good news, though." He took out a clear bag with something inside. "They found this up in that construction site across the street from the building."

Hammerhead put down the papers. The man went up to the desk and handed him the small bag. In it...was a cracked lens.

"We had a couple of our guys send it to forensics. It had some DNA, a hair. They should be back with something soon."

Joseph nodded and handed the bag back to the man.

"Benefits of having some friends in the force." He remarked.

He picked the papers back up. After skimming through it for a moment he grumbled and put it down again.

"Assholes...they think they can just do this?" He asked.

Hammerhead's henchman didn't say a word. The mob boss continued.

"It's gotta be Lonnie or Silvio." He added. "Those sons of bitches are trying to get a leg up in this race."

Hammerhead got up from his seat. He stepped up to the window and looked out at the street.

"Everyone is trying to. After Kingpin kicked the bucket, there's been a power vacuum. They want to be the big man now. But no...not unless I have something to say about it."

With Fisk's supposed death, the criminal organizations in the city have been trying to grow their power and fill the space Kingpin once did.

Families of the Maggia, like Silvermane, Hammerhead, and Tombstone, were once united but now competed for that power. And it wasn't just them...as there were also a couple of other folks on the outside that craved such influence.

There was a knock and Hammerhead let the other man in. He had a folder in hand.

"Sir, we got a hit on the DNA. They sent this over."

The henchman took the folder and then handed it to his boss. Hammerhead walked up to his desk and opened it, curious to see who the lens belonged to.

Upon looking at the name and mugshot, the man smirked. He also chuckled, remembering that the surname was of an old colleague of his.

"Well, I'll be..."

The henchman arched a brow. Hammerhead seemed to sense the other's curiosity and placed it on the table for him to see.

"It's Hardy's kid." He added.

The man saw the mugshot of the 21-year-old woman, who was last arrested for petty theft. It was funny to Joseph as it seemed like she took after her father, who was once a cat burglar. That only confirmed that she was the one who broke into his property and stole his case.

"Who do you think hired her?" The henchman asked.

"Could've been anyone. But again, likely either Lonnie or Silvio. Those two are the only folks I know who'd want the drive."

"What do you plan on doing?"

Hammerhead thought about it for a moment. He looked down at the papers and pointed at her photo.

"We find the girl. Make an example of her. Then whoever hired her will know that I also have a horse in this race."

He nodded. "How will we act?"

The mob boss thought for a moment. He then remembered a contact of his that could very well do the job.

"I think it's best if we give this cat a taste of her own medicine."

• • •

THEY WERE AT their usual spot in the café. They sat at the table in the corner of the room by the window. The group consisted of Y/N, Randy, Harry, Flash, and Indira.

"You know what this reminds me of?" Randy asked. "Friends."

They looked at the young man. He continued.

"You know, since we always sit in the same spot in this shop. And the space is always surprisingly available to us. And we're in New York.

Harry chuckled. "All right. Who's who from the cast then?"

"I call dibs on Joey," Flash said. "Since I'm so suave."

"Right," Indira replied with a scoff.

"Y/N's definitely Ross," Randy said.

The young man was on his phone and heard what his friend said. He looked up.

"Huh?"

"It fits perfectly. Smart, funny, yet socially awkward."

"Thanks," Y/N replied sarcastically.

"Then let me guess, Kate is Rachel?" Harry asked.

Randy shook his head. "Nah. That's definitely Indy."

"What?" She replied.

"You'd see the similarities if you rewatch the show."

"Then who am I?" Harry asked.

He shrugged. "Um, maybe you're the Joey type."

"Then I'm Chandler, I guess." Flash chimed in.

"Nah. You're not that funny." Randy butted, to which Flash rolled his eyes.

"Whatever." He replied. "Then who are you?"

"I don't know..." Randy scratched the back of his head. "Show didn't have many black characters to choose from."

"All right, enough of this fan-casting," Indira said and turned to Randy. "Where's this friend of yours?"

"She should be here soon." He answered.

Randy told the group beforehand that he met someone at the gym over a week ago and started talking to her. After some time, she was now willing to meet with the young man's friends.

"I can't believe you met your date at the gym?" Flash asked. "Why am I not that lucky?"

"Because you rarely go to the gym." Harry shot back.

Indira laughed as well as the rest of the table. Flash scoffed and waved them off.

"Whatever, man. It's not like we see Y/N go either."

"I didn't even laugh, dude," Y/N said, although he indeed did chuckle.

"Yes, you did."

Harry came to his friend's defense. "We don't see him go but he's got that low-key Olympian type build."

"No, he doesn't." Flash butted.

"If you've seen what I've seen."

Y/N turned to Harry and gave him a fist bump. Flash glanced at Randy, the two thinking that remark was pretty sus and a needed a pause.

"What does he mean by that?" He muttered, to which Randy simply shrugged.

"I kinda want to see," Indira mumbled as well.

Randy overheard and glanced at Indy. She shot a look at him from the corner of her eye but quickly gazed forward.

Y/N put his phone away and let the group know he was going to the restroom. He left the table. At that moment, Randy got a text. He looked at his phone.

"She's right outside." He informed them, then turned in his seat toward the doors.

Everyone else did as well. Flash leaned toward Harry.

"How high on the scale do you think Randy did?" He whispered.

"Maybe...around an 8," Harry replied.

"Too high. I was thinking a 5."

"You don't think Randy pulled someone hot?"

"Please, I still find it hard to believe Y/N pulled a literal 10-plus in Bishop. I wouldn't be able to live knowing Randy did the same."

Moments later, a young woman wearing sunglasses came into the café. People at the tables near the door noticed the blonde come in and gazed at her as well. She was a real head-turner, and that was evident by how some customers reacted.

Randy smiled as she got closer. Indira smiled as well and awaited her arrival at the table...while Flash's and Harry's jaws were on the floor.

"Hey." Randy got off his chair and greeted his date.

"Hey." She replied and hugged him.

The young man turned around and introduced her to his friends.

"This is Felicia." He gestured toward her. "Felicia, these are my friends: Indira, Harry, and Eugene."

"It's so nice to meet all of you." She said with a smile.

Randy pulled up a chair for her and she sat down beside him. Harry had already gathered himself but Flash was still awestruck.

"Bro." Randy nudged him.

"What? Uh...right."

Indira spoke. "I love your hair."

"Thank you." She replied with a laugh. "My mom's always said it's my superpower."

"I could tell. You saw how the air got sucked out of the room when you walked in?"

She smiled, appreciating the Latina's compliment. "Oh, I like you."

Indira and Felicia shared a laugh. She turned to Randy, who noticed some bruising underneath her left eye. The blonde noticed his worry.

"Whoa...what—?"

"Oh, this?" She sighed and removed her sunglasses, showing the black eye she had. "I got it at my MMA class last evening."

"Damn..." Randy said.

Harry reacted. "Oof."

Flash also spoke but was still in awe. "You take MMA?"

"Whoever did that didn't hold back," Indira said.

Felicia chuckled. "They sure didn't."

Y/N came out of the restroom and walked toward the table. He saw the blonde girl from behind and figured that was Randy's date. He smiled and went up to them.

"I'm back."

"Oh!" Randy turned to him. "Felicia, this is my other friend, Y/N."

The blonde turned in her seat toward the young man with a smile. They were face to face and their eyes met.

"Y/N, this is Felicia," Randy added.

The first thing he noticed was her green irises, then the bruising around her left eye. In the case of the lady, she saw the healing cut on his jawline.

"It's...nice to meet you," Y/N said and held out his hand.

She nodded and shook it. If she wasn't sure before, she was now. Felicia looked up from their handshake and at him.

"Strong grip." She remarked.

All he did was chuckle before letting go. He went to sit down in his seat, all while Felicia kept his eye on him.

"You've met all my friends. Well, except Kate..." Randy looked at Y/N. "Where did you say she was again?"

"Uh...she went away for the weekend." He replied, taking quick glances at Hardy.

"Hero business, probably." Randy chuckled, then looked back at Felicia. "She's with the Avengers."

"Kate?" She asked. "As in Kate Bishop?"

"Yeah."

"The one we see around fighting alongside Spider-Man?"

"Yup."

Harry chimed in. "Y/N's dating her."

Y/N stared at Felicia while the blonde reciprocated the same look. He simply nodded.

"Yeah."

"You're dating an Avenger?" She asked. "Ain't that a little...out of your league?"

"I've been told."

"You must be...very special, then."

Y/N didn't respond. It was silent for a moment before Randy spoke.

"He doesn't admit it, but he was special rizz."

Suddenly, a man at a table called out to one of the employees.

"Hey, turn the TV up, please!"

They did as requested. On the television in the corner, the breaking news was reporting an officer-involved shooting that has now led to a pursuit down Union Square.

Through the window behind Y/N, police cars with their lights on sped down the street. He looked back for a moment before taking out his phone and coming up with a lie.

"Uh...my work is calling me. I gotta go see what they want."

"They're calling you on a Saturday?" Indira asked.

"JJ doesn't believe in weekends."

He got up and bid farewell to his friends before going out the door quickly, all while Felicia kept her gaze on the young man.

Meanwhile, Flash was still staring at the blonde. Harry noticed this and nudged his arm, breaking him from the trance.

"Dude." He whispered.

He let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head and looking down.

"Y/N and Randy got 10's. Man, I need to up my game."

• • •

SPIDER-MAN ENDED UP catching the criminal. The pursuit ended in Alphabet City and the cops were apprehending the webbed-up man.

They also had to deal with the vehicle that had overturned and had to be webbed in midair. Again, things the police hated having to figure out how to bring down. Thanks a lot, Spidey.

Y/N swung up to a nearby rooftop and perched on the parapet. He looked down at the street below, then adjusted his position so that he was sitting.

The hero sat there for a moment, taking in the view and the sounds of the city. But...the moment was soon interrupted.

"That was very impressive."

Spider-Man turned around and saw the Black Cat. She was laying on her stomach on top of an air vent and had her chin resting on her palm. She had her feet kicked up.

"You really are special." She added.

The hero simply chuckled, looking to the side at the skyline ahead.

"Just so you know, there aren't many jewelry stores for you to case in this part of town."

"Funny you'd think that's all I want."

She gracefully flipped backward off the vent and landed on her feet. Black Cat walked up to the ledge where he was.

"Whoa, whoa." Y/N held out an arm. "How do I know you're not gonna claw me again?"

"Well, you don't have something of mine and you're not fighting me. So..."

Spider-Man got off the parapet and stood up. Felicia crossed her arms and looked him up and down.

"I can see how you fool people." She said.

He arched a brow. "What?"

"Back there. Out of everyone in that café I was able to get a look at, you're the last person someone would pick out as Spider-Man."

She stepped away from him and went toward the parapet. Y/N processed her statement and looked down.

"Uh...well, it's the appearance. Tucking in my shirts...long sleeves. I would wear glasses again but..."

He turned around and looked at Felicia, who was still looking out over the edge. She finally spoke.

"You hit hard, you know? Not much make-up can do to hide the bruise."

"And you gotta be careful where you swipe those claws." Y/N butted. "I had to tell my friends I cut myself shaving which is dumb because I barely have any facial hair."

She finally turned around and stepped toward him. "Guess I just loved batting you around. Cats often do that to spiders."

"Cute."

Felicia swayed her hips and got closer to Spider-Man. The hero chuckled and stretched his arm out.

"Hey, hey, hey. I see what you're doing. Stop. Aren't you dating my friend?"

"Well...dating is a loose term."

"Well, with my own girlfriend, the term isn't loose."

"Aww..." She pouted. "So you really are with that archer girl?"

"Thankfully."

"What a shame." Felicia ended up getting close and dusting off his shoulders. "We could've been a great duo ourselves."

"Doing what? Robbing penthouses?"

"I ain't a one-trick pony. I do many other things."

"Do any of them fall under the legal umbrella?"

She simply chuckled and walked passed him. Spider-Man turned around and watched her step away. She was still swaying her hips and he found himself glancing down...you know. The young man shook his head.

"Nice talk, Spider." She spoke, going up on the parapet and balancing on it.

"Look..." He called out. "Since you know now...I'd appreciate it if you never...uh, bring it up. Okay?"

She looked over her shoulder. "What would I gain from spilling the beans? What do you peg me as? A supervillain that wants to come after your family?"

The young man let out an exhale and shrugged. His non-response made her assume that he'd had that experience before.

"Your secret is safe with me." She reassured him. "Besides, our inevitable back-and-forth wouldn't be fun with you worrying all the time."

"Inevitable?" He asked.

"Once you've crossed me once...and in your case, twice, you're bound to do so again."

She let herself fall backward and off the building before swinging away with her grappling hook. Y/N watched her traverse through the streets and let out a sigh.

"This town just loves having more costumed folk, doesn't it?"

• • •

TWO DAYS PASSED. In a property in Manhattan, a man had just finished his work on the computer. He looked out the window from his high rise, admiring the view.

His maid came into the office and knocked on the doorframe. He looked over at her.

"I'm heading out." She told him.

"Okay. Thank you very much."

She nodded. "Goodnight, Mr. Fireheart."

Portrayed by Martin Sensmeier

Thomas gave a quick smile back before she closed the door and left. He also got up and started grabbing his things. Suddenly, a phone rang.

It wasn't his usual cell phone that he used for dealings with his company and his personal life, but from a burner within his desk. He opened the drawer and took it out.

He answered it. "Hello?"

"We found her." His colleague spoke.

Thomas knew exactly what the man was referring to. He walked up to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Where?"

"Near NoHo. She's with a friend right now. I think they're on their way home."

"Keep an eye on them. Send me the location. I'll meet you there."

He hung up the phone. Thomas then went over to a secret compartment and took out a gun, but after looking at it...decided to put it back.

He wouldn't need that.

Thomas stepped away from the drawer and walked back to the window. Through his reflection, he could see his eyes change to a grayish green.

And with that...they became more like those of a puma.